Psalm 45, 46

Isa. 59:15b-21;

Gal. 3:23-4:7;

Matt. 1:18-25

Lord help me to be attentive to your voice.

Favoured

Psalm 72, 111, 113
2 Samuel 7:1-17;

Titus 2:11-3:8a;

Luke 1:39-56

Luke 1:39-56

Fortunately for us we are not so favoured as Mary. To our knowledge the angel Gabriel has not appeared and we are not asked to do anything social unthinkable that might potentially cast us out of society. Zechariah's age caused him to question and he was struck dumb for at least nine months. Mary accepted with thanks.

Psalm 66, 67, 116, 117
1 Samuel 2:1b-10;

Titus 2:1-10;

Luke 1:26-38

1. Mary recognises the angel as a messenger from God

2. She listens

3. She takes the message seriously

4. She says "so be it" and acts accordingly.

Do I even listen to God?

True Story

Psalm 61, 62, 112, 115
Zeph. 3:14-20;

Titus 1:1-16;

Luke 1:1-25

Luke 1:1-25

I always find it ironic when the daily Bible reading notes which we use are the same readings as the Daily Lectionary. Today they are the same http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id.

I would not be pursuing my own spiritual discipline if I leave it there.

The first paragraph of Luke is one of those passages which makes the Bible seem real. Lots of people had written accounts but none of them were good enough for Luke. We are a family of six control freaks. I suppose given the genes of the parents it is inevitable that the offspring are so inclined. I have know three different family members pack and repack the trunk of the car in order to try to use the minimum amount of space. Then there is 'which way should a toilet paper roll face'? When certain people are around one never knows which way it will face as they turn it to their inclination every time they have a need to use it. Luke wanted the account of Jesus done right so he did it himself. Luke was around just after Jesus, soon enough to interview eye-witnesses. If the whole story of Jesus is a hoax then it had very elaborate beginnings. To my mind the story is too complex and hangs together too well to have been fabricated.

Then there is Gabriel appearing to Zechariah. Zechariah thought is was a fast one until he was struck dumb. God acted. God acts in may ways, little and big. This was a big one. I am relieved and thankful that I caught the tram that I saw in the distance yesterday. I am amused that I am living in Belgium. Who in their wildest dreams would ever conceive of living in Belgium?

Those Gates

Psalm 8, 24, 29; 84
Gen 3:8-15;

Rev. 12:1-10;

John 3:16-21

Psalm 24

Those gates

http://www.grahamkendrick.co.uk/songs/lyrics/psalm_247.htm

Whenever I read Psalm 24 it reminds me of St Mary's church in Wollaston, the church which we attended from 1990 to 1992.

There are far too many people for me to tell you about them all.. There were the members of our house group who could not drive but would babysit for me and the others members who could not babysit but would drive the babysitters to our house so that I could go to work. There were those who loved us for who we were. There were the leaders of the youth group who took a group of teenagers to Spring Harvest.There were those who met us in Dallas after we had moved back to the States and there were those who helped me with Moms & Tots infants midweek service after I took over from Christine when they left the area. Yes lots of memories of people devoted to Christ and doing acts of kindness motivated by a love of Jesus.

Graham Kendrick's hymn was a favourite of St Mary's.

Befriended

Psalm 55, 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Zech. 8:9-17;

Rev. 6:1-17;

Matt. 25:31-46

Psalm 139:1-17(18-23)

The first time I was conscious of Psalm 139 was at my family friend Enid's wedding. I find it a great comfort to know that God knows absolutely everything about me and is an unseen support system.

Enid's parents had incorporated me into their family. Being short of a father in my life her father, Uncle Steve, is probably the nearest person to a father in my life. Whenever there was a treat for his own daughters I was included. he was also my homework help. Uncle Steve is a fount of information on all sorts of topics. He has written the odd book or two including a book in Welsh on how to keep bees and a history of Quakers in Pembrokeshire - this one in English. On retiring Uncle Steve went to Africa to teach for 2 years and Auntie Clem had to learn to drive for the first time in her life. There are many examples of their family generosity to those in need but I think I would be undermining their humility if I listed any more. They are an inclusive family, people are welcome in their house. Which I brings me to the reading in Matthew. Need I say more? Who shall we meet today?

Belgian Lace

Psalm 40, 51, 54;
Zech. 7:8-8:8

Rev. 5:6-14;

Matt. 25:14-30

Matt. 25:14-30

We live in the land of lace, beautiful handmade lace. Walk around the Grand Place area of Brussels or almost any street in Bruges and there are windows full of almost any item one can imagine to entice the tourist to buy a momento of Belgium. Of course, much of it is made in China or by machine in Italy or France. I am however the proud possessor proud a genuine handmade Belgian lace tablecloth. My father bought it when he was here during World War II. I knew of its existence but it was not until I was going through all my possessions in great detail before our current move that I saw it. But it is useless. It was so precious that my mother kept it carefully wrapped up in tissue paper in a trunk. Greyed and brittle, I did not investigate further, maybe it can be restored.

Instinctively I am with the last guy in the parable. I would be so worried about losing the talent and possible retribution that I would have kept it carefully wrapped in a safe place. But precious treasures should be seen and used, enjoyed by all. A treat shared spreads the pleasure. (This saying reminds me of my friend Alison, another great Christian in my life but is off topic for today).

What talents has God given me, you? Hmm I am writing this, maybe it is one of the talents that God wants me to use, maybe I need to find a math student or two as well instead of spending all day looking at house ads, maybe...as a lady said to me at our ladies retreat last saturday "Perhaps a house will come when you use your talents for God."

But one needs courage to use talents.

...Closed Book

Psalm 33 50, 59, 60
Zech. 4:1-14;

Rev. 4:9-5:5;

Matt. 25:1-13

Rev. 4:9-5:5;

closed book n. A person or thing that cannot be known or understood; something unfathomable or.
www.answers.com/topic/closed-book

Yesterday it was Open Doors, today Closed Books. It was a welcoming into life with God, now unknown and unfathomable. That is my experience of Christianity as I was trying to explain in "Wordsearch". I do not know or understand the intricacies of theology but I do know that life without God is not the way for me. I know that

You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."

I know that when I walk in the forest there must be a creator. In the summer when I needed shade there was a canopy of leaves protecting me from the sun. Now that it is winter the light shines unimpeded on the pathway. There is order. If there were no God in control who could I thank and praise on my walks? Who could I grouch at when there is yet another unsuitable house? I do not know how he works or what he does. I do know that he IS. That is enough for me.

Open Doors

Psalm 49, 119:49-72;
Zech. 3:1-10;

Rev. 4:1-8;

Matt. 24:45-51

Rev. 4:1-8;

I stand by the door.

I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out.

The door is the most important door in the world-

It is the door through which men walk when they find God.

from "I stand by the door " by Samuel Moor Shoemaker

I have noticed that when people stand on the tram or metro rather than sit they always stand by the door. Sometimes the space by the door is so crammed with people that it is almost impossible to get off the vehicle, especially if one is not fluent in the local lingo. Trams can be very cramped, some of the newer ones are slightly wider and there is space to move along between the seats, but nobody does. Even in the most dense rush hour crowd there is far less of a crush away from the doors. Nobody wants to stand on that circular part where the two cars join, unless it is absolutely necessary... But why do we hang by the door. Are we afraid to go in unsure of what we shall find? Are we not wanting to get placed on the circular part where have to watch plant your feet firmly on solid tram when there is a bend in the road? Maybe a reason for the crowd by the door is the rush to get out, no seconds to waste.

The crowds by the doors reminded me of "I stand by the door". I try to move along, to go as far as possible and to encourage others to do so too, even to sit if there is a seat. Yes some even stand by the door rather than move all to rest their weariness.

Today's door is open and welcoming. Let's move along, as far in as possible and see what God has to offer.

Why am I posting this early? Because tomorrow I am by car to England. Yes all the way in the car, cheating for a few kilometres on a train but still in the car.

Psalm 45, 47, 48
Zech. 2:1-13;

Rev. 3:14-22;

Matt. 24:32-44

Psalm 45, 47, 48

When I gathered meditations from members of the congregation it often intrigued me that a common theme emerged from the +,-24 (Advent) or 46 (Lent) writings. I was forgetting the first verse of the today's psalms.

The meditation books were a result of Alyce Pyle's persistence with Melvin. Alyce had been responsible for books in her previous parish and wanted bring the gift to Holy Spirit. Often when people were asked to write but felt embarrassed, inadequate, that they had perpetual writer's block, or any other excuse/reason for not writing Alyce would quote

"My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer," and add "Let God guide you".

I cannot remember if Alyce referred to that 'Ol' Man in the Sky' as God or Lord but I do remember that he was her friend and constant companion. Through the books Alyce and I became close friends. She lived across the street from church and I would often spend the time that my daughters were at Children's Choir in her house. Alyce had many things and they all had a story behind them. One thing Alyce did not have was a daughter and for a while we had that relationship for being do far away from my own mother I was short of a mother. We would talk for hours on the telephone and I would give her a card on Mother's Day, much to her son's amusement. My daughters, and also my sons would visit Alyce. In fact I think the last time I saw Alyce was on a Mother's Day, almost the last one before I left Houston. I regret that I never got to visit Alyce after she moved into care and I read recently on the 'not church news' aka the Prayer List that Alyce is now in hospice care.

How I wish I could give Alyce another hug. What I can do though is read on in today's Psalm and praise God for Alyce. Alyce loved to sing for God, I will spare him that, I will sing in my heart and thank him for Alyce, and Don too who is also very special. He lived with Alyce.

Wordsearch

Psalm 41,44 , 52
Zech. 1:7-17;

Rev. 3:7-13;

Matt. 24:15-31

Matt. 24:15-31

In order to try to increase my French vocabulary I have bought a little book of "Mots Mel' ". It keeps me occupied on the tram and train. Of course I have never seen most of the words in my life and they make no sense to me. So it is with this passage in Matthew. Jesus spoke many words and some of them make sense. Yes he was probably talking about the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD but he went on to what is presumably the time when we shall all see him when he comes again. This is the part where the words made sense to him but none to me. I can get out my dictionary and look up the meaning of the words in the word search. I can turn to the bible commentaries and attempt to discover what scholars have to say about eschatology.

I do not know or even pretend to understand. I believe that Jesus died and rose again, that he is my Saviour and friend. I believe that Jesus will come again, somehow. He said that it was plain in the Old Testament that he was coming as a baby born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). With hindsight that is obvious but it was not in plain view most of the scholars of the time.

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he had to do to inherit eternal life the answer he got was painful. Sell everything you have and give to the poor." (Luke 18:18-23) Now that is a concept that I can understand even if I do not like it. I can be responsible for how I live my life in respect to everyone I meet and pointing them towards Jesus, just as many of the people I have written about on previous days have done for me.

Carols, mince pies and mulled wine

Psalm 63:1-8, 98, 103

Amos 9:11-15;

2 Thess. 2:1-3,13-17;

John 5:30-47

Carols, mince pies and mulled wine

Psalm 63:1-8,

98, 103

Yes, we are singing Christmas Carols tonight. in church, the Pro Cathedral of Holy Trinity Brussels. Rich food and songs of praise. Mince pies and mulled wine? They by the hundred are served after the service- so I am told for I have yet to experience the celebration. There seems to be great anticipation in the church about the joyful time and also many comments about mince pies being bandied about amongst the 'churchwomen'.

It is hard to think of the term 'churchwomen' without thinking of Marianne Smith who left us yesterday. Her life was devoted to her Lord and her Horace. Marianne was one of those quiet helpers. Normally when I was apportioning readings for the meditation books I did not give Marianne a set of reading because she was one of my spare writers, a person who I could count on to write a page at a few hours notice when somebody who had volunteered said at the last minute "Oh sorry I do not have time" or worse still just never sent me their work and three hours before we were due at the printers I was lacking a page. Marianne and Horace were also ready to give any of our family members a ride to or from church even though our house was out of the way. The list will continue because I have not mentioned Marianne's outstanding musical ability and her willingness to share it with all ages; and she would have been making mince pies too if that had been part of her culture- as well as donning a red apron and serving them with her wonderful smile. In Marianne faith and goodworks were intertwined in her devotion to the Lord.

Maybe I shall add the recipe later in the day.

Sardis - A Weird Welsh name?

Psalms 30, 32, 42 & 43
Haggai 2:1-9
Rev 3: 1-6
Matthew 24:1-14

Sardis - A Weird Welsh name?

Rev 3: 1-6

Freystrop, Sardis, Rosemarket. Sardis seemed to my seven year old mind to be the odd man out and therefore must be one of those weird Welsh names. Around the age of six I made the eight mile journey by bus to my Grandparent's house. My mother was working, I was alone. At Freystrop Cross one could turn off to Hook and Llangwm, definitely a Welsh name, hence since Sardis did not have what seemed to be a usually arrangement of letters it too must be Welsh.
The problem with Sardis was that the bus had to make a right turn through a very narrow angle. It achieved this by turning left, reversing into the road that was previously the straight ahead and then making a left turn out of that road. There seemed to be about three houses and of course a chapel- either Methodist or Baptist with grey stucco and brown paint. Hardly ever did anyone get on or off the bus. Almost always I was alone on the bus. Sardis with its odd name seemed a sleepy place.
It was a wake up call to me to discover years later that Sardis was one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation. God knew their deeds and their good reputation. And that was where it stopped in goodness. Skin deep, no heart, all for show. They liked collecting the Brownie points as an end in itself. Their compulsion was not a love of God or compassion for the rest of humanity fired out of God's love for them.

Snakes alive

Psalm 31, Psalm 35
Haggai 1:1-15;

Rev. 2:18-29;

Matt. 23:27-39

Matt. 23:27-39

I still regard suspiciously any foot-long strand I see lying on the sidewalk wondering if it will suddenly start to wriggle in my direction. For the inhabitants of Texas snakes are a fact of life, by the time I left I was getting there. The one that I found in the house when I was all alone I dealt with myself, but it was only one of those little things that looks like a shoes lace with a head. No, I did not kill it and for three reasons. I might have made it angry in my efforts, I would have had a mess to clear up and I am sure it had its part to play in the food chain. I did not want it playing its part in my house. Then there was the one that Stephen had a fight with outside the back door. That was a big black scary one. The girls, who were in elementary school at the time shouted at me "Stay inside" as Stephen pushed it away with a broom which it was trying to bite. Everybody in Texas has their snake stories. Many snakes do not survive the encounter, many people see snake, kill snake.

I was raised to be terrified of snakes. So was my friend Eileen. I remember we discussed our fears during the many months when our family may/maynot be moving to Texas. Mainly though we gave thanks to God for our blessings. Eileen is a gentle influence on my life. She was fond of saying to the children "God loves a cheerful worker". I often have to say this to myself when extracting somebody else's hair from the drain. we do actually have many opportunities for thankfulness that we overlook during the day.

I love Jesus' way with words. That is one of the pleasures of reading the bible daily. One discovers so many hidden treasures.

Brookmans Park- Be Still...

Psalm 37

Amos 9:1-10;

Rev. 2:8-17;

Matt. 23:13-26

Psalm 37

Be still.

Michael Ramsay was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. If there is a "type" of man whose appearance would qualify him for archbishop then he was almost it- white hair, bushy eyebrows and a gentle smile. He wrote one of the most profound books that I have read -"Be Still and Know". The title actually comes from Psalm 46 v 10 but I am always remined of it whenever I see the words "Be Still". Most of the book was lost on me the first time I read it and also the second. The third may be when we are reunited with our library when we have a house, whenever that might be. The book formed the basis of the first Lenten series that we participated in at our church in Brookmans Park, probably 1982.

We arrived in Brookmans Park late November 1981 and as usual went to the local parish church. Tom had not yet learnt the art of appearing to follow a service whilst his brain was building Lego vehicles or calculating how fast one has to drive through traffic lights in order to get through the green. He entertained himself by peering over the pew and acquaint himself with whoever was behind. It was Auntie Mary. Her fingers responded and ran along the back of the pew enough to amuse an almost two year old. Three weeks later when Stephen was born Tom stayed with Mary, Mary did my shopping, my ironing and looked after my children and listened to me as I settled into our new home. I do not know why we decided to sit in that particular pew but I know it was not coincidence that introduced us to Mary when we needed a relative.

Mary planned the Lenten series too. Faith and works were intertwined in her life. It was Mary who encourage and guided me to restart reading my bible on a daily basis. A habit which I had dropped in those grown up late teenage/early twenties times. Mary spoke with a quiet voice and made gentle suggestions, she never seemed to be in a hurry and always had time to listen, to drop by, always had a cup of tea or coffee ready or was ready to drink one. Mary was married with growing four children. In theory she was not a lady who had time to spare.

Be still. Have I mastered that lesson yet?

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1733?start=3

Fruit in the Marketplace and Doubt

Psalm 38 Psalm 119:25-48
Amos 8:1-14;

Rev. 1:17-2:7;

Matt. 23:1-12

Amos 8:1-14; Rev. 1:17-2:7; Matt. 23:1-12

One of the delights of living in Europe is the easy availability of shopping in the open air markets. On Saturdays we go to the one on Place Flagey. Our little routine is that we go to the Belga Cafe for croissant or pain au chocolat and of course a good cup of coffee and then to the market. On Mondays there is one that I can walk to through the forest and take the dogs with me and then on Wednesday there is an afternoon market at Place du Chatelain. I like the idea of an afternoon market and this market has a stand that sells digestive biscuits so essential for the 'not chocolate brandy cake recipe'. (Click here for recipe) I think the connection between the Matthew reading and my 'thought for the day' finishes here though how one treats people in the marketplace and indeed everywhere is important. One of my frustations is not being able to communicate with the lady with the baby or notice that my cheeselady is looking glum today and thus not reflecting a caring nature to those whom I meet.

In England there is a variety of apple called "Russet". To our delight we found a similar apple on the markets though not in the big grocery supermarkets here. Russet apples are great sliced thinly and added to cold pork or ham sandwiches. The problem is that they have a short shelf life. We were able to by good ones for about three weeks only.

What is my shelf life as a Christian? Am I getting over-ripe like the Jews who looked as if they were OK in Amos? Am I doing all the right things- going to church, trying to keep others in line, do I question new philosophies before I assimilate them...but have forsaken my original enthusiasm for God himself like the Christians in Ephesus?

I don't know.

Oasis

Psalm 26, 28 36, 39
Amos 7:10-17;

Rev. 1:9-16;

Matt. 22:34-46

Psalm 36

Midweek service and Jo Derrick

⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

We learnt English, well I did though some of you have only learnt an approximation to the language, by hearing others speak it. I may learn french but since I am coming to it later in life it is taking a lot more effort that the natural assimilation with which I picked up speaking English.

I do not pretend to be a Bible scholar, I started reading it regularly in my youth and with a few breaks have read it almost everyday for about the last thirty years. Thus I have assimilated some knowledge of what is contained in the pages of the book. My intention in this blog is to encourage you to do the same, to use regular bible reading as part of God's map for his path for you. To this end sometimes I witter about the content of a passage and sometimes share a thought which it has provoked. Today is a day of the latter.

The verse at the top is part of the liturgy at the Wednesday mid-week service at Holy Spirit. It was a response which always seemed alive to me. The version in the service actually is "In you is the well of life". Well, fountain, they are both sources of running water, water that sustains and refreshes. The knowledge that God is in charge of my life sustains and refreshes me.

Jo Derrick was one of my Wednesday friends. She died yesterday which is why it is so special to me that I read Psalm 36 this morning. I had no knowledge that this special verse was in Psalm 36. When I read it this morning it seemed as if God was sending me a gift, a gentle reminder of Jo following close on the announcement of her death. I am reminded of Jo's sweet smile and quiet voice, to pray for those who mourn her. I remember the other ladies and gentlemen with whom I shared the peace at the oasis of those Wednesday morning services.

Paths

Psalm 9, 15 25;
Amos 7:1-9;

Rev. 1:1-8;

Matt. 22:23-33

Psalm 25

I love hiking. It is not a pleasure that I indulge in very often. I told my 'children' that for my sixtieth birthday next year I wanted them to take me backpacking in the backcountry of the Rockies. The first problem was that Stephen told me that if I was not going to carry my own pack it was not on. I can see his logic but think that I ought to be indulged. The second problem is that we no longer live within a thousand miles of the Rockies. I shall havew to change my treat. Currently I think we shall go on a canal boat through middle England, stopping off at Stratford to see a play. Neither of these appeal to my husband who thinks that a three star hotel is camping.

Today I am ging to meet a friend of nime who I met at a Girl Guide (Scout) camp in I think 1964. She is Dutch. we have met four times since 1964, the last time being around 1981 when she and her husband visited us in Yorkshire. Every year we give each other a calendar. Today we are meeting to exchange calendars.

God's path has led us to different places and countries. Yes she had a short time living in the states when I was in England. I never thought that I would be living an hour's train journey from her. Whoever would think that they would live in Belgium? It just is not a country that is dreamt about by anyone other than Belgians. But here we are and we like it. God's path has led us to many places Tomorrow we may find a house right where God wants us next. We have not seen the signpost yet.

Psalm 114, 115 148, 149, 150;
Amos 6:1-14;

2 Thess. 1:5-12;

Luke 1:57-68

Amos 6:1-14;

Psalms 148, 149, 150;

Do we really think Jesus wants to come back to earth considering what happened to him the first time he came? This the essence of one of the things that stuck in my brain from this morning's sermon. What would Jesus find?

Amos 6 is one of the passages which reminds of today's society and how little we have changed over the last 3000 years. We strive to have nice looking houses and sit around drinking wine with our Christian friends. I seem to be saying the same thing most days this week but the content of Amos' message was a real wake up to me the first time that I read it a few years ago and so I always try to make the most of it when I have the opportunity. I am 'gob-smacked' as to how little humanity has changed over so much time.

I hope that I also remember to praise God in all situations.

Praise God in the heavenly realms

Praise from the housetop

Praise with your voice, good or bad,

Praise in your daily life,

Praise him in the dirty socks and the ironing

Praise him in the yard and on the track

Praise in the traffic and the tram.

Praise at golf and in the cafe...

Improve and add your own praises.

Don't test God. He won't give you a straight answer.

Psalm 20, 21:1-7;110:1-5, 116, 117
Amos 5:18-27;

Jude 17-25;

Matt. 22:15-22

Matt. 22:15-22

Don't test God. You cannot rely on him to give you a straight answer. And that is it.