Tag: Freedom

~ Restoring You ~

The word Restore basically means, 
'To Repair something back to it's Original Condition'.

People Restore different things such as, Restoring old cars, Restoring furniture & Restoring buildings etc. 

There's a place that's about a 30 min drive from where we live called Rivington Terraced Gardens. It was Designed and Built in the early 1900's for Lord Leverhulme who owned Lever Brothers Soap, now called Unilever.

The Terraced Gardens are 45 acres and built on a steep hillside so there's lots of pathways that zig zag up the hillside linking together different areas of the gardens. Lord Leverhulme had been inspired by Japanese Gardens and Italian Architecture in the Edwardian period that he lived and he incorporated this into the design of the Gardens.
He built a Japanese Garden with a Lake and natural flowing Waterfalls, surrounded by Japanese themed Buildings, Plants and Trees.

He built another Lake with Italian themed Designs and Architecture and he used to go for an Early Morning swim in the Lake to Refresh his body.

The majority of the buildings and walls were built using Stone, some of which had been quarried out of the hillside. 
It's Truly Amazing how they built it all back in the Edwardian period (over 100 years ago) without the use of modern machinery.

There are some Very Large Features built with the 'Dry Stone' building technique (no mortar to hold it together) and they are still standing and in Good Condition over 100 years later. 

There were also 7 summerhouses built out of Stone. They're nothing like summerhouses of today. They were designed in the Italian theme with Elaborate Stone Carving, Elegant pillars and Stone steps leading up to a Roof Platform for a Roof top Viewpoint overlooking the countryside. 

Within the Gardens there was also a Ravine with Beautiful Waterfalls cascading down into small Ponds, with Stone Built Bridges across the Flowing Water, giving Beautiful Views of the Waterfalls.

The Terraced Gardens where Originally Private Gardens for Lord Leverhulme, and he held many events to Entertain Guests where they could Leisurely Enjoy the Terraced Gardens.
He also Invited the public for Open Days and raised lots of money to Help different Charities.
At that time most people would never have seen anything like it before, so it would have been a Wonderful Experience for people.

When Lord Leverhulme died, the Gardens where sold a number of times over the years. They ended up being owned by a water company who didn't look after the Gardens & Buildings, and it became Very Run Down and Overgrown.

It was opened to the general public and over the years it got worse and worse. People used to go in the summerhouses and light camp fires and leave beer cans and Rubbish in them.
The Lakes became Dumping Grounds and generally Misused and Treated Badly.
What had started out as a Beautiful and Inspiring Place, had become Run Down, Overgrown and Mistreated.

The first time my Wife and I went there was probably about 20 years ago, and it was already Run Down when we saw it. Even though it was Run Down there was still something about it that Inspired us. 
As it was only a 30 min drive from where we live, and it's probably the only bit of open Countryside that's near us, we used to Regularly go there for walks. We also used to go Running there to keep fit as it's got lots of Stone Steps and Interesting Pathways to run on. 

We went there quite regularly for probably over 10 years, so we got to know the place very well.
As we walked around we would often try to Imagine what it would have been like when it was 'Originally' built. Even though it was in a bad state, we could still see Glimpses of its 'Original Beauty', and was still Very Inspiring.  

We often used to say how good it would be if it was Restored to its Original Design. People would then be able to Experience what it was Supposed to Be like, instead of only seeing its Fallen State.

My Wife and I continued going for walks and runs, but after a while it got even worse, and people started using it to do drugs and more Rubbish was dumped there. We stopped going there and hadn't been back for nearly 10 years.

We then heard that there had been some Restoration work being done, so last week we went there for a walk.

It has been Transformed into a Wonderful Place again. A group of people had set up an organisation to Restore parts of it. 
Many Wonderful Volunteers have helped 'Clear Away' the Rubbish, 'Prune' the Overgrown bits, and give it all a Good 'Clean'. 

The Lakes have had all the 'Rubbish Removed' from them, and over 800 cubic metres of 'Sludge' was drained out, that had built up over the years.
They Discovered a Hidden Cave behind a Large Rock Feature at the edge of the Lake. It was Originally Designed to have a small boat inside it, and Lord Leverhulme would WOW his Guests by suddenly appearing in a boat from behind the Rock Feature.

Some of the Summerhouses have been Restored. They've been Cleared of Rubbish, the Stone work has been 'Cleaned' of all the 'Dirt and Grime' that had built up, and the Rooftop Viewpoints have been re-opened so people can Experience its 'Original Purpose'. 

When my Wife and I were walking around, it was Truly Wonderful to see the Transformation. We could see the Original shapes of the Lakes Designs and many of the Beautiful Stone Features that had been Covered Up for so long.

When we saw the Summerhouses, it was Very Inspiring.
My Wife said “If somebody sees these for the first time and they had never seen them when they were Run Down, they would think they were New Buildings”.

The team of Restorers Really have done a Great job.

After 'Experiencing' the Terraced Gardens in their 'Restored' state, my Wife and I came away feeling Very Inspired, Uplifted and Full of Joy.     

Something that had Originally been Created so Wonderfully with a 'Special Purpose', yet it had been 'Mistreated' for so long and allowed to fall into a Run Down state, had now been 'Restored' back to how it was 'Originally' Supposed to Be. 
And people can once again Enjoy and Experience the Beauty, Wonder and Creativity of its Original Design.

In a Similar Way, that's what Gods Plan is for People.

When God Originally Designed and Created people, He Wonderfully Made Us, with a Special Purpose. 
That includes 'You'. God Designed You, and He Personally 'Created' You in a 'Truly Wonderful Way'. He has a Very 'Special Purpose' for Your Life. 
The Bible says, 
'We are His Workmanship, Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works'. 
(Ephesians 2:10). 

Your Life has Meaning and Purpose. 

Many people (including myself) were Misled about the 'Meaning of Life', and went down the Wrong Path, (the 'worlds' path). 
Peoples Lives become 'Run Down' and 'Overgrown' by the 'worlds' Wicked and Deceitful Ways of Living.
People are 'Mistreated' and the 'worlds' Rubbish is Dumped on them.

The Wonderful Life that God Created, becomes Corrupted, Overgrown and Run Down, so that it No Longer Functions how God Originally Intended.

This is all the devils plan to Prevent People Being Who God Created them to Be.

But God has a Plan. 

God's Word says in (2 Corinthians 13:11), 
“Strive for Full Restoration”. 

Some translations say 'Be Made Complete', (Be what You Should Be).  

How do you 'Strive for Full Restoration' ?

~ 'Prune' the parts of Your Life that have become 'Overgrown'.
~ 'Drain Away' the 'Sludge' that's built up in Your Life over the years.
~ 'Clear Away' the 'Rubbish' that's been Dumped on You by' Other People',  Throw It Away.
~ Ask God to Guide You what 'His Original Purpose' is for 'Your Life', and be 'Open' to God's Answer. 
~ Then be Willing to 'Be All that God Created You to Be'.

You might Discover some Hidden things about Yourself, that will have a WOW effect.
When 'You are Restored' to how God Originally Created You, You will be an Inspiration to others, You will Lift peoples Spirits, and Fill them with Joy.

And most Importantly, You will make Your Creator God 'Very, Very Happy'. 
You will be a Blessing to God.

'Strive for Full Restoration'. 
And God Will 'Be With You' and 'Strengthen You'
 in Every area of the Restoration.

“He Restores my Soul, 
He Leads me in the Paths of Righteousness”. 
(Psalm 23:3). 

The Greatest Restoration project You can ever be part of, is 
'Restoring You'.

~ You're Never Alone ~

A few days ago a women (who I will refer to as 'L' for confidential respect) told me that a women she has known for many years (who I will refer to as 'S' ) had been taken into a care home.
'S' had been ill for a long time with many illnesses including Alzheimer's.

Her Husband had died many years ago and she had been living by herself for many years. She had people visit her and look after her etc.

She had been found a few times wondering around the streets looking for people who had died a long time ago.

'L' said to me that 'S' had been taken into the care home because her Mind had gone, and she needs constant care.

'L' then said “That's what happens when you get old and you're Alone with no one to talk to, your Mind goes and it plays Tricks on you”. 

As she said that, a 'Warning Alarm' went off inside me, and I felt God Guiding me – 'That's Wrong, that's a worldly attitude'.

'L' continued telling me what had happened with 'S', and then I said, 
“Does she Believe in God” ?

'L' said, “O yes, she Believes in God”. 

I said, “No, I mean does she 'Really' believe in God” ?

'L' then said, “Erm, I think so, she used to go to Sunday school and she says her Prayers”. 

~ That Doesn't mean that she 'Really' Believes in God and His Word. ~

I then said, “I asked that because you said 'When you're Alone, your Mind goes and it plays Tricks on you'. 
But when you Really Believe in God, then you know you're 'Never Alone', because God is Everywhere”. 

 Up until that point, 'L's face had been very 'negative' with a fearful expression, as though she was worried that she might get Alzheimer's as well. 
But when I said that about God, her face changed to a 'Positive' look.
She said, “Yes that's Right, I read that a bit ago, 'You're Never Alone, because God is Everywhere'”. 

We carried on talking a while, and I offered 'L' some Loving Encouragement and Guided her to put her 'Trust in God'. 

The next day I remembered a different conversation that my Wife & I had with a homeless man Many years ago. We had given him some food and a hot drink, and we spent some time talking with him.

He told us he'd been living on the streets for a Long time. He said he's ok when Nice people talk with him, but when he's Alone, his 'Mind' plays Tricks on him, and he Thinks horrible things.

We didn't ask what he meant by that as we could see in his face that he was meaning very dark and disturbing things.

As I remembered this a few days ago, I realised that I've heard Lots of people say 'negative' things like, 'If you've got no one to talk to then you'll go mad', or 
'If you're by yourself then you'll crack up', and other similar things.

But God Guided me, 'That's a worldly teaching, and it's Seriously Wrong'.

God Guided me that those types of 'Sayings & Attitudes' have come from the devil to Trick people into Thinking that if they're Alone, they'll go mad. 

The devil knows that if he can get people to Think it and Believe it for long enough, then it will probably happen to them. And that's part of the devils Plan to Prevent You from 'Being Who God Created You To Be'.

God reminded Very Clearly of the Bible Verse,
“As a person Thinks, so they shall Be”.   (Proverbs 23:7).  

God was Strongly Guiding me that What people 'Think', is Very Important, and has a Lot of Power in it, either in a negative way, or a Positive way.

The Truth is there are Many Bible Verses where God actually Guides us to spend time 'Alone', so that we can Connect With God away from distractions.

So there's obviously Nothing wrong with being Alone.

It's the devils Trickery that has Spread through society to Corrupt people into having a 'negative attitude' about being Alone.

Don't let the devil Trick You. 
Destroy the 'negative seed' that the devil is trying to plant in 'Your Mind'. 

It's 'Your Mind', it's Not the devils. 
God Created You with Power to Control 'Your Mind'. 
“God has Not given us a Spirit of fear, but of Power, Love and a Sound Mind”. 
(2 Timothy  1:7). 

As I was thinking about these things, God revealed some examples to me (using 4 people I used to know) to show that there is 'No' truth in the 'worldly' 
Sayings & Attitudes that if you're Alone you'll loose your Mind.

~ There was a Women that my Wife & I used to know called Sharman, She lived with here elderly mum and she was regularly around lot's of other people. 
Many years ago we found out that Sharman had been taken into a Mental Hospital because her Mind had gone and she became dangerous to herself and others.

She had always been around people, but she was Always 'worrying' about things. She had a very negative attitude and wouldn't listen to advice about Not worrying. She Believed in God and she told us she regularly Prayed to Him, but she was a very 'worldly Minded' person, and she didn't really Believe in herself or her own abilities.

~ Another person was a man called Dave who used to live up the road from us.
He was constantly around people and would talk to 'Anybody and Everybody'. 
Every day he spent a lot of time with what he called his 'doggy friends'. They all took there dogs for a walk and met up and stood around gossiping.

He had people who used to visit him regularly and he spoke to many people.

But he got Alzheimer's.

Years before he got it, he had told us that he Believed in Go. But it was Very evident to everyone who knew him that his 'Main Focus' in life was dogs. His life revolved around dogs and gossiping.

~ But there was another person we used to know who was Completely different. Her name was Jean. She was a Wonderful Lady who 'Truly' Believed in God.
She spent her Life Devoted to Serving God and Helping others. Even when she was 80 and she was severely ill with cancer, she still had a Joyful Positive attitude every time we saw her, and she continued Doing her Best to Encourage others and Lead them to God in whatever way she could.

Jean spent a Lot of time With God in Prayer, and she Believed that God is 'Always With her'. She was a Very Inspiring, Kind Hearted and Lovely person. 
She had lived by herself for many years after her Husband died, and she spent a lot of time Alone, but her Mind had absolutely 'No' signs of madness or cracking up.
Jean went to be with the Loving Lord when she was in her 80's, and the last time we saw her, her Mind was still Fully Alert and Full of Faith & Joy.

~ There was another man we used to know called Bill. He was probably in his 70's and he had lived by himself most of his Life. He was a Wonderful person and Very Inspiring. 
He didn't have a TV or computer, and he didn't have a mobile phone, (he used to call them 'Phobile Moans' because people are always moaning when their on their phones). 
He Lived a Very Quiet & Simple Life. 
He didn't use social media and he stayed away from 'gossiping people'.

He was Truly one of the Nicest, most Pleasant people we've ever known.
He was a Real Joy to be around. We could Clearly see Jesus in him.
He gave off a Wonderful sense of Peace & Calm whenever we were with him.

 Bill was Truly Committed to Living his Life for God. 
While other people used to stand around complaining about the weather and gossiping about the news, we would often see him by himself in Deep Prayer With God.

He was always Very Polite & Respectful to others. 
The conversations we had with him were Very Interesting and Refreshing.
Even though he was in his 70's and spent most of his time 'Alone', there was Clearly Nothing wrong with his Mind.

So God Revealed to me through these 4 people (and there will be others), that what people say about being Alone, (that it makes you go mad), is 'Not' True.

Two of the 4 people were always around other people, yet they ended up with Severe Mental illnesses.

The other two spent a Lot of their time Alone, but their Minds were Peaceful, Clear, and Full of Joy. 

What was the difference between them ?
The fist two 'Focused their Minds' on 'worldly' things such as 'worry', 'dogs' and 'gossiping'. 
The other two 'Focused their Minds' on God.

What You 'Think' in 'Your Mind' Really does have a Powerful Effect on 
'Your Life'.  And the devil knows it.

Don't let him 'Trick' you into being fearful by Thinking there's something wrong with being Alone. Because there's Not. 

“God did Not give You a Spirit of fear,
but of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind”. 

The Truth is,
“You're Never Alone, because God is Everywhere”.