Insect Eyes

An artificial insect eye that could be used in ultra-thin cameras has been developed by scientists in the US. Read on

"Even though insects start with just a single cell, they grow and create this beautiful optical system by themselves. I wanted to understand how nature can create layer upon layer of perfectly ordered structures without expensive, fabrication technology," said Professor Luke Lee. (;-))

London Marathon

This was one of my daily readings today...

Isaiah 40:31 - "Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength"

When you know Jesus, you're continually refreshed. Even when you are most weary, God will come to you. He'll gently carry you when you can't walk on your own.

How appropriate as I look forward to the big day! I may need some assistance towards the end.

Good Friday

I thought about my up and coming London Marathon attempt this morning. The kind of physical and emotional struggles I will no doubt endure....the pain, the agony, the suffering and the sacrifice and of course the passion. Then I thought again....

The Presence of God

Paul Benger spoke an important message this morning in church on the Presence of God.

1 Chronicles 13:7-14

David wanted the Ark of God returned, not to remain at the extremities but back to the centre.

We need that kind of attitude – to want to have the presence of God at the centre of our lives and not at the extremities.

As New Testament believers we don’t have a box, we have the presence of God in our lives. But we can still push God to the extremities.

Let’s look at the attitudes of 3 different individuals towards the presence of God coming back.

Uzzah

Uzzah died because he steadied the Ark of the Covenant, which became unstable on the cart as the oxen stumbled due to a pothole in the road.

We will all face potholes in the road. What is our response to them?
We’re not meant to help God out – we need to trust Him with our lives. Something’s need to be left to God, we can’t force it to happen (e.g. Abraham having children)

Beware of familiarity. Uzzah had probably become familiar with the Ark of God. Never become familiar with what we do in church. Always be in a place of expectation and anticipation.

The Ark should have been carried by people using poles and not on a cart. People carry the presence of God.

Michal

1 Chronicles 15:29 - But as the Ark of the Lord’s covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David dancing and leaping for joy, she was filled with contempt for him

Don’t be like Michal. People who shout from the sidelines have a ‘lot to say’.
Contempt kills fruitfulness. When we take on a cynical or negative attitude it kills our fruitfulness.

Obed-Edom

A blessed man, and not just because the Ark of God was at his home.
He was also a man of great character and integrity. Involved in the things of God.

He was a gatekeeper
He was a musician involved in worship
He was a doorkeeper in the house of God
He was a leader (1 Chronicles 16:38)

Let’s have the right attitude to God’s presence, not cynical or negative, not shouting, “we can do better” from the sidelines.

What will our attitude be as we enter this new phase in the life of our church? Let us shoulder the burden together. Have the Obed-Edom attitude.

'Success' Poem

This blew me away...

You can use most any measure
When you're speaking of success
You can measure it in fancy home
Expensive car or dress
But the measure of your real success
Is one you cannot spend
It's the way your son describes you
When he's talking to a friend

(Martin Buxbaum)

Are You Sleeping?

Great message in church today. Paul Benger completed his series on Faith.

“This message should send you to sleep!”

Psalm 37:1-9

Dreamers need to sleep. If you don’t sleep you won’t dream. God uses us at our best when we are at rest. (Adam, Jacob etc)

Psalm 3:5 - I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.
Psalm 4:8 - I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
Psalm 127:2 - It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

God wants us to be at rest...not frantic, stressed, worrying etc. Lie down on your troubles - be at peace, be at rest.

Faith’s first position is rest (sleep) Trusting that God is on our side. Adam’s first day was a day of rest.

What kind of Christian/Church are we? Frantic/fretful? Always thinking ‘we must do more!’….‘If only we did more!’ Or are we a faith-filled Christian/Church? At peace/rest believing in the favour of God for our lives. We come from a position of having already won.

What causes us to be anxious? Look at Psalm 37

1) Refuse to respond to opposition (Vs 1-2)

Don’t worry about the wicked.

Psalm 37:23-26 – (23) The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. (24) Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. (25) Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread. (26) The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

Let our actions flow from a peaceful spirit...trusting God.

2) Refuse to look at what you don’t have (Vs 1-2)

Don’t be envious of others. Don’t measure your life by your possessions...your net worth. Or don’t measure your life by what you don’t have. (Moses – ‘What is in your hand?’ Use what God has given you...no matter how small or insignificant it may appear. When we use what we’ve got, obediently, God steps in! (Parable of the Talents)

3) Refuse to leave the place of rest (Vs 3-4)

Rest is a daily choice. It is categorised by trust and by doing good. Also by being planted in the House of God. Choose faithfulness. Don’t shrug off what you’re asked to do.

4) Refuse to take matters into your own hands (Vs 5-6)

Trust in God. He will cause your righteousness to shine. It’s not what we can do but what God can do! Leave your troubles with God, don’t be lazy, but trust God with the outcome.

5) Refuse to get mad (Vs 7-9)

When the person next to you gets a new car or a bigger house, when others are getting blessed, what is your reaction? It may be a stumbling block. Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Don’t mourn with those who rejoice or rejoice with those who mourn!

Are you mad? Mad at God, mad with your life, mad at others? Answer = Rest, let God make your righteousness shine.

Faith’s first positive is SLEEP.