Faith for life

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see Hebrews 11:1 ...otherwise it is not faith! Christians do not need God to stand in front of them, in all his mighty power and holiness, for them to know that he is there. Likewise, we do not need to literally hear his majestic voice, booming in our ears, for us to understand his desires for and directions to us. Though that would be awesome! However, faith is more than just a 'feeling'. Don't get me wrong. It is CONFIDENCE and it is ASSURANCE.  I can understand why a non-believer cannot get to grips with this. As they have never had a true experience with Jesus. If you had, you would not have forgotten it. So, they do not know how unbelievable and wonderful it is. And it truly is wonderful . However, when you do encounter Jesus, and you will if you really want to in your heart, you will receive that confidence and that assurance. For it is his gift to us, and he loves to g...

In Matthew 16:13-16 is says: Jesus asked his disciples: 'Who do the people say I am?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. 'But what about you?' Jesus asked. 'Who do you say I am?' As we read on, Peter replies that he knows that Jesus is the Messiah. The word 'Messiah' is Greek and literally means 'the promised deliverer', the one who was foretold and will deliver his people from their struggles and sins. I was challenged, a couple of days ago, to really question who I am saying Jesus is. Because, even though I will joyfully tell anyone that Jesus is my saviour, my rock, I struggle sometimes to tell myself when I am suffering that Jesus is also my defender, my rock and my deliverer . He delivers me daily from hardships, persecution, doubts, fears and weaknesses. I am made brand new, and fear leaves me. If you already have Jesus in your life, question yo...

Finally, I have arrived in Aalborg!  It's been months in the planning, well, mental planning, but I'm now officially on Danish soil; ready to start an experience that will change my life. Also, I found out on the plane that Denmark has been ranked the second happiest country in the world, hazar! It's a wonderful, sunny day here in northern Denmark, but the hotel is oddly peaceful at the moment, as I appear to only be the third student to arrive yet. I'm certain the peace won't last long! There are lots of people arriving tomorrow from all over the world: South Africa, America, Canada, France, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Australia and more, so, no doubt, the hotel will soon be buzzing like a  beehive with activity. Monday is the day when everything officially starts. I can't believe I was only at home in rainy Birmingham this morning; packing the last of my luggage, giving my cheeky cat a hug and trying, for what seemed like an eternity, to get my filthy,...

Wow, it's been a long time since my last blog post, so I'm sure it wouldn't surprise any of you to hear that a lot has changed in my life. Big, life-changing kind of changes! A month or so ago I finally made the decision to leave my job. Which wasn't a straight-forward, easy decision to make; especially, when my role involves helping and supporting students who struggle  with or are disengaged with education and investing in their futures. It truly has been a privilege to work with these young people, and I hope I have made a difference, even if only small, to their school life and how they now view their education. The reason I made the decision to leave a full-time, well-paid, enjoyable job was that I applied for an evangelism course in Denmark and was accepted. This is something that has been on my heart since I visited the organisation in Denmark last summer, but it was only a month ago that my frequent and persistent deliberations (regarding applying for the co...

God, literally, is a man with a plan. I know that sounds cliche, but he has a plan, or plans , for all of us; whether we choose to follow them, or not, is another matter. But the fact still remains: he has desires and designs for your life. In Isaiah 25:1 it says: 'Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago'. NIV Isaiah 25:1 A lot of fairy-tales start with the all-too-familiar line: 'Once upon a time' and end with 'And they all lived happily ever after'. I think these lines have been used so much, in so many fairy-tale stories, because they are full of intrigue, mystery, hope and definite expectations of happiness. Without a doubt, our relationship with God is the most important and joyful relationship we will ever have; and it breaks my heart that so many people in our world do not know, have not seen or felt, the limitless love of God. And thi...

Canon J John says it best:  "A missionary is not someone who crosses the sea... A missionary sees the cross". Those of us who really see the cross, who, with understanding, picture Jesus, lovingly exchanging his purity for our shame, are never the same again. We become new people. A lot of people say that they believe in God. That Heaven is 'a nice idea'. They go to church a couple of times a year, or, on the odd occasion, when they are invited to a wedding. They sing the hymns with a smile and leave a donation to the church as they leave; feeling great, yet, very much, the same person. Those who see the cross, who look to the cross in times of both despair and joy, who praise Jesus' sacrifice, who long to be more like Jesus, who live their lives according to his will, are missionaries; people who are constantly seeking to become better human beings because they know Jesus.  They have made Jesus Christ their mission in life.  Some...

From the chaos You composed A song that all creation knows You took a mess, and You made life You said, "Let there be light." Word of God, God from the start Recreating human hearts Make us like the moon at night A mirror of the light. With just a word, set the dark to flight Sing to the world, "Let there be light!" Thank you so much to The City Harmonic for those amazing lyrics. For what words could possibly add more profound meaning to a night like bonfire night? Tomorrow evening, remember that a man called Guy Fawkes should not be our focus, this November 5th. He isn't anyone special. God, the creator of the entire world, the earth you love so much, is the light in dark places;  when all other lights go out. "And God said "Let there be light", and there was light" (Genesis 1:3)