So That I May Lead

"give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" King Solomon, 2 Chronicles 1:10 (NIV).

Solomon could have asked God for anything. He knew God had given him a great resposibility to lead his people. We all have reponsibilities that are given to us. We may feel they are God given or that they were thrust upon us. However we find ourselves it is so important that our attitudes are right towards all that we have been given to do.

I have been thinking about the responibilities I have and how God would like to use me in those reposibilities.

I feel like I work hard looking after my husband and children and our home. I know this is the task God has given me. I don't belive it happened my accident. I believe God gave me my particular husband and my particular children, and requires me to do his will in those areas of my life. If I am to achieve what God wants me to, I need to know what it is God would have me do.

How easy it would be to dream of something different. Especially when things get difficult. To look around and see greener grass in everyone elses lives. I know that seeking first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, then all these things will be given to me as well (Mtt6:3).

God said to Solomon "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honour, nor for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowlege will be given you.

And I will also give you wealth, riches and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." 2 Chronicles 1:11

When we come into the presence of God. We need to look at what we desire, what are our own motives. Is it in line with God's plan and pruposes for his Kingdom. Are we asking God for the right things. When we come to God what do we pray. Looking at the things we pray for is always a good test to see where we are with God. God is interested in us and wants to give us good thing, but are we praying for me me me, or are we praying his Kingdom come and Will be done.

My prayer is that God will give me the wisdom and knowledge so that I can do my part in leading my family into the purposes of God.

Putting a Stamp on Christmas

The new stamp has reminded me that Christmas is drawing close. It pictures what Christmas is about to a lot of people. The Church of England have challenged the move towards festive stamps without a Christian theme. Even though some may know it has something to do with Jesus, I see it is up to us Spirit filled Christians who know Jesus personally to make sure our gift to people around us is to know the love of Christ for themselves. This could be with the way we treat them, being kind and generous to them, praying that God will show himself to them. I think it is so much more important that our lives have that stamp of Christ wherever we go. It will be our lives that will impact people and not what stamp we stick onto a Christmas card.

I think this would make a great stamp!

Football Crazy!

Our son has gone football crazy. He loves it so much he recently had a football birthday party. I do like to encourage him to play as it is a great way for him to excercise and have fun at the same time. Although I worry sometimes when I I hear some football news and there is so much hatred and dispute going on amongst different teams, and supporters. I was shocked to hear this morning the news about how an Everton supporter threw a coin and hit Fulham's Claus Jensen during Saturdays match. I wonder how someone can feel such dislike for a sportsman they've probably never met.

It is such a great shame that people take such a sport so personally that they feel thay have to get so agressive in the name of supporting their team.

I don't really enjoy watching football that much, but I do enjoy watching my son enjoy himself. I hope that he grows up to enjoy football for what it's meant to be; a game!

Child Booster Car Seat

Parents are now faced with the new law that is enforced as of today to put children on a booster seat. I must admit that I have been very relaxed about using the booster seats up until today. Even though my children are probably safer in them. It wasn't until it was the law that I made sure they sat in them.

I find it rather interesting that even before it was compulsory I would think that I probably should have made them sit in the seats, but it was easier and quicker to just jump into the car and say "belts on", have a quick look round to check they're on properly then get off to wherever we were going. Now I am going to have to allow more time and effort to make sure my children are sat securely on their seats.

I spoke to the kids about this new law, and they found it all rather exciting getting into their old car seats this morning. It was as if it was a new adventure or something.

It reminded me of when we read the bible, we can quite often see that God would have us live a certain way. We may even think that it is a good idea and perhaps God knows what he's talking about. But it's not until we have a personal revelation from God by his Holy Spirit that we feel excited and want to do all that he requires of us. It may take a little more effort to comply especially when at times it mean going against what feels natural.

It is often a challenge to live the way God would have us live, but when we are filled with the Holy Spirit the challenge becomes a joy. We must constantly be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can constantly live a safe, secure and fulfilled life.

Empowered by Vision

How many of us have a vision of what God would like us to do? We get so excited and feel so empowered about this vision. This empowerment helps us and motivates us to get things started with so many expectations of what God is about to do.

Has anyone ever found that once they have been doing this great and amazing thing for a while that it does not seem so great and amazing anymore. Why? It stops being so amazing when no more fruit is being produced.

It is so important to not allow ourselves to be caught up in the uphill struggle of what we believe we have seen. but to go back and allow God to instill the vision once again or show us a way to be fruitful.


We must constantly check all that we do, that we do it for the sake of Gods plans and purposes. All that we do for God however mundane it may seem, can be the most exciting and fulfilling thing if it is what God wants us to do and he has given us a vision for it. Without God it all amounts to rubbish.

We must check what we are doing regularly that it is still in the plans of God and that we are going down the right road. So that we will never go too far down the wrong road (if we do end up on this road). Then we can be empowered by the vision God has given us and produce much fruit for the Kingdom.

New Beginnings

The summertime has drawn to an end. Its has been great having the children around.

Now they are starting a new year at their school. They have been so excited and looking forward to go to their new school. The next pictures you can see are what I took this morning when they were all ready for the next phase.

I find it exciting when a new chapter begins. So much has happened. God is an ever-increasing God so I can look forward to so much more for the next year. Without Jesus in our lives what would be the point of new beginings. With Jesus in our lives we should expect more than ever before.

Photo Gallery

Father & Son

Mates

Brother & Sister

The opening of birthday presents

Happy 1st Birthday

Super Skaters!

Super Driver!

Having A Great Summer!

Dear readers, sorry not blogged for a while. It's a bit tricky in the school holidays. I will be back on form shortly. xxxx

The Believers' Prayer

When reading Acts I am constantly reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. It makes me so hungry for more of that power. Then I have to remind myself that it is there within me. The God that was in the early church and the power of the Holy Spirit is the same God that lives in me and the same spirit that is moving amongst us today. This really excites me.

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’
Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:24-31 (NIV)

This prayer has inspired me over the last few weeks. I hope you will also see how allowing the power of God that is within you to shape you and use you to shape others and whatever circumstance you might face.

I Love You

Thank you Richard for 9 wonderful years of marraige.

Finding the right balance

Is it me or does housework take up so much time. There is always something to do. It's really hard to keep up. I'm not someone who enjoys housework, (who does?) , I guess there are those that do. However, I am motivated by having a tidy house. Sometimes I feel like there is so much I'd like to do but I think I'd better put another load of washing on first or put away the toys spewed all over the living room floor. Then find actually now it's time for bed, I'd better read my Bible because I've not done it yet! Then there are days I just look at the house work and think, "I'll leave that till another day". Everything inside is saying no and the guilt comes.

This reminds me of the story of Mary at Jesus' feet while Martha was getting on with what needed to be done. I feel for Martha. I can imagine her busily getting on with her jobs thinking if only you would help I'd have it finished by now then I can sit at Jesus' feet too. Then I think what must Mary have been going through, "I know there are jobs to do but there will always be something, I may never get a moment like this again".

Mary certainly made the right choice. What is the point in having a perfectly clean and tidy house, being tired out because it's perfect, and never having the time to have quality time with friends, family and God. Having the right balance is important. Praise God that Jesus will always give us the wisdom to find it.

Habakkuk's Prayer

The picture is a little melodramatic, but some times we can be like this when things don't go our way. When I read Habakkuk's Prayer, it reminded me that it does not matter what we go through or what circumstances we are in, our God is always faithful.

Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

(Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV)

We can enter into his presence and he ministers his peace and strength to us. Praise God!

Praying For Change

How easy it is to think "I've had enough of that, now I'd like to move onto the next thing." or when crisis comes we pray for change or the opening of doors. We can then get a little frustrated when nothing seems to be happening. When crisis comes we must see it as an opportunity to glorify God with our reaction and faithfulness, rather than run to the nearest exit.

I am a firm believer that most things happen or don't happen for a reason, especially if your root desire is to serve God.

When praying for change, or doors to be open, a question to ask ourself is "Have we fulfilled the purposes of God in the present situation, or is there still more to do?"

I've recently been asking God for wisdom in a certain situation of my life which I wanted to change and have not really seen a way forward. This has caused me to believe that God has not finished with me yet and I have not yet seen the fullness of why I was put here in the first place.

Change is good and exciting when it comes at the right time and is clear that it is part of the purposes of God. Lets not rush onto the next thing but see what fruit if any we are meant to be producing. Even though I wanted to move on I can see I've not yet produced the fruit that God had intended, therefore I must get my focus back to the here and now.

If I am not faithful and fruitful now in what has been given me then why would God trust me with a new and exciting venture. If it's a crisis that's pushing for a way out, see it as an opportuinty to be used by God. Having success will set you up for even greater things.

We can still look to the future with excitement, knowing that God has amazing things in store for his children. We are his children if we love him and are obedient to him. When it is clear that there is no fruit to be produced we should take care not to waste our time and energy and the right doors will open.

Lets "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:33-34 NIV).

As soon as we have allowed ourselves to be used to fulfill Gods purposes by being obedient and shown willingness to serve. Then He will use us again. God is in control of every situation. Nothing happens without his agreement. Our obedience to his commands could be the key to unlock the door so that we can move on.

Now when I am praying for change in my life, I'm praying it with faith that I will accomplish all that God has for me to do now!

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.