...and breathe

If your anything like me, you lead a real busy life with lots to do.
Yesterday i reached exhaustion point. Ive only been in my new job 16 days, but so much stuff has happened in that time. Ive moved county, changed jobs, made new friends and tried to settle in to busy suburban London life.
I'm exhausted, so many people to meet and so many places to explore. Each day i discover something new. Its taking its toll on my brain! eek.
I felt yesterday afternoon that i just need to take time to breathe, hence the title '... and breathe'.
Take time yo chill and relax. Take time to study the word of God and to seek His strength.
Life is such an emotional journey. Maybe as your reading this you will be having a fresh start this year, maybe new job or off to uni for the 1st time or even maybe your moving away from home, and don't know ANYBODY, that was me just over two weeks ago. I moved to London for my new job, where i didn't know anyone, or anywhere or even how the transport system worked.
Ive learnt a lesson this past couple of weeks, and that is i cant do this on my own. Its such an effort if i rely on my own strength and ability. One of my fave verses in the bible is Philippians 4:13 which says 'I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.' Such an amazing verse.
Without Gods strength id be so screwed up right now. He helps me daily. Every morning we have a prayer meeting before we start work, at church, this as really helped me to seek Gods strength for the day ahead.
These are the random thoughts of a man sat in Starbucks who is feeling tired and in need of a holiday! But i hope that through reading them you will be encouraged in some way.

My big point is: Hand it over the God in prayer, rely on him for strength and trust that He has a plan for you and loved you before the dawn of time.

Giving and serving; the challenge for more?

My tangerine of the day! - Today was day one in my new job. I am the youth work intern for Christ Church Surbiton and will be working with young people aged 7+. My first day was spent in the office, mainly doing paperwork and reading. It was ace. Never thought id have so much fun doing admin! I met a guy today called Ben, he is the worship intern. Ben is great, such a passionate man of God. I love this dude, he's my new best friend.
I wanna blog this morning on the power of serving. I think its something we can all do, but I don't think we do enough.
Why should we serve more? Well, Jesus gave up His life on earth, so that we can be in perfect relationship with Him. God chose to show perfect love on the cross. We need to decide to put Him first and for most in our lives. Jesus said in John 15: 12-13 "This is my commandment that you love one another as i have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." In the verses Jesus tells us to love one another as he has loved us, Jesus showes us ultimate love by baring our wrong does on the cross. We need to be sacrificial and selfless in our love of others.
How can we serve more? Many times in life we feel like we want to serve more, but are not quite sure how we should do this so we dont. I think the key is to start simple, for instance making a cake one a week for the people you work with to share at coffee time, or leaving an anonymous gift for some one. Maybe get more active in your involvement in serving your church? If your already in  full time ministry, go the extra mile and help with the cleaning, or the welcome desk or the making of refreshments. Pray about who God want you to serve and in what way?
Dont take this in an arrogant way, but I love serving, I just wanna serve people. I feel so strongly that God has given my a servant heart and I just have a real heart for young people and I really want God to use me to be His hands and feet and i really wanna see the young people  grow in and through Christ. I love my young people from my last placement, they are a great. When i left i was sad, but so happy because I could see how God has been working in them over the past two years.

Over the coming few days I wanna challenge you to really think about how you can serve more. Think about the impact you can have through your actions, especially to your non Christian friends. Use the gifts that God has given you to bless others.

Would be great for you to really seek God and what He wants you to do for Him. Be open and challenged.  

God bless you my friends! feedback appreciated through email or facebook message.