Skywatch #106

Twickenham Rugby Sculpture, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

This sculpture is at Twickenham Rugby Stadium and is by Gerald Laing. You can see the proportions here. It has just been erected this year and I think it is impressive. Not much sky though, sorry ;)

Image by duopastorale via Flickr

Christopher Nolan

At 22, Christopher Nolan was already hailed as a literary genius. With Britain's coveted Whitbread Prize for his autobiography, Under The Eye of The Clock, his work has been compared to that of James Joyce and WB Yeats. Yet it takes Christopher Nolan a quarter of an hour to write one word. Born with sever cerebral palsy, he spends much of his life strapped in a wheelchair, his face and limbs subject to uncontrollable spasms. He can't speak, but he can type. As a child he cried bitterly that he was not like other children until one day his mother said to him, "Listen here, you can see, you can hear, you can understand, and you're loved by me and your dad just as you are." Gradually he looked at his limbs and decided that he liked himself! What a decision! he began to shift his attention away from his limitations and focus on what was possible - what he could do with his life. He says,  

"My mind is like spin-dryer at full speed; millions of beautiful words cascade down into my lap. Images gunfire across my consciousness, and while trying to discipline them, I jump in awe at the soul-filled beauty of the mind's expanse."

Don't you wish you could write like that? Let go of the "if only's," the comparisons and the judgements. Listen to Paul's words; "Thanks be unto God which always causes us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14).

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

Skywatch #105

Angels Wings, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

My Other Blog

After my post last week,  several of you subscribed to Musiblog. Thank you! Amongst the first were Cathy from A Bit of the Blarney, Sue from My road as I travel it, and Jill from The Power Station. You can join the Power Station group on FB here. Your prizes are in the post. Hope you enjoy :)

Sheer Gift

Image by WolfS♡ul via Flickr

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

James 1:2-4

The temptation to cut and run is sometimes strong, but the truth is that God is more interested in our character, our ability to stand under trial and temptation, than He is with our comfort. This is not pleasant. We might be asked to suffer trials in all sorts of ways, ways that don't make sense. But trial can be made worse when we struggle, when we argue with God instead of submitting to His hand with humility. I often need to be reminded that He does actually know what's best! If you're there today, questioning God about a situation, looking for a way out when you know deep down He has asked you to bear it, then join with me in asking Him for the grace to be still, to know His Presence and to receive the hope that is always there for us.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,“He who is coming will come and will not delay".  Hebrews 10:35-37

Pace Yourself

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Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...'  

Matthew 11:29

Galileo said, 'I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect, has intended us to forego their use.' When Jesus says, '...My yoke is easy and My burden is light' (Matthew 11:30 NKJV), His intention for you is to discover His will for your life, unlock and develop the gifts He's given you, draw daily on His power, use your common sense, and don't live stressed out. That means you need to change your attitude. Have you ever noticed how some people on a rollercoaster close their eyes, clench their teeth and wait for the ride to end, while up front the wide-eyed thrill-seekers relish every peak and plunge? They're all on the same trip, but their attitudes are entirely different. 

You can't always control what happens to you, but you can decide how you'll respond to it. For instance, choosing to see problems as opportunities for growth develops you instead of draining you. You also need to get physical. 'Physical exercise has... value' (1 Timothy 4:8 GNT). You don't have to drive 40 minutes to a health club, then wait for 30 minutes to get on a treadmill for 20 minutes - just start walking! A brisk walk works wonders for you physically and mentally. Come on, get moving! Finally, you must tap into the power of God's Word. Practise scriptural affirmations: 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...' (Colossians 3:16 NIV). But before that can happen you must feed your mind with the Scriptures, then meditate on them until they take root and grow within you. That way they'll be there when you need them!

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

Blogrolling

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It seems that many of you have had trouble accessing this blog due to a Google warning of malware. The warning is not an anti virus pop-up but only shows up in Chrome. The problem seems to have been mainly on Google Chrome browser which is picking up malware on blogrolling.com. This is a site that many of us use for blogrolling. I have now removed the offending widgets. If you are using blogrolling but not using Chrome and therefore not been aware of the warnings, I would still advise you to remove any widgets or HTML you may be using from them as there is obviously a problem. Many apologies.

Lord I Believe In You

Though I can't see Your holy face
And Your throne in heaven above
It seems so far away
Though I cant touch your nail scarred hands
I have a deep and unspeakable joy
That makes my faith to stand

Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I cant see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe

Born from above
You are Gods only chosen one
Youre the one and only true way
To the Fathers heart
You died for all sin
Then you rose and now live again
Conquering death and the grave
So that I might live

Lord, I believe in You
I'll always believe in You
Though I cant see you with my eyes
Deep in my heart
Your presence I find
Lord, I believe in You
And I'll keep my trust in You
Let the whole world say what they may
No one can take this joy away
Lord, I believe

Skywatch #104

Hovering September, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

It's only mid September but already the light is warm and the air is clear! I love it. Today I walked on the Heath and picked warm blackberries as I went. The sky was filled with amazing cloud paintings.

My Other Blog

Please have a look at my other music blog. The followers box is looking rather sad ;) Recording my music is rather time consuming so I don't post very often, but with so much encouragement from friends and my agent on FB ;) I am determined to do more! There will be a prize for the first followers! Please email me as soon as you have subscribed to save any confusion :)

Abraham

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Now the Lord... said to Abram...'  

Genesis 12:1

Abraham trusted God to fulfil His promise, come what may. 'By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents...' (Hebrews 11:9 NKJV). Some nights Abraham probably thought, 'I wish I was back home sleeping in my own bed.' Being in God's will gives you confidence, but it won't always make you comfortable. Following a plan you didn't devise, to a destination you see in your mind but can't explain, is called 'walking by faith'. God decides the plan, moves you from point A to point B, and says, 'Trust me; I've got it all worked out.' 

In 1945, before he met Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows and his fiance, Billie, had scraped together enough funds for a simple wedding and two train tickets to a city with a resort hotel. On arrival, however, they found the hotel shut down. Stranded in an unfamiliar city with little money, they hitched a lift. A sympathetic driver took them to a grocery store owned by a woman he knew. The newlyweds spent their first night in a room above the store. The next day, when the lady overheard Cliff playing Christian songs on his trombone, she arranged for them to spend the rest of their honeymoon at a friend's house. Several days later the host invited them to attend a youth rally where a young evangelist was speaking. The song leader that night was sick, and Cliff was asked to take charge of the music. The young evangelist, of course, was Billy Graham. The two became partners from then on. When things don't go your way, God has plans of His own. Better plans!

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

Gifted Response

Gifted Response - Matt Redman

This is a gifted response
Father we cannot come to You by our own merit
We will come in the name of Your son
As He glorifies You
And in the power of Your spirit

We have come to something so mysterious
Too deep for minds to comprehend
Through the open door
Where the angels sing
And the host of heaven are antheming...

And we'll sing the glory of Your name
Celebrate the glories of Your grace

We will worship You, We will worship You
And we'll make Your praise so glorious
Singing songs of everlasting praise
We will worship You, we will worship You

This morning I visited another church and discovered this gem of a song! Definitely one to teach our congregation. I love it!!

Skywatch #103

Savill Garden, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

Memory can glean, but can never renew. It brings us joys faint as is the perfume of the flowers, faded and dried, of the summer that is gone.

Author Unknown

Knowing Who Belongs In Your Life

Image by peasap via Flickr

Those you allow to remain will become... thorns in your sides...

Numbers 33:55

Earthquakes result from two tectonic plates on a fault line shifting against one another, then lurching in opposite directions. And that's what happens when you bond with the wrong people. It's why God instructed the Israelites concerning the hostile nations in the Promised Land, 'Those you allow to remain will become... thorns in your sides.' When a relationship is not working, when your efforts to rehabilitate it have failed, acknowledge it. Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and admit that instead of lifting them up, they're dragging you down. Releasing somebody doesn't mean they'll never improve, it just means God is better suited to the job. Be careful around those who are always trying to make you feel guilty for not 'being there'. Only God can always be there! 

There's a difference between helping somebody and carrying them. Your help may actually be a hindrance. Why should they even try, if you're always there to do it for them? Your need to be needed could be getting in the way of their need to grow. Step back and let them walk on their own. Not everybody will be happy when you do that, but they're not supposed to be. Jesus said, 'Woe to you when all men speak well of you...' (Luke 6:26 NKJV). Don't let fear of criticism overwhelm your common sense. People don't take confrontations well, but this is a matter of survival. Every relationship is for a reason, and a season. Discern those who belonged in your past, from those who belong in your life now.

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

Say "No"

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___________ teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age... 

Titus 2:12

Can you fill in the blank in the Scripture above? This summer I went on a retreat where this question was asked of a large group or Christians. It may have been a sign of our lack of Bible knowledge, but no-one gave the correct answer. There are many possibles of course. Love, the Holy Spirit, Scripture... What was your first thought, honestly? 

The answer is GRACE. There are of course many definitions of the word, including that which I sometimes say before meals :) but here the grace referred to is that unmerited favour of God through Jesus Christ. That gift that is free and full of love and mercy. That experience of His Amazing Grace is the thing that teaches me to say "No" to sin and live for Him who died for me.

So perhaps when I am struggling in sin, the answer is not to 'try harder next time' but to run to the cross and see again how much love and grace is poured out for me. I cannot imagine anyone on this earth dying for me, but I can tell you if someone did that for me I would never forget it and it would change my life! And so it is with Jesus; my friend who died in my place, went through agony that I might be free. Now there is a little motivation to say 'No' to the very thing that put Him through that awful death.

Spontaneous Song

This amazing prophetic song is from Toronto Vineyard 1996 (now Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship). It never fails to touch me.

Skywatch #102

Coolham View, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
Psalm 23:1-2

Wait For The Lord

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Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord...

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak... "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."... You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat: For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall.

The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Psalm 27:14, Isa. 40:28-29; 41:10; 25, James 1:3-4, Hebrews 10:35-36