Skywatch #80

Nyman's Gardens, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

For I know the plans I have for you", this is the LORD's declaration, "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

This photo is a skywatch repost from the past year; my most popular photo on Flickr. When I posted this photo back in June, Photo Cache said, "What a glorious image, full of hope and cheer."

And what better way to go into 2010, than with that hope which He gives us. He doesn't guarantee us an easy ride or even perfect health and circumstances, but He does promise never to leave us and that nothing will separate us from His love. And in the end that's really all that matters.

May you all know His guiding and sustaining hand in all your joys and sorrows throughout the coming new year.

Serving God Or Money

Image via Wikipedia

'...You cannot serve both God and Money.'
Matthew 6:24

Let's be honest. For most of us, materialism is God's main rival. But it's possible to get increasingly free of it. Author John Ortberg writes: 'Sometimes when I'm speaking, I try a little exercise in dethroning the idol. I ask people to take out their wallet...It looks like a piece of leather. But it's really the temple of the 21st century. Most people in our day believe that their ability to experience happiness is directly associated with the contents of this little container. This is where the god Mammon lives. We give this little piece of leather the power to make us feel secure, successful, and valuable. It's very hard for us to surrender control of this little piece of leather.

The real issue: Who's in charge? Are you holding it, or is it holding you? So as a little baby step of surrender, I ask people to hand it to the person next to them. At this point the attention level in the room goes way up. Then I announce that we're going to take an offering. I encourage people to give with the extravagant generosity they have always wanted to exhibit. Wallets fly back to their original owners fast at this point. Then I invite them to declare today, 'Enough day.' What I have now - my home, my job, my possessions, my family, my lifestyle - is enough. I will seek another and better kind of wealth than terminal acquisition.' Then he tells the audience, 'Circle today on your calendar. From this day on, your race with the Joneses is over. The Joneses win, but so do 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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He Will Carry You

He will carry you - Lynda Randle

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, "even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:11-12

There is no problem too big God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it
And there is no storm too dark God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep He cannot soothe it

And if He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my brother that He will carry you
And if He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my sister that He will carry you
He said . . . "Come unto me all who are weary, and I will give you rest"

Skywatch #79

Richmond Park, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

But he knows the way that I take

Job 23:10

A very Happy Christmas to all my readers, commenters and subscribers! I appreciate all your visits and comments. May you know His peace now and throughout 2010 :)

On To Maturity

Image via Wikipedia

Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
Hebrews 6:11

In Hebrews 6, the writer encourages us to stop going over and over basic teachings about Christ such as repentance, faith, baptism, judgement etc. and instead move on to maturity. We might know all there is to know about our faith, we may even have degrees in theology and spend hours in the Bible, but still be immature.

James talks about real faith in James 2:18; But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. Our spiritual maturity is shown by our actions, words, relationships, obedience and how we interact with others.

Spiritual maturity in not an automatic result of time. It results from focused listening to the word of God and living out that word in fellowship with the community. George Guthrie.

This is a real challenge to me as I look back over my life. Having been a Christian for 26 years, I wonder whether I am really better at loving, doing and acting out my faith now than when I first started. One thing I know is that the people who have made the most impact in my life and meant the most have been the ones who loved me and showed their love by consistent action. I pray that I can learn to do the same.

How To Have A Good Day

Image by mccmicb via Flickr

'...without Me you can do nothing.'
John 15:5

You can change the course of a day satan has negative plans for, by spending time with the Lord, especially when you sense any attitude or behaviour in yourself that's not Christ-like. Jesus said, '...without Me you can do nothing.' (John15:5 NKJV). On the other hand, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Negative feelings are like unwelcome house guests: the worst thing you can do is to invite them in. You may not be able to override them in your own strength, but if you seek God's help He will enable you to walk according to His ways, not by your negative emotions and perspective.

'But what if someone offends me?' The Bible says we're not to be oversensitive or easily offended. Actually we are commanded to forgive those who hurt us, not letting things fester. Sometimes we want to forgive and do what's right, but we find doing it difficult. More often than not, the right thing is the hard thing to do, not the easy thing. That's when you need to pray and allow God to talk to you through His Word. Only then will you find the strength to do the right thing.

Remember, you're in a war, and the battle begins the moment your eyes open each morning. To win, '...be strong in the Lord...Put on the whole armour of God...having girded your waist with truth...put on the breastplate of righteousness...having shod your feet with...the gospel of peace...taking the shield of faith...And take the helmet of salvation...the sword of the Spirit...praying always...in the Spirit...speak boldly...' (Ephesians 6:10-20 NKJV).

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

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

For unto us a child is born - Handel

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Skywatch #78

Snow & Sky, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'

Job 37:6

Snow has come early this year; not much, but enough to make it feel like Christmas! Some of my friends, in Europe for the first time are enjoying their first experience of the white stuff. There is definitely something magical about it and brings out the child in us. Whatever your weather, enjoy the weekend everyone :)

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Restored & Repaid!

Image by CK Wong via Flickr

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten...I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD...suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple...
Joel 2:25, Zephaniah 3:20, Malachi 3:1

As we spend this time of Advent waiting for His coming, I have been drawn to several scriptures amongst the minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament. After the final words of Malachi, Israel had to wait 400 years for the birth of Jesus... Now there is a lesson in waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled; and perhaps an even greater lesson in recognising the promises when they arrive and look a little different to what we had expected! But the promise is there... that God will restore and repay us what we have lost. Ultimately, every good thing we have comes through His grace, expressed to us through Jesus.

Recently I have been thinking about loss both in my own life and in my church community. This is so often a part of our life experience and quite normal. As "The Road Less Travelled" begins, "Life is difficult". But I do not believe that God would have us remain in that place of loss. He wants to restore us and amazingly to repay us. He sends us His Son who can redeem all our brokenness and bring light into all our life's situations. We may have to wait, and probably will, but yes He is coming! Help is on the way.

Digging Wells That Won't Hold Water

Image by tim.perdue via Flickr

'My people have...dug...cisterns...that cannot hold water.'
Jeremiah 2:13

Do you feel like there's something missing in your life? Are you running from place to place and person to person trying to find it? Until you put God at the centre of your life, you'll keep digging 'cisterns...that cannot hold water.' We all want to be loved and feel successful, so we look to our jobs or to others for a sense of fulfilment. But by expecting a person or a pay cheque to do what only God can, we keep coming up short. 'Cursed is the...one who depends on mere humans...he's like a tumbleweed...rootless and aimless...But blessed is the man who trusts...God...They're like trees...putting down roots near...rivers...calm through droughts, bearing...fruit every season' (Jeremiah 17:5-8 TM).

Fulfilment doesn't come from having 'the right people' in your life, or more money, prestige and accomplishments. A larger house won't do it; you'll just have more to clean. The latest car won't do it; you'll just end up with bigger payments. A job promotion won't do it; you'll just have more stress and longer hours. Yes, you'll make more money, but after taxes and buying what you need to maintain your new image, you'll be back to square one. At the end of a lifetime spent '...striving after [the] wind...' (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NAS). Solomon said, 'Everything...can be put into a few words: Respect and obey [honour and put your trust in] God! This is what life is all about' (Ecclesiastes 12:13 CEV). The One you're looking for today has been there all along, and He's ready to meet you at the point of your need. You just have to invite Him in!

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

Run To God! Run From Evil!

Image by [phil h] via Flickr

Trust... Run... Glow... Burst!
Proverbs 3

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

Proverbs 3:5-12

A Message To You

Image by Kuzeytac via Flickr

'...we have...believed the love
that God has for us...'
1 John 4:16

'I knew you before time began. I know how many hairs are on your head. Like parent, like child, you're created in My image. I have plans for you. I've also given you the 'gifts' needed to fulfil them; and what I give, nobody can take away. But don't neglect them; exercise them, and stir them up daily. Rest assured, I've started a good work in you and I'm going to finish it. I always complete what I begin. My Word concerning you is forever settled, and My commitment to you is unending. In this life you will have challenges, but cheer up; I've robbed satan of his power to control you and the world of its power to destroy you.

When you're in trouble remember, I'm present to help. Give Me your burdens and I will sustain you. When you're stressed out and worn down by the pressures of life, lean on Me. I will be your rock, your fortress, your deliverer and your strength. Even though you fail from time to time, you won't be discarded because I am upholding you. But a word of caution: don't take advice from those who are spiritually blind and don't hang out with sceptics. Delight yourself in My Word and, like a big oak tree growing by a river, you'll prosper in all you do.' 'And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him'.

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

I've Just Seen Jesus

I've just seen Jesus - Gaither Homecoming 1999

I will see God in my flesh.
Job 19:26

This amazing song was shared with me by my friend at Imrah Ministries. It's something that I long for; to see Jesus with my own eyes, and that day will surely come! Have a blessed Sunday everyone :)

Skywatch #77

Hounslow Skies, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

Who paints the skies?

I have had to raid the archives for this one as the weather has been very very very wet of late and me and my camera have not been walking so much. This is very close to my house... Have a happy weekend everyone :)

Daily Audio Bible

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword...
Hebrews 4:12

For the last year I have been listening to the Daily Audio Bible podcast. When I began last January I didn't think that I would be able to complete the year, but it very quickly became a part of my morning routine and I've found it easy to maintain listening month by month. After a 15-20 minute reading, from varying translations, Brian Hardin shares a thought relevant to the scripture and then we pray for people in the Daily Audio Bible community who have rung in with prayer requests. You will see from the video how utterly amazing and God inspired this whole venture is! I really encourage you to listen. You can subscribe here or listen right here.