Sharing your love of Christ gently!

 

Me at Llantwit Major beach, South Wales, UK. 

Hello and Welcome!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope that you and yours are keeping well! Today my mind is turning on evangelization, the sharing of our Christian faith, and how we are all, as baptized Christians, called upon to do that. But I know, from personal experience, that it's not always an easy thing to do. And it can even be a bit of a balancing act, like me on that wall in the photo above... 

Many years ago when I tried to do that it felt more like I was supposed to 'stand up for Christ' and it often led to an argument. An argument during which I felt completely out of my depth as I am not a theologian. There is a saying in the UK relating to say, a dinner party, or gathering of friends if you want to keep things harmonious: "Never argue about religion or politics." How true that is! And after one particularly bitter exchange I made the decision to never argue about religion again. 

Well, for some years I mostly kept quiet. But one day I knew I had to start speaking up again though I didn't know how to do that. I wasn't going to argue with anyone on the subject of Christianity. So, how on earth was I going to share my faith? I prayed about it. 

I began to speak my truth very gently. When people said, for instance, that they no longer believed in God as something bad had happened to someone in their family I would empathize. Tragedy has also struck my own family, and I had felt like turning my back on God. They shared their story and I shared mine. I told them I could understand their turning away. But I had, eventually, decided that as God is Love He must have a reason for letting X happen. And I had decided to trust Him. I explained that God is as real to me as them and that Jesus has been my best friend since I was about seven years old.

And if you are wondering how the conversation went on after that let me tell you. Most people looked wistful, and said they wished they had what I had. In answer to that, and following me praying I had the following advice, which you may want to try out for yourself... 

If you want to know if God exists

When you next have a few quiet minutes alone: Open your heart and say to God, "If you are there God I want to know You." If He has anything to say then, let Him speak. And if not go about your business but keep open for His reply. Then, get a Bible, and go to a church service. 

I know that sounds very simple, but St Paul tells us clearly in Acts 17:27 that God made us so that we would seek Him. And "By feeling [our] way towards Him [we]would succeed in finding Him..." 

After that, being a writer, I wrote a book based on Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock..." The book is 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life. I call it a Programme, as it takes place over a 9 day period, 15 minutes a day, where you slowly get to know God better through simple prayers and meditation. I am confident that it will free you from the fear and confusion about life that fills you when you are trying to live without God. 

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 

Here are some details of my other two 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

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!

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

I'd love to hear how you got on if you tried out my method of speaking to God, or shared it with someone who didn't yet know Him. 

God bless,

Teresa 

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

PPS If you are living in Singapore I would really love to hear of your personal faith journey. Perhaps you would like to do that through my website via Contact me.

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 

Poem by Pauline Lewis inspired by Pray Then Listen!

 A favourite riverbank close to my home in Wales

Hello dear friend,

Thanks so much for dropping by today. I do hope that what you read inspires you in some way, and makes your day a little brighter. I am writing this post on 1^st September and I do love this month. It goes back to childhood, I think, and the new autumn school term. I used to love school. Later in my life, I often signed up for evening classes starting this month. I fondly remember Spanish lessons and art classes. Great fun! Today, I am eager to share a lovely poem with you.

Recently my dear friend, and fellow Christian author, Pauline Lewis, was kind enough to review my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen. She said, “I am being blessed by Pray Then Listen. It has become a valued part of my prayer time.” Since Pauline has dedicated so much of her life to working for Christ, even becoming a missionary in what was then called Papua New Guinee, I felt humbled by her feedback.

One section of Pray Then Listen leads you into ways to help to bring the Bible alive. One of the Bible passages I use is based on John 9:1-41, the man born blind. After carrying out the exercise using my methods Pauline was inspired to write this poem.

MEDITATION

To use Pauline's poem as a meditation, start by breathing in deeply, holding that breath for a few seconds, then, as you breathe out feel the whole of your body relax.

 

Now read the poem slowly, ideally aloud, using your whole focus.

 

BORN BLIND – by Pauline Lewis

Newborn babe, sound in mind,

Heart and limb, just blind,

Born blind.

No gentle dog to guide his way

Art or skill to help each day,

He’s blind, born blind, blind he will stay.

He’s blind.

 

God’s curse is on him, men may say.

‘Who sinned? Who sinned,’ he hears each day.

But Jesus comes, he is the Way

To help this man born blind.

 

With mud and spittle making clay

‘Now go and wash’ he hears him say.

How gladly, gladly he’ll obey.

Now he’s no longer blind!

 

And men may grumble and complain.

‘Do not believe in Christ’, they say

But he’s seen the rainbow in the rain

And looked on the face of God.

 

Born blind, born blind is what men say,

But now he knows another way.

Born blind indeed he may have been,

Yet born for the glory of God.

 

When you have finished reading the poem close your eyes for a few moments and think over the words. Finish the meditation by breathing in, holding that breath for a few moments, and after you breath out slowly, have a big stretch.

Whenever I learn that my books and other writings have encouraged and inspired a reader, I thank the Lord for that blessing. I am in awe of such a response. I think you will agree that Pauline’s poem is brilliant! Visit Pauline’s blog to check out her other works using this link: plreadywriter.blogspot.co.uk

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!

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

I'd love to hear your thought on Pauline's poem, or any other feedback on this post today.

God bless,

Teresa 

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

Singapore and Christianity

Hello dear friend,

Thanks so much for stopping by! My friend Susan has just booked a cruise and the place she's looking forward to visiting the most is Singapore! This made me want to find out some facts and info about this country. 

I do know a friend-of-a-friend whose son and daughter love Singapore so much they have married and settled there! Their mother, from Wales, visits as often as she can and loves it too.

And anytime the country is mentioned by people I know, they speak of it in glowing terms and say how lovely the Singaporeans are. Just looking at the above photo brings a smile to my face: it looks so vibrant and exciting!! A really happening place. 

The first thing I checked out for myself was Christianity, as that is the aspect of most interest to me.  I was thrilled to discover that of the religions in Singapore Christians make up 18.9%. And the information that delighted me even more is that a growing number of Singaporeans are converting to Christianity. If you are among their number then I highly recommend my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God. 

I write in the book's Preface: "If you are one of the many turning to Christianity for the first time to get answers in this sometimes frightening world, then, by God's grace, you will find them using my methods. These are simple, easy, and often relaxing, and can be adapted to fit perfectly to your own life."

Of course, Pray Then Listen is not only for the newcomer to Christ as I add. "No matter where you are right now in your walk with God, I show you how to speak to Him from your heart and to listen expectantly for His reply."

I just did a quick search online and discovered that all three of my books (please see below) are available in Singapore!! Wow!! 

Here's a link to check out Pray Then Listen in Singapore:  You will also find links on that site for 9 Days to Heaven and here is the link to Angel at the Paradise Hotel. 

Here is some more info about my work.

My book Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God is a prayer guide that shows you how to listen for God's voice in order to draw closer to Him. It is for all. You may not know God yet or you may know Him well, in either case the book can be of great help in deepening Faith. Check out Pray Then Listen

My book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life shows you how to invite God into your everyday life for a better way to live. It can do this no matter where you are in your walk of Faith and will free from fear and confusion. Check out 9 Days to Heaven

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland. Find all the details here.       

               

Read the novel's Backstory here

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

I'd love to hear from you! 

God bless,

Teresa 

 

Hope FM interview: Learn more about my work!

 

Hello and welcome!

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I am very happy to tell you that my interview on Hope FM, with the station's founder Blair Crawford on his "Community Now" show, is airing on Wednesday 3rd May at 10am to 12 noon (GMT); and will be repeated on Sunday 7th May 8am t0 10am (GMT).  Click on this link to listen into  "Community Now!" 

During the interview, which we recorded a few weeks ago, and also includes my favourite hymns, Blair asks me about all three of my books: 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life; Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God; and Angel at the Paradise Hotel.  

My book Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God is a prayer guide that shows you how to listen for God's voice in order to draw closer to Him. It is for all. You may not know God yet or you may know Him well, in either case the book can be of great help in deepening Faith. Check out Pray Then Listen

My book 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life shows you how to invite God into your everyday life for a better way to live. It can do this no matter where you are in your walk of Faith and will free from fear and confusion. Check out 9 Days to Heaven

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland. Find all the details here.       

               

Read the novel's Backstory here

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

God bless,

Teresa 

Remembering Good Friday's of my past

 

Photograph of the Michelangelo's Pieta - Mary holding the crucified Jesus - taken in the Vatican, taken year 2000.

Hello and welcome!

The quality of my photo is, I freely  admit, not good, but the work of art is incredibly powerful and moving. It speaks of the anguish of Jesus' mother. It shows that Christ died a horrific death, for us, that we might be saved...

Yet, the miracle of His Resurrection was to come three days later.  

For Christians today, Good Friday, is the holiest day of the year. It used to be respected by the whole UK but how things have changed. Despite the fact that Christians are still in the majority here, and King Charles is head of the Church of England we are allowing ourselves to be marginalized...

This morning, as I ate my Hot Cross buns, my mind tumbled backwards to my childhood and Good Fridays then. All the shops were closed. But, because of the Hot Cross buns, cake shops and bakeries were allowed to open for a short time to sell them. Our local cake shop opened at 10 am and my brother and I were waiting to buy our buns for the family breakfast. Though not baked on the premises they were still warm from the oven and absolutely delicious! A treat to be enjoyed once a year. A part of our Christian heritage; a part of our British culture. 

Fortunately the buns are still baked. Now, though, they are sold all year round and have simply become a tasty fruit bun. But I suppose it's not such a big deal. It's only a bun. For me, though, and for all Christians, as I said at the start, this is the holiest day of the year. So, this post will be short as I'm gearing up to our church service, where we meet, and at 3pm remember Christ's death on the cross. Then we read from scripture His Passion. And after that make our way home in silence. 

I hope that you remember Christ's sacrificial death for you, especially on this day.

God bless,

Teresa 

My book Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God is a prayer guide that shows you how to listen for God's voice in order to draw closer to Him. It is for all. You may not know God yet or you may know Him well, in either case the book can be of great help in deepening Faith. Check out Pray Then Listen

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 here.       

               

Read the Backstory here

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

Blessings, 

Teresa x  

Lenten course: Let Holy Week be a fresh start!

 Let Holy Week be a Fresh Start to your life!

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

We are now in the final week before the celebration of Easter. I hope that you have been enjoying this, deliberately, very simple Lenten course - either as part of your chosen Lenten observations, or the central part of that. Admittedly, Holy Week, leading to the remembrance of Christ's sufferings, is such a sad and sombre experience. Yet, it is crucial that we remember the sequence of events and the sacrifice on Calvary. That is what our Lenten journey has been about. 

It is also my hope that, through a taster of my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, you have moved nearer in relationship with Him. And that you have either begun to listen to His voice or are doing that more than formerly. If this is the case you may well be wanting to read the whole book, or to buy a copy for a loved one to help them in their journey. To do this click on this link:  Check out Pray Then Listen

Holy Week – Make a fresh start to your life!

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “The Two-Way Street of Prayer”

You may find the Fresh Start angle a little surprising in Holy Week. I have introduced it, though, for two reasons. Firstly, as you are a human being, I am not presuming that your Lenten journey has been perfectly carried out. You cannot change the past, though, but please don't let your faltering come between you and Holy Week. For that reason I want to encourage you to choose again! Secondly, I suggest that Holy Week is the perfect opportunity to ask God to help you start afresh in your spiritual journey towards Heaven.

Consider this: Christ died for us; died for you! And what a horrific death it was. But He did so willingly, and beforehand Jesus told His apostles, "I have longed to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer," (Luke 22:15) so at that point He was eager to go through with His Passion. That was because, by doing this He opened a gateway through which the faithful could, by approaching on the specific narrow pathway, enter Heaven. 

"... small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:14 

Use the following prayer to renew your commitment to Christ.

Prayer for a fresh start

Dear Lord Jesus,

I stand at the foot of Your cross to bring before You all my sins.

[Pause for a few moments to reflect on what you have done or failed to do, so that you can tell Him specific things you regret.]

I am sorry for each and every one of them.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

I also ask that, when I have Your forgiveness, You will help me to forgive myself, and in doing so set me free for a fresh start to my life.

I ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Listen for a few moments for anything that Christ may want to say to you now. As you go about your day and the rest of Holy Week keep open to His communications. 

God may answer you like this:

God may remind you of certain things or events where you fell short of showing His love to others. That is your cue to ask Him what, if anything, He wants  you to do about it. He may, for instance, prompt you to make an apology to someone, or make amends in some way. 

After actively listening and watching for God's communications during Lent I hope that you are becoming familiar, or more familiar, with the variety of methods He may use. I would be so happy if you would take a moment to share those with us. Also, if you have any questions about anything we have covered in this Lenten course please do get in touch. Please post communications in the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

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 here.   Also: Check it out In UK  In US  In Singapore

               

Read the Backstory here

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

Blessings, Teresa x