"What is the measure of a life well lived
If all I can offer seems too small to give
This is a song for the weaker, the poorer
And so-called failures
Little is much when God's in it
And no one can fathom the plans He holds
Little is much when God's in it
He changes the world with the seeds we sow
Little is much, little is much
Who feels tired and under-qualified
Who feels deserted, and hung out to dry
This is a song for the broken, the beat-up
And so-called losers
Consider a Kingdom in the smallest seed
Consider that giants fall to stones and slings
Consider a child in a manger
Consider the story isn't over
What can be done with what you still have"
from a band called Downhere been listening to it on the radio, I like it. It's encouraging that God uses even the smallest of people that the world looks down on.
You can listen to it here
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Momentum - moving
After three days of being in bed, today I woke up and felt almost human :D
I am now going to Clifton Parish Church. It was a long and difficult decision, but in short I felt that it wasn't right for me to be at MV York any more. I've learnt a lot, but it's time to move on.
Tonight, David that vicar spoke. Him and a load of guys have just got back from two weeks in Rwanda (*mental note to figure out where that is, wonder if I could go there sometime...*). Of what he spoke about, the thing that stood out to me was what he said about momentum. Not momentum in the sense of Soul Survivor's student event, but momemtum as in movement. He compared it to starting to move a massive wheel. At first it's really hard, and it takes so much effort, and you really don't seem to be getting anyway for all this effort you're putting in. Then it starts to move, and you're pushing and pushing, and repetively doing the same little things, which again don't seem to amount to much on their own, and you still don't seem to be getting very far, but you've got to keep doing them or it'll stop. Then finally once the momentum is going, you really go for it and it takes little effort.
I like that picture. It encourages me.
He also said that it works especially well when you're using your gifting/talents, because that provides energy and enthusiam.
Not quite sure what I'm going to do with this, but hey ho!
I am now going to Clifton Parish Church. It was a long and difficult decision, but in short I felt that it wasn't right for me to be at MV York any more. I've learnt a lot, but it's time to move on.
Tonight, David that vicar spoke. Him and a load of guys have just got back from two weeks in Rwanda (*mental note to figure out where that is, wonder if I could go there sometime...*). Of what he spoke about, the thing that stood out to me was what he said about momentum. Not momentum in the sense of Soul Survivor's student event, but momemtum as in movement. He compared it to starting to move a massive wheel. At first it's really hard, and it takes so much effort, and you really don't seem to be getting anyway for all this effort you're putting in. Then it starts to move, and you're pushing and pushing, and repetively doing the same little things, which again don't seem to amount to much on their own, and you still don't seem to be getting very far, but you've got to keep doing them or it'll stop. Then finally once the momentum is going, you really go for it and it takes little effort.
I like that picture. It encourages me.
He also said that it works especially well when you're using your gifting/talents, because that provides energy and enthusiam.
Not quite sure what I'm going to do with this, but hey ho!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Installation
Apologies for the lack of blogging. I don't really have an excuse!
Quick update:
Am currently unwell :(
Work is good, charity shop is good, housemates are great, as are friends.
I've been to the cinema and the theatre, and generally spent time socialising.
That brings us to today.
Today is the official installation day of The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu as Chancellor of York St John University. (Where I study if you hadn't gathered...) Otherwise known as the Archbishop of York.
I am sad that I didn't take a camera, as the service (or act of worship as our chaplin called it) was varied and exciting - including a giant. I have included a picture of my order of service, and two badges that I was given. The small silver one was received as a member of staff at uni, the larger one with green bits everyone got who went to the service.
The service started with our gospel choir singing the Circle of Life from the Lion King, and Happy Day, some organ music and then the procession of minster officials. This was followed by the York St John University Fanfare, and a procession of gowned tutors and members of staff. I would be very interested to know what all their different styles and colours of gown mean.
The service was very 'Christian'. A lot more than I was expecting! Although it York St John was founded by the Church of England, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. There were many Bible readings, including John 10:10b 'Jesus said, "I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly"' - this just so happens to be the verse we use at CU. There were a number of prayers throughout too, by staff, students, the chaplain.
We then had a performance by the Faculty of Arts called 'The Flourishing of York St John'. It basically told the story of St Johns and was all based around the idea of a seedling growing and florishing like the students of the university. It involved a giant version of Edward Cordukes the first student to enrol, students processing around the minster with small trees on their backs, young children from the minster school running down the minster and flags. It was good.
We sang two hymns - entertainingly some of the congragation thought they new one better than others and got out of time! We had a York St John University Prayer:
'Loving God,
you have bound us together in the unity of a learning community,
so that we may have live and have it in abundance.
Help us this day and in all our futures to draw on the wellsprings of your love,
so that people and justice may be on our lips and in our lives,
now and forever. Amen'
The actually installation took no time at all, and Kate and I wondered whether he came with an installation disc incase we need to uninstall him....
The Archbishop gave us an address, unfortunately I didn't hear much, but I did catch his final comment:
'Remember, never stand between a lamp post and a dog'
Clearly important...
I thoroughly enjoyed the service. Most excited to discover the York St John drummers - I wonder if I can join them...
Quick update:
Am currently unwell :(
Work is good, charity shop is good, housemates are great, as are friends.
I've been to the cinema and the theatre, and generally spent time socialising.
That brings us to today.
Today is the official installation day of The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu as Chancellor of York St John University. (Where I study if you hadn't gathered...) Otherwise known as the Archbishop of York.I am sad that I didn't take a camera, as the service (or act of worship as our chaplin called it) was varied and exciting - including a giant. I have included a picture of my order of service, and two badges that I was given. The small silver one was received as a member of staff at uni, the larger one with green bits everyone got who went to the service.
The service started with our gospel choir singing the Circle of Life from the Lion King, and Happy Day, some organ music and then the procession of minster officials. This was followed by the York St John University Fanfare, and a procession of gowned tutors and members of staff. I would be very interested to know what all their different styles and colours of gown mean.
The service was very 'Christian'. A lot more than I was expecting! Although it York St John was founded by the Church of England, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. There were many Bible readings, including John 10:10b 'Jesus said, "I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly"' - this just so happens to be the verse we use at CU. There were a number of prayers throughout too, by staff, students, the chaplain.
We then had a performance by the Faculty of Arts called 'The Flourishing of York St John'. It basically told the story of St Johns and was all based around the idea of a seedling growing and florishing like the students of the university. It involved a giant version of Edward Cordukes the first student to enrol, students processing around the minster with small trees on their backs, young children from the minster school running down the minster and flags. It was good.
We sang two hymns - entertainingly some of the congragation thought they new one better than others and got out of time! We had a York St John University Prayer:
'Loving God,
you have bound us together in the unity of a learning community,
so that we may have live and have it in abundance.
Help us this day and in all our futures to draw on the wellsprings of your love,
so that people and justice may be on our lips and in our lives,
now and forever. Amen'
The actually installation took no time at all, and Kate and I wondered whether he came with an installation disc incase we need to uninstall him....
The Archbishop gave us an address, unfortunately I didn't hear much, but I did catch his final comment:
'Remember, never stand between a lamp post and a dog'
Clearly important...
I thoroughly enjoyed the service. Most excited to discover the York St John drummers - I wonder if I can join them...
Saturday, February 10, 2007
What My Name Means
Nicked from Emma
Think I prefer sparkles!
| What Helen Means |
H is for Hardworking E is for Elitist L is for Luxurious E is for Exquisite N is for Neglected |
Think I prefer sparkles!
| What Sparkles Means |
S is for Sweet P is for Posh A is for Artistic R is for Remarkable K is for Kind L is for Loving E is for Earthy S is for Sensitive |
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Baptiversary
Today is my "Baptiversary" as James so cleverly put it! ;)
Can't believe it's a whole year!!
I feel like I ought to write something more intelligent - but I can't think of anything! Will maybe add more later!
Can't believe it's a whole year!!
I feel like I ought to write something more intelligent - but I can't think of anything! Will maybe add more later!
Minster Ball 2007
Here is a cartoon version of my housemates and I at the ball, and the minster all lit up.
Thankfully it wasn't as cold as when I went in my first year! We had a most enjoyable evening.
I would put more photos up, but they will take over!
Thankfully it wasn't as cold as when I went in my first year! We had a most enjoyable evening.
I would put more photos up, but they will take over!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Philippians 3:12-14 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Running toward the Goal
12I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
[American Bible Society]
Running toward the Goal
12I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
[American Bible Society]
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Five Things You May Not Know About Me
Thanks Phil for tagging me - (and explaining to me what that was!)
Five things:
1. I enjoy playing Bingo with my uni friends.
2. I prefer ginger nut biscuits when they've gone soft.
3. I tipped my little sister head first out of a baby bouncer when she was a baby.
4. I was the only girl on the cricket team at middle school.
5. I can do this with my eyes (excuse the bad old video ;))
I tag Sarah and Rachel
Five things:
1. I enjoy playing Bingo with my uni friends.
2. I prefer ginger nut biscuits when they've gone soft.
3. I tipped my little sister head first out of a baby bouncer when she was a baby.
4. I was the only girl on the cricket team at middle school.
5. I can do this with my eyes (excuse the bad old video ;))
I tag Sarah and Rachel
Monday, January 01, 2007
Beauty
1 Peter 3:3-4 (New Living Translation)
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
Beauty. Something we long for, and yet something that is a battle. We are taught that it's what's on the inside that counts, and yet we all still long for beauty. We admire beautiful sunsets, the sea, creation. Media shows us beautiful people, and we admire theirs' and each others' beauty. So is it wrong to seek visual beauty, or is it only when the beauty of the person as a whole shines through, that the external beauty is really beautiful?
I look at some of my friends, and to me they are amazing and stunning. Their beauty shines through and it's hard to describe, but by the worlds' standards they are dull or even ugly. So is the quote, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' true - or can we all see beauty if we look closely enough?Why beauty? Is it shallow to seek beauty? Beauty comforts, beauty relaxes and refreshes. Beauty captures our imagination and sets us running wild and free.
Does beauty have to have a price? Can beauty thats not our own always make us feel good?
(This is both my thoughts and thoughts from 'Captivated' by John & stasi Eldredge)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Oh dear...
... I just got up from watching TV, picked up my glass, took it into the kitchen, and chucked the rest of the water in the bin...
... hmm...
... hmm...
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Is there a right?
Our CU is 'multi-denominational'.
I've been briefly thinking about what this means in practice.
We don't have women speakers in case that offends people, we don't have free-flowing worship incase that offends people.
In most cases we err on the traditional/conservertive side of things. But in not offending them, are we offending others? What about the people that are used to free-flowing worship and prayer - are they not offended if we don't do that? What about the woman speaker?
So how does it work?
I've been briefly thinking about what this means in practice.
We don't have women speakers in case that offends people, we don't have free-flowing worship incase that offends people.
In most cases we err on the traditional/conservertive side of things. But in not offending them, are we offending others? What about the people that are used to free-flowing worship and prayer - are they not offended if we don't do that? What about the woman speaker?
So how does it work?
Friday, December 15, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Smile
This is a great video that richybabexx and some mates made for the York St. John Christian Union Weekend Away. They're all based on the legend that is Dom Joly and Trigger Happy TV. Enjoy!!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Our God is bigger
Right, have texted some people about this already today, but ongoing prayers are appreciated.
Basically, as a CU we've got our mission week next week and at the end of the week we are having an evangelistic carol concert of sorts 'supposedly' in the chapel at uni.
Chaplincy became aware that we'd booked this event yesterday (all our room bookings have to go through them) and kicked up a fuss because they're having a carol concert on the thursday afternoon. There are usually two concerts, ours being more evangelistic and aimed at students, the chaplincy one being attended more by staff. This year the Dean has asked the chaplincy to make theirs more student orientated as well, so chaplincy see ours as in competition with theirs.
This is not our perspective at all, as we are not only going to chaplincy's concert, but actually helping take part in it. To us the events are completely different. Theirs is a carol concert, ours is an evangelistic events.
Anyway, this means that the chaplincy feel betrayed by us, so yesterday told us we couldn't have it, even saying that someone else was using the chapel. In visiting room bookings we discovered that this is not the case, and they let us book it.
Chaplincy discovered this, this morning, so our president went for a meeting, where she was greeted by chaplincy and room bookings saying that we cannot hold the event anywhere on campus. They've spoken to security, and student services and informed them that this event cannot take place on campus under any cirmcumstances. We are dumbstruck by this. Why are they doing this? All we want is to spread God's word and love. We're not bothered about who gets the most people to their service or whatever.
We were then thrown into crisis because we've got a speaker coming from down south who's paid for, we've got fliers and posters and cards printed and made etc etc. It's all planned for. So one of the presidents and I spent the rest of the morning running round York trying to find and alternative venue, feeling like Mary and Joseph trying to find and room and failing.
Our hopes were raised a little after speaking to the Students Union, and our UCCF rep, both saying that chaplincy have no right to ban us from booking a room, and that we can as students book rooms, but it's transpired since then that we can't. The event is still banned from campus.
What gets me is that it's not uni that we're fighting against (I don't think they'd be too bothered) it's chaplincy. Somehow a relationship that has been good until now has been almost destroyed. There's hurt, bitterness and confusion.
Therefore we are working hard to respond with love and how Jesus would. The devil hits where it hurts the most, and we're not letting him win. He wants us to respond out of hurt and lash back at chaplincy, but we won't. We pray for that relationship to be restored.
So yeah, please pray along those lines, and also that the right venue is found and God's will is done. This is also a distraction from Jesus and our mission. But praise the Lord for this amazing opportunity for His glory to shine!
Thank you
Basically, as a CU we've got our mission week next week and at the end of the week we are having an evangelistic carol concert of sorts 'supposedly' in the chapel at uni.
Chaplincy became aware that we'd booked this event yesterday (all our room bookings have to go through them) and kicked up a fuss because they're having a carol concert on the thursday afternoon. There are usually two concerts, ours being more evangelistic and aimed at students, the chaplincy one being attended more by staff. This year the Dean has asked the chaplincy to make theirs more student orientated as well, so chaplincy see ours as in competition with theirs.
This is not our perspective at all, as we are not only going to chaplincy's concert, but actually helping take part in it. To us the events are completely different. Theirs is a carol concert, ours is an evangelistic events.
Anyway, this means that the chaplincy feel betrayed by us, so yesterday told us we couldn't have it, even saying that someone else was using the chapel. In visiting room bookings we discovered that this is not the case, and they let us book it.
Chaplincy discovered this, this morning, so our president went for a meeting, where she was greeted by chaplincy and room bookings saying that we cannot hold the event anywhere on campus. They've spoken to security, and student services and informed them that this event cannot take place on campus under any cirmcumstances. We are dumbstruck by this. Why are they doing this? All we want is to spread God's word and love. We're not bothered about who gets the most people to their service or whatever.
We were then thrown into crisis because we've got a speaker coming from down south who's paid for, we've got fliers and posters and cards printed and made etc etc. It's all planned for. So one of the presidents and I spent the rest of the morning running round York trying to find and alternative venue, feeling like Mary and Joseph trying to find and room and failing.
Our hopes were raised a little after speaking to the Students Union, and our UCCF rep, both saying that chaplincy have no right to ban us from booking a room, and that we can as students book rooms, but it's transpired since then that we can't. The event is still banned from campus.
What gets me is that it's not uni that we're fighting against (I don't think they'd be too bothered) it's chaplincy. Somehow a relationship that has been good until now has been almost destroyed. There's hurt, bitterness and confusion.
Therefore we are working hard to respond with love and how Jesus would. The devil hits where it hurts the most, and we're not letting him win. He wants us to respond out of hurt and lash back at chaplincy, but we won't. We pray for that relationship to be restored.
So yeah, please pray along those lines, and also that the right venue is found and God's will is done. This is also a distraction from Jesus and our mission. But praise the Lord for this amazing opportunity for His glory to shine!
Thank you
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Thunderbird
Ever since I got the internet back, my RSS feeds don't seem to be received by Thunderbird.
All you guys have obviously written loads in your blogs, but every time I check for new messages thunderbird says there are no new messages.
Any thoughts?
Have tried unsuccessfully to search their knowledge base.
All you guys have obviously written loads in your blogs, but every time I check for new messages thunderbird says there are no new messages.
Any thoughts?
Have tried unsuccessfully to search their knowledge base.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Beyond Dead
And the internet is still dead.
We are now into our fourth week of complete switch off, and over three months of intermittent connection.
I hear you say why not change ISP, but unfortunately it appears that the problem is more likely to do with the line, therefore we are awaiting BT.
How much longer?!!!! I am going mad.
It interests me that it causes me such issues. For a while I beat myself up that I couldn't cope without the internet. I can cope, just I've used the internet as a good way of winding down and destressing - maybe I need to find an alternative.
On the internet I run my website, moderator two discussion forums, keep up with my college work through WebCT, research my dissertation, keep in touch with people, randomly search in google my random ponderings. There's so much to do!
I do miss it.
I'd really like it back. I guess what troubles me most is the frustration of not being able to solve the problem. Surely it's just one switch that needs flicking or one wire that needs reconnecting? Why can't they figure it out? Why do they have to keep passing the buck when the only one that suffers is me (and my housemates)?
Sigh
We are now into our fourth week of complete switch off, and over three months of intermittent connection.
I hear you say why not change ISP, but unfortunately it appears that the problem is more likely to do with the line, therefore we are awaiting BT.
How much longer?!!!! I am going mad.
It interests me that it causes me such issues. For a while I beat myself up that I couldn't cope without the internet. I can cope, just I've used the internet as a good way of winding down and destressing - maybe I need to find an alternative.
On the internet I run my website, moderator two discussion forums, keep up with my college work through WebCT, research my dissertation, keep in touch with people, randomly search in google my random ponderings. There's so much to do!
I do miss it.
I'd really like it back. I guess what troubles me most is the frustration of not being able to solve the problem. Surely it's just one switch that needs flicking or one wire that needs reconnecting? Why can't they figure it out? Why do they have to keep passing the buck when the only one that suffers is me (and my housemates)?
Sigh
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