A collection of thoughts

Firstly, those salvo's of the world who hapen to recieve the salvationist, or pick up a copy and flick through the pages at the army on a sunday; read the article on NEOs. Although the topic of NEOs may not be relevent to you personally there is some really good stuff related to life in general in the article.

Blogging christianity. It's quite interesting really, because as opposed to only sharing those high points with people, it kinda enables me at least to share my low moments. This weeks been kinda up and down, but I'm sure God will see me through good, as he always has done, and always will do. I feel able to say that I am the worlds greatest sinner, not because I'm a rebel, but because I can be weak, and I can share that I don't always keep my tongue in check, or my mind straight, clear and pure, because I know that because of the grace of God, the Blood of Jesus, and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit my Father extends his hand to me, picks me up from the dirt, brushes me down, and gives me the determination and encouragement to try again. Amen and Amen!

I was walking to school earlier, as I do, and was listening to my Mp3 player, and the song 'Every little thing's gonna be alright' by delirious? came on. It is a real song of encouragement, but some thoughts came to mind about the lyrics themselves. The chorus itself sings every little thing's gonna be alright over and over again, but the verses are different. The verses are about regeneration, revolution, revival, change, whatever you want to call it. In fact the opening line is 'Everything must change.' It goes on to say 'These bones they ache with holy fire, but I've got nothing to give; just a life to live.' Wow. Thats a thought. We don't have anything we can give to God in return for his goodness, and the closest we can give is the way we live our lives. Our Lives should be a constant act of worship to God because thats the closest thing we can give as repayment to him fo calvary and more.

Anyway, back to the song. So the words are twofold; Verses about regeneration and change, and the choruses about everything being ok. It's an interesting cocktail of lyrics, don't you think? Why talk about personal change, and everything being alright? Well, I see it as this: what happened on calvary was the removal of sins and reconciliation with God for all those who call on the name of Jesus (John 3:16 ...so that everyone who believes in him shall no die, but go to heaven). When we talk about calling on the name of Jesus, we talk about salvation, but the effect of salvation is so strong we should want to live the full 100% 'If it was good enough for Jesus, this is good enough for me' (good old Brengle) christian (christ like) lifestyle, and that is what the verses are talking about - change to this lifestyle. And the chorus? Reconciliation with God. God loves us so much that as well as sending his son to calvary he protects us from evil everyday, and wants to be 'our father God' - our protector and sheild. So in effect the song is if you are aiming for the 'highest goal,' if you are what the ancient romans called christlike as an act of mockery, you needn't worry about the bad times, because (as I was saing earlier) God will come through. I don't mean to say God won't help those who don't believe, because I believe in an omnibenevolent (all loving) God.

Well I think that about rounds up todays thoughts.

I would just like to use this blank bit of cyberspace to express my sadness that on sunday I won't be with the kids at our salvation army (church), but will be with the complete youth of Staple Hill, hearing about what has been described as an 'Important Topic.' All of those of you who do pray, please pray that I will be able to find it relevent, I will find the strength to overide my cynicism, and that i will be able to find the energy to pay attention, and I will be an 'encouragement' to all those around me, as opposed to a 'Nag.'

May I just also ask for your prayers for this weekend. This weekend the Salvation Army UKT will be praying over the issue of Human Traffiking. May I invite all of those who pray to please join us in prayer, because despite the fact that the abolution of slavery was almost 200 years ago slavery still exists, and it's not a 'only in Africa and Eastern Europe' problem, but is in our very towns and cities across Great Britain, and as far as I know, in every other wealthy western country.

Final issue for prayer: please pray for me. I know my imperfections, I know that they need sorting out, with rightousness being the new agenda for life, but I also know it will be an uphill struggle. Please pray God will give me strength and courage for the fight. Also, I hav done an arrangement of a song for worship, complete new piano part and everything, and it's going to have its first practice on sunday. Please pray that I won't let myself become cocky, or big headed, or anything like that, but I remember that the song was written as an act of worship, that the arrangement I have done was done in an attitude of worship, and that when it is played, or sung or brought to mind, whistled, hummed, anything done with the song and arr. should be worship, bringing glory to God, not self.

Well people, here's to positive change. Here's to the battles ahead, the future victories; the future outpourings of grace; the future of holy living, built upon christ the rock, not morality or good deeds for peoples praise.

'I built my house where the ocean meets the land - it's time to live again; pull my dreams out of the sand.'