Advent: Our Destiny Revealed

Iona Sunset August2008tover2008

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."

Isaiah 64:4

Today begins the beginning of the Christian Church season of Advent. Advent literally means coming - and specifically is referring here to Christ's second 'coming' - His return.

And as the prophet Isaiah provides a word of hope as we wait,

we can be encouraged despite the difficulties we sometimes face.

This week has been both a time of great sadness and a time of great joy for me. Two young people that had touched my life were killed in a car accident and when this happens it is very difficult to remain hopeful as life serves a large dose of 'futlity' on our plate. And yet other young lives close to me are experiencing joyful celebration as their lives slowly unfold with much excitement and anticipation of wonderful times ahead. Our lives are a constant juxtaposition of sadness & joy, dark & light, fear & happiness. May you be encouraged by these words as you carry out your own personal Advent destiny revealling itself in your life.

IonasunsetAugusttover2008

'Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.' St Paul from the New Testament

In activating the highest values, you also activate your highest potential.

p119 Stephanie Dowrick

Living ordinary life with more-than-ordinary awareness and appreciation

I had a goal yesterday; to go to the library and find the book I was looking for. And Providence did respond accordingly as after much searching and almost ready to give up - the book, "Choosing Happiness:Life & Soul Essentials" written by experienced author and psychotherapist Stephanie Dowrick , decided to chose me.




Iona Abbey c.tover2008

I hope to share more with you about her wisdom for life lessons....but here is a wonderful quote from the book in question.

"Whatever our background, culture or race, what rewards us most powerfully and consistantly are the most deceptively simple abilities of all: the ability to be kind, to live enthusiastically and creatively, to appreciate and understand experiences different from our own and to sustain a sense of inner stability and trust even in unwelcome and difficult situations"p4

On my recent travels I found myself very much challenged by Stephanie's wise words (despite not having read them yet) but gained much from the whole travel experience. Travelling can challenge us to 'live the ordinary life with more-than-ordinary awareness and appreciation': the real challenge is then to apply that in your attitude to every day life, wherever you may find yourself.



Barossa Sunset c. tover2008 1 Samuel 2:6-8
"The Lord kills and restores to life; he sends people to the world of the dead and brings them back again. He makes some people poor and others rich: he humbles some and makes others great. He lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from their misery. He makes them companions of princes and puts them in places of honour. The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord; on them he has built the world'.

life lessons - faraway places

Life Lessons

Isnt it interesting that sometimes we need to travel to places far from ones homes to learn valuable life lessons very much needed for everyday life.