ChrisTime 2010: Day Nine

Enabler.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

I don't know what lies in store in 2011.

But I do know Who will be with me through it all.

And though some of the things ordained for me may cause great pain, I can trust that I will be given the strength to make it through each day.

Jesus is my enabler. I am remembering this this Christmas time.

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It's been wonderful taking time to reflect on what Jesus means to me. Thank you to Kandace for the great idea. 

I hope you've all had a bright and blessed Christmas.

I'm heading up North to spend a couple of days with my beloved's family.

See you back on the blogosphere soonish <3

Ready for the holidays ...

I stocked up on holiday supplies after work: Lush loveliness; beautiful wintery yarn for a new chunky scarf;

strawberry toffees from my favourite sweetshop; the latest issue of oh comely ... 

 and came home to the surprise early arrival of my Cakies cameo hairclip

Today is the first day of my Christmas holiday.

Last night I stocked up on supplies, some of which are already gone. Ahem.

And we decorated the tree.

It's a little late, I know, but it's so much more enjoyable when you know you don't have to get up for work in the morning. I'll upload better pictures when my beloved brings his fancy camera round. But, for now, presenting Tabitha (yes, I name my trees. Last year it was Tina):

Meet Albert and Winifred. I got these Dala Folk Horse decorations this year to
add a bit of craft-y, folksy charm

After talking and relaxing by the fire, my father went to work, my mother went to bed, my beloved went home. And I?

'Candy Cane' bubble bar slice

Sat in a warm tub of pink, marshmallow-scented bubbles, with those strawberry toffees and a bar of red Lindt Lindor too. Because that's what you do when the working year is over and you don't have to get up early and resolutions to eat healthily can wait. I actually fell asleep in there ... and later scoffed the remainder of the treats in my fluffy red robe.

Now I'm off to eat breakfast for the first time in months, lather my hair in coconut and vanilla, and attempt some final bits of shopping. On Christmas Eve.

I'm ready for the holidays, yes siree.

ChrisTime 2010: Day Eight

Miracle

" ... 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

ChrisTime 2010: Day Seven

Inspiration

Just 30-odd years spent here on Earth.

He who comforted the brokenhearted. Healed the sick in body and soul. Spoke wisdom into the lives of so many. Loved His Father's creations in spite of the ugly lurking in their hearts - in our hearts - spilling over into harsh words and cruel acts.

Accepted His lot, resigned to His Father's will. Made time for what was important; for prayer, for serving, for fellowship.

Gave His life for us.

Fully God. And fully man. The spotless Lamb who experienced every emotion, every trial that we will ever go through. Literally felt our pain, shared in our suffering.

I am 26 years old. He lived, maybe, seven years longer? 

Jesus is my inspiration. And so He should be.

But am I living like it? One definition of inspiration is the act of influencing - the power or capacity of causing an effect.

Am I effected by Jesus's life? Not just moved, affected, but actually effected; spurred to action, to do likewise.

Do I love wholly and without fear? Giving of myself until I am spent? Am I caring for my neighbour as I would for myself?

Am I making time for what really matters? Living with purpose and intent? This is something that requires careful prayer and thought, lest I waste my Earth-time merely indulging in frivolities and trifles.

Jesus is my inspiration. I am remembering this - and praying to be effected by it - this Christmas time.

ChrisTime 2010: Day Six

Tomorrow.

No matter what today looked like.

Whether it was magical,

Or whether everything that could go wrong did.

No matter what the next day holds.

Fun and excitement,

Or trials of the kind my flesh deems unbearable.

Jesus is my hope for tomorrow.

I can bring my cares and concerns to Him.

Rest.

In His assurance

That He will never leave us

Nor forsake us

Jesus does not promise an easy tomorrow.

But He does promise a tomorrow

By His side.

Jesus is my hope for tomorrow. I am remembering this this Christmas time.

ChrisTime 2010: Day Five

Saviour. 

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53

ChrisTime 2010: Day Four

Intercessor.

I remember being utterly humbled when I learned that Jesus prays for us. He is, for want of a better word, our go-between. He speaks to God on our behalf - and He alone is able to do so.

The thought that Jesus is in heaven interceding for me, pleading for me, petitioning for me? Is such a great comfort, especially during those times when all I can do is put one foot in front of the other and cry help.

It still fills me with awe. That Jesus personally brings my prayers before God.

"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12

"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is my Intercessor. I am reflecting on this this Christmas time.