Posts Tagged ‘holiday’

Why Care About Easter?

Posted: March 30, 2013 in bereavement, cross, death, Easter, family, friendship, Health, heaven, life, love, music, pray, prayer, religion
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What does Easter mean to you?

For me Easter is all about sacrifice, the sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us on the cross when he bled and died, just so we can all be forgiven of our sins. I find it almost impossible to truly understand the pain and agony Jesus suffered when he was crucified.

Can you imagine how God felt, giving up his one and only son, just so the world could be forgiven of every sin?

Personally I struggle to comprehend how God must have felt, but I am forever in God’s debt because He did allow Christ to die on the cross.

As with every Easter, I feel so inadequate and so unworthy of God’s love. However I am  also so thankful that God does love me unconditionally, and He is always by my side, guiding me and supporting me through each minute of every day, and challenge and problem life throws in my direction.

So if Easter has only ever been about two days off school or work and Easter eggs, I pray this Easter I have given you some food for thought about what Easter is really all about…

Easter is all about “The Cross” and the sacrifice God gave for you and for me.

Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Wait!

Posted: January 3, 2013 in blogging, friendship, language, life, love, music, religion
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In my blog post on the last day of 2012, where I reviewed how I got on with the aims I’d made at the start of 2012 (in My Aims 2012 – Review of the Year), I spoke about how I have tried (and failed often) to be more patient with others. So although I haven’t made patience a specific aim for this new year, I do intend to try to be more patient.

As patience is something I know many of us find difficult to attain and retain, I thought I’d share a few thoughts on patience with you today.

Before we go any further, can I ask you to close your eyes for 30 seconds…
Closed-eyes

Did that feel like ages?

I don’t know about you, but I’m not really a very patient person. If someone is doing something for me, I expect it to be done now. If I get something new, I want to use it now. If someone does something wrong I get frustrated.

Maybe that’s why I find it so hard to wait for God‘s answers to my questions and my prayers!

…and yet I know God will always answer my prayers, maybe not today or tomorrow, maybe not in the way I wanted on expected, but He will answer them.

So why not join me today in pledging to be more patient, not just with others but also with God.

Welcome to 2013!

Posted: January 1, 2013 in arthritis, blogging, cancer, clothing, dementia, depression, family, friendship, Health, heart, love, pray, prayer, religion, Scotland, tennis, weight
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Welcome New Year 2013

Welcome to 2013! I hope it’s a guid’un for you and yours.

I’m quite pleased to see the back of 2012, as just like 2011, it wasn’t the best year for me or my family.

So what about 2013, what am I hoping to achieve this year?

The main thing I’m hoping for this new year is that all my family and friends have a much healthier 2013 than 2012, but I guess I’m not going to be the only person hoping for better health for family/friends!

Other than that, like last year I’m not going to make any new year resolutions as I always think they’re doomed to fail. Instead I’m just going to set myself some goals/aim for my year. This time though, based on how I found measuring my aims last year, I’m setting less goals this time and making them more prescriptive.

So here’s my list of goals/aims for 2013, in no particular order:

  • Lose another 11lbs
  • Spend 5 minutes praying every morning
  • Think before I speak! – It’s not so much what I say sometimes that’s the problem, but how I say it!
  • Play tennis at least once by Easter, and at least 10 times by end of August
  • Challenge myself to look at old things in a new way, and new things with an open mind

Come the end of 2013, I wonder how many of these goals I’ll be able to say, “yes I’ve achieved that”, only the next 363 days will tell!

Whatever your aims for 2013, or your new year’s resolutions, I pray your year may be one in which you experience God‘s love for you, your friends and your family… whatever 2013 may have in store for you.

Have a great 2013! God bless.

And Then There Were Three

Posted: December 29, 2012 in bereavement, blogging, Christmas, death, family, friendship, Health, heaven, holiday, life, love, music, pray, prayer, religion
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When I was very growing up, the whole family, including my gran, aunts, uncles and cousins, used to come to our house for dinner nearly every Christmas Day – There were a couple of years when we all went out to a local hotel or restaurant for dinner, but that was the exception rather than the rule.

christmas-family-dinner_tableOver the years the numbers gathering at Mum and Dad’s have dwindled significantly, as my cousins grew up and had their own families, and older members of the family passed away. For a number of years there was still four then five of us for Christmas dinner, as there was always Mum, Dad, Aunt Mae and me and then after I got married, Sandy joined us too. Although when Sandy’s Mum was still alive we usually had Christmas lunch with her and then joined with my Mum, Dad and Aunt Mae early evening. After Sandy’s Mum died, we, along with my Aunt Mae, we went to Mum and Dad’s for Christmas dinner.

Probably 3 or 4 years ago was when we first when back down to it being just 4 of us for dinner, as my Aunt Mae refused to come out her house to join us for Christmas dinner. As she’s now living in a local care home she’s obviously not able to have the option to join us.

Earlier this year, my Dad moved into a local nursing home as Mum was no longer able to care for him at home any more. That of course means we’ve been another person down this Christmas…so this year there was only three of us!

I know Mum has found this year particularly difficult as it’s the first year in over 55 years of marriage that Dad’s not been at home for Christmas. It’s sad how life moves on and people who are a huge part of our lives are no longer part of it. However it wouldn’t be life if the people we know and the circumstances we find ourselves in remained unchanged for long.

So however many of you there was for Christmas Day this year, I pray that while there may have been empty spaces at your table where once loved ones sat, you are happy in the knowledge that they are in heaven with God now, whole and pain-free.

Never forget those who are no longer alive, but have had an impact on your life, whether it was just for a brief moment or for many years, because they will still be watching over you, and will know they are on your mind.

The Spirit of Christmas

Posted: December 28, 2012 in birthday, Christmas, family, friendship, life, love, music, religion, Shopping
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I don’t know about you, but over the last couple of weeks, particularly the week leading up to Christmas, the shops were mobbed but everyone seemed happy to speak to the person next to them in the queues, even although they’d never seen that person before, and probably likely to never see them again.

Funny that, because every other week of the year you go shopping, no-one is interested in speaking to you unless it’s to give abuse or complain about something. Isn’t it funny how the spirit of Christmas seems to make everyone nicer to each other.

Wouldn’t it be good if that Christmas spirit of friendliness towards others could remain all year round, not just for the few days of Christmas.

Our Gift For Him

Posted: December 23, 2012 in Christmas, friendship, holiday, life, love, music, religion, Salvation Army
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Christmas is synonymous with giving and receiving Christmas presents, but should we be giving God a gift this Christmas as a huge thank you for everything Christmas means to us…not just on Christmas Day but all year round?

Yes we should!

So what’s the best gift we can give God this Christmas?

For those who have not already given their life to God, the answer to this question is…your life, your all!

For those who are Christians, I’d urge you to give God a very personal gift that only you and Him need to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing. Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you’ve needed to forgive for a long time, maybe it’s to accept God’s calling for you…whatever the gift you give God this Christmas, He will receive it with open arms, just as He receives and accepts each one of us with open arms.

Make your gift for Him special this year!

Tell Them Today

Posted: December 17, 2012 in bereavement, children, Christmas, Crime, death, family, friendship, life, love, music, shooting, USA
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On Friday I think we were all shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the shooting of 12 little girls, 6 little boys and 8 adults, when a heavily armed gunman, aged just 20-years-old himself, forced his way into a school in Newtown, Connecticut (USA). I’ve found myself constantly thinking of the families and friend of all those who were killed – An atrocity like this is bad enough at any time of the year, but it’s particularly sad as Christmas is so close.

Therefore today I want to remind you that although we often sing, “Christmas is a time to love”, loving others and showing our love for others should not just be a Christmas thing, it’s something we should do all year round. So take some time out today and every day to tell those you love, particularly your children, just how much they mean to you, and how much you love them.

Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day

Don’t get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
Don’t even wait a little while
To give them just a little smile
A little is enough
See how many people are crying
Some people are dying
How many people are asking for love

o don’t save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
To give a little love every day
Don’t save it all for Christmas day
Find a way
‘Cause holidays have come and gone
But love lives on
If you give on
Love

How could you wait another minute
A hug is warmer when you’re in it
Oh, baby that’s a fact
And saying I love you’s always better
Seasons, reasons they don’t matter
So don’t hold back
See how many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love

So let all the children know
Everywhere that they go
Their whole life long
Let them know love

Selfless Act

Posted: December 16, 2012 in cancer, Christmas, clothing, death, family, Health, life, love, music, religion, Shopping
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I don’t know if you’ve ever come across the song Christmas Shoes before, but it’s such a beautiful song with a great message for each of us, I want to simply share this with you today:

Christmas Shoes

It was almost Christmas time
And there I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood
And standing right in front of me was a
Little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes

And His clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say

Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It’s Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see,
She’s been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

They counted penny’s for what seemed like years then the
Cashier said, “Son, there’s not enough here.”
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me and he said
“Mama made Christmas good at our house though
Most years she just did without, Tell me sir,
What am I gonna do?
Some how I gotta buy her these Christmas shoes.”

So I laid the money down
I just had to help him out
And I’ll never forget the look on his face when he said,
“Mama’s gonna look so great.”

Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It’s Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see,
She’s been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

I knew I’d caught a glimpse of heaven’s love as he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent me that little boy to remind me what Christmas is all about

Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my mama. please
It’s Christmas eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see,
She’s been sick for quite a while And I
know these shoes will make her smile And I
Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

I Want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

random acts of kindness

What a beautiful message isn’t it?

Why not do something selfless for someone in need this Christmas – not only will it help them, but it’s make you feel good too!

Party Time!

Posted: December 15, 2012 in alcohol, Christmas, family, friendship, holiday, life, music, work
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It’s Christmas time, and for many that also means party time!

Christmas Party

But what does party time mean to you? A night out with friends and/or colleagues? A Christmas meal? Lots of drinking? Lots of dancing? Very late night or even an early morning?

And what about the day after the party, how do you feel? Hangover? Little recollection of events from the previous night? Exhausted? Memories of a night full of fun?

Sadly for many, Christmas night‘s out are all about drinking lots of alcohol and getting into a state that means they are not in control of their actions, and will have little memory of anything they have said or done. For me that’s not a good night out, that’s just a waste of money!

You can have a great night out and have fun spending time with friends, without the need for alcohol…trust me on that one as I’m talking from experience!

christmas party2I find it quite annoying when people assume that just because I don’t drink I can’t enjoy a good night out! I’m sorry to break all your preconceptions, but not drinking and having fun aren’t mutually exclusive!

Please don’t misunderstand my message today, I am not against people drinking, I am against people drinking to excess, because after all what does that achieve both for the person doing the drinking and those who have to look after them…I’ll let you answer that question yourself.

In conclusion, if you’re attending a Christmas party in the run up to Christmas, I hope you have a great night out, but even more so I’d ask you not to drink to excess but instead drink responsibly. 

When Christmas Hurts

Posted: December 14, 2012 in bereavement, Christmas, death, family, friendship, Health, heaven, holiday, life, love, pray, religion
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For those who have been bereaved within the last year, there will have been many “firsts”…the first night alone, the first meal alone, the first time attending church alone, the first birthday spent alone, the first anniversary alone…

christmas aloneSadly at this time of year, Christmas can just be another one of those “firsts”, as many will spend their first Christmas alone this year.

For many Christmas is a traditional time of happiness and festivity spent with their family. However for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, Christmas can be just another one of those occasions you just wish you could boycott as it’s filled with very mixed emotions.

Unfortunately there are no quick fixes to get over grief and get rid of the hurt. But there is a positive, God! God uses the loving support of our friends and family and the passage of time to heal our broken hearts, however there’s still no quick fix.

So this Christmas, whether you are grieving or you know someone who is grieving, and will be experiencing that first Christmas alone, be assured that God will get you through not just this festive season, but your grief.

Please pray for those who will spend Christmas alone for the first time this Christmas, because it will be a particularly difficult time for them, so they need our support more than ever.

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