I was talking to someone the other day and they made a really valued point about making everyone feel as though they are included in a service or a meeting.
It’s so easy to assume everyone can do everything to the level that you can but what we so easily forget that in this modern day.
We were talking about not everyone is illiterate these days when I say that I mean not everyone can read and write necessarily.
With churches now using screens to produce the words on the screen for songs and for their PowerPoint when they give a sermon. It’s strange to think years ago we did not have the technology to put the words on the screen and we used song sheets and hymn books.
So when it comes to someone who can’t read the words on the screen it just looks like loads of letters. It also needs someone to sit next to them and tell them what is written on the screen. Being included in the service is more important than ever.
This is what it is like for someone who has special needs feels like when they are not included or not involved in the service. It makes them feel like they do not know what is going on.
When the child or adults are involved in the service and they put their own twist to it, it is seen as their own interpretation of it. This can be sometimes be confusing to others but to that adult or child it makes complete sense because that is what they have learnt.
This why we should include everyone in everything that we do no matter whether they can read or write! To feel included in something is priceless to some children as they may never been included in anything in their lives. Seeing a child’s face at what they have spoken about or created is amazing.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Lost and Found
What is ‘Lost’ in a Christian world is where your faith has gone off track and gone down the wrong way. Maybe you’ve taken the wrong direction somewhere. How easy is it to get lost as a Christian and not even realise that you are lost in the first place. One thing there is no sign to warn us that we have gone the wrong way and that we need to turn around as soon as possible.
When do we get lost maybe it’s due to distraction by something or someone in our lives that is a distraction. When was the last time that you got distracted or might have been distracted and not even noticed till this moment time?
It’s amazing to think that Jesus is that person who can pick us up and put us back on that right track we just need to trust that he will do that for us. What does it feel like to go off track and be brought back into what you should be doing like studying the bible for example and praying.
Did you realise that Jesus found you or that you were lost in the first place. Sometimes being found is the greatest feeling in the world. So next time you think you’re going off track remember that there is always a way to go back on track.
When do we get lost maybe it’s due to distraction by something or someone in our lives that is a distraction. When was the last time that you got distracted or might have been distracted and not even noticed till this moment time?
It’s amazing to think that Jesus is that person who can pick us up and put us back on that right track we just need to trust that he will do that for us. What does it feel like to go off track and be brought back into what you should be doing like studying the bible for example and praying.
Did you realise that Jesus found you or that you were lost in the first place. Sometimes being found is the greatest feeling in the world. So next time you think you’re going off track remember that there is always a way to go back on track.
Raindrops
As I sit and look out of the window and watch the rain fall onto the ground. As the rain slowly gets heavier it starts to appear on the window eventually it starts off with a few spots then it gets more. It weird how it’s like tears in the eyes first you have it in your eyes and which is like the first initial spots on the windows before it rains heavily. Then when the tears start to come down the face it’s like the rain when it goes down the window when it starts to rain more.
What is God’s love & how do we show it?
God’s love is amazing sometimes and there is nothing better than anything in the whole world. Even if we try and deny it, God sent his son for us this was his way by showing love in John 3:16-17 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
God love is love that will never leave or fade away it is everlasting. It is also love that does not have conditions involved or even boundaries. How do you show love to your friends, family or even your partner? Do you think you share the same love to these entire example the same or do you love your partner more because they are your partner.
Do you think when God loves us he loves someone else more than he loves me or you. Do you think that is fair or unfair? Love is sometimes shown in big extravagant ways and sometimes it is a small time affair. For example Prince William and Kate decided to show their love with a big wedding in front of millions at the church and on the TV broadcasted to loads of people all over the world.
Remember God loves you no matter what you do and nothing can separate you from him.
God love is love that will never leave or fade away it is everlasting. It is also love that does not have conditions involved or even boundaries. How do you show love to your friends, family or even your partner? Do you think you share the same love to these entire example the same or do you love your partner more because they are your partner.
Do you think when God loves us he loves someone else more than he loves me or you. Do you think that is fair or unfair? Love is sometimes shown in big extravagant ways and sometimes it is a small time affair. For example Prince William and Kate decided to show their love with a big wedding in front of millions at the church and on the TV broadcasted to loads of people all over the world.
Remember God loves you no matter what you do and nothing can separate you from him.
Jesus be the Centre
How do we put God at the center of our lives during the day? We need to first of all invite him to enter from the very moment we wake up in the morning to the very end of the day. We need to sometimes need to constantly remind ourselves that God is with us even if we do have good moments and bad moments.
How do we make Jesus though at the centre and not on the outside in our lives? How do you think Jesus feels when he is watching you and waiting for you to ask him to come in and you not letting him it’s like we try and ignore the fact that he is right there waiting for you to accept his help.
Where do you think Jesus is at the moment? It’s like for example is he in the car in the driving seat helping you to get back on the right path or is he your back seat driver telling when to turn and when you’re going the wrong way?
Challenge:
To make Jesus that Centre of your life not for just today and tomorrow but for always.
How do we make Jesus though at the centre and not on the outside in our lives? How do you think Jesus feels when he is watching you and waiting for you to ask him to come in and you not letting him it’s like we try and ignore the fact that he is right there waiting for you to accept his help.
Where do you think Jesus is at the moment? It’s like for example is he in the car in the driving seat helping you to get back on the right path or is he your back seat driver telling when to turn and when you’re going the wrong way?
Challenge:
To make Jesus that Centre of your life not for just today and tomorrow but for always.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Nearly 5 months in
So I have been at Lee Abbey for nearly 5 months who would of thought this time here would go so fast. It has had some highs and lows but that is all part of the journey that I am on that lead me here in the first place.
So last week we had 40 children running and I mean literally running round the house which was a bit manic at times but we got through it. Even when God pushes you to the limit you know that you have come out the other side a stronger person. Now you know that you can deal with anything. I think that is what it makes it so important not to do so much on our strength but constantly relying on God's strength to help us.
There have been countless times I try and do things based on my strength, but how about you how many times have you done it without realizing it?
So I hope I can try today even though did not get much sleep last night that I can it offer it up to him and rely soly on his strength to get me through the day. I hope you can whilst reading this.
God bless you as you read this.
So last week we had 40 children running and I mean literally running round the house which was a bit manic at times but we got through it. Even when God pushes you to the limit you know that you have come out the other side a stronger person. Now you know that you can deal with anything. I think that is what it makes it so important not to do so much on our strength but constantly relying on God's strength to help us.
There have been countless times I try and do things based on my strength, but how about you how many times have you done it without realizing it?
So I hope I can try today even though did not get much sleep last night that I can it offer it up to him and rely soly on his strength to get me through the day. I hope you can whilst reading this.
God bless you as you read this.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Being a Disciple
What do you do to make yourself a disciple of Jesus?
How do you act on being a disciple of Jesus?
Who do we look to be a disciple of Jesus?
Do you place yourself around good people to become a disciple of Jesus?
So I was wondering what do you think makes you a good disciple of Jesus. Do you read the bible daily and prayer? Do you attend corpus and morning and afternoon prayers? One thing is we do not need to just all these things to make ourselves good disciples we can do so much more to become a good disciple of Christ.
God call us to be Christ like. In Ephesians 4:15 it says ‘Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.’
How do you act on being a disciple of Jesus do you set a good example around non Christians. Do you say grace before a meal and say prayer before you go to sleep at night. Remember in Matthew 6:6 it says ‘But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.’
In Luke 14:33 ‘So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. We have to give up a lot sometimes to become a disciple but we need to be patient as our reward will come when we go to heaven.
Who do you look to on how to be a good disciple do you look to friends, colleagues or a minister? The first person we should look to be a good disciple is Jesus. He is the perfect model. Remember there is only one person who is the perfect and that is Jesus.
So do you place yourself around good people to become that good disciple of Jesus? There is a lot to be said if we hang around the wrong people we can be easily influenced by what they do, say or act. We need to place ourselves around better people for us to grow spiritually and fruitfully. I used to hang around people who I went to college with when I had only been a Christian a while and they smoked and swore and before I knew I was saying swear words under my breath.
So in Matthew 28:19-20 it says therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
May you believe in God but may come to see that God believes in you. May you have faith in Jesus but may you come to see that Jesus has faith that you can be like him. A person of love, compassionate and truth, a person of forgiveness, peace, grace, hope and joy.
How do you act on being a disciple of Jesus?
Who do we look to be a disciple of Jesus?
Do you place yourself around good people to become a disciple of Jesus?
So I was wondering what do you think makes you a good disciple of Jesus. Do you read the bible daily and prayer? Do you attend corpus and morning and afternoon prayers? One thing is we do not need to just all these things to make ourselves good disciples we can do so much more to become a good disciple of Christ.
God call us to be Christ like. In Ephesians 4:15 it says ‘Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.’
How do you act on being a disciple of Jesus do you set a good example around non Christians. Do you say grace before a meal and say prayer before you go to sleep at night. Remember in Matthew 6:6 it says ‘But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.’
In Luke 14:33 ‘So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. We have to give up a lot sometimes to become a disciple but we need to be patient as our reward will come when we go to heaven.
Who do you look to on how to be a good disciple do you look to friends, colleagues or a minister? The first person we should look to be a good disciple is Jesus. He is the perfect model. Remember there is only one person who is the perfect and that is Jesus.
So do you place yourself around good people to become that good disciple of Jesus? There is a lot to be said if we hang around the wrong people we can be easily influenced by what they do, say or act. We need to place ourselves around better people for us to grow spiritually and fruitfully. I used to hang around people who I went to college with when I had only been a Christian a while and they smoked and swore and before I knew I was saying swear words under my breath.
So in Matthew 28:19-20 it says therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
May you believe in God but may come to see that God believes in you. May you have faith in Jesus but may you come to see that Jesus has faith that you can be like him. A person of love, compassionate and truth, a person of forgiveness, peace, grace, hope and joy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)