I’ve been pondering the Christmas story, and am very aware of inaccuracies and discrepancies people point out… yet despite those I do believe God would have us know the story of Jesus’ birth, as vague as some would make it out to be!

I found that Luke’s account tells us that the couple, Joseph and Mary had to find a place for their son to be born in a place where the animals were housed because there wasn’t a lodging room available.

It may have been, according to some accounts, that there never was an “innkeeper “ – but that the lodging rooms, that should have been available with family, were not given to the couple because of the disgrace of her pregnancy… they were rejected by family!

Or… it maybe that the place they were planning to stay was too busy and they needed to find somewhere where their baby could be born.

The thing that has played around my head is not the details or inaccuracies, but the fact that still, today, in the time we live in, it’s so easy to have “no room” for Jesus, or at best to put Him in an outhouse where we won’t be bothered by Him! Maybe because we are embarrassed to be associated with Him and what we think we believe, or maybe, because we are just too busy with life, and people, and demands, and, and, and…

Christmas is a time of reflection and I have found myself challenged as to what “room” I give to Jesus in my life.

Am I too busy to walk beside Him, letting Him be God in my life? Or too busy trying to do good things to show Him, or others, “my faith”? Or just too busy to give Him time, thought and consideration?

Too busy to recognise His hand on my life? And to reflect on the extraordinary thing that He did in becoming a human, living and growing in a messy, fallen world, like me, and being challenged by all the contradictory philosophies around?

Am I too caught up with the political issues (a census?!), or people, or business?

Or maybe I do give “a” room in my life … but not the freedom of the whole house… or even just pack Him off in some stable where I’ve done my bit but don’t need to let Him into my heart?

Oh the challenge of Christmas… and I don’t mean the presents for all, the food and preparations… I mean the challenge of God being a baby and growing up, and living, dying and living to give me … everything. What a gift!

Make room today… more room – for God!

Happy Christmas!

I have been fascinated how Elijah so easily forgot the victories he’d previously known, the miracles- both initiated and seen by him, the promises of God and the Words God spoke to him! …and how that is so… ME!!

Don’t you find it easy to forget the gifts of God to you, His life, His promises, His victories and provision in your life?

It’s easy to identify with Elijah, as he has had enough, is so wearied and tired of the journey and the battles to keep strong! I find his story to be one of such hope and encouragement when I’m past myself and wanting to stop, give up and find hope is frail!

Amazing how God sends His angel (not Himself) to give Elijah the very simple, basic , stuff he needed – which by the way, was probably not what Elijah would have chosen – bread , water and sleep. Now if it had been me(!!) – a spa retreat, a few days break, even a prophetic word of encouragement would have been  a help… not bread and water and a rest in the wilderness!!

Sometimes it is the simple Bread of Life (Jesus… and His Word) and the Fresh Water (time with the Holy Spirit) that we need to have – no deep stuff, no intense studies, no thrashing out eternal values and reasons,… just plain Bread and Water! And it gives us strength for the next leg of the journey.

You know – I don’t know why God didn’t come with miracles, powerful words of encouragement or commendation… I only know He is God and His ways are higher than mine, and He understands who I am and where I am… and gives me the strength to journey through the hopeless, the despair and longing for things to change… strength to come to the “mount of God” to meet with Him there.

I want to encourage you to give God time today… time to rest in His Words (bread) and be refreshed by His Spirit (water) so you can go on.

He is before you to lead you, behind you to strengthen you… and always with you for He promised never to leave or forsake you.

Take heart  today… and step out for the next leg of the journey! You will meet Him – for He is faithful!

Mark and I have just come back from a long journey: our journey from home and back again took place in cars, ours and someone else’s, busses, shuttles, transits, travelators, trains, planes, metro, walking – lots.

We had a great time chatting to our hosts on the first evening, to our travelling companions on the journey, reading and listening to lots and lots of various instructions in different languages and finding out places and ways of getting to our destinations by ourselves!

Some of them were wonderful… the transit train from airport security to the gates for flight and the same on the return journey, had a very pleasant lady’s voice, but quite insistent that we “don’t get off this transit at this stop”! Three times she insisted that passengers did not “get of the transit at this stop”, as it wasn’t where we were supposed to be! Another instruction was at both ends of the flight the chief flight attendant thanked us for travelling with the airline and, “would advise you to collect all your belongings before leaving the cabin. Please be careful when opening the overhead lockers as objects may fall out due to movement during the flight, and do have a pleasant onward journey to your final destination!!!

Pretty obvious … but it is a journey we are on! It will have a “final destination” (heaven… when a new adventure will begin!), but for now our “journey in life, our journey together as a local church, will have many mini journeys! Some may feel pretty epic and not so mini, as we navigate people, issues, problems, attitudes and changes… on our way to our “final destination”!!

Our scenery changed many times, on our trip and at times was repetitive Sometimes it was motorway, sometimes country, or city, sea, air … some we loved, others were – take it or leave it!… so with the journey of life – some places we can’t wait to leave behind and others we would linger a little longer! All part of the journey. So with Church – folks – we haven’t made it yet!!! And won’t ever ‘til heaven comes! We will always have changes, tweaks, etc – some things we will return to, other will be left behind…..we need to embrace the changes of the journey and not stress over things that are not our natural inclination… remember … “this too will pass”!

The transport wasn’t always easy to navigate … it took patience, asking, working with it to be able to actually appreciate it, and we had our preferred methods, which weren’t always what we got! But it added to the adventure!

Apart from starting out and our ending up – we were not in control of the timings… or the mode of transport, the speed, the stops or the comfort! That wasn’t always easy – we needed to trust the drivers, the pilots and the coordinators of our trip! One part of our journey was when we were in the shuttle bus back to our friend’s car, in the long stay car park. We had no idea where it was, where we were going and when to get off … we just had to be ready when they nodded “now” They knew and weren’t worried and just because they hadn’t given us detailed instructions didn’t mean we were lost , nor did we panic…they knew and we kept our eyes on them- The leaders!

Sometimes you may not know the why, how, when or where… but God does and He has prepared your paths. He has also given your pastors the plan they need, for this season in church life. We need to learn to trust God and them – they’ll get you there – just “don’t get off the transit at this stop!”

Life ‘s journey is full of mini adventures and journeys that make up the whole – lets help each other, be willing to trust and go with the uncomfy! Let us spur one another on and ride the ride where it’s not the scenery we prefer… remember the supposed end of our trip was greeted with the words, “Please be careful when opening the overhead lockers as objects may fall out due to movement during the flight, and do have a pleasant onward journey to your final destination!”

There may be a few falling objects… due to movement during the flight…. but enjoy the ride – We are not there yet!

Our final destination – we have a way to go! Some walk fast on the travelator, while others take a time to ride and not walk. Some will get off when advised not to. Some will moan, some will sing, but if we will be patient and enjoy the journey – where ever the pilots take us – then we are fulfilled, nourished, and spurred on for the next part of the journey – to our Final destination! “Infinity and beyond!”

Happy journeying!

Where you’d like to give your opinion but sometimes it just might not go down too well?

Or where you’re asked for your thoughts and you know really well that, whatever you say, they won’t hear it or will be highly offended?

Wisdom is very often “when you say nothing at all!”

Wisdom knows when to speak a word in season, when it is right to say what is asked for; even when you know it won’t go down too well!

Oh for wise people to speak out, and stay silent… and knowing which is when!

The Bible has a lot of things to say about what we say! That our speech ought to be seasoned with salt… palatable and easy to digest! Colossians 4:6

It also warns us that our tongue can be as powerful as a ship’s rudder… steering a whole conversation in a certain direction!! James 3

My prayer today is that we would learn to measure our words and seek God’s thoughts before we jump in to answer or give our advice and opinion!

^4-9The Master, God, has given me
a well-taught tongue,
so I know how to encourage tired people. Isaiah 50:4

Amazing how you don’t have to have the last word to be right, or win the argument!

Happy speaking today!

Eve fascinates me… not because all the artists impressions of her portray her as beautiful, slim, with incredible long hair (in various shades) that obviously was washed in pure spring water with built in conditioners! … but because she lived!

She fascinates me because she lived after the biggest a faux pas (dict: social blunder or indiscretion!) in the history of the world!

Consider when we mess up, make mistakes, react badly … sin … whatever we choose to call it … none of us really cause the consequences of our mistake to have such far reaching effect s as the eating of the tree of knowledge did for, not only Eve, but mankind for ever after! How could anyone live with that? But she did!

I admire her … oh not because she sinned, disobeyed and encouraged Adam to do the same, (think I might have a t-shirt on that!), but because she got up went on and LIVED again …

Wow! To know there is life, real life after sin, mistakes, wrong stuff, that gives me hope! Not a blocking it out of our minds, never visiting it again, pretending it never happened sort of life, but a Life that knew the Grace and Mercy of God, and lived in the fullness of it. That’s why I admire Eve!

She had walked with God and knew Him, knew His ways, His closeness. Took instruction from Him and learned great life lessons … from God Himself. Then blew it!

Whoa! This sounds like what I can do … walk with God, know Him … then mess up!

I admire her … for she, like many mothers (and fathers for that matter), watched her children mess up and repeat mistakes she’d made. She suffered the loss of her sons and the ache of knowing it was probably her fault!  What would people say of her? She lived with that. What would they say of her husband? Her family? She lived with that!

I think if Eve, in a time before the Grace and Mercy and Love of God was fully revealed through Jesus, can face the consequences of her wrong decision … not just for her but mankind, AND, find grace and mercy to start again, have children, cope with one being killed by his brother, watching that brother being banished, and effectively outcast. Enjoy her husband’s love again and have another son … teach them about the love and ways of God. Then why can I not embrace the forgiveness of Jesus, grasp hold of His healing for my life and take courage … that there is life after my mess?

I surely can … by the grace of God!

Look up today … God knows your weaknesses and mistakes, your intentions and failures … and LOVES you!  He has made a way for forgiveness and reconciliation, for hope… for life in all its fullness. Take courage dear one … His grace is made perfect in our weakness and His strength is given to us, not just to go on … but to LIVE!

Amazing how we can overlook that fact … God can actually allow me to be His answer!… so many times we look to get answers we can miss an important element – I might actually be needed!

Isaiah had an encounter with God (Isaiah 6) that caused Him to respond to God to be the answer . His being the answer wasn’t easy nor was it always accepted with readiness and open arms … but … isn’t that just like life?

We respond to God – and say “Here am, I send me!” and He does – months later when we’ve forgotten we said that! When we eventually do realise we need to “go”, it’s often to people who are on our doorstep (family?) to our local community and not always to some glamorous sounding place on the other side of the world!

The call is the same, the cry of the needy is the same, God’s appointing us is the same… Is our response the same as Isaiah’s?  Are we ready to be the answer to …anyone, wherever, whatever it may take? Maybe God will say, “stay”, and not, “go”, to us… are we still ready to be the answer?

God’s work is very rarely glamorous, or convenient… and is often so obvious we miss it, just like the nose on our face – always before us but not often seen by the wearer!!

Let us awaken to be the answer that God calls us to be…  and not miss what might be as obvious as the nose at the end of our face.

Happy Answering!

I woke up this morning with a very heavy “Monday morning” feeling! Well it was Monday… but the sun was shining, I had the day off (I thought) and I’d slept longer … perfect you might think! But I also woke up with the most intense feeling of “Oh no! Not another week! How am I going to be content and strong and filled with faith this week?!”

Ever been there?

Some of you have I know – others maybe aren’t hit with these feelings as much – or ever… but bear with me … because I hate these feelings… when everything should be great but the heaviness just isn’t that easy to shake off!

It’s Monday evening now and I survived the day! Haha! But there’s another one tomorrow!

What did I do? – stay in a sad state? Do lots of work? Try and forget ?

Well I tried all of that and, nope, I didn’t feel loads better… maybe a wee bit but for most of the day I felt this weariness and heaviness on me. It’s not like I feel like this all the time, but it does hit me now and then and recently this has been a tough, long haul it seems.

For those times, albeit taking a big effort, I have to admit, I get up, shower, have coffee and “do” what is needed. I play inspiring music, walk in the sun and talk to people (not about the gloomies!), but about life, about them, about good things! I hung out with the person who understands me most and let him pray for me, speak the hopeful words of tomorrow … and I made it!

Maybe tomorrow will be better, but if not – I will do it again … get up and be me, speak hope and faith into the day, into my life and those around me. I will encourage others with hope for the future, speak words of faith and encouragement into them… and i know that soon the darkness will lift and the sun will truly shine in my life again!

²² The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 (NLT)

*** I have posted this because I know, for many, despair, and depression is a constant battle. Take hope, dear heart, do the day’s work and know there is a hope and a future … and that you are not alone!

Ever felt like the journey is v-e-r-y l-o-n-g?… and that the end           is further away than the beginning?

Ever felt like the encouragement to press in and aim high  is more than you can handle … today?

It’s called discouragement!… and for some it’s a  familiar companion, that we’d love to lose down a deep hole!!

Many journeys we take have a limited length. My husband and I often drive from our home to London to visit our children there. The Sat. Nav. usually gives us an estimated time of arrival… about six hours after we set off, but invariably it takes us nearer eight! I don’t enjoy that extended journey –especially when I know the train only takes just over three hours! But I can put up with it because it is limited and the end result, seeing our family, is very worth it! But there are journeys in life that seem to be forever journeys and the destination is a little bit undetermined as to its eventuality!

When our  5 children were little and we did road trips that lasted hours, sometimes a day or so, I used to plan treat bags for them. Two bags, one for edible treats, and one for amusement treats… they could choose what they picked. Every so often, usually when we felt the sitting time was getting close to a major  melt down, we would bring out these treat bags and, having chosen their treat, they would settle for a while longer, until we could find somewhere to run and exercise  before continuing… they needed to step out and stretch (so did I!) in order to keep going.

We would never have considered NOT taking a long journey – we just needed to stage it and have things ready for the “boring bits” and the “nothing happening” bits!

Our “boring” bits are where discouragement rears its head and can make us stop, opt out or ease off in our journey.

God hasn’t called us to break the speed record to get to the “goal”, whether a personal one or a team goal. But he has called us to “walk by the Spirit”, to Wait on the Lord and renew our strength for the journey. To enjoy the way He has set before us :  The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him. Psalm 37:23

So take some time to be refreshed for the next leg of the journey… go to a movie, eat out, laugh with a friend, take a walk and be renewed in what the purpose of the journey is .

Set out with fresh purpose and know every step takes you closer to the goal, every prayer is nearer to the release of the answer and every encouraging word is a step up!

“More disasters!! When will it stop?”  someone said to me, “There seems to be more and more of these happening! It’s scary!”

Yes it is… but not unexpected!  Jesus said in Matthew’s Gospel chapter 24:

⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

I’m no expert on “end times” or on theological arguments about the return of Jesus, but I do know that in these days of recession, wars and rumours of wars, nation rising against nation – Egypt, Lybia, Christchurch, Japan… Jesus said “see to it that you are not alarmed!” Another translation says – Don’t be troubled!

How can we do this? …not be troubled when we see such things happening?

I think these things should make us go to prayer  and to be sure of where we stand in faith.

God is not mean, he has said that the earth would be like this and that men would hate each other… but He has also made a way, through Jesus, for us to find help, peace and strength in these days.

James 5:8 tells us to, “Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near!”

Let us pray for the nations of the world – they are filled with people that God loves so much!

Let us take courage, press in to know our Saviour better and show others His great love and mercy

Let us reach out to love and help where we can and lay aside the petty differences and doubts we have with each other.

Let us Love God, Love Life, Love people!

Today –

A vague thought  that things will eventually will work out and a “this too will pass” attitude isn’t what we need. No, we need more… we need something solid and strong to cling to, something that is true and will never fail.

The prophet Jeremiah understood all this:

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.”

But he didn’t stop there! He called to mind something that was deeper, more solid and sure than his despair… “ Yet I still dare to hope  when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3 NLT

Hope is a solid place for us to stand in the midst of despair… God is faithful! God never fails to show loving kindness. God’s great love is the reason we can dare to hope! You may not feel it today but these words are true! Let them be as a grappling hook… a mountain climber’s security -when he throws the rope with the hook high up, to catch the solid rock and hold him securely while he climbs to the heights!

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Saviour and my God! Psalm 42:5

God tells us in the book of Hosea that He “Will transform the valley of trouble into a Gateway of Hope” Hosea 2:15

So today … throw your hook of hope into God’s promises of unfailing love and faithfulness – He will be your strong and steady Rock !