Sharing.

Within the church you'll always get people that feel like a bit of a spare part. They just don't seem to see themselves as any use.

This kind of thought I guess is partly because people set themselves a limit and can form a barrier.

The fact is that God sets no limits, and doesn't put up barriers. And how ever long we have been Christians for makes no difference to what we can do.

So as Christians weather old or new we have the access to the same strengths. This means that god has given us the power to over come all.

We all have an ability to play a part within gods church and to minister and to share gods word. These skills can be put into 3 basic category's... Teaching, Preaching and Sharing.

Teaching – Some people can read the bible and go through it and explain what it all means. They can quote references of the top of their head and answer questions and Explain what bible stuff means.

Preaching – Some people can Give out the message not by doing what teaching does and feeding your mind, but by hitting your heart. They have an ability to encourage and inspire.

Sharing – This is telling others what Jesus has done for you. It can be just as powerful as the other 2 (preaching and Teaching) and quite often far more powerful. (in the bible this is Testimony)

These different talents play an important role in many walks of life, not just the church. and as a christian I find I'm challenged by others to try and prove God exists. But you know what, I don't need to prove or teach people about God or preach at them every time they I see them.

God selected me as a disciple, god gave me a place in heaven, Jesus has given me the power equal to his, in fact I don't need to prove or teach, what I do have a obligation to do is share, share my experiences, share my thoughts and share my talents.

We may not feel that we have a talent we can use, we may feel like a spare part but I believe every christian has the gift of sharing.

 

 

My favorite joke ever......

This Alsatian  dog goes into the local Job Centre looking for a job. He walks up to the lady at the desk and says ''Hi, I'm looking for work''. Surprised the lady (almost falling of her chair) said '' Wow your a dog... and you talk''. ''Yes Yes'' Says the Alsatian, ''Im a talking dog looking for work''.

The ladie tells the dog to wait as she may just have the perfect job for the talking Alsatian. Then a few minuets late the lady comes back and tells the dog to be at Chipperfield Circus at 9am the following day.

Happy, the dog thanks the ladie and starts to walk out of the Job Centre then suddenly turns back. ''Just one thing'' the dog says to the lady....... ''what do Chipperfield circus want a brick layer for''.

Now your either laughing with me, or your sat in silence not getting the Joke. Either way forget the joke. The Job Centre staff member had seen the Talking dog and came up with her own ideal job him.

With no questions or thought she thought she new what was the best line of work for the Alsatian, and straight away called the Circus to tell them of this amazing find.

It so easy to make our minds up about people before we even get to know them. Its also easy to think we know what is best for someone else. But to be honest, its acts like this that make people the way they are.

Ive been exercising my brain in recent weeks to try and look through the exterior of people and try and see the good inside. Its an amazing skill to have but sadly I don't have that natural skill and very often look at what I see as the whole story. I also sometimes think I know what people need and sometimes think to myself a good kick up the back side would be an answer. 

But trying to look at people differently and listening to what people say, I have not only found I can learn from others, Ive also seen many in a completely different way.

Challenge.... Try and look at someone differently, It could be someone you know well or someone famous, try and see the good things about them and then try and see the world through their eyes. Also try and look at them through Gods eyes and think about how Jesus sees that person.

The Firework.

As I walked with my 3 and 7 year old boys across the playground yesterday on the way to school we found a used firework that had landed there over the weekend.

What seemed to me as a soggy old firework, dirty and useless, to 3 year old Edward and 7 year old Ben it took on a whole new vision. ''we could launch a playmobil man into space'' Ben said. Edward then thought he would like to visit the moon. Ben worked out that Edward could hold on tightly to it as it was launch, but Daddy would have to light it as that a dangerous job.

After school the excitement of visiting space was still on the boys minds and we agreed to go and but a small pack of rockets to let of in the garden. The boys watched on in ore as each rocket was lite, launched and then exploded in the sky.

The Firework that we had found in the playground that day, seemed useless, no good for anything but the bin. It seemed to have had its day and having done what it was intended to do had landed in our path and was no use to anyone.

Then with a bit of clever thinking by two little boys had become a whole new adventure, a trip to the moon. New life seemed to have been put in to the dead firework and resulted in a mini firework extravaganza in our garden.

We can feel that our life has no use, and we can seem empty and have no future. Maybe we feel that we have been like that firework, once ready to launch and hit the heights where we have exploded into a bright display of light. Then come back down to earth with a bump, not good for anything anymore and only good to lay a rot away in a cold wet puddle.

But maybe that not where the story ends, and we can once again have new life (sometimes in a different way) and in the right hands with the right mind we can once again become full of life ready to launch to new heights once more.

End of and era at Factory

Here in Felixstowe we have in the past months had one of the large town employees make people redundant. The Factory in question is ITRON, at least i thing that's what they call it these days as its started life as SANGAMO WESTERN and also SCHLUMBURGER (i think that's spelt correctly) and ACTARUS.

Now the factory has been a big part of the town for many many years and many family's have had strong ties with it. My family for one had a strong history with the factory as My Dad, Brother, uncle and myself all worked there for a while.

It had a family atmosphere and the people people that worked there would agree that it was a place they loved to hate. Work was sometimes monotonous but the there was never a dull moment and always a friendly atmosphere.

I remember going to Factory Children's Parties as a boy and watching magicians and meeting father Christmas and getting a toy. Also Staff nights out would be a somewhat lively affair. There are many names that spring to mind when I think of the factory and everyone that worked there will have there own special memory's and story's of factory life.

It an end of an era. and I'm guessing some people may not know what the future will bring. Some have found new work but others are finding it hard to get a job. Some people remain in the factory for a while longer and I can only imagine how quiet it is in the areas that where once full of machine no noice and people working.




God gives hope in all situations and can change situations in a way we cant ever imagine. This may not come in the form of some millionaire buying the factory and re employing staff. it may not even come in the form of new work that pays double before, but I do know it will come in a great form and those people will look back a factory days and fondly remember but also be in a better place.

Facebook App.

I have this thing on Facebook that is called message from god. It just one of those silly apps that someone made up to try and get people to add.

 

This application is called Message from God. Its a bit like a daily bible Reading or study. I never really bother with it and to be honest its one of those things that seem a great idea at first and after the first day or two Id forgotten about it. But today it came up on my facebook page and so I decided to read what it said

 

It said.......

 

On this day of your life, Gareth, we believe God wants you to know ... that it's time you let go.

Yes, of course, you want to control so everything happens in just the way you want it. But at the end of the day, we control nothing, - it's all in God's hands, - has always been, and will always be. So, do what you can, and then let go, and let God handle the rest.

 

Ive been suffering with stuff like panic attacks and depression, I find it hard to do anything in the evenings and many evening go to bed at 5.30pm.

 

I guess maybe I am trying to control what I do and what I see. Sometimes I have to stay in the house as I feel safe there. Although I fully trust in God maybe I have to let go of those things I'm trying to control and Let God control them.

 

Knowing God has a much better plan for me then I could ever imagine, I guess i have to know its all in Gods hands and I can only do what I can and let God handle the rest. He is the Potter we are the clay.