New Years resolutions

What I love most about new years is not the drinking and partying (although that can be good too), but the feeling of starting a fresh.  For some reason the transition of one number to another on the calendar gives us a feeling of having another chance, a new start to life.  And this year is no different.  I have many many hopes for the year ahead, I am so excited about it but I didn't want to over do it with the ol' New Years Resolutions so have just come up with 10 (maybe that seems like a lot).  I have tried to be really specific with them rather than making sweeping generalisations and grand gestures:

1.     Read the bible in a year - following my new "Read the Bible in a year" book,

2.   2. Buy nothing new for a year – Only buy new if I can’t make what I need or find it second hand, I am not going to beat myself up if I do buy something, but I am going to try to keep this in mind before making purchases,

3.   3. Exercise – at least 3 times per week, workout videos and walking/jogging, I want to get fit, but also want to enjoy myself, not torture myself,

4.       Eat more healthily - don't buy something ready made when I could make it for myself, eat at least 5 piece of fruit and veg per day,

5.   5.Finish wedding scrapbook before 2^nd anniversary in July.

6.   6. Grow more veg – Tidy allotment and plant over the whole of it, spend at least 1hr per week, (don't get eviction letter), eat what I grow,

7.   7.Make £400 per month through photography, art and craft by August, this is the amount I will be losing by going part time at teaching,

8.   8.Pay off overdraft, be at least at 0 at the end of every month,

9.       Watch less TV -  it is no secret that I am a telly addict so I am going to try to only watch the TV for specific programs and not just put it on because it is the default entertainment activity,

10      Have 100 followers of blog by May,

Le    Let's see how I get on shall we...
          (All photos from weheartit)

Winter Solstice

Today is the shortest day of the year!  That means spring is on it's way.  This makes me feel very happy and optimistic because I am one lover of spring and summer, the winter months can really get me down, I am fantasising already about the spring, planting seeds, getting to the allotment, spring cleaning and a summer oF sipping wine in the garden and walks on the beach and digging up home grown fruit and veg and, and, and...
After today we will have more minutes then hours of daylight in out lives, this got me thinking about Jesus and how we call him the Light of the World; it therefore seems most appropriate that we should celebrate his birth shortly after the winter solstice when we are beginning to have more light in our lives. Whether you believe that Jesus was the Son of God or not, there is no denying that he brought a most amazing message of light and love to the world:
John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Images all from flickr, using search words: Light, new, spring.

What does Christmas time mean to you?

Spiritual sunday

Just a quick one for tonight, I am so tired from a busy weekend and need some sleep!
At church this morning we sang the hymn 'In Christ Alone' which I love.  I particularly enjoy this verse:

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me,
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny,
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand,
'Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

I love the thought of 'no guilt in life, no fear in death', I am coming to really believe this even more these days.  Also 'no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand'.  After a rather bad week at work this line reminds me that nothing anybody does or says to me can change how much God loves me and what he did for me.


Have a great week everyone, 
Helen
x

Spiritual Sunday

Hi friends,

I have been so busy these last few days that I have not had time to do all the things that I have planned to do everyday for my blog, but I am not going to become a slave to doing it so I am not worried and am not going to force myself to do these everyday or beat myself up about it.  I have enough stress in life without stress that I put onto myself as well!  Ok so no more apologising for myself, if I don't do it I don't do it, and if I do, then I do. End of!

So anyhoo, this weekend I went to visit my parents who live is a really beautiful part of Wales.  The weather has been so fantastic and we went for several walks on the beach.  This morning the beach was covered in a heavy mist which was rising from the sea like a soft steam, we wandered on the beach and it was so beautiful and unusual.  Here are some pictures:

When I got home I was inspired by this Bible verse:

Jeremiah 32:17.

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you"

If you believe is a God, any God, then I feel that this verse is really inspiring.  If God made something so beautiful, wonderful and amazing as our world, just think what He can do in our lives.  Even if you don't believe in God, just look outside and meditate on the beauty and wonder in our world it can bring you peace and make you feel part of something bigger than yourself.

I am back to school tomorrow after a really fantastic holiday not exactly thrilled to be going back to be honest and I STILL haven't finished decorating the living room!  (So when I will have the time for that I don't know) but its back to normal life, and eating healthily and regularly, and cycling again so there are some positives.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Hels