Finding love, shopping for food

Shopping on an empty stomach? Poor choices 

Finding love feeling unloved? Poor choices 

They say the worst time to go into a supermarket is when your feeling hungry. You make impulsive choices about what you buy and spend money you don't have. 

It's been my experience that it's true of love. If you are looking for love and you don't feel love then you will make poor choices. It takes two whole people to make a marriage. If you feel unworthy unloved unlovable you might end up picking someone who will exploit that. When you are loved you make clearer choices. Because your value does not come from outside but within you. 

Christian

Christian means comfort to those in need 

A simple concept that Jesus lived. That we who follow him should embrace. 

Women, the bible and why I believe

I am say in the library reading the book Women in the Bible: Miracke Birthd, Heroic Deeds, Bloodlust and Jealousy. A thought strikes me more than ever. We are all prejudice and when we come to the bible we come with that prejudice. 

As I read this book. I am more convinced that I am created. That there is God. That he loves me and wants what is best for me. One day we will be reunited and live in a world without sin. Why do I believe that because I am reading what the author John Baldock is saying and although it doesn't look favourable for us women. Guess what I don't see God that way at all. 

When I go the bible I see a loving God creating free beings that he wishes to share his love with. So much so that despite the risk he gives them free will. Now that means you don't have to believe that God exists. But for me when I look around this world there is no doubt in my mind it was created. I might not be able to explain everything but I know it was no accident. 

Here is the thing we can argue over theology all day as to which of is understands God the best. But guess what God is real and he wants is to be the best we can be. So you know what I might be right, you might be right, none of us are right but God is real and for me that's all that matters. There I said it. Those are the glasses I go to the bible with God is love, God is real and God loves me. Does that make a difference to how I read the stories. Your absolutely right it does. 

God bless 

Spirit of fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)

Fear is crippling. I work with a lot of people who are completely crippled by fear. Fear can be our biggest enemy. In the text Paul is encouraging us to have no fear in sharing the love of God. 

Could this be a message written for people today. Now it is so difficult to share your faith. We live in a time where having faith of any description is looked at badly. Not only that it's seen as almost the realm of the stupid. It's not possible for people of real intelligence to have faith. 

In this climate it strikes me that having a spirit of fear is immobilising. What you want is freedom. Freedom to be the person God create you to be. Freedom to share your faith. Freedom to show love to others. 

Can this be applied to other areas of our life? Yes. God does not want us to be halfhearted in life he wants to put our talents and gifts to use not to have fear an hide them. 

Be confident. Stand strong. Be brave. God is with you. 

Saving Mr Banks

I am watching Saving Mr Banks for the second time. I confess to loving Mary Poppins just a touch. As a child it may have been my fantasy for Mary Poppins to sweep in and save the day. A little singing and a lot of dancing and even more imagination. This may have suited me a little to much. 

I loved this film but when (spoiler alert) the mother says goodbye and walks into the lake I cried. I cry every time. Something about the pain of that situation. The way she says goodbye to the children. "I know you love your father more than me". Could there be anything more painful than trying to hold your family together probably suffering from depression postnatal or otherwise while your husband an alcoholic is dying and feeling so unloved. 

The director handles what is a horrendous moment in life with real respect and tenderness. I guess the reason I cry is that this moment in the film  is far too real. The sadness that overcomes people is all too often suffered in silence, alone and isolated. 

There is a saying that the loneliest place is in a crowd. It's true. Sometimes when we are surrounded by people but no one understands us it can feel lonely beyond measure. 

Everyday I feel blessed that I have God in my life. A Father, a Friend, someone who understands me. But what I really look forward to is when we are on the other side of this world and I can look in the face of the one who created me and have a conversation face to face. Until then I am glad that God knows how much I need human touch and conversation and doesn't judge me for that. 

I pray that you have a relationship 10 times of mine so that you too will have the best of both worlds a relationship with your creator and those he entrusts your well being too. 

Christian first Adventist second

I describe myself as Christian first Adventist second. In terms of my faith. This hasn't been a challenge up till recently. I am challenged more and more on my Adventism. Do I believe? What do I believe? What difference does it make if I sign up to some not all? I dunno I really don't. 

So I decided after a conversation with my bestie to actually investigate this maybe get some clarity. Since I know that I am not alone I thought I would write it down so when I get asked I can direct them here. 

But here is thing in deciding to do this every time I try to post something goes horribly wrong. Should I take a hint. Like seriously is God using technology to stop me? Well I am gonna keep going and see what I do! I have been writing online and it's not posting. Quite sad really. Frustration is not good. But I guess patience is better. 

Christmas Traditions

I didn't grow up in a house with traditions as such. We were all together and we watched movies and ate good food. No particular food had to be served other than roast potatoes yum yum. 

Now that I have a family of my own I really have been giving thought to what I want my children to have as Christmas traditions. It seems to have manifested in the following ways which I think are actually not bad. I wanted to give my children a taste of the values we hold dear as adults. Faith, love, charity and hope. 

First tradition is buying the kids Christmas presents in the January sales. Throughout the year when we see things the kids and their friends and family would like we buy them and put them down so that we don't have to rush at the end. Also means we don't spend excessive amounts or have to rush at the end and pay over the odds. Plus the kids have to trust their parents to buy what they would like. No lost for me ha ha ha. But the thing is that I am sure will get more difficult as they want more technology but for now it works wonders and if it's not broke I am not fixing it for now lol. 

Charity is the second thing we do. This year we got out all the toys the kids don't really play with and they picked the ones they would take to the charity store. We wanted to give it to a toy drive but couldn't find one anywhere taking second hand toys. Real problem when all they want is new ones. The children then took the toys in themselves and handed them over. Trick was in getting out the shop without then buying anything in the place of those handed in. I want to give the kids a sense of reality in the world. You might not be able to fix everyone's problems but you should help where you can. Even if that is handing in a few little toys. 

Now that I have energetic storms it's important to challenge them in a fun way. So we try each Christmas to play a game together. Lots of people tell me how wonderful this is so I am sticking with it. We never played games in my household. But others tell me it's fun to get together over a board game. While trying to teach my little ones how to lose graciously is challenging I am sure it will be worth it in the end lol. 

The last two years this is the Christmas book. Next year I am gonna find a Christian one to add to the mix. But it's definitely nice to have a story to read with no pressure. They really loved seeing this one again and lifting out all the letters and seeing what was inside. 

Our final tradition is going to church before opening our presents. I love the idea of starting the day with God and keeping that focus throughout. My little way of not being so self absorbed at a time when it's difficult not to be. 

So as you embark on your own Christmas traditions and Christmas celebrations I urge you to think about those who are smaller than you. What will they learn about life at the time of great excess by most of us. 

Have a blessed season