Looking Up

Max on Life by Max Lucado - A review

2011-06-24T21:25:00.000+01:00

Max on Life is a selection of about 100 questions asked in letters to Max Lucado. His replies are the meat of the book. And very interesting replies they are too.
Max On Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions

The questions themselves are thought provoking but Max's answers are all well thought out. I'm not saying that they are all totally what I might say scripturally accurate, but there are some very interesting points made.

The question and answer that struck me most, was one relating to 'What is Heaven like?'. Max's answer on this was totally not what I expected. I hadn't really meditated before on what Heaven might be like, but Max's answer was a very pleasant view of heaven for me.

The book could be read as a daily meditation over 100 days, but I devoured it much more quickly, reading about 10 letters in a day, sometimes more. It is a book that I will revisit over time.

I did find some of the bible versions quoted rather unusual, i.e. The Message. I would have liked to have the answers backed up by more traditional versions.

Very Thankful

2011-05-28T20:06:00.000+01:00

My parents are both being baptized. Wonderful news. So thankful.
My mum has been telling us some of her testimony - amazing stuff. God is so amazing to her.

Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman - a Review.

2011-05-07T16:57:00.000+01:00

Plain Proposal (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) by Beth Wiseman (Amazon UK link - Plain Proposal)
This is the first novel that I have read by Beth Wiseman. It is also the first novel that I have read that is set in Amish society.

The story tells of a young Amish girl, Miriam, who is on her ruimschpringe - the 2 years when Amish teenagers are given the freedom to explore the 'Englisch' world before making a decision to be baptised into the Amish faith. Miriam's ruimschpringe is made more interesting by her non-Amish cousin Shelby coming to stay.

Miriam has admired Saul from afar since a child and he her. However Saul has plans to leave the Amish community. The book tells of Miriam's struggles to decide what is best to do, her family's heartache over it and Shelby's increasing love for the Amish way of life.

This book was a compulsive read. I read it in 2 sittings wanting to find out what happened next. It portrayed the Amish society in a loving light and includes a helpful Pennsylvania dutch word list. It also includes some typical Amish recipes at the back.

I would love to read more books by Beth Wiseman. The books are faithful to God and without any morally inappropriate scenes. A joy to read. Thank you.

I received this book to review from BookSneeze.com - my review is my own opinion.

Book Review: Good Morning Lord by Sheila Walsh

2011-02-10T20:38:00.001Z

Good Morning, Lord: I Don't Know Where You're Going Today But I'm Going with You

by Sheila Walsh

This book is laid out to read first thing each morning and with something focus on throughout the day. The author begins each day with a "today I will" statement to dwell on i.e. "Today I will look for evidence that you are in everything I encounter". This is followed by 2 or 3 paragraphs from the Author relating it to life. The author then asks a question or two - with lines for you to put down your thoughts on the page. Next is a prayer of praise and focussing on the task for the day. Finally each day there is a short passage of scripture related to the task of the day.

I found this book fascinating. The focus for each day was a great idea, and gave good ideas to focus on God. I'm not one to feel comfortable writing down my spiritual thoughts, so I didn't fill in the spaces relating to the questions. My favourite parts were defintely the prayers and the authors thoughts each day. To be honest, I read lots of it not as the book suggests a little each day, but turning the pages to see what the author would have to share on the next page.

I received this book through Booksneeze to review. I would recommend this books to others. Especially those looking for a focus each day, and those who are comfortable with writing down their spiritual thoughts.

Women Living Well Blog: Thriving In A Spiritually Mismatched Marriage

2011-02-07T17:33:00.000Z

Women Living Well Blog: Thriving In A Spiritually Mismatched Marriage

I have just read the article above - a post that resonates with me and my situation

Blogging Through the Year 1

2011-01-01T21:01:00.001Z

I would love to have at least an entry a week on here, to really get into the swing of blogging.

So, a new year has begun. This afternoon I went to chapel to the New Years Service. It was a nice service - the text being
Phillipians 1v12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.

The minister talked about how all thing work out for the best for the Glory of God to those who trust in him.

We had one of my favourite hymns too.

   1. God moves in a mysterious way
      His wonders to perform;
      He plants His footsteps in the sea
      And rides upon the storm.
   2. Deep in unfathomable mines
      Of never failing skill
      He treasures up His bright designs
      And works His sov’reign will.
   3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
      The clouds ye so much dread
      Are big with mercy and shall break
      In blessings on your head.
   4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
      But trust Him for His grace;
      Behind a frowning providence
      He hides a smiling face.
   5. His purposes will ripen fast,
      Unfolding every hour;
      The bud may have a bitter taste,
      But sweet will be the flow’r.
   6. Blind unbelief is sure to err
      And scan His work in vain;
      God is His own interpreter,
      And He will make it plain.

and also

   1. Be still, my heart! these anxious cares
      To thee are burdens, thorns and snares;
      They cast dishonor on the Lord,
      And contradict His gracious word.

      Brought safely by His hand thus far,
      Why wilt thou now give place to fear?
      How canst thou want if He provide,
      Or lose thy way with such a Guide?

      Did ever trouble yet befall,
      And He refuse to hear thy call?
      And has He not His promise passed,
      That thou shalt overcome at last?

      He who has helped me hitherto
      Will help me all my journey through,
      And give me daily cause to raise
      New Ebenezers to His praise.

Free Printable Calendar

2010-12-31T15:07:00.000Z

I had fun this morning creating a Free Printable calendar for 2011

Free Printable Calendar

The Hallelujah Chorus!

2010-12-12T19:19:00.002Z

My brother sent me this link yesterday. Oh how amazing that a choir is prepared to very publically declare the Glory of God... and also having had 18 million viewings on Youtube in a less than a month!

A Closet Christian

2010-12-11T19:56:00.000Z

I feel that I'm a closet Christian... and I say 'Christian' in its loosest sense - as in someone who 'goes along with' the Christian Faith - (distinct from a true believer who knows their sins forgiven)

I go to chapel twice every Sunday... but the rest of my life doesn't reflect this. I don't have faith. I don't trust God. I don't know Jesus as my Saviour. I don't allow God to take control of my life.

But I want to... but I'm scared to... but I don't know how to... and I don't commit the time to it...

If you read this, can you please pray for me. To know my sinfulness. To recognise my need of a Saviour. To have faith.

Isaac Newton - Christian Encounters - by Mitch Stokes

2010-09-08T21:43:00.000+01:00

I have joined Booksneeze.com who provide books from Thomas Nelson publishers free of charge, in return for a review.

The book that I have reviewed is in the Christian Encounters series and is about Isaac Newton.

The Christian Encounters series highlights the lives of famous people who are not so well known as being Christians. Isaac Newton is well known for his scientific discoveries, his laws of motion, his Calculus and such like, but he doesn't spring to mind as being a Christian. This book is designed to bring together both his science and his faith for the reader.

I have to be honest and say that I found this book rather tough going. I was hoping that the majority of the book would be on his Christianity, especially since apparently Newton wrote more on his faith than on his science. However, it had a lot on his mathematical and physical discoveries which was not the kind of read I was hoping for. Even the bits more about his faith, it was more philosophical than I would have hoped.

The scientific parts were well explained but even they can be a difficult read when you are searching for gliumpses of God in the writing. I didn't feel that I gained a great deal from reading this book.

The book is well written and is produced to a good quality. The cover has a handy flap to mark your page and it is a very handy size to put into a handbag or workbag.

I would recommend this book if you are looking to find out more about Isaac Newton's discoveries with hints of his faith life, but certainly not if you are seeking the reverse. Unfortunately I was disappointed.

My Bedside Cabinet

2010-08-03T09:10:00.000+01:00

My Bible sits on my bedside cabinet in a pile with my Daily Light, my Our Daily Bread and alongside my Strong's Concordance and my Bible Commentry by Matthew Poole.

Sounds good eh?

It makes a nice display... but that is not good enough is it?

But look closely... what else is on my bedside cabinet? A lamp, a TV remote, a DVD remote, some Christian Fiction, my mobile phone and a drink.

Guess which I use the most?

Yes... the TV and DVD remotes.... and the phone.

I have been trying to make an effort to change this.... but it is a bit of a half hearted effort... it is so tempting to pick up the remotes and switch my mind off.

So I pick up my 'Our Daily Bread' .. easy reading... then read my 'Daily Light' passages .... and then from them find something that interested me to turn to in the Bible.... and read it looking for something for ME.

Not reading to learn more about God.
Reading selfishly.
Reading to quell my conscience.
Surely this has got to be better than not reading the Bible at all?
Probably not.

One Thousand Gifts

2010-08-02T20:12:00.000+01:00

I've been following Ann Voskamp's 'Holy Experience' blog for a long time... and have seen her counting her blessings, gifts from Almighty God.. and thought it was about time I took more notice of the many blessings that God gives me in my life.
I'm dreadfully unthankful and I hope that this count will make me more observant of answered prayers, God's wonderful gifts and will enable me to be Truly Thankful.
So let's begin.
1. My wonderful parents who have given me life2. My husband who is continually helping me to grow - whether he knows it or not!3. My 2 children, who are teaching me patience and love.4. Hugs and kisses from my family and being told that they love me.. and being able to reciprocate5.Caitlin singing along loudly in the car to our hymn CD6. Family camping holidays7. The luxury of a bath at the campsite8. Family who want to spend time with ME.9. Having the finances to say YES to outings10. The unexpected financial 'windfalls' over the past year

5 Ways to make a Marriage Last

2010-06-16T20:13:00.000+01:00

I read this today at the Holy Experience blog.

I have so much to learn.
One of the challenges is to

"Write out a thankfulness log to get the log out of your own eye. Can you log 100 ways you are grateful for your spouse today? 10? 20? And do it again tomorrow. See the good and give thanks. Write it down to remember."

Oh my goodness. I can think of ONE. How awful is that?
And you know what that ONE is??

I'm grateful for the problems because it is making me pray more.

An Article from the Daily Telegraph

2010-06-01T21:06:00.000+01:00

My husband is one who would call himself 'spiritual' but not religious.
Reading the following article from the telegraph made me realise why my husband's beliefs don't sit well with me.

Cathedral chief criticises selfishness of those who say they are ‘spiritual but not religious’

A senior clergyman has spoken out against the trend for people to describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious”.

The Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral also criticised the “disdain” expressed by those who maintain “you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian”.

Canon Mark Hocknull said that spirituality should be seen as a gift to a whole community rather than a personality trait.

His comments come after academics identified the rise of the “fuzzy faithful” in Britain – people who have a vague belief in God but do not necessarily belong to a particular denomination or attend services.

Only half of Britons now consider themselves Christian, a recent report showed. The deference shown to traditional religious institutions has declined in recent decades while more and more people, inspired by celebrities, self-help books and therapy sessions, have developed individual beliefs about a divine being.
In the current Chapter Letter to the congregation at Lincoln Cathedral, Dr Hocknull wrote: “Any member of a church community will have heard it hundreds of times: ‘I’m spiritual but not religious,” or ‘You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian’.
“A Google search yields 1,360,000 results for that sentence. The statement is revealing, not just for its implied disdain for the life of religious communities, but also for its reduction of ‘spirituality’ to a personality trait.
“To say that ‘I’ am ‘spiritual’ here is on a par with saying that ‘I’ am patient or thoughtful or generous; it is a description that is all about ‘me’.”
He went on: “In the context of the biblical tradition, spirituality, instead, is a gift poured out by the Holy Spirit.”
Dr Hocknull pointed out that the reading from Romans in the Cathedral repeated the word “we” rather than “I” and added: “Far from being our possession or an individual personality trait, Paul’s ‘spirituality’ is a gift, a gift to the community and a gift that does not exempt believers but plunges them right back into the world’s sufferings and pains, empowered and confident in the future God is bringing about.”

Disobedience and anger

2010-05-23T19:17:00.000+01:00

I'm struggling to know how to discipline and encourage my 5 year old son.
He is a loving little boy who is very bright, but is also quite shy. He is competitive and hates playing a game that he looks like losing, or that he is struggling with.

However, at home at the moment he is being very very difficult to manage at times. He is very demanding of us, and speaks to me rudely and inconsiderately. He will yell and scream when he doesn't get his own way and when it is his 3 year old sister who is crossing him in anyway, he will get very very angry at her.

He refuses to do as he is told... and to be honest I'm at my wits' end at times.

Fortunately, when in the company of others, he is a delight... albeit shy (which can come across as being rude)

Please pray for Sam, and me... and any advise would be very welcome.

failing Miserably

2010-05-20T20:36:00.000+01:00

I'm totally failing at the Bible in a Year challenge... i'm about 3 weeks behind... no hope of catching up and feeling totally demotivated because of it. Grr.

I'm quite demotivated about a lot of things.... prayer being one of them.

My 2 children have had chicken pox during the past couple of weeks... I'm finally got over my virus that I had at a similar time.

My sister had a little baby boy this morning, Matthew Peter. 10 days late... so very happy he has arrived safely. Thanks be to God.

I'm not doing very well at blogging at the moment.

Can you motivate me?? What do YOU want me to write about? Ask me some questions.. and if I can, I'll answer them.

Rash

2010-05-08T20:56:00.000+01:00

For the past 3 weeks or so I have been suffering from a virus which has left me feeling rather poorly and lacking in 'oomph'. I'm currently covered in itchy spots and from my reasearch into "Pityriasis rosea" - which is what I have - it seems that I may have the rash for a few weeks to come. I just hope that I get rid of the lethargic feeling, dizziness, headaches etc SOON!

Lying in bed, trying to rest and relax has given me some time to think and reflect... and also see how well my husband has coped with the children. His patience with them... unlike me!! I do feel like I 'get onto them' an awful lot, and I know I have high expectations... but ... I do think sometimes I'm missing something with them.

I have my priorities screwed up.. still.

I'm not finding things easy to sort out.

I read of people trusting God wholly... and know that I don't KNOW God enough to be able to trust Him wholly. I have so many things buzzing round in my head.

I'm behind on my "bible in a year" but not neglecting it wholly.

demotivated

2010-04-25T20:34:00.000+01:00

I'm falling way behind on my Bible-in-a-year reading. I'm just not MAKING time to do it. I WILL catch up... I WILL persevere... but at the moment I'm about 10+ chapters behind.

I did however read a very thought provoking post (or 2!) by PureMommyExtract which I wanted to share a link too. It is much more worthy of reading that anything I can possibly write. These 2 entries about 'hearing God' are just amazing. This is her most recent entry on the subject, but this previous one is VERY precious

Please Pray

2010-04-20T09:56:00.000+01:00

Three years ago I worked in a tutoring centre ona Saturday morning. My boss was lovely. I found out a couple of years ago that her husband (who I also knew, and was also lovely!) was diagnosed with cancer.. and while he managed to battle it for 2 years (instead of the predicted 10 months he was given), yesterday he was given the news that there is nothing more that they can do for him.

David and his wife Teresa have blogged their cancer journey for their family and friends to stay updated and today Teresa shared their heartbreaking news.

Please pray for them at this difficult time. They have 3 children, aged about 20, 13 and 8. (I'm not totally sure on their ages)

Answered Prayers

2010-04-11T20:48:00.000+01:00

Today at Chapel, my cousin was preaching. He is a little younger than me. Most ministers in our churches are older... maybe a sign that I'm getting old!

Anyway.. his preaching was quite direct. Challenging us whether the first we will SEE Jesus will be when we meet him at the judgement seat, and if so, things are not good for us. He pointed out that no matter how big we view our sins, ANY sin will prevent us from heaven, no matter how seemingly small, unless we know Jesus in our hearts. He said that we can compare our sins to others, and see theirs as bigger than ours ... but it makes no difference, we are ALL sinners needing mercy.

It came to me that I compare myself with my non-church going husband... and think that I am better than he is. But no... it is as possible for Jesus to save my husband as it is for him to save me! I just need to keep praying... for us both.

In my previous post, I mentioned how I have hardly ANY Christian friends. And I know that some of you have been praying for me on this. Well... after chapel today, one of the other young mums invited me round to her house sometime this week! I've never been before. I've never really been invited before. She is the wife of the deacon of our chapel. I really hope that we get on well and manage to talk about spiritual things as well as having polite conversation.

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

2010-04-09T20:00:00.002+01:00

This is my first time participating in the Ultimate Blog Party... but I've seen so many of the blogs I follow participating that I love, that i thought I'd best jump on the bandwagon too and say hi!

so... lets start.. a little bit about myself.

I'm 34 years old and live in the UK
I have 2 wonderful children, Samuel (aged very nearly 5) and Caitlin (coming up 3)
My husband and I don't always see eye to eye. It doesn't help that he doesn't share my Christian faith. But it is something that I need to pray more and more about if I want it to change.
I have been brought up to attend a Strict Baptist chapel all my life.. however, I don't feel I truly know Jesus as MY Saviour.
I struggle to 'Seek first the kingdom of God'
I have hardly any Christian friends who I can pray with.
I am second oldest of 8 children and have wonderful siblings and parents. In many ways, as we get older we are getting spiritually closer, as we are all being more open about our faith (or lack of it!).
I am a teacher and teach in a private girls Junior school - I currently work 2.5 days a week, but this is going to change to 4 days from September.
My husband is currently the stay-at-home parent, although he does Maths tutoring in the evenings once I get home.
I would love to have more children... but my husband is satisfied with our 2.

So, there you go... a little about me.
And to get a picture of what I look like...

and my children ....

I am currently participating in

and am struggling a bit.

I have another blog... which is more about my life for my family and friends to read... i.e. they know about it... but this blog is more personal.

There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

ANYTHING available/suitable for a UK blogger! - particularly a Blog makeover!

I hope that this won't be your only visit to my blogs.

Struggling with Job

2010-04-04T19:34:00.000+01:00

In my Bible Reading with "Mi Querida Biblia" group, we are currently reading Job.... and I'm struggling with it. I don't understand it. I don't understand the dialogue between the friends. I don't understand who is right and who is wrong.. I'm all a bit lost.

However, today, Easter Sunday, we got to the bit where Job says (chapter 19v25-26)

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God.

Very appropriate for today ... and at the very least, I can see JESUS being foretold even this early in the bible (we are reading it Chronologically rather than book by book)

I wonder who my fellow members of the group are doing.

I'm keeping up with the readings... but... so far, am not putting my heart, mind and soul into it.

I'm scared to let down the 'barrier' that I feel I am placing between God and myself. I'm afraid to give God all of my life. I'm a sinner.... and I'm so unsure of what the Bible is telling me, so unsure when I read different people's interpretations of passages... that I'm stuck.

I'm sure that some reading this will wonder what on earth I'm going on about... but... I can't put it into words. God knows.

Out of Control

2010-04-02T20:24:00.000+01:00

I'm feeling out of control at the moment and I like to feel very much in control.

We have our house up for sale - we want to move to the village where my son goes to school so that we can walk him to school. Selling the house is exciting, but totally out of my control at this stage.. and I don't like that... we've had NO interest so far which is depressing
Similarly, I'm not in control of Sam's behaviour... and I don't like that.
I'm not in control with Caitie's potty training ... and I don't like that

Anyway... I am also not being in control of the things that I CAN be in control of... and that is even worse... because I know I can be... but can't be bothered to be... so I'm not even in control of myself.

Does this make ANY sense to anyone??

In the Beginning .. starting the Bible reading.

2010-03-28T20:08:00.001+01:00

I'm just about to start reading/listening to my first Bible reading for the launch of

MI QUERIDA BIBLIA

I'm not feeling so excited as I was about it.

I'm doubting my ability to accomplish it MEANINGFULLY, not just reading it without enlightenment..

but I'm also wondering...

"Where will God first speak to ME through his Holy Word?"

That does make excite me.

Where will he first make Himself known that to me through this reading of the Bible.

Holy Lord God, I ask for your presence now as I try to start this new challenge. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to touch my heart and to open my eyes as I read your Holy Word. Show me things that I have never noticed before. Help me to read searchingly, looking for Christ, looking at my state.

May Thy Word be a Lamp unto my Feet and a Light unto my Path.

and do fulfil your precious promise,

""And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Lord, I pray this, not just for myself, but for the other members of this special group. Do give us each grace to pray one for another and to help each other to accomplish this challenge.

I thank you Lord for the gift of the Bible, and ask that You will help us to Prize it more.

I ask in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen

---------------------

I have just completed the first readings.

I listened to it as a KJV version using mp3bible - which has lots of alternatives ways of listening to it. I prefer this version to the more readily available Stephen Johnston version as this version is not so quickly spoken

I also followed it on the YouVersion page which listening. It is also quite satisfying to tick off when you have done each chapter.. and it is now reading 0.3% done :-)

Genesis Chapter 3 was probably most notable for me today. The minister at my chapel mentioned a very small part of it this morning. in verse 6, when Eve is being tempted by the serpent and taking the apple and giving it to Adam to share. It says that Adam was WITH her... he was there witnessing her sinning and NOT stopping her. Our minister mentioned how husbands should be more careful to prevent their wives from sinning.

Also, when Adam and Eve hide from God because of their nakedness... it struck me that God can see EVERYTHING... we are utterly naked before God, our hearts, minds, deeds etc etc are all out in the open before God.

I doubt I'll post this much each day... but I hope that i might do it a few times during this challenge.

Jeremiah 29v13

2010-03-21T19:40:00.001Z

The words in Jeremiah 29 verse 13 have been on my Calendar for this month.

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

When I first read that verse, I thought ... with all my heart? How do I do that? Do I WANT to do that?

A few days later I felt a need to turn into my bible (something I don't do often enough) .. and I turned randomly and again, there is was

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

I keep reading it... testing it... testing me..

Then today... I was reading a Kingdom Mama's blog, and she directed to a friends blog saying... "check out what Renee is doing!"

and so I did... and this is what I found.....

Look at the verse on the picture... yes.. I think that God must be talking to me.

So, I'm going to join this group in studying the bible in a year.Please pray for me.

Feeling lost

2010-03-10T20:27:00.000Z

I'm not doing so well at the moment.
I see myself forgetting God in my life.
I see my life crumbling around me and all my ideals going to nothing.

I have so many things happening well... I know now that I have a job in my school next year, in the year group I want, working more days - but not full time (just as I want) ... yet I don't feel any REAL thankfulness to Almighty God for this huge blessing.

I have 2 WONDERFUL children... and yet I don't feel that I'm being the mummy that I should be. I'm struggling to want to connect with them.

My husband's grandmother died last week and this has already seen us benefit financially and providencially - we are having her little car.... but I feel nothing. Nothing about her death (she was not a religious person), and very little about the gifts.

Please pray for me.

The Wemmicks - "You are Special"

2010-03-07T19:24:00.001Z

This is the story that I read to my son and daughter tonight before bed. My darling older sister bought it for them as book, You Are Special for a Christmas present. It makes me cry. It was the first time that I have read it aloud to them both. My 2 year old didn't really listen, but my 4 year old son was mesmorised. We talked about God afterwards. I thanked him for listening so well to the story... and he said, "Thank you too Mummy" He asked to keep the book in his room. He asked for some 'Sunday music' on his CD player while going to sleep... and we said a prayer before sleeping.

The Wemmicks

by MaxLucado

The Wemmicks were small wooden people. Each of the wooden people was carved by awoodworker named Eli. His workshop sat on a hill overlooking their village.Every Wemmick was different. Some had big noses, others had large eyes. Somewere tall and others were short. Some wore hats, others wore coats. But all weremade by the same carver and all lived in the village.

And all day, every day,the Wemmicks did the same thing: They gave each other stickers. Each Wemmick hada box of golden star stickers and a box of gray dot stickers. Up and down thestreets all over the city, people could be seen sticking stars or dots on oneanother.

The pretty ones, thosewith smooth wood and fine paint, always got stars. But if the wood was rough orthe paint chipped, the Wemmicks gave dots. The talented ones got stars, too.Some could lift big sticks high above their heads or jump over tall boxes. Stillothers knew big words or could sing very pretty songs. Everyone gave them stars.

Some Wemmicks had starsall over them! Every time they got a star it made them feel so good that theydid something else and got another star. Others, though, could do little. Theygot dots.

Punchinello was one ofthese. He tried to jump high like the others, but he always fell. And when hefell, the others would gather around and give him dots. Sometimes when he fell,it would scar his wood, so the people would give him more dots. He would try toexplain why he fell and say something silly, and the Wemmicks would give himmore dots.

After a while he had somany dots that he didn't want to go outside. He was afraid he would do somethingdumb such as forget his hat or step in the water, and then people would give himanother dot. In fact, he had so many gray dots that some people would come upand give him one without reason.

"He deserves lots ofdots," the wooden people would agree with one another.

"He's not a goodwooden person."

After a while Punchinellobelieved them. "I'm not a good wemmick," he would say. The few timeshe went outside, he hung around other Wemmicks who had a lot of dots. He feltbetter around them.

One day he met a Wemmickwho was unlike any he'd ever met. She had no dots or stars. She was just wooden.Her name was Lulia.

It wasn't that peopledidn't try to give her stickers; it's just that the stickers didn't stick. Someadmired Lulia for having no dots, so they would run up and give her a star. Butit would fall off. Some would look down on her for having no stars, so theywould give her a dot. But it wouldn't stay either.

'That's the way I want tobe,'thought Punchinello. 'I don't want anyone's marks.' So he asked thestickerless Wemmick how she did it.

"It's easy,"Lulia replied. "every day I go see Eli."

"Eli?"

"Yes, Eli. Thewoodcarver. I sit in the workshop with him."

"Why?"

"Why don't you findout for yourself? Go up the hill. He's there. "

And with that the Wemmickwith no marks turned and skipped away.

"But he won't want tosee me!" Punchinello cried out.

Lulia didn't hear. SoPunchinello went home. He sat near a window and watched the wooden people asthey scurried around giving each other stars and dots.

"It's notright," he muttered to himself. And he resolved to go see Eli.

He walked up the narrowpath to the top of the hill and stepped into the big shop. His wooden eyeswidened at the size of everything. The stool was as tall as he was. He had tostretch on his tiptoes to see the top of the workbench. A hammer was as long ashis arm. Punchinello swallowed hard.

"I'm not stayinghere!" and he turned to leave. Then he heard his name.

"Punchinello?"The voice was deep and strong.

Punchinello stopped.

"Punchinello! Howgood to see you. Come and let me have a look at you."

Punchinello turned slowlyand looked at the large bearded craftsman.

"You know myname?" the little Wemmick asked.

"Of course I do. Imade you."

Eli stooped down andpicked him up and set him on the bench. "Hmm, " he spoke thoughtfullyas he inspected the gray circles. "Looks like you've been given some badmarks."

"I didn't mean to,Eli. I really tried hard."

"Oh, you don't haveto defend yourself to me. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think."

"You don't?"

"No, and youshouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots? They're Wemmicks just likeyou. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what Ithink. And I think you are pretty special."

Punchinello laughed."Me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I can't jump. My paint is peeling.Why do I matter to you?"

Eli looked at Punchinello,put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly."Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me."

Punchinello had never hadanyone look at him like this--much less his maker. He didn't know what to say.

"Every day I've beenhoping you'd come," Eli explained.

"I came because I metsomeone who had no marks."

"I know. She told meabout you."

"Why don't thestickers stay on her?"

"Because she hasdecided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickersonly stick if you let them."

"What?"

"The stickers onlystick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care aboutthe stickers."

"I'm not sure Iunderstand."

"You will, but itwill take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me everyday and let me remind you how much I care."

Eli lifted Punchinello offthe bench and set him on the ground.

"Remember," Elisaid as the Wemmick walked out the door. "You are special because I madeyou. And I don't make mistakes."

Punchinello didn't stop,but in his heart he thought, "I think he really means it."

And when he did, a dotfell to the ground.

Very Thankful

2010-02-26T21:32:00.000Z

I have found out that my job is secure. Whereas 4 months ago I thought there was NO chance of me having any job at my school, I now have the opportunity of going full-time if I want to!
I am so happy and thankful.
I need to decide by Wednesday what hours I would like next year. I currently work half the week (weds pm onwards) I am seriously thinking of upping them, but I need to spend time in prayer and careful thought, and in discussion with my husband.

Other than that, we have had a bit of a surprise in my family. My Dad often has to go away on business and has spent the past 5 weeks in Brazil (5 weeks is much more than he would normally spend away from Mum) ... however, he arrived home tonight... but... he needs to go to Australia for a month on TUESDAY.. and.. my Dad's work have OFFERED to pay for my Mum to travel with Dad for the Australia trip, to fly them both Business Class to Australia, and rather than them having to stay in the business house with other businessmen, they are also putting them up in a 4.5 star apartment in Brisbane.... and you know what... Mum didn't say yes immediately.
She took it to her Lord, she prayed for 2 days about it... and has received the sweetest of blessings through this. And the Lord has promised to be with her whereever she goes. They are off on Tuesday.

My Mum has never been further than Belgium (we are in England).. so this is a mammoth trip for her.

Sunday Thoughts

2010-02-21T20:22:00.000Z

Caitie's potty training has been put on hold... she has a nasty cold, including sticky, watery eyes and lots of snot. Not a time for her to have to worry about potty training, or for her to be 'holding onto her wee' more than she needs to.

Because of her poorliness she didn't come out to chapel with me this morning and it was just Sam and I. This meant that for once, I wasn't having to worry about her behaviour (Sam is very good in chapel now - lasts the 1.5 hour service quietly and just doing drawing etc. Today for the first time, he managed to find ALL the hymn numbers on his own. I was impressed!! Managing to locate 3-digit numbers in a book is quite tricky for a 4 year old)

I was reading today on an online diary about the 'achieve 101 things in 1001 days' and it got me thinking. I could do that... but I don't think it would be helpful to me at this moment.
What I feel that I need at this moment is getting myself into good habits.

I want to end each day with a tidy kitchen
I want to end each day with a tidy living room
I want to spend time each day in prayer
I want to spend time each day reading/listening to the Bible
I want to spend time each day giving Sam and Caitlin more of my time and be more fun with them.
I want to spend less time on the computer ... but make my time on the computer more productive
I want to tidy my clothes at the end of each day - rather than my dreadful habit of taking them off and dumping them on the sofa in my room.

These are things that I want to become HABIT.

I also have some things that I would like to try, or do for a short amount of time.

Do some exercise (jogging?) at least 3 times a week for a month
Cut out flour from my diet for a week/couple of weeks just to see how I feel. (This will be VERY difficult for me to achieve)

In the very immediate future I need to:

Fill in my JOB Application form
Write Thank You letters to people for my Birthday Presents
Send my sister in law a Birthday Card

I was thinking today about how I don't have any really really close friends. I can honestly say I don't think that ANYONE would call me their BEST friend.... and similarly, I don't consider anyone my BEST friend. Well.. except Paul.. but that is different. I do have lots of people that I can share my worries and cares with, people who care a lot about me... and I was feeling fairly at peace about it.... even more so when I read "I am the LORD your God, who have separated you from other people." "And ye shall be holy to me: for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from other people, that ye should be mine." in my Daily Light devotional today.

Follow Thou Me

2010-02-13T21:06:00.000Z

I have been reading some biographies of Christian women in The King's Daughters
Reading it has been all very interesting, amazing to see God's mercy and different ways of people coming to know the Lord as THEIR Saviour... but...
... but...
I have been worrying that my path is not quite like theirs. My path is not so clear. My coming to know God is not so .... amazing to tell.
Is it real?
Last Sunday the minister at chapel mentioned nearly EXACTLY this.
The text that he preached from was "what is that to thee? follow thou me" from John Chapter 21 v22. He said something along the lines of "You may have read lots of biographies of God's mercy to other Christians and worry that it is not LIKE THAT for you... but remember that God is leading you in your own path and 'what is that to thee? follow thou me' - That is Jesus' command. We must follow him. That is what we need to set as out standard."

Help me Lord to follow Jesus. Show me what it means to 'follow Jesus'.

Where does God live? Where is God?

2010-02-11T19:18:00.000Z

On Sunday we had a flat tyre on the car and so couldn't go out to chapel in the morning. So, I read the children a few chapters from their Children's Bible... we started at the beginning because it was something that we hadn't done before.

Since then, my 4 year old has asked to read some each night with me, which is a wonderful blessing.

Tonight, after reading it, he whispered to me... Mummy, Where does God live? Where is God?

I tried to explain in my feeble way, that God is everywhere, but also God is in Heaven.

What would YOU have said?

I feel very thankful that my son feels happy to ask me these questions, and also very thankful that he is being given a heart to ASK questions.

I'm joining the Thankful Thursday linky at Grace Alone today to share this thankfulness with others.

Knitting!

2010-02-06T19:34:00.001Z

My absence from here for a few days has nothing really to do with my previous entry... I haven't been anymore diligent in the things that I should be.. but I did take up a new pursuit for a few days... KNITTING!

At our chapel, females have to wear a headcovering/hat for public worship, and my 2 year old daughter had lost her normal woolly hat - no idea where it has disappeared to! So, after a quick look around the shops, to no avail, I decided it was time to unpack my knitting needles and make one!

So, I found a pattern online, found a colourful ball of wool which I bought ages ago, just because I loved it... and then realised that hats mean circular needles... so Ebay provided me with some of those.... then I realised that I would need some double pointed needles too.. Ebid provided those - arriving today just as I had got to the point of needing them... and here is the hat that I made.

I'm pleased with it! And hopefully my daughter will keep it on!

What was really nice about making it was setting Spotify to a selection of hymns and knitting away in a peaceful atmosphere, not being distracted by the TV.

Feeling Down

2010-01-29T19:35:00.000Z

These past couple of weeks have been really good between my husband and myself.. and now they seem to be hitting the not so good time again.

I'm struggling with a few things... addictions that I need to address, and feeling that I don't have anyone who will back me up and help me through it. I have been listening to some excellent sermons, ones that challenge, ones that give me hope, and ones that make me realise that I should be giving more of my life to Jesus Christ.

I'm wondering if there is someone reading this who can help me.
My biggest addiction is the computer. Wasting time on the computer when I should be doing all manner of other things. Things that would really make me happier ... but that I feel too lazy, too unmotivated to do. I'm talking things like tidying up, ironing, cleaning, .... and bible reading, spending time with God.

Other addictions are watching the news on TV/internet when I should be either going to sleep or meditating.

Does anyone have any ideas? I feel like I need someone to be accountable to. I know that person should be God... but at the moment that is not enough for me.

Learning to Pray and Talk with Husband

2010-01-19T19:19:00.000Z

I have so many things to write about that I don't really know where to begin.

I have been unwell over the weekend, my neck has been aching, and has led to pains in my head and back and also toothache. I have been worrying a lot about it and spent fair few hours in bed. My husband has been brilliant looking after the children and keeping the house running, and also being caring towards me.

Yesterday evening he asked me what was stressing me, because he believed that to be at the root of my feeling ill. I mentioned some insignificant things - which are bothering me, but that I knew were not the 'real' things that were bothering me. The things that I was struggling to mention was our relationship and differences, and also the growing feeling of needing to 'come out' about my spiritual struggles.

It was, amazingly, my husband who talked about BOTH of these as things that he thought I was struggling with and needed to confront! I could only listen with tears running down my face. I couldn't say anything. And the tears... tears of acceptance that yes I do need to address these, tears of joy that God moves in mysterious ways but is definitely there!, tears of amazement. I couldn't talk to my husband about the things going on in my heart, but there will be time for that. He seems to know, and has given me his 'blessing' / 'permission' to pursue God as I need to.

I'm feeling very very confused about lots of things... but I can only hope and pray that things become clearer.

Praying is something that I find difficult. I don't feel God to be near, or even 'real' when I pray. I also find that I pray the type of prayers that I heard my Dad pray when I was a child... but without feeling them. So today, I tried a different approach.

When I shut my eyes, I imagined that I was sitting in a comfy chair, and that in another comfy chair was Jesus, and I tried to talk to him as I would to my friends (but with reverence of course) I tried to tell him everything that I was feeling, I poured out my worries in the way that I do when I'm with my best friends. And for once, it felt like I was speaking from my heart. And now looking back on this, I wonder whether it was a wicked thing to do. I don't feel that Jesus is my Friend yet, so why should I dare to think of Him as such?

I have such a conflict of emotions.

I want to do what is right...but don't know how or where to start.
I want to obey God ... but not if it looks like I'm trying to obtain Salvation through works.
I know that my life needs to change, but I don't want anything too drastic to happen.

We sang a hymn in chapel on Sunday

Thou hidden love of God, whose height,
Whose depth unfathomed, no man knows,
I see from far Thy beauteous light,
And inly sigh for Thy repose;
My heart is pained, nor can it be
At rest, till it finds rest in Thee.

Is there a thing beneath the sun
That strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah! Tear it thence, and reign alone,
And govern every motion there;
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it has found its all in Thee.

O hide this self from me, that I
No more, but Christ in me, may live!
My vile affections crucify,
nor let one darling lust survive!
in all things nothing may I see
nothing desire or seek, but Thee.

Each moment draw from earth away
My heart, that lowly waits Thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul and say,
'I am thy Saviour God, thy All!'
To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy love, be all my choice.

I struggled to sing the middle 2 verses. Could I REALLY give up everything for Christ? What would God be asking me to give up?

I've been thinking about the Greatest Commandment. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength and with all your might"
How do I do that? How does this apply in the different areas of my life?

Where do I start?

I have much to be thankful for.

Troubled... A confession

2010-01-15T19:42:00.000Z

I'm feeling confused and troubled about things. Things relating to being saved. Things relating to 'works', 'holiness', and more.

My husband directed me to this

I heard it and felt it to be the truth... but not a truth I really wanted to hear. Do you know what I mean?
Very soul searching and it hit hard.
My life is not living for God... anything that I do that is 'Godly' is because that was what I was brought up to do. I don't do it in obedience to God, but in obedience to my parents and to not look bad in my religious circle.

I'm also troubled because I'm afraid to try to please God, because I fear to offend God by hoping on my works (in trying to please him) and not on Christ.

I have also listened to a sermon by a UK preacher on 'The Parable of the Vine' - which too talked about similar things.
Parable of the Vineyard
Jonathan Northern | Mark 12:1-12

Thankful Thursday!

2010-01-14T19:34:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

I'm thankful that I have a loving and caring husband, who for the most part recently, has been showing his love and care for me.
I'm thankful that my children make me laugh even when I'm finding them incredibly frustrating if I'm tired.
I'm thankful that the school inspection has gone well so far.
I'm thankful that I can do little things for other people to help them, when they can see no way forward.
I'm thankful that my job-share partner knows me well enough to know that her finishing up my box of Maltesers on my day off is not something I'm going to mind about (although I was very happy that she was honest enough to email whilst doing it!!!) ... and even happier that she bought me a new box (and herself one!!) and came back into school specially to give it to me ... Thanks Pip!

Thankful Thursday!

2010-01-07T20:16:00.002Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

So here goes...

I'm thankful that we have had snow and that the children have seen the beauty of it.
I'mthankful that despite the snow we have all been kept safe - and I'mthankful that we haven't had to make too many car journeys becauseSam's school has been closed for the past 2 days.
I'm thankful that the school inspection is taking place on my non-working days!
I'mthankful that Sam is loving learning to read - it was especially lovelyto hear him reading his books to Caitlin in bed this morning at 6:30.
I'mthankful that I've been told that I CAN apply to 'go through thethreshold' this year (for those not in the know, teachers have to fillin lots of forms in order to get more pay after they reach a certainceiling in their pay) - Last year i couldn't because I hadn't workedfor ages! I'm also very thankful that my head of Junior School hassuggested things that I should put on there as things that she hasrecognised as things that I do 'above and beyond' the call of duty :-)

Hurt Feelings

2010-01-02T20:16:00.000Z

Today we visited my husband's Gran with the children. When we arrived she was very upset that she hadn't been invited to the whole family gathering the day before which I happened to mention very early on in my chat to her.... cue lots of tears and stress.

Gran and my husband's mother really don't get on (one reason for not inviting her - along with the fact that she is 89 and very frail!). Lots of issues in the past - so much so that now they actually haven't spoken to each other AT ALL for more than a year...

They are both bitter against each other but I truly believe that really they want things to be better between them... but both are so stubborn and unwilling to make the first move.

Please pray for them for some kind of reconciliation... and a change of heart towards God too. Gran can't have long left here on this earth... (Diabetic, heart problems, and just being 89!) .. I don't want my husband's mother to live in regret after she has gone... neither do I want to have to hear all the bad mouthing of each other (and I certainly don't want my children to have to witness it as they did today)

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T22:02:00.000Z

Today we had a meet up with my husband's family... and had a nice day.

My parents-in-law very generously bought me an MP3 player... and I've managed so far to download the book of Genesis on it - so this should help me with my Bible schedule... and also some nice music... so I'm enjoying my new toy.

Bible reading Schedules

2009-12-27T20:45:00.000Z

I'm coming to the end of the year, having read the entire New Testament this year ... and some of the Old Testament when I was feeling like reading more.

However, I want to find a way to read the Bible where I'm not reading it 'from beginning to end'... but maybe a way where different aspects of God are studied. I'm not quite sure where to look or how to go about it.

Can anyone recommend anything?

I've been doing a small online search, and found the following one the Bible gateway website -which I think I'll do to begin with (although I doubt I'll manage it in 61 days!)

Chronological Bible Reading Plan (61 Days)

Would you like to read through the key stories of the Bible inchronological order, tracing the development of God's plan from Adamand Eve to the church of the New Testament? This reading planintroduces you to the major people and events of the Bible inchronological order, beginning with Creation, moving through the birthand history of the Israel nation, and ending with Revelation'sprophetic words. It's all broken down into 61 easily-readable segments.

Day	Today's Scripture Reading	Description
Day 1	Genesis 1-3	Creation and Fall
Day 2	Genesis 12, 15, and 22	Abraham, Isaac
Day 3	Job 1-3 and 38-42	Story of Job
Day 4	Exodus 1-5, 12-14, and 20	Moses and the Law
Day 5	Leviticus 1, 10-11, 16, and 25-26	Instructions
Day 6	Numbers 3-4, 6, and 11-14	Journey to the Promised Land
Day 7	Deuteronomy 5-8, 28-31, and 34	Moses' last message to the Israelites
Day 8	Joshua 1-6 and 23-24	Joshua, Israelites enter the Promised Land
Day 9	Judges 1-4 and 13-16	Period of the Judges
Day 10	Ruth 1-4	Story of Ruth
Day 11	1 Samuel 7-10, 12	King Saul
Day 12	1 Samuel 15-20, 28, and 31	King Saul
Day 13	2 Samuel 5-8, 1 Chronicles 15-17	King David
Day 14	2 Samuel 11-13, 15, and 18	King David
Day 15	1 Chronicles 21-22, and 28-29	King David
Day 16	Psalms 1, 8, 19, 23, 51, 100, 103 and 139	Psalms of King David
Day 17	1 Kings 3, 6-12	King Solomon
Day 18	2 Chronicles 5-10	King Solomon
Day 19	Ecclesiastes 1-5 and 12	King Solomon
Day 20	Song of Songs 1-2, Proverbs 1-3	King Solomon
Day 21	2 Chronicles 14-16	King Asa
Day 22	1 Kings 17-19, and 21	Elijah
Day 23	2 Kings 1-2, 6-7, 11-12	Elijah, Elisha, Kings
Day 24	2 Chronicles 24-26	Kings
Day 25	Joel 2, Jonah 1, Amos 3, Micah 1-2	Prophecies
Day 26	Isaiah 1-2, 6, Hosea 1-4	Prophecies
Day 27	2 Kings 17-20, 2 Chronicles 29-32	Hezekiah
Day 28	Isaiah 40 and 52-55	Consolation of Israel
Day 29	2 Kings 21-23, 2 Chronicles 33-35	Manasseh, Josiah
Day 30	Nahum 1, Zephaniah 3, Jeremiah 1-5, Habakkuk 1	Prophecies
Day 31	Ezekiel 1-3, 18, and 33, Lamentations 3, Obadiah	Fall of Jerusalem
Day 32	Daniel 1-2, 4-6	Daniel
Day 33	Ezra 3, 6-7, Haggai, Zechariah 1-2	Return, rebuilding of Jerusalem
Day 34	Esther 1-4, 7-8	Story of Esther
Day 35	Nehemiah 1-2, 4, and 6	Rebuilding the wall
Day 36	Malachi	Last Old Testament prophecies
Day 37	Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2	Birth of Jesus
Day 38	John 1, Mark 1, John 3-4	Early ministry of Jesus
Day 39	Luke 4-6, Mark 2-4	Teachings of Jesus
Day 40	Matthew 5-7	Sermon on the Mount
Day 41	Mark 10, Luke 8-12, Matthew 17-18	More teachings of Jesus
Day 42	John 13-17	Jesus' upper room discourse
Day 43	Matthew 26-28, Mark 15-16	Death and resurrection of Jesus
Day 44	Luke 22-24, John 19-21	Death and resurrection of Jesus
Day 45	Acts 1-4, 8-10, 12-14	The Church starts, scatters, expands
Day 46	Galatians 3-6	Paul's warnings about true vs. false religion
Day 47	James 1-3, Acts 15	Teachings and ministry of James
Day 48	1 Thessalonians 2 and 4; 2 Thessalonians 3	Paul's letters on adversity and persecution
Day 49	1 Corinthians 1-2 and 13	Paul's writings on living, loving like Jesus
Day 50	2 Corinthians 4-5 and 8-9	Paul's writings on authentic Christianity
Day 51	Romans 5-8 and 12	Paul's letter on Christian doctrine, practice
Day 52	Philemon; Ephesians 4-6	Paul's writings on practical Christian living
Day 53	Colossians 1 and 3; Philippians 2 and 4	Paul's writings on growing in Christ
Day 54	1 Peter 1 and 4-5	Peter's first letter to the Church
Day 55	1 Timothy 1-3; Titus 2	Paul's teaching on Church leadership
Day 56	Jude; 2 Peter 1	Jude and Peter's writings on true vs. false religion
Day 57	2 Timothy 3-4	Paul's example, encouragement to Timothy
Day 58	Hebrews 10-13	Teachings about living for Jesus Christ
Day 59	1 John 1-3	John's letter on loving Christ, each other
Day 60	2 John; 3 John	John's postcard letters to friends
Day 61	Revelation 1-4, 19-22	Jesus Christ's revelation to John

Thankful Thursday!

2009-12-10T15:57:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

My life is a roller coaster of emotions... but I have lots to be thankful for.

This Christmas is the first Christmas that I have felt I have even begun to feel and understand its real significance. What a blessing, singing carols and meaning it, watching a Nativity play and being truly moved by the story. And... trying to explain the importance to the children.

2. My teaching job is on a temporary contract and the contract ends in July - (I signed a contract on July 4th to last for 1 year) ... but I found out this week that they are going to pay me for over the summer holiday - i.e. 2 more months pay without me needing to be working!! This may sound 'obvious' but believe me, its not in my situation and I can't be bothered to explain more here. This is an ENORMOUS weight off my mind.

3. The bursar at my school writing me some very clear emails this week... rather than confirming my fears, he gave me confidence that I may have a longer future at my school.. and if not I AM entitled to redundancy pay. Amazing news.

4. The small amounts of patience I've been given to ignore my husbands silences and wait without pressing him for explanations.

5. My mum being better from her swine flu.

Nativity Plays

2009-11-29T15:55:00.000Z

Following on from my previous post about our school 'nativity play' I wanted to say something about my childhood experiences of Nativities.

Coming from a strict Christian family, brought up to attend 2 services of chapel each Sunday, no television in the house, no girls wearing trousers, girls wearing hats to chapel etc etc ...

So what must others have thought to the fact that we were NOT allowed to take part in Christmas Nativity Plays.

This was based on having no images of Jesus. All our 'sunday books' had to be vetted to ensure that they had no pictures of Jesus... and so having a doll as an image of Jesus in a Nativity play was a definite thing that we were NOT allowed to join in with. During my RE lessons at school, I would remove myself from lessons that included pictures of Jesus. (all of this based on the Commandment of having no Idols/images)

However... since becoming a teacher, I have used my own personal judgement on this, and HAVE taken part in Nativity plays. I do not make an Idol of the doll.

Acting out the REAL story of Christmas is such an amazing thing for the children to do. The children who for 11months of the year rarely HEAR the name of Jesus... and then for one frantic month in school, they daily learn the miracle of Christ's birth. What a witness. Schools all over the world... remembering one thing. The real meaning of Christmas.

This year will be my son's first Christmas play... and my mum asked me about me removing him from it.... I stood up for my personal belief, and told her that I would be allowing him to do so... and why.

The Smelly Shepherds Sermon

2009-11-28T18:45:00.000Z

The school that I work at are putting on their usual Years 3-4 production... however, this year the 2 year groups are doing things separately... and until yesterday I hadn't seen the Year 3 part of it.

Nativity style plays always make me a little emotional .. but this one was supposed to be a little light hearted. There were just 2 groups of characters - the Snooty Angels.. and the Smelly Shepherds.

To basic jist of the play is that the angels are annoyed that 1) They are not the first ones to welcome the Christ Child and 2) That they have to go to a dirty field to wake the shepherds - and so put on their wellies!

Then they reach the shepherds who are Amazed that the angels are telling THEM to go to Bethlehem and wonder why they are the chosen ones.

When watching it, it brought tears to my eyes. How amazing that God chose the lowest of humanity to visit the Christ child first. It wasn't the wise men, or any kings, or the Angels... it was the dirty shepherds - who had nothing to bring except themselves. How much hope that gives for us sinners! Jesus really DID come into the world for the poorest and weakest, and even from the beginning of His life, it was them who were welcomed.

I have the privilege of knowing I'll see this play 3 more times... I hope that God blesses me with this message so powerfully each time - and if He showed it to ME... why not the audience of parents, other pupils, other teachers etc.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-26T19:15:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

A really difficult week since last writing.

All my reasons to be thankful of last week seem to have been turned upside down.

However, I have lots to be thankful for and must not forget to be thankful for the mercies of God.

I thank God for my 2 wonderful children. Much as I would like more children, I am happy and satified with my 2 and despite being normal, crazy, often naughty etc etc, they are wonderful.
I thank God for my miscarriage that I suffered 5 years ago. I has helped me empathise this week with someone.
Thank you God for the opportunities to be of service to others - looking after the children of others, and also helped my poorly mum with her ironing.
Thank you God for my mum getting better.. not totally yet, but certainly well on the way to recovery from Swine Flu.
Thank you God for my son's school, who listened to me when I asked them to send him home if he was at all grumpy from his cough and cold. They did. I'm very thankful for that. That I can have confidence that they care for him.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-19T19:18:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

At the moment, I'm posting little other than Thankful Thursday... but I hope in the future that will not always be the case.

This week has been a much better week. God has answered my prayers when being overwhelmed and I'm feeling much much happier in all areas of my life.

I thank God especially for the job opportunity for my husband that he is excited about and looks like he will apply for the job. I ask for prayers that he will pursue the opportunity (if it is God's will) and will be helped in the application process.
I thank God for the tidiness in the house - brought on by the fact that we had an estate agent value our house this week - having been looking at brand new houses to move to near to my son's school.
I thank God for the conversations with my husband this week, and the things we have been doing together - from tidying the house, to playing on the computer etc etc.
I thank God that my niece was born safely on Tuesday morning, little Sophie Elizabeth, a 3rd child for my brother and his wife. I thank God for a new little life given, and pray that she may know Jesus as her Saviour.
I thank God for the positive outlook that I feel... even though things are not perfect.

Please pray for my Mum, she is poorly with the flu (possibly swine flu). While not life threatening, things like that always hit her hard, after suffering from M.E. 20 years ago.

Overwhelmed

2009-11-12T19:47:00.000Z

Psalm 61

¹Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
²From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

I'm finding things difficult here. In fact a doctor would probably describe me more accurately as depressed.

I'm living in such turmoil in my heart, in my marriage and in the state of my house.
I'm struggling to find motivation to sort things out... let alone actually to do it.
I need God, but I'm not finding Him... I know He is close, but am not trusting Him to hold me up.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-12T19:34:00.000Z

I'm feeling very overwhelmed at the moment.. and cannot see the way ahead.

I can be thankful though that God our Heavenly Father knows the way ahead, and will be there.
I am thankful that Parents Evenings are over at school and that they went well... some happy parents.
I am thankful that my school can occassionally give me extra hours... and that I am the first one that they call if they do need someone to cover.
I am thankful also that I have 2 wonderful children who love me lots and lots
I am thankful that I have a lovely home that shelters me, even if I am extremely neglectful of keeping it at its best.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-05T19:18:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

I give thanks firstly for my sister who called last night to say that she is pregnant - 13 weeks, doing fine although has been pretty sick... (baby no.2 for her!)
I give thanks for my sister who called TONIGHT to say that SHE is pregnant - 11 weeks, doing fine... (baby no.1 for her!)
I give thanks for my husband's support this week, when I've been feeling really tired...
I give thanks for my class who are so well behaved (most of the time!!)
I give thanks for the opportunities that are coming our way to earn a little more money (a few extra hours here and there at work for me, a possible part-time job which my husband is investigating)

Discussing God with my 4 year old

2009-11-03T21:16:00.000Z

Last week, me, my son and daughter had a long journey to make ... 3 hours in the car to visit Granny and Grandad. Since my 4 year old was loving the 'assembly songs' from his new school and because the school that I work at use the same CD of songs, I borrowed the one from my school.. and we used that as 'in the car' music ALL the way there. 15 songs being played probably 6 times each! My son only knew about 3 or 4 of them from his school, and I only knew them vaguely... but by the end of the journey, we knew them well.

They were not all 'biblical' but were moral. However, it was the God-based ones which brought some lovely discussions with my 4 year old.

One was very simple... a very catchy rhythm

"Matthew Twenty-two, verses thirty four to forty

Matthew Twenty-two, verses thirty four to forty

One day a Pharisee came to Jesus Christ and he said Tell me what's the greatest commandment

This - is - what -HE - said

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind, with all your strength

Love your neighbour as yourself and do to others as you'd have them do to you

What a wonderful way of REMEMBERing this. At the moment this is the favourite 'bedtime' song. we had a discussion about where it came from and I found it in the bible for him and read it as the Bible teaches it. He then asked to find something else about one of the other songs... and I turned to Psalm 46 - God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble.

We talked about how God is close by whenever we need him... instantly Sam remembered a discussion we had in the car about another of the songs.

If I go to the furthest place that I could go

He'll be there, He'll be there.

To the east or the west, to the sun or snow

He will always be there.

Oh yeah, Oh yeah, He will never leave me

I know, He cares

He's the only one who is always there.

(the song continues to include whatever mood you are in God is always there etc.)

The songs are still in the car. We listened to them ALL the way home too -another 3 hours+

Wonderful!

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-29T20:54:00.000Z

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

We are having a week with my husband's parents this week in Cardiff.

So that may explain some of my thankful thoughts!

I'm very thankful for the generosity of my parents-in-law - not only in money (treating us to meals out, trips out etc) but also in their endless energy playing with the children and running around after as all.
For my husband for his honesty with me this week. It was tough, but helpful.
For the amazing feats that my 4 year old son has performed this week - stunning me with his intelligence! - i.e. spelling words aloud backwards!! (words such as 'school' and 'grandad')
For my Dad who is working hard trying to sort out our electricity problem at home while we are away, knowing that we can't afford to call out an electrician
For Bible verses that make difficult issues clear to me.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-22T19:21:00.000+01:00

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

Thank you God for

My husband talking about returning to a more stable job ... which in turn means that we can seriously consider moving to the new village near our son's school which is what I would love to do.
My sister-in-law who came over today and helped me to paint my bedroom.
My friend who let me cry on her shoulder on Monday, and could help me to see things from a different viewpoint.
The good and bad things that we found out at my son's parent's evening. We now know he is not an angel and know what to work on.
My husband going to stay with his parents for a few days so I can get painting done without him being affected by the smell/fumes and he can have a little break.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-15T10:18:00.001+01:00

This is my second attempt at Thankful Thursday

We join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God for 5 things we are thankful for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

Thank you God for

the improved happiness around the house this week.
the fun times that I have had reading to the children before bedtime and singing our little hymns - current favourite seems to be "If I were a Butterfly" and I love it when Caitlin (aged 2) will join in if I pause at then end of a line.
For you gave me a .... heart
and you gave me a ........ 'mile (smile!)
you gave me ..... Jesus (that one brings a tear to my eye when she says it)
and you made me your ...... child
So I just thank you Father for making ..... ME ME!!!
the wonderful friends that I have on the staff at school - and who bought me ROSES!
the fun I had today at school with my GreenFingers gardening group making wonderful miniature gardens
my mum who looks after Caitlin each Wednesday so that I get a little break each week, and Caitlin has a wonderful time.

Trust and Obey

2009-10-11T15:28:00.000+01:00

I was reading an online diary a few moments ago, someone who has been going through a lot of stuggles and anxiety and she ended with posting the first lines of "Trust and Obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to Trust and Obey"

What 'got' me when reading it, is the TRUST bit... that's the first part of being in a meaningful relationship with Jesus... the OBEY bit only becomes meaningful (and worthwhile) when you are doing it out of love for Christ.

It's the 'Trusting' that I really need to work on, truly laying down my problems and difficulties with Jesus and TRUSTING them to him to solve.. and for me to leave them THERE... and not carry on with them.

Then I can sing wholeheartedly

I am trusting Thee, Lord, Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.

I am trusting Thee for pardon;
At Thy feet I bow;
For Thy grace and tender mercy,
Trusting now.

I am trusting Thee for cleansing
In the crimson flood;
Trusting Thee to make me holy
By Thy blood.

I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead;
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.

I am trusting Thee for power,
Thine can never fail;
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
Must prevail.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall;
I am trusting Thee forever,
And for all.

Frances Havergal (music midi and score on CyberHymnal)

Lord Jesus, do give me faith to trust thee for ALL my needs. Speak to me Lord "I will never leave thee nor forsake me" and "Fear not, I am with thee". I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen

Pertinant Readings

2009-10-09T20:48:00.000+01:00

I read the Our Daily Bread booklet each day. The past 2 days, the readings have been really strikingly appropriate.

Wednesdays was the following

"One of the best ways for a man to lovehis wife is to understand her. Peter explains that it is imperative fora husband to “dwell with [his wife] with understanding” (1 Peter 3:7).

Thisprinciple works both ways. Husbands want to be understood as well.Actually, we all do. Everyone, married or not, longs to be understoodby others at the deepest possible level. We’re born with that need, andwe never seem to outgrow it.

It’s feeble avoidance to say wecan’t understand one another. We can and we must. It takes time—timespent in one another’s presence asking questions, listening intently,then asking again. It’s as simple and as difficult as that. No one, ofcourse, can fully plumb the mystery of another person’s heart, but wecan learn something new every day. The wise man of Proverbs calledunderstanding “a wellspring of life” (16:22), a deep source of wisdomto all who seek it.

Again, I say, understanding takes time—one ofthe most precious gifts we can give to others. How we choose to spendour time is the surest indicator of how much we care for those we love.

Ask the Lord today to give you the grace to take the time to understand the important people in your life. — David H. Roper

To those whose lives we touch in life,
To whom our love we would impart,
The greatest gift that we can give
May be an understanding heart. —Branon

Listening is an open door to understanding.

I currently feel bombarded from all sides that I need to be the one making the changes in myself regarding my marriage.

More respect for my husband
More listening and understanding him
Praying for him (and our little family) more
Trying to do things with him that he will enjoy.

Lord, my heart is so hard and bitter and cold, not just towards my husband but towards God too. Create in me a clean heart Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. Please help me to be more understanding. Please calm my mind and stop my wicked hateful thoughts and help me to feel the love... not just the love of my husband, but more importantly the Love of God.

I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-08T19:33:00.000+01:00

This is my first attempt at Thankful Thursday

I have seen it at Collette's blog, Jesus Loves Mums

We join join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journeyto give thanks to God. We list 5 things we are thankful to God for overthe last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click onthe link above!

Thank you for Pam and Collette who have encouraged me to write a new God-focussed blog, and for supporting my beginning efforts
Thank you for my sister who will listen to me talk to her without judging me... and Thank you God for showing her earlier this year that she is a Child of God. She is a wonderful inspiration to me and a wonderful witness for me to talk to.
Thank you for my colleagues at school who have had to deal with a tearful me today, who have supported me and offered more support whenever I need it.
Thank you for the love that my children show me and for giving me the most special gift, being a Mummy.
Lastly, thank you God for real difficulties I'm facing at the moment.. the ones that are turning me to God, because there is no one else who can help.

What SHOULD a wife be like?

2009-10-07T10:19:00.000+01:00

I'm not the perfect wife... in fact I'm not even a GOOD wife. However, neither I in a conventional 'biblical' marriage. My husband is not a believer.

This in itself has a multitude of difficulties, but coupled with the fact that my husband doesn't want to work - leaving that up to me - it also makes it very difficult for me to be a biblical wife. Not saying i would be a very good biblical wife... but it is difficult to even strive to follow Proverbs 31 when you are working as well.

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Looking in to the New Testament.
Ephesians 5
³³Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wifesee that she reverence her husband.

1 Corinthians 7
³Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

For many reasons at the moment, our relationship is in turmoil. I don't know what to do other than to pray.

Scripture Memorisation

2009-10-04T21:02:00.003+01:00

As a child, our church didn't have a Sunday school, but Mum and Dad used to do a Sunday evening family 'Sunday School' - we would sit in the lounge with our Bibles, hymn books and such like - having a book such as 'The Pilgrims Progress' to read round as a family too, as part of our 'Sunday school.

Between the ages of I suppose 5-13, we would have a bible verse to memorise, which Mum would write out neatly on the back of an old Christmas card... ready to recite from memory the following Sunday.

At one stage, we had to learn the entire chapter of Isaiah 53.

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

I don't think I ever learnt every word, but I know verses 1-7 pretty well even now.

I feel now that I need to start to memorise Scripture passages again. Words of praise, admonision, promise, gospel and more.

My Scripture verse for this week is

"Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."

Psalm 119v116.

It was a word that struck me about 6 weeks ago. At a time when I started to realise my need to turn to God, and when I believe and hope that God started drawing me to Him.

When My Heart is Overwhelmed

2009-10-04T20:09:00.000+01:00

Another blogger recommended watching this sermon.

What faith in adversity.

When My Heart Is Overwhelmed from Reality on Vimeo.

He Knoweth

2009-10-04T20:02:00.000+01:00

Today at chapel, the words chosen by our minister were "He knoweth"

(Deuternomy 2v7 - middle clause reads: He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness)

What a blessing - just those words alone. For me at the moment, listening to the sermon is tricky... I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old who I have to care for while listening. Listening to the text is a priority, to seek some spiritual food.

So... God knows...

He knows my heart - my sinful heart, my seeking heart, my feeble desires,my priorities, my loves, my prayerlessness

He knows the whole of my situation, my marriage, my job, my children,my difficulties, my desires, what I think I want and need.

He knows all about ME.

When I pray I don't have to explain. He knows. My whole life, He knows the beginning to the end. He knows the past and the future.

Do I trust him?

I NEED to, I want to... but at the moment I confess that my relationship with God is distant.

"and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." - Deuteronomy 6v5

I have so much to learn - God knows.