LETTING GO

I went to the dentist today.I suppose it was painless enough really,as it was only a check up and a quick clean.But ye see my fear of dentists is deep seated.I had difficult experiences as a child,with an old-fashioned dentist who kinda pulled and hauled at your teeth with all his might.So for years I've told the dentists in my practice that I'd sooner have a baby than endure the removal of teeth and often sit with fear and trepidation in the big,black chair.I always close my eyes and hold onto the sides and when the drill starts up,I give a little jump.Then I try my best to relax and it's never as bad as I build it up in my mind to be.
It's so hard to let go of the past and many of us have painful memories in one area or another.But,we're blessed tonight to know that God wants every good thing for His children.You may feel that there is something which happened in your past and it is stopping you from moving forward and enjoying the "Here and now" the way God means you to. Bring it to Him tonight and He'll help you move forward.

"Repent,then,and turn to God,so that your sins may be wiped out,that times of refreshing may come from the Lord". Acts.3.19.

THE MAGIC SPIRAL

I took my mum shopping yesterday and as there was a long queue at the fitting rooms,I decided to go and listen to the man advertising a wonderful "magic spiral"in the hope that everyone(including me) standing around patiently and attentively,would get a free one (worth a fiver) at the end.This worked out well.Mum got to try on something new and I got a magic spiral.I should really tell you that this wonderful gadget would be able to cut spiral shaped potatoes and vegetables,should you ever need to impress your visitors.
Just one problem,however.I couldn't seem to work the thing when I got it home.Ian was swiftly called and managed to produce the most wonderfully delicate spiral shaped potato.But,in doing so,he sliced a small fraction from the top of his thumb.It caused him a bit of discomfort and as he's a guitar player I believe I could be hearing about this for a long while to come.
On reflection today,I think you'll be getting champ when you come to our house for dinner.
But,seriously though,it made me think how everyone of us loves a bargain and even better,something for nothing.I wasn't warned at all of the dangers of the magic spiral and I was completely taken in.
Let's all be careful of people we meet,who would lead us into the wrong things.There are many who claim to be followers of God,but something does not just ring true with them.Nowadays,folk talk about-"We as Christians" meaning just about everyone.Let's ask God to make us discerning in all we do and everyone we fellowship with,so that our lives may be a blessing to Him both now and in the days to come.

THE GIANT PIKE

This morning was cold and frosty and just perfect for a walk round the lake.So after getting suitably layered Ian and I set off.We soon came upon a group of fishermen taking part in a competition and one had just caught a 9lb13oz pike.They chatted to us and asked me to hold it for a photograph,reminding me to be quietly confident and if it wriggled to hold firm.I love fish,cooked on a plate that is and had never held one but,hey why not.It was an amazing catch and we'd just arrived on the scene at the right moment.After,they threw the pike back into the lake to comply with competition rules.
I was excited by this morning's events and challenged also.I'm reminded that God calls us to be "Fishers of men",but not just to stop there.The pike went back to it's old life quite happily.When we tell others and have the privilege of leading them to Christ,we must continue to care for them and nurture them,so that they don't feel the desire to return to their old ways.
The fishermen kept saying to us this morning,"You've made it along here at just the perfect moment."I'm blessed that God picked that moment to really make me think.

FLUSH OUT THE SYSTEM

I hope the introductory content of my blog does not put you off reading further today,but I have to tell you about my unsettled cat.He has been walking around after us for a few days now and nothing would make him lie in his basket and sleep as contentedly as usual.He's always hungry and so I decided to crush a worm tablet up in his food and the change has been remarkable.I can hear you say"Thank you for sharing that,but too much detail".The point I'm making is that suddenly I have a different pet,totally at peace with himself,no longer agitated and we all feel happier for that.
We're blessed to realise that when we clean ourselves from the inside out,we get rid of anything which unsettles or agitates us which is obviously not of God.The change too is remarkable.We become contented with who we are in God's eyes and stop striving on our own.So,as we hear so much in January about detox etc,let's sort out the most important part of us,the spiritual bit and then we're sure to sleep content.

STEP ACROSS THE LINE

I attended another funeral today which took me back to my home town and I saw folk I hadn't seen for at least twenty-five years.I realised how time had changed them and me and though I recognised many,some names had slipped from my mind.I feel more and more at recent funerals I've attended,that they are truly celebrations of life.It's a wonderful thing to celebrate a life lived well,a life lived for God.My mother-in-law talked to me when on her death bed nearly two years ago,of simply stepping across the line to meet her loved ones and I saw in her,a sense of peace and calm anticipation,even in the approach of death.It affected me so much that I'll never forget it.
Today I saw a family grieve,yet rejoice in that they were completely sure their loved one was in a far better place.What a blessing!I came home and read a daily calendar on our desk which stated-

"We are not happy here because we are not home here.....We will have our moments of joy...But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead."

"My kingdom does not belong to this world".John.18.36.

RELATIONSHIPS

I was just talking to a friend today about someone we both know well and we immediately thought of all the silent,gentle helpful things this person is well known for doing by those of us who have been fortunate to experience his selfless goodness.Yet he is completely unassuming in nature and acts always in a "What would Jesus do?" sort of way.I then thought of another few people I'm fortunate to know and realised immediately that I'm a better person from being around them and sharing their fellowship.I encourage you today,whatever your circumstance,to surround yourself with a friend or two who not only will always be able to be depended upon,but who will make you a better person from knowing them.How blessed we are to know that nothing in each of our lives happens by chance.I believe everything happens for a purpose and for those of us who believe,it's only when we look back over days gone by that we can see God's hand in all that has taken place.

I pray that as we move into another year that we will all experience relationships which will enrich our lives and that we'll all realise that our relationship with God is the one which matters most of all.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE

I told Ian last night that I was finding it hard to sleep as I had so many people and situations in my mind to pray about.Texts and calls had been coming during the day reminding me of important matters urgently needing prayer.My mind was almost in overload.It felt like all of my class were talking to me at once and I was frustrated because I could only deal with one thing at a time.I'm truly blessed tonight to know that my Heavenly Father can cope with all our prayers and never ever becomes exhausted by our petitions.He wants us to bring everything and everyone to Him in prayer and I've proved like many others down through the years when we do this,it really does make a difference.

"What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer."