New Year's Eve 2011

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!  But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."  1 Corinthians 13:12-13  The Message

2011 is rapidly drawing to a close - a new year will soon be here.

I, probably like many people, like to use this time to pause and reflect a little on what has gone before, whilst also giving consideration to what might lay ahead in the year that is to come.

Over the years I have used a variety of approaches and environments to provide me with the space and stimulation to assist me in my annual review. Sometimes I've sat and journalled in a favourite park or cafe. Other times I've wandered through a cemetery (always pretty quiet there!).

This year I'm hoping to do things a little differently and will involve my immediate family - up close and personal. This evening we will reflect honestly and openly around the meal table. It will be interesting to see what emerges as we eat and share and listen together. We'll then watch a movie together and we might even break out a few sparklers to light up our night as the evening progresses.

The questions I've written on our kitchen blackboard to guide our discussion are;

*What's one word that best describes what 2011 has been like for you?

*What's been a specific highlight for you this year?

*What have you found most challenging about the year?

*Name something you've done for the first time in 2011.

After we've thrown these questions around for a while, we'll then consider one final question (which I see as a prayer request) looking forward into the new year;

*What is one thing you're hoping for in 2012?

I really enjoy our round-table family discussions. Tonight I'm believing God for an enriching time together...might even hear his still small voice somewhere in the mix - I'd welcome that!

May the God of all seasons inform your 2011 reflections. May He also enable you to become someone who will trust steadily, hope unswervingly and love extravagently in 2012.

'Tis the season to be...

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”   John 1:14

The Christmas season is well and truly upon us.

Some people refer to this time of year as the silly season.
Others call it the busy season. My letterbox tells me it’s the season for junk mail...LOTS of it. Some people say it is the season of giving and receiving. Yet, for others, it might be a lonely season...perhaps even a sad season.

What does this Christmas season look like for you? How would you describe it?

For the Christ-follower, Christmas is a time of year when we can especially remember and celebrate the arrival of God’s Son Jesus into our world.

John 1:14 says: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…”

Jesus is God’s gift to mankind…Jesus is the GREATEST gift of all!!

In John 1:12 we’re told; “to all who received the Word (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God...”   

God gave us Jesus to make it possible for us to become God’s children and by believing in and receiving Jesus, we can receive the free gift of eternal life.

Romans 6:23 reminds us of this where the Apostle Paul writes;”the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

A key Christmas tradition in many families will be the giving and receiving of gifts.

For many children, this is perhaps the BIG DEAL at Christmas…

 Parents and Grandparents ask;

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Friends ask each other; 
"What are you getting for Christmas?" 
 

How about you? What do you really want for Christmas this year…?

The Bible tells us that as God’s children we have the privilege of being able to ask our Father God for what we need in accordance with His will and purpose.

1 John 5:14-15 says; "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

What an incredible privilege it is to be able to approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears and responds to our prayer requests.

In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says; “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Jesus goes on to underscore the generosity and goodness of God by pointing out that even sinful people know how to give good gifts to their own children, so how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (vs 9-11).

The Bible makes it clear that God encourages His children to ask Him to provide for their needs.

Have you taken time out amongst the busyness of the season to stop and consider what you could ask God for this Christmas?  Can you identify one specific burden, need, or desire that is on your heart, which you can bring before God regularly in prayer, especially during this Christmas season?

I guess we'd all like to receive an early Christmas present - well, maybe God will bless us in this regard, yet, I can't help thinking that just as Jesus entered our world in the fullness of time (in accordance with God's perfect will and purpose), we may have to wait...

If this is the case for you, then my encouragement is to persit with the asking - keep bringing your request before God - He knows what you need and when you need it - be willing to bring this request before God until you get God’s answer, no matter how long it might take.

Merry Christmas!