What gives you strength?

We turn to all kinds of things and people to give us strength at times, but have we ever stopped to comprehend these words ...

Nehemiah 8:10 – “This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Nehemiah points out that our strength can come from the JOY of the Lord. Sounds interesting hey? Perhaps it's worth a try. What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

In One Word

Often we only need a single word to communicate something or a particular feeling to someone else. Today, in Pietermaritzburg, it is extremely warm, so if I just said 'HOT' most of you would know what I mean (unless you are in the UK right now...)
If you had to try and communicate the message of Christmas to someone, only using one word, what word would you choose?
It's an interesting concept - try it!

My word would always be "GRACE."
Let me know your word please....

Living in that Grace
D3LM3

Destiny

Christmas reminds us that Jesus' destiny was to fulfil the will of the Father. His coming into the world speaks of a new beginning - the era of grace suddenly broke into being. God's Grace had already been in existence, but humanity had never understood it, or perceived it, in such a profound way before.

"Jesus is the Alpha as well as the Omega, genesis as well as Telos. Jesus is not only the end and the goal, he is the beginning and origin of God's purposes with the world." - Frederick Bruner

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Waiting for Christmas

I love Christmas!
I love the fact that churches embrace Advent and that we celebrate the birth of our Messiah. But sometimes I wish that people were more vigilant about Christ's second coming than we are about his first! I want to take nothing away from the Incarnation, but we must not forget that Jesus will come again. I am just saying....

Let's be expectant in new ways this Christmas.

Peace and Grace.

D3LM3

Psalm 101

^"I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
   to you, O LORD, I will make music.
²I will ponder the way that is blameless.
   Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
   within my house;
³I will not set before my eyes
   anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
   it shall not cling to me.
⁴A perverse heart shall be far from me;
   I will know nothing of evil." - Psalm 101:1-4

Have a blessed week.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Birthday celebrations

In the season of Christ's birth, our family has the special treat of celebrating many birthdays. I guess we are privileged to throw a party for each other, as well as throwing a huge party for Jesus. What do you like to do for your family birthdays?  

“Fly free and happy beyond birthdays and across forever, and we'll meet now and then when we wish, in the midst of the one celebration that never can end." – Richard Bach

“The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.” - Joseph Cossman

Oscar Wilde - The old believe everything; the middle aged suspect everything: the young know everything.”

God bless you this weekend.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A day to remember

We mark the 1st December as World Aids Day and I believe that it is extremely important that we do all we can to remove the stigma attached to HIV/Aids. Jesus cares for all people and we need to respond with love and dignity to all people.

However, today is also the day that we remember the life of Edmund Campion. I knew nothing of this godly man until I recently read about his life. At the age of 41 Edmund was hanged, drawn and quartered for leading an underground Catholic ministry in Protestant England of the Sixteenth Century.

The witness of this priest didn't go unnoticed and he impacted many lives, even in his cruel death. Eventually 300 years after his death, he was honoured as a saint. I truly marvel at the commitment of martyrs, especially when they are killed at the hands of other "Christians". It is sad that we find so much hatred in the place we should find the most grace and love - the church. May God forgive us!

Living in Grace
D3LM3