thinking lifestyle

Matthew 6:26

Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?

I've been thinking for years about environmental sustainable living. It's a slow process of bringing different area's of life together in sync with this idea. I will never finish this process, but here are some ideas that I'm working through.

CLOTHING: A few years ago I spent a whole year not buying any clothes, only wearing the things I already had. I got to the end of the year and found I still had items that I hadn't worn! Soon after that I traveled for 3 months with a backpack, it was a fun challenge, but I was so happy to see my clothes when I got home. For a time I put all my winter clothes in suitcases under my bed during the summer, and would swap them over half way through autumn. It was a really fun process because I forgot what I had, and became excited to wear 'new' items each season. I'm currently taking quite a brutal spring clean. I am living in an apartment with plenty of storage, I've accumulated things to fit that space. I have been holding onto a lot of clothes that don't suit me anymore, or don't fit me. I'm donating all my old clothes to a church clothing sale via my mum (she's the same size as me, so she get's first pick of my clothes and I hers). Hopefully I'll be able to half my wardrobe.

SHOPPING: I am trying to shop fair trade. What is Fair Trade, I hear you ask? The Oxfam Shop say, "Fair Trade has a number of key factors – stable prices, ensuring that producers, farmers and workers are paid fairly for their work and products and ensuring that there is stability in the income they can earn." Most of these shops are online, but not all. Some apps are starting up to help buyers know. My most preferred is Shop Ethical!. When this is an impossibility, I try find things at op shops. Something I am still really bad at is grocery shopping. I don't plan my meals well, and often have random things go off in the fridge. I forgive myself because it's a constant learning process.

CRAFT: I'm learning to make things myself. We're learning that things usually aren't cheaper when you make them yourself, but we do appreciate the process of creation. I really like learning new skills and trying different things. I am a fan of quilting and knitting, but am also trying my hand at candles and up-cycling. A few friends and I have a monthly craft night called Yarn & Craft, anyone is welcome to attend, we learn from each other.

HYGIENE: (Stop reading if you find monthly cycles to be gross!) Last year I was getting so tired to buying sanitary things for my monthly cycle. I had leaks and to much rubbish, so much cleaning, it was really disheartening each time it started. Then one day, I visited a vegan shop in my city and saw a menstrual cup. It's initial price is way higher than sanitary pads... but the fact is, it's a long term solution! I highly recommend looking into this and making the change. It's waste free, I don't have to carry things around with me all the time anymore. I can't imagine going back!

POWER: If ever we have our own home, we would love to get a solar panel, but until then, we have opted for an environmentally friendly power supplier: PowerShop. I'd also like to learn to be more careful with our water consumption, we're currently limited to shower length by having a smallish boiler, even then, we use a lot of water.

FINANCIAL: This is something that I am still working on. I still have a massive student loan. However, my husband and I have made the radical decision to live off one income. Why earn more money than we need. This allows me to be free to invest in my community in a volunteer capacity, and I'm really thankful for that. However, it does mean that if we ever want to own a home, we will have to go a long long way away from the city, or change out living style even more. In the last 6 months I have become quite obsessed with Tiny Houses! I watch a lot of tiny house home tours on YouTube. I got into them via Living Big In A Tiny House and in the last few weeks I've got to know Go Downsize. I was really struck by their debt-free video that I watched yesterday: Go Downsize: Debt free living - Our personal "getting debt-free" story. This is a dream, to one day live (even for a short period of time) in a tiny house.

I find this process scary at times, but I am convinced that it is the right thing to do, because I believe God cares for us, and will provide for us. I also believe that God made people with skills and responsibilities, including looking after our environment and the welfare of others.

How much longer!?

Why doesn't God do something? What is taking Him so long? Where is He? What are we supposed to do in the meantime!? 
In church the other day we reflected on these questions. 

(photo by me taken in Kangaroo Valley October 2014)

I wonder if you have heard the imagery of God being the Bridegroom and the people of God are his Bride. It is one referenced a few times in the bible. "Your Maker is your Husband" (Isaiah 54:5). The story of Hosea taking a prostitute for a wife to symbolise God's relationship towards people, Him faithfully trying to keep us, people ever seeking pleasure elsewhere. In Isaiah we also read of God rejoicing over his bride: "as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you" (Isaiah 62:5). I often find this idea really odd, but also amazingly beautiful. That God commits himself to people so completely, makes promises to them. One day when Jesus returns there will be a great banquet, a wedding feast, a celebration. A wedding between God and His people, a celebration where "they will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God" (Revelation 21:3b).

In light of this imagery of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. And people waiting for the day when we can celebrate a beautiful and amazing wedding. Read Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus told this parable:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

Where is God? He, the groom, has gone to collect his bride from all across the world. We wait as those in the celebration are gathered together. Just look at the amazing growth of the church in China and parts of Africa. God is working in this world, bringing people into relationship with Him by His Spirit through his people. God is not silent, his timing is just very different to ours! "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8).

And so while God brings in more people daily to his wedding banquet, let us not grow weary of waiting. The delay is bringing more people to the joy of God through his mercy. And so we pray for patience, for wisdom to keep our lanterns of faith burning brightly. We can't borrow faith later on, but must pray to each be satisfied in God's love each day. Let us keep watch.

Eternal God, you have taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand; keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, so that when Christ, the bridegroom, comes we mat go out joyfully to meet him, and with him enter into the marriage feast that you have prepared for all who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Easter

Why did Jesus have to die? What does it even mean that He might have risen from the dead? Basically, what does one man dying 2000 years ago have to do with me?

It's a great question. I think about it often.

I think we can find an answer on Easter Friday. There are seven words or phrases recorded from Jesus as he hung on the cross dying. In my church on the Good Friday Service (see below why it is good) each of the candles represented one of those sayings, as it was said the candle was snuffed out, by the end, Jesus breathes his last and gives up his spirit.

After this, we remember that Jesus' body was laid in a tomb nearby. That night the Sabbath day of rest began. No one could do anything for the body until that day was over. In the culture at the time, a day was not measured by hours but rather simply by participating in a part of that day, so Jesus died on Friday afternoon (one day), all of Saturday he was dead (another day), and on Sunday morning (the beginning of the third day) Jesus' tomb was found empty.

 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb.

(Mark 16:1-8a)

The Sun has risen! The tomb was empty, not because Jesus' body had been stolen, not because it was the wrong tomb, but because Jesus is alive!

Why is it called Good Friday? It's not just because we know that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later, so a good man didn't suffer an unjust death forever. No, it is good because of what Jesus achieved on the cross. He laid down his life, freely, so that many might be saved.
But what does that even mean?

Jesus was a popular teacher in his time, which threatened the local religious leaders at the time, they worried that Jesus would overthrow their positions, but also bring attention from the Roman Emperor who might take away more rights from the Jewish people. So the religious leaders debated what to do with Jesus...
But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should perish for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. ~John 11:49-52

Jesus died on behalf of the nation of Israel, to bring peace, but not only for them but for all who are God's people! That is why it is Good Friday! We have someone who paid the perfect price for eternal peace.

content

Are you content? Every now and then in life we are given the opportunity to change what we are doing. Before the decision is upon us we might not even have the other option(s) on our radar! Once it is asked however, it's only right to take it seriously and make a decision. But how? What does it look like to trust God? These are some things I have been wrestling with recently:

Direction: I find it really important to ask people for advice. To see what others consider my strengths and weaknesses. To see what they suggest and ask. Sometimes other people see things in such a different way that it will be insightful and helpful in making a wise decision.

WARNING: these people may be trusted and important people in your life, but remember it is not them who you must please, but God. This is something I only just realised, in the last few months I have been overwhelmed by advice and so conflicted in how to please everyone. Finally I realised that it's not about them, it's about me and God. And I should not be afraid of man. (Proverbs 29:25~ The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.)

Doubt: A few years ago I went to a seminar on doubt and I learn that double-mindedness is quite normal. Before that event I had thought I was alone in my mixed feelings and thoughts. I was advised to follow both trains of thought and see where they would lead to. When given options it's good to imagine what it would be like to follow them through in our imagination.
Elijah asked the people of God when they were turning from His laws: "How long will you go limping between two different opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21). It is like limping. We are unsure and switch ideas each moment. It is debilitating and confusing. It's draining. It is not a good state to be in for long periods of time.

Depression: If doubt is not dealt with, I fear it can lead to depression. It might be evident in not enjoying usual activities, unable to concentrate, feeling overwhelmed, indecisive, lacking in confidence, feeling tired all the time. These are some of the symptoms that have plagued me in the last couple weeks as I transition from uni to the work force. I am unsure where to do and so have got stuck in a place of indecision. But I have hope. I know that I can't really make a wrong decision.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, nor for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:17,23-24

Deadlines: Eventually a decision must be made. Sometimes deadlines are given to us, other time we have to make them ourselves. Sometimes God closes doors and only leaves one open. Other times God let's us make a choice between a few good options. Being open to God's leading is key.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6

*

In the end, when we make a decision, we need to trust God with that decision, and be prepared to live with the consequences. A wise friend said to me the other day that in making a significant career decision she asked herself, "on a bad day in X job, will I think 'if only I was in Y job'?" and then asked herself "on a bad day in Y job, will I think 'I wish I was in X job'?". In that way she reminded me that no matter the choice there will be tough days, but it is essential to be content and continue trusting God with each day.

*photo taken by myself from Christensen Park, Vaucluse

why I'm fasting from fasting

Hello!
It has been a while since I last sat down to write a blog post. It's time I started again :)

This year, the year of our Lord 2014, I decided as a new years resolution to learn more about fasting.

It was a simple plan. Each month I would give up something for that month. At the end of a month I thought and decided on the next months thing.
January- no facebook
February- no coffee
March- no internet on my phone
April- no snacks
May- no TV
June- no chocolate
July- fasting from fasting
August- I tried giving up my phone monday to fridays.

This was as far as my fasting got.
It was hard being self-controlled. I learned that it's easy enough to give myself exceptions to rules. I had hoped to spend time learning things about God, which I did but not in the way I expected! The things I chose to give up were only really challenging my self-control and maybe starting different habits. Rather than giving me opportunity to spend time with God in prayer as I had envisioned.

What I didn't expect to learn but led to my eventual fasting from fasting was the realisation that making rules and trying to keep them is quite easy for me. I get what it means and how to do it. I know when I have broken a rule and I congratulate myself on keeping the rules. I am very legalistic in my mindset. 

What I was struggling with was not the outward signs of self-control but the inward signs of selflessness, humility, and graciousness. It's easy for me to be self-righteous and proud. It was hard for me to know what to do with this realisation.

I found I couldn't make a rule about how I live my life or what to fast from next without feeding my pride and arrogance. I had no idea how to deal with this. I'm so used to finding fault in my actions and making dramatic life changes to try and alleviate my situation. Suddenly I was faced with something I couldn't deal with in the same way.

So instead of fasting I decided to fast from fasting: to give myself grace, to learn about God's grace in a whole new way.

Grace.
An undeserved gift.
In my mind, it is the thing I get while I am still a sinner.
It is the favour of God to see me blameless in light of what Jesus did on my behalf.

Grace.
An unmerited second chance.
I have understood grace to be God's Spirit convicting me of the things I have done wrong.
My responsibility was to respond by doing something about that sin. But.

Grace.
A renewal of life.
I am learning that God not only shows us our wrongdoing and sees us as righteous because of Jesus.
God also has the perfect solution; He transforms, renews and changes us!

Grace.
God's unconditional love
Nothing I can do can take away my wrongdoing.
Nothing I say or think can change my selfishness and pride.
Grace does what I cannot. I am completely dependent on Jesus for all that I am.
And His power of transforming of my mind, body, and soul.

I pray that I will continue to grow in Christlikeness and learn to accept His grace in all areas of my life in all ways.

doubts and decisions

One can't go through life without testing your gut feelings every now and then, or shaking things up to ensure later you don't regret (not) making a decision.

*

The other day I was given the opportunity to change what I am doing this year, someone asked me if I was sure I wanted to do the topic I am doing for honours, and gave me the option to change it to a slightly different focus. Both seemed really interesting, although before that moment I was set on the topic I had chosen and the other idea hasn't even been on my radar. Once it was asked however, I had to decide.

I gave myself 5 days to consider both options. I imagined what it would be like to do this new topic, I got really excited. I asked heaps of people what they thought. To choose the theory or the practical. Some told me to "go with what I felt was more interesting", others said "do the theory, that'll be really in-depth and interesting", still others said "do the practical, that's more grounded and interactive". I was torn!

A few years ago I went to a seminar on doubt and I learn that double-mindedness is quite normal. Before that event I had thought I was alone in my mixed feelings and thoughts. I was advised to follow both trains of thought and see where they would lead to. So I began to ask myself: if I did a theory honours, where would it lead me, what would it help me to do, what could I do with it later, what skills would it give me, what do I really want to do in life anyway? And then I asked the same questions for if I did a qualitative honours.

After each conversation and musing I came a little closer to my decision, but in the process I really wasn't sure which one I would choose. Many people now say that they can't see how it was even a question, obviously I would choose the social/qualitative option. But seriously, I contemplated the option of doing theory. I love ideas and theorizing! I enjoy writing essays and reading. However, one of my friends did helpfully say "why don't you have both?" to which I thought, Oh, if only it was that simple!

I have come to the conclusion that I am doing both, but more of the qualitative research because I love people! And would like to work on the ground more than in the theoretical world. So I tested the ideas, and now I can be sure that I am doing the right option. I prayed a lot about it, but I don't believe God is for one or against another: both professions are good, as long as in them I glorify the God who made it possible to think and communicate!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, nor for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3:17,23-24

* fround in http://clgonline.org/the-prayer-of-faith/

smiling from ear to ear!

I'm smiling from ear to ear... because I love summer rain! Today was a warm sunny day, and as I left class at 4:30 the sky looked ominous with grey clouds tumbling and looming to the south east, I hoped that I would get home quickly and remain dry as I don't much like having wet text books. I also wanted to get home quickly so that I might catch a bit of rain/puddles.

As I was going about alone on the root path and hour or so later, I wondered why puddles are so much fun! And why it is ok for children to play in the puddles after the rain, but why is it socially unusual/unacceptable to be an adult who likes jumping in puddles!?

*

By the time I got half way home it was pouring! like raining cats and dogs! like bucketing! The bus stop was overwhelmingly noisy with rain pounding on the roof, wind sweeping rain under the cover, water pouring out the drain pipes and spilling onto the road. There is something wild and beautiful about rain, especially when every 3 minutes the lightning cracks and the thunder rumbles! The excitement was bubbling up inside me!

At my window seat, on the bus, I stared fascinated as the rain drops slipped down the window pane, and watched in delight as the cars drove over puddles spraying water in an ark. One man decided not to get off the bus because it was too wet for him (I wonder what he did once he got to the end of the bus route...?)! I don't think many of us were prepared for the onslaught of water today, so no one was walking about with umbrellas in the rain, they either didn't leave car/home/work, or were running!

I got home surprisingly dry. I dumped my stuff and ran straight back out to play! (I don't have gum boots, but I still had fun.) I walked up the foot path, and in every puddle, I jumped in with both feet; grinning from ear to ear, giggling at the freedom, and delighting in the beauty of puddles!

Puddles are so simple, and can seem childish. But they are so free, and enjoyable! Stamping ones feet is often seen as an angry activity, but in a puddle it only brings joy and makes oneself wet! It takes a bit of social carelessness to go out and jump in puddles. I mean there I was, a young woman, jumping alone (not a child in sight) in puddles on a main road!

My advice for the day, go out and be a child for a bit, and jump in with both feet. It's more fun that way!
...Wouldn't it be fun to do some finger painting! Or make a mudcake? Or draw a picture of a few made up animals and name them... (which I did do last week :p)

--all my own work, aside from the help of a stencil for my animal shapes and a 2yr old co-colourer--

*http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/series-stories/sweet-child-of-mine

Sentence

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”*

I can speak to God.

The other day, I reflected on how amazing this sentence is; the more I thought about it the more I got excited!

I can speak to God.
There is nothing special about me, I am a young woman of a quiet middle-class family. I have a voice, a heart, dreams, trials, joys. I don't have magic words or a great speaking style, I often stumble over words and repeat myself, I am self-centred and ...well pretty average! Yet...

I can speak to God.
There is a freedom in being able to do things. Even if I did not have much freedom in society, I would have the freedom of my thoughts, and that is all I need to converse with God. He CAN give visions and dreams, He CAN use conversations and situations to convey His plans and message, He CAN change hearts, He CAN understand us and He knows us intimately because He has lived among us! So...

I can speak to God.
Communication is amazing, the fact that I can say something and someone else can understand what I mean! ...I mean, wow! And what is even more amazing is that there is an Unseen God who can hear and SPEAK! His means of communication are words. The Bible is God's message to us, and prayers are one way of returning the conversation. I mean...

I can speak to God.
A relationship with someone is defined by what you mean TO each other. God, the Creator, listens TO us, the creation! It's not just me talking TO a wall; it is me talking TO a person! TO someone who cares and wants TO hear us tell our lives, hopes, dreams, fears. He loves hearing from us; it is a fragrant offering TO the Author of Life. Believe it...

I can speak to God.
I have already alluded to this, but we can talk to GOD... Unseen and Creator, who revealed Himself and speaks, who listens to people and cares! GOD who is Holy and Just, Merciful and Gracious, Almighty and Personal ...that's the One we can speak to! How incredible! What can we say to such a Perfect Being, when we are so not perfect!?

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."**

Back when Moses was being instructed by God on how to live a life pleasing. The LORD had a place symbolic of where he was and it was such a holy place that one could only enter after a complicated ceremony, if that was not done then that person's unholiness would result in their death (for more details on the seriousness of this ceremony read Leviticus 16). But since Jesus, there has been a new way to communicate, because the ceremony was accomplished on the cross... once for all! The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom!
Resulting in the sentence, I can speak to God.

*Mark 15:37-39
**Hebrews 10:19-22

Fast

In 2014 I am going to learn to fast. Well, I hope to learn a bit more about fasting...
The Prophet Isaiah writes about true fasting:

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.

Declare to my people their rebellion

    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 
For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them. 
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers. 
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high. 
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord? 

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke? 
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,

    and your night will become like the noonday. 
The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail. 
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. 

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
    and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, 
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
    and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
    and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.*

So I'm not going to give up eating. Maybe I'll have a day or two of that, but instead will just try and keep the Sabbath. In January I'm going to fast from facebook, and in February I'm planning to fast from meat. Throughout the year I'm cutting back from mindless TV, so only the news or movies or a set program (extra hours on weekends :p) And hopefully this will mean, no technology after 10 pm and more time focusing on God and others! :D

Jesus was asked by John the Baptist's disciples why his disciples didn't fast. Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast."**

Jesus, our Bridegroom, hasn't returned yet. Let us watch and be prepared for a long wait. I think fasting is a good discipline to have an understanding of, and exercise in this period; especially the fasting that seeks justice, freedom, welfare, peace and healing.

*Isaiah 58
**Mark 2:19-20

december 27: quiet

Go to a quiet place, and pray. In the last few days I have been enjoying the lull of this time of year, for me anyway. There is pause, maybe I should call it a calm before a storm. Nevertheless, I have had the chance to read a bit, watch a few movies, relax, do craft, eat food, listen to music all in beautiful stillness and calm. Few people have disturbed it. Doing nothing isn't bad or wrong, even if I do feel that I have been a bit lazy. Truth is, I am trying to come away by myself and get some rest, and despite it being interrupted at times, sometimes with pleasant things, other times very unexpected things, I am also aiming to get away from the crowds so I can be closer to God, more focused on God, listen to Him, pray to him. 
Listen to Jesus and see him at work. He seeks quiet and yet when it is disturbed does the task at hand lovingly and then finds what he needs....

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.*

*Mark 6:30-46

December 26: after

Another pet hate of mine about Christmas timing, is the amount of places where the shepherds and the wise men are at the stable together! I'm pretty sure the shepherds came pretty much the same night as Jesus was born... Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11) 

But the wise men, well I'm more inclined to think that the star they were following appeared around the same time Jesus did, and the journey took a bit longer as they were traveling from the east. And Herod wanted to know how long the star had been around, as a way to guess how old this new King of the Jews might already be. Maybe Jesus was already smiling, or sitting up, or crawling, or even saying his first words by the time the Magi (wise men) arrived!??

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.*

*Matthew 2:1-12

December 25: Simeon's watchful patience

Waiting and watching for a promise to be fulfilled. Trusting that it's going to happen. Believing that it is worth being alive for. 

Simeon seems to me to have such hopeful faith that God will provide the "consolation of Isreal" who will be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles". And then, when he has seen Jesus, even as a little baby, he is satisfied and tells God "you may now dismiss your servent in peace"!! How crazy! What person would say that about seeing a baby!? What baby could bring someone to say such a thing? I'm sure Jesus' parents wondered there things!

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”*

*Luke 2:22-35

December 24: while they were there

A pet hate of mine at the moment is how often we trivialise and make fluffy poetry of history, especially concerning the birth of Jesus. 

Like, did Mary go into labor the moment she saw Bethlehem? 

Were all the people there truly so horrible that they turned out a woman about the have a baby? 

Maybe they stayed with some extended family from Joseph and slept in the main house, rather than the granny flat out the back that was full of other visiting relatives? 

And maybe the animals were kept indoors at night to protect them from wild animals or the cold? So the manger was actually a safe and warm place to keep a baby?

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. ....On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.*

*Luke 2:1-7.21

December 23: word became flesh

I am drawn to keep wondering about the Word that became flesh so that we could know God! (in bold are the bits I enjoy and am in awe of at the moment)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.*

*John 1:1-18

December 22: he has come

Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist, he was filled with great joy when his son was finally born and his voice was restored to him...

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

    in the house of his servant David 
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 
salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,     
the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear     
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins, 
because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 
to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”*

*Luke 1:67-79

December 21: rest

I enjoy talking to God before you go to bed. I love to write Him letters, recorded in many a journal through out the years. Here's a prayer for the evening. "For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David." (I've highlighted the bit's that struck me today)

Answer me when I call to you,

    my righteous God.Give me relief from my distress;    have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him. 

Tremble and do not sin;

    when you are on your beds,

    search your hearts and be silent.

Offer the sacrifices of the righteous

    and trust in the Lord. 

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound. 

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.*

*Psalm 4