“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
— Robert F. Kennedy
As a Christian I am always critical on myself. I am constantly making mistakes, regretting actions and promising never to do that again while constantly failing. I am hoping this blog will develop into an encouragement for others to let them know they are not alone in this crazy messed up world. We are one family in Christ. We may be nuts at times but if we constantly pray into the Fruit of the Spirit and encourage each other we may just see our family grow and exciting things happen.
Well December is here! The #wonderfulladvent word prompt today is story.
This is a story of long ago About a young girl Beautiful and true Engaged to a carpenter You know where this is going Back to the first Christmas Over 2000 years ago
A period in time When Romans rules With tyranny and bloodshed Not much hope at all Maybe not tyranny in our country today But hope seems currently Far far away
Mary our girl so bold and brave Taking the news of pregnancy in her stride Joseph not the father This sounds like a soap opera Not a naughty young girl But in fact caught in a miracle about to unfold
Joseph accepts Mary's story The Angel of the Lord came down Telling her she was with child Conceived by the Holy Spirit No scans to prove this, DNA tests not yet around Scientist still to discover this tech
So fully pregnant Many miles travelling All because Caesar wants to count his people No postal forms To complete and return First class stamps not happening yet
So arriving in Bethlehem Not a room in sight Poor Mary about to give birth in stable No matter if you believe or not Jesus was real And Mary went through a lot This year think of the story of one brave girl and the part she played in the first Christmas That started long ago
As a Christian I shouldn’t say this but I hate Christmas.
However this year is different. I am excited for Christmas. I may even go as far to say super excited!
My Christmas isn’t spoilt. It is going to be A-MAZ-ING. Whether I can see people in my group of 3 households or on zoom I will see them. I have them this Christmas, they are not a statistic of the pandemic.
If I had my way I would not be buying pressies this year but with a child still in single figures this is not possible. However like every other year I will not be breaking the bank to make it happen.
I have made my own Christmas cards. I have made a Jesse Tree and am currently working on a pine cone wreath. I am having fun and looking forward to the 1st December.
I am looking forward to getting back to the true meaning of Christmas. A child being born. I am looking forward to lighting our advent calendar while doing Jesse Tree bible stories.
I am looking forward to no hype or expectations. Not having to get dressed up and be sociable when all I want is to be is snuggled on my sofa.
I can have a Christmas I want. Quiet, low key and peaceful.
Church carol services and the nativity will be online, how many can I watch?
Brussels sprouts will still be in vogue for one day and the chances of snow where I live almost zero. Bing Crosby, sadly gone long ago will still be crooning his famous song. Jingle bells will still be riding on their sleigh and we can still be praising loudly the child born to save us.
For some it will be tough there will be people grieving, with no job, or no home. If you are able please show some Christmas love to those who need it so.
For the rest of us the Christmas is not cancelled, let us count our blessings and enjoy a Christmas reflecting on what it means to us.
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is Cancel. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow. #fiveminuteFriday
What are you grieving today?
It’s a simple question. One we ignore or overthink.
Are you grieving a loved one. There is a lot of loved ones sadly gone this year.
Are you grieving a loss of a job
Are you grieving not seeing family and friends
Or the promotion you never got. A job lost. Money that is no longer there to feed your family.
A past you want to forget or even want back.
Or maybe your just grieving the normal that no longer exists the whole world round.
Remember what ever you are grieving. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Even when we do not feel it, God is the God that stays with us and never leaves us. Just because we can’t feel it doesn’t stop this being true.
Why Jesus do you bother with me You never give up Or leave me alone You stand by my side in every fight Pick me up when I'm down Send peace when I frown
My mental health is low today I love my imaginary pet More than people We all deserve your wrath Yet patience rules within your heart
You bother with me and everyone Because you love us so So much so you died for us conquered death and rose again
Please take this gloom And turn it round Let your love and peace Rule in my heart Let me step in time with your spirit Sharing your love with all Whether or not people believe in you.
In Mary Poppins while Bert is a Chimney sweep and on the roof with the children and Mary Poppins they sing the song step in time. I’m not suggesting that we need to flap like a birdie, climb on the railings or go round the chimney, although it would be amusing to watch!
I am thinking about how we step in time with God through the Holy Spirit. Do we keep perfect time with God or are we a beat ahead or behind?
Lord Jesus The beat of your spirit Is a fast changing tempo Sometimes quick Sometimes slow Give us ears to hear your beat Stay in time And not fall behind
Open our hearts Let us dance to your rhythm Praising and praying As we skip along Let your peace and love Rule in our hearts Keeping judgment and hating Far away
As we go into our days Our weeks And the rest of the year Let us keep dancing Marching and walking In step with your Spirit Shining and sharing Your gift of the cross Love,peace and eternity.
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is Cancel. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow. #fiveminuteFriday
Walking in the muddy puddles of life At times is most appealing Splashing in the dirt and grime Spreading my sin around
In the darkness Of that cold word Just one more drink I'm not forgiving them Why would I do that
But the day the rainclouds of heaven opened up And Jesus entered in He melted a heart so cold And asks you child why the frown
My cross has set you free I cancelled your every sin Every word of hate Act of disobedience has been washed away
So let my Holy Spirit in today And cancel all the dark clouds That are holding on to you Let sunshine enter so you will shine And never look behind.
Not my best but hey it’s Friday and 5 minutes! God cancelled every sin when we accepted Jesus as king. What more can a girl want!
As England decides to catch up with the rest of the UK. A prospect of lockdown in dark autumn to winter nights seems gloomy.
Concern for nurses and carers. Only able to see parents from a distance. Unemployment at an all time low. We need hope to breakthrough.
It’s time to start thinking outside the box. Showing love and compassion creatively. To stop thinking about problems in a worldly way, but in a supernatural way.
Leave the science to the scientists. Let’s tackle what we can. Showing love to neighbours. Buying extra food for foodbanks if we are able to. Having a clear out, will things we no longer use be a help to others?
We can still plan Christmas, just not in the same way. Write and post cards to let others people know you are thinking of them. Reflect what Christmas means to you. Open your heart to a baby boy and see what emotions arise.
We are created imaginatively, by a creative God. Let God show us ways to support each other in new imaginative ways. Let us stand firm on our rock, unshakable in Christ
Loving Only Christ Keeps Daily Options Wonderful Notions
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is disappoint. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow. #fiveminuteFriday
Can I be disappointed With you Holy God If things don't go my way
Do I struggle and question Why does it have to be this way?
In the heat of emotional stress I can feel abandoned Not understanding That you know what is best
Hindsight is amazing And if I took the time To see as you do Take in the bigger picture
Act the way you taught me Be loving Accepting and kind And do not spurt out What is in my mind
Yes I get disappointed Upset and lose the plot Grumpy and nasty If things do not go my way
But remind me constantly Disappointment is just an emotion Like love and hate linked to selfishness
You have taught me time again That you love me And know me best
And in my disappointment It is always for the best For your keeping me on the right track As you know me best.
The photo is the view from a cousin’s garden. I am jealous! I added the bible verse and keep it as my screen saver on my phone. It reminds me God’s timing isn’t the same as mine but at the right time God will breakthrough.
This week’s Five minute Friday prompt word is hold. You can join in the fun here: https://fiveminutefriday.com As a writing community we write for 5 minutes(ish) no perfection or edits, the words just flow. #fiveminuteFriday
My hand you held when I was small But I let your grasp slip away Thinking I knew it all Why do I need to hold a hand I'm capable alone
Although you were always only a few steps behind Keeping a watchful eye You saw me taking wrong paths and choices But you never looked away
When I chose to make you mine I took those hands with scars where pierced Thanking you from my heart For never letting me go
Your hand I hold once more Tighter than before Please keep that grip so tight Lord Jesus Removing all my fear Keeping me on the straight path Never leave my side.
