What Gift?

Many of us are running around, trying to beat the mad shopping rush at the moment. We are looking for the right gifts for our loved ones and friends. But, what if you could choose to give your family a gift that was not a monetary one? Think about that for a moment - what would you choose for each one of those special people in your lives?

 

The gift of .....

 

Peace?

Forgiveness?

Contentment?

Love?

Healing?

Hope?

Strength?

Matthew 7:11 - If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

2 Corinthians 9:15 -Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Thank God that he doesn't give us what we want, but actually what we NEED!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

50 years is a long time

Today we celebrate with my parents who have reached their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Indeed it is an impressive milestone and we are thankful for their lives.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Just as a reminder how different things were in 1966....

Bread cost around 20c a loaf
Filling up your car cost around R4
A Kilogram of Lamb cost less than 70c
There were no cell-phones
There were no TV's
There were no computers
There were no digital camera's
There was no internet and no email.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Arms beneath - Advent reflection

“God’s strength behind you, His concern for you, His love within you and his arms beneath you are more than sufficient for the job ahead of you.” - William Arthur Ward

Picture the mighty arms of God supporting you and carrying you through all you have to do today. May his strength be your strength.

Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Living in Grace
D3LM3 

Faithful - Advent thoughts

"Stay the course.
Keep believing.
You may be tired,
discouraged and frustrated,
but don't give up on your future,
Our God is FAITHFUL." - Anon

Advent is always a reminder to us that God remained faithful to us, even despite our disobedience. We are not just waiting the birth of the Christ-child, but the God who will forever be FAITHFUL. Let us rejoice that our God is good and that his patience out lasts our betrayal.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

You are ...

In our modern cultures we have forgotten to see God in everyday things and ordinary people. Our ancestors were much better at taking time to see the Divine in their lives and thus were better off than us (in some ways). Here is another ancient blessing/prayer that may help us see 'Immanuel' with us this Advent season.

You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart's eternal spark
You are the door that's open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day. (Irish Blessing)

Hebrews 13:2 - Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Prayer for today

I am most grateful to John Birch for his inspiring poems and reflections on Advent.
 
The Advent story
of hope and mystery,
anticipation,
preparation,
a kingdom
of this world and the next,
and a king
appearing when we least expect.
Heaven touching earth,
the footsteps of the divine
walking dusty roads
as once they did in Eden,
and a people,
searching for a Saviour,
and walking past
the stable.
Open eyes and hearts,
that this might be
an Advent of hope to the world.

May God grant us the ability to see beyond the dust of this life and gaze into the glory of the next.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God knows best

This poem by Helen Steiner Rice has been around for a long time, but it still speaks into the deep questions of our lives. As we continue this exciting journey of Advent, I invite you to reflect on God's Love for you, despite the circumstances you may be facing.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.