tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60496241084583616512024-03-12T21:45:47.025-07:00Creative stuffMama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-59948739888309400642015-01-01T05:04:00.001-08:002015-01-01T05:11:44.663-08:00Christmas decorationsSome years ago we made Advent ornaments, based on the Jesse tree idea which follows the story of Jesus, out of <a href="http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/ornaments/salt-dough-ornaments/">playdough</a>.<br />
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Here is a good recipe:<br />
4 cups of flour<br />
◊ 1 cup of salt<br />
◊ 1-1/2 cups of hot water<br />
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Bake in a microwave. Using a microwave-safe plate (not paper or cardboard), microwave a plate of ornaments for 1 to 4 minutes, increasing the time by 1 minute increments and keeping a close eye on the microwave as the ornaments bake. Microwave power levels differ, so use high power in a less-powerful oven, but lower if your oven heats things very quickly.<br />
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There is another lovely idea:<a href="http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/christmas-card-boxes-and-advent-calendar.html"> making boxes out of Christmas cards</a>.<br />
<br />
And then wonderful paper snowflakes:<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5tmhFQpruyE" width="640"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nF6QypuW1fs" width="640"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YAy2rBTo_Vw" width="640"></iframe>Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-90145220545878907442014-12-13T23:59:00.000-08:002014-12-13T23:59:01.094-08:00Personalised art and cards websitesBecoming more interested in creative crafts. Here are some web references.<br />
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<a href="http://aliceart.net/proddetail.php?prod=AMaryChristmas&cat=20">Alice's</a> Art and Crafts.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-17146444985286944842014-11-23T00:14:00.000-08:002014-11-23T00:14:41.867-08:00Notes for organising and leading a Quiet MorningI wrote this a while ago, words and plans while contemplating our quiet morning in June 2013<br />
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Just seen these hugely creative and exciting ideas for praying with children at<a href="http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/portable-prayer-at-lunchtime-club.html" target="_blank"> flamecreativekids</a>. Soooo excited! Want to try them in school, in home group, ..... no limit!<br />
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Programme for the day: Welcome:<br />
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Listening to God: God's voice, Satan's voice.<br />
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Theme: <strong>Love God, love your neighbour</strong><br />
<strong>Love God</strong>: Relationship with God - train journey cartoon - identify self at different life stages. Where am I now? Where would I like to be?<br />
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Do you need to forgive yourself?<br />
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"<i>Today I will remember that my failure to forgive myself is a prideful choice to not receive your grace.<br /><br />If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here! — 2 Corinthians 5:17<br /><br />What can we learn about forgiveness from one of the greatest saints in Christian history, who began as one of its greatest persecutors—Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the apostle? We read in Acts 8:3 that, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” It was Saul’s intent to destroy the church—until, as he traveled the road to Damascus to continue his murderous work there, he met the living Christ.<br /><br /><br />“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” was Jesus’ very direct question (Acts 9:4), and that question made no sense. As far as Saul was concerned, he wasn't persecuting God but was defending true Judaism. Imagine the shock as Saul recognized his actions for what they were: his misguided killings, the ripple effect on devastated families, and his affront to the Lord of the universe. Imagine the struggle to receive God’s forgiveness and to forgive himself . . . .<br /><br /><br />Paul did receive God’s forgiveness and went on to preach powerful sermons—teachings we still read today—about the gift of forgiveness available to all because of Jesus’ death on the cross. This forgiveness is a powerful weapon that overcomes the evil in this world and brings healing to our wounded souls, but we must reach out and accept it.<br /><br /><br />To say that we don’t deserve forgiveness is to make our sin more powerful than the blood of Christ. And since God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves.<br /><br /><br />When we refuse, we have made the court of our opinion more powerful than the court of our holy and just God. It must seriously wound the heart of our Father when we will not accept the gift he has given us, the gift of forgiveness that cost him so dearly. After all, our sin was covered by the lifeblood of the Lamb.<br /><br /><br />Prayer for forgiveness:<br /><br /><br />God of the impossible, you got the attention of murderous Saul, changed his heart, and made him a powerful voice for your gospel truth. You also got my attention, and I thank you for the grace of being able to acknowledge Jesus as my Savior and Lord and you as my Father. I ask for the grace to live in the freedom of your forgiveness and love.<br /><br /><br />Your turn:<br /><br /><br />What impact does the account of Paul’s conversion have on your understanding of forgiveness? Explain why our inability to forgive ourselves reflects an attitude of pride.<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Leave a comment about this devotional or answer Sheila Walsh's questions <a href="http://links.zondervancorporation.mkt4728.com/ctt?kn=3&ms=NDEzOTkzODkS1&r=NDk4ODk1NDUzMzYS1&b=0&j=MTg2MzA1MTkxS0&mt=1&rt=0">on our blog</a>"</i><br />
<strong>Love your neighbour</strong>: Relationship with others. How do we nurture our relationships? Why do relationship problems happen? Do you know why you don't get on with this or that person? What could you do about it? Are you a stuffer or an exploder? (Lysa Terkeust Unglued) Forgiveness - what's stopping you? Carefronting. Repent of unforgiveness. Reject false guilt - listen to God's voice, not Satan's voice (small picture resource)<br />
<a href="http://samanthaevilsizer.org/2013/04/god-with-us/" target="_blank">'Envelope' exercise - Jesus inside me inside Jesus inside God</a><br />
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Philippians 2:5-8 New International Version<br />
<i>In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2013/04/bent-pain/" target="_blank">From Tricia Goyer via Good Morning Girls</a></td></tr>
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<i>"Many of us don’t understand what forgiveness is all about. It’s not forgetting or dismissing the impact of a wrong. It’s choosing not to let that wrong dominate the future of your life and relationships. Forgiveness is “giving” the infraction to God. It’s as if we’re saying, “Here You go, Father; this is no longer my concern. Please take care of the matter in Your wisdom and according to Your will.”</i></div>
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<i>The price of forgiveness is letting go of the need to receive an apology or repayment for a wrong. If you hold on to either as a precondition of forgiveness, you’ll never have an unhindered heart.</i></div>
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<i>You may understand all this, but inside you still may be fighting it: “I know it’s what I’m supposed to do, but I can’t do it in my own strength.” The good news is God doesn’t ask you to. Instead, He asks that you simply share your desire to forgive, and surrender to Him your unwillingness to forgive.</i></div>
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<strong><i>Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)</i></strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/daisy2.jpg" style="color: #6cd2c7;"><i></i></a></div>
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<i>What happens when we ask God to make forgiveness possible in us? The reward is a heart freed of bitterness. There is also the potential of restored relationship and new hope and joy for the future! What could be better than that?</i></div>
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<i>In the encouraging words sent to me recently by a friend, “The one who apologizes first is the bravest. The one who forgives first is the strongest. The one who forgets first is the happiest.”</i></div>
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<i>There is never a good reason to forfeit peace and freedom to an unforgiving heart. Will you turn to God today to help you be a brave, strong, and happy family leader? He wants nothing more than that."</i></div>
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</tbody></table>
Timetable<br />
<em>Arrive 9.15</em><br />
<em>Start 9.30 15 minute introduction: </em><em>9.45 - 10.45 quiet time alone</em><br />
<em>10.45 - 11. 15 coffee</em><br />
<em>11.15 - 11.30 15 minute talk </em><em>11.30 - 12.30 quiet time alone</em><br />
<em>12.30 feedback and worship/prayer?</em><br />
<em>12.45 depart</em><br />
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Toilets<br />
Talking - only at coffee time!<br />
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However, if you find that you don't want to stop your quiet time, don't feel you have to stick to the schedule - especially after our second session when we close. You are free to take the rest of the day to suit yourself - the coffee shop is open for lunch.<br />
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Prayer<br />
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<strong>FIRST</strong>, Martha and Mary. from <a href="http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2013/04/lessons-bethany/" target="_blank">Jen at Good Morning Girls on April 5th</a>, studying Luke 10:<br />
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<em>"I am an introvert through and through. Meeting new people is torture, I get cold sweats, my mind goes blank and I can barely remember my own name let alone hold a conversation. Having people over for dinner takes my people phobia to another level. Anxiety kicks in and I spend hours cleaning and preparing so that everything is “just so” when my guests arrive. If I had it my way I would spend my time serving my guests and then spend the rest of the evening cleaning up the kitchen instead of making conversation. But, <strong>what I am learning is that nobody cares if the house is in perfect order and that the point of hanging out with friends is to share life together. To talk about things that are going on in each others lives, to encourage and pray together. It’s about having fellowship.</strong> So when we come to the well known and well loved story of Mary and Martha I can understand Martha’s concerns. Let’s start at the beginning.</em><br />
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<em>Jesus came to Bethany, visiting the house of Mary and Martha. Martha was hospitable, inviting Jesus and his followers into her home and immediately she gets to work preparing a great meal. Contrary to what some might believe, Mary did not shirk all of her kitchen duties, but after helping Martha for a while Mary boldly joined the men and, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listened to his teaching.</em><br />
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<em>In the days of Jesus a home was divided into different domains. The “kitchen” was the domain of the women while the area where people ate and hung out was the domain of the men. Men and women, typically, did not hang out together.</em><br />
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<em>As you can imagine, Martha gets a bit annoyed. <strong>First</strong> of all, Mary has <strong>left her</strong> to serve alone. <strong>Second</strong>, Mary <strong>sat with the men</strong>. And <strong>third</strong>, she scandalously <strong>took the posture of a disciple</strong> which, culturally, was set apart for men only. In Martha’s eyes these are three big no-no’s.</em><br />
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<em>It is at this point that Jesus speaks. After hearing Martha vent, Jesus speaks words of correction. He did not rebuke her for being domestic. Actually we can commend Martha for the care she shows regarding her household affairs and for the respect she shows her guests by wanting everything to be done well. But it is these good things that distract and overwhelm her.</em><br />
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<em>“But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42).</em><br />
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<em>Jesus loves Martha and he kindly and gently shows her that while the things she has been doing are good, there is something even better. Something that is of much more eternal valuable than preparing a Martha Stewart worthy meal.</em><br />
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<em>Mary realized this. She wasn’t lazy or uncaring. Jesus never rebuked Mary for leaving her sister. Most likely she helped prepare the meal and everything else that was necessary. But she then chose to boldly join the men and become a disciple of Jesus.</em><br />
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<em>As a quick aside, a disciple was an apprentice—a person who was learning a way of life. “The first lesson of Christian discipleship is to sit under the Lord Jesus and learn from Him.” (Frank Viola, God’s Favorite Place on Earth)</em><br />
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<em>This is what Mary chose to do–to soak in all that Jesus had to say.</em><em><br /></em><br />
<em>Have we learned the lesson that Mary learned? Are our eyes open to the things that are of most importance? Do we seek Christ first?</em><br />
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<em>We all have areas in which we are to serve the Lord. If you are married then your main ministry is toward your husband. If you have children then correcting, training in righteousness and showing them the beauty of Christ is another ministry you have. Many of us are active in our churches and communities. But the busier we are the easier it is to push Jesus aside, roll up our sleeves and try to serve according to our own will and with our own energy. Eventually we end up overwhelmed, with rattled nerves, emotional, worn out, distracted, frustrated, exhibiting bad attitudes and ready to quit.</em><br />
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<em>We must learn to say with Paul that, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8)</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>The question is not “are you a Martha or a Mary”? The question is, have you, like Mary, seen the supremacy of Jesus, and placed everything in subjection to him?</em><br />
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<em>I like to think that Martha learned what Mary already knew and that she ended up joining Jesus and the others for a sweet time of fellowship and teaching. But I don’t know. My hope is that we will labor where Christ calls us to labor (in the grace and strength he provides), while seeing the priority and privilege of listening to and learning from the Savior."</em><br />
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<strong>Coming here this morning, you probably have a huge 'to do' list still in your head. Not just your own tasks, either, but possibly your list for your husband, or your children, or.... You probably feel more like Martha than Mary. Yet you are HERE. You have chosen Mary's part, to come and sit at Jesus' feet for a while. To listen. To learn from him.</strong><br />
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Soon, we will have time to do that. To be quiet. I encourage you to write down the thoughts and impressions that you have - there are paper and pencils available if you would like to do so.<br />
Listen to the song we will play on the CD and, when you are ready, if you wish you may go down to the lounges or wander outside in the grounds. We will meet back here at 10.45 for coffee for half an hour and then come together for a brief time. <em><br /></em><br />
<em><br /></em>Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-80255249263746941012011-04-19T09:32:00.000-07:002011-04-19T09:32:24.030-07:00PrayersI am sometimes asked to lead the intercessionary prayers at church, in the Anglican tradition.<br />
I don't like doing it - prefer something more interactive - but recently, feel it is right.<br />
I feel it is right because the prayers are God-inspired, not of my own creativity or glorifying writing techniques.<br />
I feel it is right because I feel no pride - yet recognise that they are 'right'.<br />
Here are the last lot, on Palm Sunday:<br />
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<i>Meekness and majesty<br />
Manhood and deity<br />
In perfect harmony<br />
The Man who IS God.<br />
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Lord, those many years ago, riding into Jerusalem, Your people then recognized you as their king. Forgive us, Lord, for those many times in our daily lives when we fail to acknowledge your kingship and give other things more importance.<br />
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As the crowd hailed you as you entered Jerusalem, so do we. We know that you are healer, redeemer, saviour - and that with You, all things are possible. We bring you our hopes for the future: for peace in the troubled countries of Libya and Ivory Coast; for restoration of devastated lives after the earthquake in Japan; and we ask, not only for your intervention, but that you will be glorified, that men and women will see your great power at work in those situations.<br />
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We pray for your people who, like the disciples, know you as their king, especially for our leaders: the bishops, our Dean here in Guernsey and all those who guide us in Your ways. Give them wisdom, bless them.<br />
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And just as many flocked to you for healing, so we too pray for those who are sick, physically, or are burdened mentally and emotionally, and expecially for those suffering grief or loss.<br />
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Meekness and majesty<br />
Manhood and deity<br />
In perfect harmony<br />
The Man who IS God.</i> (With thanks to Graham Kendrick for these words of chorus)Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-65831996922341881752011-03-21T10:41:00.000-07:002011-03-21T10:41:15.071-07:00Baked white chocolate cheesecakeThis is from <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Chocolate-Covered-White-Cheesecake">Taste of Home</a>...<br />
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16 ServingsPrep: 30 min. + cooling Bake: 65 min. + chilling<br />
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Ingredients<br />
1-1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (about 27 wafers)<br />
3 tablespoons butter, melted<br />
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FILLING:<br />
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
3 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
1-1/2 cups vanilla or white chips, melted and cooled<br />
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GLAZE:<br />
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips<br />
1 cup heavy whipping cream<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
1 cup vanilla or white chips, melted and cooled<br />
Striped chocolate kisses, optional<br />
Raspberries, optional<br />
Directions<br />
In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and butter; press into the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.<br />
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, cream and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted vanilla chips. Pour into crust. Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 16 in. x 16 in.). Securely wrap foil around pan.<br />
Place springform pan in a larger baking pan. Add 1 in. hot water to larger pan. Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.<br />
For glaze, place chocolate chips in a large bowl; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, bring the cream, butter and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Pour over chocolate chips. Cool for 3 minutes. Stir until smooth and cool.<br />
Remove sides of pan. Spread glaze over the top and sides of cheesecake. Refrigerate for 2 hours.<br />
Drizzle melted vanilla chips over cheesecake. Garnish with kisses and raspberries if desired. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12-14 servings.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-48672584828969016452010-03-05T12:35:00.000-08:002010-03-05T12:36:39.816-08:00ConfessionsI am a teacher. I teach. There, I've said it. I've come out. Yet over the round of Christmas parties, I found myself with a curiously new, unBritish attitude towards my job. Let me explain. <br />To be a teacher in certain parts of the world is one of the highest aspirations of youth. Teaching is a career of eminence. Teachers are well-respected members of society, referred to with deference and admiration. I am not talking about some outpost of the former British empire: look no further than some of our continental neighbours to find attitudes very different from those in the UK. <br /><br />To be properly British, I should be mindful of my lowly status. Much of the publicity teaching receives is bad: dumbed-down exams, bullies, and the occasional criminal investigation. Rarely are exam achievements celebrated or teachers praised. I've been tempted to temper my vocation with a suitable excuse. "At the momentI " (suggesting I have other strings to my bow). Or "I'm taking a break fromI and helping out atI (substitute name of local school)". <br /><br />I can't give that impression, so I vary my introduction from the belligerent "I am a teacher" (so don't mention bullying or lowering of standards or you're in trouble), to the cringing, don't hit me "I am a teacher" (it's all in the non-verbal communication involving an embarrassed facial apology and squirming tone of voice). My response varies according to mood and audience. <br /><br />So what was my attitude this time? I found it transformed by a simple grammar change. "I teach." As I said it in the company of some high-flying financial executives, I felt myself transform into a caped crusader for my profession. Those two words empowered me to proclaim my skills and attributes to whiz-kids on monumental salaries. So what if they are good at juggling numbers and negotiating deals? My powers enable me to expand children's minds. I suddenly realised the value of my skills and qualifications. <br /><br />Plus, my simple "I teach" provoked unexpected responses. I was taken aback by the admiration, the deference, the comments of: "Rather you than me," or "That's wonderfulI I've been wondering about a change of career, but I'm not sure I'd manage. All that preparation and marking." I listened to eager questions as high-powered people confessed their inadequacy in understanding their children's struggles with reading, or stress over their failure to form friendships. I realised I'd been belittling my achievements. <br /><br />Many of us in teaching garner our rewards so frequently that we do not recognise them and fail to appreciate them. What is your response to the child's: "Oh, now I get it?" Is it, as mine often is, a silent comment along the lines: "Of course you get it, I've spent 10 minutes explaining it again and you've got a long way to catch up with the rest of the class"? Or do you accompany a mental victory punch in the air with a quiet "Yes!" in celebration? <br /><br />Does a Christmas card from a child you barely notice, in a class you have maybe covered once, convey the depth of appreciation felt? Do you understand your value to your pupils? Be assured: these are no small victories. Yet they are swallowed up in a life of hectic busy-ness which means that in the classroom more can be accomplished in a single day than many office workers might achieve in a week. <br /><br />Our impact as teachers should not be underestimated. It can be negative as well as positive, but one thing is certain: it is not negligible. We should not go on the defensive, or apologise to the rest of society. We teach. <br /><br />That is something to be proud of. <br /><br />Angela Pollard <br /><br />Angela Pollard teaches maths at Crescent school in Rugby, WarwickshireMama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-63802608920323539962010-02-28T12:46:00.000-08:002010-02-28T12:51:28.661-08:00PerformanceWe are performers. We perform our jobs, our roles – wives, mothers, daughters, friends. We judge our performances: do we perform well, or badly? Or just so-so, when we’d like to perform better?<br /><br />Who do we perform for? Others? Ourselves? God?<br /><br /><strong>OUR AIM: to be like Jesus:</strong><br />Mark 7:36-37 (The Message)<br /> <em>Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless." </em><br /><br /><strong>What NOT to do: showing off as the Pharisees did: </strong><br /><br />Matthew 23:4-6 (The Message)<br />Jesus was upset that the Pharisees were making God’s law difficult for people, but he also warned against ‘showing off’: 4-7<em>"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.' </em><br />He also talked about this in the context of giving, and prayer:<br />Matthew 6:4-6 (New International Version)<br /><em>so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <br /> "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.</em><br /><br /><strong>WHAT HINDERS US FROM PERFORMING WELL?</strong><br /><br />Stress, tiredness, difficult people, deadlines, volume of work, illness…<br />This is not new! Philippians 4:12-14 (New International Version)<br /><em>I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.</em> <br /><br /><strong>BUT HOW?</strong><br /><br />Jesus said: <em>So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.</em> Matthew 7:12<br /><br /><em>Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (wo)men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.</em> 1 Corinthians 16:13-15 (New International Version)<br /><br /><strong>Be on your guard.</strong> Be alert for hindrances to performing well: other people – opposition; distraction; wrong prioritizing<br /><strong>Stand firm in the faith.</strong> <em>My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. 1 Corinthians 15:58 </em>(Contemporary English Version) <em>But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect</em>.( 1 Corinthians 15:10) <br />Paul was saved to give us hope. If he, who opposed Jesus’ followers so vehemently, could be saved, then so can we. <br /><strong>Be (wo)men of courage.<br />Be strong.</strong><br /><br /><em>…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. <br /><br /> Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe </em>Philippians 2:13-15 (New International Version)<br /><br />Philippians 2:13-15 (The Message)<br />Rejoicing Together<br /> <em>12-13What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. </em><br /><br />Titus 2:6-8 <br /> <em>6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.<br />1-6Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives. <br /> 7-8But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.</em> (New International Version)<br /><br />2 Peter 1:3-4 (Contemporary English Version)<br /><em>Living as the Lord's Followers<br /> We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world. </em><br /><br />So, we don’t need to perform for anyone else, not even for ourselves. We need to ‘perform’ only for God. And that ‘performance’ just has to be our best. No more, no less.<br /><br />FINALLY, BE ENCOURAGED<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 1:2 – 5 <em>We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father <br />your work produced by faith, <br />your labour prompted by love, and <br />your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br />For we know, sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.</em><br /><br />A final blessing: <br />Hebrews 13:20-22 <br /> <em>18-21Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we're doing or why, but it's hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon. <br /><br /> May God, who puts all things together, <br /> makes all things whole, <br /> Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus, <br /> the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant, <br /> Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd, <br /> up and alive from the dead, <br /> Now put you together, provide you <br /> with everything you need to please him, <br /> Make us into what gives him most pleasure, <br /> by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah. <br /> All glory to Jesus forever and always! <br /> Oh, yes, yes, yes. (The Message)</em>Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-9315928599237924062010-01-17T03:47:00.000-08:002010-01-17T03:48:48.647-08:00Women: appearance<strong>Women in the Workplace: Appearance January 2010</strong><br /><br /><br />Appearance matters. Self-image matters<br /><br />Looks; dress; manners – saying or doing the right thing;<br /><br />Questions we ask ourselves: Am I smart enough? Does my bum look big in this? Why can’t I get my hair looking right?<br /><br /><br />Who am I? Who or what defines me?<br /><br />When I am having a bad hair day – who am I?<br />When I don’t fit into a favourite pair of jeans – who am I?<br />When my make-up is less than flawless – who am I?<br />When I say the wrong thing – who am I?<br />When I can’t think of anything to say – who am I?<br /><br />What does our appearance tell us we are?<br />Unattractive; beautiful – which we are proud of.<br />Not worth much; or we think we are more important than we really are, then get upset when others don’t give us the recognition we think we deserve.<br />Fat; good figure – better than...<br />Stupid; clever<br /><br />Recognise the subtle sins we collect? Pride; self-importance; envy... even when we think we are NOT something – not beautiful, attractive, etc – we are saying to ourselves that we wish we WERE <br /><br />We could beat ourselves up about this, but instead, let’s look at a few Bible verses which will encourage.<br /><br />Let’s remember that, whatever, we look like, sound like... Jesus loves us. <br />Karl Barth: Jesus loves me, this I know, because the Bible tells me so.<br />Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.<br />1 Samuel 16:7 (New International Version)<br /> 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."<br /><br />Ecclesiastes 8<br />1 Who is like the wise man? <br /> Who knows the explanation of things? <br /> Wisdom brightens a man's face <br /> and changes its hard appearance. NIV<br />1 How wonderful to be wise,<br /> to analyze and interpret things.<br /> Wisdom lights up a person’s face,<br /> softening its harshness. New Living Translation<br /><br /> 1 There's nothing better than being wise, Knowing how to interpret the meaning of life. <br /> Wisdom puts light in the eyes, <br /> And gives gentleness to words and manners. The Message<br /><br />On the other hand…<br /><br />2 Samuel 14:25 (New International Version)<br /> 25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.<br /><br />And then there was Jesus...<br />Isaiah 52:14 (New International Version)<br /> 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him [a]—<br /> his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man <br /> and his form marred beyond human likeness—<br />Isaiah 53:2 (New International Version)<br /> 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, <br /> and like a root out of dry ground. <br /> He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, <br /> nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.<br /><br /><br /><br />Psalm 139<br />For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. <br /> 1 O LORD, you have searched me <br /> and you know me. <br /> 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; <br /> you perceive my thoughts from afar. <br /> 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; <br /> you are familiar with all my ways. <br />And later... <br />23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; <br /> test me and know my anxious thoughts. <br /> 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, <br /> and lead me in the way everlasting.<br /><br />Captivating pages 12 - 17<br /><br /><em>“I just have some serious prayers invested, a few things I've done right, a bucket load of things I've done wrong, and the grace of a very forgiving God”.</em><br />Lysa Terkeust, on her blog.<br /><br />http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-75533836413228427082009-08-18T14:52:00.000-07:002009-08-18T14:53:25.186-07:00In Quietness is StrengthThe silence of an empty heart.<br />The silence of an unkind word.<br />The silence of a lonely friend.<br />The silence of a broken world.<br /><br />The whisper of a gentle touch.<br />The whisper of a caring smile.<br />The whisper of a mother’s love.<br />The whisper of the extra mile.<br /><br />The murmur of encouragement.<br />The murmur of approval.<br />The murmur of a truth once known.<br />The murmur of a love for all.<br /><br />The shout of joyful songs of praise.<br />The shout of battles won.<br />The shout of blissful happiness. <br />The shout of struggles overcome.<br /><br />The silence of pure calm and rest.<br />The silence in a heart at ease.<br />The silence between two loving minds<br />The silence from a sense of peace.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-82262646032609735442009-04-11T11:01:00.000-07:002009-04-11T11:03:22.254-07:00Women in the workplace: Being a witness, making disciplesLast time we met, we talked about having enough time to balance busy lives. Today, we’ll think about opportunities at work.<br /><br />Time is sufficient; but opportunities are lost<br /><br />If we give ourselves enough time, we can be open to the challenges that God has for us. I don’t know about you, but I find it horrifyingly easy to divide myself into several different people depending on where I am, and often, they don’t resemble each other.<br /><br />Let me give you an example. At church, I can be a listening ear, a smiling face, an enthusiastic worshipper. At home, when I’m tired at the end of the day, my ears can be far from listening and my mouth far too ready to talk. At other times, my church and home personalities overlap as I am equally ready to pray in either situation – but not at work, even when scenarios were uncannily similar. I’ll pray for a Christian friend or family member who is struggling with a difficult relationship; I won’t, usually, for a colleague – although, when I have occasionally done so, it has been well received.<br /><br />There are people we know who stay the same wherever they are. How can we do that too?<br /><br />Here were some suggestions for bringing your church or home person to work.<br /><br /> Be yourself Remember that you are the only Bible your work colleagues might ever read. No pressure, then! Don’t pretend to be someone you are not – and that includes not being a different person at work than at church. You are a Christian – act like one! And no, I don’t mean trying to be ‘good’, or ‘holy’. It is more than that. If, talking to a colleague, they share something that, if a Christian friend said the same, you might say that you would pray about it; or, if you would offer to do something for someone at church, why hold back in a similar situation just because you are at work?<br /><br />Give your workmates a gift of time. Your colleague interrupts with a request. If the roles were reversed, what response would you be looking for? This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should drop what you are doing: an acknowledgement, a ‘can you give me 5 minutes and then I’ll be with you?’ will do just as well – just make sure it really is 5 minutes, not half an hour!<br /><br />Treat your colleagues as you want to be treated. We all appreciate a friendly interest. Show them you care and appreciate them.<br /><br />Make the most of opportunities. If a colleague has shared something personal, then ask after them at a later date. A friendly ‘how was your weekend?’ can open up conversations in unexpected ways.<br /><br />Invite your colleagues home. Coffee, tea, lunch, dinner… whatever seems appropriate and is easy for you. Showing hospitality is powerful. <br /><br />Take risks. Those who don’t ask don’t get. This applies to building relationships, offering prayer, sharing words of encouragement. It’s scary – but not as scary as the thought that Jesus will one day ask you why you didn’t share your treasure with others!<br /><br />Remember who you are. A child of God. Keep in touch with your heavenly father by taking a few minutes to read some words from the Bible in your lunch break. Refocusing will help close the gap. Pray on your way to work; at work; before a meeting; at the end of the day. It can be hard to remember to do this when you are immersed in work, so give yourself reminders: set the alarm on your phone for a certain time; note a landmark on your way to work, associating it with a particular person or situation you are praying for; have a note – unobtrusively! - on a Post-it on your desk. Set your desktop background or screensaver with an inspirational picture or short message.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-65080266967757127642009-03-01T02:33:00.000-08:002009-03-01T02:34:49.266-08:00Giants from the Past<em>A short walk through the town and school of Rugby; so many literary associations</em>.<br /><br />My travels did not take me very far. Just a short walk to school, a dive back of a hundred years or more. Two hundred yards from home took me to my first remembered pain: the War Memorial, standing proud for fourscore years and ten, now accuses my neglect of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen whose words have seared my soul.<br /><br />I hurried on; that insignificant Edwardian house I passed now bears a bright blue plaque: I wish it were a happier memory. How brief, how rich in poetry was the life of Rupert Brooke. Another sensitive, senseless victim of a horrid war. Did he, I wonder, realise how futile his death was? We were robbed of much delight. My treasured volume of his collected poems endured moves between continents.<br /><br />Then, turning a corner, I passed by The Close. The hallowed grass of Rugby School trodden upon by many authors, not least Thomas Hughes of Tom Brown’s Schooldays fame. Matthew Arnold, whose poems I have always loved; Arthur Ransome, whose nephew was a great friend of my father’s:I treasure his books still; Salman Rushdie; D Watkins-Pitchford – ‘BB’- who enchanted me with stories of the miniature Little Grey Men and their adventures on the tiny stream I fished for minnows; Anthony Horowitz, teacher’s friend – who else excites young boys as much as Alex Rider Secret Agent?<br /><br />Rushdie I did not know; Horowitz was my age; yet the others were as much a part of my growing up in Rugby as my own family. As I grew older, the walk to school became a walk to the hospital; a dog walk; a short cut to town: yet, whatever my purpose or my destination, the words still whispered to me from the buildings I passed. I remember them still.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-35092126481121880752009-03-01T02:31:00.000-08:002009-03-01T02:33:11.827-08:00From Out of Africa<em>Karen Blixen's evocative book inspired memories of a walk back into her past.</em><br /><br />“I had a farm in Africa…” Karen Blixen’s house still stands, gazing out towards the grey green Ngong Hills. Even in her day there were cars, as now, yet I walk with Kenyans who have no other means. I trudge through the suburb, once a coffee plantation, now lined with gracious mansions and high-walled gardens. Then there were red-earth dusty tracks, no gates, no barriers; now, tarmac, steel gates, electric fences. <br /><br />The house reeks with memories: of a simpler lifestyle horribly complicated by relationships, by disease, by death. How did she live with the recollection of a husband who deliberately infected her with syphilis; a lover who betrayed with other women and, ultimately, with death? I wander from room to empty room, footsteps echoing hollowly on the bare wooden floors. Sadness and melancholy, unhappiness and gloom amidst the vibrancy of Africa.<br /><br />I have accompanied Karen on many of her journeys. Just as she flew over the dusty landscape with Denys Finch-Hatton, so have I; just as she struggled into the centre of Nairobi in an unreliable car, so have I; just as she walked among the coffee bushes, picking the ripe berries, so have I. Just as she bore the life of Africa in her body, so do I. Her memories were so vivid that she recreated her fascination from distant Denmark. Seas, continents and loneliness could not rob her of her love.<br /><br />The memories are bitter-sweet, yet the joy, the abundant life, the anticipation and the hope that is Africa journeys on.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-78955605483238543872009-03-01T02:29:00.000-08:002009-03-01T02:31:02.649-08:00The Rock<em>I discover Victor Hugo's inspired life in Guernsey.with a visit to this tiny island in the English Channel. Known affectionately still as 'The Rock', it was a refuge for the great writer during Napoleon's reign.</em><br /><br />I arrive from the sea. As the ferry eases down the Little Russell between Guernsey and Herm, the town of St Peter Port opens up to view. It has changed little since Victor Hugo landed here 150 years ago: despite some modern additions, pastel coloured buildings still jostle together in narrow cobbled streets. Boats fill the harbour; the fish market sells fish; Castle Cornet stands sentinel.<br /><br />A short climb up a quiet street devoid of traffic leads to Hauteville House, Victor Hugo’s sanctuary for 15 years. A monument to his art, its walls and ceilings are covered with carpets; furniture of dark, intricately carved wood is integral with the building. One ceiling is lined with ceramics; another room with tiles. The darkroom is hidden in a cupboard. The winter garden is a conservatory with inspirational views of the islands. A glass eyrie at the top is where this literary giant wrote, standing at a writing desk.<br /><br />Fiercely opposed to Napoleon, Victor Hugo sought refuge in Guernsey after he had to flee France. The island inspired him: its harsh, rugged cliffs combined with its gentle inland scenery, the hidden coves, a profusion of plant life growing abundantly in a mild climate. It was here that he wrote several of his most famous works: notably ‘Les Miserables’ and the work he devoted to the people of Guernsey, ‘The Toilers of the Sea’: “I dedicate this book to the rock of hospitality, to this corner of old Norman land where resides the noble little people of the sea, to the Island of Guernsey, severe and yet gentle…”.<br /><br />Walking the streets, discovering the beaches mirrored in his paintings, surrounded by descendants of those he knew, it is easy to follow in the footsteps of this great man. He seems to be here still.<br /><br /><em></em>Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-64920414649538684602009-01-24T20:35:00.000-08:002009-01-24T20:36:37.943-08:00TES creativity competitionThese were some of the ideas I had for the TES creative suggestions competition a few years ago: I won an Arvon writing course, great fun!<br /><br />Angela Pollard Support and maths teacher Crescent school, Rugby<br />My ideal targets for every child would be:<br />* Learn to run a small shop; play with sand and water; go on a jungle gym; cook and bake.<br />* Go on regular field study visits to different environments - including a residential visit - incorporating science, geography, history, art and craft, including literacy and numeracy skills as needed.<br />* Create and use a colourful addition to the outdoor environment: paint a wall; paint paving stones; build a rock garden; plant a small piece of garden; create a wildlife area.<br />* Produce a bound book, written and illustrated with own drawings, favourite pictures and photographs, using computer software and craft techniques. Work with all kinds of art and craft media in workshops. Learn how to draw upside down.<br />* Receive a card, booklet or simple craft token (eg a heart), containing affirmative statements from every child in the class and every adult with whom the child has contact every year.<br />* Speak or act before the whole school, commensurate with ability, at least once a term. Attend regular informal meetings to provide the chance to reflect on individual, class and school progress, brainstorming ideas for improvement.Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-5653709775838383522009-01-10T10:22:00.000-08:002009-01-21T13:24:30.971-08:00Challenges for the Working GalSaturday, 24th January 2009<br /><br /><a name="565370977583838352"></a><a href="http://allmycreativeideasinoneplace.blogspot.com/2009/01/challenges-for-working-gal.html">Challenges for the Working Gal</a>: <strong>Survival at home and at work</strong><br /><br /><strong><em>Life is hectic!</em><br /></strong><br />Phew – Christmas is over and done with, and now it’s back to ‘normal’ – whatever normal is. We’re back at work and are busy trying to juggle our lives into a semblance of normality. Time becomes a premium again.<br />Great that everyone is here this morning. May God bless our time together. I think that just setting this time aside for God is brilliant – we may have felt like not getting up early this morning, not turning out in the cold and rain, but yet God honours our wish to meet together in pursuit of relationship with Him and each other. He honours our sacrifice of time.<br /><br /><strong><em>Time poor, work rich<br /></em></strong><br />It seems to me that challenges for women who work full time outside the home are complex and yet quite simple:<br />1. To have enough time and energy to maintain relationships with friends, family, with God – whether this be through words, through caring – cooking, cleaning etc, through visiting...through spending time in worship or prayer, in Bible reading or study…<br />2. To have enough time and energy to nurture ourselves – to replenish reserves whether this be through quiet times on our own (exercising, caring for ourselves, prayer) or being energised through others.<br />3. To have enough time and energy to be Jesus to our work colleagues – thinking of and supporting them, being ready with a wise or encouraging word. Being prepared to be bold.<br /><br /><strong><em>How do we balance all this?</em></strong><br /><br />The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:6<br />One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work— More spitting into the wind. (The Message)<br /><br />Psalm 127 verse 2 says:<br /><br />It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?<br /><br /><em><strong>1. Be easy on ourselves</strong><br /></em><br />1. <strong>Don’t compare ourselves</strong> with anyone else. Easy to say, hard not to do. Yet as we come to believe that we are unique, with our gifts and talents, our funny quirks and our hidden strengths – sometimes so hidden we don’t realise they are there until they are tested – we can become more relaxed.<br />2. <strong>Our best IS good enough</strong>. Whatever hours there are in the day, if we fill them, work hard, be ourselves in all we do, then that is absolutely fine. We don’t need to beat up on ourselves any more. Michele Guinness (Worth Knowing, wisdom for women, p67 says: “We can probably do two out of three well: church and work, church and children or work and children but the third, which will be different at different phases of our lives, will always be the poor relation.”<br />3. <strong>Enjoy what we are doing</strong>. That might seem obvious, but how often do we fall into ‘grumble mode’? I had an email recently, which said: Be thankful! Then followed a long list of irritants to be thankful for, including being thankful for clothes that are too tight because it means that we have enough to eat, and being thankful for a lawn that needs mowing or a floor that needs cleaning because it means that we have a home to live in!<br /><br /><strong><em>2. Keep the right perspective<br /></em></strong><br />4. Take time to <strong>keep our priorities right</strong> and the demands on us in perspective. Just as Martin Luther prayed longer when he knew he had a busy day, so we need to take a step back and look at the demands we face. Review what we are doing: do we really need to do it now? At all?<br /><br />5. We’re <strong>planned for a purpose</strong>, as Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life) might say. That applies just as much to our work and our role in the workplace. We are not at work to earn money, develop our talents or even to feel good about ourselves, though all those things are excellent and useful. We are at work, in that particular place, because God has put us there for His purposes. Romans 8:28 says for all things work to good for those who love the Lord.<br />We may have worked somewhere for years just to be there for a particular person at a particular time. Keep our eyes open: the needs are many and there may be just one person who, at a nudge from God, needs our love and care, or our witness or service. We may be like Esther, put into her position ‘for such a time as this’. We don’t’ know. Just believe that your work matters hugely to God because YOU ARE THERE.<br /><br />6. That is not to say that we need to stay somewhere for ever. Jobs and roles change and we need to be open to God’s prompting to move on. It’s useful to <strong>review our purpose periodically</strong>: we are at the beginning of a new year, which is always a useful place to start. As a teacher, I often find myself doing that in September at the start of the new academic year. Maybe ask yourself what you’d like to be doing this time next year; or what you could achieve this year. Admit your secret desires to God.<br /><br />Psalm 37:3-5 (New International Version)<br />3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.<br />4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.<br />5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:<br /><br />So how can we achieve a good work/life balance?<br /><br /><strong>Make sure we have time for God</strong>. When we take sufficient time to rest and pray, the Lord renews, gives insight, and energizes us to accomplish twice as much when we jump back into the job at hand.<br />Approach the ‘must do’ chores with a <strong>good attitude</strong>: cooking, shopping, cleaning, washing, fetching, carrying, filing, telephoning, writing, preparing… whatever we do, imagine we are doing it for Jesus. This doesn’t always work, but it often helps lighten the load.<br /><strong>Don’t over commit</strong> ourselves. I venture to suggest that no one should be involved in more than one ministry at church. Remember: if you do it, you are depriving someone else of becoming involved. And if you are the only one who can get something done, maybe that thing doesn’t need to be done at all? Which leads me on to…<br /><strong>Let go of responsibilities</strong> when we have to. We can’t always achieve what we want. An old Swedish proverb says: ‘better a little dirt in the corners than a clean hell’. Don’t wear ourselves out. Give someone else the chance to do things. That applies in all spheres of life: at work, at home, in our social groups or activities.<br /><strong>Forgive ourselves</strong> when we can’t get everything done. At the end of the day (and I mean at the end of every day!) realise that we can only do our best. In the last few minutes before you sleep, review the day. Did you use the time wisely? If you did, you can do no more. If you didn’t, ask God’s forgiveness for wasting time or being lazy, and ask His help not to do that again. And remember: sitting down with your feet up and a cup of tea for 10 minutes when you first get home from work is not laziness – it is completing your last work assignment of the day: transforming yourself back into a human being!<br /><br /><strong><em>Questions to think about:<br /></em></strong><br />What time of day is best to give to God? First thing, before everyone is up? Last thing at night? In a lunchbreak? What works for you?<br />Which tasks most trigger your grumble mode? Identifying them could help you deal with this – how could you transform them into a praise opportunity: sandwich them in before something you enjoy; remember to actively give them to God?<br />Review your commitments. Which are non-essential? Which come into the category of ‘I quite like doing this but realise I don’t really have to’? Which are activities where you feel fulfilled and energised?<br />Which regular commitments can you opt out of so that you don’t become overtired? Are these seasonal? Could you put a time limit on them?<br />How are you feeling about your work and home life? What do you need to do now?<br /><br /><a href="http://allmycreativeideasinoneplace.blogspot.com/2009/01/challenges-for-working-gal.html">Challenges for the Working Gal</a>: <strong>Being a witness, making disciples<br /><br /></strong>Time is sufficient; but opportunities are lost<br /><br />If we give ourselves enough time, we can be open to the challenges that God has for us. I don’t know about you, but I find it horrifyingly easy to divide myself into several different people depending on where I am, and often, they don’t resemble each other.<br /><br />Let me give you an example. At church, I can be a listening ear, a smiling face, an enthusiastic worshipper. At home, when I’m tired at the end of the day, my ears are far from listening and my mouth is far too ready to talk. At other times, my church and home personalities overlap as I am equally ready to pray in either situation – but not at work, even when scenarios are uncannily similar. I’ll pray for a Christian friend or family member who is struggling with a difficult relationship; I won’t, usually, for a colleague – although, when I have occasionally done so, it has been well received.<br /><br />There are people we know who stay the same wherever they are. How can we do that too?<br /><br />Here are some suggestions for bringing your church or home person to work.<br /><br />Be yourself<br />Treat your colleagues as you want to be treated<br />Take a few minutes to read some words from the Bible in your lunch break. Refocusing will help close the gap.<br />Pray on your way to work; at work; before a meeting.<br />Take risks. Those who don’t ask don’t get. This applies to building relationships, offering prayer, sharing words of encouragement. It’s scary – but not as scary as the thought that Jesus will one day ask you why you didn’t share your treasure with others!Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-74849396344249879762008-12-31T02:46:00.000-08:002008-12-31T02:49:03.603-08:00<strong>PRAY FOR THE FUTURE<br /></strong><br />Psalm 20 May he give you the desire of your heart <br />and make all your plans succeed.<br /><br />Proverbs 16<br /> 1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.<br /> 2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.<br /> 3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.<br /><br />Proverbs 19:21<br />Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.<br /><br />Jeremiah 29:11<br />11 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.<br /><br /><em>Draw round your hand on paper and cut out. Pray about this coming year: perhaps you could use each finger as a focus for a separate area for prayer: our world, our community, our church, our families, ourselves.<br /><br /></em><br /><strong>PRAY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE<br /></strong><br />Galatians 6:9-10 (New International Version)<br />Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.<br /><br />Ephesians 2:18-20 (New International Version)<br />For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.<br /> Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.<br /><br /><em>Wherever we come from and however we are, we are all joined together: write each name of those God has put on your heart on a strip of paper, then link them together into a paper chain.<br /></em><br /><strong>THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS IN THE PAST AND PRAY FOR THE FUTURE.</strong><br /><br />1 Chronicles 4:10 (New International Version)<br />Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.<br /><br /><em>Looking back, think about how God has blessed you, thanking him as you do so. Then ask God to continue to bless you. Be specific: ask Him…<br />to bless you materially, providing for your needs;<br />to bless you physically, for good health; fitness; healing from ailments or other troubles;<br />to bless you emotionally, giving you joy this year even if/when sadness comes;<br />to bless you spiritually, drawing you close to him and revealing more of himself through his holy spirit.<br /><br />Try any combination of these suggestions: draw, doodle, write or create a small collage as you pray, to take away as a reminder.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><br /><strong>PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS</strong><br /><br />Hebrews 12:2<br />Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.<br /><br />Hebrews 4:16<br />Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.<br /><br /><em>As we look to the future, let us also look back, reflecting on God’s goodness to us. Think also about things we have done wrong, or good things we have not done , and ask for his forgiveness. Imagine you are kneeling in front of God’s throne. Blow bubbles to represent your sins and let them drift towards the throne. Imagine that as the bubbles approach, Jesus leaps up from beside God and gleefully bursts the bubbles: YOUR SINS HAVE VANISHED!</em>Mama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-86989729945672287422008-05-04T05:56:00.000-07:002008-05-04T06:02:56.849-07:00Contemplative prayer activities<strong>PRAISE PARTY PRAYER ACTIVITIES<br /></strong><br /><br /><strong>Praise and worship God.<br /></strong><br />Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on a 'tree'<br /><br />Need: Wool, ready tied for plaiting. Advent ‘tree’ of twigs stuck into plaster in flowerpot/vase.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff<br /></strong><br />Winding wool around a cross<br /><br />Need: prepared twig crosses and wool<br /><br /><br /><strong>Community</strong><br /><br />Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, 'plant' on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.<br /><br />Need: printed Guernsey flags, flag sized pieces of paper, cocktail sticks, oasis.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Friends and Family</strong><br /><br />Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families<br /><br />Need: cut outs of paper dolls, pens, pencils<br /><br /><br /><strong>People in any kind of need<br /></strong><br />Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.<br /><br />Need: paper ‘lilies’, pencils, bowls.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Children<br /></strong><br />Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.<br /><br />Need: balloons, small squares of paper, pens, small lengths of wool to hang balloon by, wool strung across room somehow<br /><strong><br />Pray for yourself</strong><br /><br />Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.<br /><br />Need: paper, pens, scissors, giant green foam hand mounted on a kitchen roll holder or similar.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Healing<br /></strong><br />Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Need: yellow, orange and red paper and fabric scraps, paper strips, stapler<br /><br /><br /><strong>INSTRUCTIONS</strong><br /><strong>Praise and worship God.</strong><br /><br />Plait three pieces of wool or ribbon together (representing praise, prayer and people) into a small plait, hang on the 'tree'.<br /><br />Psalm 66<br />1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!<br />2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!<br />3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.<br />4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."<br />5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man's behalf!<br /><br />8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;<br /><br /><br /><strong>Church family, our vicar and family, churchwardens, layreaders, pastoral workers and staff<br /></strong><br />Wind the wool around the cross. Pray for all those who work in church, for God’s support and guidance.<br /><br />The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.<br />Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.<br />The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.<br />Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.<br />1 Corinthians 12 :12 - 31<br /><br /><strong>Community</strong><br /><br />Write a prayer on a small paper Guernsey flag for our island and our community, then 'plant' it on a cocktail stick in oasis. Or draw a picture or symbol to make a ‘flag’ of your own to represent your prayer.<br /><br />Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."<br />Matthew 28:18 - 20<br /><br /><br /><strong>Healing</strong><br /><br />Create a collage in yellow, orange and red to show the fire of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.<br />Matthew 14:35 - 36<br /><br /><strong>Friends and Family<br /></strong>Draw/write/colour a doll paper chain of prayers for our families and friends.<br /><br />The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.<br />About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"<br />The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"<br />They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.<br /><br /><strong>People in any kind of need<br /></strong><br />Write a prayer inside a paper 'flower', put it in water, watch it open.<br /><br />Psalm 63<br />1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.<br />2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.<br />3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.<br />4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.<br />5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.<br />6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.<br />7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.<br />8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.<br /><br /><strong>Children<br /></strong><br />Write a prayer for a child you know on a piece of paper, put it in a balloon, blow up the balloon, tie and hang up.<br /><br />The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.<br />Mark 10:13 - 16<br /><br /><strong>Spiritual Journey</strong><br /><br />Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.<br /><br />Psalm 119:2,10 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.<br />I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.<br />"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 24<br /><br /><strong>Pray for yourself<br /></strong><br />Draw round your hand. Write your gifts on it - eg kind, understanding, generous, helpful, wise, compassionate... Cut out and pin onto the giant foam hand.<br />There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.<br />Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.<br />1 Corinthians’ 12:4 - 10<br /><br /><strong>Spiritual Journey</strong><br /><br />Create a maze or pathway with pebbles, reflecting on your own spiritual journey and where this might take you. Think about our church and our new centre, and how we will journey together.<br /><br />Need: pebblesMama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6049624108458361651.post-33302053810275085782008-05-04T05:48:00.000-07:002008-05-04T05:54:29.012-07:00Praise and Power (Cleaning) PartyPRAISE AND POWER PARTY, SATURDAY APRIL 26TH, 9 – 11<br /><br />From 9 – 10.30 (approximately) we will be busy cleaning the church: wiping surfaces, moving chairs and polishing the floor.<br />From 10.30 we can move into the Centre for the prayer activities: these will be set out in different rooms, so feel free to wander around and take part in any of them.<br />10.45: Coffee and cake!<br /><br />Please bring if you can:<br />A bucket<br />A couple of cleaning cloths.<br />All purpose cleaner<br />Rubber gloves (optional)<br />Hand cream (even more optional)<br /><br />WELCOME SHEET<br />Welcome! Please sign on the sheet which particular area you would like to clean!<br />Most surfaces need wiping with a damp cloth which has been rinsed and wrung out in a solution of flash/all purpose cleaner. Water can be obtained from the washbasin in the toilets or the small sink on the balcony.<br /><br />The prayer activities are set out in various rooms in the centre. Please feel free to go and take part in any of the prayer activities at any time, either during cleaning or if you need a break! Otherwise, we will all, hopefully, stop by 10.30 to pray individually or in groups<br /><br />MAIN CHURCH<br /><br />Main Church seating area polish seats left<br />Main Church seating area polish seats centre left<br />Main Church seating area polish seats centre right<br />Main Church seating area polish seats right<br />Font area (back of church)<br />Organ area<br />Worship Group area<br />Chancel area<br />Window ledges<br />Toilets/lobby outside/hallway<br />Vestry<br />Boiler Room/Alleyway<br />Narthex<br />Area by the bell rope/cleaning cupboard/hallway<br />Stairs/Balustrades<br />Flagstones as you come in<br />BALCONY<br />Balcony Floor<br />Balcony Temporary kitchen area<br />Balcony Window ledges<br />Balcony Seats<br />Balcony Pews<br />Balcony: organ speakers (need careful and very thorough dusting)<br /><br />FLOOR POLISHING: IT IS PROBABLY BEST TO MOVE AND STACK CHAIRS BEFORE STARTING TO LEAVE AS LARGE AN AREA AS POSSIBLE. THEN MOVE CHAIRS FROM ONE AREA TO THE NEXT AS EACH IS FINISHED<br /><br />Main Church seating area floor left<br />Main Church seating area floor centre left<br />Main Church seating area floor centre right<br />Main Church seating area floor centre right<br />Font area (back of church)<br />Organ area<br />Worship Group area<br />Back of church seating areaMama Mpirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286444396409505857noreply@blogger.com0