The final week of the year is under way and today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 30 in the Message Bible. Vs.8-9. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs … Continue reading Proverbs 30
Getting Ready for a New Year
Another year is about to finish and a new one is about to begin. At these transitions between the seasons it's a good time to stop and reflect on the past, review the present, and plan for the future. Unfortuantely, in our fast-paced world those are important activities than we can easily neglect, to our … Continue reading Getting Ready for a New Year
Christ’s Christmas Gift – Peace
Today is Christmas and people all around the world will be giving and receiving gifts of all kinds. Jesus offers us a gift today - something incredibly valuable that he alone can give. John 14:27. I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift … Continue reading Christ’s Christmas Gift – Peace
Essence: What is Most Important?
It is important in every aspect of life to understand what is essential/central and what is peripheral/unessential. Only by knowing what is essential can you truly make sense of life and live it to the full. As we begin a New Year, we step into the future. As we do so, we want to ask … Continue reading Essence: What is Most Important?
Proverbs 23
This week's wisdom for life comes to us from Proverbs 23 in the Message Bible. Vs.4-5. Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder. There is far more to life than money! When is enough enough? I'll never … Continue reading Proverbs 23
The Joy of HOME
"Christ is in me, and I in Christ. In Christ, my home, I belong - I see and am seen, I hear and am heard, I love and am loved - I belong. In Christ, my home, I am safe - there is nothing that separates me from Him. In Christ, my home, I have … Continue reading The Joy of HOME
Was Jesus a Swede?
Did you hear the funny story about a 5 year old girl who thought Jesus was a Swede? This cute little girl was helping set the family table one Sunday near Christmas. She stopped for a moment and announced, “Jesus was a Swede.” More than a little surprised, her mum corrected her, “Oh, no, dear, Jesus … Continue reading Was Jesus a Swede?
Dealing with Grief at Christmas Time
Christmas is a joyful time for most people. But for some it can be a difficult time, especially for those who have lost a loved one. Christmas reminds them of what or who is gone. The pain of that grief can be quite unbearable. I had my first major encounter with grief when I lost … Continue reading Dealing with Grief at Christmas Time
Proverbs 16
It's time to pause and reflect on more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Today we dive into Proverbs 16 in the Message Bible. Vs.3. Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place. It's so easy do life by ourselves and only refer to God when things are going wrong. … Continue reading Proverbs 16
Christmas JOY
Luke was a doctor who lived in the first century. Like most doctors, Luke valued facts and obtaining accurate information. That's why he spent so much time interviewing people and talking to eye-witnesses when he prepared to write his Gospel record of the life of Jesus Christ. Let's read some of the Christmas story as … Continue reading Christmas JOY
LEGO – the Exponential Impact of Connection
Yesterday we talked about some lessons from LEGOLAND. LEGO is so simple yet when individual bricks are joined together with others, they can contribute to the creation of something quite amazing and complex. Think about this: Two 8 stud LEGO blocks can be combined in 24 different ways (remember that LEGO bricks can connect at … Continue reading LEGO – the Exponential Impact of Connection
Lessons from LEGOLAND
LEGO was invented in 1947 by a carpenter from Denmark by the name of Ole Kirk Christiansen. Before this breakthrough idea for a plastic toy, he suffered many challenges and setbacks, including his wife dying, a factory fire, and navigating the depth of the Great Depression. Today, LEGO is one of the top 50 brands in … Continue reading Lessons from LEGOLAND
Book Review: The Essentialist – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
One of the best books I have read over the last few months is The Essentialist - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. It is a very challenging book that forces you to think through what is most important in life (the essentials) and focus on that, often requiring the elimination of the less … Continue reading Book Review: The Essentialist – The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Proverbs 9
We continue to today with insights from our Proverb of the week, Proverbs 9, from the Message Bible. Vs.4-6. Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh–baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street … Continue reading Proverbs 9
God is with you NOW
Here is a quote from Gregory Boyd's helpful book Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. When many Christians first hear about the practice of the presence of God, it strikes them as an impossible discipline. Perhaps supersaints locked up in monasteries can attain this level of awareness, but not us average folk who work … Continue reading God is with you NOW