Advent Reflections

[Lenardzw]

Great thread. Thought provoking stuff too.
My experience (and I'm sure many can relate) has been that Christ has guided me through life's many twists and turns often in spite of me. He is an amazing source of wisdom and has an answer for every situation. Like the voice on my car navigator, He doesn't have attitude when I lose my way or when I choose my own path. Christ is not one to get exasperated and say, "Who told you to do that? Didn't I say you should go this way? You just never listen do you?" He just patiently provides guidance out of situations that I may have foolishly walked into. That, for me is priceless. The key is that I must be willing to follow...

Time and again I speak to your heart
But the cares that burden you are many
And I can’t seem to get a Word in
Oh child, how I long for you to sit still and listen
Can you not see that I AM the answer to those many questions?
Will you not realise that I AM the Healer?
But sadly, as I call out, “Child! Wait!”
I see you turn away...once again
I see you pick up your burden and make your way back
Back to your tiny, unfulfilled, troubled existence
Back to your pain
Back to your little World
The one I came to rescue you from​

 

[cinder]

Question 4: Who and what do you value?

Loving some of your guy's answers and insights by the way.

 

[Lynx]

Value is... highly subjective. To illustrate, a bar of (alleged) "chocolate" from that brand that starts with an H has a NEGATIVE value to me. In other words somebody would have to pay me to eat it. But Wal-Mart values it at (currently) 87 cents, just like all the other candy bars.


I value anything that makes a positive difference. We're all in this world doing the best we can. We can't take anything with us when we die so the best thing to do with what we have is make the trip through life better as much as we can for as many as we can.

I value tools that are good quality. My computer is a ThinkPad because in my experience they last forever. If I buy a hammer I want to make sure it won't fall apart ten years from now. My phone, my car, my shoes, any tool I buy I spend a bit of time researching whether it will be a good one. Usually doesn't take much, a quick google or looking up the customer reviews on amazon.

I value people who value that first thing I said I value. People who aim to help people are good people to know, and not just when you need help. They have a wisdom that goes further than logic ever can.

 

[Lynx]

Hey Cinder, you gonna answer your own questions? Or you gonna leave us hanging? ^.^

 

[Galatea]

Who do I value? I hope everyone. It is probably going to sound trite or pat or something. But, I want to come to the point that I can see every person and value them as much as God does. I want to be able to look at people and think "Jesus thinks so highly of you, He died for you." I am not there, yet. Sometimes when people are unkind, it is hard to remember. Sometimes, when you feel wronged, it is hard to remember that Christ died for them, too.

What do I value? Probably too many things. But, I think the things I most value are some paperback Anne of Green Gables series books that my grandmother gave me as a thirteenth birthday present. She inscribed them to me with the nickname she called me. She passed away in 2001, so these are very special to me.

 

[Dino246]

Question 4: Who and what do you value?

Loving some of your guy's answers and insights by the way.

... my integrity (such as it is, by God's grace)

... unstructured time

... the company of good friends

... a warm home (it's -16 today, and with the wind it feels like -29... Celsius)

... learning, and having the freedom to learn what interests me

 

[cinder]

Hey Cinder, you gonna answer your own questions? Or you gonna leave us hanging? ^.^

I've journaled a few pages for each of them, but I don't know that I have the answers. But a few cinder thoughts before lynx dies from hanging:

The best gift was people who saw the good in me when I felt like a total mess and invested in me out of their own resources.

I'm not sure if I can define the difference between contentment and joy, or if one is as good as the other.

We need our wonderful counselor in the messy places in life, where the question is it a sin is hard to answer he helps us realize that, that question isn't the best way to direct our life. (not saying we should sin, saying that sometimes we're more interested in classifying actions than really engaging in difficult situations).

I'm not so sure I value valuing myself; I find it hard to accept that I deserve just as much compassion, consideration, and generosity from me as other people do.

 

[Lenardzw]

Who? The people that God has placed in my life. This wasn't an accident as everything He does is pretty intentional. God has given me great friends from my local church and I had the privilege of being raised in a loving family. As I write this I notice a phrase on my desk calendar, "Be a rainbow in someones cloud." I have a few rainbows that have shown up over the years and I treasure them.What? Time. As I get older I realise how precious every day is. At times I rue missed opportunities but I look forward to the ones that still lie ahead. I value what God has blessed me with: gifts, opportunity, provision, my health and the awesome weather my rather poor country has - "best in the world." I am beginning to value leisure time more and more too.

 

[cinder]

Question 5: How can we use things to make people feel valued?

 

[Dino246]

Question 5: How can we use things to make people feel valued?

Many of us live in societies where everyone has an abundance of "stuff", myself included. Much of this stuff goes unused most of the time. Case in point: I own three ladders (and am looking out for a 4th)... different sizes and applications. It is ludicrous to think that I can use all three at one time. So when my neighbour mentions that he needs help with Christmas lights, I think nothing of lending him one (and a few minutes of time) to get the job done. It is a small thing to share little-used stuff when someone else needs it.

I know this only touches one aspect of the question...

 

[Galatea]

Question 5: How can we use things to make people feel valued?

If we consider words things, I have become very aware this year of how my words can make someone feel valued or worthless. I am reminded of the proverb "A word fitly spoken is like an apple of gold in a picture of silver." I was hasty and made someone feel worthless with my words, and now the relationship is broken. I am hopefully (with the grace of God) going to enter this new year by making sure I do not let my anger get the best of me and turn around and wound others with my tongue. It has been the biggest regret of my life.

 

[cinder]

Question 6: What does it mean that Jesus is called Mighty God?

Yeah I know, these aren't evenly spaced in their posting. I'm working them through as I have time to journal.

 

[proverbs35]

My life, health and strength. So far, all of my family members are alive and able to care for themselves to some degree. I'm grateful for those things because not everyone can say that. I listen to the news, and so many people have suffered tremendous loses this year.

 

[cinder]

Question 7 (at least I think we're up to 7): Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life this year?

 

[Lynx]

Lenovo ThinkPad has been the biggest influence on my life. wOOt for a new computer!

 

[Galatea]

What does it mean that Jesus is called Mighty God? It means to me that He has power to save and keep me to the uttermost. He is mighty to save and mighty to keep that which He has saved.

 

[Lenardzw]

Question 6: What does it mean that Jesus is called Mighty God?

Yeah I know, these aren't evenly spaced in their posting. I'm working them through as I have time to journal.

He is God in every sense of the word. Not only God but a Mighty God who created the universe. One who can deliver me from any enemy. Yet a God who came down to save me.

 

[cinder]

Question 8 ? What do the circumstances of Jesus' birth teach us about God and how he works?

 

[Lynx]

Same thing Balaamb's donkey teaches us. God will use what God wants to use. Also, value is relative and highly subjective.

Also, if God uses you that doesn't mean you're better than anybody else. God could have used the dog next door instead.

 

[Lynx]

I'm reminded of a Ronnie Freeman song (which Mandissa did a cover of, or was it Ronnie Freeman doing a cover of a Mandissa song?) called God Speaking.

Who knows how He'll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove he is enough.
He'll do and He'll use whatever He wants to
To tell us, I love you.
His ways are higher yeah
His ways are better
And though sometimes strange
What could be stranger than God in a manger?