Well I have reached the end of my first term in one piece just about. I have just submitted both my essays, 1 on Biblical Studies an exegesis and hermeneutics on Isaiah chapter 43 and 1 on youth and community work an analysis of my agency and my own practice. I have also written 6 journals and 1 directed task. It's been quite a journey for me and my family. To be honest we have struggled so please keep us in your prayers.
The young people I work with are growing in their faith and I think the level of teaching I am doing is growing. They are doing things like blessing their school with chocolate and thinking of how to serve in the community, we're hoping to go bag backing at Christmas. SiB (or what used to be CU) is growing and new people are coming to this and Trax. God is great and I pray for the new and the old yps in both these groups as well as Pipeleine who I sit in with occassionally. I also have two new volunteers as well as my good pal Simon.
I have the priveledge of having Dave Wiles from the Frontier Youth Trust as my tutor and he and Paul Tilley continue to advice me and make me reflect and think hard about what I am doing and why.
My health is holding up although sitting for long periods of time is telling on my back so prayers for healing and to help me be less tired would be great.
Things are really moving at a pace, next year I look forward to working in my alternative practice agency at Malmesbury School and I've just found out about another amazing Godincedence in the work that Iain is doing and a chance that more paths my cross for the Lord and more opportunities to reach out to the yps on the edge of society. Flippin eck watch this space guys!!
Thanks for your prayers and good wishes.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Friday, 24 September 2010
How do you turn it off?
Is it a coincidence that we are to live for 3 score years and 10? I have to write a 3000 word essay on a bible passage and one on an introduction to youthwork. My biggest worry is how to do it that few words lol!
I'm thinking of doing a passage from Isaiah 43 which is great as it will follow nicely after studying the Historical Books of the Old Testament but now my little brain has gone into over drive. I tried to go for a ride on my horse to get some down time and all I kept thinking about was the Israelites in Exile for guess what 70 years (that's 3 score years and 10 isn't it)?
We are in exile, aliens in a forgein land, sent here to as Rob Bell puts it to "live between the trees". That's the tree of life in Gen and the one in Revelation. We're here to make the best of where we are living as were the Israelites in Babylon.
Anyway this is a thought in process.
I have been to Uni this week on Monday we did Intro to Youthwork which was interesting. We look at the history of youthwork and models of how to do it, I was pleased to see that we at the abbey have a good model. Then on Tues we did Biblical Studies , yes, all day!! We learned about Exegesis and Hermaneutics and practised it on the Good Samaritan.
If anyone has any tips on switching off the brain for 5 mins though it would be much appreciated. Perhaps now I have put it down in writing it will help :)
I'm thinking of doing a passage from Isaiah 43 which is great as it will follow nicely after studying the Historical Books of the Old Testament but now my little brain has gone into over drive. I tried to go for a ride on my horse to get some down time and all I kept thinking about was the Israelites in Exile for guess what 70 years (that's 3 score years and 10 isn't it)?
We are in exile, aliens in a forgein land, sent here to as Rob Bell puts it to "live between the trees". That's the tree of life in Gen and the one in Revelation. We're here to make the best of where we are living as were the Israelites in Babylon.
Anyway this is a thought in process.
I have been to Uni this week on Monday we did Intro to Youthwork which was interesting. We look at the history of youthwork and models of how to do it, I was pleased to see that we at the abbey have a good model. Then on Tues we did Biblical Studies , yes, all day!! We learned about Exegesis and Hermaneutics and practised it on the Good Samaritan.
If anyone has any tips on switching off the brain for 5 mins though it would be much appreciated. Perhaps now I have put it down in writing it will help :)
Sunday, 19 September 2010
First days
Well I have done "freshers" week, made lots of new friends and good news some of the folk are "mature" like me. It was a tough week with loads of info and very intense but fun. Tomorrow is my first day actually at the college for lectures.
When asked how I felt I said and I quote "my head is exploding but I have an underlying sense of peace" lol!
Look out as I drive to Bristol tomorrow!
Love Sarah
When asked how I felt I said and I quote "my head is exploding but I have an underlying sense of peace" lol!
Look out as I drive to Bristol tomorrow!
Love Sarah
Monday, 13 September 2010
Starting CYM
Hi folks, haven't written for a while but so many people are asking about my course and how it's going I thought I would start this blog.
I have completed the Trinity College Open Learning course on the Historical Books of the Old Testament. I had to sit an exam which was kind of tough but I got through it. I did write to many words though but we will see how it went!
This week I begin my 3 year degree course "Youth and Community and Practical Theology". This week I have to go on some community days with all the other students so please pray for me and my family who are home alone! Well Iain's there but you know what I mean.
On Monday next week I have my first day at CYM. The plan is to take Mondays and Tuesdays as study days whether I am at the college or at home. As well I this I will continue to work 14 hours at the abbey including some work at the local youth developement centre. I am also very excited to have Dave Wiles from Frontier Youth Trust as one of my tutors. They work with young people at risk.
I have just written 1000 words on my expectations and calling and my first 500 words essay on a book called "Dibs".
I will try and let you know how I get on and how I might grow in my faith so watch this space!
Love Sarah
I have completed the Trinity College Open Learning course on the Historical Books of the Old Testament. I had to sit an exam which was kind of tough but I got through it. I did write to many words though but we will see how it went!
This week I begin my 3 year degree course "Youth and Community and Practical Theology". This week I have to go on some community days with all the other students so please pray for me and my family who are home alone! Well Iain's there but you know what I mean.
On Monday next week I have my first day at CYM. The plan is to take Mondays and Tuesdays as study days whether I am at the college or at home. As well I this I will continue to work 14 hours at the abbey including some work at the local youth developement centre. I am also very excited to have Dave Wiles from Frontier Youth Trust as one of my tutors. They work with young people at risk.
I have just written 1000 words on my expectations and calling and my first 500 words essay on a book called "Dibs".
I will try and let you know how I get on and how I might grow in my faith so watch this space!
Love Sarah
Monday, 11 January 2010
Romans 11 v 33-36
We live, we are. God guides us through the Holy Spirit. He knows what is in store for us, He has a plan for our lives. We have a decision to make, go it alone, do what we want and try and make it on our own. Yep, we can do drugs, we can have sex with loads of people, we can treat people as we want to, not even God can stop us, but will we find peace? Not the peace that comes when two countries stop fighting, but true Shalom, God's peace. Will it bring us joy and happiness? Yes probably, some of it will be a laugh, good times, out on the pull, drinking, falling down in the gutter, in fact once I was a tomato but in the end it's temporary.
Peace comes when we truly trust in the Lord, when we take time to listen, when He inspires us and we wait on Him. Not stressing but quietly resting in His arms, trusting. A lesson I learnt whilst driving along, frustrated at the second tractor I'd got stuck behind when I remembered someone saying, if God needed me there early I would be, if it was OK to be late then that was OK to. I needn't waste my energy getting stressed. I sat back and eased my foot of the accelarater and relaxed.
That's what we need to do with our lives, chill out! Give it to God, he'll tell us when to go and at what speed. His timing, His work, His plan.
Peace comes when we truly trust in the Lord, when we take time to listen, when He inspires us and we wait on Him. Not stressing but quietly resting in His arms, trusting. A lesson I learnt whilst driving along, frustrated at the second tractor I'd got stuck behind when I remembered someone saying, if God needed me there early I would be, if it was OK to be late then that was OK to. I needn't waste my energy getting stressed. I sat back and eased my foot of the accelarater and relaxed.
That's what we need to do with our lives, chill out! Give it to God, he'll tell us when to go and at what speed. His timing, His work, His plan.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
I'm a Human "Being"
I'm reading a book called "A Permanent Becoming" It's about the "Fruits of the Spirit". It's making me think about being human. I wrote a little talk once after hearing Sandi Thom sing a song about it. "I don't know what it is but I know what I believe in, I believe in love and I love being a human being" I began to realise the joy in being human, what a special thing to be. Created by God, special and gifted. Love by him for no other reason than being me. This book is affirming that. Being a Christian does not set me apart from humans, its a celebration of my humanness, the fruits of the spirit are there as part of us to be used, not constrained by political correctness or the world around us. If someone is hurting or in trouble do not deny your nature, go to them, help them it's OK! Love as He has loved us.
The Fruits of the Spirirt:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.
What will you do with yours? It's OK to love, and be joyful, to be kind and gentle it doesn't make you a wuss, or weird it makes you human!!
The Fruits of the Spirirt:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.
What will you do with yours? It's OK to love, and be joyful, to be kind and gentle it doesn't make you a wuss, or weird it makes you human!!
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
The Quest for Noah's Ark
George and I snuggled up to watch a TV programme on Quest. It was about a quest for Noah's Ark, a guy looking to prove 3 things. Did Noah exist? Was there a flood? Was there an ark? Was my faith going to be shaken, would George ask questions but the more I hear the more my faith is affirmed. I am strangely excited about the possiblity of Noah being a Neolithic man. A man touched by God even before man could speak properly, someone who new the importance of this awesome diety that is God. I am excited about the Old Testament, the story behind my faith, the prophecies of the coming of our Lord. I am desparate to find out more. How and when God's words were put down, by whom and what was their relationship with our Father in heaven. The more I learn, the more I am blown away by the hugenss of God's intervention in the Cosmos, from the largest planet to the smallest microscopic life. It's all there the Alpha and the Omega, the begining and the end, who was and is and ever shall be. (Rev 1:8).
The guy in the programme interview an archeologist, he said Noah was probably a seer, a shaman, tribal leader, but in my book, no. He was an ordinary man who walked with God, not like the others worshiping other gods and spirits. He worshiped the one true God. He was a righteous and humble man, his position in life granted by the grace of God, not elevated to the height of a leader or king by man, but saved by the almighty God.
Like David, like Mary and Joseph, like me and you, an ordinary man, faithfull and called by name before birth. Loved by Him, cared for by Him, He only wanting the best for us as we do our own children.
He has called us by name and we are His (Isaiah 43:1) if only we would look to Jesus and recognise it. Knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find (Matt 7:7) When our eyes are opened his word takes shape, it has meaning, it helps us in our struggles, guides us and shapes us. To those who refuse to look it is foolishness, to us, the breathe of God, our living waters from which to drink. (John4:14) Come, rest in His arms, drink of that water, thirst no more, all you have to do is see Him.
The guy in the programme interview an archeologist, he said Noah was probably a seer, a shaman, tribal leader, but in my book, no. He was an ordinary man who walked with God, not like the others worshiping other gods and spirits. He worshiped the one true God. He was a righteous and humble man, his position in life granted by the grace of God, not elevated to the height of a leader or king by man, but saved by the almighty God.
Like David, like Mary and Joseph, like me and you, an ordinary man, faithfull and called by name before birth. Loved by Him, cared for by Him, He only wanting the best for us as we do our own children.
He has called us by name and we are His (Isaiah 43:1) if only we would look to Jesus and recognise it. Knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find (Matt 7:7) When our eyes are opened his word takes shape, it has meaning, it helps us in our struggles, guides us and shapes us. To those who refuse to look it is foolishness, to us, the breathe of God, our living waters from which to drink. (John4:14) Come, rest in His arms, drink of that water, thirst no more, all you have to do is see Him.
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