Fork Candles
Little Bean has been watching a “Best of” Ronnie Barker DVD lately, and so has come across this classic –
He had a giggle… so I showed him this clip, from a show called Would I Lie To You?, where guests are given a card with a story to read out , and the opposing team has to decide whether it’s a truth or lie…
Enjoy! 🙂
Open The Gates
The week between Christmas and New Year tends to be a quiet week for us. Life does tend to intrude… you can’t hide away from pain and tragedy. You can still your heart and focus on God. It’s been a time to take a breath – to “reset” from the hurtling months, slowing into the year’s change. It’s odd, really. Just another day. But tomorrow marks a fresh year, so somehow it seems significant.
I was listening to some songs this morning, and felt these spoke to the past year, and walking on into the future…
The gates of 2017 are about to open…
Let the King of Glory enter into your year!
While finding those, I also found this. It’s an old song, but still good! I love finding new songs, and have listened to some great ones over Christmas. Sometimes, the old favourites give a bit more comfort.
Lift up your head!
Tomorrow is a new day…
Hope Has Dawned (Again)
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!!!
One of my favourite carols is “O Holy NIght”. There are variations on the lyrics, but here’s one version…
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wise men from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Of course, there’s prophecies that speak of the coming Hope. Just the thing to meditate on if your year has been less than wonderful…
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
We may not feel that “thrill of hope”, certainly not every day… Hope still exists, and He is always available!
We have had a sweet, joyous Christmas Day so far 🙂 We still do the stocking presents on our bed first thing in the morning, even though we have two teenagers in the house now. They’re still excited… Then it’s breakfast time and the opening of the tree presents after.
My primary love language is gifts – so is Littlest Bean’s, I believe. That means we love receiving gifts 😉 , but also giving them. It’s just as much fun watching everyone else opening their gifts and seeing their reactions!
I had a bad day, health-wise, yesterday (had to miss the Christmas Eve service) and today was shaping up to be similar. Thankfully, I’ve been able to take it a bit easy. There’s something a bit decadent about reading in bed, with chocolate and coffee at my side!
I have many gifts – not just the tangible ones. I am truly blessed. Today is another opportunity to look again at where my blessing comes from, and meditate on Hope. ❤
Snippets
The days seem to be going fast… and summer is roaring in. It’s been hot and sticky lately. Probably good weather for the cute cacti I saw today! 🙂
Thankfully, we have a pool in the complex, which I’ve been taking advantage of.
(Was chatting to a little girl from one of the other units yesterday…
Little Girl -“Do you know what I like about my floaties?”
Me – “What’s that, then?”
LG – “They make me float!!!” *squeals* and abrupt demonstration…
I must admit – flotation was definitely evident. 😉 )
Today we went for a coffee.
Something called “Crack Pie” – oatmeal biscuit base with a sort of caramel filling.
My swan coffee (at least, I think that’s what it was…)
We made a good dent in Christmas shopping, and enjoyed it as well! It’s getting a bit more crowded… a bit more busy as the month goes on. Just about time for a song to remember the important things…
A Refreshing Interlude
Both today and yesterday! 🙂
The year’s coming to an end, so it felt like a good time for something different. We went down to the Japanese Gardens in Queen’s Park to spend some time, individually, being still and quiet. It was lovely – running water, birds, lots of dragonflies… Not sure Littlest Bean understood the idea – he spent the time darting around, counting all the animals and insects he encountered. Even turtles!
I sat outside the teahouse, listening and watching.
There was a lone lotus flower on the other side of the lake.
We went to the library afterwards. It was a refreshing break in our morning…
In other news, our thistle has probably reached the stage where it should be chopped down.
It’s getting a bit wild.
The flowers are still beautiful, though.
I chopped some branches off the mugwort today, and found a little ladybird.
I put it in the grass so it could fly away when it was ready. 🙂
So – what was my refreshment today? I didn’t know which to choose – a good old mystery, or a bit of nostalgic sci-fi. I decided to go for both – Blakes 7 – Mission To Destiny… Agatha Christie in Space!
