I was packing my rucksack to go on a week of Beach Missions and it was starting to get rather full just as I was packing my books. Mum came in just at that point. Chance? She suggested that I take my little Gideon's Bible instead of my hefty hard-back NIV. I followed her advice. During the train journey I took my Bible out of the bag, put it next to my bag on the luggage rack and then for some crazy reason decided to take a walk up the train, leaving the Bible next to my bag. Wierd? On the way back from my little walk I forgot the Bible and went and sat down back in my seat. Kinda random! I'm normally very conscious about remembering things. When I arrived at the next station I happily picked up my bag, minus Bible, and made my way to the platform. My next connection wasn't for a while and I sat on a bench, opposite that same train for at least 10 minutes as it prepared to go back to where it started. Ten whole minutes later the train was ready to go and the door slid shut. At the very second the doors clunked together I remebered I had forgotten my Bible. Split second coincidence? Some might call it a miniature disaster. I call it providence. Someone must have needed a Bible and so God found them one, by losing mine!

I've just been to a houseparty. When it was first started, it was a Christian houseparty for home-educated teenagers. The Christian bit refers to the houseparty itself, in other words you didn't – and still don't – have to be a Christian to come, but a lot of people there are Christians and we have loads of awesome Bible teaching. So really it was a Christianity focused houseparty for home-educated teenagers. Then somewhere along the line some people wanted to come who were too young according to the 'teenager' label and so it became a Christianity focused houseparty for teenagers, or younger people who act like teenagers. Then some people got a bit old and fell off the other end of the scale so it became a Christianity focused houseparty for teens, or younger people who act like them, and twenties. Then it was decided to run a similar event in the South, so it became the Northern houseparty. Seeing as they run one every year its also useful to have a date in there. So being more precise, what I've just been to is a Northern, 2008, teens', or younger people who act like them, and twenties', Christianity focused houseparty. Oh and by the way, it's not in a house and it's not a party.

If you're still confused here's a more understandable explanation: I've just been away for the weekend with a bunch of other homeschoolers, most of whom are Christians, most of whom are teenagers or there abouts, and we've had loads of fun and loads of amazing teaching from the Bible. Here are some things that we learnt, which God has really used to speak to me.

It's all about God

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

All things are from God. Compare this to any other worldview like humanism, everything is from man, like fatalism, everything is from chance, like those who believe in karma, everything is from past actions, like agnosticism which says we can't know. We know that everything is from God, including everything we have (1 Cor 4:7). It's a priviledge not a right. So we must be thankful for everything all the time (Eph 5:20).

All things are through God. The whole world is held together through God (Col 1:12). He is the only reason that the atoms in our body stay together and don't suddenly fragment into millions of pieces. Our very next breath is in his hand (Job 12:10). That same God gives us power to live our lives in the way he wants (2 Peter 1:3). We can do everything through him who gives us strength (Phil 4:13)! But we can do nothing without him. Trying to do it by ourselves is like a four month old baby wanting to leave home. So we must pray, pray, pray.

All things are for God. We were made to live utterly for God. When we try to live our lives for anything else it will never truly work and can never truly bring satisfaction. We need to do everything for God's glory (1 Cor 10:31): drink orange juice for God's glory; surf YouTube for God's glory; clean our teeth for God's glory; read books for God's glory; do everything for God's glory. So we must be set apart for God, be holy.

We need to work out how we can be thankful, prayerful and holy people to live our lives, which come from God, through him and for him.

Life as a sacrifice

Because of God's mercy offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

God has given us so much that we don't deserve, all we can do is offer him what he does deserve, our lives. Total commitment is what we were made for if we recognise it or not. We should sacrifice our life, dedicate it, surrender it, gladly give it and place it under God's command. It's hard. We have to die to ourselves every day. Just like the sacrifices in the old covenant, to make our life an acceptable sacrifice we must:

• make sure it is clean and non-blemished
• give of our best
• give it all, holding nothing back
• give it willingly
• give as worship for God

It will cost us. Yet it is the only way that makes sense. No reserves, no retreats, no regrets. (Cool alliteration, huh?)

That was just two of the five talks. Phew! The Bible might have been written 2000 years ago but it's never out of date. This is how God has chosen to speak to us and still does. There is sooo much in there. God clearly has a lot to say!

Imagine hearing some Jesus' teachings with your own ears. How amazing would that be? Imagine meeting him face to face and talking with him! How amazing would that be? Now think of Mary and Joseph. Imagine being the parent of Jesus, the much awaited Messiah, eagerly anticipated by the entrie Jewish nation and the one who was to set the world free. How amazing would that be? No wonder Mary was called 'highly favoured' by the angel. I doubt parents have ever learnt so much from their child. Think how concious Joseph felt as Jesus was standing next to him as he did his carpentry. Jesus would never have gotten angry when a chair leg didn't fit in the hole, or when he hit his thumb with the chisel. Or think how Mary felt when Jesus never complained about doing the washing or sweeping his room. It must have been such an incredible experience, having a child who always obeyed them without ever complaining or arguing.

It must have been quite a shock when James came along!

Dear Friend,

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to decide upon the right outfit to wear.

When you ran around the house getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello but you were to busy. At one point, you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead.

I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me which is why you didn't. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left and I hope that you will talk to me yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal but again you didn't talk to me.

Bedtime, I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. You may have mumbled a few words in my direction like you always do - but you didn't think about them.

It's okay. You may not realise that I am always here for you... I've got patience, more than you will ever know, I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, a prayer, a thought, or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. Once again I will wait with love overflowing just for you... hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend,

God

I stumbled across this and I think it is such a brilliant reminder of what Ephesians 6:18 says: pray in all occasions with all kinds of prayers. Amen! May I do that until the day I die :D (and I can't wait until then either).

Here is a great list of songs (mostly stolen from other sites) which Christians should hope and pray that they never start singing:

• Trust and Obey My Own Instincts
• Blessed Insurance
• Be Thou My Hobby
• Pebble of Ages
• My Hope is Built on Nothing Much
• Mostly For Jesus
• Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
• Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound
• I Surrender Some
• All Hail the Influence of Jesus' Name
• Oh, for a Couple of Tongues to Sing
• When Peace, Like a Trickle...
• Oh, How I Like Jesus
• What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
• I'm Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
• Above Average is Thy Faithfulness