Thirst

We want to join in with your plan, God.

2010-06-05T19:13:00.001+01:00

It’s that time of the year again, where most students go home, and we start planning for next year. We’re praying about what God wants us to do. What will next year look like– what needs to change on our part?

We want to see God meet the students in Aberdeen.

How is this gonna happen?

We know it’s something God wants too – how would he reach them?

What is it that we can do?

God we are up for however you want to reach the students.

Challenged to not be selfish

2010-04-10T18:05:00.001+01:00

^{Phillipians 2:1}If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶Who, being in very nature God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!
⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

I’m challenged at the moment by the total unselfishness of Jesus.

His humbleness, his unselfishness and yet the immense power that He demonstrated. He surrendered his will to God, and saw God’s will happen.

I want my attitude to be the same as Jesus, I want to let go of my ‘rights’ as a person, my right to my time, my energy, my money, my right to be treated well, I want to let them all go, thinking not about me, but about other people. Learning to be completely unselfish, living for God, loving God and loving people.

Things have changed...

2010-01-23T19:46:00.002Z

Things have changed and this really needs updating...

Reflecting!

2008-05-31T08:58:00.002+01:00

My third year at uni has now come to an end, it's crazy to think that I only have one year left. So no more exams until January and an amazing summer to look forward to, filled with friends, family, God and hopefully some amazing sunshine!
At the last Radiate Big Sunday of the academic year we had a time of sharing what God has done in our life this year, and so I thought I would share my thoughts on here too.

This year I have felt stretched and challenged; particularly at CSM.
(by the way - you should all go!)
The first year at CSM had been so joyful, encountering God and growing in an amazing way. This year was still encountering God, and growing in an amazing way, but was a lot more challenging. It seemed like each time we prayed or had worship, God showed me something that I needed to hand over to him, let him take the hurts and desires so that he could restore and grow me.

I love the fact that God never reveals something to you 'for fun', he always does with the intention of restoring, healing, and showing you his love.

Surrendering my desires to God was difficult, but brought such freedom. More than that, God was incredibly amazing (as always :D ). Once I had truly surrended my desires to him, once I was at the point where, it didn't matter if it ever happended, because as long as I was in God's will that's all I needed - he fulfilled them!

It says in Matt 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We always need to surrender to God. Sometimes the things we surrender are destructive desires, and they will never be desires that God will fulfil, simply because they are not his will for our life. Other times, it's not that God is withholding things from us, but more that we need to put him first in all areas of our life.

The second thing I shared, was being thankful for how much my friends have grown in God this year. It has made my heart smile, seeing people worship him, pray to him, give godly advice.

Something that I didn't share at Big Sunday, was being thankful for Joe. God has blessed me with an awesome husband, and it is always a privilege to share my life with him. He is so supportive and loving, and continually seeks after God. Marriage is awesome :D

delirious

2008-04-08T08:22:00.001+01:00

John Ortberg - Love Beyond Reason - Being Loved means Being Chosen

2008-04-05T09:48:00.002+01:00

Pg 162:
"In God's love my chosenness never comes at anyone else's expense. God chooses, or loves, each of his children with infinite uniqueness. His plan is for my chosenness to enhance the lives or others, not diminish them"

Pg 165:
"Live a life of comparision or competition, and you end up with no joy at all. God holds out joy for each of us. We are all made to do and see things in a unique way - God has designed you to know the joy or being a teacher or helper or encourager or designer - and when you find it and offer it up you will know joy. And God has made you to know the joy of receiving and celebrating the gifts of those around you. If you offer your gifts (let go of them) and humbly recieve the gifts of others, your joy will be made complete."

"For in Christ God is drawing all men to himself. God whispers on the cross 'I wish you belonged to me. I choose you'. "

Thankful for my friends :)

2008-03-22T18:16:00.002Z

The title kind of sums up what this blog is about! (Feeling v soppy today!)

Since moving to Aberdeen, God has blessed me with a crazy amount of seriously awesome people. The sort of people you can laugh with, cry with, have fun with, learn from, be encouraged by, and just generally spend hours with and not get bored!

You all mean tons to me, I hope you know how much, and I am so, so grateful for you all.
Jessica

Jesus, Be the Centre

2008-03-03T19:08:00.002Z

People influence each other, hang round someone for too long and you will pick up their lingo(or even accent!)

Christians are by definition, followers of Christ

What would happen if we all spent more time with Jesus, not because we have to, or because we are told to, but out of our love for him.

We would be influenced by him, we would see things through his eyes; people, situations challenges we face. We would be completely changed - and would have such a profound effect on the world around us.

The New Testament shows that this is true, 12 disciples then, and a huge amount of Christians 2000 years later.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace"

What a challenge for us, to make Jesus the centre of our lives, to dwell in his presence, to see things the way he does and to love as he does.

Desperate for God

2008-01-26T17:00:00.000Z

I feel like everything that I read or hear at the moment is talking about being desperate for God.

We need to come to a place of desperation before Him, and acknowledge that we need Him.

Most people only come to that place when a crisis hits, or when God is the only option left, but what a challenge to be the kind of person who is desperate for God to take control, during all of life's experiences, during the highs and the lows.

James 4:6 says
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble"

and Isaiah 30:18 says
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you, He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him."

These two Scriptures are not ones I had considered together before, but I love how they interact.

The LORD longs to be gracious, and he gives grace to the humble, he blesses those who wait on him. Waiting on God requires us to humble ourselves before Him, to sacrifice our time, our plans and our tasks, and to see what He has to say, yet in times of desperation we are more than willing to seek his face... We cry out to our father, and He answers:

Isaiah 30:19 "How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, He will answer you"

Imagine the impact that God would have on our lives, if we dwelled in that place of desperation, regardless of life's circumstances, daily acknowledging that he is Lord, humbling ourselves and waiting on Him, trusting Him to intervene.

The Voice of Truth

2007-11-12T21:02:00.000Z

Sorry it's been so long since I blogged. Uni Life has started to get exceptionally busy!

Anyway, We have just returned from Aviemore where we spent our Radiate Weekend Away. Joe Z did a great job, we all learned heaps and had awesome times of worship skillfully led by Jo Minty.

But the best bit for me was what God did. It wasn't a spectacular, tingly moment I had, but frequent repetitions of something I needed to hear again.

There is a song by Casting Crowns called 'the Voice of Truth', and God, and His word are that Voice. Whatever situation you are going through, it is important that you know what the truth is; What God thinks about the matter. But more important than that is the choice.

'I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth'

Sometimes God has shown us that we should be comforted, has reassured us that we are chosen by him, and as such should be joyful, and thankful, and yet we still feel down.
But God has done his part. He has shown us his love, It is now our turn to take action.

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Mockery

2007-10-23T20:19:00.000+01:00

People, Christians specifically, are often too easily offended by mockery.

But it is not necessarily a bad thing. It shows people are not indifferent: People only mock if they care. Something about you is bothering them. If they mock you as Christians, most likely something about our Christ is bothering them. Isn't it better that people are affected by Christ rather than indifferent to him? In my (although limited) experience, mocking is often the atheists way of asking questions, and we should follow the guidance of 1 Peter 3:15-16

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Philip Yancey - What's so amazing about grace?

2007-10-09T21:04:00.000+01:00

" I know that my self image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbours, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers.

Occasionally, all too occasionally, I sense the truth of grace. There are times when I study the parables, and grasp that they are all about me. I am the sheep the shepherd has left the flock to find, the prodigal son for whom the father scans the horizon, the servant whose debt has been forgiven

I am the beloved one of God. "

Pg68

Laughter and Joy

2007-10-08T17:34:00.000+01:00

Yesterday evening Andrew Smith came and spoke on laughter and joy - I am simply typing up some of the notes that I took from his message - which was nothing but inspiring.

Psalm 126:3 'The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy'

Laughter embraces humility and grace. In laughter we trust, we suspend our worries and concerns, laughter is the medicine of the soul.

We as Christians can be serious, but shouldn't be sombre, Enjoy the journey, don't just endure it.

Look at Jesus, he knew how to enjoy life - at the start of his ministry he took 7 days off to be at the wedding - people were and still are important to Jesus

Church should be the happiest, most joyful place on earth. Despite circumstances, we can always be joyful, as joy is independent from circumstances - The joy of the Lord is our strength.

My notes are obviously not as explanatory as Andrew's message - but not only did he show us that we ought to be joyful, he demonstrated it too.

Indescribable!!!!

2007-10-06T19:07:00.000+01:00

Why do we as Christians ever moan?
God is amazing- He offers us such freedom!!!

We are children of the almighty
We are chosen by him
He chose us before we chose him

This might be for grammar geeks only but we are the 'you' of God's 'I'
eg I love you - We are the objects of God's affection

You who were not a people, are now the people of God

Praise God for his grace and mercy, for his unconditional love which truly is indescribable

Grace

2007-10-04T21:59:00.000+01:00

God is teaching me about Grace at the moment.

We all know the song 'Amazing Grace' but so often we just sing, without paying attention to the words, but Grace seriously is Amazing.

Rom 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I am starting to read 'What's so amazing about Grace' By Philip Yancey, and on the back there is a simple truth that arises from Grace.

"There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less."

I am really looking forward to learning more about God through understanding what Grace is.
(and I will keep you posted on what I learn).

Who am I that you are mindful of me?

2007-09-27T18:30:00.000+01:00

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How you Love me It's Amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

What amazing lyrics!
And what is more amazing is that it is true -

John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Go out a different way!

2007-09-22T10:57:00.000+01:00

This morning part of my reading was Ezekiel 46:9

"When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out by the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out by the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate. "

It reminded me of something our Pastor, Iain Duthie often says or prays,

'That we would not leave this place (church) the same way that we came in'

Iain means that we would come to church, we would truly worship and meet with God, and we would be changed as we become more like him, so that when we leave we would not be the same. Ezekiel on the other hand, is talking about physically not using the same door.

Why did God want the people to use a different door? What did that mean for them?

It amazes me how seemingly mundane things in the Old Testament, were actually planned by God to make New Testament events understandable and familiar:

(Joh 1:29) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

To us, this is sometimes just a familiar name, but when John the Baptist cried this out, surrounded by Jews they would have been astounded - Lambs were sacrificed to take away sin, frequently as each sin post sacrifice was unaccounted for. Not only was John declaring that this man was to make atonement for their sin, but 'for the sin of the world'. The thoughts running through their minds would have been numerous, How can he save the gentiles? How can a man take away any sins - as only God has such a right? Is this man from God?

The familiarity of the lamb as a sacrifice, caused the Jews both to question Jesus' identity, and helped them to understand it.

The seemingly mundane sacrifice that was done everyday was now of huge importance.
God wants us to be familiar with his word, even the parts that seem repetitive, because it's all there for a reason. Which leads me to my question again.

Why did the people have to go out through a different door? Is there something we can learn here? Was it preparing us to see church as a place where we should come out differently to how we went in spiritually?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

The students return!

2007-09-13T20:58:00.000+01:00

Aberdeen City is heaving!
There has never been so many first year students as this year. The reason is because of top up fees. You see in England students are being charged a lot to go to Uni, like £3000. But because Scotland is against this the fees in Scotland are capped at £1200. Same degree, half the price.
The uptake has been incredible, Scottish Universities are buying hotels, and turning any available space into student rooms, yet in the middle of all the chaos, there is a stillness. I work in one of the University Halls, and see managers rushing about stressed, but all I can feel is the stillness. This is part of God's plan. This is a huge opportunity for us that He wants us to seize.
Radiate, a student ministry that I am a part of, speaks of 'change the University, change the word'. It is a truth that the next world leaders are at University today. We have an amazing opportunity as students, to reach out to our friends in class, and to show them that not only is Jesus relevant today, but that he cares for them and wants to know them personally.
This year, God has something planned, and I want to be a part of it.

Who Am I Casting Crowns

2007-09-11T19:43:00.001+01:00

My first blog

2007-08-11T18:29:00.000+01:00

Hey,
Just a quick message to see how my new blogs looks :~)