What an amazing day it was on Sunday with two young people being baptized. How encouraging it was to have two young people make this public commitment to follow Jesus.
The baptism that I was able to attend was in the evening and was part Opawa Baptists monthly Soak service. Soak is a time to come and just soak in the presence of God.
Sunday evening was meaningful to family and friends as they gathered to witness the baptism, but it was also special for me.
There are several stations set up that you can go to reflect on God and what He might be saying to you. One of these has Bible passages with a picture to reflect upon. The one that struck home to me was this verse from Isaiah 49 “I will not forget you! See I have you engraved in the palms of my hands.” How special it is to know that I am not forgotten and the scars of crucifixion are there because I am loved so much.
It reminded me of a picture someone sent to me last week of a person being held lovingly within the hands of God.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Last Week in Review
Last week was a very busy one and seemed to go past in almost a blur. If I’m being honest there wasn’t a lot of time to stop and consider the Kingdom. It was there though in nature, in times taken out to sit quietly at God’s feet, and in the people who crossed my paths.
This week I’m off to Wellington for a course and won’t have access to a computer to blog, so will put my Kingdom signs from this week up next week.
This week I’m off to Wellington for a course and won’t have access to a computer to blog, so will put my Kingdom signs from this week up next week.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Kingdom in people
Today I have seen the Kingdom in family. We celebrated my grandson’s 13th birthday tonight. Where have those years gone to? It was a joy to see what a fine young man he is becoming. He has a love for family, and a lovely big hug and kiss for me every time he sees me no matter where we are. As he hugged me and kissed me in the restaurant I thought there are not many 13 year old boys who would be so relaxed about doing that.
My other Kingdom sign today was to see a hearing child and a deaf child interacting with one another. One could not speak and the other could not sign, and yet they were totally comfortable with each other. They seemed to understand what each other wanted and played happily together with wide smiles on their faces.
My other Kingdom sign today was to see a hearing child and a deaf child interacting with one another. One could not speak and the other could not sign, and yet they were totally comfortable with each other. They seemed to understand what each other wanted and played happily together with wide smiles on their faces.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Week to date
I am a few days behind with my writing. The end of term is an extra busy time for teachers. Any way I have decided to give an update on the week so far. Monday I reflected on the Sidedoor Service at our church on Sunday evening. This is a service that uses art installations to help people connect with God. Sunday it focused on doors and for me it brought up issues related to a time at school when I was eight years of age. A teacher got tired of me talking and shut me in a cupboard and then forgot about me until my mother came to find out why I hadn’t come home for lunch. I was not aware that I was holding bitterness towards this teacher until Sunday night. I was aware that I had issues related to this that I had to surrender to God. I came home feeling that a burden had been lifted and I felt a real sense of freedom.. Thank you God that you work in ways that we sometimes find difficult to understand.
Monday also, brought issues with a student, when I was on lunch duty, that were hard to deal with, and yet I found that by thanking God for all the blessings I have I was able to see past the problems and be encouraging to others.
Tuesday I was able to spend sometime with a friend who is going through a difficult time. She is not a believer, but I was able to speak some words of encouragement into her situation.
Wednesday: I took the advice that I gave to myself a few entries back and took the time to stop at the beach and admire the spectacular sunrise this morning. That time on the beach with God and me just set me up for the day.
Monday also, brought issues with a student, when I was on lunch duty, that were hard to deal with, and yet I found that by thanking God for all the blessings I have I was able to see past the problems and be encouraging to others.
Tuesday I was able to spend sometime with a friend who is going through a difficult time. She is not a believer, but I was able to speak some words of encouragement into her situation.
Wednesday: I took the advice that I gave to myself a few entries back and took the time to stop at the beach and admire the spectacular sunrise this morning. That time on the beach with God and me just set me up for the day.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday's entry on Saturday
Where did Friday go? I don’t know, but it disappeared so here is Friday’s entry on Saturday.
Yesterday we took some of our students to the Antarctic Centre. It was a great trip and we enjoyed watching the penguins being fed. As I watched them catching the fish and swimming around and listened to the keepers commentary I was struck by how much the keepers loved these penguins. They made sure that all of them had a chance to get some food, including the little blind one. This reminded me of God’s love for us. He really wants to care for us and to see that we get enough to eat both spiritually and physically. Then I began thinking how does God feed us spiritually? He does this through His Word, the Bible. How I need to read this every day, to know what He is saying to me! Through study groups and Sunday church services when the time of praise to Him will often speak – sometimes through the words sung, the message preached, or a word from a fellow believer. Just as those penguins need their keepers, we need our Heavenly Father.
Yesterday we took some of our students to the Antarctic Centre. It was a great trip and we enjoyed watching the penguins being fed. As I watched them catching the fish and swimming around and listened to the keepers commentary I was struck by how much the keepers loved these penguins. They made sure that all of them had a chance to get some food, including the little blind one. This reminded me of God’s love for us. He really wants to care for us and to see that we get enough to eat both spiritually and physically. Then I began thinking how does God feed us spiritually? He does this through His Word, the Bible. How I need to read this every day, to know what He is saying to me! Through study groups and Sunday church services when the time of praise to Him will often speak – sometimes through the words sung, the message preached, or a word from a fellow believer. Just as those penguins need their keepers, we need our Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunrise, seagulls and peace
This morning I had my camera, and my batteries were charged, and the sunrise, although not as spectacular as some mornings, was beautiful. I spent around 20 minutes on the beach as you come into Sumner by Shag Rock and then around the beach a bit further. It was an amazingly relaxing, if slightly cold experience. As I watched and snapped the sunrise I thought how can people not believe that God created this world.
The seagulls arrived for their breakfast and I watched them soar, and dive. How free they were to move as they wanted, in a carefree manner. It reminded me how free I can be when I rely on God and cast all my cares upon Him.
I arrived at school relaxed and ready for the day. I was able to leave some of the frustration mentioned in an earlier blog at the beach with God.
Enjoy the photos of my special morning spent with God appreciating His creation.
Note to myself: Stop more often at the beach to spend time with God before going to school.
I arrived at school relaxed and ready for the day. I was able to leave some of the frustration mentioned in an earlier blog at the beach with God.
Enjoy the photos of my special morning spent with God appreciating His creation.
Note to myself: Stop more often at the beach to spend time with God before going to school.
God at work across ages and stages.
Tonight I attended a Bible study at church and was excited to see God’s kingdom at work across the generations and also in the lives of people at various stages of their faith journey. It was exciting to hear a new Christian describe it as a safe place to be able to ask questions. It’s also good to see people who have been Christians for many years wanting to develop their knowledge and understanding further. Thanks God for a terrific group of people and for our great pastoral leaders.
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