For Coffee Drinkers

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Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 34:8

In "A Box of Delights", J. John and mark Stibbe share this hilarious article. "You know you're addicted to coffee when:

You're employee of the month at the local coffee house and you don't even work there...your eyes stay open when you sneeze...you chew on other people's fingernails...you can type 60 words per minute with your feet...you can jump start your car without cables...you don't sweat, you percolate...you've worn out the handle on your favourite coffee mug...you walk 20 miles on your treadmill before you realise it's not hooked up...you've worn the finish off your coffee table...you're so wired, you pick up radio signals...your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil...you'd be willing to spend time in a Turkish prison...you go to sleep just so you can wake and smell the coffee...you name your cats 'Cream and Sugar'...your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position...you have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug...you don't tan you roast...you don't get mad you get steamed...your coffee mug is insured by Lloyd's of London...you introduce your spouse as your coffee mate...you think CPR stands for 'coffee provides resuscitation'...you ski uphill...you get a speeding ticket when parked...you haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse...you just completed another sweater and you don't even know how to knit.

The Bible says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Here's an idea. Why not turn your coffee break into a time with God. Carry a "Scripture for Today" with you. Meditate while you sip, talk to God while you savor. Doing this could transform your spiritual life!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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Beautiful In Its Time

Image by duopastorale via Flickr

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecclesiasties 3:11

Today it's time to celebrate a birthday. This I do... is 2 years old. When I posted my first post on June 29, 2007, I had no idea what I was doing and really didn't expect much response. But since that day I have appreciated the many responses and even friendships that have started. It has all meant a great deal to me, and I want to thank all of you who read, comment and those who encourage me to keep going. For that is what this blog is about, pressing on towards that prize without giving up. And as someone who stumbles rather a lot, that is what I need to keep reminding myself.

This year is proving to be a challenging time of persevering and waiting, so I was delighted when I was wandering in the garden a few weeks ago and spotted these flowers. About 10 or more years ago I planted a bottlebrush and phormium, and this year for the very first time they have flowered! There were many times I felt like digging up that bottlebrush and giving up, but here it is! It only has one solitary flower but I'm so glad I waited. Maybe there is a lesson there.

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Chris Moyles Talks Up Church

Chris Moyles talks up church

Skywatch #59

Worthing, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

This was a day last year in Worthing, on the south coast, when you just didn't know what the weather was going to do! Just like today in London. After some beautiful weather this week, the rain has rolled in again. Happy skywatching everyone!

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Having A Peaceful State Of Mind

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I have stilled and quieted my soul
Psalm 131:2

One of the greatest stress inducers we face daily is noise. We live in a noisy world. To enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere - we must create one! So find a place where you won't be interrupted and learn to enjoy simply being quiet for a while. If you're a high-energy, time-conscious, results-oriented individual with too much to do and not enough time to do it, you'll discover this is not easy. And before you start thinking, 'This is not very spiritual,' take a moment and consider these four Scriptures: 1) 'The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever' (Isaiah 32:17 NIV) 2) 'Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind' (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV). 3) 'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business...' (1Thessalonians 4:11 NIV). 4) 'Be still, and know that I am God...' (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

You can't live a continually noisy life and expect to walk in peace. Jesus made sure He had seasons of peace and time alone. Nobody had a greater life's purpose or more incessant demands placed upon Him than He did. Yet the Bible says, He '...often withdrew to lonely places and prayed' (Luke 5:16 NIV). Surely if Jesus needed this type of lifestyle, you do too. Spending quiet time with God is essential to restoring your body, your mind and your emotions. The truth is, you need it regularly, so insist on having it and don't let anyone take it from you. Work your schedule around God - don't try to work God in around your schedule.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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A New Name

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To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it.
Revelation 2:17

For eleven years now, I have carried around a little white stone in my pocket, along with my loose change. Every time I dig around in my pocket I am reminded of what God thinks of me. In 1998 God brought me this verse from Revelation and also one from Isaiah 62:2, "...you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow." With these verses He spoke a new name to me. The name that He gave me would probably make my friends laugh, because it is something that I am struggling to become. And yet, that is what I am and am becoming. That little stone reminds me that God sees me in Christ, and that in Him I have unlimited potential!

Has God given you a new name? Ask Him today what it is. You might find yourself surprised at what He says.

Praise God I'm Free

With just one word
He calms the raging sea
With just one touch
He makes the blind to see
His name is Jesus
There's no one like Jesus
There is no other name
By which man can be saved
He made me free
Praise God I'm free, free indeed
By the power of Your Spirit in my life
I can sing, praise God I'm free

2001 Michael Battersby/Smart Productions

Skywatch #58

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6

Last weekend I enjoyed a relaxing walk along the River Thames at Richmond. The view of the Star & Garter home was particularly good. Lots of people were about walking, or messing about in boats. Happy Skywatch Friday!

Zemanta Rocks!

Image via CrunchBase

I found this fascinating quote today:

We're always looking for tools to make blogging easier, and a number of us on the Blogger team have become big fans of Zemanta. Zemanta is a browser plug-in for Firefox and IE, and is available as a bookmarklet for Chrome and Safari. (More details here, you can download your version of Zemanta here.)Rick Klau, Jun 2009

You should read the whole article.

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Series Posts

UCB Word For Today

• Courage
• Happiness Keys
• Stay Focused
• Stick To The Plan
• This Year Persevere

New Wine

• Waiting For A Visit
  

Mike

• Fruit Of The Spirit
• Psalm 23
  

Changing On The Inside...

...the keys to spiritual recovery and lasting change.

John White has been one of my long time favourite authors, and coming back to this book has been both challenging and refreshing. Reading it this time, I was struck by the similarity of style to CS Lewis. Like Lewis. his ideas are presented logically and clearly, and always with great wisdom and a grasp of the issues people face in the real world.

One interesting point he makes is that repentance and change, more often than not, come as a result of crises, or erathquakes as he calls them; events in our lives that force us to face ourselves and move on. It is certainly true that pain is a great motivator!

The more of life we have, the greater our experience of both joy andpain....To choose real change is to choose a greater capacity for life. Repentance is a doorway to life. And life is wrapped up in a bundle with pain, something that most of us fear. I am not a masochist, but I have learned to appreciate pain. By this I do not mean that I enjoy pain, but that I understand its role in life. p213

Can people change? The answer is YES. People can change. They can change for the better. They can change permanently for the better. They can even 'grow', mature, and develop emotionally. They can learn a new zest for life. This is why repentance must be ongoing. p215

People who have truly repented have no further need to fear others' knowing about the evil that is inside them. In that sense they can be naked. They do not forget the evil they did, but their experience of pardon is deep enough to end their fear and shame. They can look the rest of us in the eye with joy and confidence. p117

Today, God's Looking Out For You

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The Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace
Numbers 6:26

When Dallas Willard was a child he lost his mother. He writes about a little boy whose mum also died. Every night he toddled into his dad's room to ask if he could sleep with him. Only when his father promised to sleep with his face turned towards him, did the little guy feel safe enough to doze off. Willard writes: 'We can get by with a God who doesn't speak. Many of us at least think we do. But it's not much of a life, and it's certainly not the life God intends or the abundant life Jesus came to make available.'

Moses prayed, 'The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.' Isn't it wonderful to know God watches over us, guides and protects us 24 hours a day, every day? In fact, the most common promise in Scripture isn't about salvation or heaven. No, the most frequent promise in the Bible is, '...I will be with you...' (Joshua 1:5 NKJV). It's the one God made to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Mary and Paul. And it's the one that kept them going! David said, 'Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me...' (Psalm 23:4 NLT). God was constantly reminding His people that He was with them through the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the manna in the wilderness, and the pillar of cloud and fire that went before them. Just like He's reminding you today, '...Do not be afraid or discouraged...the Lord...is with you...' (Joshua 1:9 NLT). Be at peace today, God is looking out for you!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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I Stand In Awe

Martyn Layzell via last.fm

I stand in awe - Martyn Layzell

We've been teaching this to the church recently and again today. It's an awesome song and I love it :)

Skywatch #57

Nyman's Gardens, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

I took this shot last summer at Nyman's Gardens in Surrey. The angle of the green slope with the sky really struck me. The main attraction of this place is the amazing border planting. Definitely worth a visit if you are passing! Happy weekend to everyone :)

You Deserve It!

Image by Sarah Parrott via Flickr

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Recently, after thanking someone for a gift that had been given, I received the response, "It's OK, you deserve it!". This was one of those God moments for me as I realised that actually I probably didn't deserve it, and even if i did, surely the giving of gifts is not done because of our own merit but because the giver wants to express love, affection or thanks. My thoughts then turned to God as I realised that He too gives to me , not because I deserve anything from Him (on the contrary) but because He loves me, pure and simple. Isn't it just the most wonderful thing, that we weak and sinful people can be perfect illustrations of that simple love of God in Christ? The call to us then is to simply and humbly receive from Him because He loves us, and has demonstrated that love to us on the cross. No other reason.

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Learning To Stand

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And having done all...stand
Ephesians 6:13

Don't allow the conflict-free seasons of your life to lull you into a false sense of security: 'Be vigilant...the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour' (1Peter 5:8 NKJV). What should we do when the Devil comes along? 'And having done all...stand.' Indeed, '...God is able to make [you] stand' (Romans 14:4 NKJV), not in your own strength, but the strength of Jesus Christ. By yourself you're an easy target, but in the strength of the Lord you can stand and not give in. So today when satan shows up with his temptations, announce that you're going to stand in Christ. Let him know you're going to stand until the shaking stops, until the wave of loneliness passes, until your marriage is restored, until you come out of debt, until the struggle is over, until the tempter loses his power to trap or topple you.

When you do the standing - God does the strengthening! Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' (Philippians 4:13). Note the word 'strengtheneth.' He won't just strengthen you once, He'll do it again and again. He'll strengthen you every time you face a difficult challenge, every time a memory comes back to torment you, every time you're reminded of your imperfect past, every time you face a difficult situation. Drawing from God the strength you need to stand up to the enemy will take effort. It will take your praise, your prayer, your getting into His Word with an intensity you never had before. But the truth is - you can stand if you want to!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

How Far Is The East From The West?

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him...The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed his transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Luke 15:20 Psalm 103:8-13

Skywatch #56

Heath Rose 2, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

Let It Go (1)

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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past

Isaiah 43:18

What do you do when your memory drags the ‘there and then’ into the ‘here and now’, immersing you in the same old pain? The Bible answers, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?’. Your past can infect your present and influence your future unless you decide to let it go.

First, let go of what God has forgiven! God’s only response to confessed sin is to forgive and forget it. If it comes up again, you, not He, brought it up. ‘If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us…and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). Two things make letting go difficult.

1) Your feelings. ‘I just don’t feel forgiven!’ you say. You’re forgiven by God’s grace obtained through Christ’s sacrifice – regardless of emotions. Don’t wait to feel it before you accept it; accept it and you’ll start to feel it!

2) A wrong concept of God. You say, ‘My dad says he forgives me, but each time I fail all my old offences are thrown in my face again’. Your Heavenly Father doesn’t operate that way. ‘I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more’. (Isaiah 43:25 NIV). God doesn’t bring them up; because He doesn’t remember them. All your sins were judged and paid for at Calvary. Once confessed, you’ll never again be charged with them, so rejoice and let them go. The Court of Heaven has ruled you ‘not guilty’.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.