Recently I have been struck by how important it is in life, every day, to know just who exactly you are. I think if we had a greater understanding of this, the way we lived would be radically different!!
It goes beyond knowing that Jesus loves you, although that is where it begins. It isn't that he loves you despite everything you've done, He's actually taken it away so you are as sinless as He is! YES! As innocent as the Lamb. Isn't that incredible?
I find we, myself included, can feel so sinful and so inferior to other people who we suppose are "better" than us, or have fewer "issues" but the fact is, God says the same of all of us. We were all sinful, but when Jesus died, that all was stripped away!
It's very easy to say this stuff sometimes, especially when you've just had a lovely time with God getting loads of revelation, or something really great has happened. But what about those times when you're really low? When you're feeling at your absolute worse... I find it helpful to speak things out of myself. Yes, aloud. Which may seem silly but check out this video and you'll want to do this every morning! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
So here is my "Daily Affirmation"
I am a daughter of the Most High,
I am a daughter of the King,
I am a daughter of righteousness, a daughter of the truth,
I am a daughter who loves passionately and is passionately loved,
I was born into authority,
I was born into fearlessness,
I was born into a destiny of power and grace intertwined,
I will have a magnificent story to tell!
I would recommened to anyone to make a list of the identity God has given you. Stuck? Go to His word, you'll find it all there!!!
EC
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Changing Atmospheres
Hey there :)
I just wanted to chat about a change that's been happening in me probably during the last few years and that has only just really began to permeate out of my heart and into my surroundings. This all sounds very vague but I shall make it clearer now!
When I was younger, I was VERY shy and I hated talking to strangers and was intimidated by most people. To initiate conversation with someone I didn't know, would be unthinkable. However, over the years God has been changing my heart and this isn't just in a spiritual way but also through the influence of my parents and those in my church and the general environments I have been putting myself in and the situations I have found myself in that are challenging and scary but SO character building. Only recently have I been finding that, just in small ways, my confidence has grown. This first was shown in my willingness to lead worship on a Sunday morning and then later on, to speak a short message about freedom in worship.
But most significantly, I have been able to have conversations with people I don't know. This sounds so simple to a lot of people I'm sure, but for example, just chatting to the old lady in the cornershop would have been a big deal, but now, I actually like having a chat with people I randomly meet!
For example, the other day, I was walking home and this old man's dog was sniffing around my legs and it was a really gorgeous dog so I just thought, I'm just going to tell him!
So I said "You're dog's really beautiful," And with, at first a look of pleasant surprise and then a amiable smile the man replied "Ah yes, but the trouble is she knows it!"
That short, forgettable interchange there completely brightened up my day and hopefully made him a little happier too.
Another example, is when I went to the swimming pool the other day. Some days at this particular pool, the pool is full and they don't have enough lifeguards so no more people are allowed in and this day was one of those days. A lot of the people in the queue were getting a bit cross and frustrated but instead of fading into the background and letting them bully the poor lifeguard on reception I stepped up and asked him the questions that they were dying to ask but in a kind way that didn't make him feel intimidated. I also chatted to the other people in the queue and, I would like to think, influenced the atmosphere with peace and friendliness.
Again, this is a very small thing, but I believe, as Christians, the ways in which we represent Jesus doesn't need to be in big "lightening bolts and thunder" miracles or prophesies, but sometimes just in the quiet confident ways in which we bring light into other people lives, if that means talking about the weather with the old lady in the shop, or talking about the latest news at school with the boy who always sits alone, we can bring happiness to people in a way that Jesus would.
Jesus did miracles and did incredible things, but He didn't do that for everybody. He was so led by the Spirit that He knew EXACTLY what that person needed. Sometimes what they needed was someone to let them know they cared. Sometimes He told them something no one else could possibly know.
One size does not fit all and perhaps we need to look at, not finding certain tricks and tips for getting someone into a conversation about Jesus, but ask God about their heart, ask Him what they need, and make a REAL difference in someones life. Don't just add them to a scorebook of people you've "preached" to.
Sorry, this has been a very round a bout topicy thing. But it's just what I've been thinking about recently and I just love people and I want to encourage people that, simply to love people, is an alright way to be :)
E.C.
I just wanted to chat about a change that's been happening in me probably during the last few years and that has only just really began to permeate out of my heart and into my surroundings. This all sounds very vague but I shall make it clearer now!
When I was younger, I was VERY shy and I hated talking to strangers and was intimidated by most people. To initiate conversation with someone I didn't know, would be unthinkable. However, over the years God has been changing my heart and this isn't just in a spiritual way but also through the influence of my parents and those in my church and the general environments I have been putting myself in and the situations I have found myself in that are challenging and scary but SO character building. Only recently have I been finding that, just in small ways, my confidence has grown. This first was shown in my willingness to lead worship on a Sunday morning and then later on, to speak a short message about freedom in worship.
But most significantly, I have been able to have conversations with people I don't know. This sounds so simple to a lot of people I'm sure, but for example, just chatting to the old lady in the cornershop would have been a big deal, but now, I actually like having a chat with people I randomly meet!
For example, the other day, I was walking home and this old man's dog was sniffing around my legs and it was a really gorgeous dog so I just thought, I'm just going to tell him!
So I said "You're dog's really beautiful," And with, at first a look of pleasant surprise and then a amiable smile the man replied "Ah yes, but the trouble is she knows it!"
That short, forgettable interchange there completely brightened up my day and hopefully made him a little happier too.
Another example, is when I went to the swimming pool the other day. Some days at this particular pool, the pool is full and they don't have enough lifeguards so no more people are allowed in and this day was one of those days. A lot of the people in the queue were getting a bit cross and frustrated but instead of fading into the background and letting them bully the poor lifeguard on reception I stepped up and asked him the questions that they were dying to ask but in a kind way that didn't make him feel intimidated. I also chatted to the other people in the queue and, I would like to think, influenced the atmosphere with peace and friendliness.
Again, this is a very small thing, but I believe, as Christians, the ways in which we represent Jesus doesn't need to be in big "lightening bolts and thunder" miracles or prophesies, but sometimes just in the quiet confident ways in which we bring light into other people lives, if that means talking about the weather with the old lady in the shop, or talking about the latest news at school with the boy who always sits alone, we can bring happiness to people in a way that Jesus would.
Jesus did miracles and did incredible things, but He didn't do that for everybody. He was so led by the Spirit that He knew EXACTLY what that person needed. Sometimes what they needed was someone to let them know they cared. Sometimes He told them something no one else could possibly know.
One size does not fit all and perhaps we need to look at, not finding certain tricks and tips for getting someone into a conversation about Jesus, but ask God about their heart, ask Him what they need, and make a REAL difference in someones life. Don't just add them to a scorebook of people you've "preached" to.
Sorry, this has been a very round a bout topicy thing. But it's just what I've been thinking about recently and I just love people and I want to encourage people that, simply to love people, is an alright way to be :)
E.C.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Trust
The definition of "Trust": The firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
I know that God is reliable, He will NEVER let me down.
I know that God is TRUTH, everything He says about me is the truth and I never have to doubt His promises.
I know that God is ALL KNOWING, He knows when I will stand up or sit down, He knows the hairs on my head, He knows my past, present and FUTURE. He is the best scientist, mathmetician, poet, musician and lingust. Everything there is to know He created. He knows EVERYTHING because He created it all.
I know that God is POWERFUL. Time is not object to Him, God can raise a dead man, He can move mountains, He can soften hard hearts and mend broken ones. God can do ANYTHING.
I know ALL these things.
So why is it hard to TRUST?
Jesus,
I can't always see you or hear you or feel you near me. But I want to trust you with everything. Please help me to trust you. You're amazing.
E.C.
I know that God is reliable, He will NEVER let me down.
I know that God is TRUTH, everything He says about me is the truth and I never have to doubt His promises.
I know that God is ALL KNOWING, He knows when I will stand up or sit down, He knows the hairs on my head, He knows my past, present and FUTURE. He is the best scientist, mathmetician, poet, musician and lingust. Everything there is to know He created. He knows EVERYTHING because He created it all.
I know that God is POWERFUL. Time is not object to Him, God can raise a dead man, He can move mountains, He can soften hard hearts and mend broken ones. God can do ANYTHING.
I know ALL these things.
So why is it hard to TRUST?
Jesus,
I can't always see you or hear you or feel you near me. But I want to trust you with everything. Please help me to trust you. You're amazing.
E.C.
NOvember
Hey!
So this post is about a MAHOOSIVE learning curve for me that took place in November of 2011. Basically I felt really challenged by God to not wear makeup for a whole month and this conviction was confirmed as on that same day, I was cycling home and it began to rain. And I mean REALLY rain. So I put my hood up and carried on cycling along. But then I heard God say, "Take down your hood."
Urgh.
So I take down my hood and just let this rain fall on my hair and face. When I arrived home I saw that the rain had washed away all the make up from my face, is that confirmation or what? It was approximately the 28th of October and so I just said I won't wear make up until the 28th of November and what I didn't realise was, was that I wasn't the only one! My friend from the girls' group I attend sent me a link to someone she knows' status and it was talking about a thing called "NOvember" which is similar to the guy version, "MOvember" but instead of growing a moustache :P it's about not wearing make up in November! This really inspired me and was comforting to know I wasn't a complete loon!
The first few days were okay, you know my skin wasn't too blemished and despite one comment on the first day that I looked "tired" even though I'd gone to bed at 10 and slept really well, I didn't feel too bad about it. However, eventually my skin was getting pretty bad and I felt myself coveting other girls' ability to wear makeup! Which sounds so ridiculous now but looking back on it, it felt really hard.
So I'd be thinking to myself "Oh it's okay for them, they can wear as much make up as they want!" But I'd forgotten the most important aspect.
I had been called to do this by GOD.
And God called ME to do this. Not the girl with really nice eye make up or the girl with perfect skin, he called me and that goes for ALL the things God calls us too.
It was once I had realised that, that I started to feel better about it and I grew to appreciate my face the way God had designed it. And after it had finished, I wasn't SO transformed I vowed never to wear make up again but I had learnt through it and for example, wearing no make up revealed to me the ACTUAL shape of my eyes and I realised that I really liked that feature and decided that once I was wearing make up I would, instead of trying to alter those features, I would work with them and, in a way, show off God's design!
Abstaining from something you love is such an amazing way to show God He is so much more important than the material things it is so easy to get wrapped up in.
So whoever is reading this I challenged you to give up something for a month or even if its just a week and see how God changes you from the inside out.
:)
E.C.
So this post is about a MAHOOSIVE learning curve for me that took place in November of 2011. Basically I felt really challenged by God to not wear makeup for a whole month and this conviction was confirmed as on that same day, I was cycling home and it began to rain. And I mean REALLY rain. So I put my hood up and carried on cycling along. But then I heard God say, "Take down your hood."
Urgh.
So I take down my hood and just let this rain fall on my hair and face. When I arrived home I saw that the rain had washed away all the make up from my face, is that confirmation or what? It was approximately the 28th of October and so I just said I won't wear make up until the 28th of November and what I didn't realise was, was that I wasn't the only one! My friend from the girls' group I attend sent me a link to someone she knows' status and it was talking about a thing called "NOvember" which is similar to the guy version, "MOvember" but instead of growing a moustache :P it's about not wearing make up in November! This really inspired me and was comforting to know I wasn't a complete loon!
The first few days were okay, you know my skin wasn't too blemished and despite one comment on the first day that I looked "tired" even though I'd gone to bed at 10 and slept really well, I didn't feel too bad about it. However, eventually my skin was getting pretty bad and I felt myself coveting other girls' ability to wear makeup! Which sounds so ridiculous now but looking back on it, it felt really hard.
So I'd be thinking to myself "Oh it's okay for them, they can wear as much make up as they want!" But I'd forgotten the most important aspect.
I had been called to do this by GOD.
And God called ME to do this. Not the girl with really nice eye make up or the girl with perfect skin, he called me and that goes for ALL the things God calls us too.
It was once I had realised that, that I started to feel better about it and I grew to appreciate my face the way God had designed it. And after it had finished, I wasn't SO transformed I vowed never to wear make up again but I had learnt through it and for example, wearing no make up revealed to me the ACTUAL shape of my eyes and I realised that I really liked that feature and decided that once I was wearing make up I would, instead of trying to alter those features, I would work with them and, in a way, show off God's design!
Abstaining from something you love is such an amazing way to show God He is so much more important than the material things it is so easy to get wrapped up in.
So whoever is reading this I challenged you to give up something for a month or even if its just a week and see how God changes you from the inside out.
:)
E.C.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Beauty
This is just a nugget I've been thinking about:
Even the most beautiful girls have ugly days, but the question is not how we avoid these days by conforming to unrealistic ideals but what we do with the days we are given and whether or not we fight for the beauty of the world's standard or the beauty of our hearts.
<3
E.C.
Even the most beautiful girls have ugly days, but the question is not how we avoid these days by conforming to unrealistic ideals but what we do with the days we are given and whether or not we fight for the beauty of the world's standard or the beauty of our hearts.
<3
E.C.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Humble
Hey peeeps,
One of the MANY lessons I feel like God is bombarding me with right now is how I should not get arrogant. That doesn't mean I am and now I'm not (but I probably was or was in danger of it).
But through various things God has shown me that I really DON'T have it all together. But that's cool!
Jesus has just torn down the brick wall I've been making and just gone "Okay, so sort out your foundations and we'll begin again."
CRUSHING stuff! But being humbled (like on your knees humbled) is just the best way to be before God and despite it being uncomfortable and just so aware of how imperfect you are, God can use it to make you into something better than you were before!
What WE need to do is like Jesus told me, "sort out" the foundations. Was what we were building on before the right kind of stuff in our lives? For example, was it the good reputation we had made for ourselves? Was it the reassurance that we were popular? Was it feeling like we were beautiful? Was it because of having a good career, or good results at school?
If it was those things or anything like it, we need to tear down the walls and start over.
Imagine if you had the foundations of a house that felt secure at the time you put them there but one day the foundations simply disappeared! The house would come crashing down around you! This is what it's like with these kind of foundations in our lives. These wordly things AREN'T permanent they can just disappear sometimes! They are extremely interchangable and not reliable at all.
HOWEVER,
on the other hand we have Jesus' love. I'm sure you are aware that this is something that will NEVER EVER change! If we had our foundations just based on God's love for us, we'd have the most secure houses ever! Ever heard the story of the wise man who built his house on the rock? This is what Jesus is talking about!
So I would challenge you to not have to wait until your house comes crashing down. Tear it down yourself and bring yourself to the feet of the Father, just you and Him and let Him love you. Then use that love to begin piecing your foundations together and start again with Him by your side. It's going to be hard sometimes and it'll be challenging. But being like that with God is so special and you will NEVER regret the decision to be humbled.
E.C.
One of the MANY lessons I feel like God is bombarding me with right now is how I should not get arrogant. That doesn't mean I am and now I'm not (but I probably was or was in danger of it).
But through various things God has shown me that I really DON'T have it all together. But that's cool!
Jesus has just torn down the brick wall I've been making and just gone "Okay, so sort out your foundations and we'll begin again."
CRUSHING stuff! But being humbled (like on your knees humbled) is just the best way to be before God and despite it being uncomfortable and just so aware of how imperfect you are, God can use it to make you into something better than you were before!
What WE need to do is like Jesus told me, "sort out" the foundations. Was what we were building on before the right kind of stuff in our lives? For example, was it the good reputation we had made for ourselves? Was it the reassurance that we were popular? Was it feeling like we were beautiful? Was it because of having a good career, or good results at school?
If it was those things or anything like it, we need to tear down the walls and start over.
Imagine if you had the foundations of a house that felt secure at the time you put them there but one day the foundations simply disappeared! The house would come crashing down around you! This is what it's like with these kind of foundations in our lives. These wordly things AREN'T permanent they can just disappear sometimes! They are extremely interchangable and not reliable at all.
HOWEVER,
on the other hand we have Jesus' love. I'm sure you are aware that this is something that will NEVER EVER change! If we had our foundations just based on God's love for us, we'd have the most secure houses ever! Ever heard the story of the wise man who built his house on the rock? This is what Jesus is talking about!
So I would challenge you to not have to wait until your house comes crashing down. Tear it down yourself and bring yourself to the feet of the Father, just you and Him and let Him love you. Then use that love to begin piecing your foundations together and start again with Him by your side. It's going to be hard sometimes and it'll be challenging. But being like that with God is so special and you will NEVER regret the decision to be humbled.
E.C.
Saturday, 1 October 2011
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