As You Wish...

A fave film of mine is called 'The Princess Bride’. It’s a beautiful, wholesome fairy tale, packed with romance, high adventure, pirates, princess, giants, fencing, miracles…and a deliciously crazy mad dose of clever humour. 

"As you wish", is the strapline of the film, often quoted by Westley - who is one of the two main characters.  He says this, whenever his master and childhood sweetheart – Princess Buttercup - makes demands upon him, her farm boy…to clean this, demolish this…and clear that. She is totally oblivious to his undying love for her. Eventually she also develops a deep love for him, but then there’s a wee glitch in the matrix where Westley suddenly dies and they are separated forever.  She is inconsolable.  But unbeknown to her, Westley actually survives…and becomes a pirate. 

However, as time goes by, they are reconciled once again, both finding themselves simultaneously fleeing the evil Prince Humperdinck.  Buttercup is unaware that this masked Pirate, whom she despises so much, is in fact her beloved Westley.  And so, when finding themselves in all sorts of life threatening situations, the princess ignorantly proceeds to tell this whatless pirate exactly how to go about saving them.  Unable to reveal his true identity, the wise, strong, invincible Pirate humbly suggests otherwise, but in typical Buttercup style, her royal highness weeps, tosses, sulks and insolently paces around - until she gets her own way, often to her own detriment.  And Westley, knowing far better, yet unwilling to violate Buttercups free will, shrugs his shoulders, and gives her exactly what she asks for.

In Buttercup’s defence, she isn’t trying to be bossy, or demanding…or sulky…she isn’t trying to large it and stubbornly pull her weight around…she just doesn’t know how to trust anyone,  given that she’s had her heart shattered so deeply…and the pain…the disappointment…the loss…has rendered her broken…she just can’t take any more sorrow…and so she lets her emotions totally rule her…and although Westley her true love is right there all along…who can totally see the bigger picture and is in complete control…and even though, all that is needed is for her to just trust him and his wisdom, love and strength…she can’t because she’s tunnel-visioned…and so in her limited wisdom, her impatience and in her woundedness she demands that she gets her own way…because she just "CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" (Sound familiar??) And so Westley just relents…knowing the consequences will be painful and harmful for all involved…but taking the “tough love” approach and letting Buttercup learn the hard way…he simply says “as you wish”.

I’m sure God at times, is forced to do that, with us too.  I’m sure there have been occasions when we so badger Father God that He just relents and says “okay sugar…in my permissible will, I’m gonna give you what you want”!!  And so we get our own way.  Wow that’s a scary thing…to know that we have the liberty to force God to give us what we WANT, rather than what we NEED! To my relief, I truly have to say that, in His beautiful Love and Wisdom He has not given me what I want. Even at my most desperate…at my most demanding…at my most stubborn…if what I have been asking for has not been in line with His will, I sincerely thank God that, He has not let me have my own way.  He has not succumbed to my pleading…my begging…my weeping…and my pathetic arguing…He has not given in to my emotional outbursts however sincere or heartfelt they may have been to me.  Instead, He has comforted me, quietened my soul and strengthened me with His presence yet He has thankfully, shielded me from my own desires.  And time and time again in hindsight, I have been able to see why He has done that...why upon reflection “my way” just wasn’t the best way.

I think back to all the times that I have appeased God…certain that I will crumble and die if things don’t change…adamant that what I am asking for, is exactly what God would want for me for that season too…confident that what I desire for myself must surely be the right thing for me and for those around me…convinced that I am ready and mature enough to handle the very thing that I desire…only to find God saying No, or not yet…or not in this way…or not with this person…

And at that time, although I don’t understand why my desires are not being met…and even though I am desperate to see change, and even though I am filled with wonder and even confusion regarding what I must be doing so wrong to not have what others attain so easily…even then, I am aware that I just do not see the bigger picture.  I just do not have the divine insight that He has.  And as much as I may plead, beg, pace up and down, lament and even manipulate God… with every seemingly rejected prayer, shattered dream, delayed trial, overdue blessing…His ways will ALWAYS be higher than mine…and so deep down, despite the ups and downs, despite my innermost secret and unfulfilled petitions I am able to trust Him implicitly - knowing that He is far too faithful and far too loving to let me have my own way.  And I am so deeply grateful...because no matter what my desires may be...ultimately I only want Him to give me what’s best for me, and not, what I wish for.

xx

Championed

Sometimes we can find it really hard to champion our own abilities...our gifts...our talents. So, often times we just don't push ourselves...we don't strive for the next level...and we don't invest in ourselves...simply because somewhere along the line perhaps we're just not that confident in what we carry...maybe we don't even know if we've even got anything to be getting happy about...and if we think we have got something special then we just wanna stay humble and not be bragging about it...other times we're just too fearful of failing, or scarier still...succeeding?

Or if you're anything like me...maybe you're pretty much content bopping along doing your thing, not needing to even put yourself out there...just keeping it simple...blessed with your portion…growing in your creativity and expanding your borders bit my bit from the inside out!  Haha...BUT that was me up until recently…cause you see SUDDENLY to my complete and utter amazement...BAMMMMM! I got CHAMPIONED!

CHAMPIONED: To vigorously support or defend the cause of.

Informal - stick up for, throw one's weight behind, plug.

Synonyms: Advocate, promote, plead for, hold a torch for, defend, protect, uphold, support, back, espouse, ally oneself with, stand behind, stand up for, take someone's part, campaign for, lobby for, fight for, battle for, crusade for, take up the cudgels for; propose, sponsor, vouch for, second;

See the way I understand it, being CHAMPIONED goes far beyond even the general level of amazing support and encouragement we may receive from friends and loved ones, who genuinely interested in what we are doing, will lovingly and enthusiastically support us, promote us and encourage us to step out in our God given destinies. But you see to be CHAMPIONED speaks of something far stronger…it speaks of having someone definitely come alongside you, invest in you, vigorously support you, ally one's self with you and not only perceive greatness within you but choose to invest in the greatness that they believe you carry.

"Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself."

― Edmund Lee

Amazingly, when you are lavished with this type of unprecedented sponsorship…where you are divinely aligned with people who so passionately believe in you, are so invested in you, that they are willing to pour their time, skill, finances, counsel and prayers into your destiny, you find you actually have no choice but to see in yourself what other's can see in you. You are propelled to go higher…and give your own destiny all you have. No longer permitted to keep your light hidden, safely tucked away, gathering dust…and contentedly risking nothing, suddenly, you are compelled to face your fears and actually believe you carry something that could make a difference.

You know, I'm not entirely sure, but I think there is a risk that some folk just won't fulfil their destiny unless they are championed by another.  You see, somewhere along the line, I think our vision can often get blurry when it comes to our own gifts and abilities.  We can get so determined to maintain a humble and pure heart, not wanting to promote ourselves for the fear of having selfish ambition or going ahead of God, that we sometimes lose sight of what God has divinely put in us and what He does want us to boldly pursue, being confident that He is right there championing us.  Not only was the greatest demonstration of God championing us on the cross but He absolutely still continues to champion our lives today.  Often through others. 

And so it's a beautiful thing.  When someone passionately, vigorously invests in us - I think it releases us to actually see ourselves and our God given potential through heaven's eyes...it's almost as if we suddenly put on our SONglasses and BAM our vision clears.  We suddenly see that it's absolutely okay to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and at the same time to pursue your dreams, because ultimately they are from God anyway.  When God is our greatest desire, our dreams can never take His place and so we don't have to fear them...and the more we hang out with Him the more we learn how to navigate through the pursuit of our God given dreams and not only that, we enjoy reaching them with others.

To champion or to be championed is no light thing.  There is immense joy and reward for all involved.  It's a heavenly strategy for success I believe.  For you reap what you sow.  Those who champion other's, get championed.  So let's champion one another as a lifestyle.  Let's fearlessly, passionately empower one another and release heaven's culture of victory into our generation. x

This blog post is dedicated to the designer of the new Living in Light website, my beautiful friend Bianca who has simply taken my breath away with her championing heart. 

(Although I have been so stoked by so many incredibly special people who have invested in my life in so many amazing ways.  Thank you thank you thank you to each and every one of you!!)

Out with the Old...and in with the New

The Bible tells us that there's just no point in putting new wine in old wineskins - because the tired worn out material wouldn't be able to sustain the new and fresh substance…it's the notion that old mindsets cannot sustain the new.  A principle that I will wholeheartedly apply to my life as I leave a year behind and look ahead towards the freshness of a new year…a new season…a new lifecycle…

Yet it's far easier said than done…haha…because you have to first undertake the challenge of identifying what is now old in your life and recognising that which pertains to the new…

And so over the next few days I will endeavour to reflect.  I absolutely love doing that.  And just thinking about it isn't enough for me - I need to get strategic and sit and plan in God's presence…you know…think…chew…and get it down on paper!  I'll get a nice cup of rosy lea and my journal - I'll be thoughtfully evaluating the entire year - I'll sit for a long time reflecting and scribbling away.

With painful honesty.  With hindsight.  And with a determination to be better…I'll be searching my heart and my life.  My dreams and my desires.  My successes and my failures.  And all the priceless life lessons and character building that 2013 has brought me.

With God's help, I'll endeavour to identify all the attitudes…the mindsets…the habits…the relationships…the lifecycles…the projects…the diets…the resources - and everything else that will find itself out of sync with the timely freshness of 2014…and hopefully I'll be able to recognise all the good stuff - the fruitbearing treasures that I need to keep running with.

And with excitement, resolution and faith I'll write down the vision.

And then I will ask for the strength and grace to be able to let go of all that ultimately isn't going to amount to anything…and wholeheartedly seek the wisdom, character and passion needed to embrace the good and the new…(And if I were to be perfectly honest…I'll then underline and draw over all the stuff that I've written…I'll doodle and decorate…adding some stars, sparkles and swirls around my words…!)

And I'll sit back and smile…with an anticipation of all that's to come.  And soooo, I will carry out this lil ritual of mine endeavouring to enter 2014 with a somewhat prepared and renewed mind…

And hopefully…as the fresh glory of 2014 breaks out all over the gaff…with New Wineskins I will indeed carry New Wine…

x x x

Everybody wants to Sparkle

"When you look at me do I sparkle?"…That's what Mahoney asked the accountant in the film Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium….I watched it with my niece a while ago…when she said that I thought…cheesy cheesy lemon squeezy…but then I couldn't help but think about it a little bit more…and actually Mahoney I'm tres sorry for thinking you were mega corny…because as it happens you're not at all corny - you're just like everyone else!!

Image from http://wallpaperswa.com

Because that's everyone's heart isn't it…to sparkle…obviously some want to sparkle more than everybody in the whole wide world…but that's not really how it should be…you can't live your life trying to be better or fitter or prettier…or more talented than everybody else…you just have to remain true to yourself and sparkle in your own special way.  That's reassuring isn't it - to know that you don't have to be the BEST EVERYTHING, only the BEST YOU…but it also means that you have to be rather darn militant about anything that tries to get in the way of this happening…

Soooooooo, as you and I prepare to enter a new year lets endeavour to get rid of everything in our lil old lives that stops us from illuminating…I'm telling ya…I reckon we'll all be walking around with invisible shades on throughout this coming year  with the sheer illumination of the lives that surround us…including mine…including yours…x x x

The Romans 8:28 Challenge

Most often than not, whenever I find myself faced with a bit of a challenge or difficult unfathomable scenario...up pops that familiar verse from Romans 8:28...that assures me that God will work all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose! And so whenever I do face a glitch in the matrix, I tell myself to not sweat the small stuff because according to Romans 8:28 God's got this covered…right???? Yet time and time again, if truth be told, my faith is challenged by my true level of confidence in these life giving words of seemingly great comfort. In reality, when the poo hits the fan...just how sincerely do I really believe these Words??? How confidently do I trust that YES for sure God will definitely work this hot mess out for good…and it will totally be worth it!

I found myself faced afresh with the Romans 8:28 challenge this weekend as I enjoyed the best time ever at David's Tent in West Sussex...until Saturday that is, when right out of the blue came a wasp straight from the demonic realm who stung me right smack bang on my mouth!! Soooo painful...I literally deflated...all energy and joy left me...the swelling was excruciating and I looked like I'd been at war with a Botox needle. And then once that little drama settled I had to deal with a flat battery in my car and call the AA out only to be told that I would need to jumpstart my car back to London...I then lost my car keys on Sunday afternoon whilst still at David's Tent, so had to leave all my stuff in West Sussex and try and work out how I would get home to London and then back up to Brighton the next day with a spare car key, to collect all my stuff and get my motor jumpstarted. And all the while, I have Romans 8:28 brewing in my heart...yet my head is secretly whispering..."Really God? How can any good come out of this?"

I get a lift to London and in the meanwhile they find my keys at David's Tent so I arrange to come back that night and Victor...amazing amazing Victor from my church agrees to drive me back up to David's Tent. It's pitch black when we get there...the field that was only a few hours ago teeming with thousands of people, lights, worship and activity is now just empty land, silent - without any movement or even the mere glimpse of light. Two security guards are the only one's on site, and Steve, one of the guards is holding my lost car key. He drives me to my car in his buggy holding up the torch up for me whilst I pack all my stuff and load it into my car...faithful Victor works on connecting the jump leads to my car. As I pick up my bags and take them to my car I am also holding on to Romans 8:28…it keeps me focused. I start talking to Steve about random stuff. He tells me that he has had to work really long hours at David's Tent...17 hour shifts. He can't wait to have a break. He's tired. His arm is hurting really badly from an injury he got whilst mowing the lawn and he can't move it. The verse pops into my head again as I wonder if Steve will get healed tonight.

He tells me he does a tribute act for Michael Jackson when he's not on security. He comes alive suddenly with passion, talking about something he clearly enjoys. I ask him to sing for us and he does. He makes us smile and our hearts are filled with love for him. He shows us some pictures on his phone of him performing and then gets ready to go back to his post. But before he leaves I tell him we are not mad…that the last five days that he has just witnessed with thousands of people worshipping Jesus day and night in sweet abandon isn't lunacy - it's our response to Jesus' love. I tell him that Jesus loves him too and has a plan for him...and then I ask if I can pray for his arm and he's totally up for it. It's dark and chilly and we can hear the gentle humming of my car engine getting jumpstarted as we lay hands on Steve. It seems totally normal - to be praying for healing for a security guard at 10.30pm at night in a pitch black, empty field whilst waiting for a car to be jumpstarted. Smiles. The anointing is as thick as fog and it feels totally delicious. No sooner have I stopped praying, when Victor asks Steve if he'd like to say the prayer of salvation...I smile and say..."err steady on Vic, shall we maybe tell him what salvation is first?" We laugh and then I share the gospel with Steve.

We ask him again if he'd like to receive Christ as his Lord and Saviour and he says YES...his whole being says YES...the sparkle in his eyes say YES…Victor leads him into a beautiful prayer of salvation...And so Steve gives his heart to Jesus. And Romans 8:28 envelopes the atmosphere. Victor breaks it down further for him...telling him about the blood of the Lamb...the precious precious blood and what it's done for Steve....We pray over him again speaking blessing over him and his family...as we're praying, God reveals that He had divinely ordained for Steve to be at David's Tent...sitting under the heavy weighty anointing of worship as the sound of heaven was being released over this land because this precious young man was called to sing songs over this nation. I share this with Steve...he's blown away ...speechless...in awe...we talk to him about his amazing destiny...it's like the light of God has arrested him. He's visibly moved. We ask him to check his arm. He moves it in amazement - he no longer feels as much pain. We pray again and he is completely healed. He is stunned. We take his details so Victor can stay in contact with him and make sure he is able to grow in his faith… and then we part ways.

We're totally buzzing...driving back down the M23 like we're on speed...except we're not...because we don't need drugs...we're high on the goodness of God...knowing that God's Word is so faithful and trustworthy...knowing that no matter what happens...no matter how crazy things may appear to get, God will ALWAYS work it all for our good...this keeps our faith steadfast…and as we navigate through the storms of life, riding on the sure waves of Roman's 8:28...we will see God faithfully work things out for good time and time again...yet each time He drops a Romans 8:28 in the mix...no matter how much you expect it…no matter how sure you are that it will happen, when it does happen you’re once again left in complete awe...totally floored at just how ridiculously unbelievably GOOD He does actually work it all out after all…x

The Eternal Must Have...

I'm not entirely sure how I feel reading this article...on one level its totally misinformed, irreverent and a violation of who Christ is. But then in another way, the author has somehow seemed to have grasped how beautiful, gracious and just His ways are...

Yet to have all that Jesus stood for, reduced to a mere fashion fad?...And then to read that Christ is hot and on trend? Isn't that kind of totally inappropriate??? I'm thinking on some level, absolutely Yes...but if truth be told, knowing that Jesus Christ has become á la Mode, somehow kind of thrills me! To think masses of people are going to all of a sudden deem Christ attractive because Vogue - society's long reigning fashion Bible, says so...that untold fashion followers will be compelled to Google the Lamb of God to find out why this dude is dictating the trends...to know that His name is going to be splashed across fashion magazines, tabloids and style blogs simply delights me...because for Jesus to become fashionable - that's big news - to have Him show up in the fashion industry in this way is pretty darn exciting...to think He is this season's Must Have look (even with all the misconceptions) is most definitely encouraging...

Yet let's face it, confining Christ to a mere season just won't cut it...He is not someone you can adorn for Autumn/Winter and then ditch in the Spring/Summer for a newer fad...His style is eternal...so as excited as I am that Christ is on trend, I refuse to believe that He will be just a passing fad. He is not here for a mere season...instead I am convinced that He is so ready to permeate the fashion industry, so willing to arrest the hearts of the fashionistas, the style queens and trendsetters alike, that He will be far more than even a classic that never dates...but that He would become the indelible, eternal wardrobe essential that people would choose to literally never ever be seen dead without. x

Jesus, He's hot! The Son of God is having a Fashion Moment

Someone's Love Encounter

On Tuesday I was walking back from the cashpoint near my house and I saw a friend of a friend. She used to attend church when she was younger but was now far from the Lord. I asked her how she was and she shared that she was going through some heavyweight challenges - I asked if she had a minute to come to mine so we could pray and she agreed.  God so beautifully ministered to her brokenness as we sat on my sofa praying together...you could see hope arising with each moment that passed... until she finally ended up recommitting her life to the Lord right there, and we were able to pray her back into the kingdom. Yay for Jesus!! When I blessed her with some money (we all know that when God sets up a moment like this AFTER you've already been to the bank its pretty obvious He's telling you to put your money where you mouth is...haha)...she almost wept. Couldn't believe that God would show up like that...she said that she had been given reason to hope again!!

Smiles...As she left my flat a short while later she was visibly changed...she had a sparkle in her eyes and a kick in her step! She said that something like that had never happened to her before - she was so stunned. As she left, it got me thinking...that, as Christians, we can become so familiar with Gods incredible grace signs and love wonders in the kingdom - you know, get accustomed to living these amazingly miraculous lives that daily expect God to show up on our behalf with His glorious provision...strength...healing...and loving embrace...yet there are souls out there who have never once had a miraculous love encounter in their entire lives...never "knowingly" experienced God lavishing His goodness on them in a relevant and personal way...yet ONE of these encounters could radically change their day...their situation...their lives...their eternity...OH WOW...IF ONLY THE LOST AND BROKEN COULD ENCOUNTER HIS BEAUTIFUL LOVE...

"But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them?" (Romans 10:14 MSG).

As I read this scripture I am reminded afresh that... every day, I am faced with a choice to tell other's about the One who can be trusted...every day I have untold opportunities to be a bridge between God and man...every single day, I am someone's LOVE ENCOUNTER...just waiting to happen. x

My BFF...made the Universe!!

Loving reading the 26th chapter of Job this morning - being reminded that our GOD hangs the earth over nothing...HE holds the waters bound in HIS clouds...HE places an enclosing limit upon the waters at the boundary between light and darkness...and I LOVE how this chapter - which describes the breathtaking way God magnificently created the earth, ends with this:

Job 26:14 AMP
"Yet these are but [a small part of His doings] the outskirts of His ways or the mere fringes of His force, the faintest whisper of His voice! Who dares contemplate or who can understand the thunders of His full, magnificent power?"

Haha...how very nuts is that?...it will NEVER fail to floor me...that this truly incredible AWESOME, MAGNIFICENT, OMNICIENT, ALL POWERFUL CREATOR of the heavens and earth is also our Heavenly Papa and eternal best friend...who cares so intimately about our smallest thoughts and deepest desires and even knows the number of hairs on our head...who loves us unconditionally and lives on the inside of us and who will never leave us nor forsake us... maaaan it's totally mental... mindblowingly mental...deliciously CRAZY. MAD. MENTAL! X

Miraculous Monday...

Banging bit of supernatural healing to kick start the week...still in bed this morning when in walks in a friend with crazy mad back pain and some hardcore Sciatica...she's totally in agony...she'd just been to the doctors who said she'd need physio to deal with the pain...errrr nah mate...not according to Kingdom she didn't...hehehe...

Cameron my nine year old niece laid hands on her...then I prayed in Jesus name...she was healed on the spot...back pain GONE...all symptons of Sciatica...GONE!!! Haha! The chick was stretching in all directions trying to locate the pain she'd been experiencing but she couldn't even find it! Hehe. She was so shocked she actually called me a witch...haha...I told her woman I'm not a witch...JESUS IS THE HEALER!! Woohoo!!! xxx

Sharing the Love 247...

We are all no doubt collectively sharing the love this month as Valentine's Day approaches…but I love that, LOVING never has to be confined to one occasion…or one month…or one person…

There are no restrictions on how to share the love…when…where…and with whom…how glorious…love is what makes this world go round…

And so…the Living in Light Handcrafted Greeting Card Collection offers a selection of Sweet Love Cupcake themed cards for you to share, not just at this time of year but all year round with anyone and everyone!!

Using metallics, mesh, felt, card, handcrafted paper and a whole array of decorative yummies the collection endeavours to share Sweet Love straight from the heart…

To buy your Cupcake themed Love Card visit http://livinginlight.co.uk or go to the Living in Light Etsy Store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LivinginLight?page=4

Love, Light…Liberty x