It's all about you Jesus

After Christmas, 

we talk about presents

 small, big, cheap or expensive! 

What did you get for Christmas? 

what did you eat? 

who was there?

eloquent answers : 

I got ... he got ...she bought....

we spent too much

had a great time

True joy forever

'cos the real reason

 for the celebration

 is you, Jesus, 

you came on earth, 

 to show us the love

You died for us

 so we could live.

Accept Jesus for your saviour

Peace to you all.

The imitation of Christ

Thomas à Kempis - Ascetical writer

(circa. 1380-1471), priest, monk and writer

Thomas, whose family name was Hammercken, was born in the Rhineland town of Kempen near Düsseldorf in Germany. The school he attended at nearby Deventer in Holland had been started by Gerard Groote, founder of the Brothers of the Common Life. These were men devoted to prayer, simplicity, and union with God. Thomas of Kempen, as he was known at school, was so impressed by his teachers that he decided to live his own life according to their ideals. 

When he was 19 he entered the monastery of Mount St. Agnes, which the Brothers had recently started near Zwolle in Holland and which was then being administered by his older brother John. He spent the rest of his long life behind the walls of that monastery. From time to time Thomas was given a position of authority in the community of monks, but he consistently preferred the quiet of his cell to the challenge of administration. The other monks eventually recognized Thomas' talent for deep thought and stopped troubling him with practical affairs.

Thomas wrote a number of sermons, letters, hymns, and information about the lives of the saints. He reflected the mystical spirituality of his times, the sense of being absorbed in God. The most famous of his works is The Imitation of Christ. This book, free from intellectual pretensions, has had great appeal to anyone interested in probing beneath the surface of life. "A poor peasant who serves God," Thomas wrote in it, "is better than a proud philosopher who … ponders the courses of the stars." The book advised the ordering of one's priorities "Vain and brief is all human comfort. Blessed and true is that comfort which is derived inwardly from the Truth." Thomas advised where to look for happiness. "The glory of the good is in their own consciences, and not in the mouths of men." The Imitation of Christ has come to be, after the Bible, the most widely translated book in Christian literature. Thomas died in the same monastic obscurity in which he had lived, on Aug. 8, 1471.

If you do not enjoy the favor of men, do not let it sadden you; but consider it a serious matter if you do not conduct yourself as well or as carefully as is becoming for a servant of God and a devout religious. Book 1, ch 21-25

Did you know about that scholar? I only found out about him last week.. 

As it is nearly Christmas, we will keep on the A-Z challenge in the New Year. 

The big challenge!

F

For I know the plans I have for you", 

declares the Lord,

 "plans to prosper you

 and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and

 a future."

 Jeremiah 29:1

G

"God is our refuge and strength, 

an ever present help in trouble."

 Psalm 46:1

Apology for not posting anything on Saturday. I find these two verses awesome. I only discovered the first one about 4 years ago; suddenly my whole life made sense. Reconciliation with my Father in Heaven has given me not only hope in a new life but a new life altogether. The story of David and other characters in the bible illustrate how well God helps his children and all who trust in him. If you have the opportunity to witness to others by telling them the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord when you hit difficult times, they may wish to know more about Him. 

Want to take part in this challenge? H for...

Hebrews 3:13

E     Encourage one another, while it is still Today. Hebrews 3:13

If you have just stumbled upon this blog, we are taking part in a challenge, the A-Z challenge. How many bible verses will you be able to memorise at the end of it? Do join us, who will give us a verse starting with a F ?
Have a blessed week-end! Yours in Christ

Delight yourself in the Lord...

D  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

In Psalm 40, David writes, "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure."(v.1,2).

I don't know about you but everytime I read these verses, my heart sinks; I was just in a 'desolate pit' and the Lord 'set my feet upon a rock' just like that. Therefore I will praise the Lord forever and delight in his Word.

 

'True delight in the Lord then, will always express itself in obedience to Him. True delight in the Lord will always express itself in praise. And the third way we are to express our delight in the Lord is by sharing our faith--' Rev. Bryn McFail

If you wish to take part in the amazing A to Z challenge aiming at memorising bible verses, let us know! Just give us the E. Have a blessed Friday. Yours in Christ.

I will give you rest.. says Jesus, our Saviour.

C   Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28

I hope that this beautiful promise made by Jesus, our redeemer,  is as real in your everyday life as in mine. Things never go as smoothly as you wish, at best things move at worst, they stop moving and disasters can strike..Whoever thinks that he/she can get out of sticky situations on their own strength are painfully mistaken. It is so easy to humble oneself and cry out to the Lord and ask Him for help. 

How then do we spread the word and bless our neighbours ? Memorising bible verses is definitely helpful . 

Join us in our A-Z challenge, let's memorise bible verses. Who will give us the letter D ?

Blessings. Your sister in Christ.

Join us in our exceptional A-Z challenge!

B     Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9  Thanks Crystal Mary!

Memorising verses can be a real challenge ...so will you join me and spread the word?  Of course, you may know a few or more already. I confess that I will rely entirely on the help of our Lord to do so. . Have a blessed evening! 

An A to Z challenge..

Memorising one verse every day will be a real challenge for me....will you join me ?  Of course, you may know a few or more already. I confess that I find it difficult to memorise the chapter and number of verses. The verses are in alphabetical order already so that should help!

Here is the first one:
A  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Have a blessed evening. Yours in Christ. N.