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A Skinny Fairtrade Latte in the Food Court of Life - Page 337

  • #Advent Challenge Day 15

    Today's choices are a bit odd (in my opinion) ... when I had a car I was a courtesous driver who let people in/out; when I do cook it is from scratch - and when I use ready meals I don't call it cooking!  So my only option today is the long queue of any shops I may be in... which probably means I have to go to the mini tesco at lunchtime as anywhere else someone will be lurking to monitor the queues and call out "first in here" to minimise wait times.  It's either that or the very inefficient post office (won't say which of three possibles that might be!!)

    Dear Catriona

    Patience – something that can be hard to find sometimes! We all find ourselves in situations where our patience is tested. At times we look for shortcuts, try to force things to happen or just give up.

    The Bible tells us that, even before Jesus was born, God had promised that he would come to earth. This meant that not only one person had to be patient, but whole generations!

    How can you develop your patience today?

     
         
     
     
         
     

    Join the longest queue at the shop checkout
    Accept challenge >

     

    When given an opportunity, let other drivers out in front of you
    Accept challenge >

     

    Cook a meal from scratch
    Accept challenge >

     
         
         
     
     
         
     

    A view from the Bible

    "May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience..."

    Read more: Colossians 1.11

  • #Advent Challenge Day 14

    Today I have the opportunity to make yesterday's wishful thinking a step nearer to reality... I'll empty my purse into a charity donation to one of the organisiations researching a cure for cancers.  Not everyone can afford to give away their money, but the other options are not without challenge.

     

    Dear Catriona

    We can all be nice and do good things. But how much do we put ourselves out to help others? Christmas is the celebration of God’s generosity to us in sending his son, Jesus.

    God’s love for us is so great that he held nothing back.

    So how can you be generous today, holding nothing back?

     
         
     
     
         
     

    Be generous with your time
    Accept challenge >

     

    Give whatever is in your wallet (don’t look!) to charity
    Accept challenge >

     

    Reach out to a neighbour that you don’t necessarily see eye to eye with
    Accept challenge >

     
         
         
     
     
         
     

    A view from the Bible

    "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life."

    John 3.16

  • What would you choose?

    Today's Sunday School led service was great fun (even if two of my ideas for next week are very similar to two of those today!) and included a moment of deep thinking for me.

    At one stage we asked to think about a gift we would like to give to someone real or fictional, living or dead, if we could give them absolutely anything.

    I sat for a few moments unable to think of anyone or anything.  Then began a rendition of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' on a French horn, one of the few pieces of Christmas music that really pierces my soul.  And so it did, I suddenly found myself thinking of the gift I'd love to be able to give, and the person I'd give it to... each utterly impossible.  I wanted to give to L (as representative of many women I've known and still know) a cure for secondary breast cancer.  It was pie in the sky, wishful thinking, bad theology probably, but it was so.

    I am so grateful to Sunday School for creating a safe space for me to dream an impossible dream, and express something I didn't even know I needed to express.

    One day there will be a cure.  One day L and others like her will live long, full, happy lives.  Until then, in my prayers, my awareness raising, my peer support and my charitable giving I'll go on doing what I can to bring 'one day' a little nearer.

  • Gaudete!

    The third Sunday on Advent, the best excuse to listen to Steeleye Span, if one were needed!

    Also for us Sunday School nativity service followed by Sunday School Christmas Party so lots of joy in those.

    And for me it's dress down Sunday as I'm not up front other than briefly, the day I deliver my church Christmas cards (and hope I didn't miss anyone) and a chance to remember, with gratitude the first Christmas Play I ever saw, on 19th December 1968, which was when I  first knowingly encountered the story of God revealed in Christ, and knew, somehow, this story was true...

    What can I give him, poor as I am?
    If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
    If I were a wise man, I would do my part

    Yet what I can I give him - give my heart

  • #Advent Challenge Day 14

    Three challenges that I'd like to think are part of my everyday life anyway.  But the honest response is to try to treat everyone equally, becuase my best efforts are never quite successful and some end up being more equal than others.

      Dear Catriona

    If you take a look at the world, it doesn’t take long to see injustice. Whether it’s wage inequality, lack of aid to struggling countries or racial discrimination, there’s plenty to show you that life isn't fair. The Bible tells us that God loves justice and hates injustice.

    What difference will you make today?

     
         
     
     
         
     

    Replace one item of your shopping list with a Fairtrade option
    Accept challenge >

     

    Treat everyone equally, regardless of who they are
    Accept challenge >

     

    Leave a good tip next time you go out for dinner
    Accept challenge >

     
         
         
     
     
         
     

    A view from the Bible

    "The LORD says, “I love justice and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people And make an eternal covenant with them."

    Isaiah 61.8