Friday 18 March 2016

Carphone Warehouse - dispassionate ageism?


Those who know me realise I'm not one to rant. Today is the exception to the rule through my dealings with Carphone Warehouse and the dispassionate response in trying to sort out my aged mother in-laws phone.

She has recently come to live with us and is in the process of selling the family home in Dorset. She has been the main carer for my father in-law who has Parkinsons and related dementia.  The final straw in caring for him came a few weeks ago when she became ill enough to warrant hospital admission.

With her daughter in Australia and also needing to keep in contact with the precious few friends she would be leaving behind, we thought it would be a lovely idea for her 88th birthday last Friday to buy her an iPhone 6. With the large touch screen we figured she would soon get the hang of it. She's been fairly tech savvy so far with her computer.

We tried to order the phone online through Carphone Warehouse but the payment was declined, we were told to ring them directly. In the phone conversation I had on ordering, I was assured that there wouldn't be a problem with changing the new phone number to her old number. With my mind at rest we ordered the phone which happily arrived on the day of her birthday.

I did everything I was told to do - I set up the new phone with the EE sim card and then rang them to get the number changed. I was a little suspicious of the man who answered my call in that he seemed to be having a problem. He put me on hold and eventually someone else came online and told me that it would take 48 hours.

48 hours later and no sign of the change over I ended up having to ring EE again to see what the problem was. Again I was concerned because my mother in-law had gone ahead and posted 90 letters with change of address and contact details using the old phone number. One friend had tried to ring the old number only to have it answered by an Indian man who insisted it was his phone number!

'Angela' the EE phone agent I got through to was very helpful. She told me that there was no record of any call on Friday but that she would sanction it again. She assured me that in 48 hours we would get a text confirming the change over to the old number. We waited patiently……

Today a text came from EE saying there was a problem and that we should ring them.

I duly rang and spoke to 'Andrew'. By this time I was not in a frame of mind to be fobbed off any more and made my feelings known. He was apologetic and said that he would sanction and that it would be done in 48 hours! I expressed the view that EE had not reassured us of the customer service they boast of on the marketing splurge. I was seriously considering pulling out of the contract which the Carphone Warehouse agent had assured me I could do within 14 days. With all the 48 hours hours we were being given to wait, the time frame was shrinking rapidly. He told me that he would go to the next level to get this prioritised, he would get back to me.

Meanwhile I decided I would ring Carphone Warehouse to make sure we would be within the 14 days of pulling out of contract and to fill them in the picture. I spoke to 'Zukira', patiently explaining the story so far. When I mentioned that we might possibly want to pull out of the  contract she became more officious and patronising. She said she wasn't able to deal with me directly. I explained my mother in law was 88 and I was dealing with the call to prevent further stress to her but that I could get my mother in law to answer security questions. What followed was frankly outrageous. Zukira had obviously decided that the party line was to insist we visit a Carphone Warehouse. Even though my mother in law satisfied all the security questions that Zukira asked  - Zukira insisted that she had not answered them sufficiently. We both asked her what it was we hadn't answered sufficiently. Zukira was wanting to get off the call, I insisted that my mother in law would be able to satisfy all security questions. Even down to the payment card and number used to purchase the phone, which by the way she hadn't requested.

Zukira was not listening. She was repeating that we needed to go to a Carphone Warehouse shop. Even when I pleaded for some compassion and understanding of the situation, that she was an old lady and unable to leave the house. At this point Zukira continued to insist she'd asked all the security questions, I challenged her about lying, that there must be some other security questions. At this point she put down the phone……..

Seems EE might pull out the stops and resolve the number problem in the next 5- 24 hours. We'll wait and see. I certainly hope so!  I don't fancy dealing with Carphone Warehouse ever again let alone the nightmare scenario of taking my 88 year old mother in-law into one of their shops to try and cancel the contract! If Zukira is representative of the indifference they show towards their customers, especially the elderly and house bound, then be warned dear reader!



Tuesday 9 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day 40




So 40 days ago when I looked forward at today's date I was excited to see it coincides with a major 'happening' in my life. I'm also delighted to discover it's pancake Tuesday! 
So the big event? Bri and I going away. We leave in about 10 minutes to get the coach to Heathrow and then onto Thailand where Bri is speaking at a conference and I have the blessing of tagging along! The conference is considering a 'World without orphans'.
The reading today is from Revelation 21 and verse 4 stands out for me as we go on our journey. One day we can be assured that this will happen.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: of the former things are passed away."

For the moment, we do our part in partnering with Holy Spirit to see God's Kingdom and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
As we start another 40 days towards Easter maybe I'll post some more ponderings. For now….it's been fun having you along! God Bless you in the next 40!

Monday 8 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-nine



Penultimate day of the 40 day retreat and I find it hard to believe I got this far with the 'plogs'. If you've tracked with me through them all then THANK YOU - it's been such an encouragement:-)
The readings continue to challenge - I read todays in 'The Passion' translation. The cost of following Jesus is truly high if we should appear to hate our father, mother, wife, sister, brothers…even our own lives in comparison. Jesus wasn't into gathering huge numbers of followers - if he was he would have made following him much easier. If anything he discouraged the massive crowds of people by saying that they should count the cost. The illustrations He gave hint at our need for total dependency on Him regardless of the cost.

Sunday 7 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-eight

There is much in this passage that reassures us that we do not need to be anxious about ANYTHING. Jesus gives us loads of examples to consider in light of God's creation that we are of more significance than some very valid, beautiful and precious things. A verse I was given at my baptism many years ago is ' Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.' As we keep the main thing the main thing, life is put in perspective, worry and anxiety is obliterated, and we are released to live in true freedom. 

Saturday 6 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-seven


This is the last one of the readings from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus famously taught some extraordinary and pretty controversial things. He had an 'unusual' perspective on life - different to that which most people in his day would have considered normal. They were familiar with the statement an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and Jesus invites them to revisit it. He proposes that if someone strikes you on the cheek, turn and let them strike you on the other. There is no suggestion of vindictiveness, rather, Jesus encourages us in humility, peace making and 'love like', forgiving behaviour. Imagine if the world lived with no more 'tit for tat - like' thinking!

Friday 5 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-six

The message translation puts today's reading in perspective. Jesus continued to address religious thinking by honing in on the significance of our words. "You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious it becomes less true." It's not of God (or the ONE who is 'LOVE') if we use words to try and get our own way. 'Don't say anything we don't mean' sums up the passage neatly.

Thursday 4 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-five


Jesus raises the holiness bar so high in this passage that He makes it virtually IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to escape the hell of fire. The religious people knew the commandments yet Jesus reveals them at a whole new level. So where is the hope in this message? The hope is the fact that we know mercy triumphs over judgement. The law remains important in the Kingdom of heaven.  We are indebted to Jesus, for who can stand in the light of God's love and HOLINESS? If we want to live pure then it's better to lose a body part than to have our whole body thrown into Hell. 

Wednesday 3 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-four

A tough one today. When Jesus tells us that if we even think 'you cursed fool' we're unable to escape hell fire….it makes you think!  There is serious judgement at stake. To go and make peace with those  who may have been offended by us - is a small price to pay. Once done we can connect with God:-)

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-three

To have seen someone walking on water towards their boat must have been pretty freaky for the friends of Jesus! No wonder they thought it might have been a ghost. It was certainly supernatural! Peter then steps out of the boat and starts to walk towards Jesus in the supernatural realm of FAITH. Only thing is….. he stops looking at Jesus and notices the physical reality of sea and waves.  I love that Jesus INSTANTLY reaches out his hand to save him.  Sometimes our physical reality can cause us to SINK.  It's an encouragement to us that in those times, when we call on the Lord, we can be confident that he will instantly reach out his hand to help us.

Monday 1 February 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-two

I find it odd how people can view following God's commandments as troublesome. Jesus summed up the law and prophets by summarising all God's laws into TWO and both of them had to do with loving. We love because he first loved us…Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves. These two simple commandments address the essence and posture of the human heart. In them we could find the solution to our world's problems. 


Sunday 31 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty-one

This simple statement of God being LOVE,  is the plumbline through which I try and measure all of life's responses and attitudes. The gospel is so simple, yet often we over complicate our lives by thinking too much and trying to reason our way through choices and decisions. Living life in Love is the simplest solution. This 'Love' has disarmed principalities and powers and daily obliterates otherwise destructive thoughts, impulses and reactions. Soaking in this 'LOVE' is one of the profoundest things we can do. It sets us free from fear and puts life in perspective.

Saturday 30 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirty


I love the person of the Holy Spirit, such a gift! I love to sense and know His presence. Tonight I'm in Bristol at a Burn event! A gathering of worshipping saints who love Jesus and Holy Spirit is confirming God's presence and our hearts are at rest. There is joy in the house......  

Friday 29 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Nine


Had some fun today trying to express the multi dimensional nature of this passage. Being a child of God is just the beginning, we don't know where we'll end up! There is a sense of eternity in verse three where it says that all of us who look forward to Jesus' coming, stay ready with the glistening purity of His life as a model of our own.  The world doesn't recognise us or take us seriously because it has no idea who He is or what He's up to. (The message)

I've always enjoyed the challenge of trying to create art that goes beyond 2 or 3 dimensions. Sometimes I've done it with shiny mirrored pieces, adding them to an otherwise 2D piece of art. Using coloured lights that bounce off the surface creates movement on an otherwise flat plane. I was excited to create today's picture coming right off the page, leaving shadows behind creating multi dimensions.  We see as through a glass darkly - 1 Corinthians 13 v 12. 'The voice' translates it like this…. 

'For now we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things, as when we stare into polished metal. I realise that everything I know is only part of the big picture. But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face to face. In that day I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God

Thursday 28 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Eight


The last couple of days I've been drawn to draw pictures in black and white. As we remain in the book of 1 John and the same chapter 2, there is a strand of thinking emerging. To do with light and dark. The true light is the revelation of God through Jesus. I've often tried to explain to people what it's like when you accept Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. It's like one has only been seeing the world in old fashioned, fuzzy lined, black and white TV. When we encounter God as Father our world can suddenly be viewed through full colour, HD, 3D TV! And then some! A multi dimensional smorgasbord of life in it's fulness.

The eternal things that come from the Father are like the full colour TV world. The stuff we're often drawn to in the pride of life, lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes, are the fuzzy lines, the superficial unimportant stuff when compared to God's everlasting Kingdom.

The world passes away and disappears it says in verse 17, but the one who does the will of the Father and carries out His purposes in life, abides and remains forever.



Wednesday 27 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Seven


We can cause others to be blinded and in darkness due to being in darkness ourselves. Being in the light and loving unselfishly acts to give others no cause for offence or reason to stumble into darkness themselves. Apparently 3 days in darkness without light has been found to cause blindness - something to ponder! 



Tuesday 26 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Six

Once again I'm struck by the kindness and love of the Father. He considers us His LITTLE children! This translation communicates the tenderness and love of God towards us…….making a way for us to be free from judgement through Jesus. 

Monday 25 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Five

The reading today tells of Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery who was bought to him as he was teaching in the temple courts. If you google 'woman caught in adultery' the majority of 'hits' will show this familiar passage. You will also find some quite horrific pictures of women helplessly being stoned today for similar 'crimes' in the Middle East. Jesus lived amongst and responded to some very deep and real issues of his day - the woman before him was on the verge of being killed. Jesus acts with profound wisdom and exposes the hypocrisy of the accusers, saving her life. I love this story - it shows me a facet of Jesus that awakens hope within my heart to give me faith in God as a Father in heaven who loves His children, offering forgiveness in place of accusation.

Sunday 24 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Four


Today I was struck by the way Paul and Barnabas made the Jews feel threatened to the extent that they in turn stirred up the respected women and leading men of the town, making them feel like their precious ways of life would be destroyed. So often we can be afraid of appearing impolite - not wanting to stir up the status quo or upset anyone…..especially us British. I am personally challenged to consider what my approach would be if people 'of influence' started getting upset about the things I share regarding my beliefs….would it silence me or would I shrug my shoulders and move on.

Here's the question….What has the Lord charged us with?
Anything that falls short of what we have been charged with is a compromise and can rob us of the joy of following the Lord in the fulness of the Holy Spirit. God help us if we quench or stem the heart of God, that news of His love and salvation should reach the uttermost parts of the earth. I hope it never comes to the point where the truth I proclaim has me kicked out of somewhere -  but the nature of God is that we cannot contain Him, His love or His ways if we want to walk as light bearers. Light invades darkness - and once darkness is exposed things are never the same again! 

Saturday 23 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Three

'Each dimension fitting into and developing the others.' says the Message version for todays reading.
It seems that often times when I've taken one small step towards acting in faith and trust in God's love for me -  it appears to have beautifully opened up and impacted on so many other areas. I guess this is the picture at work….

Friday 22 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty Two


Keep your eyes well lighted as a well lit room….
There will be many witnesses on judgement day.

Thursday 21 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twenty One

Today there's more about being chosen by God for the new life of love…..Amazing that we can keep in tune with each other through Jesus' peace - in step with each other. Thankful for God's presence and leading every day:-)

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Retreat with jesus: Day Twenty

The stuff that goes on deep within our hearts remains generally invisible. Who can understand the feelings and motives of our hearts. All I know is that when I allow my life to be determined by and examined by the love of Christ - I wear a new set of clothes:-) The designer label. Today I'm loving the message translation….'It's like a filthy set of ill fitting clothes you've stripped off and put on fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe.'

Tuesday 19 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Nineteen

I found this a very liberating passage. So often we can be unduly influenced by what others think or say about us or have other people's expectations put upon us. Outwardly this may cause us to appear wise and seem like we're rigorously devoted, delighting in self humiliation and the disciplining of our bodies. Truth is - the outward signs hold no value in checking the state of our hearts or the indulgence of the flesh - in fact - in doing those 'outward'  things we can end up playing to the flesh! Whoa! 

Monday 18 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Eighteen

The thought of Jesus writing me a letter today filled me with great excitement. (Trusting as I do in His love and acceptance of who I am.) Fact is….He's already written to me. The first few chapters of Revelation record John's experience when taken up into heaven. Jesus instructed the angels to write letters to the churches. Jesus gives great assurance and promise to those who keep steadfast to the end, guarding and keeping His word. In today's letter He says He will keep us safe from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell on earth. WOW -  that's a wake up call!
Regardless of the warning sound in this letter - I don't follow Jesus because I'm fearful of the future but because of the peace and joy I  experience in  the moments of every day. That said, I still love the fact Jesus speaks to us and warns us about our eternal destiny. I'm starting to take much more notice of the things of the Kingdom of heaven which I can choose to live by NOW - I'm trusting eternity will be but a continuation of my breath. 

Sunday 17 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Seventeen

The reading today is one I've always had in the back of my mind whenever making decisions about  things I've encouraged my children to either view, read or spend time thinking about from being small. Pure, true, honourable and just things. The plumb line of these virtues has been a good one to hold to. As my girls have grown to adulthood I don't doubt they've veered from the initial 'boundaries' I set as a concerned mother but I trust and pray that one day they will protect and mother their own children in such a way as to protect my grandchildren's minds from dishonourable and defiling things. Meanwhile - I still try to hold to these virtues in things I watch on TV or read, simply because I know I'd be in danger of becoming immune to things of horror or untruth! God's word has a habit of washing the mind!

Saturday 16 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Sixteen

I love the Voice translation for this reading today - I can say it no better than the way its already written! Until tomorrow - pressing on:-)

I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I am charging on to gain anything and everything the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me—and nothing will stand in my way because He has grabbed me and won’t let me goBrothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission. I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusivelyin Jesus the Anointed. All of us who are mature ought to think the same way about these matters. If you have a different attitude, then God will reveal this to you as well. For now, let’s hold on to what we have been shown and keep in step with these teachings.

Friday 15 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Fifteen


Today's reading is another one that I wouldn't naturally have chosen to read! I have been using the recommended daily readings for a retreat with Jesus found at the back of 'The Voice' translation of the bible.

Sometimes scripture can be a sobering reminder of who we are in relation to God. We are like the grass as 1 Peter 1 v 24  says 


All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 
but the word of the Lord endures forever.

This season of study and pondering is bringing me into a new place.  My mind is being stretched and hopefully transformed  more into the likeness of Jesus - the one who I love and desire to follow above all else. The book of Revelation points to the future when we all face eternity - I'm trusting that as I journey authentically in faith, my name is written in the book of life. May I keep alert to Holy Spirt and never find myself too busy to be conscious of His presence in every moment of my life here on earth.

Thursday 14 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Fourteen

Todays reading was from Luke 15: 11-32 and is the story Jesus told of the prodigal son.
A few years ago I did the above painting for a friend's birthday. She collects all things PIG. I named the painting 'Where's that prodigal gone'….

I doubt the pigs really noticed that the prodigal left them…but it's a comical picture of two pigs looking like they're discussing life over the garden wall. I wonder what conversation they would have had should they have known the love and acceptance the father showed to the wayward son.

The prodigal son story is so similar to my own experience. I am forever grateful for the love of the Father and so glad I found my way HOME to His heart.

Wednesday 13 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Thirteeen

Today is one of those days I regret being so public about my intimacy in retreat with Jesus!

It's been a busy day - juggling a lot of STUFF and feeling like at the end of the day I deserve a glass of wine. Except…..glass of wine in hand I read today's scripture! (Having already partook of a glass of damson gin given at Christmas from the mother in law!)
Looooooong pause…..
Those of you who know me from years ago will remember my nick name. It rhymed with Chris!

I am challenged to take those huge draughts of God's Spirit that I know from experience far out weigh any need for alcohol. I don't want to cheapen who I am……I know that one touch from God can obliterate any need for the soothing effect of alcohol.

I may regret this post in the morning but feel obliged at this moment to be honest with those following my journey!

Jesus reveals some HARD stuff at times….I choose Jesus.


Tuesday 12 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Twelve

Every day is a challenge to hear and connect with what God may be revealing to me through His word. Today I was quickly inspired as I read about being imitators  of God - as we would imitate a loving Father. I was immediately reminded of a little boy called *David who came to stay with us over several weekends last year. Hubby was busy renovating our newly bought home and this little chap would gather all the building toys in the house and 'play' outside in the corridor as Bri worked away on renovations.
It was the cutest thing to see him imitating Bri and wanting to be like him….the biggest loving compliment one could have:-)

*Name changed to protect identity


Monday 11 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Eleven

Another translation of the bible that I love to read is 'The Voice'. Todays reading in 'The voice' puts it like this -

"For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing10 For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.'

It's such a relief that it's not by our plan or effort and on busy days like today it's good to be able to rest back into God's love and not feel pressure to be anything other than a child of God.

Sunday 10 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Ten

My heart is feeling full as today draws to a close. I simply loved being back at my home church Hillsong Oxford this morning. What an amazing bunch of people. So blessed by the message shared and the after church lunch. I also loved spending time with extended family this afternoon and evening - I am truly grateful to God for each and every person I can think of! Paul's prayer flowed out of heartfelt appreciation and love for those around him. I come into agreement with his prayer for you dear reader -  that you would enter deeply into the revelation of Father's love for you. Receive the blessing!

Saturday 9 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Nine

Yesterday, for the first time in my life I went for a sports massage. I have been suffering chronic pain in my right arm and elbow since September. I decided enough was enough. I had ended up losing strength in my hand to the point where I had difficulty holding a cup! My sleep was also being affected as I was in great discomfort when lying on my right hand side.

Turned out it was muscular. On receiving strong massage on certain muscles in my neck - my whole arm went tingly and the 'trapped nerve' pain subsided!

In a very practical way I learned the significance of the passage today. Every part of our body is important and affects wider parts. One small muscle in tension can cause the loss of the use of an arm! It could be a while before strength returns fully to my arm  - but hopefully it WILL now recover fully :-)

Friday 8 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Eight

'The message' version tells us that Jesus told this story in the presence of some who were 'complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people.' There was certainly never a boring minute around Jesus. He must have kept everyone on their toes because he wasn't dictated to by social 'norms' or expectations.  Reading this story 2000 plus years later - I am challenged by the 'topsy turvy ' world of the Kingdom Jesus championed - one where heartfelt humility is rewarded.

Thursday 7 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Seven

This was a rich reading today - It was the last verse however that struck me most! How quick we can sometimes be to judge each other. Been also pondering the Lord's prayer today and there was a deep overlap of revelation around ' forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors'. We are indebted to God for His grace, mercy and forgiveness….who are we to pass judgement on others? Let grace ABOUND!

Wednesday 6 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Six

If you're tracking with these blogs you may like to know that I'm using two translations of the bible. Both my favourites - if they did a dual bible with both the 'Message' and 'Amplified' translations - I'd buy it in a shot!

I love the 'Message' for it's simplicity and use of everyday language - always sounds like you're having a chat. The Amplified on the other hand - is VERY wordy - expanding and using several words to get across the description or meaning of the text. In the pictures I've tended to put any words from the 'Message' bible in red to distinguish between the two translations - though watch out! I may even throw in another translation before the 40 days is up!

Tuesday 5 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Five

Wow! Personally challenged by this one. It's so easy to walk by and ignore needs in our world today. There's a horrible term called 'compassion fatigue' - referring to the fact we've become bombarded by horror stories and pictures of people in need so much on a daily basis that it's caused us to become hardened and dispassionate. I pray that Jesus will keep my heart soft and willing to put FAITH and ACTION in place where necessary.

Monday 4 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Four

First day back at work after New Year and REALLY had to squeeze this in the day! Some deep revelation. I loved the bit in the 'message' translation about letting God landscape you with His word.

Sunday 3 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Three

The choice is always ours in terms of what we believe about God and His love and goodness to us. It's sad that so many people are misled into believing God causes pain and suffering. Scripture clearly tells us that it is our birthing of SIN that matures into death and all of it's consequences. We can be a kind of  first fruits of all He created by believing in the word of truth - the gospel of Jesus…..there is a birth that leads to abundant life.
An added bonus for today is this picture of Noodle trying to join in the painting!

Saturday 2 January 2016

Retreat with Jesus: Day Two


James 1: 1-12

The pressures of life can really affect us in negative ways and make us doubt ourselves and the love of our Father. Today's scripture is a great reminder to look positively at the challenges we face - at the end of our trials we are promised the crown of life! Let's choose to be patient and JOYFUL in midst of life's STUFF - keeping our eyes of Jesus who will never leave us or forsake us.

40 day retreat with Jesus

Starting New Year 2016 my resolution/challenge is to blog my journey of retreat with Jesus over the next 40 days.
Words will hopefully be few - I'm going to let scripture speak to me and then partner with Holy Spirit in doing a page a day of visual record…..let the fun begin:-)

If you want to join me with Jesus, the daily scripture will be posted at the top of the page.
Romans 12: 1-2 is the first one!