Cast our responsibilities onto Him?

Well this is the first time for a while that my blog is more quote than a development of an idea from me inspired by a quote. Never mind, the quotes are good, so it can be my mission to draw them to your attention!

Anyway, the (7 steps to) Freedom in Christ book made a point that claimed my attention a few week ago: That God promises to take all our cares if we cast them upon him (1 Peter 5 v 7) but he won't take our responsibilities; those things he asks us to do ourselves (forgive ... bear with each other... ) We need to be living responsibly, according to His clear guidance (and with His help).

Well I've just started in a prayer triplet & I'm scared! These girls are people I can really be myself with, and in our first get together God already prompted me to confess a wrong attitude towards somebody I reacted badly to, and then one of my friends wondered if I needed to speak to the person ... which made me face the possibility that's God telling me that.

Thank goodness that our God is such a kind God and he doesn't test us unreasonably... he's not going to withhold some blessing and then say 'aha you didn't guess that I wanted you to do such & such ... so you don't get such & such'...! No, we all know when God is speaking to us about some action we need to take - whether he needs to tell you through a given 'word' or an awareness in your spirit (e.g. when you're praying). He will guide us; but we need to follow.

Psalm 119:105 'your word is a lamp unto my feet...'
Isaiah 30:21 'And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it...'

The study I was doing on Genesis chapter 24 points out "God's guidance is the major theme in this account. But neither Abraham not the servant abdicated their responsibilities. Abraham did not just wait for a suitable bride for Isaac to arrive. He organised a hugely expensive expedition and sent his most trusted servant. The servant obeyed Abraham's instructions implicitly & prayed for a wife who would demonstrate kindness, hospitality, hardwork, modestly & humility. God had already chosen Rebekah. He overruled every circumstance to ensure her marriage to Isaac. But he worked through the active, intelligent, prayerful obedience of Abraham and his servant. In all our decisions whether large of small, we are to be obedient to God's revealed will as found in His word". (Sharon James)

We need to pray for guidance ... act in faith .... and God will provide.

Sodom or Salem: To trust or fear?

God is such a God of second chances, isn't he? Or 3rd, 6th, 10, 100th chances! The bible clearly says "without faith it's impossible to please God" - and we know that we are saved by repentance and faith in Jesus as His risen son. Yet we all lack faith in some way at some time. But no matter how faithless we are, God is always true to His word and His promises. The bible shows this time & time again. Peter's denial, in that moment of fear & panic he failed to trust God as we all do at times in our lives, despite everything that had happened and been said. But would we have done the same as Peter? Probably. Peter got a second chance to honour God (and took it). And God gives us so many second chances. He is so gracious.

A bible study I've been doing (much to intermittently I'm afraid) is working through the Pentateuch. It's been revelatory; a true example of how many little nuggets of gold there are to be found in God's word.

Abram failed to trust God at times in his life, but God still kept His part of the covenant agreement. Before the covenant agreement, God had made a promise to to Abram in Genesis 12 :that "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing ... & through you all people's on earth will be blessed" Yet Abram took matters into his own hands as soon as he entered Egypt, afraid of a threat to his life if someone laid claim her, he pretended that his beautiful wife was his sister.

As we know, thinking Sarai was Abram's brother, Pharaoh gave Abram gifts in exchange for her. Abram had not only failed to trust God - in so doing he had gone the way of the world; lying. And if God hadn't stepped in to prevent Pharaoh sleeping with Sarai, God's plan to raise up a nation through Abram would have been endangered. God intervened. Abram's failure of faith would not be allowed to compromise the divine promise.
Abram nearly risked 'the things that are unseen' for fears & rewards of things seen. But God was still faithful & delivered them - & allowed them to profit materially from this incident (although we can see how the wealth and extra possessions brought trouble between himself & Lot later on). And he gave Abram more chances. If you look at the fiasco that was the 'Egyptian story' - with Pharoah & his court being punished, in effect, for Abram's deception, it's quite amazing to think that God still had Abram in mind to be the one who was 'made righteous by faith'!

People now may be in a circumstance whereby it seems hard to trust God. Or maybe the 'easier' - more obvious, even common-sense option, will bring good things now. Maybe a last - chance at marriage and babies with the non-Christian boyfriend... maybe that job offer that will take you away from your family more .... maybe that lie to maintain popularity at work...?

The next chapters of Genesis shows how Abram later had plenty of opportunities to trust God; but he still didn't always; see chapter 20 of Genesis, Abraham did exactly the same lie again. Yet we see that he was showered with blessings throughout his life.

But we see what happened when Abraham did trust God - many times - against all the odds. Crucially trusting God's promise in Genesis 15 of course led to his being made 'righteous by faith'. Many times Abraham was given the chance to act in faith & obedience - & took it. For example, to change his name to Abraham (father of many) although he was 99 and had no children. In the next chapter we see straightaway how Abram trusted God to provide & honoured him with his actions; after rescuing Lot - the King of Sodom offered great wealth; while the King of Salem (aka High Priest Melchizideck) offered Abram a blessing that reminded of God's sovereignty (Genesis 14 v 19 - 20) Abram could have said the plunder was from God. But he turned it down and took the blessing. If Abram had taken the wealth offered it would have "compromised the truth that God, not man, had given the victory & the blessing".

Are we trusting God to provide for us or are we plunging down a road that we think will give us what we want, afraid that God will not be faithful to us as He has promised?


Let's make sure our testimonies are not "compromised". Is there some road we could take take veers from the road we are walking with God; even some sin that we could rationalise as being "from God" as Abram rationalised his deception to Pharoah? Do you really trust God to provide, or sort out the situation, to lead you the right way? Do you trust Him to bless you as he has promised? Or will fear lead you to compromise?


Remember it is God who promises and - unlike us - remains faithful. Yet faithful though He is to his promises & His word, he gives us so many second chances to trust him again. Praise God!

Words don't come easy?

Being able to manage 4 Saturday shifts in my second/intermittent job last month (with the help of a week off from my main one!) is so exciting for me. Isn't it often the way, that it's not until we look back that we can see just how much God has done in our lives? That I can manage such a socially demanding full time job really feels such a miracle for me, let alone a second job at weekends as well. (Although, I use the word 'work' lightly for some of these shifts, as they're Saturdays & I'm the extra 'relief' staff member.)

I've realised how much I enjoy the interaction, not just with the people who live in the homes, of whom I am becoming really fond, but also the other staff, many of whom I know quite well now; each time I do a shift I'll be with someone different and it's really nice.

However, a recent shift highlighted how even slower I am to improve in my character while my health crawls towards improvement. As soon as I walked in; one of the staff, who I'd never worked with before, practically ignored me throughout the entire shift. How rude! I didn't know another guy either so it was quite weird; but at least he was friendly & inclusive. But don't it make a difference in how you feel, when someone seems to ignore you so completely.

And I found myself reacting by internally criticising the way she worked with the service users & biting my tongue not to verbalise it, by contradicting her for example. I realised my attitude towards her stemmed from her attitude towards me. As the my other colleague said (talking about a service user) 'being ignored is so aggravating, it makes me just want to go up to the person & shake them'. It's so true! But it doesn't justify fostering a bad attitude towards them which will inevitably spill out in words that shouldn't be said. (This story does have a happy ending by the way; she gave me a friendly smile at when I said goodbye; and all was restored!)

But it made me think about how some people react differently to the way we behave towards them, depending on how secure they are, their background maybe, their present circumstances. Some feel like me & others probably wouldn't have cared. But we should still approach everyone with the same attitude that we would like to receive from others. And - an even better indication - with the clear guidelines we are given in the bible.

This is a key verse for me: 'Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak & slow to become angry'. (James 1 v 19)

I can be so quick to react in anger sometimes. When using the word angry it can, of course, encompass various shades, it doesn't have to be extreme, an irritation is a form of still anger I think. Anger manifests itself in different ways. And being ignored might trigger it ... but negative words ... now they can sure sting & linger, can't they! And it's so easy to speak them; reactively in some way, or defensively - may be just as damaging as planned unkind words; I am guilty of the former, not the latter. But are they equally bad in God's eyes? That verse would indicate that.

The power of words for good, on the other hand' is huge, isn't it? The fact that one of the names for Jesus is the 'word' of God shows just how much. And I can be SO built up by a few kinds words from someone, it's just ridiculous! As much as I will struggle with being ignored or spoken to negatively-not-in-love - some encouraging words from someone can really heal.

Acts 20 v 2 shows Paul speaking 'words of encouragement' to the people
This passage in Colossians :I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Paul's emphasis on people being encouraged at heart is the positive side of the power of words, which, on the flip side, can deceive in 'fine sounding arguments'

or chapter 3 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.

Not lying, but speaking the truth in love ... not using filthy language...encouraging ...countering deceitful teaching & spreading the power of the gospel - all dependent on words.

Let's make sure that words don't come easy - unless we know they are spoken in love, to 'build each other up' and are based on the truth that we know from God's words in the bible. That can definitely still be a challenge for me. And our helper with this? The Word of God, Jesus.

A disappointed God?

Is God ever disappointed in us, his children? No. How can he be ... when he knows before we do something or think something, what it's going to be?

How many of us assume, without sometimes even articulating to ourselves, that something is true. The idea that God isn't disappointed in us was a new idea to me only a year ago or so in small group; I realised I'd really made an assumption that He must be sometimes, when I failed.
In my current small group last week we were really encouraged by the idea that God can't be disappointed in us. Because not only does he know what we're going to do anyway - he also sees us through Jesus. Isn't that amazing? To love us enough to sacrifice his son. And then to see us as righteous because of the obedience of his son, through our faith and repentence; no matter how often we 'fail'.

So many people struggle with the idea of God being a disappointed or of a stern, maybe disapproving, Father. When in truth the bible gives us another picture altogether.....

"I have loved you with an everlasting love" - Jeremiah 31 v 3
"You are precious & honoured in my sight & I love you... I will give men in exchange for your life" (Isaiah 43) amazing to think that means His son as well
Adopted into God's family (Ephesians 1 v 5)
We have been brought with a price (Corinthians 6 v 20)
He redeems our life from the pit (Psalm 103 v 4)

So much of the time the enemy has a field day with praying on our guilt or fears. And the only way to counter this? by keeping close to God in prayer and bible study; meditating on his word and praising him (even when this doesn't come easily; Hebrews 13 v 5).

I love teaching the piano to my one pupil (!) I get so into her progress, when she's been struggling with a piece or she's learning a new one, I'll catch myself leaning forward & willing her to get it right. I get so excited when I see evidence of her progress. And after the lesson last week I had such a clear picture of how this is like God's concern for us; intent & interested in our progress & willing us on. I realised there were a few ways that my experience with my pupil can be a reminder of our walk with God.

She does so much better when we have a regular lesson every week. In between these lessons she practises more and the improvement that I see spurs her on to keep practising.
In the same way, regular time with God totally keeps us motivated and growing more than those times we're not looking to him as much

We go at her own pace. She had a period when she wanted to give it up, but we decided that if I went slowly and didn't push her much for a while it might be better. Now she's getting to a point where she's ready to be pushed and start progressing more.
God is sovereign but He is also gentle & patient with us and lets us get there in our own time; he won't reveal something to us, or move forward in an area of inner healing, until we are ready. I have totally seen this in my own walk

Sometimes it can seem really hard... the other day she was trying this harder piece which kind of combines all the things she's been learning and moves her on in quite a big leap. So she really thought she wasn't going to get it. And I'm sitting there reassuring her & saying there's no hurry and to keep trying. It does seem at one point that she won't get it, but I know she will. So the following lesson, she'd been practising but it was still not happening ... she kept trying (persevering in a way she's not always in the mood to do); she slowed down the pace without my suggesting it and ... she got it. We were both so excited.
Sometimes we can be going through something really hard and we don't see how we'll make it; but we do, and it turns out to be a big growth spurt and we've moved on significantly. I bet God is well excited when we move on in some way, in understanding; or grace; or we start to persevere more.

She does struggle with not wanting to do it sometimes, would prefer to watch TV or play outside with her friends. And her mum might be soft on her & ask her if she would like to do it. But if I turn up and she's not unwell then I will encourage her to go ahead with it and she's always glad afterwards.
God knows best - and we don't want to bother 'practising' or spending time working at bible study, or prayer etc. when it doesn't come naturally - sometimes he may chivvy us or draw himself to our attention by 'allowing' something we don't want (or seeming to prevent something we do want) because it's better for us to be with Him & for our attention to be focussed on him.

Unlike modern parenting, which often means parents asking children what they want to do ... what do they feel like ... rather than guiding them with the firmness sometimes necessary, God will make sure he disciplines us, if it's necessary to get the best for us. But disciplining us is not punishing us! Jesus took our punishment so we know it can't be that.

That picure I had, of God leaning forward willing us to succeed, ... in the same way as I'm watching Lydia's fingers to see if she's reading the music properly & not taking shortcuts (there's no point in the long run if she's not going to end up knowing how to play properly) ... is He watching to see how much care we're taking at listening to him, that we're reading his will properly (bible verse Romans 12 v 2)? Yes because He wants the very best for us, and He knows that's walking with Him.

Is that a picture of a disappointed, disapproving God?I recently read a quote by some top/renowned (non-Christian) Psychiatrist of the past saying that he thought guilt was at the root of all emotional and psyche problems. But for those who follow Jesus, there is no place for it, that guilt doesn't come from our Father. It was taken on by His only son.

Let's immerse ourselves in God's word love & goodness - through his spirit and his word - and learn to enjoy being loved.

Ch ch ch changes...

Yes I've changed the name. Motivated by a sudden irritation with the 'girl' bit. I'm not a girl but a woman (!) and I'm happy with that. (I won't say a laydee ... that might be taking it tooo far!) I don't think I'd exchange my relationship with God -and first hand knowledge of his goodness, gained over the last 10 years or so - with youth; not any day, and I actually mean that!
And I thought - what can I call it? And that line from the children's song 'Our God is a great big God...' came into my head. And it says it all. He holds me in His hands. My times are in His hands. The world is in His hands. Not only a statement of faith & truth but of war to our enemy who so often tries to fool us that things have gone his way. No way buster, I'm not having it. And those things I've been worrying about - well that's a bit of a stupid waste of time & energy ... because I'm in God's Hands. As an old favourite of mine in Isaiah says 'For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not be afraid I am with you'. Not sure where exactly but it's near this great passage...
Because my God is a great big God - not a dualistic God, fighting for control; but one for whom
"... a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. "
2 Peter 3 v - 9

Anyway; so ... yeh!

(How fitting; that's the first 'proper' blog - i.e. just written without plan or fore-thought - practially since I started. How will this site continue? I don't know. I hope you'll keep reading it to see!)

The Parable of the Dancing God

Well back at work after a nice week off, with plenty of healing times with God, much needed & the explanation for my extreme tiredness I suspect; I practically slept the week away ... much to the dismay of my brother on the day I was supposed to be taking the little girls to the park with him while the others shopped. I did get there in time...for lunch at the pub!

I did use the computer a bit but not much (and very refreshing that was too). I had to go online to cancel my TV license (in light of the no channels situation) although only after much vascillating (talk about the 'double minded' man in James; I'd have beaten him in any double-minded competition!) I decided against the dish on the roof for more channels of mostly-rubbish/repeated TV, even though I can't get Freeview without it. I'm not saying I went on about it...but my sister did threaten to never speak to me again if I so much as breathed the words sky, television or 'phone in her general direction!

Anyway, very next day the 'phone engineer came to install landline & we found a cupboard next to flat opposite, with the connections to the main TV arial for the 4 flats and a big switch ... turned off. So, 4 channels restored at the flick of a switch... and my first call on my landline? To cancel the online cancellation of my TV license.

Anyway, yeh, so back at work but definitely out of blogging mode still, so I'm cheating with this link to a story called Parable of the Dancing God. This is the introduction, and it's very interesting; the story itself shows how the parable of the prodigal son reveals the father heart of God. My colleague forwarded me the link (emailed by her neice who is a Christian). I hope she reads it.

Parable of the Dancing God by C Baxter Kruger (based on the Prodigal Son).

Have you ever met anyone who longed for rejection? I suppose there could be someone somewhere who might wish for such a thing, but I doubt it. The very idea of someone longing to be cut off or spurned or excluded is ludicrous.We all hate rejection. And we hate rejection because it hurts--and hurts in away that few other things can. Think of a 10 year old girl who breaks her armat school and has to be rushed to the hospital. The broken arm certainly hurts,but the Doctors will give her a shot, set it, put a cast on it and she will be fine.In a few days she will go back to school something of a hero--everyone will want to sign her cast. But think of the same girl getting off the bus in tearsbecause her best friend laughed at her and made fun of her in front of others. Her mom tries to console her but somehow a mother’s words of comfort arenot as powerful as a friends words of rejection. And there is no shot to take tonumb this hurt. There is no cast to set a broken heart. More than likely thegirl will spend the afternoon in her room alone and in tears. When she goesback to school she will go as a wounded girl, and that wound will make herafraid and guarded and hesitant. That is what rejection does to us. It changesus. It makes us guarded and tentative, even suspicious, and that drives us intoone form of hiding or another.

But why is it that rejection hurts us so deeply? I suspect that the power ofrejection comes from the way we are wired, so to speak. We are made foracceptance. We are designed so that we come to life when we are accepted.As a fish thrives and flourishes in water, human beings thrive and flourish inacceptance. It is our native environment. We are not much good, andcertainly not happy without it.

The evil one is well aware of the way we are made. He knows whathappens to a fish when it is jerked out of water, and he knows what happens tous when we are “taken out” of acceptance. He is a rejection specialist and hischief strategy is to convince us that we are not acceptable. He has a bag oftricks that he uses on us, some obvious and some more subtle, but by far and away his most pervasive trick is to tamper with our understanding of God.That is the biggy. If he can convince us that God has rejected us, or even that God does not like us or want us, then the game of life is up. We become likethe 10 year old girl sitting alone in her room in tears. When we do venture outof our rooms, we do so as wounded people and that is not a recipe forfellowship and life. It is all very simple. Rejection shuts down our freedom to live.

Of course, Jesus knows all about the power of acceptance. He has lived inthe freedom and joy of the Father’s embrace and untold delight from alleternity. He knows the Father is no legalist and he was appalled and deeplyoffended at the way the so-called religious leaders of his day tarred his Fatherwith their legalist’s brushes. So he set out to change their notion of God--and ours--so that we could all see and know and feel the lavish embrace andacceptance of the Father, and know its freedom and joy to the core of ourbeings, and thus live life.

Luke 15 is Jesus’ most direct attack on wrongheaded thoughts about God.But beware of listening to Jesus. His Father is good and His love ispassionate. To get a glimpse of the truth about God just might kindle afreedom and joy in you that you have only dreamed about.