Above the streetlights...

There are times we all feel,

a little under the weather

consumed by the everyday-ness, of life

But consume you it will -

devour all your heart's wishes and hopes,

If for a time we don't stop, look up,

above the streetlights,

to see our Rescuer.

So special are the days made of rainbows,

Reminding us of His promise,

and blowing our minds,

that there He is-

Today!

Shell xx

Genisis 9:13-16

¹³ "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Sometimes Winter can be

deliciously dreary.

Feel you cannot make the days count

Wish you could skate away-

on a Joni Mitchell song.

Feel you've hit a brick wall.

Realise you're craving sunlight

- a brisk walk...

Realise you're focussing too closely

thinking too locally,

not sharing enough

of those thoughts with your God.

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God...

Songsmith xx

Reading, and doing it!

I love my NLT (New Living Translation) Study Bible.  Apart from the fact that it's a really cool leather bound book with gold paper edging(!) and that it contains the word of God; the study notes are something really special that I want to share with you.  As you read the Bible, readin the notes are like having a wise companion to help you understand the relevance of God's word today, right now.  How can I be better?  Read it, and because I believe, just do it!  Love more, give more and grow more...  These are some of of the things getting me inspired today...

James 4:14

How do you know what you life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone.

The study note says:

"Life is short no matter how many years we live.  Don't be deceived into thinking that you have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy your loved ones, or to do what you know you should.  Live for God today!  Then, no matter when you life ends, you will have fulfilled God's plan for you."

James 4:17

Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not to do it.

Study Note:

"We tend to think that doing wrong is sin.  But James tells us that sin is also not doing right.  (These two kinds of sin are sometimes called sins of commission and sins of omission).  It is a sin to lie; it is also a sin to avoid that person when you know he or she needs your friendship.  You should be willing to help as the Holy Spirit guides you.  If God has directed you to do a kind of act, to render a service, or to restore a relationship, do it.  You will experience a renewed vitality to your Christian faith."

I hope I have tempted you to have a ponder...

Farewell for today, and hopes for a tomorrow to be better in!

Shell xx

Stop. Look. Listen!

For some reason it's been an insanely busy for several days...  I have been gardening, grocery shopping, cooking, changing nappies, getting my little 12 inch G4 Mac computer ready to give to the newlyweds, making controversial status updates on my Facebook page(!), preparing for our road trip in less than a week, and countless other tasks and projects.  

The point of this listing my activities is not because I think anybody cares to read about my busyness, but only to make the point that I try to remember to stop.  

And look out the window.

And listen to a world outside of me.

And read a little of my Bible....

This was read on Sunday at family home church.  From James 3.  It is pointed and true, and wonderful, and right.  I wanted so to share it here with you.

Controlling the Tongue -

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church for we who teach will be judged more strictly.  Indeed, we all make many mistakes.  For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in it's mouth.  And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.  In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And the tongue is a flame of fire.  It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.  It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.  It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.  Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!  Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh and bitter water?  Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs?  No, you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring.

Shell xx

Love is the greatest

From our wedding in 1996

Jamie's parents Maurice and Maureen (the best parents ever!)

My favourite poem about love is from the bible;

Love is the greatest

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not boastful or proud, or rude,

It does not demand it's own way.

It is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice,

But rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith,

Is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages,

And special knowledge will become useless.

But love will last forever!

Now, our knowledge is partial and incomplete,

And even the gift of prophesy reveals only part of the picture...

But when full understanding comes,

The partial things become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought

and reasoned as a child.

But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

Now I see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror,

But then, will see everything with perfect clarity.

All that I know now is partial and incomplete,

But then, I will know everything completely,

Just as God knows me completely.

Three things will last forever;

Faith, hope and love.

And the greatest of these, is love.

1 Corinthians 4-13

Shell xx