The Cross Galaxy

Ps 19 v 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Any time we loose perspective of life on earth, it helps to take a step back and realise how really, really small we are in this universe.

The fact that God is mighty and he has chosen to share himself with us as mortal beings is simply amazing. He chooses to reveal himself to us in every way he can possibly grab our attention.

The cross formation found in the M51 galaxy has made many stop in awe and wonder at the magnificence of our God. God has declared his plan for salvation in the heavens. The question remains, have you opened your eyes to see the salvation of your God?

Hopping mad

Many times in life we may face situations where we feel that Satan has stolen something valuable and precious to us. It may be a lost opportunity, stolen valuable items, a lost relationship. Joel 2v25 says that God will restore the years the locust has stolen.

The experience of this loss can leave us broken hearted and angry. God desires that we keep our focus on him. When we surrender these feelings of loss and the anger that links to it, he is able to start doing his work.

As one loss dies, it becomes fertilizer in the garden of our hearts and forms a fertile soil bed for God to plant the “new thing” that he wants to do in our lives. If you've experienced a loss, give it to God as a sacrifice of praise and allow him to minister healing and restoration into your life.

Gone fishing!

Cooking is great and making a good meal is food for the soul. Cooking for one though, is not much fun. God has designed it that meals spent together with good friends and especially fellow Christians strengthens our bonds with each other, but especially with Him.

Jesus knew this, so when Peter decided to go fishing after the crucifixion, thinking he had failed, Jesus appears and shares a meal with them. After this Peter's spiritual eyes are opened and he sees Jesus clearly.

It's at this time that Jesus reverses Peter's denial of him and asks him to profess his love for Christ three times again. God is intimately aware of our insecurities and meets us exactly at the point of our failures to show his mercy, love and Grace.

To-do-list

I was recently in a home that was so filthy, I wouldn't want to live there.  Resulting in making me even more pedantic about my own house cleaning chores. The question is, how often don't we relegate our relationship with God to just another thing to do on our To-do-list?

In all honesty though, with city life being what it is, it can be very difficult to stay in touch with God and keeping him central in our lives.  St Francis of Assis wrote a wonderful book called, "Practicing the presence of God". Interesting title seeing as he was a Monk who's life calling was to spend time in God's presence.  Was he implying that though devout to God he had still not mastered the art of keeping God in clear focus?

He probably was.  You see our lives here on earth are meant to be our training ground to teach us how to connect with God.  It is only once we are in heaven in God's full presence all day that this art will be fully mastered.

Don't fret about still struggling to spend time with God, fall in love with him and all you will want to do is think about him all day!

Where to begin?

As I contemplate this very thought, I struggle to even begin to find the words. God's word is the light unto our path and yet so often we find ourselves in situations where we do not know where to begin to find the wisdom to deal with our circumstances.

Proverbs 1 v 7 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God always chooses his words carefully. The fear of the Lord mentioned here is not the same as being afraid but rather to honour and revere God.

When we put our relationship with God first, he begins to fill our lives with the light of his word and having that light makes it easier for us to navigate our way through lifes dark moments.

Are you going to search the word, honour God and turn on the light?

Sweets or the box?

How many times does life throw us challenges that just seem to be insurmountable? More often than we would like. If you are anything like me, it can drive you crazy and arouse feelings of anger and frustration. What do we need in these situations? Devine wisdom.

Solomon knew this and when God asked him to tell him what one thing he wanted.... He asked for wisdom.... that's pretty smart in my book. With wisdom we can do the one thing that the devil does not anticipate, outsmart him!

The devil will drag you down the bunny whole of anger and frustration at every opportunity he gets to do this and he will pick the very people he knows, know how to push your buttons. In the game of sweets or the box, the unknown is fearful, but with God choosing the more difficult option will always reap strong, lasting rewards.

Shared memories

Today we held my late granny Joyce's memorial service.  My sister and I had not discussed what we would share, but the message ended up being the same.  Why?  Because Joyce Hughes was a women of passion.  Passion for gardening and passion for cooking.  Everyone who knew here, knew this too.

The question for us as Christian's is... when people think of us, can they see a passion for Christ in everything we do?  I don't mean living a life that is fake and always putting on a holier than thou face, but can they see the love and life of Christ in us. 

My prayer and my goal is to live Christ and be known for loving him!  I suppose only time will tell if I've truly succeeded.