Tag: flight

Posted on

Patience? ?

Patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God. As I said yesterday patience is a word I have feared for years. I constantly struggled with putting that word into action and living it out in a way that reflects Christ’s example.  

Just recently, I was sitting in an airport terminal waiting on a delayed flight for over two hours, I couldn’t help but notice how my patience fluctuates. Sometimes, I can sit, be still, and be fully reliant on God and His timing. Other times, I’m constantly looking at the clock and wondering, “When? Why not now?” 

We all have our own individual spiritual gifts. Yours may be leadership, showing grace, teaching, or anything like that. Many forget that being patient is a spiritual gift. I believe it is more an act of love as well as a spiritual gift. For, in 1 Corinthians 13:4, we read, “Love is patient, love is kind…” Although this is just a piece of the entire chapter which goes on to talk more about love in action, we can see just how important patience is within the first three words of this verse. Love is patient. While being patient, we should be loving others. 

My solution to becoming more patient and overcoming my impatience is to answer the three questions two of which were stated earlier: When? Why not now? And do I love deep enough? The answer to them all is, “God knows.” This suggests the key to being patient is faith, trust, and love for God. 

Today I declare patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God. It is also something that is not always easy to develop. It’s developed over time – a process. Don’t feel stressed or pressured to immediately go out and try and fix your patience- experience, time, practice, and God’s help are the only things that can truly develop your patience. Please be patient while developing your patience. 

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. James 5:7  

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank you for being patient with me. Grant me the virtue of patience. I pray that it may mellow me and make me less irritable. Father may I be broad in my forgiveness, and never narrow, proud or overbearing. God, may no one be worse off for having come within my influence, no one less pure, or less noble and may my love and God-given patience lead to eternal life in Christ’s name, Amen! 

Posted on

Wisdom Wednesday

In the 25 years I've travelled I have always taken out travel insurance but never had to make a claim. That was until this trip. I have been tested to the limit and it is still not over. As I write, I am at a hotel in Washington Dulles after missing my flight back to the UK.

My thoughts are... 'Lord, are you with me because I can't see how you are in this and I'm struggling to trust you.' 
I feel guilty for even thinking this... my faith should be strong, after all I'm a Pastor?
 
Yet I have to be honest in this moment. I can’t pretend when all the while God knows my heart. Even as I write, He is providing a fresh revelation of Himself to me. 

Jesus becomes the author of our faith as He initiates powerful promises that challenge us to trust in Him. Our faith is developed as we choose to trust His promises daily. When we trust Him we learn that He is a God of His word. A God who will never break His promise. All we are required to do is trust Him in whatever circumstance. - Pastor Sophia


Soph: **Update**
Thank you so much for your prayers yesterday. I've just arrived back safely. 

But let me share with you what happened after I texted you my devotional... I decided to wear my 'Purpose' T-shirt. As I was going through the airport I noticed that people were reading the print, some even made comments and we were able to strike up a conversation. 

My faith throughout the day was strengthened and it began with being honest about where I was. Not only that... your prayers and the promises, power and presence of God made the difference. 

The biting point of transformation is where honesty meets the Jesus who is the truth, the life and the way.

Have a blessed day!
Posted on

Know When Not To Fight

Tame the Wilderness of Your Mind...Or Let the Wilderness Control You

The real question you must ask yourself is “what are you willing to do to live a life of victory?” In order to live the life of victory God has promised, you have to be very selective about what and who you give your time and attention to. You have to recognise which thoughts to ignore, which comments to ignore, and sometimes, which people to ignore. Every “battle” that comes across your path is not a battle that you’re supposed to fight. Many battles are simply distractions by the enemy to try to get you off course. If that battle is not between you and your God-given destiny, it’s a battle you should ignore.

Have you heard the saying mind your own business? Many people get thrown off course because they are always trying to straighten everyone else out, or win their approval. But if that’s your focus, you are wasting valuable time and energy that you should be using to pursue your dreams. Don’t get involved with things that don’t concern you, turn away from distractions! You don’t need the approval of everyone around you, you only need God’s approval!

Today, realise, it’s very liberating when you don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to straighten people out. You don’t have to pay somebody back for what they may have done. Instead, focus on what matters, focus on God and His Word. Remember, in order to stay focused and live in victory, you may have to be selective about what and who you give your attention to, so you can live in peace and happiness all the days of your life!

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.”

(Psalm 119:37, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for ordering my steps. Thank You for planning good things for me. Father, help me to discern the things, people and battles I should ignore. God, help me to avoid distractions that will rob me of my victory and happiness, as I focus my heart and mind on You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

Posted on

Heathrow Airport Expansion – Exploring the Controversy

LONDON – The debate over the   £19 billion scheme for the third runway at Heathrow airport has been a long-running row which  has grown into fierce opposition within the last couple of months.

We shall not be moved,  Heathrow Airport management has stuck  to its original course of action, while ignoring constant protests and public discontent and insists that expanding Heathrow will provide the growth, jobs, experts, and connections to make Great Britain greater still.

Sir Richard Branson Urges Heathrow Expansion, and Says “Britain Is ‘being Held Back Massively”.

The billionaire founder of the Virgin Group has accused politicians of neglecting  to back the expansion project at Heathrow because they are more concerned about their own jobs  rather than doing “what is right for the UK”.

The entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson urged the Government to be ” bold and brave on big infrastructure decisions like this”.

Hounslow Council, on the other hand, has been accused of “throwing in the towel” over the Heathrow expansion after it promoted the “opportunity of a third runway”. In response, Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran stated  its stance on Heathrow had not changed but said it needed to be prepared if the government approves the recommendation for a third runway later this year.

Meanwhile, twelfth century St Mary the Virgin sits right in the middle of flight paths in the village of Harmondsworth, Middlesex and under blueprints for the expansion of the airport, most of the buildings in the village will be demolished but the 951-year-old grade II listed church will be spared. Protesters say there would no longer be anyone to use it.

Worshippers have already prayed at a Service of Hope that the Government will reject Heathrow’s expansion plans.

Amid mounting concerns and opposition from the whole community Justine Greening, the International Development Secretary predicts the government will  ditch the £16bn plan for a third runway at Heathrow.

“Trying to Expand Heathrow Is like Trying to Build an Eight Bedroom Mansion on the Site of a Terraced House. It Is a Hub Airport That Is Just Simply in the Wrong Place” – Justine Greening

London Mayor Boris Johnson has been a vehement opponent of Heathrow expansion and has said
that the  New Heathrow runway will negatively affect public health.  In his report ‘Landing the Right Airport’ presented in March, Boris Johnson evaluated damages caused by the new runway to be between £20bn to £25bn during the next 60 years.

Both Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan, respective Conservative and Labour candidates to succeed Mr. Johnson are also on the bandwagon and are campaigning against a third runway.  This  controversial debate  has also resulted in  Downing Street  issuing an instruction to  ministers asking them not to discuss the proposed third runway at Heathrow airport.

The North West Runway Will Be Two Miles (3,200m) Long, Making It Big Enough for Any Aircraft in the World to Use It

The commission, which was ordered by the government coalition, stated  that the Heathrow expansion  is ‘the best answer’ to easing the pressure on the UK’s  crowded air terminals  and that it  will not increase noise above current levels, but  will generate up to £147 billion in GDP impacts over 60 years.

Furthermore, if the plan for the third runway is approved, it  will provide 740,000 flights a year, putting it on equal footing with Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.

A decision on whether to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport has been delayed until summer 2016, the government has confirmed.

 

As seen on