Lets try something different: The evening it started!

Last night I felt challenged to try something different, and whilst I sat in the Ikea lounge at college with four other friends, I persuaded them to the something different this reading week too.

That was the beginning last night alone we made music in stomp style as well as a girly makeover evening.

In the midst of trying something different it was nice to have those who where slightly familiar with hair and make up.

Below is the definition of different as taken from my mac dictionary.

different |ˈdif(ə)rənt|adjective1 not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality : you can play this game in different ways. | (different from/than) the car is different from anything else on the market.

• informal novel and unusual : try something deliciously different.

So I say "Bring on the rest of this week...." :D

the end of a normal week

Time for reading week here at College, that means the place will empty apart from the hardy stalwarts. This will probably mean an amazing peace and emptiness will descend upon the college. I am slightly looking forward to this. I am helping some days next week with my placement church in the mornings to help run a children's club. Although most, look at me as if I am mad when I say I am going to do this, I am looking forward to something different.

Something different, maybe that should be my motto for next week....

LETS TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

On to the chapel floor

Once again I can be found on the floor of the chapel. This is where I come to pray and think and just spend some time with God, sometimes alone, sometimes not. Upon the chapel floor my attention turned to this post on a brothers sight www.eremosanemos.com it really blessed me.

This week has had its challenges, preached my first sermon, which was exciting, and took part in a musical in a day as a dancer. However, the biggest challenge for me has been something else...

Its odd, the word cost has come up so much in the last few days. What is the cost of being here, doing this? What is the cost of being a Christian; of being a disciple; of being an apprentice? What is the cost of being a pioneer, of using practical theology, of really caring? What is the cost of my heart, of my emotions, of myself? What am I willing to give up? What will others give up? What did He give up?

The word cost in itself is often painful. Sometimes a cost can be joyful, but more often than not, it is a heart wrenching pain. I was about yesterday in the realms of Derbyshire.

Why has God brought me here? Usually even though I am still unsure I know its right, but today, not so in any case.

God why am I here?

So many people are questioning things, and asking why life is complicated. I can see so clearly the cost they have had in their lives.

One seems so much in pain from emotions that they seem to want to disappear. Why? Why can I see the cost of their feelings, causing them to hate what they think they need to do, the place where they need to be? ‘why is life so complicated?’

Another was confused by a proposal, a decision that was wanted, do I do this, do I do that? Do I stick with this place, or do I possibly fast track three, four maybe five years down the line to where I want to be. ‘why is God ruining my life, why is life so complicated?’

One more had lost what they saw as their future. They where questioning what to do now. Confused. ‘Why is life so complicated, why?’

... what is my cost in this life time, why am I here?

Once again I found myself brought to the floor of your chapel Lord. I'm face down in confusion, not just for me but for everyone, but I will continue to shout your praise because You are my God forever

It's early ish in the morning, most ordinary uni students would still be enjoying the fact that they could be sleeping off last nights hangover, even here in the world of Cliff the place is still calm and quiet. People ask why do you get up early, it's not always as easy as I make it seem, but it's partially about knowing that there is a moment of piece in the world. A chance of some time for me. I sometimes wonder if people see me busy running around and not always taking the chance to sit still and take some me time, well a lot of it is caught at glimpses in the morning. a chance to be quiet, reflect and pray. Of course their is the tea and coffee round, which is one of my favourite times of the day, as then I know I'm not alone in the solitude, and the rest of the world will wake up soon too.