Wooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! Ok, guys it is actual almost to much to contain my excitement. Last Friday I went to the most wonderful, fantastic and amazing place, full of people, my age, who understand me and were all there to love god. I almost didn't go but boy, am I glad I did!
And to think I so almost didn't go. I so almost did my usual chicken run, my usual whimp out. Sitting in the cold, watching my brother playing cricket in his whites I so almost didn't ask. But I did and I thank god for providing me with the courage I needed to go. I thank god for helping me up that churchpath and I thank god for being right behind me as I walked into a room full of strangers of whom I had never met before.
It would be an understatement to say I was nervous, I was petrified. But god was behind me and as soon as the fun began all my nerves, literally dissapeared. For a start the leader was really cool and didn't make me feel nervouse or worried at all. She was young and took me to find some people I might know (I found out about Youth Church through a friend who unfortunately wasn't there that week) and I just had such an amazing time.
The people I met were all around my age and so nice it was unbelievable. I mean they made me feel comfortable staight away with a game of UNO! I hadn't played UNO in ages! So we were half way through the UNO tornament when bible study started. I wasn't a bit annoyed my game had been distrupted as I was quite looking forward to finally being able to fully understand the word of god.
The bible study was also really, really cool. My goodness, why was everything about this place so cool. We were studying the ressurection which was pretty big stuff for my first time but it was also really good to be able to put everything into perspective. They used a youtube clip and then questions to explain the section which was all about our coming ressurection, if you like. The woman explained about a group of people who were willing to accept Jesus' ascension and ressurection but who found it harder to understand their impending own. Which I totally can relate to. Well we sat down and disscused the whole situation and it made it very easy to understand.
How when Jesus died all sins were forgiven and everything bad was defeated. How he gave us a second chance and how eventually at the end, everything will be under the hand of Jesus. I basically now understand how amazing Jesus was and how lucky we are to have him.
And I feel very lucky to have found Youth Church and that god has helped me find Youth Church. After the bible study we played games of table tennis, table football and air hockey and kinda chilled for an hour and I managed to make some really nice friends.
So I now thank god muchly for helping me find Youth Church and giving me the courage to go through with it. :)
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
A Sin
I have something on my conscience and I'm finding it really hard to talk about right now - it's the hardest thing to do, admitting your wrongs. Admitting what you've neglected, rebelled against, forgotten - in my case, been too cowardly to go through with something. Two Sundays ago now, I didn't attend church and it wasn't because I didn't have the time/chance. It's quite a long story but I'll tell you it anyway.
I hadn't been to church for a few Sundays because off other commitments so it was kinda important that I attended that Sunday. The First Problem: I had been invited to a sleepover on Saturday night and was in two minds whether to go. I knew I could go to church on Sunday night if I wanted to but the sleep bit was in a camper van - which I really didn't fancy. So, after long deliberation, I decided that I wouldn't sleep, which meant mum and dad had to sacrifice their night out - they weren't happy. First problem overcome.
Second Problem: telling mum. On the Sunday mum still wasn't happy (my brother's sleepover at his friends had, too been kyboshed) and I was finding it difficult to ask if I could go to church. I had decided to stick to going to church in the evening so all I had to do was to ask mum, but I just couldn't do it. Eventually after hours of anxiety and a endorphin releasing gym session, I finally gathered the courage to ask mum. She said, 'Yeah, I suppose'. Problem two, sorted.
Now problem three was where it all went wrong. Truth be told, I was worried about going to a new church (our church doesn't do evening services), about meeting new people again. So I sat in the living room dreading, not the service, but the people - who by the way there is probably nothing wrong with. So I sat, aware it was getting closer to 6:30 and hearing dinner being almost ready. I don't know what I was feeling really. I was dreading meeting new people, I sometimes feel like an outsider in new-people situations, but wanting to go to the service and knowing god will be dissapointed with me if I don't. So, I did what I do best, ignored the problem, and walked into eat dinner at 6:30 without a word. But inside I felt like rubbish.
That night I prayed to god begging him to forgive me and I sincerely hope that he has. Because it was a terrible thing that I did and I felt sorry all night and the next day and the day after that and still today as I write. However, one good thing came out of this, I went to youth church on Friday - another newbie situation - and it was amazing
I hadn't been to church for a few Sundays because off other commitments so it was kinda important that I attended that Sunday. The First Problem: I had been invited to a sleepover on Saturday night and was in two minds whether to go. I knew I could go to church on Sunday night if I wanted to but the sleep bit was in a camper van - which I really didn't fancy. So, after long deliberation, I decided that I wouldn't sleep, which meant mum and dad had to sacrifice their night out - they weren't happy. First problem overcome.
Second Problem: telling mum. On the Sunday mum still wasn't happy (my brother's sleepover at his friends had, too been kyboshed) and I was finding it difficult to ask if I could go to church. I had decided to stick to going to church in the evening so all I had to do was to ask mum, but I just couldn't do it. Eventually after hours of anxiety and a endorphin releasing gym session, I finally gathered the courage to ask mum. She said, 'Yeah, I suppose'. Problem two, sorted.
Now problem three was where it all went wrong. Truth be told, I was worried about going to a new church (our church doesn't do evening services), about meeting new people again. So I sat in the living room dreading, not the service, but the people - who by the way there is probably nothing wrong with. So I sat, aware it was getting closer to 6:30 and hearing dinner being almost ready. I don't know what I was feeling really. I was dreading meeting new people, I sometimes feel like an outsider in new-people situations, but wanting to go to the service and knowing god will be dissapointed with me if I don't. So, I did what I do best, ignored the problem, and walked into eat dinner at 6:30 without a word. But inside I felt like rubbish.
That night I prayed to god begging him to forgive me and I sincerely hope that he has. Because it was a terrible thing that I did and I felt sorry all night and the next day and the day after that and still today as I write. However, one good thing came out of this, I went to youth church on Friday - another newbie situation - and it was amazing
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Is it Fair to be Fair?
Is it Fair to be Fair?
Recently there was a bit of a bust up at my brothers footy club. My dad is the manager and one of the mothers decided to pick a very picky arguement with him. Each week my dad starts out the game with his best team, a selection which often includes (unbiasedly) my brother and each week one of the mother hens ends up disgruntled because one of their sons hasn't been played. The thing is, my dad can't bear to see them loose so, naturally, plays a team to win. If, 15 minutes in they're winning 10 - 0 then he'll bring on other, how do I put this nicely, less abled players. Consequently, some players don't get a game. Now after this arguement - which, by the way was about the situation I just explained - my parents both came home and began their rants whilst I sat, listening, to the situation. Occasionally, I nodded my head and made comments in agreement with them (I so shouldn't have asked what happened at football). But later on I started to question where my allegiances lay. Is fair to be unfair or must we make sure everyone has equal and balance, well everything.
By playing his best team each week by dad was excluding some players from most games. How would I feel if I were in their shoes, turning up each week to training yet not making the A-team each weekend? At my gymnastics club we experience the same problem and similar arguements with better gymnasts being chosen to perform the 'big tricks'. And that time my mum sided with the underdogs: give them a chance, even if they aren't as good. Is that hypocritical or do ideas not translate smoothly between sports.
Another arguement: It's not fair on the people who are capable of winning, my dad says. By playing a politically correct team each week the clubs success will, inevitably dip, is this fair on the people who can win? But surely they could take one for the team? I am speaking in so many questions today, sorry. I am finding it hard to pinpoint a sure conclusion to the arguement. And I wonder what god would say about this? I don't know, I wonder, maybe if he would tell us to stop dwelling on something so silly an focus on something more important. He might say that or maybe he would say everyone should get a game. At the end of the day, it shouldn't be about who's the best or the worst, it should be about who works the hardest, who tries their best. Is it fair to be fair, i don't know. You tell me?
Recently there was a bit of a bust up at my brothers footy club. My dad is the manager and one of the mothers decided to pick a very picky arguement with him. Each week my dad starts out the game with his best team, a selection which often includes (unbiasedly) my brother and each week one of the mother hens ends up disgruntled because one of their sons hasn't been played. The thing is, my dad can't bear to see them loose so, naturally, plays a team to win. If, 15 minutes in they're winning 10 - 0 then he'll bring on other, how do I put this nicely, less abled players. Consequently, some players don't get a game. Now after this arguement - which, by the way was about the situation I just explained - my parents both came home and began their rants whilst I sat, listening, to the situation. Occasionally, I nodded my head and made comments in agreement with them (I so shouldn't have asked what happened at football). But later on I started to question where my allegiances lay. Is fair to be unfair or must we make sure everyone has equal and balance, well everything.
By playing his best team each week by dad was excluding some players from most games. How would I feel if I were in their shoes, turning up each week to training yet not making the A-team each weekend? At my gymnastics club we experience the same problem and similar arguements with better gymnasts being chosen to perform the 'big tricks'. And that time my mum sided with the underdogs: give them a chance, even if they aren't as good. Is that hypocritical or do ideas not translate smoothly between sports.
Another arguement: It's not fair on the people who are capable of winning, my dad says. By playing a politically correct team each week the clubs success will, inevitably dip, is this fair on the people who can win? But surely they could take one for the team? I am speaking in so many questions today, sorry. I am finding it hard to pinpoint a sure conclusion to the arguement. And I wonder what god would say about this? I don't know, I wonder, maybe if he would tell us to stop dwelling on something so silly an focus on something more important. He might say that or maybe he would say everyone should get a game. At the end of the day, it shouldn't be about who's the best or the worst, it should be about who works the hardest, who tries their best. Is it fair to be fair, i don't know. You tell me?
Monday, 29 March 2010
Easter - A Sad Affair
EASTER! Easter is on its way. YES! Lents almost over and I can go back to snacking to my hearts content - if I wish. I'm not sure I will though. To be honest not snacking has done my the world of good and I might start to structure my food a little more. Like try to just have one snack between meals and make it fruit not a pack of ice gems. It has been so hard this Lent but finally I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, a light shining in all its buscuity, fruity and tasty glory. MmmmmMmmmm... i can't wait. But whilst I sit snacking and munching on foxes creams and Scotland shortbread I must remember the real meaning of Easter and Jesus's tragic and heroic death on the cross. A minister in a church once said that we often like to celebrate to celebrate the happy christian festivals but neglect the negative ones with a more serious tone or dress them up in frills and feathers until they almost loose their meaning or the substance behind that meaning desintegrates. Easter is far too morbid, too serious for the taste buds of many. Jesus hung and bleeding on the cross. It does sound pretty depressing doesn't it. But it's fact not opinion and its important we remember it just like that. Theres no point dressing it up in some fabulous and frivolous affair-we are celebrating a sad moment-and that is it.
Easter eggs, daffodils and baby chicks do serve a purpose though. This feeling of new life and a new leaf taken from Jesus rising does give a good and accurate meaning behind Easter. A chance to take a U-turn in your life and be forgiven for all sins. And teach this teach this, teach this to the children. Tell them of a new-life, a happy day and a chance to be forgiven ... but also teach them why. Why we get this chance...
Teach them the story of Jesus' betrayal, his bravery, his pain. Tell them of Judas's mistake, his greed and betrayal. Teach them of the last supper, the bread the wine. Of Pontius Pilate and the robbers on the cross. Teach them of the grief and sadness. Also teach them of the happy ending, of everyone's second chance. Their second chance. But make sure they know how much was sacrificied to get them this new chance. They will appreciate it more - grasp it with both hands. The story of Easter is just as important of the meaning. Don't dress it up and ice it with a cherry on the top. Let people begin their new life, new start with the truth in their heart.
Easter eggs, daffodils and baby chicks do serve a purpose though. This feeling of new life and a new leaf taken from Jesus rising does give a good and accurate meaning behind Easter. A chance to take a U-turn in your life and be forgiven for all sins. And teach this teach this, teach this to the children. Tell them of a new-life, a happy day and a chance to be forgiven ... but also teach them why. Why we get this chance...
Teach them the story of Jesus' betrayal, his bravery, his pain. Tell them of Judas's mistake, his greed and betrayal. Teach them of the last supper, the bread the wine. Of Pontius Pilate and the robbers on the cross. Teach them of the grief and sadness. Also teach them of the happy ending, of everyone's second chance. Their second chance. But make sure they know how much was sacrificied to get them this new chance. They will appreciate it more - grasp it with both hands. The story of Easter is just as important of the meaning. Don't dress it up and ice it with a cherry on the top. Let people begin their new life, new start with the truth in their heart.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
This Sunday I woke up at 7:10 am and draped down the hall way to my parents room. It wasn't much later than my usual wake up time on a school day but Mothers Day is a special occasion. I took the occassion as a chance to snuggle into the double bed with my brother, mother and father. My original plan was a surprise breakfast in bed, flowers and something special but at such an early time snuggling into bed alongside the family seemed ideal. Bed in breakfast kind of went ahead. At about 7:30 me, dad and Alex (my little brother) departed from the comfy quilt and left mum in peace whilst we went downstairs to cook breakfast - the full monty (bacon, eggs, sausage, beans and fried bread) however the bed part dissapeared as we - out of habit - yelled up the staiirs, 'MUM! BREAKFASTS READY!'. So breakfast was eaten at the breakfast bar like usual. Presents were given and smiles and hugs were exchanged along with two very humble thankyous from me and Alex. After the celebration (if you could call it that) me and mum made our way down to church...
A FACT - i totally didn't know this but mothering Sunday is a christian day named as it was a day when everyone would revisit their big 'mother church'. It was often a day when servants were allowed to go back to their home town to see their family and mothers. It is slap bang in the middle of lent and traditionally a day to relax the lent rules - i so didn't know that.
But now mothers day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the women who share its name. To thank them for all they do for us - and they do do alot. Mothers truly are wonderful aren't they! I mean the amount of things they do for us :
A FACT - i totally didn't know this but mothering Sunday is a christian day named as it was a day when everyone would revisit their big 'mother church'. It was often a day when servants were allowed to go back to their home town to see their family and mothers. It is slap bang in the middle of lent and traditionally a day to relax the lent rules - i so didn't know that.
But now mothers day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the women who share its name. To thank them for all they do for us - and they do do alot. Mothers truly are wonderful aren't they! I mean the amount of things they do for us :
- Cook our meals
- Clean our clothes (and bedrooms)
- Buy us things
- Taxi us around to different parties, houses and clubs
- send us to school
- Help us learn, help us grow
- Play with us, entertain us
- Take us on holiday
- Love us
Thats quite a big list and it could go on. Mothers are an amazing micracle but if we think about it we are all mothers. From when a baby is born we all participate in its ubringing. Primarily the responsibility is with family - grannies, grandads, aunties and uncles - visitng and nurturing the baby helping it learn new words and develop a personality. Then, as the baby grows, school teachers become a part of its life taking part for a good few 11 years there job to teach and help the child grow and mature. And now arrives everyone else: friends, churches anyone who knows or has contact with the child. It is our job to look after the child and make sure they grow into a happy and healthy young adult. We must first and formost be a good role model for every one around us. Carry Christs word on our shoulders for every one to see and help these children to overcome the challenges the face. Make time to listen, play and teach them. Greet them with with a smile everyday and be the light in their life. It is a simple and rewarding thing to do, to show a child the way and just be there
Monday, 15 March 2010
Mothers are like omelettes
When God created mothers,
I'm sure he must have said
'Let's make them just like breakfast
My favourite daily bread'
Lets have them make the children grow
And start their day with caring
'Goodness son, what a wonderful smell
What meal are you preparing?
Jesus, in his chefs chappo
Appeared as from a comet
In his hand a splendid dish
'A thing I call a omelette
It's fluffy on the outside
A treat for the nose and eye
But what I think you'll like the most
is the beauty thats inside
A treasure of suprises
In this case ham and cheese
And a pinch of love and tenderness
Just like all our recipes'
God thus raised his magic fork
And gave the dish a try
'Mmmmm...Good indeed
To this I say...Bullseye!'
These mothers I'm creating...
This is now my will...
With wonderful surprises
They too all shall be filled'
'To start the day a loving way
Shall be their tender aim.
So it shall be written
So I have proclaimed'
So it was from that day on
Mother got their start
the omelettes of our breakfasts
The breakfasts of our hearts.
A wondeful poem I found on the internet. Hope you enjoyed, Happy Mothers Day!
I'm sure he must have said
'Let's make them just like breakfast
My favourite daily bread'
Lets have them make the children grow
And start their day with caring
'Goodness son, what a wonderful smell
What meal are you preparing?
Jesus, in his chefs chappo
Appeared as from a comet
In his hand a splendid dish
'A thing I call a omelette
It's fluffy on the outside
A treat for the nose and eye
But what I think you'll like the most
is the beauty thats inside
A treasure of suprises
In this case ham and cheese
And a pinch of love and tenderness
Just like all our recipes'
God thus raised his magic fork
And gave the dish a try
'Mmmmm...Good indeed
To this I say...Bullseye!'
These mothers I'm creating...
This is now my will...
With wonderful surprises
They too all shall be filled'
'To start the day a loving way
Shall be their tender aim.
So it shall be written
So I have proclaimed'
So it was from that day on
Mother got their start
the omelettes of our breakfasts
The breakfasts of our hearts.
A wondeful poem I found on the internet. Hope you enjoyed, Happy Mothers Day!
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Why?
1st kid: why did Jesus have to go to heaven before he went to hell?
2nd kid: because he wanted to rescue his friend Judas ...
Jesus gives us 2nd chances so why do I find it so hard to forgive x
2nd kid: because he wanted to rescue his friend Judas ...
Jesus gives us 2nd chances so why do I find it so hard to forgive x
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