2015 - Leaving it Like I MEAN it!

Okay, dudes!

Here's a quick review of the year that I always try and do, but unfortunately last year I didn't get around to it, so to make sure I did this time around I'm actually writing this having just finished off my last devotional blog of 2015.

We're going to cover the things that have inspired me the most, along with some highlights of my year along the way, including the films and games that have made most of an impression upon me.

Unto God Be All of the Praise

Right-o, this is the last update of this year!

No seriously, it is, because next week's "60 Seconds..." and accompanying devotional will of course occur on the first day of 2016!

I can tell you for one thing; that I cannot wait to see the back of this year and my past because next year, I will be making a serious attempt to distance myself from the things and the people that tried to hold me back as I rush headlong into my life-changing destiny.

60 Seconds of Faith - Episode #0017

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you're all having a great time of year and I just want to let you all know that I'm wishing you all the best for this time of year because I know what it's like to be down especially when everywhere you look it's couples, couples, couples. It's probably the second most dreaded time of year for singletons, aside from Valentine's Day.

But do you think I'm defined by my marital status?

The Wisdom of Jonah

Then I said, 'I have been cast out of Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple'. Jonah 2:4 (AMP)

Here we are, another devotional and another chance to say my piece on an issue that's quite close to heart at the moment.

Don't ask me how I'm doing at the moment... just... don't!

I am not doing great, not at all!

I've repeatedly tried to address the situation surrounding my little 'crush' on here and multiple times I've pulled it because I was sharing things that I really should have been using discretion over.

But that's a digression, the matter at hand is Jonah...

60 Seconds of Faith: Episode #0016

Whassup everyone!

It is categorically so good to be back on form right now!

When I use the term 'back on form', it's simply a point that however you have seen me write recently, it's great to be back to how I was before all this 'crush' business set off.

I'll be honest, it's a bit like the blasted firework-that-looked-like-a-pretty-flower that went and blew up in my chest just as the shotgun blast did from last week's devotional that I posted!

This time, things are going to be completely different...

The Power of Church

This is one where I'm going to have to take my own advice.

Why? Because my little 'crush' situation went, to be completely honest, a**e over t*t.

I told you in my video that I'm back and if you for one minute think that I'm going to let any more head-space get rented out to that situation you're wrong, DEAD WRONG!!!

60 Seconds of Faith - Episode #0015

Hey everyone!

This has been a long time coming, hasn't it? :-)

I know that my broadcast has been on and off more than an average family house light lately, hasn't it? I've promised it's on, I've said it's cancelled... on, off, on, off...

But it's back and I'm back now so let's kick off episode #0015 with a very special video surprise!

Storm in a Teacup, or in Your Eyes

You've no doubt heard the expression to have a "storm in a teacup", meaning something akin to someone who makes out their situation is the end of the world for them, when it really isn't?

Well what I'm about to share soon will give you the chance to decide for yourselves if I too am overreacting, with the way my crush, as of this moment, has temporarily blown up in my face! :-o

As always, keep watching the skies, dudes!

TLP

I Am Stu--tacus IV: The Stigma Eater

Well how am I supposed to recover from the last post and I've only got just over an hour in which to do it?! :-D

I've left no stone unturned now that I've revealed one of my most deepest parts of who I am today; that I have never known a girlfriend.

You can throw all the stigmas at me that you like and I will catch them, I will mock them and I will eat them because I am the Stigma Eater! :-P

I Am Stu-tacus III: Geared up Ready to Fight

"A man is never too weak or too wounded to fight, if the cause is greater than his own life." - Spartacus

Here we go!

Technically, this is of course a little over a day later than I had ever anticipated, but last night I was just too tired to even contemplate another of my little confessionals.

You know, the sort that leaves me reeling and no doubt some of you as well with my new found honesty!

I'm only doing this to show you that, as always, we Christians are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, nor do the majority of us consider ourselves as such. What I will admit at this point is that this journey that I've been on has contained some of the toughest experiences that I have ever had to go through.

All because I have never known what it means to be loved by a significant other...

I Am Stu-tacus II: The Sequel

Hey!

I'm just watching Dr. Who... again... before bath-time so my next update will follow that up with a proper one from my laptop, as opposed to using my smartphone, like this.

Stay tuned because I fully intend on exposing what's really been going on during this time I've been away from my blog.

Prepare to be shocked and prepared be enlightened as I knock off some truths that I have been sitting on! :-D

Peace off!
TLP

I Am Stu-tacus, I Fight... And I WIN!!!

Hey everyone!

I'm just sat here having just started a Dr. Who marathon, starting with the Chris Eccleston 2005 series and working myself to the fourth season with Donna aka Catherine Tate!

Naturally not all in one frickin' night of course, I have to be up for placement tomorrow!

For anyone who's interested to know, I'm back to my old self (or #newnormal self!) so the next episode of my broadcast will be imminent. I assure you.

As for my teeny little crush? Well I'm more of a man now to handle it than I was when the fever broke a few weeks ago! :-P

Keep safe and remember... watch the skies, lol!

Peace off!
TLP

Can I Be Bothered Right Now?

Have you ever thought about that very question?

I have, all too often, all because I am in a situation that is enough to make a grown man cry... and cry I have, a lot over this!

I'm not ashamed to admit that.

That's how much the situation means to me.

I keep trying to post about it but this will be my sixth attempt at doing so because all preceding attempts have, after the fact, made me realise how powerful a position this is to be in. I can openly talk about it, but is it really right for me to do so on here?

All I can say, and I'm not ashamed of it, is that I like this young lady and that'll have to do for now.

I just want to take this opportunity to personally state that I am placing no pressure on the situation because we're hopefully going to be fast friends going forward.

I have been seeking God all the time lately so I've been getting glimpses into what's going on under the surface, in more detail than I ever thought possible.

I have grown up so much that I'm a bigger and better man than I ever was before I admit exactly how I'm feeling.

One thing I am learning during this time is that it is getting easier to break the touch barrier that, from someone who will openly admit that he was so for a long a$$ time, left me feeling emotionally stunted.

All because of how I chose to react to what's happened in the past...

My past.

Thanks in particular to Jess, Mark, Peter & the rest of my !Audacious Church family for being there for me!

As you can hopefully imagine, being so utterly distracted with my, um, situation like this has clearly pulled me away from the broadcast of mine so I'll be looking to set that straight as soon as possible.

Just give me a little more time, that's all I ask dudes! ;-)

Peace off!
TLP

Salva Mea: Mea Culpa

It's been just under a month since my last update and I wish I could say that I am sorry, I really do...

But I'm not!

Now before you go getting all annoyed and upset just know that, as I have repeatedly, repeatedly reiterated, I have been going through some deeply personal stuff, namely how I feel regarding a certain new friend I have made recently.

Pushing the Rev Limiter

Today is certainly an interesting day, is because it's not over yet and as I watch episode 15 of Gotham, I am left wondering just what the future holds.

Now before you wonder if yet another bout of melancholy has struck me again, it hasn't. It's just these smartphone updates I'm doing are allowing me plenty of time to think about my situation.

Let me take a bold step here and admit that I like my new friend, I mean seriously like her. I am not trying to put pressure on anyone, but if you are reading this then let this just be a mark of my boldness in admitting how I feel about you.

I've already probably said too much now, so let me close here by saying that even though I have told you that I am able to dream bigger than my current circumstances, it takes time sometimes to get to know whether you want to be with someone, so my eyes are to the skies and my ears are to the ground in the hope that one day I tell you how I feel.

Take no offense because none is intended, I just want to say I like you! ;-)

Peace out!
TLP

Changing Lanes

Well hello, bro's!

I've certainly gone through a lot this last month and I just want to take a moment to talk about it.

The short of it is that I'm on an emotional journey of self-discovery with God teaching me so much, too much to go into now because it's very personal. Also, it involves another person so out of respect for them, I am keeping it off these pages. I care too much about them to hurt them.

So, that being said, God is not leaving my side in this, He's giving me what to say as I need it and I'm super grateful as well as 'super hot'.

✌ out!
TLP

Faith Filled Friday Postponed

It's official that, until further notice, my broadcast 'Faith Filled Friday' is cancelled.

I'm going through some heavily personal stuff at the minute and my head is completely out of the game to be reliable right now.

I hope to post an update asap, the moment I get clarity on my situation.

Sorry for the stop start nature of my broadcasts of late, it turns out my new friend is bringing up feelings that I didn't know I was capable of.

Thanks,
TLP

Undergoing Changes

Well I can tell you're thinking that I am about to announce that changes are a-coming... but you are wrong!

I'm just making a quick post to let you know that I'm undergoing some really heavy emotional MOT work, spiritually speaking and I have no time for much else right now.

I promise I'll try to get my surprise up and running for Faith Filled Friday this week, but don't hold me to it.

Peace off!
TLP

Rock It Like It's 2015

Hey dudes,

Another week's come to a close and I'm still here as strong as ever.

Yeah, I've been to some dark places, but I'm still going, like the proverbial machine that I am! :-)

I hope you're doing well and that you are looking for the day of promise where you too find your first love or, if you're lucky enough to have found it then bravissimo!

I'm gonna keep churning the content out as much as I can because, apparently,  it has been helping some people!

Thank you for your patience and, for those that pray, for your prayers as I start a new level of emotional maturity.

Peace off!
TLP

Sorry for the Confusion

Well, this is interesting... My first posting from my brand new smartphone.

I'll cut to the chase and say that with all the emotional shiznitz I have been going through that, sensibly, episode 15 of my broadcast will have to wait another week.

Sorry.
TLP

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0014

Okay, here's the penultimate episode before my episode #0015 'surprise'!

It's funny going under a moniker of 'The Lanky Penguin' and you could argue that it is a chance to create an online persona, but only for here, bro's, only for here. It will only make sense to long-time readers because I've covered this little story before behind the name.

Still, that's not telling you that the next episode of my broadcast is now up and ready, is it?

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Six) The Final, Finishing Touches

My goodness, this week has certainly been eventful, that's for sure!

My mum said to me on Thursday that it, and I quote, "looks like you've been working". Now that could have been because I'd turned up wearing a shirt and trousers, looking dang sharp if I do say so myself!

But the reality of the situation is that I have just put that much time and effort into my "7 Days of Praise" celebration that sometimes the sessions have ran to two and three hours long!

That's the price you pay for wanting to usher in a new era of change!

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Five) Breakthrough Without Breakdown

Have you ever tried to write something you really wanted to write, but have been overcome by self-doubt all the way through?

That's the problem that I have been working through because of certain events that have taken place recently, it has forced me to alter strategy accordingly depending on who I expect to read this.

I can attest to that and I'm in a semi-sober state, literally, after two monumental sessions I've had in my "7 Days of Praise" celebration today!

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Five) Future Fatherhood

I never thought I'd get to this stage of the tune up!

I'm sure you've been following the journey that I've been on this past five days, so you could imagine the emotional state I've been in as I've gone through my spiritual check up.

I've ridden high and I've been flattened low, but it's all been designed to renew me into a more complete form of life, instead of the emotionally dysfunctional individual I was becoming.

I'll tell you a little story now...

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Four) Transmission Transformation Part Two

Well,

I'm feeling just a tad emotional right now and the problem is that I can't really tell you who it's over, I just... can't!

I don't want to cage this up, but right now I feel that I have to and instead hand all the emotion over to God and hope it stems the flow sufficiently to stop the emotional bleeding. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong, I am not complaining!

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Four) Transmission Transformation

I don't mean to be alliteral... no, I said alliteral, not illiterate, bro's! :-P

Let me begin today by saying how blessed you are all making me feel as I yesterday found out that some of my viewers have been as far away as Alaska!

Thank you, bro's, for being such an amazing audience and I hope you have a blessed week & in fact, just a completely blessed life, right now! ;-)

I love you one and all...

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Three) A Revelation Revolution Part Two

Okay, let's start with the revelation I had in between sessions, shall we?

As I was waiting for my tea to cook (minced beef hotpot by the way, nice!), I thought I'd take a look back over my last year courtesy of my personal, private journal to see just what sort of a journey I've been on.

It was a rocky road at that, I'll tell you...

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Three) A Revelation Revolution

This has certainly been an action-packed and revelation filled third day of my "7 Days of Praise" celebration and I cannot wait to share with you all, or most of what God has been doing in me this past three or so hours.

Once again I managed to clock up another three hours, almost, in worship & ministry exploring many things and once again waiting for the point where I would be broken down into a crying wreck.

What I got instead though, was an amazing God-encounter unlike anything I've ever had before, proving that this "7 Days..." was indeed a correct celebration to follow after the events of Sunday!

Shall I tell you if I succumbed to emotion though...?

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Two) An Infinite Loop Car Crash Part Two

Well I've certainly created a new trend!

Though if truth be told, right now I'm feeling emotionless, empty, got a headache coming on from all the crying I've done this past day!

But that doesn't stop the workhorse, does it?

7 Days of Praise II - (Day Two) An Infinite Loop Car Crash

Just how in the hell am I supposed to start this one?

Pardon the abruptness but if you'd have lived through the kind of day I've just gone through, you too would be wondering how to accurately convey what you're thinking/feeling right now.

Don't get me wrong this is not a negative report, just the complete opposite if I'm honest...

So Honest You Want to Cry

Right, let's start at the beginning, this morning, as the plasterers had turned up to work some more on my kitchen I was left to do my own thing.

So first off, I watched a message from Creflo Dollar Ministries that was, interestingly preceded by the message that from 12th October, it would disappear from the listings because they had opted out of the cost share programme that TBNuk are running in order to host international ministry programmes on their channel. I have no comments on that because this is not the time.
 

Creflo's message was one of reminding us that it was not anything that we could have done to earn our salvation, it was all about Jesus!

Sound teaching, right?

Then I watched Answers with Bayless Conley another leader whose teaching I value greatly. Get this...

His message was asking are we going to be like Abraham and move forward into the new things that God is doing, or are we going to be like Lot and keep looking back because that will stop us from entering into the new season.

BOOM! Exactly what Ps. Jason Alexander was saying yesterday, as I've already put!

Prediction? More of the Same... Tears!!!

Okay, onto the crux of the matter, "Day 2" of my 7 Days of Praise II celebration was all about continuing to lay the groundwork of the work that God has been doing in my heart at the moment.

Cue more tears... a looot more tears falling to the ground!

Why? Well, my God in heaven, I do not think I could be more thankful for how yesterday went, with my confession regarding a certain amazing lady that I actually spoke to, for once!

This song did it for me: -

It broke the dam and burst open the floodgates that started the tears of absolute pure joy falling down my face as the Spirit did indeed break my walls down, right the way to the very ground!

Have you ever felt so thankful for one particular event that you just fall apart thinking about it?

For me, and this sounds lame even to say this, but it was the very first conversation I had with... nope, I nearly said her name, but I'm not going to! I am NOT falling into that trap, dude!

I did, through that song, through Oceans by United Hillsong and you know what? I'M NOT AFRAID ANY MORE!!!

I'll admit that I cried, why? Because it might just help someone to know that sometimes, it is indeed okay to cry.

I just kept telling God how thankful I was for how things panned out yesterday, you see, I told Him I only needed one chance to speak to her... but I needed more than one apparently that day... and He gave me another, and another, and another, until I did it... now I've got to be careful here, because remember, I said this is only our first conversation!

I have no game plan, I realised this past few days that my playbook is decidedly empty... but that's going to work to my advantage and favour in the days ahead whatever happens.

Onto the first preach: -

Final Thought

Now I could go into an aaage of talking about what I got from this message but I'll just say the following sums it up: -

C ycle - Sometimes you have to let God break the cycle you're in;

L evel - The higher you go, the harder it gets & the more effort it needs;

O rigin - When you're faced with difficult thoughts, identify their origins;

U sage - When I feel overencumbered, I need to check what I'm carrying;

D irection - Sometimes, I have to remember there really is one direction... up!

Coming right up is part two where I'll look at my reactions from the second worship session in the evening and an amazing preach from Ps. Glyn Barrett of my very own !Audacious Church.

Peace off!

7 Days of Praise II - (Day One) I'm Not Going Back, I'm Moving Ahead

Hello everyone!

Just to let you all know that after how monumentally, magnificently awesome today was at !Audacious Church, I am going to be using that momentum to kick off another 7 Days of Praise celebration!

So you can guarantee that this week will be jam-packed with content on The Write Dimension, so be sure to keep on coming back every day because I'll be updating you with everything that goes on!

Let's take a look at what made it so monumentally, magnificently awesome...

The Battle is Not Ours (Redacted Edition) - Walking Through Ice to Get Through the Fire

ATTN: Due to a sudden change of heart, the original predecessor to this post has hereby been redacted out of respect for the lady in question. Thank you for your continued readership. TLP

Well,

If you read part one of this post, then good for you, but out of respect for the lady in question, I have hereby taken the decision to redact the preceding information because some things should just be kept between two people.

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0013

Things just move ever onwards, don't they?

Remember that time I quoted the poem from The Hobbit?

The poem went something like "the road goes ever on and on..." well that's certainly true of this broadcast and it's gaining momentum now I've committed to my surprise coming in two weeks' time.

Anyways, that's enough of that, here's the latest episode: -

Escaping the Dimension of Mediocrity

Hey everyone!

I've just been catching up on my Joel Osteen devotionals and I thought I'd share one with you that I find particularly inspiring, because it is an encouragement to, no matter what situation you find yourself in, change the words you are saying if the situation is not changing around.

Now first of all, I have to make sure that it is known here that this is not a guaranteed recipe for success, it just taps into a principle that makes sense the more that you think about it.

You cannot go around speaking negatively over your life and then wonder or complain why things are not changing.

Sometimes, in order to change what you see, you have to change what you say, dude!

#Belonging - Wanting to, Needing to & Having to

Whassup, bro's!

Tonight it's the Belonging at church so I'm defo gonna go to that as it's a fantastic way to meet new people & connect on a greater level than I've ever done before.

I'm so glad I've made that decision to 'revisit my cross' as Pete suggested I do, because it has been essential in helping me see in exactly what areas there was surrender lacking and where there was surrender a-plenty.

300 Posts & Still Going Strong!

Well, I didn't expect to see this milestone...

Just this past week, according to my post counter, I have hit 300 posts.

It doesn't feel like it, I'll tell you that much, because when I started this the original remit was to review events on the motor racing calendar. I remember it well, it ranged from the British Superbikes to Formula 1.

Looking back though now, I cringe, because some of them, alright most of them were detailed beyond belief. They must have read like instruction manuals I went through play-by-play, every incident that went on during the race.

Goodness, how I want to cringe every time I think about it!

What Is Unseen Part II - Winning Victory Over Said Foe

What Is Unseen Part I - Fighting An Enemy You Cannot See

Hey there!

I hope everyone's having a good week, I'm sure you can imagine mine's been eventful, that's to say the least after what I've shared with you all so willingly. Some may say I was too loose-lipped to do this, but I find an audience better able to receive you when they see where you've come from and what you're going through in order to see where exactly it is that you are going.

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0012

Hello everyone!

Thank you for bearing with me on such an eventful week as the one I've had, I think I've posted something like every day so far this week! :)

As always, here's the latest episode of my broadcast...

The New Logo Here at Last!

At long last, after much teasing and promising it was "coming soon", I can officially announce that I have thrown together an image which I consider reflects the ethos of my blog, and it unifies with my Facebook too.

So stand by for the grand unveiling...

The Little Things - They Just Won't Go Away

Following on from my last post talking about the little things in life making me who I am today, I wanted to follow it up by saying that I'm beginning to find it getting easier to just be open and honest and say "look, this is me, if you don't like it, there's the door".

So stay and hang around, or don't...

Fighting Bear Traps With Glass Limbs III - Placing the Roof Underneath

The following confessional may contain triggers for some as it deals with some very broken roads and very dark issues that I have been struggling with lately. As always, you have been warned, so thank you for your patience. - TLP

Maaan, I could not have predicted where all of this would end up, but I knew it just had to be said!

I've already admitted before that I can withhold things longer than I should do and also longer than is necessary.

Didn't I say it was like a toxic swamp?

That was why I wrote in my journal, as I quickly realised that to write is to prevent everything from building up.

The Little Things - They Make Me Who I Am

Well I am glad I've tackled those issues, part three is coming tomorrow so please come back then for the final part in my "Fighting Bear Traps..." series of postings.

I hope you can understand why I have had to take this detour because I realised that since my "60 Seconds..." broadcast launched, it has just sort of taken over this blog and breathed new life into it, the likes of which I wasn't expecting.

Fighting Bear Traps with Glass Limbs II - Prising Open the Jaws of Life

The following confessional may contain triggers for some as it deals with some very broken roads and very dark issues that I have been struggling with lately. As always, you have been warned, so thank you for your patience. - TLP

Wow!

That was certainly a journey, wasn't it?

"So if this be the root of all my bitter life is built upon..." that says a whole lot about who I am, where I am and, likely, where I am going.

It's time to get real.

I've referred to my lack of experience in dating circuits, I've referred to my "v for victory" badge that I still proudly wear to this day and I have referred to myself as being the 'cream that always rises to the top'.

But, again, let's be real for a second, okay...?

Fighting Bear Traps with Glass Limbs I - The Trap Snaps Shut

The following confessional may contain triggers for some as it deals with some very broken roads and very dark issues that I have been struggling with lately. As always, you have been warned, so thank you for your patience. - TLP

First off, I'm sorry that I... well, actually I am not sorry that I'm having to do this again because the life I've been leading recently has brought up some really troubling and dark issues that have been repressed for so long that they've become a part of who I am today.

What makes me say this? Easy! I was at church a few weeks ago when Mark Foster preached a truly life-changing message on breaking your walls down and I've never looked back since...

Faith Filled Friday Suspended - Returns Next Friday!

Hey everyone!

This is just a quick announcement that, after the severe disappointment in my job situation earlier tonight, I will not be putting the latest episode of "60 Seconds of Faith" up until next Friday, 18th September 2015.

Thank you for your patience & I promise you, I will update you all this weekend with what's going on!

Kind regards,

TLP

God or Man? - Getting the Right Results

Hello,

It's interesting that this week's devotional should come up at such a time as this, because I'm going through a very personal struggle right now and I'm going to do my best to see that I use this to fuel the latest of my teachings.

Honestly! When I use the word 'teachings', I'm making it sound like I'm some kind of renowned speaker... well I guess you've got to start somewhere, huh? :-D

Let's begin...

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0011

Here we go again!

It's that time of the week, Faith Filled Friday time, and this time I'm going to be looking at a subject that might seem rather shallow on the surface.

There might appear not to be a lot to it, but when you read into it and think a little bit more, you can see that the choice to serve God or man is a choice we all should not take lightly.

Let's have a look...

As Unto God - A Workman Approved Pt III: God Has Your Back

Well,

I'm sat here writing this after a monumentally successful week at work where I was given a weekly target of 5 leads to pass on to the closers... I did something like 12!!!

But that's enough on that because this is devotional time...

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0010

The hour may be late and people may have gone to bed, but that has not stopped me from putting together my latest broadcast on "60 Seconds..."

As Unto God: A Workman Approved Pt II

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

Hello again,

Right, let's pick up exactly where we left off last time by taking a further look at the story of Jonah and the whale.

So far, we've discovered that what happens when you wilfully disobey God as, in Jonah's case, a run in the opposite direction resulted in a set of circumstances that saw him in the belly of a big fish.

Yet, even in circumstances of disobedience, as discussed last week, God can, and will, still seek us out when we go astray.

How great an example of lovingkindness!

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0009

Hey everyone!

Welcome to the latest episode, number 9, of my "60 Seconds" broadcast, I hope you're still enjoying it because I... well, you've heard me say that already!

Here's, belatedly, the next episode and the concluding part to last week's message: -

When One Chance Comes... Make the Most of It

This is just a quick life update to let you all know that tomorrow I start my brand new job!

That's right, starting tomorrow I am back with the land of the workers once again working for a company based in Northenden selling broadband and phone lines to businesses. It might not sound like bliss to some, but it's the potential for a basic salary plus uncapped commission that attracted me to the role.

It beats those other roles I went for, that's a fact!

I'll do an update real soon on how things have gone.

---TLP---

As Unto God: A Workman Approved Pt I...

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

Alright, here we go!

Let's start today by looking at the word diligent, according to Merriam Webster: -

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

I like that "steady, earnest, and energetic effort" because that shows that whosoever is diligent, they are forever moving towards their target, never once slowing down or veering off course.

They are always making progress towards their goals...

What a way to live, huh?

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0008

It's that time of the week again folks!

Everybody's empire starts somewhere, and mine starts right here with this little broadcast of mine. What empire, or legacy, are you building bro's?

To Deny Thy Message or Not

Hey everyone!

I hope you're all having a great week so far, I know I am!

Why? Well, these days the 'whys' are easier to answer than the rest because by the end of this week I will have had six interviews in the last five weeks, that's right, six in five, baby, six in five!

So what of today's post?

Windows 10 - Initial Impressions Are Good

Well...

Yesterday I started my free* (where free is 'for the lifetime of the supported device', whatever the frell that means, heh!) upgrade to Windows 10.

So what are my initial impressions?

Not bad, not bad.

I must admit the only gripe I had with it when the upgrade had finished was how it insisted on logging on by default to my admin account, a feat which is highly illogical when it comes to web surfing. That's like giving the keys to a known robber and saying "please don't rob me"; the sonuvagun won't listen!

Your Life or Theirs - The Importance of Balance

Hey there!

Here's one for you; if you're facing a difficulty, would you take your own advice or someone else's? In any situation that you are faced with you can either follow your instincts or seek wise council from those that are in the know.

Which one is more important though? In the grand scheme of things, which of the two perspectives should have more weight put into it?

I'm here today to advise that they're both just as important as one another, the real challenge comes into knowing when to follow your instincts and when to follow the advice of others.

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0007

Here we go again!

It's Friday and you know what that means; 60 Seconds of Faith time!

So here's the latest episode called "Your Life or Theirs" and so far, I'm managing to tackle some really challenging subjects, which is great because it's a chance to stake my colours to the mast on certain issues that we need to be aware of, whether we believe or not.

Enjoy!

A Marvellous Light Has Won My Heart

My goodness, I don't even think today could have gone any better if I would have wanted it to!

The why for this is simple; because I have had not one but TWO interviews.

I must say I am really feeling the benefit now of working out what it means to have "bigger than faith" because of Lydia Chorpening's book because it is getting me to look at my life with no holds barred and actually say to myself "how much do I believe God has control of everything?"... no not just believe, I mean REALLY believe.

Containing the Uncontainable

Wow!

That's all I can say right now, because God is just that good and He is doing that much good in my life! :-D

I've detailed on here already just how encouraged I've been over the last few weeks of attending church, even when I have at times just not felt like going. It reminds me what Ps. Glyn Barrett said; that church "creates a rhythm" for your life.

Did you get that?

It doesn't just start a rhythm, or fix a rhythm, it creates it!

To "start" and to "create" are two very different concepts, my friends.

The Finger of God Has Writ!

'The finger of God', what an intriguing image that conjures up!

I'll tell you what, it reminds me of those programmes I used to find as a kid that warned of the danger of fireworks. I mean, who didn't write their name in the air at the bonfire on November the fifth as a child?

What about the programmes about wizards and stuff that used to feature the main character waving his or her fingers to cast some sort of a magical spell?

Now imagine for a moment that when we, as Christians, talk about God moving, this is one way in which He can, but is not limited to, move.

What image does that conjure up!

I'm already starting off strong today, so let's carry on and see where we end up.

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0006

Hello everyone!

This is the episode I'm most looking forward to as this one looks at the concept and subsequent impact of the finger of God the moment He starts to move in our lives.

It's going to be immense and I certainly expect it to be challenging and, hopefully, life changing. That's what I seek to be in these broadcasts.

"The Finger of God" is about to begin writing in the history books for you, are you ready to see what He will write?!

God With Us - May the God of Peace Go With You

Good day to you all! ;)

I hope you're having a good weekend so far, I must say, I am because I'm looking forward to starting my new six month work placement at Pastures New animal sanctuary. It could be anything that I'll be doing from digging post holes, filling pot holes to all sorts of other manual work, but that's for an upcoming life update.

The time has come for me to unpack this week's "60 Seconds..." broadcast, so are you ready?

Good, let's go!

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0005

Happy Fridays everyone! :)

Here's the latest episode of "60 Seconds of Faith" and it's one that's quite close to the heart of me, because I'm heading into the season of the unknown for the next six months as I start on a brand new work placement on Monday. More on that to follow.

For now though, here's the latest broadcast!

Enjoy...

Pour Me Something Stronger Part I - Something Dark

CAUTION: The following information may contain triggers for some people. It has some very dark content, so please read on with care.

You have been warned! - TLP

Well,

How am I supposed to start this post other than to say how bitterly disappointed I am due to yet another job opportunity being slammed shut in my face?

It seems like the up's I record every Friday are immediately followed by certain crashes of the soul and I feel like I've had that many "crashes", as it were, I can scarcely recognise who I am or what I am becoming.

I distinctly recall me recently saying, from Total Recall "if I'm not me, who the hell am I?" & that much is becoming evermore true, every day...

The Promised Rest - No Rest for the Worried

Good morning,

I trust you are all doing well this fine Saturday? Good? Good. ;)

Today's post comes after a somewhat difficult period for me that is gradually getting lighter like the dawning of the sun over the land and... well, you get what I'm trying to say today, I could wax lyrical all day if left to it.

So I'm going to get straight to the point and ask one question; have you ever asked yourself the question 'why does this always happen to me'?

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0004

Hello again!

It's episode four of 60 Seconds of Faith already... my doesn't time fly when you're having fun! :)

I hope you're getting as much benefit from these little broadcasts as I am in putting them together! :D

Here's episode four of the broadcast: -

Ejecting the Black Box From Life

Hey there readers!

First off, what sounds like an extreme title is not really, it's just a label I've been trying to put on exactly what it is that I've been going through of late.

Like all good stories, I want to start at the end, though, rather than the beginning.

So here goes...

Know Your Goal - You Just Might Need It

Hey there!

I'm going to try and make this as quick and painless as possible, this next posting because this is Sunday morning, at just gone twenty past eight UK time and I've got places to go, people to see, things to do! ;)

When coming up with what I was going to talk about in my "60 Seconds..." broadcast, I was thinking what could follow up on previous episodes; so far, we've had two on perseverance and then this week's episode comes along.

What are my conclusions then...?

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0003

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to my broadcast, 60 Seconds of Faith, after its short hiatus due to some personal issues which I've been sharing, in part, on here!

I aim to commit back again to this now for the foreseeable future, which is cool, so here's the latest episode and it's called "Know Your Goal": -

Faith Filled Addendum - In Word & In Deed

Hey everyone!

I trust you are, if in the UK, enjoying the summer weather... at last!

I know I for one am and have been getting myself up and about to places like Strinesdale Reservoir & Waterhead Park. Yes, I know it's not exactly trips to anywhere fancy, but what have I been saying for a while now; it's all about perspective!

Being the sort of person I am and what I've been going through that I've so brutally and honestly shared on here, I have had to forcibly take steps to get 'outside of myself' and just get a chance to enjoy some scenery that isn't these four walls.

I couldn't leave the last post incomplete, so here's some extra thoughts...

Faith Filled Friday - Thoughts on Words

Hey there!

In a change to how things have been done the last two Faith Filled Fridays, this week's devotional comes from the heart without the associated audio production with it. In other words, for this week only, and because I haven't had time to do it, there will just be a posting on my thoughts on a particular issue.

This week, it's words.

I've already covered and you are already aware that as a driver, you go where you are looking. Well, today I'm going to argue the case that you go where you are speaking...

Reaching Into The Veil

Hey everyone!

Well, last entry was certainly a bleak one, wasn't it?

I wasn't expecting for all of that to just come pouring and spilling out, it just sorta did, which to my mind says it needed to be said, if only to give me an accurate picture of the life I'm leading at the moment. It certainly is one of dashed hopes and crushed, yet unrealised dreams and spending enough time on looking at what is wrong, only confuses you into thinking that nothing is actually right with your life!

That is where you are wrong, bro'!

It's Getting Harder & Harder to Breathe

CAUTION: The following posting contains material which may, or may not, contain triggers for some. Consider this notice to be fair warning. 

Hello everyone,

This next posting comes at a time of great trial for me and it will either be harder for you to read than it is for me to write, or it will be harder for me to write than it is for you to read.

But it's a story that has to be told...

Faith Filled Friday WILL RETURN!!!

Hey guys & gals!

Just want to let you all know that my production, "Faith Filled Friday's 60 Seconds of Faith" will return on July 3rd!

I've had computer issues that has resulted in the sacrifice of ANOTHER computer, but fear not because I've got a replacement now!

Peace off!

TLP

Faith Filled Friday Suspended!

Hey guys,

Just to let you know that for the foreseeable future, Faith Filled Fridays has been temporarily suspended due to ongoing technical difficulties.

More info will be released in due course with a view to get it back up and running again.

Thank you...

Lifestyles of the Not So Rich & Famous

Hey everyone!

Wow! It feels like absolute time has gone by since my last life update and in fact, I suppose it has.

It's been a usual time of jobsearching & when not doing that, as you can imagine, I've been preparing for my new "Faith Filled Fridays" on this blog, which has sapped up more time than I expected. Put it this way, not a day goes by where I'm not wondering what to put in these brand new broadcasts & who knows, one day maybe I'll turn it into a fully fledged podcast.

But that's another thought for the future...

Be Careful What You Wish For - You Just Might Get It

ADVISORY: If you haven't already, then check out episode 2 of "60 Seconds of Faith" for the foundation of this week's message.

Hello,

I hope you're enjoying my series so far and I trust that it has been of benefit to at least some people. Today's post is all about watching how the words we speak can frame the boundarie to our life.

I'm going to try and keep repetition to a minimum because if you've read my blog at all, you'll know I've covered a lot of what I'm about to say already. But as always, it's helpful to have a refresher...

Faith Filled Friday - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0002

Whassup everyone! :)

It's week three of my "60 Seconds of Faith" series and I'm starting to realise just what I've gotten myself into!

But you know what?

I could care less, because if it means I get to share wisdom with all you fantastic people, then all the better! :)

7 Days of Praise - My Own Personal Heaven

Whassup, bro's!

I wouldn't normally be writing a post so soon after my latest 60 Seconds of Faith broadcast, but I thought you all deserved to know a little experiment I was running last week from Sunday, 26th May to Saturday, 30th May.

A little experiment I'm calling 7 Days of Praise...

The Perseverance of Abraham - Sixty Seconds of Faith #0001 Part II

If you haven't already, grab a brew, a biccy, and watch part two of "60 Seconds of Faith" on perseverance before reading this as the two are fairly closely linked. TLP

Hey there!

When thinking about what to put for the next episode of 60 Seconds of Faith, I naturally began to think of common examples of perseverance. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that perseverance is all across the Bible as long as you know where to look. From David persevering in his escape of his persecutor; Saul, to examples of Jesus' own perseverance when it came to the people's own ignorance at what He was trying to demonstrate.

In the end, though, I landed upon Abraham & Sarah's story, around the time they received the 'promise' from God that he would be a father to many nations & that Sarah would play her part by giving birth herself.

But what good would that do, given he was almost a hundred years old and she wasn't far behind?

Let's zoom in for a closer look...