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  

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