Happy Birthday Mum!

Today was my Mum's birthday, I won't say how old she is but if you look carefully at the above picture you might find out! (Sorry Mum!)

I just want to pay tribute to the No.1 woman in my life. I am genuinely so thankful that God gave me her as my mother. These are just some of the things I am thankful for:-

• Her patience. For years I was a bit of an idiot and she put up with me, loved me and let me make my own choices without pressure, even when she knew I probably wasn't doing the right thing. I needed that to be able to learn from my own mistakes and I hardly rebelled from my parents as a result, even when I rebelled against God.
• Her loveliness. She is typical for bringing surprises and selflessly giving to all four of her children.
• Her Godliness. Sometimes I forget how much she has experienced in her life and how much spiritual wisdom she has. When I speak about something God-related she is never fazed and always has something really inspiring & true to say.
• Her advice, as above. She always seems to know the right thing to do in a situation!
• Her sense of humour, with us lot as a family she needs it!
• Her friendliness, I find it hard to think of a nicer person.

Thank you Mum! Happy Birthday :D

My 5th Birthday!

Today is my 5th birthday. Confused?

I was born of the flesh 12 May 1988 which makes me 22 and whilst that is true and what you may be thinking here is why I am also 5.

Christians speak of being 'Born Again'. This isn't because we go back into the womb and come back out (yuk). It is because we believe that, when we give our lives to Jesus, God enters us through the Holy Spirit and we are therefore 'Born of the Spirit'.

I was Born Again on 5 February 2006 and I'd do it again and again if I had the chance. I can tell you it is an AMAZING experience (obviously, God entering you isn't exactly going to underwhelm is it?) and it has been a joy to hear others through my youthwork and my Church also testify to this having happened.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks to a Pharisee teacher Nicodemus about this:-

John 3:1-8

 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
 
If you want to be born again, just ask God to forgive you for your sins and enter your life tonight.
If you want to talk about things, you know how to find me :-)