what is strange

"7+8=15"

 

This is how a recent conversation I had started - it then continued through talking about head space, washing powder, bright colours, snow, frogs, and toilets, just to name a few. This is not an unusual conversation for me to find myself in but it suddenly occurred to me that such a conversation may be very strange for others to hear.

 

Our past, our personality, our situation, all affect the way in which we react to different things. What we consider normal and what things we find strange. I am certain that at some point that most (if not all) people whom I have met have found me strange, not necesarily in a bad way, but just different.

 

I'm not afraid of what people think, most of the time, which allows me to simply be the person I have been created to be. Some might ask, well who is that person, and the answer is not simple but the most important I shall put before you now. I am my parents child, my Fathers daughter, a sister to many, a sinner, a saint, and an individual.

 

Now some of those you many not understand so I will explain a few of the terms here.

• By parents I mean my earthly Mother and Father.
• By Father, I mean my Father in Heaven, God, Creator.
• As I am in Christ, all those whom are also in Him are sisters and brothers.
• A sinner is someone who sins. To sin is to do something opposed to God - at some point most every day I put myself first which is opposed to God.
• By saint I mean I am one of many (similar to sister) who are seen righteous because of Jesus.

So while I may be a little strange to some, and most conversations are always interesting, I am certain of who I am. Oh, and if you would like to hear any of the stories behind the afore mentioned topics which came up in our conversation, just ask!

 

God Bless

Reality of Past, Present, and Future

Recently, each afternoon I have been spending my time by sitting at a table with people from 4 or more different countries and speaking English. For me, this comes naturally as it is my mother tongue, but for others, not so easiliy - but sometimes I definitely wonder if maybe they know more about my language than I do. If nothing else, it has made me more aware of the words I use to express myself and also, at times, more thoughtful of philosophical.

 

For example, some words which came up yesterday were fade, forward, and ahead. Colours fade, fashions fade, seasons fade, memory fades. So many things just slowly start to fade away. In a year from now, how much will I remember of the past 5 weeks, which have been so amazing and encouraging in many different ways, not least of which is the people which have been met and come to know. Whenever I think of moving forward, and what is ahead of me, also the thoughts come of what is behind me which is so good sometimes that it is sad to think that our motion is forwards and not backwards, we will never see those times again - maybe similar times in the future though. It is also sad to think that maybe memory will fade and we will not remember those times. What is ahead is unknown - and what is unknown can be awfully frightening sometimes. Moving towards the unknown - this is what a forward momentum towards what is ahead gives you.

 

On the upside though I know some things which will never fade - like the love of God, and his faithfulness, mercy, and grace. I know that I will never be alone as He will always be at my side. I know that I will never lose some things from my past like the lessons one learns as a young child from their parents. I know that while what is ahead is unknown I am not alone in facing it, which makes it an adventure - one to be taken hold of with both hands, and that it is a privilege to be able to move forwards and seek improvement not only in the world around us but also in ourselves - I look forward to each day and the opportunity to come to know God more.

 

So lets not dwell on what will fade but be excited on what we know never will. And lets be unafraid of moving forward or looking ahead for the Lord has been there before us and with Him at ones side it is a privilege, an opportunity, and an adventure.

 

Thankyou Lord

 

God Bless

Selfish Selection

Something I have been thinking about of late is selection. Inclusion and exclusion and the process which separates the groups. It is natural for us to gravitate towards those that we know, those with whom we share something, but by doing this we are excluding those whom we do not know.

With everyday behaviour this is expected to a degree and this is how relationships are formed, by spending more time with one another. However, what it is which I have been thinking about, more than leaving that person standing over there all by their lonesome with nobody to talk to is the way we choose what we talk about with whom. We choose who to tell the funny stories with, who to be open and closed with. We choose how much a person can know about us, but we also choose how much a person can hear about God.

God, who loves us so very much, made a way for us to be with him once more through Jesus Christ his son. And He did this for everyone, for all people, that all may be saved, and yet we choose not to speak of this to some people. We choose. What right do we have? Are we so perfect and right that we are able to choose who has the greatest privilege and honour of knowing our creator? No.

We are all sinners. We are afraid. Ashamed. Forgetful. Indulgent. Proud. Insecure. Selfish. We continue to turn from the Lord to our own ways. And yet he continues to allow us to do his works, to spread his word. So let us speak up and out. Let us not shy away but proclaim faithfully and passionately that Jesus Christ is our personal Saviour and the Saviour of ALL!

To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!