Try kneeling

It is said that if we have long-standing problems we should try kneeling.Prayer can change things or more likely, prayer can change people. Folk have known that since time began but unfortunately some have forgotten it. God is only a prayer away. We don't have to 'go it alone'. He is nearer that we think.

Resolutions or revolutions?

How are the New Year resolutions going? Some may be shortlived and forgotten by the second week in January. The need is for something more than a resolution; we may need a revolution. Unless people are governed by God they are likely to be ruled by tyrants, controlled by prejudices or addictions.But faith in God can be the spark that starts a revolution in our hesrts and the beginning of a new era in our lives.

The month of January

This seems to be a time when Australia 'dies' to prepare for living again. Even those who are not on holiday have a kind of holiday. Certainly the pace of life slackens and the traffic abates. I usually use the time to clear out rubbish - old documents, magazines and the like. I am a squirrel by nature and tend to hoard bits and pieces which just might come in handy. My wife on the other hand is enthusiastic about clearing out and looks eagerly at my well-lined book shelves which she thinks should be thinned out. I have resisted so far but I fear I may be weakening. I need the support of other husbands under seige! Hoarders of the world should unite!!

Black dog

One of my Christmas presents was a large book entitled, "Churchill and Australia". The subject was sometimes described as 'the greatest living Englishman' and certainly his achievements were huge but so were his mistakes and sometimes he was subject to depression which he described as his 'black dog'.He had the weaknesses of his strength. He who could rise to great heights could plunge to great depths. As a lesser mortal I find fascination in history and biography and in the realization that even the great and famous have to struggle with themselves and their frailties even as I do.

Holidays

The word holiday is derived from 'holy day' and reminds us that originally it was the Christian Church which insisted that employees should be given time off for rest, recreation and worship. Like metal human beings can suffer from fatigue. We need to be renewed in strength. At this time of year many people exercise their right to rest and hopefully use it wisely.

What's new?

So what is new about New Year - apart from a date on the calendar? Much remains the same - chores to be done, bills to be paid,appointments to be kept. But just as punctuation marks can lift a sentence liable to sag so a New Year can be the occasion for new resolves that can lift our living. We can determine that with God's help we will do better in the future than we have done in the past. We know that there is room for improvement and if we do some 'possibility thinking' we may not only make some good resolutions but keep thas as well.

Christmas at home?

The possibility of getting home for Christmas is relished by many but also impossible for others. But it should be remembered that the holy family were away from their home because of an edict by the Roman government. There were no home comforts for them but they were (and are) at the centre of spiritual gravity, where God's action was. Christmas is spiritually rather than geographically located. It is where there is true worship of the Son of God. In that sense we can take our Christmas with us and find its true meaning wherever we are.