Catch on fire...

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles to watch you burn."

I wrote this John Wesley quote to someone today and was just reminded of what a beautiful quote it is.

All I want is to live for God, and if I can inspire and spur others to do the same just by being passionate than that is a beautiful bonus for God.

But whether or not you're a Christian and whether you've accidentally and rather scarily come across this page just think about that quote:

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles to watch you burn."

Think about applying it to life, to the things you love. I don't want to sound like a profound blog writer and I don't profess that this is particularly profound, but I know that I want to live my life enthusiastic and passionate about the things I love. I don't want to just be passive about things that I used to love but now can't be bothered to.

Shake up and wake up.

Life is short! Get passionate. Get excited.

It's time to watch the people around you catch onto your vision, to your love and to feel what you feel.

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles to watch you burn."

God just keeps on giving...

God is amazing!

Nothing about that statement is new to me and it shouldn't be to you either, but this week He has revealed it all over again.

Yesterday was an interview for what I want to do next year and more importantly the rest of my life! Needless to say I was just a little nervous! One of the things I love about the church family though is the support and love that is available to you. I asked so many people to support me with prayer and there were so many of my church family that were willing to help and give me advice and encouraging words. I don't know what I would do without my family, both the blood family and the church family. Just knowing that people are praying is wonderful enough. I know that I would be lost without that support system and I would find life so lonely without the knowledge of a church family loving me and being there for me.

Tuesday was generally a relaxed day where I distracted myself by knuckling down to work and later going to a friend's house for dinner. As the evening drew to a close, my Mum prayed for me, (via the phone) which always brings me peace and is something I am so grateful for. I'm so blessed to have parents that care and show an interest.

I love the fact that because of what God did for me I get to talk to Him. I've done nothing to deserve it! After sorting out my bag, clothes and general bits and bobs for the next day I sat down and prayed a last long winded repetitive prayer. And God gave me this amazing sense that He was listening and that yes He will be there tomorrow, peace was mine and I fell to sleep no problem!

I prayed these things:

For blue sky and nice weather-so that I can feel motivated and be in a good mood.

To know at least one person during the interview day.

That my interviewer would make me feel comfortable and be friendly.

That the day would go quickly and would hopefully finish relatively early!

Such small little things to ask a great big God, that to be honest wouldn't appear to require much faith, especially when you look at Biblical times when they asked for fire and waited for walls to crumble!

I woke up a little early and the first thing I did was look out at the window with an expectant heart. My heart was overjoyed with the beauty that the morning held...blue sky with a touch of pink and a few wispy clouds-Thank you God! I went feeling fairly calm and although once I got there my nerves were playing on me, God had His way of making me smile...The first person I bumped into was a friend from back home that I hadn't seen at uni for a while! Amazing! It then turned out that another person on my course was attending the day also and I was able to spend most of the day with him! The day continued pretty fast (another prayer answered) and surprisingly pretty well. Next for the interview...It was the friendliest interviewer possible, and although he tested me and pushed my knowledge I felt at ease and we chatted comfortably. I was even able to talk about church and the Bible with him. (Not totally as holy as it sounds) Answer to another prayer! And if all that wasn't enough...I finished at 1pm not the 5pm that had originally been stated.

Hallelujah! I was blown away by God's faithfulness and attention to my prayers. I don't why I should be, after all He is the most incredible God that time after time sticks by my side, listens and loves me.

How amazing that God went with me to a tiny interview (in comparison to Him) and stayed by my side. That before the day started He knew the interviewer, the weather, the people I'd meet and the exact timing of everything.

But God likes to do things His way and with His own special flare...I was told that I would know of the results within the next 2 weeks. They emailed me today and told me I had a provisional place! So although it is not a definite God has got me this far and He will get me the rest of the way, whatever that way is!

All I need is Him. He is enough. He is all I want. I don't just want Him when I have challenges to face and tough times ahead, but I want Him in everything. I want Him before I sleep, when I wake, when I cry, laugh, dance and sing I want Him there.

I love you God.

A Glorious Picture...

The last couple of nights have been prayer nights at my home church. I love being able to encourage one another by praying together and worshipping God in a smaller setting; it's all a little bit closer and more tight knit. These prayer nights are what church is all about; building each other up and getting passionate about the things we want to see happen.

After the prayer portion of the night and after a quick pint at the pub I watched The Time Traveller's Wife (sad film), once it finished I took the short walk home and it was on this walk that I had the most amazing picture.

(I was walking in the road at this point looking at the houses, listening to the peace and quiet-there is just something so freeing about walking in the middle of the road late at night/early in the morning...)

As I walked down the road I just thought to myself;

'One day every one of these houses will be filled with rejoicing.'

Just imagine it:

Whole streets filled with songs of worship and the constant chitter chatter about what God has done in each other's lives. I can't wait. I can't wait to see everyone waking up on a Sunday morning walking and driving to their churches, greeting one another on the way. One day dancing in the streets just because we are loved by the King of Kings. One day I will see my street rejoicing and praising God and what an amazing day that'll be. Just imagine the party!

Parents...

There are so many things to be thankful for in this life and one thing that I definitely thank God for is my parents.

I believe there comes an age where you truly appreciate your parents, after the tantrums of the toddler years and the talking back and rebellion of the teenage years you finally start to see just how much they've done for you. Now granted not everyone is so blessed with a fantastic set of parents, you just need to watch the Jeremy Kyle Show to see how broken some homes really are, but I have been well and truly blessed.

I didn't always used to get on with my parents and there have certainly been times where I disliked them more than anything-probably a predictable teenage stage. But I do truly love and respect them and thank God for such great parents.

I may be past the teenage years but I don't think you ever stop needing your parents or at least wanting their comfort. I came home tonight a little bit emotionally shaken up and all I did was sit down next to my Mum and pour my heart out. It's not always been like that and needless to say I am a pretty guarded person, but there are just some times that you need your Mum and I don't believe I am too old. My Dad soon joined us and the two of them said so many wise things that I would be a fool to ignore them or even take them for granted.

My parents have been the most amazing parents-they continually support me even when it gets tough-emotionally and financially; they love me unconditionally and give me the most incredibly wise advice (whether I choose to listen or not!). It's even better that I can pray with them and that they love to pray with me too. I love the fact that I can run to either of them and they will willingly pray for and with me, their prayers are so comforting.

I love my parents and I am so blessed to have them. They have been such an incredible example to me throughout the years of a loving marriage, that although has its highs and lows works so so well.

So...here's to you Mum and Dad for the amazing example you've set us children, for the love you continually pour out, for the tantrums, rebellions, back chat and rudeness you've put up with and for you're continued support in pray, in words, comfort and financially.

I love you.