2010- The Year of Change

We’ve been having a serious look at this

New Year.

Not for us the brief emotional (and  boozy?) New Year thoughts , followed by trudging on

with the same old ,same old!  Over the last

3 Sundays, we’ve looked at

·         New Things in 2010, because the Bible speaks so often of God making new things

·         Are We Prepared?  (What ‘equipment’ are we taking with us into 2010?)

·         What Decisions will we make about how we’ll use 2010?

The trouble is, even for those who bother to make that list of New Year Resolutions-

Exercise more, Eat salad, Drink more water, less wine, Be nice to everyone….sadly often there are no firm decisions underpinning that perky list. Any change takes real commitment and organisation. Leave it in the airy-fairy ideas zone, and it will just never happen- and this time next year, nothing will have changed. 

Achieving the goals  So, this year, my list starts,  In 2010, I WILL …..  And because I believe in God, and that he’s deeply interested  in what goes on in our lives, I think he’s willing to help us write that list, and then, if we stay tuned in to him, will help us achieve those goals.

How about you?

I’m ready for scoring some goals this year.

               Veronica

December 4th- Have you got it all wrapped up yet?

 Don't know about you , but I've yet to achieve that Delia Smith-type calm with my Christmas arrangements. Actually, "arrangements" may be the wrong word to use for what I've done so far. Mainly, it's this - a heap of stuff I'm gradually accumulating in one bedroom as part of the great Christmas campaign . The heap consists of various pressies, for various people. It started some time ago, and now I can't remember what I've bought. Also, in an ambitious moment, I purchased some large Christmas carriers- VERY LARGE INDEED. The plan was, one for each person, gradually filled to the top with perfectly wrapped gifts.
Now I realise that they are so cavernous that the generally teeny presents are going to completely disappear into the bottom of each massive bag. Family expectations will be raised by the size of the bags and then... as eager faces peer inside ....Uh-oh...
A re-think is needed- Idea ! - the huge bags could be a great game for my little grandkids on Christmas morning- they can hide in them, jump in and out of them, even go back to sleep in them -they'll probably like them much more than the presents anyway- problem solved.
Just decided - I'm going to try to keep it simple this Christmas, then I'll have time to think more about that baby in the straw-filled manger, with his very young mother, no medical care, and a long way from home . I have a feeling that there was peace around that manger, peace that we need to recapture in our homes this Christmas. Like to join me in my re-thinking about Christmas ?
                                                                         Veronica