Bye Bye 2011

When I think back on 2011, it really was a year of diversly contrasting seasons. So much so that it is hard to pick out one aspect of the year that really stands out because for every bit of joy there was also sorrow. As a family we rejoiced at the birth of a new baby in the family, yet also said a sad farewell to a grandmother. I cannot say it any better, so I will leave it to the writer of Ecclesiastes 3 to explain:

3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

As we ponder the thoughts of another year and say goodbye to 2011, we rejoice in the hope of wonderful blessings and stand firm in our faith that God will guide, preserve and protect our lives for another season. We believe in the promises of God and pray that the year ahead, 2012, will see some of those promises come true.

Happy New Year! May you know the presence of God in a new and wonderful way in the year ahead.

God Bless!

Signing off my last blog for 2011 :-)

Ronwyn Hughes

Why they call it the blues

Elton John sang it well, "I guess that's why they call it the blues, time on my hands could be time spent with you." Most of us attribute this trait of longing for companionship as merely a human need.

This is not true. In John 14 Jesus tells his disciples that He is going to prepare a place for us and that He will take us there too. The tone of the scripture shows Christs longing for us to be in His presence.

Thankfully we do not have to wait until Heaven to experience the presence of God. Through worship we can draw close God and feel the warmth of his love touching our hearts.

God's presence is also most felt through the loving arms of a good friend. We can show others the love Christ daily through the care we show them. Will you allow God to show His love to others through you today?

Boo

During our recent train trip home from Durban, a little boy came and stuck his head round our compartment door and then ran away. I thought it would be fun to start the "boo" game. So when I next heard the pitter patter of little feet, I waited, then pounced with a "boo" as his head rounded the corner.

After several repeats, with him running away every time, he rounded the corner again. This time instead of running away he looked at me with big eyes, then said boo back to me. His courage was so cute!

Often we come to God with fear and trepidation when Father God is just wishing we would just leap into his arms. God is waiting to see if you will have the courage to stare into his gaze and worship him.

When we respond to God in this way, we learn intimacy with God. This is his hearts desire for us.

It's off to Egypt we go

Joseph was warned in a dream to take Jesus to Egypt because Herod wanted to destroy baby Jesus. God provided a way out. I'm pretty sure Joseph wasn't keen on going to Egypt, but that is where God chose to send them.

The bible tells us that God will make a way in the wilderness. This means that when our lives are dry and barren and there seems to be no end to our spiritual drought that God will make a way for us to get out of that situation.

I suppose you could call this a 'second chance' if you like. There is nothing that God cannot redeem, but it does require us to have a heart that is willing to listen and obey. Joseph could have said, “it was just a dream” and ignored the warning, but he had the good sense to obey God.

If you are facing difficult circumstances, incline your ear to God and listen to his heart beat for you. When we are still before him, he will guide us through the wilderness to the other side.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Amidst the glitter, candles, bells, trees, turkeys, feasting and family fun, let us not forget the reason for our celebrations this blessed Christmas day. We gather to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus our Lord!

Many would deny the existence of our Lord, but this remarkable man has still split time, no other man has ever done that!

It wasn't only the star that guided the wise men to the crib that declares his majesty, but every sunrise, sunset and every star in the galaxies.

He is not worthy of our praise simply because the shepherds and wise men bowed before him, but because to those who declare him as saviour, he transforms lives every day for eternity.

So let us join the Angels as we declare, "Glory to God in the highest, peace and goodwill towards men!"

Happy Birthday Jesus!
And Merry Christmas everyone!

Its about the plan

The story of the Virgin birth was a triumph of the Trinity. A declaration that God's plan of salvation declared by the incarnation of God as man, confirmed to mankind that the promise of redemtion, had begun and would be fulfilled.

This plan, referred to by some as the 'Scarlet Thread', had woven itself through thousands of years of human history, beginning with Adam and reaching its pinnacle with the birth, life and death of Christ.

How often do we think of our lives as merely a dot on the canvas of time. Christ was not the only person who's life was planned through ages, our lives too are planned by God. We should not underestimate our significance.

We should take heart that if God's plan saw its fulfillment in Christ, then our lives too will be a fulfillment of God's plan for the people we will influence. Indeed we can stand tall and say, "He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it to the day of Christ!"

Oh little Donkey

It wasn't glamerous, the donkey that is. But I suppose it could be classified as the Toyota of it's time. Strong, dependable, consistent in it's performance. It got Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

The Shepherds too were a humble audience, as witnesses to the Virgin birth. The only pomp and ceremony came from the choir of Angels, who proclaimed God's Glory.

The Holy night was peaceful and calm, foreshadowing a theme the Christ would often proclaim when dealing with his disciples and followers, "My peace I give unto you!"

Ka cluck, Ka cluck!

Ka cluck, ka cluck. Ka cluck, ka cluck. Such a relaxing sound as your train chuggs along the rails to it's destination. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower and with stops along the way.

The Christian walk is filled with stops, starts, sometimes slow and sometimes fast moments. God designed it that way. Each moment a lesson of his forgiveness, grace, kindness and mercy.

Our time on earth gives us the opportunity to learn more about God's character. Through every day, we learn to praise him more and more. As we do, we Grow in God and our relationship with him!

Got everything packed?

Mary must have been nervous. Planning a trip when you are 9 months pregnant must have been a nightmare. She must have wanted to pack the whole house.

We spend so much time and effort getting everything ready. We pack things, just in case we'll need them and usually never do. The point is we try to be prepared for every eventuality.

So why do we prepare for everything except our spiritual state? We usually put our spirituality on the "I'll deal with that when I get back" list. Let's challenge ourselves to not ignore God this festive season. Let's spend a bit more time pondering our relationship with God, than just saying thanks for sending Jesus into our world, on Christmas morning.

Wonder if they had fresh sheets?

I love the smell of fresh sheets and sleeping in fresh sheets even more. That makes me wonder if Mary and Joseph were able to get fresh sheets from the Inn Keeper? I know if I was the Inn Keeper I would have tried my best to accommodate the in distress couple that came to my door that night.

Doesn't it strike you as odd that God didn't choose to bring his son into the world, in a clinical, clean medical facility but in the mess of a smelly barn? I think the message is clear. We don't need to 'clean up our act' in order to meet the saviour of the world. God is ready to meet us, no matter where we are in life.

That doesn't mean we don't have to work to change, but that we can know meaning of Romans 8 v 1, which tells us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Jesus understands the sin state well, all he desires is that we come to him with a heart that is willing to change and grow in our relationship with him. As we allow his Spirit to work in us, we will be conformed to his image.

A joyous event

For most women, the time of pregnancy is the most joyous, exciting event. The joy of a new life, brings hope, anticipation and somehow a belief that they will be able to provide their child with a better childhood than their parents were able to afford.

Yet for other women, this "blessed" event brings with it an acknowledgment of failure and fear of being judged. I can well imagine the many thoughts that ran through Mary's mind when she learned of her Holy conception.

According to Jewish tradition, Mary was a young mother in her early teens. It would require of her a great deal of courage to deal with the arguments of her parents and the suspicions of neighbours, to stand firm in her faith in the message delivered by Angel.

There will come many opportunities for us to waver in our walk with Christ, but we should take heart in the example showed by a gentle Jewish girl, who delivered the hope for our eternity, into our mortal world.

Nearly chocked

I nearly chocked laughing. Picture the sight of a kitty pawing his way through my washing as he tries to climb inside my washing machine. I only JUST managed to get the camera out before his tail slipped inside the machine (granted it was a half load).

Cat's will push their way through anything despite the risk to satisfy their curiosity and desire to be curled up inside a snug little space. Cat's take risks, that's their nature. God wants us to have faith and trust him. Not acting in foolishness, but taking calculated risks with faith believing that God will provide.

God desires to bless us, but so often we miss out on what he has in store for us because we are afraid to take that leap of faith. Don't be! Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Have a plan, take action and have faith that God will meet you when you step out in faith for him!

Opportunity knocks

One thing you can learn from observing cat behaviour is to grab every opportunity as it comes. This behaviour is best observed once prey has been caught.

Whether consumed or not their senses after a catch are highly tuned. Given the opprtunity they will pounce on anything that moves A.S.A.P.

God will bring great opportunities our way. If we are not tuned into his Spirit though we may well miss them. We need to stay tuned into him at all times.

There are other opportunities we shouldn't miss either:

An opportunity to pray, praise and worship.
An opportunity to give kindness and love.
An opportunity to give thanksgiving.
An opportunity to give encouragement and exhort.
And an opportunity to share faith, hope and joy.

Not just for cup cakes

I neeeeeed it! That's what you'll hear from any kid who has decided they really, really want something. Are adults any different though? For the most part I don't think so. I'm not just talking about resisting your favourite cup cakes, chocolate or any other delicacy we enjoy.

I mean really being able to stop, think and make the right choices based on having taken into account the consequences of our choices. This also encompasses the area of our speech and how we deal with situations. That is where self-control comes in. We have to learn to hold back on rushing into decisions. Sadly though, if we haven't started as children to learn this valuable fruit of the spirit, we are in for a very painful time. Learn it though we must.

So how do we achieve that? First we have to recognise the need for development in that area. Then ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you to exercise restraint. Guess what? The only way you are going to learn self-control is by being placed in situations where that can be tested. The good news....... When you do, there are great benefits. Once God sees that he can trust us with a particular area, he will heap up responsibility, blessings and rewards. I think it is worth the rewards, don't you?

Cute little pup

For some strange reason when I think of the word faithfulness, the picture that first comes to mind is a cute labrodor puppy. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I know a cat will sell it's owners down the river and move in with the neighbors if it got better treatment there. Dogs on the other hand are loyal, faithful creatures that will stand by their owners side, no matter what.

Faithfullness is more than just loyalty though. God's word says that he if faithful to us, even when we are faithless. He waits for us to return to him when we have run away. He never moves from his position but stays steadfast in his commitment to us!

If you have turned away from God and are afraid to come home because you are scared he will scold you, don't be!!! Come home to God, he is faithful and will forgive you.... All he wants is for you to take the first step back his loving arms!

Feathers everywhere

I've learned to live with it! I've learned to live with the parktown prawns, the spiders, the feathers, the dead birds..... but imagine my shock when I arrived home to a house full of feathers. I pulled the curtain back, just to hear wings flutter behind the couch.

Naturally, being a GIRL, I ran out the house screaming and had to rely on the kindness of a neighbour, too once again to rescue me from the bird. Luckily we rescued this one alive and were able to set it free. Now in mommy of kitties language that equals big hidings. However on second thought, realizing that my little fur ball had left his precious birdie catch to come out and say hello to mommy as she arrived home, I had to reconsider. It did take all my strength though not to spank the little rascal!

The bible says the goodness and kindness of God leads us to repentance. In God's book we deserve punishment for our sin, but he gave us his most precious gift to ensure that we no longer have to pay the price for our sin nature, but gave us what we don't deserve, life everlasting!

It's up to the birds and bees

I've been really challenged these past few days as I have meditated on gentleness. I've always associated gentleness just with the way you touch people and animals, but I must admit this viewpoint is wrong.

Gentleness should go down to the core of who we are and eminate in us through everything we do. For me the toughest place to show this is in the workplace. The pace of city and corporate life makes it hard to stop and think before we speak. There is usually an urgency in getting work done which often leads us to be abrupt when we shouldn't be.

An important part of fruit development is pollination, best done by birds and bees. Maybe we have to look outside ourselves at the example of others who have gentler ways to learn the skills requird to be able to show gentleness.

If we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and surround ourselves with people that can positively impact our lives we will soon learn how to adjust our behaviour to display the remarkable fruit of gentleness.

Wait up!

Different translations of Galations 5:22 use the words patience and longsuffering interchangeably. Quite correct! There are times in life when you are going to be in for a looooooong, long wait and it is most likely going to be painful to do so. The trick is, is there purpose in your waiting?

The things in life that are truly worth while are definitely worth the effort. I said yesterday that we shouldn't rush to prophets for a word from God and that is because, in my experience, any time God does give you a prophecy, it means you are in for wait and you are going to need that word to hold on to.

Good things do come to those who wait upon the Lord! When we find our strength in him, our joy will be restored. Dig deep and find the faith to hold onto the promises God has given you for your life.