Thought for the day

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better person." - Benjamin Franklin

Start saying goodbye to 2010 and let's start preparing to seize every moment of 2011!

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

What happened to that?

Do you remember that CD you got on Christmas day a few years ago? Or that lovely dress or shirt? What about that book or DVD? Or even that slab of decadent chocolate or box of biscuits?

They are either all gone, wearing out, lost, on the shelf or have been eaten. That's what happens to gifts that we give to one another - they just don't last forever.

This year at Christmas let's remember that God's gift to us (Jesus) will live forever. He will reign from everlasting to everlasting.

So please enjoy giving and receiving gifts this Christmas, but let's not forget to open our hearts to the best gift of them all - Jesus!

"He who has the son has life;
He who does not have the Son of God does not have life." - 1 John 5:12
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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

A life that is changed!

How has Christ changed your life?

Are you thinking about the answer carefully? Can you think about specific ways in which your life is different?

John Wesley believed that when we surrender our entire lives to Christ that things become radically different. Read this quote:

"When a person becomes a Christian, they become industrious, trustworthy and prosperous. Now, if that person, when they get all they can and save all they can, does not give all they can, I have more hope for Judas Iscariot than for that person!" - John Wesley

Wow, that seems harsh, but perhaps he has a point.

Pray about it and let me know your thoughts - have a blessed day.
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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Christmas gifts

If you haven't chosen Christmas gift's yet, then perhaps you want to have a read of this inspiring quote:

"Christmas Gift Suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect." - Oren Arnold

I love these sentiments. I would add one more though...
"To Christ, my worship!"

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Specific love

In our journey and preparation for Christmas we encounter many aspects of Christ's love. These words inspired me today. May they impact your day too.

"God's love for the world is far more than an indefinable idea or a generalized affection. God's love has become specific. It is directed towards individuals. Stand before the manger, and you will discover that God's love is not just for the world as a mass, but for every individual in the world. FOR ME. FOR YOU." - C. Welton Gaddy

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Advertising

December is prime-time for advertising. Shops and stores try to announce their 'special deals' in order to get more customers. More customers = bigger sales = happy bosses = good prospects for the new year.

Shouldn't we also be using December as a time to 'advertise' the birth of Jesus. People are more open to the things of God at this time of the year. People are more willing to contemplate Christ at Christmas, even if it's just for a fleeting moment. In fact, that's all we needed for our lives to be changed - a fleeting moment.

How about praying that God's name is honoured through this season of 'adverts' and economics. Pray that the Spirit of Christ would impact your community.

This is how the angel's 'advertised' the birth of Jesus - it was effective too!:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. - Luke 2:14-16

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Simplify

I arrived at the Church gate this afternoon and I pushed the remote to get in. Nothing happened! I tried again and still nothing happened. I was just about to get out and see why the stupid gate wasn't working when I realised I was using the wrong remote (I was using my house remote!) Boy, did I feel stupid. (Those of you who have done the same thing are still laughing with me, right?)

Here's my thoughts on this:
1. I have too many 'things' in my life. I need to simplify. Christmas can be a time for clutter and things. How do I simply? I am not 100% sure, but for starters, I guess I need to get a bigger perspective on things.

I remember how we stressed as new parents about having a doctor, gynaecologist, paediatrician, nurse and support staff for the delivery of our boys - all in a private hospital! Compare this with Jesus being born in a stinky stable, with no 'support staff' - it was just Joseph and Mary and a few animals, yet God made a plan!

2. I must be tired (or blond) trying to open a gate with a wrong remote. Truth is, sometimes we try and connect with God on our terms. We use 'our way' (remote) and when it doesn't work we keep pushing harder. All along, God waits for us to stop pushing and then he says, "Use the right remote!"

Isaiah 55:8 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD."

Have a blessed day and remember to simplify and use the right remote.

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Ripple effect

At our combined Advent service this week we heard about the 'ripple effect' Jesus has made in our world. It is hard to fathom that the birth of one child can impact humanity in such a profound way - Jesus' incarnation has rippled throughout our planet and we still feel it today. Are you ready to be touched by the birth of Jesus?

"Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience." - Handel Brown

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Besides ourselves

Under times of great emotional stress people use the phrase, "I was beside myself!" Now, at first glance this seems such a weird thing to say. How can we physically be "next to" ourselves? In truth, we can't! However, there are times when we are so stressed that it feels as if our soul and body are in two separate places.

This is where the phrase originates - ancient Greeks believed that under intense pressure a persons soul left their body and settled 'besides' themselves.

So this Advent season let's try not to be 'besides ourselves' - let us rather remember that God walks with us and that God will give us the strength we need to enjoy this festive season. I'd rather have God besides me, than my 'soul' leaving my body.

But that's just me!

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Advent Prayer

We are only weeks away from Christmas and the hype is evident to all. How are you preparing for the Christmas season? Are you expecting anything from Christ this year? Are you wanting to give something special this Christmas?

I stumbled across a little book by Hilary McDowell called "On the way to Bethlehem." Her reflections are quite inspiring. Here is one of her prayers - may it offer us some insight into the spirit of Advent.

"Lord, please gift me with the right amount of wonder for anticipation; a healthy degree of trepidation to know I travel in the hands of a living God who can touch my yesterdays as much as my tomorrows. Lord make me expectant, make me new. Amen."

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za

Embrace Life

As a teenager I remember watching Leo Buscaglia speak on video (before DVD days). One of the things that impressed me about him was the way he embraced life and how he was not afraid to do different things. He is well known for the way he would turn to everyone in a lift and start speaking to them - which is not something many people are willing to do. It literally freaked people out, but he genuinely wanted to engage with people.

Here is one of his inspirational quotes:
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot, hang on and swing!"

May you know the power of Christ in your life today. Hang on to Jesus.

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Living in Grace is written by Delme Linscott, a minister and author. Delme's first book was 'Living Oceans Apart’ and he has just completed his second which is called 'Now: Refuse to let the moment pass.' You can find out more on www.livingingrace.co.za