The Twelve Prayers of Christmas | Kyria

 Update: I have been taking Tisanadene, a medication for spasms, that makes me very sleepy. I usually take it at lunch and then fall asleep at my computer when I want to work on my blog. So am cutting out the lunch dose and taking only 2 pills a day, breakfast and bedtime. Pray that I will be more awake in the afternoon and that my spasms wont increase.
Now, to the topic for today. The 12 days of Christmas are usually thought of as the days after Christmas leading to Epiphany. The  Twelve Prayers of Christmas, on the other hand, are a plan to bless someone on twelve days leading up to Christmas. Click on the link The Twelve Prayers of Christmas | Kyria  to read more.

2. Truth

Truth is much more powerful than bombs and tanks and weapons.
This is a quote from John Stotts article. Our world is bereft of truth. Many are in despair of ever finding truth to base their lives on.
Jesus spoke about truth in praying for those who believe in him:
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  (Joh 17:17)
The word sanctify is the key to this prayer. Part of the definition is to: set apart as holy. So the thing that sets Christians apart from the world is the truth found in Gods word. This is the solid rock that we base our lives on.

1. Prayer

The first of the 4 ways John Stott says that Christians can influence the world is through prayer. I have always been tickled by a made up verse for the chorus I've Been Redeemed:

You can talk about me any time you please.
I'll talk about you, when I'm on my knees.

  A Biblical example of this is found in the life of the prophet Samuel. After Saul and the people had disobeyed Samuel his response was:

 (1Sa 12:23)  Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

My church is across the street from Kelly Creek Community School (K to 6). We have had a very cordial relation with the school over the years. Do we always agree with the school? No ... but, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for them.

If I were to invite all my neighbors (readers) to church this week it would be very difficult for me and them. But if I asked them if I could pray for them I think it would be easier for all of us.
So ... What can I pray for you? Email me with your prayer needs: j_dalziel@yahoo.co.uk
Till next time
john

John Stott: Four Ways Christians Can Influence the World | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

 John Stott died earlier this year.
 
Over the years I have enjoyed the thought of this Anglican practical theologian. His book, Basic Christianity, was a great influence on my early days as a Christian. Much later I attended Regent College and heard him speak. Regent Bookstore has a good selection of audio teaching by him.
I intend to look at each of Stott's four ways in future posts so read the article below. The first way is Prayer.

John Stott: Four Ways Christians Can Influence the World | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Keeping Fit?

Physical Fitness
Last month I attended a disability EXPO in Vancouver. There I saw a machine that will exercise my arms and legs, called APT. That stands for Active Passive Trainer.
Think of a stationary bicycle you might see in a gym. That is an Active Trainer. Now attach a motor to it to drive my feet, or hands, around and you have a Passive Trainer. Since my muscles do not to my command the P is for me.
I suggested to my care givers that they  could use my trainer in the active mode to get exercise. They said they would rather use the passive mode so they could go to sleep like I do, NOT TRUE!

Spiritual Fitness
I wanted to establish a Bible reading program to read the whole Bible in a year. I use a free Bible program called eSword. It has the capability for setting up a reading program, but it has to be set up by the user and you have to log in to access the reading. I call this Active Spiritual Training, AST.
Then I found a plan I call PST, Passive Spiritual Training. The Bible Gateway reading plans have the advantage of being pre set. I set my plan to send an email with the days reading and link to the reading online. This way I am directed to my reading daily.
Greetings to all,
John

Summer of 2011 roadtrip day one

Our road trip started on Friday September 2nd and we (Laverne, Maria and I) caught the first ferry to the island. This meant starting to get up at 6am to catch the ferry at 8:10am. The crossing was smooth as silk. Once on the Island we headed south on the old highway where at Fanny Bay we visited with Nonie, Laverne's sister, and her husband, Chris. They rented a cabin on the beach. They live in Calgary, but are considering retiring to Vancouver Island. It would be great to have them close by.
We then went back up Island to Campbell River where we caught the ferry to Quadra Island. We had a one sailing wait so ate lunch in the lineup. After the ferry trip and and a drive across Quadra we again had a one sailing wait for the Cortes Island ferry. While we waited we had dessert courtesy of the blackberry bushes beside the road. After crossing to Cortes Island we drove across the island to the Cortes Island Motel and so to bed.

Yes I have pictures but my computer is having issues so stay tuned.

Study Skills revived

This past week I ressurrected a study skills seminar I originally gave to the bridge watchman course at Malaspina University College (now Vancouver Island University). The husband of one of my caregivers is taking the same course at BCIT in North Vancouver and so I brushed off my notes and shared them with Darin.
They center around the idea that the tool for learning is the brain and the brains purpose is to answer questions. One of the best ways of doing this is the Cornell Note taking method.
If you are a student, parent or teacher might I suggest you check this out.Free pdf