Way Of The Cross

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Whoever belongs to Christ must go the whole way with him. He must mature to adulthood: he must one day or other walk the way of the cross to Gethsemane and Golgotha. Will you remain faithful to the Crucified One? The world is in flames, the battle between Christ and the Antichrist has broken into the open. If you decide for Christ, it could cost you your life. Carefully consider what you promise. Edith Stein

These words hit me!! So often I try to make my cross comfortable or use my reasoning to try and explain why this thing isn't a cross and why I should put it down... but I am called to pick it up and carry it.. for Him. The world says there is no such thing as a cross and even some in the church would soften it, but there it is. Pick it up and consider it a privilege. That is the challenge of this week.

Alone With God

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'...the Lord... is a jealous God.'

Exodus 34:14

God is jealous of anything that takes His place in your life, especially a 'relationship idol'. You say, 'What's that?' It's the lie that convinces you your happiness depends on another person. When you look to somebody other than God for security, purpose, worth and contentment - all the things He willingly provides - He's jealous. So tear down that idol! Yes, it's hard to have nobody to share your life with, or come home to. But when God wants you to hear His voice, sometimes He silences all the rest.

Has it occurred to you that you're alone, not because nobody likes you, but because God is drawing you to a deeper place of intimacy with Him? 'How can I know?' you ask. Joshua was alone when God gave him the plan for conquering Jericho. John was alone on the island of Patmos when Heaven opened and he wrote the book of Revelation. The Bible says, 'Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak' (Genesis 32:24 NIV). That's when God changed his name from Jacob, a deceiver, to Israel, a prince with God. When you don't know who you are, you'll allow yourself to be swallowed up in somebody else's life in order to find worth and fulfilment. You'll think you need them in order to enjoy being you. No, let God tell you who you are. After all, who knows you better? The only way you'll discover your true identity, is by being alone with God!

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

Everything Is Spiritual?

We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented, it's as simple as that.The Truman Show

In the Everything is Spiritual DVD, Rob Bell talks about the amazing complexity of our Universe and how we only see a tiny part of it's reality. He explains how finely tuned we are, how just one variation in this fine balance we call Creation would be catastophic.

The new String Theorists have apparently discovered 11 dimensions and more! Of the light spectrum, our eyes only see a tiny fraction of all there is to see. When splitting the atom quantum physicists discovered that there were more components that could be split yet again and again and again. Some of these particles or components were able to be in 2 places at once. Cosmologists are also discovering that the 'vacuum' of Space is in fact not empty at all. It is full of what they call 'dark energy'. It's called dark because they don't know exactly what it is! There is even a discussion as to whether the Universe is part of a greater Multiverse.

For me, all this amazing 'stuff' points to an even more amazing Creator. Can you imagine meeting the one who created all this? By his very nature he must be hugely bigger and more impressive than all we can see, and can't see. The Bible says, "You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live." Exodus 33:20. But God has revealed His nature perfectly through a person. In fact the One who created all this stuff became stuff himself! The Bible says that Jesus is not only the one who created all this, but is the One who holds it all together. Colossians 1:15-17. Jesus is the energy that holds our Universe together. The Bible doesn't give us the option of believing that he was only a good moral teacher. The radical truth is something more mind blowing and amazing than we can even begin to imagine. 

Seek & Forgive

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Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon... Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
Isaiah 55:6-7 Luke 11:4

To err is human; to forgive, divine.-- Alexander Pope

One forgives to the degree that one loves. --Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.-- Mahatma Gandhi

Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. --William A. Ward

This is maybe the greatest challenge in life.. at least for me! To constantly forgive, to live in that attitude of forgiveness. Why should I? Because I expect it of my God each and every day.

Move On With God

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...the Spirit of God moved...
Genesis 1:2

Christ's disciples left everything to follow somebody they didn't begin to comprehend. They dreamed of a Messiah who would establish a temporal kingdom and overthrow Rome, so His crucifixion blew their minds. So did His resurrection, because now they had to preach a message that would cost them their lives. Sometimes they didn't know what to make of Jesus: '...the disciples saw him walking on the sea... saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out...' (Matthew 14:26 KJV). When He ate with them on the shore following His resurrection, '...none... dared ask Him, "Who are You?"- knowing that it was the Lord' (John 21:12 NKJV). If you're going to walk with God get ready to have your faith stretched.

The first thing we read about God in Scripture is that He 'moved'. If you plan to move on with Him this year, you must overcome two things. First, complacency. Scientists conducted an experiment in which they placed an amoeba in a stress-free environment. The conditions were ideal; it had no adjustments whatsoever to make. But it died. Why? Because you need change and challenge just like you need food and water. Complacency can kill you! Second, you must avoid complaining. Failure to acknowledge God's goodness caused Israel to go in circles for 40 years: 'These things happened to them as... warnings for us...' (1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV). Two children sat down to lunch. One opened his lunchbox and began to gripe, 'Ham sandwiches again? This is the fourth day in a row. I'm sick of ham sandwiches!' His friend said, 'I bet if you tell your mum you don't like ham sandwiches she'll make you something else.' 'Mum?' replied the first child. 'I make my own lunches.' Hello! Have a problem with complaining? Fix it! Make up your mind to move on with God!

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

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Promise

I have promised
Exodus 3:17

Everything about God is vast and incomparable, including His faithfulness. He never forgets a thing, never makes a mistake, never fails to keep a promise, never falters over a decision, never retracts a decision He has made, and has never breached a contract. Every declaration He has made, every promise He has given, every covenant He has struck is bestowed by His faithful character. Selwyn Hughes.

Light Children

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The entrance of Your Word gives light...

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you; God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all... For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ... The Word was God... In Him was life, and that life was the light of men... But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin... For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord... Live as children of light.

Psalm 119:130, 1 John 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 1:1, 4, 1 John 1:7, Ephesians 5:8, 1 Peter 2:9

Skywatch #89

Hyde Park Memorial, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

Image by duopastorale via Flickr

The 7 July 2005 London bombings (also called the 7/7 bombings) were a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks. They were aimed at London's public transport system during the morning rush hour.

At 08:50, three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. Then a fourth exploded an hour later at 09:47 on a bus in Tavistock Square. The bombs were packed into rucksacks and set off by the bombers themselves.

A memorial was made in Hyde Park on the 7 July 2009. This had 52 stainless steel pillars, one for each murder victim. They were arranged in four clusters for the four bomb sites. 52 died and over 700 were injured in the attack. Wikipedia

Vicar Of Baghdad

Cover via Amazon

On Sunday evening I was blessed to be able to hear Canon Andrew White interviewed by Nicky Gumbel at Holy Trinity Brompton. Such an amazing inspiration! A man of courage, guts and awesome faith, in a dangerous place. He talks of amazing suffering, angelic visions, healings, 1000's attending Alpha.

What really struck me was his joy! Last year almost 100 people in his congregation were killed. 11 Muslims were converted to Christ and came to him to be baptised. Within 2 weeks they were dead. His church was bombed causing terrible damage. He serves God whilst battling with debilitating MS. And yet he inspired us with his determination to serve Jesus and show nothing but love. When asked what we could pray for, he did not ask for prayers of protection but that the love in his congregation would grow. Awesome!

Watch the interview and be encouraged!

A Man Fell In A Hole

When we were utterly helpless,
Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Romans 5:6

Skywatch #88

Italian Alps, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

More digging in the archives.. The Italian Alps in 2007 was one of the best holidays I've had. Just spectacular scenery.

Make Your Life Count!

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'...This one thing I do...'
Ph.3:13

Edgar W Work said, 'The real tragedy is not in being limited to one talent, but in the failure to use that one talent.'

To make the most of your life:

1) Maximise what God has given you. Edison set himself an ambitious goal: to come up with a major new invention every six months and a minor one every ten days. When he died he had 1,093 patents. Edison made his dreams a reality by sticking to what he did best. Are you doing that?

2) Start where God put you. After losing a baseball game, cartoon character Charlie Brown pours out his heart to his friend Lucy: 'All my life I've dreamed of pitching in the big leagues, but I'll never make it!' Lucy replies 'You're thinking too far ahead, Charlie Brown. Set yourself more immediate goals. Start with the next inning, for example. When you go out to pitch, see if you can walk to the mound...without falling down.' Success starts with one step. Exercise your faith and take it.

3) Focus on what God called you to do. Music was everything to Brahms. He collected music and studied compositions going back to the 15th century. He worked day and night to perfect his craft, refusing to publish anything that didn't meet his exacting standards. That's why he didn't publish his first symphony until he was 40. And he never married, saying it would distract him: 'I am in love with music, I think of nothing but, and of other things only when they make music more beautiful.' Is that fanaticism? No, it's focus; it's what makes your life count! It's why Paul said, '...this one thing I do...'

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

Sacred And Secular

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Last night I attended a concert and heard a friend performing in an amazing Handel cantata. It has been some years since I have seen her, and I was amazed at how she now plays the violin with such confidence and dexterity. Later as we chatted, she talked with great enthusiasm about the project she was involved in and it was clear that this was her life's passion. And then she added, referring to her Christian witness, 'but I often wonder how much difference I'm making'. It was said with a tinge of regret and a distinct lack of confidence. I thought this was very sad.

Recently my thoughts have been very much taken up with how I reconcile the sacred and secular in my personal life, with particular reference to music. It is always so much easier to put the different aspects of my life into boxes. Here is the music I worship with, and here is the other stuff, which God allows me in certain doses. But I am coming to see after many years that the lines are much more grey than that. It's more about who I am, and what He created me to be that is worship. I love music, and when I am involved in producing good music, my life changes. I become more hopeful, positive, forward looking, and when I am starved of such experience something feels badly missing. To me that signals something God-given and intended. And yet I struggle with channeling that experience into something that also feels Spirit filled.

I found this great article which I found helpful, containing the following:

We usually think of the work of pastors and missionaries as sacred work, but if we work out of a desire to serve God and others, our “secular” work also becomes a sacred activity. Actually there is no distinction between sacred and secular in Scripture. All of life relates to God, and He desires that we live in a way that honors and pleases Him in every aspect of our lives – at work, in church, in our families, and in all other relationships...

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences...

The More I Seek You

The more I seek You - Kari Jobe

Image by Headphonaught via Flickr

A beautiful song I have only just discovered.. It echoes my own cry.. to seek Him with all my heart and to melt in His peace. May we all experience that this blessed day.

Skywatch #87

Classic, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

It's amazing that these two photos were taken within minutes of each other. It just depends where you're facing and what you're looking for. Spring is on the move in London, and today was my first lunch al fresco. Great! Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Cloud Stitch, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

God Experiences

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'...Did not our heart burn...while He talked with us...?'
Luke 24:32

Mobile phones, laptops, hand-held PCs and electronic organisers can become our slave drivers. We need to stop and ask ourselves, 'Can God interrupt me? Can He get my attention short of a catastrophe?' Some of your 'God experiences' will happen when you're preoccupied with something else. So pray that you'll be sensitive enough to realise it's God, and respond to Him rather than the pressures around you. If you decide to pursue your own agenda instead of God's, don't be surprised when you run into a brick wall and end up asking, 'What went wrong?' The answer is, you didn't take time for God!

Look at Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their home in Bethany. Martha's focus was on cooking dinner for Him; Mary's was on soaking up every word He spoke. Now both are necessary, but when forced to choose between the two the Lord will always choose the one who sits at His feet in adoration and learns from Him. Listen to the words of a couple who'd just encountered Christ on the Emmaus Road following His resurrection, yet they didn't recognise Him: '..."Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road...?"' (Luke 24:32 NKJV). God can give you a solution or a strategy 'on the road' that will solve a problem waiting for you at work. He can de-stress you so you sail confidently through a test in school. He can give you direction for the future while you're doing mundane things around the house. All He requires is that you be sensitive to Him, available to Him, and responsive to Him.

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

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