Every day God is teaching us something new. He is always speaking to us, even if we cannot or will not hear Him. And even when we do hear Him, sometimes we don't like what He's saying so we dismiss it or make excuses. Lately God has been teaching me about fear.
Now perfect love casts out fear and we have not been given a spirit of timidity, but I believe that nearly all of us, myself included, still experience fear.
But the truth is that fear is born out of lies. You see if we truly lived in the truth and accepted all that God has for us in our identity and in His promises then we would have no fear. So fear can only be a result of us believing in lies.
And I find it ironic that I spent the last few years saying to God; use me, tell me where and when and I will go, I will follow you anywhere, I want to be used by you, I want a life of uncertainty, teach me to rely on you, teach me to trust you for everything, I want to change the world for your glory. But when I begin to feel He may actually be telling me that my time is coming and I am to go somewhere I do now know, to a language I do not know, to new food, new culture; that I am to step boldly out of my comfort zone and approach the throne of God with confidence; I am scared.
I got to the point that whenever I thought about it I was feeling sick and nauseous. I was terrified of going to something that I knew and know I cannot do in my own ability; the sum of everything would be totally overwhelming and beyond my own strength. And truly I have never put myself in that position; I always had a backup plan, a way out, security. But now I need to accept that God is teaching me that He is my security, He is my strength, my ability. I can do everything He tells me to do because of His strength and His Spirit.
But I want to encourage you with what God is telling and reminding me, and this is it...
Never let fear stop you from doing something you know God is telling you to do. Because perfect love casts out all fear, and He loves you with a love more perfect than we can imagine.
Don't let fear stop you from following Him; even if it feels like it's off a cliff edge.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Sunday, 4 March 2012
The Awe-ful Excursions of Penelope Farthbottom
So my brother wrote a nonsensical story about Mr and Mrs Gerald; I thought he needed some competition ;) here you go... (see if you can understand it without reading the brackets)...
The awe-ful excursions of Penelope Farthbottom
Chapter 1
Penelope Farthbottom was a rather untoward lass with a quite despondent prospect in life as she found herself completely inauspicious (she was miserable and had bad luck). Firstly of course was the unfortunate resolution of her parentage to remain with the subsequent family name of Farthbottom. Which of course led her into all sorts of ill-fated interactions with her peers (her friends made fun of her because of her surname).
One day Penelope Farthbottom was walking through the vegetation in Would Wood to meet her friend Fennella Armpit; united by their misfortune and ensuing melancholy from the palpable taunting they received from their acquaintances (they were friends 'cos no one else would be).
As she approached the residence of said female she expressed her usual emotion upon greeting her friend with a small gesture (she waved at her mate). And the two began to exchange polite niceties inquiring of one-another's health and activity (how r u? wubu2?).
Suddenly, a large plum duck fell from the firmament and landed on Fennela's head with a loud screech and promptly began to join the conversation about Georgia Brown's new haircut. (a big purple duck landed on her head and started talking). Of course Penelope and Fennela were quite offended... they did not approve of Ms Brown's new haircut and were somewhat vexed by the judgement of this winged-beast. (they didn't like what the duck said)
After exchanging blether for an hour, Penelope returned to her abode and devoured a succulent plum duck for her evening mealtime accompanied by undomesticated fungi. (they talked, she went home and ate the duck with wild mushrooms) She deemed it quite adequate. (she liked it)
N afta tht she fort she wan'ed ta g2 zzzzzzzzzz. Sa thts wah she did. Nun'Nite.
Rosie Parsonage
(c) 2012
Chapter 1
Penelope Farthbottom was a rather untoward lass with a quite despondent prospect in life as she found herself completely inauspicious (she was miserable and had bad luck). Firstly of course was the unfortunate resolution of her parentage to remain with the subsequent family name of Farthbottom. Which of course led her into all sorts of ill-fated interactions with her peers (her friends made fun of her because of her surname).
One day Penelope Farthbottom was walking through the vegetation in Would Wood to meet her friend Fennella Armpit; united by their misfortune and ensuing melancholy from the palpable taunting they received from their acquaintances (they were friends 'cos no one else would be).
As she approached the residence of said female she expressed her usual emotion upon greeting her friend with a small gesture (she waved at her mate). And the two began to exchange polite niceties inquiring of one-another's health and activity (how r u? wubu2?).
Suddenly, a large plum duck fell from the firmament and landed on Fennela's head with a loud screech and promptly began to join the conversation about Georgia Brown's new haircut. (a big purple duck landed on her head and started talking). Of course Penelope and Fennela were quite offended... they did not approve of Ms Brown's new haircut and were somewhat vexed by the judgement of this winged-beast. (they didn't like what the duck said)
After exchanging blether for an hour, Penelope returned to her abode and devoured a succulent plum duck for her evening mealtime accompanied by undomesticated fungi. (they talked, she went home and ate the duck with wild mushrooms) She deemed it quite adequate. (she liked it)
N afta tht she fort she wan'ed ta g2 zzzzzzzzzz. Sa thts wah she did. Nun'Nite.
Rosie Parsonage
(c) 2012
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