Christmas Lights

One of the things that has fascinated me about Christmas since childhood is Christmas lights. I particularly like various coloured ones. Drive through a town and view the streets decked with beautiful colours in stars, candles, trees, greetings, etc. I love it!🎄 Drive through the country and see the lights of Christmas trees in houses and even some extravagant garden Christmas lights. Doesn't it just warm your heart? When I was a little girl I used to count the Christmas trees when going on a journey in the car at night. I may not be very good with my own displays but I can admire everyone else's.

This year I have been contemplating upon lights in the Bible around the story of the incarnation of Christ. Here are just a few thoughts:

The glory of the LORD shone round about the shepherds and they were sore afraid, terrified. What an amazing brilliance to what started out as an ordinary night caring for their sheep! It became an extraordinary night that they would never forget. That excellent crystal clear light that shone around them was the glory of God. It is incomprehensible to everyone of us what this experience was truly like, as we were not there to witness it. I guess that even the shepherds present on those Bethlehem hills that night could not find words adequate to describe it. Remember, the glory of God is the light in heavenly Jerusalem, as Revelation 21v23 tells us. I wonder what the glory of the Lord actually felt like, for it caused them to be sore afraid. Also, people in Bible times believed that if they saw God, then they would die. I wonder was this going through their minds too??

But the angel of the Lord told them 'Fear not' and brought them good tidings of great joy of the birth of our Saviour Christ the Lord. Then, the multitude of the heavenly host suddenly appeared, praising God. Oh, I would have loved to have heard that heavenly singing that night!! Those shepherds that night went from fearing God, to believing God, to glorifying and praising God, too, and telling it all around about the birth of the Saviour. As I contemplate upon the glory of God shining upon the shepherds, I must ask myself: Do I truly fear God enough to count myself unworthy in His holy presence? Does the birth of Christ bring me real joy or is it just a festive season for me? Do I trust God's Word enough to act upon it? Do I love others enough to tell them of the only Saviour from sin? Am I continually glorifying and praising God?

Now to proceed with more thoughts on lights, read on down the chapter and see that Simeon described Jesus as 'A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' (Luke 2v32) I am really glad that Christ's salvation is for Jew and Gentile. Praise God, He did not leave me in the darkness of sin.

I must not forget the wise men following the star to visit Jesus. That special bright star in the sky led them to seek Christ the King. It guided them right to the very place where He was and they fell down and worshipped HIM, (not Mary or Joseph). He became their King and God. Is He your God and Saviour and is He King of your life?

It is very significant that Jesus who described Himself as the Light of the world was born to save us from the darkness of sin.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 8:12 KJV

Jesus also said, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

John 12:46 KJV

The person who follows the LORD Jesus is not going to walk in the darkness of sins but will experience the light of life that only God can give. So, where do we gain our knowledge of how we should follow the Light of the world. Turn to the Word of God which is a light to show us the way.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Psalms 119:105 KJV

Once we experience God's salvation, we need to be burning shining lights for Him in this dark sinful world.

Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14+16 KJV

So, to conclude, Christmas lights are a reminder to me that I must follow The Light of the world to be a light in the world for Him and that I need to walk in the light of His Word.

**(Read Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 2 to discover more of the story concerning the shepherds and the wise men.)

Everlasting arms

This picture used to hang on a wall in my grandmother's house.....and, yes, you have probably guessed....it now hangs on a wall in my bedroom! As a young girl when I used to help her with some housework, I would often stop and look at it and think about what it was saying. I wish to share some thoughts about it in this blog...

Underneath are the everlasting arms

The picture depicts a beautiful calm scene of the milkmaid in early morning. Just look at how still the water is. There's not a tree blowing in the wind. The fire is lit and the smoke is rising straight up from the quaint old cottage, so there is no sign of a storm. The pathway is dry showing it has not been raining. Look at how contented the cattle appear and the cow lying down chewing her cud.  The milkmaid is dressed so prime and proper as she leaves the meadow after milking the cows. The meadow scene is just so calm and idyllic with the brightness in the sky as a new day has dawned.

The Bible text "Underneath are the everlasting arms" just seems so appropriate for this picturesque scene that the artist has portrayed. The Everlasting LORD brings such wonderful peace into our lives when we rest in His everlasting arms.

The natural beauty of this scene from a bygone era is unspoiled with man-made paths or neatly cut hedges. I can imagine the meadow hiving with insects and wildlife as the sun gets up. There are a few flowers blooming (looks like some briers too). The picture is calming on mind, portraying tranquility and serenity but there are a few questions that bother me:

• Why is there only one tree depicted as deciduous, possibly an ash whose leaves appear later than other trees? Perhaps it is to have the effect of showing a new dawn and new season appearing. But, if it is spring, where are the baby calves?
• Why is the milkmaid walking in opposite direction from cottage? And is she left handed?
• What is she thinking as she walks away looking back?

But then, my thoughts drift to think of how difficult life may have been for the milkmaid. Very early mornings and no excuse for not being there. Heavy pails full of milk to carry back to the dairy on the farm before straining and cooling it and making butter or whatever. Perhaps a master who was not so kind to her or appreciative of her work. No leisure centres or keep fit classes for her....hard work was her exercise. What of the dangers she may have faced in the fields alone as she walked in the twilight of the early morning? (Remember there were no mobile phones then!) Life was not all easy then, no matter how idyllic and romantic it is portrayed.

Perhaps your life appears so calm on the outside and people would almost think you never have a problem in life. But you know different. You have problems that you do not share: problems with health, finance, family, work, education, temptation, bullying, abuse, etc. etc. Well, this scripture text is for you too. No matter how difficult life is or how much you struggle to cope....Let the LORD carry you in His everlasting arms. He will never let you go and He will carry you safely through it all and bring you out the other side when a new day will dawn for you to praise His name.

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33v27 KJV)

Is the Eternal God you refuge and do you rest in His everlasting arms?

Two Hoots

A few months ago I was told by someone that another particular person did not give two hoots about what I thought. Now I do not believe that the person concerned was purposely intending to be nasty or hurtful to me but those words 'couldn't give two hoots what you think' had a deep impact on my thoughts process. My thoughts ran like this: Does the person who said those words to me give two hoots about what I think? Does anyone really give two hoots about what I think? After all, I don't live in a mansion and have plenty of cash to flash around. I have my health issues. I do not belong to some popular political party, big church or esteemed organization. I am not a celebrity. I do not go along with all the 'leftie' thinking that's going about today. So, why should anyone give two hoots what I think? My opinion is worthless. It does not matter. So, why bother giving it? In fact, why should I spend so much time preparing little Bible-based studies, thoughts and picture texts to share on the internet, if no one gives two hoots what I think?

I had to stop right there for I must confess I felt a wee bit like Jeremiah in the Bible. God's Word is a joy to me and I love to share it in the little way I can. However, if people do not give two hoots what I think, or even what I share from God's Word, why should I keep doing it? When Jeremiah was derided daily and mocked for speaking God's Word, he decided to stop telling it BUT he found that God's Word was so burning within him that he just could not hold back from speaking it (cp. Jeremiah 20v7-9). That kind of describes a bit of how I feel. Life has a big void if I cannot share God's Word...that message that so burns within my heart to get out, even if no one gives two hoots what I think.

A couple of weeks back I opened Facebook one morning and two precious promises that God had given me years ago just came up in my newsfeed. John 15v16; Exodus 33v14.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." John 15v16 KJV

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Exodus 33v14 KJV

This was no accident. God was showing me that even if some people didn't give two hoots about what I thought, He had chosen me and He cares about me. I am important to Him. It matters to Him what I think. He wants my opinions to be so rooted in the Bible that I am actually propagating HIS will.

When I stop to think about it, I have as much right to my opinion as those people who don't give two hoots what I think. My desire is to ever give Bible-based opinions that promote godly living. I may not be rich, strong or powerful and I may be deemed foolish, unimportant, useless or a failure by some people but by God's grace I intend to continue living for Him. He has said:

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12v9 KJV

I may be weak and unimportant by this world's standards but remember God uses such people that He alone should have all the glory (1 Corinthians 1v26-31). This gives me great encouragement to keep going, even when I know that others couldn't give two hoots what I think. 

In conclusion, your opinion is not more important than mine, just because I dare to differ with you, or even because you couldn't give two hoots what I think.

We all have the right to our opinion but that does not mean we are right. We may be sincere in what we think and believe but we can be sincerely wrong. So, we all need to make sure that our opinions line up with what God says in His Word, not against it, because one day we are all going to be judged by the standard of God's Word (cp. John 12v48). At the end of the day, it is what God says that matters!

Thanks for taking time to read this blog post. Hope I haven't come across too harshly but I just wanted to share how God encouraged me to keep going when I was made to feel inferior.

Rhonda

Spring cleaning

It's Spring! Hooray. Can't you feel spring in the air? I love it. The bushes all around us beginning to bud. The daffodils are out and other little plants starting to peep out of the winter soil. (Actually, the daffodils are nearly finished and it's tulip time already). The days are getting longer and soon the clocks will go forward to bring in British summer time. Newborn lambs and other baby animals arriving. It makes me think of the Bible verse:

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV

The time for Spring cleaning is here, that time when you give your house an extra deep clean to get rid of all that winter dirt. The bright days are showing it up and you want to get in behind furniture and machines to remove the dust and cobwebs. So out comes the dusters, polish, cleaning agents and even bleach. The yard outside maybe needs a power hose to remove the green. The garage or garden shed needs a clear out too. Well, that's the general idea but I'm not too good at doing it.

Spring cleaning makes me think about the Israelites in the Bible clearing all the leaven out of their houses at Passover time. Not a bit was to remain (Exodus 12v15). Leaven is a picture of sin (1Corinthians 5v6-8). We need to be diligent to ensure that sin is removed from our lives, lest it rises to control us.

Adrian took some days off work a few weeks ago and we spent two of those days spring cleaning. He cleaned the guttering and wiped the fascia board. What muck he took out! I took to washing down the walls inside where the dogs had rubbed up against them with their wet coats, and to pulling out furniture removing dirt and cobwebs.

Day two was a bigger job than I expected.... clearing out the attic. Wow! It's one thing to put things up in the attic out of the way but it's quite another to have an attic full of boxes and accumulated rubbish...some of it there since the year 2000! Adrian had to go twice to the dump with stuff. 

Well, two days did us and I've still lots to do. Cleaning windows and a kitchen deep clean are included on that list. Plenty of elbow grease needed! Painting and a garden make-over have to wait until the weather gets a bit warmer.

My thoughts are bursting with application but here are just a few:

1. Deep clean is necessary to get rid of much ingrained and hidden dirt.
Spiritually speaking, we need to get rid of sins like envy, pride, jealousy, lust, selfishness and covetousness that are hidden deep in our hearts. They will lead to more sins if allowed to stay. See Mark 7v20-23.

2. You discover precious memories and things you had forgotten about. 
Maybe it's a bunch of old photos, a gift from someone special, a book or prize with sentimental value, some work of art, or a toy that brings those memories flooding back....and maybe tears too as we reminisce. Often as we sincerely search our lives with the spotlight of scripture, we can go back to reminisce on past blessings God gave us and times of great accomplishments and encouragements in our Christian walk.

3. You may throw out things others preferred to keep.
When we had finished our attic clear-out, Isaac informed me that it would have been nice to have kept the horrible histories series that he had collected when he was a child. Oops, sorry, too late, they're dumped! Why didn't he tell me in time? Yes, sometimes we don't see the value in things that mean something to other people.

4. You must be involved in your own spring cleaning to get satisfactory results, even if it's only to give instructions on what you want done, kept, or dumped. I had to get up into the attic to do the clear-out and clean-up. It had to be done right, my way. 😄 I wouldn't trust others to do it to my liking. 😏 Christian, when it come to a spiritual spring clean in your life, you must search your own life before God in the light of scripture. Psalm 119v9; 139v23-24.

5. Be careful not to dump things you should keep. 
Imagine having dumped something and then realizing later that you should have kept it. Make sure the fruit of the Spirit is growing in your life. See Galatians 5v22-16.

I conclude with this little Bible verse:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4v23 

Sandy Cove

Where better to have a St. Patrick's day stroll than down by Sandy Cove near Kinsale in Co.Cork? Adrian has some treasured memories of summer camps spent near there. So, he parked up the car in view of the sea and we went for a walk. There's a pathway that winds from Sandy Cove along by some cliffs to the ruins of an old church. It is that path we took on Sunday afternoon.

We had not planned to end up there when we set out for a drive. So, I was not dressed for the occasion. Some parts of the path were mucky but not impassable, even for me. It certainly was not a path you would walk in the dark nor would I stand too close to the edge of a cliff! Nonetheless, on that cold Spring day in March we walked and talked and enjoyed some lovely views. My photos just cannot capture the beauty.

Then, we came to a sign which said 'Beware of the BULL' and as I looked on the other side of the path another sign read 'WARNING DANGEROUS CLIFFS Keep away'.  Our chances did not seem great if a bull came charging! So, as I have a phobia of bulls since childhood, I decided to turn back. Adrian continued to the ruins of the little old church and took a couple of photos.

I dandered back, enjoying the views. But as I was almost back to the car, I noticed another warning sign that read 'Dangerous cliffs, Fire Hazard, No Barbeques'. I had walked right passed it before and never even noticed it.

Sometimes life's pathway takes us passed some dangers. There is many a place we can fall and others where we can get burnt. We can get stuck in the muck of everyday life and forget to lift our eyes to the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of life. The enemy may come charging at us. We may even lead others astray into danger. But there are warnings from faithful friends and the Word of God for us to heed. And, yes, many a time we do choose to ignore them and walk right on or maybe we do not even notice the warning signs.

As I was nearly back to the car, I could see the moon starting to appear to view in the sky and I just could not help but think:
One day the sun will finally set on our lives and eternal day will begin for those who belong to the Lord. What a day that will be when my Jesus I will see!

My 2018 Memories

I really do not know how to describe 2018 but it has been another year of challenges and precious memories for me. I cannot relive it but I can reflect on how good God has been to me. I have experienced His grace in ways I do not fully realize. I am just sharing a few memories in this blog post.

The 'Beast from the East' hit Ireland at the end of Feb/beginning of March. It was a dangerous time for everyone who had to work and drive in it but Cesar and I were able to keep warm inside.

I had the privilege of helping to organize the Lifeboat children's mission in June which Everett Smith took and was greatly encouraged in it. I do not have any photos of it.

During it my beautiful corgi dog Cesar died. You can read about him in my blog
Poor Cesar's Gone

Then, Freya and Bridie arrived to stay at our house and what a difference two puppies have made in our home! They are best mates and spoilt rotten but our garden is just like a big playpen lol.

I finally got our dining room decorated, after a lot of work stripping wallpaper off, preparing walls and painting...but I had the satisfaction of doing it myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful hot summer. Adrian and I had lots of day trips throughout Northern Ireland. We, also, visited Kells in Co.Kilkenny...beautiful place, I had never been there before; Tramore in Co.Waterford where Adrian was saved, as well as our old favourites Cork and Kerry. I am just sharing a collage of photos of them.

Adrian and I enjoyed a lovely holiday in Carlisle and Lake District area in September. We were so glad to have had this time before settling back into winter work. It truly is a beautiful area with some breath-taking views.

I thought I would try my hand at crocheting a cushion cover, making the pattern up as I went along. After a lot of trial and error, ripping out and crocheting I finally got a design I am satisfied with. I wrote down a rough pattern of what I did and hopefully you can find it here:

Crochet Cushion Cover Pattern

I do not make New Year resolutions, so don't expect to read any here. 😀 but here is a bit of my thinking (for what it's worth), based on some observations I made in 2018:

1. Friendship works two ways but not everyone wishes to communicate the way you would like them to.
2. Forgiveness, trust and respect are three different things. Humility and contrition are necessary ingredients for forgiveness. Trust may never be regained after hypocrisy and lies. Respect is earned but not by flaunting yourself as being 'holier than thou.'
3. Do not let someone else's wrongdoing cause you to stumble in your Christian faith or cause you to grow bitter. Surely, you do not want to become a hindrance to God's work or a castaway? Keep your eyes on Christ and move into the new year with faith and hope.

We cannot change the past but we can look to the future and make 2019 count for God.

Wishing you every blessing for 2019
Rhonda