Good at maths anyone?
Total amount of money I receive for living at uni: £3473
Total amount of rent for the year: £2958
Estimated total amount of household bills for the year: £250+ (my share)
So that leaves me with round about £250 for the year for food, books, travel, socialising.
Good job I've got paid work while I'm at uni, which should give me £1000 for the year, giving me a grand total of just over £100 a month.
Money is fun isn't it.
On the other side of things, I will be in more than £12,000 debt when I leave university. Those who know me, know that I'm good with money - potentially a little too tight. So what about those who aren't? And how about the new fees this year? If someone takes the full loan, and has to pay all the fees, that's over £7000 a year, totalling more than £21,000 with interest after their degree. Isn't that a wonderful start to life? Is it worth it?
I read somewhere that about 75% of females never pay back all of their student loan ever.
Then we get to houses and mortgages. In short, unless I get a shockingly high paid job, probably more than my parents put together, I just won't be able to afford it.
Don't even start me on credit cards. I refuse to have one. I rang my bank the other day. They informed me that I was due a review on my overdraft since I use it so much (I keep it in my ISA :D). So I was put through to someone else, who said, 'Would you like a graduate credit card?' - a) I'm not a graduate for another year, and b) I don't want one!!!!!! Why are they asking me if I want one because I use my overdraft lots? - surely that means I'm in debt and therefore it is stupid to give more reason for me to be in debt? Or do they think that because I'm in debt, I will quite happily get more in debt - and therefore they'll get more money?
If only I ruled the world...
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
REALITY
OK guys - now is the time to sign up!!
Reality is only just over a month away and we need YOU to make it happen.
Sign up NOW for just £20 for 5 days of teaching, worship and celebration and most importantly 5 afternoons of reaching out to our local community!
It is the first week of the summer holidays 24th-29th July - so there is no excuse not to come and work for your city of Norwich in spreading God's love.
It is such a majorly important thing to do. Just think of what it could be the start of.
The start of life changing relationships and work in your community that will go on for years to come, where hearts will be change and people will be made whole. It can be the development of vital work that is already going on!
Everyone from the age of 14 is welcome to come along (over 21s need to be referenced) - so spread the word.
Tell all your friends and get them to come along. Tell your youth leader that it's a week of events ready organised for them where they can bring their youth group.
So, get praying and get BOOKING now!!!!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Home!
Well, I'm back in Norwich!
Can't seem to move round my bedroom much - I have far too much stuff.
Starting to get some random bits for summer sorted.
Looking at driving lessons - but they're shockingly priced :(
Tried to go to Durban with Soul Survivor but they're fully booked :(
I'd like to go abroad. Get some worldly experience.
Like to do something musical - am feeling very musical at the mo.
bleh
Can't seem to move round my bedroom much - I have far too much stuff.
Starting to get some random bits for summer sorted.
Looking at driving lessons - but they're shockingly priced :(
Tried to go to Durban with Soul Survivor but they're fully booked :(
I'd like to go abroad. Get some worldly experience.
Like to do something musical - am feeling very musical at the mo.
bleh
Friday, June 09, 2006
Trusting God
Why is trusting God so hard?
In about a weeks time I shall be back in Norwich, but I have very little plans for while I am there.
Some may think that's a great thing as I can just relax and enjoy myself, if I was a 'good' girl I could even use the time to get closer to God.
But I want to do something. I want to make the most of the time. I want to give my time and skills at the same time as learning more, developing and growing spiritually and in all things. I'd love to develop my listening/counselling skills as I need as much practice as possible to gain some confidence!
So far though, I have found very little.
Naturally I will be helping with Reality and I'm also planning to go to Momentum with some friends from uni. Hopefully I can help lead worship at church, and Paul has asked me to assist in youth church. But what else can I do?
I'm daily asking God to show me how he wants me to use my time, and telling him that with his help I'm up for anything he wants, but it's hard to trust isn't it. Hard to trust that he does have a plan even when I don't know what. What if I get to the end of the summer and still haven't done anything. Have I done what he wanted?
This then spreads to the rest of life. This is probably my last 'free' summer. This time next year I will have finished uni. Yes there are options of further study, but even then, where would I study? Would I come home? Stay here? Go somewhere else? If I get a job, where would it be? What on earth would it be?! I feel like I have no clue as to what I want to do, let alone what God wants. I know it's ok to not know. I know I've got to trust God, but I can't help but worry.
I soooo want to do what God wants because I know that what he plans is better than my own desires or will. But at the same time, I don't want my life or time to go to waste, and it's hard to trust that it won't.
In about a weeks time I shall be back in Norwich, but I have very little plans for while I am there.
Some may think that's a great thing as I can just relax and enjoy myself, if I was a 'good' girl I could even use the time to get closer to God.
But I want to do something. I want to make the most of the time. I want to give my time and skills at the same time as learning more, developing and growing spiritually and in all things. I'd love to develop my listening/counselling skills as I need as much practice as possible to gain some confidence!
So far though, I have found very little.
Naturally I will be helping with Reality and I'm also planning to go to Momentum with some friends from uni. Hopefully I can help lead worship at church, and Paul has asked me to assist in youth church. But what else can I do?
I'm daily asking God to show me how he wants me to use my time, and telling him that with his help I'm up for anything he wants, but it's hard to trust isn't it. Hard to trust that he does have a plan even when I don't know what. What if I get to the end of the summer and still haven't done anything. Have I done what he wanted?
This then spreads to the rest of life. This is probably my last 'free' summer. This time next year I will have finished uni. Yes there are options of further study, but even then, where would I study? Would I come home? Stay here? Go somewhere else? If I get a job, where would it be? What on earth would it be?! I feel like I have no clue as to what I want to do, let alone what God wants. I know it's ok to not know. I know I've got to trust God, but I can't help but worry.
I soooo want to do what God wants because I know that what he plans is better than my own desires or will. But at the same time, I don't want my life or time to go to waste, and it's hard to trust that it won't.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Chocolate
Bit late, but I thought I'd post a pic of my brother's chocolate fountain and the fun we had on Sunday:
We had it to celebrate Emily getting baptised which was amazingly cool! It's fabdabulous to see God working in her :D I'm excited at what else he's got planned for her!
We had it to celebrate Emily getting baptised which was amazingly cool! It's fabdabulous to see God working in her :D I'm excited at what else he's got planned for her!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Da Vinci Code
Just been to see the film and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Went a bit quick though, I was like, oh it's finished!
The first thing that stood out to me was how real it looked when Silas was whipping himself - I couldn't look it was horrible!
I'm still confused as to whether there's anything truth in the book at all, but whether there is or not it won't stop me believing in God and Jesus! It doesn't really bother me whether Jesus had a bloodline or not. So what if he had kids? It doesn't change what he did.
I was sad at the way it made Christianity look quite bad, but then I realised it's reflecting some truths from our past and we've made it look bad for ourselves.
Talked a bit with a friend today about the whole Jesus getting married bit. I don't think he did and I don't think he had children, but for me it doesn't really make much difference. My friend was saying that if he had got married it would have been recorded in the gospels because it would have been a significant thing. That's fair enough. In the film though, it seemed to me that if Jesus had got married and had children it would change the whole Christian faith, I'm not entirely sure how though (well, I can see that a lie could seriously rock things). So what if he got married? So what if he had kids. Can someone explain what's wrong with that? I'm happy to be re-educated.
I may write some more when my brain has filtered it all! I feel a bit naive about it all really.
Went a bit quick though, I was like, oh it's finished!
The first thing that stood out to me was how real it looked when Silas was whipping himself - I couldn't look it was horrible!
I'm still confused as to whether there's anything truth in the book at all, but whether there is or not it won't stop me believing in God and Jesus! It doesn't really bother me whether Jesus had a bloodline or not. So what if he had kids? It doesn't change what he did.
I was sad at the way it made Christianity look quite bad, but then I realised it's reflecting some truths from our past and we've made it look bad for ourselves.
Talked a bit with a friend today about the whole Jesus getting married bit. I don't think he did and I don't think he had children, but for me it doesn't really make much difference. My friend was saying that if he had got married it would have been recorded in the gospels because it would have been a significant thing. That's fair enough. In the film though, it seemed to me that if Jesus had got married and had children it would change the whole Christian faith, I'm not entirely sure how though (well, I can see that a lie could seriously rock things). So what if he got married? So what if he had kids. Can someone explain what's wrong with that? I'm happy to be re-educated.
I may write some more when my brain has filtered it all! I feel a bit naive about it all really.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Fun on the buses
Well, it's been a fun week. As promised - here are some pics of me. Unfortunately I don't have full uniform yet, and they didn't have a jacket thingy small enough!
I'm not actually sure how much I'm allowed to say or whether I'm allowed to have my own opinion online! Lets just say, it's been interesting and it was free for most of last week! We now have conductors on the bus.
There are many views/letters/opinions etc on the local newspaper here as you can see, there are many opinions, most on the negative. To be honest, there is more to life than a bus. Yes it's not been perfect, and yes it's been extremely disruptive, but it will calm down. As human's we're not very good at change. But it's a permanent part of life.
I'm not actually sure how much I'm allowed to say or whether I'm allowed to have my own opinion online! Lets just say, it's been interesting and it was free for most of last week! We now have conductors on the bus.
There are many views/letters/opinions etc on the local newspaper here as you can see, there are many opinions, most on the negative. To be honest, there is more to life than a bus. Yes it's not been perfect, and yes it's been extremely disruptive, but it will calm down. As human's we're not very good at change. But it's a permanent part of life.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Bleh
Bleh - me tired.
Please pray that I can make essays and work all fit together without being too tired.
Ooo... and that the bus customers aren't too horrible next week!
Please pray that I can make essays and work all fit together without being too tired.
Ooo... and that the bus customers aren't too horrible next week!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Ftr Bus Job
Well, in less than 24 hours I have applied for and got a job!
I will be working for five weeks on one of these:
My job will be to show people how to use the touch screen ticket system. Should be entertaining to see how people pick it up.
More information can be foundhere and here.
Ooo. I've just read that when the Ftr bus approaches a traffic light it changes and goes green! Fantastic! And if you're wondering 'Ftr' stands for Future in text language - I had to be told.
I will be working for five weeks on one of these:
My job will be to show people how to use the touch screen ticket system. Should be entertaining to see how people pick it up.
More information can be found
Ooo. I've just read that when the Ftr bus approaches a traffic light it changes and goes green! Fantastic! And if you're wondering 'Ftr' stands for Future in text language - I had to be told.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
XP!
I am sooo excited!!
Mark's given me his old upgrade of Windows XP!!
*Dances around*
Yes, I know I get excited over silly little things, but Mark - I shall love you for ever! (well, maybe till it goes out of date ;))
Finally, my computer will be dragged out of the deep dark depths of ME, and into the modern world of XP! Oh to have the uptodate version of media player, oh to be able to use the writing tool on MSN - the possibilities are endless ;)
YAY!
Mark's given me his old upgrade of Windows XP!!
*Dances around*
Yes, I know I get excited over silly little things, but Mark - I shall love you for ever! (well, maybe till it goes out of date ;))
Finally, my computer will be dragged out of the deep dark depths of ME, and into the modern world of XP! Oh to have the uptodate version of media player, oh to be able to use the writing tool on MSN - the possibilities are endless ;)
YAY!
Monday, April 17, 2006
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Fire!
Well, Julian was driving my bro, sis and I home after band practice this afternoon and we came across a burning car!
I found it highly entertaining that all the neighbours were out watching, but no one seemed to be doing anything. We went and chatted to one guy who explained that the taxi driver (who's car it was) had just got out and watched! So our neighbour had had to phone the fire brigade! Anyway, they toddled along and put the fire out.
A bit of excitement for the afternoon. Why are we all so nosey?
Oooo, and I also got turned into a frog.
I found it highly entertaining that all the neighbours were out watching, but no one seemed to be doing anything. We went and chatted to one guy who explained that the taxi driver (who's car it was) had just got out and watched! So our neighbour had had to phone the fire brigade! Anyway, they toddled along and put the fire out.
A bit of excitement for the afternoon. Why are we all so nosey?
Oooo, and I also got turned into a frog.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
I love Emily
Got this from the wonderfully amazing Emily!
I shall also post pics of Keith and my adventuous week sometime after tomorrow.
Two Names You Go By
1. Dorothy
2. Bikey
(Can I have sparkles too?)
Two things that scare you
1. Spiders
2. My mind
Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Computer (with internet)
2. God
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. Black snoopy pyjamas from H&M
2. Make-up (shock?!!)
Two of your favorite bands/ singers at the moment
1. Tre Shepherd (sp?)
2. Kelly Clarkson
Two Things You Want in a Relationship
1. Understanding
2. Unconditional positive regard (yeah ok, counselling term, but it covers everything!)
Two Things that Appeal to You
1. Sensing God's presence
2. Hugs
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Most things to do with the internet
2. Crafty stuff
Two Places You Want to go on Vacation
1. Somewhere hot and relaxing
2. Somewhere full of excitement and adventure
Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Be the Helen God sees
2. Rule the world
Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. How to iron out my brain
2. Why I'm up doing this and not going to bed
Two people you haven't talked to in a while
1. Bek
2. Claire
Two Favorite Sports
1. Badminton
2. Swimming
Two things you did last night
1. Went to Fridays
2. Went to Keith's gig
Two T.V. shows you like to watch
1. Home & Away
2. Casualty
Two things you like about yourself:
1. My passion for learning about myself and God and growing
2. My hair (on a good day!)
Two things you ate today
1. Yorkshire puddings
2. bread
Two people you last talked to:
1. Mum
2. Dad
I shall also post pics of Keith and my adventuous week sometime after tomorrow.
Two Names You Go By
1. Dorothy
2. Bikey
(Can I have sparkles too?)
Two things that scare you
1. Spiders
2. My mind
Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Computer (with internet)
2. God
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. Black snoopy pyjamas from H&M
2. Make-up (shock?!!)
Two of your favorite bands/ singers at the moment
1. Tre Shepherd (sp?)
2. Kelly Clarkson
Two Things You Want in a Relationship
1. Understanding
2. Unconditional positive regard (yeah ok, counselling term, but it covers everything!)
Two Things that Appeal to You
1. Sensing God's presence
2. Hugs
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Most things to do with the internet
2. Crafty stuff
Two Places You Want to go on Vacation
1. Somewhere hot and relaxing
2. Somewhere full of excitement and adventure
Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Be the Helen God sees
2. Rule the world
Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. How to iron out my brain
2. Why I'm up doing this and not going to bed
Two people you haven't talked to in a while
1. Bek
2. Claire
Two Favorite Sports
1. Badminton
2. Swimming
Two things you did last night
1. Went to Fridays
2. Went to Keith's gig
Two T.V. shows you like to watch
1. Home & Away
2. Casualty
Two things you like about yourself:
1. My passion for learning about myself and God and growing
2. My hair (on a good day!)
Two things you ate today
1. Yorkshire puddings
2. bread
Two people you last talked to:
1. Mum
2. Dad
Friday, April 07, 2006
Pah!
I am greatly entertained, that not only have you not poked me to read my Bible, no one has responded to my last post (which was posted over a week ago!) telling you all off!!!
Update: I am now into Deuteronomy :-P
Update: I am now into Deuteronomy :-P
Friday, March 31, 2006
Telling Off
I just thought that I would tell you all off.
After this post, not one of you has poked me! No one has poked me!!
Anyway, with God's help for the last month or so I have read my Bible everyday (minus one) and I have read all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Job and most of Numbers. It is really exciting and I'm really enjoying it and learning what went on in those times and how God works. I'm reading the Bible in chronological order of the events it describes (roughly speaking!). I'm hoping it will continue to broaden my horizons and perspective of God.
I feel no pressure about reading it, like I have with all Bible reading materials. I just read as much as I can each night, and it doesn't matter whether that's one chapter or ten. If I miss a night, then nevermind - there is noooo pressure!
Thank you Lord!
After this post, not one of you has poked me! No one has poked me!!
Anyway, with God's help for the last month or so I have read my Bible everyday (minus one) and I have read all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Job and most of Numbers. It is really exciting and I'm really enjoying it and learning what went on in those times and how God works. I'm reading the Bible in chronological order of the events it describes (roughly speaking!). I'm hoping it will continue to broaden my horizons and perspective of God.
I feel no pressure about reading it, like I have with all Bible reading materials. I just read as much as I can each night, and it doesn't matter whether that's one chapter or ten. If I miss a night, then nevermind - there is noooo pressure!
Thank you Lord!
Duck Duck Goose
Although this week has been quite stressful, today I successfully managed to make my whole class including the tutor sit on the floor in a circle and play duck duck goose! Although I hate the stress leading up to them, I quite enjoy presentations - I'd almost like to practice talking infront of people more and really get into the swing of it.
Today I made the decision to say yes to Bek about being a Christian Union small group leader next year! I am so excited now and she almost jumped out of her chair when I told her! I think it will challenge me and develop me and help my relationship with God - so yey.
Today I made the decision to say yes to Bek about being a Christian Union small group leader next year! I am so excited now and she almost jumped out of her chair when I told her! I think it will challenge me and develop me and help my relationship with God - so yey.
Week of fun
Yey Keith's coming tomorrow! :D
We're going to Paul's wedding first, and then driving back to York for a week of fun!
I can't wait to just spend some time going out and about in Yorkshire (please keep the Sun up God!) and just generally chilling with Keith.
Unfortunately I have an essay due in and it's really hard. I'm trying my best to finish it before he comes, but I don't think that's gonna happen. Grr! So please pray for lots of concentration and productiveness!
We're going to Paul's wedding first, and then driving back to York for a week of fun!
I can't wait to just spend some time going out and about in Yorkshire (please keep the Sun up God!) and just generally chilling with Keith.
Unfortunately I have an essay due in and it's really hard. I'm trying my best to finish it before he comes, but I don't think that's gonna happen. Grr! So please pray for lots of concentration and productiveness!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Fountains Abbey
It was my friend Bek's birthday on Thursday and we went for a trip to Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
It was a gorgeous day!
It was a gorgeous day!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Trust
Have you ever felt like God is teaching you so much at once that you're gonna explode?!
It's kind of an exciting thing, but scary and hard work at the same time.
The biggest thing he's teaching me is trust. To trust him. To trust his timing, to trust his will and his decisions and his plan and his control.
Timing is a big thing. I like to know what's happening and when. I liked to know when I'm next seeing people. But actually, it doesn't matter. God's plan is bigger than that, he's got it sorted. I don't need the rest of my life mapped out or just the next week or tomorrow - he's got it sorted so I don't need to know. In the same way, I need not worry about tomorrow. (Somewhere in Matt 6 or 7) In fact there's no need to worry about anything. God will sort things in his own time and in his own way not mine.
Another thing I'm learning is that God will work through anything and everything. I'm doing a Freedom Course with church and it's about being free in God and taking things to the cross (and leaving them!) and learning how to help others in that way. My friend and I were feeling quite pressured that we'd got to get something from this course and be changed in some way. But then we realised that the course is nothing. God doesn't need the course - it's just he may use it to bring stuff up, but if it doesn't, that won't stop him. If it wasn't for the course he'd just bring it up another way.
In the same way, if you miss church, or a big conference or prayer thingy, it doesn't mean that you'll miss out on something amazing God says, because if it's that amazing he'll tell you some other way. Therefore, for example, there's no need to run around like a headless chicken at Soul Survivor/Spring Harvest or equivilent, trying to get to every seminar, worrying that you may miss something important - because God will tell you things when he wants to. He will tell you what you need to know, when you need to know it.
There's more - I shall post more later
It's kind of an exciting thing, but scary and hard work at the same time.
The biggest thing he's teaching me is trust. To trust him. To trust his timing, to trust his will and his decisions and his plan and his control.
Timing is a big thing. I like to know what's happening and when. I liked to know when I'm next seeing people. But actually, it doesn't matter. God's plan is bigger than that, he's got it sorted. I don't need the rest of my life mapped out or just the next week or tomorrow - he's got it sorted so I don't need to know. In the same way, I need not worry about tomorrow. (Somewhere in Matt 6 or 7) In fact there's no need to worry about anything. God will sort things in his own time and in his own way not mine.
Another thing I'm learning is that God will work through anything and everything. I'm doing a Freedom Course with church and it's about being free in God and taking things to the cross (and leaving them!) and learning how to help others in that way. My friend and I were feeling quite pressured that we'd got to get something from this course and be changed in some way. But then we realised that the course is nothing. God doesn't need the course - it's just he may use it to bring stuff up, but if it doesn't, that won't stop him. If it wasn't for the course he'd just bring it up another way.
In the same way, if you miss church, or a big conference or prayer thingy, it doesn't mean that you'll miss out on something amazing God says, because if it's that amazing he'll tell you some other way. Therefore, for example, there's no need to run around like a headless chicken at Soul Survivor/Spring Harvest or equivilent, trying to get to every seminar, worrying that you may miss something important - because God will tell you things when he wants to. He will tell you what you need to know, when you need to know it.
There's more - I shall post more later
Friday, March 17, 2006
Module Results
Although I've known my results for a while, I've just received a letter in the post from uni congratulating me!
'At the School Assessment Panel held recently, marks for assignments for the above modules were confirmed, and the Panel was delighted to learn from the module director of your outstanding performance on these modules. It is with great pleasure therefore that I write to offer you personally my warmest congratulations on this significant achievement revealing a positive, thorough and conscientious approach to your degree studies.'
blah blah blah
Wow! That's quite cool. I'm quite impressed that they send you a letter. Would have liked a present too ;)
I have since heard that they very rarely give these out and it's generally to people that think are in line for getting a 1st!! And it goes in my file. Although they don't say that to us. Wow. Pressure! I never thought I could be capable of a 1st. I'll be happy with a 2.1 so yey.
'At the School Assessment Panel held recently, marks for assignments for the above modules were confirmed, and the Panel was delighted to learn from the module director of your outstanding performance on these modules. It is with great pleasure therefore that I write to offer you personally my warmest congratulations on this significant achievement revealing a positive, thorough and conscientious approach to your degree studies.'
blah blah blah
Wow! That's quite cool. I'm quite impressed that they send you a letter. Would have liked a present too ;)
I have since heard that they very rarely give these out and it's generally to people that think are in line for getting a 1st!! And it goes in my file. Although they don't say that to us. Wow. Pressure! I never thought I could be capable of a 1st. I'll be happy with a 2.1 so yey.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
In the Air
Well it's been a stressful week, with threats of being blacklisted, housemates leaving and general life! But hey, it's the weekend and now I almost have a 4 bed house to just the two of us! Plenty of space and plenty less disturbed nights!
God's teaching me a lot at the moment too. Especially about asking him about things and trusting him rather than asking everyone elses' opinion. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for that, but I often fall into the trap of just asking everyone else and not thinking for myself. One reason being that it takes the responsibility off my shoulders and another being just that I haven't learnt to have confidence in my decisions and God.
I feel like a lot of things are up in the air and I'm being forced/encouraged to go to God, because he's the only one with the answer - so that's a good thing. I think I am being mature about things and I think that God is helping me to be insightful.
But I have to make decisions. I cannot sit on the fence and take the easy options to avoid being hurt. Life is full of risks, and we won't get anywhere or live very fullfilling lives if we don't take risks.
La la la hmmm....
God's teaching me a lot at the moment too. Especially about asking him about things and trusting him rather than asking everyone elses' opinion. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for that, but I often fall into the trap of just asking everyone else and not thinking for myself. One reason being that it takes the responsibility off my shoulders and another being just that I haven't learnt to have confidence in my decisions and God.
I feel like a lot of things are up in the air and I'm being forced/encouraged to go to God, because he's the only one with the answer - so that's a good thing. I think I am being mature about things and I think that God is helping me to be insightful.
But I have to make decisions. I cannot sit on the fence and take the easy options to avoid being hurt. Life is full of risks, and we won't get anywhere or live very fullfilling lives if we don't take risks.
La la la hmmm....
Friday, March 10, 2006
CU website
We now have a CU website!!
It is up and running complete with a discussion forum - and one person has already turned up to CU having found out about it from the website! How cool is that?! Thank you Lord!
If you want to take a look... click here
It is up and running complete with a discussion forum - and one person has already turned up to CU having found out about it from the website! How cool is that?! Thank you Lord!
If you want to take a look... click here
Discernment
You know how you get really heated about things and annoyed with people and what they think and stuff? And then it calms down and drifts off into the past and you never think of it again?
Well that's what happened with this post.
But this evening I was talking to my church leader this evening and she was telling me that I have quite good discernment and gave me this situation as an example. Although they never told me this, my comments to them about all church socials needing to be outreach really hit home. They realised that I was right and that God was speaking to them through me.
So yey.
Well that's what happened with this post.
But this evening I was talking to my church leader this evening and she was telling me that I have quite good discernment and gave me this situation as an example. Although they never told me this, my comments to them about all church socials needing to be outreach really hit home. They realised that I was right and that God was speaking to them through me.
So yey.
Monday, February 20, 2006
illness
I'm fed up of being ill.
Everyone's ill. For the past few weeks there has been only about 50% of my course turning up to lectures.
I think I've been not quite right for almost three weeks now. Started with feeling sick, hot and cold, then turned into a sticking cold, then got better, but went hot and cold again, and now I've been feeling constantly sick for the last few days.
It's rude I tell you!
Most annoyingly, I'm not ill ill. I just don't have the energy to go about life as enthusiasically. I hate feeling sick cuz the only time I don't feel sick is when I'm eating or sleeping - and I can't very well do that all day!
Just thought I'd have a rant.
Everyone's ill. For the past few weeks there has been only about 50% of my course turning up to lectures.
I think I've been not quite right for almost three weeks now. Started with feeling sick, hot and cold, then turned into a sticking cold, then got better, but went hot and cold again, and now I've been feeling constantly sick for the last few days.
It's rude I tell you!
Most annoyingly, I'm not ill ill. I just don't have the energy to go about life as enthusiasically. I hate feeling sick cuz the only time I don't feel sick is when I'm eating or sleeping - and I can't very well do that all day!
Just thought I'd have a rant.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Emily and the geese
Emily came to visit me this week. She had great fun feeding the geese :D
They were very tame geese that kept looking up at as longingly for bread
She also enjoyed chilling with my friends
Thank you for coming to stay with me Emily - you're great! :D
They were very tame geese that kept looking up at as longingly for bread
She also enjoyed chilling with my friends
Thank you for coming to stay with me Emily - you're great! :D
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Heating Prayer Answered?
Not sure if this is a proper answer to prayer or what, but...
Woke up this morning to a freezing house, none of the radiators were working and there was no hot water. Fiddled with the boiler and followed the instructions, but there was no flame. So I rang our landlord.
I've been home an hour or so and have just been moaning to a friend about it, so she told me to go pray over the boiler. I ran down the stairs praying for God to send his fire (literally
) walked through the kitchen door and heard a 'wvrrooff' (or whatever noise flames make), looked at the boiler and saw the flame and felt it's warmth.
Then I noticed the note on the table from my landlord saying that he'd fixed it and it was probably the big winds we're having that caused it and to give him a ring if it happens again. So he's been in and sorted it while I've been singing to me music!!!
So it's kinda an answer - but whichever I thought it was cool to share
Woke up this morning to a freezing house, none of the radiators were working and there was no hot water. Fiddled with the boiler and followed the instructions, but there was no flame. So I rang our landlord.
I've been home an hour or so and have just been moaning to a friend about it, so she told me to go pray over the boiler. I ran down the stairs praying for God to send his fire (literally
) walked through the kitchen door and heard a 'wvrrooff' (or whatever noise flames make), looked at the boiler and saw the flame and felt it's warmth.Then I noticed the note on the table from my landlord saying that he'd fixed it and it was probably the big winds we're having that caused it and to give him a ring if it happens again. So he's been in and sorted it while I've been singing to me music!!!
So it's kinda an answer - but whichever I thought it was cool to share
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Ironic-ness
Entertainingly, I have been at a conference Fri eve and all yesterday that involved healing - and I've come away feeling worse than when I got there!
The conference was at Manchester Vineyard and was called Signs and Wonders with speakers Jeff and Jan Jansen.
I felt slightly ill before I went, but put it down to being tired and a distraction from the devil following on from being Baptised a week ago, and going to a conference that he certainly wouldn't like! But no, this morning I woke (after not much sleep) feeling achy and manky and ill. I hate being ill. It's just rude!
The conference was... interesting. God was definitely there, but it was a little too extreme and hyped for my liking. I didn't really understand what the guy was talking about and it felt more like him telling stories and jumping round the Bible than actually teaching us anything. I guess there will have been people there who got something from it though.
But the thing that annoyed me most was the way people get carried away and swept up in the hype rather than God. We had emotional music going up and down, the guy kept shouting into his microphone, he went round the room hitting people on the head - some of which fell over, others didn't. People had all the usual manifestations, but it just could have been done better. I watched Mike Pilivachi's 'How to pray for someone' clip on the God Channel this evening from last years Soul Survivor, and basically this guy yesterday was completely going against everything I've been taught.
It annoys me that people hype things up because I know that it puts so many people off receiving God's power through His Holy Spirit in this way because it freaks them out, or disgusts them or whatever. God's Holy Spirit is an amazingly powerful gift that is incredibly useful and refreshing. But unfortunately open to abuse. I had to remember a lot to let it just be God and me, cuz he can work through anything and with most things in life, we have to disregard the stuff that's us, and focus on the God stuff.
Some cool bits of the weekend were getting a vision of God holding me under this right arm at the edge of the room while we watched what was going on. He was loving it, and cheering everyone on like a funky rap geezer and we laughed together. It showed me that it's ok if other people are doing freaky stuff, cuz he's got me and he loves us all and he just enjoys all that we do for him.
Also we had a fire/prayer tunnel where we made a circle in pairs, then one at a time people went through it and we all layed hands on them and asked God to bless them and send his fire on them. I was a little apprehensive, but in blessing others God was blessing me, it was like wow. Then as soon as I started going through I couldn't stop crying and felt an amazing outpouring of God's love as up to 200 people prayed for me.
So yeah, in summary, people are silly but God is amazing!
The conference was at Manchester Vineyard and was called Signs and Wonders with speakers Jeff and Jan Jansen.
I felt slightly ill before I went, but put it down to being tired and a distraction from the devil following on from being Baptised a week ago, and going to a conference that he certainly wouldn't like! But no, this morning I woke (after not much sleep) feeling achy and manky and ill. I hate being ill. It's just rude!
The conference was... interesting. God was definitely there, but it was a little too extreme and hyped for my liking. I didn't really understand what the guy was talking about and it felt more like him telling stories and jumping round the Bible than actually teaching us anything. I guess there will have been people there who got something from it though.
But the thing that annoyed me most was the way people get carried away and swept up in the hype rather than God. We had emotional music going up and down, the guy kept shouting into his microphone, he went round the room hitting people on the head - some of which fell over, others didn't. People had all the usual manifestations, but it just could have been done better. I watched Mike Pilivachi's 'How to pray for someone' clip on the God Channel this evening from last years Soul Survivor, and basically this guy yesterday was completely going against everything I've been taught.
It annoys me that people hype things up because I know that it puts so many people off receiving God's power through His Holy Spirit in this way because it freaks them out, or disgusts them or whatever. God's Holy Spirit is an amazingly powerful gift that is incredibly useful and refreshing. But unfortunately open to abuse. I had to remember a lot to let it just be God and me, cuz he can work through anything and with most things in life, we have to disregard the stuff that's us, and focus on the God stuff.
Some cool bits of the weekend were getting a vision of God holding me under this right arm at the edge of the room while we watched what was going on. He was loving it, and cheering everyone on like a funky rap geezer and we laughed together. It showed me that it's ok if other people are doing freaky stuff, cuz he's got me and he loves us all and he just enjoys all that we do for him.
Also we had a fire/prayer tunnel where we made a circle in pairs, then one at a time people went through it and we all layed hands on them and asked God to bless them and send his fire on them. I was a little apprehensive, but in blessing others God was blessing me, it was like wow. Then as soon as I started going through I couldn't stop crying and felt an amazing outpouring of God's love as up to 200 people prayed for me.
So yeah, in summary, people are silly but God is amazing!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Salsa
I have just been to 3hrs of salsa on the other side of York!
It took us about 20-30mins to cycle there and then it was a lot of work when we got there!
It was fun though - I really enjoyed it.
The question is, can I fit it in every week? I've got a lecture 3-5, then I will have a massage course 5.30-7, then salsa is 7.30-whenever, usually about 11/12 but you can leave early, then I'm working from 10pm-8am! Hmm...
Anyway. It was alright to begin with, dancing on your own and learning the steps. But then when we danced in pairs I found it all too intimate! I didn't know where to look and you were so close to your partner! I've never felt like that before. I felt like a little school girl discovering boys for the first time! I hope it wears off and gets easier.
It was just nice to be out with some friends.
It took us about 20-30mins to cycle there and then it was a lot of work when we got there!
It was fun though - I really enjoyed it.
The question is, can I fit it in every week? I've got a lecture 3-5, then I will have a massage course 5.30-7, then salsa is 7.30-whenever, usually about 11/12 but you can leave early, then I'm working from 10pm-8am! Hmm...
Anyway. It was alright to begin with, dancing on your own and learning the steps. But then when we danced in pairs I found it all too intimate! I didn't know where to look and you were so close to your partner! I've never felt like that before. I felt like a little school girl discovering boys for the first time! I hope it wears off and gets easier.
It was just nice to be out with some friends.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Birthday/Baptism
Yey! It's me 21st Birthday! :D
Happy Birthday to dad too.
Baptism was great - will blog more tomorrow, or actually maybe that's today now we've gone passed midnight!
Happy Birthday to dad too.
Baptism was great - will blog more tomorrow, or actually maybe that's today now we've gone passed midnight!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Noise Polution - Who is right?
This is a topic that is really irritating me at the moment.
When I was at home over Christmas I read an article in the Evening News about an old lady who'd had a young couple move in next to her. This was fine until they started playing their music loud until 3am. This meant that the old lady couldn't sleep and it became distressing.
I was disturbed that the article was suggesting that it was a clash between young and old that could maybe never be resolved. I felt that it was leaning towards the young couples' side and saying that that is the norm for today.
I want to rebel against that though. Playing your music and staying up until 3am (or whenever) should not be the norm and it certainly isn't good for you. Staying in bed til midday is appalling! Isn't the best sleep before midnight? I think the young couple should have respect for their neighbours and stop playing the music so loud after 11pm.
This last week or so I have felt so irrated by my housemates and their nocturnal activity. Unfortunately they do not understand my point of view. They argue that they like to play their music loudly at night. I say that I like to play mine in the morning but I don't because I know it will wake them. Where is the respect? Where is the thinking about other people? This is my 10th night in York, 7 of which have be disturbed due to loud music, loud TV and people talking like it's the middle of the day. This things are all between 11pm and 4am.
My housemates do not get up until midday, whereas I'll get up at 8ish. They miss soooo much of the beautiful day! But who is right? I am I right to be annoyed about being disturbed? Should I be changing my sleeping habits?
When I was at home over Christmas I read an article in the Evening News about an old lady who'd had a young couple move in next to her. This was fine until they started playing their music loud until 3am. This meant that the old lady couldn't sleep and it became distressing.
I was disturbed that the article was suggesting that it was a clash between young and old that could maybe never be resolved. I felt that it was leaning towards the young couples' side and saying that that is the norm for today.
I want to rebel against that though. Playing your music and staying up until 3am (or whenever) should not be the norm and it certainly isn't good for you. Staying in bed til midday is appalling! Isn't the best sleep before midnight? I think the young couple should have respect for their neighbours and stop playing the music so loud after 11pm.
This last week or so I have felt so irrated by my housemates and their nocturnal activity. Unfortunately they do not understand my point of view. They argue that they like to play their music loudly at night. I say that I like to play mine in the morning but I don't because I know it will wake them. Where is the respect? Where is the thinking about other people? This is my 10th night in York, 7 of which have be disturbed due to loud music, loud TV and people talking like it's the middle of the day. This things are all between 11pm and 4am.
My housemates do not get up until midday, whereas I'll get up at 8ish. They miss soooo much of the beautiful day! But who is right? I am I right to be annoyed about being disturbed? Should I be changing my sleeping habits?
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Tagging Again
7 Things I would like to do before I die (no particular order):
1. Own a house
2. Get married
3. Make people smile
4. Becomes wise
5. Have children
6. Be a little famous in some way
7. Tell people what I really think
7 Things I can't do (yet):
1. Stay up all night
2. Have as much confidence as I would like to have
3. Read my Bible every day
4. Drive
5. Rule the world
6. Do what I want to do
7. Know what I want to do!
7 Things that attract me to Blogging (in no particular order) :
1. Being able to keep up with people I don't see regularly.
2. Not having to say everything I've been doing 10 million times over.
3. Showing off photos.
4. Getting other peoples' comments and thoughts.
5. Being able to comment on others and therefore being a small part of their life
6. Keep up with what I've been doing!
7. It's nice to have somewhere to vent.
7 Things I say most often (in no particular order):
1. Indeed
2. Helen!
3. lol
4. aaaarrggghhhh!!
5. ;-)
6. cool
7. I'm tired
7 Books I love (no particular order):
1. Narnia
2. The books I've read by Frank Peretti
3. Harry Potter
4. Bible
5. Do blogs count?
6. Star girl
7. Live the Life
7 Movies I watch Over and Over:
I don't! So I've put TV programmes in no particular order
1. Casualty
2. Home and Away
3. Eastenders
4. Lost
5. Documentaries
6. My Parents are Aliens
7. Good films
7 People I want to join in too (you've been tagged!):
1. Emily
2. Lou
3. Laura
4. Paul Cracknell
5. Carl
6. Drummerboi
7. Rachel V
1. Own a house
2. Get married
3. Make people smile
4. Becomes wise
5. Have children
6. Be a little famous in some way
7. Tell people what I really think
7 Things I can't do (yet):
1. Stay up all night
2. Have as much confidence as I would like to have
3. Read my Bible every day
4. Drive
5. Rule the world
6. Do what I want to do
7. Know what I want to do!
7 Things that attract me to Blogging (in no particular order) :
1. Being able to keep up with people I don't see regularly.
2. Not having to say everything I've been doing 10 million times over.
3. Showing off photos.
4. Getting other peoples' comments and thoughts.
5. Being able to comment on others and therefore being a small part of their life
6. Keep up with what I've been doing!
7. It's nice to have somewhere to vent.
7 Things I say most often (in no particular order):
1. Indeed
2. Helen!
3. lol
4. aaaarrggghhhh!!
5. ;-)
6. cool
7. I'm tired
7 Books I love (no particular order):
1. Narnia
2. The books I've read by Frank Peretti
3. Harry Potter
4. Bible
5. Do blogs count?
6. Star girl
7. Live the Life
7 Movies I watch Over and Over:
I don't! So I've put TV programmes in no particular order
1. Casualty
2. Home and Away
3. Eastenders
4. Lost
5. Documentaries
6. My Parents are Aliens
7. Good films
7 People I want to join in too (you've been tagged!):
1. Emily
2. Lou
3. Laura
4. Paul Cracknell
5. Carl
6. Drummerboi
7. Rachel V
Monday, January 09, 2006
Back
Well it's back to York tomorrow and straight into house hunting.
Lord please find us the correct house - (that's cheap and has decent sized rooms and is 5-10 mins from college). Thank you.
Sigh
Nothing much else to say really.
Lord please find us the correct house - (that's cheap and has decent sized rooms and is 5-10 mins from college). Thank you.
Sigh
Nothing much else to say really.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Split
I'm finding it really hard living in two places.
There are times when I think, well it's only another year and a half I'll manage, and other times when I think it would be easier to stop uni and do something else.
It took me about a week to settle back into Norwich. Then having to deal with housemates and bills yesterday completely knocked me back again. It's a really odd feeling that's hard to descibe, but leaves me feeling so unsettled and restless. I like things to be sorted and I like to know what I'm doing.
Going back to uni is usually a quicker processes, although I'm a little uncertain about Jan. I think I'm going to go back on the 11th (in time for church) cuz Keith and NYFC people are all going to their conference, and everyone else will be back at school/work. I've got to be back for the 16th to work (one/two nights a week) but I don't have lectures again until the 30th. So it will be dead time with no reading list to prepare for semester two and I think that'll leave me feeling a little lost and uncomfortable.
So yeah, I'm not sure what to do. Tips/suggestions gratefully welcomed. Both for how to stop feeling so unsettled at home and back at uni.
I also find friendships hard as I feel like they're all only half hearted (sorry peeps). As I'm in two places, I only see people half the time and therefore feel like I don't have the close friends that I would like - or am not as close to my friends as I would like. So at times I feel very left out and alone. Not entirely sure how to remedy that either.
Most of the time I feel like I'm surviving, not living life to the full. That makes me sad, but I'm not quite sure what to do.
I thought I might do some voluntary work in York for two weeks in Jan, haven't got a clue what or where to look though!
I would say sorry to ramble, but I'm not ;-)
Thoughts v.v.v.v.welcome
There are times when I think, well it's only another year and a half I'll manage, and other times when I think it would be easier to stop uni and do something else.
It took me about a week to settle back into Norwich. Then having to deal with housemates and bills yesterday completely knocked me back again. It's a really odd feeling that's hard to descibe, but leaves me feeling so unsettled and restless. I like things to be sorted and I like to know what I'm doing.
Going back to uni is usually a quicker processes, although I'm a little uncertain about Jan. I think I'm going to go back on the 11th (in time for church) cuz Keith and NYFC people are all going to their conference, and everyone else will be back at school/work. I've got to be back for the 16th to work (one/two nights a week) but I don't have lectures again until the 30th. So it will be dead time with no reading list to prepare for semester two and I think that'll leave me feeling a little lost and uncomfortable.
So yeah, I'm not sure what to do. Tips/suggestions gratefully welcomed. Both for how to stop feeling so unsettled at home and back at uni.
I also find friendships hard as I feel like they're all only half hearted (sorry peeps). As I'm in two places, I only see people half the time and therefore feel like I don't have the close friends that I would like - or am not as close to my friends as I would like. So at times I feel very left out and alone. Not entirely sure how to remedy that either.
Most of the time I feel like I'm surviving, not living life to the full. That makes me sad, but I'm not quite sure what to do.
I thought I might do some voluntary work in York for two weeks in Jan, haven't got a clue what or where to look though!
I would say sorry to ramble, but I'm not ;-)
Thoughts v.v.v.v.welcome
Monday, December 19, 2005
It is finished
Whoooooo
No more essays until the 30th Jan!!!!!!!!
Praise the Lord that I finished them all!
I am also now home which is nice. Although I miss my computer.... :'( Although actually, I have my hard drive here with me! lol
In other news, the Reality Ball was amazing! I liked the setting up and clearing away best - but then I'm just strange ;) 135 young people crowded out Holy Trinity - and were all beautifully dressed. I need another excuse to wear my dress now
I am also no longer part of the Reality Core Team :( But that kinda makes sense since I'm only in Norwich half the time! Will be back by the end of May tho - so I shall find a new job then and in the mean time be prayer support and encouragement :D
Almost completed Christmas shopping in one day thanks to my Nectar vouchers :D Thank you TalkTalk for giving me 12,000 bonus points :D
I am very tired.
No more essays until the 30th Jan!!!!!!!!
Praise the Lord that I finished them all!
I am also now home which is nice. Although I miss my computer.... :'( Although actually, I have my hard drive here with me! lol
In other news, the Reality Ball was amazing! I liked the setting up and clearing away best - but then I'm just strange ;) 135 young people crowded out Holy Trinity - and were all beautifully dressed. I need another excuse to wear my dress now
I am also no longer part of the Reality Core Team :( But that kinda makes sense since I'm only in Norwich half the time! Will be back by the end of May tho - so I shall find a new job then and in the mean time be prayer support and encouragement :D
Almost completed Christmas shopping in one day thanks to my Nectar vouchers :D Thank you TalkTalk for giving me 12,000 bonus points :D
I am very tired.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Our God is an Awesome God
Our God is an Awesome God
He reigns, from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an Awesome God
Lord, even when we can't understand why things happen, thank you that you are still in control. Lord even when we can't see what's going to happen next or know what your plan is, thank you for still loving us and being with us.
Lord as humans, most of us hate change. Help us to deal with it and to keep trusting in you. Help us not to give up when things don't seem to be going the way we thought they would, and seek you in all we do.
Help us to move on in your name and keep glorifying you.
He reigns, from heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an Awesome God
Lord, even when we can't understand why things happen, thank you that you are still in control. Lord even when we can't see what's going to happen next or know what your plan is, thank you for still loving us and being with us.
Lord as humans, most of us hate change. Help us to deal with it and to keep trusting in you. Help us not to give up when things don't seem to be going the way we thought they would, and seek you in all we do.
Help us to move on in your name and keep glorifying you.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
21st Celebration
I have provisionally booked for my 21st Birthday Celebration!
It will be on the 28th Jan at 7.30/8ish and all those who know me are very welcome.
I shall try and send out some invites at some point.
If you wish to know where it is before you get an invite just send me an email ;) I don't really want to post it on here!
Please come if you can make it. It's in a place that is a cafe by day so it will be very chilled and informal - space to hang, chat, catch up with people.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Secondly, but certainly not least, just a reminder that I shall be getting Baptised the following morning at NCBC, Duke Street at 10.45 - you must definitely come to that!
Cheers
It will be on the 28th Jan at 7.30/8ish and all those who know me are very welcome.
I shall try and send out some invites at some point.
If you wish to know where it is before you get an invite just send me an email ;) I don't really want to post it on here!
Please come if you can make it. It's in a place that is a cafe by day so it will be very chilled and informal - space to hang, chat, catch up with people.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Secondly, but certainly not least, just a reminder that I shall be getting Baptised the following morning at NCBC, Duke Street at 10.45 - you must definitely come to that!
Cheers
Friday, December 09, 2005
Send Tony Blair a Card
OOoooooo.... I've just noticed - the Make Poverty History banner on my site has changed and become all Christmassy offering us the chance to send Mr Blair a Christmas card to encourage him to Make Poverty History as his new year's resolution.
Clever
Clever
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Presentations - thank you
It's over!!!!
Two presentations and an essay due in today.
Thank you everyone for praying for me today and thank you Paul C for being a stuck record in my head way back from times at Fridays saying 'You can do it mate' and 'Well done mate' cuz other than relying on the big guy - it's your voice I hear encouraging me and believing in me - so thank you.
They did not go without hitchs. Big ones. But hey.
(4 more to go for next week......)
Two presentations and an essay due in today.
Thank you everyone for praying for me today and thank you Paul C for being a stuck record in my head way back from times at Fridays saying 'You can do it mate' and 'Well done mate' cuz other than relying on the big guy - it's your voice I hear encouraging me and believing in me - so thank you.
They did not go without hitchs. Big ones. But hey.
(4 more to go for next week......)
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The Beatitudes - The Message Version
This doesn't really count as me doing Bible study as my friend pointed it out to me, but we just loved the way The Message phrased The Beatitudes as we were really able to relate to them.
Matt 5:3-12
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
Matt 5:3-12
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11"Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
They just make so much sense for today. It's difficult to remember it in everyday life, but it's nice to be reminded...
Monday, December 05, 2005
Reasons - moving to action
I've been looking a little at the theory of Solution-focused therapy. In short - focusing on solutions and using problem-free talk as opposed to just talking about your problems and searching for a reason. We can search for reasons forever and when (if?!) we find them, does that actually help us move on? Solution-focused therapy works on making the changes you want to make and moving you forward while you're looking for the reasons rather than waiting for them.
I don't know what I think about that.
I have discovered this week that my tendency to be a perfectionist relates to more of my life than I thought. I've been reading the Gale Dictionary of Psychology for an essay and it said a number of things that I relate to. I struggle to make decisions - this is because I fear making the wrong and not perfect decision so it's easier to make no decision. It takes me forever to do my uni work - "Due to their exacting precision, they take an excessive amount of time to perform tasks. Even small tasks become overwhelming, which leads to frustration, procrastination, and further anxiety caused by time constraints"
"Perfectionists also pay selective attention to their own achievements, criticizing themselves for mistakes or failures, and downplaying their successes. Overwhelmed by anxiety about their future performance, they are unable to enjoy successes."
It says that perfectionists can have memory loss or 'blank' before perfomances, it says that it causes headaches and depression. It can be an obstacle to reaching a goal.
So that's all very interesting - but how does that knowledge help me?
I don't know what I think about that.
I have discovered this week that my tendency to be a perfectionist relates to more of my life than I thought. I've been reading the Gale Dictionary of Psychology for an essay and it said a number of things that I relate to. I struggle to make decisions - this is because I fear making the wrong and not perfect decision so it's easier to make no decision. It takes me forever to do my uni work - "Due to their exacting precision, they take an excessive amount of time to perform tasks. Even small tasks become overwhelming, which leads to frustration, procrastination, and further anxiety caused by time constraints"
"Perfectionists also pay selective attention to their own achievements, criticizing themselves for mistakes or failures, and downplaying their successes. Overwhelmed by anxiety about their future performance, they are unable to enjoy successes."
It says that perfectionists can have memory loss or 'blank' before perfomances, it says that it causes headaches and depression. It can be an obstacle to reaching a goal.
So that's all very interesting - but how does that knowledge help me?
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Outreach/Church
I guess the questions is what is church for.
But specifically, I'm confused.
I go to a small church that's recently been planted in York. There are 9 people in it plus three children. Currently we meet on just Wednesdays.
This Sunday the couple that lead the church have invited us for dinner as a church social. I asked if I could bring my housemate and they said no. We're having a social for bringing non-Christian friends next Saturday. I explained that my housemate works on Saturdays so would be unable to come. They know that I've had some really good conversations with her recently, but still they say no.
So now I'm confused.
They say that as a church it's important for us to socialise together in a non 'church' setting. Fair enough - great, but why can't I bring my housemate?
I thought that it was of top priority to help people see and meet with Jesus? On my gap year, every event the church did had to have an element of outreach in it. Everything was accessible to non-Christians. So why are they saying no? It doesn't make sense to me.
So if I go out for lunch, housemate asks where I'm going, I tell her, she asks to come, and I say no sorry your not part of the church - how's that good? Or am I missing something?
But specifically, I'm confused.
I go to a small church that's recently been planted in York. There are 9 people in it plus three children. Currently we meet on just Wednesdays.
This Sunday the couple that lead the church have invited us for dinner as a church social. I asked if I could bring my housemate and they said no. We're having a social for bringing non-Christian friends next Saturday. I explained that my housemate works on Saturdays so would be unable to come. They know that I've had some really good conversations with her recently, but still they say no.
So now I'm confused.
They say that as a church it's important for us to socialise together in a non 'church' setting. Fair enough - great, but why can't I bring my housemate?
I thought that it was of top priority to help people see and meet with Jesus? On my gap year, every event the church did had to have an element of outreach in it. Everything was accessible to non-Christians. So why are they saying no? It doesn't make sense to me.
So if I go out for lunch, housemate asks where I'm going, I tell her, she asks to come, and I say no sorry your not part of the church - how's that good? Or am I missing something?
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Ha ha
Jess discovered today that Mike Pilivachi is in the dictionary:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mike+Pilavachi
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Mike+Pilavachi
Mike Pilivachi
Coolest of cool, Mike Pilavachi is a popular Christian evangelist seen generally in Soul Survivor wearing the coolest Nigerian kaftans a man can buy.Mike Pilavachi's faith inspires so many, it makes one jump for joy!
Source: Stephen W. Thomas, West Sussex, May 28, 2005
How entertaining. I typed my own name in, but it wasn't there - Helen is though: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Helen
I've looked up some fellow bloggers too
Keith was funny:
Keith
It also said that he was good with computers - so not true!
Bouttell was undefined :(
Louise Wood was majorly rude
There were some lovely ones for Laura:
Laura
Tuma is a little too rude to put on here - sorry Mark, but Grace was lovely
Grace
Beauty, sunrises, singing birds, blossoming flowers. All those things that remind us why life is worth living.
Heaven on earth. A star to light your life.
Source: JonGraceLover, Heaven, Aug 5, 2005
I was also entertained to discover that 'Cracknell is a disease:
Cracknell
A disease contracted by youths which turns them into highly mischevious pranksters.
Coolest of cool, Mike Pilavachi is a popular Christian evangelist seen generally in Soul Survivor wearing the coolest Nigerian kaftans a man can buy.Mike Pilavachi's faith inspires so many, it makes one jump for joy!
Source: Stephen W. Thomas, West Sussex, May 28, 2005
How entertaining. I typed my own name in, but it wasn't there - Helen is though: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Helen
I've looked up some fellow bloggers too
Keith was funny:
Keith
Keith is a female name, derived from the french word "fairy", meaning 'small winged legendary being' or 'male homosexual'.
Source: Jnen., Jan 6, 2005 It also said that he was good with computers - so not true!
Bouttell was undefined :(
Louise Wood was majorly rude
There were some lovely ones for Laura:
Laura
a brilliant person who is good at everything she wants to be good at, but as a kind person, she will step down to let another have the spotlight
Tuma is a little too rude to put on here - sorry Mark, but Grace was lovely
Grace
Beauty, sunrises, singing birds, blossoming flowers. All those things that remind us why life is worth living.
Heaven on earth. A star to light your life.
Source: JonGraceLover, Heaven, Aug 5, 2005
I was also entertained to discover that 'Cracknell is a disease:
Cracknell
A disease contracted by youths which turns them into highly mischevious pranksters.
Poor kid. . . He's got Cracknell's
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Bible Reading
I'm really struggling to read my Bible at the moment.
Two big reasons 1.) I've just got out of the habit and 2.) My essays (and playing solitaire endlessly) seem to take up so much of my time.
Therefore, at Mark T's suggestion I'm going to read my Bible and post my findings on here.
I would like you all to bug me if I don't post anything.
My aim is to post something at least once a week - ideally I'd like to post something every other day - and I might manage that to begin with while I'm excited about it - but it may tail off.
So yeah, please please bug me. This is important.
I want to rebuild my neglected relationship with the Big Guy.
Two big reasons 1.) I've just got out of the habit and 2.) My essays (and playing solitaire endlessly) seem to take up so much of my time.
Therefore, at Mark T's suggestion I'm going to read my Bible and post my findings on here.
I would like you all to bug me if I don't post anything.
My aim is to post something at least once a week - ideally I'd like to post something every other day - and I might manage that to begin with while I'm excited about it - but it may tail off.
So yeah, please please bug me. This is important.
I want to rebuild my neglected relationship with the Big Guy.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Woahhhh!
Massive conversation with her today!!! Massive, massive, massive!
God is amazing
*speechless*
God is amazing
*speechless*
Saturday, November 26, 2005
P.S.
p.s. to the last post - it works.
I told the devil to go away in Jesus name and that he wasn't welcome in my housemate's heart and she's just come in and we've discussed sex and Christianity, and she explained how she's learnt about Christianity - in the forum of Catholics, Anglicans and Jehovah's Witnesses at school. She was inquisitive and interested.
there is power in prayer and Jesus' name...
I told the devil to go away in Jesus name and that he wasn't welcome in my housemate's heart and she's just come in and we've discussed sex and Christianity, and she explained how she's learnt about Christianity - in the forum of Catholics, Anglicans and Jehovah's Witnesses at school. She was inquisitive and interested.
there is power in prayer and Jesus' name...
Fresh Look
Isn't in interesting how being given a tiny nuget of information can help you see many things in a different way.
Last weekend I went on the Christian Union weekend and the speaker was talking about how our non-Christian friends hearts are often hardened to the truth, and that no matter how much we argue with them about God, they won't see His love because the devil has shut them off from it. It's only when we pray for the Holy Spirit to come in and minister to them, that their hearts can be opened.
He compared it to an egg inside a mother. No matter how much we talk to that egg and try and pursuade it to come alive, it won't. It takes the seed from the father to come in, to bring it life.
So our friends our spiritually dead. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to come in and make them alive.
So yeah, I've just listened to Tim Hughes' 'You' and bits of it stood out to me that relate to this that I hadn't heard in that way before:
"Love can melt the hardest heart
Your words can bring the dead to life
Nothing is impossible for You"
So I'd better get praying!
Last weekend I went on the Christian Union weekend and the speaker was talking about how our non-Christian friends hearts are often hardened to the truth, and that no matter how much we argue with them about God, they won't see His love because the devil has shut them off from it. It's only when we pray for the Holy Spirit to come in and minister to them, that their hearts can be opened.
He compared it to an egg inside a mother. No matter how much we talk to that egg and try and pursuade it to come alive, it won't. It takes the seed from the father to come in, to bring it life.
So our friends our spiritually dead. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to come in and make them alive.
So yeah, I've just listened to Tim Hughes' 'You' and bits of it stood out to me that relate to this that I hadn't heard in that way before:
"Love can melt the hardest heart
Your words can bring the dead to life
Nothing is impossible for You"
So I'd better get praying!
Friday, November 25, 2005
Good Shopping
Basically, York sucks when it comes to shopping.
Yes it's a lovely place, and has great historical places of interest and has lovely little quaint shopping streets, but...
I'm a student!
I have little money.
Therefore York is pants because it is all touristified (new word from me - please add to your dictionaries) and expensive.
Annoying piece of information I discovered this week - Primark has bought all of the Littlewooods stores. Wonderful, York had a Littlewoods store and Primark is great for a student budget.
But ooooh no. Primark has sold the York store to New Look because it's not big enough. We've already got two New Looks!!!!!!
What is going on in York?!
It's already taken them two years to build H & M and they haven't finished yet! I'm going (gone) mad!
Yes it's a lovely place, and has great historical places of interest and has lovely little quaint shopping streets, but...
I'm a student!
I have little money.
Therefore York is pants because it is all touristified (new word from me - please add to your dictionaries) and expensive.
Annoying piece of information I discovered this week - Primark has bought all of the Littlewooods stores. Wonderful, York had a Littlewoods store and Primark is great for a student budget.
But ooooh no. Primark has sold the York store to New Look because it's not big enough. We've already got two New Looks!!!!!!
What is going on in York?!
It's already taken them two years to build H & M and they haven't finished yet! I'm going (gone) mad!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Assignments
Why oh why oh why do I have 9 more assignments (ranging from 1500-2500 words) to finish before the end of this semester?!!!
I know they're not massive, but they're not small either, and the amount of research that needs to be done for each one is crazy.
I know they're not massive, but they're not small either, and the amount of research that needs to be done for each one is crazy.
Monday, November 21, 2005
See ya later Maurice!
I just wanted to spare a moment for Maurice today as he died at about 7.45 this morning.
I have known him for as long as I can remember and have many happy memories of him. He was always a cheerful and loving face to see at church and visit.
So yeah, looking forward to seeing ya later mate.
I have known him for as long as I can remember and have many happy memories of him. He was always a cheerful and loving face to see at church and visit.
So yeah, looking forward to seeing ya later mate.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Emergent Versions of songs
Nicked this off a post on the NYFC forum. Apparently it's for those of us who are emergent.
Shout to the Lord (Angry) Original
(Lyrics: Marcus Curnow 2005)
Why Jesus? Why favour
Those who do not like you?
All of my years I cry bitter tears
I wonder where’s your mighty love?
No comfort, No shelter
Where is the refuge and strength?
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to question You
Shout to/(at) the Lord
All the Earth, let us bring
Powerlessness, tragedy
Rail at the King
Mountains fall down
And the seas will roar
Hear the sound of the pain
I long to see the work
Of your hand
Forever I’ll seek you
Seek to understand
Nothing to hold
But the promise I have
In you
I really like it. I often change the words of songs I sing if they're not quite what I need to sing at that particular moment. I made a suggestion once that we should have songs with the same tunes etc, but different lyrics, and at church you sing both together depending on which one you want to sing, depending on where you are with God.
Would probably sound awful!
Shout to the Lord (Angry) Original
(Lyrics: Marcus Curnow 2005)
Why Jesus? Why favour
Those who do not like you?
All of my years I cry bitter tears
I wonder where’s your mighty love?
No comfort, No shelter
Where is the refuge and strength?
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to question You
Shout to/(at) the Lord
All the Earth, let us bring
Powerlessness, tragedy
Rail at the King
Mountains fall down
And the seas will roar
Hear the sound of the pain
I long to see the work
Of your hand
Forever I’ll seek you
Seek to understand
Nothing to hold
But the promise I have
In you
I really like it. I often change the words of songs I sing if they're not quite what I need to sing at that particular moment. I made a suggestion once that we should have songs with the same tunes etc, but different lyrics, and at church you sing both together depending on which one you want to sing, depending on where you are with God.
Would probably sound awful!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Helen needs...
Saw this on Heather Cracknell's blog...
Basically you type in your name followed by 'needs' into google and see what comes up.
They're really odd but funny too!
Helen needs a bigger apartment
Helen needs a bassist
Helen needs to be cool and sassy
Helen needs to be an inside dog, with a family that will allow her to jump oncouches, sleep in the bed and be basically underfoot all day
Helen needs to call forhelp to break up a party
Helen needs to do some growing up herself
Helen needs effervescent refreshments
Helen needs the new owner at 325 Crestwood Terrace to shut up a minute
Helen needs to forget all that has happened in the past ten years
Helen needs your Help
Helen needs to be real
Helen needs it
Helen needs a cookie
Helen needs help, and friends,and so decides to take the plunge and join the local Garden Club
Helen needs a nursing home now?
Helen needs to take a nap
Basically you type in your name followed by 'needs' into google and see what comes up.
They're really odd but funny too!
Helen needs a bigger apartment
Helen needs a bassist
Helen needs to be cool and sassy
Helen needs to be an inside dog, with a family that will allow her to jump oncouches, sleep in the bed and be basically underfoot all day
Helen needs to call forhelp to break up a party
Helen needs to do some growing up herself
Helen needs effervescent refreshments
Helen needs the new owner at 325 Crestwood Terrace to shut up a minute
Helen needs to forget all that has happened in the past ten years
Helen needs your Help
Helen needs to be real
Helen needs it
Helen needs a cookie
Helen needs help, and friends,and so decides to take the plunge and join the local Garden Club
Helen needs a nursing home now?
Helen needs to take a nap
Baptism
Well it's a definte!
I am getting Baptised at the morning service on the 29th January 2006 at Norwich Central Baptist Church.
You are all so very welcome!
I am getting Baptised at the morning service on the 29th January 2006 at Norwich Central Baptist Church.
You are all so very welcome!
Monday, October 31, 2005
HOME
I am coming home next weekend :D
This morning I thought I would just be home for Friday-Monday.
Then I got an email informing me that my lecture on Tuesday is not on. So I arranged to swap my work shift (Mon night) with someone, thus allowing me to stay until Tuesday.
Then I got a phone call an hour or so ago saying that I'm not mentoring this Wednesday as they've not found me a 'victim' yet. (kind of sucks from a 'i need a placement' point of view!) They said that they'd be in touch in the next few weeks. So I inquired as to whether I'd be needed next week and they said no!
So now I shall be in Norwich Friday eve until Wednesday late afternoon probably!
Any requests to see me/meet up are warmly welcomed ;)
This morning I thought I would just be home for Friday-Monday.
Then I got an email informing me that my lecture on Tuesday is not on. So I arranged to swap my work shift (Mon night) with someone, thus allowing me to stay until Tuesday.
Then I got a phone call an hour or so ago saying that I'm not mentoring this Wednesday as they've not found me a 'victim' yet. (kind of sucks from a 'i need a placement' point of view!) They said that they'd be in touch in the next few weeks. So I inquired as to whether I'd be needed next week and they said no!
So now I shall be in Norwich Friday eve until Wednesday late afternoon probably!
Any requests to see me/meet up are warmly welcomed ;)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Now is the time...
... for us to shine. Shine with the face of Christ divine. (Delirious? & Matt Redman)k
This morning I went to The Groves Pentecostal Church. I was told that I have a beautiful face that shines with the spirit of God and that I have a beautiful and powerful singing voice.
How nice.
Anyway. The Groves is the area of York that I live in. I discovered The Groves Pentecostal Church on this website. I thought I'd check it out as it's barely a minute from my house. They meet in an upper room above the Spar shop. The door was shut when I got there and I thought I was going into a store room! I thought I'd set off an alarm - it was a bit scary.
There are about 30 people in the church. We sang about 20 different songs, all a bit old, but all sung with amazing enthusiasm and joy. The preach was a bit dull - but potentially cuz I didn't get much sleep last night. Everyone was really friendly - especially as I was hard to miss. I was welcomed during the notices by name and everyone clapped me. lol
Afterwards a lady came and talked to me. She'd had a number of struggles in her life but now feels amazingly free and happy. I found out later that she's 80, I thought she was 60!! She was lovely though and hugged me goodbye. I was dragged away to play with a little girl for ages! I found this a bit odd, but quite nice - she obviously trusted me to play. We made some duplo people have a tea party. I think everyone in the church spoke to me at some point! Two old ladies absolutely loved my jumper that says 'survivor' on the back, and my tshirt that says 'loved'.
It all felt a bit odd, but I shall go again in a fortnight.
This morning I went to The Groves Pentecostal Church. I was told that I have a beautiful face that shines with the spirit of God and that I have a beautiful and powerful singing voice.
How nice.
Anyway. The Groves is the area of York that I live in. I discovered The Groves Pentecostal Church on this website. I thought I'd check it out as it's barely a minute from my house. They meet in an upper room above the Spar shop. The door was shut when I got there and I thought I was going into a store room! I thought I'd set off an alarm - it was a bit scary.
There are about 30 people in the church. We sang about 20 different songs, all a bit old, but all sung with amazing enthusiasm and joy. The preach was a bit dull - but potentially cuz I didn't get much sleep last night. Everyone was really friendly - especially as I was hard to miss. I was welcomed during the notices by name and everyone clapped me. lol
Afterwards a lady came and talked to me. She'd had a number of struggles in her life but now feels amazingly free and happy. I found out later that she's 80, I thought she was 60!! She was lovely though and hugged me goodbye. I was dragged away to play with a little girl for ages! I found this a bit odd, but quite nice - she obviously trusted me to play. We made some duplo people have a tea party. I think everyone in the church spoke to me at some point! Two old ladies absolutely loved my jumper that says 'survivor' on the back, and my tshirt that says 'loved'.
It all felt a bit odd, but I shall go again in a fortnight.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Lou and Helen's Shopping Trip
Yesterday, Lou and I had fun trying on dresses to get inspiration for the Reality Ball (www.reality-norwich.com) and just for fun!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Essays
Why is it that when we know we've got essays to do, we spend all day reading, sleeping and playing solitaire endlessly. And then feel guilty for not doing anything, and therefore feel bad and so therefore read, sleep and play some more?
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Skirt!
This is me looking half asleep in one of my new skirts
- may post the other one with it tomorrow.
- may post the other one with it tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Tag
I was tagged by Chris so here is the 5th line of my 25th blog:
"I have 8 cards and 3 presents sitting waiting for me in my room."
I tag Paul and Heather Cracknell and Dad
*There seems to be a lot of people confused about this - basically, if you're tagged, you find the 25th blog you made (or post as I call them) and then the 5th line of that blog - and you quote it - then you can tag other people ;)*
"I have 8 cards and 3 presents sitting waiting for me in my room."
I tag Paul and Heather Cracknell and Dad
*There seems to be a lot of people confused about this - basically, if you're tagged, you find the 25th blog you made (or post as I call them) and then the 5th line of that blog - and you quote it - then you can tag other people ;)*
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Be My Everything
EVERYTHING
God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
__________
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything
If you haven't guess already - I love this song. We sang it at Soul Survivor and Momentum
You can download it here http://www.passionforyourname.com/newsong.html
There's a bit that says AUDIO at the bottom.
What are we paying for?
I've just come back from the third pointless seminar in Difference and Helping that I've had this semester (out of three) and I'm wondering what we're paying for.
They've spent the last few weeks talking about an assignment they want us to do, but how we can't do it, and wondering what we could do instead. This week I got there to find a note on the board from the tutor saying she was at a meeting and would join us in 45mins. In that time we had to go and do some research on Government policies for inclusion/exclusion. We then came back and discussed it for 45mins. I can't say I actually learnt anything other than it's hard to find the website when you're not given the address. It was all stuff she could have emailed and asked us to do in preparation for the seminar.
It's just a bit frustrating to be paying all this money to go to uni and for it to be pointless and useless!
Anyone else had similar encounters?
They've spent the last few weeks talking about an assignment they want us to do, but how we can't do it, and wondering what we could do instead. This week I got there to find a note on the board from the tutor saying she was at a meeting and would join us in 45mins. In that time we had to go and do some research on Government policies for inclusion/exclusion. We then came back and discussed it for 45mins. I can't say I actually learnt anything other than it's hard to find the website when you're not given the address. It was all stuff she could have emailed and asked us to do in preparation for the seminar.
It's just a bit frustrating to be paying all this money to go to uni and for it to be pointless and useless!
Anyone else had similar encounters?
Friday, October 14, 2005
Hair Dryer
I've just discovered the most random use for my hair dryer (which I hardly ever use anyway!)
It blows up my cool airbed (that's more like a mattress) in record time!
It blows up my cool airbed (that's more like a mattress) in record time!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
CU
I went to the Christian Union at Uni this evening for the first time since this time last year.
I've avoided it like the plague due to people I felt uncomfortable with, its cliqueness, its general out-of-touchness with the rest of the world, and it's boring meetings.
A lot of my friends at uni are involved with it though and I think it's become their mission to get me involved.
So this evening, out of curiosity and support for my friend, I went along.
I felt a bit of an outcast to begin with, but there were a few faces I recognised.
We were very much blessed in that the speaker had cancelled (I've heard reports from various people that so far CU has just been like another lecture - which is not great on a Thurs since that's my busiest day at college). So we spent the evening in various groups of five praying about five different topics - one at a time and not in this order. We prayed about the Religious Hate Bill - that God's will is done. We prayed for all the different sufferings that are going on around the world, we prayed for those we knew of who are unwell, we prayed for the CU's mission week (which I have my reservations about - but hey!) and we prayed for the people around us at college both Christian and not-yet-Christian.
After the notices and the praying was done, there was only about 40mins left so we spent the rest of the time praising God. It wasn't the best quality worship ever, not many people knew the songs (although they were all from one of the Soul Survivor songbooks - yey I'm back at Fridays!) but I sang to my hearts content and to the Lord.
It felt so great to spend time with God in this way.
To finish we prayed for each other. This American guy I only just met thanked God for how awesome I am! WOw! He said to God that although he'd only just met me he could tell that I'm well passionate about God and stuff and seem like a cool person of God. A friend of a friend who I don't know greatly well also prayed a lovely prayer. It felt so wonderful as I've not been prayed for like that for ages.
Afterwards we chilled and I spoke to this girl I'd met in a lift during freshers week. I thank God for the way he works, because she was really upset as her grandad had just died and she had no one else to talk to. If we hadn't met in the lift (which we wouldn't have done if I hadn't been note taking for a disabled girl in her class) I wouldn't have talked to her and she would have gone home feeling even worse.
I also shared with everyone about how great God has been for finding my tweezers. They all laughed, but some people came up afterwards and thanked me for saying it! Basically I've been looking for them for a week or so, and it was only when I sat down and asked God for help that I looked in my drawer and thought - hey perhaps they've slipped into my magazine - and there they were! God cares about every single part of us - even the insignificant!
So yeah, I thank you God.
Dunno if I'll go again - depends if they're having a speaker or not! ;)
I've avoided it like the plague due to people I felt uncomfortable with, its cliqueness, its general out-of-touchness with the rest of the world, and it's boring meetings.
A lot of my friends at uni are involved with it though and I think it's become their mission to get me involved.
So this evening, out of curiosity and support for my friend, I went along.
I felt a bit of an outcast to begin with, but there were a few faces I recognised.
We were very much blessed in that the speaker had cancelled (I've heard reports from various people that so far CU has just been like another lecture - which is not great on a Thurs since that's my busiest day at college). So we spent the evening in various groups of five praying about five different topics - one at a time and not in this order. We prayed about the Religious Hate Bill - that God's will is done. We prayed for all the different sufferings that are going on around the world, we prayed for those we knew of who are unwell, we prayed for the CU's mission week (which I have my reservations about - but hey!) and we prayed for the people around us at college both Christian and not-yet-Christian.
After the notices and the praying was done, there was only about 40mins left so we spent the rest of the time praising God. It wasn't the best quality worship ever, not many people knew the songs (although they were all from one of the Soul Survivor songbooks - yey I'm back at Fridays!) but I sang to my hearts content and to the Lord.
It felt so great to spend time with God in this way.
To finish we prayed for each other. This American guy I only just met thanked God for how awesome I am! WOw! He said to God that although he'd only just met me he could tell that I'm well passionate about God and stuff and seem like a cool person of God. A friend of a friend who I don't know greatly well also prayed a lovely prayer. It felt so wonderful as I've not been prayed for like that for ages.
Afterwards we chilled and I spoke to this girl I'd met in a lift during freshers week. I thank God for the way he works, because she was really upset as her grandad had just died and she had no one else to talk to. If we hadn't met in the lift (which we wouldn't have done if I hadn't been note taking for a disabled girl in her class) I wouldn't have talked to her and she would have gone home feeling even worse.
I also shared with everyone about how great God has been for finding my tweezers. They all laughed, but some people came up afterwards and thanked me for saying it! Basically I've been looking for them for a week or so, and it was only when I sat down and asked God for help that I looked in my drawer and thought - hey perhaps they've slipped into my magazine - and there they were! God cares about every single part of us - even the insignificant!
So yeah, I thank you God.
Dunno if I'll go again - depends if they're having a speaker or not! ;)
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Lefthandedness
I very much rejoice in being left-handed.
I like being separated from the majority of people in this way.
Interestingly there are a lot of left-handers on my course...
I wonder if one day in the future I'll be disciminated for it?
Anyway, at church this morning the guy behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said - 'Ah it's good to see a fellow left-hander!' He was intrigued by my style of vertical writing. This led into a long historical discussion about left-handedness ranging from scissors, to computer mice, to cutlery.
As some of you may know, I hold out that all right-handers use their cutlery the wrong way. In my logic it makes sense for you to have the fork in your prominant hand because you do the most with it. You hold things with it and you move the food from the plate to your mouth with it. In some meals you only use the fork! Generally people disagree with me saying that you need the power of your dominant hand to cut with the knife.
This guy pointed out to me that at one time in the past we didn't use a fork, we just used a knife, using it to both cut and put things in our mouths. Occasionally a two pronged fork was used to hold things down. Therefore it made sense to use the dominant hand for the knife. It therefore appears that as the use of the knife has changed and it's become 'rude' to put it in your mouth, we have not adapted the use of our hands to fit.
Unless you're a left-hander of course ;)
I like being separated from the majority of people in this way.
Interestingly there are a lot of left-handers on my course...
I wonder if one day in the future I'll be disciminated for it?
Anyway, at church this morning the guy behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said - 'Ah it's good to see a fellow left-hander!' He was intrigued by my style of vertical writing. This led into a long historical discussion about left-handedness ranging from scissors, to computer mice, to cutlery.
As some of you may know, I hold out that all right-handers use their cutlery the wrong way. In my logic it makes sense for you to have the fork in your prominant hand because you do the most with it. You hold things with it and you move the food from the plate to your mouth with it. In some meals you only use the fork! Generally people disagree with me saying that you need the power of your dominant hand to cut with the knife.
This guy pointed out to me that at one time in the past we didn't use a fork, we just used a knife, using it to both cut and put things in our mouths. Occasionally a two pronged fork was used to hold things down. Therefore it made sense to use the dominant hand for the knife. It therefore appears that as the use of the knife has changed and it's become 'rude' to put it in your mouth, we have not adapted the use of our hands to fit.
Unless you're a left-hander of course ;)
Church Buildings
Something I can't get my head around...
With NCBC spending rather a large sum of money on their building at the moment - this is something that is in the forefront of my mind.
This morning at church (oo I've been going to the same one at uni for a month now!) a little old lady 'preached' about their miracle gift day next week - raising money for one of the church buildings. (the church is part of a fellowship of 3). I am kicking myself that I missed the Bible verse she gave which she said backed up that it's God ordained to raise money and spend it on our buildings...
Anyway, as I got increasingly annoyed with what she was saying I decided to write down my thoughts in response to what she was saying. Don't get me wrong - I think it's very important that we tithe and give to God's work, and she was saying some good things about that, but it chills me when all people talk about is this money going into a building.
Why do people dwell on buildings?
We don't need pretty buildings for people to come to - we need to go out to people.
God is not just present in pretty (expensive) buildlings.
Why does she keep saying pretty?
Sacrifice of life for buildings?!!! People died in building the minister - sacrificing their lives for the building? And so we should sacrifice our money for the building?
I'm sure God rejoices more over someone becoming a Christian
Why aren't we planning how to use the money for the community?
Lord, do you really have a vision of pretty churches all over the world?
We can't sit in the church and wait for people to come no matter how pretty it is!
I understand that buildings need repairing - but do we really need to dwell on it at the expense of the lost souls of the world?
Interestingly - I still feel draw to this church even when I disagree with it...
With NCBC spending rather a large sum of money on their building at the moment - this is something that is in the forefront of my mind.
This morning at church (oo I've been going to the same one at uni for a month now!) a little old lady 'preached' about their miracle gift day next week - raising money for one of the church buildings. (the church is part of a fellowship of 3). I am kicking myself that I missed the Bible verse she gave which she said backed up that it's God ordained to raise money and spend it on our buildings...
Anyway, as I got increasingly annoyed with what she was saying I decided to write down my thoughts in response to what she was saying. Don't get me wrong - I think it's very important that we tithe and give to God's work, and she was saying some good things about that, but it chills me when all people talk about is this money going into a building.
Why do people dwell on buildings?
We don't need pretty buildings for people to come to - we need to go out to people.
God is not just present in pretty (expensive) buildlings.
Why does she keep saying pretty?
Sacrifice of life for buildings?!!! People died in building the minister - sacrificing their lives for the building? And so we should sacrifice our money for the building?
I'm sure God rejoices more over someone becoming a Christian
Why aren't we planning how to use the money for the community?
Lord, do you really have a vision of pretty churches all over the world?
We can't sit in the church and wait for people to come no matter how pretty it is!
I understand that buildings need repairing - but do we really need to dwell on it at the expense of the lost souls of the world?
Interestingly - I still feel draw to this church even when I disagree with it...
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