The Meaning of Boxing Day

I know Boxing Day was a few days ago but something happened that I would like to share. Something that makes my blood boil. We (Jodie, Franco, the kids and I) were driving back from visiting our cousins in Kurrajong, with full tummies, in a full car, when we saw a girl walking by the road, thumbing for a ride, out in the middle of no where. At first I thought she looked like she was in her underwear. As we passed her, we spent some time discussing whether or not we could stop for her, because we had a full car. Thoughts crossed through our head- was she drunk? On drugs? In trouble? Eventually I spun the car around, and we pulled up beside her. Jodie wound down the window and said to her, 'Are you OK?'

The girl burst into tears and explained to us that her boyfriend had kicked her out of the car because she wouldn't sleep with him. She didn't even have a clue where she was. (And what I thought was her underwear was actually her gym equipment!) She needed a lift home to a nearby suburb. We explained that we were Christians, and offered to give her a lift. She calmed down after that, and told us that her boyfriend (they were both 17) had said to her that he had waited 5 years for her to sleep with him, and he couldn't wait any longer. Goodness knows what he was thinking when he was 12 years old!

The girl told us she had prayed for someone to come along. And even though God used us to 'answer' her prayer, if you think of it pray that God may use this incident for her salvation.

When I think about this boyfriend, and his total lack of love for his girlfriend, and what I felt like doing if ever I met this so-called 'boyfriend' of hers, it kind of gave a new spin on the meaning of 'Boxing Day'.

Thanks Father of Christmas for the gifts!

Last Christmas I was in London with my cousins, and it was fun feeling like a kid again, because I got to open presents with them on Christmas morning and share their excitement.

This year, God has blessed me by being able to spend time with kids again! Last night Giorgia and I left out a bucket for Santa's reindeer, and a cookie for Santa. This morning I woke up to a little face peering into my room, waiting for me to get up! When I walked into my lounge room, it was redecorated- new cushion covers and things in different places...a woman's touch! (Thanks Jodie!) Then we unwrapped some presents, and after breaky I went across to church to lead the service and preach. I love preaching the gospel, and I thank God for the visitors he brought along to church today. Very different to last night's service when I had my forearm through a suitcase, with a puppet coming out of it... but around 200 people there who also heard the gospel.

Its the little things this year that have made Christmas special- having my family over in my home, all around the table; the real Christmas tree I have; the gingerbread men that Jodie made which are hanging on it; watching the Muppets with Giorgia today; holding my niece on her very first Christmas. OK, maybe I'm sounding a little sentimental at this late hour, but as Christmas draws to a close, I have to say that our Father has given me so many good gifts. And praise Him that He knows how to do this!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve finds me relaxing at home with Jodie and Franco...talking about relationships and family and church. I really wish they could be here in Australia- I will really miss them when they go (even if Luca has drawn on my walls!) I have enjoyed reading Giorgia Bible stories at night, and cuddling Luca when I wake up. I love family, and value the times I get to spend with them. I really love the people my relatives have married as well- Franco, Chris, Shane, Steve, Liz...its great to spend time with them and get to know each of them better.

Tonight we had the kid's Christmas Eve service at church. I believe Christ was honoured, and people saw that the real meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was sent as a baby so that we could be friends with God. I had fun putting on a puppet show, and doing some drawings for the kids.

I will leave you with a quote from Gregory of Nyssen, which I have been inspired by this Christmas: 'Although Christ took our filth upon himself, nevertheless he is not himself defiled by the pollution, but in his own self he cleanses the filth, for it says the light shone in darkness, but the darkness did not overpower it'.

Merry Christmas everyone! May you reflect on the wonder of the Incarnation, which allowed God to act as a man to win our salvation.

On the Eve of Christmas Eve...

Ahhh summer time...today Franco and I sat in a cafe and read the newspaper and just chatted,while Jodie took the kids to a mother's group she used to attend...then Franco and I took the kids down to the rock pool at North Narabeen and went for a swim. I have missed going to the beach- one summer when I was on college holidays I was beaching it every day- that was a great summer...*deep sigh!* Its amazing how much the beach relaxes me and makes me feel so calm...diving in the salty waves and feeling the sand between my toes. And the beach wasn't crowded at all...Narabeen is such a well kept secret of Sydney town. (Oops. Please mentally delete that last paragraph.) You know its weird- I never grow tired of the beach and its scenic surroundings, staring out to the coastline and beyond the blue horizon. The temperature is a few degree belows the hot oppresiveness of the suburbs. I should come here every time I have a day off. Its these little things in life that keep me sane and cause me to give glory to the One who made all this! Now I feel ready again to tackle the bustling Christmas period.

This Sunday

Today was Jodie's b'day. After church we had lunch, cake, (chocolate), family, fun, food, lollies, coffee, conversations, relaxation, back to church, carols, preaching, back home, more food, more fun, more conversations.
I love having my own place!

The Fleeting Fame of....Me!

Today I went Christmas shopping for the first time. A P-plater in the car park at the shopping centre smiled cherrily when I was leaving. She even waved at me. At first I thought she was just being friendly. Then I wondered if I knew her. Jodie, who was with me, wondered if she thought I was famous. But then I had the sad realisation that she all she wanted was my car spot.

Losing my Evangelism Edge?

Today we had the last week of our 'Training at Four' afternoons, and this week's was on evangelism. It felt so worthwhile talking with people about how to have gospel conversations with people. But I realised that I haven't had many opportunities lately to simply share the gospel with people in conversation. That bothers me. So I told the group that if anyone wants to go doorknocking that I would go with them and one person offered! This is what I have needed- to sharpen my ability to evangelise and keep me focused on the bigger picture.

American sugar

I have to marvel at the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch that Jodie brought for me from the US (I remember really liking it when I was there, and so I asked for a box). The cover of the box boasts: 'cinnamon and sugar in every bite'. That kind of marketing would just not sell in Australia. We all know there is sugar in cereal...we just don't brag about it! I was also told that while baked beans here may have 7g of sugar, in the US they have 14g! I was horrified!

God bless America! And in some ways He already has- especially the dentists, nutritionalists and dietary pill people.

Cousin from the US

I'm so excited! My cousin from Cedarville Ohio is here to stay with me, with her hubby and their 2 darling kids. Their eldest is such an extravert. I guess she is my second cousin? She calls out my name and shows me things she has drawn, and wants more paper to draw more things. And then she has gotten right into my videos of the Pink Panther.

Its a gift from God to have a home. I think its important for people to have a place where they can come and stay and feel at ease and comfortable. For a long time I've had an 'open house policy' at my home- so that people who just need to chill can come and relax in the semi-country setting that my suburb has to offer. Plus its nice to spend time with family I don't see very often.

Welcome to my Random Musings

OK, so I've decided to go for a new blog page. This will enable some of my friends from the wider web to leave comments. Unfortunately, xanga does not allow for comments unless you are a signed member. So all you non-xanga-ites out there...you better leave me some comments! And Xanga people- please continue to comment...

Ancient Chinese saying: 'Blog comments make the soul smile'.

Well, not really...I just made that up.

If you would like to read previous Random Musings, see www.xanga.com/davidm14