So I guess I just have a few things to share that have happened lately. 

On our last day of work I went out for drinks with a bunch of workmates, which is always fun. And we always have great chats. But in one particular half-drunken heart-to-heart on this night, one of my friends turned to me and another friend and said, "you know, you two are the only ones who don't judge me for smoking." That might seem like a random comment, but I guess I missed out a bit of context. Anyway, this was of particular note to me because the two of us she said it to were the only two Christians in the group, and isn't that how it should be? So often Christians are labeled (and usually quite rightly so) judgemental, and while I am not blowing my own whistle here by any means, it was nice to hear it.

Next. I was away over New Years, visiting some friends and I had a really good time. Not only do I love driving long distances listening (and singing along to) great music, but I love hanging out with lots of different people. Anyway, I arrived at my friend's parents' house, who I had never met before, and was very warmly welcomed by all the family. At dinner time, I was slightly overwhelmed, and very joyful, because they'd gone to the trouble of getting/making me all this special gluten free food. Usually being gluten free just means I miss out on some things everyone else is eating when I'm out for dinner, but in this case, I got all my own versions! I was very impressed.

And then. This morning I received a FB message from someone I wouldn't usually chat to on there or anything, and who is a friend, but who I don't know very well. She went on to tell me that she'd had a dream about me and filled me in on the details, which I won't go into now. The thing is, this friend is pretty onto it about spiritual things, and so I was fully open to the idea that it was prophetic in some way. It was definitely encouraging, and I could see myself fulfilling the dream or something similar, but for now we'll just have to see.

That's all for now. 

Just wanted somewhere to record what I just read...

"love is not safe. Love is not efficient. But when you are in Jesus, your sin does not define you. It is not who you are. Jesus defines you. Christianity is the only religion where you don't have to clean yourself up before you can be saved and healed. Jesus' love for His sons and daughters is enough to win our hearts back from all the struggles we're bound to. And only His love can satisfy us."
-Derek Webb

Wow, I really don't use this blog anymore! Funny how these things happen... I am updating my tumblr almost daily at the moment though, with pics and things from the trip I'm on. So check that out, if you so desire...
http://nat-a-tat-tat-a-lie.tumblr.com/

All of my life, in every season, you are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship.

I just read this and I guess it resonates with things I've been thinking about lately. Too often I think we, as Christians, make a decision or an action in our lives and justify it by saying that this is what God wants us to do, or that it is an answer to prayer or what God has told us. Sure, sometimes it is, but when you suddenly change your mind and go a different direction altogether I begin to wonder how genuine the "call" was in the first place. Anyway, read on... And check out Edge Kingsland's free album if it's still on the Come&Live website. Magical kiwi worship music. Stamping God's Approval By Matt Bancroft "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"   Matthew 7:22-23 NIV  I THINK SOMETIMES we as Christians think we have a God stamp and we can go around stamping His name on whatever we want. As if we have the ability to just stamp God's name here or there and force His hand to move in whatever situation. Sometimes we are set in our ways, but out of duty we come before God and ask Him to place His stamp of approval on the decisions we have made. Other times we just do the stamping ourselves and forget God all together. As a body, the Church is almost too eager to place God's stamp of approval on a lot of things He might wish nothing to do with. God uses His stamp on people–and perhaps that is the point. He doesn't stamp a solution to your problem; he stamps you. To me this is much more comforting, to know that God is with me regardless of my circumstances or bad decisions. We weren't stamped, though, so that we could run around proclaiming that we are better than everyone else. That isn't what being a Christian is about and we shouldn't use our God stamp to promote any of it. The idea is to trust God and follow Him wherever He may lead.

Verse of the day

"You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.' "   Isaiah 47:10 TNIV

Busyness

I've blogged about busyness before and how often people respond to the question, "how have you been?" or whatever, with "busy". I came across this article today that delves into the issue and makes some good points. You should read it. And try not to fall into the pride-filled or balanced-life-diminishing trap of busyness. Bless you.