Gingerbread Foundations

Christmas is just around the corner! The last minute shopping, the trees are up and the festive clothing is out in full force! Last night at Helen's Bay Youth, we had our Christmas Party and everyone was in the holiday spirit.

We of course had the obligatory game of Pass The Parcel, a little party with snacks and drinks, but the highlight of the night had to be making our Gingerbread Houses. Chaos isn't usually a word I'd associate with Christmas, but after some of the houses yesterday I think that it is most appropriate. Of course not all of the house were bad. 2 were brilliant, 1 was decent enough (my group yeooo) and then 1 was pure awful. You can guess which ones are which below...

However, with our group particularly we struggled with wobbly walls. The group that had a pile of gingerbread rubble for their house would also say their wobbly walls were at fault. I think that most groups struggled with the shaky nature of the houses. Why? Well there were no foundations...

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew  7 v 24 - 27

It's exactly the same for us as people. Not even just Christians. Everyone has foundations - it just depends what you build them on... and whether or not they are solid. Some people have friends, family, or wealth as foundations. Whilst these things may not be bad inherently, if you look to build your life on them they will surely let you down and your 'house' will collapse.

You want solid foundations? Choose Jesus. He's the only one that will be able to keep your walls firm and your house steady in even the most troubling storms of your life - just make your foundation in Him.

How can I make a foundation in Jesus? What's that even mean? Start by accepting Him into your life and living the way God wants you to. Taking time to get to know your Father by reading His word and talking with Him in prayer is vital.

Take a look at the Gingerbread houses again. Which one are you going to be?

Christmas Came Early

As soon as Christmas last year had ended we were already starting to see Facebook status' counting down the days until next Christmas. It's that one time of the year that everyone is waiting for. I was waiting for Christmas for a different reason than the festivities, the copious amounts of turkey and of course the presents. I was waiting until I was off University for Christmas so I had time to travel back to Latvia.

Have you ever had Christmas come early? You got some good news. Your football team got an unexpected great result. Or maybe a relative has sent you a Christmas card with money in it a week early. Well my Christmas had came early being in Latvia last week.

I was only there from Monday until Friday, but it was surprising how many things I was able to fit into 4 days. My main reason for going back was to visit the Children's Centre in Karosta, Liepaja, where I used to volunteer. I was living and serving in this Centre for around a year and a half, and it became home to me. The children became my brothers and sisters, and it was the hardest thing to leave behind when coming home. Naturally I miss them, and I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to visit them.

They weren't so pleased. Well they were happy to see me as well, until I told them that I was staying only until Friday and the next time I'd be back would probably be the summer. Needless to say, I was the victim of a few bad words and slight physical torment. I had also brought over a pile of clothes for the kids and teenagers - some second hand and some brand new. Thank you for anyone who gave me clothes or money to support the need of these children. I was able to buy 20 pairs of gloves, 20 pairs of socks and 12 hats for only £65 in Primark to bring as well as the tonne of second hand clothes too. The director of the Centre will be able to give them out to those in need, and they are extremely grateful of this support.

On the Tuesday morning, I was able to return to 5-a-side football with my friends from the Liepaja police. I used to play with them twice a week when I lived there, and can't really remember how I got involved in playing there! But there great guys and I miss them too, so it was great to go and play some football with them, and to keep our friendships going. I ask you to be praying for those guys too! On Tuesday evening, I was able to meet some kids from our summer camp and play bowling with them. It was a great time together, although I suck at bowling, and its important to not forget about the work we did in the summer. God is still working in these children and we need to continue to work with Him in our prayers.

Finally, I was able to spend a substantial amount of time with our friends - a family of 4 in Liepaja. I met Igor and Liga in YWAM originally, and our friendship has continued since then. They have two amazing sons, and are people of God, whom I respect and love. It was great to have a meal at theirs and to just enjoy fellowship together again. Be praying for this family together with me! I am looking forward to the next time I can see them again.

All in all an amazing week - just too short! Please be praying for all the people I have mentioned in this post, I am thankful and I know they would really appreciate it too. If you've any questions or would like to know some information then please get in touch with me! Maybe you'll even want to come along with me next time ;)  Blessings.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

Who do they see? - Chapter 4

Have you ever thought about the idea of representing somebody else or something? I remember that when I was younger, if we were out in public somewhere and I was badly behaved then my Mum used to scold me saying that I was representing her too and that I was making her look bad.

What about sports? I'm a big football fan. Every footballers' dream is to represent their country - to play for the National Team. The highest honour there is. It's the idea that once you put on that kit and you take to the pitch with the whole world watching, then you aren't just representing yourself.

'No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.' - 1 John 4 v 12

This verse in 1 John 4 really stood out to me when I was reading it last week. Nobody has ever seen God, but God lives in us. So then when people look at us, can they see God? Is that how people see God, through us? Quite a scary thought actually. Are you a good representative of God? The Father of mankind, the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of all the Earth. Are you a good representative for Him?

Oosh. I almost cringe thinking about this. I know that if you were to follow me around 24/7 then you would see that I am not a great representative of the Kingdom of Heaven. Scrap that - you don't need to follow me all the time. You who know me can see that I'm not a perfect reflection of Jesus. It's hard right?

How can we do it better though? How can people see God more in us? Well right there in the verse - in love. Love people. Everyone. But love is not just a noun, its a verb. It's active, not passive. It's not about just saying 'i love them', it's about physically going and demonstrating that love.

How can you show your love to a different person each and every day? 

How will people see God in you, in your love, every day?

How will you be a good representative for Jesus daily?

"I believe that an [individual] working for and representing the Kingdom of God should do the best of their ability to show and prove the depth, life, newness, creativity, truth and excitement of their Heavenly Father through the work that is set before them." - Daniel Smith

Is your Dad happy? - Chapter 2

How many times have you done something that annoyed your parents?  I know I have. I like to think I don't do it as much anymore but I know when I was a teenager I used to clash heads constantly with my Mum.  So my second question is how often do we please our parents? Do we make them happy?

I was reading through 1 John chapter 2 yesterday and although it's a large enough chapter only one verse kind of stuck out for me. It's in the NLT version so it worded it in this way and it provoked some thought for me. Check it out:

'And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who pleases God will live forever.' - 1 John 2 v 17

The word 'pleases' really made me think. The verse alludes to so many other things that I could discuss such as eternal life or the desires of the world. Instead, I was faced with the seemingly simple question of "How can I please God?"

We all want to please our parents, so of course we should want to please our Heavenly Father too right? But what does that look like practically on a day to day basis? How can I make God happy by doing something every day?

I think we always get so caught up with "what does God command me to do in this situation?" or "what does God want me to do now?" But I very rarely consider "will what I'm about to do make God happy?" or "Will this please God?"

It can take endless forms of course, some that we can find in the Bible too - such as giving to the poor, practically showing love and helping our neighbour, but there's room for creativity. So have a think and that's my challenge to you - How can you please God by doing one thing every day?

"Here's Johnny" - Chapter 1

It's been a while since my last post, and I guess it's because I've been pretty busy. It's been a good busy with University and with ministry, but it's also been a challenging busy - namely to make time for God and to really spend meaningful time reflecting on what I read in His word.

Today I started reading 1 John again and then spent some time reflecting on the passage with Zaiga. We read chapter 1 today, and it's very challenging despite it's short length. I thought it would be cool to let you follow along on this journey into looking into 1 John with us, so I'll try to update this when something really strikes me! So... here's Johnny...

'We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.' - 1 John 1 v 3 + 4

Do you share about your faith enough? Or furthermore, do you share about your faith with joy? What a challenge. I know that I don't talk about how much God is doing in my life enough, and I surely know that when I do it's probably not nearly as positive and joyful as it needs to be! As Christians we need to be sharing our faith joyfully with other believers to encourage them! We need to share with joy with non-Christians to make them think! First challenge...

'God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.' - 1 John 1 v 5 + 6

Second challenge... Pretty black and white, literally. God is light and has no darkness in Him at all. So if we are living a lifestyle of sin then we are apart from Him and His fellowship. This doesn't mean that Christians don't sin - of course we do. But what is important to note is that when we sin, we don't sin in the light but rather we stray from the light and walk in the darkness - We are broken off from fellowship with God. We can't be in fellowship with God and sin because it is fundamentally contradictory to His character. Seems pretty glum right? But there's hope, read on:

'But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.' - 1 John 1 v 7

Hope! When we are walking in darkness, when we have left the light to stride in sin, when we are apart from God blocked by our sins there is hope. Return to the light! If we come back into fellowship with our Father and with Jesus, then His blood cleanses us from our sins and we are pure again. Pure again to walk in the pure light of our Father God. Be encouraged.

“Man reading should be man intensely alive. The book should be a ball of light in one's hand.” 

- Ezra Pound

Friends - "Cause I'll be there for you..."

Friends - what a t.v. show!!! It seems like every time I put on the t.v. as I am sitting down to eat my lunch there is an episode of Friends showing. It's great, 20 minutes or so long, just the right time for me to be entertained as I eat my lunch. It's entertaining, funny and sometimes makes you think. Without a doubt one of the best t.v. shows ever! What I especially like about this show is that it reveals to us the importance of a great group of friends.

When I say that friends are important, I mean really good friends. Not just people you see every day in your life, or people you work with, but truly people you consider great friends. People that will be there for you during the hard times, as well as the good times. I am blessed to have 3 of the best friends I could ask for - James, David and Carl. Not only is it great to have a group of 4 close friends that have known each other for a long time, but it's especially beneficial for us all because we're all Christian guys. That's my definition of a great friend - someone that will understand you and what you're going through, and will be there for you. That's what my group of friends are like for each other - we understand each other very well, mostly because we ourselves are going through the same things as Christian guys.

I know I'm saying that friends are important, but don't just trust me. Check what the Bible says about them:

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." - Ecclesiastes 4 v 9-12

Friends are there for support and for help. They are there to rejoice with when you've great news, but they're also there to comfort you when you've bad news. They are with you to listen, and to give advice, to encourage you and to challenge you too when it's needed. Friends are important for anybody in life, but friends to have fellowship as a Christian are absolutely vital.

If you have great friends, then you're blessed so appreciate them and tell them your gratitude. If you think your friends maybe aren't the best people for your growth spiritually, or even if they just aren't true friends, then maybe you need to think about how you choose your friends.

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” - Jane Austen

Be blessed until next time...

The FIFA Challenge

Last night, my best friend James and myself went to Tesco's at midnight to buy the new FIFA 14. Upon entering the store, we were greeted with what can only be described as 'a long line of lads'! It's the day that every football fan everywhere waits for every year - the release of the new FIFA game. Regardless of what console you play, it's something that we all eagerly and expectantly look forward to. Just look at her in all her beauty and glory:

We arrived home and got stuck into it. Before we knew it, it was nearly 2am and James had to go home to bed as the poor guy was getting up at 7am for work. hehe... I played on until 4am and can honestly say I regret nothing! I woke up today and sure enough wasted no time resuming my manager mode as the Spurs manager.

FIFA is undoubtedly a great game. But it comes with a challenge for a committed follower of Jesus. How much time will we spend smashing goals into the back of the net in a virtual reality? And how much time, in comparison, will we give to our Father? Thinking about this today after a few hours on the Xbox, I felt a little bit ashamed. Of course, it's impractical and unreasonable to say reading our Bible or praying needs to take up more time than anything else we do in our daily routines. But I think it speaks hugely about priorities... Follow on

In Luke 10, Jesus goes to visit Martha and her sister Mary. All the time, Martha is rushing around preparing the dinner and making sure everything was perfect - and I don't blame her. It would probably be my first response to if Jesus came to my house too! Her intentions may have been sound, but her priorities perhaps weren't so good. Her sister Mary definitely knew the score, and her priorities set. Check it out:

'Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught.' 

- Luke 10 v 39

Taking time with God takes precedence over everything else in our lives. No questions. No excuses. Not even FIFA 14 is a valid reason for not sitting at the Lord's feet and listening to His teaching. Lads, maybe ladies too, of course play your FIFA 14 and enjoy it. 

I failed the FIFA challenge today - I picked up the controller before I picked up my Bible. Let's make sure every day, we are taking time out to learn from God; to be in His word and connect with Him in prayer. Let's get our priorities straight...

It's more important than winning the league...