Dudes, going with the colloquial language tonight.
Today I was talking on the phone about God's favour. About being obedient to God even when others don't approve of what you're doing or don't understand or get misconceptions of you....
I was perceived to be lazy in not finding a job, but God's been teaching me over the last year that there were more important things to focus on and that jobs aren't the be all and end all.. and now exactly when God determined that I should work, I have a job and a great one at that where I'm happy doing what I love. God even catered for what I love in so much detail, because I so love doing a range of different things in a job so it isn't repetitive and too much routine and this job is one where I'm in so many places all the time and flexible and everything! it's just so amazing what happens when you are available to God.
I know that God's favour is on me right now. I know it because even though I've only had my job for about 5 days, my boss is already calling me and offering me longer shifts which is more money. My boss is also swapping shifts around so I can do shifts that I want to do.
And I know that the only reason this is all happening is because I listened to God! I stood up and said here I am Lord, use me. Take my life, I am yours!
I guess what I'm trying to say in this post is basically summed up in this:
when God comes calling for you, don't hide from him. Don't procrastinate, don't make excuses, don't run away... You don't have to be scared, God has your best at heart and loves you dearly, so if He asks you to do something, you can be sure that He'll go before you and also be your rear guard. You can be sure He'll be there on his white horse to pick you up if you fall and he'll have such a huge cheering squad lined up for you, cheering you on as you run the race of life! Trust God and love all over him! He soooo wants that. And be available to him. Be in a position to walk through the doors he opens for you because there's an amazing reward waiting for you and God so longs to see you get that reward. If you would commit to live for God no matter what; dare to put your reputation on the line, He will give you favour because he is your father and loves to boast about his children!
Let me tell you, this favour of God thing is awesome! I so hope it catches on fast!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Thinking big means thinking small (at times)
Following on from last night's conversation, I thought I'd write something here for other people to read because I feel its relevant at this point in time.
I often say, don't put God in a box. But that's hard to avoid. we are, after all, human. Imperfections and all. but there are things to remember that let God out of the box and this is one of them.
I keep thinking about the example of trees... when people planted the seeds that would become trees, I imagine they would have envisioned the trees fully grown. Not merely the seeds. you see, the other way they could do it is get a fully grown tree and uproot it from its original foundations and replant it in the desired location, but if that were to happen, there are many other complications involved............ so in this way, thinking big didn't involve doing big things, but simply having a vision of what would become.
am I making sense here?
And so, I was talking on the phone last night about this whole idea of thinking small to think big... and its all about developing an idea fully I guess, sort of like watching a child grow up. they start of small, and blossum (we hope) into someone willing to make a difference in the world.
Don't put God in a box by limiting your thoughts. constantly expand your acceptance of different ideas. I know, easier said than done, but if you aren't afraid of what God has in store for you, it will come naturally. ha!
Well I hope that little bit of stream of consciousness stuff helped and made sense to some extent!
I often say, don't put God in a box. But that's hard to avoid. we are, after all, human. Imperfections and all. but there are things to remember that let God out of the box and this is one of them.
I keep thinking about the example of trees... when people planted the seeds that would become trees, I imagine they would have envisioned the trees fully grown. Not merely the seeds. you see, the other way they could do it is get a fully grown tree and uproot it from its original foundations and replant it in the desired location, but if that were to happen, there are many other complications involved............ so in this way, thinking big didn't involve doing big things, but simply having a vision of what would become.
am I making sense here?
And so, I was talking on the phone last night about this whole idea of thinking small to think big... and its all about developing an idea fully I guess, sort of like watching a child grow up. they start of small, and blossum (we hope) into someone willing to make a difference in the world.
Don't put God in a box by limiting your thoughts. constantly expand your acceptance of different ideas. I know, easier said than done, but if you aren't afraid of what God has in store for you, it will come naturally. ha!
Well I hope that little bit of stream of consciousness stuff helped and made sense to some extent!
Monday, October 10, 2005
The Wilderness...
So I pulled out this verse from Nehemiah right, out of nowhere and it very much reminds me of that Deut passage (I think?) but its no random thing that I found it.
Nehemiah is this dude talking to God basically about how faithful He has been to Israel, even though they haven't been always.
"But in your great mercy you did not abandom them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them bread from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing in all that time. their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!"
Nehemiah 9:19-21
I've been kind of feeling lately that I'm in the wilderness. But not in a negative sense. I think its more of the way Nehemiah talks about it in this passage from what I get... This whole sense that it was a time of learning a time where, for all intensive purposes, Israel was in the middle of nowhere on their way to an unknown destination. Yet, God did not leave them. He still led them by day and night. He taught them, he fed them, he ensured that they were looked after and the clothes they were wearing were still in good condition by the end! I think that the wilderness, in this sense, was somewhere you want to be....
And the more I think about it, I see that all this top stuff happens in the wilderness... Jesus fasting and praying before beginning his ministry, Job being tested in the wilderness, all the stuff with moses... you know?
And I think Satan knows that this is where God gets down to business, this is where He raises those top warriors, and that's why he is always there, waiting for you, trying to tempt you or place doubts in your mind... but the wilderness is hardcore.
It's tough with all the spiritual attacks while being in the wilderness (or anywhere else for that matter) but God has proved in the past that he is EVEN there. And that he will clothe and feed.
It's time to meet God in that place. Time to get down to business.
Nehemiah is this dude talking to God basically about how faithful He has been to Israel, even though they haven't been always.
"But in your great mercy you did not abandom them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them bread from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing in all that time. their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!"
Nehemiah 9:19-21
I've been kind of feeling lately that I'm in the wilderness. But not in a negative sense. I think its more of the way Nehemiah talks about it in this passage from what I get... This whole sense that it was a time of learning a time where, for all intensive purposes, Israel was in the middle of nowhere on their way to an unknown destination. Yet, God did not leave them. He still led them by day and night. He taught them, he fed them, he ensured that they were looked after and the clothes they were wearing were still in good condition by the end! I think that the wilderness, in this sense, was somewhere you want to be....
And the more I think about it, I see that all this top stuff happens in the wilderness... Jesus fasting and praying before beginning his ministry, Job being tested in the wilderness, all the stuff with moses... you know?
And I think Satan knows that this is where God gets down to business, this is where He raises those top warriors, and that's why he is always there, waiting for you, trying to tempt you or place doubts in your mind... but the wilderness is hardcore.
It's tough with all the spiritual attacks while being in the wilderness (or anywhere else for that matter) but God has proved in the past that he is EVEN there. And that he will clothe and feed.
It's time to meet God in that place. Time to get down to business.
Monday, September 26, 2005
backcourt training.
Back court training
nobody sees
you're working your heart out
for an audience of trees
and nobody knows
not a clue where you go
you're just out there on your own
you're up with the sunrise
frost still on the lawn
you're beating your body telling it
Come on! Come on!
And nothing can stop you
not even the rain
you just do it again and again
i wanna be found
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
Cutting back on the pleasures
you've got your eyes on the prize
you've traded in laziness
for a disciplined life
and all those things that you wanted
the things sacrificed
are now far far out of your mind
theres a lack of applause
a lack of affection
but you've overcome the loneliness
with purpose and direction
you dont need anything else
when you're serving The Man
cause He's got you in his hand
i wanna be found
back court training – you're always out there slogging away (echo)
back court training – you're focused you're not giving this away
back court training – you're making the most of each and every day
back court training – let me hear you say:
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
back court training – wo oh oh oh
look at Joseph in jail
Paul in prison
and God before the beginning of time
Moses in Midian
David out shepherding
even Esther in the bath
and Noah building the ark
the most important things they done
was when they were all alone
in preparation
for the great great things to come
timadams2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
a timely reminder
I read this post on another blog today and was reminded of something that God talked to me about a while ago... check it out and see if God speaks to you through it too...
http://joshharrisblogson.blogspot.com/2005/08/time-to-cheat-my-blog.html
http://joshharrisblogson.blogspot.com/2005/08/time-to-cheat-my-blog.html
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Over the past few months, I've often thought to myself, all through my life, there's been this trend of getting at least one thing/discipline/etc downpat at any one time.... but then somehow, I've lost the plot, lost focus for a moment in time and after I fall down, or not even really fall, just take my eye of the mark for a sec, I've not picked up where I've left off and instead taken the harder route by learning something else from scratch... all the while, because I haven't kept the momentum going, it's been that much more difficult...
And I've been thinkin, what would happen if I could pick up all of the stuff: the disciplines etc that I've put down in the past and run with all of them?!
And then there's been this progression to going, "hang on! I can." God's given me this incredible capacity to be able to recall things, to remember everything like people remember how to ride a bike... you know? like, once you've learnt and gotten it downpat, you never forget how to do it, even though you might not ride a bike for years and years, it's like you start riding again and you automatically KNOW how....
So there's really no excuse for me not to do it... And I just so feel that until I'm there, God's not going to do something else, because He doesn't want to make life purposfully harder than it should be. He doesn't want to overload and overwhelm me with so much stuff that I feel hopeless. He wants to equip me. He knows how I learn best. He created me! So of course He knows better than anyone else! And so He just teaches me the way He knows I will listen. Instead of just hearing Him... I will hear from Him.
Check this!
Ps. 119:41-48 (The Message)
Let Your love, God, shape my life
With salvation, exactly as You promised;
Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery
Because I trusted Your Word.
Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever -
Your commandments are what I depend on.
Oh, I'll guard with my life what You've revealed to me,
Guard it now, guard it ever;
And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces
As I look for Your truth and Your wisdom,
Then I'll tell the world what I find,
Speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
I cherish Your commandments - oh, how I love them! -
Relishing every fragment of Your counsel.
That's so exactly how I feel!!!
And I've been thinkin, what would happen if I could pick up all of the stuff: the disciplines etc that I've put down in the past and run with all of them?!
And then there's been this progression to going, "hang on! I can." God's given me this incredible capacity to be able to recall things, to remember everything like people remember how to ride a bike... you know? like, once you've learnt and gotten it downpat, you never forget how to do it, even though you might not ride a bike for years and years, it's like you start riding again and you automatically KNOW how....
So there's really no excuse for me not to do it... And I just so feel that until I'm there, God's not going to do something else, because He doesn't want to make life purposfully harder than it should be. He doesn't want to overload and overwhelm me with so much stuff that I feel hopeless. He wants to equip me. He knows how I learn best. He created me! So of course He knows better than anyone else! And so He just teaches me the way He knows I will listen. Instead of just hearing Him... I will hear from Him.
Check this!
Ps. 119:41-48 (The Message)
Let Your love, God, shape my life
With salvation, exactly as You promised;
Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery
Because I trusted Your Word.
Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever -
Your commandments are what I depend on.
Oh, I'll guard with my life what You've revealed to me,
Guard it now, guard it ever;
And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces
As I look for Your truth and Your wisdom,
Then I'll tell the world what I find,
Speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
I cherish Your commandments - oh, how I love them! -
Relishing every fragment of Your counsel.
That's so exactly how I feel!!!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
So anyways, the other night I went to bed really early for a "nap"...... what was a nap turned into the night's sleep! lol. and I woke up at around 3am, hungry and stuff and pretty much wide awake.
Well..... as it turns out, I turned the tv on while I was eating for some reason (even though I knew nothing would be on (c'mon! it was like 3am in the morning! infomercial time!))
What was on tv? This infomercial for a guy named Anthony Robbins and his promotional tapes called "Get The Edge". Turns out that what was bein said, however lame infomercials are, was actually making sense and reinforcing things that God's taught me over the last while.This guy was talking about how you should never "settle" for second best. That you should take action and keep taking action over and over and it will become easier to take action!
So here's this guy basically outlining the stuff I've learnt over the last few months and I don't know whether he's a Christian or not, but he's teaching Christian principles and the kewlest thing is that people listen because he's motivational. That they actually take notice of these Godly principles. Not because it's under a "christian" banner, coz it's not, but just because it actually works and makes sense!
And I got thinking, "wow, people who don't know Jesus are getting into this stuff..... living the life I've been learning about and livin." and the best thing is not only am I livin the life being talked about, but I have Jesus as well!
it's pretty good to know that universally, people are starting to realise that living life motivated and charging is where it's at. that it's healthier and everything. it's pretty good that it's not just Christians, but it's these higher standards of living as well.
got me thinkin bout people like mikey :) his "life day" concept. And yeah, I think that's well and good, but it's the living day to day that matters. lists. lists are good :)
and then people like timmy who are already living the life and other people know it just by seeing. and that's really kewl.
I love that I didn't have to watch that infomercial to know that's how I should live my life. I love that I was already doing it (on the cutting, redefining edge of livin).
Actually, I love that about what God's been doing for the past year. Showing me that I'm "on the edge"... doin stuff "right" (for lack of a better word).
the other thing I'm lovin is that God's showing me that a year ago I was so far from where I am today. and to think for a while I was satisfied with where I was at... but it's a testament to what God can do... and how much you can learn and just get out and do if you have the desire to step out (or even sometimes, in spite of your lack of desire). I love that God's taken me from that "ditch" and I have really built that bridge and walked right over it! it's so good!!! and even though sometimes I start to wander back over that bridge back to where I was (I have no idea why)... God's placed people and things in my life so that I turn around again and leave that place behind!!!
did I mention?
I LOVE JESUS!!!
I wanted to take this time out to say that this last year has been, I think, the turning point of my life. I mean, other than becoming a Christian and accepting Jesus, in the last year I've made the decision to actually LIVE the life God's given me. To step out day after day and enjoy relationship with Jesus, getting to know him more and more intimately!
THANKS GOD FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
I'm really into Bec St James music atm. There's this one song I can't go past... here's some of the words...
Go & Sin no More.
I’ve sinned come on my knees
For I’m not worthy of Your love
How could You die for me such grace
Could only come from God
Oh Lord, You search and You know me
You see me inside out
God, You alone can forgive me
Erase my fear and my doubt
Father You pick me up I feel like a child in Your arms
I don’t deserve this love but, I hear Your voice Lord Jesus
Go & sin no more
He said, “I will not condemn you, I’ll forgive and I’ll forget it all”
Go & sin no more
“My child let me remind you it is I who’ll lead and guide you as you go.”
You are my purpose You are the reason that I live
I want to be like You, Help me to love and to forgive
God let me not be distracted, Lord help me focus on You
Keep sin from ruling my life, Lord make me holy and pure
Father You pick me up I feel like a child in Your arms
I don’t deserve this love but, I hear Your voice Lord Jesus
I’ve sinned come on my knees how could You die for me
You search my heart, know my thoughts
See me inside out and all throughout me
You alone can forgive me
You always pick me up like a child in Your arms
I could stay with You forever here
that one line just stands out to me. His love is like a dad's to his child... I've known it for soo long, but only recently has the impact been realised again.
Go & Sin no More.
I’ve sinned come on my knees
For I’m not worthy of Your love
How could You die for me such grace
Could only come from God
Oh Lord, You search and You know me
You see me inside out
God, You alone can forgive me
Erase my fear and my doubt
Father You pick me up I feel like a child in Your arms
I don’t deserve this love but, I hear Your voice Lord Jesus
Go & sin no more
He said, “I will not condemn you, I’ll forgive and I’ll forget it all”
Go & sin no more
“My child let me remind you it is I who’ll lead and guide you as you go.”
You are my purpose You are the reason that I live
I want to be like You, Help me to love and to forgive
God let me not be distracted, Lord help me focus on You
Keep sin from ruling my life, Lord make me holy and pure
Father You pick me up I feel like a child in Your arms
I don’t deserve this love but, I hear Your voice Lord Jesus
I’ve sinned come on my knees how could You die for me
You search my heart, know my thoughts
See me inside out and all throughout me
You alone can forgive me
You always pick me up like a child in Your arms
I could stay with You forever here
that one line just stands out to me. His love is like a dad's to his child... I've known it for soo long, but only recently has the impact been realised again.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Following on from last night...
Here's what Joyce says...
"Are you doing what I used to do? Are you so busy trying to figure out the future that in the process you are becoming more and more confused? If so, you are getting the same result from reasoning beyond the point of sensible planning that everyone else gets - confusion! If you will make a decision to trust God and wait on Him, He will give you discernment - He will give you spiritual understanding. Discernment - He will give you spiritual understanding. Discernment comes to us in a supernatural way apart from what we know in the natural.
Sometimes we say, "I don't know what it is, but I just feel this is what I am supposed to do, or not supposed to do." What we feel right about in our hearts is usually more correct than what our thoughts tell us, unless the two agree. Be sure you feel peaceful inside about your decisions...
You can learn to live by wisdom in every area of your life. You don't have to live by just doing what everyone else thinks you should do. You can hear from God, be led by His Spirit and make quality decisions that will lead to a greater future.
The major think that blocks discernment is using our own reasoning to try to get by logic answers what God is trying to give us through discernment. Settle down, be patient and start trusting God to lead you into the future He has already planned and prepared for you...
When we speak of addictions, we usually think only of drugs or alcohol, but there are mental and emotional addictions as well...
I remember having withdrawal symptoms (when I finally learned to stop wasting my time trying to figure out things that God wa not ready to show me) like a person might have when withdrawing from a substance addiction. The only difference was that my withdrawal symptons were in the emotional realm instead of the physical realm.
I can remember how hard it was for me to refuse to think about all the things in the future to which I do not have answers...
My mind was whirling with activity... all day long and far into the night. I had such a habit of doing it that I was actually bored when I first began changing. I did not know what to do with my mind. I have since learned that I can think about things like how good God has been to me and what I can do to bless someone else..."
I was reading this and going, "You're speaking to me!" But how clear is the advice? Think about other stuff instead. be productive.
Here's what Joyce says...
"Are you doing what I used to do? Are you so busy trying to figure out the future that in the process you are becoming more and more confused? If so, you are getting the same result from reasoning beyond the point of sensible planning that everyone else gets - confusion! If you will make a decision to trust God and wait on Him, He will give you discernment - He will give you spiritual understanding. Discernment - He will give you spiritual understanding. Discernment comes to us in a supernatural way apart from what we know in the natural.
Sometimes we say, "I don't know what it is, but I just feel this is what I am supposed to do, or not supposed to do." What we feel right about in our hearts is usually more correct than what our thoughts tell us, unless the two agree. Be sure you feel peaceful inside about your decisions...
You can learn to live by wisdom in every area of your life. You don't have to live by just doing what everyone else thinks you should do. You can hear from God, be led by His Spirit and make quality decisions that will lead to a greater future.
The major think that blocks discernment is using our own reasoning to try to get by logic answers what God is trying to give us through discernment. Settle down, be patient and start trusting God to lead you into the future He has already planned and prepared for you...
When we speak of addictions, we usually think only of drugs or alcohol, but there are mental and emotional addictions as well...
I remember having withdrawal symptoms (when I finally learned to stop wasting my time trying to figure out things that God wa not ready to show me) like a person might have when withdrawing from a substance addiction. The only difference was that my withdrawal symptons were in the emotional realm instead of the physical realm.
I can remember how hard it was for me to refuse to think about all the things in the future to which I do not have answers...
My mind was whirling with activity... all day long and far into the night. I had such a habit of doing it that I was actually bored when I first began changing. I did not know what to do with my mind. I have since learned that I can think about things like how good God has been to me and what I can do to bless someone else..."
I was reading this and going, "You're speaking to me!" But how clear is the advice? Think about other stuff instead. be productive.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Don't need to be a "know-it-all"
I my reading time today, I read "Teenagers are people too" by Joyce Meyer. A few things stood out to me which I wanted to share.
Check this out, it's joyce meyer speaking...
"Then God began dealing with me about the call on my life and about preparing for it. I kept trying to do that but never seemed to have enough time. Finally, I went to a part-time job even though I knew in my heart that God wanted me to quit working entirely and trust Him and my husband to take care of me.
Since I was only doing part of what God was telling me to do, I was out of God's will. I got fired! I was accused of doing some things that I definitely did not do. Actually, the whole thing was ridiculous, but then things can easily get that way if we are not being totally obedient to God...
Proverbs 3 says we should trust God with all of our heart...and lean not on our own understanding, promising that He will direct our steps if we acknowledge Him. This means that we must stop trying to figure out things we can't figure out, worrying and being anxious about them. That includes our future...
For many years, I was addicted to excessive reasoning, and that addiction was causing me to live a tormented life...
I was always one step ahead of my life mentally, trying to plan out the next thing. In this way I felt I had control of what was going to happen to me. I though that was the only way to prevent people from hurting me....
The only thing I accomplished was wasting a lot of time with all my reasoning and figuring."
Now that's a description of me. that's how I have felt. and I've been thinking about this "overthinking" thing and realising that it does waste so much time - time better spent doing something productive. there's a reason that I don't know some things, and one day I might know things I want to know now, but it doesn't help anyone for me to overanalyse situations. I have to see things for what they are here and now. I don't need to know everything. I don't have to have all the answers. It's ok to learn "on-the-job".
Check this out, it's joyce meyer speaking...
"Then God began dealing with me about the call on my life and about preparing for it. I kept trying to do that but never seemed to have enough time. Finally, I went to a part-time job even though I knew in my heart that God wanted me to quit working entirely and trust Him and my husband to take care of me.
Since I was only doing part of what God was telling me to do, I was out of God's will. I got fired! I was accused of doing some things that I definitely did not do. Actually, the whole thing was ridiculous, but then things can easily get that way if we are not being totally obedient to God...
Proverbs 3 says we should trust God with all of our heart...and lean not on our own understanding, promising that He will direct our steps if we acknowledge Him. This means that we must stop trying to figure out things we can't figure out, worrying and being anxious about them. That includes our future...
For many years, I was addicted to excessive reasoning, and that addiction was causing me to live a tormented life...
I was always one step ahead of my life mentally, trying to plan out the next thing. In this way I felt I had control of what was going to happen to me. I though that was the only way to prevent people from hurting me....
The only thing I accomplished was wasting a lot of time with all my reasoning and figuring."
Now that's a description of me. that's how I have felt. and I've been thinking about this "overthinking" thing and realising that it does waste so much time - time better spent doing something productive. there's a reason that I don't know some things, and one day I might know things I want to know now, but it doesn't help anyone for me to overanalyse situations. I have to see things for what they are here and now. I don't need to know everything. I don't have to have all the answers. It's ok to learn "on-the-job".
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