In the Bleak Mid Winter

Ask me my favourite Christmas carol, and I will probably answer with, 'In the Bleak mid Winter.'
The words are very poignant, and the best is last, ''what I can give him: give my heart'' Pretty much sums up the Christian gospel, and why Jesus came to earth.
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

I love the references to the cold winter. I see that as having double meaning, as our hearts, and lives before the Holy Spirit has touched them. We were hard hearted sinners, who needed to be warmed to Christ.
The second verse then talks about the power of God. We can't contain God, and he humbled himself in birth, but even to death on a cross!
The third verse pertaining to worship. What we were made for:to glorify God, and worship Him.
Finally in the last verse, as mentioned before, we give our hearts. We cannot be christians, until we have given our heart to Christ, and repented of our sin. It is God's gift to us. Often, if we are given a gift, it is expected to reciprocate. The fantastic thing about the gospel, is that we can ONLY give our hearts our all, but that in joy. We don't have to do anything, it is all of grace, and free.
Merry Christmas! Have you received God's free gift?

Power Cuts!

Yesterday's bad weather took our power out at 6:p.m. Just as I was going to prepare dinner! Of course, we have all electric here, and oil central heating, which of course doesn't work without the electric pump. Just as well my mum had rung just before, or the dinner would have been half way through cooking!
(I was pleased that I had bought the 6 pack of parrafin lanterns off ebay, the previous week. Ironically, we had bought a couple extra to lend out in emergencies.)
It was handy that we always had an emergency plan for when such things happen, and I am partly writing this to encourage others to do the same.
Hubby took a while to set up the gas in the caravan, and then I was able to cook the dinner. Having the paraffin lanterns meant we had light in the house, too. We also had a camping gas stove, which was excellent for heating up hot water for tea, and coffee, and washing up.
For heating, we have a log burning stove, and failing that a paraffin heater which is 6KW, and has a built in safety feature, so if it is knocked it cuts out. You can fuel them with home heating oil, as it is exactly the same as paraffin.
One of the reasons we have always been prepared, is our experience of the winter of 1994 in rural west wales. We were 3 days without power, and all the candles, lamps etc in the shops had sold out. We did have a camping stove, and we used it to heat up water for the neighbour's baby. They couldn't make up the formula. Also, we were off for days in rural Scotland.
So, would you have the bare essentials in a power cut? They are set to become common place, as the UK struggles with demand, and not enough power stations.
Here is my list of essentail items:
1) Candles with holders, paraffin lanterns, paraffin, torches, and extra batteries for lighting. Solar torches are fab. I bought one off ebay cheaply, a while back. Wind up troches are great, too.
2) Something to cook on. Obviously, if you have a stove, or gas cooker anyway, then this will still work, unless the gas is cut off! So, it still is an idea to have something to hand in emergency. A gas ring is great, and these can be bought from argos, are compact, and the gas bottles are tiny, making them easy to store.
3) Something to keep you warm- I think it is bad idea to build houses without chimneys, as an open fire or log burner is a good way to keep warm during a power outage. A small paraffin, or gas heater is ideal otherwise.
4) If you can afford it, a small generator will stop your freezers defrosting, if the power cut is to last beyond 24 hours. These run off either diesel, or petrol, and you can get quieter ones now, and quite small ones, for use with caravans.
As with everything, take care to keep all lighting out of the reach of small children, and out of the way of fire hazards. If you do not have a carbon monoxide detector, or smoke alarm, then get one fitted now.

Fun and Games

Just recently, we have been having regular games nights, where we play board games. For the past few months it has been trivial pursuit. I had forgotten about how much fun I had with this as a child. Sadly, because I was like an only child (brother 12 years older) I didn't get a lot of opportunities to play. I played with my mum, and occasionally with friends. One of the great things about a large family, as there are six of us playing. The children learn from it, and compete with each-other, interact with each other. Sadly, in this IT generation families are not interacting much anymore. As a result, you have whole families split up doing different things. I wonder whether we have gone backwards, and not forwards. Years ago families always entertained themselves with singing, games, reading aloud, or just talking, and sharing!
We are doing a scrabble tournament over December, and we will all compete with each other to win prizes. Again, they are learning, and the 11 year old just recently beat the 16 year old. They are learning healthy competition, and how to be a good sport, while having fun along the way.
If you haven't already, let me encourage you to set aside a couple of hours and try it out. You won't be disappointed.

Saving Money, and Shopping Around

Just when I thought I couldn't make any more savings, I started shopping at Aldis.............
I have to say, I hadn't been for about 8 years. I must say, I have been impressed, and will pick out a few of the things, which I believe offer real value, and savings.
As a rule, I observed that milk, and bread, were about the same as Tesco, and Morrison, pricewise. Quality was better than Tesco.
1) Grapes, pears, and mixed peppers-
These offered massive savings, and the grapes were only £1.50, according to Mysupermarket were half the price of Sainsbury, and beat Asda hands down.
2) Garlic bread-
At just 30p each, big value for a long baguette.
3) Free range chicken £5 for 1.5 kilos-
that is £3-£4 cheaper than elsewhere. A real saver, if like us you have to cook 2 at a time.
4) Cereals-
Huge range of granolas, cornflakes,micro oats with fruit, and shreddies. All at good quality, and around £1 each. Depending on where you buy, this is a saving of 50p-£1 per box.
5) Spices-
50p each, that is half the price of tesco, or sainsbury.
6) Chocolate-
We tested it, and as good as the leading brand. Just 69p for aero style, and others £1. They even do dark chocolate.
7) Red Meat-
just £2.29 for a pound of frozen aberdeen angus mince. £2.99 for 400g casserole steak. Very good value packs.
I will lastly mention the hot chocolate, at £1.09 for 400g. Twice the price of Asda smart price, and Tesco value.....but, we think it usurps cadburys in taste. Could it be the coconut?!
Anyway, I am sure there are lots of other savings. I have tried to list the most useful. We tried the battenburg, and the walnut cake after dinner, and thoroughly enjoyed. One of the girls was sad, cos she didn't get to have the, 'girly cake' I had offered 6 of both. Will have to buy more......

Drying Washing

Some smart Alec will say, it is as easy as just putting in a drier. However, I loathe driers, and the electric bills they run up. I prefer to dry clothes naturally. Now if you don't have a drier, and you happen to have a dozen to wash for, it is a good idea to buy a washing machine with an 'A' rated spin. Believe me, it really does make a massive difference, as my towels come out almost dry.

There are a few things I have also learned along the way, to make my drying a bit quicker, and easier. I will list them, as follows:

1) If you are going to be hanging washing out in the morning, always do it the night before. It is a good idea to check the forecast, as if there is going to be wind, stuff will dry quicker, obviously. No point in stacking up 6 loads if there is rain forecast for the next day.
2) Always bring it in an hour before it gets dark. This stops the dew coming down, and making your washing as wet as it was in the morning! In summer, it doesn't apply so much.
3) If it is summer, and there is no rain forecast in the night, consider putting it out in the evening, and leaving it all night.
4) To save time,( and esp in the winter, or showery days) use those hanging sock baskets, with pegs attached. You can get them in the pound store, but i found for a couple pound more, the ones in Wilko are much more durable, and my wilko one has outlasted all the others. You can hang your smaller items on these, and then attach them to an airer in the house, when you bring them in. It makes it easier to just grab them in a rain shower, too.
5) An airer is an imperative. I don't have space for one of those which you hang from the ceiling. I just keep one large one in the hall. A heated airer is a good option, if you are struggling to get stuff dry, though running costs on the electric will apply.
6) We like fleece a lot in the winter, and one major plus, is they dry in no time at all! Forget the big thick jumpers, which take an age to dry, fleece is lightweight, and almost dry from the machine. The girls have fleece onesies, too.

Please feel free to add your tips, and what you do in the comments.

Freedom!

I have just finished the book by Beverly Lewis, called ''The Shunning''.
It was a quick read, some predictable parts, and rather left on the edge, making me want to read the next in the trilogy.
However, it was thought provoking, in that it was about Amish life, and a girl who was unknowingly adopted into that. I hadn't realised until about a year ago how ensconced the Amish are in their man made rules system. I find it horrifying that they would shun friends, and family just because they do not follow the rules of the Amish order.
It made me think of our tendencies to legalism. Somehow, we can feel comforted by a rule system, and an order. Are we adding on our own rules though, or are we getting our standards from the Bible? We will all have disagreements about certain aspects of our life. Modesty, for example can be a shady area. What is clear, as that we are to attend church in a manner akin to decency, and order. We obviously don't walk around in public wearing certain clothes either. There are no clear cut modesty rules in the bible, so that is where common sense, and personal conviction comes into it. If our church starts dictating what we MUST wear, then it is starting to add rules.
One of the main things which surprised me was the idea of using a guitar, or even humming a tune not in the Amish hymn book was enough to get yourself into discipline, which in itself could lead to excomminication meaning a complete shunning from the community. We should be accountable to God only. If there is serious sin, like adultery, fornication that is a matter to be addressed by the pastor. However, we will all disagree with different aspects of music, and that is a minor matter, unless of course listening to demonic music which is openly sinful. I am not sure how many rules the Amish have, as there are different orders. I have heard of hundreds of rules, though, and some of them seem ridiculous.
It made me appreciate the freedom we have in Christ. We are not saved by attending church, keeping lots of rules, and even by the 10 commandments. In fact, only God's grace can save us. It is our faith in Jesus who was crucified for our sin, and who rose again, and was an atonement for our sin, that saves us. Repentance, being truly for our sin, and accepting that Jesus has already done the work on the cross, redeemed us. NOT BY WORKS lest man should boast. Amazing, as if I thought I had to save myself by my works, I should become very discouraged. That is what is amazing about grace.
AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND, THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME.
I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW AM FOUND WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE.

Protecting our Children

Hmm, sometimes we can assume that home educating will protect our children from some of the worse aspects of life. I read an article yesterday, which in someways contradicts this. I already knew that we can't just home educate, and think that is it. We need to be aware of what is going on, and how we really are in the hour of temptation.
One thing we didn't have when I was a child, was the internet. Now you can click on just about anything. Online shops, articles, and...pornography. In fact pornographic sites account for most of what is on the internet. If you think your children wouldn't click on anything like that, then think again. All it takes is for one misclick, or a link sent by someone else. Filters are really important, and parental controls are an imperative. Let's not be complacent though, as they may not be enough to protect. We need to be aware of what our children are clicking on. Another reason why I hate the advance of i phones for kids. Who knows what they are clicking on?
The internet can be a curse or a blessing, like a lot of things. It is something that must be used wisely.
Another thing on the rise is witchcraft. It seems that stuff like Ouija boards are being mass marketed to kids. Tarot cards, and wiccan stuff. This stuff isn't harmless, it is highly dangerous, as it opens the mind up to demons, and demonic possession. I was shocked to find books lauding witchcraft, highly accessible in libraries, even school libraries for primary. The danger is, when our children read books which distort the reality, and portray something evil as harmless.
Television is waning somewhat, as the internet becomes more popular. However, I am shocked at the content of the stuff on children's TV. Peppa pig for example, belittling men, and encouraging feminism. Already, it is trying to sell our children a Godless worldview. Cartoons with witchcraft in, and encouraging disobedience to parents.
Have you noticed how a lot of the films today have no moral absolutes? They portray heroes, as fornicating, committing adultery, and using foul language. Is this the sort of standard we as Christians want to set?
Soap operas, with their constant dramas, arguments, promotions of unnatural behaviour, idolatory, fornication etc. A gossip's paradise. Something we are commanded not to do.
I don't believe it is being legalistic to reject these things. We need to measure everything against the Bible. Is it edifying, pure, and of good report? Will it encourage sin? If we answer no to the first question, and yes to the second question, then clearly by God's standards it is wrong.
I wonder whether that is why the Christian church is so weak now. Everyone is compromising. No one wants to offend, and we have a lukewarm faith, accepting all things lest we of all things be called a bigot! The fact is we will be persecuted, and we will be hated for doing that which is right. It isn't an easy path, but it is the right, and Biblical one.