Can I say Yes to you?

It’s not always easy to see ourselves as God sees us. It’s even harder to be truly ourselves and yet God calls us to be true to ourselves and to who He has called and made us to be. I’ve been reflecting on this for quite sometime as I’ve unravelled who I am in Christ, and began to accept who he has made me to be. When you were formed in your mother’s womb there was no mistake. (Psalm 139.) God spoke life over you and called you by name from that moment. It just takes us a while to hear it, and even longer to accept it. Perhaps you have still not accepted who you are? As you gaze in the mirror and look upon your beauty, (yes there is beauty there!) know that you are loved and held by God. Maybe it’s time to say yes to him and be more accepting of yourself? 

Can I say Yes to you?

Can I really say Yes to you Lord? 

From the depths of my soul,

My inner most being?

My mind and my will?

My thoughts and desires?

Can I really say yes to you? 

Can I truly be all that you’ve made me to be? 

Using my gifts those well worn and the new?

Those deep inside of me?

And those plain to see? 

Can I really say yes to you? 

What will it look like to serve you as me? 

And truly be me?

How you have created me to be?

Am I willing? 

Am I prepared?

Am I going to do this? 

Well we’ll best wait and see… 

When it’s only you and me it’s easy to be. 

What will the world think? 

Will they truly accept me? 

Can I really be me?

And say yes to the you in me? 

©️Revdjo 4/8/24

Is your Arrow Polished?

So is your arrow polished? Are you ready for what it is God would have you do? In this ever changing world it is important that we are equipped and ready for what ever life throws at us.

The Bible talks of us as being arrows, polished and hidden in God’s quiver. 

Listen to me, you islands; 

Hear this, you distant nations:

From my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.

He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,

In the shadow of his hand he hid me;

He made me into a polished arrow

And concealed me in his quiver.

(Isaiah 49:1-2)

Jenny Sanders in her book Polished Arrows (Instant Apostle, 2024) takes us through this in detail. Looking at all the stages of arrow making from coppicing the wood, stripping back the bark,  dealing with the knottieness and the splinters, sanding down the wood, putting in the nock, and oiling she uses these analogies to look at how God forms us ready to do his will. 

I first met Jenny at Book Blest, a Christian festival that I help run. She is a great author and her books are really worth the read. If you get the chance to see her read one of her children’s books do make sure you go and take the kids/grandkids. She is so animated and fun! Jenny had us all putting on fake moustaches at Book Blest as she read from her book The Magnificent Moustache. She asked me recently if I would be part of her blog tour for Polished Arrows which I happily agreed to. The bonus of that was a free PDF copy of her book. What’s not to like?

Book Blest 

Polished Arrows is very readable and perfect for those new or more mature in faith. It is rich with Bible references and stories put together to take us on a journey of exploring our own faith. At the end of each chapter are some question which help the reader to take hold of the challenges given and reflect on their own life. It would be a perfect book to use in a Bible study for a small group and is certainly a recommended read for individuals and groups alike.

I for one want to be polished and ready. A arrow  ready for God to use in and for his Kingdom. What about you? 

Dizzy!

Sometimes, life can get rather out of focus. It ends in a blur and leaves us feeling dizzy. Maybe that’s you? 

I’m reminded of the song by Tommy Row and Freddy Weller called Dizzy. The lyrics of the chorus are: 

I'm so dizzy my head is spinning 
Like a whirlpool, it never ends 
And it's you, girl, making it spin 
You're making me dizzy

The song is about a girl making someone’s head dizzy. Romantic love can be a bit like that. It’s not always easy. Life can also get us in a spin. It doesn’t take much for us to loose our equilibrium and sense of balance. 

The Bible tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Whatever storm you may find yourself in I would encourage you to look to God and keep your eyes on a Jesus. The more grounded we are in our faith, the more our feet are planted on the rock the easier it will be to survive those curve balls of life. 

If you don’t know Jesus I would encourage you to get to know him. How? You will find him in the pages of the New Testament of the Bible. Maybe try reading through one of the gospels? The book of Mark is a good one to start with, but just choose one and give it a read. As you read try speaking to him, pray. Prayer is really just a conversation. If you want to address your prayers to God that’s also fine but it is Jesus who helps to bridge the gap between God and us. That’s his commission, his job if you will. If you start opening yourselves up and asking Jesus or God to make them selves real to you they will. You just have to invite them. 

If you are going through a hard time right now I pray that you may know the peace of God that passes all understanding and that you may know his love to overflowing. 

You can find the full song here: 

https://youtu.be/sbdtQ99yIUo?si=L79yXG1gmO6RLjU4

Gifts and Acorns

All of us have been given gifts and talents. Some of us use them well. Some of us just shove them in a draw or a pocket and forget them. Some of us are a mixture of the two. There are of course seasons where perhaps we don’t use all that we have been given, for whatever reason. 

I took this photo at the local Sculpture Park. It intrigues me. The image seems to be of a child handing an adult something. Maybe an acorn? To me there is trust in the interaction. Trust that what is given will be honoured, treasured, and handled well. Not screwed up and thrown in the bin. But treasured as much as the giver treasures it. 

It is half-term week here, in other places half term is just starting. Our children, and grandchildren, are a gift in themselves. Enjoy the gift. Treasure the moments. Place your hand in theirs and embrace the moment. 

 

Acorns become mighty oak trees. Little ideas become successful ventures. Our young people become leaders. But these things don’t happen overnight they need nurturing and time and good soil in which to grow. 

I consider myself a life long learner. I’m always learning something. I like to try new things and am currently enjoying a creative streak. It’s good to push our comfort zones occasionally. We never know what we can achieve until we try. 

Sometimes God gives us gifts and we reject them. They can’t really be for us can they? It’s not until we unwrap the gift that we realise how beautiful and precious and truly perfect it is for us. 

So what has God placed into your hand? What are your gifts and talents? Is God wanting to give you another gift? Have you any gifts that you are yet to unwrap? I encourage you to peel back the paper and take a peep. 

Reflections on Lent

Today marks the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday to be precise. Many from the Anglican and Catholic traditions, amongst others, will have taken part in an Ashing service today. Ashes from the burning of last year’s Palm crosses are used to make the sign of the cross on a believers forehead. So if you have seen someone walking around with a black smudge on their forehead today you now know why! 

Lent traditionally means a period of 40 days of fasting ending at Easter. Sundays aren’t counted as they are considered feast days however, many people choose not to break their fast. Fasting can be from anything from meat to chocolate to social-media to abstaining from alcohol. It promotes self-control and self-discipline. 

Lent is also a time of reflection, often self-reflection. There is certainly no point in fasting if you don’t reflect and at least think about why you are doing so. 

As well as fasting people can also choose to take things up. It maybe gratitude and being purposely thankful for something everyday, or to do a good deed every day. The list is endless really. 

This year I have decided to abstain from alcohol and to blog more regularly. The aim is to blog every day but I don’t want to be legalistic about it as you never know what curve balls life will throw at you that will need their attention. I’ve done both of these things in the past so nothing knew for me. The reflections however will be different some of which I will blog others perhaps will be more private. 

Well not much hilarity going on in today’s post so far! So, what can I say to make you at least smile? I will leave you with a joke that I was told last week….

How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? 

Ten. Ten tickles! (tentacels)

So tell me a joke. Squid Pro Quo and all that!