#Dressember starts tomorrow
Last day in jeans before #Dressember so I had to wear my favourite minion/dr who tee. Support IJM by donating here or find out more about #Dressember here

祝日 / Permanent Vacation
Stranger Things
Alisa U Zemlji Chuda
I'd rather be in outer space 🛸

shark vs the universe
Misplaced Lens Cap
Sweet Seals For You, Always
$LAYYYTER
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we're not kids anymore.
Aqua Utopia|海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
taylor price
Sade Olutola

pixel skylines

titsay
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ojovivo

Discoholic 🪩

JVL
almost home
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@squishymeanderings
#Dressember starts tomorrow
Last day in jeans before #Dressember so I had to wear my favourite minion/dr who tee. Support IJM by donating here or find out more about #Dressember here
A prayer
Psalm 25
In the notes I made in my notebook about this psalm, the word I kept using to describe it was ‘prayer’. David, the psalmist, has an attitude of humility and worship throughout this psalm. He is making a statement about who he trusts – where he puts his hope. Those who wait on God, who hope in Him, need not fear shame or defeat because God is a loving a righteous judge.
David’s prayer is that God would not let him be shamed, but instead would guide him in righteousness and integrity so that his life is pleasing to God, who has saved him. He prays that God would not remember his sins, but would remember him and forgive him. He prays for protection and deliverance, as he has made God his refuge.
David is confident that his prayers will be answered because his next stanza explains how God is His goodness leads and teaches those who will follow him. He outlines the benefits of fearing God: instruction, guidance, well-being, an inheritance, and friendship with God.
David prays and is confident that God will rescue and comfort him because of His unfailing love and mercy. He prays for forgiveness, protection and deliverance because he trusts in God. He knows that the LORD will instruct and lead those who fear and follow Him. He not only prays for himself and his needs, but also intercedes for his nation.
How often do we pray confidently, convinced that God will act and intercede? Because the timeless truth of this Psalm is that God is trustworthy. He will rescue, protect, teach, instruct and comfort those who fear and follow Him, because of His love and mercy.
This is comforting when we go through difficult times or are unsure about the future. In this season of my life I am learning so much about trusting God, and seeking Him and His comfort, recognising His blessings in my life in the midst of uncertainty. I’m also praying for guidance as I consider the future, but know that God will be there wherever I go, for “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies” (v10).
It is also a challenge to me to remember to pray for others, for my friends, and for my country that we would start/keep turning to God for guidance.
#100happydays day 100!!!! I did it!!! Here are some of my favourite moments...
Jesus taught his lesson of faith to his disciples on a sinking fishing boat in a storm. If Jesus was a youth leader, he would have been fired by the church, but these disciples were going to learn by doing.
Steve Addison 'Making a move' in Youthwork Magazine, Feb 2014
#100happydays day 99: lovely walk to Pennard castle and Three Cliffs #sunshineoverGower #ats100happydays
#100happydays day 98: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the best, silliest, loveliest, funniest most huggable Daddy in the world. Sorry I'm not with you today but I will be home soon! #bestdad #happyfathersday #ats100happydays
#100happydays day 97: bedtime reading
#100happydays day 96: today I bought cheap cookies. Cookies are my favourite. Now I just need lots of willpower not to eat them all at once... #ats100happydays
#100happydays day 95: went to a youth mentor in training session. They gave me free books. I am happy. Then there was a pretty sunset. #ats100happydays #123 #discipleshipthefriendsway
#100happydays day 94: my brilliant friend Christine has some exciting news. It means we will soon be living in the same country. Her bravery and friendship, along with my other #ATS friends, has been such an inspiration to me in the last year. I don't know what I'd do without them. #TeamUK #TOMANDCOOKIES #Sisterhood #ats100happydays
#100happydays day 93: so this was waiting for me when I got home tonight: designed by the uber talented artisticdork and shipped #alltheway from 'Murica... I know what I'm wearing tomorrow! #ats100happydays #everydayimhustlin
Thankful
So...
I've been finding it difficult to make time to write recently. Faced with the craziness of trying to find a new job and packing up to move out of my house with no idea of where I'm moving to long term I've struggled to order my thoughts sensibly. I have pages of notes on the Psalms that could become blog posts but at the moment I can't make sense of them.
What I love about the Psalms is their honesty. They turned to God in every situation, whether joyful or in deep despair.
What I have been learning recently is that God is the only thing I can always rely on. The things that I have been through have made me cling to Him all the more when I could so easily have tried to blame Him. (side note: I have been listening to David Platt's brilliant series on Job recently - brings a whole new perspective to suffering which I have found really helpful. can be found here)
I've just got back from an amazing weekend celebrating the marriage of two of my really good friends. I was moved to tears several times by the beauty of their love, and most of all the knowledge that a deep love for God is at the centre of their relationship.
Just as I was about to leave at the end of the evening do, a lady came up to me who I didn't know, a relation of the bride, and said she needed to say something to me. She said that God had told her to come and tell me how beautiful I am, that she was watching me dance earlier (badly but with enthusiasm during the disco - my words!) and that I looked radiant. A few minutes later I was saying goodbye to a friend who told me that I looked stunning and had an amazing smile. And I cried, because I needed to hear those things, and I was so grateful that God had told people to tell me what I needed to hear.
God has made loads of amazing promises over each and everyone of us. He wants what is best for us, and delights in us, His children. Things don't always turn out how we hope or expect, but we can always be assured of His love for us. I forget this so easily, and need to be told again and again.
In case you have forgotten too - God thinks you are amazing. He loves you so much.
Isaiah 40v28-31
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
#100happydays day 92: spent the day exploring some Roman ruins (partially rebuilt by the Victorians). Gorgeous mosaics. Very glad it didn't rain (thunderstorms were forecast!) #trueBritishclimate #ats100happydays
#100happydays day 91: explored Waddesdon Manor today in the sunshine. Beautiful grounds and a stunningly huge house. Mainly took pictures on my camera, apart from this one of a lovely cloudscape #nationaltrusting #ats100hapoydays
#100happydays day 90: #Thimblybeewedding today! And the sun has come out!
#100happydays day 89: painting my nails ready for the wedding of the year tomorrow! Also, I love staying in hotels!
Gah! Forgot to post again yesterday, this is yesterday's picture: #100happydays day 88: my current favourite web series...