Some thoughts from recent sermons...

"An idol is anything, other than God, which gives us our sense of value". It may be a good thing in itself, but taken too far, so that we depend on it for self-worth.

• I've found this definition liberating. Nothing can add to, or take away from, the value God places on me. Anything else may give me pleasure or help me grow, but can't change my worth. And if that's how God sees me then it takes the pressure away.  I am His.

What will God ask me when I face him at the End? He won't be concerned with meaningless trivialities, although He will see the small things.

• This seems a useful question for considering what's important.  It should probably be an obvious thought, but it's not usually the first thing I look at...

"Christian Marriage" - involves a shared dependency on God, which brings His love and strength.  It is outward looking, and it reflects something of God's relationship with His church.  There won't be any need for marriage in heaven, though... when we will each see God face to face.

...and a final thought:
What we see now is only temporary (which is described in Ecclesiastes as "all is meaningless", where meaningless describes something fleeting).  When we see God, all this will fade, which means all the difficult times will be finished.  But God still gives us good things now - life is a gift from Him:

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them - for this is their lot.  Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil - this is a gift of God.  They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart"

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

The now and the not yet

Today's sermon was about "the shout that stopped God" - when blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus on the road to Jericho and was healed.  It was also about living in "the now and the not yet", where we live with the realities of this world alongside the Kingdom which is coming and already here but still to be fully seen. 

I prayed with a friend who's going through a difficult time.  She's managing well, but sometimes it hits her hard; I recognise this.
I probably wouldn't have chosen our path, but I'm encouraged that I have experience which can help another. I truly believe that God needs to be our goal above anything else, however valid these other goals might be. 
This is a hard-fought battle but I can't see any other way, and He's with us throughout.

We were both given this passage to read:

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"

Ephesians 3:14-21

Encouragement for interesting times...

encouragement from this morning's songs:

"We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes, You're the giver of life"

and

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning,

new every morning,

great is Your faithfulness, O Lord,

great is Your faithfulness.

based on Lamentations 3:22-24
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him"

The real meaning of Christmas

 "[Jesus], being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name what is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2: 6-11



Hooray for a good day

No church this morning (carol singing this evening instead) so our friends came for lunch with their boys.  We had some enthusiastic help in decorating our living room, so it all looks verybright & Christmassy now.
It felt so lovely to have a relaxed afternoon together.

We went to Andrew's parents' church for Carols by Candlelight this evening - an annual event, which helps us to remember the reason for the celebrations.  The sermon was quite short, and focussed on John 3:16 which is such a commonly-quoted verse that it's easy to forget how important it is.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It struck me how much I depend on knowing this... I've been a bit up and down during the last year (and longer), and felt quite depressed earlier this year.  What gets me through is knowing that I have eternal life with God and that He loves me.  I can trust Him and know that He will work all things for my good, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time...

That feels good!

weekend fun & the birds

yesterday:

• relaxed start to the day
• board games with A & M
• bolognaise sauce simmering in the slow cooker for later
 

• lots of fun at the Gincase
• lunch in the barn
• climbing through the playhouse and sliding down the pole
• racing around the go-kart track
• amazing coloured birds
• Aidan fed them (from his hands!)
• Megan fed Megan (the Shetland pony)
• massive Clydesdale horse
• the clever black pony racing from one end of the field to another in search of food
• happy as pigs in mud!
• and all finished off with tea and delicious cakes in the cafe
• birthday presents
• pink fizz to celebrate new godparenting
• knitting and crocheting in the evening, while the men read
• I've started some fingerless mitts... as a rest from the unending scarf

today:

• lovely lunch at Merienda's before waving goodbye to our friends
• relaxing afternoon at home
• watching sparrows flitting in and out of the branches in the back yard

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow with worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own"
          Matthew 6:26-27,33-34

encouragement

been feeling a bit wobbly over the last few days... last night I read this though:

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9