DARKNESS VERSES LIGHT

Tonight is Hallowe'en night and everywhere, people will be dressing up to go to fancy dress parties or trick or treating.Fireworks will be whistling through the sky and children will be shrieking with excitement or fear.Honestly,I can't quite see what all the fuss is about and fuss there is.Every year it gets worse.I've even seen young children dressed up as skeletons. I feel a strong sense of darkness surrounding the whole event.It reminds me of the contrast between darkness and light.
We're blessed tonight to know that "Jesus is the light of the world,in Him there is no darkness".

FROM IRELAND WITH LOVE

Tonight I parceled a few wee gifts for my son to take with him,as he leaves for a Bible conference in Philadelphia tomorrow morning.I thought a lot about what I could buy which would represent where we come from and in the end I got him a tin whistle and some belleek china.These things are usually associated with Ireland and should be well received by his hosts in America.This got me thinking about what people associate nowadays with being a Christian.Somehow our standards have fallen and really anything goes,as many folk talk about"we as Christians",when in effect,they mean everyone in general.But God means us to be different,in our attitudes and in our hearts.I can think of some godly friends and they really are a wonderful advert for Christianity.A time spent in their presence is a life changing experience.I'm blessed tonight to know that though times may change and trends come and go,God still has many walking adverts of His love and grace all over the world.

PEACE OF MIND

Today a friend told me he'd got "peace" about a certain decision he'd made.I think that's a great feeling to have,because you automatically know it's the decision God wanted you to make.If you're struggling tonight with something that just won't seem to work out for you,why not hand it over to the one who knows the answer.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in You".
Isaiah 26:3-4.
Now there's a Blessing.

REST ON THE SON'S DAY

Today was Sunday again.It's a quiet day in our house,usually.It always has been.I look forward to chatting to our boys, just home from university and we get time to catch up with their eventful lives.Sunday is a day for quiet reflection and rest and I pray that it never changes.If we choose to let the world influence us,then Sunday just becomes like any other day. What a blessing that God should decide to give us a day such as Sunday.

The Bible tells us,"There remains then,a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work,just as God did from His.Let us,therefore,make every effort to enter that rest". Hebrews 4:9-11.

THE LOST RING

Last night my sister lost her wedding ring somewhere in the house.She was in a complete panic about it.But as it was late and the light was dim,she realised that continuing the search this morning would be wisest .So early today,she thought about all the possibilities and had even decided to take her toddler for an x-ray,when I tried to keep her calm by saying,"I've been praying that God will take control of this situation,keep searching and trust that He'll guide you forward".Sure enough the phone call followed shortly afterwards,the drama was over.I once heard this happen over a missing cash card and it spoke volumes to me.I learnt there and then,that God wants to be involved in the tiniest little detail of our lives,every practicality and so on.He knows the beginning from the end and will help us to cope,whatever the outcome.What a blessing that He cares about us in this way.Let's share our all with Him,today.

ALWAYS THERE

This morning I watched the News at 8:00 am and was saddened to see the terrible destruction left behind by the raging fires in San Diego.People were sifting through rubble looking for anything they could salvage from the ruins of what was once their homes.One poor woman being interviewed could find absolutely nothing except a little Christmas gift she had bought.It was a tiny Baby Jesus from a nativity scene.I found this to be such a clear revelation to all of us.We are blessed today that Jesus is always there,even in the most difficult of circumstances. When everything seems to be coming to a hopeless end,He gives us an endless hope.

PRAYER MAKES A DIFFERENCE

I'm not that good at praying and I don't do it enough,but when I do,I feel I'm in a better place with God and I know for certain that it makes a difference to my day.When I was a child,I used to watch my dad,frequently on his knees and now that he has gone to be with the One he talked to so often,that visual picture gives me so much comfort.I'm trying to discipline myself every day to keep a journal and to write down names and needs of those I want to remember in prayer and as I do,I'm spending more time in meditation and less time on activities which are unimportant.I've such a long way to go,but I'm blessed to know the reality of the little chorus-"Prayer is like a telephone,for us to talk to Jesus".
Ye know, there's nothing like the prayer of a wee child bringing their thoughts to Jesus.It's just so genuine.I pray tonight that God will help me to always live my life in a way that enables my prayers to be reverent and genuine.

I'm living proof tonight,that prayer changes the one who prays,as much as it changes those for whom we pray.