We Are Family

We are going through a whole new way of church meeting in the homes. It is very exciting doing something new and different to anything ever done before. It will be a great time to be family together. Its about being a people that are together whose lives are intermingled with oneanother. A complete sharing of our lives with one another.

This is a challenge in it self. The culture we live in today is all about fiting everything in around our busy schedule. If it does not fit then it can't be done. We need to change our mindset that if it does not fit then we need to change our busy lifestyle. Our lifstyle has to fit in with our church family not our church family fit in with our busy lifestyle. Easier said than done, but I'm up for the challenge!

There will be times that we will have to decide to look to the interest of others. This will mean sacrificing time, energy, money and material possesions. Especially if we are going to meet the needs of others. Hebrews 13 verse 16 (niv)says:-

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

We can often strive to do good in the hope to please God. The Bible here makes it easy for us to know how to please God. It is as simple as sharing. Lets face it we all have something we can share. If I think about what I have to share too much, I can struggle and find it hard to give it up. I don't mean to be selfish, but we have been brought us in a society that says to meet our own needs first then to look to others that may have a need. But if I hold onto everything lightly and do not allow myself to think selfishly of what I will miss out on, instead say to God you can have whatever I have it's yours. Then sharing becomes a lot easier. Sometimes sharing is a sacrifice other wise it would not say it in the word, we are blessed when we hold onto that which we have to share lightly.

Sharing does not even mean let others have whats left over after I've had what I want or need. Its great when we are blessed enough to do this because we have more than we need and can give the rest. It can also mean sharing so that I have less. the other day I made my self some soup. The kids had had their dinner, and I was having mine a little later. Josie my daughter saw how delicious it looked and continued to pick up my bread and started dipping it into my soup. Before I knew it she was sharing my soup with me. I didn't mind because I love her, she's my daughter, part of my family. I could have quite easily said this is my dinner, leave it alone. I enjoyed sharing it with her, but there was a cost. I got less than I prepared for my self, less than I thought I needed.

I want my church family to be my family. Not just something I say, but something I live for.

We Are His Children

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!(Psalm 8:3-9 niv)

How amazing is our God. How great is our God. We are his children., He is our father.

Easter Holiday

Created for Purpose

Josie loves making things. Now it is the Easter holidays I'm constantly kept busy helping her with making things. From making crowns and wands to cakes. Cutting and glueing, drawing and painting, it will all be done and more besides before the holiday has ended. Josie always has a purpose in mind for her creations. She get so much enjoyment with the finished product. At the sound of her daddy walking through the door, Josie will run with excitement to show him todays creation.

I enjoy seeing her creations. I enjoy being a part of creating them. There is something in all of us that loves to create something. When we create that something how great it feels when that something is really usefull, or someone else gets pleasure from it. It could be a really artistic painting or a delicious cake or an instrament to be played.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8 v 28 NIV

I know God created us for a purpose. When I think of the pleasure we get from our own creations I know God takes great delight is us when we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were created for.

God loves you and created you for his purpose, even when we get our selves into sticky and messy situations, He is there and will clean us up and will enable us to get back on track. When my youngest gets himself into a mess with a chocolate biscuit, and wants to give me a hug and a kiss. I love him so much, but I'm not going to want to get too close to him in this state and keep him at arms length until I've cleaned him up. Once he's had his wash I'll let him come close again.

Our heavenly father wants to get close to us and use us for his purpose, but he wants us to allow him to clean us up and get right with him.

None of us were an accident. We were created by our living and amazing father. We have a purpose. God would not create something that is useless. If you believe that then you believe that you have a purpose. Whatever situation you find yourself in, if you love God then God works for your good. He will fill you with his Holy Spirit so that you can fulfill your purpose, for which you were created for.