Have you ever really, really wanted to be close to God?

My desire to get close to him gets stronger and stronger, but I find myself more and more frustrated in the fact I'm not. I am always trying to do the right thing, to pray, to read the bible and even being a catholic actually recieve Jesus on a sunday. But yet there is still this massive void - what feels like a big, gaping distance between us.

So I've been addressing how can I get closer. Then I was told by more than one person, serve and love people. My reaction was I do love people, to which I was told "No, really, really love them" be in their pain, be a shining light in peoples darkness, to go the extra mile where others wont go - to be in the place of Jesus. By no way is this an easy challenge. But I have thought about it more and I think to start small. Smiling more, taking that extra few minutes to ask how people are really doing and to spare the time to listen.
Also, going the extra mile with regards to serving, simple things like tidying my room on first request, taking my plate through to the kitchen. These things don't come easily for me....

We are called to be the light in the world so lets reflect Gods glory and let the light shine!!

I had such an amazing night last night, my niece was in a christmas play. She asked me to come along and see her as a dancing kangeroo. I struggled to see how a kangeroo was in the nativity scene - but as it turned out it was about the true meaning of Christmas and how it is celebrated or not celebrated around the world.

I was really moved when I saw images of children in africa receiving shoe boxes of goodies and the pure joy that was on their faces, I was even more moved when I heard a story about one town who wanted to have a christmas meal but was over run by soldiers preventing them from doing so. I felt so blessed to know that I have a family that I can share the joys of Christmas with, and that people around me in my town have the same choice.

Lets not get too carried away with the receiving and spend some time thinking about the people who are less fortunate than us...
Rejoice in the fact that Jesus was born and have a wonderful christmas. Wherever you may be.

"Strength will rise as we wait upon the lord"

I was at the vineyard church on sunday evening for a bit of a breather and some great praise and worship, and we sang the above song. I think it's taken from Chris Tomlins new album. But this line really played round in my head - amongst so many other bits.

As christmas is looming and we are all waiting for the birth of Jesus I think it's really relevant. I'm not totally sure how strength will rise as we wait...but I like the idea. I guess it can help us develop our patience thus making us stronger.

Just an idea that I thought I'd share. As always we'd love to hear what you think - if you are feeling brave perhaps join us in teh forum and we can thrash out some ideas?