Thought provoking

I was reading the Times newspaper magazine section over the weekend and it had a photo article in it on a guy simply called Abbas. He's publishing a book called "In who's name?" - a coffee table book and looks at Islam post 9/11. Very interesting even just the few photos that they had in the article. There are more photos at this website. I just found the one above fascinating - from the fact she was in full burqha passing a lingerie shop down to the very trendy open toe wedged shoes she's wearing.......it challenged and provoked in a way I can't yet describe and haven't yet figured out.......I'd recommend looking at the other photos.

Life..........

So life's been a bit low lately........there's certain things that I've struggled with to do with family, singleness, expectations, loneliness, friendships, burn out, 'church' roles etc etc.........I went away to a camp run by Soul Survivor for students and 20-somethings and whereas I was looking forward to a nice relaxing time, it was a hot house and I felt like I'd gone 12 rounds in a boxing match by the end........I'd love to say that things have come up rosy and my self-esteem and self-confidence have picked up from it but sadly those things haven't happened.........most days I've just found myself crying out to God to give me the strength for that day.........and every day so far He's been faithful in that..........It's some how relishing the journey that you're on and the questions that you have and living life to the full inspite of not knowing the answers.........It's just tough when you think you're holding it together well and then someone that you don't know that well and don't share that many of your hopes, fears or thoughts with strikes right to the core of you as they say "Emma, I can see you're lonely"..........6 words that hit the mark of my heart at the moment.........

Anyway, not to throw too much of a pity party for myself!! ;- ) here are 2 things that have brought me happiness and comfort

The first is of course Seren. That is not to say that the other 2 don't bering me insane amounts of pleasure but I ony had a picture of her! She's over 6 weeks old now and absolutely beautiful with these big blue eyes.......Amanda just wishes that one of them would have the blond hair that she has!

The other is the house that I now live in.........it's taken some getting used to as I've had to stop living on the defensive as I previously was and instead now live in a place and believe that I'm truly accepted and welcomed there........this is taking some getting used to and isn't a resolved issue in me......but anyway the lady I'm staying with is an amazing gardener and seems to know everything about every plant and flower.....it's properties and uses......and things just seem to flourish.....it truly is amazing! These are some lillies that she bought, not knowing what type they were, have bloomed beautifully in the garden and I couldn't resist taking a picture of them......I should take more of the garden as this is only a taste.

Whats in a name?

So - why the name change of the blog....and the style.....and the colour? I just felt that it was time for a change. I suppose part of me was also hoping for a fresh, almost annomous start (though that fell at the first hurdle with me telling people the new name!!) I'd realised that my blogging had become less honest and raw as there were people reading it that I didn't want to see my vulnerable side, or my silly side at times and so I was curtailing the things I was blogging about and the pictures I was posting.

All that said, I do want this to be a new start - whether it be a wandering musing like it had been in the past or something more concrete now, I definitely want it to carry on - even if it's only for my own therapy!!!

OK, well I have no idea whether any of that makes sense or whether this is just me musing and rambling! But I wil post more soon - at the moment, I'm emotionally and physically exhausted as I move house this weekend but I will post pictures of the Otis/DeGrau wedding I was in, my house move (!), Seren Haf who should be born any day as she's running a week late, and Soul Survivor which we attend with the youth a week tomorrow for 5 days! I honestly need time out after all this and am desperate to head off somewhere, but that seems pretty selfish after 2 and 1/2 weeks in the States!!

~You will hear again from me soon!!~

I read this on Monday morning in my quiet time. It's taken from the Daily devotional book "At his feet" and just really struck the chord of where I've been over the past few weeks. I need to take my eyes off my problems, situations, workload and instead have a heavenly focus and spiritual eyes. I need to have a hunger to see, above and beyond anything else, God glorified in every situation..............will I strive for this is the question.........or will the "me" attitude return?


For His Glory
“This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” John 9:3

IN WORD It is in the nature of man to ask why. We see tragedy in our world and we ask why. We encounter hardship in our lives, or suffer loss, and we ask why. We want to know the reason for it all, the unifying purpose behind this strange, needy world. Jesus reminds us: It is all for the glory of God. The universe exists to display His splendour.
We can see many specific examples in scripture. The Israelites were kept as slaves in Egypt in order that God might be known as Deliverer (Exodus 11:9). He led them to near disaster at the edge of the Red Sea in order that He might gain glory (Exodus 14:4). Many Psalms of David would never have been sung if not for his persecution. This man in John 9 was blind for his entire life “that the work of God might be displayed.” Paul suffered in order that Christ’s power might be seen (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
But we are slow. We can’t help but think this universe is about us, and when life is hard on us, it doesn’t make sense.

IN DEED If we remember that it is all about Him, we begin to see. It all makes sense. By our captivity He is known as Deliverer. By our sin He is known as Saviour. By our weakness He is known as powerful. Next to our hatred, His love amazes. Every evil we can think of has the potential of being a platform for the goodness of God. It’s all about Him.
Do we suffer and questions God’s goodness? Do we complain about our hardships? If so, we have forgotten that the universe is meant to glorify God, not us. Consider how His power might be known in our trials. Redirect your prayers not to improve the situation but to have your situation demonstrate His glory. Thank him for making Himself known.