Saturday, December 7, 2013
Mince pies and mulled wine
Amos 5:18-27
Christmas is a good time to "Eat, drink and be merry", a good time to celebrate. Tomorrow is the jazz carol service followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Next Sunday we celebrate with the annual service of Nine lessons and carols, with more mince pies and mulled wine. Come Christmas Day I shall roast a turkey and we shall intentional burn the pudding in brandy. Where is God in all this? I hope he is in my heart. I hope that everyone knows that I am only doing this to tell the tale of Jesus, my companion, Lord and Saviour.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Clothed
Matthew 22:1-14
I thought that God accepts everybody, just as they are. I hope he does but there also hints of items of clothing that he has provided for us. His armour is listed in Ephesians 6:10-17 and garments which I prefer in Colossians 3: 12-14.
I am sure that if I wore this clothing I would be prepared for any feast that God sends my way.
I thought that God accepts everybody, just as they are. I hope he does but there also hints of items of clothing that he has provided for us. His armour is listed in Ephesians 6:10-17 and garments which I prefer in Colossians 3: 12-14.
I am sure that if I wore this clothing I would be prepared for any feast that God sends my way.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Waiting.
2 Peter 3:11-18
I went to the dentist two weeks ago. I arrived a minute or two early and the dentist was running 15 minutes late. I had to wait. i looked at a magazine or two, mainly the pictures because the words were not in a language that I can easily read- but I do not think that was the real reason for me skimming the articles. My brain was not concentrating. I was wondering when I was going to be called in. There was no way of knowing. I was not really at peace.
We have been waiting quite a long time for Jesus to come back. I think my attitude is more of the door will not open soon. I will not have to go and sit in the chair.
My waiting needs to be more constructive and with less agitation then when I was at the dentist. How else can I tell my friends, neighbours and the person who I meet on the street that Jesus coming is good news?
I went to the dentist two weeks ago. I arrived a minute or two early and the dentist was running 15 minutes late. I had to wait. i looked at a magazine or two, mainly the pictures because the words were not in a language that I can easily read- but I do not think that was the real reason for me skimming the articles. My brain was not concentrating. I was wondering when I was going to be called in. There was no way of knowing. I was not really at peace.
We have been waiting quite a long time for Jesus to come back. I think my attitude is more of the door will not open soon. I will not have to go and sit in the chair.
My waiting needs to be more constructive and with less agitation then when I was at the dentist. How else can I tell my friends, neighbours and the person who I meet on the street that Jesus coming is good news?
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tea in bed
Amos 3: 12-4:5
One Christmas my mother bought me a Russell Hobbs Automatic teamaker. Years later, when I was still enjoying my nice morning cuppa she told me that I had once said how decadent I thought it would be to woken by the tea pouring into the cup. How right she was.
After the demise of the Teasmade I used to enjoy a nice cup of tea first thing in the morning, brought by my devoted husband. I still would if he ever woke up before me and gave me such a treat.
Amos was writing about 2500 years ago. Not much seems to have changed. The Belgian Blue cow is very large and yet sleek in its own way, bred like the cows of Bashan. They graze and sleep, then sleep and graze.
What is my lifestyle? Am I centred on my own well-being? Do I focus on my pleasures, do I put them before the welfare of those less fortunate than myself? How much do I include God's desire's for his world when I decide on my schedule for the day?
One Christmas my mother bought me a Russell Hobbs Automatic teamaker. Years later, when I was still enjoying my nice morning cuppa she told me that I had once said how decadent I thought it would be to woken by the tea pouring into the cup. How right she was.
After the demise of the Teasmade I used to enjoy a nice cup of tea first thing in the morning, brought by my devoted husband. I still would if he ever woke up before me and gave me such a treat.
Amos was writing about 2500 years ago. Not much seems to have changed. The Belgian Blue cow is very large and yet sleek in its own way, bred like the cows of Bashan. They graze and sleep, then sleep and graze.
What is my lifestyle? Am I centred on my own well-being? Do I focus on my pleasures, do I put them before the welfare of those less fortunate than myself? How much do I include God's desire's for his world when I decide on my schedule for the day?
Sorry the photograph is a Mr not a Mrs;
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Dropping in
Amos 3:1-11
It is verse 3 that seemed important this morning. When did I last drop by to see a friend making an arrangement a few days in advance or without telephoning first. Quite a while ago. What is worse I do not think anybody has come to my door to say hello since we left Texas, and dropping in is certainly not a Texas habit. Leah Taylor sometimes came with a message and stopped for a chat.
Are we so wound up in our own lives that we have no time for anybody on the outside? Hospitality is something which I need to practice. I miss my friends. I hope they miss me too.
It is verse 3 that seemed important this morning. When did I last drop by to see a friend making an arrangement a few days in advance or without telephoning first. Quite a while ago. What is worse I do not think anybody has come to my door to say hello since we left Texas, and dropping in is certainly not a Texas habit. Leah Taylor sometimes came with a message and stopped for a chat.
Are we so wound up in our own lives that we have no time for anybody on the outside? Hospitality is something which I need to practice. I miss my friends. I hope they miss me too.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Chain reaction
2 Peter 1:1-11
The list of virtues which Peter gives always fascinates me. At least I only have to start with faith. I hope that the others will then grow on me like the development of chain stitch in crochet.
It looks very easy in the pictures!
The list of virtues which Peter gives always fascinates me. At least I only have to start with faith. I hope that the others will then grow on me like the development of chain stitch in crochet.
It looks very easy in the pictures!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Selling the righteous for silver
Amos 1:1-5, 13- 2:8
This makes depressing reading. How I hope that I walk in God's path for me, that I am not self-centred and that I treat everybody with respect. This last thought led me to wonder about the person in the Bangladesh clothing factory. Am I by buying from retailers who buy their goods from sweat shops selling the righteous for silver?
I will try my best to follow Christ's rule "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and my neighbour as myself". And by neighbour I mean my fellow world inhabitant.
For the rest I will have to trust in God's saving grace.
This makes depressing reading. How I hope that I walk in God's path for me, that I am not self-centred and that I treat everybody with respect. This last thought led me to wonder about the person in the Bangladesh clothing factory. Am I by buying from retailers who buy their goods from sweat shops selling the righteous for silver?
I will try my best to follow Christ's rule "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and my neighbour as myself". And by neighbour I mean my fellow world inhabitant.
For the rest I will have to trust in God's saving grace.
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