Monthly Archives: July 2024

What will I make?

By Posted in Five minute Friday Challenge Tagged , , , , , , , 4 Comments

FMF: Make

16:40

‘To make’ is to make something, usually creatively in some way, and produce something – even if that something is unpleasant, unintended or unwanted.

I may make something physical – a meal, a garment, a hole in the floor, or just make a mess, but consciously or unwittingly, I have produces something by what I have done or not done. I have been active in exercising my will, one way or the other.

I may willingly or unwillingly make non-physical things/situations that also have consequences – I might make a good, or a bad, decision or choice; I may make an attempt at something – successfully or unsuccessfully. I may make a scene, make a bad smell, make a comment, make a joke, make a fool out of myself, make someone happy or make them angry.

I may make a mistake in what I do, or don’t do.

So the act of making something is in itself morally neutral, but what we make may turn out to be good or bad.


In short, I can make things better, or make things worse.

Accordingly, I am responsible for what I have made.

God made the world and everything in it. And He saw that it was good. What God makes is always good.

I pray every day that the choices, words and actions that I make will be good and wholesome and may bring glory to God.

I might make a great many things each day of my life, but I pray that I may make God pleased with my choices, words and actions.

I pray that you may also make good choices today.

BERJAYA

Important details – the specifics!

By Posted in Five minute Friday Challenge Tagged , , , , , , , 5 Comments
BERJAYA

FMF: Specific

I’m in the middle of planning for traveling. This is the part that can make me a little anxious.

It is all in the detail!

I will be using coach, train and 3 different airlines during my holiday and each one of them has pages and pages of specific regulations, baggage allowances, procedures etc. Coordinating the specifics has been logistically challenging, to say the least.

For example, just the baggage allowance for all those different modes of transport are so different, that I have to study the specifications and pack for the smallest size luggage and the lightest weight allowance.

It is a first world problem, I know.

I find the specifics in instructions intimidating though, as I don’t want to get it wrong. When I am planning a new experience – be it following a recipe for a strange dish, following a map in an unknown place, or following instructions for a task I’ve not done before – I seem to read and read the specific instructions over and over again.

I remember being in China once and drawing a map with very specific directions of the journey from the underground station to my hotel, but in my observations (and therefore in my notes) I hadn’t noticed that there was more than one exit from the station. Unfortunately I exited by a different exit the following day, and despite following my detailed map, I became very lost indeed.

I know I can pray about it all, because I know that my Father God is interested in the tiniest details of my life. Though he created and sustains the whole universe from the beginning to the end of time, Holy Spirit says that he knows how many hairs are on my head and knows and cares when even the tiniest sparrow falls to the ground.

So God does care about the details.

I believe that.

But I know I also get a bit anxious about hearing God’s instructions in detail.

When I ask God for instructions and directions, just like when I’m drawing my map from the station to my destination, I have to be very careful about every tiny, specific detail. If it says go right, I need to make that turn, or else I could go very wrong.

The Lord said, ‘My sheep hear my voice’. I am His sheep and so I know I can hear His voice.

His Word, in the Bible is a very detailed map, but I pray that I will be attune always to His voice, and not miss the specific details of His guidance and direction. But I also need to trust Him, that when I have listened and followed His instructions, He will hold me and all my cares, in His very capable hands.

I agree. Same. Amen

By Posted in Five minute Friday Challenge Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , 4 Comments
BERJAYA

FMF: Same

12:22

‘S a m e!’

This is what my boys and the youngsters around them are often saying. It was the teenager speak, but it has continued.

(It is said in a long, drawn-out assent.)

‘I fancy some chips!’ (Response:) ‘S a m e!’

‘That’s a horrible smell!’ (Response:) ‘S a m e!’

So it means, ‘I agree’, or ‘Me too!’, or ‘So do I!’

Like the French might use ‘D’accord!’

It is an important part of communication, I think – when we have expressed something, we want to know we have been heard.

We want a response. If I say something and you don’t respond, I think you have not heard me, or worse – like you are deliberately ignoring me.

I suppose it is the same when we post photos or blogs and we hope that someone will ‘like’ what we have publicised and will make a positive comment.

We don’t want to be ignored; we want a response – have you heard me? Do you agree? What do you think? Am I right? Am I acceptable? Do I belong? We want reassurance!

I hear it in churches quite a lot too. Some preachers and speakers use ‘Amen’ in this way.

I understand ‘Amen’ to mean ‘I agree,’ or ‘So be it’, or ‘Let it be so.’

Saying ‘Amen’ is traditionally used as one’s agreement with a prayer being offered.

But I also hear it being used as a more general ‘Do you agree with me?’ by the preacher. Responded by ‘Yes, You are right/ Yes, I agree.’ from the people.

e.g.: ‘God is good, Amen?’ (Response:) ‘Amen!’

e.g.: ‘We have our coffee morning next Wednesday. Amen?’ (Response:) ‘Amen!’

So if you tell me you like ice-cream, I’ll say ‘S a m e!’ But if you pray for unity, or for God’s Kingdom to come, I’ll say ‘Amen!’

I think this is just me being typically pedantic and traditional. I am slow to adjust to change.

I’m sorry!

General agreement on details is comfortable, but it not so important.

Some details, opinions and preferences are not ‘hills to die on’!

We like to be heard. We want to be in agreement. We want unity.

Unity is important. Unity is crucial.

Jesus prayed for us to be in unity. The whole of John 17 is a most beautiful prayer showing God’s heart for unity.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,  that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

That they may be one, as we are one. Amen, Amen and Amen.

‘S a m e!’

BERJAYA