Activate Team Member

Monday 24th January is apparently the most depressing day of the year. The third Monday iin January, dubbed “Blue Monday,” marks the occasion when post-Christmas gloom is at its highest point, according to The Guardian.
The name “Blue Monday” came about after British psychologist Cliff Arnall devised a formula six years ago for just why people feel so dispirited every year on this day. He came up with a complicated equation that contains seven variables such as weather, debt, monthly salary, time since Christmas, and low motivational levels. No one needs an equation like the one devised by the former Cardiff University lecturer to tell them that horrible weather, no holidays in sight and a bad economy are the perfect storm for feeling generally bad on this day.
As a Christmas lover, I have always found January the hardest month to adjust to. I miss my children when they return to school, I find the dark nights and bad weather restricting. Today my jeans won’t button up, it is pouring with rain and one of my best friends is about to emigrate to Australia.
On Sunday I listened to a great sermon that challenged me to think with an eternal perspective about the New year.(http://pacificcoastchurch.org/click on sermon for January 2nd)
Be content in every circumstance and be grateful.
Philippians 4 v 11 -13.’I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.’
So now I’m not even allowed to wallow in self pity! I am trying to see God’s big picture and remember all that He has done for me. I am trying not to join in when others moan and to concentrate on God’s peace. As the 24th of January approaches I will let you know how I get on!
How do you feel about January? How do you cope with negative feelings? Can you witness to others through your contentment during this time of year?

Fiona Castle writes –
Recently Michael Baughen, former Bishop of Chester, asked me to write a commendation for his new book, The One Big Question. I did this willingly because he is a man I admire greatly. I was slightly concerned, partly because I was rather busy at the time and I’m a slow reader! I also wondered if it might be too academic for my simple brain! However, I needn’t have worried, because I was rivetted from the start.
The one big question is probably the one most commonly asked of Christians. How can there be a God of love when there’s so much suffering in the world? It is so good to have such a question answered, not in a trite or simplistic way, but in a way that can be useful to us, as Christians, to arm ourselves when asked such questions by our non-believing or sceptical friends and colleagues. It is definitely worth reading and giving as a gift.

Praying that this new year is a good time for you – a time of peace as you look back and hope as you look forward.
We have much to be thankful for at Activate Your Life –
40 years of creativity, inspiration and work from a fabulous group of Godly innovative women.

Our little Activate team today are looking forward positively to the year ahead –
-that the website will go from strength to strength, full of interesting and practical ideas shared by all our supporters.
-that we will fill our hotel bookings for our March conference, enabling us to stay afloat financially and enjoy a weekend of networking, learning and being blessed together.
-that our Activate supporters will continue to use the individual gifts and talents they have, pouring God’s love into their homes, workplaces, schools, neighbourhoods.
-that people will be introduced to the concept of faith and the reality of the person of Jesus.
-that eternity will be different because of women allowing God to work wonders through them in 2011.

This morning I received the following message from Bible for You – a great daily email service.
31 Dec 2010

“We become more and more like Him” 2 Corinthians 3:18
‘HAPPY NEW YEAR!’ is what most of us will be shouting at midnight tonight. New Year’s resolutions will be made, hoping a new ‘thinner, fitter, healthier me’ will emerge in 2011. The Bible says, ‘become more and more like Him.’ So how about we make this our New Year’s resolution – everyday choosing to become more and more like Jesus? How will it happen? Well, to make us more Christ-like, God will use His Word, other people, and difficult circumstances. God’s Word provides the truth we need to know, God’s people provide the support we need to grow, and difficult circumstances will provide the environment we need to show Christ-likeness. If you apply God’s Word, connect regularly with other believers, and learn to trust God in every situation, you will become more like Jesus. Count on it – it will happen! ‘God wants us to grow up …We take our lead from Christ …. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love… no going along with the crowd … everything – and I do mean everything – connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you. (Eph. 4:14-24 TM)

Looking for a different version of the Christmas story to show at your event? This is brilliant!
A fast moving, clever visual feast that uses all the tricks of modern Internet communication to tell the story of Mary, Joseph and the visit of the wise men. The music is a bit naff but the images are so clever it is worth it! A perfect intro to a mince pies and coffee get together round your kitchen table. A snappy start to your pram service. I like the strap line- ‘times change – the feeling remains the same’.
http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA&feature=YouTube_gdata_player