Creativity... we've all got it.

Are only artists who paint and sing creative people?
I've got good news for you! - Everyone has built in creativity!

A mother trying different ways to get a toddler to eat her meal is ‘Creativity In Action’. A mechanic trying to fix a run-down car has to be creative in finding a solution to fix the problem. A sales person makes a living by finding creative ways to sell a product. Working at a sound desk, mixing the perfect sound is an art form. It takes a very creative person to hold the attention of a classroom full of kids. To say that some people are more creative than others, is kinda' true, but not fully.

We are all gifted with creativity. It might need developing and practise. But we've all got it. We express it in different ways, but God gave you a specific area of creative ability that He knew you'd need in life for your benefit and for others, but mostly for His Glory!


Our God is THE creative One; Artist, Mathematician, Engineer, Architect, Designer, Planner, Builder, Life Giver and so much more... and we were created in His Image.

Gen 1:1(a) “ In the beginning, God created ..................”

Prayer: God, thank you for making us in Your Creative Image. Inspire me today to use my creative ability to solve problems, overcome obstacles, to be a blessing, to Glorify You, to change the world around me into a better place. Be glorified in how I use my gifting and abilities

The short facts on Psalms.

Thank the Lord for Psalms.

It's probably the most read of all the bible books. When we’re looking for something to write in a sympathy card or want to send a word of encouragement, we often turn to Psalms. How often do we hear Psalm 23 read at funerals? It's a comforting passage to so many.

As a pastor I do a lot of home visitations, and I must admit, often times my bible readings come from the book of Psalms.

As a song leader, I often do the Call to Worship from Psalms.

The book of Psalms is the longest book in the bible. It is filled with prayers, laments, praise and adoration.

The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.

The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.

Interesting enough, if you were to calculate the middle chapter of the whole bible, it would be Psalm 117. It consists of 2 verses:1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples. 2 For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

The book of Psalms (chapter 1) starts of by showing us God’s way of blessing – by living life His way.

The closing chapter (150) commands us to Praise the Lord. Praise Him for all He has done, for who He is. Praise Him with all kinds of instruments.

God at the start, God in the centre, and God at the end. He is the focus of it all. A meaningful life begins with Him. He's to be the central point around which our whole life revolves. And when all is said and done... and I breath my last breath here on earth, how marvellous will it be to think I have lived a life that brought Him glory, and so will I praise Him even in death.

This reminds me of some wise words I've read and believe in with my whole heart: The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.*

*(The Westminster Shorter Catechism - 1647)

Joy in my life.

Psalm 149:2 “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.”

Let God’s people rejoice and be glad in Him.
- I love that God’s Word commands us to be glad and to rejoice (Phil 4:4).
- God takes joy in His creation (us) and we should take joy in Him, our Creator.

He motivates and inspires me to have a mindset of thanks and appreciation. He gives me joy! Let us sing songs and speak life to install joy and gladness.

Action: Do one act of kindness for someone who would not expect it today, and so install some joy in their day. You'll see - it'll bring joy to your own heart as well.

Pray this prayer of joy:
God – Living life Your way brings joy! I thank You and praise You for giving me life in abundance. You truly are the joy in my life! Use me to bring joy to at least one other person today.

If looks could kill.

... and how I wish they could!

I'd use my look-powers to zap the annoying person who messed up my day.
It seems like some people have the gift of 'weight.' They walk into your day and when they leave your heart and mind feels 'heavy.' We find that our thoughts keep coming back to that awful conversation... to that event we'd rather forget. We find ourselves being distracted and thinking of them instead of our work.
And then I get annoyed at myself for being so foolish as to give my opponent so much of my 'thinking time.'

It's like that song I heard on the radio: "I just can't get you out of my head..."

Ever see the movie 'The Mask?' Like him I've dreamt up some very creative ideas for death and destruction.
(Hell, fire and brimstone - just to keep it biblical.)

After trying in vain to settle this battle in my head, I finally get a prayer shot off to heaven; "God, you've got to help me here - this is starting to consume me..."

It was then (I'm sure it was inspiration from above) that I decided to let it go. I chose to. If I was going to wait for a feeling to come, it would take much too long. I'm choosing to let it go! The feelings can come later if they want, but for now it's a choice. And I'll keep choosing to let it go every time that person pops into my mind.

Come to think of it... maybe that's part of my weapon arsenal as a child of God. I have the fruit of the Spirit at my disposal. I can bombard my enemies with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23.)

Paul wrote in Romans 12:20-21 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I think our opponents hate to see us at peace, full of joy and not being effected by their onslaughts. And worse yet, to attack them with kindness will be a blow they didn't expect.

So here I go into battle with the weapons of God!

Pastor Joe

P.S. Just in case you know me and you're trying to work out who I'm writing about, I wrote this a year ago in my journal :o)

Time out!

Mark 6:31-32 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (32) So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Quiet. A solitary place. By yourself. Get some rest.

Maybe these few words seem out of reach. Maybe like me, you're longing for just that, quiet... rest.. but your schedule won't allow it.

But maybe we need to take "time out" and do just that. Get some rest. Go to a solitary place. Be by yourself. Drown out the noise.
It might be taking a coffee break and sitting at a window where you can look at the clouds and clear your mind. Maybe it's stepping away from you computer and going for a walk. Maybe it's clearing your schedule for tonight so you can spend it at home with your family. Maybe it's just pushing back all the papers on your desk and choosing to spend the next 5 minutes with God. That little 'time out' can make a world of difference.

For me the past two weeks have been hectic, and yet such a blessing. I've come to discover that ministry is a lot like that. People coming and going, deadlines, appointments, time spent preparing for weddings, music workshops, group devotions and sermons. Inbetween there's admin, newsletters, emails and phone calls.
And then I've also got to remember to write my weekly e-Devotions :o)

I'm sitting at my computer adding the final touches on today's wedding message (my youngest brother is getting married this afternoon). And it's so easy to put aside everything else to concentrate on the immediate, urgent stuff like this weddding. But I knew I needed a 'time out!' And I was going to take it! And writing this e-Devotion is my time out. I get to reflect on God's Word. I spend time talking to Him, asking for His guidance and providence.

And then it happens... my spirit is calmed. Anxiousness leaves. And I have a sense of connecting with God. I don't exactly know how this miracle of "connecting with God" happens. I just know that it does. And it lifts me up like an eagle soaring on the wind (Is 40:31).

"Come with Me..." - said Jesus

Are you feeling anxious/burnt out/overworked? Take time out... you might witness a miracle!