Not Forgotten

"But Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.'

'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...'"

Isaiah 49:14-16

A woman who is expecting a baby lives nine months in eager anticipation. When the baby arrives, most of what she does revolves around it - caring for it, sustaining it, protecting it, loving it.

What a beautiful picture of God's love. Even though a mother may even forget her own child (as unlikely as that would be), God will not forget his children. He loves us so dearly, we are always on his mind.

Just like a little child, we can rest in his care; safe, secure and at peace because he is always near us.

Never is... Never

I've just started a new Bible study on what it means to live in Jesus. How seriously do we take Jesus' words when he said "I will never leave you"? In reality, most of us spend our days questioning that Jesus really is with us at all. I'm working through some scriptures on this topic, and will let you know what I find out.

The Last Woman Standing

Last Sunday, as I headed down to PlanetShakers church for a relaxing and inspiring afternoon, I prayed. Lord, please give us a message that will encourage us today. And encourage us he did. The speaker was Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong church, and he spoke about taking new ground and the challenges we face in the process.

The message meant a lot to us because although we are making progress, we are facing (and have faced) some pretty difficult challenges - some of these hitting very close to home. But it was confirmed to me through that message that I should just keep pushing on (to be the last woman standing, if you like), because great things are ahead. In the meantime God will help us as we grapple with some of these issues and to grow as a result.

'Twas a Short Break

Just thought I'd write to let you all know I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. Things have just been quite busy lately - and to be frank, I've kind of lost the zeal for maintaining my online presence that I once had. Besides, so much has been happening in the 'real' world that I've had little time to think about my blog, forums, chatting, and so on.

Anyway here's a little update: Things in our youth group are going well. It was a challenge to pick things up after being overseas and having school holidays, but this last week I've been able to catch up with some young people I haven't seen for a while, which I was stoked about.

I've also got a job in a local nursing home; I really enjoy it actually, more than any other paid job I've had. It feels good to be able to save a bit for the future too; one of these days I'd like to be able to buy a house!

So I thank God for the past few months - there have been some crazy challenges and a few surprises on the way (not all of them pleasant), but I know God is working in this city. He is positioning people and linking us together in preparation for some great things that are going to happen here. One thing we should do:

"... Be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."

1 Peter 4:7 TNIV

Total Surrender

God has been continually bringing me to a place of surrender to Him. Sometimes it's hard to just let go, and give God our hopes, our dreams, our deepest desires for our life; but when we do, He is truly able to do miracles through us.

Instead of hanging on to these things, each day I must let go and allow God's love to fulfill me in every way. And it's true - when I simply love and give myself to God, I am the most fulfilled and content person I have ever been.

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."
Philippians 3:7-8 TNIV

Simply Love, That is All

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

God has been teaching and reminding me lately that life is simply about loving Him, every day, with all my heart. In all the busyness and demands of life, I've gotten tired and lost focus at times. But God keeps bringing me back to the central reason I exist: To love Him.

This is a very light burden to carry: Each day, to get up, and to determine in my heart to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Everything else I need to do will take care of itself as I seek Him, and rely on His grace to get me through each day.

It's so simple, isn't it!

Food

Reflections on 1 Kings 18-19

Sometimes we're on top of things, we have great victories, we're confident and strong.

At other times, we've had enough and we may feel like giving up.

After his great victory over the prophets of Baal, in this passage we find Elijah sitting under a bush in the wilderness wishing he could just die.

What does the Lord do? He feeds him - he sustains him. God has not finished with the prophet yet.

Lord, I'm a human being like Elijah - sometimes I'm strong, other times I'm fed up. But in both times, you feed me. It is you who sustains me, whether I'm having victory after victory, or feeling crushed by those who want to destroy me.
Thank you that you stoop down to feed your little ones, us frail human beings. My food is to do your will.