Tiny People, BIG Encounters.

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Why do we always look down?
Why do we instantly think children can't encounter God as us older people can?

I'm not going to lie, that's what I thought up until Sunday evening. There's a child who's family recently started coming to my Church, and if I'm honest they're amazing people! But one thing that really surprised me is the youngest boy's understanding of God. He had stolen my phone, went straight to the memo pad and started to write notes on the preach, adding his own little comments in there too!
This, however, wasn't what I found so inspiring. What I found inspiring was the fact that I had learnt from what he had said.

I learnt from what he had said!


Now, the boy must be around 10 or 11, but still he is not failing to teach people more about the love of Jesus, to people much older than him!


This made me realise that we really underestimate children. They can be just as powerful as the worship leader, the preacher, and even the pastor in Churches. The youth of the church is what keeps the church going, what draws youth in, with many questions about God.

The main advantage that children have is that, more often than not, they don't have a care in the world of what anyone thinks of them. They live 'free lives'. Which means it is much easier for a child to talk to someone about God or even pray for someone, as they don't have a care in the world. Which is why I feel that it is extremely important to teach children all about God's great mercy and how they should live their lives.

Sunday evening is not the only thing that made me realise this. A few weeks back, whilst serving in the Kids section of Church, we were teaching about knowledge and wisdom. The leader asked the children to think with their groups about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Almost instantly one boy put his hand up and said:
"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.".
We asked where he'd heard it from and he said he'd just thought of it on the spot.

One of the best analogies I've ever heard about wisdom for sure!


Isn't that just amazing? Children, thinking up analogies, making notes on the preach and even some children getting images from God! We have SERIOUSLY underestimated the young people in our Church.

Actions?

Well, for a start I'm never going to look down on a child ever again. After all, without children in the Church, eventually no one would be left.

"They are the future of the Church."

They have the power to connect with God just like anyone who is older does. 

I've also realised that no matter what your age is, you can have such an amazing impact on people's lives. You influence not only those who are younger and stereotypically looked after by you, but also those who are older than you too! 

I definitely need to take my role serving in the Kids Church more seriously. The stuff the kids learn, through games, videos, etc, about the Christian religion are the basic building blocks for them to become great with God. It is that same knowledge that makes a great preacher, not only through what he or she says whilst in the limelight, but also someone who practises what they preach.

Thanks for reading, and as usual I really urge you to think about the point made in this post.

Thank you.

What floor, Sir?

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"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."

I HATE this phrase.

It is so untrue! For me anyway..

If someone started screaming and shouting insults at you, wouldn't you just be a little bit hurt inside? Okay, so they cannot physically harm you but mentally, words can be like a bullet. I don't know ever one person who this phrase applies to. Almost everyone I know has been upset, even if only for a little while, about what people have said about them, or what 'names' people have called them. It's ridiculous!

Words are so powerful. and it's up to you to decide whether you will bring someone 'up in their lift', or 'down in their lift'. Unfortunately, many people make the wrong decision. And this links into another 'false' phrase:

"Actions speak louder than words."

I will admit to this phrase being true in certain circumstances, but really? A lot of people would be more intimidated by an insult than they would be by someone pushing them out of the way.  It is easier to take people 'down in their lifts' with words, whilst bringing people 'up in their lifts' is much easier with actions. But the reality is that the 'ground floor', as such, is a much easier button to press, than the penthouse on the top floor. Just think about it as a stereotypical horror movie. All the bad stuff always happens in the basement, and the characters are only safe when above the basement. If you bring someone down in their lift, you, yourself, go down, floor by floor, until something horrible happens, which is probably more likely to be loss of friends and ruined relationships rather than an aliens nest of eggs. And the only way to get out of the basement is to bring the elevator up and above the basement. It is the only way to restore your friendships / escape the alien invasion.

So yeah, you get my point.

If you have read this, just think about it. 

What floor are you heading  for?

My Dream Girl - Lifegroup Homework! :O

I should have done this ages ago, but at Lifegroup we were told to make a list of exactly what your dream girl/boy would be. (Blates a girl for me :L )

So I thought I'd do it on here. (y) So this is my dream girl list:

-Not taller than me.

-Brown Hair.

-Christian.

-Likes Drama.

-Likes Music.

-A best friend at the same time.

-Energetic.

-Doesn't get drunk.

-Doesn't smoke.

-Likes my family.

-My family likes her.

-All my mates get along with her.

-She's open and honest.

-She must have a good sense in fashion.

-She's individual - doesn't just follow the crowd.

-FIT. ;)

-She must be able to cook.

-She must be good with children.

-Optimistic.

-Sympathetic.

-Can manage her money.

-Smart.

-Has a good sense in humour.

-Understanding.

-Hygienic! 

-Chatty.

-Considerate.

-She must look past my faults. In fact, she won't even see them!

-Loves Jesus more  than she loves me.

-Does not dress like a slag.

Well, yeahh that;'s my list! :)

Might be hard to find someone who fits perfectly in there, but oh well. I'll get there eventually! :)

(y)

Daniel

Hmm, might be hard to find her

Someone said count your blessings now. I guess I just didn't know how. [8]

Not trying to be hypocritical here but some people, that is including myself, need to stop living in the sea that is the devils lies.

-I'm too fat.
-I'm too thin.
-My skin is disgusting.
-My hair is horrible.
-No one likes me.
-I can't do anything right.
-I am not worthy.

De ja vu.

DON'T LISTEN TO THE DEVIL!!
It is hard at first, but once you start to realise that you are God's masterpiece it will come naturally from then on.


The reality is that no one is perfect in anyone's eyes but the Lord.

Think about the positives!
-I have a bed to sleep in.
-I have some amazing friends who never let me down and don't care about my faults.
-My God is an all powerful, all loving saviour.

Count Your Blessings
Just one positive aspect of your life, even the simplest of all, makes up for so many more of your negatives.


Just do me a favour - please take this into mind. 

Daniel

The Kingdom of God is NOT talk.

This week has shown me just how amazing my Lord really is. Okay, so it;s had it's up and downs but despite all this, God has definitely been present through it with me! 


I was thinking about my week earlier today, and I have figured out why I have felt so close to God this week.

"For the Kingdom of God is not based upon talk, but power"
- 1 Corinthians 4:20


How true is that verse? To my Christian readers out there - Don't you just feel so much better when you know that you have actually made an impact on peoples lives and you, y ourself, have lived your week all focused on making Jesus proud.

This week we sorted out my drama for next Friday's LiFE. It is all about the Thief who died on the cross next to Jesus. It is SO fulfilling to know that you have done a good job for the Kingdom of God. And when people tell you that the drama is really going to speak out to many people, it really makes me feel over-the-moon (not trying to gloat or anything! :S )

So I encourage you in the coming week to really live a life for Jesus because believe me, you will see the changes pretty much immediately!

Much Love.
Daniel.

Realisations.

True friends are un-replaceable. 

The slightest argument and your heart will break. The smallest chuckle is a moment that you'll never forget.

"A good friend is the one who comforts you in a time of need.

Your best friends are the ones who laugh."

The other day, I saw this quote on Facebook. I will admit it, some of the stuff on Facebook is truly adorning - I can really relate to it. But this Facebook group is an exception. I mean, if one of your friends were beaten up, would you laugh? If your friend got pregnant would you be the one to run around shouting for her to name it after you or would you want to comfort her in her time of need.

I'm sorry if I'm totally nerd-raging but you'll have to deal with it this time.. sorry!

I've realised that recently I haven't exactly been the best of friends with certain people. I've lied to them, I've ignored their problems, etc. So I now need to try and be a better friend. No lies, no leaving people out, no gossiping (which I am terrible for!)!

It's time for a change!

"If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you..." - Bruno Mars

Sorry - Broken Promises

The other day I promised that I would wear my leather boots just to make a point tomorrow at mufti day..
Well...
I kind of changed my mind.  I   wimped   out . 


I have decided to just .. well.. dress normally - not dressed down like usual so no one notices me. But not dressed up like I had said I would. Because that's not what it's all about.

I need to be myself. Although I shall wear them to LiFE, depending on my mood.

:D

But through a pipe, she flies to the motherland. Or sells love to another man.. [8]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAWcs5H-qgQ

This song makes me so, so sad. But the video just shows that this is actually many people's reality!

"If you want to see the change, you've got to be the change." -Ghandi

Just thought I'd copy and paste the lyrics because I can! :)



So yeah, this is actually a prayer request for all those who are forced to do dreadful things in order to stay alive. And if you say you will pray, you really do have to - This bandwagon you're jumping on wont drive itself!

White lips, pale face 
Breathing in snowflakes 
Burnt lungs, sour taste 
Light's gone, day's end 
Struggling to pay rent 
Long nights, strange men 

And they say 
She's in the Class A Team 
Stuck in her daydream 
Been this way since 18 
But lately her face seems 
Slowly sinking, wasting 
Crumbling like pastries 
And they scream 
The worst things in life come free to us 
Cos we're just under the upperhand 
And go mad for a couple of grams 
And she don't want to go outside tonight 
And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland 
Or sells love to another man 
It's too cold outside 
For angels to fly 
Angels to fly 

Ripped gloves, raincoat 
Tried to swim and stay afloat 
Dry house, wet clothes 
Loose change, bank notes 
Weary-eyed, dry throat 
Call girl, no phone 

And they say 
She's in the Class A Team 
Stuck in her daydream 
Been this way since 18 
But lately her face seems 
Slowly sinking, wasting 
Crumbling like pastries

And they scream 
The worst things in life come free to us 
Cos we're just under the upperhand 
And go mad for a couple of grams 
And she don't want to go outside tonight 
And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland 
Or sells love to another man 
It's too cold outside 
For angels to fly 
Angels to fly 
An angel will die 
Covered in white 
Closed eye 
And hoping for a better life 
This time, we'll fade out tonight 
Straight down the line 

And they say 
She's in the Class A Team 
Stuck in her daydream 
Been this way since 18 
But lately her face seems 
Slowly sinking, wasting 
Crumbling like pastries 
They scream 
The worst things in life come free to us 
And we're all under the upperhand 
Go mad for a couple of grams 
And we don't want to go outside tonight 
And in a pipe we fly to the Motherland 
Or sell love to another man 
It's too cold 
For angels to fly 
Angels to fly 
To fly, fly 
Or angels to die

Following the crowd is only for the weak. (yn)

Following the crowd - it's literally all that the people around me seem to be doing.

It's what I've been doing if I'm honest with you. (n)

Half the things that I buy seem to be the most popular things. For example, I asked for a Blackberry Phone for Christmas last year. I got a Nokia, but that's not the point. The point is that I wanted what everyone else did. But I'm glad I didn't get one - I like having something different about me. I don't want to be sucked into this 'zombified' world that is reality for everyone else.


If you have the latest phone you are instantly liked by people. If you wear all Jack Wills or Abercromie clothing you are instantly recognised as popular. But who says we can't change?

The day that the 'populars' don't wear something overpriced and designer is definitely a day which seems out of sight.


You know what? I'm going to stop fussing about who I hang around with. I'll wear my big leather boots if I want to, no one can stop me! If I really want to, I can wear a gilette!
Just because a few people don't like it doesn't mean that I shouldn't like it! I mean, they're entitled to their own oppinion and stuff but I am sick and tired of worrying what they'll say trying to fit in.

In fact, I know that it's not popular to wear my big leather boots at school, but as I have a non-uniform day coming up on Friday, I'm going to jump at the chance to be myself.

Maybe I like skinny jeans.. Maybe I like wearing big boots... Maybe I like wearing a few bracelets or a necklace. It's my life!
"Live your life to the full; no regrets. Wake up and live your dreams! C'mon what are you waiting for?"
This is now officially the motto for my life.

Before I publish this, I just want to encourage you readers to do the same. What's wrong with standing out a bit? Be yourself! God made you the way you are for a reason!
YOU HAVE A PURPOSE!
And for those who take action on this blog; I have so much love for you. :)

I get given what I get given.

There's always a light at the end of the tunnel.. 

So basically, today has been unusual - lots of contrasting emotions yet again.


Laughter to frustrations. Happiness to hopelessness.


I need to speak up in everything I do. My puny little so called 'problems' can just vanish, but I can't just wait for them to blow away. I need to stand up and speak.


"Take out all your wasted honours, every little past frustration. Take out all your so called problems, better put them in quotations. Say what you need to say..." -John Mayer -Say


Things happen, but I get given what I get given. If I get bullied for my religion, I will accept that; take it on the chin. This doesn't mean I don't do anything about it still. This world is not pure perfection, and neither are the people in it. 
If I get bullied for how I look I will turn the other cheek. Maybe compliment them?
At least 3 people called me 'Acne Boy' today and I'd never even spoken to them before. Another 2 called me grease face. But do you know what? I don't feel sorry for myself like I might be expected to. In fact, I feel more sorry for those people than anything else! The fact that they need to insult peoeple to make themselves feel better.


I can't just ask for everything to get better and expect God to just sort my life out


1 Corinthians 13:4
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."


Despite all these bad things, God has actually given me so many privileges that so many people would give anything for: a phone, two loving parents, an amazing brother and an amazing sister. An excellent education. Friends who stick by me, a house. The list is endless!


We should focus on the things that make you happier. For example, today I found out that I got a 'B' in my first Maths module which counts for something like 20% of my whole GCSE!
I was absolutely buzzing that I'd hit my target grade!


So what has happened to you today?
If you've had a bad day, count your blessings!


"Someone said count you're blessings now,
But I guess I just didn't know how.." -P!nk - Who Knew


Admittedly it's isn't easy to count your blessings at first, when you are so used to the pessimist in you!
But believe me, with practise, it'll be so easy in such a little time!


Sorry, had to do a very quick update as I'm off out now, which is why there may be silly mistakes ! (:

This is NOT a spectator sport.

Last night was the Prayer Storm at LiFE. It was absolutely amazing; there was people being healed, people being saved and the presence of God was just so, so strong. It made me so grateful that I was brought up in a Christian family as I know that if I wasn't, it is most likely that I would be messing not only my life, but other peoples lives up. But most importantly, I wouldn't know God, and knowing how stubborn I can be, I probably never would.

Last night I felt incredibly happy, happier than I remember being in a long, long time.
But this happiness made me worry so much. My non-Christian friends; where will they end up? I can't bare to think that they might stand a chance of spending eternity in darkness. But this gave me hope; the hope that one day they might know the love of our all powerful God. But do you know what? Now a determination has come out from deep within me.


"This is NOT a spectator sport"


I will not sit back and hope that one day the non-believers will come to know His love.

I will make it my mission to save them.

Some people see Christianity as the best tasting box of chocolates; you must tell everybody how good it is so that they will know the amazing taste! But do you know what? That's not it.

Christianity as I see it is very far from this.

I see it as the Christians are fire fighters, trying to save

as many non-believers as possible from a burning building.

Our job is not a sweet, simple task.

"We must go, live to feed the hungry."

"Can you hear the people crying out?"

So, what are you waiting for? 

GET OUT THERE AND SAVE SOME LIVES!

Perfection, perfection.

FIRST BLOG! :) Ahh!
Anyway, on with the jabber..


Last night I prayed for a good friend and got an image of a snowman and a stone statue, stood next to each other. I saw the year flow past real fast; Spring, Summer, Autumn Winter. All this time, I saw the stone statue staying strong; never changing.But as I saw years pass by, the snowman was melted, then rebuilt, then melted, then rebuilt. But every  time it was built the slightest bit wrong, it would be destroyed and left until the next winter; it was constantly changing. I spent a while figuring out what it meant, and eventually I figured out that the vision I saw was saying that I need to stay strong. It was saying that my faith fades away when the slightest thing goes wrong, and whilst I am trying to be just like the statue, which represents Jesus, I never had got it perfect.

I know that no one can ever be perfect other than Jesus, but I need to start trying to be as close as I can to it!

This was not the first time I'd got this vision though!
It was at my Lifegroup - the first one we did. I got the image when praying for another person; just not in as much detail; not being destroyed when the snowman went wrong.

At first, I thought it was an image for someone else, but now I realise that even though it may have been, it actually speaks to me as well.


So now I need to make sure I actually do something about it!
Every time I've had a vision, I've never really done anything about it. But this time everything's going to change!

• Never give up! - Everything is possible with God, and never stop believing that.
• Don't let other things get in the way of your faith!

So yeah. That's my first blog done! :)

Hope it wasn't too bad! :L

Daniel