Speechless

Those of you who know me know that it takes quite a lot to leave me speechless. On the seldom occasion that happens I tend to find something to say reasonably quickly but today I am still speechless about it after six hours. I just don't really know what to say or what to think, nor can I think of a joke or whitty comment about it!

As I was driving to work this morning the presenter asked if we (the listeners) had heard of Black Ivory coffee. It would seem that in Thailand elephants like coffee beans. An elephant sanctuary has been giving their elephants coffee with their usual food and then re-claiming them from the elephant dung afterward. The beans are then prepared and sold to consumers. No, this is not a wind up, it is completely true. Not only that but it is the world's most expensive coffee at 6000 kr per kilo or if you prefer $1100 american dollars per kilo.

They say the coffee has an earthy flavor and is smooth on the palate. I am sure there is a good joke in there somewhere...

If you want to read more follow this link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20121207/as-thailand-elephant-coffee/?utm_hp_ref=homepage&ir=homepage

I wonder who thought of trying this for the first time and what makes someone actually do so? There are some strange people out there. You and I aren't strange though. Well, at least I'm not strange, I'm not too sure about you now I come to think about it!



Exercise

The temperature is -10 degrees centigrade outside with a blue sky and there would be sun too, except at this time of year it doesn't make it high enough in the sky to get over the mountains. I am sitting inside, close to a warm wood-burning stove, with my computer and a cup of tea. Out of the window there are scores of birds flying to and from the bird table. In many ways it is the perfect traditional scene.

This is a time of year when we allow ourselves a few extra treats. Chocolate and crisps are my weakness. I know I should stay fit and healthy even in the snow and ice but it is just so tempting to stay in in the warm ... Perhaps a walk later ... It is easy to let the days slip by knowing that for my health I should join a gym, go for a walk regularly or go swimming but not actually getting a grip on myself and doing it. My head knows it and I feel vaguely guilty about it now and then but the days just roll past.

I also know that to stay spiritually fit and healthy I need to train my spirit. It is far to easy to think I will just do this or just do that before I sit down to read my bible and pray. The same thinking can happen here too. The days roll by and my good intentions have come to nothing.

I know from when I was at my peak of competing in endurance riding that training is addictive. The endomorphins given out when we train make us want more and so it is lesss difficult to train when we are in a regular pattern of doing it. I remember going on a long ride for 2, 3 or 4 hours in all weathers. I know the feeling of the cold and the snow on my face and my hair turning stiff and crunchy because it had got snowed on; the snow had then frozen to solid ice on my hair so when I touched it, it crackled and crunched. It was not unusual for me to swim a couple of kilometres 3 or 4 times a week too.

It is so much easier to set aside a time for thinking, reading the bible and praying, which includes listening to God, when we have a regular routine. I have huge respect for the people I hear about who get up at 5 or 6am to spend some quiet time with God before the day begins. I realized long ago that I cannot do that: I just do not function well in the early morning. It is all I can do to stay awake and remember what I need to do. I want to give God my best and I am not at my best at that time of day. Some time ago I decided to stop listening to those around me and to work out when I am at my best and give that time to God in prayer, listening, bible reading and worship.

For me it works to have regular time with God. It is addictive too, because when I come close to God, into his presence, I don't want to leave and it is no trouble to come back to him again and again. If I let myself become unhealthy either physically or spiritually then my long-term health and welfare will suffer. I know it in theory ... I think I will go for that walk now!

Coming, ready or not!

What does advent mean to us? It is a time for waiting, waiting for the right time to celebrate Christmas, the 25th of December, or if you are in Scandinavia, the 24th of December. One of my daughters says the reason Scandinavians open their Christmas gifts on the 24th is because Father Christmas has such a lot to do: he has to deliver the "local" presents a bit early.

Advent is a time for preparing. We are inundated with adverts for gifts we might buy so we are prepared with something nice to give a friend or family member when Christmas day comes. The shops, magazines and tv are overflowing with adverts for the traditional foods and treats we will need to buy in in preparation for celebrating Christmas. We prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Advent is about taking time to stop and think about God incarnate who came to live amongst people. He humbled himself and came down to us, to live among us, to be one of us, fully human and at the same time fully God. The light of the world stepped down into the world. We celebrate the baby in the stable. We also celebrate the coming of the Son of Almighty God, the second person of the Trinity.

Advent is not only about preparing to celebrate his coming, it is also about being prepared for his return. In being prepared for Christmas we need to be prepared to meet him in our everyday Christian lives and be prepared for his return. Everything Jesus ever said would happen has happened, therefore we can trust his word when he says that he will return. He is coming, ready or not!

^"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." John 1.9-10

It is hard to wait for something we are looking forward to and each year as advent begins we are challenged to prepare and wait. The preparing is not only about preparing in practical ways but also preparing our hearts, minds and lives to celebrate the coming of God to us. We celebrate that he came - but that was thousands of years ago. The reason it still matters is that he is still here in his people by his Spirit. Not only that; he has promised that he will return. Can we open our eyes this advent time and recognize Jesus for who he is?

Can we set aside ten minutes each day during advent to reflect on Jesus place in our lives? Is our image and understanding of him big enough? Do we recognize him for who he is? How are we going to let our reflections impact our lives in practical ways?