Let us leave 2007 and enter 2008 with our eyes fixed on Christ

Oh nooooo! I just totally forgot about two chocolate souffles that I put in the oven over an hour ago. They are reduced to charcoal. You see they only needed about five minutes. I got distracted. I've been knitting. In my slippers, under my duvet on the living room sofa, listening to a mix of chilled out music and HTB sermon podcasts. I feel like a granny, all I'm missing is the rocking chair and the open fire. Oh and a husband, and married children with children of their own. Not quite yet. Give me time. On the subject of fire though, can I just say one would be most welcome in my flat just now, as it is cold. So cold in fact that the corridor from the main door to our front door is warmer than our flat. Impossible you say? Nope. All you need is a rubbish boiler in Scotland, and you're all set.

On that chillsome note, let's move on... This is how a part of Christmas was spent in the Lambert household... fun times! I particularly like the trick of "let's all put our hair up" to see Joe's face for the first time in a good couple of years. I am a genius if I do say so myself. That said, I didn't expect my magic plan to actually work. But there you go, enjoy Joe's face, it's probably the last you'll see of it for a long while yet.






I am content. I haven't been able to say that often in my life. It involves putting God at the center. Everything then revolves in its right orbit, because God is in His right position. It's difficult to keep up, impossible by human effort alone. But for right now, I am content.

My favorite song just now is called Hosanna, by Brooke Fraser. Not only is the intro fantastic, the melody catchy, but the lyrics are beautiful. The bridge particularly. This is my prayer tonight:
"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from Earth into eternity"

Today was such a wonderful day. I have had a few of these recently. Days of pure fellowship and fun. I went to church which was good. I love Carrubbers so much. Unashamed Bible teaching and gospel exposing. Fantastic. After church I went for lunch at Alan's with Alan's brother Peter, Jen and Tim. I'd missed them all. Well, I hadn't missed Peter, because I didn't know him previously, but it was also lovely to meet him. We hung out there for the afternoon, Jen and I often bursting into fits of laughter over nothing or not very much and the boys looking at us, a confused expression on their faces. It was good. It is such an amazing privilege to be a part of the Carrubbers family. People often say it, and I totally concur. Just thought I'd say that! :o)

One of my problems recently seems to be waiting on God's timing. It is, admittedly, a problem I have regularly, but this bout of it is lasting quite a while. There are times where I just wish I knew His plans in advance. There are times I wish I knew what the next few weeks hold. This is one of those times. I find my thoughts getting completely ahead of Him, and my thoughts get ahead of reality, and it's just not helpful. I was talking to Nadia about the whole issue, and she just gave me this one verse which I have to keep on clinging to. It's Isaiah 52:12 which says "For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard." What a promise.

I will leave one last though for this end of 2007.

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. [...] Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.[...] He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him for God is our refuge. [...]
Psalm 62