Launch out!

Yesterday a Mr Felix Baumgartner performed an astonishing world-first feat. He carried out the highest freefall jump ever, 24 miles up in the air; he jumped literally from the edge of space after rising to the height with a purpose built helium balloon.

Man is always looking to accomplish more and more astonishing feats in the natural earth and skies around us. Some Christians may say man is taking things too far when they attempt to tamper with nature or have aims to colonise places we are not meant to be, such as the Moon or Mars. However, you have to admire the constant drive for exploration and new discovery.

-Such a striving should be taken as an example for some of our assemblies of the faith. We serve the Great God of the universe who is able to do things amongst us that will blow our minds! (Ephesians 3:20) Furthermore, he said we are branches attached to Him –the vine- and this means we should be growing, flourishing and constantly bringing forth fruit each season. ‘Fruit’ is everything we produce that is pleasing to God (i.e. good works, souls being converted, qualities of character, etc)

Yet some of us are going round and round in circles just as the children of Israel did in the wilderness because they were not following God as they should have been. We are like the disciples who were toiling all night, just doing the same old, same old thing –and not getting anywhere. Then Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side- and hurrah! A boat load of fish miraculously came their way. The key instruction given by Jesus was ‘LAUNCH OUT into the deep’ (Luke 5:4).

....and this is exactly what we need to do. Remove ourselves from old comfort zones. Allow God to do the new and exciting things He desires to.

No matter how dry, barren or unchanging a situation seems, remember we serve a God who can do wonders even when it feels like we are in a dry desert spiritually (Isaiah 43:19)...A God who can bring beauty out of situations that appear hopeless (Isaiah 61:3)...A God who can do that which men think is impossible (Luke 18:27).

Just as Baumgartner courageously leapt from his capsule, we need to take a great leap of faith and let God allow us to soar with Him.

(Pentecostal) Handbag Essentials!

Okay, there are the obvious necessities people carry to church, such as their Bible (ofcourse), hymnal and such. And there’s stuff we carry no matter where we go, such as our mobile phones or church tracts. But here is my very specific collection of handbag ‘essentials’ as a lady going to church...

Tissues , for wiping away tears when you or others are crying from; being in the spirit; hearing sad/happy news about family and brethren. Also for wiping kiddies’ noses.

Wet wipes. Like the tissue, but slightly more convenient for more messy occurrences, such as when you hold a cute baby and they decide to leave a cute little patch of vomit on your shoulder. lol

Sewing needle and thread/ safety pin. For fixing any wardrobe malfunctions –i.e. splitting your split high or tearing the armpit area of a fitted top/blazer because you are waving your hands aloft so fervently.

Hair grips- ‘Nuff said.

(Healthy) Sweeties- For good kiddies and cheering people up.

Fan-  It gets hot in a Holy Ghost church. Hott! I’m also told fans are always necessary for ‘women of a certain age’! Wow, I guess that awaits me in a few years time.

Mints- Ensuring your breath is fresh for after service ‘holy hugs and kisses’. Also, if you are at the altar helping someone to tarry or praying and whatnot, you need to ensure your mouth is sweet before it gets all up in someone’s face.

Perfume- Jesus is the rose of Sharon. Roses smell beautiful. So I must too. #weird logic

Nail file. Not vanity. Just to sort out hang nails and any tares which could catch and rip your tights.

Hand sanitizer- This isn’t a snobby-ish thing. For those of us who travel on the bus, we want to ensure we avoid carrying and sharing all those germs we pick up from the hand rails. People – remember swine flu?!

Lip balm-   So when the congregation meets and greets after service and you are administering your 'holy kisses' (2 Corinth 13:12) you don't scrape anyone with crusty lips.

Pen and paper- For writing down words of inspiration before they exit your brain. For keeping notes of church event announcements. Getting numbers of brethren and visitors you need to call (for those of us who aren't high-tech enough to use a mobile phone for this)

Anything I’ve missed?

Pentecostal Worship!

When someone steps into a Pentecostal assembly for the first time, they may be left wide eyed in wonder (1 Corinthians 14:23!). ..The jubilant shouting and singing, the euphoric jumping and praising, the weeping and gazing lovingly above....people seeming to be thrown to and fro by a wind within them...the speaking –to no one in particular- in a bizarre foreign language, middle and older aged people dancing and waving hands aloft as if they were teens at a concert or dancehall! Wonder indeed.

I’ve heard it said by nominal Christians who don’t believe in this type of worship that God would not allow His servants to worship him in a way that is ‘undignified.’ Such people are missing out on the reality of serving a living God, and the ‘fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11) He promises....And on the point of ‘dignity’...nowhere in scripture does it say worship is about our dignity, or us looking prim and proper. ..Because worship is the exact opposite of that! –it is about letting God completely take you out of yourself and your self-made ‘propriety’; it is about brokenness before the Almighty...it is about abasement...

King David is the perfect example. The more I read about this dude, the more I love him! He was a great regal king, yet when it came time to worship, he had no pomp or propriety. He danced so hard with the joy of the Lord, that his skirt flew about everywhere! His scornful wife, Michal told him he looked like an idiot! He told her plainly that when it came to worshipping God, he didn’t mind how he looked to others.

This is the attitude we must take. (2 Samuel 6:14-23)

God gave man the in-built desire to lose 'self’ in the spiritual –with Him-. (Though we are not out of control-1 Corinth 14:32) This is what people are fulfilling when they go out in clubs to try to get merry with music and alcoholic 'spirits'.

Thank God if you are Pentecostal

-You have the real thing!

 

Some scriptures that show real worship should be expressive...

Psalms 132:9: Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

Psalms 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp

Psalms 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD

Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Weeding out

Just as the enemy sewed tares (weeds) among the wheat, he will relentlessly try to sew negative thoughts within us. Whenever you have a thought that is making you feel bad –especially if it’s negatively framed toward yourself or another person, or feeding anxiety and doubt- ask yourself if the thought is actually scripturally true and justified. Much of the time, you’ll realise it’s a piece of unnecessary garbage, left by the enemy. Just throw it out with the rest of the trash J

Love JM x

When. Poem for Women

When

When you can stare fear in its dreadful face
And face it with expected triumph
When you treat your seen enemies with grace
And even extend to showing them love,
When you can leave critics in the foreground
While you press on ahead
Knowing their words are merely stepping stones
For your ground
Not worthy to trouble your head,
When you can recognize fading physical charms
As merely a veil for the greater beauty
When you can use life’s silent alarms
To equip you with strength and with duty,
When after moments of mourning we all traverse,
You can seek out cause again to smile,
When with an aged head you act
In matters of tact,
Yet in guile remain as a child,
When you have the lion-like loins to hold fast by yourself
In matters where conviction demands
Yet as well as your own, seek the good of all else
Knowing solitude, self- interest
Are for fearful hearts and idle hands.
When you live life with eyes wide open, yet a heart the same,
Not left bitter by past foes who’ve hurt you…
Then truly you’ve become a woman, my friend,
And one of great wisdom and virtue.

Ripped off from   Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’

Books I need to read

(I don’t read novels -only factual books; books on teaching, essays and biographies . I love beautifully written prose, but only really when it's teaching something about reality. That being said, some of my fave books are the fictional -Christian themed children's series  Anne of Greengables by L.M. Montgomery. ) There are always exceptions within one’s scope of discernment

Malcolm Gladwell, What the Dog saw: And other Adventures

-Because I love this author and I’ve read all of his other  books thus far. They are interesting and reveal so much of the quirks of human nature and explain the weirdness of our world and social workings.

Jung Chan, Wild Swans

-Because I love reading people's life stories- especially when it shows the history of different family generations. And I love learning about Chinese culture.

Ken Robinson, The Element: How finding Your Passion Changes Everything

-Because he is a renowned educationalist and I’ve been impressed by some of his other commentaries. And because I want to know how to find and use my own ‘passion’

Brendan Burchard, Activating the 10 Human Drives that Make You Feel Alive

-Yeah, I’m into my motivation-based books. And this one’s Apostolic. Bonus

Devora  Zack, Networking for People Who Hate Networking

Apparently a really good book for introverts such as myself to embrace and make good use of this character trait. Also good for extroverts to read and understand more about their introvert loved ones.

Robyn O’brien, The Unhealthy Truth

Another recommended read about understanding the widespread occurrence of allergies and illnesses such as ADHD these days, and how to improve lifestyle and health.

Hey young girl...

Hello young girl,

How are you today? I hope you are well... Even despite this world’s ability to leave you feeling very unhappy. So you don’t think you’re important? Go look outside, you’ll see a great shining Sun, if it’s daytime, or a great beaming moon if its night.

...You were on God’s mind when he formed these. They were specifically made for you –just to take care of you, show you beauty, warmth and seasons. And this is only a tiny example of all the things He’s done because He so loves and adores you.

There is a part of you that is responding when you see awe-inspiring elements of his artwork for you –sunsets, blue skies, stars. That part of you is your soul. In actuality -this is you, but you're stored inside skin. And because someone doesn’t want you to realise you are an infinitely precious soul, he has found many clever ways to distract you from the fact. He creates an obsession in you with this skin that covers you. He does this to keep you short-sighted, unhappy and always comparing yours with the ‘skin’ of others.

This person is called the devil and he is very clever. Though he can’t read your mind, he can disguise his voice and put things into your mind. He offers you thoughts such as “I’m ugly’” “I’m worthless” “I’m not good enough.” And because he is so clever he can make you feel these lying thoughts are valid and true. In fact, he’s become so good at it, he’s managed to pull this trick on most people at one point or another. He even got someone who was perfect and God-like to feel as if they were not enough/didn’t have enough (Genesis 3:5).

...So, what should you do? How can you tell which thoughts this devil person is implanting into your mind? Well, all you need to do is make sure you know what the truth sounds like...

...then when you hear the devil's lies, it is easy to spot them and reject them.

Amen. The end. xxx