She was sat on a rock in the river, alone, washing some clothes. This Filipina lady had her face looking downward while washing her clothes. It wasn’t a happy face. Though, not entirely sad either. It was like she was contemplating but aware that she...
“He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.” ~ Genesis 40:21-22 Miguel made a point last night at...
“Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” Matthew 24:28 NIV Yesterday, our pastor spoke in our church meeting about replacing worry with trust. You can find the notes here. Such a message will only grow in its importance and poignance over the coming months...
“We have been speaking with the site team at The Portsmouth Academy about the fire drill and have made the decision to postpone it again(!) due to the wet weather and soggy/muddy field (which is the main muster point for those evacuating the building). We'll...
"Do you know what that means for all of you?" "We've failed?" "Yes. We will be failing all of you from the weekend." Twenty five years on I can still remember my eleven year old heart dropping on hearing these words while sat in the dated, bare white-washed...
"He is better dressed than me in his stealth lycra", "he has bigger calfs", "he probably has more experience", "maybe his ride is just starting", "he had the benefit of me being a target". This sequence of thoughts flooded in immediately after I was overtaken by...
To imagine a life with more. More time, more meaningful relationships, more contribution, and growth, and contentment. A life of passion, unencumbered by the trappings of the chaotic world around you. What you're imagining is an intentional life. Not a perfect life. Not even an...
All that remained was a lone man in his hi-vis 'coverall', litter picker in hand, stood amongst hundreds of small pieces of colourful paper. Picking them up one-by-one, this looked like a job that would never be completed. There is something striking about the aftermath of a...
"WHAT IS THIS?!?!" I heard a determined cyclist express these words angrily on the Southsea seafront cycle lane on bank holiday Monday as he approached a dad standing with his two boys and a dog across both lanes. Moments before, the cyclist had already encountered another man...
She nervously and very slowly moved one knee up until her foot was touching the board. She then lifted the other leg, and then her whole body, before her head followed and also lifted up. With the sound of the park runners being encouraged across...
Fantastic and Frantic, Heartened and Humbled SEVEN years ago today I was making my way to Gatwick Airport for a trip of a lifetime. Heading down the home straight of my 20s, I was eager to get through the security line to start an adventure -- a...
They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogue, or anywhere in the city. Acts 24:12 In a noisy world, making a noise is not going to cut it. It is such a...
Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself. On...
FIFTEEN people already had their go. Each took a swing at the big yellow ball with the tennis racket, launching it into the crowd of young sports stars of the future, running off to the white cone and trying to get back before Coach Ben...
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Send men to scout out the land of Canaan I am giving to the Israelites…” Numbers 13:1. This command came shortly after the Lord had allowed Moses’ sister Miriam to suffer a skin disease having spoken out against the instructions that...
Reclined at the table, sharing bread and wine with his disciples, Jesus knew what was about to take place. He also knew that one of the familiar faces at this intimate dinner – faces belonging to men once considered as outcasts, deadbeats, and general failures at...
Burn me beautiful Burn me lovely Burn me righteous Burn me holy I wanna be tried by fire Purifier You take whatever you desire Lord here's my life...
There was a time not long ago When the sun did shine and the sowers sowed And the rain did rain and the crops did grow It was a time before machinery a time before certainty a time before we bought the lie a time before the farmer died When we had...
I’m fighting in writing this poem right now, As a battle in heaven proceeds, In the early hours as I turn in my bed, I turn to the word for my needs. On my knees. I ask for help from above, As the struggle’s too deep to perceive, This quandary I have, In...
Through waters, uncharted my soul will embark I’ll follow Your voice straight into the dark And if from the course You intend I depart Speak to the sails of my wandering heart Lost in the shallows amidst fear and fog Your truth is the compass that points me back north Jesus,...
You’re beautiful, I see that now. How you speak, how you gently lean to listen and stare at my eyes like you’re reading them like a book. How you play with my hair, how your finger dances, caressing me whilst your head is half somewhere. How your eyes...
Today marks the seventh month after my vision. A glimpse of joy that led me here. We're here, I'm here, in love, I'm in love – honey, 'WE'. We're together! The waiting is finally over, but yes oh yes, we're still waiting. for us to be 'united' one day someday, forever. No,...
You know everything there is to know about me. You’ve examined my innermost being with your loving gaze. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart...
I have come to this place in my life I'm full but I've not satisfied This longing to have more of You And I can feel it my heart is convinced I'm thirsty my soul can't be quenched You already know this but still Come and do whatever You want to I'm...
You could have made us fall in love in a second, instead, you made a love story for us to be in awe of your glory Although the waiting is hard and painful, you proved to be the God of power and greatness You came through and made us...
Oh what a joy, to see you, my Joy all glammed, blithe, joyous for what would be your most glorious day. I think about the day, times back then when all these was just a fantasy a dream we never thought could become a reality. Oh yes, it's funny. We've...
Look at the splendour of your skies, your creative genius glowing in the heavens. When I gaze at your moon and your stars mounted like jewels in their settings, I know you are the Fascinating Artist who fashioned it all! But when I look up and see such wonder and workmanship...
But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You alone restore my courage; for you lift high my head when I bow low in shame. I have cried out to...
He is mine I am His I am His first Bled, sealed with a red kiss Inked, showed I am treasured Dazzling precious I am reserved Treasured all over the universe Loved, forgiven Called righteous Crowned beautiful Fearfully wonderful Set apart, loveliest far above the rest Clothed in such splendour Precious and priceless Redeemed Embraced Retrieved by the amazing grace Forever I am...
Here it is. One word. Making everything to date now part of chapters passed, with an Epiphany; a moment of sudden and great realisation, as light affliction gives way to glory that will forever last. How have we got to the edge? One instruction at a time, Moving where the cloud goes...
Like the frost on a rose Winter comes for us all Oh how nature acquaints us With the nature of patience Like a seed in the snow I’ve been buried to grow For Your promise is loyal From seed to sequoia I know Though the winter is long even richer The harvest it brings Though my...
"Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy...
Today shoots hope but hearts raise like it can't cope Somewhere between a new and an old song A woman's hope is torn 'Run, dear run. to the new garden, I've sprung. There, there's a new hope and a sun it'll be bright, it'll be new like a song that's never been sung." "A...
This is my Bible. I took it to Milford on Sea. Why? Because time at God’s feet, learning about David against Goliath, Led the next day to my own victory. This is my Bible, Given by my American housemate Moses, in Lesotho, 2014, As I stepped into a church in a cinema...
A knot that's not a knot, But a cord that can't easily be broken, As you begin to show us what's what, Through your word that's softly spoken. Benign. Kind and gentle. Our King, Lord - this is mental. By mental, I mean renewed, When the log in our eyes, Really does start...
Roses are red, violets are blue, But do we ever stop to smell them? Do we ever stop to just tell them we admire where they're at? Standing tall as God made them, in the garden, Those lilies in the field, how they grow just like that, Without work or...
She is a woman of strength and mighty valor! She’s full of wealth and wisdom, the price paid for her was greater than many jewels. Her husband has entrusted his heart to her, for she brings him the rich spoils of victory. All throughout her life she brings him...
God of creation There at the start Before the beginning of time With no point of reference You spoke to the dark And fleshed out the wonder of light And as You speak A hundred billion galaxies are born In the vapor of Your breath the planets form If the stars were made to...
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being...
Can I be silent Can I say nothing at all Can I be quiet Can I not sing, not a single note Can I only bask in Your glory Just be completely in awe of You Can my only tears display my true feelings, Can my heart just show You everything No language...
"I think it's time to set a standard". You said. As I sat on the steps at the end of a Sunday morning. It was your mind that I hoped could be read, while your mouth was in motion, about how through our serving we might...
All your twisted thoughts free flow To everlasting memories Show soul Kiss the stars with me And dread the wait for Stupid calls returning us to life We say to those who are in love It can't be true 'cause we're too young I know that's true because so long I was So in...
Here is a simple thought; You gave to me. If Jesus, just before the point of death, Suddenly jumped down off the cross, Cleared off the scars and blood, And was healed from head to toe; It would have been unbelievable. But we could have written it. He died. Was wrapped up. Placed in a tomb....
I surrender myself to you My thoughts, my feelings, my heart Captivate me because Lord I’m only looking to you now. My life is yours, have it your way Use it however way you want it Take me to places I haven’t been Bless my hands and multiply everything I put my...
It is YOU that I long for… When I wake up and I feel that emptiness embracing me that silence that penetrates all that is within me it is really You that I long for, to heal, redeem and restore me When I desire to be held and reassured it...
You're beautiful. Your grace pierces me, it overwhelms my soul. It changes the direction of my life, it points me north when my flesh is pulling me south. The splendour of your mercy bends my knee, It pours all the tears out of me. I cannot comprehend, I cannot...
Set up road signs, put up guide posts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take. Return, Virgin Israel, return to your towns. How long will you wonder, unfaithful daughter Israel? The Lord will create a new thing on earth - the woman will...
Ten or fifteen years from now, I bet you’d still remember that you wrote this blog – that if this website still exists. Pray, it still does. What is it that you want to write? What is it that you want to achieve? Did you really...
P O I N T S We can't always thrive in our singleness 100% of the time. We're human, we're not perfect, give yourself a break. This time of singleness, isn’t a waiting period. Live your life, travel, have sleepovers with your friends, get super...
God develops us in the dark room of life. He gives us a glimpse of our destiny then He takes us into a dark room and He put us through a series of processes over time where He forges his image on the inside of...
I made it. It wasn’t as if I was wondering around the blizzardy east coast of America determined to find a suitable ‘Love Actually’ quote to dedicate my final blog post with. But that Prime Minister’s (Hugh Grant) opening quote at Heathrow airport arrivals, and the...
Found a video on youtube that made such a comforter to me. I mean...
Love, ultimately magnified on Valentine ’s Day. Beautifully cherished when two becomes one. But what if you’re single? Then that is when it becomes a different journey. “Singleness. The gift no one wants. The season no one wants to be granted, and the place that feels...
In Christ, there is no language barrier. Even the deaf could hear Him. I was listening to a Spanish Hillsong of Oceans and I realise, worship does not stop any person from any languages of a song. The Spirit can stir us at any time,...
“Two hundred”. Now in very unfamiliar surroundings, the only non-Chinese looking person in sight and with no clear register of how safe I should be feeling, I was relatively confident that this official looking underground taxi rank in the station – complete with security guard...
On the sleeper train just past Shaoguan on Guangdong’s northern border; I’ve started this blog post six hours into the day-long journey to Beijing. Having left punctually from Hung Hom station, Hong Kong, at 15:15, we should be a quarter way into the journey now...
A strange, unexpected combination of Christmas tunes, Lily Allen and - the strangely frequently present in my travels - Corinne Bailey-Rae fill the airwaves as I pass the time in one of Moscow's three airports. I decided to play it safe and not fill my...
There I was, in the exact same position where Chris treated me to my first No.7 experience 16 weeks earlier. I could not have predicted the journey ahead for those 112 days between my first delicious taste of the spinach and feta cheese tart starter...
I was there for 2.5 hours before Livho, George, Rasta and Stume broke through the office door. No one was aware I was locked in for the first 2 hours. I didn't want to cause a fuss.~ The Life of Mohau ~ ...
I wish I was here just out of curiosity because Mandela mentions it in his book. If only it was that simple and fancy free. Even just a little treat to end a challenging week. Unfortunately there's more to it. Brooklyn Guesthouse. For about £30 it's...
There were enough reasons to feel awkward. I am for women, but I am not a woman. I might be grasping the very basics of Sesotho but I wasn’t ready for 3 hours of it. I was from a ‘well-educated’, greatly privileged background, less so one...
£33,000 raised towards Kick4Life FC’s work. 300 school children provided with access to HIV curriculum activities. These were some of the headline statistics read out by Co-Founder Steve Fleming in his final debrief to the group of 10 UK ‘All-Stars’ who had just experienced what,...
"Kick4Life are providing the pathway to follow. For example, if they tell me to not drink the beer and then I go away and am drinking the beer and someone ask me 'why are you drinking the beer?' and I say sorry, who is in...
September the first. I had been looking forward to this day for a long time being my first of a 3 month volunteer contract with Kick4Life (K4L). I'll be helping with the K4L hotel and No.7 restaurant come October and in the mean time will be...
Ever since the decision was made to talk to my boss about the possibility of travelling, life has taken quite an exciting, unpredictable and humbling direction. I guess that's exactly what I was looking for. Squeezing the last remaining items in to what will be...
The wait itself is a gift of grace. You see, waiting is not only about what you will receive at the end of the wait. Waiting is what you will become as you wait…Waiting means surrendering your glory. Waiting means submitting to his glory. Waiting...
God knew there would be times when we would be tempted to waver in our confession of hope. Maybe you are believing for something and you’re starting to think, “Is this really for me? Will this really ever happen?” If that’s you, remember, He who...
God is a strategic God. He has laid out an exact plan for our lives down to the smallest details. God knows the people you’re going to need to fulfill your destiny. He knows who is going to need to give you a good break...
To operate in faith, we have to be so convinced that God is doing what he has spoken that no one can talk you out of it. Circumstances do not matter because you are fully convinced. Chatter and opposition do not matter because you are...
As I was revising for my exam for last week (which I wasn’t able to attend to coz of the heavy snow), as usual listening to my “quiet time” playlist, I was slightly worried coz all I can think of is how I’d be able...
Having to do all these work, I don't know how I was able to overcome. Amazing how God empowers us when we ask, He never cease to prove to be strong when we are weak and unable. I'm glad I chose to trust His work...
Today, as I bump into random friends in university, I realise simplest things such as which God won't call a coincidence. For just as He knows the number of my very hair in my head, the number of the stars as He calls each star by...
As fall starts as fall - windy and rainy, and so did my week in University begin with a horrible stormy weather. Though as enthusiastic as I was on my first day of lecture, I bashed it as God telling me how His grace pours...
When I decided to deactivate my facebook, people wondered why I had to deactivate it when I can just leave it and not go on to it. My reason is that the thought of it activate could tempt me to sneak and still check it...
Why do you have to be in front of me,why do I have to be always watching you… Why do I have to always see from afar yet still feel like you’re a dream? Why do I get to be the one watching, seeing, and...
"Be still and know that He is God. When you are lonely, too much stillness is exactly the thing that seems to be laying waste your soul. Use that stillness to quiet your heart before God. Get to know Him. If He is God, He is...
"Let this goodbye of ours, this last goodbye, Be still and splendid like a forest tree...
Countless times, even though I love God so much, I often find myself hiding from Him. As for whether I indulge myself with my sinful desires intentionally or unintentionally, I always caught myself with the thought of Jesus looking at me, nodding and disappointed every...
As I was meandering at the beach this afternoon, I was pondering on God’s promises that don’t seem to make sense to me at the moment, promises that are so good that I have yet to taste, smell and touch. Memories start to draw in,...
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." – Matthew 26:41 “…But the flesh is weak.” From that context, that’s all I know before God asserted me in this situation before I ever desire...
As Eliphaz argued with Job about Job's anger and complaints with God, He stated "Submit to God and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart." - Job 22:21-22 The passage spoke to me...