Let God Speak (but how to listen?)

Been thinking about God's calling over the last few days, and here's some of what came to mind...

We all have times in our life where we need to hear from God. The best way is usually to listen to what those directly around us say - those people who know us more than anyone, and also those who work on first impressions - both have their place in God's speaking.

Also, at the heart of it all, we must examine ourselves - not just the bits that we like, but the whole: what does our attitude, what we say, the way we say it or do it say to those around us - and if this is who we truly are, then does it fit into what we believe God is calling us to do. But it requires self, and others, to be totally honest. What do we think and believe about ourselves, and what do others think and believe about us? (Requires some out-of-the-box thinking!)

If God is calling us to something, then the "I" that someone is must be reflected inside and out - not just 'show' for those around. If going into a caring profession, then a person must be genuinely caring. If becoming a footballer then that person must give the time to training, keeping fit, practicing - there's no point putting yourself forward for Man United if you're a 20 stone, chain-smoking couch potato who bad-mouths others in the team!

Bottom line: First and foremost, be honest with and about yourself; get people to be honest about you. Not forgetting, of course, pray hard. Remember that God is a God of reality, not of Fairytale.

Well, that was just some of my thoughts. Anyone else want to comment?! Let's discuss...

Be Kind to Pigeons

From a Chinese fortune cookie:
Be kind to pigeons. A statue will some day be made of you.

None of us knows for definite what will happen in the future; nor can we be sure that those who we have power over now will never become greater than us.

A humble and compassionate heart today will mean we have less far to fall tomorrow.

Thought for the Week

This year in my job I've been asked to co-produce the "Thought for the Week" items for Frome Community College. I've just done the second one, and have decided to put them on here, too! I produce one a fortnight, so do check beck every so often - hopefully it will spur me on to blogging more often again!

Habit of a Lifetime?

On average, it is said that a habit takes 30 days to break

This depends on will power and what the habit is

In the next month imagine what you could accomplish by changing one negative habit into something positive

curly hair with straightners

This is my first post as a married man!

Today Claire asked if she could teach me how to curl her hair - with straightners!! weird.

Anyhow, I gave it a go and seemed to get the nack quite quickly. What I couldn't quite believe is that I found it quite therapeutic - not that I'm going to change career or anything, but it just shows that it's always worth being open to trying new things!