Feeling blue? Keep Christmas always in your heart!

 

2-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome! 

Today, 28^th December, is the 4^th Day of Christmas, yet so very many people, Christians included, seem to think that after Christmas Day, the whole celebration is over. Not me, though! Firstly, the Christmas season lasts for 12 days. It ends on 6th January, when we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. Yet, the rejoicing will never cease as long as we remember that the relevance of Christmas is eternal! 

“What does Christmas mean to you?” is the big question posed on the postage stamp of a Christmas card from a dear friend in Jersey. It’s a good one. 

My answer to the question is that, first and foremost, it is the celebration of the birthday of Christ, the Messiah, God-made-man.  If that is your answer too, yet you still feel a bit down, you can improve your mood by switching your focus back onto the Light of the World.

Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

If you know Christ, or even if you don’t yet know Him, you could try this short meditation to think that over.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider Jesus’ words and their meaning.  

3. Read the above Bible quote of St John’s and ponder on it for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Lord Jesus, only a few short days ago I celebrated Your birthday, but today I feel gloomy. So please will You fill me with Your love and light, and help me to share that with everyone I meet. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

 

May the light and love of Christ's birth fill your heart today and always.    

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Advent Week Three: Give Thanks Always!

3-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome! 

Did you succeed in becoming more Forgiving through prayer last week? Forgiveness is a test that crops up repeatedly, but let’s keep, through God’s help, doing our best to carry it out. Already we have come to the third week in Advent. Christmas is fast approaching. But though surrounded by festivities, perhaps you don’t feel at all cheered by them. 

You could be in a financial crisis and unable to buy many presents or rich food. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one, living in a new place and feeling lonely, or in physical or mental pain. The list of potential woes is endless, so I know, in advance, that this topic too may be very challenging to you. Enter: Give Thanks Always!

 St Paul encourages us to do this. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”   1 Thess 5:17-18

Though St Paul suffered greatly as he spread the Good News about Christ, his brave example must have had a huge strengthening impact on the new Christians. 

 If you are going through a very bad time and feel you have little to be thankful for you could bring this down to basics. For instance, you could thank God that you: Feel fit; have food to eat; a roof over your head; a loving family; and so on. In my book Pray Then Listen, I share that after hearing, once again, about someone who came through a near-death experience and decided to embrace each new day as a gift, I decided to do that too – but without the decision being a product of trauma. So, each day I say thank you to God for waking up, being able to see, hear and for my other senses. I recommend it.

Having said that, I am the first to admit that I don’t always feel as much gratitude for life as I’d like to. Then, I try to gain perspective through considering, for instance, the fact that many people did not wake up this morning, and of who did, lots will not have even their basic needs covered, nor have use of all their senses. Remembering the challenges of others can help to see our own worries in a better light. Leading us into gratitude to Christ for all His blessings. To think that over for a few moments use the following short, yet spiritually powerful, meditation.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider St Paul’s instruction on gratitude.

3. Read the above Bible quote of St Paul’s and ponder on it for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Heavenly Father, I know that every breath and heartbeat is mine through Your gift, please help me to be thankful for all the blessings You provide, especially when I feel challenged and upset.  I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

 May the Holy Spirit strengthen and guide you towards Thankfulness this week and always.

Do you find it hard to be thankful when you are going through a bad time? I'd love to hear how you turn back to gratitude. 

God bless,

Teresa x 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

 

Advent Week Two: Forgiving Sets You Free!

 

3-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome! 

Do you feel that your soul is nourished by your spiritual activities of last week? I don’t know about you but I am already starting to feel that Advent is flying by and we’ve only completed one week! Let’s hang on in there. This week, as part of spiritual preparation for celebrating Christ’s birth and His Second Coming, I’m thinking about Forgiveness. Addressing this fundamental aspect of Christian living feels like part of my general tidying up for Christmas.

If you are carrying the burden of a grudge against someone, when you find the strength to forgive it can bring such relief.  Enter: Forgiving Sets You Free!

Holding tenaciously onto a grievance is nothing new to mankind. Remember, even the apostles brought up the matter with Christ.

Then Peter came up and said to [Jesus], “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matt 18:21-22

Though Peter was willing to be forgiving, he clearly felt there must be a limit to it! But Christ put an end to that notion.  

I think you will agree that Forgiveness – by us and to us – is something that crops up regularly. Sometimes it causes us great pain. One day, talking about my book 9 Days to Heaven at a church service, I mentioned the chapter on Forgiveness. Afterwards, a woman confided she was very upset and quite desperate as she needed to forgive someone and didn’t know how. She had not planned to come to church that day and felt God had sent her there to buy my book.  

I admit that forgiving is not always easy. Occasionally I have to battle resentment and it takes deep prayer, and maybe time too, before I can find it in my heart to forgive. But I have met people over the years who will NOT forgive. You probably have met some too. Have you noticed that they are often bitter and unhappy? Even if that is not you or me, will you please join me, as a spiritual exercise in Advent, to become even more aware of those who need our forgiveness? To think that over for a few moments use the following short, yet spiritually powerful, meditation.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider that Christ has told us emphatically to forgive wrongs against us.  

3. Read the above Bible quote of St Paul’s and ponder on it for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Lord Jesus, please help me to be forgiving to everyone who sins against me. And in doing so, please let me feel the freedom that brings. I ask this in the same name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

For the whole of Advent, and, hopefully, beyond, may we continue to forgive those who trespass against us.

Do you find it hard to forgive sometimes? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what works for you.

God bless,

Teresa x 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

 

 

 

 

Advent Week One: Learn to Love Well!

 

 3-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome!

Do you, like me, sometimes get to Christmas Eve and suddenly realize that, despite the best of intentions for a prayerful Advent, you have organized a feast, glitz, glamour and gifts, but feel spiritually depleted?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ join the club! Happily, as a Fan of the Fresh Start, I gratefully acknowledge that, though I cannot change yesterday, I can choose a new beginning today. I hope that you will join me in making this Advent a holy one!    

As Christmas is all about Love – celebrating Christ’s birth and looking forward to His Second Coming – it seems logical to make that the focus this week. Enter: Learn to Love Well!

St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians, that there is no greater example of how to love than Christ’s example. He says: “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love… complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love.” Philippians 2:1-2 

As Christians we are challenged to show Christ’s love to everyone we cross paths with. We can do this by being helpful, forgiving, generous, kind, and so on. Sometimes being loving is easy. But at other times it can prove extremely difficult. Yet we are bound to try. To think that over for a few moments use the following short, yet spiritually powerful, meditation.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider that God wants us to follow His example of love.

3. Read the above Bible quote of St Paul’s and ponder on it for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Lord, I want to learn to love well so will you please help and inspire my efforts? I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

From today onwards, may we be open to God’s support and guidance as we strive to become ever more loving to all.

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore/ In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

 

Angel at the Paradise Hotel: Read in the sunshine or about it!

Hello and Welcome! 

Wherever you are in the world thanks so much for stopping by! I'm in the UK where we are really getting into autumn. The day is gloomy and wet and the temperature  is cool. If it's the same where you live you could grab a copy of my Angel at the Paradise Hotel and curl up with it for a touch of sunshine. If, though, you are moving into summer, like my friends in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, Angel the Paradise Hotel is a great summer read! 

Angel at the Paradise Hotel is Christian fiction - romance / suspense. In it I conjure up the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. I chose to make the book entertaining yet, hopefully, thought-provoking. 

What's the novel about?

When tourism transforms a fishing village on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu, old hatred, envy and greed threaten to tear the community apart. Behind the scenes, personal demons fuel division while guardian angels battle to neutralize their influence.

Hotelier Jason - planning to get rich - ruthlessly chases his goal, unaware of the trouble and danger he is stirring up. Three visitors from Ireland, America, and Wales bring their own problems. Clare, running from a broken relationship, is drawn into a love triangle with Jason. Aeron, battling a mid-life crisis, is closer to despair than he realizes - while Bethany, jolted by a Big Birthday into doing a Shirley Valentine, is hoping it will sort her life out.

As the sizzling summer unfolds, each faces make-or-break challenges. Extra help is at hand though, with the arrival of Gabriella, angel of Greece. When meddling demons prevail, and smouldering greed and vengeance reach flashpoint, can she avert disaster? 

"Angel at the Paradise Hotel is an inspiring, touching and moving novel for the ages, generating faith, optimism, and, above all, hope. A very enjoyable read, which I highly recommend!" Georges N. Chamchoum, Emmy and multiple award-winning film director and producer

For a beach read check out Angel at the Paradise Hotel In Australia / In New Zealand

As this is a Christian novel set in Corfu it is threaded with Greek Orthodox practices - in a deliberately light, yet informative way.  Those of you familiar with the Greek lifestyle will recognise them, and others will learn. Greeks involve God in their whole life. For instance, when they open a new business, say, a shop, office, taverna, whatever, they invite a priest to come along and give it a blessing, and make an occasion of it. And in those places they hang icons in pride of place, which remind them to pray there. It's not that they make heavy pious weather about them, it's that God is an integral part of their lives. 

Here is a lovely new review of Angel at the Paradise Hotel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

The writing in this book was phenomenal. I would never believe this was the author's debut novel. The writing style has such a perfect flow with a great combination of dialogue and internal monologues. I also loved the way the plot unfolded. Beautifully written with good characters and dialogue. It's a very detailed book with interwoven characters with good character development. The driving force behind this though is the story, it moves effortlessly and is so engaging.

Wendy Black (Reviewer) | NetGalley  

Take a look inside or order Angel at the Paradise Hotel in the UK / In the US /In Singapore

The book is available as Kindle and paperback.

Find out more about the novel's Backstory on my dedicated blog

I'd love to hear from you. Here's a link to check out my website:  And you could leave your comments there if you prefer.  

Blessings,

Teresa x 

PS You may like to check out my other two books.

Living alongside Greeks for many years, their openness about living their religion really rubbed off on me. While living in Athens I wrote my book 9 Days to Heaven. The book shows very simple methods of opening out to the love of God, and welcoming Him into your everyday life. 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore  / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

In Pray Then Listen I share more of my way of sharing my life with God. 

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore / In New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Vegetarian diet=kindness to animals!

 

Saint Francis of Assisi was an animal lover. Once, when he spoke to a great number of birds in a forest, he told them, “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him." 

Hello dear friend,

Hope you are keeping well. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Today I'm thinking about the call for more of us to stop eating meat to cut back on our carbon footprints. As some of you may already know I am a vegetarian, and have been for many years. And carbon footprints never came into my decision way back when. I just decided that I didn't want anyone killing animals for me to eat. When I set out on that road I discovered that, after the initial adjustment, it worked brilliantly for me. The food I eat is tasty, colourful, filling, and gives me a ton of energy. In other words I thrive on it. I highly recommend it.

Over the years, when people have asked me: What do you eat? I've answered: I eat what you eat except I  don't eat flesh. Many people have also asked me: Can you eat this, or that, or the other? My reply is that I can eat whatever I want. It's my choice. All of life is a choice!

As I am an animal lover I feel calmer in my conscience not eating flesh. Also, as a Christian, this chimes better with my wanting to be a loving human being. I do know, though, that many of my fellow Christians are not vegetarian, but that is their choice and they need to follow their own conscience. I also have long been aware that the foods I eat take up far less of the planet's resources to produce. That's where the carbon footprint aspect comes in now, but we didn't call it that then; terms change.

Anyway, even if you don't want to stop eating flesh entirely, I know that many of you enjoy a veggie meal regularly which is great. You might like to take a look at the Vegetarian Society, which has been in existence for 175 years, for lots of info and recipes and so on. For more facts and figures and great recipes visit the Vegetarian Society website.  World Vegetarian Day, established in 1977, is celebrated on 1st October. 

When I turned vegetarian we certainly were not mainstream. Then: Enter the vegan revolution...

The buzz about carbon footprints seem to have triggered that vegan switch. As a vegetarian I was pleased when that happened. The Vegan Society was actually founded in 1944. World Vegan Day began in 1994.  It is celebrated on 1st November.

I have in the past tried a vegan diet and after about ten days I could hardly put one foot in front of the other: no energy! So although I do eat some vegan meals I am sticking with vegetarian. The difference is that I eat dairy and eggs and vegans don't. Having lived in Greece for many years, even though I'm back in my native Wales, I still enjoy the Mediterranean way of eating: lots of fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds, and legumes and pulses, and so on, plus cheeses and eggs.   

Q. Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Whichever you are do you enjoy your food and does your lifestyle choice fill you with energy?

Q. Have you tried to go vegetarian or vegan but given up?  

I'd love to know what you think about this whole subject.  I'd like to know your thoughts and experiences on this.  

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 

Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

I'd love to hear your thoughts or feedback on this post.

God bless,

Teresa 

PS. About the links to Singapore, please see my blog post Singapore and Christianity