September 2010
September Devotional – Plans, Maps & Presence!
As we come to the end of Summer holidays and the nights start to draw in, let us reflect on what God has done in our lives. It is not always what we were planning for and instead we accept God’s perfect timing for those things He does have planned for us.
If you’re anything like me, you hope for a map to show the way ahead! A friend reminded me that God says ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path’ – Psalm 119:105. This verse spoke powerfully to me of living in the here and now and to take each day in God’s hands as His presence is sufficient for me. Also this verse from The Message speaks of God’s never ending presence in all our lives.
‘God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I’m never out of your sight.
You know everything I’m going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there,
then up ahead and you’re there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can’t take it all in!’
Psalm 139:1-6 The Message
Below is a poem (author unknown) but gives an insight into God working on us, in us and through us.
‘When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man, and skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay – which,
Only God can understand,
While his tortured heart is crying,
And he lifts beseeching hands;
How he bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him,
By every act induces him
To try His Splendor out –
God knows what He’s about.!’
Unknown Author
Wherever you find yourself today, God knows the plans he has for you. ‘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
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There’s An App For That…
The media is often talking about how the latest technology will change our lives. Every month something new comes out that claims to be the best. In the last couple of years Apple seems to have led the way. The talk over the summer amongst my family and friends has been the i-revolution.
Over the last few years we’ve adjusted to satellite television, home computers, videos, mobile phones,dvds,the internet, texting and now we have ‘apps’-applications that make your i-pod, i-phone or i-pad useful for a huge variety of tasks and games. The most simple are games which are either free or cost less than a pound. Even people who don’t like games find themselves playing ‘Doodle Jump’ while waiting in the doctor’s surgery or having a quick turn at ‘Dinnerdash’ outside the school gates. My own particular addiction is ‘Glass Tower 2′ which involves saving glass blocks from tipping over the edge. Why do I like it? Maybe it is because the blocks are pretty, there is no time pressure on each task, and it doesn’t involve killing anything. Or, maybe, it is the first game ever that I have reached a higher level than my teenage sons!
There is an app that lets you identify the stars in the night sky above you. And one that lets you navigate the underground or the streets of any major city. Or, you can buy your groceries for the week in less than five minutes, just remember to be home when they are delivered. One app predicts the weather in your location, another translates foreign languages for you. Google and Amazon have their own apps.
Of course, I’m sure there are many apps that are expensive, addictive, immoral, take you away from conversations and are a waste of time. Like any technological leap we have to learn how to use it for good.
There are apps now for daily devotions. Daily Notes have a nifty four page Bible reading, followed by a discussion and a prayer. If, like me, you struggle to find a good time to spend in quietly engaging with the Bible the novelty of this and the ability to pick it up anywhere, is a good starting place.’The Olive Tree’ is a reasonably priced Bible-app that lets you search and read the Bible anywhere, in your chosen translation. Some churches have jumped rapidly onto the i-bandwagon. Saddleback church make it easy to listen to Rick Warren’s sermons.
Last month one of my friends invited me to be her ‘ping-chat’ friend. We can send instant free messages to each other in cute speech bubbles across the Atlantic ocean. I have a nephew who never replied to my emails or texts but is happy to ping-chat in reply.
If this technology helps us to engage in what others are interested in and communicate in relaxed ways with those around us, then I’m in. I’m sure there are others out there who love their pocket sized i-whatever. Reply with your favourite apps and Activators can download together.
I have to go now, level 62 in ‘Glass Tower’ is calling.
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