it's been too long.........

Just to let you all know im still alive!
Second year is awesome im loving it except not the work ha ha!
Doing hall group in Murano which is such a blessing - the girls are incredible so passionate about God its inspiring!

Reading - John Piper - When i don't desire God - heavy going, but proving to be worthwhile

Listening to - Foy Vance - watermelon oranges - amazing - 5th DEC GLASVEGAS!!!

Loving the fact that -
* its 3 weeks to Christmas
* Lost's back on (even though i can't see it)
* ER will soooo be back soon
* the autumn rugby internationals are proving to be good banter - Ireland are playing well for once!!
* Having the whole clan down for Christmas - 11 of us!! OH THE BANTER!
anyhoo, see ya soon
aly xx

G R A C E

Divine grace is the free and undeserved love and favor of God towards ME as a sinner, especially as exhibited in the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, (John 1:17 3:16 Romans 3:24-26.)

It is only by the free grace of god that we embrace the offers of mercy, and appropriate to ourselves the blessings graciously purchased by redeeming blood.

The "GRACE OF GOD," spontaneous, unmerited, self-directed, and almighty, is the source of the whole scheme of redemption, (Romans 11:6 2 Timothy 1:9.)

In Galatians 5:4, "grace" means God’s plan of salvation by his mercy,

NOT BY OUR WORKS!

PROCRASTINATION

so mac and i are both at the library and if u read macs blog as well as mine u will notice that we are both completely procrastinating at present! I dont want to do my french which is on monday and ailsa doesnt want to do her theology for next tues - yes next tues!! She is a complete GEEK!! She is in the library on a saturday when her exams is over a week away!!!! I on the other hand came to the library to start revising for my exam which is this mon like 2 days away - i should be feeling under pressure by not but alas, no feelings of the sort!

Anyhoo! Ailsa is having a sobsesh about leaving murano - me on the other hand CANNOT WAIT!!! its going to be awesome next year - no longer living in the ghetto and living like 5 mins from uni - roll on the day! Oh and the HOUSEWARMING PARRRRRRRRRTYYYY in our living room in sept! L O V I N G I T!

im offski - to attempt to do more revision before 730pm when the library closes! SOB SESH!

blogging banter

been getting a bit BORED of blogging lately :( didnt think i was a bandwagon jumper but alas I appear to be! The latest craze though has taken its toll on me! I dont feel motivated or inspired!
So ill just write rubbish from now on :)
My bro / twinnie - last week played in ravenhill - http://www.hbkarchitects.com/FileAccess.aspx?Id=53 in a cup final - although they did lose, one was very happy to see her twinnie play in such a prestigous place! MEEKEY ROCKING THE MIC!!
Not only does Creasy have officially mad parents i do also - they opened a business called DAC systems DAC for DAVID and CAROLINE!! SAD SAD SAD SAD!
AHH the BANTER!
so back to work aka chilling in the library with mac and jo :)

For banter purposes

A certain someone - who wont be named has provided me with banterful stupidity over my hols last week and also this weekend back at home.
For those of you who live in NI you will know a bit about where certain places are.
For example - At my house (costa del bangor) we have a telescope overlooking the sea - towards ..............(well carrickfergus) So while at my house and looking into said telescope at a certain castle - the certain someone went on to say 'oh dunluce castle!' - OH DEAR OH DEAR!!!!

Example Number 2 - when doing a crossword - yes I am that sad - i asked for help - the membrane of the eye - i was like eh WHAT!! the SAME person said - 'is it the cuticle!'

well and truly beyond help!
Sport science degrees appear to do alot for the brain lol :)

The Intimacy of Prayer

A guy gave this to me a few years back in Austria and I came across it today and thought it was worth sharing.

Nearly everyone believes in God and throws casual offhand remarks in his general direction from time to time. But prayer is something quite different. Suppose yourself at dinner with a person whom you very much want to be with - a friend, lover, a person important to you.

The dinner is in a fine restaurant where everything is arranged to give you a sense of privacy. There is adequate illumination at your table with everything else in shadow. You are aware of other persons and other activity in the room, but they do not intrude on your intimacy. There is talking and listening. There are moments of silence, full of meaning.

From time to time a waiter comes to your table. You ask questions of him; you place your order with him; you ask to have your glass refilled; you thank him for his attentive service and leave a tip. You depart, still in companionship with the person whom you have dined, but out on the street conversation is less personal, more casual.

That is a picture of prayer. The person with whom we set aside time for intimacy, for this deepest and most personal conversation is God. At such times the world is not banished, but it is in the shadows, on the periphery. Prayer is never complete and unrelieved soliture; it is, though, carefully protected and skilfully supported intimacy. Prayer is the desire to listen to God firsthand, to speak to God firsthand, and then setting aside the time and making arrangements to do it. It issues from the conviction that the living God is immensely important to me and that what goes on between us demands my exclusive attention.

But there is a parody of prayer that we engage in all too often. The detailss are the same but with two differences: the person across the table is Self and the waiter is God.
This waiter - God is essential but peripheral. You can't have dinner without him, but his is not an intimate participant in it. He is someone whom you give orders, make complaints, and maybe at the end, give thanks.
The person you are absorbed in is Self - your moods, your ideas, your interests, your satisfactions or lack of them. When you leave the restaurant you forget about the waiter until the next time. If it is a place to which you go regularly, you might even remember his name.

Sammy's Hymn

Just wanted to share with you the hymn my uncle chose for me to read at his funeral - its amazing!!And speaks volumes!

When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see,
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And his smile will be the first to welcome me.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
As redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye,
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepares me for a mansion in the sky.

Oh the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall,
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home,
But I long to meet my Saviour first of all.

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears shall ever fall,
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight,
But I long to meet my Savious first of all.

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
As redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

Another little update

for those who got a chance to read my late email last night the end has come sooner than we thought for my uncle. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. Please pray for his wife, my big brother as he tries to get home from South Africa and all my family as we come to terms with this great loss! But that we may take comfort in the fact that he is no longer suffering and he is with his Maker! thanks xx

A wee update

sooooo being home is great - yeah the first 2 weeks have been slightly boring socially but have been able to spend time with my mum, work ,getting some cash in and being able to go and spend time with my uncle (whos in hospital). so this leads me to my next part -
to ask u guys to pray for my family and my uncle - hes got cancer and is in his last few days... its been hard cos he has been a really big influence on my Christian life. so pray for his wife of 51yrs as she comes to terms with this and the rest of the family as we seek to support her. Hes been completely amazing saying how he longs to meet his Father and see Him face to face.
Dont really know what else to say!thanks

so lack of blogging

Hello to one and all! Just to let you guys know that im lacking inspiration at present and thats why my wee blog well.............died!! lol! So hope your all having a great spring break!! I am a loser for about 2 weeks of it - it appears the glasgow posse get off WAY to early and no one else gets off til early april! Oh my mum thinks its fab - more time for me to do work!! eh no!! Its a HOLIDAY!!!! so im working again in the wonderful Mauds ice cream! (no comment) lol! Roll on some easter banter!

The Father's Love Letter

Thought it was about time I did another post....... and then today was my day for the Lent blog..... so I decided to just use that!



My Child......
You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up …Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways …Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image …Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived …Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation …Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb …Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born …Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love …1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you …1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father …1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could …Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father …Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs …Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope …Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love …Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore …Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing …Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you …Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession …Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul …Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things …Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me …Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart …Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires …Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine …Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager …2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles …2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you …Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart …Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes …Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth …Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus …John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed …John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being …Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins …2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled …2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love …Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me …1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again …Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen …Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father …Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? …John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you …Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God
(www.fathersloveletter.com)

Just showed up for my own life....

Spending my time sleep walking, moving my mouth but not saying a thing.

Hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in.

I was in love with an idea, preoccupied with how a life should appear.

Spending my time at the surface repairing holes in the shiny veneer.

There are so many ways to hide, there are so many ways not to feel, there are so many ways to deny what is real.

And I just showed up for my own life, and i'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright.

I'm going to live my life inspired, look for the holy in the common place.

Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until i'm truly amazed.

I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives.

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive, oh the glory of God is man fully alive.......

Song: Just showed up for my own life

By Sara Groves Album: Add to the beauty

Colossians 3:23-24

23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)

23Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, 24confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. (The Message)

23Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men. 24Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. You are working for the Lord Christ. (NLV)

23Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ. (NLT)

So this got me thinking.......in EVERYTHING i do..........early lectures.........geography 3hr labs...........french in general.............study.........serving..........in my flat.......

'Work at it with all your heart'

'Work hard and cheerfully'

'As working for the Lord'

'For your real Master, for God'

God help me to remember I am serving ultimately you in all things i do.........help me to serve/work etc cheerfully and with all my heart!

Prayer....

During my DTS prayer was something i really struggled in, yet also something that God really blessed and continues to. As a team we were always having to pray out loud and i absolutely hated it!!!I'm from a church that is great but never really put me in any faith challenging situations - so on DTS they hit me like a ton of bricks. I would have to pray out loud in my small group, my prayer triplet, in lectures, at meal times, in the evening sessions - and on outreach - ALL THE TIME!!! It was soo hard for me that it often drove me to tears!! I just found it sooo daunting and just felt really under pressure! It became a MOUNTAIN! - instead of a molehill!! But those are the times that God teaches us soooo much!!!! The times when you feel like everytime you do it - its a step of faith - a chance to GET OUT OF THE BOAT - a chance to walk on water - eyes fixed on Jesus! And yeah there's times you sink but to know that Jesus is there to pull me out well then isn't that more of a reason to get out there - start stepping out! Jesus - as our 'Saviour' - for all the times we fall or sink - He is there to pick us up or pull us out!! So a challenge START STEPPING OUT!

The more God helped me to conquer my prayer fear - the mightier my prayer became! The more control i gave Him in prayer the more powerfully He worked!

So after challenge number 1 i face another! If i can say prayer is an integral part of my life and my way of communicating to my Father! Then what am i doing about it! Do i pray enough - well NO - but could i spend all day giving my pals the low down on whats happening with me - YES!!
So where does this challenge begin - well with desiring a hunger for prayer, a hunger for engaging with God not only one on one but also in group situations and oh yes OUT LOUD if neccessary!

BRING IT ON!

Gifting.........

At Findlay we're doing a series on spiritual gifts! And it got me thinking about not only spiritual gifts but gifts in general! I started playing the flute when I was like 11, and got taught for about 7 years until i 'gave it up' - but i still continued to play especially during exam time because it relaxes me so much!
But what i could never do - EVER - was play in front of anyone! The only reason I played in the school carol service was because in 1st year i took the music home and learnt it off by heart and i would just spin it out every year! I just cant play in front of people!
Last weekend when i was home i decided to bring my flute over to uni - for a de-stress session, or two!! Then i was thinking about this so called 'gift', and how i put it to use, use for God that is! Well i came to the conclusion i dont! I use it for my own benefit and have never even thought to thank him for giving me the ability to play in the first place!
So this got my thinking....... what can i do to put this gift in use - For Gods Glory!!

Reaching out....

So tonight was the Muslim Christian Dialogue! It was great, I really enjoyed it!!
The thing is that the world we live in has placed a huge gulf between Muslims and Christians and many have accepted the stereotypes which the world has placed upon them! For us to sit side by side tonight and engage in dialogue was awesome and a way of breaking out of the mould that we have been placed in!

And now im back in 'the ghetto', i cant wait to get away from halls! Its weird because there are soooo many people here and yet sometimes it can feel so lonely! Although i have been really blessed this term in that I have got to know people alot better!!
Alot of things are really starting to click here - like church and CU its great!! God has been and continues to be soo good to me!!

The Blogosphere

Well it looks like ive finally given into to the 'latest craze'! It should be good banter - a way i can express myself and whats going on in my wee head! I love looking at peoples blogs - its gives u a little insight into their world, kinda like you step into their shoes for a while!

So this is me! My little world - for people to come and jump into my wee (well not really wee) shoes for a while and see whats going on in my world!

This would have been such a good idea to have had on my GAP year - so that i wouldnt have to have written like 50 emails just to update everyone!!
But i guess i can use it now to tell of my new mission - university! This one strange as it may sound is more daunting to me than a GAP year in India.
People always say "oh i dont know how you did that" etc - well i dont know how people stand outside the QM at like 1 in the morning giving out tea and coffee to the wonderful drunkards at Glasgow - it terrified me!!!

Its weird how God has us uniquely made - unique gifts etc but then that doesnt rule out my role here - just because i am finding it hard to slot in with the whole uni mission doesnt mean my gifts cant be put to use here - i just have to go looking!!

Anyway enough blabbing!Need to go and bake a cake with Ailsa