All in good spirits!

Recently here in the UK we have been bemoaning the current, well actually and past, wet, wet, wet weather.  So much has had to be cancelled because of it; my school sports day, festivals across the country.  Today was no different as the grey skies wept bucket loads.  However it couldn't dampen the mood as some of us stood to cheer on the carnival procession which included our ever faithful school float with its Olympic themed truck.  The children and adults were all in very good cheer and a good cheer is what we gave them as the passed by!

Today (day 201) I am thankful for 'let's just get on with it' spirit which meant all the hard work that had been put in by the participants of the procession did not go to waste!

Setting a world record..................

200 days of gratitude........................God's grace has been and continues to be sufficient for me. 

I was watching a programme on the television tonight called 'Guiness World Records' where a melting pot of contestants displayed their peculiar talents in order to secure a place in the book of world records.  I won't expand on their exploits, but some were clearly dangerous.  Mouth wide open at times I wondered why people would be prepared to risk their lives for such a prize.

Yet there is One who had no gimmicks, but instead gave His life, not to earn a place as an entry in the 'Guiness World Records' book, but as the author of the greatest book in history (a record that cannot be broken), the Book of Life, so that you and I could have our names written in;

The Lambs Book of Life - Not everyone has his or her name written in the Lambs Book of Life! Ones name is not written in at birth, nor does he or she have it written in by the sovereign choice of God. A person's name is written in the Lambs book of Life only because he or she chooses to ask God to place it there. Jesus Christ offers us eternal life if we receive Him, if we invite Him into our hearts.

Today (day 200) I am thankful that God's grace is sufficient for me.

poetic license or not?

This week at school we having been mixing the children up and doing some activities on some of the countries taking part in the Olympics this year.  My group have been exploring and finding out about the rainbow nation South Africa!  One of the tasks they were set was to write an acrostic poem for South Africa.  It got me thinking and I thought it would be lovely to do the same, but about Jesus Christ.  This is what I came up with:


Just come as you are
Embrace the love to be found in his outstretched arms
So that your life may be made brand new
Understand this, you have been born again
Stand up and continue on your life journey

Celebrate you no longer walk alone
His gospel of truth you must now share
Rejoice in the Lord God most high
In reverence and without fear
Say it loud and say it proud
Today is the day my Father has made and I will rejoice in it

Today (day 199) I am thankful that with open evening over at school it really is the final countdown until the summer vacation begins!

Looking and learning.......................

Gracie was engrossed in something in her bedroom and even had the door closed.  When I went to investigate she was busy writing a song, her first song and without (well ok, some mummy bias) it was pretty good.  She said she had tried to get some of the lines to rhyme.  After singing it to me
a cappella she announced that over the next few days she will be trying to put a tune to it on the piano! 
"Wow," I said, mouth ajar and a big encouraging beam on my face.  Great things start with small beginnings so I am excited for her enthusiasm, creativity and diligence.  She was writing another verse right up until bedtime.  Yesterday she was busy designing a dress for one of her dolls.  Where will her creative juices take her to next.  In fact next week she will be performing a piece 'Ode To Joy' on the piano at her first music concert at school............  My Gracie embraces life to the full and loves people, such inspiring qualities in someone so young.  Well I am inspired and humbled as I look and learn!

Today (day 198) I really am just thankful to have been blessed with the privilege of being a parent to such a 'Grace.'  In all she does she is so true to her name: it stems from Latin "gratia" meaning "pleasing quality," "favour," or "thanks." In Christian theology, grace is the unconditional love of God toward all people.  In Greek Mythology, the three Graces (Kharites) were Goddesses of adornment, beauty, dance, festivity, grace, mirth and song.

Sufficient grace..............

Do you ever have one of those starts to the day, when you wake with a start because you have just remembered something!  Well....................

Aaron had a piano exam today and it is his Dad who is in responsible for all things musical in our household and this morning he was over 100 miles away and had not remembered and so came the challenge - what to do.  I knew I wouldn't be able to sort things out with school at such short notice (the exam was at 2.05pm) so 'mission possible' was underway. 

Now running later than I'd like for school I had to quickly write a letter to his form tutor asking permission for him to be excused from school for the afternoon, locate the address for the exam venue and arrange for big brother Sam to organise lunch first, then a taxi to transport them there and back.  Ah yes and cash for said taxi meant a quick dash to the cash dispenser and whistle stop trip back home during my lunch hour.  Finally and the most important thing, wishing my boy God's blessings and favour for his exam.

One again His grace was sufficient for us all and He met us at a point of need.  Today (day 197) I give heart felt thanks to my Father in heaven for a big brother called Sam who always happily steps in to look after his younger siblings who by the way adore him beyond words.

Take every opportunity to steward...............

'...Watch out that no...bitterness grows up...' Hebrews 12:15

Betrayal is something others do to you; bitterness is something you do to yourself. It's impossible to go through life without being hurt. It may be an unfaithful mate, an employee who slanders you or a boss who fires you without explanation. Sitting at supper with His disciples, Jesus said, 'One of you will betray me' (Mark 14:18 NIV). Shortly after that, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Some folks will kiss you today and kick you tomorrow. But Jesus refused to become bitter. That's because He knew Judas' kiss would usher Him into His destiny. Nor did Jesus turn His back on Peter when he denied Him. Instead, Peter was the only one He mentioned by name when He arranged to meet His disciples for breakfast following the resurrection. Jesus saw people in the light of their potential, not their problems. What they were at that moment didn't keep Him from s eeing what they would become when His grace touched their lives. And you must be that way too. This is why Paul wrote: 'Get rid of all bitterness... Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you' (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT). So eliminate any words of bitterness from your conversation. Stop rehearsing the details o f your past unless it's to teach and encourage others to rise above theirs. How often do you revisit your old issues? What are you doing to make sure no bitterness remains in your heart? God says, 'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing' (Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV). God's word is simply 'poetry in motion!  I just had to share this. At this time of the year at school we have some high school students in attendance at school in order to engage in some work experience.  It is always a timely initiative because we are totally snowed under, trying to round off a year whilst preparing for the next so the arrival of extra pairs of hands are warmly received.  I always start by chatting to them and establishing what they want to do during their time with us.  I don't want them to be out of their comfort zone, but at the same time allow them to experience aspects of teaching that I feel they would enjoy.  I have been blessed today with a young girl who is keen to do more than simple administrative tasks and she seemed to enjoy it.  It is always a privilege to steward young people and give them a positive experience that will leave a lasting memory and perhaps influence their choices, behaviour, ambitions and outlook on life and today (day 196) I am thankful to have been given such an opportunity.

Keep that flame burning....................

The matchsticks are doing a grand job keeping my eyes open.  I sort of had under an hour's sleep last night.  Sam started a weekend job at a club in town and came home at 3.00am so I waited up to see how he got on.  Before we knew it we were welcomed into Sunday by sweetly singing birds.  We then both decided to stay up as we were going to watch the Olympic torch as it passed by just outside our church.  Well he bailed out on me and fell asleep at around 5.00am so I decided it would be more distressing to have very little sleep and instead filed some paper work.

The crowds gathered at our church which is at a pivotal point, a crossroads in the town.  The people chosen to carry the torch were specially selected for a variety of reasons and come from a different walks of life.  At church we were busy preparing refreshments for the crowds afterwards which gave us a wonderful opportunity to witness.  I know I say it all the time, but our worship was simply amazing, His presence was just felt by all.

Our pastor said something that really captured the essence of our walk with the Lord.  He talked about the fact that the Olympic torch is carried for a short period of time by several individuals, but we are meant to carry and keep our flame of salvation burning until we meet Him face to face. Like the Olympic flame our flame has to weather the storms of life.  We have to work hard to keep our flame burning in order to stand a chance of finishing the race.  Like the torch bearers we are a chosen few As the song says;

Father of creation, unfold your sovereign plan
Raise up a chosen generation
That will march through the land
All of creation is longing
For your unveiling of power
Would you release your anointing
Oh God let this be the hour

Let your glory fall in this room
Let it go forth from here to the nations
Let your fragrance rest in this place
As we gather to seek your face




Thank you Lord today (day 195) for using an event such as today's to remind us to not let our flame (that was born our of our salvation) extinguish.