A joke

Paddy was late for a very important job interview, and began rushing around looking for a car park. Not finding one anywhere, he became more and more frantic. Finally, in desperation, he looked up to heaven and began to pray. "Lord," he said, "I know I never talk to you. I know I'm a terrible man who doesn't deserve your help, but just this once, please help me out. Send me a car parking space. If you do, I promise on my life I'll be in church every Sunday from now on and give up drinking whisky. Amen." Just then, he pulled around the corner and right in front of him, right outside the building where his interview was, was a parking space. Paddy looked skyward once more and said "Never mind, Lord, I've found one!"

My mum gave me that joke, as she read it in her local newspaper and thought I would enjoy it. As well as making me laugh, this one made me think. How often do we treat God like a vending machine, or count our blessings as achieved by our own strength instead of His provision? How often do we receive an answer to prayer and say "never mind, Lord, I've done it myself"? We are so quick to blame God in a disaster (how could a God of love let this (tsunami/flood/death/insert your own disaster here) happen?) but we should be just as quick to recognise His overflowing goodness to us. Next time something great or 'lucky' happens to you, see it for what it is - not a stroke of good fortune but a gift from a God who loves you.

".... you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you..." - Deuteronomy 26:11

Paddy was late for a very important job interview, and began rushing around looking for a car park. Not finding one anywhere, he became more and more frantic. Finally, in desperation, he looked up to heaven and began to pray. "Lord," he said, "I know I never talk to you. I know I'm a terrible man who doesn't deserve your help, but just this once, please help me out. Send me a car parking space. If you do, I promise on my life I'll be in church every Sunday from now on and give up drinking whisky. Amen." Just then, he pulled around the corner and right in front of him, right outside the building where his interview was, was a parking space. Paddy looked skyward once more and said "Never mind, Lord, I've found one!"

My mum gave me that joke, as she read it in her local newspaper and thought I would enjoy it. As well as making me laugh, this one made me think. How often do we treat God like a vending machine, or count our blessings as achieved by our own strength instead of His provision? How often do we receive an answer to prayer and say "never mind, Lord, I've done it myself"? We are so quick to blame God in a disaster (how could a God of love let this (tsunami/flood/death/insert your own disaster here) happen?) but we should be just as quick to recognise His overflowing goodness to us. Next time something great or 'lucky' happens to you, see it for what it is - not a stroke of good fortune but a gift from a God who loves you.

".... you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you..." - Deuteronomy 26:11

a thought....

I have started a bible study group with four other ladies from the office. Working our way through the book of Hebrews over fourteen weeks, we are looking at the sovereignty of God and authority of Jesus. All of us began the study because we had craved some solid contact with the Word, some meaningful interaction with God and like-minded others. We are up to week three and have so far found it engaging and challenging. One of the questions we were asked this week: 'Isn't it arrogant to go around telling people that Jesus is the only way?' Is it arrogance? As one of the ladies in the study group commented, if your neighbour's house was on fire, you would rush in to tell them, even if it was the middle of the night. Sure, disturbing them might make them initially upset with you, but their feelings will change as their awareness of their situation grows, and risking unpopularity must be preferable to the alternative of leaving them to their destruction. Yet even though I don't find sharing my faith difficult, I don't do it nearly as much as I should. Or even as much as I could. My entire family are non-Christians, and I don't witness to them as if their house was burning down around them, yet they are my favourite people - surely my urgency to see them saved would be greatest of all? So why this reticence? I have no answer to these questions, but that doesn't trouble me. I know that as I continually look to my Father for their salvation, and to His word for support, His purpose will ultimately win the day. So I end this little ramble with advice from the writer to the Hebrews from our study last week, as my exhortation to you - 'Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.'

meet me in myspace!!

check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/megdeyell

carlisle

'The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.' - Tobymac

Now in Carlisle, I am quickly settling into my new role with OM International Coordinating Team. I live ten minutes walk out of the city centre, and my walk to work each day takes me through the cathedral grounds and past the castle. I am still looking for a church to join - I have visited a couple and would like to see two more before choosing. Overall, I am looking forward to my time here.

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Change is as good as a holiday!

....apparently. I've been on holiday for three months now, and I have to confess, holiday is pretty good! I'm heading back to the UK next week to a whole lot of changes, so I guess the good times will keep on rolling...! I will be moving from Birmingham to Carlisle, joining a new team called OMNIvision and taking on a new role as an events manager, moving into a new house with new people. I'm really looking forward to it!

I've had a great time at home, and got to spend time with my family - particularly my parents as I was staying with them. I went to New Zealand for my grandmother's 80th birthday, so also got to see my extended family after about 12 years! Seeing my cousins go from toddlers to teenagers was quite something.

Thanks to everyone who have been praying for me and my new direction this year, and a huge thanks to the people who have come on board as financial partners and helped me to get where I am. Here's to a jam-packed and fantastic 2006!

The Narnia Cast

The Narnia Cast
Originally uploaded by Miss Meg.

me as Edmund, Celine (France) as the White Witch, Rachel (UK) as Susan and Ella (Germany) as Lucy. Our Peter unfortunately couldn't be there that day. Celine also doubles as Mr Tumnus and Mr Beaver.

The children and Mr Beaver

PICT2938
Originally uploaded by Miss Meg.

(l to r) Edmund, Lucy, Mr Beaver and Susan

Narnia

Throughout September and December, the Performing Arts team have been performing selections of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' in schools. It was part of a larger presentation that looked at the life of the author, CS Lewis, the history of the book, and its links to Christianity. The kids who have seen it so far really enjoyed it, and we're looking forward to our next performances in November.

Go Conference De Bron 2005

For the last two weeks, I have been in Holland at the OM Go Conference. I was working with the programme team, responsible for the implementation of the programme. This meant stage managing the sessions, liaising with the AV team and Logistics, making sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be and when. I had a great time, and everything (luckily for me!) went very smoothly. The conference is for new recruits with OM, so pray for them as they head out to their new fields and responsibilities.

I have attached some photos of me at the Go Conference below. Enjoy!

meg at work

meg at work
Originally uploaded by Miss Meg.

Supervising the outdoor stage at the Go Conference

meg concentrating

meg concentrating
Originally uploaded by Miss Meg.

I am stage managing a session at the OM Go Conference De Bron 2005.