A Heart Untroubled

Sometimes as Christian's, we don't understand the value of what we actually have.  We look around us and say "I have nothing to offer", "I can't do anything", or "I have nothing to do". God sees things differently to us. (Who knew 😀) Last week I looked at the feeding of the 5000 in Mark 6.   When the disciples first ask Jesus what they should do about feeding the people, Jesus response is "YOU give them something to eat".  That must have seemed like a ludicrous statement.  In fact, they even said something to the effect of "What? You want us to go and get a few loaves of bread", but I am sure that '200 pennyworth' wasn't enough to feed 5000 people! Jesus goes on to essentially ask them "So what DO you have?"   They look about and find 5 loaves and two fishes.  We know that Jesus takes this and it multiples in the hands of the disciples as they distribute it. Back in Exodus chapter 4, we find

Have you ever looked at your circumstances and panicked or become dissatisfied, frustrated or fearful?  Every day we have the opportunity to do this.  Things around us speak to our hearts, and let's face it,  many times the message they carry isn't one of joy, hope and peace. Worry is a kind of mediation; it's just a negative form!  When we look around and see things on surface value (carnally) and not from a spiritual truth, we can always find something bad to get us down. Today I want to encourage you to 'look up'. In Mark 6 we read the well known account of Jesus feeding 5000+ people.   Sometimes, we have to really put ourselves in a story to let it impact us as we become so familiar with things Picture the scene: thousands of people have been milling about, listening to teaching, and it's getting on a bit in the day.  Some people are murmuring about needing to get home, and some of the disciples rub their bellies as they hear them grumbling and rea

This has been an interesting month for me; just enjoying rest.   In my adult life I have had vacations of course, but this is the first time I would say I have had 'season' of rest. I've enjoyed being able to focus on the things that I wouldn't normally have time for, but have you ever noticed how easy it actually is to make time to do the things you really want to!  Let's face it, if someone offered you a million dollars/pounds and all you had to do was go and pick it up, you'd make a way!  But I realize that I am not alone when I say, that we struggle to live our lives in a balanced way that enables to do what we need to, but also gives us time to invest in our relationship with the Lord. 1st Corinthians 10:23 tells us that all things are lawful for us, but not all things are expedient or edifying. That word 'expedient' means convenient or practical.  In context Paul is probably also using this word to allude to something improper, but the truth h

Some of you may remember the Weebles!   They were toys a few (ahem) years ago when I was growing up.  The pic on the right is a slightly more modern version, but the principle is the same.  The slogan for these toys was " Weebles wobble but they don't fall down ". These toys can tip almost horizontal, but they bounce back up again.  They never fall over. I was talking with a friend and I realize that sometimes, when I let my focus wonder from the Lord, I can feel a bit like one of these things!  I feel as though I am having a wobble, but I these days I know that I won't fall down! Paul said "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;" 2 Corinthians 4:8 I can't answer for the guys, but for me as a girl, I know my emotions can sometimes get a bit ahead of me (maybe I am the only one like that???).  In those moments a situation may feel overwhelming, but I need to remember that I am like the Weebles