3 Weeks to Christmas!!
Are you happy?
Pastor Lyle was preaching this morning and said something that hit me between the eyes. He asked the question "Who decides whether you are happy?" He proceeded to answer with the obvious - it is I who decide whether I shall be happy or not!
It's certainly not always easy to decide to be happy. Sometimes things happen that sadden us or cause us real pain, but it us up to us to decide how we shall respond. It's certainly difficult to be happy when your chemicals are all out of balance due to clinical depression - I know - I've been there and unless you've been there yourself you can't understand it. But most of us aren't clinically depressed, so what shall we do - decide to be miserable, or make the sacrifice to be joyful? Hmm, food for thought.
Christmas is coming!
A thought to help you be happy is that Christmas is only three weeks away! Yippee. It's been a few years since I've been really excited about Christmas, but this year I can hardly wait for it. I'm so hoping for a white Christmas and I'm really excited about spending some time with the Moshers. One thing we'll be doing is taking a trip to the theatre (cinema) together to see the new Narnia movie - I think it should be awesome and is a great way to help us remember what Christmas is truly about - the fact that God sent His only Son to make a way for us to become His children. We remember that Jesus was born at Christmas - an amazing miracle, that God should become a man and restrict himself to be like us. Consider the step taken by the one who spoke the stars into being and who sustains all things by His mighty word, that He should take on human limitations so that He might be able to die for us to take away the wall that separates us from eternity with Him. Christmas is an AWEsome time, please don't forget to think upon it this Christmas and be awed by what God has done. And don't forget to thank Him amidst all the excitement!
More snow...
We've had yet more snow since I last wrote and I had the honour of shovelling the snow on the sidewalk outside the church before this morning's services. If I keep this up I should develop a few muscles - I just hope they don't all grow on one arm! I do love the snow, it looks so beautiful and it just transforms a dull city into a 'winter wonderland' We were at Johan and Andrea's on Friday night as we cooked supper for them and I took the opportunity to get some photos of their snowy street at night time. I hope you like them.
This is Johan and Andrea's house...
... and this is opposite their place...
The place looks so lovely with snow and Christmas lights, just how you imagine it ought to look, but rarely see back in the UK.
Talking of decorations, this week Heather helped fetch the church Christmas tree which is now decorated and looking very attractive in the sanctuary. Back in Nottingham one of the older preachers at the Christian Centre took a teaching session on hermeneutics. All I remember was that he didn't like Christmas trees because they were not Biblical. It's a shame that's all I could remember of what he said as I'm sure hermeneutics is supposed to be interesting and exciting! As for me, I like Christmas trees, decorations, lights and the way they make a place look so much brighter. In our darkened world why shun things that bring some cheer and make at least some people think about Jesus?
Tonight we have the church Christmas concert where the kids will be cute, parents and grandparents will be proud and Pastor Shawna will, I'm sure, be glad when it's all over! After that things both quieten down and liven up. I think there will be less happening at the church to be involved in, but there are a bunch of suppers we have to go to with all sorts of nice people, what a pity :-)
Well, I'd better go attack some mince pies.
God bless you,
With love,
Steve
Pastor Lyle was preaching this morning and said something that hit me between the eyes. He asked the question "Who decides whether you are happy?" He proceeded to answer with the obvious - it is I who decide whether I shall be happy or not!
It's certainly not always easy to decide to be happy. Sometimes things happen that sadden us or cause us real pain, but it us up to us to decide how we shall respond. It's certainly difficult to be happy when your chemicals are all out of balance due to clinical depression - I know - I've been there and unless you've been there yourself you can't understand it. But most of us aren't clinically depressed, so what shall we do - decide to be miserable, or make the sacrifice to be joyful? Hmm, food for thought.
Christmas is coming!
A thought to help you be happy is that Christmas is only three weeks away! Yippee. It's been a few years since I've been really excited about Christmas, but this year I can hardly wait for it. I'm so hoping for a white Christmas and I'm really excited about spending some time with the Moshers. One thing we'll be doing is taking a trip to the theatre (cinema) together to see the new Narnia movie - I think it should be awesome and is a great way to help us remember what Christmas is truly about - the fact that God sent His only Son to make a way for us to become His children. We remember that Jesus was born at Christmas - an amazing miracle, that God should become a man and restrict himself to be like us. Consider the step taken by the one who spoke the stars into being and who sustains all things by His mighty word, that He should take on human limitations so that He might be able to die for us to take away the wall that separates us from eternity with Him. Christmas is an AWEsome time, please don't forget to think upon it this Christmas and be awed by what God has done. And don't forget to thank Him amidst all the excitement!
More snow...
We've had yet more snow since I last wrote and I had the honour of shovelling the snow on the sidewalk outside the church before this morning's services. If I keep this up I should develop a few muscles - I just hope they don't all grow on one arm! I do love the snow, it looks so beautiful and it just transforms a dull city into a 'winter wonderland' We were at Johan and Andrea's on Friday night as we cooked supper for them and I took the opportunity to get some photos of their snowy street at night time. I hope you like them.
This is Johan and Andrea's house...
... and this is opposite their place...
The place looks so lovely with snow and Christmas lights, just how you imagine it ought to look, but rarely see back in the UK.
Talking of decorations, this week Heather helped fetch the church Christmas tree which is now decorated and looking very attractive in the sanctuary. Back in Nottingham one of the older preachers at the Christian Centre took a teaching session on hermeneutics. All I remember was that he didn't like Christmas trees because they were not Biblical. It's a shame that's all I could remember of what he said as I'm sure hermeneutics is supposed to be interesting and exciting! As for me, I like Christmas trees, decorations, lights and the way they make a place look so much brighter. In our darkened world why shun things that bring some cheer and make at least some people think about Jesus?
Tonight we have the church Christmas concert where the kids will be cute, parents and grandparents will be proud and Pastor Shawna will, I'm sure, be glad when it's all over! After that things both quieten down and liven up. I think there will be less happening at the church to be involved in, but there are a bunch of suppers we have to go to with all sorts of nice people, what a pity :-)
Well, I'd better go attack some mince pies.
God bless you,
With love,
Steve
posted by Steve at
6:21 pm
5 Comments:
Hi Steve
I've realized early in life that happiness is something we have to decide for ourselves. Since then, I try to have a positive outlook on life, whether it's going right, or if things are going down the drain...
Whenever someone asks me "how are you?" I always reply "GREAT!" - those that wish me well are happy, those that don't... well, get ticked off, and that brings me some happiness too! :)
One of my best friends' motto is "Smile - it makes people wonder what you're thinking about!" - and that's really true... besides, a smile is easier to bring up then a frown (purely physically, too!). Not to say everybody should go through life grinning like idiots... a few of us will do suficiently! :D
/Hart
By
Dizzie, at 7:33 pm
Hey Steve,
Nice pictures of the lights! I really miss the way Christmas lights look in Canada. Yet again, another thing that is similar yet ever so slightly different over here.
About the Narnia Film...were you saying that you're going to see it with my family or is that something you and H are gonna do? If it's with my family I'd best not see it while I'm over here...even though it might kill me!
By
Jenny, at 2:14 pm
Hmmmm well your blog certainly provides food for thought at the right times dear friend...at a time when life is a real downer you made me stop and think about why it is I feel sad and what I have to be happy about...I shall continue to pray about this I think. *huggles*
S'now fair! We just have wet weather lol, its currently about 7 degrees outside and pouring with rain...but as the bible says do not covet...so here's to trying not to covet your beautiful snow lol.
Heheheh only 20 days till Christmas and 18 days until I'm officially considered an adult in the UK *evil laugh*
They run outta reasons to stop me voting, buying fireworks and buying alcohol...be afraid be very afraid lol...only kidding lol.
God bless and inspire you always!
Yours in randomness!
Keri
By
Pyrobutterfly, at 9:00 pm
hey Stevo,
me here!
I sooooo cant WAIT to see the new Narnia film, I'm so excited! Josh is seeing it tomorrow with Jenny (the girlfriend one...) But wont let me go with them :-(
Anyhow your comments on being happy really made me think...why we all so sad?!!!! It almost seems cool to be depressed and I often find myself without even thinking about it, saying things like "Oh, I'm so tired" or "Life's so rubbish". Why?! Why?!! It doesnt seem to make sense at all! I guess it's what Satan trying to do to us, making us feel all depressed and stuff. Well we have to stand up to him and purposefully try and maintain positivety in everyone's lives!
see you in about 7 months, til then keep happy!
Beth xx
By
Anonymous, at 8:39 pm
I'm really looking forward to the Narnia film, but yep, we're waiting until we're in Ottawa so we can see it with Jenny and her family.
Keep smiling folks! Even if you really bash your bum when out sledding - see my next post!
Beth, I think you're right. Satan really wants us to be miserable, to steal our joy. One of his ploys has been to make us think that it's everyone else's fault that I'm miserable, keeping us blind to the fact that it is up to us alone to choose whether we shall be miserable or happy. It's sure making me think!
By
Steve, at 9:16 pm
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