What are we missing in life?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that roughly 2thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

4 minute later- the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

6 minutes- someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

10 Minutes- a 3 year old boy stopped but his mother hurriedly pushed him along. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but his mother pushed him harder and the child continued to walk, turning his head constantly.

45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.

1 hour- The Musician stopped playing and silence took over, no one noticed, no one applauded.

TRUE STORY! This Musician was famous violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the top musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaging over $100 each

So it Raises Some Questions:

• In a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty?

• Do we stop to appreciate it?

• Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the most disturbing questions is--- If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing the best music ever written, with one of he most beautifully crafted instruments ever made...

How many other things in life are we missing?

you choose your race, and then you run.

You 90210 viewers may recognise this intro, but it was necessary for me to steal it because it starts me off well for sharing a topic thats recently become quite important to me : Role models and Ambition.

"history is largely told as a chronicle of great people doing great things. But for most of us, life is not made up of big moments, its made up of small moments. And with every small choice, with every small decision, we are defining ourselves. Are we honest? Are we faithful? Are we proud of ourselves or are we disappointed by who we've become? Life rarely turns out the way that we plan. The unexpected happens and it surprises us with new and exciting possibilities. But sooner or later reality hits you in the face and you have to grow and adapt to these changes"

I want to share with you my role model and my ambition.

Although He had "no beauty that we should desire Him..." it was His personality that drew men to Him. His personality traits were like no other.

He had a COMPASSIONATE nature. He had compassion for the crowds “because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” Matthew 9:36. Because of His compassion for them, he healed them when they were sick, Matthew 14:14, and because of their hunger he compassionately made enough food to feed more than 5000, Matthew 15:32.

He was SERIOUS and FOCUSED. He had a mission in life and never got sidetracked from it, knowing the heaviness of it and the shortness his time on earth. His attitude was that of a SERVANT. "He did not come to BE served, but to SERVE" Mark 10. KINDNESS and SELFLESSNESS were the two key things to His personality.

He was SUBMISSIVE to His Father's will when He came to earth and he became obedient to death on a cross. He knew that dying on the cross was the only payment His Father could accept for our salvation. He was a SUBMISSIVE Son to Mary and Joseph. He grew up in a normal household.. He was OBEDIENT to his Father’s will.

He had a heart of MERCY and FORGIVENESS - "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23: 34. "...If we admit that we have sinned, He will forgive us our sins..." 1 john 1:9. He was also LOVING in His relationships.

He had a reputation for being GOOD and CARING. He often healed people and in most places He went so people might know who he was!! He proved to be the Son of the living God by all the miracles He did, all the time showing concern for the sufferings of those around Him.

HONEST and TRUTHFUL - He never contradicted His own Word. He spoke TRUTH wherever He went. He lived a life we could follow clearly. "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE..." John 14:6. At the same time, He was PEACEFUL. He didn't argue His case or try to bully His way into people's hearts.

He was INTIMATE with the people that followed him. He spent quality time with them. He absolutely loved their fellowship, taught them, and helped them to focus on what was eternal and everlasting. He was also intimate with His Heavenly Father. He prayed to Him regularly, listened, obeyed, and cared about God's reputation. (Angry at the moneychangers who were buying and selling in the temple, He was AUTHORITATIVE, ''My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a robbers den!" He was a STRONG, but quiet LEADER. Everywhere He went the people followed Him, so willing to listen to His teaching.

He was PATIENT, he knows and understands our weaknesses. He was and is "patient toward you, not wishing for any to die, but for all to come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9

This guy's called Jesus. Pretty impressive don't you think?

There is absolutely no-one like him. He's my role model, the bible tells me i should imitate him, and i couldn't think of anyone better to try and be like.

With this comes my ambition which is to get to heaven. with ambition there has to be an aim. My aim is to be like Jesus.

The quote at the beginning shows how we can plan out life and it doesn't go the way we wanted it to. I've realised that my plan will never work but God's plan for me will.

I've chosen what race i'm going to run. its not too late for you to pick yours.

(note: if you're looking for a race to run, the one that includes Jesus is a great one :D....in fact its the only one that works really ;) )

Don't ever tell me you're not beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQlfOjTu5gQ&feature=fvst

Praise Habits :)

Last Term i read a fabulous book called "praise habits" by David Crowder. It took me a while to get down to reading it, but looking back it was in God's timing, yet again. I'm at the stage in my faith where i'm seeking to worship God in new bible based ways, and this book gave me the basis for my worship. my reason for worship. and an encouragement to worship. It reminded me of why i want to worship, and the promises God has made to me and that he carries out every single one of them!

The author wrote a revised version of Psalm 84 which i had an urge to share with you.

"I'd rather scrub floors in the house of God than be honoured as a guest in the palace of sin. One day with you is better than a thousand anywhere else"

God hasn't promised us palatial housing but we have been promised his presence always. We often find ourselves in spaces that seem the last spot on earth that we should be in, but we know this comfort. Wherever we are we are in the very residence of God ad this is sweeter and greater than anywhere without him. We carry his residence into these spaces. Living praise often leads us to the ground. To dirt. To unglamorousness, unromantic places. It leads to lonesome valley's, but around the bend are cool springs. These moments are holy because we know that wherever we find ourselves we are in the house of God. And there is space and comfort here exceeding anything offered elsewhere. Even if it leads to dark places on our hands and knees, it is sweeter than lying on a beach in Greece because the SUNSHINE of our MAKER's presence is brighter and stronger than a thousand stars, and it reaches wherever we are.

what a reason to PRAISE.

Join me people! Being a christian is a fantastic adventure. You don't get victory unless theres a fight. Let our souls be consumed with longing for your laws all the time! psalm 119 v 18.

don't be the start of chinese whispers.

I've often taken on the role of listener and observer at my school. i may be bubbly, chatty person but on occasions, i will sit back and take a look at whats going on and whats being said. After 5 years i've come to the conclusion, that mindless gossip is the main factor in fall outs, misery, and a person left feeling alone and hurt.

Many have said to me in the past " why did i not bother to get to know this person before, i've missed out on years of friendship just because i judged based on what i'd heard about "

I think its safe to say everyone at some point or another is responsible for spreading malicious rumours about people when we don't actually know the facts or the situation. This does huge damage. People are prone to believe what they hear. It appears that friends of mine take great delight in either starting a lie about someone or spreading it after hearing it.

The effects gossip can have on a victim of lies is horrible. It becomes the norm. from one rumour to another spread and then it is assumed that everything said about a person is the truth, when in fact, most don't bother finding out who the person truly is and what a good friend they could become. It makes people unable to be there true selves around others and because it can happen so often to individuals they get used to it and just have to get on with it. but why should they?

God through his word shares alot about the dangers of gossip and "taming of the tongue" James 3 says this " The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire. and is itself set on fire by hell" That last sentence is quite a shocking truth. No human can tame the tongue by himself. Only through imitating Jesus can we improve this. We must make a conscious decision to control what we say.

My mum used to say when i was younger " think before you speak". Its vital.

I'll carry on observing these chinese whispers, and in my sinful nature will no doubt be part of it.

But try with me to control what you say? it'll do a world of good for you and your friendships.