Reflecting on change

Following on from the 'transformation' challenge that Pauline set last Thursday - and, by the way, that challenge is still current, so we would love to see you design something for it - I'm continuing to reflect upon 'transformation'.

We all go through various changes in our lives, from childhood, through adolescence into adulthood - eventually becoming middle aged and later on, senior citizens - I now fall into that category. Of course, sadly for some an early death denies them the later stages of life.

But we also go through changes of circumstances - relationships, career, health, friendships, where we live etc. And, apart from personal changes, there are many changes going on around us, most of them outside of our control, but they affect our lives - changes in society, in government policies etc.

As our 'transformation' crafting testified, Jesus is transforming Christians - we are 'new creations'. I know that He still needs to make many more changes in me even though I've been on the Christian pathway for many years.

But amid all this, I am so thankful that, despite all other changes, God Himself is unchanging. 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,' Hebrews 13:8 is one of my favourite verses - I know that I can depend upon the One who never changes, whatever I face in life.

Transformation

Before I introduce this week's challenge, we have some Design Team news - Julie and Tanis are stepping down from the team after having been involved in SALT for a long time. We're all incredibly sad to say goodbye to them, having been inspired by their thoughts on the challenges and having enjoyed the fellowship we've had on the team. Thank you to both of you for everything you've done for the SALT blog, for your insights on the challenges, and for the friendship we've been able to have with you.

We hope you will join with us in wishing Julie and Tanis every blessing. Hopefully they will both keep in touch with SALT, maybe even joining in a challenge every now and then!

__________

As we've moved rather rapidly from summer to autumn and almost instantly (in Scotland anyway!) into winter, I've been thinking about the seasons and how seamlessly we move through the year and each stage of the transformation. As Christians, we are transformed by God, we are new creations when we allow Christ into our lives. We read in 2 Corinthians 5, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come". In our relationship with Christ we leave behind our old selves and are transformed by His love. Dave Bilbrough's worship song speaks of us being new creations,

I am a new creation,

No more in condemnation

Here in the grace of God I stand

My heart is overflowing

My love just keeps on growing

Here in the grace of God I stand.

And I will praise you God

Yes I will praise you God

And I will sing of all that you have done

A joy that knows no limit

A lightness in my spirit

Here in the grace of God I stand

As we move from our current season (which season it is will depend where you're living so I won't assume everyone is getting as cold as me!) I pray that we will find joy in the transformation taking place both in nature and in ourselves.

Remember to link to your blog in the comments section if you are inspired to create something on the theme. I hope you will consider taking part and letting us see your work.

Pauline

Hazel


Lythan
Kim

Ruth

Still thinking about Priorities....

I think Priorities is the theme of my year!

Still seeking and searching for wisdom and growth in this area. It's a busy life, this life of ours. Somehow chaos and stress seem to be the norm - I see it everywhere I look. And it's NOT the life God wants for us.

He wants us to have peace. And He wants our lives to be purposeful, to have goals, to have direction - all to bring glory to Him.

I was reading through this devotional, and just LOVED the way the author expressed these thoughts...

We first need to remember our purpose in this life, and evaluate our priorities. If we fill our schedules with things that have nothing to do with our purpose – if they don’t bring us closer to our goals, then we run around in chaos, being busy but pointless! If we’re not making the important things priority, then we are out of balance.

Jesus paid a very high price to reconcile us back to God, to make peace and give us an abundant life. He is a God of order who never meant for us to be too busy to enjoy the simple pleasures He offers, which lead to contentment, joy and peace. Complicated lives prevent “simple freedom”. It really is that simple.

Dear God, please help me get my life and home organized. Help me make it simple, not complex and complicated. Help me understand what matters most and enjoy life on earth the way You want me to. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen. 

(excerpt taken from http://womenbygrace.com/womens-devotions/simplify-your-life/)

Who is my neighbour?

This is a question that never gets tired or old. It is a question no less valid today as the world gets smaller and we can find out what is going on in far flung countries. Who is my neighbour? Does my heart grow bigger as my horizons do, or does it grow small and hard when I am called upon to care in a costly way? It is a question no less valid today at a time of austerity and belt tightening when it is all too easy to "take care of our own" first and just give our leftovers to others. Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan may be heart warming in its familiarity but there is a heart warning for us too. We are called upon to love in unexpected ways, to see our neighbour as an unexpected person. Spend some time thinking about what this means for you and your faith today.

As ever the team have come up with some beautiful interpretations of the challenge for this fortnight. Why not visit their own blogs and find out more about their thought, inspiration and how they put their art together?

Hazel

Ruth


Lythan

Kim


Pauline

Life is busy

With the kids returning to much of the school routine things have gotten out of hand for me really , no excuse my priorities are out of whack. To much of work , to much facebook and not enough time to enjoy. My Hubby has been working alot and out of town almost everyday getting home very late at night. His sacrifice has kinda left me feeling very uninspired. So when thinking and praying about what to write about this week I thought what a good time to remind myself of those priorities. To put God first in my life, he will fulfill my every need.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (New International Version)

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

God's Righteousness

Last week we had a guest speaker at our church and his sermons really stuck with me as he raised some very common questions that I, and I suspect others, hear frequently when talking about God. One of those questions was, “Is God righteous?”
The only way to effectively answer such a question is to head straight to the Bible. Romans 3:21 states, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”

Matthew Henry has these helpful comments on these verses, “Never was there such a demonstration of the justice and holiness of God as there was in the death of Christ. It appears that God hates sin, when nothing less than the blood of Christ would satisfy for it. The iniquities of us all being laid upon Him, though he was the Son of his love, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him. Mercy and truth are so met together, righteousness and peace have so kissed each other, that it is now become not only an act of grace and mercy, but an act of righteousness, in God, to pardon the sins of penitent believers, having accepted the satisfaction that Christ by dying made to his justice for them."

The one thought that I walked away with from hearing those sermons was that God is good. There is nothing in us that deserves God’s favor, it is only His mercy and long suffering that sustains us, even through those times that we walk away from Him or ignore His kindness. It may be argued that we deserve whatever we want or that God’s requirements are too heavy, too hard. Yes, God requires something from us but it is merely faith, faith in the One who was sent to deliver us from our sins. Christ is the answer, He came to take away the sting of death to stand in our place and take the punishment that we deserve. How great is His love and how righteous His works! May God be pleased to show you the love of Christ today!

Thank you so much for allowing us to share these challenges with you, it is a blessing! And we're blessed when you share your artwork and thoughts with us...If you feel inspired by this week's study and/or art please leave us a comment with a link back to your blog or gallery...we'd be delighted to see your creations!

Kim


Lythan
Hazel

Judge not...

Hi there Salt followers, thank you for following our efforts to be SALT.

It's me, Ruth's turn for the in between post.

I've been pondering lately on what it means to judge others. I find it an area in my life that I struggle with. When I don't know the full picture of a situation and somebody does something I don't like I often make a snap judgement about their motivation.

The Bible says

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

This is the way God wants us to live, and these verses are such a clear illustration of how we should examine ourselves first. But even more amazingly, God the righteous, all knowing, holy and loving God, the one who does have the right to judge us does not judge us when we put our faith in Jesus - "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."