God loves people. Period. No “but..”, no “just if..”, no “except..” God loves people, unconditionally! And Jesus was the perfect representation of this lived out on earth. He entered a broken world, and showed us that there is a better way to live

What these people, like myself, needed was to meet a Father who is unconditional love. London can be lonely at the best of times, but if your heart is not feeling the unconditional love of the father, it can leave you without the security of family. The deepest and most secure fact you have in your life is that God, Our Father, loves you unconditionally.

Repetition in scripture was a literary form used to emphasise a point, like putting it in bold caps. Paul is saying, “don’t miss this!” In a passage dripping in meaning and has been called the ‘ground zero for theology of identity’, Paul is making it clear. The answer to the age-old question of why we are here and what is the meaning of life, he answers - To the praise of His glory.

We believe He was fully God but He was also fully human, and it’s the human aspect that adds SO MUCH to the story of Christ we all “know” so well.

Not only was He human, but He was also a Rabbi. And while this may not mean much on the surface, the more I dived into this, the more colour and meaning His story had – an incredible example of a life lived through love.

For me, worship is about thinking about God in all circumstances, contemplating who Jesus is, thinking about what He said.

Memorising Bible verses, writing them down on notecards and carrying them with me, letting verses “steep” as Pastor Phil would say. “Getting them in me”. Listening to what God is trying to show to me, and to others. Looking for clues of what He is doing. Constantly trying to tune in.

Worship, I believe, is nothing more or less than the act of living for God, and because of that we are all capable of ‘worship’ and can be considered worshippers.

To worship our Father is to treat Him as Holy and submit our lives to Him, to take every breath in reverence of the Creator of our lungs, to see the world as our Creator deemed it to be.

For some, it is a symbol of freedom, change, a new life, a new beginning, community, opportunity and the list goes on for each person. To me, I see the Cross as a realisation of ability. The Cross is a symbol of sacrifice and from that sacrifice comes a second chance. 

As I started this new adventure away from home, and as time went by and the pandemic hit, I was faced with a lot of big decisions. Should I go back home and be with my parents? Should I stay and keep working hard to accomplish my dream?

Am I being selfish by staying in London? So many thoughts came into my head at the time, as I’m sure it did for so many other people.

I first encountered the reality of God in worship – the reality that changed everything! I can still remember being struck by how people could love a God that they couldn’t see and the tangible presence I felt. For me, worship in spirit and truth is simply loving and acknowledging God above all else.

If you’re like me and struggle to separate what I do from who I am, you might find yourself starting to question whether you’re a Non-essential person. My gift isn’t important right now. I don’t feel like I have anything to contribute in this season. Nobody would notice if I wasn’t here. Am I Non-essential?

We long for the day we will enjoy time together around a table together as a body. It will be great, messy, noisy, in one spirit. Seeing others and being seen, loving and encouraging each other, finding a place to belong through the grace of God and just by being ourselves.

For me, the table represents a place of belonging. We meet at the table to discuss big plans and celebrate. Life happens with others at the table, and what better table to centre around than in God's presence?

Looking from the outside in, how does one get a seat? In the world today it would be easy to assume that it would require a lot of effort. Many ladders to climb just to be seen worthy for such an exclusive spot. However, God has always been clear through His word that that isn't the case.

Before we answer that question, what is fasting? Fasting is a form of self-denial (in favour of devotion to God). It is a denial of normal pleasures. It usually takes the form of fasting food or certain types of food.

But it can by extension cover more than that. Whatever it is (whatever form it takes), it is giving up for a predetermined period what is normally necessary and pleasurable. Eating is both essential and wonderful, as are other things.

A few years ago, the Lord said to me that I could wonder about my life, but not worry. I don’t need to worry, neither do you (read the passage again). Wondering implies

possibility and faith and curiosity. So anytime I find worry creeping in, I stop for a minute, think about these verses and switch my mind to wondering, and instead ask the Lord questions.

When we say we believe in someone, we are often referring to having confidence in that person’s ability to do something great or be of great character. We see potential in a situation. We give weight behind our demonstration of love.

The bible is full of examples of God believing in His people. One that springs to mind is the story of Gideon (found in Judges 6). Gideon had somewhat of a self-esteem issue, but God continued to call courage out of him until he was ready to face the Midianites. God chose and believed in Gideon.

When we say we believe in someone, we are often referring to having confidence in that person’s ability to do something great or be of great character. We see potential in a situation. We give weight behind our demonstration of love.

The bible is full of examples of God believing in His people. One that springs to mind is the story of Gideon (found in Judges 6). Gideon had somewhat of a self-esteem issue, but God continued to call courage out of him until he was ready to face the Midianites. God chose and believed in Gideon.

A good hairdresser is worth their weight in gold and Sam* knows exactly how I want my hair to look and has even taught me how to curl my dead straight hair (a miracle!). Over the years we have shared our life updates with each other; major life events, milestones - the good and bad. I've been on the journey with her as she got engaged and married, then as she and her husband bought their first home together, sharing the excitement and celebration that she felt. Sam is very driven, she has trained to become the salon manager, progressing in her career, taking pride in her achievements and running a tight ship!

When I became a Christian I still looked the same. I still had some of the same thoughts and the same feelings. There was one tiny detail missing - what was the real me? Jesus said that, “God is a Spirit and those who worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth,” (John 4:24).

Our whole world has been changed more than once in the space of a few months. No one has been left untouched by the events of 2020. In a time like this how do we process? How do we make sense?

We’re entering into what feels like the 75th week of lockdown and I’m having my usual Earl Grey as I sit to reflect on what’s been going on. At least we still have tea, I note as I take another sip and it’s funny how small comforts have taken precedence now. In a world of the big and the bold, the grand and the gigantic, we’re stopping now and longing for life’s little things.