“IF – IF you are the Son of God!” Here is a huge issue: who are you? Are you really the Son of God? If you are then you can do this - or this - or this. So are you really who you say you are, who you are claiming to be? And what’s the point of all this? WHAT’S THE POINT OF YOU?
Who is Christ? And who am I in Christ? AND WHAT’S THE POINT OF ME? especially at the moment.
RADIATE WITH HOPE!
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OVERFLOW WITH HOPE!
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From ‘Candles in the Dark’ by Rowan Williams - faith, hope and love in a time of pandemic, written during lockdown 1.
HOPE
NEW YEAR
NEW LOOK!
The website has had a make-over. Pop over and have a root around - you might find something you like!
My inbox this morning is full of requests for the gingerbread recipe to be typed as my handwriting is unreadable!
So here it is for you. I wouldn't normally flood your inbox with another email so soon; but it's easier than trying to answer all those emails individually.
And if you didn't read the original email with the thoughts about NOW and NOT YET and hope and how gingerbread reminds me of the waiting in anticipation, you can read it here
Below, if you want to skim on down, there are four sections:
the gingerbread recipe, details of THE SPICE RETREAT, some huge thanks for you and some thoughts on HOPE for 2021
MY GRANDMOTHER'S GINGERBREAD RECIPE
4 oz black treacle
4 oz golden syrup
2 oz butter or margarine
2 oz lard
8 oz plain flour
1/4 teaspoon bicarb of soda
1 tsp ground ginger (I usually add more!)
1 tsp mixed spice (ditto!)
4 oz dark brown sugar
1/4 pint full fat milk
7 inch square tin - grease or line with baking parchment. Although as you can see, I use a rectangular tin!
Gently heat and melt together treacle, syrup, butter and lard.
Sift flour, bicarb, spices and then stir in sugar.
Pour in treacle mixture and milk, beat well.
Bake at Gas Mark 3 (170 C) for about an hour, but make take up to an hour and a half.
You want it to be still a little soft in the middle (but not runny)
Cool in tin. Wrap in parchment and foil for at least 2 days, better if 5! Then cut into small squares and enjoy.
Freezes well. Thaw for 6 hours at room temperature.
(For USA readers: try Wegmans for treacle and golden syrup. Mixed spice is sometimes available as Pumpkin Spice at Trader Joes. It’s a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves ….)
THE SPICE RETREAT
(which, as someone pointed out, fits well with the gingerbread theme!
How to live a spice-y life ...... while enjoying gingerbread?!)
It's not too late to register for this 5 session special retreat, which is available for you over the new year. A great time to reset and discover who God intends for you to be!
I finally engaged with your Advent Retreat this weekend and found it deeply moving and profoundly helpful. Thank you so much for your gifted and sensitive leading and for all that you are and do. It was my experience of the Advent Retreat which prompted me to sign up for the Spice Retreat, something I now very much look forward to. It will be a privilege to sit once more under your anointed ministry. P. M.
The spice retreat was an oasis in my week and for that matter day as I worked through some of the things in the journal. H.C.
Thank you for the SPICE retreat. There was a lot in it, and I am continuing to use the resources. Thank you, as well, for the 1 to 1 spiritual guidance session.
That was very helpful. C.W.
The SPICE RETREAT starts on December 31st
although you can chose to do the retreat
at a time to best suit you.
So sign up NOW - full details of the retreat and sign up form can be found here.
THIS IS THE LAST TIME THE SPICE RETREAT WILL BE AVAILABLE for now,
so don't miss this opportunity to do it.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement over this past year. My email list has increased enormously, the SPICE Retreat and the ADVENT retreat had lots of participants and lots of emails of thanks afterwards, and the audio recording of WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS has done well too. (don't forget it's in Kindle too, as well as the paperback of course)
THANK YOU, thank you.
A SCENT OF WATER - a daily devotional for the first six months of bereavement is due out in the spring of 2021. I'm doing the final re-write over the next week or two, following the editing and proof reading from the publisher, and prayers would be appreciated. THANK YOU!
So I'm hugely grateful to God for the way he has blessed my writings to help so many people.
I'd love to know if there are areas you struggle with that you'd like me to tackle in future writing - no promises, but any suggestions are welcome.
HOPE: my word for 2021.
Romans 15:13 my verse for the year.
The thrill of hope ... radiating with hope
How we need this for the new year, after this terrible year.
What have you chosen for your word/verse for 2021?
I've ordered Rowan Williams' Candles in the Dark. I'll let you know how I get on with it!
Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! (TPT)
See you in the new year!
- Penelope
And the fame of his name
will birth hope among the people.
Matt 12:21 (TPT)
I made gingerbread for Christmas.
I always do - it's one of our family traditions, passed down from my grandmother, whose recipe I still use, copied out a long time ago from her recipe book into mine.
It's an exercise of restraint - and hope.
First, there's the mixing. Then the use of my grandmother's old baking tin. Both my daughters want this tin when I'm gone! Maybe
I'll leave it to someone in my will - the granddaughter who is a superb cook already?
Now for baking. The house fills with an aroma of fragrant spices and sweetness. Our mouths anticipate a treat. Ah - gingerbread! everyone exclaims with joy. With hope!
Because you are not allowed to eat it for at least 2 days. 5 is better. The gingerbread gets wrapped and stored. The aroma fades.
And then, oh bliss, a few days later, there are squares of deliciousness served on a china plate alongside a cup of Lapsang Souchong tea.
The waiting made the tasting even more enjoyable.
We're all waiting and hoping in anticipation in other ways, too.
We're all waiting for this pandemic to end.
Hoping for a better 2021.
Waiting for life to return to 'normal.'
Hoping for an end of trying to normalise the abnormal.
But more than that, waiting for Jesus the Messiah, Immanuel-God-with-us, to return for his coming in glory.
Hoping that his name will be a fragrance to all the people.
Because we are living with the NOW and the NOT YET.
NOW he has come for the first time, at Christmas.
NOT YET because he has yet to come again in glory,
It's a tension.
But, like the gingerbread wait, it's a glorious, hopeful tension.
It will be worth the wait.
He has birthed hope in us by coming the first time. (Matt 12:21)
The power of his Spirit helps us radiate that hope to the world. (Ros 15:13)
So while you wait and hope, why not try my gingerbread recipe and remind you and yours of the joy that will be ours when Jesus comes again in glory. And enjoy some fragrant sweetness while you do.
THE SPICE RETREAT
It's not too late to register for this 5 session special retreat, which is available for you over the new year. A great time to reset and discover who God intends for you to be!
I finally engaged with your Advent Retreat this weekend and found it deeply moving and profoundly helpful. Thank you so much for your gifted and sensitive leading and for all that you are and do. It was my experience of the Advent Retreat which prompted me to sign up for the Spice Retreat, something I now very much look forward to. It will be a privilege to sit once more under your anointed ministry. P. M.
The spice retreat was an oasis in my week and for that matter day as I worked through some of the things in the journal. H.C.
Thank you for the SPICE retreat. There was a lot in it, and I am continuing to use the resources. Thank you, as well, for the 1 to 1 spiritual guidance session. That was very helpful. C.W.
The SPICE RETREAT starts on December 31st - although you can chose to do the retreat at a time to best suit you.
So sign up NOW - full details of the retreat and sign up form can be found here.
Many of us are feeling a little lost, a little weary, with all that's going on right now.
Wondering who am I?
Wondering what's the point of me?
Or even, what difference can I make in the current world situations?
Here’s where the SPICE RETREAT online can be of help: By the end of this online retreat, you’ll know how God made you YOU, you’ll know your best YOU, and you’ll be able to be your best YOU in everyday life, work and relationships.
No matter what is going on around you.
Pop over here and register so that you can start the new year with a new best you.
Roms 15:13 (TPT)
The SPICE RETREAT begins in January and I'd love for you to join us - I really don't want you to miss out! I know that for many, going on Retreat or Pilgrimage is a life changing event; but many of us are hesitating to travel right now or commit to travel yet . So a destination retreat isn’t possible right now.
And many of us are feeling a little lost, a little weary, with all that's going on right now.
Wondering who am I?
Wondering what's the point of me?
Or even, what difference can I make in the current world situations?
Here’s where the SPICE RETREAT online can be of help: By the end of this new online retreat, you’ll know how God made you YOU, you’ll know your best YOU, and you’ll be able to be your best YOU in everyday life, work and relationships. No matter what is going on around you.
The SPICE RETREAT is for:
- Anyone who wants to go deeper with God and discover how he created you to be
- The person who feels lost and uncertain in life, especially in these uncertain times
- Someone who needs to re-set and start-over, to be re-activated with a new purpose
- Those who are created by God
Don't worry if you are not based in the UK - On a previous Spice Retreat there were participants from Australia, France, the USA and the UK - so those from overseas often were on a very different timescale but with the Forever Access they could watch at a time to suit themselves.
The weekly emails with all the information for the next session will be emailed to you on a Thursday.
But don’t worry - you will have forever access, so you can use them at a time that suits you.
There are several options available, including just the online course, or with optional one-on-one sessions to help you process and personalise what you learn on the course, turning it into a lasting practical life change, with support and encouragement on your journey and see you through the first 6 months of the new YOU
BRONZE
- 5 weekly sessions, of 60 minutes each, recorded and available to be accessed at any time. These will include input, guided times for reflection, and other specials such as led meditations, contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, lectio divina, and various ways to hear God speak into your life. You will have forever access to these
- Downloadable weekly journals, that you can keep, personalise and use at any time
- Suggestions for how to use SPICE to create your own individual retreat at a time to suit you
- A retreat handbook of things that will enhance the SPICE RETREAT
- An extra part of the Journal!
Bronze price £85
SILVER (ONLY 4 Silver places available)
- everything in Bronze plus 1 x 60 minutes session of one-to-one Spiritual Direction at the end of the course to help you personalise your main takeaways
SILVER price £135
GOLD (ONLY 3 GOLD places available)
- everything in Bronze, PLUS 3 x once-a-month 60 minute sessions of one-to-one Spiritual Direction to help you process and personalise what you learn on the course, turning it into a lasting practical life change, with support and encouragement on your journey.
Gold price £225
PLATINUM (ONLY 2 PLATINUM places available)
- everything in Bronze, PLUS
- 6 x once-a-month 60 minute sessions of one-to-one Spiritual Direction to help you process and personalise what you learn on the course, turning it into a lasting practical life change, with support and encouragement on your journey and see you through the first 6 months of the new YOU
Platinum price £375
You'll then be sent the pre-retreat journal.
The information for the sessions and downloadable journals will be sent to your inbox on Thursdays. You might decide to do your retreat on Thursday evenings, perhaps; or Saturday morning; or Sunday evening … you can work out the time best suited to you.
The spice retreat was an oasis in my week and for that matter day as I worked through some of the things in the journal. I’ve a week in a retreat house booked for the end of September my Spice journal and some of the recommended books I’ve bought will be coming with me. - H.C.
I am in a place of transition .. and this course spoke to a journey I was already pursuing about being the best – the real me, rather than a good all-rounder who was getting worn out doing too much else that took me away from my true desires and calling for this time. I long to develop the contemplative and what comes out of that and can now do so. - J.S.
Watched on Tuesday mornings when I could guarantee no distractions. So far I have watched all the sessions twice. I intend to replay bits of each over the next few weeks. It is great to be able to go back, to rewind bits, to pick out things that catch my attention the second time around. - S.J.
Exceeded my expectations. Such a rich resource especially with the SPICE journal handouts each week. - S.S.
I am excited to be sharing this online retreat with you and my prayer is that the Lord will reach out and touch each one of us and transform us to be the people He has made us to be so that we can live Life in all its fullness. Come and join us and learn more about the 5 areas that make you YOU!
The Revd Penelope Swithinbank is an experienced pilgrimage and retreat leader, conference speaker and Spiritual Director/Therapist. She has been leading retreats and pilgrimages for nearly 20 years, regularly leads pilgrimages in the UK and on the Via Francigena in Italy, has had an international ministry, including churches in America and the UK, and speaking on Women's Retreats and leading conferences. Her most special memory is of opening the US Senate in prayer and being guest chaplain there for a day. Penelope was the first ordained woman on the staff of The Falls Church, Virginia, where she headed up the Connections and Communications Ministry in a church of nearly 4,000. Later, she was the first chaplain at St Mellitus College, London, and then ran The Vine at Mays Farm, a Christian Retreat House providing sanctuary mostly to burned-out clergy, although normal people came too, for retreats and time out. She now works partly as a Chaplain at Bath Abbey and partly mentoring, supporting and pastoring clergy. Author of two books, she is a wife, mother and grandmother and says of the 6 grandchildren that they are so wonderful she should have had them first.
These resources are helpful for anyone at this time of Advent and Christmas, and will be of special significance to those who enjoyed the ADVENT RETREAT.
Verses, music, books, counselling:
A list of Bible verses about hope:
https://www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/g27654150/bible-verses-about-hope/
MUSIC:
BOOKS: I don’t personally know Bethany, but each of the other authors I do and I can really recommend their books to you. I’ve read each of these and found them helpful.
If Only, by Jennie Pollock. When life doesn’t always go the way we’d hoped, and we find ourselves struggling for contentment in the midst of disappointment.
Journey With Grace, by Sarah Grace. Unpacking the journey and learning to feel comfortable in our own skin. Sarah is a psychotherapist who has been on her own journey of faith and finding emotional freedom. (She’ s also my publisher!)
From Burned Out To Beloved: soul care for wounded healers, by Bethany Dearborn Hiser. From the back cover - This book will equip you to confess your limitations, embrace your identity as a beloved child of God and flourish in your call to serve.
Taking Off The Mask, by Claire Musters. Claire uses her own story to help us take off our masks and be who God created us to be, moving away from disappointment and shame.
And two I’ve found helpful in previous Advents - daily readings moving towards Christmas.
Redeeming Advent by Lucy Rycroft. Discovering that the Christmas story was busier, messier and more haphazard than we ever imagined. Written for busy people!
Those Who Wait, by Tanya Marlow. Follow Sarah, Isaiah, John the Baptist and Mary and find empathy for our disappointment and doubt, perspective and purpose in delay, and above all, find God in the waiting.
COUNSELLING:
If some of the areas we touched on in the retreat brought up difficulties or disappointments or doubts or any other issues for you, do talk to someone who can help. It may be the clergy, pastor or minister at your church; your homegroup leader, or a trusted Christian friend.
It is often really helpful to talk with a Spiritual Director (another name for someone who accompanies you on your Christian journey and can be a confidential and empathetic listening ear) and you could ask your pastor or clergy to recommend someone. I have a few spaces available too (click here to read more) which are available in person or online - I have people from the UK and the USA and we chat quite happily on Zoom or Facetime! One of the benefits of our modern technology.
And maybe for deep life issues, a counsellor or psychotherapist would be helpful. I can recommend SarahGrace Counselling and Swift Counselling, both of whom are Christians and offer online or in person counselling and psychotherapy and each of whom I know personally.
Don’t wait if you have things troubling you; this is a good opportunity to change something in your life for the better and to get true help to do that.
There are affiliate links which earn me a few pennies if you click through. THANK YOU - but no pressure if you want to get them from your local bookshop!
I will be leading the SPICE RETREAT again in late December/early January if you’ve not yet done it. For those on the ADVENT RETREAT there is a promo code for you to get a discount, which will be emailed to you so look out for that!
I know that for many, going on Retreat or Pilgrimage is a life changing event; but many of us are hesitating to travel right now or commit to travel yet . So a destination retreat isn’t possible right now.
And many of us are feeling a little lost, a little weary, with all that's going on right now.
Wondering who am I? Wondering what's the point of me? Or even, what difference can I make in the current world situations?
Here’s where the SPICE RETREAT online can be of help: By the end of this new online retreat, you’ll know how God made you YOU, you’ll know your best YOU, and you’ll be able to be your best YOU in everyday life, work and relationships. No matter what is going on around you.
The SPICE RETREAT is for:
- Anyone who wants to go deeper with God and discover how he created you to be
- The person who feels lost and uncertain in life, especially in these uncertain times
- Someone who needs to re-set and start-over, to be re-activated with a new purpose
- Those who are created by God
Don't worry if you are not based in the UK - you’ll have Forever Access and can watch at a time to suit you. There are 5 weekly sessions of an hour each; a downloadable retreat handbook; downloadable journals each week and other downloadable resources; options for one-on-one sessions of Spiritual Direction.
"A good basic grounding in spiritual disciplines that make you think about strengthening and valuing each aspect of life, to be true to and value your real self and grow deeper in the knowledge of God’s love. It really encouraged me to continue to take the steps I needed to take to become freer and enjoy life ...... it was a real blessing and God given for this time. " - Jackie S
Finally - A SCENT OF WATER will be published in the spring next year. It’s a daily devotional for the first 6 months of bereavement and is being produced as a gift book - a hard backed smaller book, with wonderful photographs, a ribbon marker; daily thoughts and some meditations. Full details soon! It’s with the publisher now, which is exciting, and I’m thrilled that my little book will be available to help others with grief and loss.
THANK YOU - for joining me on the Advent Retreat. May God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him.
The Revd Penelope Swithinbank is an experienced pilgrimage and retreat leader, conference speaker and Spiritual Director/Therapist. She has been leading retreats and pilgrimages for nearly 20 years, regularly leads pilgrimages in the UK and on the Via Francigena in Italy, has had an international ministry, including churches in America and the UK, and speaking on Women's Retreats and leading conferences. Her most special memory is of opening the US Senate in prayer and being guest chaplain there for a day. Penelope was the first ordained woman on the staff of The Falls Church, Virginia, where she headed up the Connections and Communications Ministry in a church of nearly 4,000. Later, she was the first chaplain at St Mellitus College, London, and then ran The Vine at Mays Farm, a Christian Retreat House providing sanctuary mostly to burned-out clergy, although normal people came too, for retreats and time out. She now works partly as a Chaplain at Bath Abbey and partly mentoring, supporting and pastoring clergy. Author of two books, she is a wife, mother and grandmother and says of the 6 grandchildren that they are so wonderful she should have had them first.
*but you can do it at any time - read on…
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- three hours on retreat for you to spend extra special time with God, something you might not actually get around to on your own!
- there’ll be some input, some time for personal reflection, some led meditation/ Imaginative prayer times.
- forever access to the recordings (*so you can have your retreat at a time to suit you, especially if you’re in a different time zone. Or do one hour a week for the next three weeks; whatever suits you and is helpful)
- a planning and preparation worksheet sent out in advance
- a downloadable journal for you to keep and write in
- recommended resources
- and a special free gift just for you.
Where: your own special Sacred Space. This is online. No need to worry about social distancing, masks, or what to wear! Relax in your comfy chair with your favourite brew, in your pjs if you like, and experience the presence of God in an unhurried and special way.
What: The Three Questions. Looking at three very specific questions asked by people in the months and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. They were living through uncertain and unprecedented times; they each had difficult personal situations; they each had their worries and concerns. Sound familiar?
Session One: The Question of Disappointment
Session Two: The Question of Inadequacy/self-esteem
Session Three: The Question of Control
The sessions will be recorded and you’ll be able to watch them whenever you like, so if you aren’t able to join us on 28th November, or if you are living in a different time zone, you’ll still be able to benefit from this retreat. There will be a 5 minute ‘comfort break’ between each session.
TO JOIN THE RETREAT, CLICK HERE:
https://penelopeswithinbank.com/orders/advent-retreat-nov-2020
The registration to join is just £20. All you need to provide is yourself, a pen, a candle, somewhere comfy to sit, and a cup of coffee or tea – or hot chocolate! YAY!
Come and join us on November 28th for just three hours that will probably change the way you celebrate Advent and then Christmas this year. It will be a live link via Zoom, and will be recorded for you to watch at any time. You’ll be sent the link beforehand to join the ADVENT RETREAT and then you can watch it and enjoy your Advent retreat at any time that’s good for you.
TO JOIN THE RETREAT, CLICK HERE:
https://penelopeswithinbank.com/orders/advent-retreat-nov-2020
And do pass this on to friends who might also be fed up with lockdown and benefit from an Advent retreat! Thank you.
I’m looking forward to having you join us for this special time.
NB - registration closes on Wednesday November 25th at midnight GMT
WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS
was published a year ago - in 2019.
Not 2020 as I wrote on my emailing post - but have now corrected on the blog post.
Thank you to everyone who pointed out my error! Never could do sums. #dyscalculia
But at least it gives me the excuse to send this apology and remind you that WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS is on sale for this anniversary weekend only.
To celebrate the anniversary, there's a very special offer on a signed paperback edition.
Picnic lunch (chocolate and coffee) in the RAIN!
This might solve a few Christmas present ideas for you!
The story of my husband and me backpacking right across France, discussing our struggling marriage, our faith questions and struggles, trying to find coffee and icecream ..... and walking, walking, walking for 500 plus kilometres.
Who do you know who'd like to read this - walkers, Francophiles, people struggling with faith issues, with their marriages ..... it actually appeals to a very wide audience! AND it has lots of coloured photos in the middle.
For the weekend (Nov 13-15 only) to celebrate the anniversary, the books are on special offer!
plus the more you buy the greater the discount:
1 copy £10
2 copies £18
3 copies £25
AND
FREE P+P * on orders with promo code:
FREESHIP
RRP is £12.99 + p+p
CLICK HERE TO BUY WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS
The offer is only available from Nov 13 - 15th
*sorry - UK only
Available on audio and Kindle too.
Midmorning coffee break - in the RAIN
More unseen FOOTage
Nursing a sore FOOT with a sorbet and tea
It's a wet weekend in the UK - think I might curl up with a good book in front of the fire and enjoy some time to read.
I'm currently reading Journey With Grace, by Sarah Grace;
The Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel,
and Kaleidescope, ed by Ineda Pearl Adesanya.
Might need to divide my day in three.
Then it's the TEARFUND Quiz Night at church tonight - all on Zoom of course, and our family has entered a team. (Might be competing with the MASTERS on in the background, knowing the men in my life).What are you doing this weekend?
May the Lord be the stability of our times (Is 33:6)
Penelope
ps - don’t forget to sign up for the Advent Retreat.
Feeling frazzled? Frustrated?
Floundering around in these strange and challenging times?
An Advent Retreat
for uncertain times -
(online)
There are affiliate links which earn me a few pennies if you click through. THANK YOU - but no pressure if you want to get them from your local bookshop!
My bedside table ….
included in this post:
how to read books. a special anniversary with a special offer. free downloads. coping with being frazzled.
WALKING BACK TO HAPPINESS
WAS PUBLISHED and LAUNCHED on
NOVEMBER 13th 2019.
How can it be a whole year?!
Have you read it yet? Paperback, Kindle? Or listened on audio?
To celebrate the first anniversary weekend, there's a very special offer on a signed paperback edition.
This might solve a few Christmas present ideas for you!
The story of my husband and I backpacking right across France, discussing our struggling marriage, our faith questions and struggles, trying to find coffee and icecream ..... and walking, walking, walking for 500 plus kilometres.
The offer is only available from Nov 13 - 15th
*sorry - UK only
Many people have told me how helpful they've found the memes I wrote and posted on Social Media over the past 10 days. Here they are again specially for you. You could print them out and put them up to remind yourself regularly. Or use as a bookmark in your journal or Bible.
Praying they will be helpful for you
Flicking through to the end? You missed How to Read Books; the Christmas present, special anniversary, offers; some free downloads, and details of how to help with feeling frazzled!
Lockdown.
Again.
Sort of, but not quite the same. Still, it’s a lockdown.
Or no - maybe that’s too negative.
A PAUSE. So I wrote the above reflection and posted it and it proved to hit the spot for many people!
A pause to protect, a pause to prepare, so that Christmas can happen better.
Because Christmas WILL happen - Emmanuel WILL come as he always does and as we alway remember on December 25th. Emmanuel: GOD WITH US, no matter what. God is with us.
What do you need to be ready for WHATEVER may lie ahead?
Like most people, you probably don’t know what lies ahead and you fear the worst. Actually, isn’t that true for most of us most of the time? We none of us knows what lies ahead even though we plan and prepare and presume that what we schedule and diarize will indeed happen. Eventually. Somehow.
Anthony Robbins, the American motivational speaker and author, (I know, a Marmite situation, love it or hate it...) said,
“People are shaped not by how things go when things are going well; people’s lives are shaped by the most difficult times. … This is your time for training, for practice, to prepare for what’s ahead…I guarantee you, winter will end, and when it does you will emerge that far ahead. You will have taken your life to a new level.”
How will your life be shaped in these difficult times?
Are you ready for what lies ahead?
How will you take your life, your walk with God, your spirituality, to a whole new level?
What will help you to prepare and to go deeper with God and be ready for Emmanuel at Christmas?
December 25th. Remembering the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.
Christmas.
Maybe not in the way we normally remember and celebrate.
Maybe there will need to be new creative ways, less commercialism, (there’s always hoping!) other ways to celebrate the Saviour’s coming. But it WILL happen (unless they change the calendar before then. Anything’s possible, right?!)
Perhaps this year, as lockdowns increase and uncertainty and fear surround us, it’s a good year to concentrate even more on the things of God.
To prepare for the coming of the Saviour.
To celebrate and remember Advent.
Not just the giddy opening of advent calendars filled with luscious chocolates (for the young) or gin or whisky (for the slightly older). But the burning of beautiful advent candles at home. The hanging of a Jesse tree and its ornaments and verses. Special daily readings, time to reflect. TIME TO PAUSE.
Where: your own special Sacred Space. This is online. No need to worry about social distancing, masks, or what to wear! Relax in your comfy chair with your favourite brew , in your pjs if you like, and experience the presence of God in an unhurried and special way.
When: Saturday November 28th 2020 – the day before Advent begins so that you are ready to step into Advent itself. (but you can do it at any time - read on…)
What: The Three Questions. Looking at three very specific questions asked by people in the months and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. They were living through uncertain and unprecedented times; they each had difficult personal situations; they each had their worries and concerns. Sound familiar?
There’ll be some input, some time for personal reflection, some led meditation/ Imaginative prayer times. And a downloadable journal for you to keep and write in.
Time:
9.30am -12.30 pm (GMTLondon)
Session One: The Question of Disappointment
Session Two: The Question of Inadequacy/self-esteem
Session Three: The Question of Control
There will be a 5 minute ‘comfort break’ between each session.
The sessions will be recorded and you’ll be able to watch them whenever you like, so if you aren’t able to join us on 28th November, or if you are living in a different time zone, you’ll still be able to benefit from this retreat .
The cost includes:
- three hours on retreat
- teaching and input
- forever access to the recordings
- a downloadable journal
- resources
- and a special free gift just for you.
- Three hours for you to spend extra special time with God, something you might not actually get around to on your own!
All this for just £20. All you need to provide is yourself, a pen and somewhere comfy to sit, and a cup of coffee or tea – or hot chocolate! YAY!
Come and join us on November 28th for just three hours that will probably change the way you celebrate Advent and then Christmas this year.
Click here to join the online ADVENT RETREAT.
Book now - while you think about it. There’s already a great group of people booked to do it. Come and join us?
PAUSE - to PREPARE.
Over 600 books in Queen Mary’s dolls house at Windsor Castle, made for the current Queen’s grandmother.
Whatever.
I love books and still have a lot, in spite of the (alas, sadly, tearfully) having to get rid of over a third when we downsized over three years ago. And yes, I have had to rebuy at least three ….
And I am sure a lot of what I know, and definitely a lot of my Christian and spiritual formation, has come through reading. I am blessed and privileged to have been taught to read at an early age and had access to all kinds and genres of books ever since.
So I am always delighted when a new book is published. Especially when it’s written by someone I know. During October/November this year, not one but SEVEN people I know are publishing books they’ve written.
EXCITING!
So 7 people, one for each book; and 1 of the 7 will actually get TWO books
Liz Carter: Treasure in Dark Places
Sarah Grace: Journey With Grace
Jennie Pollock: If Only
Lucy & Cath: The GodParent Prayer Journal
Sheridan Voysey: Reflect
Tracy Williamson: A Beautiful Tapestry
you can pre-order this direct from Tracy if you click here
Lorna Almonds-Windmill: 1 person will get a bundle of two books, Gentleman Jim and Escaping the Ordinary
and - 1 person will get The British Achilles
As always, do try to obtain the books from your local Christian bookshop or independent bookseller!
And to be included in the free give-away,
sign up for the mailing list on the pop-up on here! (** see below)
You’ll also get a free download of a little book about 5 ways to connect with God
AND another very special offer!
SIGN UP FOR THE EMAIL LIST NOW - and you’ll get the first free downloadable little book now, another email in a couple of days with another special offer, AND the email next weekend about the give away of all the books!
What’s not to like? I really hope that you get one of these wonderful books and that it will bless you in ways you may not even have imagined!
May you finish 2020 strong and with a good book helping you on your journey with God. I just love helping others on their walk with Him!
There are some affiliate links in this blog post. If you click through to buy one of the books, I earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Social media, magazines and newspapers are awash with suggestions and advice about how you might best deal with the ‘unprecedented’ situation, how you can best survive the next six months, how you can find the key to health and happiness now in spite of what is happening all around us.
‘The Times’ recently recommended cooking outside on a winter barbeque, refuelling with hot chocolate after a run, taking a nap during the day with the curtains drawn, and learning how to pickle cucumbers.
Really? Learn how to pickle cucumbers?
Jamie Oliver seems to pickle cucumbers …..
Moving on swiftly ….
What do you need to be ready for WHATEVER may lie ahead?
Like most people, you probably don’t know what lies ahead and you fear the worst. Actually, isn’t that true for most of us most of the time? We none of us knows what lies ahead even though we plan and prepare and presume that what we schedule and diarize will indeed happen. Eventually. Somehow.
Anthony Robbins, the American motivational speaker and author, (I know, a Marmite situation, love it or hate it...) said,
“People are shaped not by how things go when things are going well; people’s lives are shaped by the most difficult times. … This is your time for training, for practice, to prepare for what’s ahead…I guarantee you, winter will end, and when it does you will emerge that far ahead. You will have taken your life to a new level.”
How will your life be shaped in these difficult times?
Are you ready for what lies ahead?
How will you take your life, your walk with God, your spirituality, to a whole new level?
What will help you to prepare and to go deeper with God?
One thing that will happen in spite of Covid and economic downturns and whatever else life throws at us, is December 25th. Unless they change the very calendar before then (anything is possible right now, right?!)
December 25th. Remembering the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.
Christmas.
Maybe not in the way we normally remember and celebrate.
Maybe there will need to be new creative ways, less commercialism, (there’s always hoping!) other ways to celebrate the Saviour’s coming.
The Christian Church has traditionally prepared for Christmas and the coming of the Christ child through the four weeks beforehand, the time known as Advent. Perhaps this year, as lockdowns increase and uncertainty and fear surround us, it’s a good year to concentrate even more on the things of God.
To prepare for the coming of the Saviour.
To celebrate and remember Advent.
Not just the giddy opening of advent calendars filled with luscious chocolates (for the young) or gin or whisky (for the slightly older). But the burning of beautiful advent candles in church and at home. The hanging of a Jesse tree and its ornaments and verses. Special daily readings, such as Lucy Rycroft’s “Redeeming Advent” or Vicki Cottingham’s daily devotional.
But also a really special time of preparation, a time when it’s just you and God, allowing him the time and space to speak into your life? Here’s one especially for you:
Where: your own special Sacred Space. This is online. No need to worry about social distancing, masks, or what to wear! Relax in your comfy chair with your favourite brew , in your pjs if you like, and experience the presence of God in an unhurried and special way.
When: Saturday November 28th 2020 – the day before Advent begins so that you are ready to step into Advent itself. (but you can do it at any time - read on…)
What: The Three Questions. Looking at three very specific questions asked by people in the months and weeks leading up to the birth of Jesus. They were living through uncertain and unprecedented times; they each had difficult personal situations; they each had their worries and concerns. Sound familiar?
There’ll be some input, some time for personal reflection, some led meditation/ Imaginative prayer times. And a downloadable journal for you to keep and write in.
Time:
9.30am -12.30 pm (GMTLondon)
Session One: The Question of Disappointment
Session Two: The Question of Inadequacy/self-esteem
Session Three: The Question of Control
There will be a 5 minute ‘comfort break’ between each session.
The sessions will be recorded and you’ll be able to watch them whenever you like, so if you aren’t able to join us on 28th November, or if you are living in a different time zone, you’ll still be able to benefit from this retreat .
The cost includes:
- three hours on retreat
- teaching and input
- forever access to the recordings
- a downloadable journal
- resources
- and a special free gift just for you.
- Three hours for you to spend extra special time with God, something you might not actually get around to on your own!
All this for just £20. All you need to provide is yourself, a pen and somewhere comfy to sit, and a cup of coffee or tea – or hot chocolate! YAY!
Come and join us on November 28th for just three hours that will probably change the way you celebrate Advent and then Christmas this year.
Click here to join the online ADVENT RETREAT.
One thing before you go - here’s a little video to help you cope in these (dare I say unprecedented!) challenging times. It’s Bath Abbey’s Thought For the Day, one I was privileged to record a few weeks ago. Enjoy!
Did you skim read to the end??!! The most important bit is to prepare and get ready - you can find the link here to join the Advent Retreat on November 28th.
There are some affiliate links in this blog post. If you click through to buy one of the books, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! But absolutely no pressure and it’s great if you can order these from your local Christian bookshop.
