The Star

 The Star of Bethlehem is traditionally linked to a prophecy in the Book of Numbers:

"I see Him, but not now; 
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob..." - Numbers 24:17

It is this same star that is said to have guided the Magi to Jesus. Matthew records this in his Gospel:


 "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” - Matthew 2:1-12

This star is deeply symbolic for Christ-followers for a number of reasons - it reminds us that Jesus is a light in a dark world and that God will guide us, even when things don't seem to make sense. It also teaches me that even the stars can point us to our Saviour. 

So this Advent Season, may we follow the signs that point us to Jesus.  

Living in Grace
D3LM3 

The passing of a legend

 

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Nelson Mandela - I found myself welling up with emotion as I watched the tributes and film clips on TV - he is indeed an amazing man.

To touch one life is powerful,
To empower a nation is great leadership,
But to move a world to tears is a unique gift.
Only a few people will ever be given that privilege.

RIP Madiba.

If you are near Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday evening the 10 December at 6pm, we are going to host a short service of remembrance for Madiba. It will be held at Wesley Methodist Church.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Knowing the difference

It is hard to sometimes know the difference between 2 things that appear similar at a glance. Take for example, glass and perspex. If you quickly look at something that is made of perspex, you could easily mistake it as being made from glass. In the end, this may not make a massive difference to anyone, but we need to acknowledge that they are different!

Let me give another example, via Alan Redpath:

"There are many weird ideas about bearing your cross. I remember a man saying to me, 'I have a fierce temper, but I suppose that is my cross to bear!'

'My friend,' I said to him, 'That is not your cross. It is your wife's cross, but it is your sin!"

I can sometimes fool myself, but others know the truth. I may think that my character, lifestyle and choices, are a result of the influence of others (and there may be some truth in that), but in the end, I need to be real enough to admit the truth - it could be my sin!

Let's not confuse perspex with glass!

Advent is about reflecting on the birth of Jesus and the Hope that Jesus brings. Jesus bore my sins on the cross and it is now my call to 'take up my cross and follow him.'

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Running with Spiderman

I decided to start my morning with a little jog around our suburb. I asked if any of the kids wanted to join me, but only Joshua (5) decided he was keen. So myself and Josh headed out for our jog/walk for about 10 minutes - he was dressed in his full Spiderman suit and I was in my running gear (and no, mine is not a Spiderman outfit!)

It was such a fun way to start the day. He was full of stories while we eased our way past sleeping neighbours. He commented on how 'naughty' people were to leave litter on the roads - as it made the 'whole world dirty' and he was also looking out for new trees to build his double storey tree-house in (his single storey tree house needs an upgrade me thinks!)

But what was the best, was how a few people commented on 'spiderman' running in the neighbourhood. Others who were walking or hurrying to work, stop and asked him, "How is Spiderman today?" It made me smile and it kind of made me reflect on how cool it was being on the road with Spiderman. I felt safe:)

Wouldn't it be good to remember that life is like going on a run - we encounter many things and people on the road of life, but we have a close companion .... Jesus. Running the race of Life with Jesus is so much better than running with any superhero - no matter how cool Spiderman is!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

I am Gabriel

There are a number of people who have written autobiographies starting with the words "I am...."
Take for example Zlatan Ibrahimović - his is entitled, "I am Zlatan" and is appropriate for a professional footballer who has a giant ego!

Another one is Malala Yousafzai - her autobiography seems more "humble" than others, but her story is still remarkable. She is the Pakistani teenager who was shot in the head by the Taliban, when she was just 15 years old. She is an activist for education and women's rights in her country. In my opinion, anyone who is willing to stand up for her principles, like Malala did, deserves recognition.

In the build up to the birth of Jesus there is someone else who uses the phrase "I am..." - it is the angel Gabriel.

“I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news." - Luke 1:19

His statement is one of introduction, but equally one of authority. Gabriel was revered by the Israelites and so to stand before Zechariah and declare, "I am Gabriel" - wow, that must have been immense! No wonder Zechariah couldn't speak for months!

God brings us this same Good News this festive season - we may not be confronted by an Angel, but we can come face to face with the Christ child. It is my prayer that we would come to know God's good news in a fresh way this year. Perhaps we will even hear the voice of the Messiah, as he whispers...

... I AM Jesus!

God bless you
D3LM3

Beauty remains

" I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains." ~Anne Frank

It takes a lot to ignore the pain and suffering we encounter and to seek the positive in life. As has been said before, 'Attitude is everything.' If you are getting bogged down by all the negative in our world, why not try and look for something beautiful. This could be from anything or anyone.

It is easy to be drawn to the dark parts of the world, as they so readily shout for our attention, but let's remember that God is still Creator and Redeemer. If we focus on the Life offered to us in Jesus, we will begin to notice the small sparks of beauty. After all, it was God's idea to send the rainbow after the flood. 

Let the light of Jesus fill you to overflowing.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

 

Trust

In preparing for today's message I came across this poem/song. I know that 'trust' is something we all struggle with, often wishing we were able to trust more in people and in God.

“Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,

Trust Him when thy strength is small,

Trust Him when to simply trust Him

Seems the hardest thing of all.

Trust Him, He is ever faithful,

Trust Him, for his will is best,

Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus

Is the only place of rest.” - Source Unknown.

I guess the wonder of Trust is that it usually works best when we realise that our options are few - if you like, we find ourselves humbled by our circumstances, and so we can't do it all alone. Putting our trust in God and others is a humbling experience, but it can be so liberating. 

Today marks the first day of Advent and I pray that we may learn to trust in God this Advent season. The arrival of our Saviour reminds us that God can be trusted in all things. God fulfilled his promise to bring Hope, Light and Love into our world.

"For God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Living in Grace

D3LM3