Have a blessed 2008.

Well, 2007 is just about over, where did it go? As we enter 2008 my prayer is that you will draw closer to God. For the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit I continue to pray for rain, both physical and spiritual.God is calling more and more of his people to prayer. Australia has a unique and special destiny in God, the best is yet to come. It is my dream to see revival sweep our country, that Australian's of all types and backgrounds will come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That our great sporting arena's will be filled with people seeeking and praising God instead of sport. (Not that I don't like sport.} May Jesus be the guiding light that directs your path in 2008.

Christmas blessings.

Well I have done all my shopping and nearly all my baking. I have given out heaps of packages of shortbread and other goodies that I baked. Written all my cards and generally submerged myself in Christmas, which I love. Even though it can be a lot of effort, it is always a joy to bless others.

So as you celebrate this Christmas season with your loved ones I would wish you much happiness and remind you of our greatest gift. Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." A David Meece song expresses my thoughts beautifully.

We Are The Reason
As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live

It is my prayer this Christmas that Jesus would be your reason to live.

I am a survivor.

Last week was the anniversary of the car accident that has greatly impacted my life. It's funny I can still remember that morning so clearly, my plans for the day. Then I have a gap of time that I have never recovered, till I regained consciousness in casualty. You never believe it is going to happen to you, till it does.It's amazing the thoughts that go through your mind. I remember being glad that I had had a shower that morning. I also thought that I was dying, because of the pain I was in.This is actually a good thing as I remember clearly that I wasn't afraid because I loved God.All my life I had not had one broken one bone, till that day when I had 16 fractures all on my left side.

What I didn't realise then was how greatly my life was changed.I have always felt that the person I was before the accident, died or disappeared on that morning. Because the person that emerged afterwards was distinctly different. How I tried to get my life quickly back to normal. But normal didn't hide those things I was now struggling with. Pain entered my life than and has not left since. Post traumatic stress and interesting term but not an enjoyable process. Car accident victims should all be referred to counselling, which I wasn't.Trying to find my own answers was not easy. If I had not been a Christian I do not think I could have survived those days. So, here I am another year gone, I still stand a survivor. Christine's advice for when you are having a dark day and depression surrounds you. You must keep this one rule at those times. I will not make a decision that impacts my life when I can not trust my emotions to rule my life. My thoughts and prayers are with all those other survivors who deal daily with the consequences of a car accident.

Bowling and where is Jesus?

Hi, I have had a nice week not working.Although there always seems to be so much to do for Christmas. I have done a lot of walking around shopping centres in the last 2 days. A few more presents bought but a I have still have a bit to do. I had my first experience on Ebay the other day and to my surprise I actually won the auction, so I am just waiting to see what the item is like when it turns up. I hope it is ok as it is a Christmas present.

I went bowling the other night for my work Christmas break up. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately my physio had told me not to bowl one handed, nor was I to bend my knee. Ok you try and bowl with those instructions. So to no ones great surprise I came last however I was awarded the cutest little trophy. Anyway everyone had a good time which was the point of the exercise.

I stopped off at a cake decorating place yesterday to look for something to top my Christmas cake. All I found was Santa's and Merry Christmas.I went and asked the sales assistance if they any Nativity ones only to be told no. Interestingly enough she said that they have commercialised Christmas too much. I said to her there was no point celebrating Christmas if they take Jesus out of it. He is the reason for the season.

Fruit cake.

Well it took me a few hours but I now have a number of containers filled with shortbread. They turned out really well this year, stars, hearts, christmas trees, angels and those with the traditional scotch thistle pattern. Tonight I cut up the fruit for the fruit cake. I have to admit to hating this task, it is sticky, time consuming and plain hard work. Then at the end I add the rum, all this for a cake I will never eat. I hate fruit cake, however I am told I make a good one. I don't drink and have always disliked alcohol. So I am always astonished how much rum costs when I go and buy it for the Christmas cake. People actually choose to pay that much and drink this stuff!

My Christmas tree is up but I imagine I will still be tweaking it for days.I had a drama with the lights this year. For the first time they didn't work when I unpacked them. Trying to find the bulb that does not work amongst 100 bulbs is a challenge. I took my self off to the hardware store only to come back with the wrong bulbs. Yes, I will take one with me next time. So, I was disappointed a Christmas tree really needs it's lights. Then I got innovative the greenery I have hanging above my tree also has lights. On checking they were same size bulbs so I found one then two bulbs to replace. Holding my breath I turned the power on and it still didn't work. Not liking to be stumped I tried again today and found another bulb to replace and yes I have lights!

December already!

Since I have last blogged I recieved good news. I don't have to have the surgery I thought I did. So Praise God all systems go for Christmas preparation. I have already wrapped my first present. I am a little behind with my tree, I like to have it ready for the 1st December at the moment it is a work in progress. My weekend was flat out. I hit a popular market which I go to with a friend every December, it has become a Christmas tradition. Last year it rained, this year it was hot and the Australia's infamous flies were out in force. What is it with them this year? However I had a great time and got a few presents. Bonus!Then I dashed home to write a sermon which I finished at 11:30 pm. Talk about tired, Sunday I preached and then worked in the afternoon. Now I am on holiday for a little while, hooray. Sleep ins here I come. Tomorrow I plan to make a quadraple, it that a word, mix of shortbread. I can't help it I just love everything about Christmas.