Dreams and Plans

We all have dreams, aspirations, goals, things we want to do with our lives.
I was wearing my "I love Detroit" shirt yesterday - I wear it with pride, and hope and pray that I will soon be there, in Detroit, serving a broken city! This is a dream, a desire of mine that I believe God has given me.
And I have lots more things that I want to see and want to do with my life! But I find that so easily without me realising, my dreams can become idols in my life! They can become the reason I do things, my dreams can become the focus and the driving point to my life!

I was just reading through some of my old journals, and came across this word God gave me

"I know you more that you know yourself.

Do you not think that what I have for you is the best? Am I not a God who loves His children?

TRUST – Is walking it out even if you don’t know what is next. The great thing is, you know He does know what is next!!

Are you ready to let go? Are you ready to say no to your agenda and yes to mine?

It is time – time to forget about you and what you want to do, and focus on me. Focus on my plans, my future for you."

This was a huge reminder for me that God is in control! He does have the BEST for us. And I was the best for my life! 

I know that I have to lay down my plans and my dreams and put God first! 

Surrender. 

Let go and let God.

What things in your life have become idols? 

What do you need to give back to God for Him to truly have your ALL? 

My Identity is in Christ.

 We had the privilege of having Jeremy Simpkins with us on Sunday at Jubilee Church . For those of you who do not know Jeremy and his wife Ann, they are currently based in Manchester and do a great job serving the NewFrontier churches in the North of England, Canada, North Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jeremy preached a great and timely message and it is available now for you to listen or download at www.jubilee.org.uk/media
I wanted just to highlight a few things that stuck out to me. Jeremy based his preach on the well known passage in Isaiah 61: 1-4 - The year of Jubilee (Favour of God). We are anointed – the spirit of the sovereign LORD is on me and it is on you! We are called to be a people who restore the city and the places that are dark. To restore something is to reunite or to resonate people together - to bring harmony where there is chaos.
But how do we do this?
The only way to do it is to be rooted in Christ! To be in Christ – and if you are a Christian guess what? You are in Christ! To be rooted in something means that we are a part, we are the same. So if I am rooted into Christ, my identity is in Christ! Once you are rooted in Christ you cannot take yourself out!
Here are some questions to ask about Jesus. 

• Do you think that Jesus is loved by the Father?
• Is Jesus at peace today?
• Is Jesus secure?
• Is Jesus righteous?

By the way, the answers to these questions are YES!
Now make it personal.

• Are YOU loved by the Father?
• Are YOU at peace today? 
• Are YOU secure? 
• Are YOU righteous?

If YOU are in Christ, then YOU are ALL these things!! You need to believe this, because it is true!
We need to be people who know who we are - we are not just people who go to church each week, who chose to live differently because the Bible tells us too. We have a greater mandate! If our identity is in Christ - when people look at us - they need to be seeing Christ. You are loved so much by God - your Father. This love is unconditional and never ending. So you have messed up, you have made some wrong decisions - God is not going to stop loving you! He is jealous for you; He longs to tell you how much He loves you! It is time to turn to him - say sorry - and receive His Love!
Have you got fears in your life? Fears of rejection? Fears of failing? If your identity is in Christ - you are a winner! You have no need to fear - God knows what is best for you. You need to learn to trust Him - to give Him your fears! His plan is to prosper and NOT to harm you! Do you believe it? He can and will give you a peace beyond all understanding!
Do you struggle with self worth? Do you look at yourself and ask why would someone love me? Why would someone take time to plan my life? Why would someone be interested in me? You need to start realising that Jesus thought you were worth it when He died on the cross - He thought of you and you are NOW made righteous! 
Believe that your identity is in Christ!

A lesson from the Dentist!

We all have fears.
fears of those 8 legged creatures, fears of dieing, fears of heights, or never seeing a loved on again. Fears can be crippling, they can get in the way and stop you achieving your dreams! One of my fears is the fear of dentists. I dislike them! It is true for the most part that the English do not rank first in the best looking teeth. Some would blame it on all the tea drinking, others on smoking, and others I guess poor hygiene!

When I was younger, I had a tooth knocked out whilst playing the recorder. It was not a trauma, but it did leave a lasting memory of dentists (not a good memory at that!) So much so, that in the last 10 years I have seen a dentist 3 times! 1st time was due to pain - lots of it! 2nd time was a check up and 3rd time was today - having a tooth pulled as a result of pain!
Why is it that a lot of the time, unless something is annoying you or giving you pain or not going your way, you are fine. For example - a car. Unless its making a funny noise or smell or lights start flashing, we presume everything is OK. Our bodies, unless something is in pain or doesn't function correctly, we carry on as normal.
I don't know if this is true for you, but I know it is for me! I wait until something is broken, to fix it, instead of preventing it in the first place!
Our relationship with God can be like this! How often do we go to God in the times of need? The times we are in pain? the times we want something?
How often do we just go to God just because we want to spend time with Him?
If I had made regular appointments with the dentist then I would not of had to have my tooth pulled today! It would have been prevented!
If we made regular appointments with God, what may have been prevented in your life?

Digging deep in every season!

Im so glad God chooses to give us seasons to live our life in! The great thing about this is that seasons come and go!
But there is major purpose to every season, even if it doesn't feel like it.
I was sat in a preach during my last visit to the states a guy called James Bradford was preaching - I have no idea what the title was, but it was all about seasons and that there is both strategy and a sovereignty to every season.
There is purpose to where God has you and who he has put around you, always be looking at how this can grow you. What can you learn from the people and situations you face?
God is ALWAYS doing something! He knows the reason for your birth, and he is preparing you for this purpose! Even when you cant see him working - God is in Heaven (Ps 115:1,2) He does and is doing whatever he wants to do. God is shaping and He is going to finish what He has started! He is limited by NOTHING!
You can TRUST God!
In every season, even when I don't get it, even when it doesn't seem right, when life goes beyond what I have planned, when it goes the opposite direction to what I had thought - Im gonna Trust You God!
My prayer is that God would help us stay focused on His plans for our lives. That we would embrace every situation, every relationship we find ourselves in with a mindset of What are you teaching me God!

When we dig deep, when we put our focus on the creator and not the created, when we make time to sit in God presence, We have no need to worry about our influence, God deals with our width! We will reach our destination because it is God job to get is there!! In those seasons that are easy to spend time with God - create good habits for hiding away with Him so when the drought comes (which it will) You will be prepared!


Take some time this week - even today - to hide away with Jesus! Get some one on one time with your Dad! The one who knows you who loves you who is waiting for you! And Listen! He wants to speak to you!!

God WILL build HIS church!

God has promised that HE will build HIS church and the gates of hell will NOT prevail.

This is a scripture that has been on my mind now for the last couple of weeks. A good friend of mine was talking about their church planting experiences and said that if they had not learnt the lesson that God is in the business of building church and it was not mans job, then they wouldn't be pastoring a successful church right now!
Tuesday night Jubilee church gathered to pray, it was a really encouraging evening, and God spoke some practical things. But that scripture was mentioned again . . . I will build my church. . . So many times we as Christians can get so stuck on doing church, so involved in the routine, that we thing it is our job to build the church. Yes we have a responsibility to show people the love of Jesus, but ultimately the building of the church is down to God!
I don't know about you, but this gives me great relief! The church is going to grow because God has promised He will grow it! I know what some of you might be thinking right now and its a fair thought - if we are not meant to be building the church, then how will we grow?

God has given us all a job to do - each one of us fulfills and integral part in the church family, and we need to be completely open to all that God has for us and all that He wants us to do. Some of the challenges from the prayer meeting were about asking ourselves - Am I ready to be used by God? Am I willing to be in tune with the Holy Spirit? Am I willing to step out of my comfort box on a Sunday morning and talk to visitors? And not only talk to them, but ask God for a word of knowledge for them? Pray for them?
If we are faithful in the small things - God will entrust to us much!As we look after those people who God has given us with excellence and with love, God will add to us and He WILL build His church here in Derby and wherever you are planted!
God has got some amazing adventures for us, so be excited and be willing to embrace all God has for you!

The wrongness of White Socks

Ok so this one goes out to all my American peeps - the reason why I believe white socks are wrong!

One of my first observations when spending time in America was their love for white socks. 

I don't get it.

I remember being sat in the airport and seeing people with sandals on and white socks pulled up to the ankles.
White socks can be so obnoxious, so catching to the eye, you can't wear them more than once and you definitely can NOT wear them with sandals or shorts . . . WRONG!

But enough of my ranting.
Why is it that the Brits tend to wear different coloured socks?
I posted that question on my Facebook - needless to say I didn't get productive answers!
So I decided to do some research . . . I came across this website The History of Socks

 

 - Bright socks have been worn since the 8th century the trend started by barbarians! 

 -"Reverend William Lee of Nottinghamshire, England invented a sock-knitting machine in 1598, and started to make hosiery out of cotton, wool and silk. The machine made bright colored socks easier to produce, cheaper, and encouraged their popularity."

 SO that is why bright coloured socks are popular in England - They were made and invented here. BUT why should that trend stop here on this island? I personally wont let it!

 My encouragement to all of you with white socks - Brits, Yanks, wherever you are from  . . . TRASH them and break free from boring and plainness - getting different coloured socks will be the most freeing
and liberating thing in your life (other than Jesus!)
You will not get embarrassed if your socks are a day old, you wont have
to bleach them, you can choose your style depending on your mood and here is a bonus factor it will brighten your day and anyone who sees them!

DO IT and feel free to comment!! :)

 

Fitness Freak wannabe . . .

Im not sure what is wrong with me this week.
Yesterday I got back from having food with a good friend, it was raining and pretty miserable outside.

I felt like going for a run.

I was in shock that those words left my mouth!

So I chose to embrace it - and RUN!
It was great! There is something liberating about being able to run, if only it came naturally too me!

Then today - I had just finished work and felt the need to work out, so I dug deep for one  of my excersize DVDs - Wiped the dust off and went for it!!

Hillarious!! - Its called - Urban work out.

Teaches you how to dance to R&B - for this you need rhythm and coordination . . . I think I gave myself a bonus abs workout with all the laughing!

Signing off . . . a fitness freak wannabe . . . lets hope it lasts!

Glory!

These last two weeks have been quite productive.
I have spent a lot of time drinking coffee, eating food, meeting with some amazing people, sleeping, traveling and talking to God!
I have learned a lot, and have things to process, but wanted to share just one thing with you.
As I was flying back yesterday - we were flying over Detroit - I was talking with Jesus and thanking him for many different things, then I started praying for Detroit and as I looked out the window I saw a rainbow resting on the clouds over the city - it was full circle.
I wish I had taken a picture - it was beautiful.

similar to the picture on the right.

But as I was looking for pictures, I found out that these are called Glories!

what is a glory (wiki)

When I saw this over the city - I couldn't help but shed a tear - knowing and trusting that God is holding Detroit in his hand! That He has promises over this city that He has NOT forgotten!

Detroit - God has NOT forgotten you!

People walking by
Very seldom they say hi
They don’t know how wonderful you are
If they only knew
all the things you’ve been through
if only they could see your heart

I hear you crying for help
Please don’t blame yourself
You are not forgotten 

 

\When it’s time to go to sleep
And try your best to keep yourself
falling apart
There’s no need to fear
because I’m already here
And I’m the One who sees your heart
Yes I am 

I hear you crying for help

Please don’t blame yourself
You are not forgotten 

You are not just a face in the crowd
You are not forgotten, child
Let me whisper it loud, “I LOVE YOU.”
“Oh, I love you.”

 

 

You can hold your head up high
cause I’ll make everything alright
I’m committed to you smiling again
And eventually you’ll see people’s similarities
Everyone just needs a friend, yeah

And when they’re crying for help
You’ll be able to tell them
 
Please tell them for me
You are not forgotten 

You are precious to me
I’m the One, I’m the One
Who sees your heart
You are not forgotten

Just remember DETROIT you are not forgotten.
You are not forgotten.

 (lyrics by Israel Houghton)

My Life is in YOUR hands.

Sunday December 28th - my life was shaken.

I was at home at my parents on Christmas day, and had to work the next day, so I left pretty early as I had to drive for 2 hours. I was about 15 minutes into my journey, and I had hit some ice on the road. At this point I slowed right down to about 30mph as this part of the road has a lot of bends. about a minute later, my back end went out and i skidded on black ice. I went to correct myself, but knew I was no longer in control. My words were . . . "oh my goodness, oh my goodness, I'm gone."
The next thing I know is that I am sat in my car upside down in a ditch that has water in it.

My first reaction (I think due to the amount of 24 I watch) was to turn off the ignition, just in case the fuel tank exploded!!!
I remember saying to my self "your fine, you have to get out!"
I remember taking my seat belt off, and I remember pushing the door open a couple of inches. Im not sure how I got out of such a small gap, and I have no idea how I ended up with my mobile phone in my hand!? All I can say is that God intervened just at the right time. There are so many things with this incident that do not make sense for example . . . why am I still alive? The police officer was surprised that I walked out alive! All I had were a few bruises, a bit of concussion, and some whiplash!

My life has a whole new meaning now!
God could have taken me right there! I could be in heaven sitting at his feet, BUT He didn't! He is not finished with me - he has greater things planned for me!
So my question now is "What is my purpose?" "what is it that God wants for my life?"
My life is completely in Gods hands - not what I want, but what He wants.

Is your life in Gods hands? Have you got dreams and desires, have you planned out your life? In Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future"
What are the plans that you have this year?
Unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it will not produce fruit!
God give us desires and dreams - these are good things, BUT if your life becomes focused on making these happen, then you will be waiting for a long time.
There is a song that says it all

The Time has come

Found love beyond all reason
You gave Your life Your all for me
And called me Yours forever
Caught in the mercy fallout
I found hope found life
Found all I need
You're all I need

The time has come
To stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna
Give my praise to You

Today today it's all or nothing
All they way
The praise goes out to You
Yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today today I live for one thing
To give You praise
In everything I do
Yeah all the praise goes out to You

All we are is Yours
And all we're living for
Is all You are

Is all that You are Lord

Who are you living for? yourself?  Take a moment to write down your dreams and desires for this year, and surrender them, give them back to God!
He loves you so much that He wants the BEST for you, even if the best is not how you wanted things to go!