Tagged Times Three

Firstly, a big thank you to Esther, Abbiee, and Lydia for tagging me! You guys make me feel so blessed. Actually every single person who even notices this place blesses me so much. Each comment, and follow, and kind word, like throws me into a mental spin of ‘Woooooow!’, ‘I can’t believe it!,’ ‘I’m so blessed,’ ‘Praise God!’ So yeah; know that you are thought about and appreciated, and used of God. :)

Anyway, moving on to the tags… I’m going to combine them, so firstly Abbiee and Lydia’s questions:

Best childhood memory? Hearing my father say ‘I love you.’ And I remember staying over at my grandparents place with my siblings. At night, I would go to the bookshelf, grab a few books, go sit on my Grandad’s knee and read them to him as we sat in front of the fire. I got to be too big to sit on his knee (as Grandad would say, ‘I sure grew-some’), but we still have chats about books, poems and stories. Maybe that’s where I got my enjoyment of quality literature and history from. 

What is your opinion of Tumblr? Well, to be honest, I’ve barely explored Tumblr, so I don’t really have an opinion. Am I missing out on something or not?

Current favourite song? ‘Go Light your World.' The lyrics inspire me to be bold about what I believe, and dare to share. I’ve been reading lately about the responsibility that rests on us. The golden rule - 'whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them' - goes the other way too: if we were lost without hope, wouldn't we want someone to share God's love with us? So that's what's been on my mind; if we believe we have life and soul saving information, we have a responsibility to share it.

What is the thing, that when you do it, you feel ALIVE? Canvassing. There’s nothing like working for God, and doing what you know you’re meant to do.

Are GIFs life or annoying? To me, they’re annoying. No offense to all those who deem them a necessity.

Do you stare at them forever just to read lips with the caption? Yes.

Was that last question confusing? No, I knew exactly what you meant. I just thought I was the only who did that.

Dream job? Well, I’ve had fantasies of opening up a bookshop/café, and I even have it all planned, and named, and I've even thought up a small way to start without going straight into a shopfront. But I don’t think I want to do it enough to make it happen.

Who is your greatest spiritual influence? My family. I don’t follow anyone particularly, or look up to one person. My mum, siblings and friends all influence, and encourage me, but I like to think things out and discover things for myself. I guess not having consistent fellowship over the years has made me a fairly independent thinker, and, hopefully, more dependent on God.

If you had access to a time machine, where would you go? Wow. Maybe it would be good to just zoom through all of history – from the beginning right up until now. But I’m reading through Acts at the moment, and I have to say, I would’ve liked to have been there when like three thousand people believed all at once.

What is your biggest hobby? Well, if you call music a hobby, that’s the one I’m spending most time on at the moment. Next in line comes reading, writing, emailing, and sending letters, other creative stuff, and cooking. Oh, and taking photos. I have too many hobbies. 

Who is your biggest inspiration? Um, I honestly can’t think of anybody particularly. Pretty much everyone I know inspires me though, just in different ways, to do different things (including not to do the things they do). Does that count for an answer?

What is your favourite piece of music? Oh, this is hard. I like rich, beautifully haunting music, especially played by cello… Stuff like ‘Theme’ from Schindler’s List, ‘The Swan’, and Jewish melodies. I wish I could find more of it.

What is something you wish you knew more about? Human behaviour, and what makes people think and do the things they think and do, and how the brain works, and all those fascinating things. And then how to help people using that knowledge; I see so many hurting people, and I just want to help them, but I don’t know how to. 

What is your favourite quote? I’m hoping that means current favourite, because I’m constantly getting new favourites. So: Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. I have this stuck on my pinboard, and it stands out to me every time I glance that way, and makes me ask myself, ‘What is it that sets me on fire?’, and ‘What’s stopping me from doing it?’ 

What is something you look forward to doing each day? Eating, if we’re going to be honest, and really just thinking, processing, mining for those ‘wow, that’s truth’ statements in whatever I’m reading, seeing, or thinking about. 

What is your favourite way to get exercise? An early morning walk spent talking with God. And canvassing as well, because you’re focused on more exciting things, but you actually get a lot of exercise.

Describe yourself in three sentences. I’m a student. I’m still figuring stuff out, messing stuff up, making silly mistakes, getting excited with each new find, and hopefully at the end of each day, learning. I’m also super blessed. (Or you want like my bio? I actually have one. Here: Jessica believes everyone has a story worth sharing, and is enthusiastic about helping people. She enjoys making music, pursuing creative ventures, and chasing sunshine. She lives out in the country, with her family and three pet sheep. How lame is that.)

What has been your biggest life achievement so far? I like these questions that make me think, except… yeah, I don’t always have answers. Finishing school is quite something, one of those things I never thought would actually happen, but it doesn’t seem like a big life achievement. Maybe one of bigger life achievements, which is still ongoing, is pushing myself outside my comfort zone to be a blessing to others. It’s been worth it, every single time. 

What is something you learned recently? That God is still in the business of doing miracles, that no one ever asked if I wanted to grow up, and that time and opportunity wait for no one.

Where is the most interesting place you have ever gone? It depends how you define the word ‘interesting’, but as far as culturally different and interesting it would be Cabramatta. I live out of town, and we shop in a small town with few foreigners, and then we spent a day shopping in a busy, dirty, city suburb where we were some of the only Australians, and everyone was speaking a different language, some of the writing on the shopfronts was in a different language, everything was crowded, and most shops were smoky from burning incense. But, the shop owners were friendly, everyone was probably a trifle more real, and the ladies were well dressed. It was interesting.

And now, Esther and Lydia both tagged me to share some facts about myself, but I feel like I’ve already talked enough about myself, so I shall break the rules, and share eleven facts regarding you:

God’s love for you is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)

His kindness and peace for you will last even after the mountains depart, and hills are removed. (Isaiah 54:10)

Nothing – not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, life, death, angels, principalities, powers, or things happening - can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39)

God set plans in place to save us all, even when we don’t deserve it. (Romans 5:8)

God is preparing for you, something you could never even imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

He gave everything up just for you – to give you an amazing, everlasting future. (John 3:16)

He has plans for your future – plans of hope and peace. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God calls you His child. (1 John 3:1)

He’s there to comfort you. (Psalm 71:21)

He’s able to do for you more than you could ever ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

He says you’re precious. (Isaiah 43:4)

God will be with you always. (Matthew 28:20)

I shall tag  Niv, Katie Grace, Vanessa, Bailey, Joy, Erudessa, Sarah, Janie, and, Esther, Abbiee and Lydia. Here are the questions:

Which sense, (smell, tough, taste, etc) do you value the most?

What are three things you’ve learned recently?

What book (aside from the Bible) has majorly impacted your life?

Which is your favourite Psalm?

Are you more the cook or the eater in your home? (Tell me if you’ve heard this question before. :D)

How do you pick yourself up if you’re having a not-so-good, down, or slow day?

What is your favourite time of the day?

What are four of your current ‘happy’ things (songs, pictures, products, etc)?

What is something that is outside your comfort zone, but you want to do it?

What are a few of your (current) favourite words?

Try this recommendation by Ernest Hemingway: "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know."

Wow, this is hugely long. Thanks again to Esther, Abbiee and Lydia for tagging me, and thinking up those excellent questions. And if I didn’t tag you, please, do the tag anyway and let me know; I’d like to hear your answers! :)

What are your answers to the questions I was asked – your favourite childhood memory, something you wish you knew more about, your favourite song or quote, something that makes you feel alive? Does it awe you, everything God offers, and wants to do for us? How’s your week going so far?

The Birds Will Tell You

A few weeks ago, we discovered a tiny bird nest in one of the rose bushes just out the front of our house. It had two baby birds in it, and by the time we noticed it, they were already feathered. Only a few days later they were out of the nest, trying to fly. They didn’t know fear, so we picked them up, carried them around, and photographed them copiously. The parents at first didn’t seem to mind, but after a while they became aggressive, and you’ve got to admire them – a tiny bird less than the size of my hand coming for me and my family because of its care and concern for its offspring. I think that’s powerful because it shows that when we have a big enough incentive, we will do whatever it takes. And Jesus did: that’s what brought Him to this world, and took Him to Calvary. The most amazing thing though, is that the incentive was us. 

A couple of days later, the baby birds found their wings enough to fly successfully, and I guess Mummy and Daddy bird decided that enough was enough, because we haven’t seen them since. But it’s amazing how one small bird family kept us entertained for ages: we would go out and see where they were, and if they were alright, and we would watch them try to fly, or huddle out of the rain. They brought joy, and taught lessons. God combined so much into one kind of bird, and then remember that He also created thousands of other kinds of birds, not even to mention other animals: it's incredible when you think about it. He created such variety, and wove intricate details into every single specimen, and somehow included lessons we can learn from them all. And then He placed an example right outside our window. 

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10

“In one of His most impressive lessons Christ says, “Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them…” The Great Teacher is here leading our minds to understand the parental care and love which God has for His children. He directs them to observe the birds flitting from tree to tree, or skimming upon the bosom of the lake, without a flutter of distrust of fear. God’s eye is upon these little creatures; He provides them food; He answers all their simple wants. Jesus inquires, “Are ye not much better than they?” If God cares for and preserves the little birds, will He not have far greater love and care for the creatures formed in His image?” In Heavenly Places p114

 What lessons has God been teaching you through nature? Have you ever watched baby birds grow up and learn to fly? And how is 2016 going for you? (If you want my answer: way too fast.)

My New Year's Resolution

It’s that time of year when new year’s resolutions are everywhere. This year, I decided not to make resolutions as such, but rather choose a word to focus on, an idea to (hopefully) govern my choices. But I was still thinking thoughts like, ‘I will step outside my comfort zone more this year.’ Or, ‘I will get closer to God, and be a stronger witness.’ There’s nothing wrong with resolves like that, is there?

I didn’t think so, until I heard someone speaking about Lucifer, the angel that first sinned. What was it that caused his downfall? It says in Isaiah 14: “How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! …for though hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into the heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of congregation… I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most High.” These were Lucifer’s new year’s resolutions, if you will. He was going to make himself better, he was going to change things, and he was going to do it himself. How is that different to what I was thinking? 

It’s hard to spot, because what could be wrong with aiming to do better, to be better?  Of itself, there isn’t anything wrong with seeking to improve; growth is essential. But, it’s how we get there, it’s how we plan on achieving the improvement, it’s the attitude. It made me think of Jesus, how He said, “I can of mine own self do nothing… I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30) If Jesus can’t do anything of Himself, what do I think I’m doing saying I will do this or I will do that?

It’s not about me, it’s not about you. It’s not about what we can do, how we can improve ourselves, or make a good life for ourselves. It’s about Him. It’s got to be, because Jesus also says, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

So the only thing I can do, is choose to abide, choose to accept that I can’t do it myself,  and choose to let Him make the resolutions, do the improving, and help me grow to be who He has planned. Considering that He’s perfect, He cannot possibly fail or make a mistake, and that He already has unimaginable plans for my life, it's the perfect solution.

So that’s what I’ve been thinking about these last few days. It was a surprising thought process, actually, but it’s kind of freeing. I can’t improve myself; only He can. I don't have to do it, I just have to allow God to work in my life. It's still hard to know exactly what God wants for me this year, and the what, when and wheres, but I want to make it Him and not me. Anyway, what’s been on your mind? How do you react to the explosion of new year’s resolutions everywhere? How do you think we can practically let Christ direct our lives? Tell me your thoughts!