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#40 I’ve moved back to Scotland
January 2024
When I took time at the start of 2024 to hear what God wanted to say about the year, I didn’t know this would be where I’d be finishing it.
God gave me two things to do.
- Simply to go deeper with Him. To let Him be my wellspring and receive daily nourishment from Him so others would be blessed out of the overflow.
- Be diligent in finishing my main book—as other things can’t start until this one is finished. (Amen to that, but it’s still in the long editing process because I didn’t get as much time as I wanted
#39 What have I been doing all year?
Firstly, sorry for disappearing this year. I know it’s not cool to be faithfully posting and then suddenly nothing—especially with no note.
Why?
I had the opportunity at the start of 2023 to cat/house sit for January–March. It seemed a perfect opportunity to focus on getting the last three chapters of my book written. But I also knew God had some other things in mind. Having time with only a cat for company gave God and I the opportunity to deal with some deep emotional pain/ grief that I needed privacy to express fully. To face fears, ungodly beliefs, pain and grief, and
#38 Advent 2022
The Christmas season is here again. Whether we’ve been eagerly counting down the days or surprised by the sudden appearance of Christmas trees in stores. This year I wanted to avoid getting pulled into the modern and very commercial rush that stresses many out. I slowed down a little this year to give my life some margin space. I have enjoyed the calmness it’s brought me. So I’m taking time each day to pause and reflect on the scripture passages surrounding Advent and what they can mean for me in my life today.
What does Advent mean?
The Advent season
#37 Why knowing our true identity is so important
As you may know, I started this website and blog as part of my expression to obey what God has asked me to do—to help encourage and equip new leaders and their local leaders. Here, I share topics God has put on my heart whilst working on my first book in this Who me a leader series. This book looks at being a leader from the inside out. The current chapter I’m wrestling with (because it’s so big for my mind to get around) is our identity – who we are in Christ. For non-Christians, this isn’t a subject they
#36 Commitment
I’ve just come back from my niece-in-law’s wedding. It was a beautiful weekend full of different gatherings so both sides of the family and friends could meet one another. Although a wedding brings two people together to commit to one another for the rest of their lives. It’s also a joining of two families. These families are unique as they are scattered worldwide and haven’t met much during covid. So precious for the different groups to catch up with one another and continue developing friendships between the extended families. Not to mention celebrating with the happy couple their marriage!
It
#35 If you are struggling, what could you do to help yourself?
When I asked God this morning what He would like me to write about today. The thought that immediately came to mind was, what do I do when I’m struggling to help me get through it, not just live with it. So if you’re struggling today, I hope what you read below will be what you need at this time.
We all go through times when it’s tough for various reasons. From waking up and feeling tired and heavy about something you’re not totally sure why—to having a lot of things going on in your life or your loved ones
#34 Things to consider to help you finish well
Over the past few weeks, several of my BLP (Basic Leadership Practicum) students have been finishing their time with us. Some will continue to be staff with YWAM here in Burtigny; others are moving to a new country.
When an end date is approaching, or you’ve decided to finish what you are doing and move on to something new, you move into a transition phase. A place of limbo where the current isn’t yet finished and the new hasn’t yet started. But things shift. So there are some things to consider to help you finish well.
How do you communicate
#33 How do you pray for Ukraine?
Over the past week, many of us have heard and seen countless social media postings and news reports about what’s happening in Ukraine. Of course, as Christians, we want to pray for all those affected by this horrible situation. But how do you pray for Ukraine and everyone involved in a Christ-like way? So whether you are praying alone, with a few folks or a bigger group. I hope these thoughts and verses will help you partner with God to pray with boldness and confidence.
What is Intercession
When we pray on behalf of others, we call this intercession. To
#32 How can we show grace when it hurts?
Recently I had the opportunity to show/ give grace to people in situations where I would have partly been totally justified to say no, enough. But it’s painful and they need to feel my pain! So how can we show grace when it hurts amid our pain response to someone else’s decisions?
What is grace?
To describe grace, I would say it’s receiving something we don’t deserve/haven’t earned.
Or receiving mercy when we deserve justice. It’s a gift we haven’t paid for but been given out of love.
Ephesians 2:8+9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through
#31 Sadness and joy – can they live in partnership?
As you may or may not know, I experienced great sadness and shock on Boxing-day morning. When I found out that my Dad had died from a heart attack. This may not have been as much of a surprise to medically minded people as it was to my sister and I. My Dad – Archie Marshall, was 82 and had several health issues. But the finality of death means you can’t get even a second more time with them to have one last conversation. So the various waves of grief continue to ebb and flow as I walk through the
Latest posts
Who I am in Christ
So who am I in Christ? It's perhaps a question we don't often consciously ask ourselves. But if we knew our true identity in Christ, we would
#36 Commitment
I've just come back from my niece-in-law's wedding. It was a beautiful weekend full of different gatherings so both sides of the family and friends could meet
#35 If you are struggling, what could you do to help yourself?
When I asked God this morning what He would like me to write about today. The thought that immediately came to mind was, what do I do
#34 Things to consider to help you finish well
Over the past few weeks, several of my BLP (Basic Leadership Practicum) students have been finishing their time with us. Some will continue to be staff with
#33 How do you pray for Ukraine?
Over the past week, many of us have heard and seen countless social media postings and news reports about what's happening in Ukraine. Of course, as Christians,
#32 How can we show grace when it hurts?
Recently I had the opportunity to show/ give grace to people in situations where I would have partly been totally justified to say no, enough. But it's
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