From the Calendar

I liked what the calendar said today, I only wish it were true of me:

'Clearly you are an epistle of Christ.... written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.' 2 Corinthinans 3:3

When God gave the Law, He wrote it in stone.  Now He is writing on our hearts and we are to live out His message.  If people read you like a book, do they get your story or His? Remember, you are the only Bible some people will ever read - living epistles 'known and read of all men'.

We each write a Gospel, a chapter a day,

By deeds, looks and likes, the things that we say.

Our actions betray us - words faithful and true,

Say, what is the Gospel according to you?

Choice Gleanings Calendar

God's love

John 15:9 As the Father has loved me so have I loved you, abide in my love.

Heard a sermon mentioning this verse yesterday and was struck by how amazing it is.  God loves me with a wonderful, eternal, unconditional love and He will never leave us.  We know that He has all things planned and because He loves us 'all things work together for good'.


'For I know whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.'  

Tri harder!

Oh dear, last week was not an improvement in my training schedule:


2x runs (3 miles)
1x strength


Room for improvement!

Triathlon training

I have entered a triathlon on 5th June so I plan to put weekly updates of my training progress on here - partly as a check on myself and also an insentive to keep going. The race is a 750m swim, 20K (~12 miles) bike  and 5K (~3 miles) run, in that order. 

This week:

2x 3 mile runs

1x 750m swim - all crawl for the first time ever

1x strength training session

Targets to improve: More strength training and a bike session.

New experience

Today I interviewed someone for the first time.  I found it an enjoyable experience, hopefully they did too!  Made me feel old though.  A new graduate, fresh out of college with ideas and ambitions and inexperience.  I realise how much I have learnt and developed over the last 7 years.  I also realise that I still have an enormous amount to learn.  So now I am about to become a Principal for the first time, I hope I can use all the experiences I have had, good and bad, to be a good Principal and help someone begin their osteopathic career.

A helpful hymn:

My rest is in heaven; my rest is not here
Then why should I murmer when trials are near?
Be hushed my dark spirit! The worst that can come
But shortens my journey, and hastens thee home

It is not for me to be seeking my bliss
And building my hopes in a region like this
I look for a city which hands have not piled
I pant for a country by sin undefiled

The thorn and the thistle around me may grow
I would not lie down upon roses below
I ask not my portion, I seek not a rest
Till I find them, O Lord, in Thy sheltering breast

Afflictions may damp me, they cannot destroy
One glimpse of Thy love turns them all into joy
And the bitterest tears, if Thou smile but on them
Like dew in the sunshine, grow diamond and gem

Let doubt then, and danger, my progress oppose
They only make Heaven more sweet at the close
Come joy, or come sorrow, whate'er may befall
And hour with my God will make up for it all

1 year on...

All the way my Saviour leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;

All the way my Saviour leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;

All the way my Saviour leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;

It is a year since I started blogging today.  I have enjoyed blogging although not as much as I enjoy reading others blogs and my posts have been somewhat erratic.  I hope to continue through next year with more regular postings.  This also means that it is my birthday today and especially in the last few days the above hymn has been on my mind.  I can certainly testify to the Lord's leading in all things and rejoice at the Ebenezers so far and trust Him for the furture.

Word in season:

The LORD shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace. (KJV)


The LORD will fight for you and you have only to be silent. (ESV)  Exodus 14:14

Heading for 30.....

For the past couple of years I have used a chronological reading plan taking you through the Bible in a year.  This year I have been taking a different approach in my quiet times using some ideas from a few websites I looked at.  I am using a 180 day overview of the Bible which takes you through the 'highlights' of the message of salvation through the Bible.  I have almost finished the chapters from Genesis and today was reading about Joseph's release from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and his subsequent promotion to 'Prime Minister'. It is amazing when you consider the pathway God used from the first dreams Joseph had telling him others would bow down to him until he gets to this position.  I go through the passage verse by verse, writing a short summary and considering the message of the passage and its application today.  For Genesis I have used the commentary by Mr Eveson also which has been very helpful.

Today the commentary highlighted that Joseph was 30 when he attained the position of leadership in Egypt, David was 30 when he began to reign as king, and Jesus was about 30 when he began his public ministry. I found this quite encouraging. 

PEACE - SHALOM

I have recently been thinking about the 'peace of God' and wanted to do a Bible study on it.  Last night, very unusually, I was sat listening to Premier Christian radio and heard a sermon which really helped.  It is really highlighting several verses which direct us how we can have this peace:

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.Psalm 68:19

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

The key points were not to be anxious but to cast our burdens on the Lord, who daily bears our burdens.  To live a life of prayer at all times so that when times of difficulty come prayer is natural for us.  To trust in God for He is in control of all things.  So when difficulties come in order to enjoy the peace of God we should immediately cast our burden on the Lord and pray.  We can think of past situations where He has helped and be thankful and trust Him for help in this.  If we focus on the trouble that consumes us but if we focus on God, He upholds us and we can enjoy peace and so keep things in perspective.  This is a way I would love to live but have already failed today, so must continue to keep it as an aim to follow this guide and enjoy the peace of God.