Thursday, 12 January 2012
Confession time
Sometimes this celibacy gig really, really sucks. Something tells me this could be the longest 73 days of my life.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Seriously?
Some parents, it seems, will blame the TV for problems that are not really problems.
I'm pretty sure I was jumping in muddy puddles before Peppa was a twinkle in Daddy Pig's eye. And probably demanding chocolate cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for all the good it did me. (Just say no, parents!)
A sense of perspective can be a healthy thing sometimes.
I'm pretty sure I was jumping in muddy puddles before Peppa was a twinkle in Daddy Pig's eye. And probably demanding chocolate cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner, for all the good it did me. (Just say no, parents!)
A sense of perspective can be a healthy thing sometimes.
Monday, 9 January 2012
Bible Musings: The Holy Spirit
I'm not sure if this is something I want to make a habit of, but I'm going to blog a Bible study. But before I do, I should point out that I'm just some chick with a couple of mediocre A-Levels who is doing her best to get to know God. Personally, I don't believe booksmarts is the best way to do that. Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship, and you can't get that from reading a book. Don't get me wrong: I do love my Bible, but the fact is that I met God before I'd read one word of it for myself. I have since read it all - although most bits only once, which isn't enough, so I won't pretend to have all the answers.
I'm quoting from the New International Version of the Bible because it's widely accepted as accurate and comprehensible, and the one we use for in-depth study at church. I've linked to the whole chapters rather than individual verses because out of context the verses can be misinterpreted, and if anyone is following my train of thought I'd like them to see the bigger picture.
Just to make it even more challenging, a friend was asking me recently what I made of these verses:
So. The Holy Spirit then. These verses are just a small part of what Jesus said about the Spirit, who would come to us - Jesus' followers, both those present at the time and those here today - after Jesus returned to the Father. The Spirit is characterised here by truth; elsewhere he (I'll use 'he' because I'm not an ultra-feminist; that's another discussion though) is called the Counsellor, (or Friend, Comforter, etc depending on the translation) essentially referring to his task of bringing people closer to God and His truth.
Jesus goes on to say 'All that belongs to the Father is mine', highlighting the close relationship between Father, Son and Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has clearly been active since the beginning of time:
But he has only been active in a more personal way since Acts chapter 2, which describes the event Jesus speaks of in the verses above, the Holy Spirit coming to be with (to comfort) Christ's early followers. I wish I could explain or describe how the Spirit is with me, but the fact is that God is (and should be, by definition) beyond my understanding or ability to properly explain.
The personal closeness with the Spirit, though, is described by Jesus elsewhere:
So the Spirit has always been here, but until after Christ, was not accessible to everyone.
Now, on to the sticky bits....
The Spirit will speak what he hears (from either Father or Son, but as we know they are together, it doesn't matter which). Because of the intimate, personal nature of the Spirit's relationship with Christians, he (the Spirit) was able to speak truths directly to individuals. All of this - i.e. most of the New Testament - was 'yet to come' at the time Christ said these words. In John 16:12, Jesus had said that he had much more to tell his disciples, and in the verse above he is reassuring them that through the Spirit, he would tell them the rest later.
And speaking of telling the rest later, I've gone very long already. Serious congratulations if you made it this far! I may pick up on some other points from the original conversation later, but for now that is my reading of the verses in question. Always happy to be educated by more experienced Christians though, so if that's you feel free to comment :)
I'm quoting from the New International Version of the Bible because it's widely accepted as accurate and comprehensible, and the one we use for in-depth study at church. I've linked to the whole chapters rather than individual verses because out of context the verses can be misinterpreted, and if anyone is following my train of thought I'd like them to see the bigger picture.
Just to make it even more challenging, a friend was asking me recently what I made of these verses:
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:13-14)
So. The Holy Spirit then. These verses are just a small part of what Jesus said about the Spirit, who would come to us - Jesus' followers, both those present at the time and those here today - after Jesus returned to the Father. The Spirit is characterised here by truth; elsewhere he (I'll use 'he' because I'm not an ultra-feminist; that's another discussion though) is called the Counsellor, (or Friend, Comforter, etc depending on the translation) essentially referring to his task of bringing people closer to God and His truth.
Jesus goes on to say 'All that belongs to the Father is mine', highlighting the close relationship between Father, Son and Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has clearly been active since the beginning of time:
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)
But he has only been active in a more personal way since Acts chapter 2, which describes the event Jesus speaks of in the verses above, the Holy Spirit coming to be with (to comfort) Christ's early followers. I wish I could explain or describe how the Spirit is with me, but the fact is that God is (and should be, by definition) beyond my understanding or ability to properly explain.
The personal closeness with the Spirit, though, is described by Jesus elsewhere:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever (John 14:16, emphasis mine)
So the Spirit has always been here, but until after Christ, was not accessible to everyone.
Now, on to the sticky bits....
He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and will tell you what is yet to come.
The Spirit will speak what he hears (from either Father or Son, but as we know they are together, it doesn't matter which). Because of the intimate, personal nature of the Spirit's relationship with Christians, he (the Spirit) was able to speak truths directly to individuals. All of this - i.e. most of the New Testament - was 'yet to come' at the time Christ said these words. In John 16:12, Jesus had said that he had much more to tell his disciples, and in the verse above he is reassuring them that through the Spirit, he would tell them the rest later.
And speaking of telling the rest later, I've gone very long already. Serious congratulations if you made it this far! I may pick up on some other points from the original conversation later, but for now that is my reading of the verses in question. Always happy to be educated by more experienced Christians though, so if that's you feel free to comment :)
Friday, 6 January 2012
Music Day - I'm Ready
Over the last year and a bit I've been listening to more and more Christian music - some of it surprisingly good!
I've always liked rock chicks, and one of my favourites at the moment also has a nice geeky name - how cool is it to be named after a character from Tolkien? Anyway, I love this track - not so much for the music, which has a more country style than some of her music - but because the lyrics could come right out of my life.
I've always liked rock chicks, and one of my favourites at the moment also has a nice geeky name - how cool is it to be named after a character from Tolkien? Anyway, I love this track - not so much for the music, which has a more country style than some of her music - but because the lyrics could come right out of my life.
I'm ready to be all that you have made me to be...
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
2011 v 2012
There were a couple of big moments for me in 2011 - I got baptised; I turned 25, and got The Ring* for my birthday (well, on my birthday, it was for agreeing to marry Animal**); then I moved out of the house I've shared with my bff for the last few years and into the house that I will soon share with Animal.
All pretty big things, and although 2010 will always be the year my life got flipped, turned upside down (that's another story, more of which I may share if anyone asks), I think it's fair to say that 2012 is going to be a whole lot more awesome.
The reason for this expectation of awesomeness? Only the most exciting, terrifying event imaginable. Yep, in about 81 days (who's counting?) I will be Mrs Animal.
I honestly have no idea what else the year will bring... my plans extend as far as the honeymoon, and then everything will have changed for me.
So, I guess, watch this space...
*Not a LotR geek reference, an actual sapphire & diamond ring.
**The drummer in my life
*Not a LotR geek reference, an actual sapphire & diamond ring.
**The drummer in my life
Monday, 2 January 2012
So that was Christmas...
I hope you had fun.
There is an interesting phenomenon I've noticed the last couple of Christmases, which is that of people asking me really weird questions, based purely on the fact that I'm one of those Christians now. I don't mean sensible questions about why I believe all that baby Jesus stuff, I mean silly ones like these...
Q: You do know Jesus wasn't even born in December, don't you?
A: Well, so what, smart-arse, you don't believe he was born at all but you don't have any problem partying down do you?
Q: Doesn't it bother you that most of the people singing about Jesus aren't Christians?
A: Well, since for 24 years all I knew about Jesus was what I learnt from Christmas Carols, no, not really. Admittedly Christmas songs barely scratch the surface of the tip of the iceberg of what Jesus is about, but it's a start. They showed me He was there, so that when the time came I had some idea where to look for Him.
Q: Did you know Santa is an anagram of Satan?
A: Yes, I did, and I see he brought you a dictionary this year. Not before time either, dead hick.
Seriously though, don't let that stop you all asking me about these things. I do like having sensible conversations about them, either here or in private emails, but some of these questions just come up repeatedly from friends, colleagues and relatives, for whatever reason. Still, why not start the year with a rant, eh?
There is an interesting phenomenon I've noticed the last couple of Christmases, which is that of people asking me really weird questions, based purely on the fact that I'm one of those Christians now. I don't mean sensible questions about why I believe all that baby Jesus stuff, I mean silly ones like these...
Q: You do know Jesus wasn't even born in December, don't you?
A: Well, so what, smart-arse, you don't believe he was born at all but you don't have any problem partying down do you?
Q: Doesn't it bother you that most of the people singing about Jesus aren't Christians?
A: Well, since for 24 years all I knew about Jesus was what I learnt from Christmas Carols, no, not really. Admittedly Christmas songs barely scratch the surface of the tip of the iceberg of what Jesus is about, but it's a start. They showed me He was there, so that when the time came I had some idea where to look for Him.
Q: Did you know Santa is an anagram of Satan?
A: Yes, I did, and I see he brought you a dictionary this year. Not before time either, dead hick.
Seriously though, don't let that stop you all asking me about these things. I do like having sensible conversations about them, either here or in private emails, but some of these questions just come up repeatedly from friends, colleagues and relatives, for whatever reason. Still, why not start the year with a rant, eh?
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