Preparing for a New Year

"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 2011 and start preparing to seize every moment of 2012!

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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

Paths

In a surge of adrenaline it is great to blaze new trails and to set new trends. It is exhilarating to go where others haven't gone before and I encourage you to dream outrageous dreams.

However, there are times when it is prudent to walk on ancient paths, to step where others have walked safely for generations. God has laid out guidelines and 'paths' for us to follow - and these will lead us in a Godly direction. Never be too proud to walk these roads.

There will still be plenty of action, excitement and new opportunities along God's Paths, but we need to trust Him along the journey.

Psalm 25:4 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths."

Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

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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

Tilt

Last week I was driving from Petrol station to Petrol station trying to fill up with petrol. I eventually managed to find one that had unleaded petrol, but I was getting worried for a moment. While I was driving around something made me tilt my head left and look at the petrol gauge from a side view - it definitely looked a lot better. The gauge showed I had a quarter of a tank. However, when I carried on with my experiment and tilted my head 'right' the gauge was in the red. Both were inaccurate - the truth lay somewhere in the middle.

When you are facing a situation, which way are you looking at it? If our perspective is tilted to much to the one side we may panic unnecessarily. However, if our perspective is at the opposite extreme, we may think all is fine, when we need to be preparing for action.

Let's seek the balance.

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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

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

Ripple Effect

I remember once hearing at an Advent service 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

What Do You Do With Failure?

When Robert Fulton was still a teenager he became fascinated with a remarkable idea. He had seen the impact of the new steam engines and had thought about transferring the same principle onto a paddle boat. His first attempt was a complete flop - the boat sank. This setback didn't stop him from achieving his dream. Today he is accredited as designing and building the first commercial steamboat. In 1800 he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history. Not bad for a young person, hey?

What do you do with failure? Do you allow it to stop you from fulfilling your dreams? Or do you see failure as a way of refining your purpose and destiny?

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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