Christmas Creates Community

Community is formed in small groups,
all celebrating together.
Christmas community lasts a month.

Community is enhanced during Christmas.
Christians gather to remember that Christ came into the world
to bring them into God's family.

No matter who you are, or why and how you celebrate it.
Christmas creates community.

For Christians the community lasts.
It does not fade when the festivities are over.
For we are celebrating God adopting us into his family,
by sending his son so that we might call him father.
We have accepted his invitation and been welcomed into his home.

Like Sheep 

“All we like sheep have gone astray. Each turning to his own way. But the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6

“You Lord are my shepherd, I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I will not be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

The Bible talks about Christians, (we that trust and know Jesus as our shepherd), to be like sheep. The world tends to think that we follow blindly, ignorantly, without a thought or a doubt. But this simply isn’t true.  We do doubt. Each time we wander and lose our way our shepherd seeks us out. He embraces with joy, bringing back to him, and placing our feet back upon the path.  

The world questions us as we travel, “Why do you want to return? How can you be certain that he is guiding you on the road you want to go? Why do you love and trust him? Is it all worth it?”

My answer is that he laid his life down for me. Everyday he demonstrates his love for me. He knows me inside and out… and yet still he cares for me. I trust him to always have my back. He knows the plans he has for me and he works for my good. He created me, knitting me together in my mother’s womb. He knows me, what behind me and what is to come. My shepherd promises to remain by me whatever challenges may confront me. 

“But how do you know this? Why do you just assume? Where is the evidence that God (if he even exists) will keep his promises? Is God as great as you believe he is? Isn’t the gospel too good to be true? The world contradicts. 

You see, I know that God keeps his promises. He has done so again and again. He promised that Jesus would come and redeem us, bringing us back to the God who invites us to call him “Abba Father”, just as he does.

The only thing that makes me special and privileged. The only way I can have this hope and assurance is this; that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I don’t deserve it. I didn’t have to work for it. I only had to accept it.

Thankyou my Father in Heaven. May I never want to stop serving you, praising your name, being part of your family, your child, and your daughter.  

Time

Everything takes time.
Time to heal.
Time to mend.
Time to feel.

Everything takes time.
Time to process.
Time to appreciate.
Time to comprehend.

Everything takes time.
Time to develop.
Time to reflect.
Time to grow.

Without time we shatter.
Without time we fail to comprehend.
Without time are stunted.

Embrace time with gratitude.
For everyone needs time.

Rain

I've been learning to fully appreciate moments.

In all the chaos, I pause, experiencing the calm in the midst of the storm.

Noticing the breeze and how it moves through everything.

The trees sway and their leaves rustle. 

The clouds float across the sky and shapes form, change and dissipate. 

The birds are guided by the pressure and direction of the wind. 

Time ticks on , yet still I sit, absorbing and valuing each moment.

My eyes continue to scan the landscape. 

The colours of the grass, fading from vivid green to dusty brown.

The varying colours of  tree trunks
-grey, red, blue, silver, merging with the brown. 

The shade, making colours darker and richer.

The sun, making colours brighter and lighter.

Making dappled sunlight fascinating.

Looking up at the sun as it sets,

It draws the eye along with the blues, purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows.

It eventually gives way to deep purple, blue of the sky, and silver of the moon and stars. 

To think that God created all things, just using words.

But I know my words cannot truly express what the eye can see and the heart can feel.

So I would urge everyone to pause and fully appreciate moments.

To find the calm in the midst of the storm. 

The Eye of the Storm

I've been learning to fully appreciate moments.

In all the chaos, I pause, experiencing the calm in the midst of the storm.

Noticing the breeze and how it moves through everything.

The trees sway and their leaves rustle. 

The clouds float across the sky and shapes form, change and dissipate. 

The birds are guided by the pressure and direction of the wind. 

Time ticks on , yet still I sit, absorbing and valuing each moment.

My eyes continue to scan the landscape. 

The colours of the grass, fading from vivid green to dusty brown.

The varying colours of  tree trunks
-grey, red, blue, silver, merging with the brown. 

The shade, making colours darker and richer.

The sun, making colours brighter and lighter.

Making dappled sunlight fascinating.

Looking up at the sun as it sets,

It draws the eye along with the blues, purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows.

It eventually gives way to deep purple, blue of the sky, and silver of the moon and stars. 

To think that God created all things, just using words.

But I know my words cannot truly express what the eye can see and the heart can feel.

So I would urge everyone to pause and fully appreciate moments.

To find the calm in the midst of the storm. 

  

Together

Dedication: To everyone who has experienced mental illness, this is from me to you...

Darkness doesn't discriminate.
It can take anyone.
So what can we do?

We don't always recognise what is consuming us.
We don't always recognise the way we think is warped.

When we do...
A friend or family member expressing concern.
A colleague gently taking us to one side.
An outsider asking the question; are you okay?
You seem...

Just remember that no matter how fearful, ashamed,
lost, alone, confused, or angry you are.
You are not alone.

What you're going through is by no means uncommon.
Friend or family member.
Colleague or outsider.
We understand, because it takes one to know one.

No need to be ashamed.
Feel free to stretch out your hand.
We can show you the way.
After all, we've come this way before.
I've come this way before.

The Lord my God is the light to the path on which I tread.
He said "it is not good for man to be alone".
He said "it is finished".
He said "that whoever believes believes in me shall not die but have eternal life".

Jesus sent his disciples out in twos.
Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit.
Jesus has given us hope of  a day when her will wipe away every tear.

Faith in Jesus and his promises means hope and security and forgiveness.
It means knowing where we are headed as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The rod there is not always easy, but that is why we travel there together.

Thankyou

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thankyou that you value me.

Thankyou for sending your son to die,

because you value me.

Thankyou that you don't give up on me 

as I give up on you.

Thankyou that you give your children each other. 

Thankyou that you know the road isn't always easy.

Thankyou for giving us the Holy Spirit, to help us fight

sin, fear and despair, with hope, light, and life with you. 

Thankyou that you care for us without reward.

Thankyou that your gifts are abundant. 

Thankyou that you use the weak to help the strong.

Thankyou that you equip us to do your work,

of spreading the gospel side by side. 

Thankyou for all the reasons that you give me 

to smile, dance, and sing for joy. 

Thankyou that when a Christian dies, we; 

as fellow members of Christ's body have tears falling on to smiles. 

Thankyou for giving us the hope and promise that one day,

when we are all gathered around your throne, you will wipe away every tear.

Thankyou that you can be relied on to keep your promises.

Amen.