Catrina Benham's Blog

The lights are finally up and the presents are wrapped, what else can we wrap or decorate?...ah yes,we've dressed up Silky (Alice's rabbit) to say Happy Christmas to you ! God bless you as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and as we all gather with family and friends, God bless you in 2009 Much love Catrina xxx "This is how much God loved the world: he gave His son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3v16

I heard Mary Costa choose her "Inheritance tracks" on radio this weekend. She is particularly famous for two roles - she was the voice of Princess Aurora in the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty; she also sang at the funeral of President JFK. The song she sang then was "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me", and that was also her choice of inheritance track. She simply said "That phrase expresses me totally". I want Peace to "express me totally"too . Our peace is through Jesus - He helps us to bring peace into our worlds. "Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God's Sunrise will break in upon us, Shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace." Luke 1 v79 (The Message)

I'm a list-maker ( especially at this time of year). I write to-do lists and daily lists of children's activities. I write shopping lists (but strangely, only look at it once at the checkout!) If I do something that's not on my list, I add it on...just so that I can cross it off! Reading the Girltalk blog, Carloyn Mahaney's article was very timely for me - hope you enjoy it too x December 18, 2008 Not Just Another Christmas List A few years ago we compiled a list of attitudes that should characterize our heart this Christmas. Since I need the reminder, I thought you might benefit too. THE HEART LIST from December 6, 2005 In case you haven’t caught on: over the last few days we’ve been subtly slipping you another list of “must do’s” for the holidays. I know. How dare we add another list to the endless lists you’ve already got going this time of year?! There are to-do lists, Christmas gift lists, a wish list from each person on the gift list, Christmas card lists, groce...

Our children were ill on and off this last week with the cold/flu thing that everyone seems to have. This came to a head on Friday with all 3 ill and off school - aaggghhh!!! With 3 poorly children these last few days I feel like a mother bird dropping good things into their mouths as I administer pain relief, soothing drinks and favourite snacks (different for all 3). Then sort out squabbles between the 2 sharing the sofa bed etc. I've also been cough, cough, coughing myself! In the midst of the mothering and busyness and stuff , I have a few things that I use to help me to connect with God right in the middle of my day. One is that I have a daily email from Encouraging words daily devotional for women It does "what it says on the tin"with a few verses from the Bible and then some challenges and thoughts on how to apply it to my life. Another is that I have some verses from the Bible printed out and stuck in places I visit often, So I have some in my diary; and also in a...

Why do Christmas lights work whilst you decorate the tree, and all through the evening. But then DON'T WORK when you switch them on (just to see again how lovely the tree looks!) in the morning??? Alice did a fantastic job with the tree last night, but I have an idea that we may just have to take everything off and start again later today AAGGGHHH!

I woke up early this morning singing "there can be miracles when you believe" and with my head buzzing following last night's Xmas Factor ! It was an amazing evening , and once again I was blown away with the standard and quality of what we put on as a Church. For my part it's fantastic to be involved with Simon at the end as we talk about God's dream of having a relationship with each one of us. The pressure of being last, and of everyone else being so good definitely gets the adrenaline going!It was also nerve-racking being filmed singing (and whistling!) and then being criticised by those fierce judges, but it seems to give people a good laugh! The creative and technical teams have done an incredible job. The music; singing; performances and arrangements were truly outstanding. What I love too is the experience we give the school children who come to sing - we treat them really well and "big them up" throughout the event - especially now that we have ...

Yesterday was a day of the planned and the unplanned; the expected and the unexpected. It was Bert Leonard's funeral - a real thanksgiving for a life well-lived. Each person agreed that he brought life and light wherever he went. He brought the fragrance of Jesus with him - always positive, always smiling, always cheeky! He would tell terrible jokes and also quote poetry. So we thanked God for him and for his life and his influence. At the same time his coffin was in front of us and we were at his funeral, and there was a very real sense of loss as we sang and as we talked about Bert . We know he's gone to a better place, but there's still sadness. One hymn we sang was "We have an anchor" ; and the words stayed with me through the day. A day where I wondered and worried and prayed for Lee Layton-Matthews' heart surgery. Praying for skill and wisdom from the medical team; for peace and strength for Linda as she waited; and for life and health for Lee. Thank God...