Saturday, October 29, 2011

Keep Going


If ever God spoke to me through a signpost, this was it.
We were all on our way home from a holiday in Tenby and I saw the clouds settled in the valleys, so we stopped the car to take some photos. About 10' away was this sign, completley on it's own. I have no idea what it was referring to, but it spoke to me and is speaking to me at a time when life is very hard going.
In the past I've been so dull to hearing God, I think I made it difficult for Him to speak to me by my super spiritual expectations. These days I just take what ever He's giving.

Keep Going.
Keep Going.

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Debt Crisis


I was told last night about the Wolfson Economics Prize 
I'm not an economist, and don't understand half the questions on the list that need to be answered to win the £250K prize.
But I had a thought....

I remeber hearing as a kid about these people who trap monkeys. They would drill a small hole in a box, put some rice in it, and then wait. Along comes a monkey, sticks it's hand in the hole to get the rice...but now because it's hand is full it can't get it out of the small hole. Rather than let go, the monkey is so greedy it will cling onto the rice even as the hunter approaches and stuffs him in a bag. Literally caught by it's own greed.
The answer is to let go.

The Bible talks about a Year of Jubilee
Leviticus 25: 10
And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan.

The idea was incredible. Cancel all debt on this year. It was so redical. It would happen every 50 years. The idea is millenia old, but can you guess how many times the Year of Jubilee was celebrated? That's right, none. They were too greedy to give it a go, and eventually all ended up in slavery, time and time again.

What if we cancelled all debt?
What if we said to all the countries struggling to pay us back, your debts are cancelled. Not just lessened, postponed, but cancelled. What if all your mortgages and loans were cancelled.

My first thought is, Nah- it just wouldn't work...would it? It can't...can it?
What if?

Perhaps God's way might just turn out to work?

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Treasure Chest


I just love the Bible, the Living Word of God.
I find reading the Word like running my hands through a chest full of treasure.
Sometimes I don't always appreciate the worth of what my hands are holding, and sometimes I am so amazed at a particular gem that I pick it out and just look at it. Letting the light fall on different facets and seeing different things.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sacrifice


I come into work today heard these words on the radio:

But I've shined like a diamond through sacrifice

here's the full song:

Dolly Parton
The Sacrifice lyrics
Well, I've sacrificed time with family and friends
Gave up vacations for work without end
24/7, 365
But I was willing to make the sacrifice

But empty or full, I've carried my pale
You don't drink the water if you don't dig the well
Through blood sweat and tears I have built a good life
But it didn't come without sacrifice

But I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
All through the years I kept my eye on the prize
You ask if it's worth the sacrifice, the sacrifice

I think about Jesus and all that he gave
And the ultimate sacrifice that he made
He is my strength and my guiding light
And he's taught me that nothing's without sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
I wanted success and, brother, I've paid the price
And, yes, it's been worth the sacrifice, the sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
Grindstones and rhinestones have made up my life
But I've shined like a diamond through sacrifice

I was gonna be rich no matter how much it cost
And I was gonna win no matter how much I lost
But I hope God will tell me, 'Well done, my child
You've won your reward through your sacrifice, the sacrifice'

The sacrifice
But sometimes I wonder in the still of the night
Is it really worth the sacrifice
I've often laughed and I've often cried
I've often failed but I've always tried
I made the sacrifice