Tuesday, February 22, 2011

We the Body.

I guess it will be one of those times where you remember where you were when you heard the news. I was painting window sills when I heard the news about the Christchurch earthquake. (I remember where I was when Princess Di was killed in a car accident too!). I thought to myself oh not again those poor people. Then this time people were hurt and dead. Its so gutting. What also pulled my heart strings too was hearing that the kiddies at school all huddle together and it made me think of my own Master 8 been caught in a disaster! Imagine all those parents worried, kids fretting and family and friends distressed!
New Zealand hurts all over when one of our own is hurt. Its times like this we see what its like to function as a body. Our hearts break together when lives are lost.
While I've been painting today I'm had lifefm on and most of the discussion has been around what can we do to help. Prayer has been a big part of that and also donating money to places such as Salvation Army etc. Its been encouraging to hear how much we all want to help.
I guess in my mind this is the Body of Christ in action. Not just Christian's helping but everybody functioning together for the greater good of our nation. Its Christlike to function in a healthy relational way which is serving the needs of others, putting others before ourselves. So perhaps even if we don't acknowledge God in our actions or we don't know him yet are loving others I'm sure he honours that action and attitude. This is a prime example of mankind doing love on a practical level.
Anywho just some food for thought.

B-B

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Painting... window sills...

I've been doing some painting, sanding and gap filling for a builder friend. I decided I couldn't be painter professionally. It takes technique and skill. I was joking around saying my business card could say 'Abstract Painter'. I don't think anyone wanting their house painted would want someone who couldn't paint properly. Sometimes its good for us to try new things, learning a new skill or trying to do something not normally in our day to day routine. So in as much as I'm not a professional painter I have appreciated learning a new skill (if I've learnt it at all...). I like the challenge and then I can put a new tool in to my tool kit of experiences.


Try something new this year! Pick up a new skill, it'll be fun (or not!) but at least you can't say you didn't try.


B-B

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Gosh time for an update!

Was just browsing through my blogs, obviously apart from the last couple it has been a long time since I did a decent blog (sounds like constipation doesn't it!?). Well lets see what the updates have been:


- Master 8 and I have moved to an awesome part of town and I love it!


- Exercise has become an important part of my life and I have lost 20kg's! I'm inlove with our local mountain that I regularly walk up!
            * I've started jogging
            * I've started Kick Boxing
            * I'm walking regularly


- My brother and his partner have had baby girl so I'm an aunty again, yay!


- I am now a qualified Counsellor and will receive my Diploma at graduation in April.
            * I want to move in to holistic care and mentoring!


- Am trying to be more community focused and meet new people. I'm making new friends.


- I want to try new things! So far I can name a couple of new things I've done of late (but can't share them on here...). Hehe


- I'm going to be a Bridesmaid hence the weight-loss!


So overall I feel in a good place! God is good and I'm feeling healed, happy and whole!


Hopefully the next update won't be ages away!


Miss B-B

Things you see out and about...

I like this.


This has been painted over now but I still really like it...

Something I saw today...

Master 8 and I were driving home today from being in town this morning. We drove past this parked van. On the back of the van it had "Justify your Existence". It had me wondering. What a strange statement. I thought about how would that apply in regards to being a Follower of Jesus? Do I need to justify my existence to God?

We didn't go to church this morning so I decided to read a Psalm to Master 8 this morning (as some kind of penance). I read Psalm 139. How fitting to read such a lovely Psalm. Here it is for you to read:


1 You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.
 13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.
 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

So do I need to justify my existence??? I know it was just a slogan on a van but do I feel the need to justify 'being'? 


I'm so glad that I have been made in God's image and have in me the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. My life has meaning and value because of the LORD whom I serve and the God who created me. If you ever feel you need to justify being on this planet remember that even before you came into this world you were seen by divine eyes and knit together in your mothers womb, your days are already written in God's book. You are loved, you are adored, you are needed. God created you for relationship with others, not to be an island in isolation. Let your little patch of real estate shine!