I need to be told by those around me that every time I sin I’m momentarily suffering from an  identity crisis: forgetting who I _actually_ belong to, what I _really_ want at my remade core, and all that is_ already_ mine in Christ.

Tullian Tchividjian - Reminders are more effective than rebukes

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Drawn in pencil, photographed with iPhone - post processed in Camera+ and Iris.

So to celebrate my 30th, with thanks to my mum, here’s 30 photos of me, one for each year:

For a while, I’ve been wondering about putting together a different kind of audio bible, one with a different person reading each chapter, but I didn’t get very far with it - so I’ve decided to test this out and collect recordings of the first 30 psalms for my 30th birthday.

So please could you record me a psalm for my birthday?

Reserve your psalm in the comments below and then you can either post a link to the recording or email me the file ( ricky at this domain). Please can you include with the recording which Psalm it is and your name.

I will share all the recordings with those who record one, so sending me one recording should hopefully get you a set of 30 psalms!

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I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2, ESV

“Do not be conformed to this world” is in the passive as it is something that happens subconsciously so we need to make a conscious effort not to let this happen.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4, ESV

According to the introductory statement to this Psalm, David wrote this when  he had been seized by the Philistines in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15), and starts this Psalm with expression of this situation and his fear, also in 1 Samuel 21:12 after he was recognised by Achish’s servants.  From this initial fear, he puts his trust in God and turns to God’s word - a good reaction for any situation.

Looking to God and his word brings any situation back into context and the realisation that if we are to trust in God there is no need to be afraid, for he is greater than anything that we fear.  In David’s case, this was the enemies surrounding him, but it could just as well be a disaster

In fact we don’t see the fullness of our hope in God until fear arrives and causes us to lean on God and place our trust in him. As Calvin writes:

In a tranquil state of the mind, there is no scope for the exercise of hope. At such times it lies dormant, and its power is only displayed to advantage when we see it elevating the soul under dejection, calming its agitations, or soothing its distractions.

Commentary on the Psalms, Vol 2

How do you respond to fear?  Should we respond to fear differently?

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV

Since downloading the Fighter Verses iPhone app, I’ve started slowly to try to memorise the verses from scripture - Here’s some of my notes on the first one.

In the verses leading up to this, God reminds his people that it is because of his promise to their ancestors that he has rescued them from Egypt and instructs them on how to deal with the nations around them, particularly cautioning them not to enter agreements or intermarry with the people he told tehm to destroy.

God has set apart his own people to be special to him, not because of any greatness or achievement of their own. Because of this evidence of God’s love for them, carried out through the generations, they can be assured that God will continue keep his covenant.

God sets himself apart from the false gods of the surrounding nations.  He is the one true God who will loyally keep his covenent agreement. His love stands firm amidst the changing world, he is the only one that can be depended on, and they can see that from their history.  His people are called to be loyal to him, love him and keep the commandments - reflecting the way he loves us.

Had a lovely afternoon making these Banana & Chocolate chip muffins with Abi and Jessica:

I’d used the last 2 eggs at lunchtime so when we decided to do some cooking I searched for recipes without eggs - turns out that the best thing to search for is eggless recipes. I then found the recipe for these muffins which after I made a couple of alterations to, we had all the ingredients for. We all had fun making them and they were delicious, although unfortunately I decided to only make half the quantities so we only had 6! The recipe with my alterations is below (makes 6)

Ingredients

• 1 cup self raising flour

• ¼ cup oats

• ½ cup sugar

• 6 squares of chocolate (chopped up)

• 2 bananas (mashed)

• ¼ cup sunflower oil

• 2 tblsp water

Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C

2. Mix the mashed banana, oil and sugar and water together to create a smooth paste.

3. Mix in the flour, oats and chocolate pieces.

4. Spoon carefully into muffin cases, about 3 tsp of mixture per case

5. Cook for 20 minutes.