Alive and Well

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Not that I really count this page as teaching, more of a sharing of the experiences of God in my life. How else will you know that he is here now, living and working for the good of his kingdom?

Little things

Matthew 12:33-42
Today I came home tired after a long day of driving here and there in Belgium. I seem to have driven through the whole country- to Namur the capital of Wallonie this morning and Westvleteren, almost on the Flemish coast this afternoon. And tonight is my night out, at my Dutch lesson. It was raining, real rain, streams of mud and stones belching down the hills. The high tide brought an empty water bottle and half a sponge to our front door. We edged the puddle to get to the car. After a time of indecision (I mentioned that yesterday) I went to Dutch. The school gate was locked but I heard our teacher's voice. a few moments earlier it had been impossible to cross the pavement because of the muddy torrent. We discussed, we decided, we would go home. I was the only student to arrive. Nadia gave me a lift home. Now I am resting in front of the computer recounting how God has looked after my tiredness. No big miracle, just gentle caring.
Alleluia!

Dithering indecision

Matthew 12:22-32
I am not good at making decisions. In fact nobody in our family finds decision making easy. We agonize for days over the slightest decision. My stomach gets into quite a knot over just deciding which loaf of bread to buy. I do not know why because all the loaves at the village boulangerie are good. My left side argues for a raccine and my right for a pain aux noix. I am in conflict with myself.  It gives stress and causes a rise in blood pressure thereby contributing to a potential health problem. What good does this do? It distracts my mind from other activities such as remembering that God is with me. Why cannot I not just remember that God is with me and for me and trust him?

A heart of stone

Ezekiel 36:22-27

There are plenty of stones in our garden, beautiful bluestone stones. We have just a few centimetres of soil covering rock, loose rocks, then solid rock. It is difficult to work such land. Holes are walled by stones. It took three attempts to erect our fence. Eventually a drill had to be hired and the posts set in concrete.
yes the rock is beautiful but not much use as a growing compound. I do not want a heart like this. I want a heart that grows the fruits of the spirit, one where love abounds.

Ascension Day

Luke 24:44-53

My mother was raised Methodist, Primitive Methodist to be precise. Even though, much to her father's disgust, she had converted to Anglican in her early twenties she maintained a suspicion of Christian festivals that are not Christmas or Easter. Thus she did not approve of the annual gathering of the diocesan youth at the cathedral on Ascension Day. For a start it was at the cathedral which in itself was a relic of Papism. Secondly it celebrated an event in Christ's life that was peripheral and unnecessary for the Christian walk. Lastly school was all important and should not be missed for a frivolous day of enjoyment at church and beach. Yes the cathedral is a couple of miles from the beach and so any excursion to the cathedral usually included a visit to the beach. My mother did not even approve of the beach as Whitesands Bay has fatal undercurrents.

At eight years old I announced that I was leaving the 'chapel' Sunday School and going to the new neighbourhood church. I discovered the Ascension activities. Three years and I wore down my mother. I was allowed to go to St David's. I do not remember the service, I do remember sitting on the cross in the City Square and I do remember the sun shining on the expanse of sand. These are reasons enough for me not to forget the often overlooked verse at the end of Luke's gospel  "While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven."

Jesus blessed his disciples before he left them. My memories of Ascension Day 1961 is a blessing. In a brief moment I am reminded of Sunday School members, teaches who held spreading the Good News as important, the many saints who have walked the aisles at St David's over the last 14 centuries, the Creator of the golden sands and of course my mother, who I did not appreciate at the time.

Prayer is a communication with God.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

Has it ever happened to you? Thoughts of a friend cross your mind then within a day or two you unexpectedly see hear news of them.

God shares our thoughts. Prayer is a communication with God.  Not all our conversations with people are formal, perfectly formed sentences. So it is with God. He eavesdrops and acts on what he overhears. Incredible and wonderful.

Barns

Luke 12:13-21

Gone are the days of company pensions. Instead we are given shares and investments. Where to keep all this money so that it is still there by the time we need it? The anxiety can be stressful. at the time I did not appreciate my mother's attitude of trust. Now I do. it seems a lot less stressful to trust God for one's daily roof and bread then to constantly watch the ups and downs of the stock exchange.

Leviticus 19:18

Leviticus 19:1-18

What seems to be an obscure verse at the end of a long list is quoted by Jesus. Leviticus 19:18, as Maurice, who introduced me to this verse pointed out. The year the First World War ended. it was the eve of the vote to abolish hanging in Britain. There was a very heated discussion in our Bible Study. This verse is with me daily, and sometimes Maurice too- a retried bank manager with a huge heart and a great concern for humanity.

In the family

Luke 4:16-30

Why is it that I feel most insure about publishing what I do within my own family than with friends and strangers? I suppose it is because the family know our weaknesses as well as our strengths. My husband has various patents but to me he is as inept at daily living as any man. he just does not know how to sensibly fill a dishwasher. Why should I expect him to think that I might be the purveyor of spiritual truths through a blog?

Travelling along.

God has put many people in my path. Some of whom have become firm friends, some friends for a while and some just a fleeting breath of fresh air to lighten a day. Others are people with a need who welcome the joy of knowing that somebody who met them briefly is holding their concerns up to the Lord. Thus I think of Jacqui today and her son's epilepsy. We are not friends, we met when David and I stayed in her wonderful Bed and Breakfast. We may never meet again but I will continue to pray for her and her family. Prayer is a great way to continue in fellowship with those whom God places in our path as travelling companions.