Vyc awesome nite awesome God!!

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus. (x4)

As always I love VYC's for those that dont know already they are a monthly youth event where different youth groups and leaders get together and have a good time praising God!! Tonight was no exception was a great nite!! Young people giving God the glory and wanting to know him more and serve him more its amazing!!

Tonights message was simple and Im writing it here for all to see, as its not just for the youth or me and mine but is for everyone!! God wants all to come to know him and love him as he loves everyone!!!!

the points were

a) ACCEPT, accept Jesus as your saviour, into your heart as your God and king,

b) BELIEVE, believe that He is a big God that he died for your sins that he made heaven and earth and all in it.

c) COMMIT, commit your lives to him, give him your all, receive and accept what God has planned for you and act on your calling.

Simple a,b,c. That's all he asks and he's done so much for us! God wants us to follow him, he is the only way! If your wondering what's this life all about? Is this it? Then come to know God he has so much more than what the world has to offer!!

I was asked today how I have changed since becoming a Christian, I said simply I'm still me!! But a better version! That's what God has done in me! Without him I'm nothing! Then I was asked what a difference knowing God has made in my life, and why I'm a Christian. I answered, God is someone that's always there for me, no matter what,when or where, he forgives me and loves me for who I am, he's someone I can rely on, he helps me day to day throughout my life. He's awesome!! People seem to think that when you become a Christian your like some alien being LOL, unable to have fun, or relate to people that are not Christians thats so untrue!

As I've said already but am gonna say again God isn't just for me and mine he's for YOU too!!! He accepts you as you are, Dont ever think your not good enough for God no matter what he's mighty to save as the song says, he forgives all sins!! He's the best!!

Be blessed!! xxxx:)

Hope '08

Here I am again and has been a while, what can I say I'm a busy woman hehe. Just wanna share about some amazing things that have been going on at my church, Aberaman Pentecostal church that is. Why do I wanna share? Well because it's good news and lets face it we dont hear enough good news these days, I find the news really depressing!! But it's real and is what is going on in the world around us! Anyway here I go again going off on a tangent LOL. My news:) We had planned a missions weekend at our Church, that had been planned since the beginning of the year almost. The evangelist team at my church, invited a team of outside evangelists to come to our Church for a weekend and co-ordinated meetings for these days and special events and services for all ages!! I have to say a lot of work and effort was put in by these guys and lots of others at the church!!! Brill work u guys!!

This weekend (well 4 days actually) took place at the beginning of this month, seemed like forever that we waited for it to come, then poof it was there!! As a church we prayed that people would come, leaflets went though doors, posters in windows, in workplaces and shops. (had some in my work but sadly no one came).The kids put them up in their schools, lots of them LOL even on the cars hehe. The heading on this notice, *Hope '08 at Aberaman* then on the bottom it said, *Miracles still happen today*.The team that came was led by Marilyn Harry (who is an international evangelist and is Welsh too!! Fab lady!!) with her she had a team from all over the UK all lovely people!

The Thursday was the 1st day with a Mums n Tots group, a prayer and healing meeting and a gathering in the night as an ice breaker to meet the team and have food! (love food and meeting people of course). The Mums n Tots saw lots of new people, the afternoon meeting saw someone come to know Jesus and someone be healed!! The evening get together was lovely too, the team were just lovely, so warm and welcoming and very encouraging!!

The Friday, a coffee morning, which saw again a lot of people, and these people didn't just have a coffee then leave (as people often do) but they stayed until it was over, happy, relaxed and chatting in the house of God!! As everyone should be!. Details of the afternoon meeting am not sure of but am sure all that went were blessed, it was another prayer and healing meeting. The night was then the youth event!! (wooo hooo) I work with the youth hence my enthusiasm!! :D Theyr a great bunch!! Love ya all!! For a while leading up to this night things have been relatively quiet at youth, steady but quiet. You may say well this is a good thing, yes it means our jobs are easier, but i prefer the manic, madness of a full house of kids from outside the church!! As then I feel we are doing what we are there for, reaching the lost yes!! Well the Fri night was pretty busy!!!! Lots of new people came, my daughter Tam invited her mate from School too. There was the team, a band (woo hoo, which consisted of the youth!!! and of course my handsome talented nephew on bass!!) They were really good!! We had a guest speaker for the night, a young lady from Newport who had an amazing testimony of how God had touched her life! I didn't get to hear it all, that's another story, which I will share in a bit, but in order I wanna say the good first!! She shared how she'd been through a life on the streets, and how she had been on drugs etc. (sorry details are vague as I said I missed it). And God had changed her, she was so exitable and happy, u could see God had done a great work in her!! the kids just sat mouths open watching her as she moved around talking! Then there was an appeal for any that wanted to come to know Jesus. Well 4 I believe went forward,( but i think this number increased to 7 afterwards) 1 of these was Tams mate!! others of our youth went forward for prayer too, It was awesome! I had the privelege of leading a young lady from our Church to come to know Jesus. No one wanted to go home, It was such a great atmosphere and I know what it was, It was God at work in peoples lives. ! young man went forward who had been a real pain the week before and was really quite aggressive, and now he has a bible and is getting on great with everyone, and get this!!! has been apologising to anyone he has been nasty or rude too!! how God works on and in people!! Hehe hes a great kid!! They all are!! Many that didnt make a decision that night have since come back for more youth, so we have a new bunch of young people coming which is fab!!

Right back to why I missed the speaker, I was on door duty! With my beloved hubby, who's job it is every week to man the doors (basically he's the bouncer). This may sound harsh for a church youth group, but believe me u gotta see it to know why we need him there!! That night he called me for assistance, as there was a gang of girls out there too of which were extremely drunk. Im not gonna say too much about this, just that he was concerned. Things got a bit ruff with the 1 girl, she ended up being cuffed and taken by the police, the other I rang her mother to collect her, she was very emotional. Both of these girls are in care, and it was awful to see how vulnerable, and distraught these 2 were, just needing and craving to forget about their lives, and to have what we all want someone to love them and make them feel secure!! This came on the same night that all the good things happened inside, why I wondered, as me and hub went home feeling drained emotionally, after the buzz and exitement of what went on indoors, to this outside. Well maybe it happened to try and discourage us, an attack because we were doing something good for Jesus,either way it made me feel more determined than ever before!!!!!! That what we do there every Friday at youth is so important because people need to hear about God!!!

Saturday came, I was told that the am. Kids club was really great!! Lots came and enjoyed!! Again not sure of how the afternoon went. The night was another meeting, lots came, lots went forward for prayer for healing, and I believe 3 or 4 gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!! We did our drama (I was in it too!! and Tam!) the live and death of Jesus!! Powerful drama!! The crucifixion part is truly moving and equally awful, but thats what happened what our Jesus did for us right!!

Sunday the last day. (I missed the morning one we went to another church!! SHOCK!! LOL to support good mates of ours!!! My bezzie mate Jayne's hub was preachin. We had a great time there!!) the meeting was at 4 pm in the afternoon, again lots there and lots went forward again for prayer and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Was a great meeting, had the privelege of praying for and with someone that wanted to put their life back right with God. Then thats it the end, they all went home and the weekend was over!

Since then as I said the youth that came have come back, Tams mate is going on with God and learning, reading her bible she's a great gal!! And is being encouraged by her mate Tam (whos fab!!) Sometimes when something like this happens tho it can leave you feeling deflated afterwards, like right whats next and what do we do now, and what have we got to look forward to now. Like after a hol somewhere hot, or after Christmas (as I love Christmas) :) Well thats how i have felt anyway. But then i thought right the God that was there when the team came wasnt only there because they brought him was he??? NOOOOOOOO of course not, he moved because we prayed he would and all of us together wanted the same thing, hearts of one accord, let's see you move God!! faith to believe he would and he did!! He is still here, he still wants to move, this weekend wasnt to come and then all go back to normal NO!! God wants us to carry on the work he has began, this weekend was to show us that yes miracles do happen, hellooooo u guys I'm alive and here waitng wanting to touch peoples lives!! It was a kick up the bum and the push and encouragement i needed to carry on pushing running the race back for God!! He needs us all to do the same for others to be reached.

Wel thats about it for today, for those that love Jesus already I pray that this has been an encouragement to you!! For those that dont know him, he's awesome really!!, he's made a difference in my life and I can't imagine life without him ever!! He may not change what we are going through, life is still tough and eventful, but he makes the difference as he's always there!! Never changes!! guiding me, helping me, re-assuring me!! he loves me like no other can ever!! Sure Im not perfect and those that know me know that hehe (too well u prob say!) but God doesnt condemn me, I know Im a sinner and am only saved because of him and his love for me!! On my own Im nothing!! A hopeles case!! But in him Im a new creation!! Im a beautiful creation that he loves and cares for and he died for me and you too!!

Thats all folks be blessed :) xxxxx

Just more thoughts :)

Been reading me bible last few days am in Leviticus, its pretty hard going but hey its God's word! The offerings Im reading at the moment, oh boy the detail, the exact procedures and ceremonies that have to be followed, the killing, shedding of so much blood, the amount of different ones for different sins (even unintentional sins, the different sacrifices for different people too. Then came a devotion after a few chapters. It was something like this......

We are not perfect just as people wern't perfect all them years ago, we sin unintentionally,we cant go a day without sinning,but even though God is the same God we don't have to shed blood or go through these rituals of offerings, because when God sent his son to die on that cross his sacrifice covered all our sins!! He paid our debt for us! His death was a declaration that we are not guilty! So no other sacrifices are required one has been made for us on our behalf, the ultimate sacrifice!!
What must we do? Just ask God to show us our sins and ask that he will forgive them, we need to confess our sins, say thankyou to God!! He deserves the praise of our lips too!! Our lives as service to him, to tell others about him and help others whenever we can. Not alot to ask me thinks :)

What really spoke to me *not that any of the above didn't* was the next part of the devotion about guilt! Im awful for always battling with myself and feeling guilty, in short i do my own head in!! Some examples, the school holiday, I have to work only 3 days but still, I have to leave the kids with my in laws *who are fab*, I feel guilty tho, I dont wanna leave my kids, I miss them, they miss me, I dont want to add more work for the in laws, as they are busy and getting older, Then if i enjoy work i feel guilty that I shouldn't be as I should be home enjoying time with the family. Arghhhhh and thats just one example, theres more, if I nag the kids too much, or not enough, *hub too*, if I don't spend enough time with them, if I don't help out enough with in laws dog, if i don't spend enough time with God, or give as much of me as I can to other people. Sometimes we think we are superwomen!! LOL *we are the better species tho* Jokes aside this guilt is annoying and can drag me down, some is just guilt, most is not!! And what does God say?? *Your not guilty!!* His blood covers all sin!! So we have to leave all our guilt and worries at his feet, confess and thank and move on!! *Seek ye first his kingdom and all these things shall follow* Luke 12. I hope and pray this touches someone else too, remember no ones perfect and you cant be all to everyone either!! Just remember too Your not guilty!! xx

Finding our way in life

Just wanna share a few thoughts that have blessed me over the last few days, weeks, maybe months cant remember exactly but it starts with a song that has been really jumping out at me the words..... the band Barlow girls

All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

Cuz All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough

You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King You're everything
Still more awesome than I know

All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough

All of you is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in you is more than enough

Your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me
your enough, your enough, your enough for me

This song is another example of songs we can listen to and sing and believe but not really take a hold of *speaking for me anyways*.This last few weeks and months I've been looking at my life,at myself and all things around me. Sometimes we all do that like re assess what we are, what we're about where we're going what we're here for, what are we going to do etc.... Well I began to think along these lines *Is this it? Is this my life? etc* I've looked at where I am in my walk with God, my role in my church , my purpose, my relationships with my family and friends, my job, questioning my happiness. You know as humans we can be so selfish sometimes, we have so much yet we want more and more!! Allthough I do think that it's good to look and see where we're going as long as the outcome is positive :) As my outcome has been I'd like to add!!

Maybe it's my age, or just where I am right now for God to speak to me who knows am just being honest and sharing how I feel...... Well before I bore you and dont get to my conclusion here it comes.... YES ther'es more to come, more for me and my house, God hasn't finished with me yet!!! Or maybe not even started what he has in store for me!! Yes my life may be changing, things in my church are changing, we need a pastor and I see lots of stuff going to transpire *some good some not so good* my kids are growing up and don't need me quite as much. my hub and me may have different interests and jobs, But the big BUT!! in my life is that God is still alive!!! He's still the same!!! and he wants to use me and I know that for sure so no mater what may come as the song says *when mountains fall I'll stand by the power of your hand* Im gonna live my life for God and instead of fearing the changes that are to come I'm ready and know I'm gonna be equipped for whatever may come my way and I'm exited for what God has in store for me!! :D

Back to the song God is enough for me just read the words they'r awesome!! If you really take a hold of God in your life he is all that you need and can satisfy every thirst and every need with his love and he is more than enough!!!!He gives meaning to my life *where am I without him*??? *what do I have without him*??? He gives my life a purpose *to serve him all I can* Change brings about insecurities in allot of people I know I'm not alone, But God brings positive changes and plans not to harm us but to prosper us!! He's just awesome!! He doesn't change!! He's the most consistent thing in my life!! I have a reason to live and breathe and to sing his praises! He has set me free, broken the chains of sin! Given me salvation sacrificed his son, for all things in my life.. my family, my friends, my church, the youth group, my home, my pets, my work, my daily blessings from his word, through worship, through time spent in prayer... he's always there and wherever I look I see his wonders..

I just wanna thank God for making me see that he's more than enough for me and I want to make a difference in this world so if anyone reading this doesn't know God and wants to know more just ask please!!! He really is an amazing God!

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 one I know off by heart, have known since I was a lil kid, we probably all know it but sometimes we can learn things so matter of factly and miss what is being said to us............... well I do. :)

So I have looked at it over again and have been blessed at what God has been telling me through this scripture.

God is our shepherd, we are his sheep, he looks after us and out for us all the time! WE are his and HE is ours. We shall not want for anything, because he provides us with all that we need. The world has lots of things to offer and tempt us, but all are temporary no real substance, nothing that will last. Gods gifts are eternal!!!! :)

He makes me lie down in green pastures, I picture a serene place of rest, a luscious green pasture of grass, healthy and green, growing, flourishing. A place where we can find peace and relax and find comfort. Leads us beside the still waters, peaceful, quiet, clean and pure waters, refreshing, flowing. He leads the way and shows us where to go. It's up to us if we follow.

He restores my soul if we ask him to come into our hearts and lives, he forgives our sins. He died on the cross for us, gave his life, the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can be restored. He wants to make us whole, restored,renewed, complete in him! He heals our broken hearts and lives and transforms us into new creations in him. :)

He guides us in paths, he's with us each and every step of the way, he's always there!!! He walks with us and talks with us, and is there in all circumstances good and bad! He leads us when we seek his face, through prayer and reading his word, as we work on our relationship with him we become more like him :)

Even though we may be walking through shadows and dark circumstances, we need not fear, he knows all about it and he's there with us. All we need to do is trust in him, he's protecting us because we are his. He sends his Holy Spirit to bring us comfort in hard times. He loves us!

He has prepared a table before us, a banquet a feast. God has great things instore for us, if only we seek his face. He annoints us, blessing us, our cup overflows, our lives full of him, so that we are overflowing and others will see how great God is! He has a plan to prosper us not harm us.

Goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. God is good! He's not just a now God or a yesterday God, he's a forever GOD!! Eternal! Always the same:) He's a God of love and mercy, through his mercy we are saved. If we come to him with our lives and ask him in. And we will live with him forever in heaven, a home that he has prepared for us :)

He can satisfy all our needs! bring us happiness:D we can have his presence with us each and every day! Amen :) xx

Giving thanks :)

Reading for today 1Thess5v18 Give thanks in all circumstances for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.

Easy to say and to sing I guess, but not as easy to put into practise........ why??? because life is hard! sometimes often times all the time or just now and again........ regardless of how much or what it is that makes it hard, whether heartache or hurt, illness or problems, worries or stress and strains lifes no bed of roses. but........... God asks that we give him thanks whatever it is we're going through, it's his will that we do this!

So why should we? what can we gain by doing so? more importantly what does God gain? well God wants us to center our thoughts and lives on him! 2 live for him to give him glory in all we do and after all doesn't he deserve our very best? While we were still in sin he died for us! he lay down his life. He has made us new creations, new beings transformed filled with his Holy Spirit, We are God's chosen people now isn't that a reason to give thanks:) We are joint heirs with Christ. Collosians 3 the end bit, do everything with grattitude its God were serving!

If we give thanks we lift our own spirits as well as blessing God , we look to him Psalm I will lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth...... we are able to move on from whatever it is that we are going through, to make progress, to reach our full potential in God, to fullfill his promises and purposes he has for us!

It dont matter what we've done, what's happened what's gone has gone, God forgives and moves on so can we. :) Today is what matters and as for me and mine I'm gonna give God my best! Give thanks even though I don't feel like it, even if it hurts, after all Christ has suffered far more for me when he gave his life for me so that I can be saved!! :)

Gods promises :)

Just feel I wanna share some of God's promises that he's shown to me over the years, scriptures that I keep looking over and that help me when I'm feeling low and discouraged for whatever reason. God speaks to us through his word! There's his promise of protection, him always being there and hearing our prayers, his plan to prosper us, his strength, he's on our side, he helps us and moulds us :) The promise that nothing can separate us from him, his salvation, his love for us. The bibles full of lots more these are just some of my favs! :)

Psalm 120v1 I call on the Lord in my distress and he answers me.

Psalm 121v1 I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? 2. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm138v3 When I called you answered me.

Just look to God he hears ya and cares about us, he is our help. as well as these scriptures Psalm23 is amazing, you know it The Lord's my shepherd etc ...

Romans 8v17 Now if we are children then we are heirs -heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.

Romans 8v28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

v31 If God is for us who can be against us?

Romans 5v8 God demonstrates his own love for us, in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Romans 5v1 Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God.

Romans 8v35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

v37 In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38. For I am convinced that neither death or life, angels or demons, neither the present or the future, or any powers. 39. neither height or depth, or anything els in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3v23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

John 16v 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace, In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world!

2Corinthians 12v9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you my power is made perfect in weakness"

God loves us for who we are!!!

Psalm 42 v1 Why so downcast Oh my soul? Put your hope in God.

1Corinthians 10v13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful he will not let you tempted beyond what you can bear, But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Psalm 108v13 With God we will gain the victory and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalm 91v14 Because he loves me says the Lord I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15. He will call upon me and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Proverbs 29v25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Philippians 3v13 Brothers I do not consider myself to have yet to have taken hold of it, But one thing I do, Forgetting what is behind and strainig to what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Forget the past!! move forward to what God has planned for you :)

Isaiah 64v8 Yes O Lord you are our Father, we are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand.

We are all a work in progress, me especially :P I'm glad that God's in control of my life!

Isaiah 61v3 To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning.

God wants to turn our hurts and pain into something beautiful!

Ephesians 2v22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit.

We are God's church and he is the cornerstone that holds us all together :)

Philippians 2v13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose.

It's God in me that helps me to be who he wants me to be and encourages me and spurs me on to become more like him.

cant do them all in one day impossible theres too many so theres more to come ok :)