Yes, its true, I live in the crappiest town in the counrty. Oh dear, I guess I'd better move out... What a defeatist attitude! If I was given a million pounds I wouldn't move out of Luton, I'd invest it in the town, making it a better place to live. I am of course acknowledging that Luton isn't the best place in the country, but don't you have to do that to make it better?
To all those who just automatically assume that Luton is a bad place, come and live here for a year, you'll soon see different. The small minority of people who have a passion for this town are changing it slowly. God is using Luton as the centre for the start of many good peices of work. Lets not dicount Luton in Gods plan because 2,000 people have said its the worst thing in England. I challenge those who have lived in Luton for a majority of their lives, have some passion for your home town, stick up for it. And to those who only live here for a few years; the littlest things can make a difference. You are little, MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Again...
Sitting here thinking through all the things that have gone on in the last few days. You may think I have nothing to add within 24 hours of my last post, but God does amazing things, and I can't spend enough time talking to him or about him.
The simple fact is: God is amazing.
I can't get my head round how much he's done for me or my friends over the summer and in the last week. Its all good at the moment and the only thing I can complain about is not getting enough sleep! But fear not, with 6 hours until our first Freshers-focused talk, I am about to head home and get some kip!
Those of you who can; please pray that we will be able to contact AND follow up freshers.
The simple fact is: God is amazing.
I can't get my head round how much he's done for me or my friends over the summer and in the last week. Its all good at the moment and the only thing I can complain about is not getting enough sleep! But fear not, with 6 hours until our first Freshers-focused talk, I am about to head home and get some kip!
Those of you who can; please pray that we will be able to contact AND follow up freshers.
Monday, September 27, 2004
One of THOSE weekends
You know the ones I mean, everyday is pretty good and you just don't want to go back to work! Last weekend was that. I had a great day on Friday and Saturday, spent time with friends, led the youth group and had a day off. Couldn't ask for anything more. I spent loads of time chatting to God and making things all good. Sunday was also pretty brilliant.
Morning Church had its ups and downs, the ups included seeing the youth group actually writing prayers to God and listening to the leader of the group. The downs came when the church had to say good bye to a team of leaders known as the Lomax Family. In a year the team at my church has gone from 6 to 2! Please pray for us, we're going through a transistion time and out Vicar is finding it hard.
Then Sunday evening comes round a lot quicker than I ever expected it to. We had a BBQ for all the Luton Uni freshers and some of the staff. We ran out of food too quickly but we had a crack team on the case to get more. Every one was fed and alot of people made it into the service. Which was amazing, for those of you who already lead in churches, watch out, your teaching has been so good the new generation is rising up and about to 'out passion' you! For the people who are looking into leading their church, keep going, you are doing an amazing job and God is with you! All those who are sitting in their congregation thinking 'I could never lead, but I want to try' - Give it a go, what have you got to lose? After the service was even better, having spent my whole day serving people I took the opportunity to be served. I've had a lot of fun this weekend I don't want to start lectures!
Enough about the past, many of you maybe screaming, what about the future? My future is laid in Gods hands and I'm pretty happy to leave it there for now. The boy situation is also very good. More than happy.
Have a question though:
'Why is there a stigma attched to young marriage (where one of the two is under 24)?'
I don't get it! Some one told me the other day I was not allowed to feel broody at 20. My argument back was really weak, so I won't tell you, but I just don't understand. Are we a culture so ingrained with teeenage pregnacies and peadophlia that marriage and children by 24 is a problem? Or have we been told by our parents and the media that a career is a good thing, therefore we should put off mariage until late 20's/early 30's? What happened to your career being a housewife? Yes I know it sounds very dated, but if you ask any girl what they'd REALLY like to be, I'm sure house wife would come up a lot more often than your thought. My Mum and Nan were both house wives (my Nan doesn't even know how to drive), why can't I follow in their foot steps?
Morning Church had its ups and downs, the ups included seeing the youth group actually writing prayers to God and listening to the leader of the group. The downs came when the church had to say good bye to a team of leaders known as the Lomax Family. In a year the team at my church has gone from 6 to 2! Please pray for us, we're going through a transistion time and out Vicar is finding it hard.
Then Sunday evening comes round a lot quicker than I ever expected it to. We had a BBQ for all the Luton Uni freshers and some of the staff. We ran out of food too quickly but we had a crack team on the case to get more. Every one was fed and alot of people made it into the service. Which was amazing, for those of you who already lead in churches, watch out, your teaching has been so good the new generation is rising up and about to 'out passion' you! For the people who are looking into leading their church, keep going, you are doing an amazing job and God is with you! All those who are sitting in their congregation thinking 'I could never lead, but I want to try' - Give it a go, what have you got to lose? After the service was even better, having spent my whole day serving people I took the opportunity to be served. I've had a lot of fun this weekend I don't want to start lectures!
Enough about the past, many of you maybe screaming, what about the future? My future is laid in Gods hands and I'm pretty happy to leave it there for now. The boy situation is also very good. More than happy.
Have a question though:
'Why is there a stigma attched to young marriage (where one of the two is under 24)?'
I don't get it! Some one told me the other day I was not allowed to feel broody at 20. My argument back was really weak, so I won't tell you, but I just don't understand. Are we a culture so ingrained with teeenage pregnacies and peadophlia that marriage and children by 24 is a problem? Or have we been told by our parents and the media that a career is a good thing, therefore we should put off mariage until late 20's/early 30's? What happened to your career being a housewife? Yes I know it sounds very dated, but if you ask any girl what they'd REALLY like to be, I'm sure house wife would come up a lot more often than your thought. My Mum and Nan were both house wives (my Nan doesn't even know how to drive), why can't I follow in their foot steps?
Saturday, September 25, 2004
The BIG decision
Well, its been made. After many agonising hours praying to God and chatting to a set of mates (whom each alone would make me very unhinged, but together they have a balanced opinion) I have made a decision to wait. We all know and realise that Gods timing is very very perfect and I now know there's nothing I can do to change the way He works. I'm waiting on God.
To many this may sound entirely boring and could be compared to sitting waiting for a bus/train/your mum (you know, in the rain after school), but I find it really exciting! I can't describe to you how free of worry I feel. Its amazing and I can get on with feeling like me because I know that when 'it' (this is absolutely ambiguous) happens I'll love the descision that God has for me. How can I not? Its all in his perfect and great plan.
I have been away at a Christian conference, and we had two amazing speakers. Two things that really struck me were the fact that God is your Dad and he can comfort and be with you however loud you cry out and; that we God is with us everyday and if we don't acknowledge that, how rude are we? I learnt loads of things the whole week. I could go on for hours, but one phrase stuck in my mind: 'think of the Joy through the suffering' If you are having a hard time at the moment its because God is teaching you something. I think suffering is the lesson and if we don't review/revise it then how do we ever learn?
Here's the challenge that God lays before us: Worship him in everything you do.
Happiness has nothing to do with this, but you will find joy and delight in the Lord, like he finds joy and delight in you when you do things for his glory. God loves you and theres nothing you can do about it, why not worship him?
To many this may sound entirely boring and could be compared to sitting waiting for a bus/train/your mum (you know, in the rain after school), but I find it really exciting! I can't describe to you how free of worry I feel. Its amazing and I can get on with feeling like me because I know that when 'it' (this is absolutely ambiguous) happens I'll love the descision that God has for me. How can I not? Its all in his perfect and great plan.
I have been away at a Christian conference, and we had two amazing speakers. Two things that really struck me were the fact that God is your Dad and he can comfort and be with you however loud you cry out and; that we God is with us everyday and if we don't acknowledge that, how rude are we? I learnt loads of things the whole week. I could go on for hours, but one phrase stuck in my mind: 'think of the Joy through the suffering' If you are having a hard time at the moment its because God is teaching you something. I think suffering is the lesson and if we don't review/revise it then how do we ever learn?
Here's the challenge that God lays before us: Worship him in everything you do.
Happiness has nothing to do with this, but you will find joy and delight in the Lord, like he finds joy and delight in you when you do things for his glory. God loves you and theres nothing you can do about it, why not worship him?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Freshers fair, always freshers flu!
Yep, it's been a day since they arrived and the freshers have already passed on the flu! Feeling really rough and can't do anything except take a lot of drugs and stick it out! By the Grace of God I have a whole day off tomorrow. The big bum is I'm really fired up, but I have no energy. I'll be cheering from the sidelines for most of the week. Gods way of making me patient! I love suffering.
Had a brilliant week of training. Wales is the most amazing place. I've learnt a lot and I'm gonna stick by my guns for the next year when talking about God. I will nail my colours to the mast!
Feeling rather lonely at the mo. In need of a big hug from a man. There is always girl hugs, but I find they never totally encompass. I'll be fine though, it's not like they are in short supply!
Had a brilliant week of training. Wales is the most amazing place. I've learnt a lot and I'm gonna stick by my guns for the next year when talking about God. I will nail my colours to the mast!
Feeling rather lonely at the mo. In need of a big hug from a man. There is always girl hugs, but I find they never totally encompass. I'll be fine though, it's not like they are in short supply!
Friday, September 10, 2004
Leaving!
Well thats it, I'm all packed and ready to leave Essex until such a time as it calls me back. Today I wasn't really looking forward to going, I'd said goodbye to my grandparents (they went on holiday AGAIN!) and I'll not see a large majority of my Essex friends until Christmas now, which means I have to remember to write to them! Then I got a phone call from a Luton person and now I'm rather excited!
So off I go to start my final year at Uni, prayers much appreciated!
So off I go to start my final year at Uni, prayers much appreciated!
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
(none) Cos thats how I feel
Hrmph! I just wrote something really great and the server crashed! Oh I'm so annoyed with the internet.
Anyway, The long and short of it was that God's got something big for me but I can't peer over his fingers and see because I'm really scared. I'm sitting in his hand at the moment! I'm just thinking about how hard it could be for me over the next year. But also thinking if everthing is in Gods plan then he'll put people around who can help me through it.
I also was talking about running away from God - not a good thing, look at what Jonah went through! Yeah, I'm gonna try not to run away from Gods plan for me and if he asks me to do something I will definitely not be half-hearted about it!
Anyway, The long and short of it was that God's got something big for me but I can't peer over his fingers and see because I'm really scared. I'm sitting in his hand at the moment! I'm just thinking about how hard it could be for me over the next year. But also thinking if everthing is in Gods plan then he'll put people around who can help me through it.
I also was talking about running away from God - not a good thing, look at what Jonah went through! Yeah, I'm gonna try not to run away from Gods plan for me and if he asks me to do something I will definitely not be half-hearted about it!
Monday, September 06, 2004
Tripping
No, you are not alowed to get the wrong idea of me! All I mean is I spent yesterday driving my little brother to see his almost-nearly-girlfriend. Those two have spent the last 3 or so years being on and off like... well I can't think of a comparison, but you know what I mean. This time though its different (like all the other times??), he can drive to see her! So that'd be all the money he's saving to buy a car just spent on going to see her. I can understand and see the love between them, but teenage hormones and not seeking God's direction make it really confusing for both of them. All I can do now is pray for them both and pick her up when she wants to come here and he wants to drink. He already knows the way by heart (with a duplicate meaning)!
Of course I was feeling a little out of place for most of yesterday. I was the oldest in the room and I really had no right to be there. I thought about going to find a nice bit of grass to fall asleep on, but then I realised that I could simply concentrate on me for a while and not have to participate in the conversation. For once I was glad to be rather invisible. In hindsight probably should have thought about it a little more as next year is gonna be very busy and me-time will probably be well down the list. Having to rely on God to tell me to have a day off and enjoy his company and no one else's. Failing that I'm sure someone else will tell me!
Discovered last night that I'm no longer allowed to talk about boy in my sister's company. She doesn't like it. I tried to not talk about him so much over the last few weeks, but sometimes its really hard. My friends on the other hand think its cute. I'm still not sure!
Of course I was feeling a little out of place for most of yesterday. I was the oldest in the room and I really had no right to be there. I thought about going to find a nice bit of grass to fall asleep on, but then I realised that I could simply concentrate on me for a while and not have to participate in the conversation. For once I was glad to be rather invisible. In hindsight probably should have thought about it a little more as next year is gonna be very busy and me-time will probably be well down the list. Having to rely on God to tell me to have a day off and enjoy his company and no one else's. Failing that I'm sure someone else will tell me!
Discovered last night that I'm no longer allowed to talk about boy in my sister's company. She doesn't like it. I tried to not talk about him so much over the last few weeks, but sometimes its really hard. My friends on the other hand think its cute. I'm still not sure!
Saturday, September 04, 2004
To and fro...
... is how I'd describe my summer, then it would have to be 'totally and utterly amazing'! Just a week before I travel back to Luton for the first three months of my final year at Uni, I am reflecting on what has been a busy, wet and God filled 12 weeks. This has been by far, the greatest summer for a while. I have definitely appreciated having a house to go into and chill out in. It amazing how many people I've seen over the last twelve weeks and not intended to see. Like my impromtue trip to Soul in The City and the various one nighters in Luton that have made this summer totally worth while. I'm not saying that I'd rather be in Luton, but I think that following Gods path, direction (two differrent things, I think) and giving into total spontinaity has put me in the right place at the right time. I'm very happy for it!!!
Glad to be heading back to luton and finally being able to answer the 'have you moved in?' question with 'yes!!' To say I'm fed up of explaining myself does my state of mind an injustice! But yeay, back to Luton in a week. No more driving around my little brother, but have to endure the boys next door! It'll be fine... I'll keep telling myself!
Keep an eye out for up dates on the boy situation and feel free to try and pass on some of Gods guidance!!!
Glad to be heading back to luton and finally being able to answer the 'have you moved in?' question with 'yes!!' To say I'm fed up of explaining myself does my state of mind an injustice! But yeay, back to Luton in a week. No more driving around my little brother, but have to endure the boys next door! It'll be fine... I'll keep telling myself!
Keep an eye out for up dates on the boy situation and feel free to try and pass on some of Gods guidance!!!
Thursday, September 02, 2004
What do we do to ourselves?
I have just spent a very long afternoon with one of my best mates in Essex. She's a lovely girl, if a little dizzy and a lightweight. Both of which I don't tend on ever changing. I love her the way she is, but her dizziness does get her into some of the most confusing situations, even if they are just in her head!So we kinda spent the afternoon thinking about what she could do and how exactly she is gonna get herself sorted before uni starts again. This really got me thinking...
... I know its not something I do regularly, but I have actually been challenging myself into changing my view of relationships. Single people around me will testify that everyone is trying to set everyone else up. Whilst on holiday, my lovely group did attempt and fail! It seems to be the past time of those couples who are 'new', other single people and youth leaders, if none of these try, then the youth group is always willing to chip in the odd person or two. Most of the time we singles are subject to innocent banter between mates, which is actually a lot of fun over a few drinks, but the rest of the time modern western match making can be seen as a pretty serious business. Here's where the thinking bit plunges in, why do we do it? Why do we put up with every little smile towards a member of the opposite sex being scruntinised down to the last tooth? Something in me shouts 'not again!' everytime some blokes name is mentioned. I am actually fed up of the comments made and trying to treat men as brothers in Christ is so hard, if the world is insistent that you should fancy everyone that pulls a smile at you.
I'm challenging myself to stop fancying and start loving, loving like I love my little brother.
... I know its not something I do regularly, but I have actually been challenging myself into changing my view of relationships. Single people around me will testify that everyone is trying to set everyone else up. Whilst on holiday, my lovely group did attempt and fail! It seems to be the past time of those couples who are 'new', other single people and youth leaders, if none of these try, then the youth group is always willing to chip in the odd person or two. Most of the time we singles are subject to innocent banter between mates, which is actually a lot of fun over a few drinks, but the rest of the time modern western match making can be seen as a pretty serious business. Here's where the thinking bit plunges in, why do we do it? Why do we put up with every little smile towards a member of the opposite sex being scruntinised down to the last tooth? Something in me shouts 'not again!' everytime some blokes name is mentioned. I am actually fed up of the comments made and trying to treat men as brothers in Christ is so hard, if the world is insistent that you should fancy everyone that pulls a smile at you.
I'm challenging myself to stop fancying and start loving, loving like I love my little brother.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Home, but not so Alone
You know that feeling when all you can think about is how nice it is to be alone? I've got one of those at the moment. Its very strange going from living in a house by yourself for a couple of days, and coming back to a full family life that seems to have moved on with out you. Things just happen when I'm away and no-one thinks to tell me. Obviously there isn't much I can do about them once they have happened, but I seem to be the last to know. Some events are pretty huge, like my best friend dumping her bloke and finding someone else (in the space of a week) and some are relatively small, like the plumber not coming to fix the bath (its still broke we've been waiting a month). You know, all these types of things that my parents forgot telling me because I have other problems, or they complain because I just don't ask! Oh well. I'll probably have to get used to it as I'm going back to Uni in a couple of weeks and I can't imagine ever being rung up by my mum with some news. I'll always have to ring her!
By the way, feel free to click on the comment button and leave me a note!
By the way, feel free to click on the comment button and leave me a note!
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