As we openly rejoice lets pray for the persecuted church

Extremely thankful for being able to rejoice so openly in Christ my Saviour and God. 

It is beautiful to focus our minds on who He is, what He has done for us. Everything! From the simple gifts of friendship, of hearing birds sing, of seeing His creation to the great gift of salvation He paid for me, with His death to bring me, and those who believe in Him peace with the holy abundantly good God! 

Today I am singing this on repeat...

'How can it be, the One who died,
Has borne our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.

For joy awakes as dawning light
When Christ's disciples lift their eyes.
Alive He stands, their Friend and King;
Christ, Christ He is risen.


Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.'

As we openly rejoice here, lets pray for our brothers and sisters through out the world who do not have the freedom we do. 

• Pray that God would pour out His strength, courage and wisdom onto them. That they would take great hope and strength in Christ's suffering and and that they too would be praising God that He is risen.
• Pray for their protection
• Praise Him for the growth of the church in these countries, countries that are so hostile to God. Lets ask that it would continue, and that it would inspire us to use the opportunities we have and focus us on what is of most importance, and value.

Read of one news story that I didn't hear last month from North Korea, where 33 Christians may have been killed for meeting with a missionary, and wanting to build Christs church. 

http://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/stories/north_korea_140311.php
http://loristanleyroeleveld.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/theyll-be-dead-by-morning-what.html?m=1

Why did Jesus have to die?

What a question!
From what we've experienced here, don't we have to die? The probability stands at what, one in one die. And yet we ask the question why death, not too irregularly? The question points me both backwards and forwards. It points me back to the beginning of the world, as it was when it was first created by God, when everything was  good, and there was no death. There are times we feel exceptionally far from there. And the question also points me forwards. Forward to what is yet to come, to the more there is to this life, the more there is to this living and dying. The question searches for more than life and death. C.S. Lewis writes these words

'If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here'

The desire not to end, certainly does not fit with this world where nothing seems to last forever. But is the desire built on false hope, or is the more we search for, to be found, fulfilled?

There are times however we ask the question 'Why death' more, times it lingers for longer. Usually when a death seems cruelly unfair, or wrong; a parent, a child, a life ended too early, someone of strong significant positive impact on society. Would you place Jesus into the later category?

He was after all, 33 years old, having 3 years of ministry, an extra ordinary compassionate teacher, a healer, whose teachings and miracles are still spoken of today. And yet the people turned on Him, crying for Pilate to 'Crucify Him'. To torture Jesus with one of the worst forms of death, and for what reason Pilate asked, What evil had He done? To this the people could not give a reply, for He had done no wrong. This question, Why did Jesus have to die, is fantastic, and we could leave it there with that; it isn't as if injustice is something we have not heard of before. But this question requires much more explanation than the injustice of a people, that would be poor, completely inadequate, barely an explanation, or a start to one. No this was not just an unfortunate sequence of events, this is something that demands an investigation.

Before His death, Jesus prayed to His Father and asked if it was possible that what was to come, the cross, would be taken from Him. It was not taken from Him. It was not possible to be taken from Him. It was prophesied, foretold in the Old Testament, the section of Gods Word long before Jesus birth. What Father plans to do this? No Father would want to plan this, consider this, never mind carry it out. And yet here we find that Jesus death most certainly held a purpose, a need that must be fulfilled. Why did God have to send Jesus to die?

God is good. He is creator of all. We are created by Him, made in His likeness, given a sense of what is right, and what is wrong. I'm stating the obvious by saying we do not always do what is right. And many times we do what is right, are our motives really right? We dislike selfishness, and yet we are self centered.

What a contrast to this God, who sent His Son to die on a cross, for people who did not love Him, know Him and who did/do everything that is against His character. God is righteous, no hint of wrong-ness can be found in Him. He knows what is right and what is wrong, and therefore He must punish what is wrong. Like a teacher (who knows the correct answers, from the incorrect), He must mark us. How do we compare to Him? He knows no wrong, we cannot achieve a tick. We fall short. We offend God, with the wrong we do, we do it against Him, our maker. God is the only one who can determine the price to be paid for what has been done against Him. And what could we do to fix it? Nothing.

Might this be the need, the purpose for Jesus' death?
Yes! This is the plan God had to initiate to save us. He did it out of His love, (undeserved love). He gave up His only Son, sending Him to become a man, to die on a cross, so that a way might be made through which we might know Him. Jesus alone could take the punishment for sin, for He is the only one who has not sinned. He himself had done no wrong. Christ the sinless one, died for sinners. He paid the price, so that through faith in Him we might be set free from the punishment of sin. Nothing good that we have done, can solve the problem. Only the death of Christ.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

I can not pin down why it is this way, why it took the death of Jesus, but this is how it is. The death of His Son shows us the seriousness of what we have done against God the Father, and the amazing love He has for us. The reason God sent His only Son, Jesus to die is so that we might be able to come to know Him- His character, His love, and His justice. God is holy, we are not. He is loving and just. His love caused Him to send Jesus to offer us salvation from His justice that requires our sin to be punished if we believe. He wants us to know His greatness, to know Him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
John 3:16

We have been made to know God who He is, and was and will be forever more. We have been made for more than life as we know it. Christ did not stay dead. He defeated death, rising again three days later, showing His power.

I don't know who you are, it would be a little creepy if I did. If you know Jesus as Saviour, remember what He has done, give thanks that Jesus has paid it all. If you do not know Jesus, you do not have to trust what I've said, you really do not have to! But do INVESTIGATE the claims of Jesus Christ. Investigate not only His death but His resurrection from the dead. Ask questions. Don't base it on hearsay, or what others think. Read the Bible for yourself, maybe start with Luke. And I'd also recommend this book. Written by someone who questioned the claims for himself.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Case-Christ-Journalists-Investigation/dp/0310209307/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397667725&sr=8-1&keywords=case+for+Christ

'Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.' C.S. Lewis

The End of a Life

Death is something we all know. It's something i'm more familiar to than most, something i may be more comfortable with than most. And yet regardless of whether your a funeral directors daughter or not, most of the time we do not grasp what it means for a life to end. And if we don't see that, then we don't see the gift it is to live.

My (great) Aunt died suddenly a number of weeks ago, there is much i didn't see, i knew her well, i knew her to be a lovely lady, friendly to all, full of life and conversation, and of encouragement, who loved the church. And yet i didn't see the gift she was to know fully, most of all i didn't see how much i could have learned from her, of how to walk with and live for Christ daily.

Autumn! Autumn has got to be my favourite season. A time for giving thanks for what we have just as harvest ends. A time to see the colours of the leaves change and to wrap up warm and go for walks making paths through the leaves to hear them crunch (provided of course it's not too wet).

Autumn. Harvest. Thanks.

I drove back to Belfast from her funeral that Friday sad a life had ended but thankful for her life, and for her faith in the One who saves and forgives us for all our unrighteousness. My prayer to God as I drove reflected that, but also the question- why didn't I learn more from how she lived while she lived. I drove slowly, eyes wide open wanting to see all the beauty of the autumn leaves before the country landscape disappeared. Yes, I really do love the Autumn leaves. They are beautiful, but dying. To us they appear to change colour, when in fact those pigments have been there hidden by the green chlorophyll.  Other things hid the lessons to learn from people, and from God. Whether it was my ignorance, business, selfishness...or sin. Only God can help us to see what is true. God shows us His holiness in His Word, and in His son, a human example, so we can be holy as He is. My Aunt was sinful but she knew her Saviour, she was molded by Him. Not perfect, but being changed. She has now gone to be with Him.

But He used her death to teach me these lessons-

• Live life simply, by the greatest command; Love God and love others
• To pray, encourage church leaders regularly
• To be faithful

Tea, M&S Tea

Revision is going nowhere fast. In fact, it has barely even really begun. And I want to run. Not at it, away from it. I sit down at my desk and I don't even want to begin another slide, let alone, page or lecture. Too much. 

Yesterday I popped on a lazy hoodie and my toms. Comfort at its best, yes! The hoodie i hadn't worn in years, and i had pretty much resolved not to wearing it out. But I did yesterday, because, I didn't plan on going out. That changed. I ended up taking my work to Forestside, M&S cafe, tea and a table yes please! After getting the queue direction completely wrong, forgetting a tray was necessary, getting my tea and then a tray, I headed for a table.  Sat myself down, and whilst pulling out my lectures and paper, the lady at the table behind tapped me. "My friend was just wondering what it says down your arm?". No I haven't got myself a tattoo, she was referring to my hoodie.  'It's my youth group' And right then before the impossible revision began her friend points me back to the verse on my back. "It is so true, wouldn't it be great if we could believe it more"

Wouldn't it be great if we could believe it more. 

An unplanned trip to Carryduff, led to a conversation planned by my Father. What a beautiful way to start some revision! When the task seems impossible to me, to you, look to Him who can. The belief in Him who is able needs to be in my head and my heart constantly.  The two shouldn't be arguing to be heard, and there should not be arguments within each. The quantity of work to get through shouldn't be a mental block to God's greatness, His power and help. It should allow God's greatness, power and help to thrive! I need to allow God's voice of truth to silence all the noise. Meditate in it and follow it. 

It is back to a time of revision, reminding me of this post... http://christy-learningtoliveforone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/work-as-worship.html. I am unable. But my God is a God who takes the unable, and makes them able. Why don't I trust that fully now? I see it time and time again. He reminds me of it time and time again, daily it would seem, or more, and yet I am overwhelmed by the work. I want to wholly follow Him, I want to work with all I have got for Him, but getting that from my head and my heart into action, that is harder than it seems. But praise God that He goes before us, and for moments He plans, like tea in M&S. 

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act Psalm 37:5

What will change, what will stay the same?

It is 2013. The year has changed. It is an odd number, strange, and unfamiliar, maybe it will grow on me. I being myself decided the new year would begin on the 8th, following an exam, that way I could continue constant revision snacking without feeling the guilt. Needless to say when the 8th came, i didn't make any changes to my eating habits, I baked cookies instead.  I do however desire for this to be a year of change, so much so that i cut my hair, myself, on a whim (how Christy like! ;) ).  No I know it wont change a thing, other than having a flap of hair across my forehead for at least a few weeks. Following baking, and cutting my hair, I went somewhere, where significant thoughts began...

Where did I go, I hear you ask? I went to a friends small group, (if you read the last blog this will be a little familiar) and she challenged us to think about the past year, my mind really only went back to the summer, but a year is twice that. The next day, for the first time ever, I read through a year of my journals; my prayers, my notes from God's Word, from sermons, talks, conversations, books.  It took most of the day, and my head is still processing it all, i could write notes on notes, i did sorta jotted some down haha. BUT: I've been blown away by the amount of different things and same things God has lay in front of me this year, now last year.  It is mind boggling.  If you've recorded any of this sorta stuff, and you do not normally look back at it much, do! 

You will see the year better, things you missed, or forgotten, prayers answered!  It has blessed me to see, where Christ has been and how God has guided my paths.  I wish I had taken time to reflect more on what He was teaching me in those days, weeks and months. And that my friends, as of the 8th, is one of my new year resolutions, or more preferably a life resolution.  How can I take His truths to heart if I have not taken time to meditate, to dwell in those thoughts for a while? How can I be soaked in His thoughts when I listen and hear a sprinkle for a moment?  God should not be restricted to our 'Quiet Time', all time is His. His time is all the time. Lets mediate on His Word, let us learn more of it, let us dwell in it. Food isn't just consumed once a day, why should we only eat spiritually once a day? 

A few weeks ago I was visiting a church, and the Pastor announced their new years eve service, claiming boldly a 7 minute video that could change your life would be shown. Maybe it was year or both, either way, i laughed, sceptically, there is no way a video will do such a thing.  It would be forgotten within a month or two, surely!  No, below is not that video, although it is 7 minutes long (so maybe it is)... despite being ridiculously curious as to what the video was i did not join him to find out. But this clip, contains statements, and thoughts that I want to change me life.

Leonard Ravenhill- Judgement Seat of Christ

I do not know what you thought about that clip, maybe you thought it focused too much on our lives, and too little on God's grace? I do not know. There was an element of myself with those thoughts.

However, remembering that I will stand before a perfect, pure, righteous, HOLY God, One who paid a great price to save me and those who call upon His name, from the death of hell, separation from His complete goodness to, a promised life in heaven with Him. As Lecrae put it, 'If we fought for our rights we'd be in hell tonight'. Surely that inspires a passion for change. A passion to love Him more, to follow Him more, and love regardless of friendship.

Too often we forget His holiness, we forget the price God paid to restore our relationship, we forget that the good works 'we do' were prepared beforehand by God (Ephesians 2: 10), and instead tribute them to ourselves and say 'Look Lord what I have done for you'.  And dangerously we forget to enjoy the relationship He has for us.  If we do not love Him now, why do we want to go to Heaven, where we He is? Why don't we allow Him to fill us more, that we may enjoy His rest, His joy, His peace...His presence.

 "We'll gaze on eternity and say, 'Look at all the riches there were in Jesus Christ, and I've come to the Judgment Seat almost a pauper .'"

 A. W. Tozer

For God had not only given us Jesus Christ - He has with Him freely given us all things 

Romans 8:32

The clip challenges me to change.  To end laziness, to be selfless, to give Christ my devotion, my deepest love. To allow Him not just to be my Saviour, but my Lord. To think more with eternity in view. What would eternities perspective challenge you to change?

In 2012...

The happenings of 2012, many things happened in 2012, many conversations, moments of frustration, of sadness, of mistakes, of seeing more than i had seen before, many moments of laughter and love.  Many things i have forgotten, many things I have recorded. A friend who i met half way through the year encouraged me to think over this past year. At the time I did, i could only view back to summer; maybe because my brain works in school seasons, or maybe because i don't have a good memory.  I got intrigued, the following day i pulled out the journals of prayers and notes from this past year. They contained so much, and yet so little of the year past! It was a blessing to see what God had, and continues to teach me.

Here is a snip-it of 2012...

12 of The Quotes...

• "Mission exists because worship doesn't"  John Piper
• Jesus, 'What do you want me to do for you' Mark 10:51
• Storms are not the sign of God's absence.
• Men prefer the darkness because their acts are evil.
• Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Mark Batterson
• 'I view the waiting on God's guidance not as an interruption of God's plan for me but an important part of it in which He has taught me a lot' Alana Weir
• If your boxes are all, always filled where is faith?
• Faith is the willingness to look foolish... You cannot build God's reputation if you are not willing to risk your own. Mark Batterson
• 'It is not inhuman to be sinless.'(Humans were created perfectly, Christ was fully human)
• Leviticus was Israel's kindergarten. Remember God took an illiterate slave people in a Pagan world, full of 'many gods' with only certain limited power over certain things, and had to teach them who He was. The story, the laws, the rituals where the 'building blocks' for what was to come.
• 'Time and place are our own limitations... we mustn't impose them upon God' Uncle Hoppy, in God Smuggler.
• So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty. Luke 17:10

The Top Books (Read them all- all incredible!)

• In the Land of the Blue Burqas. Story of an NGO worker. Must read!
• The Circle Maker. If you want a book on prayer, here you have it!
• God's Smuggler. Great story of God working!

In 2012...

• Decided that it wasn't the hot chocolate i liked but rather the melted marshmallows on top.
• Successfully bakes cookies with the kind training and assistance of Petra :)
• Encountered and ate with the help of two friends my first 24 inch pizza followed by waffles in Mauds!
• Visited the new Causeway Centre
• Went to my first rugby match!
• Had a Disney Night :)

• I started filling this little treasure with, hopes, dreams and ideas!

• Visited Ephesus!
• Washed someones feet!
• Decided to started drawing a special photo...mission to complete it by the end of this year.
• My Daddy surprised me with a very unexpected Iphone!
• Figured i could open my window, and sit under the stars <3

12 Songs from my 2012

There could have been more...

• Blessings- Laura Story
• Break Every Chain- Will Reagan
• Build Your Kingdom Here- Rend Collective
• Do Something- Matthew West
• Fall Back- Lecrae
• Remind me who I am- Jason Gray
• Lord, I Need You- Chris Tomlin
• My Troubled Soul
• Mighty Fortress- Christy Nockels
• Nothing is Wasted-Jason Gray
• Restless- Audrey Assad
• With Everything- Hillsong

Isolation- Part 3, the Final Part.

Time with the fused team pushed that phrase 'Relationships are made in the vulnerable' back onto repeat in my head. Half way through fused we go home over the weekend. That Saturday night i didn't sleep too well and i had this desire to be spiritually fed. I didn't feel like reading any more or journalling, so in the early hours of sunday morning i found myself watching a sermon online. It was a first. The sermon series at Southland; 5 Ways to Wreck Your Life. The title of one was there, (all five where there but my eyes immediately only saw this one)... 'Isolation'. The one i was to watch. Instead of getting tired, i started typing notes, and realising that i need to sort this aspect of my life out. I still do. Yes God is more than enough, but He did not make us or want us to struggle along alone, He uses people to love people, to strengthen people, to make people. Watch it, or download it if you want to think about the need for community, accountability and encouragement within the church, great sermon based on Ecclesiastes. (Southland Christian Church)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire,

he breaks out against all sound judgement. Proverbs 18:1

 Here is a lie we often believe, to carry the load yourself is noble, it is a courageous act. No, it is prideful. If i believe that, my dependence in God is not so important. I think i can do it.  To live as a follower of Christ is to be changed, to want to turn from my selfishness and sinfulness. I cannot do it myself. I need God, and His followers. Through Christ's righteous i am saved, and through His Spirit i am convicted of sin and given the desire to change. He gives us a family to help us, to strengthen us, to cheer us on. Think of the big Bible names. Where they alone? No. 'Almost every character had a side-kick, someone going through the battle with them.'

David had Jonathan

Elijah, Elisha

       Joshua, Caleb                                         Paul, Barnabus                           

Peter, James and John

Moses, Aaron

I need to share my heart more with friends who know Him, share my struggles and how my walk with God is, really is. I began this blog hoping it would lead to more conversations of worth, and this little series has allowed me to see that i am not alone in wanting deeper fellowship with my friends. You are not alone in that. But those relationships do not just happen. It takes prayer, and it takes the courage to begin talking about different things. They take someone who is willing to be vulnerable. Choose a few close friends and begin forming those relationships. Those relationships have the potential to be some of the most significant and life-changing relationships.

The last big thing of the summer for me was Teen Camp. As leaders we were challenged to be real with the teens. On the thursday we had the (much talked about) relationship session. Two women of God shared parts of their stories with the girls and then in our dorms we discuss appearance, success and yes of course boys. I was challenged particularly by this one thought, what if we told our friends we loved them more, if we showed them acceptance and their importance. What if we spent more time loving one another, would so many girls still feel a need to be loved by a boy? If we did not gossip? Now girls i'm not saying it is wrong to want a boyfriend, or to want to be loved by a guy. But if we as friends loved each other better, included each other better would there be such an urgency to want a boyfriend now?

Tell and show your friends you love them