The above phrase "Hate the sin, love the sinner" replayed in my head a few times yesterday and today. I think I started thinking about some stuff after a conversation on last night in fact. Was quite random but still thought-provoking. Then I realised why I've been feeling the way I've been feeling recently. And a wee voice reminded me of the above phrase, telling me to live it out, not just to recite it. Yes, Lord, I will. I will make changes with Your help =)
Then tonight an unplanned visit to cell group had me join the group as they studied the Beatitudes taken from Matthew's gospel chapter 5 verses 3 through to 11. We looked at verse 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
So we discussed what being a peacemaker is like, where does the peace come from? Many people see peace as absence of conflict, absence of war etc. Jesus gave us the peace, the Shalom. With this peace we should become peacemakers. In order to do this we i) need to find peace within ourselves. Some of us have issues with self worth and/or we blame ourselves for things. ii) we need to sort out bitterness with each other. iii) we need peace with God. Through Christ Jesus we are peace with God so we should strive to maintain a healthy relationship and walk with God.
It was the second point that really struck me. It really tied in with the phrase at the start of this post. I think there has been some bitterness inside me from recent events. A grudge of some sort. And these negative things actually get in the way between us and God. Between me and God. And you know what? Right at this very moment I recall my devotional time with God this morning. It talked about the Lord's prayer where Jesus taught us to say "Lead us not to temptation but deliver us from evil." (Matt. 6:13) The devotional sharing extract I read:
"Keep in mind too that the devil will take full advantage of any bitterness in us. That is why total forgiveness is essential if we are to be delivered from his [devil's] power. Satan exploits bitterness and grudges. Paul said, 'I have forgiven in the sight of Christ... in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes' (2 Corinthians 2: 10-11). As the New Living Bible puts it, 'A further reason for forgiveness is to keep from being outsmarted by Satan.'" - from "The Excellent Way", R.T. Kendall, 9 March 2011.
It's amazing how God can speak to us through so many different channels. For me it was a phone conversation that kicked it off and had me thinking about stuff inside. Then it was my personal time with God, again reminding me about bitterness. And then in a group setting where I study God's Word with fellow brothers and sisters in cell group. How amazing is that!
My prayer
The message is loud and clear God! Submit the bitterness and negativity over to You and let You take them all away. Forgive me Lord for holding anything back and letting these things get in the way between me and You and between me and others. Please help others to also forgive me and not feel bitterness towards me either, nor block me from Facebook. Yes, Lord, you know this is something that hurts me and I know I have done wrong and sinned against You too. I should not view such thing as important or more important than the security inside of me knowing I have been forgiven by You and that's what matters most. I should not care about other people's opinions of me but care about what You think of me the most. Thank You, Lord for Your love, grace and mercy. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
10 March 2011
05 March 2011
Reflexes
I thank God for quick reflexes on Tuesday morning. I was on a driving lesson and pupil was driving on the Finnieston roundabout. We just came off the A814 dual carriageway behind PC World and followed signs for Clydebank which loops back around the light-controlled roundabout and back onto the dual carriageway slip road. Our car was on lane two (A814 & SECC), which after turning right became lane one and headed towards the SECC slip road and the acceleration lane for A814. As we were gaining speed towards the A814, minding our own business, a black coloured Volkswagen Touran suddenly appeared from the right lane and cut right in front of us!! In a flash I saw the black vehicle appear at the corner of my right eye and then immediately appear in front of us cutting diagonally in front of us and stopped on the side of the road. Initial response was to jump onto the spare brake and clutch, just a split second before my pupil pressed his.
The car stopped abruptly and I thank God there was no other car behind us at that point otherwise there could have been a nasty accident because of the Volkswagen! A few cars around us kinda saw what happened and some slowed down to check us out whilst slowly driving on. We started to move off again after being stationary for what felt like a looong time (we didn't stall so that was a bonus) and headed forwards to our slip road ahead, hoping to get a look at the driver of the Volkswagen. But it drove off before we got the chance to see anything.
With hearts pounding we drove on and continued with the lesson. Bad driving. Totally unncessary to cut our lane like that. However, it gave us a real-life topic on lane discipline and expecting the unexpected. Also was a great testimony to God the Father who overlooks everything and blesses us and protects us. Hallelujah!
The car stopped abruptly and I thank God there was no other car behind us at that point otherwise there could have been a nasty accident because of the Volkswagen! A few cars around us kinda saw what happened and some slowed down to check us out whilst slowly driving on. We started to move off again after being stationary for what felt like a looong time (we didn't stall so that was a bonus) and headed forwards to our slip road ahead, hoping to get a look at the driver of the Volkswagen. But it drove off before we got the chance to see anything.
With hearts pounding we drove on and continued with the lesson. Bad driving. Totally unncessary to cut our lane like that. However, it gave us a real-life topic on lane discipline and expecting the unexpected. Also was a great testimony to God the Father who overlooks everything and blesses us and protects us. Hallelujah!
01 March 2011
Feeling blessed
Hey all, have been wanting to provide an update for ages but have been soooo busy in the past one week! There are lots to give thanks to God for as well!
Monday
This week saw my final two days as a franchised instructor and so on Monday and Tuesday I still gave lessons in the Ford Focus. At the end of my first driving lesson (a two-hour lesson between 10am-12pm) my pupil gave me two bottles of mineral water. The weather was hot and she could sympathise with me about having to speak so much for so long etc. Initially I declined and told her I had water in my boot but when she insisted and ran inside her house to get them for me AND opened the lid of one of them for me, I knew she really meant it and cared. I showed appreciation by drinking some of the water and then continued with the lesson debrief. Oh, before anybody thinks anything else, she is a married woman, a family friend. Haha!! =D
I came home for some lunch before next driving lesson just after 2pm in preparation for a driving test at half past three. Was halfway eating my lunch when the buzzer went quite loudly. It was the ParcelForce courier with my roof sign for the car!! Praise God for the great timing. Last time the same company sent me something through ParcelForce I wasn't in and had to pick it up from the local post office. This roof sign was much bigger to carry so having the guy bring it up was much more convenient. =)
The pupil sitting her driving test was feeling a little nervous, naturally. It was still a very hot day with the sunshine blazing down. I offered her the bottle of unopened water that I put in the boot. I bless as I was blessed =) Just before we entered into the test centre I suggested we pray together and ask the Lord to be with my pupil. We prayed in the car park and we went inside the test centre. She went for the test whilst I waited inside the waiting room, all by myself, no other candidates taking tests at that time which was strange. I was praying, I was walking about, I was feeling very excited yet also nervous for the pupil. The car returned and I was near enough the car to see the examiner's mouth mouth to say "pass" and my pupil's happy reaction confirmed this word! Yaaasss!! I was so delighted!! I quickly said a prayer to God to thank Him for such great day and great result. First time pass for my pupil, what a great way to finish off the term with the francise eh? =)
Tuesday
Halfway through my morning lesson at 11am I noticed a strange noise each the car moved. It sounded like something was stuck on the nearside front tyre (passenger front), maybe a stone or something, and it made a strange scratching noise each time the wheel turned. So I got out of the car to check and low and behold there was indeed a foreign body embedded in the tyre. Not a stone or glass or anything I could remove. But a big metal screw, which went right through the tyre and was too deep to pull out. I thought it looked like if I had managed to take it out the tyre would deflate right away. So for health and safety reasons I terminated the lesson, sent pupil home slowly and carefully and then made my way to Maryhill Road Kwik-Fit. The tyre repair was carried out through Lombard account so was not out of my pocket, however, this Kwik-Fit was very busy with about six other cars ahead of me in the queue. So I ended up waiting three hours before the car was picked up. Had to reschedule my 1-3pm lesson until 7:30pm-9pm so therefore finished really late with the Focus. Not to worry, I was very grateful that the car was safe enough to drive and to teach in =)
Wednesday
I had been chasing up the AA for a letter confirming that during my time with the franchise that I've never had any accidents nor made any claims. This letter would go towards my No Claims bonus which applies when I took out driving tuition insurance. After three phone calls and two emails the letter really arrived yesterday morning and so I was thankful that this could be processed as the temporary insurance cover would run till 3rd April and the letter should arrive before then. So at least that is out of the way. Again, I prayed about this matter and gave it unto the Lord as I could do no more besides calling and sending emails.
Also want to thank God for keeping me safe at a roundabout as well. Was almost involved in a collision with a green truck at a roundabout. Keep your wits about you people. Just a concentration lapse of even two seconds could result in bad consequences!
Today
I popped in to Euro Car Parts today just for a wander round. Was my first time visiting and I had expected it to be like a Halfords. But it was much much smaller and the stuff they sold I didn't want or needed, like car mats, car cleaning gear, different oils, car parts like screws, and various different stuff. It was when I walked over to the accessories part that I saw again some power socket extension things. I had considered getting one from Halfords the other days as the Fiesta only has one power socket outlet compared to the two in the Focus. So I had thought about maybe getting a 2in1 or a 3in1 outlet, however wanted to really have enough stuff to plug in before getting it. Currently I only have a sat nav that needs occasionally charging up. Don't have any other need for power socket otherwise. However, I saw a pretty smart looking 2in1 power socket extension and asked the guy for the price. He checked the system then confirmed it was £4.99. I went back to the car to get cash. Upon my return I waited in a queue for a few minutes before I reached the front. Same guy served me. I gave him money to pay. After a short moment of pressing buttons on the system, he handed me back my money. "You can have this back", he said, "and you can take this. Merry Christmas." I was surprised. "Really? Why?", I asked. "Yes, we don't have this item on stock anymore." (probably meaning he cannot price it or charge me anymore or something??) "Oh right, thanks! But are you sure?!" I asked again. "Yes, unless you want to put something into this?". He lifted up a charity collection tub. I put in a coin and I thanked the guy again and made my way out with my new product for the car. Totally felt loved by God and really blessed by Him. What a nice surprise!! =D
Because of Tuesday's tyre incident, it started making me think what would happen if the same happened to my new car, the Fiesta. I would not have a tyre to change into as the new cars do not come with a spare tyre but just a tyre inflation kit which is not exactly the most practical or reliable way to repair a tyre once it is damaged. So I had a nice instructor friend Stephen who suggested I look online for used alloy wheels sold in eBay and in fact he took a look at the wheels for me whilst I was working late Tuesday and couldn't get access to a computer. So I went ahead to buy one. I did not hear anything from the Seller after I paid for it. So last night I emailed the Seller to ask for an update on the order. This morning he advised the wheel was sent out and gave me a tracking code. I did not see which courier the tracking code was for. It was this afternoon after 3pm when I was at home doing more admin and paperwork that the buzzer went really loudly and prolonged. Mum picked up the intercom and the guy said there was a parcel for me. It was a man from UPS carrying a big round and heavy-looking parcel all wrapped in layers of bubble wrap. He was delighted I was in to collect the parcel and went away happily after I signed for it. Thank God again that I was at home. His timing is the best. Had I not been in the delivery guy would have only left me a card and I would have had to pick the parcel up elsewhere. How inconvenient! The wheel is in my hallway now and I have not had the chance to open the packaging for a proper look. However, I am thankful it is here now.
I look forward to many more blessings from God for the rest of this weekend =)
Monday
This week saw my final two days as a franchised instructor and so on Monday and Tuesday I still gave lessons in the Ford Focus. At the end of my first driving lesson (a two-hour lesson between 10am-12pm) my pupil gave me two bottles of mineral water. The weather was hot and she could sympathise with me about having to speak so much for so long etc. Initially I declined and told her I had water in my boot but when she insisted and ran inside her house to get them for me AND opened the lid of one of them for me, I knew she really meant it and cared. I showed appreciation by drinking some of the water and then continued with the lesson debrief. Oh, before anybody thinks anything else, she is a married woman, a family friend. Haha!! =D
I came home for some lunch before next driving lesson just after 2pm in preparation for a driving test at half past three. Was halfway eating my lunch when the buzzer went quite loudly. It was the ParcelForce courier with my roof sign for the car!! Praise God for the great timing. Last time the same company sent me something through ParcelForce I wasn't in and had to pick it up from the local post office. This roof sign was much bigger to carry so having the guy bring it up was much more convenient. =)
The pupil sitting her driving test was feeling a little nervous, naturally. It was still a very hot day with the sunshine blazing down. I offered her the bottle of unopened water that I put in the boot. I bless as I was blessed =) Just before we entered into the test centre I suggested we pray together and ask the Lord to be with my pupil. We prayed in the car park and we went inside the test centre. She went for the test whilst I waited inside the waiting room, all by myself, no other candidates taking tests at that time which was strange. I was praying, I was walking about, I was feeling very excited yet also nervous for the pupil. The car returned and I was near enough the car to see the examiner's mouth mouth to say "pass" and my pupil's happy reaction confirmed this word! Yaaasss!! I was so delighted!! I quickly said a prayer to God to thank Him for such great day and great result. First time pass for my pupil, what a great way to finish off the term with the francise eh? =)
Tuesday
Halfway through my morning lesson at 11am I noticed a strange noise each the car moved. It sounded like something was stuck on the nearside front tyre (passenger front), maybe a stone or something, and it made a strange scratching noise each time the wheel turned. So I got out of the car to check and low and behold there was indeed a foreign body embedded in the tyre. Not a stone or glass or anything I could remove. But a big metal screw, which went right through the tyre and was too deep to pull out. I thought it looked like if I had managed to take it out the tyre would deflate right away. So for health and safety reasons I terminated the lesson, sent pupil home slowly and carefully and then made my way to Maryhill Road Kwik-Fit. The tyre repair was carried out through Lombard account so was not out of my pocket, however, this Kwik-Fit was very busy with about six other cars ahead of me in the queue. So I ended up waiting three hours before the car was picked up. Had to reschedule my 1-3pm lesson until 7:30pm-9pm so therefore finished really late with the Focus. Not to worry, I was very grateful that the car was safe enough to drive and to teach in =)
Wednesday
I had been chasing up the AA for a letter confirming that during my time with the franchise that I've never had any accidents nor made any claims. This letter would go towards my No Claims bonus which applies when I took out driving tuition insurance. After three phone calls and two emails the letter really arrived yesterday morning and so I was thankful that this could be processed as the temporary insurance cover would run till 3rd April and the letter should arrive before then. So at least that is out of the way. Again, I prayed about this matter and gave it unto the Lord as I could do no more besides calling and sending emails.
Also want to thank God for keeping me safe at a roundabout as well. Was almost involved in a collision with a green truck at a roundabout. Keep your wits about you people. Just a concentration lapse of even two seconds could result in bad consequences!
Today
I popped in to Euro Car Parts today just for a wander round. Was my first time visiting and I had expected it to be like a Halfords. But it was much much smaller and the stuff they sold I didn't want or needed, like car mats, car cleaning gear, different oils, car parts like screws, and various different stuff. It was when I walked over to the accessories part that I saw again some power socket extension things. I had considered getting one from Halfords the other days as the Fiesta only has one power socket outlet compared to the two in the Focus. So I had thought about maybe getting a 2in1 or a 3in1 outlet, however wanted to really have enough stuff to plug in before getting it. Currently I only have a sat nav that needs occasionally charging up. Don't have any other need for power socket otherwise. However, I saw a pretty smart looking 2in1 power socket extension and asked the guy for the price. He checked the system then confirmed it was £4.99. I went back to the car to get cash. Upon my return I waited in a queue for a few minutes before I reached the front. Same guy served me. I gave him money to pay. After a short moment of pressing buttons on the system, he handed me back my money. "You can have this back", he said, "and you can take this. Merry Christmas." I was surprised. "Really? Why?", I asked. "Yes, we don't have this item on stock anymore." (probably meaning he cannot price it or charge me anymore or something??) "Oh right, thanks! But are you sure?!" I asked again. "Yes, unless you want to put something into this?". He lifted up a charity collection tub. I put in a coin and I thanked the guy again and made my way out with my new product for the car. Totally felt loved by God and really blessed by Him. What a nice surprise!! =D
Because of Tuesday's tyre incident, it started making me think what would happen if the same happened to my new car, the Fiesta. I would not have a tyre to change into as the new cars do not come with a spare tyre but just a tyre inflation kit which is not exactly the most practical or reliable way to repair a tyre once it is damaged. So I had a nice instructor friend Stephen who suggested I look online for used alloy wheels sold in eBay and in fact he took a look at the wheels for me whilst I was working late Tuesday and couldn't get access to a computer. So I went ahead to buy one. I did not hear anything from the Seller after I paid for it. So last night I emailed the Seller to ask for an update on the order. This morning he advised the wheel was sent out and gave me a tracking code. I did not see which courier the tracking code was for. It was this afternoon after 3pm when I was at home doing more admin and paperwork that the buzzer went really loudly and prolonged. Mum picked up the intercom and the guy said there was a parcel for me. It was a man from UPS carrying a big round and heavy-looking parcel all wrapped in layers of bubble wrap. He was delighted I was in to collect the parcel and went away happily after I signed for it. Thank God again that I was at home. His timing is the best. Had I not been in the delivery guy would have only left me a card and I would have had to pick the parcel up elsewhere. How inconvenient! The wheel is in my hallway now and I have not had the chance to open the packaging for a proper look. However, I am thankful it is here now.
I look forward to many more blessings from God for the rest of this weekend =)
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