Yesterday, I learned something. I have heard, over and over, the song, 'Amazing Grace'. I have heard it said, 'By His Grace'. I have said myself, 'By His Grace'. I thought I knew what it meant.
Yesterday, I learned the real meaning of His Amazing Grace. It was the second verse
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Without His Grace, I can do nothing. It was His Grace that brought me to the place where I am now, and His Grace that helps me through. Without Grace from the Almighty Elohim, we cannot see.
As I said, I thought I had it! I thought I understood. Something clicked yesterday. It is amazing how you can hear something, say something, believe something for years, and then suddenly you realise you have never really heard it at all.
Grace and peace to all.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Saturday, September 13, 2014
What if....
Although I understand that Messiah died for the world, and its sins, I have not always felt as if I have felt what He did. Academically, I understood why He died, but could not process it fully. As with most things in my spiritual life, I have to experience it, or have it explained in a way to which I can relate.
When telling people that I 'don't understand', or 'don't feel it', they find it rather baffling, yet I am sure that even the most devout disciple has, at some time, found it difficulty processing all.
I was reading a book, recently, and one of the characters was going to die. She explained to another character, that she would be happy to die if it meant that others could be free. I started to think about what she had said, and when she said she understood why Messiah had died to save the world from its sins, I suddenly realised what it meant.
To anyone who really does understand, perhaps you need not read further, but to anyone who struggles with the deeper reasoning, I would urge you to read on, because it may help.
I started to think about myself, and if I would 'die' for anyone. If it meant a group of people could be free, would I give my life for the cause? I started to think about careers and every day life. The guys who work for us are required to be 'certified', if they want to be able to serve papers and compete with others in the industry. Many agree that it is not a viable 'programme'. What if I were to be asked to give my life so that they would not have to go through the programme, and just be able to deliver papers, because they are over 18 and not a party to the lawsuit. Would I do it? Say that I do give up my life, and they are at liberty to just serve papers, in a moral and ethical way. They were able to go about their business as long as they did not use guile or any other forms of deceit. Then, suddenly, after I had died a gruesome death so that they could be free, they started to use guile and deceit. How would I feel. I had given up my life for them, so that they could have freedom, but they chose to treat my death as if it was nothing.
The young girl in the book was willing to give up her life to give others their freedom. Messiah gave His life so that we could have our freedom. Freedom from restrictions. All He wanted in return was for us to do the will of Elohim. I know how I would feel if my death was treated as if it were of no consequence.
Just a thought.
When telling people that I 'don't understand', or 'don't feel it', they find it rather baffling, yet I am sure that even the most devout disciple has, at some time, found it difficulty processing all.
I was reading a book, recently, and one of the characters was going to die. She explained to another character, that she would be happy to die if it meant that others could be free. I started to think about what she had said, and when she said she understood why Messiah had died to save the world from its sins, I suddenly realised what it meant.
To anyone who really does understand, perhaps you need not read further, but to anyone who struggles with the deeper reasoning, I would urge you to read on, because it may help.
I started to think about myself, and if I would 'die' for anyone. If it meant a group of people could be free, would I give my life for the cause? I started to think about careers and every day life. The guys who work for us are required to be 'certified', if they want to be able to serve papers and compete with others in the industry. Many agree that it is not a viable 'programme'. What if I were to be asked to give my life so that they would not have to go through the programme, and just be able to deliver papers, because they are over 18 and not a party to the lawsuit. Would I do it? Say that I do give up my life, and they are at liberty to just serve papers, in a moral and ethical way. They were able to go about their business as long as they did not use guile or any other forms of deceit. Then, suddenly, after I had died a gruesome death so that they could be free, they started to use guile and deceit. How would I feel. I had given up my life for them, so that they could have freedom, but they chose to treat my death as if it was nothing.
The young girl in the book was willing to give up her life to give others their freedom. Messiah gave His life so that we could have our freedom. Freedom from restrictions. All He wanted in return was for us to do the will of Elohim. I know how I would feel if my death was treated as if it were of no consequence.
Just a thought.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
DID HE HEAR, OR DID HE LISTEN?
psalm 66
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the IAUE will not hear me:
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Just to make sure, I checked a variety of translations for this verse. I believed I knew what it was saying, but I wanted to make sure that all translations were even. There was very little difference.
If I regard iniquity (sin; evil) IAUE will not hear me. The only problem that I have with all translations, is not the word used for 'iniquity', but the word 'hear'. IAUE hears everything, just as he sees everything. However, it is a case of listening. If my kids had been arguing, their explanation of who was right would 'fall on deaf ears'. I would not listen to their defence until they stopped shouting at each other, and sat calmly to explain. Until the anger (iniquity; sin; evil) had passed from them, I would not listen.
IAUE will always hear what is going on, but if we are not pure of heart, will he listen to us? Why should He grant us a 'hearing', when we are going against His will. When we are acting like the heathen, and raging, why would IAUE take notice?
The amazing thing is that I read the psalms and proverbs yesterday, reading every 30th psalm (6, 36, etc), I read psalm 126, about how the heathen sees IAUE bringing His elect out of captivity, and thought, 'those are the verses on which I need to meditate upon this morning'. (I try to write something everyday, on the verses read, and send it to my husband. We discuss it later, and find different insights. I try to listen to the Spirit for guidance as to which verse I should write upon.) In Psalm 126, the heathen looks at the disciple and wonders at what IAUE does, and sees that although we are occasionally afflicted, He, IAUE, still brings us out of captivity. When does He bring us out? When we do not regard iniquity in our heart.
We must understand that He hears everything, just as He sees everything, but until we stop being selfish and use our own agenda as our defence, He will not listen.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Who would want to?
Just a thought for today.
Proverbs 24:1 Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking
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It is so easy to get carried away with the world. I should know, I have been there. To see those that have so much, when you are struggling, and to see them throw away things that you would never be able to afford. It can be very upsetting.
Not every wealthy person is evil. Not every evil person is wealthy. However, I have seen evil at work, and evil appears to get away with metaphorical murder. Yet you look at the evil one, the mischief maker and you realise that they are not happy. There is no joy. Their heart devises violence and their lips talk of troublemaking. Yet there is not joy. When they succeed in their plots, they have to continue to weave their deceitful web, because if it is not a web it will be easily untangled. When you see all of this put together, e.g. the lies, the web of deceit, the trouble that it causes, you realise that you will soon be part of this, either drawn in because you have 'heard' the 'rumours', or you will become the next 'rumour'.
Who would desire to be with someone like this? We need to keep far from the road upon where the enemy has his house!
Proverbs 24:1 Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking
******************************************************************
It is so easy to get carried away with the world. I should know, I have been there. To see those that have so much, when you are struggling, and to see them throw away things that you would never be able to afford. It can be very upsetting.
Not every wealthy person is evil. Not every evil person is wealthy. However, I have seen evil at work, and evil appears to get away with metaphorical murder. Yet you look at the evil one, the mischief maker and you realise that they are not happy. There is no joy. Their heart devises violence and their lips talk of troublemaking. Yet there is not joy. When they succeed in their plots, they have to continue to weave their deceitful web, because if it is not a web it will be easily untangled. When you see all of this put together, e.g. the lies, the web of deceit, the trouble that it causes, you realise that you will soon be part of this, either drawn in because you have 'heard' the 'rumours', or you will become the next 'rumour'.
Who would desire to be with someone like this? We need to keep far from the road upon where the enemy has his house!
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
HIS WISDOM, HIS PLAN
Psalm 104:24 O IAUE, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions—
25 This great and wide sea,
In which are innumerable teeming things,
Living things both small and great.
26 There the ships sail about;
There is that Leviathan
Which You have made to play there.
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions—
25 This great and wide sea,
In which are innumerable teeming things,
Living things both small and great.
26 There the ships sail about;
There is that Leviathan
Which You have made to play there.
74:13You divided the sea by Your strength;
You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
14 You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
14 You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces,
And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
**********************************************************
I have just learned quite how important it is to be familiar with the scriptures. However, had I been more familiar, these verses would not have been in my thought today.
Psalm 104:24 begins with the psalmist telling IAUE that he knows that he made everything, 'in wisdom'. There is nothing 'half baked' about IAUE's plan. There is nothing that is not perfect. It describes how we (and I include the saints, as we are all part of this) know that the earth is full of IAUE's possessions. Everything belongs to Him. Living things, both small and great, are on the earth, both on land and in the sea. 'Innumerable teeming things'. Lots and lots and lots. Ships are sailing about in the sea. They all 'belong' to IAUE. He sees the ships and their crew through the winds and rain, or He does not. Either way, it is His perfect plan, and it is done in His wisdom. There is also Leviathan. Leviathan is depicted as a sea monster. In modern Hebrew, it is a whale. A whale in biblical times was considered more of a monster than it is today. However, in this verse IAUE made Leviathan play in the sea.
As I read, I thought that I had seen IAUE breaking the heads of Leviathan. Not only did I know that there was a verse, but I had just seen it. It was in the previous verse, so I returned to psalm 74/.
74:13 You divided the seas by Your strength. You broke the heads of the 'sea serpents' in the waters. (14) You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gave them as food......
Everything in this world is made by IAUE in His wisdom. He gave the sea serpents, and Leviathan to the people to eat. It makes perfect sense. Whale meat was used during the war when there was a scarcity of meat and fish. IAUE made Leviathan in His wisdom. In verse 104, he makes Him play in the sea. Leviathan is not such a monster in 104, he is just a creature playing in the sea. It is something that IAUE has created in His wisdom because there is a time, and there was a time, when the people needed to eat.
IAUE's wisdom is something that we need to understand.
Monday, May 12, 2014
The depths of life
Once again, I have been thrown into the depths of 'life', and whilst I have not forsaken all things spiritual, I have felt slightly lost. My husband sent me a 'Thought for the day', verse a couple of weeks ago, and I felt it was good practice to do this. We recently moved offices, and our drive is such that we do not have enough time on the road to read the scriptures as we used to. However, most mornings we read a chapter at home, then read psalms and proverbs. (Every thirtieth psalm, depending on the date. Today would be 12, 42, 72 etc. Proverbs 12) However, my husband had a very disturbed night last night, and I let him sleep, so our morning reading was non-existent. Occasionally we come to the office early, so our morning reading does not happen. Studying the 'next day's psalms', has become an excellent past time. If we read them the next day, as well, it brings more thoughts. As I have been writing, I have felt like I am meant to share. So, this was my first 'thought for the day'. I doubt that I will post every day, but when I feel that I should, I will!
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Psalm 28:1 To You I will cry, O IAUE my Elohim:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary
When we cannot hear the voice of IAUE, what do we do? Do we consider that we are 'like those who go down into the pit'? Do we wait until he 'comes back to me'?
We ask that he listen to the 'voice of our supplications'. We ask that he hear our prayers. Yet when he is silent, do we ask Why?
How many times have we 'started again', because we have failed. Just like the alcoholic, who falls from 'the wagon', we wait for our 'binge' to run its course, and then come back to the meeting place, because we can be sure that those inside will take us in, and we can stand there and say, 'My name is...., It has been 1 day since I had a drink'.
We are confident of IAUE's love, yet we throw it around like a used rag. We discard it at will, because it is a 'constant'.
What if he was silent forever? What if we became like those going down to the pit.? How long would it be before we started to cry and beg forgiveness? How long would it be before we forgot that His Kindness is everlasting.
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Psalm 28:1 To You I will cry, O IAUE my Elohim:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary
When we cannot hear the voice of IAUE, what do we do? Do we consider that we are 'like those who go down into the pit'? Do we wait until he 'comes back to me'?
We ask that he listen to the 'voice of our supplications'. We ask that he hear our prayers. Yet when he is silent, do we ask Why?
How many times have we 'started again', because we have failed. Just like the alcoholic, who falls from 'the wagon', we wait for our 'binge' to run its course, and then come back to the meeting place, because we can be sure that those inside will take us in, and we can stand there and say, 'My name is...., It has been 1 day since I had a drink'.
We are confident of IAUE's love, yet we throw it around like a used rag. We discard it at will, because it is a 'constant'.
What if he was silent forever? What if we became like those going down to the pit.? How long would it be before we started to cry and beg forgiveness? How long would it be before we forgot that His Kindness is everlasting.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
WHAT A BLESSING!
My husband and I were recently asked to look at the first few pages of a manuscript, with a view to editing same. I prayed about what I was going to read, as I wanted to be fair, and non-judgmental. The author started by saying he had been charged by the Holy Spirit to write this, and get it published. I read the first three pages and found myself editing quite ruthlessly. I stopped immediately, and started to read again. If I were to 'edit' as an 'editor', the author would have been left with about two paragraphs. However, I had been asked to do this as a 'disciple', and I believe that if I am told something by the Spirit, to impart to others, I should not, (unless specifically told to do so) change the wording, and so I should pay the same respect to the author of this manuscript.
As we were reading, and discussing, my husband noticed that our car was pulling to the right. He thought it might be the brakes. I thought it might be because we were being too harsh on the writer of the manuscript, and prayed about the car. 'It's the tire', I said, as something just told me, and was quickly reminded that we have an array of lights that blink when there is a problem. I closed my eyes and asked Elohim to fix the car, and as I opened them, the light flickered, and the screen to the left of the steering wheel showed there was, indeed, a flat tire.
The cedar pollen count is very high at the moment, and my husband thought it best not to stand outside and attempt to 'plug' the tire. He suggested we take my car in the morning and he would fix the offending tire at the weekend. I agreed, but then, suddenly, thought I should check my car. I had not taken it out since before the holidays, and something told me that the battery was dead. It was. In fact, it was so dead, it did not even respond to a jump. My husband had no choice but to change the tire on his car. The bolts on the wheel would not move. No matter what he did, there was no way the wheel was coming away from the car. All I could think (and I was rather surprised, being that I have a propensity to think that my world is being messed with, not very spiritual, I know), was how blessed we were. True, we had two cars that were out of action, but it was an inconvenience. We would go back into our house, have some dinner and think about our options.
Again, something told me to 'Phone Jerry!' (Jerry is a guy who works for us, who either has the tool, or knows someone who has the tool!) I continued to prepare dinner, and was still thinking, 'We are so blessed'. It was then that another thought came to mind. If all else failed, my daughter could take us to work in the morning and we could phone our mechanic and he would take care of both the tire and the battery.
Jerry did have the tool! He drove from his house, about 20 miles away, and not only did he have the equipment, he took the tire away, so that his son could look at it, in the morning, and determine its fate.
We drove to our office this morning, and Jerry came in with the tire which was unfortunately deceased! We would have to buy a new one.
All I could think about were the positives. We were truly blessed. Editing and having reservations about what one man hears and writes, is not an act of disobedience, and the problem with the car had nothing to do with my comments. I was not disobeying the Will of Elohim, because I was being asked by a man to read and edit. Elohim may speak to us all, but he does not necessarily tell us all the same things, and sometimes, he tells us very different things. I learned a very valuable lesson (as always). Although we were electronically immobile, we had our health, and strength. We had a house in which to go and discuss our options. We had food on the table, in the freezer and fridge, and in the pantry. We had a daughter who could take us to work. We even had a mechanic who would come out to collect the cars. We had the ability to pay for the the tire, the battery, and the mechanic! As I have said before, Miracles are not necessarily things that make us 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. They are the simple, individual things, like being able to pay for a tire, having food on the table. Having a friend who will come to our aid without a thought. A real good Samaritan!
I will read the manuscript, because I have been asked to by another disciple. I shall give my opinion, and express it as my opinion, unless Elohim asks me to take part in the project. Unless I do something that will offend my Father, such as berate the writer, or make personal slurs, I will not be disobeying any will!
As I was writing this, I had the scriptures playing on my computer, and whilst I set it to start in Romans, it looped, and continued playing through the New Testament. However, as I was up and down, I did not hear very much, but I returned to my desk just as 1 Corinthians 14, started playing. Very interesting!
It has been a blessed day! Grace and peace to all.
As we were reading, and discussing, my husband noticed that our car was pulling to the right. He thought it might be the brakes. I thought it might be because we were being too harsh on the writer of the manuscript, and prayed about the car. 'It's the tire', I said, as something just told me, and was quickly reminded that we have an array of lights that blink when there is a problem. I closed my eyes and asked Elohim to fix the car, and as I opened them, the light flickered, and the screen to the left of the steering wheel showed there was, indeed, a flat tire.
The cedar pollen count is very high at the moment, and my husband thought it best not to stand outside and attempt to 'plug' the tire. He suggested we take my car in the morning and he would fix the offending tire at the weekend. I agreed, but then, suddenly, thought I should check my car. I had not taken it out since before the holidays, and something told me that the battery was dead. It was. In fact, it was so dead, it did not even respond to a jump. My husband had no choice but to change the tire on his car. The bolts on the wheel would not move. No matter what he did, there was no way the wheel was coming away from the car. All I could think (and I was rather surprised, being that I have a propensity to think that my world is being messed with, not very spiritual, I know), was how blessed we were. True, we had two cars that were out of action, but it was an inconvenience. We would go back into our house, have some dinner and think about our options.
Again, something told me to 'Phone Jerry!' (Jerry is a guy who works for us, who either has the tool, or knows someone who has the tool!) I continued to prepare dinner, and was still thinking, 'We are so blessed'. It was then that another thought came to mind. If all else failed, my daughter could take us to work in the morning and we could phone our mechanic and he would take care of both the tire and the battery.
Jerry did have the tool! He drove from his house, about 20 miles away, and not only did he have the equipment, he took the tire away, so that his son could look at it, in the morning, and determine its fate.
We drove to our office this morning, and Jerry came in with the tire which was unfortunately deceased! We would have to buy a new one.
All I could think about were the positives. We were truly blessed. Editing and having reservations about what one man hears and writes, is not an act of disobedience, and the problem with the car had nothing to do with my comments. I was not disobeying the Will of Elohim, because I was being asked by a man to read and edit. Elohim may speak to us all, but he does not necessarily tell us all the same things, and sometimes, he tells us very different things. I learned a very valuable lesson (as always). Although we were electronically immobile, we had our health, and strength. We had a house in which to go and discuss our options. We had food on the table, in the freezer and fridge, and in the pantry. We had a daughter who could take us to work. We even had a mechanic who would come out to collect the cars. We had the ability to pay for the the tire, the battery, and the mechanic! As I have said before, Miracles are not necessarily things that make us 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. They are the simple, individual things, like being able to pay for a tire, having food on the table. Having a friend who will come to our aid without a thought. A real good Samaritan!
I will read the manuscript, because I have been asked to by another disciple. I shall give my opinion, and express it as my opinion, unless Elohim asks me to take part in the project. Unless I do something that will offend my Father, such as berate the writer, or make personal slurs, I will not be disobeying any will!
As I was writing this, I had the scriptures playing on my computer, and whilst I set it to start in Romans, it looped, and continued playing through the New Testament. However, as I was up and down, I did not hear very much, but I returned to my desk just as 1 Corinthians 14, started playing. Very interesting!
It has been a blessed day! Grace and peace to all.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
We are in the world, not of the world!
With the new year now into its second week (in the Gregorian calender, that is) I found myself, once again, thinking about a new start. I believe it is a natural part of the human condition. Unless you do not keep track of dates, and are not part of the 'rat race', as it it sometimes known, you have no alternative but to 'join in', to a certain degree. Many clients, as well as acquaintances, and friends, wish me a 'happy new year', some aware of my spiritual beliefs, and some not. I respond in kind, as it is the 'human' thing to do, and we are told (and I am sure there are some that will disagree, but it seems apt) to 'render to Ceaser, what is Ceaser's'. (I think the verse about 'if thy eye offends, pluck it out, is on a more personal level!)
However, despite the 'wishing' everyone salutations, I realised that being caught up with the 'new' is putting myself in the way of the world. Although we are 'in the world', Paul tells us not to be 'of the world'. Starting 'afresh' at new year should not be something that I aspire to.
It was all too easy to 'slip' into the Christmas spirit, listening to the tunes on the radio, and joining in with the festive atmosphere. However, when I heard one shopper say, 'I have just bought these boots. No one else will. Merry Christmas to me!'. I wondered why she needed the excuse to buy herself the boots, and didn't think of how I was being caught up in the same net. Although Messiah was not born around December (and I am sure I have covered this), we are constantly reminded to 'remember the reason for the season!' Even if Messiah were born around December, and even if we were to celebrate the birth with such fervour, where is the honouring in buying presents for oneself? I must admit that although I celebrated as a child, I now consider 25th December, and the surrounds to be a time when I have a few days off work, and go home to England to be with my family. Why? Because they all have time off work, and it has become a tradition. I do not celebrate the birth of Messiah at this time, nor do my husband and I give presents (just as we do not consider Valentine's Day to be the day to show our love for each other!) However, I am in the world and my family still exchange gifts. My personal gifts are no different to those which I take when I visit in the summer. However, as they are given on 25th December, which is the time that everyone congregates, there is a preconception that this is a Christmas present.
With my mother being in her 80's, there is much preparation and much clearing away, and so the day becomes a giant chore! There is little time for reflection on spiritual matters, and by the time it is all over, we are exhausted. I am not saying everyone is the same, and I am sure there are many who go to church, and give thanks, but I am also sure there are many like me, who get carried away with the atmosphere, and worse still, complain about how tired we are after it is all over.
I read my husband's blog on the Sunday after the 25th, which dealt with doing Elohim's will, and not your own. I was very humbled. I had not necessarily been doing things that were selfish but I had not been paying as much attention to the Spirit as I might. I was determined to make amends. However, after spending most days on my vacation in the kitchen, or doing housework, I relished the 'me' time in the evenings. I played games on the computer, and I knitted, but I did not read the scriptures, nor did I consider that there might be time to reflect and write something. After all, it would be new year soon.
Yesterday, I read the Proverbs 7. The young man is pulled in by the whore and she makes it all sound so nice. I don't think I have ever contemplated the depth of this Proverb. I understood the meaning, and I understood that it is easy to either take the easy way out, or to go down the wrong path. However, it suddenly struck me that I was the figure that was the young man. I saw the lights, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit, and festivities. I went along and followed the whore to her house, and enjoyed the good life. I had fun! How did it end. Blessedly, I was stopped in my tracks, and understood the implications of NOT doing the will of Elohim. I understood the implications of going my own way. I did not fall into the pit. I was saved as I looked over the top.
I believe that one of the biggest pit falls is not to recognise our own downfalls.
Grace and peace to all, and may the voice of the spirit be as clear to you as it was to me, yesterday.
However, despite the 'wishing' everyone salutations, I realised that being caught up with the 'new' is putting myself in the way of the world. Although we are 'in the world', Paul tells us not to be 'of the world'. Starting 'afresh' at new year should not be something that I aspire to.
It was all too easy to 'slip' into the Christmas spirit, listening to the tunes on the radio, and joining in with the festive atmosphere. However, when I heard one shopper say, 'I have just bought these boots. No one else will. Merry Christmas to me!'. I wondered why she needed the excuse to buy herself the boots, and didn't think of how I was being caught up in the same net. Although Messiah was not born around December (and I am sure I have covered this), we are constantly reminded to 'remember the reason for the season!' Even if Messiah were born around December, and even if we were to celebrate the birth with such fervour, where is the honouring in buying presents for oneself? I must admit that although I celebrated as a child, I now consider 25th December, and the surrounds to be a time when I have a few days off work, and go home to England to be with my family. Why? Because they all have time off work, and it has become a tradition. I do not celebrate the birth of Messiah at this time, nor do my husband and I give presents (just as we do not consider Valentine's Day to be the day to show our love for each other!) However, I am in the world and my family still exchange gifts. My personal gifts are no different to those which I take when I visit in the summer. However, as they are given on 25th December, which is the time that everyone congregates, there is a preconception that this is a Christmas present.
With my mother being in her 80's, there is much preparation and much clearing away, and so the day becomes a giant chore! There is little time for reflection on spiritual matters, and by the time it is all over, we are exhausted. I am not saying everyone is the same, and I am sure there are many who go to church, and give thanks, but I am also sure there are many like me, who get carried away with the atmosphere, and worse still, complain about how tired we are after it is all over.
I read my husband's blog on the Sunday after the 25th, which dealt with doing Elohim's will, and not your own. I was very humbled. I had not necessarily been doing things that were selfish but I had not been paying as much attention to the Spirit as I might. I was determined to make amends. However, after spending most days on my vacation in the kitchen, or doing housework, I relished the 'me' time in the evenings. I played games on the computer, and I knitted, but I did not read the scriptures, nor did I consider that there might be time to reflect and write something. After all, it would be new year soon.
Yesterday, I read the Proverbs 7. The young man is pulled in by the whore and she makes it all sound so nice. I don't think I have ever contemplated the depth of this Proverb. I understood the meaning, and I understood that it is easy to either take the easy way out, or to go down the wrong path. However, it suddenly struck me that I was the figure that was the young man. I saw the lights, and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Christmas spirit, and festivities. I went along and followed the whore to her house, and enjoyed the good life. I had fun! How did it end. Blessedly, I was stopped in my tracks, and understood the implications of NOT doing the will of Elohim. I understood the implications of going my own way. I did not fall into the pit. I was saved as I looked over the top.
I believe that one of the biggest pit falls is not to recognise our own downfalls.
Grace and peace to all, and may the voice of the spirit be as clear to you as it was to me, yesterday.
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