I see a near revival.

Hello, hello, hello!

So I've just returned from two weeks of utter madness - and in a good way! Week one I spent in Northern Ireland - working within the kids ministry at New Wine Ireland and week two I spent at Soul Survivor Scotland with my own church youth group. Talk about God turning up!

It's been crazy! I've been a Christian for eight years and been around Christians all my life - yet seeing God show up these past few weeks has been mental. God's working within the next generation and I am so excited to see it happen! (The use of exclamation marks shows my excitement...)

New Wine: So this is my second year of working at New Wine - I was a group leader this year and worked in a very loud (massive understatement), crazy, hyper group of kids. It took so much  energy - genuinely tired didn't even cover it. I'd been at a wedding the day before, so I was shattered and not really in the mood for loudness and kids running around. I believe God has a sense of humour. My kids just loved to run around, the first night (I was expecting shyness and meekness) I spent running after kids, shouting their names and calling on other leaders for help - was not expecting this! I ended the night absolutely exhausted and wondering why I was even here. That night I worshipped with some friends and prayed for my group (almost begrudgingly - I just wanted my bed!) The next day I was ready, pumped up and energized for the day - and what a day it was, another day of running misbehaving kids. I was really running out of patience. I began chatting to one of my kids and he told me that he wanted to give his life to Jesus - serious praises! I sat down with him and prayed, his mood altered and he changed. He still ran riot but he was loving and kind toward me. That night I gave it all to God again and went to sleep. Lets go to the Wednesday now, the mood had changed. Something had happened. During the talks the older kids were getting pictures and words (these are kids all around 10/11). They began openly praying for each other. It was amazing. Even in my own wee group my kids began listening and four more accepted Jesus into their lives. They began to follow Jesus that day and the change in them was crazy. They began to pray in the group and pray for healing. The ones who were too shy or stubborn to speak out were now praying for the kids at the front. One boy was healed (his younger brother was in my group), he promptly gave his life. This was a life-changing week. Parents came to me in tears, praising Jesus for what He had done in their children - it was unbelievable. God showed up.
   He's working with the young and rising up those who we may look on as too young to understand - but the change seen that week was incredible. Strong men and women of God were being created and made in that week, ministers, preachers, evangelists - I could give names to each of these. God was doing amazing things and is rising up a generation - watch this space.

Soul Survivor - Yes! Huge fan of Soul Survivor. Loved it in England, was looking forward to this one in Scotland. We went with our youth group of around thirteen and for the first time (in a long time) I was a youth leader - fully fledged. The first night was unreal and the enthusiasm was amazing. I was not expecting the kids in my youth group to be so involved by the first night - it was immense. The week went on and questions were asked, points were made and discussions were had. But at the main meetings the kids were incredible. Their pure love for God shone out and it was so exciting to see! On top of this the friendships shown within the youth group was amazing. When you see pure Godly friendships - you realise how wholesome and genuine they are. These kids loved each other and loved the Lord. I loved watching them interact with the word and with one another - it was amazing. Again, God showed up - and again He gave the group pictures and words - questions were asked surrounding the Holy Spirit and it was amazing to be able to work and journey with the kids as they discovered more of God. Not only that, but the overwhelming sense of God's love was so thick and tangible that I couldn't get enough. I got a complete peace and utter sense of trust in Him and it was amazing. God has began something here as well.

It's clear by everything that something is happening - God is on the move and He is rising up generations to prepare for what is going to happen. These kids are being equipped at young ages, to be teachers and warriors of Christ - how exciting is that!

I see a near revival. 

Gossip girl (part one - first impressions are everything)

I've finally introduced my boyfriend to the wonders of Downton Abbey. He actually loved it - although he'd never admit it. I have the first three series and I've watched them multiple of times. I know all the characters and their secrets, but Chris doesn't - this is all new to him. As we settled down to watch the first ever episode I was itching to tell him all about Thomas and his secret life and the other characters and what they get up to (especially Mary...) but I also didn't want to ruin it for him. That wouldn't have been fair. He would have had this expectation of the characters as soon as I had said anything about them, he would've had his opinion made far too early before he could decide on it himself.

The problem is; gossip and bitchiness is very much like this. We ruin other people's perceptions of people before they even know them. We destroy any chance of independent thought because we have already made a conscious effort to make what we think about them. There are many people I know who I know things about that I just shouldn't know. People whose names I can barely remember seemingly have their past etched onto my mind due to the act of someone else.

    I'm not saying for one minute that I don't do this - I do struggle with it. I also often give the excuse of 'but I'm a girl' but that doesn't work. Our gender shouldn't define what we are in a negative way. As girls of God we should endeavour to change people's perceptions of women. We shouldn't fall into gossip or bitchiness. It doesn't help, encourage or build anyone. We stop people's access to knowing other people because they are so warped by the things that we have said. We shouldn't ruin the character of someone else but let people make their own decision.

Imagine if someone introduced you with all your sin attached. You would be hated and ashamed. This should never be the way, if people don't know you, they don't need to know what you've done. So this shouldn't be the case for anyone else.

Gossip genuinely hurts and destroys. Peoples first impressions leave an impact - so let it be from them and not from you.

His name is higher than anything. His name heals diseases, sets the captives free, saves us. He is above all.