ange's musings

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" Seems God is really wanting to write these words on my heart, as this week I have been confronted with the fact that I need to say farewell to Bristol and move to the East Midlands for 2 years, namely Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. Yep, you've got it, I have been allocated a job (through the lottery of MTAS) for the first two years of my training in these areas, I don't yet know where specifically. I have to admit I would not have planned it this way and I am disappointed. But I am trying to believe in my heart that if that's God's plan, its the best plan. I spent most of yesterday trying to rapidly conform my will to his, hoping that I would feel better about the move. I am getting there slowly - I have a headache from lots of te...

You will go before me You will clear a path for me You will be there for me You will... ...because it's Your will It's not my will So I won't worry but I will trust in You

According to a man i have a lot of respect for. One thing which really got to my heart was what he said about his calling: My wife has been told many times that at any point, she is more important to me than “the dream.” Even if I think that dream is God’s will, or the next big step to our future, if my wife is not on board, she knows that she will always win. I can trust God to take care of the dream, if I take care of my wife. Dan has been married twenty years so I think he speaks from a rock of experience that I can respect, we can use. God is gracious, marriage is his gift. Of course he wants it honoured above that big dream, why do we always get that mixed up. Thank you Dan Wilt for sharing your wisdom. On another note, sadly in recent days i have been noticing a lot of these....... .... dead christmas trees - i know they're out for recycling but surely there is a better solution to the annual worship of the decorated dead evergreen, only evergreen when still with roots guys!...

....its hard to concentrate with this man's voice on the auditory receptors. i need his album soon. click on the picture to listen to joshua radin and then i reckon probably buy!

When I was in Chile, enjoying a short break on the Chilean side of the Andes ski-ing, I met one extra special ski-instructor. His name escapes me, but this guy taught people with physical disabilities to ski in Colorado. These disabilities included partial sight, limb amputations (sometimes of both). He also worked with a lot of injured men from the recent conflicts in Iraq. Today on the timesonline website I watched this Video of such men overcoming the huge obstacles in their way, as they go through physical and emotional rehabilitation. The last few sentences of the article provided huge insight. He goes on to recount how his American instructor had led him down the slalom course that morning. “If she’d gone wrong, I’d have gone wrong,” he says. “If she’d hit a post, I’d have hit a post. If she’d fallen, I’d have fallen. But we crossed the line together. That, in my opinion, sums up the special relationship.” Taken from timesonline In reading this I remembered the friend I met in C...

Today I realised that it has only been 11 weeks since I moved into my current home, with Helen in Horfield. Definitely had my teething problems at the start and realised how stressful it can be to move house and also the responsibility that comes with owning a place - I am glad I don't have it. Also feel a bit like Helen's patience is wearing thin and that she might secretly be counting down the days till I am on placement in Taunton and therefore not around Monday to Friday. That sounds really awful that I would think that, but I know we have had a few hiccups including one today, which mortifyed me as much as it did Helen. Unfortunatley in the last few weeks, the winter snap has resulted in the wooden front door expanding so a previous single pull of the door closed it quite firmly. Now, however it sticks. So a couple of times upon arriving into the house I have not shut the door completely because it has stuck. This has been okay (not of course ideal) because I have been in ...

Taken from Children's Letters Hample and Marshall Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool. Eugene. Dear God I don't every feel alone since I found out about you. Nora Dear God, I am doing the best I can. Frank. Adults don't often write stuff more profound than these kids. Recently I have been resonating with much of what a newly discovered (thank you to mark and martin) and already beloved band have to say about life and living. There name is Mutemath . Here's a tiny taster for you taken from the song Chaos. I know you stay true when my world is false. Had a lovely visit from katie today who helped me set my blog up so that I can now easily get to all my friend's blogs. She has just got back from 2 months in Syria and was sharing with me her routine there and giving me a word picture of Damascus. It is amazing to me that it is now a predominantly Islam country despite being entirely Christ...

check it out here what a great book, what a greater God.

You shall not go out with haste,... for the Lord will go before you... ISAIAH 52:12 God is the God of our yesterdays. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.

Mr and Mrs Hamilton - the happy couple. Pictured here in the lovely Bushmills Inn, Bushmills, somewhere in Northern Ireland! What a lush weekend. I knew to expect that it would be so lovely to celebrate the wedding of a really good friend, and her lovely (now) husband who I am gradually getting to know better (the groom's speech provided much insight, as did wee chats here and then - yes i am using 'wee' in normal conversation now, to show my fondness for the Irish!) It was a truly bootiful wedding with lots of fun and games. As you can see the dashing Mr McCann handled his wedding favour with breathtaking skill and agility! The other favours included parachuting men, bubbles galore and buzzing creatures - always useful in the bath! Jan looked stunning to say the least in a simple, yet very - Jan gown and a lovely winter warmer at the ceremony. And after a really lovely ceremony we enjoyed a proper lamb roast, enjoyed all the more upon being info...

I read about how you touched them and they were healed Or even if someone just touched your cloak they were forever changed You let a broken women bathe your feet in her tears And you washed your best friend's feet I am just wondering though did you just ever hug people I mean I know that it is a silly question and I am sure you would have why wouldn't you But its one of those things that was never mentioned that got me thinking about it And how whenever there was a touch from you sins were forgiven and sickness fell I think I'm caught up in my sins last time I checked all my body parts were properly working, nothing special here I am just a kid with a heavy heart these passing sunrises and sunsets I don't think our encounter would have ended up in the gospels or anything Because all I really need is a hug That is ok for me to imagine right That's not going to be conflicting with any sort of theology is it Ok good, then hug me But not one of these side ways one arm ...

Just read this article about a new book of the same name on timesonline, which I am happy to have learnt is more CO2 efficient than buying a newspaper (especially if one drives) and reading it, but unfortunately less CO2 efficient than watching the news stories on the telly for 30mins - something I rarely do at the mo. Have a read yourself and shatter those eco myths - and maybe consider sharing baths, i.e. using one for two people??? I must say I take showers not baths (which worryingly are catching up with baths in the water guzzling) and am not so sure my housemate would quite fancy a nice relaxing bath, after i had soaked in it for 20 mins???!

Absolutely Rocks - so when is he gonna blooming well come to England?!! Soon I pray! Check out this video of "I AM A MANLY MAN" - love it! All you men out there, I feel for you, it is not easy - let this guy help you know that you don't need to conform to anything, be yourself cuz that is a good thing.

back from a lovely afternoon with friends from the yard. bangers and sweet potato mash followed by strawberry cheescake haagen daas (serious strawberry cheesecakey!) and a walk and "SNUFF MILLS" surprisingly beautiful, misty, still and rushing waters and lots of dogs! good times, will post some pics soon. present opening with emily cody! and now ready to pack and head up the motorway back to the folks for five days before northern ireland for the McGowan.Hamilton wedding on Saturday! Can't wait and the most exciting thing is that this Christmas directly contrasts to everything that last Crimbo was for me, in every way I am in a completely different place mentally and spiritually than I was on this exact day last year and it feels good. I believe Christmas this year involves me experiencing his gracious gifts in a more obviously blessed way - i know i was blessed this time last year too - but his showers of blessings that i am experience and enjoying right now are a lot mo...

After playing his Room for squares for too many nights over the past few years i finally invested in his 2007 release Continuum and have not regretted. Never owned Heavier Things or any of his live stuff but had a listen. This new album is quite a change from his debut but I am enjoying the lyrics and the soulful voice as well his excellent guitar skills. Totally up my street and highly recommend. An album I think I would like to savour soon is In Our Nature by Jose Gonzalez, and Argentinian Swede with a voice from heaven and guitar skills that our like none i have ever heard or will ever hear again; he truly has a great gift. His first album Veneer sky-rocketed, selling in platinum numbers in over 15 countries and he was made famous by the sony advert which used his music. If you like Nick Drake's stuff you will like this. And if not and you simply want to hear music that goes back to basics you'll enjoy listening to the bare bones of Jose's unplugged talent. And ...

More for me than for you - so I can read it Christmas after Christmas. A purpose beyond our understanding The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14 Could this be the most profound verse in the whole Bible? The Word, who was with God in the beginning; the Word, who was indeed God; the one through whom the whole universe was made – how and why could he so demean himself, so limit himself, to take on the form of one of the beings that he had created? Indeed, it was not simply human form, human appearance, that he took on, but human flesh – a body with all its limitations and discomforts, its tiredness, its dirt and its sweat. How? By going through the whole human process of conception, gestation and birth. Jesus didn’t land ready-made in the temple and command human allegiance, but subjected himself to all the physical risks that are the lot of humankind, and to all the constraints of human culture. Why? Paul wrote to the Colossians that ‘God was pleased to have all ...

The apple, unlike Adam, had no choice but to fall Speeding to fulfil its creator’s call. But what force drew him down to us? He, with a starlit infinity to explore, He, who could peer into a neutron ’s core, He, who had spoken a thousand-million times And known the sulphuric spit of our self-vaunting crimes, He, who we called murderer, liar, thief And left for dead with enlightened relief. What force drew him down from above To reap the grim harvest of rebel pride, Hammered with nails of truth denied? What force drew him down from above? What force but this: the gravity of love. ©Mark Greene

Carol - a song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas Mary's Kiss tonight, a violin and some carol music was delivered to my door, resulting in unexpected joy and pleasure (from me) as i bowed my way through some traditional carols ready for our church carol service tomorrow night. honestly, when i found out that the orginal second violinist had to pull out last Thursday I was a little peeved that my name had been passed on as a potential substitute, but i wish i could take back those original thoughts and feelings because tonight as i breezed through the obvious crowd pleasers (o litle town of bethlehem, joy to the world, o come all ye faithful) i felt joyful and thankful that again this Christmas, two thousand and seven years on, together we celebrate Christ's coming to earth. and although we often know the lyrics off by heart, and giggle our way through attempts to sing the soprano of 'hark the herald' (maybe that's just me?) it is still a wonderful and beau...

A passage I have not read until now: He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash round his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

so this afternoon i finally got to meet some good friends utterly adorable newborn, Reuben. the little bundle of joy, was warm, dosile and didn't cry in my arms, and is frankly gorgeous. i think i can see a bit of both tom and nic in him, which is so beautiful and both parents are doing really well. tom (as expected) is looking after nic very well, making sure she gets some shut eye in the day, in preparation for necessary wakefulness in the early hours when reuben feeds. its such a joy to see a couple that you have watched grow into becoming parents finally have him in their home and family. to watch two people who really love each other become three, is truly a most wonderful thing - and makes me bask at the beauty of what god does with his kids. gracious enough to bless us with such joys - i know reuben will grow to bask in that same glory. thank you for his life.