Learning to do a day at a time.

Recently, God has been teaching me a massive lesson about trust. As someone who loves plans and gets way too excited about Google Calendar, I find it really hard that I don't know what I'll be doing long-term after I finish uni next week (yeah, I know, weird!). Lots of things feel like they're changing at the moment. Many of them are massively exciting yet lots of what's happening involves stepping into the unknown. Last week at church, we were looking at the Armour of God and for me, it was a good reminder to continually be putting on the shield of faith and to trust God when I don't know what's happening.

Several verses have struck me on this subject recently. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask for our daily bread. Not our weekly stock up or supplies for a month. What we need for today. This struck me last week as I taught it to our young people - He invites us to come to Him DAILY for what we need and we can trust Him to provide. Across the Bible, there are countless examples of ways in which God provides for people and strengthens them to do what He calls them to do, right there, in the moment. What's more, God tells us not to worry about tomorrow, something which is often easier said than done.

One of the best things about learning to live a day at a time is the challenge to rejoice and enjoy every single day. When I'm not worrying about the future, I get to notice and appreciate the massive blessings that I have received today. Time with friends, chilling at church and even doing mundane things suddenly become so much better and I get to be fully present and fully enjoy all that God has for me each day, knowing that He will provide all that I need to face whatever does or doesn't come up.

I'm writing this mainly to remind myself of the truth that God has been teaching me recently so apologies if it's a bit random. Praying that you too will keep trusting in the God who has far better plans than we can even imagine :)

Project Rhi?

So, predictably, I've been doing a lot of Sociology reading this week. That's not a complaint or anything. I kind of feel that if there's one time you should be doing a lot of reading, it's third year, second semester. Forgive me, though, I'm going to share a bit of sociological goodness with you. My housemate and I were talking this morning about how everyone always pulls the same confused face when you utter the fact you're studying Sociology. If you're utterly confused by what the heck Sociology is, number one, sometimes I wonder this myself and number two, this is for you. Plus it'll help me explain what I've been thinking about over the last couple of weeks. Enjoy/bear with...

There's this argument in Sociology that loads of the big ways in which we define ourselves are declining. Like religion, politics, class identities etc. Instead, such writers think that, nowadays, we're all in a constant process of choosing who we are/defining ourselves. This is seen as the individual project of the self. Let's take the example of jobs (apologies if you're in third year and would rather poke yourself in the eye than think about life post uni...). Back in the day, if your Dad was an engineer, you'd be an engineer after school. Simple as. Nowadays, we get so much choice and we don't have to follow our parents. I for one am really glad about that. My Dad is a scientist and as much as I respect him and love his enthusiasm for what he does, we both know that that was never going to be my calling in life, Like ever. Anyway, few people would argue that expanded choice is a bad thing but some people would say that it is making us more anxious, more uncertain and more conscious of making the right decisions. These guys are called postmodernists and whilst their theory's not perfect, I kind of agree that this happens to some extent now.

Why am I telling you this?

Because, I think it holds some truth. And it's made me think more about identity. Recently, I've been feeling a bit uncertain about a load of stuff. I don't know if that's a third year thing but I've started thinking about jobs, dissertations etc and decisions I'm currently making seem a bit too filled with self doubt for my liking. Sure, my head knows exactly who is in charge (God!) but my heart/emotions are often playing catch up. Recently, I've been trying to silence the self doubt with stuff that's true. I can do this, because, contrary to the debatable belief of society that I should be constructing who I am, this isn't my job. The Bible says that:

Despite the fact that I mess up far more than I even imagine, I am loved, accepted and redeemed because of Jesus. That means that I don't have to keep trying to be good enough, make the right decisions or be 100% on top of everything all the time. I am fully loved, fully accepted - right here, right now - because of faith and grace, not what I do. 

He has plan for my life. Not bog standard, mediocre plans. Like really good ones. Plans that are way better than anything I could ever dream up. Even on my best day.

I don't have to navigate life being anxious, uncertain and self doubting. I can leave my worries with Him, knowing that He cares and is more than big enough to deal with them. What's more, I can ask Him for wisdom and guidance, knowing that He hears and responds.

When I think like that, it makes me feel a whole lot better.

Rhi x 

Getting on with it.

This morning, I read this thing from Joyce Meyer which said that moaning is actually sinful and that we just need to stop. 

I was all like 'Woah, Joyce. What are you saying? Haven't you heard about all this work I need to get done? Haven't you heard about this situation or that one that's currently in my life? I feel I'm entitled to at least a mini moan'.

And then I realised I was totally wrong. 

Sometimes it's really easy to think that we're allowed to complain. We make loads of excuses that basically just try to get us off the hook. Exhibit A...I'm writing a dissertation and I've just got so much to do. Well, actually, so are loads of other people. Plus, as cringe as it sounds, I (we?) need to value the education that we are fortunate enough to get. I just read the story of Malala who got shot in the face by the Taliban for daring to speak up for girls' education. Imagine if they heard me moaning about all the studying I have to do? I'm betting I'd be pretty embarrassed in any post moan conversations with those girls.

Most importantly, Jesus gives us a better option. There's this little word that springs up across the Bible...rejoice. That's not a fluffy feeling that you get to access when you're in the mood, it's a choice. Also, it's not a good suggestion that you could follow up if your friends get fed up of your constant moaning. If you love Jesus, it's actually a command. 

A classic verse on this is Psalm 118:24 - 'This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it'. Whatever's going on in our lives, we have a massive reason to rejoice and choose thankfulness - because every day is a gift from God and not something that we should take for granted. What's more, there are other amazing reasons to choose celebration over complaining - God is with us in whatever situation we're facing and, better yet, He dealt with the biggest problem we'll ever face through the cross. 

If you're reading this I give you total permission to interrupt my moaning...let's encourage each other to push past complaining and live in a better way.

Rhi x 

Embarking on an adventure right where you are.

DISCLAIMER - this blogpost is going to be based on something else I've read recently...in no way is this an original Ashford. (I feel the need to insert a reference...gosh uni, what have you done to me?)

For a while, I had ambitions to live in loads of different UK cities. Why the UK, I hear you ask. Why not somewhere that at least sees the sun every once in a while. Because actually, I quite like our strange, quirky little country despite rain, endless queues and the monstrosity that is Antiques Roadshow (sorry Mum.) Anyway. Ever since I moved to Cardiff nearly four years ago, I realised that I love cities. I love the busyness, the randomness and also kind of the anonymity of living in a city. And I wanted to experience as many of them as possible. If I'm really honest, I also didn't want to commit to just one place. What if I get bored? What if something goes wrong? What if people see me for who I really am? (well, that last one was deep!)

Last summer, I decided that I wasn't going to busy myself making loads of plans for the year after I graduate. I was going to wait. And I was going to go where God called me. Scary. I even told Him that, if I really had to, I'd stay in Southampton. Before you think I'm writing off such a major part of the south coast, Southampton has grown on me over my three years here (especially in the last six months) but it's been a bit up and down and I've just always ruled out settling here after uni. Despite my chat about lots of different cities, I would have likely emigrated back to the wonderful Welsh nation because I am unashamedly a bit obsessed. Rugby, sheep, welsh cakes, Gavin and Stacey, you name it.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, some stuff happened and I am deciding, God - willing, to stay in Southampton. I know - it shocked me too.

One of the things that I've been learning whilst making decisions is that we so often seek something we perceive to be so much better, so much flashier and so much more shiny than what we have now. If you just look around you, that's entrenched in our culture. Buy this. Wear that. Go there. Then you'll be sorted.

But it's so wrong. Because it makes you undervalue what you already have. When I started to look at what was around me in Southampton, I realised that I'm part of an amazing church, involved in a youth work that I care a lot about and surrounded by some brilliant people, both connected to church and not so much. Also, after being on placement last semester, I realised that I have some awesome opportunities in this city to do the pastorally (is that even a word?) school stuff that I love and maybe even get paid for the privilege. The other day, I watched a programme about excluded students and constantly fluctuated between a state of 'why would I ever want to do this?' to 'how can I not do this?'.  I know it's going to be a challenge but I'm convinced that, whatever happens job wise, it's going to be okay. Even better, when you are following Jesus, you're on a constant adventure that's all about knowing Him better and making Him known. That last part sounded way cringier than I intended but it's the truth.

So if (and I know that's a big if) you want to take anything away from what I've learnt recently, it's that seeking something new isn't always the way forward. Sometimes, it's more important to take stock, look around, appreciate, invest in what you're already a part of and just keep going.

Rhi x

Playing the waiting game.

So I haven't blogged in a while - partly because I don't want to post randomly when I feel I haven't got much to say and partly because blogging sometimes scares me because I feel super exposed. Sorry!

Anyway, over the summer, I started to contemplate the very real fact that, in a year's time (less now!), I would no longer be a student. This kind of filled me with excitement (I'm so over writing essays!) and apprehension (that means I need to make some life decisions!). One thing I felt really challenged to do, however, was to spend some proper time with God before making any firm plans or decisions. If you know me at all, you'll know I like lists, knowing what's going on and generally being in control. I have friends though who are amazing at trusting God for the future and waiting on Him and I felt that I should give this a go and attempt to lean into God's plan for my life rather than busily going about creating my own which would be pants in comparison!

So.

This term, I've been trying to set aside some time every week to pray and wait on God. Before you think I'm super holy, you should know that much of this 'waiting' often ends up in contemplating what I'm having for dinner or who went out of last week's X Factor! But I'm giving it a go! I'm reading a book called 'A Beautiful Mess' by Danielle Strickland as a part of this. A bit like the person herself (whom I love), this book is a crazy mix of humour and godliness all in one! What this book is teaching me, though, is that we need to learn to be okay with the chaos e.g. the not knowing and embrace it, trusting that God makes beautiful things out of chaos (hint: creation) and that we can trust Him. Also, I definitely viewed this time wrongly as being a time where I'd get a clear answer from God about the future. What I'm actually learning is that it's not about going to God for answers like some cosmic Google search but actually it's about the waiting on God and the way that this dependence changes our relationship with Him that's the gamechanger and, after all, what we're really made for.

To be continued...

Shifting the Saviour complex.

In our family, a favourite before meal time grace is the Superman grace. This involves singing the Superman tune as well as a nice little ditty about our thankfulness for food. Standing on chairs and Superman poses are optional. Grandma, in particular, is a seasoned pro at this form of thanksgiving. The Ashfords are just cool like that ;)

Why am I writing this and why does it matter?

Because this year, I’ve learnt a huge lesson. In our wonderful, hilarious, colourful, broken and hurting world, there are often so many issues, complexities, problems. You don’t have to look very far to come across someone you know and love struggling in some way at some point with something. Bit depressing but this kind of has been my experience this year and I see it amongst my friends and others I know.

I began this year wanting to solve the problems of other people. Without wanting to sound big headed or super spiritual, I’m quite a pastoral person and that’s just how I roll. Maybe I was hoping for some magic formula, some jackpot idea or for certain situations just to miraculously and immediately turn around. Just maybe I wanted to see myself as some relational superhero who, with all the good intentions in the world, sorted out a few issues and generally made the world a better place (cue Incredibles theme tune.) I wonder how many of us can identify with this? I know I do.

I’m ending this year remembering that there is a Saviour and it is not me. So often, I feel as if I need to have all the answers and all of the solutions. But the beauty is, I don’t. In fact, it’s pretty arrogant to assume that I may even come close. I guess that links in to where our identity comes from – I just finished Graham Beynon’s book, Mirror Mirror, on this and it may have just blown my brain and heart to bits (in a good way!). Read it! What I’ve learnt and what I’m learning to love is that my role is simply to point others towards the one true Saviour – my incredible Jesus – who took care of our biggest need and deepest problem – our sins that separate us from God. Surely He is big enough to take care of any other issues, problems and concerns that we face?
  

As Psalm 27 so brilliantly says,

‘Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord’.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a very weird way, I’m so grateful for what this year has been and am looking forward to the one to come!

Have a beautiful summer!

And here it begins...

So it would seem that my blog posts come like buses...not for ages and then all at once. I am technically supposed to be revising but my brain is buzzing with an idea for a post, inspired by a conversation with a housemate, and I just have to whack it out. You just got an insight into how my brain works. You're welcome.

Recently, I've started to think a bit about this time next year and the fact that I'll be entering the big wide world. I have no immediate plans to continue studying so will most likely be looking to get a job or get involved in a scheme. Crazy, exciting stuff.

Earlier, in the midst of a mind saturated revision state, I casually exclaimed how little I enjoy meetings.

DISCLAIMER - If I've ever been in a meeting with you, the chances are that it was great! I get that,
                            sometimes, they are really important and really useful. I have been in meetings like
                            this!

I guess, perhaps like you, I've also just been in meetings that are dull, boring, way too long and way too time - wasting. Also, whilst being able to vaguely organise myself to some extent, I'm not really a details girl. The minute details of organisation don't really interest me and I'm not very good at them! That's not to say that I'm not grateful for all of those great people who love detail and are great at working all of this stuff out - where would people like me be without you?!

On reflection, what I said was probably a bit immature as my housemate wisely pointed out that almost every job is likely to contain some form of meeting. True dat. I'm not completely adverse by any means and do know that I can't go get a job in a happy, meeting - less world. However, through thinking these things through, I have realised that I want to be in a people focused job, on the frontline, dealing with people and their problems and issues and not just talking about them. I know that meetings are often going to be helpful in this but, on the flip side, I don't want to have a job predominantly behind a desk at a computer or where I spend the majority of my time in meetings but I want to have a job that engages with people face to face, building relationships with them and helping to support them.

This job stuff really excites me but if you could pray anything for me right now, it would be that I'd not let it consume my thoughts and that I'd remember that there is One who is definitely a better planner than me and has got it covered (Jeremiah 29:11)

x

Once a words girl, always a words girl...

I've been meaning to write a proper blog post with a semi serious message for a while but it kinda just hasn't happened. I'm that 2am 'need to be in the mood' blogger and, to be honest, I haven't been up at 2am (explanation = I like sleep!) and I haven't really been in the mood to blog (explanation = I haven't had any burning ideas for posts!). Boo.

Anyway, have you heard of love languages? My guess is that, if you hang in Christian circles, you've either heard of them a gazillion times or they're coming your way soon! Not that they're exclusively Christian or anything but as a topic, it tends to come up! The basic idea is that we all like to be shown love in different ways; some of us appreciate physical touch, others gifts, acts of service (like washing up!) and/ or quality time with the person we love. Without a doubt, mine is words of affirmation or just words in general. I mean, present me with the Mr Darcy proposal from Pride and Prejudice and you're guaranteed to make me smile! Errrr really? Embarrassingly yes. Recently, in times when I feel a bit down or tired, I've been Googling some of my favourite quotes and shoving them around my room because I know they make me smile. Don't worry...I've edited the cheesy ones but I thought I'd share some of them with you!

Enjoy x

The last term in ten.

So this post is totally inspired by a friend's ten lesson's of last week and I thought that I'd write down ten lessons that I learnt last term.

1) Costa does the best hot chocolate and is a great place of refuge. (Ken Costa, I keep you in business. You're welcome. :P)

2) Preschoolers find the word 'poo' the funniest thing in the world and never tire of calling you 'Mr Poo Poo pants'

3) I'm stronger than I ever thought I was but only because of Jesus.

4) We can never be consumed by the stuff that burdens us.

5) Above everything else, Jesus is all we need.

6) We need to be thankful for what we've got rather than chasing after what we want.

7) It's okay to say 'no' but not all the time!

8) Every day is a new chance to show love, grace and patience.

9) Modern Family is very nearly better than sliced bread.

10) Over analysing wastes your time, your energy and steals your peace. Just stop.


x

Cutting down.

Recently, I've been reading this book and, in the words of the author, it messed me up. Man, that would sound so much better said in her Texan accent. I appreciate that 'messed me up' sounds a bit destructive/harmful/messy but really, I mean it in a good way. See, Jen Hatmaker's '7' is all about how excessive our lives can be. When I first picked up (ahem...downloaded...Kindle for Iphone...21st century people!) this book, I thought it would be properly funny as she's one of my favourite and most humorous bloggers. It is. But it's also deeply challenging.

Her main point is that, so often, Christians get caught up in the consumer culture of the West and she notes that it's a far cry from what Jesus calls us to and a poor substitute to life as it should be. I do sociology at uni (which you probably know) and the word consumerism pops up nearly as much as Weber and Marx WHICH IS A LOT. But, actually, how does it relate to me? Am I part of this massive consumerism mess?

I'm trying (and failing) to read more this year, and for some reason unbeknown to me, I often read Christian books. The thing is though, I so often read them like a novel, not thinking about what they say or how they apply. So, I might have mentally asked God to help me actually take this one on board. The craziness (in a good way) that I'm about to embark on is the result!

Jen Hatmaker decides to spend seven months cutting down on various things (like possessions, food, social media --- eeek!) to trim her lifestyle and she might have, subconsciously, convinced me to do it with her. WHAT?! Well, technically, I'm gonna cheat and do seven weeks. I'm not doing this to show people how incredibly super holy I am (because I'm not!). Seriously, one of the things that she cuts down on is food and I'm already having nightmares! Expect lots of 'midnight Mcdonalds runs' to occur that week! To be honest, I'm not really sure why I'm doing this but something about what she did and how she changed inspired me so I'm about to give it a go! Watch this space :)

Trusting what never changes.

I've read some fantastic blog posts in the last week. Like seriously good. Thanks friends for posting, for sharing your lives, your successes and your struggles. And thanks for (perhaps unconsciously) encouraging me to blog again.

As my housemates can testify, I spend at least ten minutes every day pretending that I'm Beyonce by singing in the shower. At the moment, my jam is the almost too cheerful Pharrell phenomenon - Happy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM).

As much as I love this song, I kind of think it points to one of mine (and maybe even our) problems. Our culture seems to value happiness above all else...and obviously this is found in having the latest clothes, Ipad and aftershave. Not. Parents so often wish that their children live a happy life which, in so many ways, is totally legitimate. Often though, I value my happiness really highly but then find that my happiness levels change so much over the course of a day, a week, a month.

When I came back to Southampton in January, I realised that I didn't want to be here. I thought that it would pass after a few days but it didn't. I've spent the last month learning stuff about myself, how faithful God is and how to man up when the going gets tough (I've failed at this one so often!)
Therefore, this month, on average, I haven't been that happy. So what? Does that mean that my life has crashed? I'm out of the race?

No.

The book of Ecclesiastes (or as my sister affectionately calls it, 'Eccles cakes') says -- 'For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven' (3:1). I've always loved the idea of seasons because it means that dips, low moods and bad hair days are not the end, they're just part of the journey (apologies for the X Factor style cliche!). What's more, happiness can go so quickly but joy lasts forever. So often, I'm tempted to link joy with a particular situation or person. But, ultimately, joy is a gift from God. True joy comes from knowing that you're saved, that you're right with God and that you're His - beloved, precious, redeemed. That's why it's not happiness that truly counts, it's joy based on something totally outside of yourself and bigger than your life - God's relentless love and grace.

This month, I'm determined to embrace joy. Join me?

'But if needs be, I'm prepared to die'.

The quote above comes from Nelson Mandela's statement given at his trial in 1964. Upon the news of his death this evening, I wanted to find out a bit more of the man that the whole world seems to be praising tonight. Sure, I knew he helped to end apartheid but what did that look like? Find out more in his statement here --> http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/mandela/mandelaspeech.html

Social media seems to have exploded in the hours following the announcement of Mandela's death, speaking of the grace he showed, the life he lived to the full and the 'shining light' that he was to many. All so wonderfully fitting. However, it's this line that stopped me as I read the articles, news reports and Facebook posts.

'But if needs be, I'm prepared to die'

Wow.


This man not only commited himself to peace, harmony and cohesion during his lifetime but believed in his cause so much that he was willing to lay down his life to see equality achieved.

As a Christian, this line has particular resonance. In the Bible, it says 'For whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me will find it'. (Matthew 16:25). Numerous Christian writers such as David Platt and Francis Chan have picked up on this theme, the idea that we need to be prepared to radically commit to Jesus. The fact is, it's true.

You may think death is a bit extreme. Maybe we'll be called to die for our faith. Maybe we won't. But perhaps dying sometimes means more than physical death. Maybe dying is forgiving someone who's really hurt us even when we don't want to. Maybe it's loving that person who we find really difficult. Maybe it's choosing to keep going even when our circumstances look unlikely to ever change.

I'm writing this not from a place of sortedness but from a place of brokeness, So often, I need to die to what I want to do, how I feel and ultimately to my self. What a challenge.

Thank you Mandela for your life, your love and the lessons that you leave us. 

hearing/reading/thinking/living

You know when you watch a film that you've seen about a million times? For me, Mean Girls, Bruce Almighty and Monsters Inc are some of the more popular contenders. You watch such films but, at the same time, you kind of don't. You text, you chat, you scoff a bowl of popcorn and think about tomorrow. Why? Because you've seen it before. You know the story. You get the characters. In the case of Mean Girls, you know all of the classic lines (Glen Coco, anyone?) and have probably recited them to your fellow movie watchers within the first ten minutes of the film.

Sometimes, I feel the same way when I read the Bible. Recently, I realised that I engage with this book a fair bit; on a Sunday at church, when I'm reading it on my own, maybe even via Twitter or Facebook when someone includes a bit of Bible in their status or tweet.

But do I really listen or do I go into autopilot, even with good intentions?

Take a Sunday church service. On a good day, I nod and make a mental note to take on board whatever the preacher is talking about then walk out of church and (more often than not) forget all about it. On a bad day, I spend the preach daydreaming and thinking about what I might have for lunch/dinner. Seriously.

I read something the other day about the Israelites and how, because of their sinfulness, God chose to take away His Word and revelation from their lives. Specifically, in Amos 8, it is so clear that this is the biggest loss for the Israelites, despite the physical problems and challenges that they face. This got me thinking - how often do I view the Bible in this way?

James 1:22 says 'Don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says'. It then goes on to say that we deceive ourselves if we don't do this. Eek. All the good intentions in the world can never equal actually applying what we hear or read. That's why I'm trying (and often failing) to more intentionally let the Bible change me and the way I live, in a bid to recognise how privileged I am to be able to readily access God's word and to be obedient.

Join me?

Love Rhi x


PS. Picture of the post...

Proper cute.

A new church experience.

So Britain has been experiencing a heatwave these past few weeks (the rest of the world just call it summer!). I've got to that stage where I'm so hot that I don't know what to do with myself...so I decided to blog!

This morning, myself and the wonderful Amy decided to mix it up a little bit and go to the local gospel church just round the corner from where we now live. Neither of us really knew what to expect and as we walked in, I couldn't help but notice how amazingly we were greeted and welcomed (cue a shout out to the stewards!). We watched countless people (including a VERY cute little boy) spend their time of worship dancing, flag waving and genuinely celebrating Jesus. What a beautiful thing to witness. I loved their joy (though it's good to remember that joy comes in many forms...) and I loved their passion for Jesus.

However, I want to emphasise the word 'new'. Church this morning was so different from anything I've ever experienced before and, if I'm honest, I wasn't 100% comfortable. For one, I've definitely now had my annual dose of the phrase, 'Can I get an Amen?'. Being frivolous aside, there were some things I didn't get and some things that I wasn't sure about. But that's okay. As I came out, I felt pretty overwhelmed and found myself asking the question, 'What just happened?'. The point is, it doesn't matter that I don't get it because I knew wholeheartedly that, despite some differences, these people love Jesus and trust Him for their salvation like I do and want to see His kingdom advanced like I do. Surely that's what's important? Of course, we all have personal preferences but beyond that, we are united because God Himself says we are, as His body and as His representatives on this earth. I'm so glad that God's church goes further than my own understanding and sometimes surpasses my own comfort. Today, I was reminded that God's family is diverse and that it is beautiful when people of all nations, ages and traditions come together to proclaim Jesus.

Thankful for the congregation of believers I encountered this morning and thankful for you!

Much love,

Rhi x

In other news...last week I got into the Wimbledon spirit (wasn't Andy Murray insanely good?!)...

(to clarify, Fedz is definitely not a failure!)

I am second.

Recently, I decided to take up the I am Second challenge because I can be quite selfish and I don't like it! I don't mean that in a self deprecating way but just as a result of a realisation that ,too often, I think about myself - what I want, desire and lack rather than God's priorities and other people.

The idea is that you watch a video of somebody telling their story everyday and then complete the challenge that accompanies it.

Here's today's video...

http://www.iamsecond.com/challenges/22day/22day4/

What really struck me today  was when the girl sharing said 'It is God, all along who is defining me'. I love the fact that it's not my own efforts, faults, achievements or qualities that define me but Jesus. I'm really hoping that, through this challenge, I'm reminded about this more!

'It's your victory. Jesus, you are enough'. 


xx  

Seeking.

When I'm in the nursery (where I work!), one of the kids' favourite games is hide and seek. So, they make me count to like 7 (don't ask me why they choose such a random number!) and then I have to follow their muffled giggles in the hope of finding them.

Why am I telling you this? Just because the kids I work with are ridiculously cute?

Nope - because seeking's important.

The more I think about it, I guess that we're all seeking something. Whether it be the right grades, the perfect boyfriend or the latest IPad. Or maybe a massive fortune or everyone's approval. The list could go on.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to 'Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added as well'. I'm loving this verse at the moment. But it's also really challenging me. So often, I find myself seeking after things which, in themselves, aren't wrong but which don't satisfy or fulfil me. That folks, is called idolatry. After all, why would you seek the gifts when you can seek the Giver?

The Westminster Catechism says that 'man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' I read a book by John Piper (obviously said in an American accent because how else can you say that name?)  about this subject a few months ago. It made my brain nearly combust but it was so good! The point is, He is enough. It's not about wanting more of this, that and the other. It's about wanting Him. About wanting to be like Jesus - the Jesus that my friend, who is currently struggling, so beautifully proclaimed as her Saviour. About aligning what we want with what God wants so that His kingdom advances.

When I was reflecting on this verse and how it speaks into my life, I just thought 'Rhi, haven't you grasped this yet?' Then I remembered. It's not about getting to a certain point in our faiths but about journeying with Him and letting Him sanctify you in the process. Ultimately, it's about grace - for ourselves and for each other - something I pray I'll increase in as I focus on pursuing the only One who is worth it.

But in the meantime, can I encourage you to pray this prayer?

'The one thing I ask of You, the thing I seek most is to live in Your house all the days of my life, delighting in Your perfections and meditating in Your temple'. Psalm 27:4. 


Love Rhi xx

Picture of the post --:



The perfect revision beveragini! x

I'm not condemned.

So, this last week, I've been at New Word Alive in the north of a beautiful country called Wales! It was my first time at this particular event and I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved it! Quality teaching, great company and inflatables! What is there not to love?! Check it out and access some of the great Bible teaching at http://newwordalive.org/ :)

Anyway, when I woke up this morning (ridiculously early, may I add, for someone who hasn't slept that much in the last week), a Bible verse hit me loud and clear. For those who now think that that sounds super holy, let me assure you that such an event is hardly a regular occurrence! Anyway, the verse was Romans 8:1 which says 'So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus'. One of the things I was taught this week is the need to remind ourselves of Biblical truth. What I love about this verse is that it says 'no condemnation'. So often, I get caught up in what the stuff that I do or don't do in my Christian life. There's nothing wrong with that because we're told to pursue righteousness and David asks God to search his heart and refine him in the Psalms, perhaps an example to us today. But what has made my heart glad this morning is that 'there is NO condemnation'. Whatever you've done, no matter how bad you rate it on an often human created sin scale, if you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour, the price has been paid and you stand forgiven. Incredible.

Ich bin encouraged and I hope that you are too :)

Picture of the post:



SUCU enjoying the inflatable slide!

Shameless book plug of the post...

Last week, I grabbed half an hour and read a book that I've been meaning to read for ever -- 'Will you be my Facebook friend?' by Tim Chester. So insightful on the pros but particularly the cons of social media. £2 ish off Amazon - go go go! :)

Misplaced confidence.

This week, I've been really challenged about something. Have you ever had a week where the same thing just keeps coming up again and again and you start to question whether it's a coincidence? It's been a bit like that.

Let me explain.

At church on Sunday, 4 people got baptised. Something I learnt - I LOVE BAPTISMS. I love hearing how God works in people's lives and love watching them declare it publicly - so great! After this happened, there was inevitably a talk which was all about the idea that Jesus' death was pointless if we aren't justified by it.

 If you're a bit new to all this God stuff, Christians believe that we, as people, can't do anything ourselves to be right with God since we've all sinned (messed up/done stuff that we know is not good etc.) and because God is just and holy, this separates us from Him. However, because He loves us SO much and desires to know us closely, He sent Jesus to die for us so that we can be restored and can walk in relationship with God. That's the main difference, I guess, between Christianity and other religions which so often demand that their followers conform to a certain set of rules in order to be accepted. Pretty cool huh? 

Anyway, this talk and some of the stuff that was said has really stuck in my head the last few days and I've been thinking it through a bit. Also, the daily devotion emails that come to my phone everyday at some ridiculous time in the early hours of the morning (don't ask me why it comes so early!?) have been talking about similar things. Strange right? Or not.

The thing that's been getting me this week though isn't whether I believe that Jesus has justified me and made me right with God (because I definitely do!) but whether this is actually reflected in how I live?

On Wednesday night, at Hungry (our church's student small group), we looked at Philippians 3:1 -11. In that bit of the Bible it says that we shouldn't place our confidence in anything else but Jesus and should consider everything else in our lives as rubbish compared to knowing Him. The word that really fascinated me in all this was the word 'safeguard'. To give this context, in Phillipians, Paul starts this bit my explaining how the idea of prizing nothing but Jesus is actually a safeguard for  us. I started to think about that word and realised (as Ruth pointed out) that the only time that I ever use it is when talking about protecting young people and children/CRBs! Maybe then, God knows that when we place our confidence in other stuff that isn't Him, it can harm us, hence why He says this stuff to protect us?

The problem for me though is that I don't always place my confidence in Jesus. You see, I love many things -- Sprinkles ice cream, good music and onesies to name a few -- but one thing I really love is relationships. Nah, I'm not talking mushy smushy rom - com boy girl shizz (though I'm not totally opposed!) but friendships with people in general. I know that sometimes I base my confidence in them - when I percieve them to be going really well, I feel confident. When I don't...well I feel pants. Also, sometimes I beat myself up for not being where I percieve I should be with God or for failing Him.

So now I've convinced you that I'm an over - thinking, over - analysing 20 year old Sociology student, what did I learn from this?!

I learnt that this kind of thinking is religion (Jesus wasn't a massive fan of 'religious' people in the Bible) and arrogantly presumes that we could ever do anything to make ourselves right with God. I learnt that when I put my confidence in stuff that isn't Jesus, life gets a little bit shaky. That's why I'm so glad to be able to say that

'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness'

and to, once again, learn what it looks like to live like that.

Much love,

Rhi x


Picture of the post...

So, the momentum to take pictures everyday has waned a bit this last month and some of my 'quick, I need to take a picture' snaps have made my life look ever so dull (it's not, I assure you). :P Anyway, here's the cute campus gardens that I finally got to the other day...



Hope that this month is wonderful for you! xx

What a story.

One of the many highlights of my birthday this year was seeing The Mark Drama performed at uni. What basically happened was that the Gospel of Mark was retold through improvised drama over 90 minutes. The cast had us sit in a circle whilst they acted around us, complete with many laughs and jokes as they showed the lives and behaviour of disciples called to follow the man who claimed to be God. The performance itself was so exciting but also incredibly moving and I would totally recommend it to anyone!

But it was more than just a great piece of drama.

I went into the performance thinking that I knew what to expect. My Bible knowledge is far from perfect but I felt like I'd recognise most of the key parts of Jesus' story. And, fair play, I did. However, I loved the bits that made me think and there were a couple of 'Eureka' moments where I suddenly understood something I'd read in a new way. When it got to the portrayal of Jesus' death, the whole room watched in silence as the story unfolded. During parts of it, I wanted to yell 'Stop' and some of it was pretty uncomfortable. It struck me that I was reacting in such a way to a narrative that I know so well. If I've learnt anything this week, it's been a reminder that this story that we call the Gospel never gets old - it's always wonderful, it always challenges and it always speaks. If you've never heard this story, then I reckon you should - go see the Mark Drama in March or pick up the Bible and give it a chance - what have you got to lose?

In other news, Sprinkles ice cream parlour is amazing, especially when you go with great friends!...



Hope that your February is going fabulously,

Love Rhi xx

Reading that book called the Bible.

At the beginning of this year, I tentatively told myself that I'd blog more frequently  then got bogged down with revision and forgot all about it! Yes, I'm still revising but I've decided (in a bid to get away from all things sociological for a bit!) to write 2013's first post :)

Recently, I've been having reading some of David Platt's stuff on Bible reading which is well worth a look if you get the chance! One of the best quotes that he said (in my opinion) was that 'What you read in the Bible can never mean now what it never meant then'. Now this may just be me...but I realised that, so often, when I go to the Bible, I start from a place which basically says 'What does this mean for me and what am I going to do as a result?'. I'm not saying that this isn't great because obviously you're not supposed to just read the Bible and then get back to your life without letting it impact you. But what he said challenged me. What he was getting at was that the Bible was never primarily written just for us - it was written for generations of God's people and that we so often misinterpret and misunderstand Scripture because we don't recognise that fact. It all goes back to that word again - context! As I said, I've been giving this some head space recently...here's the link to Platt if you want it ---> http://www.radical.net/media/schurch/series_list/?id=53

In other news, as Facebook may have already hinted at, I'm involved in Text a Toastie on campus which is just such a great way to begin conversations about faith/God/zombie apocalypses/whatever else anyone wants to ask about (and I'm not just saying that because food is involved!). I love it - it challenges me to think about questions that I don't always consider and has naturally expanded my cooking repertoire :P Proud to say that no horsemeat is used in the making of our toasties!

Also, I'm doing Project 365 this year (taking a picture every day) so thought I'd do a photo of the post. Just before I left for uni, I finally caught up with the first Lord of the Rings (after much disbelief from certain people that I'd never seen it!) and naturally this needed photographic evidence!




Much love!

Rhi x