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 

 

St Augustine: Sinner to saint through his mother's prayers!

 

Saint Augustine of Hippo by Philippe de Champaigne

Hello and Welcome! 

Thanks so much for dropping in to read my blog. I hope you are well and that this post blesses you. Today, after recent discussions with friends and relatives, my mind is full of thoughts of disappointed Christian parents. You see, a number of them have children, some now grown-up, who are not practising Christians, some not even believers, and some have become 'lost' to them. Of course, this is a great sadness in their life. Perhaps you too are experiencing the same sadness.

If this is blighting your life I want to give you hope. Perhaps you know about St Monica, the mother of St Augustine of Hippo theologian and philosopher. Monica, a very holy woman, was greatly concerned about her son as he was leading a hedonistic life and ignoring God. Her prayers for her son’s soul were answered in a spectacular way. Augustine, once converted, became such a paragon of virtue that the church holds him up as a shining example of sainthood. I once heard a priest comment on how this turnaround came about. He said that Monica ‘willed it’ by her constant and hopeful prayers for her son.

I have seen similar prayers of fellow-parishioners being answered by the returning of their off-spring to Christ. In my own life, for different reasons, I can assure you that God DOES answer our prayers, so please give Him a chance to answer yours - in every trial and situation you may find yourself in. If a loved one of yours has turned away from Christ, or, for example, rejects even His existence try saying this prayer, or one of your own, from your heart.

Prayer for a loved one to draw close to God

“Dear Heavenly Father,

I love You with all that is in me, and so I dare to say:

Please Lord, please bless my loved one [name them] with the gift of Faith.

I ask this, in confidence, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

If your prayer is not answered immediately, do not give up hope that God will answer, in His own time. Remember St Monica and her years of fervent prayer. I am praying regularly for some of my loved ones who have not yet come to Faith…

If anything in this post has piqued your interest in my work you may like to take a look at my books. I've put a few links too as maybe even just taking a 'look inside' may bring you comfort or blessings...

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 Australia / In New Zealand / In Hong Kong

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 / In Hong Kong

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

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, or any of my posts or work.

God bless,

Teresa 

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

My Vision of Jesus Christ: A blessing for parents!

 

A scanned picture from a calendar dated 2000

Hello and Welcome!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Today I am thinking of Christian parents with young children for whom they hope, that when they grow up, they will keep faithful to Christ. That prompts me to share a very powerful experience with you.  

One evening, years ago, I was at the gig of a friend's band, sitting beside his brother, Terry. I knew that he and his wife were lapsed Catholics (something about a quarrel with a priest over their wedding had stopped them going to church). We got chatting about his young daughter. I asked if she was Christened and he said she was. I asked him if he knew God. He looked puzzled. "Do I know Him," he said. I felt a bit puzzled myself as it was not a question I had ever asked anyone before, but I pressed on. I told him that I felt that the most important thing that a parent could do for their child was to introduce them to God. And to explain that He is with them. I said, "For one thing, if they ever feel afraid or lonely when you are not with them, they will know that God is with them." After that Terry sat up straighter and firmly promised that when his daughter was older, he would be proud to tell her about Christ! 

After Terry spoke those words, I looked up, and to the right of the stage Christ appeared and was beaming a smile at me. (It was actually the second time I'd seen Him, but the first time was entirely different. In fact, it was the second of many appearances Christ has blessed me with and He looks different each time.) Later, I analysed the scene, but at the time of the vision, which lasted, maybe a couple of minutes, I kept glancing at Christ then looking away. I felt very shy of His smile, as He seemed to be telling me that He was very pleased with me. I said to myself, 'What have I said right?’

I can still, in my mind's eye, see that vision as clearly today as when I experienced it all those years ago. Here is what I saw:

It was as if Christ was appearing to me on a white screen - the kind I'd seen often in London clubs, where they bring a screen down to show a music video of the song the DJ is playing. The ‘screen’ was about, say, 10 x 6' (1.82m x 1.21m) I saw Christ from about the waist up, wearing a white robe. His hair was golden, his eyes bright twinkling blue, his smile white and beautiful. Years later I bought a calendar for the Millennium and when I saw in it the picture of Christ, which I share above, I was mesmerized as it so closely resembled Christ as He appeared to me that evening.

I have prayed about that vision, not knowing why I am so blessed with these visions because I am definitely NOT saintly, or special (we are all special to God, though). That evening, it is my belief that Christ was indeed pleased with what I had told Terry. That evening, those words, seemed not to be from me. I wonder if you too sometimes find yourself speaking about God in a way you never have before. I presume it is as in Mark 13:11 "Do not be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." I am convinced that the Holy Spirit was guiding my words that evening…

I’m sure that you have heard the saying: ‘A family that prays together stays together.’ I also feel strongly that this is the perfect way to instil the love of God into the whole family, and I speak personally as we did pray together as a family when I was growing up.

About praying as a family. If it's not something that you already do, but you would like to, in some way, here is a suggestion: Begin to say a prayer before you eat a family meal. You could introduce this by saying something like: “I've been thinking about all the poor people in this country / in the world, and I feel that our family is so blessed to have food to eat. So, I'd like us to say Thank You to God before we eat it.” 

There are many simple prayers for saying Grace before meals, the simplest I know is:

Dear Lord, 

For what I am about to receive I am truly grateful. Amen.

In my book Pray Then Listen I have a section called ‘Pray Before Eating’ where I address this issue and suggest adding onto the above this prayer:

Prayer of gratitude for food

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for blessing me with the gift of this nourishing food. I know that without You nothing would grow. In gratitude, as I eat, I will savour each mouthful.

At some point you could suggest that, as a family, in gratitude for your blessings, you could make a small donation to a charity for the poor. One of my favourite charities is Mary's Meals, who provide life-changing meals to some of the world's poorest children, every day they attend school. Here's a link to their website:  Also, for more info, please see my blogpost: Mary's Meals Deliver Food and Hope

Wishing you all the very best with the above.  Below I give details of my three books. You may even be blessed by simply checking out the link and taking a peek through, 'Look inside'...

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!

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  

 

Remembering Queen Elizabeth Through Faith

 

Hello and Welcome!

Tomorrow, 8th September, it will be a whole year since the passing of our lovely monarch, Queen Elizabeth. It hardly seems that long since the awful news was announced. We miss her. The country still misses her. Long live King Charles, though!

I was going through a folder belonging to my late mother, Charlotte, and found this poem. Since Mum loved the Queen it felt fitting to share it with you. And meant I could remember Mum too in the same post - which feels right and fitting. (The photo above is of the card the queen sent to my parents on their Platinum wedding anniversary. You can read about that on my post "Mum and the Queen").

The Queen's Christian faith was obvious in all she said and did. My Mum's faith, too, was strong and active all her life. This leads me to say that I am confident that they have both reached their heavenly home.

I hope and pray that if you too are missing a loved one this poem will bring a little comfort.

"When we are sad and all alone

And tears fall thick and fast

We bow our heads and fate bemoan,

We think our grief will last.

But if we chance to raise our eyes

And look towards the light

We find our help comes from the skies

And hope grows clear and bright.

Someone up there knows all our fears,

He watches from above,

Our Father up in Heav'n Who sees

Will comfort us with love.

If humbly from our hearts we pray

With pure and simple tongue,

Despair and sadness fade away,

We do not wait for long

For smiles to take the place of tears,

For joy instead of pain;

When faith has banished all our fears

We tread the path again." ANON

I hope that when you are going through a bad or sad time you, too, turn your eyes to God...

For more inspiration through my work please see below:

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!

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 

Do your bit for COP27: Use less energy!

 

Sharm el Sheik

                                                                                                                                 Tea with the Bedouins

Hello dear friend,

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you are doing well!

As I write, COP27 is taking place in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheik - a place I visited for a travel feature. Swimming in the clear, warm Red Sea, spying, through the glass bottom of a small boat, shoals of colourful fish darting amid off-shore coral reefs, and taking tea with the Bedouins in their camp in the hills. Highly memorable and fun! But COP 27 is a very serious business and we pray for a good outcome. A real commitment to reducing the rise in global temperature.

As a journalist in Athens I interviewed a number of environmental activists. They had a common message: Don't expect THEM (whoever you consider Them to be) to do something about IT (whatever It is annoying you at the time) but instead take personal responsibility for whatever environmental issue you come up against. For instance, in Greece there were lots of complaints about the rubbish on the beaches. Some of this came from high winds and waves bringing in jetsam from boats - including lots of plastic bottles that had been dropped overboard by tourists and locals. The rest was left behind by visitors to the beaches. The message from the interviewees was: Take responsibility for your rubbish and either put it in a bin or take it home. You get the idea!

This winter, with Putin trying to senselessly annihilate Ukraine, the cost of fuel is eye-watering! Industry, businesses, and even schools are struggling. Then, we are worrying about heating our homes. But unless you are frail, for whatever reason, or have very young children, there are things you can do to keep yourself warm at home. Actually, central heating only became widespread in the UK in the 1980s, so I, for one, grew up without it. (See history of heating link below.) That meant that in the winter we dressed warmly - both inside and outside the home. I recommend it - both for comfort and doing your bit for saving fuel; saving the planet!

Of course, like everyone else, I became dependent on central heating to keep warm in winter. But when I began living in Athens the first winter was a shock. Yes, it does get cold there. But the apartments are set up for a warm climate so my flooring was marble one side and wooden the other = very cold in winter. Traditionally the Greeks lay rugs in winter (which are then collected by small companies in spring to clean and store until next winter). In many apartments the central heating is oil-fired, and centrally controlled. This meant that, in mine (and commonly), it was timed to come on for an hour each morning and evening. It was a shock to my system. I bought a fan heater as soon as possible and hung over it shivering. This is what many people are facing now in the UK. 

But let me tell you what happened next. I soon found ways to be warm again. I dressed warmly - both inside and outside the home. On top of that I bought a big fluffy dressing gown and a couple of hot water bottles. And if, for example, working at my desk in a draughty hallway, I felt chilled, I pulled on the dressing gown with a hot water bottle tucked inside it and drank a mug of steaming tea. And I was soon feeling toasty! Or, I simply got active. And the fan heater? It was consigned to a cupboard and I discovered it when I was packing up to leave, years later. Back in Wales I do the same thing: dress for the weather. I don't like my home too warm, it doesn't feel healthy. So I use my central heating with care. This way, I am also doing my bit for the planet...

My message to you is this: If you are fit and healthy it is amazing how quickly you can adapt to a cooler home, and even prefer it. Oh, and I popped into Primark and bought, what I now know is a Snuddie (see BBC news link below) and it is fantastically warm and snuggly!! And the savings in my energy bills as well as my contribution towards reducing the impact on the environment make me feel better all-round - including mentally! 

Try the following prayer to think this over;

Dear Heavenly Father, I don't like being cold but I do want to only use my fair share of the world's energy. So please will you help me to be creative about this, finding ways to be warm and contented this winter as the world faces many problems. And then, as I also save money doing this, please help me to help others in need. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Here's hoping you try this out for yourself. Let me know how you get on!

God bless

Teresa x 

PS When I read the Nehemiah Factors I learned that in South Africa it is the custom to wear coats at home in the winter. And nobody moans about it. (Sharon Nobuhle Williams's The Nehemiah Factors - see my blog "Up your leadership skills through Nehemiah" published February 22)

For more information on loving your neighbour check out my new prayer guide: 

https://www.amazon.com/Pray-Then-Listen-Heart-Heart/dp/1789043697

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pray-Then-Listen-heart-heart/dp/1789043697

Please visit my  website for more info and inspiration https://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk/

https://www.myuniquehome.co.uk/the-history-of-heating-a-home/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63553057

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Keep-Fit with God!

Hello dear friend,

I hope you are having a good day! Thanks for stopping by. Today I'm wondering: What do you think about when you are doing mundane things? These could be anything that don't require your full attention. 

Today, I went for a quick, 30 minutes, fitness swim at my local pool. When I lived in Athens, with a gorgeous sandy beach at the end of my road, this was a regular pastime. I miss it! But now I've started visiting the pool I feel more balanced.

I have a routine: Once I've got into a swimming rhythm I begin to talk to God. I may say formal prayers, or chat to Him in my own words from my heart; whatever feels best at the time. If I have a problem I'll ask Him what He wants me to do about it. 

You could try out the following 3 Steps when you are, say, doing a part of your fitness routine that doesn't need your full focus. 

Step 1. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of health and strength that is enabling me to exercise today. While I do this please will you help me with [Tell God your problem / concern about something]. I ask this in Jesus' name Amen.

Step 2. Carry on with your exercise routine for a while. 

Step 3. When it feels right put your whole focus back onto God, open your heart and listen for His guidance. If He has nothing immediate to tell you go on with your exercise, and then with your day, while keeping vigilant for His, often very gentle, answers. 

I find that inviting God's input into my daily life elevates everything. I hope you feel that way too. Let me know how you get on...

God bless

Teresa 

For more information on looking out for God's will check out my new prayer guide:

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

My prayer guide, Pray Then Listen launched. Please see here for all info. 

About the book

This was a book I never would have written had God not asked me to! “Write a book and show people how to speak to Me,” He told me. This, then, is my work of obedience.

I wonder if you, like me, speak to God from your heart, listen for His reply, and do what He asks? If not, I hope that by sharing experiences of Christ and Bible-based private prayers I can show how you too can have enlightening conversations with God.

Through simple meditations, confide your troubles, listen expectantly for answers and overcome fear and doubt by allowing Christ to guide you through the tests of daily life, boosting self-confidence and resilience.

What people are saying about Pray Then Listen

Teresa’s book on how to talk to God flows from her experience of prayer as a two way conversation. Mixed with everyday examples, she practically shares how to live a life seasoned with prayer. Providing foundational frameworks for prayer in the different seasons of life, this book will help us all move deeper in our relationship with God. 

Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some more good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x