Three Little Arrows

Love is Kind

2012-02-09T19:15:00.006Z

I'm so pleased to tell you that I've now joined the Completely Devoted family as a regular writer. This month the theme for Focus Fridays is Love.

Today I write about 'Love is Kind.'

Love is a verb, it must be done; kindness is an expression of this love that flows from the heart of the Father. God is love, God is kind.

“Love talked about is easily ignored but love demonstrated is irresistible.” Jim Mooney

Kindness speaks volumes. It opens doors; it breaks down walls; it builds others up and makes them feel appreciated and valued; it brings hope; it softens the heart and ministers to the soul; it can improve someone’s life for a moment, for a lifetime or anywhere in between.

Please go over to Completely Devoted to read the rest of my post.

Have a wonderful Friday!

~ Kathi ~

You don't have a testimony; you ARE the testimony!

2012-02-06T20:36:00.026Z

I just turned 34 years old! I was raised in a family where both my parents had (and still have) a solid belief and faith in God. There came a point in my early teens when I realised that I couldn't live by the faith of my parents but that I needed to have my own to become grounded in. I had a great foundation but I had to get to know God for myself.

Why am I telling you this? Because when I was a teenager, and even beyond, I felt like I didn't really have a 'testimony' - a story about how I had met God (because I had always known Him). People around me were becoming Christians and I would hear amazing stories of how God had transformed their lives and saved them from the mess they were in. I remember one Sunday morning when I was about 13, everyone in our church family wrote a little story about how they had met God and how He had changed their life. I found an aspect of my life to write about but felt that it wasn't as powerful as some of the others around.

God spoke to me one day and reminded me that He had saved me - from alcohol, from drugs, from having sexual relationships outside of marriage, from making bad decisions and choices which could have ruined my life in all manner of ways. I am not perfect and I have done things that I regret but because of my faith I have not conformed to the ways of the world and I thank God every day for that.

As I have matured in my walk with God I have come to understand something much more than this though, that we don't have a testimony; we are the testimony. Just as John was a testimony to Jesus:

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:6-8

Yes, we have many stories about God's goodness, faithfulness, grace and favour in each of our lives and they need to be shared. And yes, there are powerful stories of transformation when people have met God and their lives have turned around and they must be shared. But these are not meant to be stand-alone stories. Our whole lives are a testimony, a witness to Jesus. It is in our daily walk with him that we become more like him and where we bear witness to who he is - for all the world to see.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Blessings!

~ Kathi ~

Butterfly Girl

2012-02-01T13:22:00.010Z

We recently borrowed a book from the library called Butterfly Girl. One night I sat on one of the children's beds and before I opened the book (which I had only glanced at previously) God told me that He was going to speak to me through it!

The story is about Butterfly Girl and her friendship with a sad little bird, Blue, that she finds on her doorstep. Blue is sad because he has lost his song. The girl says that they must find a new song for him right away. They try to find one in different places - the meadow, the river, the mountains, a cave, the ocean. But all of the songs they found belonged to someone else.

Eventually they stop and rest for the night on the sand. Butterfly Girl says that they will try again tomorrow and goes to sleep. Blue is still wide awake wondering if he will ever find a song.

The sun comes up and the first thing that Blue sees is Butterfly Girl asleep on the sand and he feels grateful to have found a special friend. And suddenly he feels a brand new, beautiful song bubbling up inside him. Butterfly Girl wakes up and tells Blue that it's the most beautiful song she has ever heard and asks where it came from. Blue says that he made the song for her!

The last line of the story goes, "Perhaps everyone has a song, you just have to know where to find it."

While I was reading I was reminded of this verse from the Bible:

"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD."

Psalm 40:3

Sometimes I feel spiritually dry, I feel like I have lost my song. No amount of searching for a new one is going to help unless I go to the source of new songs. Just like the little bird found his new song as he gazed upon Butterfly Girl, so we will find our new song whenever we seek the face of the Song-Giver. And each day when we seek God and spend time getting to know him more and more, he will put joy in our hearts and a song to express our praise to Him. This song will not only praise the Lord but it will bless others as we sing out.

Have you lost your song? If so, the Song-Giver is ready and waiting.

Blessings

~ Kathi ~

Weekends are for getting creative

2012-01-29T19:57:00.012Z

Yesterday we had great fun making the children's puppet kits that they received for Christmas from their grandparents. It took a whole afternoon (including drying time) and they look great!

Niamh made a giraffe (her favourite animal!)

Noah made a zebra, and...

Nathaniel made a lion

Now all we need to do is write a story for them to be in!

Have a blessed week everyone

~ Kathi ~

You are Amazing!

2012-01-26T21:41:00.009Z

This song by Philippa Hanna is so encouraging and uplifting and makes me smile so I wanted to share it with you...

I Am Amazing

I don't want to waste anymore time in the mirror
Watching my face, never change I don't feel beautiful today
And I don't wanna waste
Anymore hard-earned cash on these 'miracles'
That never change the way I feel don't make me beautiful today
How long can I hide-away beneath this disguise?
And what drastic measure do I have to take to realise...

That I am amazing, in spite of what I can see,
When I look at myself wishing I could be anyone other than me
Cos I was created
With everything I could ever need
So I'm not gonna change
I'm gonna stay just the way God made me

I'm not gonna take
Anymore of these lies they've been feeding me
Not gonna listen to the voices of my enemies today
With my feet on solid ground
I'm gonna turn it all around
Because it's time I realised I'm truly beautiful inside
How long can I hide-away beneath this disguise?
And what drastic measure do I have to take to realise...

And who am I to say that I could do a better job than him?

Cos we are amazing
If only we could believe that it's all in His hands
We're a part of a plan that's much bigger than us
Yes we are amazing
There's nothing we can't achieve
and we don't need to change
So I'm gonna stay, just the way God made me

Not gonna listen to the voices of my enemies today

Comparison is a killer

2012-01-23T23:13:00.020Z

I don't think there is any human being, other than Jesus, who has not compared themselves to someone else in their lifetime. As women I think we have a tendency to do this far more than men. And as for us Mums, well if you're anything like me, it is often a trap we fall in to.

God has been encouraging me and reminding me recently that in the whole universe there is only one of me, Kathi Kelly. And that He has equipped me and made me exactly the way He wanted so that I can do what He has called me to do on this earth. He has particularly reminded me that there is absolutely no one else who could do as good a job as I do caring for and nurturing my children!

I do believe whole-heartedly that we can always aspire to be a better version of ourselves, which is to be more and more like Christ. We can always step out more into what God has for us and become more and more confident in the talents and giftings that He has placed in us. BUT this is entirely different to wanting to be like someone else and never measuring up. The enemy deceives us into thinking we're not good enough in so many different ways and that we need to be more like someone else. Eventually that desire will kill you inside. The only person worth being more like is Jesus.

So if you're reading this and struggling then God wants you to know that He has only made one of you and that YOU are YOU for a purpose, you're not meant to be ANYONE else. He has a plan for your life that NO-ONE else can fulfil. Know who you are in God (and remind yourself daily) and go for it!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings

~ Kathi ~

Full of Joy

2012-01-14T13:38:00.005Z

We have had some stunning sunrises and sunsets in my part of the world this week. I took this picture of the sunrise one morning as I stood in awe of the beautiful colours that my creator had painted across the sky. That evening as I read my bible a verse stood out:

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.
Psalm 65:8

I am full of joy!

Have a blessed weekend

~ Kathi ~

Embrace the season you're in

2012-01-06T09:44:00.005Z

Today I am thrilled to be a guest writer over at Completely Devoted!

Life is made up of seasons, and praise God for that as it would be pretty dull otherwise! As King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

To read more of my post hop over here...

Have a blessed day!

~ Kathi ~

Embracing the season you're in

2012-01-06T09:44:00.002Z

Recognising Father's Knock

2011-12-18T21:12:00.007Z

The other day I had a friend over and wasn't expecting any other company that afternoon. Some way through our time together there was a knock at the door. It was a knock that I recognised, in fact I would know that knock anywhere! It was my Dad! It got me thinking...do I recognise my heavenly Father's knock like I do my Dad's? I want to, I want to recognise it even more than my Dad's. For followers of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to help us be sensitive to the knock of the Father on the doors of our hearts. For people yet to believe and follow there comes a time when the knock becomes recognisable.

Particularly at Christmas time there is a knock on our hearts - it's all about Jesus. Not about unwrapping gifts that have been placed under the tree with thought and care but about unwrapping a person - Jesus. As the carol Joy to the World puts it - 'let every heart prepare him room.' Will we make room for him just as the innkeeper made room in the stable?

Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
Revelation 3.20

Have a truly blessed Christmas!

~ Kathi ~

Christmas is coming!

2011-12-04T13:58:00.007Z

In case you hadn't noticed it's December already. I don't know about you but the festive season seems to have galloped towards me without stopping for a breath!

If you've read any of my previous posts about Christmas, you'll know that this is my favourite time of year and I love all the making things and decorating and giving gifts.

Even though this is a very busy season for me, organising church family events and our own family celebrations, I am determined to be more organised this year (kids presents already bought, not wrapped yet though) and to really enjoy every aspect of the things I am involved in.

I read this quote by Ann Voskamp the other day and it was a real challenge and poignant reminder ~

"Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it's a sign that I've taken on something of the world and not of Christ."

In all the preparations for Christmas I want to keep this at the forefront of my thinking and doing. I've just begun reading my Mary Did You Know book again by Mark Lowry and it's a wonderful thought provoking story of advent and the birth of Christ. I like this quote from it ~

"I've learned there is only one thing necessary to celebrate Christmas properly: Jesus Christ."

Enough said!

Have a blessed week!

~ Kathi ~

Practice makes permanent

2011-11-15T23:48:00.000Z

I like to watch as much as I can of the Wimbledon tennis championship every summer. This year us Brits had high hopes of Andy Murray getting to the final but unfortunately he didn't make it. I heard Tim Henman commentating on one of Murray's matches and he said that Murray's tennis was an example of 'practice makes permanent' (not perfect).

That phrase really resounded with me spiritually. We know that one day we will reach perfection and completion and in the meantime this is what we work towards day by day, to be the best version of ourselves that we can be according to God's will. But how do we do this? I believe the key is in the phrase I mentioned earlier, 'practice makes permanent.' Brother Lawrence wrote a book entitled The Practice of the Presence of God which I highly recommend to every believer. In it he talks about forming holy habits:

How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him without thinking of Him often? And how can we think of Him but by a holy habit we should form of it?
Brother Lawrence

As humans we have so many habits, good and bad and some indifferent, some we do consciously and some subconsciously. But we all have them. As a Christian I want to practice things/make habits of things that will deepen my relationship with God and therefore enable me to communicate God's love effectively in all that I do. I want to practice things in my life that will form holy habits and transform me to be more and more like Jesus.

What habits, good or bad, do you have in your life? What do you want to keep and what do you want to change? What is God prompting you to do regularly that will form a holy habit and bring transformation in your life and the people around you?

I like this quote:

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
Author unknown

Have a blessed day!

~ Kathi ~

With my God...

2011-11-05T15:20:00.008Z

Have you ever faced something in life or thought about doing something which seemed like a brick wall in front of you that you couldn't see the top of, let alone see how you could get over it?

Well for me learning to drive was like this. I wrote a post over a year ago about starting my lessons. I took my test just over a week ago and PASSED! It was such an amazing feeling but it was only a week before my test that I realised I was at the top of this wall that I thought I could never get over. I was reminded of a verse from the bible:

In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.

Samuel 22:30

I am so thankful that with my God I can scale (climb up or over something high and steep) a wall! He helped me every step of the way with my driving and it is such a blessing to have this skill now in my life.

I want to encourage you that whatever you are facing God is with you all the way, whether you feel like it or not, and that his power at work in you will lead you to the exact place he wants you to be if you follow him obediently.

God bless you!

~ Kathi ~

When you feel like giving up...

2011-07-15T23:26:00.002+01:00

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought."

James 1:2-8, The Message

Don't give up, the best is yet to come!

~ Kathi ~

The word 'but'

2011-06-23T20:01:00.008+01:00

How often do you use the word 'but'? How often do you think the word 'but'? Do you use it negatively or positively?

I have been mentoring a young lady for a while who reminds me a lot of who I was when I was a teenager. During one of our sessions the other day I picked up on her use of the word 'but'. We all use it so often in a negative sense - I could do that but...I want to grow and develop but...I would like to but...I should do that but...the list goes on. I used the word 'but' a lot when I was growing up and it held me back, it stopped me doing things I could have and should have done that would have been positive in my life. Sometimes the 'buts' were other people's 'buts'.

So I was chatting with this great girl who has got such a bright future and challenged her to turn her negative 'buts' into positive 'buts'! By all means acknowledge how you feel, be real - I feel like this but...I lack the confidence but...i don't know how things will turn out but...I don't want to do it but...

But...what? But...God is good all the time, but...He knows the plans He has for me, but...I have a hope and a future in Him, but...He has given me everything I need for life, but...I will praise Him in spite of how I feel or the circumstances I am in!

Yes, this is about using a word positively instead of negatively but it really comes from a shift in mind set. Know and believe who God has made you to be, know and believe that He is with you every step of the way - trust Him, know that with Him nothing is impossible, know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Believe, believe, believe and let your words express it. I am talking to myself too!

If you need to use the word 'but', let it be positive.

Blessings

~ Kathi ~

Who'd be a mum?

2011-06-04T23:13:00.008+01:00

I was shopping at our local supermarket earlier this week with my three kids and was pushing the pushchair whilst holding a full basket. Nathaniel was in the pushchair and Niamh & Noah were at my side. On this occasion all the kids were behaving well. A lady, who was probably in her seventies, walked by and looked at me with a sympathetic look, tutted and said, 'who'd be a mum?' I looked back at her, smiled, and said 'me!' I was shocked to be honest. I maybe could have understood why she would say such a thing if something had been stressful about the situation I was in, i.e. kids behaving badly. But everything was fine. I didn't have the opportunity to engage her in any more conversation but I wanted to tell her that not only did I want to be a mum, I chose to be a mum and I love being a mum!

I really, truly do. That's not to say that it isn't challenging and that I don't have my own struggles but being a wife and a mum was the thing I most wanted to be in my life and I feel so privileged and thankful to be doing it every day. It is an amazing thing to be looking after these little lives and watching them develop day by day. It is the most selfless thing I have ever done yet it is so fulfilling and brings me great joy. I thank God for my children and for the high calling of being a mum!

Just wanted to share that.

Have a blessed day wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

~ Kathi ~

A trail of blood

2011-05-22T20:02:00.007+01:00

Last week when I was at the office I popped out to get some lunch and as I was walking up to the sandwich shop I looked down and noticed a drop of blood on the pavement, and then there was another, and then another, and before I knew it I was following a trail of blood. It finally came to an end around a corner where there was further evidence of an incident. On my way home at the end of the day I was walking in the opposite direction along the same street and again noticed this trail of blood that I couldn't help but follow for a pretty long distance until it stopped. I wondered what had taken place, maybe a nose bleed or maybe something more fatal. I could wonder all I liked but I would never find out the true story.

It got me to thinking about another trail of blood that I know a lot about, that I know the real story of. The one leading up to the cross. The long, hard, painful way that Jesus walked. And not only do I know about the journey, I know the result. He was crucified and took on the whole sin of the world, all my sin and all your sin. And he died and was buried in a tomb for three days. And then he rose from the dead and defeated sin and death for all time. He lives in the hearts of his followers and will one day return to redeem and restore all of creation! Wow, that's a trail of blood and a story worth knowing about!

He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. Colossians 1:18-20, The Message Bible

Death & Life

2011-04-21T20:29:00.024+01:00

For my family and I the last week or so has been very much about death and life. My Grandmother passed away a week ago. It is a very sad time but we are so thankful that she had a good life (87 years) and that she slipped away quietly and painlessly in her sleep at the end. She had two brain tumours and it was a rapid decline but it wasn't sudden so we had time to prepare for what was going to happen. The picture is of my Grandmother and my Father, taken on Mothers Day 2010.

We are also about to celebrate our youngest son's 2nd birthday this weekend (he isn't my baby anymore!). I am so thankful for who he is, his little personality and for the blessing that he is to all of us. I can't believe that two years ago I was about to go into hospital to have him. I seem to be constantly saying this but where has the time gone?

And of course we are celebrating Easter this weekend, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And all these thoughts and feelings about death and life have brought me to thinking about this event that happened such a long time ago yet has so much power and relevance to us today. I am continually amazed that God loves each one of us so greatly that he sent Jesus, his only son, to live on this earth and reveal himself to people - a perfect man without any sin. To love, accept and heal those who he came into contact with. To walk the way of suffering. To die a brutal death, taking on the entire sin of the world - past, present and future. And the best bit...to be raised from the dead, defeating death once and for all and enabling us to come back into a relationship with our Father God and to have eternal life. He did that for me and for you and had you or me been the only person on earth he still would have done it all the same way!

And in following Jesus we must daily die to our human flesh - our selfish ways, our pride, the things that tempt us and do not do us any good - anything that is not of God. I am challenged daily to live a life that pleases my creator, my heavenly father.

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. John 3:16, The Message Bible

I pray that you have a wonderful, blessed Easter time with family and friends, remembering what is at the heart of our celebration.

~ Kathi ~

Do you ever feel like you're being squeezed? (and I'm not talking about hugs!)

2011-04-10T22:14:00.010+01:00

This year is going so fast, I can't believe we're in April already! Don't know about you but we've been having some wonderful warm sunny days this past week in our corner of the world (funny phrase, seeing as the world is round!). Anyway, I finally got around to clearing out our front porch while the kids played in the garden (something that's been on my to do list for months). I pulled everything out, swept the floor and put things back in an organised fashion.

My eldest son with his beady eyes spotted the deflated beach ball that came out with the rest of the stuff and asked if he could play with it. So I said yes and started to blow it up, which proved to be quite difficult! And as I was blowing this beach ball up God started speaking to me.

You know how you usually have to squeeze the valve so that the air goes in? Well God showed me how we are like the beach ball and sometimes we are partially deflated or even fully deflated at times and how He wants to breathe His life and Holy Spirit into us so that we can enjoy life to the full as He intended. But this sometimes requires the squeezing of the valve in order to get that breath and life into us and that squeezing is quite often unpleasant or uncomfortable but is absolutely necessary. Sometimes God purposely squeezes us and other times it's just plain old life that does it but either way God wants to use our circumstances and challenges to breathe more of Himself into us.

So if you are feeling 'squeezed' today, can I encourage you that it's all part of God's plan and that good will come of it - persevere and let God fill you up!

Have a wonderful blessed week ahead.

~ Kathi ~

Thoughts on Lent

2011-03-13T21:27:00.004Z

As you probably know, Lent began last Wednesday. We remember Lent in the Christian calendar as this is the period of time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, 40 days and nights where he was tempted in the desert. At school we were always encouraged to give something up, to sacrifice something for Lent as a constant reminder of what Jesus went through and overcame. I have to say I haven't given anything up for Lent for a long time. This year I started to think about what I could give up...chocolate...facebook...reading blogs...those would all be sacrifices! But then I got to thinking about taking something up rather than giving something up, doing something or being something that would enrich my life but more importantly the lives of others. Sometimes it is as much of a sacrifice to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do as it is to stop something, to take something out of your life. By the way, that doesn't mean I don't agree with giving things up, I just decided to do it this way instead.

So this year I have chosen to encourage someone every day, someone I don't have daily contact with (e.g. my family - I hope I encourage them daily anyway!) and I am asking God to show me who HE wants to encourage and that He would give me the words to say or write that will make a difference.

What are you giving up or taking up this Lent?

Have a truly blessed week!
~ Kathi ~

Do you feel like you are constantly chasing your tail?

2011-03-02T11:38:00.014Z

This is how I've been feeling for a while now!

I want to share with you a bit about my life - this is not at all a moan as this is what I am called to and is the life that I have embraced. I am married and have three children who are ages 5,3 and 1 (there is actually about 21 months between each of them - don't feel sorry for us, we chose to do it that way!). My husband and I are part of the leadership team in our local church and 'work' for them full time which means we are heavily involved in all aspects of church life. For us this isn't 'work' but what we know God has called us to, which is actually serving the body of Christ and reaching the lost. I have one child in school, one in pre-school and one at home full time. I have the preschooler at home for the first half of the week, along with my toddler. I work one day a week at the church office. Many of our evenings are filled with meetings or pastoral care. I know that many of you out there lead similar lives.You know what? I wouldn't want to live any other way! I know that what we are investing our lives into is eternity.

But that doesn't stop me feeling like I am constantly chasing my own tail! However, I'm reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and it is changing the way I think and live in this crazy life of mine. There are so many things that have spoken to me through reading this book but one of the main things that has impacted me is about thanksgiving.

Ann talks about thanksgiving gaining you more time. As you can imagine, anything that can gain me more time is of interest! Being thankful and giving thanks to God requires you to live in the moment, to slow down and recognise the gifts that God gives us, the small things that we miss if we are charging ahead of ourselves all the time. I have begun to live in the moment, to stop and give thanks to God, even in the challenges and hard times. I have started to write my own list of gifts. It is a discipline and a fantastic record of the goodness of God in my life.

I highly recommend One Thousand Gifts to you - it is about living under God's grace, giving Him thanks for all the gifts he gives us and then living in the joy that brings.

You can also check out Ann's blog here.

May you know God's grace and experience His joy this week.

~ Kathi ~

For the weary...

2011-02-02T09:46:00.006Z

Was reading Proverbs and wanted to share this verse...

When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
Proverbs 16:15

If you are weary today, know that God is smiling over you. May He bring great refreshing to you.

Enjoy this new day, with fresh mercies!

~ Kathi ~

How things appear...

2011-02-01T22:51:00.010Z

Happy February!

If you have read this blog before you will know that God often speaks to me while I am gardening and Saturday was no exception. I am an infrequent gardener so there was quite a bit to do, mostly raking leaves and removing dead parts of plants. I was dealing with this one plant and got rid of mostly everything that was above the surface of the soil. It always amazes me that things look so dead in the height of winter, yet come spring they shoot up again green and full of life. And God spoke to me about things only 'appearing' dead but that with the right conditions there is life yet.

And then I felt challenged. How many people have I judged and written off because they are seemingly 'dead'- spiritually, emotionally, mentally? How many situations have I written off because they 'appear' dead? How many dreams? Well I can think of a few of each of these. It is so easy to do this but in the right conditions these things or people have the potential to thrive. Of course if something is actually dead then yes, dig it up and get rid of it. I am challenged to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to discern what is actually dead or what only 'appears' to be dead. Not forgetting the resurrection power either that can bring things back to life when they are actually dead!

I am seeing and enjoying the new life in my garden too, those tiny white heads of snowdrops flowering and the crocuses and tulips pushing their way up in preparation for Spring. Come Spring, and with it the hope of Summer!

Be blessed
~ Kathi ~

A pile a day keeps the clutter away!

2011-01-17T16:11:00.008Z

Since I last wrote I have really focussed on de-cluttering my bedroom and trying to make it more of a haven to retreat to. My husband tells me that he can tell I have been working on it which is encouraging! As I wrote before, this little project of mine cannot be done in one go as I don't have enough consolidated time to do it like that. So it's one little step at a time.

There are a few organisational tips that I have been trying to keep in my thinking and implement as I've been tackling the clutter around my house...

1) Only touch things once before they go to their correct place

2) Concentrate on one thing/job at a time, don't get sidetracked

3) Be ruthless in what you give away, sell, recycle or dump...chances are you won't miss whatever it is when it's gone

I've also been making my bed every day (several times a day actually after the little ones have jumped all over it!). I know this is a real basic but I have neglected to do it and it really does make such a difference to the room! The other very basic thing I've been making a habit is putting clean clothes away straight after they are dry and folded instead of leaving them in a pile on my bed only to be put on the floor before I crawl into bed at night!

It is my aim to deal with one small pile of clutter a day so eventually there won't be any and then as long as none are re-created then my home will look lovely and organised and inviting.

What can I say, I am learning all the time, even just to make the basics a habit and it feels good. Had a great clean and de-clutter of the post-Christmas kitchen at the weekend too which was another thing to tick off my to do list.

How's your organising going so far this year? Any top tips for me?

Have a blessed day!
~ Kathi ~

Here's to a fantastic 2011!

2011-01-08T20:43:00.002Z

I just love the anticipation of a new year and now here we are already at the 8th of January! Last night I took the Christmas tree down and said goodbye to my old friends (decorations) for another year. It's amazing how much bigger our lounge looks now. So I'm ready, ready to get back to normality, ready to get organised and create some order in my home (and boy does it need it!).

This is what I want this year - to be far more intentional in all that I do & not just be swept along with 'life'. I want to encounter God like never before. I want to learn how to do new things. I want to make the best of everything that comes my way. I want to be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and servant that I can be.

There is one area of my home that always suffers - my bedroom! I am determined to make it a haven, a sanctuary for my husband and I to both enjoy. Oh to be able to curl up in bed not looking around and feeling guilty because once again I haven't got round to tidying and de-cluttering. It really has got out of hand which is all down to me & my stuff (can't fault my husband at all). It has become a dumping ground for things that should really be in other places.

I am kind of an all or nothing person, if I have a big task I like to do it all in one go but I realise that is just not doable with the life that I lead and the time that I have. So it's going to take a lot of little steps to make it happen but I'm going to do it! I was reading a blog some time ago that talked about areas that were always problem areas and advised to tackle those first because so often we leave the hard, unmanageable things until last when we have less drive and energy to achieve what is necessary. Hopefully there will be pictures to follow of my little (huge to me) project.

So that is a specific goal that I want to reach in the not too distant future. Does anyone else have this problem with their bedroom and how do you not let it get out of hand?

Have a blessed weekend!

~ Kathi ~

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

2010-12-22T13:25:00.003Z

A very proud Noah with his mince pies!

Well I don't know about you but I can't believe there's only two days left until Christmas! It has been such a busy time for us but now I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends. I've got a few presents still to wrap and some baking to do and creating some favours for the Christmas table but that's all fun stuff. I really enjoyed the dance I performed twice on Sunday at our Christmas services...the one I wrote about here.

I have been so blessed to have 31 years worth of Christmases with my parents but this year they are in sunny South Africa. You see my little brother got married there yesterday so they are staying over there until the new year. It feels very strange not to have them around but I am so thrilled they are having a much needed break.

I pray that you will have a very joyful, peaceful, restful and healthy Christmas and that the year to come will be the best one yet.

Blessings
~ Kathi ~

Celebrating Christmas

2010-12-02T21:19:00.016Z

I do love this time of year and enjoy the build up to Christmas. It feels especially festive as we have had lots of snow in Leeds over the past week. My children were so excited on the first snow day telling me that it meant that Christmas was nearly here. I gently told them it was still quite a while away!

For me there is something very magical about Christmas, it has always been magical. The difference now is that you blink and it's here and you have so much last minute stuff to do whereas when I was growing up it seemed like waiting years for it to come.

I love decorating my home for this season and I love making things to decorate with or for people as gifts. Last year I managed to make beaded heart tree decorations, salt dough letters spelling Merry Christmas for the mantle, a wreath for the door and cards. I love my personal and family traditions that come out at this time of year too.

So what does Christmas look like in my home?

I start with lists, yes I am one of those people who has a list for everything! Once upon a time I just liked making lists for the sake of it but now it is a necessity as I forget things if they're not written down. I usually have a small notebook for all my Christmas lists and notes, my mum bought me a really cute one last year. So, lists...gift ideas, things to make, people to send cards to, events that are happening etc. Oh what would I do if I lost that notebook!

Once things are written down I feel a lot better as I'm not relying on my memory any more and I feel really organised.

I do a lot of organising Christmas events for our local church so that planning starts really early on, like in the Summertime. I don't like to start actually doing stuff too early at home.

I buy some gifts quite early if I see something unique that may not be there for long but usually we get things quite close to Christmas, which is partly to do with when we have the finance to do it. Gifts vary but we always make sure we buy a new book for each of our children. My parents also usually buy a Christmas book for the kids each year. This year we are making home-made gifts for family and friends as we are on a tight budget.

We usually get our tree the week before Christmas but we are entertaining before then so I think it will be earlier this year. I so enjoy getting out all the decorations again, it is like visiting old friends and reliving memories! My mum always bought us a new tree decoration every year as we were growing up so that we had our own collection when we got married and left home. This is a tradition that we have carried on with our children. I always set aside an evening to decorate the tree and put the movie Miracle on 34th Street on. At this stage in our family life I like to do this on an evening so that the children come down to a twinkling pretty tree and I let them put a few decorations on. Eventually we will decorate together.

I don't like to overdo it with decorations in the house. There's the tree, then the advent stocking string along the stairs. I dress the mantles in the lounge and dining room and add a few hints in the kitchen. A wreath goes on the door (the picture at the top of this post is the one I made last year) and I hang the cards we receive on ribbon in the hallway.

I like to send Christmas cards with a family update and photo but we have really had to cut down on how many we send because it gets pretty expensive so we send mostly to family and then send a Christmas email to our friends, and of course Facebook comes in handy too for this!

At our local church we have carols on our front steps on Christmas Eve with mulled wine, mince pies and roast chestnuts. It is a great community feel and it is good to have a presence outside our church building.

I have never had a Christmas day without my parents in the last 31 years but this year is to be the first as they will be at my brother's wedding in South Africa. It is going to be very different. My mum makes things special with her little touches here and there. Now it's my turn I guess. We will not be alone though, we are spending the day with a young couple who are good friends and also my Grandmother.

Now, I have to say at this point that yes, I am totally into the paraphernalia of Christmas (not the commercialism) but that I have an understanding about how fundamental Christmas is to my faith as a Christian. When Christmas and all it's trimmings are over I don't feel disappointed or like there is an anti-climax - back to normality - because I celebrate Christmas every day. It's not about presents, or who has the best lights up, or who cooks the best food, or even about family time (which I do believe is a gift from God)...it is about a baby called Jesus that was born to turn the world upside-down, to save man from his destructive self, to bring God's love to the world and to bring eternal life to those who believe in Him. That is where my focus is during this busy season.

So there's a glimpse into what we do. I would love to hear about your family traditions and things you like to do in preparation for Christmas.

Blessings!
~ Kathi ~

You'll miss the boat if you're waiting to be perfect

2010-11-19T21:45:00.007Z

I was talking to my sister on the phone today and we had a conversation about our weight (what sisters don't talk about that?!). I was telling her that I'd put some weight on and that I was doing a dance for Christmas and that I was worried about looking like a sugar plump fairy prancing around the stage! In all honesty I have been feeling uncomfortable in my body as this is the heaviest I've been (with the exception of my pregnancies). Amidst my insecurities God has been speaking to me about taking opportunities when they arise and not waiting to be perfect before we do things. Of course we are all waiting to become perfect which will happen when Jesus comes back but God wants to use us now on this earth to impact and influence and bring to faith those around us. So I want to encourage you to step out and take those God-given opportunities or act upon those God-inspired ideas. If you are humble and obedient He will do great things through you and in you. I know that God will bless people and move them through my dance because He has called me to do it for a purpose.

What have you been putting off that God is calling you to do or be?

Have a blessed weekend!
~ Kathi ~

The Lost Diamond

2010-10-31T13:32:00.000Z

On a normal day in August while at home I lost the diamond from my engagement ring. I was pretty gutted. The claws that were holding the diamond in had caught on my clothes so I looked at the ring very slowly and carefully but the stone was gone. My first response was to panic, then I prayed and asked God to show me exactly where the diamond was, and then I cried a lot! I started to look very carefully around me, feeling the carpet gently with my hand but there was no sign. I could have lost it at any time that morning and my hands had been doing all manner of things - emptying the bins, washing up, laundry...it could have been anywhere. I tipped baskets of toys out and looked in the pens box I had been sorting out earlier, but no sign.

I decided to call my husband, who was out to lunch, and cried down the phone! He told me to calm down and that it was just a ring. I told him I knew it was just a ring but it was the one that he gave me when he asked me to marry him and it was very special to me. He asked me if we were married and I said yes and he said, well isn't that the important thing, not the ring? I said yes! I love it how my husband helps put things into perspective.

I announced on Facebook that I had lost my diamond and received numerous tips on how to search for it, most of which I used. After an hour or so I got distracted by the kids and I gave up searching thoroughly although I kept my eyes peeled. I let things settle for a few days in the house. praying that I would step on the diamond and that it would hurt so I would look to see what I had stood on. I eventually had to vacuum as we had guests coming over so I planned to empty the contents when the kids were in bed one evening.

Meanwhile, I had investigated whether my ring and the lost stone was covered by our house insurance and it was but with an excess of £100 which we didn't have. I needed to find the missing diamond!

Skip to two weeks later and I still hadn't gone through the contents of the vacuum but had hope that it would be in there. It was a Monday evening and I had a meeting at home. I went upstairs to get some papers I had printed and brought them down, putting them on the arm of the sofa. My son was doing something down by the sofa so I glanced down to see what he was up to and as my eyes passed the left hand side cushion that you sit on, I spotted it...the diamond was there...right in the middle of the cushion...in fact it was upside down but I knew exactly what it was (it was also a lot smaller than I thought it was - ha ha)! I picked it up and looked at it like finding a long lost friend and exclaimed 'I've found my diamond' and proceeded to jump round the room showing everyone...I think they thought I was a little bit mad! I just couldn't believe it was there when who knows how many times the kids had been jumping on and crawling over the sofa and how many times I had rearranged the cushions. It was as if someone placed it there for me to see right at that moment, it was just waiting there to be found!

I had lots of thoughts following that. If I had found it straight away at my feet on the day I lost it, I would have thought 'Phew, that was fortunate.' But the feeling I got when I found it two weeks later was amazing, I felt so blessed and thankful.

More importantly, God started speaking to me, as he usually does in these life experiences, about how we are more precious than diamonds to Him and how He never gives up on us, on any of us, no matter what we have done, no matter if we have turned our back on Him, He is there actively pursuing us and waiting for us find Him too.

It took almost a month to have the stone reset but now my ring is back on my finger where it belongs!

I would love to hear your stories about lost and found things.

Every blessing
~ Kathi~

Something to think about...

2010-10-27T13:11:00.004+01:00

I stumbled on this quote the other day...

DON'T LIVE TO IMPRESS, LIVE TO INSPIRE.

Now that's a challenge!

Be back soon...

~ Kathi ~

Whirlwind

2010-10-10T22:53:00.003+01:00

Well I'm sorry it's been a few weeks since I last wrote on here, I feel like a whirlwind has picked me up and has not dropped me down again yet!

Our little girl started in Reception class at school at the beginning of September and our middle boy started preschool. We hit the ground running after a busy Summer and haven't stopped yet! Things have been very busy at City Church Leeds too with students coming/returning and the launch of our in house cafe. Really exciting stuff.

I don't think that life will slow down any time soon and my house is sure telling the tale of it! Sat down with my diary earlier thinking that I would have most nights free to catch up with stuff but actually I'm busy on four of them,

I've got so much to write about on here, thoughts on marriage, the baby season being over and a tale about the diamond I lost from my engagement ring. Watch this space.

Have a wonderful and truly blessed week!
~ Kathi ~

Do you know who you are?

2010-09-23T09:32:00.030+01:00

A few Sundays ago at CCL we had a family service based on clips from the Disney film, The Lion King. We looked at God - The Creator, God - The Father and I spoke at the end about our Identity in Christ. So I thought I'd share my thoughts with you here as well and hope that you are encouraged and edified by what you read today...

He Lives in You! - Our identity in Christ

There is so much I could say about the subject of identity. I am passionate about understanding our true identity and I believe that it is one of the keys to a victorious life in Christ.

So what is identity?

Merriam -Webster's dictionary definition of 'identity' is

“The distinguishing character or personality of an individual.”

What do we understand identity to mean?

How we look on the outside – what we wear, how we have our hair, what our body is like?
The material things we own?
What we do as a job?
What family we come from?
What qualifications we have achieved?
Our roles in life – parents, husband/wife, carer, volunteer etc?
Or is it based on what others think about us, or what others have said about us?

You know, none of these things are actually our true identity.

I love meeting new people in person, or reading people's blogs (!) because I get to discover new facets and creativity that God has put in each person. I love that God has created us uniquely and that there is not one other person on the planet that is like me or you!

But, we do have an identity that is the same as individual believers and corporately as the body of Christ.

(Before I spoke I showed the clip from The Lion King where the monkey (Rafiki) takes Simba to the pool and asks him to look into it and tell him what he sees.)

The Bible tells us so much about who we are, it is like looking into that pool or mirror, like Simba did, and discovering who we really are.

I am just going to give you a snapshot of some of the things that make up our true identity in Christ. You think you know who you are? I want to tell you who you really are, according to the truth of God's word:

You are a child of God – John 1:12
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

You are a new creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun.”

You are part of a royal priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9
“For you are God's chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession.”

You are free! - John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free.”

You are chosen – Ephesians 1:4
“ Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

You are forgiven – Ephesians 4:32
“Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

You are raised and seated in heavenly realms – Ephesians 2:6
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in heavenly realms -all because we are one with Jesus.”

You are created for good works – Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

You are more than a conqueror – Romans 8:37
“Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.”

You are never forsaken – Hebrews 13:5
“For God has said, 'I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.' “

Who you are in Christ should be what defines you!

It is one thing to know and understand these things but another to BELIEVE them. This really is the key. The bible talks about the daily renewing of our minds – Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I don't know about you but my mind can tell me all sorts of things about who I am when I look in the mirror in the morning or by comparing myself to others and feeling like I just don't match up.

We have intrinsic value - we were bought at a price and God places the highest value on each of us as His children. He sacrificed His only Son for us so that we could know Him, have a relationship with Him and understand who we were created to be and our purpose in life.

Understanding and believing our identity will TRANSFORM us and in turn will transform the world around us. We are not of this world, we are not to conform to it. We have an eternal purpose which is to be lived out on the earth then the fullness of who we truly are will come when we reach heaven.

In the story of The Lion King, Simba was tricked into believing that he was responsible for his father's death and he ran away from his home and responsibilities because of it. While he was away he found new freedom but he forgot who he really was. You have all heard about identity theft? Well, the enemy tries to constantly steal our identity and to trick us all the time in to believing lies - about ourselves, about others and about God and it is so easy to run away and hide when we sin. But if you understand and believe in who you are in Christ then this is powerful and the enemy will not be able to get a foothold in your life. He can only steal as much as you let him steal!

God has chosen to work with us to transform this wonderful world we live in but we won't have an impact if we don't know who we are, believe who we are and live accordingly.

I have several pieces of paper in my kitchen that list who I am in Christ and where it says it in the Bible and I can tell you that it has changed the way I think about myself. I want to encourage you to look in the mirror of the Word and see who you truly are, to live by that truth and to renew your mind every day. If you do this, you will be unshakable in life and so attractive to people as they see the Christ in you. Not only that, you will be empowered to accomplish all that God has planned for you and will be able to empower and equip others to do the same.

I love this line from The Lion King clip I mentioned above, where Moufassa says to Simba, 'You are more than you have become.'

The Bible puts it this way in Philippians 1:6 - “Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." AMEN!

Have a wonderful day!
~ Kathi ~

More than conquerors!

2010-09-13T11:29:00.012+01:00

So much has been going on in the Kelly house with Niamh starting school and Noah starting preschool last week, amongst numerous other things. So much I want to write about but so little time right now to get it all out!

Yesterday morning I spoke at City Church Leeds about our identity in Christ, about who we REALLY are (that's an entirely different post!). One of the verses I used was in Romans 8:37 - We are more than conquerors! And I've been pondering on that verse since then. We are not just conquerors, we are MORE than conquerors! I'm not sure that my human mind can actually grasp that in its fullness.

We have some friends who have really been going through some hard things over a number of years, it just seems to be one thing after another. They love God and are faithful servants. If you look at the natural outcomes of some of the things they have been through it looks bad, it looks hopeless, some may wonder where God is in all of it.

We think of overcoming and conquering as there being a positive outcome in the end in spite of going through the battle, trial or hardship. Some things in life just end up badly but that doesn't mean God has forsaken us or stopped loving us. The enemy will try to kill, steal and destroy but we are MORE than conquerors! In the New Living Translation of the Bible it says in the same verse I referred to above that OVERWHELMING VICTORY is ours, wow! I believe that, even though things seem to end badly or negatively, if we are steadfast in our faith in God, love Him with all our being, praise Him and give Him all the glory then we are more than conquerors and that overwhelming victory is ours. The enemy wants to destroy our minds, our hearts and our spirits and if we don't give in to the destruction then we have the victory in Christ and are able to give testimony to His goodness in spite of what outcome is seen in the natural.

I hope this is encouraging to you today. If you are going through hardship, trials or suffering then know this - nothing can separate you from God's love and He will NEVER leave or forsake you. You were born for great things and he will finish the good work that He has begun in you! AMEN.

~ Kathi ~

Being creative in the every day

2010-09-04T21:03:00.003+01:00

Since the new year I have been keeping a creative journal. It's something I first saw here and here. I love the idea of creating a journal with pictures and words from magazines and adding your own thoughts in there every day.

This is the cover to my journal...

These are some of the pages I have used so far...

My creative journal is a place to write my thoughts, my to do lists, things to not forget, things my kids are saying and doing. But there is something else which is far more important that we use the journal for and that is to record our thankfulness to God. I have used the journal to build a habit of thankfulness in my family. We sit together and I ask each person what they are thankful to God for that day. It is wonderful to look back and the kids always ask me to read back to them what they have said.

These are some of the pages that are waiting to be used...

I really love personalizing a note book like this, using cuttings from magazines that already have lying around the house. You could also use pages from books, cards, postcards or photos.

How are you creative in the every day?

~ Kathi ~

Everday Organising

2010-08-16T12:21:00.006+01:00

It's a lovely day outside in Leeds (North England) today so I'm not going to spend long posting and I have a mountain of laundry to do!

I posted a while ago about de-cluttering and I must admit I'm still not doing too well with it. It is a daily battle!

I don't know about you but my little ones constantly bring things downstairs from their bedroom and it's usually small toys and bits & pieces. I have discovered an everyday organising tip that helps me and that is to have a small container on the stairs where I can collect bits and pieces that need to go back upstairs. At the end of the day, usually when the kids are heading to bed, I take the container up and put everything back in it's place and bring the empty container back down ready for the next day.

Do you have an everyday organising tip you would like to share?

Have a blessed day with your family!

Kathi

Always Thankful

2010-08-11T12:35:00.005+01:00

Teach me Lord to ALWAYS be thankful.

Thankful when I'm tidying up because you have blessed us with the 'things' in our lives, that so many don't have.

Thankful when there is a mess because it means I have little ones that are making the mess.

Thankful when I'm tidying the kitchen and stacking the dishwasher because we have the luxury of a dishwasher and the water that fills it.

Thankful for my 'jelly belly' because I have been blessed with three babies.

Thankful when I bend down to pick up husband's socks because I have a husband!

Most of all thankful that there is breath in my lungs and Holy Spirit breath in my life, and a relationship with the Creator that brings fullness of life.

I am thankful today. Lord, teach me to ALWAYS be thankful and give you the glory. AMEN.

There is nothing like...

2010-07-28T19:41:00.008+01:00

...A Mother's Love ~ Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

Be blessed today all you Mum's out there and know that you are doing a wonderful job loving your kids!

~Kathi~

Advice for a first-time pregnant lady or mum

2010-07-26T15:22:00.011+01:00

Yes that really is my pregnant tummy with my first child - just look at those stretch marks!

It was a huge surprise when we found out that I was pregnant with Niamh! Looking back I am SO glad that God took the decision out of hands of when to start a family. I remember feeling so overwhelmed at times during the pregnancy...thinking about the birth...thinking about this baby that we would have to look after...that we had no clue how to do it! But I also remember the overwhelming sense of joy that this little life was growing inside me and the impatience of wanting to meet our baby.

I know a few ladies who are either pregnant for the first time or have just had their first babies. So I was thinking about what advice I would give them...

Well I would start by saying that 'you CAN do this!' God has placed this special child in your care for a reason and He will be with you every step of the way. I would also say, don't jump ahead of yourself and the season you are in. When Niamh was coming up to a year old I started thinking that one day she would be a teenager and how on earth was I going to cope with that. Not only do children grow but parents grow with them so it won't seem as daunting when you get there (I hope!).

There are actually so many things that I could say but I want to leave opportunity for others to input in the comments section. Last two things, one practical - SLEEP WHEN YOUR BABY SLEEPS! And the last thing I think is the most important...remember that you are shaping this little life for eternity right from the beginning - what a privilege! It is up to you to create an environment where they can get to know God and develop their own relationship with Him.

I would love to hear what you experienced and new mum's would say to a first-time pregnant lady or Mum so please leave a comment below.

Have a wonderful, blessed week!
Kathi

Back in the driving seat

2010-07-16T13:09:00.009+01:00

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Ours was pretty busy with one thing and another. On Saturday we celebrated Noah's 3rd birthday! I just can't believe how quickly those years have gone.

Well tomorrow I am beginning driving lessons again, hence the title of this post. I started to learn in 2005 but I got pregnant with my first baby and simultaneously we ran out of money so that put an end to them. I should have maintained what I learned but I didn't and now 5 years have passed. So I am hoping that it will all come back to me in the morning.

To say that I am nervous is an understatement. To me, this feels like one of those walls that I'm never going to be able to climb up and over BUT I know that with God all things are possible and so I will be able to do it.

I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to learn again which is all because of God's provision. Last year we were given the money to buy a new car for our expanding family. We had some money left over and between my husband and I we earmarked it for certain things. Driving lessons was one of those things. Then we discovered that a family in our church congregation was in need and God prompted us to give the money that was for driving lessons away to them. Only we knew about it.

A few days later my husband was chatting with someone and they started asking about me and driving and Mark explained the situation. The person said that they would like to give some money for the purpose of me having lessons! The money given was £100 more than what we gave away! How awesome is that?!

So I am very blessed to be able to learn and I know in the long run it will be great for our family and that my dear husband will be blessed if he doesn't have to do all the running around in the car, and long journeys. Oh, I should say as well that I am learning with a Christian instructor who is an elder of a local church and he prays with you before lessons. I am going to be in good hands!

Will keep you posted about how it is going.

Be blessed this week!
Kathi

Talking to children about death

2010-07-15T00:11:00.001+01:00

Up to this point I have not talked to my children about death, other than Jesus dying on the cross and the death of insects. Last week we were told that one of Niamh's friends at preschool had died in a tragic car accident. We didn't know the family but felt so shocked and saddened by this news. Further information revealed that the Father of the boy had accidentally knocked him down.

The preschool teachers left it to the parents' discretion whether to tell their children or not. I battled for a bit but decided that I would rather my 4 year old heard it from me rather than another child or overheard adults talking about it. I felt it was an opportunity to talk about a very important issue.

Interestingly, the day before we found out about the little boy's death, I was going outside to hang some clothes on the line and we found a badly injured bat. The kids and I had a look at it without touching it and I noticed that it was still breathing so I called the RSPCA as they are a protected species. I talked with the kids about what might have happened to the bat and caused it's injury. A lady from the RSPCA came a while later but unfortunately the bat had died. She told us she would take it away and bury it. The kids had lots of questions as you can imagine.

So, on the way home from preschool I told Niamh that her friend had died. She had a few questions but seemed to just be taking in what I said. She didn't cry or seem shocked. I said that it was a very sad thing that happened and that we must pray for the little boy's family as they were really, really sad. I asked Niamh if she wanted to pray for them on the way home or at bedtime and she said bedtime so I left it at that.

Later on I prayed for the family with my two oldest kids and then left them to 'read' books for 10 minutes as they love to do every night. Whilst I was waiting to go and tell them to go to sleep I thought I would have a look on the internet for advice on talking to kids about death from a Christian perspective. I literally had about 5 minutes to search and absorb! The things I read were helpful. I was anticipating that the kids would have more questions at some point. Well when I went back upstairs again, the kids just started firing questions about death: Would the little boy be buried, like the bat? Would the ants get him? Would he open his eyes and see the mud? Was I (their mummy) going to die and would they have to do the same to me (bury me)? Would the little boy be coming back to play at preschool again?

I was able to talk to them about the boy being in heaven with God and having a new body that wasn't hurt or in pain. Niamh asked if he was playing with God and dancing and I said yes. I told her that he wouldn't open his eyes when he was buried because it was just his old body there and that the ants may be there but that they wouldn't hurt him. When Niamh asked me if the little boy was coming back to preschool I said no and she said why not and I explained that he wasn't alive anymore like we were. The penny seemed to drop then and she was really shocked and I thought she was going to burst out in tears but she didn't. She asked if he could be alive in her dreams and I said yes of course.

It was such an interesting conversation and Noah (3 years old) joined in as well. I made sure they felt safe and reassured before they went to sleep. We haven't really talked about it much since then, I decided I would take my cues from them.

I wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and how you explained things to your children?

Taking a break

2010-06-27T21:46:00.006+01:00

We are going on holiday for a week as of tomorrow so I won't be posting on here during that time. We are so blessed to be having a break away from 'normal' life. I wanted to post about my decluttering efforts again before we left but I have got no further with it. I'm hoping that I come back home refreshed and renewed and ready to crack on with things again.

Have a wonderful week everyone and be blessed!

Collector of Hearts

2010-06-22T22:30:00.001+01:00

I haven't collected anything for a long time, as in collecting types of the same thing...tea pots, small boxes, thimbles etc. Well other than children I guess! When I was a young girl I collected stamps (because my Grandad did) and postcards. A few months ago I was looking for a present for my sister and I found some lovely small wooden hearts that I thought would go on my wooden kitchen dresser. Then we went somewhere else and I found a little metal heart to hang. I thought to myself, I'm going to start collecting hearts! I told my husband and he said...that sounds expensive!

I was looking at my hearts the other day and thinking that I ought to tell people I am collecting hearts so that they can have that in mind for when they are thinking of buying me a present! Then God started speaking to me. I love the way that he does that just in the everyday things. And I started thinking, I know another collector of hearts. I know someone who takes hearts in whatever condition they are in (having paid the highest possible price for them). Whether they are black, rotting, tinged or slightly tainted - He holds them and gets to know them and sees beneath what they look like on the outside and then gets to work on restoring them. But he doesn't just restore them; he makes them better than they have ever been before! He is not really a collector of hearts; He saves hearts! That is the line of business that my Heavenly Father is in to. He saved my heart when I was a child and kept saving it all along the journey we have been on together. Thank you Father!

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:6-11

The clearing of clutter - Part 1

2010-06-09T16:24:00.006+01:00

On Monday I wrote about wanting to be rid of 'stuff' - the things that are just there, not really loved or meaningful, things that don't have a place to be put. I'm back with some evidence of my decluttering. This is part one as I have not tackled all the areas yet. I know that clearing the clutter is only one half, the lesser half, of the whole issue. It is keeping these places free of clutter that will take the most discipline.

I am pleased with what I've done so far though and I continue on!

Clutter...need I say more?

2010-06-07T11:18:00.016+01:00

I am a hoarder. I come from a line of hoarders. My grandad had a tin labelled 'pieces of string too short to do anything with'. I am not that bad but I like stuff. I keep stuff...just in case and for sentimental reasons. I've had enough. I want a simpler life.

I am a busy mum...just like you. I have three kids under five. My husband and I lead a church congregation. We job share, which means I am out of the house two days a week. When I'm at home I am constantly battling with clutter and 'stuff'. I know that we can't get totally away from that (especially with kids at home) and I am grateful that we have a lovely house with space to have 'stuff'.

But as I said, I've had enough. In my head I am an organised person but you wouldn't think that if you came to my home! Some things are organised but there is a long way to go.

So I'm going to get into gear. Just before my son was born last year I 'nested' big time and sorted lots of things out but it soon lapsed. I am determined to be like that again but to deal with things more radically.

This morning I went round the house and took some pictures of areas whcih need de-cluttering. I thought that if I put the pictures up here it will motive me to attack them and then I can show you the results.

So here they are, hope you're not too shocked! I will be back with the 'after' pictures sometime this week.

Mother's Love

2010-06-04T16:58:00.008+01:00

I have recently been reading A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming, which I highly recommend. I will hopefully write a review on here when I have finished the book.

In her chapter about the role of love in mothering, Jean paraphrases 1 Corinthians 13 and it really made me think. So I thought I would share it with you too:

"If I keep my house immaculately clean, and am envied by all for my interior decorating, but do not show love in my family - I'm just another housewife.

If I'm always producing lovely things - sewing, art; if I always look attractive, and speak intelligently, but am not loving to my family - I am nothing.

If I'm busy in community affairs, teach Sunday school, and drive in the carpool, but fail to give adequate love to my family - I gain nothing.

Love changes diapers, cleans up messes, and ties shoes - over and over again.

Love is kind, though tired and frazzled.

Love doesn't envy another wife - one whose children are 'spaced' better, or in school so she has time to persue her own interests.

Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother.

Love doesn't scream at the kids.

Love doesn't feel cheaterd because I didn't to do what I wanted to do today - sew, read, soak in a hot tub.

Love doesn't lose my temper easily.

Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating.

Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good. Love is genuinely happy when others are honoured by their children."

Hope this made you think too. Enjoy the weekend with your wonderful families!

8 years ago today...

2010-05-31T21:44:00.011+01:00

...my husband and I said the words "I do" and promised each other, before God, that we would share the rest of our lives together.

I can't believe that was 8 years ago, it has gone so quickly yet it seems like we have been together forever! There is no one I would rather be hand in hand with on this wonderful journey of life.

Our journey began in May 2001. I worked in a book shop, Mark worked in a coffee shop just around the corner. He began to woo me with mochas and chocolate brownies! We talked. He didn't know God (yet), I had known God all my life. He was on a journey towards God and he met me along the way. A month after we met he gave his life to God. People were cynical - "he's just doing it to get the girl." Two years into our marriage we went to bible/leadership college. Eight years on in our marriage and three children later we are serving God in "full time" ministry, looking after a group of believers. God's faithfullness to us, his grace and love and provision has been mindblowing. He has brought us to this point and we give all the glory to him alone.

My husbands' parents divorced when he was 11 years old. A while later he chose to change his surname to his mother's maiden name - Kelly - meaning "WARRIOR". I am so excited that we have created a new line, a new generation of believers, a new generation of Kingdom builders and nation changers! Bring it on!

I thank God for giving me a truly wonderful husband who is also an amazing father to my children. I thank God for strengthening our marriage, for upholding us and providing for us in the hard times as well as the good times. I thank God for the days he has given us and for the days to come. He is faithful to the end!

I love you Mark Daniel Kelly.

A new day!

2010-05-30T17:37:00.008+01:00

A few mornings ago I was even more thankful to wake up to a brand new day, full of new opportunities and possibilities. The day before had not been great for a few reasons.

We had been looking at God's peace during our Life Group earlier in the week. I commented that the peace of God is a state of being, it comes with the rule and authority of God when we submit our lives to Him and accept His salvation. Someimes, more than others, we have to make a choice to let God's peace rule in our lives. We have to submit our feelings and emotions to that peace that God has so freely given to us.

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

It's funny how we come out with comments about things and then God gives us opportunities to outwork what we have said and believe. The day I mentioned, that had not been great, was a day when I had the opportunity to submit my tiredness and frustration to God and carry His peace, but I didn't and it effected the whole day and the whole family.

That was why I was thankful for a new day with new mercies and I made it a very different day for myself and everyone around me.

O Lord, help me to become more like Jesus, day by day and to live by what I know to be the truth, and to not be a hypocrite. Amen.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everyting. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Verse for the day (and a few photos)

2010-05-20T20:04:00.007+01:00

"May He keep us centred and devoted to Him, following the life path He has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms He laid down…” - 1 Kings 8:58

To be or not to be organised

2010-05-06T23:07:00.007+01:00

Well here I am at 11 o'clock at night, hands in flour and icing sugar, making almond macaroons for the Life Together (family camp) cafe which starts tomorrow! I am laughing at myself...I used to be a highly organised person and now I work right up to the deadline! I have to cut myself a bit of slack as I have three children under five and a busy life serving them, my husband and my church family.

I met a friend for coffee this morning and I told her about how disorganised I feel these days and that things were very different before I had kids. She asked me a very thought-provoking question - "Well are your children fed, clothed, clean and happy and do you get things done in time, even if you cut it fine?" My answer was "Yes!" and she said, "Well you're organised then!"

That was a real encouragement to me, I hope it is to you too. I also like this quote by Peter Drucker:

"EFFICIENCY is doing things right; EFFECTIVENESS is doing the right things."

I must go now and check the biscuits and start getting clothes together for our weekend away. Until next time, may your house be blessed by the one who can't wait to pour out His blessings on His children!

Life is a classroom

2010-04-27T16:37:00.007+01:00

I was reading a book last night (yes one of the many sitting by the side of my bed!) and one of the chapter headings was 'Life is a Classroom'. I thought to myself, 'you can say that again!' My next thought was, 'I am so glad that I have the perfect teacher (Jesus) and the best text book (the Bible) to help me through the life lessons I need to learn and re-learn.

Life is funny - we often have the test first and learn the lesson later. But you know what, we have a teacher who has been through everything that we have but is still perfect, a Father who disciples us daily if we draw close to him, the Bible that inspires us, teaches us, provokes our thinking, challenges our behaviour and tells us who we really are. As well as all this we have the Holy Spirit who is our guide, our counseller, the alongside one. Wow! God said he has given us EVRYTHING we need for life and godliness - we just need to use the resources and relationships that are available to us and allow ourselves to be taught by our creator.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3

Look what can happen in a year

2010-04-23T18:58:00.007+01:00

Nathaniel John Kelly - born 23rd April 2009

A year on - Nathaniel celebrating his 1st birthday with Niamh and Noah

Happy Birthday to our little treasure - you bring us all so much joy! We love you and thank God for his wonderful gift to us.

An Honest Blog Award

2010-04-21T09:34:00.029+01:00

I am honoured to have received this 'Honest Scrap' award from Leah at Home Grown Babies. I have known Leah personally for many years and what a woman she is! I love to be able to share in her life through her blog - please go and check it out - you will find it to be encouraging, inspiring and full of creativity.

According to the rules, I have to share 10 honest things about myself with you, and then pass the award onto 10 other lovely bloggers! So here goes...

1. I am a follower of Jesus! I am learning daily just what that actually means. Being brought up in a Christian family I thought I knew what that meant from an early age but God is so gracious in the way he reveals things to us again and again and in different measures as we walk on this wonderful journey with him.

2. Right from the age I could do things for myself I wanted to be a mummy! I was often called mini-mum at home as I helped look after my younger brother and sister. In fact, the first time I sat down and had a conversation with my future husband, he asked me what I wanted to do with my life and I told him I wanted to be a wife and a mum! I feel incredibly blessed that God has entrusted my husband and I with three little lives to nurture, care for and disciple in his ways. I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing.

3. When I was 18 I went to live in Pasadena, California to study the art of mime and atend Bible college. I was originally meant to be there for a gap year but it turned into two years. I started training in mime from the age of 11 and although my time is stretched now to fit things into I still love to mime and dance. I have a few new pieces up my sleeve and need to do something about them as God has been nudging me for a while now.

4. My husband and I are in, what some call 'full-time ministry' (aren't we all?). We help to lead a congregation in Leeds (North of England) and it is wonderful to be part of nurturing, caring for, teaching and discipling our wider family. It is challenging doing this with a young family of our own but we are learning not to do anything in our own strength and then we live in the truth of what Jesus says in the Bible, that His yoke is easy and His burden truly light.

5. I do not like talking publicly (even though my husband says I do a good job when I do it), I always get really nervous! It is funny how God coaxes us out of our comfort zones though and puts things on our hearts that we know we have to share! I am currently working on a 'Discipling Children' series for parents and also some material for women about 'Unlocking Your Potential'. So we'll see how that goes!

6. All my children were born by C-section. I think natural births are amazing and can be a wonderful experience but for me I have no feelings of regret or disappointment as I know that the birth is not what makes you a mother but the subsequent journey you and your children go on together.

7. I LOVE reading blogs, I have to be disciplined as it can be very addictive! I love to read about people's experiences, their thoughts and creativity. I love that God has made us all unique and we can enrich each others lives because of what He has put inside us, so thank you fellow bloggers for sharing your life with us.

8. When I first met my husband he didn't know Jesus. It didn't take long for him to find what he was looking for and what a journey he has been on since that time. I see him now and think about what he used to be like (which wasn't anything particularly bad!) and am just so thankful to God for his goodness and faithfulness.

9. I have so many books waiting to be read by the side of my bed! I'm not quite sure how I'm going to get through them all but I know I will learn a LOT if I manage it. Having said that, I have just finished two great books, I'll have what she's having by Bobbie Houston and Steady Days by Jamie C Martin (Steady Mom). I'm currently reading From Vision to Action by Tricia Neill (Holy Trinity Brompton) and A Woman's High Calling by Elizabeth George.

10. I love to be organised, it's just a shame it doesn't happen very often! Before I had kids I was highly organized and then slowly it has decreased. Of course there are things that you have to be organised about with a family but there are lots of things that have lapsed. I really enjoy reading and hearing about organisational tips and systems to put in place but I am bad at implementing them...must.try.harder!

So hopefully that's given you a bit of insight into me and my life. And now, I give this award to:

Finding Flapjack
Holy Experience
Just Organise Yourself
Like a Warm Cup of Coffee
Organizing Your Way
Steady Mom
Overcoming Busy
Small Notebook
The Inspired Room
Joyful Mom of Many

I hope you enjoy visiting the blogs that I have listed. Have fun writing your 10 honest things!

The apple of His eye

2010-04-18T20:02:00.011+01:00

It never ceases to amaze me how God speaks to us and reveals things to a greater dimension. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day and so we spent quite a bit of time out in the garden. When we headed in doors Niamh decided she was tired and got in bed to have a rest (not something she would usually do). After a few minutes I went up to see her and lay on her bed facing her. Our faces were really close together. We looked at each other for a while not saying anything and then she started to smile. I asked her why she was smiling. She said that she was smiling because she could see herself in my eyes!

That was such a wonderful moment for us to have as a mother and daughter but more than that God revealed something to me. When we come face to face with the Father we can see oursleves right in the centre of His eyes. In the Bible it talks about being the apple of His eye. See Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8; Lamentations 2:18; Zechariah 2:8.

You can only see into the centre of someone's eyes if you are stading face to face with them and that is where God longs to be with us. As we draw that close to Him we can see oursleves in His eyes and that changes both our perception of who He is and also who we are in Him, it cannot do anything but bring transformation in us. Being face to face with someone also means that they are in the centre of our eyes and that is where God also longs to be. If He is there then there is no way that anything else can be in focus, there are no other distractions.

Lord, I want to get to a place in my relationship with you that I am always up close wih you, face to face. That I would know and see that I am the apple of your eye, that I would know you so intimately and that I would be transformed by your glory and so that you would be the absolute centre of my life, with no other distractions, only living for you to bring you all the glory. Amen.

Have a glorious week - wherever you are, whatever you are doing!

The Son is always shining

2010-04-09T19:43:00.007+01:00

Doesn't it make you smile when you wake up and pull the curtains back to find that the sun is out in all it's glory? It certainly makes me smile and somehow I feel different about the day I have begun. Anything seems possible!

It was just this type of day this morning in our little corner of the world. People seemed sunnier themselves as I encountered them in the local shops and on the high street.

As I was pondering these thoughts and feelings I was challenged. Every day should be like this for us if we know Jesus. We have the same source living inside us as gives source to the Sun! How amazing is that?!

The SON shines in us, on us and through us. Even when it's a miserable, murky, dull, cloudy day I want to bring the SON-shine everywhere I go so that it effects the way people feel, think, hear and see.

I am certainly challenged, are you?

God's wonderful surprise

2010-04-05T20:10:00.009+01:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend. In my last post I shared an exerpt from the Jesus Storybook Bible about the death of Jesus and at the end I wrote "to be continued" so here is part two of the story:

God's wonderful surprise
(The Resurrection, from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)

Jesus' friends were sad. They would never see their best friend again. How could this happen? Wasn't Jesus the Rescuer? The King God had promised? It wasn't supposed to end like this. Yes, but whoever said anything about the end?

Just before sunrise on the third day, God sent an earthquake - and an angel from heaven. When the guards saw the angel, they fell down with fright. The angel rolled the stone away, sat on top of it, and waited.

At the first glimmer of dawn, Mary Magdalene and other women headed to the tomb to wash Jesus' body. The early morning sun slanted through the ancient olive trees, drops of dew glittering on leaves and grasses - little tears everywhere. The friends walked quietly along the hilly path, through the olive groves, until they reached the tomb. And immediately noticed something odd - it was wide open. They peered through the opening into the dark tomb. But wait. Jesus' body was gone!

An something else: a shining man was there, with clothes made from lightening. "Don't be scared," the angel said. But (they couldn't help it) they screamed anyway. The angel asked them, "What are you doing here? This is a tomb and tombs are for dead people." The women couldn't speak. "Jesus isn't dead anymore!" he said. "He's alive again!" And their hearts leapt. And then the angel laughed with such gladness that they felt, for a moment, as if they had woken from a nightmare.

The other women rushed home, but Mary stayed behind. How could it be true? Jesus was definitely dead - how could he be alive? Just then Mary heard someone else in the garden. Perhaps it's the gardener, she thought. He'll know where Jesus' body is.

"I don't know where Jesus is!" Mary said urgently. "I can't find him." But it was alright. Jesus knew where she was. And he had found her. "Mary!" Only one person said her name like that. She could hear her heart thumping. She turned around. She could just make out a figure. She shaded her eyes to see...and thought she was dreaming. But she wasn't dreaming. She was seeing.

"Jesus!" Mary fell to the ground. Sudden tears filled her eyes and great sobs shook her body, and all she wanted in that moment was to cling to Jesus and never let him go. "You'll be able to hold on to me later, Mary," Jesus said gently, "and always be close to me. But now, go and tell the others that I'm alive!"

Mary ran and ran, all the way to the city. She had bever run so fast or so far in all her ife. She felt she could have run forever. She didn't even feel like her feet touched the ground. The sun seemed to be dancing and gleaming and bounding across the sky, racing with her and shining brighter than she could ever remember in the clear, fresh air. And it seemed to her that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world had been made anew, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy - the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart.

Was God really making everything sad come untrue? Was he making even death come untrue? She couldn't wait to tell Jesus' friends. "They won't believe it!" she laughed. She was right, of course.

The Sun Stops Shining

2010-04-02T22:16:00.016+01:00

This morning I reminded my children of what day it is - Good Friday - and we remembered together what happened on this day. I read the story of Jesus' death from The Jesus Storybook Bible which is a family favourite.

Reading this out loud and knowing that it isn't just a story moved me to tears and brought me to such a place of thankfulness for what God did for me. The Jesus Storybook Bible tells this universe changing story in such a beautiful way that I just had to share it with you:

The sun stops shining
The Crucifixion, from Matthew 27, Mark 27, Luke 23, John 19

"So you're a king, are you?" the Roman soldiers jeered. "Then you'll need a crown and a robe." They gave Jesus a crown made out of thorns. And put a purple robe on him. And pretended to bow down to him. "Your Majesty!" they said. Then they whipped him. And spat on him. They didn't understand that this was the Prince of Life, the King of heaven and earth, who had come to rescue them.

The soldiers made him a sign - "Our King" and nailed it to a wooden cross. They walked up a hill outside the city. Jesus carried the cross on his back. Jesus had never done anything wrong. But they were going to kill him the way criminals were killed.

They nailed Jesus to the cross. "Father forgive them," Jesus gasped. "They don't understand what they're doing."

"You say you've come to rescue us!" people shouted. "But you can't even rescue yourself!" But they were wrong. Jesus could have rescued himself. A legion of angels would have flown to his side - if he'd called. "If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb down off that cross!" they said.

And of course they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, he could have just said a word and made it all stop. Like when he healed that little girl. And stilled the storm. And fed 5,000 people. But Jesus stayed.

You see, they didn't understand. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love. "Papa?" Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky. "Papa? Where are you? Don't leave me!" And for the first time - and the last - when he spoke, nothing happened. Just a horrible, endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy.

Tears rolled down Jesus' face. The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye.

Even though it was midday, a dreadful darkness covered the face of the world. The sun could not shine. The earth trembled and quaked. The great mountains shook. Rocks split in two. Until it seemed that the whole world would break. That creation itself would tear apart.

The full force of the storm of God's fierce anger at sin was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin, and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin.

Then Jesus shouted out in a loud voice, "It is finished!" And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world. "Father!" Jesus cried. "I give you my life." And with a great sigh he let himself die.

Strange clouds and shadows filled the sky. Purple, orange, black. Like a bruise.

Jesus' friends gently carried Jesus. They laid Jesus in a new tomb carved out of rock. How could Jesus die? What had gone wrong? What did it mean? They didn't know anything anymore. Except they did know their hearts were breaking.

"That's the end of Jesus," the Leaders said. But, just to be sure, they sent strong soldiers to guard the tomb. They hauled a huge stone in front of the door to the tomb. So that no one could get in. Or out.

To be continued...

Living in Forgiveness

2010-04-01T20:43:00.014+01:00

Yesterday I was in school for the day...wierd! It's been 14 years since I was at school, and boy has it changed... A LOT! I was there because I was helping with a lesson for girls aged 12-13 years old to do with emotional health.

My friend was talking to them about dealing with their emotions and the ways to positively respond to situations where they may feel hurt and angry. One of the ways she spoke about was forgiveness. I was so surprised by the response when she talked about forgiving someone who has hurt you. The girls said things like, 'why would you want to do that?' All of a sudden I felt a deep wrench in my heart because I realised something...those girls did not know what it is to be forgiven, to live in continual forgiveness... because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross. No wonder they thought it's wierd for forgiveness to be something to consider.

I felt so grateful that I know about and live in this wonderful gift in my own life and that because I understand what it is to be forgiven to the greatest degree I can therefore extend that forgiveness to others.

Forgiveness is so freeing. During the lesson my friend explained to the group of girls that forgiveness is sometimes misunderstood as meaning that you are letting someone of the hook for what they have done or even condoning what they have done but actually forgiveness lets you off the hook. You no longer have to carry that hurt, anger, frustration, confusion with you for the rest of your life. Forgiveness liberates you!

We are ultimately free because of God's forgiveness and because Jesus took on all our sin - past, present and future - on the cross. I am so thankful to be continually living in forgiveness.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

Have a wonderful Easter remembering the death of Jesus and celebrating his resurrection!

Do as I do...discipling our children

2010-03-24T17:55:00.022Z

There seems to be a common thread to the things I am seeing, reading and discussing at the moment...Discipleship. It is something that we are thinking on and doing in our own family as well as with the congregation we are serving. I wonder if God is trying to get our attention?!

Being a Christian disciple can sound complicated but it isn't, it commonly means being a follower of Jesus - believing the truth of who he was and what he spoke of and living by it daily. I love that the context of family is the perfect and most natural environment for discipling to take place. As parents we are able to disciple our children daily in every strand of life which is such a hollistic way to do it. What a privilege!

My friend is a teacher and she often talks about this principle they use in school to teach and train their pupils:

I do, you watch
I do, you help
You do, I help
You do, I watch

As parents we naturally teach our children how to do things - feed themselves, brush their teeth, tie their shoe-laces and so on. It is so important that we also teach them what it is to have a relationship with their Daddy God, how to lay hands on and pray for the sick, how to praise him and so much more.

I heard Becky Fisher (Kids in Ministry International) speaking about discipling children a couple of weeks ago and she used this anaology (she was particularly commenting on the way a lot of churches disciple children within sunday school, kids work etc.) She said it's like bringing a brand new bike into the classroom and talking about how shiny and new it looks, how lovely the colour of it is, how fast it goes and what gears it has, the position of the saddle, the shape of the pedals, the strength of the wheel chain and the shape of the handlebars - all contributing to a wonderful bike.

And she went on to say that so often we leave it there; we've described something but not given them the opportunity to get on the bike to see how it feels or to give it a test ride. If you've ever taught a child how to ride a bike it involves bending over low, running alongside and holding them on in the right position until they are comfortable and confident to stay on by themselves, physically showing them where to place their hands and feet to ride effectively and showing them how to use the brake (very important!).

Discipling cannot be spoken about only, it is hands on, it is showing another person how to do something and most importantly it happens through leading by example. Have you ever wondered where a child got a phrase or specific word from and then suddenly realised it is something you say? I have. Children pick up everything we say, the ways we do things, our attitudes, even our body language. I have seen it in my own children in both positive and negative ways. What a challenge for us as parents...we impact the degree to which our children will become followers of Christ because they are always watching us and copying us. Showing and training them must go hand in hand with helping them to have an understanding of the word of God, the truth by which we live daily.

I always love to hear your comments and I will no doubt be posting on this subject again. If you would like to listen to the discipling children session by Becky Fisher then click here

Have a wonderful week discovering God in the everyday things of your life together!

Mother in the making

2010-03-14T21:05:00.017Z

Today is Mother's Day in the UK. We had a great time this morning celebrating with our local church community. We had our very own Golden Stars Award Ceremony where each Mum was a winner in her own individual category. That category was what their child had said about them ('I love my mum because...') It was wonderful to hear what each child said about their mum - some were quirky, some were funny, some were very heartfelt. The older kids were able to express a bit more to their mums and it was so wonderful to hear the love and appreciation given and that what the mums have sown into their children is now being reaped and what a testimony those things said are to them.

I am so grateful for the journey of motherhood I am on. What a privilege to love them, nurture them, train and disciple them in the ways of the Lord. What an amazing opportunity to raise up warriors for God's army; to raise children who will become nation-changers and Kingdom-builders! Wow!

I am the woman I am today because of what both my mum & dad have sown into my life. They have always pointed me towards my Heavenly Father and have shown me how to live in relationship with Him. And now I (along with my wonderful husband) are doing that with our children. What a blessing to be a mother in the making and to be on this wonderful journey with our Daddy God.

I pray that you are blessed today so that you can be a blessing!

Torn between pen & paper and digital

2010-02-22T14:58:00.007Z

Does anyone else have this problem? I love hand writing things - cards, letters, notes, to-do lists - anything. And I admit I like my handwriting and like to see it in front of me! I have been inspired recently by Ann @ Holy Expereince to create a daily journal where I can note my ponderings, my walk with God, my to-do lists and the things my children say & do. I am loving doing this in bite-size bits.

However, I am blessed to have an iPhone and have just downloaded an application called Home routines that I saw recommended on the FlyLady website. It is a great tool to have. But this is the thing, I'm torn! I don't want to duplicate my lists and I'm really enjoying the journaling. The whole point of the daily journal is to keep a record of what goes on in my home so that I and my family can look back on it. I can't do this with the iPhone app! I think I need to make both work for me and try not to overlap.

Are you someone who embraces technology to help you in your home management or do you prefer pen & paper?

Blowing the Cobwebs Away

2010-02-18T11:11:00.004Z

Spring is on it's way (hooray!) and if you're anything like me your house needs a good spring clean and your garden needs a good old weed! There are definitely some cobwebs in my house that need blowing away (or sucking up with the vacuum). I often think to myself that it wouldn't be such a big job if I did things often enough that they didn't pile up or collect... but they do!

Isn't this like our own lives? There are things that we let build up without dealing with them immediately and they become a bigger job to clean up or resolve. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NIV)

I have been looking at what it is to be Heaven-sent; to see things and live according to God's perspective. This is exactly what Romans 12:2 is about, we must condition ourselves to think from a holy, supernatural point of view instead of giving in to the natural, worldly way of thinking.

I love how the message puts the same verse, “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

There have been things that have happened in my past – circumstances, experiences, things said and done by myself and others – that try to reappear and colour the way I think about the future. It is only by a daily renewing of my thinking that I can do away with these things and draw a line under the past so that I can move into what God has in store for me, without anything holding me back.

God has such an exciting, adventurous, amazing plan for each of us but it is our responsibility to feed ourselves on the good things of God, to continually renew our minds and adjust our thinking so that we can move ahead into His good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. It's time to blow those cobwebs away!

My favourite biscuit recipe

2010-02-06T21:21:00.023Z

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Ours has been very busy so far and I am feeling a bit weary and under the weather so am going to try and get to bed earlier than usual tonight. But before I do, I want to share with you a fantastic recipe that a friend of mine passed my way for authentic Italian Ricciarelli biscuits. I have not (yet) been to Italy myself but I am told that these soft, almondy biscuits are the pride of Sienese cake shops. The perfect ricciarello is crisp and powdery on the outside and tender and moist on the inside.

I made a batch yesterday for a church fundraiser this morning and instead of shaping them into oblongs I shaped them into hearts as we had a Valentine's theme. These would make a perfect Valentine's treat for the man in your life, your children or other family members and friends. They go down well with a nice cup of coffee!

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes about 16 Macaroons)

180 g (6 oz) whole blanched almonds or ground almonds
2 size-3 egg whites
1 level dessertspoon (15 g/½ oz plain flour, sifted
½ teaspoon baking powder
120 g (4 oz) icing sugar, sifted, plus extra to serve
3-4 drops of almond essence

METHOD:

1 Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF/Gas Mark 7 and, if using whole almonds, roast the almonds on a baking tray until golden. Grind the almonds when they have cooled.

2 Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Mix and sift the flour and baking powder and fold them into the egg whites. Fold in the icing sugar, ground almonds and almond essence, to make a soft paste.

3 Pile some icing sugar on to the worktop and, for each biscuit, roll a heaped teaspoonful of the paste in the icing sugar and then press into an oblong shape, using the palm of your hand.

4 Place the biscuits well distanced from each other on a thoroughly greased baking tray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the biscuits are pale golden and slightly cracked on the outside and the inside is still soft.

5 When cold, dredge with more icing sugar.

I hope you enjoy trying out this recipe. Let me know how it goes!

Circle of blessing

2010-01-29T22:03:00.003Z

What a privilege it is to be a part of the Kingdom of God and the circle of blessing (as we call it in the Kelly house) that is part of it. We are so blessed that we have had to buy very few items of clothes and toys for our three children as different families have passed things on to us. I have to say that we have had things passed on to us from people who are not believers too, and the same goes for things that we have passed on.

The other day I was sorting some of Niamh's clothes out to give to another little girl in our local congregation. I was in two minds whether to sort these items out when Nimah was not around (because she does get rather attached to her clothes) but I was in the moment so I decided to do it. She was in another room and eventually wandered in and asked what I was doing. I explained that the pile of clothes in front of me were too small for her now and that I was sorting them out to give to her friend Olivia. Needless to say she was not happy about it! In fact she had a bit of a tantrum and ran to Daddy to tell him what I was doing. We sat on the bed together and Daddy and I explained again what we were doing and that God blesses us and we bless others. We are blessed so we can be a blessing.

We asked her to remember how she had been given clothes from an older girl and she said yes. We said it is like a circle - we receive a blessing (a bag of clothes) and then we give a blessing (a bag of clothes) and then it happens again at the right time. We told her to watch out for some clothes coming her way because God was going to bless her. After this she understood and said sorry for how she had reacted.

The really cool thing is that we got this bag of clothes ready to give that Sunday and on the Friday Niamh received a bag of clothes from an older girl. We were amazed at God's timing and it really gave emphasis to the lesson we were trying to teach her. Just a small thing but so important for her to learn! We are so blessed, in the big and in the small and we give glory to God.

It was wonderful last week when we bought Niamh a cople of small but inexpensive Disney princess puzzles. She started doing them straight away and half way through asked me where her Little Mermaid puzzle was. I found it for her, she took it and had a very thoughtful look on her face. Then she said 'Mummy, I'm going to give this puzzle to Olivia because I've just got two new puzzles and I want to bless her and I think she should have this one.' Wow, I smiled and said that would be a lovely thing to do and that it is good to bless others. I couldn't stop smiling, knowing that she really had understood what we had told her and that she was outworking that principle herself. Awesome!

How does your garden grow?

2010-01-28T13:02:00.008Z

I was out in my garden the other day and while I was digging up weeds, cutting back brambles, pruning and turning over the soil it got me thinking. (I must mention at this point that I do not profess to be an expert in this field and I would certainly not say that I am a keen gardener!)

God spoke to me about my life as a garden. What is the condition of the soil and what is growing in it, good and bad? Is anything growing at all? Is there anything that is producing fruit? The Bible talks about us being made up of body, mind, spirit and soul and I believe that the soil is the state of these different parts. What do I put into these parts that bring nourishment? What do I let in that parches the soil and drains it of goodness?

There were many brambles that needed cutting back in my garden and they were the most horrible things to deal with, so thorny and unruly and were so long that sometimes I couldn't see where they had actually taken root. I can tell you that brambles don't make gardening easy and they need dealing with on a regular basis if they are not completely uprooted. What can be likened to brambles in my life? Things that have taken root, maybe years ago and maybe they are being dealt with frequently but the roots are still there so there is the opportunity for them to grow and strangle and overshadow other life that is flourishing.

Weeds. Oh the joy of weeding! Actually I must admit that I kind of like it. But they get everywhere and if they're left they just spread and create more weeds and before you know it the weeds have outnumbered the lovely plants and flowers that were growing quite happily. My grandma, who is an expert gardener, always tells me that 20 minutes weeding a day does the job and keeps everything under control. Weeds are like the little foxes that the Bible talks about in Song of Songs 2:15, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are in blossom.” Although we are born again into a new life with God we are still human and face the challenges that brings. So what are the weeds in our lives that need to be dealt with sometimes on a daily basis?

There was a lot to deal with when I was gardening and from my kitchen window it looked so overwhelming but I spent a few solid hours outside and it was amazing what I accomplished (with some help from Mark as well). When we look at our lives and what needs dealing with or what needs some encouragement to grow it can seem too much but we have the creator of the universe on our side and with him ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Can I encourage you to take a look at your life and think about what needs cutting back, what needs digging up and getting rid of completely and what needs attention so that it continues to grow and blossom or produce fruit. Finally, I want to encourage you to let the Holy Spirit water your life bringing nourishment and growth.

A message from your Father

2010-01-26T14:04:00.020Z

You may not know me, but I know everything about you...(Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up...(Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways...(Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered...(Matthew 10:29-31)
For you were made in my image...(Genesis 1:27)
In me you live and move and have your being...(Acts 17:28)
For you are my offspring...(Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived...(Jeremiah 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation...(Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book...(Psalm 139:15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live...(Acts 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made...(Psalm 139:14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb...(Psalm 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born...(Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me...(John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love...(1 John 4:16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you...(1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father...(1 John 3:1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could...(Matthew 7:11)
For I am your perfect Father...(Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand...(James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs...(Matthew 6:31-33)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope...(Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love...(Jeremiah 31:3)
My thoughts towards you are countless as the sand on the seashore...(Psalm 139:17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing...(Zepheniah 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you...(Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession...(Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul...(Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvellous things...(Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me...(Deuteronomy 4:29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart...(Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires...(Philippians 2:13)
I am able to do more than you could possibly imagine...(Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager...(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles...(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you...(Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes...(Revelation 21:3-4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth...(Revelation 21:3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I have loved my son, Jesus...(John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revelaed...(John 17:26)
He is the exact representation of my being...(Hebrews 1:3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you...(Romans 8:31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins...(2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled...(2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you...(1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love...(Romans 8:31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me...(1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again...(Romans 8:38-39)
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen...(Luke 15:7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father...(Ephesians 3:14-15)

My question is...will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you...(Luke 15:11-32)

Cinderella

2010-01-18T22:42:00.030Z

Last week my husband and I took our daughter to see a play of Cinderella. It was Niamh's first theatre trip and we hadn't been for some time either so we were all looking forward to it. We had a great time, it was really well performed and very entertaining. What's more is that God started speaking to me whilst I was watching the story unfold before me! It's amazing what God chooses to speak through!

We probably all know the story of Cinders but here's a quick recap:- She started life well, growing up with a mother & father who loved her - until her mother died and her father remarried. The stepmother and 'ugly' sisters had a power over Cinderella's life and she became enslaved to a life in the dirt and ashes, watching her family 'live it up' around her, believing that she was nothing. A handsome prince saw her, fell in love with her and asked her to start a new life with him. He brought her into his palace, clothed her in beautiful garments and set a feast before her. his love placed worth on her and, as they say, they lived happily ever after!

Ah, what a nice story! But I have a better one, and it goes something like this:

We were once enslaved to sin and a life in the dirt. There didn't seem to be a way out...until we met god and experienced His love...a love that He had for us before the beginning of time. He took us out of the gutter, cleaned us up, clothed us in Royal clothes, sat us down at His table to feast, all the while lavishing His love upon us, and gave us a place to stay forever, never having to look back at what we once were. We went from nothing to EVERYTHING, not because of anything we did but because of an event that changed history; because God sent His only son as a sacrifice, sent to take the place of you and me in death, so that we were no longer under any condemnation for the things we have done wrong - or will do for that matter! Because of Jesus we are FREE!. Free to live life to the absolute full in Him; free to make mistakes and fail because God doesn't hold any record of wrongs; free to access all that God has for our lives; free to live happily in eternity with the Father. We don't deserve any of this; it is a gift from God.

I want to pick up on one thing that the character Cinderella said a number of times during the play we watched. She said that she was nothing - that she couldn't possibly go to the ball because she was nothing; that she couldn't dance with the prince because she was nothing; and that she couldn't try the glass slipper on because she was nothing (even though it belonged to her!). Every time she said this, I just wanted to shout out, 'No, you're not'!

Whether you believe in God or not, the devil wants us to believe that we are nothing. Oh, but what a LIE that is! We only have to look at what Jesus did for us on the cross and we know that is a lie. He became the 'nothing' because we are EVERYTHING to God and there is no greater love than His for us.

I will leave you with this passage from the Bible:

It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sun-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in the world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God gift from start to finish!

Ephesians 2:1-10, THE MESSAGE

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T21:46:00.007Z

It's the 5th of January already! As much as I love Christmas, I love this time of year...a new year, a new start, new hopes, new dreams, new goals to achieve! Yes, the past year was important but there is so much to look forward to in 2010.

I remember new year's eve 1999 and the much anticipated year 2000, all the hype of the millennium and the end of the world (apparently) and the bug that would supposedly hit computers round the world. I found it such a let down when 12 midnight finally came. Ten years later, my husband and I had a quiet night in with good food & we toasted the new year with a spot of sparkling wine and talked about the year ahead and what we want for it.

I have enjoyed catching up on the blogs that I follow over the past few days & all the ideas and inspiration for getting organised. I've just set up a 'home binder' so I have all the important info I need to hand, without having to rummage around for ten minutes. I started the year as I mean to go on by filing all the paperwork I've left in a pile since Nathaniel was born in April! It felt really good, and I intend to keep it up. I have filled my new calendar in with all our engagements and special birthdays for the coming year. I got to September and suddenly remembered that my daughter will be starting school then - unbelievable!

This week my maternity leave is over and I am back to work (not that I really stopped working but just didn't have a presence in the church office). I am really looking forward to getting involved again (2 days a week) and working with my husband and the rest of the leadership team to help move things forward and to ultimately extend the Kingdom of God. So, my life gets a little different from this point on as I juggle work and home life with three little ones. I know that I am not doing this alone though - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I am full of expectation for 2010, that God would do new & great things in me & mould me to be more like Jesus and that he would do new & great things through me. I hope you are looking forward to a great year too!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T15:17:00.009Z

I am taking a few moments out today to wish you a all a very Merry Christmas. Things are busy in the Kelly House but we are keeping perspective - Christmas time for us is about remembering the birth of someone who impacted the world like no other, who taught us how to really live and who made the ultimate sacrifice so that each of us could know our creator and loving Heavenly Father. We are celebrating Jesus!

I do, however, love decorating my home with cards, special ornaments and a tree adorned with beautiful things. This year I have somehow managed to get time to make mini paper-chains with star cut outs, a wreath for my front door, bead & button heart decorations, salt dough decorations and letters for my mantle-piece saying 'Merry Christmas' (a la Kirsty's Homemade Christmas)!

There are a few gifts to wrap, a few things still to make and some fun times ahead with our family and friends. I am trying to do everything with peace, love and thoughtfulness, and enjoying the moments as I go along.

This year I have put three photos underneath out tree of our beautiful children, they are my gifts and I feel greatly blessed. After talking to a mum on Sunday at our family Christmas service we both agreed that Christmas is about people, it always has been and always will be. I pray that you enjoy Christmas with the people in your life and that you have a New Year that is full of God's love, peace & joy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

P.S. We're having a white Christmas here in Leeds - perfect!

My life right now

2009-10-18T22:18:00.005+01:00

What am I thanking God for: That He is my rock and that He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

What am I listening to: Monster, Max and Paddy (our three gerbils) scurrying around their cages!

What am I reading: 'Irresistible Revolution' by Shane Claiborne

What can I see: A messy house which needs tidying up from the explosion that was the weekend!

What am I planning: Home-made gifts for Christmas and church Christmas events and a new mime piece

What blessed me today: That my mum helped me with the children while my husband was leading worship during our church meeting this morning - she's a superstar!

What challenged me today: To love people as God loves them, even the ones who make life hard for you.

What am I praying about: That God would give my husband and I the wisdom we need to deal with current situations and that He would teach us amazing things through them.

What am I working on: Still trying to keep my 'piles' to a minimum and making my bedroom a haven - maybe one day I'll get there.

Parting line or some wise words: Enjoy, and make the most of, the season you are in.

Good to be home

2009-09-30T23:39:00.011+01:00

Hi everyone, well, to all four of you who are following my blog! Hope you are well. We just got back from our holiday in France so there's lots to do in my house as you can imagine, as well as my baby girl's 4th birthday coming up on Friday - I can't believe that! It was such a blessing to be able to have a family holiday this year, thank you Lord. I enjoyed being away from the distractions of home, to be able to fully relax with my family or read or watch something without all my jobs calling out to me to be done. I thought quite a bit about different things I could do in and with my home and better management systems to put in place but haven't implemented any of them just yet.

I was pondering this while we were away...our home was just a house while we were away, actually we took our home with us...the people, the life and the love in a house is what makes it a home. I love my home. Enjoy yours too!

Here's some pics from our lovely holiday...

An audience of one

2009-09-06T20:40:00.002+01:00

Today I have been meditating on the fact that everything I do, no matter how big or small, should be done for an audience of one. The 'one' being my Heavenly Father. It is a good thing to remind yourself of regularly. There can be so many things that we do that go unnoticed, that can be misunderstood, that are not appreciated in the right way, that even get thrown back at us. BUT if we do everything to serve Jesus and our heart is right then we are doing the right things.

I find it very difficult when someone has a problem with something I've done that I've put a lot of effort into and that is intended to bless. It gets to my heart and churns me up inside sometimes. But today I realised that it doesn't matter what the response is because I have done it to serve the King of Kings. How liberating!

Just do it!

2009-09-03T22:24:00.004+01:00

I have always been a 'list' person! I can't seem to get things done or remember everything without one! But lately I seem to write A LOT of things on my to do list that just don't seem to be getting done...so what's the point? It definitely helps me to be more organised if I have one on the go but lately I have realised the concept of 'just do it'.

If I see something that needs doing, usually a small thing, then I am trying to just do it then and there instead of putting it somewhere on a list for the next day or the day after...or a month down the line! I think this is going to help me keep my house in order more, alongside my ongoing to do list.

What can you just do today?

Jesus is the centre

2009-08-04T22:30:00.006+01:00

We have just had our weekly life group at our home. It is such a joy and encouragement to meet with the people of God and sharpen one another. I love hearing about what God is doing in each life, no matter how big or small. He is making His people into the bride that he is coming back for - wow!

We talked about lots of things tonight which were challenging and encouraging. I shared how I had just come accross the image that is the furthest one the Hubble Telescope has taken which looks like an eye with a cross in the centre of it - wow - Jesus at the centre of the Universe! He is to be the centre of all that we are and all that we are working towards in bringing heaven to earth. If you want to look at the image, it can be found on Youtube.

We also watched a great sketch called God's Chisel which I would highly recommend watching, if you're anything like me it will blow you away!

I will leave you with this passage from the Bible:

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

2009-08-02T22:30:00.008+01:00

The idea for this post is taken from my friend Leah's blog...I thought it was great!

What am I thanking God for: That my family has two lovely holidays to look forward to, one in Cornwall next week and the other in France in September. I am also continually thanking God for our new car which will make travelling so much easier and more comfortable.

What am I listening to: "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin as I want to put a creative movement/multi-media piece together to it that is prophetic and a declaration over the city of Leeds.

What am I reading: "The Power of Motherhood" by Nancy Campbell to myself and the "Jesus Bible Storybook" to my kids.

What can I see: A nice tidy lounge but the book cases need de-cluttering - a job to put on my to do list this week.

What am I planning: What we need to take on holiday with us. Meals for my friend who is just about to have a baby.

What blessed me today: I was telling someone how we were going on holiday and that it was completely God's provision and then they have just emailed to say they are going to give us money to cover the petrol down to Cornwall. We are SO blessed!

What challenged me today: A 2 year old who doesn't seem to listen to what I am saying as much as he listens to his dad...when he's being naughty!

What am I praying about: For my Grandma who is suffering with Bells Palsy (paralysis of one side of the face), that she would experience complete healing quickly.

What am I working on: Ideas for creche at City Church Leeds and how to make the baby room more inviting and a nice place to be in for mums and babies. Making my bedroom a haven rather than a dumping ground (thank goodness we turn the light off at night!!!!!)

Parting line or some wise words: Even if you don't have lots of free time or resource in your day, you can always take a few minutes to encourage someone, somehow...it could turn their day around!

Celebrating my son's 2nd birthday

2009-07-17T10:38:00.015+01:00

Today my son, Noah, is 2 years old! We are celebrating the years that have gone before and the years that are to come, his health, his personality, his gorgeousness (if that's a word)! I can't remember loads from Noah's first year, perhaps because he was quite a difficult baby who cried lots and never seemed satisfied with anything. Even though it seemed like I was just in survival mode for that time I know that God was using it to shape and mould us.

I look at Noah now and he is such a bright and happy boy who has a beautiful smile, who is very intelligent and can communicate really well. I thank God for all that he is and all that he will become. What a privilege to invest into his life, and our two other children, and to watch then grow day by day!

Trusting God with your little lives

2009-07-14T13:20:00.005+01:00

Last weekend the children went with their grandparents to a local carnival. They had a wonderful time and came home absolutely shattered! My husband and I had to learn a valuable lesson leading up to this event (probably one that we will need to learn over and over again) - trusting God with the little lives that he has entrusted to us!

We were both quite apprehensive the night before, to the extent that my husband got the children out of bed for a cuddle before we went to bed. It wasn't that we didn't trust our parents but children are prone to run off and unfortunately there are people that can take advantage of this. You think of high profile cases like Madeline McCann. But before I let my mind run off into all different scenarios I asked myself the question - who do I put my trust in when it comes to the lives of my children? Who do I put my trust in, full stop? And my answer is my heavenly Father, who holds all people and all things in his mighty hands. When your trust is truly placed in God then there is no place for fear or worry.

Thank you Lord!

Anything is possible!

2009-07-03T11:03:00.005+01:00

The weeks are just flying by, I can't believe we are in July already. Nathaniel is 10 weeks old now - wow! I am so enjoying being a mummy to three little ones which is wonderful because I really braced myself for it to be a nightmare for the first few months (not being pessimistic but realistic). I prayed more during and after this third pregnancy and the majority of my prayers have gone like this: 'Lord, I can't do this in my own strength, I need to do it in your's - please help me.'

A lot of people have commented that I have 'bounced back' really quickly from having Nathaniel and the c-section etc and that I seem to be thriving. This is very true and I tell them that it's all because of God's grace and presence and because the joy of the Lord is my strength.

He is the God of the impossible so with Him we can achieve anything, as long as we don't try to do it in our own strength!

Have a great day!

An "Alfie" Moment

2009-06-19T09:57:00.009+01:00

In our house we love the story, "Alfie Gets in First" by Shirley Hughes. In case you're not familiar with it, it's about a little boy who comes home with his Mum after doing some shopping and closes the front door on his mum and sister, unable to reach the catch from the inside and open it.

Well, we had an "Alfie" moment the other day. I was just getting ready to go out and get Niamh from nursery in the rain. I had set the double buggy up outside and went back to the porch to get the raincover. Noah was standing at the door waiting to get his wellies on. I was just on my way back out of the porch when I heard the front door slam shut! Now I usually put the door on the latch so that it doesn't lock even if it's shut as you never know what little children are going to do. But for some reason I hadn't done it this time. You can imagine what my face must have looked like. I panicked and then prayed. In that instant I started thinking of all the things that Noah might be able to reach that could cause him harm and also the fact that Nathaniel was in his baby chair on the floor in the dining room! I told Noah to stay exactly where he was and then went next door to see if I could use the phone to call Mark at the office and ask him to come home immediately and let me back in the house. There was no answer at the door so I planned to go next door the other way.

Just then I heard the sound of keys and our front door opening. I quickly looked round the corner and it was Mark! I couldn't believe it! He had come home to do some work because his computer had stopped working at the office!!!!! All I could say was "Praise God"!

When we went through the door Noah was standing exactly where I left him! This story could have ended very diffently so I really do thank God that he had it all in his hands.

A Modern Day Psalm

2009-06-16T00:09:00.005+01:00

I wrote this a while ago, last year in fact, but I just read it again and it expresses my awe of God and my thankfulness to God, and I have so much to be thankful for...

Oh Lord, I am so thankful to be alive today -
and what a day to be alive in!
You are the creator of life and you continue to breathe life into all you have created.. You are restoring everything back to its original intention.

You created something from nothing, not slap-dash, not just because you could,
but according to a master plan, of which I am part of.
You are the creator of the Universe – my tiny brain gets muddled up
when I think about how magnificent and majestic you are, how strong and powerful.
I stand in awe of you – I shouldn't even be standing, I should be flat on my face before you!

Yet, you care about me – insignificant little me – you know the number of hairs on my head, wow! What kind of a dad knows even that information about his child?
Not only that but you knew what I would look like before I was born,
before anyone even thought about me being born, you knew me. Amazing!

And you wrote down everything I would do, impressive and not so impressive,
before I even breathed my first breath. God, you are awesome, I can't grasp who you are if I think about it too much but everything in me bursts with
praise of your name.

You are the beginning and the end, you have destined me for eternity,
which begins now. You sent your son to save me, even if it was just me on this planet, you still would have sent Him so that I could know you
and live in fullness of life, the way you always planned.

God, your love is incomparable to any other I have ever known.
I am totally overwhelmed by it but feel so secure in the completeness of it.

Lord, you are always the same, you remain constant, unchanging, solid.
I rest assured in the fact that you will never leave me stranded
but will always come running when I call out for your help.
You never turn your back on me, if I can't see you I know it's me that is heading in the wrong direction. You are almighty God!

Love, goodness, faithfulness, mercy, grace, abundance – that is who you are.
You can't wait to pour out your blessings on me and prove your goodness to me.
You are always in a good mood and you are certainly not stingy.
You are especially fond of me – what did I do to deserve that?

Lord, have I said thank you?
Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the depths of my soul, thank you!

I am overflowing with praise of you, my wonderful God,
my loving Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, saviour and redeemer,
provider, friend, faithful one, prince of peace, holy one, majesty -
I am in complete awe of who you are, as long as I have breath in my lungs
I will praise you here on earth!

Glory be to you, forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever!

God's Amazing Provision

2009-06-11T11:14:00.008+01:00

I can't believe that my youngest son, Nathaniel, is 7 weeks old today! As soon as I became pregnant with him we started praying for a new car. We had a great, but smallish car for the last 6 years and we just about managed to go on holiday to Scotland last year with two small children and luggage (everything but the kitchen sink) for a week!

We asked our family and friends to pray as well that God would meet our need in His perfect time. It got to a week before Nathaniel was to be born and still no sign of a new car but we still prayed with faith, believing that God would provide. Nathaniel was born and we were able to get everyone in, a car seat in the front and one either side in the back and me squeezed between them in the middle (not that comfortable after just having had a c-section!). We managed like that for 6 and a half weeks.

About two weeks ago we were given an anonymous financial gift specifically to buy a car with. Wow! We were completely blown away, gobsmacked, speechless (and still are)! My husband and dad found a wonderful vehicle suitable for our needs and very comfortable and brought it home on Tuesday. As soon as it was parked outside our house I went to have a look with the children and we sat in it and thanked God for His absolutely amazing provision.

The timing of getting the new car was amazing too, it happened a month before our old car was due to go in for its MOT and we would have had to sink about £400-£500 for it to pass. Also the tax needed to be renewed at the same time. We have a few months tax left on the new car!

So I am writing this as a testimony of God's goodness, faithfulness and blessings. It has nothing to do with us but speaks of who He is and His heart towards us and we want to give all the glory to Him. I hope this is also an encouragement that God knows our needs and wants to bless us. If He can do it for me, He can do it for you!

I will leave you with these verses:

Matthew 7:7-11
"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door will be opened to everyone who knocks. You parents - if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gift to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."

Ephesians 3:20
"Now glory be to God! By his mightly power at work within us, he is able to accomlish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forver and ever through endless ages."

- AMEN -

Welcome to my blog...

2009-06-02T22:24:00.000+01:00

I have been following some great blogs over the last few months and they have inspired me to begin my own. I have always enjoyed keeping a personal journal (although haven't been that great at keeping it up since having children!) so I hope that this will be something I can look back on and see how I've grown as a mummy, wife, homemaker and child of God. I also hope that you will enjoy sharing my journey.

I have entitled my blog 'A mum with three little arrows' with reference to the bible passage below:

Psalm 127: 3-5
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like a sharp arrow in a warrior's hands. How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them!"

When I had my first real conversation with my husband-to-be he asked me what I wanted to be/do in life and I told him what I wanted the most was to be a wife and mum! I thought he would steer clear of me after that but we have been married for seven years now and I am so blessed to have three gorgeous children. I feel very fulfilled in being a mummy to them. I also feel an incredible responsibility to raise my children in the best way that I can, along with my husband, especially to know that they are loved by God and to learn to serve him as they grow up.

Thanks for reading!