I ordered his album and it arrived yesterday. It is great and if you have a chance to hear this song I'm sure you'll fall in love with it as much as I have! He is classical / pop if that is possible....a fantastic album!
The words of this song are just amazing and with the ochestral music in the background it is awesome....try and listen to it.
Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Friday, November 26, 2004
Morning
Well what a different day to this time last week.
We had snow and it was that cold that you can see your breath in. The sun was shining and it was thought winter was here.
Today it is 10 oC warmer, wet and feels like normal Britian....how sad!
Am glad it is the weekend and this week seems to have flown by. It has been one full of mixed feelings and emotions, v difficult to explain, but would love some peace, quiet and an oppurtunity to get off this merry go round of weekly activities and commitments. I would love some time out alone, but then I fear lonliness.
I think that has been the overwhelming emotion and feeling this week, loneliness. I know that God is with me whereever I go but there are those times (and they seem to be a little more frequent lately!!) when the walk would be so much easier with someone physical beside me......*sigh*....never mind.
We had snow and it was that cold that you can see your breath in. The sun was shining and it was thought winter was here.
Today it is 10 oC warmer, wet and feels like normal Britian....how sad!
Am glad it is the weekend and this week seems to have flown by. It has been one full of mixed feelings and emotions, v difficult to explain, but would love some peace, quiet and an oppurtunity to get off this merry go round of weekly activities and commitments. I would love some time out alone, but then I fear lonliness.
I think that has been the overwhelming emotion and feeling this week, loneliness. I know that God is with me whereever I go but there are those times (and they seem to be a little more frequent lately!!) when the walk would be so much easier with someone physical beside me......*sigh*....never mind.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Winter has arrived
Woke up this morning to find 2 inches of snow had fallen over night. How exciting!!! Winter has definintely arrived earlier this year. It is one of those crisp days outside with the sun shining and the snow still covering the hills behind us. Our caretaker is walking around the building at the moment whistling Jingle Bells!
I was eating an orange before and all things Christmas / winter were coming back to me,
Christmas day church service and the true knowledge of why we celebrate this time of year
Cinnamon tea (which by the way I still can't find over here!!!)
Warm fires
Videos
Blankets
Walks through frost covered fields bundled up in winter clothes
'Seeing' your breath
Home baked cakes
Decorating the house in Christmas decorations
Candles
Hmmm...to be more than just 2 people in a family again.......
What are your favourite Christmas / winter activities / memories?
I was eating an orange before and all things Christmas / winter were coming back to me,
Christmas day church service and the true knowledge of why we celebrate this time of year
Cinnamon tea (which by the way I still can't find over here!!!)
Warm fires
Videos
Blankets
Walks through frost covered fields bundled up in winter clothes
'Seeing' your breath
Home baked cakes
Decorating the house in Christmas decorations
Candles
Hmmm...to be more than just 2 people in a family again.......
What are your favourite Christmas / winter activities / memories?
Thursday, November 18, 2004
10 objections to Christianity and how to respond
Thought that this was a very interesting article. Especially as I am one of those poeple who gets tongue tied when people ask me about my faith and come away feeling despondant because sayign "I believe it in my heart" and "I know God is in my life" doesn't seem to cut it.
Hope everyone finds this interesting!
Blessings
Emma
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10 Objections to Christianity and How to Respondby Frank Harber
Recently someone approached me with the following problem: "Nobody can talk me out of being a Christian, but I can't talk anyone else into it. Can you help me?"
Perhaps she thought she was the only one struggling with this, but I've been asked this question hundreds of times. You see, I was once an atheist who set out to prove Christianity was untrue. But during my investigation, I discovered overwhelming evidence that demonstrates the validity of Christianity. And because of a dedicated Christian who was prepared to answer my questions, my heart was reached.
Are you prepared to answer the spiritual seekers in your world? Are you wondering if Christianity's really true? Here's a look at 10 objections skeptics pose toward Christianity—and how to respond.
Christians are hypocrites.A hypocrite is an actor, a person who pretends to be something she isn't. Jesus' harshest words were reserved for hypocrites.The reality is, there always have been and always will be some hypocrites in the Church. But Jesus doesn't ask us to follow others; he asks us to follow him.Although Christians can represent Jesus either poorly or well, the real question isn't whether there are hypocrites in the Church, but whether Jesus is a hypocrite. If someone can prove that Jesus was a hypocrite, then the whole structure of Christianity falls into ruin. The Bible, God's Word, presents Jesus as nothing less than perfect. Jesus' disciples testified that Jesus was without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Even Jesus himself challenged others to prove that he'd ever sinned (John 8:46).
What about the atrocities Christians have committed?Some blame Christianity for religious wars, the Crusades, burning witches, the Inquisition, slavery, even the Holocaust.The issue of atrocities is simply an extension of the question of hypocrites. So-called believers who didn't practice true Christianity have perpetrated evil. In reality, these people were Christian in name only.Focusing on their atrocities is a smoke screen to avoid the real issue. Christianity has far more positive achievements than negative influences. It's been instrumental in the formation of countless hospitals, schools, colleges, orphanages, relief agencies, and charity agencies. No other religion in history can compare.
Christianity is a crutch.Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto, said, "Religion is the opiate of the masses." Critics such as Marx have charged that religion is an invention designed for people incapable of coping with life's pressures. Some critics respond that they don't need this type of emotional comfort, as though that fact falsifies Christianity. Such individuals often claim to be "stronger" because they're brave enough to face life without a "crutch." To imply non-religious people don't need a crutch is misleading. Dependence on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, money, power, other people, and material possessions demonstrates some people's need for a crutch. Atheism—the belief that there is no God—can become a crutch for those addicted to a lifestyle contrary to God's standards of morality.Rather than being weak, Christians are strong—not because they depend on themselves, but because they depend on Jesus.Everyone needs assistance. The question is, what will you lean on? Christianity provides what atheism or other religions never can: spiritual fulfillment, peace, and forgiveness.
It's narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God.Jesus claimed he was the only way to God (John 14:6). Such a claim is either totally true or totally false. Some people claim to be Christians, yet ignore Jesus' claim to be the only Savior. Critics argue this view is exclusory.But if Christianity is true, then we must accept Jesus' own teachings. If one believes Jesus' assertions to be true, then the issue is settled.
Being a good person is all that really matters.Some argue that even if a person's religion is false, what really matters is that she's sincere about being a good person. This notion is based on the mistaken belief that God is pleased by "religion."Sincerity doesn't determine truth, however. One can be sincerely convinced of the truth—and be sincerely wrong. For example, many evil men such as Hitler were very sincere in their beliefs. God judges people based on truth, not opinions—and that truth is Jesus Christ.
What about those who've never heard about Jesus?Such a question implies that God lacks compassion because he's imposed his plan of salvation on us. Often such inquirers seem to imply that they're more compassionate than God!An important biblical principle to understand is that no one has ever remained lost who wanted to be found. Just as God sent the apostle Philip to the seeking Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-39), Jesus promises all who seek will find (Matthew 7:7-8).
The Bible is filled with errors.Because the Bible is God's Word and God cannot lie (Isaiah 55:10-11; John 17:17; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 4:12), it's totally trustworthy, free from any error. God's Word is described as "the word of truth" (2 Corinthians 6:7; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Inerrancy isn't a theory about the Bible; it's the teaching of the Bible itself.What most people claim as errors in the Bible aren't errors but difficulties. People think they've stumbled upon apparent inconsistencies when they haven't taken the time to find out all the facts, or made an in-depth study of the passage. Many Bible questions have been answered as new discoveries have been made in fields such as language, history, archeology, and other sciences.Regardless of the kind of difficulty found, not a single irreconcilable error can be found in the Bible's pages.
If God is so good, why is there evil?The thrust of this charge is that evil's presence disproves God's power. But is the presence of evil consistent with the God of the Bible? Consider:
God didn't create evil. Sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3).
Evil is necessary for a free world. Freedom, or free will, gives humans the opportunity to make wrong choices.
God hesitates to stop evil for an important reason. Just as parents often allow their children to make mistakes and suffer the consequences, God acts in a parental fashion with his creation.
God has the solution for evil. Jesus accomplished the ultimate defeat of evil on the cross. But just as we don't yet have eternal bodies, evil has yet to be removed from the world.
Why is there suffering?Many hold that pain is evidence against God's concern for humankind. However, pain can be used for good and bad purposes. Not all pain is bad. Pain is an essential mechanism for survival. Without pain, the body is stripped of vital protection. Pain is an important signal to warn of even greater danger.Suffering is a signal. It also can be a spiritual signal that reminds us of the fragile balance of life and our mortality. In The Problem of Pain, Christian apologist C.S. Lewis writes, "God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."Some suffering actually helps to bring greater good. This is best seen in Jesus' own suffering. Jesus traveled down the road of pain, loneliness, and death—a road that led to the cross. Jesus isn't just a Savior, he's our suffering Savior. The cross is the ultimate example of innocent suffering.At the heart of this issue is the underlying challenge that God isn't fair. The problem is, society holds pleasure as its chief goal in life. This philosophy is known as hedonism, and those who live by this philosophy find any form of suffering offensive. To say God isn't fair is an extremely dangerous charge.If God gave us what we deserve, we'd be in trouble. It would be foolish to ask God for justice; what we need is mercy. God's mercy and grace are so taken for granted that suffering and pain shock us.
If there's a hell, why would a loving God send people there?God hates evil, and one day, evil will cease. While evil and suffering and pain are very real, they are also very temporary.The day God deals with evil, he will deal with all evil. In the meantime, God strives for as many people as possible to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as payment for their sins, so they can live eternally with him. The sad fact is, many will make the decision not to be a part of God's heaven. God won't send them to hell; they'll send themselves.For God to force people to go to heaven against their wishes wouldn't be heaven—it would be hell. Atheist author Jean-Paul Sarte noted that the gates of hell are locked from the inside by the free choice of men and women.
First appeared in On Mission (September/October 1999). Used by permission of the North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Georgia. Frank Harber, evangelist-in-residence and professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, is author of Reasons for Believing (New Leaf Press).
Taken from http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2000/002/7.62.html on 18/11/2004
Hope everyone finds this interesting!
Blessings
Emma
--------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Objections to Christianity and How to Respondby Frank Harber
Recently someone approached me with the following problem: "Nobody can talk me out of being a Christian, but I can't talk anyone else into it. Can you help me?"
Perhaps she thought she was the only one struggling with this, but I've been asked this question hundreds of times. You see, I was once an atheist who set out to prove Christianity was untrue. But during my investigation, I discovered overwhelming evidence that demonstrates the validity of Christianity. And because of a dedicated Christian who was prepared to answer my questions, my heart was reached.
Are you prepared to answer the spiritual seekers in your world? Are you wondering if Christianity's really true? Here's a look at 10 objections skeptics pose toward Christianity—and how to respond.
Christians are hypocrites.A hypocrite is an actor, a person who pretends to be something she isn't. Jesus' harshest words were reserved for hypocrites.The reality is, there always have been and always will be some hypocrites in the Church. But Jesus doesn't ask us to follow others; he asks us to follow him.Although Christians can represent Jesus either poorly or well, the real question isn't whether there are hypocrites in the Church, but whether Jesus is a hypocrite. If someone can prove that Jesus was a hypocrite, then the whole structure of Christianity falls into ruin. The Bible, God's Word, presents Jesus as nothing less than perfect. Jesus' disciples testified that Jesus was without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Even Jesus himself challenged others to prove that he'd ever sinned (John 8:46).
What about the atrocities Christians have committed?Some blame Christianity for religious wars, the Crusades, burning witches, the Inquisition, slavery, even the Holocaust.The issue of atrocities is simply an extension of the question of hypocrites. So-called believers who didn't practice true Christianity have perpetrated evil. In reality, these people were Christian in name only.Focusing on their atrocities is a smoke screen to avoid the real issue. Christianity has far more positive achievements than negative influences. It's been instrumental in the formation of countless hospitals, schools, colleges, orphanages, relief agencies, and charity agencies. No other religion in history can compare.
Christianity is a crutch.Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto, said, "Religion is the opiate of the masses." Critics such as Marx have charged that religion is an invention designed for people incapable of coping with life's pressures. Some critics respond that they don't need this type of emotional comfort, as though that fact falsifies Christianity. Such individuals often claim to be "stronger" because they're brave enough to face life without a "crutch." To imply non-religious people don't need a crutch is misleading. Dependence on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, money, power, other people, and material possessions demonstrates some people's need for a crutch. Atheism—the belief that there is no God—can become a crutch for those addicted to a lifestyle contrary to God's standards of morality.Rather than being weak, Christians are strong—not because they depend on themselves, but because they depend on Jesus.Everyone needs assistance. The question is, what will you lean on? Christianity provides what atheism or other religions never can: spiritual fulfillment, peace, and forgiveness.
It's narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God.Jesus claimed he was the only way to God (John 14:6). Such a claim is either totally true or totally false. Some people claim to be Christians, yet ignore Jesus' claim to be the only Savior. Critics argue this view is exclusory.But if Christianity is true, then we must accept Jesus' own teachings. If one believes Jesus' assertions to be true, then the issue is settled.
Being a good person is all that really matters.Some argue that even if a person's religion is false, what really matters is that she's sincere about being a good person. This notion is based on the mistaken belief that God is pleased by "religion."Sincerity doesn't determine truth, however. One can be sincerely convinced of the truth—and be sincerely wrong. For example, many evil men such as Hitler were very sincere in their beliefs. God judges people based on truth, not opinions—and that truth is Jesus Christ.
What about those who've never heard about Jesus?Such a question implies that God lacks compassion because he's imposed his plan of salvation on us. Often such inquirers seem to imply that they're more compassionate than God!An important biblical principle to understand is that no one has ever remained lost who wanted to be found. Just as God sent the apostle Philip to the seeking Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-39), Jesus promises all who seek will find (Matthew 7:7-8).
The Bible is filled with errors.Because the Bible is God's Word and God cannot lie (Isaiah 55:10-11; John 17:17; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 4:12), it's totally trustworthy, free from any error. God's Word is described as "the word of truth" (2 Corinthians 6:7; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Inerrancy isn't a theory about the Bible; it's the teaching of the Bible itself.What most people claim as errors in the Bible aren't errors but difficulties. People think they've stumbled upon apparent inconsistencies when they haven't taken the time to find out all the facts, or made an in-depth study of the passage. Many Bible questions have been answered as new discoveries have been made in fields such as language, history, archeology, and other sciences.Regardless of the kind of difficulty found, not a single irreconcilable error can be found in the Bible's pages.
If God is so good, why is there evil?The thrust of this charge is that evil's presence disproves God's power. But is the presence of evil consistent with the God of the Bible? Consider:
God didn't create evil. Sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3).
Evil is necessary for a free world. Freedom, or free will, gives humans the opportunity to make wrong choices.
God hesitates to stop evil for an important reason. Just as parents often allow their children to make mistakes and suffer the consequences, God acts in a parental fashion with his creation.
God has the solution for evil. Jesus accomplished the ultimate defeat of evil on the cross. But just as we don't yet have eternal bodies, evil has yet to be removed from the world.
Why is there suffering?Many hold that pain is evidence against God's concern for humankind. However, pain can be used for good and bad purposes. Not all pain is bad. Pain is an essential mechanism for survival. Without pain, the body is stripped of vital protection. Pain is an important signal to warn of even greater danger.Suffering is a signal. It also can be a spiritual signal that reminds us of the fragile balance of life and our mortality. In The Problem of Pain, Christian apologist C.S. Lewis writes, "God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."Some suffering actually helps to bring greater good. This is best seen in Jesus' own suffering. Jesus traveled down the road of pain, loneliness, and death—a road that led to the cross. Jesus isn't just a Savior, he's our suffering Savior. The cross is the ultimate example of innocent suffering.At the heart of this issue is the underlying challenge that God isn't fair. The problem is, society holds pleasure as its chief goal in life. This philosophy is known as hedonism, and those who live by this philosophy find any form of suffering offensive. To say God isn't fair is an extremely dangerous charge.If God gave us what we deserve, we'd be in trouble. It would be foolish to ask God for justice; what we need is mercy. God's mercy and grace are so taken for granted that suffering and pain shock us.
If there's a hell, why would a loving God send people there?God hates evil, and one day, evil will cease. While evil and suffering and pain are very real, they are also very temporary.The day God deals with evil, he will deal with all evil. In the meantime, God strives for as many people as possible to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as payment for their sins, so they can live eternally with him. The sad fact is, many will make the decision not to be a part of God's heaven. God won't send them to hell; they'll send themselves.For God to force people to go to heaven against their wishes wouldn't be heaven—it would be hell. Atheist author Jean-Paul Sarte noted that the gates of hell are locked from the inside by the free choice of men and women.
First appeared in On Mission (September/October 1999). Used by permission of the North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Georgia. Frank Harber, evangelist-in-residence and professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, is author of Reasons for Believing (New Leaf Press).
Taken from http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2000/002/7.62.html on 18/11/2004
Monday, November 15, 2004
Weekend
What a mad weekend!
I finished work on Friday at 3:30. Drove through to Holywell via a friends school to drop some things off, to pick Esther up. We left there around 4:30 and eventaully made it to Southport by 7pm for the youthwork conference we were attending, the journey should only have taken 1 and 1/2 hours!
The conference was great but I feel a little bombarded now. I feel as if I need another week away at a place on my own or with the other youth leaders to figure out how what we heard applies to us and our little group. It was great to feel that we weren't alone in our work. There were others who came across the same problems as us, felt the same disheartedness and sadness when it appeared our actions got us nowhere and great to hear that others just felt like they were wading through treacle at times....but also about the great things that are happening right across this country with the youth and how God seems to be rising a group that a raw and passionate about Him!
What was great was at the end, the guy said he was sick to death of hearing about the decline of the youth and the church. It can become disheartening when people are seeing only buildings being shut down, youths hanging around the street and intimidation being the youths main weapon. This is not the whole story and it is sad that at times that is all people especially the media focus on. There are some great kids about. Do we not think that the blame may lay with the generation before these kids, that the barriers have been lifted so much for freedom of speech etc. that they no longer have the boundaries that are needed to grow as adults. What was great to see so many young people there. These ones that society were righting off had a heart for their own generation and those younger than themselves. They'd seen the impact their youthworkers had had on them and wanted to impact the youth below them in the same way.
Another thing that it made me realise was that I had subconciously gone there looking for a man! I honestly hadn't realised this and it was not that I was there on the prowl, just that you do think "I won't date anyone but a Chrisitian, I am going to a Christian youthwork conference where there maybe some nice young, single Chrristian, men.....I wonder!" I came away a little deflated in that sense I suppose because there was of course no one there. The most depressing part was that Esther was still able to tick the 18 -24 age group box, I had to tick the 25-34 one! Many of the organisations that were advertising gap years were with the 18 - 25 age groups! It's a realisation now that I am in that age bracket where it is assumed you are in a stable job, stable relationship and that investigative / spontaneous / travelling stage of your life is over. So if the age is here, where is the man?!?! I know that God's plan does not work like man's plan and we cannot put him into tick boxes. It is only by resting, trusting and strengthening myself in Him by reading his word, praying and trusting that His plan is so much better than the one I could ever come up with by myself that I can know I have not been 'left on the shelf' and that whatever may come, He knows best. Does that make sense?
Anyway it was a great time. One of worship, learning and sharing and sadly far too much money was spent on books!!
I finished work on Friday at 3:30. Drove through to Holywell via a friends school to drop some things off, to pick Esther up. We left there around 4:30 and eventaully made it to Southport by 7pm for the youthwork conference we were attending, the journey should only have taken 1 and 1/2 hours!
The conference was great but I feel a little bombarded now. I feel as if I need another week away at a place on my own or with the other youth leaders to figure out how what we heard applies to us and our little group. It was great to feel that we weren't alone in our work. There were others who came across the same problems as us, felt the same disheartedness and sadness when it appeared our actions got us nowhere and great to hear that others just felt like they were wading through treacle at times....but also about the great things that are happening right across this country with the youth and how God seems to be rising a group that a raw and passionate about Him!
What was great was at the end, the guy said he was sick to death of hearing about the decline of the youth and the church. It can become disheartening when people are seeing only buildings being shut down, youths hanging around the street and intimidation being the youths main weapon. This is not the whole story and it is sad that at times that is all people especially the media focus on. There are some great kids about. Do we not think that the blame may lay with the generation before these kids, that the barriers have been lifted so much for freedom of speech etc. that they no longer have the boundaries that are needed to grow as adults. What was great to see so many young people there. These ones that society were righting off had a heart for their own generation and those younger than themselves. They'd seen the impact their youthworkers had had on them and wanted to impact the youth below them in the same way.
Another thing that it made me realise was that I had subconciously gone there looking for a man! I honestly hadn't realised this and it was not that I was there on the prowl, just that you do think "I won't date anyone but a Chrisitian, I am going to a Christian youthwork conference where there maybe some nice young, single Chrristian, men.....I wonder!" I came away a little deflated in that sense I suppose because there was of course no one there. The most depressing part was that Esther was still able to tick the 18 -24 age group box, I had to tick the 25-34 one! Many of the organisations that were advertising gap years were with the 18 - 25 age groups! It's a realisation now that I am in that age bracket where it is assumed you are in a stable job, stable relationship and that investigative / spontaneous / travelling stage of your life is over. So if the age is here, where is the man?!?! I know that God's plan does not work like man's plan and we cannot put him into tick boxes. It is only by resting, trusting and strengthening myself in Him by reading his word, praying and trusting that His plan is so much better than the one I could ever come up with by myself that I can know I have not been 'left on the shelf' and that whatever may come, He knows best. Does that make sense?
Anyway it was a great time. One of worship, learning and sharing and sadly far too much money was spent on books!!
Test for fun!
Okay, here's what you're supposed to do...and try not to be lame and spoil the fun. Copy (not forward) this entire e-mail and paste it onto a new e-mail that you will send. Change all of the answers so that they apply to you. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know (including the person who sent it to you). The theory is that you will learn a lot of
little facts about your friends. It is fun and easy. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you!
1. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING CURRENTLY?
Adrian Plass, The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, on Tour: Age Far Too Much to Be Put on the Front Cover of a Book. It is wet your pants funny!
2. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
10:15, Monday morning!
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD
Just a wrist rest in Wimbledon tennis colours!
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?
Articulate / cranium / trivial pursuit…can’t choose just 1!
5. FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?
Don’t read them that much
6. BABIES?
None, but adore my nephew Osian
7. FAVOURITE SOUND?
Laughter / babies gibbering
8. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
That you have hurt someone
9. FIRST THING YOU THINK OF IN THE MORNING?
Is it the weekend?
10. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
I just answer it when I hear it.
11. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME:
Noah, James, Joshua, Hannah, Holly, Grace
12. FAVOURITE COLOUR?
At moment, pink
13. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE?
God, friends, family
14. FAVOURITE FOOD
Duck pancakes…..mmmm!
15. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Cello
16. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
Not bothered really!
17. SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No, sadly they all end up on the floor
18. STORMS - COOL OR SCARY?
Cool as long as I’m inside
19. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
Still on it, Ford Fiesta. First one I drove was my Dads Austin Montego
20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
My mum
21. FAVOURITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
Glenffiddich whiskey
22.WHAT'S IN THE BOOT OF YOUR CAR?
Youthwork stuff, boxes, map
23. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
Yes
24. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A foster mum
25. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL?
All, I’m the bored one in work!
26. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes, everyday
27. IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL
Half full
28. FAVOURITE MOVIE
At moment Shrek 2
29. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
I try to!
30. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Do you really want an answer to that! Shoes, boxes, teddies, photo albums, un-filed mail!
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE NUMBER?
Hmmm… don’t really have one.
32. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Don’t have one but enjoy the Olympics and a good game of football.
33. SAY AT LEAST ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
She has a radiant smile
34. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Marthas vineyard, Cape Cod
35. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
Hmmm….way I’m feeling now my PJ’s and Hope college hoodie.
36. BEACH, MOUNTAINS OR CITY?
mountains
37. TECHNOLOGY OR ART?
Art
38. COMEDY OR HORROR?
Comedy
39. FAVOURITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eyes, Smile
40. FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY?
Home time!
41. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Soul Survivor – Living Loud. Festival we took our youthgroup to over the summer.
43. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
Don’t have one.
44. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
Strong in mind.
45. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
6:30 week days, weekends, depends if anythings on but normally by 8:30
46. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE KITCHEN ITEM?
George Foreman grill!
47. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
People treating others like dirt
48. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR 4WD?
4 wheel drive definately
49. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
I believe in heavenly eternal life available through belief and faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
50. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON?
Hmmm, I like the warmth of Summer, the colours of Autumn, the crispness of Winter and the newness of Spring, so I can’t really pick just one!
51. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don’t know, never really thought about it!
52. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
Don’t have one
53. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No
54. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DAY?
Friday, weekend is ahead
55. WHICH DO YOU PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger definitely!
56. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND
None
57. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM?
Catherine Williams
58. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CARTOON?
Hmmm…..I loved Bugs Bunny but as said I now love Shrek!
59. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Hasn’t this question been?!? I’ll choose another one…..Anne Jones’ roast dinner!
60. IF YOU COULD TAKE A VACATION ANYWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Martha's vineyard, Cape Cod.
61. DO YOU HAVE PETS?
My dad has 2 cats and a dog
62. MOST FREQUENTLY USED SWEAR WORD?
Pants on fire or big knickers!
63. WAS THIS THE SINGLE BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME IN YOUR LIFE?
All the times when I have watched random filmsand television programmes, even though from the first 10 minutes I’ve known it’s rubbish but I have continued to watch them all the way through.
little facts about your friends. It is fun and easy. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you!
1. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING CURRENTLY?
Adrian Plass, The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, on Tour: Age Far Too Much to Be Put on the Front Cover of a Book. It is wet your pants funny!
2. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
10:15, Monday morning!
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD
Just a wrist rest in Wimbledon tennis colours!
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?
Articulate / cranium / trivial pursuit…can’t choose just 1!
5. FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?
Don’t read them that much
6. BABIES?
None, but adore my nephew Osian
7. FAVOURITE SOUND?
Laughter / babies gibbering
8. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
That you have hurt someone
9. FIRST THING YOU THINK OF IN THE MORNING?
Is it the weekend?
10. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
I just answer it when I hear it.
11. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME:
Noah, James, Joshua, Hannah, Holly, Grace
12. FAVOURITE COLOUR?
At moment, pink
13. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE?
God, friends, family
14. FAVOURITE FOOD
Duck pancakes…..mmmm!
15. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Cello
16. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
Not bothered really!
17. SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No, sadly they all end up on the floor
18. STORMS - COOL OR SCARY?
Cool as long as I’m inside
19. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
Still on it, Ford Fiesta. First one I drove was my Dads Austin Montego
20. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO?
My mum
21. FAVOURITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
Glenffiddich whiskey
22.WHAT'S IN THE BOOT OF YOUR CAR?
Youthwork stuff, boxes, map
23. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
Yes
24. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A foster mum
25. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL?
All, I’m the bored one in work!
26. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes, everyday
27. IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL
Half full
28. FAVOURITE MOVIE
At moment Shrek 2
29. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
I try to!
30. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Do you really want an answer to that! Shoes, boxes, teddies, photo albums, un-filed mail!
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE NUMBER?
Hmmm… don’t really have one.
32. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Don’t have one but enjoy the Olympics and a good game of football.
33. SAY AT LEAST ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
She has a radiant smile
34. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Marthas vineyard, Cape Cod
35. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
Hmmm….way I’m feeling now my PJ’s and Hope college hoodie.
36. BEACH, MOUNTAINS OR CITY?
mountains
37. TECHNOLOGY OR ART?
Art
38. COMEDY OR HORROR?
Comedy
39. FAVOURITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eyes, Smile
40. FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY?
Home time!
41. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
Soul Survivor – Living Loud. Festival we took our youthgroup to over the summer.
43. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED?
Don’t have one.
44. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY?
Strong in mind.
45. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
6:30 week days, weekends, depends if anythings on but normally by 8:30
46. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE KITCHEN ITEM?
George Foreman grill!
47. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
People treating others like dirt
48. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR 4WD?
4 wheel drive definately
49. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
I believe in heavenly eternal life available through belief and faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
50. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEASON?
Hmmm, I like the warmth of Summer, the colours of Autumn, the crispness of Winter and the newness of Spring, so I can’t really pick just one!
51. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don’t know, never really thought about it!
52. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
Don’t have one
53. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
No
54. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DAY?
Friday, weekend is ahead
55. WHICH DO YOU PREFER SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
Hamburger definitely!
56. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND
None
57. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM?
Catherine Williams
58. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CARTOON?
Hmmm…..I loved Bugs Bunny but as said I now love Shrek!
59. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Hasn’t this question been?!? I’ll choose another one…..Anne Jones’ roast dinner!
60. IF YOU COULD TAKE A VACATION ANYWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Martha's vineyard, Cape Cod.
61. DO YOU HAVE PETS?
My dad has 2 cats and a dog
62. MOST FREQUENTLY USED SWEAR WORD?
Pants on fire or big knickers!
63. WAS THIS THE SINGLE BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME IN YOUR LIFE?
All the times when I have watched random filmsand television programmes, even though from the first 10 minutes I’ve known it’s rubbish but I have continued to watch them all the way through.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Faith in a God who can sometimes be silent
“Faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and He will get us through it.” - Max Lucado
Hmmmm. Faith is really carrying me through this morning.
I went for a job interview on Monday to a neighbouring county council. It was much better pay, it was a lot more responsibility and i would have been in a managerial role. The interview didn't go as well as i'd hoped (on reflection do we ever feel as though we have done well in an interview) and I came out with this peaceful knowledge that I hadn't got the job, I was still meant to be in the job I'm in and that God had it all in hand.
I think I would have paniced more had they rung me yesterday and told me I had been successful than the response I expected. So the guy from Human Resources rang back yesterday afternoon and duly told me I had been unsuccessful, another guy had had more experience than me but I had done very well in the interview and presented myself very well. He then proceeded to offer me another job. It is basically the job I am doing at the moment but with less responsibility and the same pay. This threw me into a complete quandrum, a response I had not been expecting.
I asked for the evening to think it over and that I would get back to him this morning. I prayed lots and searched my bible. Sadly to no avail from God.....He was pretty silent on the subject. After hearing many people's opinions I sat quietly and said to God "OK, you called me to this job and place, I will not move until you call me out of this job. I need a sure sign that you want me to move into this job". Isn't amazing that when God is silent satan yells at the top of his voice. I woke this morning with a million and one fears in my head that if i didn't take this job I would always be stuck in this county council, that if I did take this job I may be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. It was such conflicted messages that I knew they weren't from God. Yet He has continued to be silent on the subject. So I have decided to stay where I am and not take the job.
One strength I have found is that although He is silent, that silence speaks volumes compared to the clammerings in my head. That silent tells me that He has it in hand. That He has the full picture and knows where I am going. That although I may never know the reason I was offered this job, He does and I do not need to worry about that.
Amazing that silence can bring peace, strength and hope for a situation unknown.
Hmmmm. Faith is really carrying me through this morning.
I went for a job interview on Monday to a neighbouring county council. It was much better pay, it was a lot more responsibility and i would have been in a managerial role. The interview didn't go as well as i'd hoped (on reflection do we ever feel as though we have done well in an interview) and I came out with this peaceful knowledge that I hadn't got the job, I was still meant to be in the job I'm in and that God had it all in hand.
I think I would have paniced more had they rung me yesterday and told me I had been successful than the response I expected. So the guy from Human Resources rang back yesterday afternoon and duly told me I had been unsuccessful, another guy had had more experience than me but I had done very well in the interview and presented myself very well. He then proceeded to offer me another job. It is basically the job I am doing at the moment but with less responsibility and the same pay. This threw me into a complete quandrum, a response I had not been expecting.
I asked for the evening to think it over and that I would get back to him this morning. I prayed lots and searched my bible. Sadly to no avail from God.....He was pretty silent on the subject. After hearing many people's opinions I sat quietly and said to God "OK, you called me to this job and place, I will not move until you call me out of this job. I need a sure sign that you want me to move into this job". Isn't amazing that when God is silent satan yells at the top of his voice. I woke this morning with a million and one fears in my head that if i didn't take this job I would always be stuck in this county council, that if I did take this job I may be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. It was such conflicted messages that I knew they weren't from God. Yet He has continued to be silent on the subject. So I have decided to stay where I am and not take the job.
One strength I have found is that although He is silent, that silence speaks volumes compared to the clammerings in my head. That silent tells me that He has it in hand. That He has the full picture and knows where I am going. That although I may never know the reason I was offered this job, He does and I do not need to worry about that.
Amazing that silence can bring peace, strength and hope for a situation unknown.
Monday, November 01, 2004
My plan v's His plan
Hmmm.....interesting night last night.
We'd arranged to take some of our youthgroup to an event in a nearby town where there was going to be a live band and a comedian. It was going to be (or so I thought) a mad day for me anyway as I was going to meet one of the youth for lunch, then take Rachael back to Liverpool and then return for a worship meeting in church and go onto the youth event. We went to the youth event and I have to admit that I couldn't be bothered. The music was loud (I'm getting old I know) there were about 70 people there, but in a huge cathedral they were lost so it looked like there was about 20 and the guy who was doing the sound appeared to be determined to trash any music that was being played. So Emma stood there and grumbled for an hour and half, focused more on what I thought were the bored looks on the faces of the 4 kids we had with us rather than thinking and pondering what God was going to do that evening. As my feet began to kill and I spotted one of our kids mums sitting at the back I decided to goa dn join her. We sat there giggling and chatting like naughty school girls while the comedian was doing his stuff. We'd promised to have our kids home by 10:30 and as the clock ticked by I became aware of the slim chance we'd have them home at this time! I was about to give Esther the nod to leave when the guy started his last magic trick. As he was doing this trick he spoke about choices and the proclaimed the gospel saying people had a choice to live seperated from God from eternity or the choice to confess sin, live with God and have eternal life. Me still focused on my watch nearly fell over when at the end 2 of our youth made commitments and went to the front to get some information on God and Jesus! I was bowled over and spent a long period of time apologising to God this morning for focusing on the things of this world and not having an expectant heart as to how he can move.
On the way home one of them that had made the commitment asked to be baptised as soon as possible and said that he fully understood the commitment he had made......he was going to do it in the club that Esther leads every Tuesday in the school but apparently this guy described it better and he understood it more!!!
What a fab evening!.......definately need a more expectant heart!
ELJ
We'd arranged to take some of our youthgroup to an event in a nearby town where there was going to be a live band and a comedian. It was going to be (or so I thought) a mad day for me anyway as I was going to meet one of the youth for lunch, then take Rachael back to Liverpool and then return for a worship meeting in church and go onto the youth event. We went to the youth event and I have to admit that I couldn't be bothered. The music was loud (I'm getting old I know) there were about 70 people there, but in a huge cathedral they were lost so it looked like there was about 20 and the guy who was doing the sound appeared to be determined to trash any music that was being played. So Emma stood there and grumbled for an hour and half, focused more on what I thought were the bored looks on the faces of the 4 kids we had with us rather than thinking and pondering what God was going to do that evening. As my feet began to kill and I spotted one of our kids mums sitting at the back I decided to goa dn join her. We sat there giggling and chatting like naughty school girls while the comedian was doing his stuff. We'd promised to have our kids home by 10:30 and as the clock ticked by I became aware of the slim chance we'd have them home at this time! I was about to give Esther the nod to leave when the guy started his last magic trick. As he was doing this trick he spoke about choices and the proclaimed the gospel saying people had a choice to live seperated from God from eternity or the choice to confess sin, live with God and have eternal life. Me still focused on my watch nearly fell over when at the end 2 of our youth made commitments and went to the front to get some information on God and Jesus! I was bowled over and spent a long period of time apologising to God this morning for focusing on the things of this world and not having an expectant heart as to how he can move.
On the way home one of them that had made the commitment asked to be baptised as soon as possible and said that he fully understood the commitment he had made......he was going to do it in the club that Esther leads every Tuesday in the school but apparently this guy described it better and he understood it more!!!
What a fab evening!.......definately need a more expectant heart!
ELJ
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