Imagination

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It's Woody, Jessie and Buzz against the law breaking Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head and an oversized pig spaceship. Things don't seem to be going the right way...and then you realise none of it is really happening. 

OK. So, maybe you realised that when I mentioned Mr. Potato head. All of the action in the opening of Toy Story 3 is the imaginings of a young boy. And to him, in that moment, they are real. Very real. And exciting!

I have been thinking a lot about imagination lately. 

In Ephesians, Paul wrote:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

Ephesians 3:20

And in the gospels we read:

Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'

Matthew 19:14

As adults, we know how to ask. But we've forgotten how to use our imagination!

Children know how to imagine. 

What if part of bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth is learning to use our imagination? Learning to dream wild dreams and crazy plans.

God can do immeasurably more than we can imagine.

We can't out imagine God!

How exciting would it be to imagine our wildest dreams and hopes for our friends, our families, our cities, and watch God do something even better?!

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Why, oh why?

300 blog posts and nearly 4 years later...and I'm still here. Still blogging. Still trying to make sense of something.

Time has become limited, and the writing has become a bit more blah. And what is the purpose of this?
Why still find time, make time, to share thoughts?

Am I driven by the thought of having 'followers'? Probably.
Is it just another branch of attention seeking? Probably.
Has it benefitted me or anyone else? Not sure.

You see, in some ways I feel that I'm still the same person that started typing 4 years ago. I still struggle enormously with comparison and envy (to a ridiculous degree). I should know better, but I trip often.
The internet is a minefield when it comes to forming a healthy identity and being rooted in it.
And yet I can be found meandering through this minefield far too often.

Scripture, on the other hand, is a healing balm. Speaking truth, value and love to a mixed up soul. And yet, I don't spend the same time digging into its depth, bathing in its peace, digesting its truths.

And I still find myself speaking kindness with one breath and judgement with the next? Being too quick to speak and not listen. Too fast to offer an opinion, too slow to show grace.

You see, I long to bring truth and hope to women. To encourage them. To build community. To show them love and kindness. To lead them to the one who gives life in all its fullness. The one who will inspire them and spark a fire in their hearts. The one who will give them a purpose. To help them build a relationship with Him.

And I'd love to be part of a gathering of women. Where we draw alongside one another. Share hopes, fears, dreams, struggles. Rejoice together, cry together, walk together, kneel together. Build kingdom together. Extend love together. Bring change together.

But I know that my tongue and personal battles are all tied up in this too.

I was challenged by the concept of choosing to be a woman who ministers, as opposed to a woman in ministry.
That sounds more like what Jesus commissioned us to do. But I know that my motives often get mixed up. Pride is such a difficult thing!

It's a good job this life is a journey and that we can take it one step at a time...together.

One moment

Tears streaming
Heart crying
Spirit convicting

Body kneeling
Scripture speaking
God forgiving

Feet standing
Mind dreaming
Jesus leading

Just breathing

Afternoon Tea Dreams

I was joined by some lovely friends for a ladies afternoon tea to celebrate turning 30.
I didn't take many photos as I was enjoying the goodies and conversation. But here's a snippet of our afternoon...and the amazing view of the castle!

Some words I heard

Here are some quotes from things I have watched recently and really liked so wanted to remember.

From the first series of Call the Midwife (which I watched in 4 days so I could be up to date for the new series!)

 - Sometimes we need to deal with what the Lord has sent us.

 - We must see what love can do.

 - Health is God's greatest gift to us.

 - Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.

 - There is not versions of love, only love.

 - I feel we are prompted to go in search of cake!

From Men in Black 3 (the Husbands choice!)

 - A miracle is what seems impossible but happens anyway.

And from Toy Story (I've seen this too many times since Christmas!)

 - That's not flying. That's falling with style!

I hope to get through each day searching for cake, falling with style and hoping for miracles!

Rich towards God, Generous towards Others

The New Year began at church with a great sermon about living rich lives towards God. A reminder that we are stewards, not owners, of all that God blesses us with. That we should hold everything with open hands ready to give to others, or back to God, where needed. This is how the early church lived. And many were added to their number daily!
We were challenged to live a life of simplicity, community and faith.

And I have been thinking...as I do...what does it mean to be generous?
I think we have a tendency to think about it in one of two ways:
1. Generosity is about how much money I give, so I'll give some cash and that's my giving done.
2. Generosity isn't just about money, and I give in so many ways, I don't need to give, or give much, of my finances.

But I would suggest that generosity is about everything. All that we have. Finances, material belongings, gifts, skills, time and many other things. We should be challenged  to give in many ways, according to what the situation asks of us.

Welcoming someone into your family so that they are not lonely is generous.
Taking the time to teach someone a new skill is generous.
Baking delicious goodies to treat others or provide for someone else is generous.
Supporting someone financially so they can gain an education is generous.

Let's get creative and think outside the box when it comes to blessing others. It doesn't even have to be big things. Sometimes its the small things that mean most to someone. Just being remembered can be a gift to someone.

So let's remember that being generous is a privilege and a gift.
And let's amaze the world with God's generosity through us!

It doesn't matter...

...if you're tiny or tall.
It doesn't matter if you're big or small.
If you want to have fun, it doesn't matter at all.

Thanks to CBeebies for the above snippet from a theme song (yes, I need to expand my telly viewing habits)!

How often do we put conditions on what we can or cannot do?
How many times have we avoided something because we think we're not 'qualified/experienced/old enough/young enough/etc etc'?
How many roles have we not taken up because we've decided we don't have the right qualities or skills?

And, especially in churches, how many times have we left things for those in 'official' leadership to do?

God calls us all to play our part. For church to be FUNctional...yes I believe church can be great fun (amen)...we all need to join in. And it doesn't matter whether you think you fit the mould or not.

Do you want to have fun?
Then join in!

Love this photo

Taken one evening this week...