I have a confession to make.
I have at least 3 if not 5 years worth of Christmas cards still sitting, unposted, in my study. Given that it's about the only way I keep in touch with some people, it's pretty shocking. I know how much their annual news means to me and that doesn't help to make me feel any better.
Today's task: is there someone you've been meaning to drop a note to? Or send a card to? Then just get on and do it.
and Happy Christmas everyone!
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Friday, 22 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 12
Keep humming those hymns as you read: Luke 17:11-19 (again google it if it's easier).
10 people were fortunate enough to be healed by Jesus. Only one of the 10 however, bothered to go back to Jesus to say 'Thank you' to him. That got me wondering, how many people do we forget to thank? We don't mean to, but it's quite easy for those important wee words to be left unsaid. From the people who serve us in the shops and cafes we go to, to those closest to us, your task is to say 'thank you'.
And mean it.
And to notice the difference it makes.
10 people were fortunate enough to be healed by Jesus. Only one of the 10 however, bothered to go back to Jesus to say 'Thank you' to him. That got me wondering, how many people do we forget to thank? We don't mean to, but it's quite easy for those important wee words to be left unsaid. From the people who serve us in the shops and cafes we go to, to those closest to us, your task is to say 'thank you'.
And mean it.
And to notice the difference it makes.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 11
How are you doing? Did you feed the birds and listen to them sing?
Well, now it's your turn! Your challenge for today: think of your favourite hymn (and why it's your favourite) and sing it all day!
Sing God's praise out loud or quietly - he doesn't mind!
Well, now it's your turn! Your challenge for today: think of your favourite hymn (and why it's your favourite) and sing it all day!
Sing God's praise out loud or quietly - he doesn't mind!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 10
Double figures - 10th day, wa hey!
"Say it with Flowers" was the slogan in the past if we wanted to let someone know we appreciated them. Nothing big. Nothing dramatic. Simply a bunch of flowers handpicked from the garden or flowershop.
Walking in the morning before writing this blog, I'm conscious of all the birds singing gaily at the tops of their voices at the start of each new day. Even the harsh caw of the crows seems to carry some sort of melody! I wondered how we might begin to show appreciation for the natural world around us and I realised that here too, something small and simple is what matters.
So... your task for today: put out some food for the birds and enjoy listening to them singing their thanks!
"Say it with Flowers" was the slogan in the past if we wanted to let someone know we appreciated them. Nothing big. Nothing dramatic. Simply a bunch of flowers handpicked from the garden or flowershop.
Walking in the morning before writing this blog, I'm conscious of all the birds singing gaily at the tops of their voices at the start of each new day. Even the harsh caw of the crows seems to carry some sort of melody! I wondered how we might begin to show appreciation for the natural world around us and I realised that here too, something small and simple is what matters.
So... your task for today: put out some food for the birds and enjoy listening to them singing their thanks!
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 9
Yesterday you were asked to think about your childhood. How did you get on? Today your task is related... but different! I want you to look out some old photos - as old as you like - and as you reminisce and laugh and perhaps shed a tear remembering special people, places and times, I invite you to give thanks for them.
Rejoice in the family, friends and experiences that have helped shape you.
Rejoice in the family, friends and experiences that have helped shape you.
Monday, 18 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 8
Give yourself 5 minutes peace with your favourite cuppa and read Matthew 18:1-5 (google it if it's easier) and see how much of your own childhood you can recall.
Then as you go about doing whatever you do, think about what you miss about those days and ask yourself, is there anything from back then that I should be recapturing now?
Jesus challenges us to become like little children so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven...
Then as you go about doing whatever you do, think about what you miss about those days and ask yourself, is there anything from back then that I should be recapturing now?
Jesus challenges us to become like little children so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven...
Sunday, 17 May 2009
40 Day Challenge DAY 7
ok - so who feels that sometimes life can be more of the same old, same old? There's the old joke about how many church members does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: none - who wants change?
The familiar is comfortable and that's true not just of churches but of our daily routines as individuals.
Today I want you to try something new. To be precise I want you to try a new food: something sweet or savoury, fruit or veg, or simply a new recipe - you choose, so long as you haven't tried it before.
The aim is to think of expanding our horizons because there's a whole world out there beyond ours.
The familiar is comfortable and that's true not just of churches but of our daily routines as individuals.
Today I want you to try something new. To be precise I want you to try a new food: something sweet or savoury, fruit or veg, or simply a new recipe - you choose, so long as you haven't tried it before.
The aim is to think of expanding our horizons because there's a whole world out there beyond ours.
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