Reason no. 240...

Sitting inside in the middle of a thunderstorm and watching/listening to it from my warm bedroom! The power and amount of water falling is incredible. Reason no. 240 :)

Reason no. 239...

Colour is something that puts a smile on my face! For me it represents God releasing joy :) This week I've spent several hours just doing painting and collage! Reason no. 239 :)

Reason no. 238...

This week I've been really productive in beginning revision. Exams are still a few weeks away but since I've been very unproductive the rest of the semester I've decided to start now so I'm not in a manic stress a week before! As I go through it I'm finding a fresh joy in my course and what God's called me into. I'm excited with the different groups of people I could be working with in the future and the potential for God to do so much in those areas. Today I'm grateful for the fresh passion God has given me for the course - definitely important for the exam build-up! Reason no. 238 :)

Reason no. 237...

This week I've been back in lectures and I'm finding it soooo interesting. We looked at rules of conversation in linguistics & phonetics. It's fascinating learning about stuff we all do automatically, for example with use of eye contact in turn taking - how the listener looks at the speaker and how the speaker often looks away - which is their way of saying it's still there go at speaking! Then in anatomy we started looking at cleft lips and palate - it's amazing to think just how easy it is for things to go wrong - yet the amount of times it doesn't is truly incredible. Reason no. 237 :)

Reason no. 236...

Just tried on my year 13 prom dress and it still fits!!! Yesssss! I was slightly worried that I'd have to go on a long shopping trip in an attempt of finding a new one- but no need for that! Plus, it's just encouraging to know I haven't put on loaaads of weight! Reason no. 236 :)

Reason no. 235...

Food is definitely a reason... all the different tastes and flavors and the accomplishment in baking/cooking something nice!!! Reason no. 235 :)

Reason no. 234...

I've never seen the Passion of Christ, but stumbled across the song: Because You Loved Me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46JlGITwe80

I love the lyrics:

'You were my strength when I was weak,

You were my voice when I couldn't speak,

 You were my eyes when I couldn't see.

...

Because You loved me.'

Thank you God that today You will equip me in my lack. As I struggle to find the words, when I find conversations hard, You will be my side and will help get me through. As I struggle through all the revision, lectures the tutorials this week - You will give me strength and grace to see it through. As I struggle to manage my time effectively, You will give me strategy to get everything that needs to be done done. Thank you God! Reason no. 234 :)

Reason no. 233...

This morning I was reminded about this kids song! It's fun, puts a smile on my face and the little memories that accompany it make me laugh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5qn3Hz8aqU . Reason no. 233 :) 

Reason no. 232...

On Friday, I went to see: 'God's Not Dead' at the cinema. I'm so pleased I was able to see it and that it was actually showing in Manchester. The story was interesting and I definitely came away thing about the following things:

1) God's not dead! He's alive today.

2) 'God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!' (A little phrase said throughout.)

3) God wants us to take hold of the opportunities He puts before us and He'll equip us!

4) Following Him is not always easy - it can lead to sacrifice, for example in the film it was various relationships.

5) God's timing is perfect!

Reason no. 232 :)

Reason no. 231...

I've just had a lovely hour or so preparing a few little 'treasures' to be hidden around where I live. Over Easter a friend did something similar in her town and I thought it was amazing: http://www.rachhopeful.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-hope-egg-hunt.html#comment-form ! So, 3 little chocolates and a mini note are now going to be hidden! What fun!!! :) God is fun, creative and good yet again! Reason no. 231 :)

Reason no. 230...

The joy of living in a city - movies that don't make it into every cinema in the UK stand a greater chance of reaching one near by! Today I'm off to see: God's Not Dead. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjo5f9eiX8. Once again it's exciting to see Christians moving in the film industry and carrying God presence into that setting. Reason no. 230 :)

Reason no. 229...

I love watching cardboard testimonies of what God has done in people's lives - God's so good! A friend posted this link on facebook - it's from the church I grew up in as a kid. http://www.kingshastings.org/news/item/206 There's so many stories of God transforming lives. Reason no. 229 :)

Reason no. 228...

The girl has an amazing voice: http://faithtap.com/913/christina-grimmie-in-christ-alone/ ... The best thing about it is that she's on The Voice in America. It's exciting to see Christians being raised up in areas such as the music industry, where they're able to influence and carry God's presence into that area. Reason no. 228 :)

Reason no. 227...

I received a lovely little Easter card from my friend yesterday! I love getting post/letters! Reason no. 227 :)

Reason no. 226...

One really productive morning in the library! I made it in for 8am and was greeted by a really smiley - happy cleaner! She definitely brightened up my day :) In fact a lot of the cleaners around the uni, especially in my halls of residence are really cheerful and always saying hello - so lovely! Reason no. 226 :)

Reason no. 225...

The Easter song - Remember Me, sung by Sam Cox is great! The animation video that goes with it is so good too. People are so talented and seeing them use it for God's glory is exciting! The lyrics are a reminder of what Easter is all about and God's heart for His people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhFBX5ZSySo#t=178

'I will give my life for you, it's what I willingly do.'

...

 'I give myself for You, you can be free.'

...

'Remember every time that God loves all of You'

Reason no. 225 :)

Reason no. 224...

It's the Easter weekend! Jesus is alive - He didn't stay dead. Having been beaten, nailed to a cross, hurled abuse and mocked...Jesus endured death. He knew what the pain and the separation from His father would cost, yet He went through it all knowing what was to come. It meant that what was my debt (sin) and what should have been my punishment is now totally satisfied. (The wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23.) He paid the price of all my sin - every mean and impure thought, every lie, every time I've cut God out of the picture, every time I've not met God's perfect standard - He dealt with it all. What does that now mean? It means that all charges against me  have been dropped - Jesus settled it all on my behalf. Through Jesus' death I'm now forgiven. All guilt and shame have no place, because of what He did. The amazing thing is Jesus didn't stay dead - He rose again in victory! He's alive today and He still loves me! He loved me enough to die for me and He loves me enough to bring me into His family. He's made me His daughter, loved, forgiven, filled with His hope, joy and peace. This is my Saviour! Reason no. 224 :)

Reason no. 223...

It's Good Friday! Through His death, I'm now alive. I'm able to enter into a life of grace, joy, hope, peace and love. He was beaten and crucified, His blood poured out and now I can come into the presence of the King and be adopted into the family of the living God. He's done it all and my words and my actions have no part to play. He's so good. What a joy to live for Him! Reason no. 223 :)

Reason no. 222...

My grandparents house is so nice. Their house backs onto a lovely field, which has sheep in the distance. So, we got the binoculars out and watched them! Compared to where they were living last year, it's so near too. Reason no. 222 :)

Reason no. 221...

Recently I've had the time to do lots of poetry which has been amazing! Here's one I wrote this morning:

In Your presence everything changes,

Darkness trembles as Your light breaks in,

The sick are made well and the dead rise up,

Hopeless situations are turned around.

In Your presence everything changes,

The captives are released into freedom,

Depression is lifted and joy floods in,

Fear is traded for unending peace.

In Your presence everything changes,

Law is put to death and grace takes over,

Sorrow encounters You and laughter comes,

Bitterness built up is soon broken down.

In Your presence everything changes,

Shame and condemnation are cut off,

The lies of the enemy are silenced,

The hearts of the broken are restored,

In Your presence everything changes.

Reason no. 221 :)

Reason no. 220...

A little quote I found on facebook this morning by Jefferson Bethke:

'Don't let circumstances define you. Lean into what He 

says about you. Circumstances change, God doesn't.'

It can be so easy to let situations affect how we see ourselves. When everything is going well - we feel great, when everything isn't going as we'd hoped for our perspective quickly shifts. Thankfully the way God sees us never changes. Reason no. 220 :)

Reason no. 219...

Had a lovely day catching up with some old friends who I haven't seen in ages. Plus the weather was gorgeous! Reason no. 219 :)

Reason no. 218...

YESSSSS! Thank you God! Just been offered a job with an international school. It involves organizing activities - sporty, arty, etc...plus going on different excursions! I'm so excited :) Reason no. 218 :) 

Reason no. 217...

Found this lovely picture on Pinterest today! People's creativity mixed with truth is one good mix :)

Reason no. 217 :)

Reason no. 216...

Pinterest has definitely become a great tool in revision! I've started collecting loads of online resources to help get me through the exams. It's been so helpful! This morning I woke up really worried about the HUGE quantity of work I've got to get through, but God's definitely helped provide a strategy and has blessed with a very productive day today! Thank you God! Reason no. 216 :)

Reason no. 215...

Thank you God...

“Our joy in Him may be a fluctuating thing: His joy in us knows no change.”

 Hudson Taylor

What an awesome truth!

Reason no. 215 :)

Reason no. 214...

Recently I've joined a facebook blogging society linked with the uni. It's great for getting little comments and encouragements from other people. Encouragement is so good, upbuilding and most certainly puts a smile on your face. It's definitely reminded me of the impact of encouragement! Reason no. 214 :)

Reason no. 213...

One morning spent back with Gateway Church. It's amazing how much it's grown, having now moved over to 2 meetings! Plus, it's lovely to see some old friends again. I then had a chilled afternoon of baking chocolate brownies...yum yum yummmm! Sundays are great. Thank you God for rest! Reason no. 213 :)

Reason no. 212...

Today is the day that You have made.

Let my soul rejoice and be glad.

You are good in all of Your ways.

Your unending love never fails.

You've pursued me all of my days.

You're watching over me day after day.

You protect and You shelter.

You give strength to the weak.

You're singing over me.

You've made me Your daughter.

You're faithful to Your promises.

You never let me down.

You're my Saviour and my shepherd.

You're my strong deliverer.

You're mighty to save.

You're victorious in battle.

You remain the undefeated champion.

May You bring fresh revelation.

Let them not be mere words on a page.

Awaken my soul.

Let praise overflow.

Reason no. 212 :)

Reason no. 211...

My mum just passed on an old coat that she no longer wanted. It's really nice, I needed a new one, plus it was free! Reason no. 211 :)

Reason no. 210...

This is such a good song - especially the chorus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hi-VMxT6fc#aid=P9FghJ-pBfg

'...As Your love, in wave after wave

Crashes over me, crashes over me

For You are for us

You are not against us

You made a way for all to enter in.'

Your love, the fact that You are for us and not against us, You made a way for us to come before You and spend eternity with You! Reason no. 210 :)

Reason no. 209...

I'm so excited for the film: 'Heaven is for real' that's coming out in a month's time. (Check out the trailer below!) I think it'll be really good for making you think about what happens when you die and for getting excited about what's to come. It's so easy to live for each day, or think about a few years down the line - but to think about eternity and what God has in store for us is so important too! Reason no. 209 :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-ewaCVARtM

Reason no. 208...

It's amazing to see people imagine, design and create and to see it appreciated by others. The beauty of the design, the time taken and the skill involved is amazing. The fact that some creations stand the test of time is even more amazing - just like the Eiffel Tower.

Reason no. 208 :)

Reason no. 207...

Colour. Beauty. Nature.

One of my favorite photos from my trip in Paris.

Reason no. 207 :)

Reason no. 206...

A little poem I wrote today. It so easy to put Jesus in second place without realizing, but He's so worthy of being number one...and from that thought this poem was written. 

Jesus

You are the centerpiece of history.

It begins and it ends with You.

You are worthy of my time.

You are worthy of my attention.  

It is because of You freedom is here.

Through You I now stand:

redeemed, alive and sanctified.

Let me not forget:

all that You have done for me.

Starting with salvation,

the blessings just keep going.

Your vast love overflows:

through all of my days,

through generation after generation,

to the ends of the earth. 

You died and broke the curse,

death now has no hold on me,

my shame, my guilt, my sin,

all that once weighed me down

has been lifted off.

As far as the east is from the west -

That's how far You removed them.

My transgressions are gone.

They're forgotten.

I'm now clean - marked with purity. 

It's all because of You.

It's nothing to do with me.

You loved me just as I was,

and You love me just the same.

You've called me into Your family.

You've made me Your daughter

and that's only just the start.

Your goodness abounds

again and again and again.

How good it is to be loved by You.

Reason no. 205...

One thing I loved about being in Paris was all the amazing food. I love cakes, croissants and all the lovely little sweet things! Reason no. 205 :)

Reason no. 204..

As we were walking down a street in Paris we saw a mini film crew. I turned to my friend and joked that we should star in it. We then spent the morning in another part of Paris. On the way back the film crew approached us and asked us if they could film us for a few minutes! Whether we were actually any good at the whole acting side of - I'm not too sure! But the memory and how it all happened is great!! Reason no. 204 :)

Reason no. 203...

I had such a wonderful time in Paris with some very lovely people. From exploring the streets to climbing the Eiffel Tower, to seeing the Mona Lisa, to simply sitting in the sunshine - it was a great few days. Reason no. 203 :)

Reason no. 202...

Had a good journey back home and am enjoying being back with my family! Off to Paris in a few hours with a few friends from uni, which should be great! :) Reason no. 202 :)

Reason no. 201...

I'm going home today!! I can't wait. To be back with my family, see some old friends and just not having to do everything for myself will be amazing! :) Reason no. 201 :)