As Christmas approaches, I have asked my children some ideas for the grandchildren’s presents. I would like to try and get them something they want. As I started writing a little list and doing some research on trying to find some of the items my mind went to what we ask from our God. Not just at Christmas, but every day of the year. Jesus actually taught us to pray daily for our needs. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Are we asking God for our needs or our wants, our greatest desires? In faith, as we mature as Christians, we learn to trust in God and what He…

The rain was relentless, thundering down in sheets. So difficult to see the road so crawling slowly in a 100km/ hour zone. You open your eyes deliberately wide every now and again because the rain and the streetlights make everything seem blurred. It drains you of energy when after an hour you’re still trying to get to your destination and the rain has not stopped. Looking ahead is not possible in this weather. As I pray under my breath for God’s guidance and protection as the lightening starts, it reminds me of my life sometimes… Can’t see ahead.  I really need the Lord’s guidance and protection. The storms in my…

Oh, the Christmas Season is upon us, and I love it! I love the preparation, the carols, the delight on the children’s faces. It brings me such joy. We have started going to the end of the year Christmas concerts, where our grandchildren are participating in the singing or dancing components. One of my granddaughter’s was practicing her singing around the house one afternoon. Her Mum asked her what she was doing. She stopped and explained that she was practising the songs for the Christmas Concert. After listening a bit longer her Mum interrupted her and asked, “oh whose Xavier?” Her daughter replied, “that’s Jesus’ other name.” Her Mum, holding…

The day started out foggy. No, it was not a depiction of the weather outside. It was what was going on inside of my brain. I felt as if there was a low-lying cloud inside. A fog. So hard to see, think, read and write. I know that I had had enough sleep so surely this grey cloud would lift as my day progressed. Sadly the sun did not shine and dissipate the fog. Even the morning coffee did not quell the fog. Next proceeded the headache. The throbbing of the temples and the sore muscle points around the neck. After taking some pain relief, breathing deeply, I stopped and…

As I walked into the house I immediately felt at home. Have you ever been to places like that? Have you been to someone else’s house and felt that?  No, it was not the layout, the furniture, the decorations, all that stuff we put into our homes for comfort. It was not the wonderful hospitality of everything we needed, with extra blankets for warmth, supplies of shampoo and conditioner, bottled water and delicious food. It was the warmth oozing from the walls, coming from the family that lived there. The walls, the air, the atmosphere had picked up how they were to look and feel from this family unit.  If I…