Walking with God

As I was finishing work early, I decided I was going to attend a church I've been going to in central London. When I got off at the wrong tube station, I wondered whether I should attend the church close by, but I was inspired to get back on the tube to the church I had in mind. As I still had about half an hour before the service started, I thought I'd get something to eat in the church's cafe, but the cafe was closed. So I went in the church and got a programme from the steward. It was then I realised it was the Advent Carol Service and the topic was "Making Room for Christ."   I sat at the back.  There were two women sitting next to me. After a few minutes, both women got up to leave and said they would come back later. This woman on the far side came and sat next to me and said she was going to keep me company. While we waited for the service to start, we shared our experiences. Later when the Reverend preached, he touched on what my companion was going throug...

A month ago, I went for a long walk with a friend by the River Thames. She wanted to show me an area of London I'd never been to before called St Katherine's Dock. On the way, I took a photo of this ship called HMS Belfast. Today I was working at this mudlarkimg exhibition about treasures that people find on the banks of the Thames.  A visitor came over to me and said, "I want to show you something." She took me to this photo of the Thames and pointed to this ship in the background.  "Do you know what that ship is?" she said. "No." "It's the HMS Belfast. I am one of the guides and we do tours there." She told me my pass could gain me free entry if I was interested. I told her I didn't think my temporary pass would work, but I thanked her for sharing the information. I also showed her a photo I had taken of the same ship. Thank you, God! You never cease to amaze me!  ❤️ ----- Relevant Bible verse: "Call to Me, and ...

When a car's Satellite Navigation or satnav  is switched on, it is constanty guiding the driver to their destination. If the driver misses a turning, the satnav instantly adjusts and provides an alternative route. I have observed the Holy Spirit works in a similar way to a Satellite Navigation when He is "switched on."  By this I mean, I have to ask Him to take control of my will, mind and body. Here's one example As I was walking down this road, I noticed this young woman walking towards me.  She was so engrossed in her phone she didn't see me. I had to quickly swerve to avoid bumping into her. Just as I was about to tell her to watch where she was going, that thought was instantly replaced by, "I  can only bump into someone when I am not watching where I'm going," which made me chuckle. I was reminded of what Jesus teaches in the Gospel. "And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye...

A friend invited me to see this Brazillian band called Monobloco. When we arrived at the venue, the stall was already packed full. We noticed majority of the audience were Brazilian and a lot younger than us and we joked that they could be our kids. (My friend is in his mid-60s and I'm five years behind him). Although neither of us can speak or understand Portuguese, we could both understand rhythm. (My friend is a musician). I also found the joy from the audience very infectious.  Later, I looked up and saw people dancing upstairs. My friend suggested that we go to the balcony and see what the view was like from there. It turned out to be better up there.  We remained in the balcony until the end of the gig and made a quick exit before the crowd. Thank you, God, for the wonderful Brazilian gig.  I loved it! ❤️ Photo and clips from the gig.

I've been wondering what happened to Silentó, the rapper/singer who made huge waves ten years ago with his dance video "Watch Me", which encouraged millions of people to dance. When I looked him up, I was sorry to discover that he has been incarcerated for the voluntary manslaughter of his cousin. He was sentenced to 30 years this year. Apparently, he also had some mental health issues.  I can just imagine what it must have been like becoming an instant worldwide celebrity at 17.  It must really do your head in if you're not ready for that kind of attention. I pray God's mercy on him.  May the Lord save and heal him. May he be transformed into a new creature in Christ. May God also bless the victim's family and loved ones with His grace and peace.  Peace to all! ❤️ Here's the video.

When it comes to gpt apps, the only one I use is Biblegpt as it's based on a Biblical world view. Every question asked is addressed from what the Bible teaches, which is my way of seeing. Of course, this gpt app is no substitute for the Holy Spirit, who is my ultimate guide for Truth and the Bible. ❤️ --- Relevant Bible verses: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. [14] He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you." John 16:13-14

Yesterday evening, while I was out shopping at my favourite food store (M&S), I meant to get a packet of mince pies, but I forgot.  Today, my flatmate offered me three mince pies she had bought from another store. The quality was exactly the type I would have gone for. Now that I've satiated my mince pies cravings, I'm not going to have any again till this time next year. Thank you, God, for meeting that need. ❤️ Photo of one of the mince pies.  For anyone not familiar with mince pies, here's a link to educate yourself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mince_pie

In an episode of Star Trek Voyager called "Body and Soul", in order to protect the holographic doctor from being destroyed by certain aliens, Seven downloads the doctor into her matrix or mind/body system. Now that the hologram has taken complete control of Seven's body, the doctor is now able to experience the world with Seven's senses. Seven finds she can only observe in the background. By the end of the episode, Seven gets back control of her body and the doctor returns to being a hologram with fond memories of his brief human experience. I find this a very interesting episode. The holographic doctor represents my spirit and Seven represents my flesh, which consists of my soul and body. In order for my spirit to be in control, my flesh has to be willing to surrender to my spirit.   My spirit, which is now born again, is one or joined with the Holy Spirit.  That means when my flesh surrenders to my spirit, it is actually the Holy Spirit transforming all experiences ...

Over the last two years, I've worked at 28 venues including museums, art galleries, art centres, theatres and art shops.  I have also worked at many corporate events at five exhibition centres. The last museum I recently trained at is now my favourite place to work at, even though it is quite a trek to get to.  It's my favourite not because of the content, but because of the kindness, love and patience I feel from the duty managers and staff.  Over the last two years, I've watched many concerts, seen countless art and zillions of museum artefacts. While all of those are interesting, love is the most important attraction. Without love, it is all nothing. Thank you, God, for Your love. ❤️ ----- Relevant Bible verses: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13: 1

I was working at this evening event co-hosting a corporate Christmas party. A few of us joined in the fun. We were even offered food, but I declined.  As our shift was finishing at 1.30am, the company had to provide us taxis home. Our duty manager booked  taxis for all of us to pick us up later. At the end of our shift, my colleagues received texts telling them their taxis would be arriving in a few minutes, but my text read, "Your driver, xxxx, is here!" with the car details which read,  "Look for a MG HS Estate."  Those four letters reminded me of the secondary school I attended, which we nicknamed MGHS (Methodist Girls High School). When I told my colleagues about the letters, they teased me that it was meant to be. The taxi driver also found it amazing. He  knew the area I lived so well I don't think he needed to use the GPS to get me home. God's supply is ever present in the Here and Now.  Thank you, God, for a fun shift with lovely colleagues: and for...

 I am aware the USA and a few other countries are celebrating Thanksgiving in November. While we don't have that tradition in the UK, I still practise continuous Thanksgiving. By this I mean, continuously saying "Thank you God!' as a prayer and when I can, whatever the circumstance.  I am grateful to have lots of downtime at work when I am thanking God in my thoughts. I find I hear gratitude all around me in the form of me being grateful to others, others being grateful to me, and me witnessing people being grateful and showing gratitude to one another. Imagine a world where gratitude is everywhere.   Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating.  Thank you, God! ❤️ ----- Relevant Bible verses: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100: 4-5 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by p...

At the morning briefing, our duty manager told us there was going to be a birthday party in one of the function rooms. She warned us that the client is very demanding. When I checked my duty rota, I saw that  at some point, I was going to be hosting the children at the soft play area and  will be working at the function room. I knew all will be well as God is everywhere and He is in control. When the kids came in the soft play area, I had to make sure that the parents followed the rules of that area and it was all fine. Next, I moved to the function room. By then everyone was in the soft play area. I just had to ask the cleaner to tidy up the room. Later I heard the client speaking to the head of hospitality and thanking him for doing a great job. Before the client left, he also thanked me. During the debrief at the end of our shift, I told the duty manager what the client had said and how grateful he was. She was very happy to hear it. Thank you, God, for our client grat...

While I was working at this corporate event scanning visitors' badges, a colleague beside me told me she was feeling exhausted after her long shift the previous day. I told her it's my faith that keeps me going. "What faith is that?" she said. "I'm a Christian," I said. "So am I," she said. "Well then, the Bible teaches that the Joy of the Lord is our strength, remember?" "How does that help?" "That's why I don't feel tired," I said. "I can't see how Jesus is doing the scanning?" "Because the Lord lives in us, He is working through me and you." My colleague still didn't get it, so I left it as that. To make it even more simple, I believe there is One Creator God and I live and have my being in Him. Since He is all there is, then when I move it is He who is moving. How can I possibly feel tired when it is God doing the work? God is inexhaustible energy. I find the mome...

Four months ago, this plum tree, from our back garden, was not only flourishing, it was full of plums which we enjoyed. Today, it's bare. For me, this tree is a reminder that no matter how dire things appear, we must always have faith that right where there appears to be degeneration, there is new beginning and new life about to spring forth in its season. I have faith in God. ❤️ ---- Relevant Bible verses: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Hebrews 11:1, 3

Although I was meant to start work at 2pm, I got up very early, had a meal and a shower. I planned to leave home around 12pm so I could arrive early and have time to look round the shops before I started work. While I was working on my laptop, I glanced at my phone and noticed a call coming through from my agency.  (I had the phone on mute so God must have inspired me to glance at it right at that moment). My agency asked if it was possible for me to go in early as someone was off sick. I said I'd probably be able to arrive around 11.45am. I got the bus to the nearest tube station. There was already a train on the platform, which was packed full. When I walked down, I managed to find a seat. Soon an announcement came on that there had been a "passenger incident" on the line (a euphemism used when a passenger jumps in front of a train). They said the train was being held on the platforn until further notice. We were advised to use alternative routes to our destinations. ...

 In the Bible, born-again  Christians are asked to present their bodies to God as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12: 1) What does that mean in daily living? It got me thinking of a Star Trek episode and I decided to watch it again. In the episode called "The Nth Degree", after Lt Barclay, who is usually very shy and lacks confidence, is knocked out by an alien probe, he suddenly becomes super-intelligent. With his newfound intelligence, he becomes super-arrogant. It turns out Barclay has been possessed by these advanced alien race called the Cytherians, who  have reprogrammed Barclay so he could bring the ship to their universe in order to exchange information. After the Cytherians release Barclay, he goes back to being his normal self, though he discovers he has been left with the ability to play chess. While I found the idea of being given super-intelligence interesting, I believe God doesn't operate in that manner. All born-again Christians have got the Holy Spirit living...

The work I do involves not only long hours on my feet, I am constantly in motion.  As I am no longer a spring chicken, I am constantly thanking God for giving me His strength. At one point, I reminded myself that I am full of the Joy of the Lord. I noticed I was almost running up the stairs, which I haven't done in a long time. I felt like I was in my 20s when I used to run up and down stairs. The Bible teaches us that our thoughts and emotions  affect our bodies. Joy, which is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, definitely gives me spring chicken energy. 😀 The joy of the Lord is my strength. ❤️ ---- Relevant Bible verses: "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." Proverbs 14: 30 "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 15: 13 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17: 22 "For as he thinks in his heart,...

While I was thinking of what to get my friend for her birthday, I went into this store. I found the perfect card for her, which I knew she would find funny.  I decided to also get her a chocolate cake. As I was going through the confectionery section, I decided to get a box of chocolates for my flatmate. I had the idea to get her a box of Marzipans for a change. At another store, I decided to buy my birthday friend a bottle of wine as I know she likes wine.  However, as I'm not a wine connoisseur,  I was overwhelmed by their selection. I asked a member of staff, who was their resident wine expert, for ideas. I said I was looking for something sweet. She asked if I liked Rosé wine and I said yes, but I didn't know which one to get. She picked a bottle of Rosé and handed it to me. I thanked her for her help. Later when I gave my flatmate the box of Marzipans, she was overjoyed and said she loved Marzipans. I told her I wasn't aware she liked them as I usually buy her cho...

A few days ago, my flatmate brought home this masssive potato from work and gave it to me. I thought it was way too big to have it as a jacket potato, so I put it in the fridge. After giving it a lot of thought, today I was finally inspired to transform that one potato into chips. I didn't fry, I baked them in the oven. I then sprinkled some salt and had them with mayonnaise mixed with sweet chilli sauce. They were delicious. Thank you, God, for providing the potato and inspiring me to transform it into chips. ❤️

A week ago, as I was walking with a friend near the Tower of London, I thought of another friend from our agency who works there and wondered how she was. Today, I worked at this museum. At one point, I came out of the exhibition gallery I was in to ask a colleague about procedures. When she turned round, I realised it was the friend I had thought about last week. After exchanging warm hugs, I told her I had been thinking of her. How wonderful is that! My friend said she recently lost her mum and had gone home. She said she only returned this week and this was her first shift. At the end of my shift, I said goodbye to her and  I promised to text her so we can arrange to meet up for a proper catch-up.  Thank you, God, for arranging that meeting. ❤️ Photos I took last week of the Tower of London

Reminder to self: Psalms 92:12-15 NKJV [12] The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. [13] Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. [14] They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, [15] to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

The other day, while I was out with a friend, I told her I haven't cooked a meal in ages. I said I've been so busy with work, I either have sandwiches or ready meals. She asked me what I liked to cook. I told her while I can cook, I don't enjoy cooking. Yesterday, when my flatmate came home, she brought me some fresh chicken and the largest potato I've ever seen, which she had got from work. I told her I had been telling a friend that I haven't cooked in a while. My flatmate said as it was my day off, it was an opportunity for me to cook. At first, I agreed but I realised I didn't have the basic ingredients like onions and tomatoes.  I decided I would go to the local supermarket the next day to buy the ingredients I need. I found myself thinking about how I was going to prepare the chicken and the more I thought about it, the more I disliked the idea.  After working for nine days in a row, the last thing I need to do on one of my days off is to spend it doing a ...

1 In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease; my Comforter, my All in All; here in the love of Christ I stand. 2 In Christ alone who took on flesh; fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save; 'til on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied; for ev'ry sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live. 3 There in the ground His body lay; Light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me; for I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ! 4 No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the pow'r of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, J...

"He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;" Psalm 23: 2-3 ----- My work colleague and I have been bonding over our love for London.  After we finished work, as she had time to kill before her next job, I suggested we hang out and we went for a walk by the River Thames. I told my friend that I see London as my lover, who is constantly surprising me. When we arrived at a particular area, I told her I had never walked beyond that point before. I said when I have been around that area, I have either travelled by bus or car. She told me there was a special place she wanted to show me and it was going to take a while to get there. I told her I was up for it. On the way, we went via Tower Bridge, which was chock-a-block with tourists. She then led me away from the crowd. Five minutes off the bridge, we arrived at this haven called St Katherine's Dock full of boats. There were hardly any people around. I marvelled at how beautiful and tranquil it was. There ...