FREEDOM TO TEACH ABOUT GOD

I've got a student teacher in school for a couple of weeks and we intend to work closely together.As we were preparing lessons today, I told her I'd like her to do a series on "The Lord's Prayer".She was delighted to hear this and added that she had never been in a school before where she had been asked to take an RE lesson. I couldn't believe it, as RE is an integral part of school life for me.But on reflection I realised that we are blessed in our school to have the freedom to teach the young children in our care about God and not every school is like that. My prayer tonight would be that we would always have this kind of religious freedom, although somehow, somewhere down the line this could all change. May we never let the opportunity pass to tell others the good news of the gospel.

A HEAVENLY MESSAGE

This evening we listened to a minister speak about Heaven.It was an amazing sermon, uplifting and inspiring.I want to share a few facts with you.From bible based references we learnt that believers could look forward to the following-----
We will enjoy the wholesome things we enjoy here and now.
We will be engaged in fulfilling and purposeful activity.
There'll be close relationships and happy fellowship.
The world will be beautiful and full of joy.
We'll be in the presence of the Lord.
There'll be no more frustration about the brevity of our earthly lives.
I could go on and on..........
The best thing of all is that it will never end!
This sermon really blessed me.


I wonder are you planning to be there?

THE UNSEEN GUEST

I'm going out for a meal with some dear friends tonight.I know the hostess well and she displays all the qualities of a Godly woman, the ones I've been reading about this past week. It'll be an easy night and I feel blessed already because I know God will be there too. Just like the words of that famous plaque which adorns many a dining room wall, "Christ is the unseen guest at every meal". There's a real ministry in the sharing of hospitality.I intend to do much more of this now that the flu has passed. Let's get away from any silly hangups, like "my house may not be as fancy as the next persons". This matters little, when God changes our total perspective. He ensures that we are relaxed and enables us to enjoy the sharing of a meal with others and the added bonus for us is that He shows up too.

FOLLOWING FASHION?

I read it over and over again tonight until I took in every single word---

"Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,that you may prove what IS that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". Romans 12.v.2.

Paul is talking about practical matters concerning the application of salvation.The christian woman's sacrifice to God is to live her life as holy or set apart to God and to please Him. How sad it is to see how subtly Satan infiltrates the world of young girls' fashion nowadays. I was shocked the other day to see so much "playboy/girl" bunny logo clothes, shoes, sun glass cases etc, as I passed by a shop window.I don't usually pay attention to teenage girls' clothes, as we have two lads in our family,who settle for track suit bottoms, jeans and sweatshirts. But I urge any parents who might possibly read this, to guard carefully how their young girls dress, as nowadays I believe shops encourage them to appear provocative from a very early age.
I feel we have to constantly work hard at "being in the world, but not of the world".
I'm finding great blessing as I read some chapters of Romans each day, it truly guides us as to how we ought to live.

YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR EYES?

Going through passport control today,I just knew it was bound to happen sometime.The nice lady stopped me and scrutinized my photograph. Just the other day Ian and I realised that our passports needed updating soon and yes, she was right, how I have changed.I'm nearly ten years older of course, but kindly she didn't draw attention to that fact.My hair is longer and blond instead of very short and dark and truth be told I look nothing like I did back then. We joked together for a moment, with me justifying to her that the photo was really me, to which she replied, "Oh I know it's you, you can't change your eyes, dear".
And of course she is right, only God can. So much about us changes as the years pass, but our eyes reveal the real "us". I've been reading a lot this week about the qualities God expects us to have. We don't have to spend a penny to achieve any of them. It's the inward working of The Holy Spirit who makes us into the women God wants us to be and when our hearts are softened towards the needs of others then we'll show compassion "in our eyes".

LET ME TEACH YOU

I stuck to my plan,finished my book and got well into another.As Ian and I reflect on our Easter break today,we both conclude that the beautiful location and wonderful weather have been secondary to the real reason why we've been here this week.We believe God made it all possible and it has been underlined for us over and over again.I've just read-
"Come to me ,all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you.LET ME TEACH YOU,because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls".
God has been speaking directly and I feel really blessed and eagerly anticipate what is yet to come.

A HEALTHY DISCIPLINE

I'm halfway through 'Disciplines of a godly woman' by Barbara Hughes and I aim to finish it tomorrow as it's the last day of my retreat. I always thought I was a well disciplined and organised person generally. But though the pages of this book I realise that I need to be much more disciplined as regards my prayer and Bible study life when I get back home. I know it's hard work but if I want to be active for God, then I must get 'lost' in the Scriptures. they need to sink right in to be meaningful. So just as many of us try to maintain the discipline of keeping a healthy body and mind, let's look after our soul and delve deeper into God's word to uncover the blessings within.