MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is here once again… Christmas time! Every year as I reread the Christmas story, something new jumps out at me. This year, it’s a verse in the Luke 2 story of the shepherds visiting Mary and baby Jesus.  “17 Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. 18 Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was …

Restorative Niche – Final Chapter

Choosing Restorative Niche Activities 4 Here are my last two tips to help in choosing activities that really do replenish your soul. Choose to balance the tensions There’s tension between desiring to attain certain goals and the need to feel in control of an activity. On one hand attaining set goals can bring satisfaction that builds our health. But on …

Restorative Niche – Chapter 3

Choosing Restorative Niche Activities 3 In the two previous blogs I’ve given three tips of six to choose restorative activities that suit you: come to Jesus and allow Him to replenish your soul, choose something that you love doing, and something that absorbs your attention. Here is my fourth tip: Choose because you will be in control. We often feel …

Restorative Niche – Chapter 2

Choosing Restorative Niche Activities 2 As well as finding refreshment in the presence of Jesus, and in activities which you find enjoyable, here is a further thought on choosing something that restores your soul. Choose something in which you become absorbed.  Choose something in which you lose yourself, become so absorbed by, that you forget to look at the time. …

Restorative Niche – Chapter 1

Choosing Restorative Niche Activities 1 We know that it is important to do some things for ourselves to restore a balance of energy and health—emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally. How do we decide those niche activities that suit just us and our life circumstances? Here are first two of six criteria to help you choose. Jesus said, “Come to me.” Firstly, …

Tough being back from holidays?

The challenge of re-entry Coming back from holidays can be a challenge. Your heart and head have been in a different zone. Especially, if you have had a good one you will have unplugged and it takes some adjustment to re-enter. One big tip to reduce re-entry heat is to allow some time for reflection and refocus. Clarification you gain …

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Wishing you a happy Christmas as you celebrate the most pivotal point of history, the birth of Jesus. This event makes sense of life and love. Thank you Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and support in 2019. The journey trough 2019 has made us more grateful for family, friendships, faith and our community of faith. Thank you for your …

Adventures are Opportunities for Forming Friendships

Share an adventure Gandalf: I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone. Bilbo: I should think so—in these parts! We are plain, quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them …

4 essentials to ensure your holiday is restful and fun

What are your holidays like? What is the word that comes to mind? Rest and fun, or stress, or a distant memory, or non-existent? 1. Know the purpose of the holiday. Holidays are about rest, fun and building deep connections. It’s a time for creating memories. The shared experience of this time together allows people to grow closer. Holidays with …

5 keys for a great holiday

How do you prepare for your holidays? 1. Put it in the calendar. Early in my ministry life I learnt to set the date in the calendar in the first round of entries for the coming year. In planning the coming year, along with the things you can’t change—weddings, anniversaries, school, uni, required work commitments like must attend conference—holidays need …