Gareth D Cook Blogspot.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
Says it better
I thought this, which I found on Facebook tonight says what I was trying to say in the "soften your heart" blog much better.
Soften your Heart
A few years ago I played rugby with a guy that could be described as one of life hard men. The way he was on the rugby field was imitating and aggressive. Not a match went by where he wasn't either winding the opponents up or fighting with them. Even the hardest of opponents would usually come of second best when he was on the field.
After the game you would often find him propping up the bar and chatting to the opposition about the game, and laughing about things that had gone before.
I remember once after a game he was in the club house and his wife turned up with his young daughter. Suddenly we saw a different side to this hard man as he picked up the little girl and gently gave her a kiss and sat her on his lap.
I guess you could say that he was transformed from the brutal player on the pitch, Aggressive and angry, to a calm loving father and the difference was visible.
Now I have been In some ways like that and maybe what you've seen on the outside is maybe not the real story. Ive even upset people through my trying to be thick skinned. Some would have also said I was a tuff nut to crack.
But at some point you have to look around you and be open to change. You have to be ready to except that the only way to be is how God wants you to be. Not different on the outside to what you feel inside but true to what you feel.
You know sometimes I struggle with being who I really am and still cant be completely open to people around me. a tuff exterior is sometime tuff to shake off. But what I am finding is that with God I come to realise that his plan for me is much greater than my ideas, and by being open and true to what you really believe is sometimes hard but the best way to live.
What we need is to soften our hearts to be open to change and open to God.
After the game you would often find him propping up the bar and chatting to the opposition about the game, and laughing about things that had gone before.
I remember once after a game he was in the club house and his wife turned up with his young daughter. Suddenly we saw a different side to this hard man as he picked up the little girl and gently gave her a kiss and sat her on his lap.
I guess you could say that he was transformed from the brutal player on the pitch, Aggressive and angry, to a calm loving father and the difference was visible.
Now I have been In some ways like that and maybe what you've seen on the outside is maybe not the real story. Ive even upset people through my trying to be thick skinned. Some would have also said I was a tuff nut to crack.
But at some point you have to look around you and be open to change. You have to be ready to except that the only way to be is how God wants you to be. Not different on the outside to what you feel inside but true to what you feel.
You know sometimes I struggle with being who I really am and still cant be completely open to people around me. a tuff exterior is sometime tuff to shake off. But what I am finding is that with God I come to realise that his plan for me is much greater than my ideas, and by being open and true to what you really believe is sometimes hard but the best way to live.
What we need is to soften our hearts to be open to change and open to God.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Sporting Legend - Mark Versey
A close friend of mine Mark died 1 year ago. His death was a shock to all that new him and left his family was a massive lose.
This blog is dedicated to Mark and to the great work he did all around the world.
As a lad I remember mark as a laid back boy that loved his sport and was good at most he tried. Football, cricket, golf, tennis and table tennis and even hedge jumping which was actually one we made up. Many family holidays where spend in caravans with mark and his family and every one I remember with joy.
He also loved his music and playing in the salvation army band, I'm not sure which he was better at (sport or music) but he love both. In fact he loved life.
Mark left school and went to work in a bank. Years later when the bank offered staff voluntary redundancy mark took it and left the bank even after they offered him a better salary to to keep him he didn't take it.
You see mark new god had a bigger better plan for him and so marked followed his faith and started to work for AIS, a Christian sports group. His work took him all around the world and through God, Mark changed life's.
Mark was a massive influence to many Christians and non Christians world wide and his fun loving nature mad him friends everywhere he went.
Mark love his work, and although I used to joke and tell him to get a real job, I knew mark was where he was meant to be.
Mark could have made a great career at the bank and would have made if far and got a nice wage for it, but mark new what he needed to do and trusted in god.
The night before mark died he stood up at band practise and told the band that he was ready to be with the lord in heaven. He died the next day aged 38.
Mark knew god would lead him if he placed his life in his hands. He new that he would have been financially well of is he stayed at the bank but he choose to go and work for next to nothing and live by faith.
See Mark know God had a already got big ideas for him and rather than a bright future in the world of banking, even brighter future in the world of God.
Could you live by faith? Could you follow and trust 100% in god?
Mark still touches lives today through his memory and projects he helped set up. His life was celebrate all over the world on the day of his funeral. A true sporting legend.
A fund has been set up to remember Mark and support all the good he did.
Mark Versey Memorial Fund.
As a lad I remember mark as a laid back boy that loved his sport and was good at most he tried. Football, cricket, golf, tennis and table tennis and even hedge jumping which was actually one we made up. Many family holidays where spend in caravans with mark and his family and every one I remember with joy.
He also loved his music and playing in the salvation army band, I'm not sure which he was better at (sport or music) but he love both. In fact he loved life.Mark left school and went to work in a bank. Years later when the bank offered staff voluntary redundancy mark took it and left the bank even after they offered him a better salary to to keep him he didn't take it.
You see mark new god had a bigger better plan for him and so marked followed his faith and started to work for AIS, a Christian sports group. His work took him all around the world and through God, Mark changed life's.
Mark was a massive influence to many Christians and non Christians world wide and his fun loving nature mad him friends everywhere he went.
Mark love his work, and although I used to joke and tell him to get a real job, I knew mark was where he was meant to be.
Mark could have made a great career at the bank and would have made if far and got a nice wage for it, but mark new what he needed to do and trusted in god. The night before mark died he stood up at band practise and told the band that he was ready to be with the lord in heaven. He died the next day aged 38.
Mark knew god would lead him if he placed his life in his hands. He new that he would have been financially well of is he stayed at the bank but he choose to go and work for next to nothing and live by faith.
See Mark know God had a already got big ideas for him and rather than a bright future in the world of banking, even brighter future in the world of God.
Could you live by faith? Could you follow and trust 100% in god?
Mark still touches lives today through his memory and projects he helped set up. His life was celebrate all over the world on the day of his funeral. A true sporting legend.
A fund has been set up to remember Mark and support all the good he did.
Mark Versey Memorial Fund.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Everything is OK
Ever been on a journey or sat waiting for something or someone where you sit for hours by yourself not speaking to anyone and trying not to make eye contact.
Many of us would have had this experience, and if you look around you'll find many people doing much the same thing, sitting reading or listening to music, deep in thought with a serious look on their faces. They are probably thinking the same as you, and trying not to make eye contact.
Maybe we are worried about what might happen, or maybe we may talk to the wrong person. Hey its Gods world and "Everything is OK" we are all human and if your there, the chances are that the others are there for a similar reason.
A great story I heard, was of a friend of mine who was sitting on the train listening to Christian music. Deep in her own little world she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by a guy.
She took out her earphones and the guy said "do you know you singing out loud".
She embarrassingly apologised and they both laughed it of. The guy then asked what it was she was singing. "erm.. Christian Music" she replied. The guy asked if he could have a listen and she lent him the earphones.
The guy thanked her and said it sounded great and felt he may go to church the next Sunday.
How about the next time your in a situation where people just sit and try not to interact. why not find an ice breaking moment. Why not try to start up a conversation. after all, we are all human and if the truth where known others may be wanting to kill the silence too. you never know you may be pleasantly surprised. Step out of the comfort zone.
Take a look at this video. its a bit of fun but I think the guys doing it have shown what can be done on a dull train ride.
Many of us would have had this experience, and if you look around you'll find many people doing much the same thing, sitting reading or listening to music, deep in thought with a serious look on their faces. They are probably thinking the same as you, and trying not to make eye contact.
Maybe we are worried about what might happen, or maybe we may talk to the wrong person. Hey its Gods world and "Everything is OK" we are all human and if your there, the chances are that the others are there for a similar reason.
A great story I heard, was of a friend of mine who was sitting on the train listening to Christian music. Deep in her own little world she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by a guy.
She took out her earphones and the guy said "do you know you singing out loud".
She embarrassingly apologised and they both laughed it of. The guy then asked what it was she was singing. "erm.. Christian Music" she replied. The guy asked if he could have a listen and she lent him the earphones.
The guy thanked her and said it sounded great and felt he may go to church the next Sunday.
How about the next time your in a situation where people just sit and try not to interact. why not find an ice breaking moment. Why not try to start up a conversation. after all, we are all human and if the truth where known others may be wanting to kill the silence too. you never know you may be pleasantly surprised. Step out of the comfort zone.
Take a look at this video. its a bit of fun but I think the guys doing it have shown what can be done on a dull train ride.
A Taste of Something Good
I'm a Qualified Level 2 Rugby coach, and have coached rugby both in schools and with the club at all age groups. I love coaching and unfortunately don't do much these days and would love the chance to visit the schools again.
I remember once I was at a school and was there all day taking classes of all ages for rugby. One of the groups I had that day were year 2 (so about 6 and 7 years old) and to try and get them playing rugby was quite a task.
They were all really keen to play and all excited at the thought of playing "real rugby"
We ended up play a game more like netball, where the idea was to get the ball to a team mate standing on a chair at one end of the hall. The ball carrier could not run with the ball, but could pass it any way they liked.
Well. these kid thought it was great in there minds they where playing rugby at Twickenham (which I will blog about some time) rather than playing netball in the school hall.
I got loads of letter and drawing from that class and many had drawn pictures of themselves playing rugby with the crowd in the back ground and scoring tries under the posts. I knew they had all loved the rugby experience and although they hadn't actually played rugby as such, they will hopefully all grow up to remember how much fun they had and will be keen to try rugby in the future.
Now as a christian I guess we should look at ways we can give people a taste of Christianity. Maybe not by giving others a full blown sermon or by shoving the bible in there faces but to try and show God through our actions and words. Maybe that will give them a taste of Jesus and will be keen to try it out in the future.
I remember once I was at a school and was there all day taking classes of all ages for rugby. One of the groups I had that day were year 2 (so about 6 and 7 years old) and to try and get them playing rugby was quite a task.
They were all really keen to play and all excited at the thought of playing "real rugby"
We ended up play a game more like netball, where the idea was to get the ball to a team mate standing on a chair at one end of the hall. The ball carrier could not run with the ball, but could pass it any way they liked.
Well. these kid thought it was great in there minds they where playing rugby at Twickenham (which I will blog about some time) rather than playing netball in the school hall.
I got loads of letter and drawing from that class and many had drawn pictures of themselves playing rugby with the crowd in the back ground and scoring tries under the posts. I knew they had all loved the rugby experience and although they hadn't actually played rugby as such, they will hopefully all grow up to remember how much fun they had and will be keen to try rugby in the future.
Now as a christian I guess we should look at ways we can give people a taste of Christianity. Maybe not by giving others a full blown sermon or by shoving the bible in there faces but to try and show God through our actions and words. Maybe that will give them a taste of Jesus and will be keen to try it out in the future.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Gods greater plan
How often have you felt thing just couldnt get any worse? Sound familar?
Well I've been there and through resent depression I have wondered how life could get any worse and even now I have day where I feel lost and broken.
Someone once discribed these situations as tough love, and said god sometimes has to do that for our own good.
Not sure if I agree with that but it was at my lowest time god touched me and I began to see how real he was. And if we can see past the sadness and the pain we can see that the future can be brighter.
In Africa, church groups and charity's feed the hungry and house the homeless. As this act is received many poor Afrians become Christians.
Now you could say its false as they will go along with anything if it means a meal or shelter. But through these action the people in africa see gods hand and know he cares.
have you heard the poem footprints in the sand. Look it up. It tells of a mans walk through life with Jesus and two sets of footprints walking together.
Looking back on his life he sees that during the hard times in life there was only one set of footprints.
He looks at Jesus and says why have you left me in these time when I needed you more than ever.
Jesus replies, the times you needed me more I was carrying you and the footprints you see are mine.
Our ideas for our life are not always what god wants, and if we don't get what we ask god for its not always that god isn't listening it is that he has a better plan for you.
We can't even begin to think even close to what god has instore for us. It's a great plan that he had made even before you where born.
Open up to the idea that god has big plans for you and ask him to lead you in the right direction.
Well I've been there and through resent depression I have wondered how life could get any worse and even now I have day where I feel lost and broken.
Someone once discribed these situations as tough love, and said god sometimes has to do that for our own good.
Not sure if I agree with that but it was at my lowest time god touched me and I began to see how real he was. And if we can see past the sadness and the pain we can see that the future can be brighter.
In Africa, church groups and charity's feed the hungry and house the homeless. As this act is received many poor Afrians become Christians.
Now you could say its false as they will go along with anything if it means a meal or shelter. But through these action the people in africa see gods hand and know he cares.
have you heard the poem footprints in the sand. Look it up. It tells of a mans walk through life with Jesus and two sets of footprints walking together.
Looking back on his life he sees that during the hard times in life there was only one set of footprints.
He looks at Jesus and says why have you left me in these time when I needed you more than ever.
Jesus replies, the times you needed me more I was carrying you and the footprints you see are mine.
Our ideas for our life are not always what god wants, and if we don't get what we ask god for its not always that god isn't listening it is that he has a better plan for you.
We can't even begin to think even close to what god has instore for us. It's a great plan that he had made even before you where born.
Open up to the idea that god has big plans for you and ask him to lead you in the right direction.
Be Courageous
Doing this blog I know Ill get a bit of ribbing from some people. But Most of the people who read this will know me and I sure the comments I get from some will be in jest and know that no hatred will be aimed at me.
Having published the blog I suddenly realised that many enjoyed reading it and some ha strangely even asked for more, so I guest I should right another as soon as possible.
I hummed and hard all day about weather to post this blog to all but many said go for it.
It was almost as if I needed too if that makes sence. I guess also I wasn't going to rest until id got it "out there"
Many Times I have asked myself, how do I know if god is wanting me to do something. Well I guess its about being open to him and being ''COURAGEOUS".
Having published the blog I suddenly realised that many enjoyed reading it and some ha strangely even asked for more, so I guest I should right another as soon as possible.
I hummed and hard all day about weather to post this blog to all but many said go for it.
It was almost as if I needed too if that makes sence. I guess also I wasn't going to rest until id got it "out there"
Many Times I have asked myself, how do I know if god is wanting me to do something. Well I guess its about being open to him and being ''COURAGEOUS".
"You Cant Start a fire without a spark!
We go back to Frank Jenner who for 40 years did what he felt was right with no idea of the differences he was making to so many people.
Ill finish with a so which Says GOD MADE ME TO BE COURAGEOUS, and I guess its a great way to be.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Worlds Apart
Ive been part of the Salvation Army since I was born and have always known that as part of my life. At 14 I wanted to play rugby and my parents (although not happy about it) let me play on Sundays for Felixstowe Rugby Club.#
For over 22 years Ive been playing Rugby at Felixstowe and have made many great Friends and have enjoyed playing and the social life.
I guess in some ways the two are similar with both being group related and being part of a network of friends that are like minded.
But there are also things that couldn't set these two things apart.
The Salvation Army set rules out to Uniformed members that say don't drink. The Rugby Club set the standard of being big drinkers.
Ive never really been a big drinker and in fact these days don't drink at all, Ive also never been one for wearing a uniform (although Ive always said ''never say never'')
I guess looking back on the past 20 years Ive taken part in things that could be seen as worlds apart from each other.
However I have always been able to find a balance and in resent years have been more aware that these to things can run along side each other.
where as in my younger years I was maybe lead by others and ''followed the group'' I have now learnt that actually people respect my believes and and I respect theirs.
Living for Christ is not looking down on non Christians its trying to live the best way to please God.
I read a statement in a daily reading I did. it was saying that some christian don't really have many friends outside of church. Surely we should all seek friend from out side church as how else can we go out and sow the seeds.
Ive meet many Christians through playing rugby through social events and playing, Ive also had chance to witness to a few on night out with the lads.
For over 22 years Ive been playing Rugby at Felixstowe and have made many great Friends and have enjoyed playing and the social life.
I guess in some ways the two are similar with both being group related and being part of a network of friends that are like minded.
But there are also things that couldn't set these two things apart.
The Salvation Army set rules out to Uniformed members that say don't drink. The Rugby Club set the standard of being big drinkers.
Ive never really been a big drinker and in fact these days don't drink at all, Ive also never been one for wearing a uniform (although Ive always said ''never say never'')
I guess looking back on the past 20 years Ive taken part in things that could be seen as worlds apart from each other.
However I have always been able to find a balance and in resent years have been more aware that these to things can run along side each other.
where as in my younger years I was maybe lead by others and ''followed the group'' I have now learnt that actually people respect my believes and and I respect theirs.
Living for Christ is not looking down on non Christians its trying to live the best way to please God.I read a statement in a daily reading I did. it was saying that some christian don't really have many friends outside of church. Surely we should all seek friend from out side church as how else can we go out and sow the seeds.
Ive meet many Christians through playing rugby through social events and playing, Ive also had chance to witness to a few on night out with the lads.
''if you don't add different colour paint together, how are you gonna change the colour?''
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Working for god at all angles
Was at church tonight for pancake and a meeting about things we can do as a church in 2012 with the Olympics and queens golden jubilee and how we could use these to share gods word in the local community.
We also chatted about the church plan to raise money for a church in belarus and that £3000 was to be raised.
I'm not a massive fan of raising money for things abroad when so much can be done at home (I know, shame on me) but I think there could be a massive opportunity to be had.
We could use this as a way to kill two birds with one stone so to speak.
Why can't we do something that ties in with events in 2012 to raise money and spread the good news!!!
It says in the bible that even some one with the tiniest of faith could move a mountain so why not THINK BIG. As with god all things are possible.
I'll blog my ideas soon.
We also chatted about the church plan to raise money for a church in belarus and that £3000 was to be raised.
I'm not a massive fan of raising money for things abroad when so much can be done at home (I know, shame on me) but I think there could be a massive opportunity to be had.
We could use this as a way to kill two birds with one stone so to speak.
Why can't we do something that ties in with events in 2012 to raise money and spread the good news!!!
It says in the bible that even some one with the tiniest of faith could move a mountain so why not THINK BIG. As with god all things are possible.
I'll blog my ideas soon.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Amazed again.
Once again today I've witnessed god a work.
A friend was on facebook and I messaged her to say hi. Instantly she replied back and asked for my number so she could call me. I gave her my number and she rang within seconds.
She told me she was walking past my shop when it was closed the day before, and said a prayer for me. She felt god was telling her to contact me and ask god, if she needed to chat to me then I would contact her.
Amazingly we where on Facebook at the same time and I said hello.
I wouldn't normally say hi to her as I know she is usually busy but today I did and the phone call helped me to once again look at some questions I have and helped me in my faith.
She prayed while on the phone and we said we would chat for coffee soon.
God is good. And works in a way that fails to amaze me.
A friend was on facebook and I messaged her to say hi. Instantly she replied back and asked for my number so she could call me. I gave her my number and she rang within seconds.
She told me she was walking past my shop when it was closed the day before, and said a prayer for me. She felt god was telling her to contact me and ask god, if she needed to chat to me then I would contact her.
Amazingly we where on Facebook at the same time and I said hello.
I wouldn't normally say hi to her as I know she is usually busy but today I did and the phone call helped me to once again look at some questions I have and helped me in my faith.
She prayed while on the phone and we said we would chat for coffee soon.
God is good. And works in a way that fails to amaze me.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
What do we miss?
Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.
A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.
A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.
Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Night at the wrestling
Last night I went with my 6 year old to go and see the wrestling in Ipswich. Now I was 100% sure this was the ideal night out for us but he wanted to go so we decided to book tickets.
Now I remember the old style wrestling and have seen the WWE on Sky TV so wasn't really sure what to expect.
The night went quite well and found myself enjoying it. The same old story with the good guys being cheered and the bad guys booed, and with good beating bad in the end.
What ever you feel about wrestling of this nature something's cant go unnoticed. For one the audience was mainly over excited kids (with dads that could take it or leave it) and older people that got really involved with the whole event.
I also noticed that the wrestlers, although essentially acting where very agile and fit and great at gymnastics and playing there part well.
All in all it was a good night and was a great show for the odd occasion.
Thinking about the whole wrestling thing, and the fact that wrestlers are not quite what they set out to be I wondered about Christians. Are you a Christian that try's to live for Christ and trusts in god. Or are you a church goer that looks like a Christian. You see going to church doesn't make a Christian nor does reading the bible or telling everyone your a Christian. Being a christian is about knowing Jesus and living for him.
The wrestler who gets cheered or booed, and acts out a fight in the ring has another life that the audience doesn't see. The bad guys probably not really that bad and is all part of the show.
Are you a Christian? Or are you part of the show?
Now I remember the old style wrestling and have seen the WWE on Sky TV so wasn't really sure what to expect.
The night went quite well and found myself enjoying it. The same old story with the good guys being cheered and the bad guys booed, and with good beating bad in the end.
What ever you feel about wrestling of this nature something's cant go unnoticed. For one the audience was mainly over excited kids (with dads that could take it or leave it) and older people that got really involved with the whole event.
I also noticed that the wrestlers, although essentially acting where very agile and fit and great at gymnastics and playing there part well.
All in all it was a good night and was a great show for the odd occasion.
Thinking about the whole wrestling thing, and the fact that wrestlers are not quite what they set out to be I wondered about Christians. Are you a Christian that try's to live for Christ and trusts in god. Or are you a church goer that looks like a Christian. You see going to church doesn't make a Christian nor does reading the bible or telling everyone your a Christian. Being a christian is about knowing Jesus and living for him.
The wrestler who gets cheered or booed, and acts out a fight in the ring has another life that the audience doesn't see. The bad guys probably not really that bad and is all part of the show.
Are you a Christian? Or are you part of the show?
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
WORD 4U 2DAY
why not read Word 4U 2Day. I find its a great way to keep ''in touch'' with God and helps me read the bible.
Monday, 6 February 2012
fun weekend
Well what a weekend. It Snowed....
I drove back through snow on Saturday night as we had been visiting friends. Driving at 30mph on the M"% wasn't much fun and even saw a car skid out of control.
The A12 wasn't much better either but God kept us safe and we got home safe, albeit cold and tired.
the next morning we woke up to a blanket of snow and for my son Ben (aged 6) it was wonderful and he wanted to go out straight away.
Now most times on Sunday id be looking for a reason not to go to church, but this Sunday even though it was snowy and cold I couldn't wait to get there and found I wasn't disappointed.
in the afternoon we went with some of our friends from church to go sledging and 2 hour of fun in the cold.
Fun was had by all both children and adults and I couldn't help think that I was part of a bigger family than I thought.
Time together with Christians is a great way of sharing and building our relationship with god. Some people will say "I don't need to go to church to be a christian'' which maybe true, but Id like to say going to church is and has been a massive part of my life and now know that I can share with those christian friend and take advice and encouragement from them. How ever bad or good things are I can be there for them and they can be there for me.
I drove back through snow on Saturday night as we had been visiting friends. Driving at 30mph on the M"% wasn't much fun and even saw a car skid out of control.
The A12 wasn't much better either but God kept us safe and we got home safe, albeit cold and tired.
the next morning we woke up to a blanket of snow and for my son Ben (aged 6) it was wonderful and he wanted to go out straight away.
Now most times on Sunday id be looking for a reason not to go to church, but this Sunday even though it was snowy and cold I couldn't wait to get there and found I wasn't disappointed.
in the afternoon we went with some of our friends from church to go sledging and 2 hour of fun in the cold.
Fun was had by all both children and adults and I couldn't help think that I was part of a bigger family than I thought.
Friday, 3 February 2012
The Difference.
Once again I find myself amazed at how god works. Have you ever looked back on an event feeling kind of confused yet amazed?
Well tonight I went up to bed early and usually when I do this my wife will join me and we will goto sleep, well tonight was different.
I sat upstairs for about an hour and decided I'd go down stairs just as Tracy was coming to bed. I switch the tv on and turned on to UCB TV.
A film called "in a blink of an eye"had just started and to cut a long story short it was about a guy who was totally in interested in God found himself in gods plans.
The idea was that at a certain point people around him vanished "in a blink of an eye". However this man was reliving this every day.
He finally started to believe in god and thought all would be fine until once again those people vanished again. When the man spoke to a Christian friend he asked "I believe in god, what is the difference between your belief and my belief?" the friend said to him, "you believe in god, but then even the devil believes in god". The difference you see was that the friend had asked Jesus into his life and asked for forgiveness, where the other hadn't.
I guess It's where I was, I believed in god and called my self a Christian, it wasn't until I wholeheartedly asked Jesus in that I felt different.
I've said before and Ill say it again, I find reading the bible hard and alway found any reading hard. But listening to people and watching films helps me to understand more. I think god was working tonight when I decided to watch that film and understand what the point was.
Do you go to church week in, week out? Well this doesn't make a Christian. Have you been going to church all your life? This doesn't make you a Christian either.
Have you asked the lord into your life and asked him to forgive your sins and wholeheartedly let him in? Well if not why not try it and start to really live a better life.
Well tonight I went up to bed early and usually when I do this my wife will join me and we will goto sleep, well tonight was different.
I sat upstairs for about an hour and decided I'd go down stairs just as Tracy was coming to bed. I switch the tv on and turned on to UCB TV.
A film called "in a blink of an eye"had just started and to cut a long story short it was about a guy who was totally in interested in God found himself in gods plans.
The idea was that at a certain point people around him vanished "in a blink of an eye". However this man was reliving this every day.
He finally started to believe in god and thought all would be fine until once again those people vanished again. When the man spoke to a Christian friend he asked "I believe in god, what is the difference between your belief and my belief?" the friend said to him, "you believe in god, but then even the devil believes in god". The difference you see was that the friend had asked Jesus into his life and asked for forgiveness, where the other hadn't.
I guess It's where I was, I believed in god and called my self a Christian, it wasn't until I wholeheartedly asked Jesus in that I felt different.
I've said before and Ill say it again, I find reading the bible hard and alway found any reading hard. But listening to people and watching films helps me to understand more. I think god was working tonight when I decided to watch that film and understand what the point was.
Do you go to church week in, week out? Well this doesn't make a Christian. Have you been going to church all your life? This doesn't make you a Christian either.
Have you asked the lord into your life and asked him to forgive your sins and wholeheartedly let him in? Well if not why not try it and start to really live a better life.
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