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