Do You Mind Waiting?

Image by La Grande Farmers' Market via Flickr

Let... patience... do a thorough work

James 1:4

Larry Moyer tells the story of a prison warden who asked a man on death row what he would like to eat for his last meal. He said, 'A huge piece of watermelon.' The warden said, 'You must be joking! This is December. Watermelons haven't even been planted, let alone harvested.' The inmate replied, 'That's okay, I don't mind waiting.' So here's the question: do you mind waiting? How do you act when things don't move fast enough for you? Graciously, or not so graciously? 

A well-known minister writes, 'I happened to be in a store and had waited a long time in a slow-moving line to pay for one little item. The people in front of me had stacks of items. Then I was overlooked while somebody else was served ahead of me. When it was finally my turn, the sales assistant looked at me and said, "Thank you for waiting. Are you who I think you are... that preacher on TV? I knew the minute you walked in that it was you." I thought to myself, "What if I'd been angry and mouthing off because I wasn't served in the proper order?" Impatient behaviour can adversely affect our witness.' When you view life's irritations through God's eyes, it changes how you feel about situations that are testing your patience. You begin to see them as friends, not enemies. You realise that God permits them to help mature you. So, '...Let... patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be... perfectly... developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.'

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

Skywatch #116

From 100718 Lee Abbey

This was taken last year in Lee Abbey Retreat Centre, Devon. You can see the ariel shot in the link. A beautiful place! If you'd like to see more photos from our retreat then click on the link below the photo :)

Noah And The Reasons Of Faith

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free

John 8:32

Timothy Keller is an amazing teacher. I have yet to read one of his books but his podcast is fantastic. Here he talks not just about the need to think about our faith, but the absolute necessity of thinking when related to faith.

"Faith begins with reasoning..... by faith we think... you cannot be Christian without using your brain to its uttermost.... the reason there is not much faith today is because there is not much thinking today.... thinking leads to faith.... thinking is the basis to faith".

Listen here.

Walking By Faith

Image via Wikipedia

I will instruct you... in the way you should go

Psalm 32:8

Paul writes, '...I go... not knowing the things that will happen to me... except that the Holy Spirit testifies... saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me...' (Acts 20:22-24 NKJV). It's only human to want to know where you're going and what you're getting into. But God will inform you on a 'need to know' basis. Like Abraham, when you follow Him, you do it 'not knowing' where the Lord leads, but believing what He promised, confident that no matter how He does it nor how long it takes, He will keep His word to you (Hebrews 11:8). Being in God's will doesn't exempt you from problems. God doesn't promise a carpet on the race track or a bed of roses on the battlefield. But you can be '...confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion...' (Philippians 1:6 NIV). 

Jon Walker says, 'God knows every step of the journey... the blessings and dangers... where you've been... where you're going, and... the best path to take... He never intended you to figure out the steps without Him. How you get on mission and succeed... are God's responsibilities. Your responsibility is to seek His guidance and obey His instructions. He said, "I will instruct you... in the way you should go... and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8 NIV). Your job is to trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. His job is to set your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). There's no requirement for you to figure it all out.'

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

Spam Spam Spam

Image by freezelight via Flickr

I'm getting loads of spam comments on this blog. The comment notifications arrive in my inbox but do not appear on the blog post. Anyone else got this problem? And does comment verification solve it? Any help gratefully received as some of it is not nice.

By the way, I don't like the tinned variety either. As children we used to have it fried in batter!

Hi Ya Ya Ho!

Not much time for blogging recently... seem to have been running around a lot. This week my school choir got through the the last 12 in their category (under 12's) in the National Barnardos Choir Competition at the Barbican London. I managed to sneak some video without getting told off ha ha! Here they are singing a great African song.

An American In London

This American composer still gets blank stares when I mention his name. Eric Whitacre. He is a master composer of our generation. Through his music we get a glimpse of the divine and eternal. Enjoy.

Skywatch #115

Sky Eye, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself 

Exodus 24:10

We haven't had much blue sky this Winter :( so it was wonderful to see it again today on my walk. Have a great weekend all!

You Are The Vine

I've just discovered these classic Vineyard songs again and loving the sound. Brings back the 80's and the feel of fresh revival, Alpha, Wimber and lots of endless worship. Do it again Lord!