Looking back at my New Year’s Instagram Post, I read how fantastic 2019 had been and how excited I was for another new year, a situation I am sure we all were in. How little did we know, what was in store for us! A global pandemic was definitely not on the cards for my 2020 plans!!

I think it’s obvious to say this year has been completely unexpected! This time last year, if someone had said to me I’d spend the majority of time at home, that schools would have closed, and the world would have come to a complete standstill, I probably would have laughed in disbelief. Whilst it has not been the ideal year I hoped for with various restrictions, endless lockdowns and even isolating with Covid myself, I am in fact feeling rather thankful for what has happened this year (I know that sounds absolutely crazy!).

But, 2020 has taught me some valuable lessons. It’s taken this pandemic to put everything on pause, and for me to really evaluate what’s important in my life. It’s so easy to get caught up in our daily routines of going to work and managing other responsibilities, that time seems to just pass us by, and each day blurs into the next. Back in March, when we first entered into lockdown and schools were closed, I went from having a busy diary to an empty one! All upcoming plans and events had been scraped. And yes this was disappointing, but I found I had all this time at home to spend with my family instead. I really value those few months when we were all at home together, really spending quality time with each other, instead of being preoccupied with other insignificant things. I have a new appreciation for my family – okay, it wasn’t always wonderful being stuck with each other all the time – but we’ve grown even closer through this year, and I have a greater value for the time we share with each other, the support and love they show me, and most importantly the fun and memories we’ve still created despite this crazy year!

Being in lockdown has also allowed me to meet new people, something that doesn’t seem likely! During the initial lockdown, I finally decided to give Penpals a go, something I’ve always been so interested in trying. I signed up to a penpal site, and have since connected with people from all over the world! I am writing to a few people on a regular basis or speaking online frequently to them. I am so grateful for the people I have met and it’s been lovely to discover more about their lives and experiences, and I really value the friendships I’ve found there. If lockdown hadn’t happened, I most likely would not have made the decision to do this, so this is definitely one good thing to have come out of lockdown! I’ve also connected with fellow Christians, and it is so amazing to share my experiences and faith with people from all around the world, from the comfort of my own home! I’ve also received lots of encouragement and reminders from them too, which has helped me to stay positive and hopeful.

Most importantly though, having all this time at home has given me the much needed time and space to greater focus on my own relationship with God. Reading back through the blog posts I’ve shared during this last year, I can really see such a different within myself! I began this year feeling disappointed, lost and at a fairly low-point within my faith. God had been challenging me to become more patient, to trust and wait on Him more, instead of trying to control things myself. Throughout the year, I’ve spent time reflecting upon these weaknesses, seeking more of God and His word, praying for His support and guidance, and slowly I could begin to see how my faith and relationship was being renewed. At the end of the year, I am now feeling so much more contented and confident, my spiritual relationship is stronger, and my outlook now is filled with greater excitement to discover the plans God has for me, rather than be consumed with doubts and anxiety. God still has not finished with me yet, and I pray He continues to challenge and shape me into the person I was created to be, and now rather than fight against God’s will for my life, I am ready to follow the direction He moves me towards with a much more willing heart!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

As we look towards 2021, a brand new year, we have no guarantee of what’s to come. Am I anxious? Honestly, yes: I am still worried about the ‘unexpectedness’ around the corner, however I know that whatever comes my way, I am not alone. The bible verse that springs to mind that we should carry forward into the new year is thus:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

Whatever happens in 2021, we need not be fearful for our God is always with us and knows exactly what’s in store for us. We just need to remain strong in our faith and trust that He has got everything in hand; He knows the plans for our lives!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

So going forward, I am not marking 2020 as a ‘pointless’ or ‘rubbish’ year, because although their has been much devastation, God has still be able to use this time to further develop and strengthen my relationship and faith, and has helped me to realise what I should be investing my time in most. My aim for 2021 is therefore simply to seize and make the most out of each day, to truly live in the moment and not give in to my fears or doubts, to love others endlessly and live my life fully for God!

I wish you all a very Happy and Blessed New Year! 🙂 x

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.”

Isaiah 40:31

Christmas in 2020 is going to be mightily different to usual! Whoever imagined there would ever be a need to quarantine Christmas presents, devise a seating plan around the table so we’re sat 2 metres apart whilst tucking into Christmas dinner, and needless to say there will be no need for mistletoe this year!

However, some things never change. The children at school were all still massively excited for the season, and the anticipation of Santa coming. At home is much the same excited atmosphere with the Christmas decorations up, the gifts bought and wrapped under the tree, and the Christmas music playing on an endless loop! Moreover, and most importantly, the reason why we celebrate Christmas remains exactly as it has always been. This is the season where we acknowledge and celebrate Jesus’ birth! Regardless of how your Christmas 2020 is shaping up, Jesus should be the centrepiece to the whole festive period. Everything else that manifests itself at this time is nothing as significant as the most wonderful and generous gift to be bestowed upon us.

Jesus is the gift given for all; the true ‘Christmas Gift’, so freely shared for everyone to have. He came to carry our sin and shame upon the cross, just so we could have the chance to know our God personally. We do not deserve such love and grace, yet our sins have been forgiven and if we so desire, we can ‘unwrap’ the gift of the Holy Spirit, and build up a relationship with God today, all because of Jesus!

Jesus came to us in the most humblest of wrappings. Just think about this: Would you prefer to open a present neatly wrapped in delicate, hand-printed paper tied up with glittery ribbon or one that’s wrapped in newspaper and string? I know which one would appeal to me more! But this is exactly the image of Christ. Jesus was not born in a palace of gold as a King should be; He was born in a stable, placed in a feeding trough and wrapped in rags. Jesus is the ultimate gift of eternal life, God’s one and only Son given so freely, yet came to us in the most simplest and humblest of ways.

The Gift of Christ is given to us, not because we deserve it, but in fact the opposite! The Bible tell us, “But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). How often do you give a gift to a disgruntled neighbour who’s always complaining at you, or a person who has been gossiping about you at work? Yet God gave us His gift when we were His enemies. This shows us more of God’s loving and compassionate nature as the gift-giver. When God decided to give us the gift of eternal life through Jesus, it wasn’t something He had just thought of off the cuff. Long before there was even a town called Bethlehem, a decision was made in eternity that God would send his Son, born of a woman, to redeem all of mankind.

This year, remember that Christmas is not about the gifts that are beneath your tree right now, as all those things will be gone one day. The novelty of gifts will fade, toys will inevitable be broken, and those annual Christmas socks will soon be forgotten in the back of the sock drawer. However, The Gift of Christ is one that keeps on giving. We will never be left disappointed when it comes to Jesus. God has done everything possible to give us the gift of salvation, but we must accept it by reaching out and inviting Him into our lives. It’s a cliché line but it is true: “Jesus is for life, not just for Christmas.” Quite often, we think about Jesus at Christmastime, and then He is shelved away with the Christmas decorations at the end of the festivities. However, this year I would encourage you to think differently. Whatever is going on in your world this Christmas, there is no better gift you can give yourself than to receive the One who came to earth and died on your behalf. He offers you complete forgiveness and the ability to know Him on a personal level, resulting in a more fulfilling life.

There is no greater joy, no greater love, no greater gift, than knowing Jesus. So, what are you waiting for? Say yes to God’s gift today and welcome Him into your life!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Stay Safe, Take Care and God Bless! 🙂 x

We find ourselves praying over and over again. Our words turning into whines, complaining like a child trying to get a parent to soften and give in. We become impatient; it’s taking too long! You’re still sick, or still single, or still longing for a child, a job, a home etc. You look around and see those who have such things, who don’t even fully appreciate them, and you find yourself giving into jealousy, tantrums and anger. It just doesn’t seem fair!!

I’ve been here before wanting what I wanted, and finding it hard to accept God’s ‘No!’. However, through leaning into Him more, reading the Bible and spending time in His presence, I soon realised that God’s ‘No‘ was in fact more of a ‘I have something better in mind.’ When we change our mindset from feeling like we’re being deprived of something, to the truth that we are going to be blessed with something far greater, everything becomes much more hopeful and positive.

God’s ‘No’ is not a rejection but merely a redirection.

See, ultimately God is love and everything that comes from Him is for our greater good. Something that we may want will usually give us momentary happiness but God’s desires for our lives will give us such an abundance of joy! We often make God too small. He is the one who knows your past, present and future – why not trust He knows what He’s doing?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Sometimes God says ‘No‘ to protect you from harm. A decision you may make thinking is the ‘right’ thing, could in fact lead into risky or sinful situations. Often we can be blinkered from seeing this, or we may not want to acknowledge that it is in fact the wrong choice, and this is where God steps in. When something then happens like an unexpected break-up, a loss of job, or a complete turn-around of circumstances, it’s only natural to feel angry and upset that things are not going as planned, and it feels like everything is now against you! However, this redirection is with your best interests in mind, not as a way to ‘spite’ you, but is simply God putting his hand of protection upon you, and steering you onto the right path instead.

FAITH IS NOT THE BELIEF THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT. FAITH IS THE BELIEF THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

So, what do we do? Our role is to do what we are able and leave the rest to Him. We should focus on what we have, rather than what we are lacking. When God answers ‘No‘ to our prayers instead of being down-casted we must remember it’s because He has something better for us. Therefore, let’s embrace God’s plans and purposes for our lives to the fullest!

Believe me, I know it isn’t easy though. It hurts. But that’s okay. God isn’t afraid to hurt our feelings, just like He isn’t afraid for us to have honest conversations with Him. He is God – He can handle it! Although we get mad and sad, at the end of the day it’s all about the trust. Trusting in God’s goodness and His provision, His promises and plans, His love and protection for us. This bible verse says it all really:

God Bless! 🙂 x

Worship: to regard with great extravagant respect, honour or devotion. The word ‘worship’ in the concept of Christianity means to be respectful and acknowledge the power and magnificence of God. To show our love, loyalty and enthusiasm towards Him through our worship. Worship is not restricted to just singing either as is often presumed – we can worship God daily through our actions and thoughts towards others. Honouring and praising God should infiltrate  everything we do!

I found an acronym I had created many years ago amongst my old bible journals and notebooks, that I had used during a bible study on worship, and thought I’d share it here with you:

Worshipping
Our
Resurrected
Saviour
Humbly
In
Praise

We must remember that the God we are worshipping is the living God. Not some ancient being of tradition, but the True God who is ever-present. He sent his only Son, Jesus, to die for us, even though we did not deserve such grace. Therefore, we should devote ourselves to God, and worship Him as an act of gratitude.

“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God.”

Hebrews 9:14

Worship should also be completed in a humble manner; not as something to make us ‘look good’, because it is not about ourselves – but making it all about God. Worshipping God is not a performance but rather an act of devotion to glorify Him. We are told to ‘tremble before Him’ in Psalm 96:9, showing how we should approach God with reverence.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honour.”

1 Peter 5:6

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honour.”

James 4:10

God deserves our praises! His name needs to be glorified by us each and every day. As I mentioned before this can be achieved through many avenues: singing praises, sharing the gospel, prayer, our actions, our generosity etc.

“Sing to the Lord; praise His name. Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.”

“Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!”

“Worship the Lord in all His holy splendour.”

Psalm 96: 2, 4 & 9

When we read through Psalm 103, about all the things God has done for us, surely that should motivate us in the very least to praise and worship Him. The first two verses of that Psalm should be our life’s anthem, something we should strive to achieve daily:

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

Psalm 103: 1-2

My challenge for you is thus: Do you whole-heartedly praise God in your daily life? If your answer is yes, then that’s great! Continue worshipping and thanking God for all He does for you. If you answer is no, then consider what you can begin doing differently. Perhaps you could start each morning by reading a bible verse and then meditating upon it during the day; or listening to some worship songs on the commute to work, or spending time outside in nature, taking a break from life’s distractions and focusing on God’s creation all around us. There are so many simple ways we can introduce into our everyday existence, in order to worship God. Overtime, you will then feel a difference in yourself; that the more time you spend with God, the more time you will want to spend with Him.

Sometimes we try to over-complicate things, but it really is that straight forward! Worshipping God is ultimately having the desire to seek more of Him, to demonstrate the love and gratitude we have for all the things He has and will do for us, and showering Him with our honour and praises. Take some time now to consider how often you worship God during a typical day; think about things you could try to do in the upcoming weeks, and see if you notice a change in your spiritual relationship.

God Bless! 🙂 x

It’s clear from social media and the news how vastly Covid-19 is spreading again, and we knew it wouldn’t be long until it came closer to home. In our case, within the last couple of weeks, the virus entered into our household which resulted in us self-isolating. But also, as we have someone quite vulnerable living with us, we even had to isolate away from my each other in our own rooms! I have almost completed two weeks of isolation now, and the end is in sight! I cannot wait to escape the confinement of my room! At first it wasn’t too bad; I caught up on some Netflix series, did some reading, worked on a few bits and pieces etc. However, I find my own company rather boring, and I’ve really missed just being with my family, so quite honestly I’m fed up with isolating now! Even though we have often facetimed each other to talk, it’s not the same as being in the same room; just knowing that they are there. Our natural instinct is to want to be with other people, to have some form of human interaction (Okay, I’ll admit that sometimes too many people is not for me! But you know what I’m trying to say).

This is also the case with my church family. This year has been so strange not being able to meet with one another. Technology has been amazing in allowing us to still have our services and ‘see’ others, but it is still not the same. The Bible shares on many occasions the importance of fellowship. Fellowship can be described as building a community of God-centred people, who are there to support and encourage when we’re feeling low. We all experience difficult times, yet by being with others in fellowship this can often lift us up and give us some much needed encouragement. God will work through others to provide us with what we need in those darker times. It reminds us that we are not alone; that there are other people who are experiencing the same trials as we are, and through fellowship, we can share our own situations to encourage.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Fellowship is firstly importance because it reflects Jesus. He spent most of His time around other people; whether sharing the gospel to a large crowd, or eating a meal with His disciples. We are called to be a part of God’s family, and have a responsibility for caring and looking out for our fellow brothers and sisters of Christ.

“And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1 John 4:21

When we are part of a fellowship, we are surrounded with like-minded people who can help us to remain accountable to the standards of God, whilst not judging others in the process. Also, being with other Christians, can better support us to focus more on strengthening our relationship with Christ. Now, I’m not saying we should only ever hang-out with Christian friends! We also need to remember our role of being the ‘light’ to those who do not yet know Christ for themselves. It’s about balancing between the two. When we spend time with other believers, we are given the chance to learn and grow in our faith, and it provides us with much needed strength. When we come together in fellowship we can teach each other things, pray for one another and worship God.

“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

1 John 1:7

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17

As I mentioned before, this year has been especially hard with shielding, isolating and lockdown restrictions, to be able to spend any ‘real’ time in fellowship. Nevertheless, we can still try to follow the principles of fellowship; offering encouragement, showing love and praying for each other. By checking in with one another over the phone, sharing bible verses via social media, maybe holding a Zoom bible study etc. Nowadays there are many opportunities to still stay connected!

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”

Romans 15:5

I am so very much looking forward to the day where social distancing is more relaxed or better still non-existent, so we are once again able to meet again with our family and friends, and especially to be part of fellowship again within my church. Until then, let’s do what we are able to now, to encourage one another and hold each other up, to keep that community of love going strong, and to support our faith whilst we are apart.

“How good and pleasant is it when God’s people live together in unity!”

Psalm 133:1

Take Care!

God Bless 🙂 x

A year ago today I published my first blog post – Taking on our Giants! Steadfast was an idea that came to me late one night and has grown since then. Not only have I been able to encourage others through my personal thoughts, experiences and studies that God has placed on my heart, but I’ve also witnessed a huge change in myself to the person I was last November.

This has only been possible through the work God has done within me, nothing that I myself have achieved alone. In this post, I want to share with you my own reflections of my growth in faith, my change of mindset and my overall journey during these last 12 months. I want to encourage you that wherever you may be in life, each and every trial, challenge, hardship, experience, blessing etc. is all part of God’s perfect plan for you! It’s only when we look back we can see just how far God has brought us. It’s not always obvious the changes that happen in our daily existence, but overtime we can see the shift in who we now, compared to then.

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

Last November, I was feeling very lost and confused with my faith. My relationship with God had been put on a back burner, as an effect of feeling hurt and angry towards God for things that had happened previously. After seasons of disappointment and anxiety, I was at a point where I needed to pick things up and turn things around. God can use others as a means to ‘shake us up’ and get us back on track. Whilst at the time I thought things would turn out differently, the person God introduced me to, helped me greatly to analysis my current situation and to clearly see how unhealthy my relationship with God was. For a long while I had been latching onto things as a means of comfort, when all I needed to be seeking was more of Him.

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”

Psalm 119:17

With each blog post I’ve shared, my own faith, understanding and relationship has been strengthened and improved. I have been reminded of God’s constant presence, His endless promises, His unlimited love, His perfect timing, His acceptance, His goodness, His guidance, and most importantly just how much I need Him in my life! And yes things are still not idyllic and are challenging at times, I still make many mistakes and mess up. However, rather than wallow in misery and allow anxiety to consume me as before, instead I dwell on the renewed faith I now have; I focus more on God’s word and I seek His support and instruction. I aim to try and live my life ‘unshaken’ as I know God is always with me.

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

I look at myself now and see how much more confident I am in myself and my faith, how much more mature my outlook on life is, and how my priorities and desires have altered. Slowly, God has taken this obsessed planner and goal setter, and has begun moulding me into somebody who is giving up the control to Him more willingly. I am learning to trust in God and the plan He has designed for me now more than ever.

We are all God’s project pieces – we begin life as a blank canvas, and overtime many layers need to be added on, altered or removed, before we become a completed masterpiece. God is working in each and every one of our lives right now, through each decision we make. The changes might not be big or easily spotted, but when you take time to reflect back as I have done, you’ll see how far you’ve come!

So, take hope and be encouraged that God is with you. He’s shaping you into the person you were created to be. Just give Him the time and space to do so. I did and I can see just how better my life and relationship with God is today.

God Bless! 🙂 x

When you cannot sleep at night, have you ever thought maybe it’s God saying, “We need to talk and you now have time”.

I often find myself in this situation, lying wide awake in the early hours, thoughts and feelings running wild. And this is when I usually listen or pray most with God. But should this be the case? When I review the hours in my day, how often is God included within them? Honestly… He’s rarely considered.

When it comes to my prayer life, the majority of times I spend praying is just before I go to sleep – a very quickfire run-off of ‘thanks, can I have, help‘ – and that’s it! I don’t put any thought into what I’m really saying. So no wonder when I’m unsettled at night, it’s probably because God is trying to get through to me.

Spending time communicating with God shouldn’t just be an allocated set ‘prayer’ time, or just some random ramblings at the end of the day. It should be a constant conversation. Think of it like using WhatsApp: I’m always texting messages back and forth to people whenever things spring to mind; I don’t think ‘Oh, I can only speak to this friend at this time‘ or ‘better send a quick message before I sleep’. So, why don’t we talk freely with God throughout our day?

The most beautiful thing is that He knows what you are about to tell Him and yet He still listens.

Prayer is so important and is a vital part of our Christian life. God is our source of comfort, strength, direction and all the other resources we need in life, and through prayer we can ask for these things.

““This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.””

1 John 5:14

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

Our relationship with God is built on love and the desire to be with Him, to know more of Him. Keeping up a strong communication in prayer can help us best resist temptation. Without it we become weak and exposed, giving the enemy opportunities to lure us into sin.

““Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

Matthew 26:41

The Bible emphasises the importance of prayer and we are commanded to:

“Pray continually.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 4:2

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?””

Luke 18:1-8

So, it’s very clear just how essential prayer is in our lives! It’s what keeps us closest to God; talking with and involving Him in all that we do each day. Life gets busy but nothing should distract us from spending time with our God in prayer. I hold my hands up and freely admit that this is something I struggle with, but I am determined to focus on building up my prayer life so it becomes more of a natural process, that I don’t even realise I’m ‘praying’, but merely keeping up that daily conversation with God. I guarantee that investing more time doing just this, you’ll notice a change in your situations and circumstances. We are told to “pray about everything” and that we know we can ask God for his strength and support anytime!

Prayer is more powerful than your obstacles.

So, let’s pray together now:

God Bless 🙂 x

My favourite season has well and truly arrived! And I’m super excited. I simply adore Autumn. The array of oranges, yellows and reds amongst the trees, wrapping up warm in jumpers and scarves, snuggling inside blankets with a mug of hot chocolate…Perfect!

This year, I decided to have a go with an autumnal tradition and take on pumpkin carving. Whilst doing so, I began to think about how very much I am like a pumpkin. Not that I’m orange and round, but in the sense of my Christianity – you’ll see where I’m going with this…

The first step in Pumpkin Carving is simple; get yourself a pumpkin. Now I didn’t end up searching through the fields to choose one, rather grabbing one from the shop, but I still needed to select just the one I wanted. Likewise, we are all part of the same ‘patch’, and God picks us out because He wants us; He wants us just as we are, and chooses to take us home to begin transforming us into something much more than just a ‘pumpkin’. We each have a purpose and a plan for our lives, we just need to trust God to carve out the way for us.

When cutting off the top of my pumpkin, this reminded me of how we need to be open-minded to learn more about God. To clear our thoughts and focus solely on Him.

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Romans 12:2

Next, I needed to scoop out the ‘gunk’! This for me represented when we ask God for forgiveness for our sinful ways. Being honest with Him and coming clean about the wrong things we have done. Asking God to help remove the ‘gunk’ that’s built up within our hearts. As well as removing this, there were also the seeds too. Perhaps these seeds could be seen as the seeds of doubt, anxiety, stress, anger, guilt etc. The emotions that sprout and take hold of our spirits in the attempt to weaken our faith and relationship with God.

Once my pumpkin was prepared, the fun could really start! It was time to take this ordinary pumpkin and create it into something else. I decided to go down the traditional route and give my pumpkin a sweet face (or at least attempt to). All the time still thinking about how this imagery reflects our walk with God.

Each facial feature had a link to an aspect of my Christian life, something I should be praying daily for God to help and strengthen me within:

Eyes – to see God’s love and goodness:

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions”

~ Psalm 119:18

Ears – to hear His words:

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand”

~ Matthew 13:9

Mouth – to share our salvation: 

“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples!”

~ Psalm 96:3

Lastly, I placed a tea light inside and put my pumpkin on the windowsill. It was lovely to see it lit up, flickering my design into the darkness. When we first become a Christian we ask God to fill us with His Spirit. This is something we need to continually ask for, to be renewed with waves of the Holy Spirit to guide us and build us up each and every day. As when we are filled with more of God, we can shine out more for Him too. We can share His light with the world, becoming a beacon to others who are lost in the darkness, to bring them to know more of Him themselves.

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16

So, if you end up pumpkin carving this autumn, think over some of the points I’ve shared within this post. Remember that God has chosen you specially and is working within you to change you and your situations to be far better than where you’re currently at. We just need to allow God to take control, and we need to just stay focused on Him, fixing our eyes on who He is, and exploring His word deeply. Through His Holy Spirt we can be refilled and encouraged to share our faith with others.

God Bless 🙂 x

Recently I’ve got back into watching Marvel films – I absolutely love the action, storylines and characters! I often wonder how cool it would be to have superpowers, or some kind of specialised suit like Iron Man or Black Panther. Perhaps it’s just me – but don’t you think it would be pretty awesome if we had that kind of protection up our sleeve?

Well, the Bible does talk about one particular ‘armour’ that we can all ‘suit up’ in…

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Ephesians 6: 10-18

Paul uses the description of ‘armour’, because this is something the people of his day could relate to. Today, we would probably relate to this more with the picture of suiting up in PPE to protect us against the Coronavirus!

Either way, I love the notion myself, that we are in a battle against Satan everyday, and that we too need to suit up and be prepared! I’ve read through the passage many times before, but have not fully understood what each piece means. When we look carefully, each piece actually represents an action or attitude based around how the enemy attacks us.

Helmet of Salvation: The helmet is designed to protect the head and mind. As a Christian, quite often the enemy wants us to doubt our faith and relationship with God. Thoughts can easily creep in and begin nagging away at us. By reading our Bibles and spending time in prayer, we can drown out our doubts, through the reassurance we find in our salvation. Find out more about combating our doubts by checking out this previous blog post – Without a Doubt.

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”

Psalm 94:19

Breastplate of Righteousness: This piece of armour is highly important as it protects our hearts. We are tempted by all kinds of sinful entanglements, but by remaining obedient to God’s instructions, His righteousness will then protect our hearts from being wounded by sin. Not only do we need the complete righteousness of Christ, but also the continuing righteousness that comes as a response to God’s gift. If you know there’s a particular area of your life where you often drift into sinfulness, why not speak to a trusted person and ask them to pray with you and help you be accountable for your actions?

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Proverbs 4:23

Belt of Truth: In Roman armoury the belt’s job was to hold everything together. Just like the truth of God’s words holds our lives together. If we do not know what the Bible says, then it is easy for Satan to attack our minds and confuse us about what is really right and wrong. Knowing God’s truth is the sure-fire antidote to Satan’s lies and deception.

“People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

Gospel of Peace: Just as if we were going into a real battle, we wouldn’t go without our shoes! Shoes allow us to walk without fear because we have protection. The Bible gives us peace; a perfect peace that casts out all fear! It helps us to stay anchored and stand firm. When we experience true peace, we are able to share the truth of salvation more freely. Discover more about God’s peace here – A Moments Peace.

“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”

Psalm 29:11

Sword of the Spirit: No warrior would go into battle without the weapon of a sword, and likewise we need the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to guide and instruct us. God’s word is alive and is a mighty weapon against the enemy!

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Shield of Faith: The shield is used to guard someone from an oncoming attack. We are to use our faith as a shield, to deflect the lies Satan tries to knock us down with. The lies that we are not loved, that we are not enough, that we will never be accepted, that we will not be forgiven etc.

“Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea’, and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

Matthew 21:21

God has given you exactly what you need to be victorious; so use the weapons you have been given! The enemy will look for your weaknesses, where he can attack you best, so be prepared and ensure you take time to read God’s Word, spend time in prayer and focus whole-heartedly on strengthening your relationship with Him. It’s time to suit up and wear the Armour of God, to stand firm and fight against the enemy with everything you have.

God Bless! 🙂 x

Today I’ve spent most of my time, when outside with the children, playing catch with them. It started off great with a game of catch with one of the boys and myself. Soon after, his friend joined in and we continued to play with no issues. However, it didn’t take long until a multitude of others decided to get involved, and I then found myself being bombarded with beanbags from many excited children yelling, “Catch It, Miss Cleeton!”. I was hastily flailing about, reaching in every direction, trying my best to catch at least one – much to their amusement! My quiet, calm catching game had soon erupted into a frenzied chaos! (Note to Self: Hide the beanbags tomorrow!!)

Anyway, this illustration reminds me of the times when it feels like everything is being thrown at you and you’re struggling to take hold of it all. We become easily overwhelmed in the stress and confusion, unsure of how we are going to manage things. Often we may wonder why we go through stressful situations, but it is through these moments that we find ourselves turning towards God, seeking more of Him. The Psalms are full of references of people doing just this:

“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.”

Psalm 18:6

“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer.”

Psalm 120:1

When our lives are comfortable and easy, too often we drift away from God into our own bubbles of spiritual isolation and independence. Although things may be going well for us, it doesn’t mean we no longer need God as much. This is quite clear, as before too long we find ourselves back at the bottom, overcome with our stress, anxiety, doubts etc. I believe God brings us into stressful circumstances as a way of humbling ourselves before Him, and as a reminder of how much we truly need Him daily, regardless of our emotional state. We need God as a constant presence in our lives, not just using Him as a ‘plaster’ when we’re hurting.

Stress also helps to strengthen our faith. In the same way a muscle grows, through being stretched and exercised under strain, our faith too is developed when unusual demands are placed upon it. If a muscle is rarely used it often becomes limitless and useless, just like if our faith is not tested at times it will not, cannot grow. We go through stressful trials for a reason; This is where God is working within us. Consider this: When Daniel was in the lion’s den, he had a very good reason to be stressed out, as did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did when they faced the fiery furnace. However, they continued to follow and obey God, to tackle their doubts and fears, rather than wallow in self-pity and wonder ‘why God was allowing this to happen to them’. When we realise that there is a divine purpose for our trials, then the stress of dealing with them should diminish.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that we are never facing these things alone! God gives us the tools to handle stress healthily, to learn how to cope with the uncertainties, and to come through our challenges stronger and wiser for it. Most of the time, I follow the mindset that stressed backwards is desserts, and often find my answers in the bottom of the biscuit barrel – however this rarely helps my current mood and definitely doesn’t help my waistline. So what should we do when we feel stressed then? Firstly, dust off your bible! The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. It gives us comfort, peace and hope, and the answers of how best to deal with things; including when we feel stressed.

Try focusing on the good things instead. Take time to stop and breathe, concentrating on the uplifting things of God, to help us see past our negative situations. By controlling our thoughts, this is the starting step in overcoming stress. And this is by no means easy! I’m a natural stress-head, and get easily overwhelmed when I’ve got a lot on my plate. Yet, I am trying to target my usual panic-mode and instead focus on what is going well, the promises of God and His goodness.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about these things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Philippians 4:8

No matter how overwhelming or beyond our control things seem, they aren’t for God. Have you ever thought about asking God to help you change a situation that is causing you stress? Why not? Nothing is impossible with God. We read in Jonah Chapter 2, the prayer Jonah made when he was inside the big fish. He poured his heart out to God, in the midst of his distress he asked God to save him, to rescue him from his immensely stressful situation. And God did just so! God ordered the fish to spit out Jonah; just like that. Jonah had learnt his lesson, it was clear the reasons behind his difficult circumstances, and when he was ready, God brought him out of his troubled state.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Mark 10:27

So, when you are up against it, feeling like everything is being thrown at you, remember that being overwhelmed or stressed is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. It’s a natural reaction that proves how much we need God in our lives. It reminds us that we need to be calling on God daily, to assist and guide us in our decisions and circumstances. To prioritise Him above all else. Stress builds up our faith and helps us to grow as Christians. Being stressed is not pleasant, but it is one way in which God can develop our characters and relationship with Him. God is always with us; we need only call on His name!

God Bless! 🙂 x