Where was God?

The Connecticut shootings have prompted the whole world stop in shock, and in the midst of such tragedy, many will be asking the question 'Where was God?'. The article I've posted below has some really helpful thoughts on the issue. I'd sincerely recommend that you take a read, because in the wake of this terrible evil, God is needed more than ever.

http://www.lightbearers.org/when-evil-strikes/

'"If God is love, then, of necessity, God suffers with us in every stab and twist of pain we feel...The cross of Christ stands as a persistent and persuasive witness that God is not aloof from our pain. "

A Term's worth of Thankfulness.

So, Michaelmas Term is officially over! And as I haven't done a blog post since...well...since I started. So, now seated comfortably in a warm home (SO WARM), full to the brim with my mumma's roast potatoes - I thought it would be a good time to do some musings on the past term! 

So...Things to be thankful for this term: (In no particular order:P)

1) ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT HOUSEMATES.

You can't get much better than these guys. They are crazy. These are just a few reasons why I love them.

(i) We surfed down our stairs on mattresses to Christmas music.

(ii) Rob replaced the chocolates in Nick's advent calendar with chocolates that had toothpaste on. It wasn't until Day 4 that he realised that they weren't just mint chocolates.

(iii)We had a Pinterest Christmas dinner with fairy lights and paper poms poms. (much to the boy's disgust - needless to say, the fairy lights are still up!:P).

Gravy in a teapot. 

(iv) They make wonderful food and don't mind me being an awkward vegetarian. (And even rated vege sausages as a 7 on the sausage scale!).

(v) Rob makes ducks out of apples.

(vi) Birthday Morning Party Hat Piñata Breakfasts.

(vii) Late night Chats/Pinterest sessions/Giggles with my wonderful Schtinkies.

(viii)The fact that some pretty darn beautiful music floats down from the attic and serenades me whilst I work.

2) A Grandad who sends me letters. 

This term, my Grandad's taken to sending me letters (normally with one of my Granny's cakes attached!). I love to read his thoughts on God, life, university and everything in between (and I especially love to read them in an Irish accent!).

3) Luke's Gospel and the Uncover Gospel Project. 

...So, what exactly is Uncover?

4) These Pens 

They make writing fun. 

5)HOUSEPARTY. 

Oh my days, where to start?  Long coach journeys. Great teaching. Bad cake decorating. Rejoicing in weaknesses.The Glorious Gospel. Party hats at breakfast. Birthdays. Fives. Loosing at fives again...and again...and again. Organised fun and Meetings to organise it. Bro-Bible character names. Walks and meaningful talks in the Scottish countryside. Reminders of Eternity. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. Impractical shoes. Stepping in deep mud with said impractical shoes. Potato croquet. Fellowship. Prayer. Sharing bunk beds. Hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows. Encouragement from ma HBCU co-rep #thanksbro. Awkward congratulatory baby comments. Falling backwards into mud trying to get signal. No signal. Cake.

The Scottish countryside is just so beautiful! 

6) Skype & Staying in Touch 

 

Sabbath Morning Teeth Brushing. 

When Jody came to visit she left her bag on the train because she was so excited to see me (or so she says anyway!:P) 

HEY THERE JESSIPOOS. 

I have no Skype pictures with her this term. But she has always always always been there. 

7) Newcastle Church. 

This church is just wonderful. I'm always always thankful for the teaching, encouragement, fellowship and Asian food that I get there! :P They are a pretty marvellous bunch of people (if not a little bit insane!).

Youth Day Sermonettes - Therefore Come Boldy    

(These are the sermonettes that Lupi, Jan and I did on a recent youth day - take a listen! :) ) 

8) The Big Tree outside our house.

Dear Big Tree,

Thank you for being so big. Without you, I'm pretty sure I'd never be able to find my way home again.

Yours faithfully,

Alex

And finally...

9) God's Faithfulness. 

Throughout this term God has been truly faithful. In both the little things and the big things, I've been able to see Him working in my life. Everyday, as I learn more about Him through His word, and as I understand more and more what He's done for me, I begin to comprehend even more fully His grace and his love for each and every one of us, regardless.

So now to Christmas and the holidays - only 4 weeks before a new term begins! 

I like England. (Blog Beginnings)

I wrote this poem after talking with some friends about their own homeland of the Philippines. They always talk about ‘going back home’, and I suddenly thought that I wasn’t really sure I had any particular affinity towards England, and whether it even held any real identity and meaning for me. But as I began to write, I began to realise exactly why I love England, and exactly why it is my home. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I like England. 

I like the constant rain. 

Then the sun. 

Then the rain again. 
The dark clouds that move across the sky and

break, 

the lightning like the cracking of an egg. 

The rain the yolk as it is poured 

into the mixing bowl of houses, trees and brightly colored umbrella tops. 

The roast dinners. The little country churches. 

I like the red London buses that snake their way around the narrow streets, 

stopping occasionally to pick up a panting passer by whose 

trainers are hitting the ground with unbreakable speed.  

I like the top hats and tradition. 

The cockney ‘Gotcha’ and the cultured ‘More tea, vicar?’. 

I like the little pubs that are hidden away in a midst of forestry, 

their blinking fairy lights and smoking chimney a homing beacon for 

anyone with a thirst for a pint of froth. 

I like the Queen. 

I’m not a royalist, but I like her.

I like her speech on Christmas Day as the family gather round the plasma screen to watch her coffered grey curls speak of peace, God 

and the year behind us. 

I like her Palace. 

And her grandsons. 

And I particularly like gingers. 

I like Dickens, C.S.Lewis and Midsummer Murders. 

Spike Milligan, Tommy Cooper and Norman Wisdom were my nursing milk.

British comedy brought me up and left me the way I am today. 

That would probably explain a few things. 

The Goon Show was always playing on my tape machine 

and T-Rex was the first CD I slotted into my portable CD player, 

pushing the headphones into my 8 year old ears and pretending not to sing along to ‘Get it on’.

I like the Beatles.  

I wish I did live in a Yellow Submarine, 

but I guess I’m going to just have to

Let It Be. 

Jane Austen taught me about true love and my ideal man. 

I’m still waiting...

Stiff collars cover beads of sweat and rustling skirts hide 

trembling knees as palms touch to dance to the quartet of strings. 

Each note. 

Each glance. 

Each touch 

another movement towards a shared passion. 

But for now, Elizabeth Bennet loathes Mr Darcy. 

And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

I like England. 

and its constant

rain.