I don't know if words can describe this. The experience is made so much better by being able to see the sheer amount of glitter on the stage :P
Friday, 28 May 2010
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Look what I found!
I went 'prayer-walking' again today in the blazing sunshine. I'm not sure it really counts to be honest, more like just walking around, learning the neighbourhood, taking in the sights, sounds and smells as I go, and forgetting from time to time that I'm still in England. It's fun.
Today I planned a route before I went out, to try and discover some new areas, and discover new areas I did! My most exciting discovery was down a little back road that I'd chosen to go along to stay off the main road for a little bit longer, which had a huge mural all along it.
"Pockets of Hope" is the correct poetic term, I believe.
Monday, 10 May 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Wherever the sole of your foot shall tread...
Yesterday I went for a prayer walk around an area of Leeds called Harehills. Lots of people I've spoken to recently seem to be prayer-walking the area and it's a place I need to invest some time into. Since my Kidz Klub round had been moved forwards a day I thought I'd make use of the extra time by going to investigate.
I don't really know how to prayer walk, especially not on my own. It's easy to get distracted by things that you see, or to let your thoughts run away down different routes. But I walked, and kept my eyes open to see what was going on. I zigzagged up and down terraced streets; I sought out the huge Mosque and the new library and supermarket that are being built in the centre of the community. I looked, I listened, and I asked God that he would touch these streets. When I got distracted I took comfort in the fact that just by my very being there, by the soles of my feet touching those pavements, I was bringing the Spirit and rule of God to that area.
And I guess I'll try again. History is littered with people who didn't really know what they were doing but decided to give it a go anyway and learn as they went. That's how prayer movements and revivals start. So I will learn those streets and hear their stories. I'll walk and pray, or worship, or just wonder what's coming next, but Harehills will find itself quietly invaded with love.
Image © Copyright Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
I walked here
Friday, 23 April 2010
An Honest Blog Award
I have just received an 'honest blog' award from Kathi Kelly at Three little arrows. Kathi is a great friend of mine at City Church Leeds, she has been an inspiration and a strength to me throughout my time in Leeds! According to the rules I have to write ten honest facts about myself and then pass the scrap onto ten others.I don't usually do these things, but since I've been low on inspiration recently it's a good way to get writing again. Here goes:
1) I'm not very good at baring my soul. When people do those ice-breakers where you have to say something people don't know about you, I've caught myself on more than one occasion trying to think of what I can say that is the least personal- not really the point! I'm getting better at it though, as I hope this exercise will prove.
2) Songs are very emotive to me, and are the way to my heart. "Mr Brightside" evokes genuine fear inside me, and I can't really explain why that is. Songs also bring back memories of periods of my life, and sometimes I find myself surprised by how much I've moved on since a period when listening to a particular song that was prevalent at that time.
3) I would love to learn a language. I am currently trying to learn German but without much success- self-motivation was never my strong point. Maybe I'll take classes in September. I can, however, buy fabric and order a hand-stitched dress in Nepali.
4) I have many international friends, and no longer take it for granted that a person's first language is English. We live in a multi-cultural country.
5) I believe in Jesus and follow the teachings of the Bible, although at times I have shied away from the term 'Christian' because of some of the connotations it holds for many people. I think maybe that's just my attempt at being cool though. I'd love to be a cool alternative Christian but I find myself disappointingly mainstream. I've even been to a Jesusculture-related event.
6) I spent 4 months in Nepal last year volunteering as a speech and language therapist. It was awesome.
7) I have been paid to watch Justin Timberlake, Take That, James Morrison and Simply Red (oh yes!) in concert, among others. Stewarding is an awful job, but it gave me some amazing experiences and I met such a range of people you wouldn't imagine. It was a fun period of my life.
8) Sudoku is my answer to Buddhist meditation. It is such a good way to clear my mind when I'm stressed and upset- it takes all of my concentration and by the time it's finished I'm all chilled out again! Give it a go :)
9) I missed out on the last general election by 3 weeks. This year I'm definitely going to vote!!
10) My head doesn't think in straight lines, and that is usually reflected in the state of my bedroom- chaos! Any other room I can keep tidy. Deep down I'm an organised person- I love the thought of labelled folders for all my papers and a place for everything, but I just don't work that way and I've stopped condemning myself for it. I get things done on time when it matters- that's enough!
That was unbelievably difficult! The next part is to pass on the award to 10 other people but I'm not that prolific of a blog-reader and two blogs that I do read have already received the award! So I'll just have a short list, but check them out because there's some good stuff out there:
And those who have already written their honest scraps:
Thank you for reading. *takes a bow*
Friday, 12 March 2010
Simples
Having had a week off work, today I finally took some time out to spend with God and ask Him what He wants me to do with my life. He told me to love Him. Simples.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
It's ok!
Paul talks about all the great things he used to do and have:
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him.
(Philippians 3:7-9)
On Tuesday I went to an event put on by some Bethel students which was really good fun- the Holy Spirit is awesome and I feel as though I've finally joined the 'Bethel Bandwagon' which I've been a little cynical about for some time. Mid-way through the worship this verse just came back to me (and I couldn't find it for AAAAAAGES...) and this is it. Everything that I am, everything that I have is nothing compared with who God is, compared with knowing Him and following His ways. I have been spoiled- no other way of life quite lives up to what I've seen in God!
It's okay.
PS Spotify this:
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