Beginning again

"At that same time, I begged God: “God, my Master, you let me in on the beginnings, you let me see your greatness, you let me see your might—what god in Heaven or Earth can do anything like what you’ve done! Please, let me in also on the endings, let me cross the river and see the good land over the Jordan, the lush hills, the Lebanon mountains.” - Deuteronomy 3:23-25

As we come to the end of another month, I find the transition from the 28th February to the 1st March very pertinent. There is something symbolic in the re-setting of the days of the month back down to 1. 

In a simple way it reminds me that God allows me the chance to reset, to start over again. Lent is one of those seasons where we set time aside to re-evaluate our spiritual lives and what we need to relinquish to the Lord.

As the new month begins I pray that the Lord may guide you into a new season of hope, joy and peace.

"Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness." - Pope Benedict XVI

Living in Grace

D3LM3

10-10-10

Is there something significant about the number 10? Today is the 10th day of the 10th month of 2010. A lot of people are fascinated by the number of 10’s in this date and there are others who feel that it is a good/bad omen.

I am not convinced that it is anything more than just another glorious gift from God. It will be a special day because we will be given the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation and God’s gift of Life.

1 Peter 3:7 – “…the gracious gift of life.”

Sure, the day seems cool, because of all the 10’s, but it may not be more than that. But, I could be wrong - what does this mean for you?

Just out of interest, history tells us that nothing terribly significant took place on the 10th October 1010 – and that ended up having four 10’s in it.

So what will you be doing on the 10-10-10? I will be leading a service at 10 minutes past 10 on the 10th October 2010. I think that is pretty cool - or maybe I just need to get a life!

Be Blessed, today and always,
Living in Grace
D3LM3

New Beginnings

What difference can 1 day make?
Ask millions of people this same question tomorrow and you may get an answer!
It is intriguing to see how many of us believe that the change over of years, brings a dynamic change in our lives. I will NOT be making new year's resolutions this year, but I hope to continue a few committed promises that I have already made before God.

As we stand on the brink of another new year, we all feel an overwhelming sense of hope - hope that 2010 will be better;
hope that the things I didn't do in 2009, may get done in 2010;
hope that relationships will deepen and that some will be restored;
hope that 'new' means better!

In Christ, there is always hope and there is always 'New'...

Psalm 144:9 - I will sing a new song to you, O God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

May God be with you in 2010.
Seek to 'Live in Grace' - that's my desire.

D3LM3

Boxing Day

Do you know why the day after Christmas is sometimes called "Boxing Day?" It is NOT called Boxing Day because children end up 'boxing' each other over their Christmas presents, as someone once suggested (which is not a bad guess, though!)

It was named Boxing Day because wealthy people would 'box' up some gifts and take them to the poor in their community, the day after Christmas. I guess, the fact that we call it the 'Day of Goodwill' in South Africa is also a good way of expressing love towards others.

So how has your Boxing Day been? Has it been filled with 'boxing' or with Goodwill?

As we brace ourselves for the New Year, let's take a leaf out of Mary's book...

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

2 Weeks Notice

Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock starred in the movie Two Weeks Notice (2002). Getting tired of working for Hugh Grant and putting up with his nonsense, Sandra Bullock gives him 'two weeks notice' of her resignation. The rest of the movie revolves around her attempts to leave and his attempts to keep her at work.

You may be wondering what this has to do with us - well, I am simply using the catchy title of the movie to remind us that it is TWO WEEKS to CHRISTMAS. I am giving us 'two weeks notice' to prepare ourselves for the most anticipated day of the year.

Let's remember that the real reason for Christmas is not the gifts, but the GIFT - Jesus Christ.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

P.S. - By the way if you ever need ideas of cool gifts for your Pastor check out this website (I can't believe they even have a website for this! Some Pastors are weird! We don't need gifts, because our rewards are 'out of this world!' :)

Who is Guido?

Have you heard of Guido Fawkes? Maybe - maybe not! I bet you have heard of Guy Fawkes! The 5th November is the day we celebrate 'Guy Fawkes' with fireworks and crackers (causing much anxiety for animals all over the world)! The thing is I am not sure how many people know why we celebrate this event - do you?

Very simply, Guido Fawkes was part of a plot to blow up the House of Parliament in London on the 5th November 1605. As a staunch Catholic, he was tired of the watching fellow Catholics being murdered for their faith and so a number of men joined in a plot to kill the Protestant King of England. Their plan failed and 'Guy' was executed for his part in the plan. To celebrate the people of England were encouraged to light fireworks and burn effigy's of Guy Fawkes. They were also encouraged to sing...

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Mmmmh, this all sounds a bit barbaric to me - but, hey what do I know? So tonight millions of people will celebrate the failed murder of the King of England and the subsequent execution of Guy Fawkes - interesting! Can you imagine South Africans starting something similar - we certainly have enough bomb blasts, failed coups, attempted murders to choose from.

For me, celebrating Guy Fawkes is just another example of how we 'celebrate' events without fully comprehending the story behind the celebration. In just over 6 weeks time, billions of people will cheerfully celebrate Christmas without fully understanding the origins of the celebration. For genuine believers, the Christ-child still has a powerful impact on our lives - His story lives on in our hearts.

2 Chronicles 35:16
So at that time the entire service of the LORD was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, as King Josiah had ordered.

If you choose to celebrate today, Celebrate Grace,
D3LM3

Why I don't celebrate Halloween!

Just for the record - I don't celebrate Halloween because of this main reason:

It may have started as a festival with good intentions, but it has now turned very 'dark' for my taste. I feel that there is enough 'evil' stuff in our world, why would I want to align myself with any more?

You are entitled to disagree with me, but that's my simple take on Halloween. For a festival that began well as a 'Hallowed Evening' before All Saints Day (1st November) - it has now moved far from these original roots. We now have ghosts, vampires, spells, haunted houses and a whole lot of 'trick or treating' - and not to mention the pumpkins. I struggle to get excited about any of this...but hey, that's just me.

If I am going to celebrate anything 'Hallowed', it will only be God.

"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name..."

Grace and peace to you,
D3LM3

P.S. For a really good summary and unbiased understanding of Halloween, go to wikipedia. Here is the link...
Wikipedia - Halloween