Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

This extract from Paul's letter to the believers in Corinth, talking about his 'thorn in my flesh' speaks volumes to me today, as I write this I'm feeling quite weak and lousy. I think I might have one of the bugs that have been buzzing around. Now, I'm not comparing in any way Paul's thorn to my minor bug, however I hate being prevented to do what I want to do by ill-health. Why does it have to happen to me when I get a week off?

God is good. And uses all opportunities to teach us...

The Devil Finds Work For Idle Hands...

It's a popular idiom, isn't it? People with no work or activity to occupy them are more likely to do things they shouldn't do.

I've had the benefit today of a day at home, so I've been doing a variety of jobs about the house that I have been meaning to do for a while. A chance to switch off from the usual things which usually occupy my mind and deal with other matters closer to home. And I must say, it's produced some fantastic results in the house. I've really had a good time working with my son, and we've worked well together tidying up and rearranging things. It's been great. Can't say I've had idle hands...

However, my mind has got to wander this evening and I find that I've relaxed - my defences have been brought down and the 'opposition' has been attacking me this evening with doubt and insecurity. Perhaps the devil also finds work for idle brain cells, too!

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

All is well...

I'm looking back now to Tuesday, to what has proven to be a rather peculiar day. A most strange period of my life; a day of confusion. However, part of the puzzle is because I reflect back on that day with a calmness that is simply amazing. Because on the whole I'm fine, truly convinced that all is well because the choices that I'm making in my personal life at the moment are leading me closer to Him. I hold that fact close to me.

On a day like this when 'all is well', it's all the more strange then when I see all around me plenty of evidence to the contrary... that things are far from well. Without too much effort I see disputes, anger, resentment. I see sickness, pain, disrepair. I see lies, chaos, even death. I see people asking questions and not prepared to listen to the answers I give.

What is the answer? Why do I have such a peace in my heart?

And do you have that same peace in your heart?

:)

Worse Things Happen At Sea... part two

The best place to be in the middle of a storm is of course to be safely in port, safely anchored to something firm. What is your anchor when things get rough in life? I know what mine is!

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
SASB 280, verse one & chorus (Priscilla Jane Owens, 1882)

Worse Things Happen At Sea...

The words of encouragement mentioned above have sparked off today's blog entry, inspiring me to reflect. The history of the phrase itself seems to be lost in the mists of time, however it seems to be something that mums or nans used to tell their children so that they would see things into proportion... To a seafaring nation like us the peril of being 'all at sea' would make things far worse than those who have dry land and solid rock beneath them. Hmmm...

Confused, you will be...

I vaguely remember a TV series 'Soap' (a light-hearted soap opera parody from the late 1970s and early 1980s) where part of the opening narration stated "Confused? You will be after this episode of ... Soap".

I have just had a terrific weekend, with some wonderful high spots and some great fellowship as part of our Corps Anniversary. God is so good! So why is it that I ended up last night feeling rather puzzled and confused? Need to clear my mind and focus my thoughts a bit more this week, maybe I can work out why...

Prayer gently lifts me to highest Heaven.
From earth’s confusion to Jesus’ breast;
My sin and weakness, my doubt and sorrow,
Are lost forever in sweetest rest.
Chorus 94, SASB

First or second?

Colossians 3: 12-14 (The Message)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Colossians 3: 12-14 (NIV)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

It's amazing when a bible verse just pops out at you. It happened last night in the Corps' House Fellowship meeting. The verses being read were as stated above, but as I was reading from The Message translation - it hit me square between the eyes. '... content with second place ...' These words aren't in other translations of scripture, but seem to be especially relevant to me personally this week.

The other verse that seems to link in with this is:

Matthew 20:16 (NIV)

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

I'm in the process of exploring what this means to me personally at the moment. If you have any input into this, feel free to drop me a line.

Finding the time...

"All that you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." -

Gandalf, Lord Of The Rings.

Following on from previous blog entries about time, I am well aware that time is a precious resource. I am tasked at the moment with a challenge to spend my time wisely. The difficulty is not that I haven't anything to do, the problem is that I have too many things to do, and I need to identify and block out some 'me time' in the scheme of things, ensuring that I hold on to it.

Time to let me be me.
Time to relax.
Time to really let God's word sink in.
Time to devote to some serious prayer.
Time to cook.
Time to sew.
Time to do arts and crafts.
Time to clean.
Time to play with the children.