Friday 23 December 2011

Candlelight...


Today is a miserable, rainy, gloomy day. Happily, I have not had to venture out and cope with driving in the rain or going to the shops, especially as the parking lots and shops are crowded and crazy!
My daughter has a lovely candle holder, so in the cause of taking a photo, I put a tea light inside and captured this shot…a lovely warm glow to brighten up a gloomy day :)
It also reminds me of the Light of the world...
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)


12Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in." John 8:12 (The Message)


I should always be aware that Jesus is the light in my world. I should always be aware that, with Him as the light in my life, I do not need to stumble around. I should always be aware that, with Him, there is plenty of light to live in. Am I always aware of that? Sadly, no...but each time I see a candle, I hope that in future I will be aware of the Light of the world.



Thursday 22 December 2011

Colours of Christmas...

The colours of Christmas, red, green & gold represent the following to me:


Red: Atonement, the blood of Jesus
Green: New life, growth
Gold: God's divinity and glory



Wednesday 21 December 2011

Thoughtful...



“Somehow he [Tim] gets thoughtful sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”–Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)
It makes me think, as it also appears to have made Tiny Tim think, about the reason for this season. Yes, it all came about because of the birth of The One who makes lame beggars walk and blind men see. I wonder, if the Son of God had not been born on that day, some 2,000 odd years ago, what state would the world be in now. That could bring on a long debate, depending on one's point of view…

Tiny Tim's attitude to his "crippledness" is a lesson that I, for one, should learn from. How often do I feel sorry for myself when life throws challenges at me? Surely those challenges should cause me to remember who it is that can help me overcome them - Jesus.

Along with Tiny Tim, I leave you with the hope that you will find it “pleasant to remember … who made lame beggars walk and blind men see”.



Tuesday 20 December 2011

No Matter What...

I always wonder why it is so easy to believe what people, the world says and not what Scripture says. Well, maybe not for others, but I have to confess that it is so for me!


The world says, "There is no God".
The world says, "It's a load of rubbish".
The world says, "You are crazy...god is just a fairy story!".
The world says, "He is just a crutch for those who are not strong enough to manage their own lives".


And so the list of what the world say goes on and on.


No matter what the world says, Scripture says...


10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV) (words in bold emphasised by me)



If God does not exist, why are so many of those naysayers celebrating Christmas?


Thank you my God and Saviour for giving us such a joyous time of year!



Linking up with Shanda for On Your Heart Tuesdays








Friday 9 December 2011

Encourage...

As I said in my previous post, written over two months ago (!), I have been discouraged about this blog. However, that is not the only thing...I have been feeling discouraged generally in my spiritual life.

There, I have said/put it into print! That is quite a scary thing for me to do.

Do you ever feel...God is just "not there"?  Do you ever feel that you do not seem to be improving in your character at all?

Well, I do. Then...little things happen and one of those for me was coming across Shanda's blog. Amongst other things she has a blog hop "On Your Heart Tuesdays", where she encourages others to share their thoughts, feelings, how God has been working in their lives. So I decided that this is the kick start I need :)

Let me back up a bit and explain that, for various reasons, I have been away from home for several months. As a result, I have not been in regular fellowship with my Bible Study group and friends.

So often, I feel guilty that I cannot keep going without the spiritual support of others, then I remembered that several times in Scripture we are exhorted to encourage each other. We are not meant to go it alone. One of the advantages of today's technology is that there are many Christian bloggers out there.

Thank you, Shanda, for being one of those encouragers out there.

 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  Hebrews 3:12-14