How do you describe a hug?  The bottom line is, hugs are indescribable. 

What might Christian gravy be?  May I suggest it might be the delectable relationship with the Holy Spirit?  Of the same essence and flavour of Jesus and the Father, covering and enhancing every aspect of the ‘exquisite meal’ of living.

Does this reduce the majesty and holiness of God?  Or might it reveal his heart?

We are often so much more thankful for those things that took a little while longer.

Yet there is a place of heaven on earth.  It’s in the presence of God.  It is a place of stillness.  Look for him.   You will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

If Jesus meant, “Head a different direction” to take a path less travelled, it might be more reasonable.  Particularly if the alternate path was not only safer, but filled with unimaginable joys and wonders.

Each child saw themselves as free.  No longer bound to the earth.  No longer bound to illness and pain.  Free.  Free to fly. 

Is the light red?  A suggestion: consider stopping and allow the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, to guard our heart and our mind.  

Some wise advice: If your life is in turmoil in the natural and observable world, ask yourself what might be happening in the spiritual world.  One is the reflection of the other. 

Perhaps we simply don’t realise the profound value of others in our stories?  Those that co-author our own stories.  My life story has taught me to “fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.”  It’s a good time to quietly reflect on our co-authors of life.  They are indeed part of the fabric of life.  They can be perfecters of life.

There is a place of peace on earth.  No matter how chaotic our world might be, there is a place of tranquillity and joy.  My prayer this Christmas is you will find it.

Isaiah was describing the ancient equivalent of the modern day Australian lost amid a multitude of signs.  Lost and confused… and suffering consequences.  Even with Google Maps, often a really good, clear sign is very useful.  Perhaps King Ahaz didn’t get it either?  The author added, “Okay then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Wisdom is to know that the potter doesn’t see ‘useless’ or ‘something to be discarded’.  It is to realise that no matter how broken we feel, or how useless we seem, our future is not destruction but splendour.  We are the clay.  God is the potter.  We are all the work of his hands.  His purpose for each of us is to shape beauty out of brokenness.

Shortcuts are handy, but always navigating the world using them means we risk missing spectacular scenery and exquisite experiences found by taking the road less travelled.  Often the unexpected or unexplored destinations are the most peaceful and memorable.

Moses did say he would pray to a God that Pharoah didn’t believe in.  Just the same, if you had an absolutely overwhelming, seemingly impossible problem to solve, would you wait until some time in future?  Or might you take the chance and ask someone to pray for you today?

Could it be that Jesus has a remarkable CV of not breaking things, but putting them back together?

Cooking and life are similar.  They both need love.  Is there a recipe for life? 

Even if it’s just for a few moments a day, everyone needs a safe space.  Everyone needs to be loved.