End of 2008...

Its been an eventful year I guess, which makes it slightly tempting to write a round-robin style article about everything I've done. But honestly, do you really want to read that? Instead, I'm just going to simply say how grateful I am for my life. I was scrolling through some photos yesterday and was struck by how many happy moments I have been present at and involved in. This year alone I've been to stag dos, weddings, parties, days out, holidays, weekends away, all of which hold many special memories. But even in the day-to-day things, I 've realised how great my life is. I've learnt to appreciate the simple things, such as a sofa to sit on (after a year in halls, moving into a house at uni has been so so good!). I'm not saying my life is perfect, and this year has had down times (the lack of a proper summer due to resits, for example) but every cloud has a silver lining, and I will definitely look back on 2008 with fondness. Which makes this verse all the more exciting!

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

Things are going to get even better! Roll on 2009!

Christmas Single

This is the closest you'll get from me to a post about X-factor, and its not really even my post, its an article I read on the BBC site that I think is worth having a look at.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7787355.stm

Personally, I'm a fan of the Jeff Buckley version, although I am partial to the Rufus Wainwright version from Shrek, purely because its the closest to the way I play it on keyboard.

Wisdom

“Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in a fruit salad”.

Recently, I’ve been listening to an excellent series of preaches from All Nations Church in Cardiff on Wisdom. It has really challenged me in wisdom as a way of life, and has shown me practically how wisdom affects all areas of our life, including our relationships with family, friends and most importantly, with God.

So what is wisdom? Dictionary.com says:

“The quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.”

According to the Bible, wisdom is one of the gifts of the Spirit. In fact, it is the first listed in 1 Corinthians 12. The Bible differs slightly from the dictionary in its definition of wisdom. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2 v 6-10:

“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’ – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”

Wisdom is always something I have strived after, and I have always admired Solomon for his choice when given the option by God to ask for anything. When he asked for wisdom to help him act out God’s purpose for his life (in his case ruling the Israelites, God rewarded him with riches and a long life). So that request is something I am echoing today. God, please give me wisdom to help me act out your plan for my life, and to be able to help others and myself with problems in a wise manner that glorifies you.

Proverbs 4 v 7:
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Every Saga Has A Beginning

The title for this, my first blog post, comes from Star Wars Episode 1 promotional material (via an autobiography I had to write in Year 5 of school). But for now, it refers to me starting to jot my thoughts down for anyone to read online. I am not entirely sure what form this blog will take, but currently I am thinking it will be mostly my thoughts on life, faith and medicine interspersed with titbits from the news and the occasional diary-style entry when my life is sufficiently interesting to be worthy of causing you to take the time to read about it.

So I hope that you will join me on this journey of discovery. I am open to suggestions for directions to take and topics to blog about. Incidentally, I am aiming to post once or twice a week on average. Hopefully, as I get into the swing of things, I shall become more eloquent and interesting.