Back to Basics

So, recently, since I'm starting a new life in... oooh... nineteen days in Manchester, I've been thinking about getting back to basics in terms of my life, in terms of what I base my life on. Sometimes life can get so cluttered that I forget what I started out believing, why I believe it, and I realise that some of my friends know I'm a Christian, but I've never really expressed to them the basics of what I believe in. This is in a Bible that I own, and though it's not expressed in my words, it's pretty much the basis of my faith. And it's made me realise the initial joy I experienced years ago when all I knew to be true, was this.

God's purpose: Eternal Life

God loves you and created you for a purpose: to know him and have a personal, eternal relationship with him. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the FULL!" John 10:10

People's problem: Sin and Separation

People miss the life God intends for them because they choose to go their own way and fall short of His perfect standard. Defying God in this way is called sin, and it separates us from God and prevents us from having a relationship with Him. In fact, sin is so radically opposed to God's perfect character that it requires the most extreme penalty: death and eternal separation from God.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23

God's solution: Jesus Christ

We cannot make our way to God through our own imperfect efforts. So God Himself chose to provide the perfect payment for sin. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die in our place, bridging the gap between Himself and humanity. We can only come to God on His terms.

"Christ died for sins for all, the righteous and the unrighteous, to bring you to God." 1 Peter 3:18

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Your personal response: Confession and Faith

You must personally respond to Jesus' sacrifice by turning from your own sinful life and trusting Him to give you a new life. Salvation through Christ is a free gift. Accepting it is an act of faith.

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

CLASS.

Testing and Truth

Few things are better than spending an hour or two in a coffee shop by yourself, enjoying some good coffee, relaxing and getting things done at the same time. In fact, one of the only things that would make it better is when the other people in the coffee shop are easy on the eye. I am currently stalking some poor guy who is dandering in and out of the coffee shop on his telephone. Without doubt one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen. He's probably walking in and out of the coffee shop on account of being nervous of the creepy girl in the corner whose eyes are following him like one of those creepy pictures in old houses, but I'm sure he'll have settled down by our wedding day. If not, sedation or hostage-type scenarios come to mind as being successful.

I'm not a creep. I swear.

Anyway. Update on life. It's been MENTAL recently, and again, haven't even THOUGHT about moving to Manchester. Which happens in less than a month. I'm just back from Bodybuilders, a kids' club in Dunmurry which lasts for a week every summer, and had the most blessed time. Dressed as a mushroom most of the week because I was Toadstool from Mario (see above photo) in our sketch all week.

In other news, I fell on a nail while making a mushroom suit (again, see above photo) and running away from inappropriate video footage, and ripped my leg open in the most horrible fashion. I don't think I've ever been so badly injured. There ensued a trip to Downpatrick A&E, leg wrapped in a piece of bright pink silk which turned red very quickly due to the amount of blood I was losing. Eight stitches. First ever. And while I was getting them, I think Faye's shoulder was injured worse than me, just 'cause I was biting her so hard.

I'm meant to be doing a kids' club in Cavan next week which I was really looking forward to... but my body has decided to freak out and I have about four hundred doctor's and hospital appointments next week. I need to be better before Manchester... my lovely housemate Lisa is coming with me next week to make sure I don't go mental after anaesthetic!

Long and short of it, at the moment, I'm feeling incredibly tired, very overwhelmed and a little sick. Things can't always go our way, but it's how we choose to deal with them that matters. We are constantly being tested, and these are all chances to let our character grow. At the moment, my natural reaction is to crawl into a corner and sleep, but god has given me this joy that refuses to let me do that. And thank goodness. Things seem a bit impossible at the minute, but I can hear this voice telling me it's going to work out, that I'm in His will, and that I am safe and secure. Oh what joy we experience, being our Father's children. How beyond words is his majesty, wonder and power, yet how deep is his love and grace and mercy. These things are said all the time, but only because they are so true. He is the longing of Creation, is the only truth that matters in this universe.

I can't wait to show this to the people of Manchester.