Blessed

I was having one of those moments the other day whilst preparing for telling my story at lifegroup this week.reflecting on my life thus far, it is clear to me how God has blessed me,met me in my need , and been my rock when I have gone through tough times.

In the uk particularly we can be negative and moan loads about stuff,most which boils down to our laziness or apathy.It is a challenge of mine to walk against the grain and be different,reflecting my appreciation and gratitude of the life I have and aspire to live it in all it's fullness!

I challenge you to do the same.

Lou-going without knowing!

The Games continue......

Well... the Commonwealth Games continue and what a competition it has been thus far!
Unfortunately I haven't managed to watch as much as I would like due to work but I have followed the live streaming each day on the BBC and occasionally watched the review show in the evening.

Today yet more 'special' performances were made by British athletes. It is good to see so many athletes stepping onto the track and winning medals. Congrats to the England relay teams who finally got some metal to take home as a result of their hard work. What a come back by Mark Lewis Francis (MLF). He is certainly someone who has a never give up attitude. Respect to him!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9082591.stm

My favourite performance of the day is that of Tom Daley and his partner in the syncro diving competition. A convincing Gold medal winner after  a year of difficulty with injury and the illness of his dad. Another guy that has such a great attitude to life. What a role model for people young and old.

Disappointingly amongst the successes there has been yet another report of a Nigerian sprinter taking a stimulant which is on the banned substance list. Apparently it may have only just been added to the list. Never the less, disappointing and point blank cheating.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9078690.stm

I look forwards to the remainder of the Games.

I LOVE books!

As many of you know, I LOVE books. I'm a bit of a book worm. I haven't always enjoyed reading, especially when it is forced upon you to read material which you are not passionate about or the slightest bit interested in. However, since my late teens I have started to build my own little library.

The sort of books in my library include autobiographies of sportsmen and women, comedians, and academics; fiction books; story books; teaching and educational books, coaching guides; Christian books, guides, study notes and legendary texts such as that from A.W. Tozer (of which I have blogged about previously).

I have many books on the go at the moment. One which was recommended recently, called 'The Money Secret' by Rob Parsons is the one I am reading at the moment. This book has been very helpful.

Money can be an issue which is avoided... so I thought it would be good for me to read. I am just over half way through having bought the book last week. This book is very readable as advice is given through a story not simply a list of do's and don'ts. There is loads of advice in it which I didn't know about. So I feel a bit more clued up to the tricks of things such as credit and store cards, interest free offers, and how to keep a check on income and expenditure. If anything, the most useful part of reading this book has been to remind myself of how I am blessed to be in a secure financial situation and to be wiser with how I use money in a way which will honor God both now and for my future!

Let the games begin!

So..after many difficulties the Commonwealth games 2010, Deli, has begun.

http://http//news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9056452.stm

Naturally, I have kept a close eye of the preparations and build up to Deli 2010. I really hope Deli is remembered for the right reasons. I'm sure there will be many fantastic performances that will come out of the games.

This is one of my favourite so far (Women's 48kg weightlifting- commonwealth champ at 17 years old)!

http://http//news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9058255.stm

I guess the circumstances that athletes face out there will be the true test of what they are made of! I watch will interest!

crazy Love!

Crazy Love is the title of a book by Francis Chan I have been reading over the last 8 weeks. Its only a small book, but has been THAT challenging that I have spent much time mulling it over and re-reading sections. There are very few books that do this for me. However this is one which I seriously recommend.

In short Crazy Love is a book about God's love for his people and as a result of this how we should love those around us- friends, family, colleagues, ands those who are complete strangers whom we come into contact each day.

It is obvious that from this book the author himself has been seriously challenged by the very own message he is writing about. This spurs me on even more to follow the call that God has put on my life to live life in all its fullness for his Glory, using all the gifts he has blessed me with.

Reading this book has coincided with a change in life for me. New job, new term, new training season, fresh vision for the year ahead at Gateway Church, Poole. Much of this has spoken to me about living a life of adventure- to not sit on the fence, in a luke warm life of not really anything. This is a on going challenge.

So... I recommend this book to you. Read it if you dare, if you want to be changed. It may be difficult but definitely worth it. All for the King!

Lou x