building site

2013

  Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90 (NIV)

This might powerful God we have has a vivid imagination, he created from scratch the whole heavens, the planets, the constellations – he put the stars in the sky. He created the sun and moon, and the earth. On the earth he made the mountains and valleys, the oceans and lakes. He made animals and birds and humans. Every natural occurring thing on this planet was created by him. He was a creator, an inventor, and he did it for his pleasure. We are his pleasure and he delights when we find pleasure in him.

He made us stewards of this earth, he put us above the rest of the animals to be caretakers until he comes back. Are we good stewards? If we have animals do we look after them with feeding and grooming? If we have land do we tend to it lovingly? Do we care for his environment? Do we care about our neighbourhoods, our communities, our neighbours? Do we look after the widows and orphans as it says –

God doesn’t like what we normally associate with religion: rituals, ceremonies, and services. What he wants is for us to act with kindness and service to those who need it most. If you’re doing that, you’re practicing the one “religion” that God approves of.

James 1:27 NLT

We have a responsibility to the earth and to community. If we focus on the Lord, we are in relationship with him, the relationships we then have with the earth and with other humans should be in that sphere. That is we should treat our neighbours and enemies as equal to ourselves, God loves everyone, we, if we are in relationship with God, ill be bearing the fruits of the Spirit in the way we live our lives.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:22-26

The fruits of the Spirit I always thought were things you tried to do, you try to king, you try to show love etc. Since becoming a new creation I am amazed at how these fruits just do their thing. The things I tried doing I now do without effort, they have become a part of me. I cannot be bitter, I cannot have envy or conceit. I am filled with joy and peace, I expound my understanding of the love God has for us all. It can be uncomfortable to hear that God loves everyone equally, no matter who or what they are.

For a few months last year I was maintained in a bubble of joy, I was in that joy but had no way of communicating it to others. The bubble has burst, not in an imploding sense but in a huge explosion of fireworks and bonfires and bangers – I have to let people see the work the Lord has done for themselves. On my own I still have no way of explaining it but when the Lord’s strength is with me I don’t forget my words, or speak unintelligibly. I speak with and for my Lord.