A Year in the Making

I know i've not had this up for a year quite yet... but i wont be around to write something on the anniversary. I'm going off to China as a Christian professional tomorrow for the next month and coming back on the 28th hopefully.

A lot of cool things have happened this year. I've seen so much of God in so many ways that have blown me away. I've seen him at work in my life making me more like him. I've seen him at work in the lives of some of my friends - bringing some to faith and growing others to know him more. I've seen him at work in the CU football team, doubling the number of people we're reaching weekly with the Gospel. I've seen him at work in the CU building strong foundations in many ways for the future, and encouraging tons of people - the passion for the gospel there is an awesome testament to him. Most recently i've been able to see him at work in my relationship with an awesome girl called Emily, the way he's brought us together over the past few weeks is causing me to worship him even more!

If the next year has as much to offer... bring it on!!

Copying Jesus

About 4 years ago I was feeling guilty for knowing loads of stuff about God and not doing anything about it. I didnt really have a mission field, and i didn't know any Christians i could get along side. I was just working in a factory for 12 hours a day and it too noisy to talk to anyone if i had had the chance. When i came home i was shattered and just fell asleep straight after dinner.

I began to think about the Jesus' life... he knew God pretty well, but for the first 30 years he did nothing. Not that he was incapable of telling people about the Kingdom, he was waiting for God's timing. His passion for the lost would have been just as great when he was working in the carpenters shop as when he wept over Jerusalem. Why did Jesus wait? I think he gave us a very straighforward answer:

'I only do what i see my Father doing'

One of the main aspects of faith which God is interested in developing is the trust that he knows what he's doing, and that he has the best timing for everything. In my life i can testify to the fact that the time in the factory was invaluable in terms of building me and teaching me to make me a far more God-honouring person at university...even if i didn't see it at the time.

I'm run off my feet with opportunities to serve him right now and that is amazing. But when the time changes and God decides that i need a rest even when i dont want one i'll trust him that he knows best - for me and for people i love.

Despite Myself

I asked God for strength that i might achive,
I was given weakness that i might humbly obey.

I asked for health that i might do great things,
I was given infirmity that i might to better things.

I asked for riches that i might be happy,
I was made poor that i might be wise.

I asked for power that i might have praise,
I was made small in my eyes that i might feel in need of God

I asked for all things that i might enjoy life,
I was given life that i might enjoy all things.

I got nothing i asked for but everything i hoped for.

DESPITE MYSELF, my unspoken prayers were answered and I am among all men, most richly blessed.