Sweeeeet!

Okay, it's not working very well to copy and paste the next lot of scripture into my blog window.

I might summarise...? Can always just go back on to the website and read over things again.

I liked the reminder of how 'big' God is, in verses 15-18 and that he is the head of the church. Makes me feel looked after for sure.

In verse 24 I (ooh.. ..) pictured a jug/tube being filled up with a pinkish liquid. I know..interesting hey..and I just remembered, and don't know if it's quite so relevant (I don't want to think of v.24 that way): seeing a show on telly tonight where they were pouring out blood (and water...from chicken meat sold in supermarkets) into those vessels to measure how much water was being added. Paul was pleased to 'fill up' on Christ's afflictions...being willing to take on the same treatment as Jesus suffered, for the sake of the people he had been commissioned by God to reach.

I felt 'rested', reading through the rest of Colossians 1 tonight. God IS so big. There is plenty for me to do now, and a big part is preparing and reading His word; letting His words speak into me continuously as He has commanded me to do (I'm saying commanded and not just 'told' or some other word because I want to take it seriously, and I believe God means it seriously. I can 'enjoy' the process of course..but there is a need for me to make the time and etc...
I wonder what sort of a training He's going to give me. If it's going to be that I go and spend some time in bible college (not really in my mind much at all..I might just check in with a friend who is doing some study and snatch his questions for my own reflection ;)), or that I 'sit at His feet'... I like the second the best. And I am a part of God's body - there is plenty I can learn through/from people at church as well.

Verse 24...Paul was willing to suffer..

Something 'Jossie' (not cat, a preacher/saint..) shared on Sunday was the importance of lifting our eyes.. Looking to the needs of the people around us more than for our own. Trusting God with our needs.

For me... I can't yet be out in ministry in a full time scenario...well not in the way I'm maybe thinking...I can be in ministry in helping people out in Melbourne to gain stable accommodation..that would be worthwhile and who knows what conversations we would have *:)*. Things I can definitely do now are:
Prepare - I will be 'there'...a leader of some sort, I've been told..eventually, so if I want to do that well I am best to study, read, listen, learn from God.
Stuff for others. Good things; don't have to be big to be 'big'. A kind word (BIG). A patient attitude..cheerfulness. Warmth.
What else? There's a lot.
Sweetness. :)


Paul had God's powerful energy working in him, too. v.29. So there's a 'vial' of Christ's suffering about Paul's life..but also a 'tank' of God's energy, working powerfully in him.

Ex potential man wanted to keep me as a friend on facebook, but doesn't talk to me at all. ..I feel 'neglected' in that. Might try to say hello and see if I get any kind of a response. Tempted to do like a 3 strikes and you're out, type thing. But I'm not going to do that/even feel like, 'no..he's a brother..' Does he 'need' me? I guess we all need each other. .. :) Okay I don't feel so bad now ;). I'll just pay attention to other important things...pray for him.. I talk to his girlfriend more than to him, because that seems appropriate. Not sure where he's at..might just post a hello message.