Today in society we throw things away if they are not up to date, the right colour, our tastes change, they need repairing or if we are bored with them. Nothing seems to stay in our life for long before the bin gets to eat it!!

Is this fickle way of living reflecting on the relationships we have we people/boyfriends/girlfriends/partners? Marriages don’t seem to last and neither does going out with someone. Do one night stands reflect this attitude?

Relationships were never meant to be for our fun all the time. Sometimes they are hard work, sometimes great fun, sometimes infuriating, sometimes exciting but they were never meant to be used selfishly.

Do you work hard at your friendships?

• When is the last time you gave your friend a ring to see how they were?
• Have you ever given your friend a present without it being their birthday?
• Do you put your friends ideas first and let them do want they want to- even if you do not want to do it?
• Do you remember their birthday?
• Have you ever cooked them a meal?
• Do you look over their mistakes or rub their nose in them?
• If your friend was being picked on would you stand up for them?
• Do you forgive your friend easily if they upset you?
• Would you chat a difficult issue through with your friend even if it made you uncomfortable and embarrased?

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The old year is nearly done. It is time to think about what dreams you will fulfil in the year 2007? What will be the priorities in your life? How will you spend your time?

Some of you have already told me you are planning to read the bible through in a year again. Why not pick a different translation? Have a look at the bible tour blog (it is one of the links on the right) and start reading now then you will get ahead!!!!!!

Try this game it is seasonal and cool!

http://www.miniclip.com/games/snow-line/en/

 I lift my eyes to you,
      O God, enthroned in heaven.
We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
      just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
      as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.

Psalms 123:1&2

This verse isn’t about taking your eyes out of their sockets and lifting them up. It is about looking up to God. Recognising that he is the greatest of all and is the ruler of our lives. It is about us sticking so close to God and what he wants. So close that he doesn’t even have to speak to us to tell us what to do because our eyes are so intent on him and his desires he just moves his hand slightly and we do his will.

Let’s be those who are fixed on God’s desires and not our own.
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As we are on the subject of art - have you any eye-dear who painted this???

 

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This looks so real and yet it is a chalk drawing. The aritist who has drawn it is a British chalk atist called Beever. He gives the illusion that they are 3D from the right angle.  Click here to go on his site - or here to scroll down some larger pictures. there are loads more!

We are so easily fooled when we look purely with our natural eyes!!!

Happy birthday King of Kings

This is it folks!! WHOOPIE one more sleep!He’s coming tonight!! Hang your stocking up and don’t any of you say he isn’t real or you won’t get anything!Â

Ever seen the Muppet Christmas Carol? It tells the story of the salvation of Mr Scrooge (Muppet style). We always have to watch it at Christams. Well there is a great song on there ‘With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart’. It would be better if the actor playing Scrooge (Michael Caine) could sing -but it works for me anyway!

Now I don’t want you thinking I get my theology off the Muppets but whatever you get this Christmas be thankful for it. Even if the sprouts are burnt and the Krissy Pud is cold find something to say thankful for. Being thankful is not about what you get or don’t get it is a heart attitude that is just grateful for life and everything. It is not about getting your Christmas list or not but being happy and thankful about so many other things. Your life, your health, your family, your home, your friends, your youth leaders!!, your ………

Just remember, whatever happens to say thankyou for the person who cooked your Christmas meal, the giver of the present, and the giver of his Son.

Here are some amazing eyes for you to ponder on. Any guesses as to what they belong to?

 Ever tried to imagine how long eternity will last?

Imagine your life span, now double that, now add on another 500 years, now another thousand. After you have done that we will start adding millions of years. How about 2 or 5 or another million million? We have still not even made a dent in eternity.

Now tell me anything down here on earth is worth anything? Tell me if the suffering and persecution is worth it? Tell me if your sacrifices are so great?

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 1 Corinthians 4:17

Eternity with the most loving, wonderful, powerful and amazing Father with the most amazing people in the most perfect place. It is going to be so wicked and awesome.  We can only begin to imagine!!! We are only passing through, we are pilgrims who belong somewhere else.

The verse we looked at yesterday says- so that his rule might fill the universe.

The universe eh? Want to expand your mind to think bigger, see more? Well sit back and watch this. It will be well worth your time. Click Here

Remember as you watch this that our God’s rule fills all of it!!

If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. (Matt 6:22 MSG)

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And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. Ephesians 4:10

Jesus came down to earth at Christmas. He was still God’s Son although he chose to give it all up and become poor to make us rich. It is not a seasonal thing but at eternal plan - designed before the earth was made. It is the greatest universal and ultimate rescue and transformation mission that there has ever been. James Bond eat your heart out!

This Christmas thing is bigger than a baby in a manger it is the Ancient of Days fulfilling his desire for a people who are passionate for him. This God who fills the universe and time has an eternal plan for you! Wow!

Hooray. I have completed all the Nativites for this year and I am still sane.

Here are some pictures from last year. That is my sister being a donkey with her daughter on her back!! What we do at Christmas eh? The other picture is of Abi as a cow! and Anna as Mary. They both had singing parts last year and we even got the CD!!!

Christmas hasn’t started in our family until we have all been out Carol singing in Paddock. Loaded up with gifts of mince pies and invitiations we wrap up warm and go to sing our hearts out.

Yeehaa not many sleeps now till Christmas!!!!