From Under The Duvet..: April 2008

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Trying to Smile on the Day Gone Wrong

A Christian Version of DTR (Defining the Relationship):

1. They say: "I need to unpack some things and reassess my boundaries."

They mean:"I've secretly gone to counseling and learned some new words that are going to make your head hurt. I'm breaking up with you."

2. They say:"I feel that I need to spend more time with God."

They mean:"I feel that I need to spend more time with God and less time with you. I'm breaking up with you."

3. They say: "I think God is calling me into missions."

They mean:"The first place God wants me to visit is a land called 'somwhere you are not.' I'm leaving tonight. I'm breaking up with you."

4. They say:"I think God has gifted me with a life of celibacy."

They mean:"I've just dropped the equivalent of a dating atomic bomb. Good luck with all that. I'm breaking up with you."

5. They say:"I feel like we've grown apart."

They mean:"I represent the word 'grown,' you represent, 'apart,' as in your falling apart. I'm breaking up with you."

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These are awesome and from Stuff Christians Like (a site I love, if you didn't already know..). Anything that can make me laugh out loud on a day where everything seems to be going wrong - room booking issues, the never-arriving email, a pointless lecture, revision that just makes me and a camera that has still not arrived and may not be here by the one date I wanted it for - this weekend.
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Creche was lovely this morning though - babies are so cute! And why is that a text from Rose telling me I'm loved or a postcard from her reminding me to smile always come at the exact second they're most needed? A case of "That's not odd, that's God"?
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Labels: bad days, laughter, other blogs, rar

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Just just just just just... and a poem

I have a pet hate. Well, I probably have more than one. But this is one I know I have! I hate it when people are about to pray at CU or church or wherever and this is what they say: "Ok, let's just pray/ let's just pray to open / let's just pray about what we've heard" /etc.
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I'm sorry but "just"? Seriously? That's the word you want to use in the sentence telling people they're about to come boldly before the throne of grace?
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I "just popped out to the shops", those seagulls "just drive me crazy" and it "just started raining". I didn't just pray.
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Prayer is absolutely amazing and I realise we're completely free to pray anywhere and anytime. But please can we ditch the just? If only to stop me going crazy inside every time I hear it...
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Here's a great wee poem Paul sent me:
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TELL YOURSELF

Tell yourself that you're precious
Tell yourself that you are pretty
Tell yourself that you are loved
Tell yourself you need no pity
Tell yourself that you are forgiven
Tell yourself you're a child of grace
Tell yourself you're a rumour of glory
Tell yourself that you flavour the space.

Tell the devil to go to hell
Because that is where he belongs
Tell God you're ready now to sing
If he would write the song?

Tell yourself that there's a vision
Tell yourself you have something to say
Tell yourself you're a star in the darkness
Tell yourself that you can lead the way.
Tell yourself that you can do it
Tell yourself that it is done
Tell yourself the battle is over
Tell yourself the war has been won.

Tell the devil to go to hell
Because that is where he belongs
Tell God you're ready now to sing
If he will write the song.

by Steve Stockman

Labels: church, CU, faith, God, poetry, prayer, rants

Monday, April 21, 2008

Varsity

On Wednesday there is a day of sport as Swansea play Cardiff throughout the different sports and teams etc - including the CUs going head to head. The following was in our CU mailing message today (as well as a sentence telling us to buy cinammon bagels and the male co-president's favourite NI saying "would you look at your maaaaannnn"):

in other news> a late call up for the Cardiff CU footy team for Simon Peter. Reports suggest that he is a rock at the back. Jesus cements his place in goal due to a fine saving record. Elijah is on the wing, and Paul is chosen up front because he finishes well. Nehemiah, the architect in midfield has recovered from a groin strain picked up in last weeks game against the Persians. Sadly Jacob failed a late fitness test on his dodgy hip and will miss out.

Quite clever, really. I will, of course, be cheering Cardiff - unlike on Saturday when Cardiff played Ulster and kicked our butt. We managed a great 30-17 - great considering half time was 27-3. Woeful. Apparently two of our lovely players tripped over their own feet metres from the line. Gutting.

Last night it hit me that I have exams soon - in fact, this time next month I'll have done five and will have my last one in two and a weeks. Eek! I then uninstalled msn.

I'm trusting that God wants me here.. and that I'm in the States when resists are. Plus the fact I've practically passed stats already (I think I've only got 25% or so of it in a few weeks, compared to the 70% every other exam counts for) and I really think you'd have to try to actually fail... Oh who knows.

Must go - got many blog posts in my head but insanely busy.

PS - loving listening to CoolFM after 10pm each night (except Friday and Saturday) - the accent rocks and the music is good too!

Labels: busy, exams, God, life, uni life

Friday, April 18, 2008

Waiting...?

I wrote the following blog post a couple of days ago:

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20 We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 33

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15 I wait for you, O LORD;

you will answer, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38

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1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.
Psalm 40

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5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130

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I am not the world’s most patient person. If there was an award for patience I wouldn’t win it – I wouldn’t even be a contender.
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At the moment I find myself struggling to wait on the Lord and see what is going to happen in a situation.
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I find myself saying I’ll be happy to wait for something – providing I know that the outcome will be what I want to happen!
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But we’re not told to wait knowing the outcome – we’re told to wait. And wait patiently. Because God will answer.
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And if my desire is to see God glorified in the situation I should (and long to) take joy in the waiting because it must be happening for a reason. And in this time I get to ask some questions, like if what I want to happen happens how will God be glorified in that? Etc.
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And I trust that regardless of what happens… I can trust God and I hope in Him alone.
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~~~~~
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And today I’ve had a lovely long chat with a friend and talked through the issue of the above blog “post”. I’ve long admired something Val had on her kitchen window – it’s a little stand which holds bible verses – there are a number of business card-sized cards with bible verses printed on them. After deciding, after what was probably a year and a half of loving it, to buy one Val gave me one on the day I returned to uni. (Thank you so much!).
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So, every day or so I turn over the card and get a new one. The one I turned to five minutes ago is:
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“This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it”
- Psalm 118 v 24
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This IS the day that the Lord has made. And I cannot just wish this day or season of my life away. Life is happening, I shouldn’t be thinking of a day, or week, or “season” as something I wait through, doing nothing else. I may struggle at points(!) but here’s to enjoying each and every day and using every opportunity of that day for God’s glory…
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I’ve no idea how much sense that makes…

Labels: faith, God, life

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The People You Will Meet in a Prayer Circle

Scarily scarily true.

Labels: laughter, prayer

Status Updates

On facebook I frequently update my status so I thought (shamelessly stealing the idea from RachW) I'd post the recent ones from my facebook.

Yesterday
Rachael thinks the male co-pres should be prohibited from coming up with acronyms after announcing the Prayer Ministry Team as "PMT" tonight at CU...11:39pm
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Rachael doesn't really think it feels like a Wednesday!1:38pm

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April 13
Rachael is back in Cardiff! And needing to unpack.9:59pm

Rachael needs a hug and some motivation (to work or to pack!).12:22am

April 12
Rachael finds herself packing again.10:22pm

Rachael is so excited about English Camp in Czech this year after seeing the amazing teaching manual...10:59am

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April 6
Rachael has her flights to the States booked! Just need to sort out internal ones.10:44pm

Rachael saddened by the fact it was a relative who died last night 12:53pm

Rachael thought Franklin son-of-billy Graham, Andrew Trimble and seeing wee Ruth Easton were all amazing parts of tonight!12:44am

April 4
Rachael wonders where the sun went...2:16pm

April 2

Rachael is encouraged.11:23pm

March 30
Rachael misses you.6:51pm

March 29
Rachael reminds all UK people about the hour that disappears tonight as we head into BST.11:33pm

Rachael thinks there is something very unique about Northern Irish boys...12:31am

March 27
Rachael is thinking a prayer sec should really be able to write something to encourage prayer...6:01pm

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March 26
Rachael is thinking a prayer sec should really be able to write something to encourage prayer...4:30pm

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March 25
Rachael still hasn't eaten her Easter egg!3:21pm

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March 23
Rachael is really sad because her camera is broken.5:41pm

Rachael is even more grateful for the empty tomb - Jesus is alive!4:34pm

March 22
Rachael is grateful for the cross.1:38am

March 21
Rachael is eating a lovely piece of soda bread (and has had Mauds ice cream already!), two hours later than planned but at least she survived that flight...2:15am

March 20
Rachael is pretty much packed! (minus hand luggage).2:12pm

Rachael is home in ten hours.. and needs to start packing.11:11am

Rachael still REALLY needs to start packing.. as she'll be in her (NI) house in less than 24 hours!1:26am

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March 19

Rachael REALLY needs to start packing.. as she'll be in her (NI) house in 24 hours!10:44pm

Rachael will be back in wee Saintfield in less than 48 hours! Scary biscuits considering all that has to get done before then!12:15am

March 18
Rachael is frustrated that her essay was marked down for being two words over the word limit.. even though it wasn't over it at all!1:21am

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March 17
Rachael wishes you a very happy St Patrick's Day!11:40am

Rachael is reading about ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children.1:06am

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March 16
Rachael is incredibly daunted! but so excited.2:52pm

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March 15
Rachael wishes you a Happy changed-because-of-Holy-week St Patrick's Day! (http://tinyurl.com/2eo6gh).5:22pm

Rachael wonders if it is ever going to stop raining... preferably in the next hour or so!1:13pm

March 13
Rachael doesn't care about bucket budgets or flying to Edinburgh via Paris BUT she does care about prayer (8am tomorrow morning in the SDU on the 3rd floor of the SU!).9:02pm
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March 12
Rachael is utterly addicted to the cookies...12:49am

March 11
Rachael loves 15s!6:28pm

Rachael made 15s and cookies! So yummy she may have trouble sharing!2:00am
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March 9
Rachael is back in Wales after an amazing time and enthused about grace and prayer!4:48pm

March 7
Rachael is trying very hard not to climb back into bed again! but is very excited about this weekend! (off to England - neutral country but come on IRELAND!).4:11pm
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March 6
Rachael has finished work.. and is tidying and sorting laundry.1:03am

March 5
Rachael is wonders if her motivation lies under one of the (many) piles in her room...4:46pm
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March 4
Rachael is just in from the committee meeting and about to do some more of this practical!11:57pm

Rachael is absolutely delighted to have a bank card and be able to withdraw money again! stupid northern bank!5:40pm

Rachael has actually replied to all her letters! amazing!12:39am

March 2
Rachael is smiling...10:11pm
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March 1
Rachael thinks there must be something engagement-y in the water - she'll stick to orange juice.10:39pm

Rachael had so much fun at the party - thank you all!5:11pm

Rachael is so excited about the party! (And, let's face it, the bouncy castle!).12:29pm

February 29
Rachael was incredibly encouraged this morning!5:02pm

Rachael got her role because she owns a noticeboard, apparently...12:59am
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February 28
Rachael is upset but trusting...8:59pm

February 27
Rachael is very excited to see what God has in store this year!11:44pm
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February 26
Rachael is in so much trouble when her mum realises that "I'm not coming home for Mothers' Day" isn't a lie to "make the surprise better" but is the truth...!10:23pm

Rachael is delighted because one of the wee creche kids can say her name!1:29pm

February 25
Rachael is so grateful for her amazing God and all His wonderful promises! Including the strength to write essays...11:35pm
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February 24
Rachael hasn't thrown up in six hours.. progress...8:34pm

Rachael is horribly sick.2:01am

February 23
Rachael is going back to bed (even if she's been up 3 hours.. and slept for 18 hours before that) - this is not fun.2:56pm

Rachael is sick.12:57pm

Labels: life, update

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Update

Back in the uni country and needing to unpack (this time 12 hours ago I'd just about managed to pack!).

Also just found out my exam time table... the first one is in less than a month!

Lots of blog posts in my head - just need to find some time to type them out!

Labels: exams, uni

Sunday, April 06, 2008

We Don't Know the Hour

This morning at church my dad and my uncle were both spoken to by people giving their condolences and it was then they found out a traffic accident last night was actually a relative.
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He was doing what he does every Saturday – driving to a town to get a dinner of chips for him and his dog. And somewhere on that journey (I think he was going to get the chips) the motorbike he was driving hit a kerb and he flew in the other direction into the path of a LandRover. He was killed instantly and every bone in his body was broken.
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It has left the family reeling a little – contacting relatives that live in California and Australia (the reason we were not aware of it until church was we’re all ex-directory and phone numbers couldn’t be found). And who’ll look after his dog and horses. The guy who died hasn’t darkened a church door in years.
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But it really brought home to me that we really do not know the hour. And how should we live in light of that? Do I want to stand before the King of Kings and explain to Him why I spent so long on facebook when I could have been spending time with people and telling them about Him or spending time with Him… Hmm… I need to get some discipline and soon!

Labels: faith, God, shock

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

The Perils of a To-Do List

On Monday night I wrote a to-do list. I aimed to get up at 8am and be The Most Productive Person Ever. What time did I wake at? 12.30! Which is utterly ridiculous I know and I hope I haven’t lost friends by being honest… And I just felt so annoyed with myself I ended up doing nothing except what I needed to survive (which included laundry).
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So, last night I decided to try again. Especially as I seem to have moods which follow an alternate day pattern – one day I’ll be productive, the next day I won’t and then the day after I’ll be back to being productive.
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I got up shortly after 8am and had breakfast while checking my email. I cleaned out the fire. Tidied my room – including, erm, finishing unpacking. I’ve been here longer than I have left to be here and I’ve just finished unpacking today! Washed dishes. Had a “quiet time”. Rang insurance people about my camera. Rang three shops in Belfast about my camera. Rang the insurance people back about my camera. Booked a hairdresser’s appointment for tomorrow. Napped for 15 minutes.
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All happening before the time I woke up at yesterday. I felt so good!
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After the nap I had lunch. Washed even more dishes. Watched ER and worked on finishing collages I started before I went to uni (they’re so close to being done!). I also checked to see when my passport expires – just to be sure.
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After ER I did settle into watching TV – I’m loving the irony behind the fact that on Deal or No Deal it’s always those who say good luck and how great the person is that open the box with the big sums of money in them.
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(And can I just say how horrific TV adverts are? During the day they are all about appeals eg “If you do just one thing today watch this appeal” – ok, so I watched the appeal but if that’s all I’ve got to do today I’m not giving you £3 a month! And that “text X to Y now” at a cost of £3 and the charity only gets £1.20? Ridiculous! And then by the time those end the really seedy late night ads begin.)
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And tonight I spent at home group at church – so amazingly encouraging but that is for another post.
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The thing is… on both days I totally let my mood be affected by how much I ticked off my to-do list. And, yes, I am one of those people who writes things that if I do things that aren’t written on the list I write them on it and score it out.
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And it’s so easy to let silly things affect what we do. We get into this idea that it’s all or nothing. I did no uni work – and that is typical of this holiday! I needed the break but I also need to do some work!
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And I notice that when I get out of habit with bible reading and praying or whatever it’s so hard to get back in it again.
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I’m slowly realising how it is better to do something rather than nothing but not to beat myself up over days where I do “nothing” but enjoy myself instead! I’m also realising that the number of ticks on my to-do list shouldn’t affect my mood. No one gets their to-do list completed and even God took a day of rest.
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I’m slowly learning things… Slowly…

Labels: thoughts, to-do list