At Grow in Christmas cheer 3 we learnt about the 12 days of Christmas, we sang carols, we reflected on the magi, ate Christmas cake and learnt how to make our own gift tags.
Who is God? Incarnate God - Jesus. Fulfilling the plan of salvation, for everyone. Jesus becoming human. Reaching out to those who are "not of the fold." The father of Jesus, who wants to reach a wide range of people, through horoscopes and peace labyrinths. A God who makes announcements, who created stars, who planted dreams and visions into people and continues to do so. God is achieving this by people who are obedient to the message of these visions. God is a truth not a decoration, bringing people hope, by giving us Jesus so that we can have eternal life. Able to use all types of people. Shaking people's perceptions of what is appropriate or inappropriate as a form of worship. Helping us when we get stuck. Hearing, preaching his word and being challenged on the fundamental beliefs we hold. God is vitally interested in humans. God is calling all sorts of people, all sorts of ways eg visions, extraordinary ways, with and without the help of people. He is father of Jesus. Using us to tell the message of hope we have because Jesus was born. Uses the most likely people to achieve things. Doesn't always work in ways we expect.
Who are we? Human like Jesus. Going to heaven. Following God's roadmap (not a baked bean tin!). We are seekers. We are servants. We are potentially creative. Someone who still seeks Jesus. Growing in relationship with him. We are going to Bethlehem and the New Jerusalem, continuing the journey with him. Part of the story.Jesus seekers. Stop, listen, go. We are very different and have very different ways of reaching God. Walking a hard journey. Trying to stay on the path. GROWing. Questioning the unfamiliar. Have expectations (limited). A person least likely in human terms to have any skills God can use, but most likely in God terms. We are going on a journey -in the opposite direction to what my horoscope would have me believe. Is the getting there that important or progressing and staying on the right path on my journey! The journey is the destination.
How then should we live out our lives? Keep walking. To reach out to a wide range of people. Showing people the love of Jesus (caring, hugging the unhugged, being willing to listen, unconditionally loving people). Using our skills to seek and serve God. Read the stars. Use our gifts. Listen to our conscience. Generously, expectantly, continue to look and seek. Peacefully. Hopefully. Expecting God to work in the unexpected. Matthew 22:2-14.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Grow in Christmas cheer week 1
Who is God? Creator. The same – still cares. God is personally interested in everyone. Our Saviour. Fulfills long-term promises that may have been forgotten. Our father. God of the lonely and hurting, poor, giving hope to everyone – not just the “South islanders”. The light of the world. God is – justice – hope – mercy – love – peace – joy). He is achieving these things through Hope International, us and would use Freeset agencies, Oxfam, Trade Aid, Tearfund Opawa Baptist
What is God doing in the world? God is in us, using us to spread the word. Allowing people to care for others with real needs through different agencies. Opening our eyes to what is around us. Bringing people to Himself. Making Himself known. Drawing all people together, bringing comfort to the elderly. Working through us. Making it better. Making contact with us.
How is God achieving this? The Gospel story is the same now as it was in N.T. times. Allowing people to see Him through other’s obedience eg Christmas journey, Ballentynes Window, Christmas Float. Planting compassion in people’s hearts so they see the needs of others. Through His word and people. Being obedient to the Holy Spirits leading. Making us aware of poor, through organizations, through church, through Santa parade/peace Labyrinth. Through global culture and communication. Blogging, txt, internet, travel, teaching & preaching. By helping people out. Praying Through Jesus being born at Christmas so he could come (be re-born) on Christmas Day
Who am I? A student. We are women with a God given purpose. Special to God and he has chosen us/me. Somebody important to God. Somebody that God can work through. The chosen. Special. Loved, part of the promise – rich in resources to be shared with others, grateful for our fresh water! God’s instrument in his plan. Loved by God – worth being earth-resided.
Where am I going? To the land to live sustainably – to polytech – probably then heaven hopefully.We are anticipating the birth. Everyone is headed into eternity – one way or another. After life home. Towards Christmas
How am I supposed to get there? Sell my house. Through the Holy Spirit. Patiently – not always easy. Stillness (at least 5mins!). Walk. Visit elderly. With joy and thankfulness. Listening to His leading. Holy and pleasing to Him in all we do and say. Reading God’s word, acting on it. Having a personal relationship with our Creator. Be faithful. Walk. To look forward to God’s promises. To keep growing, giving, remembering the promises. Being faithful, spending time with God. By preparing spiritually as well as practically
How then should we live out our lives? Grow old with God! In a daily relationship with Him. In Celebration of what He has done in our lives. The more you read, the more you learn, the more you trust. Helping people. As good people who help others. Eat, drink, and exercise. Pray believe in God. Live, give, remember and look forward. Gratefully (emotion not cheese!) Generously!
What is God doing in the world? God is in us, using us to spread the word. Allowing people to care for others with real needs through different agencies. Opening our eyes to what is around us. Bringing people to Himself. Making Himself known. Drawing all people together, bringing comfort to the elderly. Working through us. Making it better. Making contact with us.
How is God achieving this? The Gospel story is the same now as it was in N.T. times. Allowing people to see Him through other’s obedience eg Christmas journey, Ballentynes Window, Christmas Float. Planting compassion in people’s hearts so they see the needs of others. Through His word and people. Being obedient to the Holy Spirits leading. Making us aware of poor, through organizations, through church, through Santa parade/peace Labyrinth. Through global culture and communication. Blogging, txt, internet, travel, teaching & preaching. By helping people out. Praying Through Jesus being born at Christmas so he could come (be re-born) on Christmas Day
Who am I? A student. We are women with a God given purpose. Special to God and he has chosen us/me. Somebody important to God. Somebody that God can work through. The chosen. Special. Loved, part of the promise – rich in resources to be shared with others, grateful for our fresh water! God’s instrument in his plan. Loved by God – worth being earth-resided.
Where am I going? To the land to live sustainably – to polytech – probably then heaven hopefully.We are anticipating the birth. Everyone is headed into eternity – one way or another. After life home. Towards Christmas
How am I supposed to get there? Sell my house. Through the Holy Spirit. Patiently – not always easy. Stillness (at least 5mins!). Walk. Visit elderly. With joy and thankfulness. Listening to His leading. Holy and pleasing to Him in all we do and say. Reading God’s word, acting on it. Having a personal relationship with our Creator. Be faithful. Walk. To look forward to God’s promises. To keep growing, giving, remembering the promises. Being faithful, spending time with God. By preparing spiritually as well as practically
How then should we live out our lives? Grow old with God! In a daily relationship with Him. In Celebration of what He has done in our lives. The more you read, the more you learn, the more you trust. Helping people. As good people who help others. Eat, drink, and exercise. Pray believe in God. Live, give, remember and look forward. Gratefully (emotion not cheese!) Generously!
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