Books for 2021

I suppose it is not a surprise to you, but I love reading. I managed to get through a large number of books in 2020 and am setting my sights on a lot more this year. As a way of discovering what you are reading and perhaps what you can recommend, I am creating a list of 21 books I would like to read this year. If you have some suggestions, please send them my way. I have had some great ideas already via Facebook, but I realise not everyone is on FB.

This is the book I am reading at the moment (see the picture) - it is a great holiday read and I love historical novels.

Remember that reading is not only good for our brains, but also wonderful for our souls (or so I believe). It can also help you fall asleep at night, if the book is very boring :)

Acts 8:30 - Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

"She read books as one would breathe air. To fill up and live." - Annie Dillard

Looking forward to you suggestions. God bless. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Before you do anything...

“Before you speak, listen.
Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.” - William A. Ward

I believe that these words are true and helpful, especially as we head off into 2021 and beyond. There is so much wisdom in taking a little time to reflect before we end up "doing" something. Sadly, we don't always get this right and then we end up spending a lot more time and energy trying to fix our mistakes.

Proverbs 28:14 - Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Exodus 20:3 - “You shall have no other gods before me."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Many eggs in one basket

Last year taught us many valuable and harsh lessons. One of them could have been not to put our hope in only one thing, because that could be snatched from us at any time. The old saying goes something like this: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." This usually applies to financial decisions, but it can apply to a lot of other things too.

Coming back to the wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, we note a similar sentiment from him. 

"Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.
2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead." - Ecclesiastes 11:1

For me, these words of wisdom speak about a few key things:

1. We need to work hard and in time we will hopefully be rewarded.

2. Dividing your "investments" in a few options is very wise

3. Risks and uncertainty lie in the future

4. Security for the future relies of wise decisions in the present and the trust in God's provision for the present.

May God bless you with the wisdom of Solomon as you begin this new year.

Challenges lies ahead, but God is with us.

“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” - Zig Ziglar

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Hope - Emily Dickinson

Here is a very intriguing poem called 'Hope - is the thing with feathers' by Emily Dickinson. I was never the best at Poetry in school, but I love the fact that HOPE never stops at all and that we can experience it deep within our souls.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me." - Emily Dickinson

"I wait in hope for your salvation, God." - Genesis 49:18

Living in Grace

D3LM3

I can't promise you

I was given this lovely quote from Rev. Dr. William Sangster the other day. I think it is such a lovely reflection on the New Year and too good to be kept to myself. Enjoy it and may it offer us all some words to 'live by' in 2021.

"I cannot promise you, in the coming year, a new set of circumstances.
Indeed I anticipate for myself and for you, difficulties and disappointments
and obstacles and some pain – for that is life.
No year has dawned that did not contain them and if such a year did come 

it might be debilitating to the soul.
But in the Name of Him Who sits upon the Throne, 

I promise you that if you will receive Him into your heart and

if you will submit to His Lordship over you, you can have a new heart,
a new life and therefore a new birth.
I cannot beckon you away from the flinty path upon which some of you walk.
I am not commissioned to do so.
Those who follow Christ must travel a times by stony and rugged ways
but I do promise in grey times a new life in God." - Rev Dr William Sangster. 1900-1960

May God bless us all as we embark upon the uncertainty of the next 363 days.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. My gratitude to Rev. Ralph Thornley for sharing this with me. 

Letting go

For me, New Year is always a moment to reset my spiritual attitude and heart. I don't believe that the world around me is going to change in anyway (sadly), but there is something in the changing year that brings a degree of optimism and hope. I am not sure how it is for you?

On some level there is the hope that all the negative events, sad moments and tough times will be shelved into the archives, or at least pushed further back into our memories. There is also the longing for something new, fresh and dynamic, that will launch us into the possibilities of the next 365 days.

On a spiritual level, it also reminds me of my own journey with Christ. That there was a moment, when I chose to let go of my past and embrace the future with Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17) Of course this doesn't happen over-night, but it does bring me joy to remember that I am no longer my own, but am 'in Christ.'

I pray that you will have a blessed 2021 and that whatever happens we would keep our eyes on Jesus.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Thomas Becket

It was on this day (29th December 1170) that Thomas Becket was assassinated by 4 knights serving King Henry II. His gruesome death was not the end of his legacy though, and Thomas ended up being canonised as a saint, and the King had to make public penance in the same Cathedral. 

History is fascinating as it always reminds us of the mistakes made in the past and how we can hopefully resolve to make better decisions in the future. It seems as if Thomas Becket was always willing to serve his Lord, even if it meant death. His unwavering commitment is admirable and challenging for all of us.

Here are some of his words of wisdom:

Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown.

I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.

May God bless you at this strange time in the history of the world.

2 Corinthians 5:19 - "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."

Living in Grace

D3LM3