Kingdom living

So there's a couple of things I've come to realise lately.........

One of them being that I much prefer hanging out with people who hang out with Jesus rather than do things for Jesus. This revelation came from a chat in cell group about where we (and God) gets the most pleasure - us hanging with Him or us doing things for Him? I was thinking of my friend Sarah - a fabulous woman that exudes the presence of God. She's so in love with Jesus it just drips from her every word and being. I find I have a jealousy in me when I'm around her. Previously the jealousy had simply been that -jealousy- not a motivator to encounter God in that way myself.

When I compare her with friends (or even myself 2 or 3 months ago) who need 6 weeks notice to get something in the diary because they're doing stuff for God - I realise what I want to be more like.

When I walk I want to leave "puddles of the Kingdom" behind me. I want my face to radiate as I think about Jesus and remember my most recent encounter with Him.

I want to see things from a Kingdom perspective instead of the warped perspective of a fallen world.

I want to know Jesus more, what makes him smile, what makes him laugh, what makes his heart break and how he thinks of me as an individual.

I'm hungry for more of Him - and want this hunger to continue.

I've realised how much of life has been caught up in the concerns and ways of this world and that I've lost focus over the past year. I've allowed that love of God to burn down and it all become intellectual.

I can't change this by striving.........I can only change this by resting in His presence, at his feet - and hopefully becoming one of those that exudes Jesus as she walks through the day.

Time out with nature

So today could have been a Spring day it was so warm - am sure it was in double figues (Celsius) and felt quite mild - especially the walk that I took.

I decided to head up to the forest in Llandegla, Denbighshire as they have a Bike centre there with cycle trails as well as walking trails. I could see from their website that they had one about 2.5 miles long and so decided to head out on that. Can I just say......... it WAS NOT flat! Far from it, bit like going up hill and down dale! But I loved it. There was no one else around (a little creepy but I told myself to get over it!) and it gave me time to enjoy, think, pray and download some stuff I'd had buzzing through my head.

Anyway here's a picture of the reservoir that's about 1/2 way around the walk.

It really was an enjoyable walk and was rewarded with a coffee in Costa's afterwards.

Am realising that I need these time outs - to think, pray, exercise my lungs and just enjoy what is on my doorstep. It seems like such a chore when you're at home in the warmth, yet feels like such an acheivement when you've done it. I have 5 unassigned leave days that I need to take before 31st March, and as long as no emergency crops up, I'm going to use them for such days as this........... to refresh my soul

The Road of Resolution for 2011

I received a fabulous Christmas gift from Amy O - a year planner with daily scripture in it as well as thoughts for that month and readings for every day. At the back of the planner it has something called "The Road of Resolution" which is just a great way to re-focus at the start of the year, review the past year and tease out Gods plan for you in the coming year. Anyway, here it is below - hopefully it will inspire you too.

~*~

Resolution is good, and these steps will help us keep on the right road with God through the year.

Relationship

Reaffirm your relationship with God.

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

MICAH 6:8

Review

Look back on the past year and ask God to show you areas of sin and weakness that might have hindered your spiritual growth.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

PSALM 139:23-24

Repent

Confess your sin and ask God to forgive you.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 JOHN 1:9

Refresh

Ask God to refresh you and to fill you with His Spirit and to give you a new vision for the year ahead.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

JEREMIAH 29:11

Renew

Ask God to help you see your life from His perspective, and renew your commitment to His vision and purpose for your life.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and see what God's will is: His good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:2

Resolve

Resolve to be faithful to God's purpose in your life and to glorify Him in the areas that He has revealed to you as you have prayed to Him.

I press on toward the goal To win the prize for which God has called me heavenwoard in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 3:14

Record

Write down the things that God has revealed to you in prayer, and review them frequently, remembering that it is only by His grace that you are able to grow in Him.

Let us then apporach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

HEBREWS 4:16