Right guys, I don't normally get involved in posts like this because some of you kind fellows have opinions about beekeeping and non beekeeping issues that do not allow for others' opinions to be expressed without a row developing (and I find this forum not to be as friendly as it used to be), but on with the hard hat and ear protectors .....
I'm not really into "religion" but I am in a personal relationship with Christ. He is involved in every aspect of my life and while circumstances can be bad, things go wrong, situations can be difficult, I find his peace just flows over me sometimes, and I know He loves me. It is coming up to Christmas, and I am always amazed at the Incarnation - how a holy God would become a man like me and live a life like we do, with emotions, fears, troubles, joys, hunger, pain, fun, creativity: bottom line, because of Christmas God knows first hand what we go through and He understands. I love making things out of recycled wood, and often imagine how Jesus (the Son of God incarnate) would have enjoyed his time as a carpenter - I wonder did he jump about like me when he banged his finger? Fishing, and sleeping on a boat are things I also do with a smile!
For me it started when I learned that God loved me and sent his only son to die for mankind to bring men and women back into relationship with Him. And when I read that God commanded all men to repent. So I did. I repented of my sins and asked God to repair my broken relationship with Him. Like my relationships with my wife and my children, my relationship with God needs to be regular, constant, maintained. If I only spoke to the wife at Christmas, Easter and funerals I wouldn't have much of a relationship. So with Jesus, I keep it regular, daily, and I have found great peace in every aspect of my life, even when circumstances are terrible, his peace remains constant.
An old beekeeper in our Association speaks about "telling the bees" and how his granny would recount the happenings of the day to the bees. In fact, an old tradition here in Northern Ireland is to go and tell the bees when the beekeeper dies. I find myself telling the bees about OUR heavenly Father and his provision for them and me. I feel blessed.
A few years ago I took my eldest son to help build some houses in a Leper colony in Africa. We lived among them and witnessing their joy despite circumstances - a joy that came from a relationship with God and not from material possessions - we now live a very different life. I'm very thankful this Christmas to have wood for the fire, to have a roof above me, a dry place to sleep, shoes without holes, something to eat, and above all else the love and peace of God in my life everyday. Christmas is not about presents and parties, gifts and drink. It is about celebrating the event when God sent his son into this world to repair a broken relationship and bring His peace into lives who will accept Him.
Happy Christmas to all
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