This week I have had the pleasure of thinking about Christmas presents and something struck me - instead of being all twisted up walking around shops aimlessly for hours, searching for the "perfect" plastic fantastic item that will hardly last past New Year, why not do something creative for gifts this year? This in itself was a scary prospect! After all, I'm not exactly "known" as an artist (for rather obvious reasons if you've ever seem me draw a stick man). However, this thought has stuck with me, and after a bit of perseverance, I have come up with an artistic plan which meets my three criteria of a good gift: individually meaningful; something the recipient will want to keep for years; and doesn't break the bank to get it. Now for the implementation...hmmm, I'll update you on the progress next week!
God is so creative! In fact, his creativity is such that we call him The Creator! That is a concept that can be hard for us to really grasp, so let's look at the first couple of verses of Psalm 121, a great "Psalm of Ascent":
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
I like to paraphrase verse two to read: "My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Mountains!"
God's creativity is not simply a matter of fact...it is also a message of his faithfulness, it is a promise of his help in times of difficulty and struggle. Creation speaks to us of a God who is interested in everything that we do...because after all, we too are his handy work!
So as you get into the "Christmas spirit", bear this in mind. Don't let yourself get all wound up in the hustle and bustle, but take some time to bask in God's creation, to enjoy BEING God's creation, and to mirror his character in some creative way. Where does my help come from? From a God who speaks to me through his creation and invites me to participate in it with him.
Arohanui,
Pastor David Auty
God is so creative! In fact, his creativity is such that we call him The Creator! That is a concept that can be hard for us to really grasp, so let's look at the first couple of verses of Psalm 121, a great "Psalm of Ascent":
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
I like to paraphrase verse two to read: "My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Mountains!"
God's creativity is not simply a matter of fact...it is also a message of his faithfulness, it is a promise of his help in times of difficulty and struggle. Creation speaks to us of a God who is interested in everything that we do...because after all, we too are his handy work!
So as you get into the "Christmas spirit", bear this in mind. Don't let yourself get all wound up in the hustle and bustle, but take some time to bask in God's creation, to enjoy BEING God's creation, and to mirror his character in some creative way. Where does my help come from? From a God who speaks to me through his creation and invites me to participate in it with him.
Arohanui,
Pastor David Auty
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