How lucky are we?

I have been without the central heating the last week, it has been really tough. The house has been so cold. I was in our living room and it was so cold I could see my breath.

I will never take my central heating for granted again! It's back now, I feel guilty because so many people will never have it.

When it was being fixed, our water was switched off. I couldn't shower or even wash my hands. It is back on now. I am so lucky to have water readily available practically 24/7.

I haven't been well today. My head has been hurting and I have been feeling a little sick and also have small throat irritation from the singing last night. It makes me realise how lucky I am to have my health regularly. I am rarely ill which is a real blessing. Many, through no fault of their own, suffer some terrible issues.

And yet we moan like little children when we don't get our own way. I know because I've been fighting God over something the last week. I had to make a decision I didn't want to make but it was something God was calling me to do very clearly. I have done it, I feel a bit mixed over it but I know that one day I will look back on it with happiness because of the great things God is going to do through this decision. Because let's face it, He knows better than me!

I want to leave you with a quote from one of my favourite books of the Bible, Job. Job had just lost his entire family, wealth and even his health through no fault of his own. Actually the Bible even says he was blameless.

Job's prayers could easily have been bitter & angry. I know I would have struggled immensely.
But this is what he said:-

   “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
   and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
   may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Job 1:21

Let's all be thankful for the blessings in our lives, especially the ones we take for granted.

Christmas Night

Tonight I participated in a Christmas carol service at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel. Our Church was tasked with singing 13 Christmas carols and performing several other items in front of the people at a Christmas Fayre the Hotel was holding. It was a lovely night and everyone sung really well and the items were fantastic.

One of the items was a reading of a short story by Max Lucado called 'Christmas Night' and I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you all :)

It’s Christmas night. The house is quiet. Even the crackle is gone from the fireplace. Warm coals issue a lighthouse glow in the darkened den. Stockings hang empty on the mantle. The tree stands naked in the corner. Christmas cards, tinsel, and memories remind Christmas night of Christmas day.


It’s Christmas night. What a day it has been! Spiced tea. Santa Claus. Cranberry sauce. “Thank you, so much.” “You shouldn’t have!” “Grandma is on the phone.” Knee-deep wrapping paper. “It just fits.” Flashing cameras. It’s Christmas night. The girls are in bed. Jenna dreams of her talking Big Bird and clutches her new purse. Andrea sleeps in her new Santa pajamas.


It’s Christmas night. The tree that only yesterday grew from soil made of gifts, again grows from the Christmas tree stand. Presents are now possessions. Wrapping paper is bagged and in the dumpsite. The dishes are washed and leftover turkey awaits next week’s sandwiches.


It’s Christmas night. The last of the carolers appeared on the ten o’clock news. The last of the apple pie was eaten by my brother-in-law. And the last of the Christmas albums have been stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases, and red-nosed reindeer.


It’s Christmas night. The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I’m awake. I’m kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed. The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stop watches and weapons. We stepped off our racetracks and roller coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.


It’s the season to be jolly because, more than at any other time, we think of him. More than in any other season, his name is on our lips. And the result? For a few precious hours our heavenly yearnings intermesh and we become a chorus. A ragtag chorus of longshoremen, Boston lawyers, illegal immigrants, housewives, and a thousand other peculiar persons who are banking that Bethlehem’s mystery is in reality, a reality. “Come and behold him” we sing, stirring even the sleepiest of shepherds and pointing them toward the Christ-child.
For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accustomed to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty. All of a sudden he’s everywhere. In the grin of the policeman as he drives his paddy wagon full of presents to the orphanage.
In the twinkle in the eyes of the Taiwanese waiter as he tells of his upcoming Christmas trip to see his children. In the emotion of the father who is too thankful to finish the dinner table prayer. He’s in the tears of the mother as she welcomes home her son from overseas. He’s in the heart of the man who spent Christmas morning on skid row giving away cold baloney sandwiches and warm wishes. And he’s in the solemn silence of the crowd of shopping mall shoppers as the elementary school chorus sings “Away in a Manger.” Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.


It’s Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin — lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half-price. Soon life will be normal again. December’s generosity will become January’s payments and the magic will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can’t help but linger on one fanciful thought: if he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?


Max Lucado

Picture of the Day!

So I asked people to 'like' my facebook status if they were reading my blog and only two people have responded thus far! So either people are very shy or I am wasting my time haha.

Anyhow, one of the people who liked it gave me an idea for my 'Picture of the day' for sunday.

This is me with one of my closest friends from school almost four years ago now! His name is Ian. We decided to turn up to our PCY Bible study 'Coffee shop' in pink one week, just for a laugh!

Due to our own busy lifestyles and circumstances we haven't seen each other very often the last few years so I thought I would use this blog to say that I still miss him a lot and hope to see him very soon!

Also, congratulations on recently setting a wedding date! I promise to keep you & Gemma & Evie in prayer! :)

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Is believing enough?

The 2001 census showed that 42 079 000 in Britain identified themselves as Christians. This equates to 71.6 percent of the population. 'Operation World' 2001 puts the percentage at 67.6 percent.

About 6 million of the population are regular Churchgoers. This is a massive discrepancy. Whilst not going to Church doesn't necessarily mean you are not a practising Christian I doubt anyone of any belief reading this blog would argue that 71% of Britain are practising Christians!!

So what is the difference between someone who claims to be a Christian and someone who truly is:-

I read John 3 this week and I think it is very relevant in this matter. I have picked out a few key verses and will explain them.

John 3:1-2

 ¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² 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.”

Nicodemus believes in God. He is a teacher of the law for one. He also can see that Jesus is a bit special and believes that He is from God.

John 3:30

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again

So believing isn't enough?

John 3:5-8

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ 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.”^[d]

We are all born of the flesh, otherwise we would not be here today! But being born of the sprit takes more than just believing. When we ask for forgiveness from God we ask Him into our lives and He enters through His presence on earth, know as the Holy Spirit. The Spirit changes us to become more like the people God created us to be, in His image.

The word Christian was an insult to the early believers meaning 'Little Christ'. Being a Christian is not just about believing in God but it is about believing in Christ which is shown by following Him and becoming 'Little Christ's' ourselves, which we cannot do without the Holy Spirit's help. Jesus promised His presence with us always in Matthew 28 and this is it.

Maybe you want to become a Christian or make your belief real in your life through the Holy Spirit. Please message me on facebook if you want to talk about it more :)

Treading Ice

I want to start by thanking you all so much for your prayers! Today was so much better and God's Hand was in it. I had a really good sleep and work was excellent today and felt much better about things as a result :)

Tonight we took both the youth groups I am involved with, the Church youth group 'Genesis' & 'Pontypridd Christian Youth (PCY)' Ice skating to the Cardiff Devils home rink in Cardiff Bay.

I cannot say I am any kind of Christopher Dean, but I thought I could get a handle on it fairly easy. I was so wrong! It was very tough! I didn't fall all night but only because I was being so careful! I found it very hard to let the leash go on myself, particularly because of the amount of people there for the disco theme on friday nights. There were many moments where I was tempted by the thought that I would never get it.

But by the end of the night I had managed to get much more of a hold on it and was starting to skate more and more confidently. It was really pleasing and I am hoping to go again soon.

But what if I had just given up?

I think there are many people interested in God, but feel they won't ever get it or don't feel good enough for it.

Let me tell you that nobody is good enough, and as imperfect humans we are all in need of God's Grace offered through Jesus paying the price for our sins on the cross.

Whilst on the cross one of the men being crucified next to Jesus, a thief, realised Jesus was someone a bit special and asked if He would remember Him in paradise. Jesus replied:-

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done but you can be forgiven & love Jesus and know Him personally.

And it doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done, but you can ice skate...if you keep at it ;)

To be honest...

I am just going to come out with it today, today has been hard!

• Still not sleeping well because of the cold, constantly cold in the house and it is making me ill!
• Gutted about England losing the World Cup bid. I didn't think I would care at all, let alone this much. I think the fact we only got two votes when we clearly had the best bid was very hard to take.
• Got my university books today - four books, four hundred pages each! Lots of work to do, it was a big shock but I know I can do it. Going to be tough though and sacrifices will have to be made.
• Not feeling right before God, just was unusually bitter over the World Cup stuff earlier and constantly feel I am not going the right way before God. Judging myself & being harsh on myself is exactly NOT what God wants me to do so I feel worse! God even spoke that to me last week!

I don't like saying stuff like this because I feel it burdens & discourages others but I am not a liar and I refuse to be a dishonest person so rather than come out and pretend everything is great I will write the truth, which is a passion of mine. I love truth, Jesus is truth and I know I have to be a genuine & honest person too if I want to be like Him.

What is good about being honest is that the Christians among you will pray for me and God always answers prayer! Maybe not always in the way we would like. But I know for sure that He listens and our sometimes inane (well mine anyway!) ramblings are important to Him :)

What is also great about being bad is that God is so good in the bad times. Looking back, one of my favourite times of my life was a time of great sadness because God revealed Himself so much to me through it. He is always there, helping us get as much good from it as possible and come through it in His time :)

It is summed up in this:-

2 Corinthians 12:10
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.

One of my bestest friends loves this verse and I can definitly see why, it so true, so powerful & so comforting in our trials :)

Also (the verses are coming to me now!)

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

and my favourite right now:-

James 1:2-3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Tomorrow's a new day! Bring it on...

Doh!

One of my favourite TV programmes is Harry Hill's TV Burp. It is a satirical look at the week's TV and I find it very funny at times. On this program, there are several sections such as 'TV Highlight of the Week' (usually something very inane & underwhelming), 'I Beg Your Pardon of the Week' and 'Most Insincere Response of the Week', all won by characters or people on TV in the week of the programme.

Today I am going to give out my own Harry Hill-esque award. 'You Just Disproved Your Own Argument of the Week' and the winner of this award is Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society.

Today is 'Not Ashamed Day' in the UK, started this year by Christians who believe that the faith is "under attack" in Britain.

Mr Sanderson wins the award for this response to the campaign:-

'"(the initative is the) culmination of the ongoing campaign run by a handful of Christian zealots to create the impression that Christianity is somehow being deliberately undermined by the authorities.
"Apparently 'multiculturalism', 'secularism' and 'political correctness' are seen as the culprits, but in reality people are walking away from Christianity because it has become unpleasant and authoritarian.
"Nobody is forcing them not to go to church, they simply don't see its relevance."

Making such a generalising comment without any foundation whatsoever shows exactly why these Christians are rightly drawing attention to this.

Silly man!

Anyhow, I can tell you that Christianity and Church is the most relevant thing in Britain today:-

• In a Britain where suicide rates and prison numbers grow, the Bible preaches a message of love, hope & Salvation for all people
• In a Britain tainted by the greed of bankers & other powers, the Bible preaches a message of generosity and kindess to all people
• In a Britain that has been hurt by the Credit Crunch & economic depression, the Bible preaches a message of God's providence & care for all people.
• In a Britain with high unemployment levels & many uni and school drop outs, the Bible preaches a message of God's wonderful plan for our lives
• In a Britain with many broken families, the Bible speaks about a loving Father & a Church family for all people.

AND MANY MORE! Praise God :D