"What We Do In Life Echoes In Eternity"

New Beginnings

2012-01-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

At the start of a new year it's often good to reflect on the year that has just gone and the one that lies ahead... There has been a distinct ending in some ways and a new page lies blank before you, what will be written on the pages of your life for this year? What do you want to achieve in 2012?

What's to say about 2011... for many it was a challenging year filled with highs and lows... As with any year, there will be many memories... I am thankful for many good memories from the last year, even amidst the difficulties, with good friends and family around to support, encourage and challenge when required, I have made it through another year relatively unscathed.

Having chatted to a few friends in the last few days, travel seems to factor pretty high on the agenda this year for quite a lot of people which is all very exciting but sure enough will provide challenges and new experiences. For me... I am heading to Canada at somepoint to see family, some of whom I've never met before. I can't wait!! I am looking forward to getting out of Scotland for a bit at varying points this year, but that depends on what happens work wise. At the end of 2011, my temp contract for work came to an end which has already proved to be a stressful and less than ideal way to start a new year, but maybe something better lies ahead. Ideally that would become apparent asap!!

Some key things that ideally will happen this year: to spend more quality time spent with friends and family without distraction. To repair some broken relationships and let new ones develop. To let go of the things of the past and move forward.

Hopefully this year will be one where creativity can be pursued in various areas of life... through music and art amongst other things... That joy and laughter will be more apparent this year than the previous one. There is much to look forward to and I wait with great expectation and hope for a great year!!

The Road Of Life

2011-09-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge. Keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.
He was out there, sort of like an important leader - I recognised his picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

Later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike and I noticed that Christ was on the back helping me pedal.

I don't know when it was that He suggested we change places but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable . . . It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.

And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."

-- author unknown

Fear Vs Dreams

2011-09-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

What stops us from dreaming? What holds us back from pursuing our dreams? FEAR... As stated in this picture... Fear of the future, fear of change, fear of people's opinions, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of not being good enough, fear of not achieveing our potential... the list could go on and on!!

Fear prevents us from daring to dream big, with expectancy that things can be different form the way they are. Whilst fears are real and can be rational, they hold us back from our destiny... from dreaming... from making a difference.

T.E Lawrenece put it like this...

"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible."

What a challenge!! Are we prepared to be a radical alternative... to dream for a reality not yet seen? To act upon those dreams and bring them to reality? Or... are we going to be people who let fear hold us captive? This is not to say it will be easy... but it will be worth it!!

Random Wonderings...

2011-08-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts...

"What we focus on we make room for"... What's the focus of your life?... Are you choosing to focus on the things of eternal significance or are you caught up with the concerns of earth? Lift your eyes higher... Look beyond the horizon... Look to the things as yet unseen... As we choose to have a kingdom perspective, we shall see things begin on earth that will 'echo in eternity'.