Haiti

Even the most insensitive should have been shocked by the situation in Haiti which has long held an unenviable record as one of the world's poorest countries. Tragedy brings out the best and the worst in human nature. In a Salvation Army children's home unaffected by the quake there are fears that it may be invaded by starving neighbours or gangs seeking any food thought to be within its walls, meagre though that may be. Getting supplies to desperately needy people is difficult because of roads clogged by debris and by people sleeping out for fear of being killed by masonry falling from any buildings. The UN Secretary General is at the scene and hopefully it may soon be possible to bring some order out of the chaos and much needed aid to the desperately needy. Prayer and financial assistance is all that most of us can offer - and should offer - to help.

Cock-a-doodle-doo

It has been said that there is often a lot more 'cock-a-doodle doo' than 'cock-a-doodle-done. The air is often filled with opinions about what should or should not be done by other people and rather less by reports of things done and advances made. It may be hoped that 2010 will be the year of the achiever - a time when we move beyond the talk-fest to positive action on issues such as climate change, people trafficking, binge drinking and road carnage. Never mind the spin and the buck-passing, we need to see something done!

Geting adjusted

Adjustment is a necessary part of living. In a new year we have to remember the change of dateline. Soon the holiday hiatus will be over and we will have to adjust to busier roads and the routine changes in our work. Life cannot stand still. If anything doesn't change its change! But we survive by being adaptable and by moving with the times. That has always been the case, now more than ever, and instead of being daunted we should relish the challenge it brings.

God is down to earth!

The message of the Christmas angels spoke of glory to God in the highest Heaven but also of his glory - expressed in peace and goodwill - on the lowest earth. God is not confined to a rarefied spiritual atmosphere beyond our comprehension. He is to be found in the rough and tumble world where we are, not remote or removed. He is with us and only a prayer away. He was revealed to humble shepherds and was born in a smelly stable. And if our hearts are open we may know his presence in the bustling supermarket or the crowded street. It is a sense of God's presence which can make the meaning of Christmas really come alive for us.

We might make the following our prayer: 'When our Christmas joy evaporates with the frustration of Christmas shopping and my holiday plans elaborate until I'm wrapped in the trappings and trapped in the wrappings, Lord untangle me; help me get the tinsel out of my hair refresh me with a look at the gift of your Son'.

No present like the time

It is said that there is no time like the present but also, there is no
present like the time! We might receive wealth or position but without
time they would be of little worth. The gift of time is not something
to be left under the tree but rather to be used wisely and well.
Compared with previous generations we have many time saving devices
but what do we do with the time which is saved? We should resolve to
spend it wisely, and the time to begin is now!

A culture of death?

AN announcement on Australian T-V news stated that the leading cause of death for both men and women under thirty five was suicide and it seems that this obtains in some of the richest countries. The tragedies of affluence abound. But why this waste . not least among young people with the potential to 'make it' in life?
I put it down to a lack of faith in the widest sense of the term. Many lose faith in themselves and in there being any meaning in this life and are ready to take their chance on the next world even if for them it represents nothing but oblivion.
People with a positive attitude or faith believe that the best is always yet to be. Life is not a bubble, empty and without significance. It is more like an egg, full of untold posibilities.
Life is to be affirmed and meant to be lived to the full believing that God loves us and thinks highly of us.

Live contact

No doubt recorded messages have their uses but sometimes I am frustrated when I phone a firm and receive a series of recorded answers to questions I never thought of asking anyway. I want to scream 'Let me talk to a live person to whom I can explain my individual need!' On many issues I am glad that by faith I can speak to God and be assured of his care and concern for me as an individual. I will not be fobbed of with a stock answer but will receive grace sufficient for my need.