M6 Toll Road v M6

We are faced with so many choices. Have you ever made a choice and thought, maybe I made the wrong decision. When we go to visit Richards parents in Leighton Buzzard, we go onto the M6 Toll. Before you get to the junction that goes M6 or M6 Toll you need to have already decided which one to take. If you carried on with the flow you would automatically go onto the M6 Toll road, and end up paying the price for an easier run. It's sometimes easier to think well if there is a cost involved then it must be better, or "we are on this road now, might as well carry on!"I sometimes think it might not be busy on the other road and we could pocket the few pounds we would have spent. I wonder how many people go through life not actually realising that every action we take, first there came a choice. A lot of our choices and decisions could be the same old ones we make time and time again. It could be that we go with the flow and just do what is expected. However we make a choice there is always a cost involved.

Richard preached a great word a couple of Sundays ago. One that will challenge anyone who hears it What Will You Choose. I really recommend anyone that's not heard it to listen to it, or even listen to it again if you have.

I am challenged not to always make the same choices just because that's what I always do. I'd like the choices I make to cause those around me to be challenged by God. There is always a cost involved. If we decided not to go down the same new route of the M6 Toll, and decided to go down the M6. We would save paying the money, but would the cost be a busier route. We are faced with so many choices, like what mood am I in this morning. I can choose to change that mood or stay in it. Or do I witness today or shall I just leave it and wait for an opportunity. Richard in his word pointed out a fundamental truth that if we always wait for an opportunity we may never ever witness. There came a point where we chose to witness or not regardless of opportunities. Do I watch this film, everyone else is sat here watching it. Or we choose not to stop something because its a habbit we've allowed ourselves to get in. Or we choose not to start something because we've not got round to it. I've only touched the surface of the word that came those sundays ago. Listen to it and be prepared to change in the way you choose.

Full When Overflowing

This weekend has been a fantastatic weekend. I went to a conference in Manchester at Kings Church where I enjoyed hearing Keri Jones our apostle talk about the things of God around the world. As a people we are ministries without borders. When there is a place God wants us to go there is absolutely nothing or no one that can stop us from entering, no matter how humanly impossible it looks.

We must contstantly be full of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be an effective people of God. I took a picture (above) to illustrate that we are not full until we are overflowing. Which means our source must constantly be filling us up again and again. It never stops pouring in.

Meet Our Visitor!

When we opened our curtains this morning we had an on looker walking across our patio doors. The children and I were amused watching it make its way up the doors then back down again!

Those In Authority

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Have you ever been unsure about something and just need somone who has an authority in that area to put your mind at ease?

I took Nathan to the doctors today. He has a rash that started on just his front this morning. I thought it might be a heat rash. As the day progressed he seem to get a little unsettled and would not eat anything. When I bathed him to get him settled for the night, I noticed his rash had spread to all over his body. Everywhere was covered. Now I started to wonder what it was. He wasn't really complaining that much, but I knew he wasn't himself, so I made up my mind to ask someone who could tell me what the matter was. Someone that would put my mind at ease. I knew really it wasn't anything to worry about, but I just needed that someone to reasure me.

It is so good to have people around us we can go to. I know that if I have a worry or concern in my life I can go to the leaders in the church, the ones I consider to have the authority of God and talk through these things. There is something powerful, as well as directing and comforting to have house group leaders and elders to turn to (Romans13:1). They can minister peace in a time of uncertainty. It is always good to remember to turn to these people when we are a little unsure. If they don't have the answers they can stand with us and pray. God always has the answer.

The doctor told me what was wrong, praise God it wasn't serious, I kind of knew it wouldn't be but I left feeling satisfied and assured. This is how it should be when we have spent time with those who have the authority of God. We must pray for those who are in authority over us. Remember that we too who are in Christ have authority from God to do his work. Being in a house group/cell group we can be used by God in this way and we can minister peace to those around us when needed (Luke 9:1 and Luke 10:19).

Godly Living

The bible is our plumb line for Godly living.

Lets draw closer to him.

The closer we draw to him the more like him we become.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

Goldilocks And The 4 Bears!

I went to a workshop which is run by the school. It was about helping our children to learn through creative play. We were shown how to have creative play while teaching them numeracy and literacy skills! There were a number of parents present and we were given the task to make a Goldilocks puppet with general household odds and ends. It was quite interesting to see parents really getting into their craft, me included!

Then we were given the task to get our children to make the three bears puppets when we got home. When I picked up my children from school they looked forward to getting started on their bears. By the time we got home, my children asked a couple of neighbouring children in on the act. They had great fun.
I don't think I quite acheived getting in the litracy and numeracy, as we ended up with 4 bears! Even though my house was like a kids club for the next 2 hours with bits of cuttings all over my dining room, I enjoyed watching them interact with the children from next door, and they had a great time too.

Development Check!

Today I took my 8 month old baby to have his developmental check. They weighed him making sure he's growing physically. They checked that he's now eating and drinking not just milk. He needs to show some kind of mental development by showing signs of being alert and interested in his surroundings.

I am really proud of our little boy. I'm sure many parents can share the sense of their own child is fantastic. When the Health Visitor did all her checks and expressed how he had developed and was satisfied with her results. I was overjoyed to think that my little boy who was born only eight months ago is now showing signs of having his own personality. Already he expresses in babble noises where would like to go.

How disapointed I would be if he was still doing exactly the same as he was doing when he was first born. How dissapointed I would be if he was not showing any interest in what I was doing and laughing when I am being silly. How dissapointed I would be if in a year or two time he was still only doing that which he is doing now.

This helps me to think about myself and my development as a Christian. I ask myself, "Have I developed since I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour? What about in the last year or even in the last 8 months?" Can I say I have moved on in God?

When I think about what it means to develop as a Christian, I think:

• do I love Jesus more and more
• how is my relationship with Christ
• what kind of things do I pray about
• how often do I hear God
• what are my relationships like with my husband, family and my friends
• am I serving the church
• am I witnessing to people about Jesus

There are other areas in my life I could check my development. It is important not to drift, hoping that we are developing. Taking a good honest look at ourselves and assessing the results, however little or much we have developed it should motivate us to develop even further.

"meditation of my heart"

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Not only is it important to watch what we say, but we must also watch what we think about. I have found that by letting even my thought life be consumed with the things of God and his word, it has an effect on my words and actions. It also builds me up. I don't just want to be seen by those around me saying the right things. I want my LORD God to be pleased with my heart.

Have You Voted Yet?

Well I have! I did mine by post earlier this week. It takes the pressure off taking an extra trip out of my routine. I find it difficult to know who to vote for. I know what policies I like, I even know what I think of some of the politicians. But nothing is certain. Who can we really trust.



Before I put my mark in the box of the one I think I might vote for I always pray. I know God is in control, and praise God we can trust him! So yes I've voted and now I pray that whoever gets in will know the wisdom of God and will be faithful to the task they have.

Fruitful Living

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.



But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.



They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.
Psalm 1v1-3 (NLT)

Don't wait till it's my Birthday!

Today Ive been thinking about relationships, and how they are so fundamental to whether we are fulfilled as an individual or not. Relationships are so important to us and will either make us really happy or really miserable.
I have been so blessed to have a really fantastic husband.
Richard is very good at doing just that little bit extra just because it will make me happy. I get a buzz too just doing that little bit extra for him.

I have also got some really great friends, who I love dearly and would do anything for. Who have been there for me when I've needed them. Praise God for these people in my life.

While thinking about these relationships I can see how those good relationships have become very important to me. Rarely do good relationships come naturally or by accident. Sometimes we might have similar interest and likes, but this is not enough to build good solid freindships. Much more is involved. We most definately need to put in a lot of effort. This is the point I wanted to emphasise. We need to work at relationships. Put in the time. If we left it to chance or to whenever we next see one another nothing solid will come about. Being spontaneous is good for relationships, but we definately need to plan to be spontenaous, or nothing will happen!!

I just wanted to encourage you really into looking at your relationships, whether husband or wife, a really good friend or even a new friendship, do something spontaneous. Don't just let your relationship happen or be taken for granted. Drop a line or a card. Do something out of the ordinary. Good freindships don't come easily, they need you to put something into them. It is a lifetime investment, where the return is fantastic. You will know when you've built something that's great because it will build you up.

What A Great Time We Had!

During the easter break, we enjoyed a family time together.

"24 HOUR ACCESS REQUIRED"

Hello to anyone that's missed me for the last couple of weeks. The kids have been off school so I've had my hands full to do any posting. It is 8'o clock in the evening, I've just finished putting all the kids to bed. Hopefully that will be the last I'll hear of them till morning!


I came home from picking up the kids from school today to find my driveway was blocked by a van. It was obvious to me that the driver just left it there for just a moment, so I beeped my horn hoping he would hear me and come running to move his van. Just as I thought the driver was not far, he came running out of a neighbouring house, getting into his van he drove off. My driveway was made clear, so I was able to drive on in. This reminded me of a time when God spoke to me through a sign I once saw. The sign said something like the picture you see on the left.

Our walk with God can be like that of a driveway. We can clutter it up with all sorts of things, or allow the entrance to become blocked and it then stops being a way through to our lives. I liked this sign when searching for a picture because it said "24 hour access required" God requires 24 hour access into our lives. We must always make sure that nothing is in the way of God speaking to us, or us speaking to God.

God wants to reveal himself to us. He wants to reveal what his thoughts are. He has chosen us to be his people to bless us, to prosper us and to use us mightily. When God chose us and we submitted our lives to him, we are meant to live according to his Word and Holy Spirit.

Lets humble ourselves to God, make ourselves vulnerable to him. We need to ask ourselves is God beeping his horn to get access at this very moment. Make the driveway clear so that he can enter into our lives, and we can enter into his presence. Having made the driveway clear we must continually check ourselves that nothing is allowed to get in the way.

Womens Prophetic Day

Look at all these women running in this Marathon. They will have trained and prepared themselves for such a time as this. It will have been difficult at times doing all the preparation, even running the race will not be easy even with the preparation.

With all the hard work of training and running the race when they get to the finishing line it will have all been worth it.

There is a fantastic opportunity for all you women of God out there. To train and prepare ourselves to be the women God has created us to be.

It's the "Women's Prophetic Day" where there will be fantastic teaching.

The sessions will cover the following:-

• Give me Children or I will Die (Gen 30:1)
• With Tambourines and Dancing (Ex 15:20-21)
• Who Is This? (Song of Songs 6:10)
• For Such a Time as This (Esther 4:14)
• Mothers in Israel (Judges 5:7)

VENUE: It will be in Kings House in Manchester, (where my church family meet)

WHEN: on Saturday 29th April 2006, (not long now so please book quick)

COST: £20.00, (How much! A bargain especially when you come away with a life equiped to be powerful and effective.)

Last year a group of women went to this event by coach from Manchester to Cardiff. The women had a fantastic time and expressed they would love this kind of event again. It was a day of being with men and women of God who ministered to us with relevant word, and prophecy.

We are all called to be used by God. This day will be a great way of making ourselves available to Him, to move us and shape us and God will do just that. So if you haven't booked yet. Come on Ladies get booked in. If you have booked, do you know of anyone else that would love to come too? Any men reading this encourage your wife or girlfriend to come, it will really impact their lives. Don't miss out on this brilliant opportunity. Lets put ourselves into training for running the race God has called us to.

Women Getting Together

Thanks to Elvis and Nicole and their many helpers, the ladies today had a fantastic time together.

I really enjoy Sunday mornings, being with the people of God, worshipping and listening to the word. Although quite often Sunday mornings can be a little bit of a rush. Especially when gathering my hungry kids and getting them home for their dinner before they ravish all the biscuits in tea and coffee! I sometimes get the chance to catch up with one or two people, keeping an eye on the children as they are diving around. Hoping they don't send anyone flying who are holding their tea or coffee. I occasionally get to meet someone new. As our church is fantastically big and is growing, I am very much aware of the fact I haven't a clue who a fraction of the people are who I worship with every Sunday.

Today has been a fantastic day to get to know some of the wonderful women that I am joined with. We had lunch and fellowship. I believe a lot of the women that joined me today for lunch also had a great time. I was so happy having had a lovely lunch and meeting some new people.