The latest learning curve.

I am realising that something I have always feared actually need not be a cause for dismay…

You see, for a while now I have felt that God occasionally puts me in somebody’s life for a season - as though I meet them by divine appointment simply in order to bless them or serve some sort of purpose in particular. Once I have served that purpose I am then removed from their life again, and soon after I find, from experience, that God has moved them onto better things. He has used me as a willing vessel to encourage or support the work He is doing in their life, and then once my part is played, they move on and we part company.

Thing is, before now, I have often been too caught up in being bitter about the being left behind part when I ought to have been rejoicing in His handiwork and desire to use me in the first place. If you like -

Wallowing in another supposed rejection when I should have been grateful for my temporary election.

Well the reason I bring it up is this - I have just seen another example of the fruit of God putting me in someone’s life for a season. Honestly, though we no longer talk (their choice), I feel blessed that the Lord used me in their life to a positive end. Do not misunderstand me, there is no gloating of self here - any impact I might have had is 150% God’s credit to take.

All I am saying is that for once I don’t feel resentment at seeing somebody who has moved on while I remain here in the same spot.

So why do I say all this? Well, for two reasons:

1) We can never predict the course of any relationship, be it a friend or otherwise. In all probability, I will lose contact with some of you over the coming years for various reasons, and as such, my sincere prayer is that I might, through God’s grace and power, bless and encourage you in any way possible, in case we one day cease to communicate, by choice or force.

2) Life can throw you curveballs. People who you never thought could hurt, will do damage. There is no way around that - it is one of the basic human flaws. Just don’t let the shock of it happening breed resentment where instead we ought to sow compassion and forgiveness. Take opportunities to show Christ in your words, attitude and deeds wherever you can, especially to those who cause you great pain -

Jesus didn’t lay down his life just for the ones who loved him back.

I pray that this post will bless and encourage you today, my brothers and sisters.

When we proclaim that God is ‘bigger’ than our problems, it is not just an optimistic self-assurance solely based on His physical omnipresence or infinite reach.

We confidently state it as a truth, because what really gives God the power to tower over our trials is the fact that He is the ONLY solution to every last one of them.

Take that, troubles -
you will never end my God,
but my God WILL END YOU.

The mystery of God at work in us shouldn’t unsettle but excite. He tells us in His Word that everything comes to be in its own good season, so we have the guarantee that whatever He HAS planned will arrive at the best possible time for it to happen!

If somebody told you they were sending you a blank check but wouldn’t say when, that’s not going to leave you a worried and nervous wreck, is it? You have the promise that one day it will turn up.

God writes us huge blank checks of gospel adventure that we really don’t need to be fearful about.

God is doing some downright keeerrrrrazy things in my heart at the moment. Even by my standards of crazy, but then that’s the Lord for you - always blowing our expectations out of the water.

He’s like THAT kid we all went to school with - there you are in Science class, presenting a model of the solar system made out of ping pong balls and paint and string…

And He’s gone and brought the whole of Neptune down here, and has it sitting casually on the corner of His desk. It’s messing up the atmosphere of the classroom and mucking with our gravity, and He’s all like, “Oh yeah, well I mean I created this one and a few others in a matter of days…but hey I like the way you painted yours!”

That’s God - always planning and unveiling bigger and better things than me, for me and within me; and you know what?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hello strangers!

As my activity on here decreases (along, rather predictably, with my followers), I am finding that I am no longer tied to this community with the same dependency I once was…

What does this mean? Well, perhaps I may not need to virtually burn this crevice of my life and all its words after all.

The point of my decision to delete my blog was based on a realisation that I was becoming overly-fixated with Tumblr and the friendship of those within this somewhat close-knit network.

In recent weeks, my postings have become more sparse, and not through conscious effort; simply because the other facets of my life have prevented hours of trawling through all the content you all share.

Chances are most of you have stopped reading by now, and the ones who haven’t are the comparative handful of my subscribers who take time to talk with me regularly.

I know, I know - it sounds like I am flaking out after so much stern talk of erasing myself from the face of Tumblr…vowing it was going to happen.

Thing is, the issue that willed me to make such a decision is bringing itself to order and becoming less and less of a problem…

It will mean less posts and certainly less ‘followers’ (I dislike that term greatly), because if a blogger isn’t around every minute of every day some readers get hungry and bored and impatient, as if you are their performing monkey…

But maybe I will stick around after all.

All 3 of you still here may now cheer if you wish.

:)

Do you know what I love?

I love the feeling of being in a relationship - actively setting out with each passing day on a pursuit to impress upon your partner that they are dearly treasured. Holding their hand and sifting their hair through the ample space between the skin of your fingers. Savouring cuddles and kisses in close moments like the last morsels of meal before a fast. Writing them a note with no motive greater than to give them lasting evidence of the words that pass your lips in their favour - words they so humbly refuse because they know not how they have come to obtain such affection from another.
Adventures and laughs,
honesty and photographs.

But -

what I love MORE is knowing that all of that will culminate at the right time under God. A whispered assurance from on High that can be so delicately torn in the deeds of man.

I will one day find a heart with which to share the love I am nurturing so cosily in my veins. When He blesses it to be, the right season will come into bloom in shades so colourful they will melt my heart.

I don’t want to rush that season.
Or allow the wait for its arrival to consume me - I would rather my focus rest on God.
Father, let me continue to be fully content in You until and beyond such a time as I am ready to be a vessel fused in harmony with another of the precious hearts You created on this Earth.

:)

So it’s my way or the High way?

I’ll take the High way, thanks.
:)

‘The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures.’

Two lines we have most likely all sung at some point, but how much of it have we paid real attention to?

Read it again.

He’s promised good.

promised.

God keeps His promises. All of them. Unlike us.

So if the Lord says He’s bringing good into our lives, you can bet your behind that it’s permanently etched into His plan for your life. Whether you allow that good to come through uninterrupted or you get sidetracked by your own agendas and block off the input of the Spirit is another matter entirely.

Are your hopes secure today?

That job you’re interviewing for next Friday…the ill family member with a long-standing condition or the friend who has fallen away from Christ…are the hopes of your heart for that outcome rooted in God and underpinned with prayer?

No?

Then out of love and compassion I say that perhaps you’re not as much in the Word as you ought to be, friend.

Let God speak to you between the covers of that good book and you’ll soon see that change.

And if you are reading the Word but still suffer anxiety?

Quit yer worrying,

the Lord has it all under control, chaps.

:)

It’s Sunday!

YESSSS…..

I have lots to tell…somebody message me later and remind me/force me to sit still and do it?

:)

(A Point of) Personal P(reference)

Full post here

The ones that catch our attention and set our pulses racing are no more superior than the ones we wouldn’t choose to give the time of day to - eye colour, hair, taste in music, clothing, size of physical features or their build can all impact the motivation to simply interact with another human being. The Bible calls us to love EVERYONE, not just the girl with a pretty smile who makes you laugh or the tall, athletic guy who sends you cutesy texts. When did the thread of kindness and courtesy slip so subtly out of the needle that weaves the fabric of society?

Personal preference gets in the way of loving for the sake of just loving; let’s do something about that.

:)

Just a reminder;

That a ‘No’ from God is not a bad thing whatsoever.

Far from it in fact; it’s an opportunity to see what other, more wonderful things the Lord has in store.

Keep your head up, my friend. :)

I hereby declare the following:

• I am a little bugged by this Summer break on account of me having not had a proper break yet. With this pattern looking set to continue this slightly irritates me. I am weary, drained of focus and energy and I need some me-time, but apparently cannot have it. Yet.
• In better news, I soon start rehearsals for the next show I have been cast in. This I greatly look forward to.
• I currently have a couple of songs in production, both of which are coming along nicely. This makes me smile and provides temporary relief from the chaos that seems to envelope every inch of space outside my bedroom door.
• I want to be back on the Youth Retreat. Those young guys had such a great time, and I feel so much closer to many of them.
• To my newest friends on here - Hello! I know I may seem something of a spectre, and that is partially true, as I find my interest in Tumblr as a site dwindling, though it’s inhabitants not so. Any prayer requests, any requests full stop, or even just a friendly chit-chat are always welcome, and I will always reply as soon as I can.
• God is teaching me some tricky lessons right now, but they are necessary ones and as such I won’t shun them, or begrudge the Lord in any way. I need this.

Finally, can I just reiterate how incredibly beautiful you all are? And for once I don’t just mean the ‘on the inside, wonderful people’ beautiful…but in appearance. I scroll down through my list of ‘followers’ (a term I don’t like attaching to those who read my blog), and I can’t help but see gorgeous face after pretty complexion - you are all so attractive on the outside, with your various colour eyes, hair of all lengths and colours, platted, curly and flowing, short and extravagant..and those smiles; those stunning grins and dimples…you’re all physically and facially blessed, no doubt… and then to cap it all off, it is matched by your glowing personas!

Current / future spouses ought to consider themselves very fortunate. I do just for having a little square snapshot of y’all at the side of my screen. :)

Have a smashing day, friends, and God keep you and provide you with all that you need this Sabbath!

:)