Content of prayers

There are many times where our prayers focus solely on our needs and struggles. While there is nothing wrong with praying for ourselves (in fact, we are encouraged to bring everything to God in our times of prayer), there is a danger that we miss out on God's voice during our prayers.

These two quotes have challenged my thinking on prayer today.

"Prayer involves transformed passions. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God's thoughts after him: to desire the things he desires, to love the things he loves, to will the things he wills." - Richard Foster

"Whether we think of or speak of God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him." -John Wesley

Any thoughts?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

On every little piece

Ignatius was a devout believer in Jesus. Sadly, in 111 A.D. he was sentenced to death for his faith. He was eaten alive by wild animals in the Colosseum. Just before he was condemned to death, he said these amazing words:

"My dear Jesus, my Saviour, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece." - Ignatius

How awesome is that? I am sure that when they buried him, Jesus' name wasn't literally on every piece of Ignatius' heart, but his testimony has certainly echoed through nineteen hundred years of history. He lived out his faith with conviction!

How about us?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Ripple Effect

At our combined Advent service this evening we heard about the 'ripple effect' Jesus has made in our world. It is hard to fathom that the birth of one child can impact humanity in such a profound way - Jesus' incarnation has rippled throughout our planet and we still feel it today. Are you ready to be touched by the birth of Jesus?

"Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience." - Handel Brown

I want to thank everyone for taking part in the fun competition for the 5 books. The competiton was very close in the end, but the winner of the 5 signed books is:
Liz Brokensha - Well done Liz.

In the spirit of fun I have decided to give 3 books to the person who came second - Well done Quin Bache.

Thanks everyone.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

3 weeks to go...

In three weeks time we will be at the end of another Christmas day. My hope is that Christmas will be more than just a 'feeling' we experience a few days a year. Imagine if love, peace and goodwill could be on the top of our agenda's every day of the year? Our communities would be amazing!

Think of these thoughts today:

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." - Mother Teresa

"Were earth a thousand times as fair
Beset with gold and jewels rare
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle,
Lord, for Thee." -Martin Luther

I want to thank you all for the birthday wishes - for both Kim and I. It has been a blessed weekend so far. Please bear with me as I count up the 'subscriptions' to see who the winner of the 5 books is. It got pretty close in the end. Will let you all know soon.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Besides yourself

Under times of great emotional stress people use the phrase, "I was beside myself!" Now, at first glance this seems such a weird thing to say. How can we physically be "next to" ourselves? In truth, we can't! However, there are times when we are so stressed that it feels as if our soul and body are in two separate places.

This is where the phrase originates - ancient Greeks believed that under intense pressure a persons soul left their body and settled 'besides' themselves. Check this out if you don't believe me.

So this Advent season let's try not to be 'besides ourselves' - let us rather remember that God walks with us and that God will give us the strength we need to enjoy this festive season. I'd rather have God besides me, than my 'soul' leaving my body:)
But that's just me!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Advent Prayer

We are only weeks away from Christmas and the hype is evident to all. How are you preparing for the Christmas season? Are you expecting anything from Christ this year? Are you wanting to give something special this Christmas?

I have been enjoying reading John van de Laar's advent posts in preparation for Jesus' birth. I also stumbled across a little book by Hilary McDowell called "On the way to Bethlehem." Her reflections are quite inspiring. Here is one of her prayers - may it offer us some insight into the spirit of Advent.

"Lord, please gift me with the right amount of wonder for anticipation; a healthy degree of trepidation to know I travel in the hands of a living God who can touch my yesterdays as much as my tomorrows. Lord make me expectant, make me new. Amen."

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

P.S. Thanks for the effort people are making to sign up friends/family to the blog. The race for the prize is still tight, but we will see at 12pm on the 3 December who takes the prize. If you can't sign people up don't stress:)

Christmas Lights

We put up our Christmas tree last night and the kids had a blast. It is brilliant to re-live the mystery of Christmas through the eyes of a child. It reminded me of when Jesus said:

Mark 10:15 - "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

When we had finished putting the decorations on the tree, we turned the tree lights on and switched the house lights off. As we sat and looked at the tree, we told the boys the real reason for Christmas and they 'got it.'

May Christ be real to us throughout this December, so that when we celebrate Christmas day we will be in awe of the miracle of Jesus.

Living in grace,
D3LM3

Remember you only have until midnight on the 3 December to sign up your family and friends to the blog. There are a few front-runners so far (to win the 5 signed books), but there is still time to surge into the lead:)