Beginnings, time-out and daily observations

In the beginning...the beginning of my blog-thinking that is...there was my pastor, pastor Dave. He is a kind, big-hearted man in whom you could feel the love and devotion to his Lord and his flock as clear as daylight...just oozing out of every message, word and smile. When remembering him (as he has since left our church to pastor, love and care for a younger congregation) I can hear his warm, friendly, father-like voice echoing this famous phrase which has since motivated and inspired me numerous times...that somehow, someway always seemed to slip into almost every message conclusion he gave, " Brother's and sister's , this I urge you today, keep your gaze on the Lord....and (only) a glance at the world.".
Time-out. Some of you may be familiar with this phrase....with some good or bad experiences attached to it. I came to know it as the only legal discipline act I could practise while profesionally teaching and caring for children in the U.S.A. The idea is that when a youngster is disobedient he/she is sent to the designated 'time-out' corner or chair, away from any other children, distractions or interests. The child is then explained that he/she must remain in that corner/chair for a certain period of time during which he/she is to think about what it did, why it disobeyed and how to do it the right way next time. When the time is up he/she must apologize to the offended party and promise to try and change the behaviour. Though I know that discipline is a very delicate subject (and I certainly don't want to get into that mess now) in most Christian circles (not just discipline of children but also adult punishment laws, death penalty..ect.) and I don't want to voice my opinion on this matter here, I would like to say that I have enjoyed to see the positive results from this time-out principle and try to use it as much as possible in my personal life...though I am still far from being as consistent with myself as I was with the children! The idea is that when I catch myself falling away from God's holiness and perfect laws I take 'time-out' to refocus on Him....figure out where I started to go downhill, what the circumstances and my reactions were and how I can aviod such mistakes and loop-holes next time. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to come before our Beloved on my knees again and feel that refreshing forgiveness and burdens lifted as I confess my guilt and shame.....oh to experience afresh that joy that we once had when we first were saved and now on a daily base as we learn to walk and later run the race with Him! He is good, so good! He is definately worth laying aside all earthly matters, yes to refocus our gaze anew on Him and for a moment, just a moment, forget about the world as we fill up on Him :-)!
Well friends...it's so exciting to see God at work in our lives and I'd like to share some experinces as a testimony to Him and hopefully encouragement to you (please feel free to take advantage of the new comments section at the end in which you can also share your thoughts and praises of our Lord...or comments on my 'Glances')!
Today's highlight: The Christmas tree!
As I was brousing through a secondhand/charity shop this afternoon...just doing some window shiopping and always on the lookout for a good buy, I noticed a medium sized, artificial Christmas tree underneath an old cupboard displaying some merchandise. I asked the friendly looking gentleman tending the shop how much he is asking for it. He told me that it was just brought in half an hour ago and as the shop was closing in an hour and then shut until the New Year, he was happy if I would take it....yes, he would give it to me for next to nothing as he wouldn't be able to sell it in the New Year...one British pound! Though I didn't have any use for it and I couldn't think of any friends that could use it I carried the morethan half my size tree in a box up the hill to my accomodation....a room in my future parents-in-laws house. Excited abou the great deal I told my future mother in-law about the tree and she said she knew just the person to have it! An oldre lady in our church who is like family to this family had been looking for an artificial tree for some days only to find that they were all sold out. A quick phone call soon found a happy soon to be Christmas tree owner and a blessed soul to have witnessed God's timing and joy in sharing with our bretheren.

Merry Christmas...and God's richest blessings to you for the exciting New Year 2004!