Sunday, January 31, 2010
Planes Part III
I thought most planes travelled at the same (or at least a similar) speed. From my experience they usually travel fast. I guess if they didn't travel fast more people might consider flying by hot air balloon. But tonight on the way home I saw one taking it's time. It was a nice change.
Who am I?
I had an absolutely shocking day today - I definitely was not trusting God. I was worrying, over-analysing, and not taking my concerns to Him. I was so focussed on me that I didn't look to Him and His grace.
But tonight I was refreshed as I spent time worshipping God with others and hearing from His Word. I arrived 15 minutes late - the first time I remember being late to church in my life, and I couldn't stop crying. People were praying in groups and the tears kept coming. We sang a great new song about standing before Jesus just as I am, broken, and about Him extending His amazing grace.
The sermon was on Ephesians 1:3-14, and we explored a bit about our identity, and the blessings we have in Christ. I was reminded that my identity is in Christ.
It was at my lowest point where I felt utterly hopeless, and remembered that I have nothing to offer God, that He reached out His hand to me once again and said, "I love you, Alison. I died for you, Alison. Find your identity in me. Know that I love you immensely, more than you will ever know."
That's the hope Jesus offers each one of us. Who I am is hidden in Christ, my flaws, my failings, my hurts, my weakness, washed away by His blood. Now THAT is amazing love!!
But tonight I was refreshed as I spent time worshipping God with others and hearing from His Word. I arrived 15 minutes late - the first time I remember being late to church in my life, and I couldn't stop crying. People were praying in groups and the tears kept coming. We sang a great new song about standing before Jesus just as I am, broken, and about Him extending His amazing grace.
The sermon was on Ephesians 1:3-14, and we explored a bit about our identity, and the blessings we have in Christ. I was reminded that my identity is in Christ.
It was at my lowest point where I felt utterly hopeless, and remembered that I have nothing to offer God, that He reached out His hand to me once again and said, "I love you, Alison. I died for you, Alison. Find your identity in me. Know that I love you immensely, more than you will ever know."
That's the hope Jesus offers each one of us. Who I am is hidden in Christ, my flaws, my failings, my hurts, my weakness, washed away by His blood. Now THAT is amazing love!!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Walking in the Rain
Went for a walk with my iPod shuffle tonight, and saw some beautiful stars again. Earlier tonight the clouds were amazing - a really unusual colour, God is so creative!
As I was walking a song by Steven Curtis Chapman off his This Moment Cinderella Edition was playing. It's called "Yours" and as I saw the beautiful trees and heard a few dogs barking, I was reminded that everything is God's, He is in control of everything - the good and the bad. I thought about some of the dark clouds that have been looming on and off today and thought if God wanted it to rain right then and there, He could make it rain. Then I thought of that great song, "Blessed be Your Name". Not long after, I felt a drop of rain and heard that exact song play on my iPod, and I was reminded that He gives and takes away, that He is God, He is Sovereign over absolutely everything.
It was just lightly sprinkling as the song started - I still had probably five minutes or so to walk back home, and at that point it was kind of refreshing. Just as I arrived at our street, it started absolutely pelting down so I ended up pretty wet, but it wasn't far to home then. The song playing then was "In Christ Alone"
What an absolutely amazing God we have!
As I was walking a song by Steven Curtis Chapman off his This Moment Cinderella Edition was playing. It's called "Yours" and as I saw the beautiful trees and heard a few dogs barking, I was reminded that everything is God's, He is in control of everything - the good and the bad. I thought about some of the dark clouds that have been looming on and off today and thought if God wanted it to rain right then and there, He could make it rain. Then I thought of that great song, "Blessed be Your Name". Not long after, I felt a drop of rain and heard that exact song play on my iPod, and I was reminded that He gives and takes away, that He is God, He is Sovereign over absolutely everything.
It was just lightly sprinkling as the song started - I still had probably five minutes or so to walk back home, and at that point it was kind of refreshing. Just as I arrived at our street, it started absolutely pelting down so I ended up pretty wet, but it wasn't far to home then. The song playing then was "In Christ Alone"
What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled when strivings cease,
My Comforter, My all in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand
What an absolutely amazing God we have!
One step at a time
Took Sarah for another swim this afternoon, but was a bit more reluctant to get in as it felt cooler than it has the last few days when we've been in. Plus Dad and one of his mates were in the pool so I didn't necessarily need to get in. I did my usual stand on the top step and think to myself it's really cold, and initially told Sarah I couldn't go in any further. But I eventually got in, just slowly, one step at a time.
People often suggesting jumping straight in is easier, but I've found it's easier to take one step at a time and gradually ease myself in.
It felt warm once I was in, and especially once the sun came out from behind the clouds again.
The planes have been really loud still. Even this morning when I went with Mum to their old house I could hear planes - I don't really remember hearing them in Hornsby, but again maybe I just never noticed them.
People often suggesting jumping straight in is easier, but I've found it's easier to take one step at a time and gradually ease myself in.
It felt warm once I was in, and especially once the sun came out from behind the clouds again.
The planes have been really loud still. Even this morning when I went with Mum to their old house I could hear planes - I don't really remember hearing them in Hornsby, but again maybe I just never noticed them.
I could sing of Your love forever
Lucy's usually up when the sun rises, and she loves to lie on the lounge drinking a bottle of milk, watching a DVD. This morning I pulled out one of her favourite DVDs, "Praises and Smiles" and asked if she'd like to watch that and she said yes. Often she doesn't want the first DVD I suggest, she usually says, "Not that curry", so I was surprised she was happy to watch it. I have no idea where the word curry came from but it's a word she uses interchangeably for lots of things. It's cute.
Anyway, back to the DVD. The first song to play was "I could sing of Your love forever", then "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord" and now, "Shout to the Lord"...
Praise God for the morning!! He is soooooo good!
And the song playing now...
Anyway, back to the DVD. The first song to play was "I could sing of Your love forever", then "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord" and now, "Shout to the Lord"...
"All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love. Power and majesty, praise to the King!! Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sounds of Your name, I sing for joy at the work of Your hands, forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand. NOTHING compares to the promise I have in You."
Praise God for the morning!! He is soooooo good!
And the song playing now...
"His Spirit turns our night to day. Hallelujah, God is love!"
Friday, January 29, 2010
Planes Part II
The planes have been so loud again today. A few times during the afternoon while the girls and I were in the pool we could actually see them too - one looked like some kind of jumbo jet, another had a red stripe along its base. At one point there was a helicopter.
Then tonight before heading to bed I was hoping to look at the stars. I lay on the lawn even though it was a bit wet and looked up. The sky was pretty dark and covered in clouds, and it started raining. Again I could hear the planes, and caught a glimpse of one plane's lights (there were only two lights - one on the end of either wing, at least I'm guessing that's where they were). But that was it for tonight.
As I've been lying in bed, trying to sleep, the planes have still been very loud. They seem to have been loud for at least a few days now. Perhaps I've just never noticed it before? They're not the reason I'm not sleeping though - just something I've noticed.
Then tonight before heading to bed I was hoping to look at the stars. I lay on the lawn even though it was a bit wet and looked up. The sky was pretty dark and covered in clouds, and it started raining. Again I could hear the planes, and caught a glimpse of one plane's lights (there were only two lights - one on the end of either wing, at least I'm guessing that's where they were). But that was it for tonight.
As I've been lying in bed, trying to sleep, the planes have still been very loud. They seem to have been loud for at least a few days now. Perhaps I've just never noticed it before? They're not the reason I'm not sleeping though - just something I've noticed.
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