When the nights get longer and the winter chill starts to set in during the month of November, it’s a great pleasure to be able to turn on the heating and appreciate the warmth. Now that November is over and the final month of the year begins, those feelings of being inside in the warmth also lend themselves to reflection. It is nearly that time to look at the year and see what’s happened and take stock. Before that, however, there are a few more weeks of the year left and as long as God gives oxygen and health, there are opportunities to further explore with Him. There is still much, however, to reflect on the month of November. It has been a great month in a lot of ways in seeing the provision of the Lord and the inspiration to continue blogging.
The end of the Daniel series led to the start of the Ruth Reflections series. That has been going well so far. Likewise, the month saw the start of the Seven Signs series and that has been hugely helpful in getting to grips again with the importance of those signs for believing in Jesus. I don’t take it for granted that just because I’ve read something before I have it handled and don’t need to learn anything more. Jesus has some powerful things to share with us as we pay attention to Him and these signs have been fascinating to revisit for that purpose. There was one in particular on the official’s son being healed that challenged me deeply about the role of faith in my life.
The Dryden Links have been good fun over the month and I am grateful for what I learn from the inspired writings of others helping me with various aspects of my walk with God whether it’s with the church or in terms of spiritual disciplines to build faith in Christ. The standard of the Dryden Blog Conversation is only getting better, particularly on my brother’s part. The quality of questions he asks continues to challenge me to truly consider things about life that underpin who I am.
A particular highlight for the month, however, has been the Word of Wisdom series considering the issue of wisdom from above versus earthly wisdom. The point of a word of wisdom was always to look at how to live a wise life. Looking at what James says on the matter in one section of scripture really unleashed so much about what it is to live a way of life that pleases God. It’s a series I was very pleased to have written and left a standard to live up to for further exploration in the word of wisdom.
I will certainly need that wisdom over the month of December to truly make the most of the opportunities that it presents. In the meantime, I am grateful for the faithfulness and gracious nature of God in November. Please keep me and my family in your prayers as we continue to look at what He has in store for us as we look for His Kingdom come and His will to be done.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 