Thursday, April 05, 2007

From yesterday's Oswald Chambers reading in My Utmost for His Highest:

'Until Jesus Christ is Lord, we all have ends of our own to serve; our faith is real, but it is not permanent yet. God is never in a hurry; if we wait, we shall see that God is pointing out that we have not been interested in Himself but only in His blessings. The sense of God's blessing is elemental. '

I love reading Chambers because he is often so incredibly challenging, though if I'm honest the observations I prefer are those that inspire and encourage rather than those that challenge. Yesterday's reading is a case in point - it's uncomfortable to think about my dependency on God's blessing's rather than on God himself. I know that he delights in us, but I realise that I should ultimately delight more in him than in what he gives so graciously. A huge challenge, but one that I'm glad to be prompted about.

posted by Joanna Ruth @ 9:38 AM

Monday, April 02, 2007

staying up listening to john martyn and wishing that things were different. i woke up this morning with the jeremiah verse on my mind that promises that God has a plan for us but it's not making me feel any happier. from my corner of the lounge i can see the traffic going by, even though it's getting late. today has been a long day and i'm glad that it's over, though lunch at the royal academy with lord & lady b was a real highlight. there's something somewhere in proverbs about hope disappointed and though i can't remember what it is exactly it gets part way to what i'm feeling at present. by means of survival mechanism i have developed my own brand of retail therapy, as i explained to my brother this evening on the way around sainsburys: buying philosophy books. it is, i have decided, an innocent hobby that allows you to indulge the more introspective side of your nature whilst also satisfying the urge to shop. and it's hard to feel guilty about buying books. i bought two today: simone de weil and alain de botton. i have a feeling they will make excellent bedtime reading.

posted by Joanna Ruth @ 10:06 PM