The Great Exchange

I have a feeling that this time last year I wrote a post marvelling at why Good Friday was ever called 'good'. For so long I could never understand why a man's death was a good thing, in fact, it seemed utterly barbaric.

But today, I get to celebrate the love of God that overcomes all things, and is lavished on my life with such generosity it has changed everything I am. 


‘The soldiers stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him […] Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” […] About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) […] And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.’ (Matt 27:28-31, 37, 50)


Jesus' death is remarkable, his crucifixion overwhelming, because he never deserved to die. As a man he was sinless and had done no wrong, as God, he is holy, perfect and powerful. The Great Exchange; that on the cross he exchanged his sinlessness for my sin, his perfection for all of my imperfections and in doing so, made a way for me to know him, with all of my sin and rubbish dealt with. 


Someone pointed out these incredible truths to me:

• Jesus was lead outside the city, so that we could be brought into the city of God.
• Jesus was stripped naked, so that we could be clothed in righteousness.
• Jesus' body was broken, so that we could be made whole.
• Jesus was forsaken by God, so that we could be accepted.
• Jesus was put to death, so that we could be made alive.

Good Friday is an incredible day. I look to the cross and see the love of God so perfectly displayed; a love that led him to His death, a love that welcomes me completely. Love that blows me away.

And what's even better is that Sunday is coming, for the Saviour didn't stay dead in the grave, but is raised to life, securing my hope in Him forever more. 

May you have an incredible few days lovely friends. I am off to marvel at this some more and enjoy dinner with friends this evening. What a weekend. I am just so, so blessed. 

From Waterloo to a Ghost Village.

Monday morning I was due to leave London but after it was discovered there was a fridge of food that needed eating before I headed back to the south coast, some friends were invited over to help me munch down the box of eggs I didn't want to go off. We enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast of fruit and american pancakes before leaving for Waterloo. My lovely friends helped me with the burdensome suitcase and such and it wasn't long before I found myself on the train to the coast.

Unfortunately I'd drunk nearly an entire caffetiere of coffee over breakfast and then bought an iced latte at the station as I had some time to spare. Needless to say I was quite hyped up whilst in the crowded little train carriage. The day was amazingly sunny and as I travelled west, a friend and I decided it was a good day to head to the Purbecks, an area of hills and beach and general astounding beauty. 

So, not three hours from being in East London, I found myself standing in an abandoned village on a military firing range, admiring an art installation and the beautiful scenery. It was a little surreal. We were in Tyneham village, a place that the army took over in the early years of WW2 as they had a camp there already. It's only open a few weeks of the year, and though we'd tried and failed to visit over Christmas, the day was perfectly sunny. We headed to the beach and discovered the most stunning cliffs and hills, with a sail boat sat peacefully on the water. There was no one around. It was made even more perfect by the arrival of what looked like a pirate ship. I was fairly sure I'd found myself in some sort of novel. We finally left after taking a billion photos and watching the sunset, and succumbing to the dalmatians desire to eat the biscuits we'd brought. We saw deer on our return through the forest, and I arrived back home still somewhat in awe. 

Now the last few days haven't been quite so picturesque, but they have been fun. Tuesday I caught up with my friends, most of which I've not seen since Christmas. We're all a little mad, have an unhealthy appreciation for cake, and have a slight ability to laugh until our faces contort into the most grotesque shapes. Needless to say, we had a good evening of dinner and cocktails for the Irish one's birthday. It involved a lot of squealing and excitement. 

Yesterday I drank about a tank of tea as I caught up with another friend, before heading to the girls' house for dinner and fun. The evening ended on their new trampoline, gazing at stars and recovering from hysterical laughter and screaming which is the obvious result of bouncing around in the dark.

Today I was meant to work, but considering it's reverted back to winter, I wasn't needed at the beach. I plan to achieve some of the things on my to-do list and read a bit of my book about dragons. 

Oh, and tonight we're going out, dressed as TOWIE characters. 

Sometimes, just sometimes, I have to laugh at the insanity that is my life.

Much love amigos. 

xo

Holiday Weekend

Following the beauties of my Friday night, I was dubious as to whether the rest of my first weekend of holiday would live up to my high hopes. Fortunately I have been pleasantly surprised and find myself still awake at this crazy time of night in an attempt to process and remember everything. There's nothing like a little blog blabber to organise one's head!

So, Saturday I got up rather earlier than I usually would but made my way to West London to meet two friends from home. The plan was the Natural History Museum but this was somewhat delayed by their getting lost, and so I continued the interruption with a latte in a cafe around the corner. After being reunited, hugging a lot and squealing a little,we made our way to the musuem, and spent a couple of hours being awed by the giant whale, the inside of a camel, and the incredible dinosaur's. It's a geeks paradise I'm telling you. Lunch involved delicious french sandwiches and pudding and a little more coffee in a rather sophisticated place. The food was divine but we definitely didn't succeed in the sophistication stakes.

Anyway, a short hop over to Leicester Square to collect some show tickets and then a wander past Whitehall to the Southbank Chocolate Festival. There was insufficient freebies at said festival so we bought some cookies and millionaire's shortcake and enjoyed the cooking wonders that were about instead. The rest of the day saw us head back to Leicester Square and enjoy a casual mojito at a bar which overlooks the whole of London. Another day of loving the city. 

Whilst my friend's went to see Les Mis (incredibly, incredibly jealous!) I went home, finished my essay, watched some House and got an earlyish night. Perfection.

Today conisisted of church fun, so some student teaching stuff, church, then drinks at a bar for about three hours. We spent time sharing our testimonies and it's amazing to hear the diversity in everyone's stories. Being a bit of a story geek, I've fallen in love with the grace that allows each one of us a story that details God's redemption. Each one reminds me how much God cares about us individually, how he values all that way go through, and has an incredible way of making all things work together for our good. Tonight I heard things that belong in a fictional novel, and not someone's real life, but all of it, the blend together and the variety of ways that God has changed people just blows me away. I love, love, love grace.

Returning to the east, I went to a friend's house for some dinner (mainly because he'd offered to cook me curry! Hurrah!) and then we chatted until near enough now.

The morning shall see friends descending on the flat for some scrummy breakfast and a bit of a prayer session before I head to Waterloo and travel back to the hometown. I seem to have crammed a lot into the weekend, and this post as a matter of fact, but it's good just to splurge a little. Here's to hoping that the supposed snow doesn't actually arrive this week, I've been far too happy about free feet in flip flops and the floral summer dresses being unpacked.

Blessings and hugs to one and to all.

Love xoxo

A Little Perfection

Picture this, twenty people gathered around two burning fires, silently watching the girl with a guitar singing her heart out. Cold beer, mixed with a little lime sits in hand, and someone leans their head on a friends shoulder. The fires spit embers and smoke into the air and everyone shares that wistful moment, wondering if things could ever get more beautiful.

Harrow is a long way from where I live, it involves a ridiculous tube journey, and as we discovered this evening some running if you ever want to return from the outback that is zone five.

Despite this however, I have just enjoyed one of the best evenings possible. Some friends of mine live out that way, and the guys invited us over for a BBQ evening, with fire pits, huge amounts of food, and a whole lot of music and chat. It was the perfect start to the Easter holidays, for today I finished all of my lectures and seminars for first year. That's right, I seem to have survived.

It's time for this content child to head to bed, ready for an adventure with some friends tomorrow involving the Natural History Museum and a French Cafe.

Oh gosh, I love the blessings of my life.

Essay Procrastination

I love this song a lot a lot. Ben Howard, Bones.

Oh go, far from this small town bar we know
Yeah go, frolic in the lights that brought you here
So very long

And hold, hold your lips so tightly
That the shadows may go

Cause I know, I know, I know I know

You can never be alone
Cause it's just the bones you're made of

And you laugh like you've never been lonely
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you laugh like there's hope in the story
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you laugh like I'll be there to hold you always
Always here
I'm always here, always here

And go silent as death on the first day of the snow
Oh go leave these fires burning
A house of embers and coal
And cover cover all those boys that search for love
In your room
Cause lust is just a child's game
And you, oh you were always late to bloom

And you laugh like you've never been lonely
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you laugh like there's hope in the story
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you laugh like I'll be there to hold you always
Always here
Always honey, always here

And you love like you've always been lonely
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you love him with all of your body
That's alright honey
That's alright with me
Oh you love him like he'll be there for always
Always honey yeah, always near
Always honey, always near
Always honey, always near

Oh go far from this small town bar we know
Oh go, leave me with this burning soul
Out here in the cold
Cause it's just the bones you're made of

Weddings by the Sea

This weekend I ventured back to the coast to see two friends from home get married. As you might've noticed if you're a Brit, the sun has been doing some serious shining the past few days and Saturday was no exception. Considering it's still March, it was an incredibly beautiful day, full of glossy photos and bare legs. (Yeah that's right, I braved no tights for the first time this year!)

Dave and Karen (the wedded couple) have been dating for what feels like an absolute age, and their wedding day had a real sense of expectation, as we all pondered where they'd come from and what God has in store for them ahead. It was a beautiful day, Karen really did look radiant and I'm fairly sure the beam on her face must've given her jaw ache. They'd thought of so much, with pots of bubbles in the church under chairs, and cute favours with quotes upon the reception tables. 

Here's a few photos of all the excitement!

The evening reception was a masquerade ball with a big swing band which left plenty of us dancing around like crazy people. There is a small possibility this was sugar inspired madness after the billion puddings that were displayed for the buffet began to be gobbled by hordes of guests. Still, who doesn't love an excuse to boogie!

The weekend also meant the opportunity to catch up with some of my best friends, and the family. I've been moved into the cupboard room so I'm tempted to take up Harry Potter as a nickname. I arrived back home on Friday night to discover a giant box of books taking up the only available floor space, and decided I was not okay with the new arrangements. Still, it was very lovely to see everyone, and I was somewhat disappointed to have to come back to Uni for another week; it felt about time for a holiday.

Sunday I went to church, and then had a family shindig on the cliff-tops, swapping copious birthday presents and  mother's day cards (I having managed to miss every recent family celebration of any kind!). Afterwards we took a stroll along the beach, soaking up the early evening rays before returning home for some salad, wine, and a bit of TV. 

I arrived back in London around lunchtime and spent the day catching up with friends and going to a double-length seminar. All things considered, it's been a rather good day. Unfortunately my intention of reading lots of Shakespeare, planning and assignment and being asleep by midnight has most definitely failed.

So on that note, it's time to say good night, and sweet dreams.

Lots of love, the newly named Harry.

xxx

Primroses and Picnics

The first picnic of the year! Today it was gloriously sunny, and London was lit up with summer glow. So, armed with the works of Shakespeare, several bags of food and a blanket, I headed to Primrose Hill with some friends for a bit of a 'working lunch'.

We've got a deadline looming so we didn't feel we could take the entire day off of work, and yet carrying the entire 4,000 page anthology of Shakespeare to north London was perhaps a little unnecessary as we instead spent our time eating, taking photos and rolling Babybels down the hill as in the advert.. Ba, ba, ba, baaa, babybel!

Another day of enjoying the city, and another reason I am so sad I'm not here through summer. I'm not saying life is perfect in London, but there is something about catching a glimpse of how huge and beautiful the capitol is that just makes me want to run around and enjoy it all. 

For now, I'll make do with photos such as this one, to keep me entertained.

And so it is time for bed for me. One of the bessies and I are shopping tomorrow as she's in London. I desperately need to get hold of a dress for a wedding on Saturday! Oh golly. Anyway, rest calls.

Good night chickens :)

xo