Learning Curve

Mark 10:13-16

In our 'other' (Closer to God, Scripture Union)  reading this morning we read Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus goes to John to be baptised nut John says that he is too unworthy to baptise Jesus. The commentator made the point that we might not think that we are worthy or qualified to perform the tasks which he has in mind for us but it is not for us to question God's plan.
We might not feel equipped to evangelize our family , friends and neighbours but all we have to be is the channel and get ourselves to the right place. He will do the rest.
Children are on the learning curve to adulthood. God just needs us to be on the learning curve to his way, we do not need to have perfected it, just to be willing to learn.

St Stephen's Day

Psalm 28, Psalm 30

Today is St Stephen's day. A name that is special in our house. Today I give thanks for our Stephen and his helpfulness, for the times when he 'carries me'.
I pray also that he will trust in the Lord.

God is love, insignifiicant me.

1 John 4:7-16
I needed to be reminded of this. God is love. This is the most important fact, all else pales into insignificance, especially me.

Wind and words

Isaiah 59:15-21

Today gusts of 100 km/hour are forecast. I cannot avoid listening to the wind as it is forced between the house and the rocks. Thus my attention was caught by this passage. I read on.
I am sure all parents have some sayings of their children in infancy. Matthew died before he could speak but I remember his grin and the light in his eyes. Often we speak without knowing it. This year I seem particularly frenzied. I am annoyed with myself. It is not the behaviour which tells of "Peace and Joy".  This passage reminded me of two minor admonishments that I received from my daughters when they were each about eight years old.
We had arrived at choir practice. I was faced with 45 minutes in the car without my forgotten book. Becky said "Well why don't you listen to the birds"? Indeed the church parking lot was a very peaceful place in the busyness of Houston.
The other which I do well to remember today was said by Naomi. I was complaining that I had not had time to do something, her reply was "If you really wanted to do it you would have done it".

What are my priorities today? Can I take the time to enjoy the world and the people around me?

Gifts of commemoration

Zephaniah 3:14-20

If God is with me, at my side then I hope he will do all the talking so that I do not offend with my words and can draw my family and the other people whom I meet, friends, shops assistants, other shoppers, the other people in a pre-Christmas frenzy, into a closer relationship with him. This is really what the season is about, Jesus becoming man, living among us, dying for us and rising for us. This is the gift which we commemorate with our gifts.

Be Prepared

Matthew 25:1-13

Yes I was a Girl Guide. The principles of Scouting are embedded in me. I always have a packet of tissues and take a snack. There is at least one plaster/bandaid and a safety-pin in my handbag. I am prepared. But am I ready for Jesus? Do I have oil in my spiritual lamp? Am I even really seriously expecting him to come?

I think I need to do some neighbour-loving.

knickers

Zechariah 3:1-10



What was Joshua wearing under his outer garments? Did they strip him naked or just remove his ceremonial robes? And if his top clothes were dirty were his knickers filthy too? Would they put a pristine coat over a soiled tunic?

I was always brought up to wear clean knickers and ones without extra holes- just in case, for some unknown reason I had to go to hospital and reveal my underwear.

Sometimes we look wonderful on the outside but our inner motives are not so good. Today will be a day of good motives. I might even knock on my neighbours door and say hello.

Floods that focus.

Matthew 24:32-44


A few months after we moved to Ittre there was so much rain that the little stream which runs through the village could not cope. the streets flooded. Not only the streets but also the cellars. The butcher has freezers for meat in his cellar, they were covered in the brown muddy water. The next day, even though the water had subsided and a pump lorry had emptied the cellars, the streets were covered in slime.
We had an appointment with the bourgemestre, as we were newcomers and he wanted to welcome us. we could not take our normal route to the commune house but had to go up a hill in the opposite direction and then walk down a backalley to the commune, only to find that Monsieur le Bourgemestre was not in but orchestrating the rescue of his village.
We managed to arrive at the bakery for our fresh bread, the water was within 5cms of their doorway which was only reachable from on direction. There are many stories in Ittre of that morning.
The next two years were spent giving the little stream a wider bed in the hope that we will not be surprised in such a way again.

The flood in Ittre was a surprise.  I hope I heed the warning and am prepared for the coming of Christ. I suppose this is part of the purpose of Advent, to regroup your thoughts and assess the real focus of our lives.

My tongue

Psalm 52

I hope that my tongue will behave itself today. That I will refrain from cutting remarks, that I will proclaim that you, Lord, are good.
I wish, I wish, I wish...

Grass

Psalm 37:1-18

The St Augustine grass of Houston dies off in the summer due to the intense heat and drought. The blades of St Augustine  are thick and course, but they are the grass most suitable to the climate. Our grass in Belgium is beginning to die off now. It cannot take the winter cold, we have had several nights of frost.
The grass dies.
The hope and guidance in the verses 3-5 are a watering to thirsty grass.

Be still before the Lord, do not worry about the lifestyle of those around, that is a matter solely between them and God.

Be still.
Wait.
Do not fret.
Trust.
Take delight in the Lord and his blades of grass.

My focus

Amos 8:1-14

Yesterday I was walking along the fashionable Avenue de la Toison D'Or in Brussels. There was a hand written sign in a shop window saying that the shop would be open on Sundays 15 and 22 December. The fact that the sign was there would be strange to my American friends. it brought home to me home much effort and money we put into celebrating the festival of  Christmas and how Amos preached against the commercialism of his day, 2500 years ago.

I could continue at length bemoaning the trees and lights, the electricity and fossil fuels that are spent lighting up our streets and gardens but maybe not our lives; of the gluttony; of the excesses of partying. I wonder what Amos would have to say.

It is not my intention to turn the festival into a time of mourning. I am searching for a sense of proportion and focus.

Confused

Matthew 22: 34-46

The Pharisees, the Sadducees and  the Teachers of the Law could not comprehend Jesus. This makes me feel a little better as they were steeped in the words which foretold him.  They tried to understand, they did not accept.
Perhaps this is what I need to do too. Accept what comes without worrying about the whys and wherefores.

Jesus is and that should be enough.
He loves me.
I need to trust.

Cloud watching.

Revelation 1:1-8

This morning will be mundane, housework and shopping in the village. By lunchtime my life will get a little more exciting because I am meeting a new acquaintance who is taking me to a meeting of women who talk in  English for an hour and then in French for another hour. I shall be vulnerable.
The housework is including laundry.  I am deciding whether to hang my things on the line or put them straight onto the frame in front of the radiator; I have looked at the weather forecast and am currently monitoring the clouds. I am not looking at the clouds to assess the possibility of Jesus returning today. His arrival would really mess up my plans, though arguably my need for french would not longer exist if God sent Jesus today.

One of my other readings today was Zephaniah 1:1-13. The two fit together. I am carrying on as usual, in fact wearing foreign made clothes, though I suspect that is not a literal reference but more to following foreign gods, not expecting God to intervene in my plans. Ouch, Oh Lord forgive me for my complacency.

Mince pies and mulled wine

Amos 5:18-27

Christmas is a good time to "Eat, drink and be merry", a good time to celebrate. Tomorrow is the jazz carol service followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Next Sunday we celebrate with the annual service of Nine lessons and carols, with more mince pies and mulled wine. Come Christmas Day I shall roast a turkey and we shall intentional burn the pudding in brandy. Where is God in all this? I hope he is in my heart. I hope that everyone knows that I am only doing this to tell the tale of Jesus, my companion, Lord and Saviour.

Clothed

Matthew 22:1-14

I thought that God accepts everybody, just as they are. I hope he does but there also hints of items of clothing that he has provided for us. His armour is listed in Ephesians 6:10-17 and garments which I prefer in Colossians 3: 12-14.

I am sure that if I wore this clothing I would be prepared for any feast that God sends my way.

Waiting.

2 Peter 3:11-18

I went to the dentist two weeks ago. I arrived a minute or two early and the dentist was running 15 minutes late. I had to wait. i looked at a magazine or two, mainly the pictures because the words were not in a language that I can easily read- but I do not think that was the real reason for me skimming the articles. My brain was not concentrating.  I was wondering when I was going to be called in. There was no way of knowing. I was not really at peace.

We have been waiting quite a long time for Jesus to come back. I think my attitude is more of the door will not open soon. I will not have to go and sit in the chair.

My waiting needs to be more constructive and with less agitation then when I was at the dentist. How else can I tell my friends, neighbours and the person who I meet on the street that Jesus coming is good news?

Tea in bed

Amos 3: 12-4:5

One Christmas my mother bought me a Russell Hobbs Automatic teamaker. Years later, when I was still enjoying my nice morning cuppa she told me that I had once said how decadent I thought it would be to woken by the tea pouring into the cup. How right she was.
After the demise of the Teasmade I used to enjoy a nice cup of tea first thing in the morning, brought by my devoted husband. I still would if he ever woke up before me and gave me such a treat.

Amos was writing about 2500 years ago. Not much seems to have changed. The Belgian Blue cow is very large and yet sleek in its own way, bred like the cows of Bashan. They graze and sleep, then sleep and graze.

What is my lifestyle? Am I centred on my own well-being? Do I focus on my pleasures, do I put them before the welfare of those less fortunate than myself? How much do I include God's desire's for his world when I decide on my schedule for the day?

Sorry the photograph is a Mr not a Mrs;

Dropping in

Amos 3:1-11

It is verse 3 that seemed important this morning. When did I last drop by to see a friend making an arrangement a few days in advance or without telephoning first. Quite a while ago. What is worse I do not think anybody has come to my door to say hello since we left Texas, and dropping in is certainly not a Texas habit. Leah Taylor sometimes came with a message and stopped for a chat.
Are we so wound up in our own lives that we have no time for anybody on the outside?  Hospitality is something which I need to practice. I miss my friends. I hope they miss me too.

Chain reaction

2 Peter 1:1-11

The list of virtues which Peter gives always fascinates me. At least I only have to start with faith. I hope that the others will then grow on me like the development of chain stitch in crochet.

It looks very easy in the pictures!

Selling the righteous for silver

Amos 1:1-5, 13- 2:8

This makes depressing reading. How I hope that I walk in God's path for me, that I am not self-centred and that I treat everybody with respect. This last thought led me to wonder about the person in the Bangladesh clothing factory. Am I by buying from retailers who buy their goods from sweat shops selling the righteous for silver?
I will try my best to follow Christ's rule "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and my neighbour as myself". And by neighbour I mean my fellow world inhabitant.
For the rest I will have to trust in God's saving grace.

My request

Matthew 20:17-28

What am I pleading for for my children? Am I asking as in "Your will be done" or what I think is best for them?

Change of Heart

Matthew 20:1-16

I used to feel sorry for the first guys. Now I feel happy for the last ones. I wonder what has changed in my heart?

Living Stone

1 Peter 2:1-10

Yesterday I lost my watch. I did not discover it was missing until this morning when it was not where I keep it overnight. This morning the washing machine leaked. A neighbour has the number of a Fix-it man but that means going to see her to get the number. I want to search for my watch, probably I lost it on a doggy walk. I have looked in all possible places in the house, including bringing in le sac à poubelle and sorting through its contents and sifting through the compost pot. My head as usual, yesterday was full of this and that, plans for the rest of the evening, the morrow, plans for the Advent book, what speed I was walking. Yes I looked at my watch but I cannot remember where.

And the relevance of my little problems to this passage? Christ is a solid rock, the cornerstone. He has called me out of darkness into light. Somewhere there is light. This is my comfort.

Eternal Care

1 Peter1:13-25

The grass withers. In Houston, without constant care and watering the summer heat dried up the lawn. Here, in Belgium it is the cold of winter that causes the grass to turn brown.
Yesterday I wrote a letter to a person whose child had died recently. I considered finding the verse in Psalm 103

15 The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.

I prefer the verse that Peter is quoting from Isaiah 40: 7. However I have written my letter so do not need to search the scriptures. I do not think I would have liked the remembering no more part. Parents do not forget their children. God does not forget even a hair of my head. I suppose that means he must care for me more than I do because I do not even know the hairs that I have at present let alone the ones that fell whilst I showered this morning.

If a few week old infant is a blade of grass then perhaps I am a Pacific Redwood. Both come to an end eventually. The word of God, who is Christ, endures for ever.

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I thank God for his eternal care.

The Valley of Decision.

Joel 3: 1-2, 9-17

This is the famous phoughshares into swords passage but today it was not the idea of God gathering his people together but more the thought that I have to make a decision. A task which I find very difficult. Even deciding what to have for dinner can cause me stress. Life-changing decisions are thus a big problem, perhpas that is way the image is a valley not a mountain-top. After the decision is made there is the relief and feelings of euphoria.
Shall I write or not write? Shall I do another degree or not? Shall I work or not. Is the effort that I make to go to work worthwhile, are the relationships which I form there in God's plan or should I be pursuing  the writing or the degree or both? How to guide my offspring, especially when they ask for help in making their decisions. These are situations which I find difficult. I want to do what God wants me to do. But how do I know what that is?
I have to make a decision. God is coming. Perhaps my decision is made, perhaps it is enough that my desire is to do God's will. I am for him.

Choral singing

Romans 15: 5-13

For a few years I sang in the church choir. The main lesson that I learnt was to blend, ti listen to your neighbour and blend with their voice. Since I have a little voice this was not really a problem for me. It is more of a trial for those with a great voice who have to try to blend with me. Blending as one voice certainly has a great effect on the beauty of the whole.

The young and the old.

Isaiah 65:17-25

This reading always gives me a jolt. I remember the toothless grin, the joy at being swing by his big brother, the pain of nursing with sore nipples. I remember Matthew and his short life. I also remember the care of our church family and know the joy of the two subsequent children, now adults and know that God has been with me and trust that he will continue to be with for the rest of my days- hopefully until for many years to come.

A cause for celebration

1 Maccabees 4: 36-59

It is that time of year. The time when churches have what is politely called "The Stewardship Campaign". They usually claim that they want us to assess how what part of our t"time money and talents" we would like to devote to church life. But usually the forms only include a line for signing away our money, no mention of talents and time.
I can resent the time I spend on church activities just as much as the money which flies electronically from my bank account to theirs.
What I think is so important about this passage from the Apocrypha, a part of the Bible which i usually avoid using a basis for my thoughts is that the Israelites celebrated their giving.

Bride of Jesus?

Revelation 21:9-21

There were lots of pearls on my wedding dress, though of course they were not real. I walked down the aisle of a modern church rather than wafted out of the sky, and even though my skirt was rather full I was not large enough for twelve gates! But I was a bride. And it was the beginning of a new life.
Is this the similarity? A new life as the bride of Jesus.

Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:7-15

 I am fascinated by volcanoes. This summer I put Crater Lake on our itinerary. It was beautiful. That peaceful lakes occupies the space once filled a volcanic crater, was even formed by a massive eruption blowing the top of the mountain. Imagine this to be no longer dormant and full of fire.


We climbed in as far as we could. We did that in Vesuvius too, but there the crater still contains ash and fire. Look into the crevasses and you see white hot fire. This summer I watched a programme about excavating Pompeii. When we visited the town, more than thirty years ago it was thought that the victims of the eruption in 79 AD suffered from asphyxiation by gases but since then it has been discovered that at least some of them were roasted by the intense heat. Not a way I would like to go, nor would I like to be engulfed in a stream of molten lava.

I shall just have to trust in Jesus' saving power.

Coincidence?

Psalm 67

It seemed to be a fairly normal Sunday morning service.  A hymn, a prayer, a reading and then the next hymn was announced -Glorious things of thee are spoken.  It almost felt that God had read what I wrote yesterday. Then I got home and found that I had not pressed "Publish" yesterday.
I pray that I will be attentive to God's guidance.

passing witness

Psalm 90 

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God;
he whose word cannot be broken
formed thee for his own abode;
on the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
spring form eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint, when such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the Giver,
never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a covering,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus they march, their pillar leading,
light by night, and shade by day;
daily on the manna feeding
which he gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,
washed in the Redeemer's blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
makes them kings and priests to God.
'Tis his love his people raises
over self to reign as kings:
and as priests, his solemn praises
each for a thank-offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion's city,
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in thy Name.
Fading is the worldling's pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasure
none but Zion's children know.

---

Words: John Newton, 1779

I did not realize that this hymn was written by John Newton.

I used to shop in Onley, one of the places where John Newton was a priest. Those Thursday mornings were special as I remembered John Newton's story and the words of Amazing Grace that he wrote. They bring eternity to life. I am looking forward to 'ten thousand years' being 'no less days' to sing God's praise.
JOhn Newton may not have been in Onley when I was there but his witness lives on.

My Pit

Psalm 88

I complain. I complain about never having time to do what I want. I complain that I do not get done everything that I think I need to do. I complain that it seems to rain every day and I have difficulty drying the washing. I complain that the dogs need walks, then I complain that I do not have enough time for enough exercise. I complain that my to do list never seems to lose any items, things just mount up.
Not really a pit. I have plenty of food and clothing. My house is heated and I do not have to walk any distance to clean running water. There is no war raging in my back garden except my own with the resident weeds.
Really I have not pit. My down-ness is another person's heaven. Maybe I should look at it like that too.

Thank you God.

Confused

Matthew 16:1-12

I am with the disciples, confused!

Jesus talks about yeast and bread. I know about that, having baked our daily bread most of the Twenty years we lived in the States. But he really means "Beware of your leaders, they might not be as genuine as you think".

He quotes the Old Wives Tale "Red sky in the morning sailors' warning. Red sky at night shepherds' delight." Yes, I do look at the sky as an indication of the weather. I read an explanation of this phenomenon on the IRM ( Royal Belgian Meteorological)  page last year  but I cannot find it now. All I can find is an explanation of why the sky is red. Dark clouds foretell a storm.

But the daily events of life? I have difficulty interpreting them as the path that God has laid for me. I know it is somewhere out there or even in here.

Hiding Place

Psalm 119:97-120


I spent this morning's dog walk contemplating my hiding places. What do I hide from? Do I hide from my 'to do' list by keeping in contact with my computer?
Usually the only people I avoid are ones whom I owe some deed, something that is still on the 'to do' list.
Maybe I do not think of God as a hiding place but following the train of thought that a hiding place is a secure place then I do believe that God is the underlying security in my life and thus a 'hiding place'. He is my comfort zone.

Dogged devotion

Matthew 15:21-28

My dogs only have to hear the faint crunch as I separate a banana from the rest of the bunch to leap off their beds, rush to the kitchen and sit with eyes full of devotion anticipating the possibility of a  morsel of fruit.
How I wish that was my attitude to God.

Well-Watered Garden

Isaiah 58:6-12

My rule is to not be diverted from the daily lectioanry whatever the celebration of the day. However today I am breaking the rule. I noticed that today is the day of Martins of Tours, he is the patron saint of the church I attended in my youth. Not only this, but the Old Testament readings includes one of my very favourite verses, verse 11.
A well-watered garden, verdant and productive, attractive to all passers-by, feeding the locality. Yes I would like to be so.

My foot in my mouth.

Acts 24:10-21

The French speaking people who I meet in my work seem to love idioms.I am often told "It is raining cats and dogs", which being Belgium it often is. We seem to have have 10 days with some torrential rain each day. We often spend time comparing French and English idioms. There are many similarities.
However, when I read this passage the thought of "putting my foot in my mouth" came to mind. How often do I accuse before assessing the facts? I need to learn to stop and think before speaking.

My little

Matthew:22-36

So often we concentrate on Peter and the example he provides of wavering faith. The rest of the story, Jesus going by himself to prayer, overcoming the elements of water and wind and then after the whole episode continuing to heal all whom the crowd brought to him. The last sentence usually fades into obscurity alongside the mind-boggling miracles of calming storms and walking on water.
Touching the hem of Jesus' garment was sufficient. I hope that I can reach out just with the tips of my fingers recieve  what Jesus wants to give.

Take a break

Nehemiah 13: 4-22

A good reminder to give regularly and provide for our priests.

A good reminder to take a break from work.

A good reminder to devote Sunday to our God.

Searching.

Matthew 13:44-52

I am still looking but I thin the search is worth it. I will find the pearl and look who I am meeting on the way. Shall we look together?

Day to Day Loving

Nehemiah 6:1-19, Matthew 13:36-43

Recently I have become much more aware of what Jesus actually preached. Most of the biggy sins, as we like to think of them such as divorce, murder, theft are not often his theme. He is far more concerned with day to day living, or rather day to day loving.
Why have I included the Nehemiah reading? Because it sparked my thoughts on how genuinely I treat my friends and family. It also led me to think about how much I trust God in my reactions to other people.


Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength and your with all your mind and your neighbour as yourself.
Luke 10: 27

Brain priorities

Luke 12: 22-31

I find a very low barrier which is easy to cross between wearing my best to worship God and wanting to look my best because I like doing that. I like deciding what to cook too, and I like cooking. What is more I like to eat food which I have prepared. I suppose I need to ensure that these are not my priority, that these decisions do not detract from the time that should be occupied by God in my brain.

Nehemiah, an example of prayer

Nehemiah 1:1-11

"Dear Father, thank you for today and everything that you have given us. Forgive us our sins, those we know about and we are ignorant of." Thus starts my daily prayer. Then I launch into a shopping list of please keep my friends and family safe, healthy and loving you- as appropriate for each person named. The list is far more lengthy than the initial sentence which incorporates my praise and thankfulness and the next which checks off sin.

Yes I am sometimes very distressed about a circumstance or too but even then my concentration is on that situation, not on God himself and his previous record of helpfulness and the content of his words.


Lord guide my prayer today because you are holy, you have been my companion in the past, you have ordained my circumstances and by my age I should know that I can trust you for today.

God IS

Matthew 13:10-17

What did I see today?
Multi-coloured leaves floating earthwards.
A friend
Made a new friend.
A famous historical site (The Battle of Waterloo is on my daily route)

What did I hear today?
Dogs barking
An offer of help from a caring person
The wind in the trees

These may not be special messages on how to live or prophecies but laughing with friends, being the object of caring, enjoying creation are all ways that I know that God IS.

Words for today

Revelation 4:1-11

Holy, Holy, Holy
the Lord God the Almighty,
who was and is and is to come.

You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.

My intention is to get as far as the Holy, Holy, Holy whenever my brain has an idle moment today. But maybe I can be more proactive and really try to concentrate on God's might and holiness.
Unlike the chaps in heaven I do have other things to do today, teach a student or two, cook a dinner, drive a car, walk some dogs but I pray that  God's holiness will be towards the forefront of my thoughts.

God's snooping

Zechariah 1:1-17

I read H G Wells' 1984 well before 1984. I sometimes thin that members of my family might watch to see if specks of dust have moved! Big Brother is watching you sometimes a real fear. maybe not me, maybe we have not reached each potentially insignificant individual being continually monitored but some nations do seem to be particularly watchful.

Over the weekend it was revealed that Angela Merkel's gsm has been followed by the USA. Today in the UK, press snooping court case against Rebekah Brooks starts. Is Edward Snowden a friend of the real friend of the people or an enemy of the state by his revelations?

I find it comforting to learn that unbeknown to me God, our Creator and Father, has his horsemen patrolling the world.

The weather

Psalm 98

It seems a good day for this psalm. A hurricane forecast for the UK, Trees that I can see are blown by strong winds, tops swaying left then right. It is comforting to be inside.
The weather is beyond our control. It helps me to remember that God is indeed in control.

Firm faith

1 Corinthians 16:10-24

Verses 14 and 13, yes in that order


Let all that you do be done in love.

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.


What can I add?  Maybe-

Help me to see in the stranger on the street as you see them, to look and smile, not to be pre-occupied with my concerns.
Help me not to get lost in my daydreams and what-ifs, my plans for your time.
Help me to remember that to you sins of the heart are as heinous as those of the body which I see other people committing.
Help me to be your true ambassador.

Something Wonderful

Psalm 37

I was just looking at the "News" on Facebook, seeing what friends far away are up to, what is their current beef or getting their goat. One friend had posted a picture from "Soulful Healing", thus it is difficult for me to show you the picture. But here is the text

Always beleive that something WONDERFUL is about to happen.

Psalm 37 tells me to trust God, to delight in Him, not to fret. Yes it goes on to promise a wonderful future but it talks about my current, not my future behaviour. The future starts in the here and now.

It is Now that something wonderful is happening and we are part if it. We view the picture from a different angle than God. From His side the Now is wonderful, that is where the trust comes in.

Yokes

Matthew 11:25-30

Twice we went to the same field near Picton Cadtle for Girl Guide camp. It was a peaceful field right next to the Eastern Cleddau river. I hope the link to the map works. It is the field just to the right of the end of the road. The one with a house behind it.

In those days the house was a derelict cottage and thus insignificant as a place to provide our water. We had to walk to the farmyard further down the lane, just behind the cottage. It was quite a long way with two full buckets of water. As my arms seemed to be pulled out of their sockets taking leave of  my shoulders  I can remember thinking how useful it would be to have yoke. The buckets would not have lost any weight but it would have been more evenly distributed.

How willing am I to let Jesus to take control of the distribution of the weight of my current burdens?

My Gods

Jeremiah 14: 1-14


"What is it that prevents you from thinking about God?" was a question posed during one of the sermons which I heard yesterday. Of course it is a minor miracle that I remember this or any sentence from either sermon. At the time I gave it a cursory thought and that was that. Nothing came immediately to mind. Life continued.

This morning whilst we were praying my mind took a little wander. What food did I have in the house, what did I need to buy, what is my timetable for the week? This led me to remember the question from the sermon and passage from Jeremiah which I had read just a few minutes earlier.

How am I going to address these fixations? Maybe the greater one is one of organization, the planning of food and other activities come under this umbrella. Yet I pride myself on being able 'to go with the flow'. Perhaps therein lies another God.

Praise

Psalm 150

It's a Psalm 150 day so Praise, Praise, Praise.

Today the weather is sunny and warm, a good day for a country walk. Maybe I will find some blackberries and then I can make summer pudding to keep the weather company.

Changing Body- Joseph Butler

1 Corinthians 15:12-29

I first introduced to Joseph Butler last Tuesday. I am following a course on Anglicanism. Our enthusiastic for Anglicanism leader listed Joseph Butler as one the great 18th century church thinkers giving us the analogy of the transformation of a hairy, creeping, leaf munching caterpillar into an exotically coloured, flying nectar sucking butterfly as a way of viewing our transformation from the body of this life into the body of  life after death.

The Corinthian passage today reminded me of this and set me thinking again about the indescribable improbable changes that are totally impossible to our mortal minds but as easy as blinking an eye to our God.

Graphics via Wikimedia 

My uniform.

Jeremiah 38:1-13

Ebed-melech must have been a loving and caring man. He probably risked his life in speaking to the king in such a familiar manner. He obtained permission to rescue Jeremiah after the king had allowed the officials to be as cruel as they wished to Jeremiah. Ebed-melech went to great trouble in his rescue, he found just the right materials, ensuring that Jeremiah suffered the least amount of discomfort possible when being hoisted from his slimy prison.

Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian yet he was the one who had sympathy for Jeremiah.

We are all God's children, whatever our nationality. We show our true allegiance by our actions. I pray that my actions are those of loving kindness, that love is my uniform.

The WOW Factor

1 Corinthians 14:13-25

Bling, bling, the sight of emeralds and diamonds and our eyes almost automatically pop out of our head. The WOW is a very important factor in advertising. It makes us sit up and pay attention. Yesterday who is studying marketing brought in an article for us to read on internet advertising.
The introductory paragraph mentioned both the WOW factor and the term eye-popping. Even the use of the terms worked. Our attention was caught.
If you, a stranger walked into a room and your host, or another guest told you what you were thinking I bet you would say "Wow" and be amazed at the insight, wondering what supernatural power was at work.
Those of us in the room need to keep our ears open for the little hints and thoughts that occur, "Ah I must say hello to Mary or write an email to Joe or suggest a step to Richard." They might be the needed WOW.

Building up the Church

1Corinthians 14:1-12

I used to go to spiritual direction. I have thought about going again but still have not organized myself to do so, even though I have found somebody who I think would be a good guide in my walk with God.

I sometimes think that the reason I do not go is that I might be told things about myself that I do not want to hear. Theoretically I want to know God more closely but do I in practice want to alter my lifestyle in any way?

The last phrase of this reading brought me up short today. The reason as I stated above for me desiring spiritual gifts and a closer walk with God is to improve my own spiritual life. No thought of enriching the community of my church has previously entered my head.

Now it seems almost imperative to be the best that I can be, whatever it takes, for the good of the church which is Christ's body.

The Contract

Jeremiah 36:11-26

This passage always reminds me of the Marx Brothers' Contract Scene. Take out and destroy what does not suit you, pretend it does not exist. Procrastinate, avoid and evade issues.
Be like Jesus, start with a little praise, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."... Feed me and prepare me for your service, hold my hand and guide me. You are supreme. Even though I do not want to do this, I can with your help because you reign. I do not want to drink this cup but with your help I can.

The Crowd

Acts 14:8-18

The FI race is on in our house. I find this sport even more distasteful than ones with men running around a field. I dislike the anti environmental effect of motor racing. An element of the pre-race entertainment was a scene at a meet the fans session for Sebastian Vettel. It included a brief interview with the man who is expected to retain the title 'World Champion'. He was asked what he thought of his adoring followers and if after his years as World Champion he was now used to the gifts and adoration of the crowd. His response was along the lines of 'No, and I do not think one should ever get used to it'.
A normal person does something special and we think they are fantastic. We forget how they achieved the status. We forget the Creator who is control and the one worthy of praise.

Training

Psalm144

Sometimes when we read the lectionary early in the morning one or two words jump out at me. On other days there seems to be nothing special, even on third and fourth readings. Today the concept of God training my hands seemed to be important as soon as we started the psalm.
Maybe God does not train my hands for war but I do believe that he does train them, that he has a path for me and that each step is a preparation for the next.

All day.

Psalm 119:145-176


Dear Lord, thank you for today and the knowledge of the fact that you are with me every second. Help me to be with every second too and not wander off into my own thoughts and ways.

Pleasing God

2 Kings 22: 1-13

I sometimes think that in reading the books of Kings and Chronicles I concentrate too much on good king, bad king. Maybe even concentrating on the evil rather than the good.
Josiah insisted on honest dealing. He reintroduced the people to God's way of living. He wanted to please God and live according to his ways.
How much do I actually want to PLEASE God?

Worship and praise.

Psalm 106:1-18

Yesterday we worshiped in Canterbury Cathedral. It was the Harvest Festival. The focus of the worship of the service was praise and thanks for the provisions that God has given us. How many more hundreds and thousands have praised God over the centuries in that church. Some people have been whole-heartedly for God and others may have misplaced their faith. Over the generations much evil has been done in the name of the church.
But we were there, with a few hundred other people worshiping and praising God. Our hearts may not be pure but they are all that we have to offer.

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

2 Kings 19:1-20

Hezekiah had a problem. he took it to the Lord in prayer. What do I have to take to our Father today?

What a friend we have in Jesus, 
 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

2. Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

Joseph M Scriven

Routes

Matthew 7:13-21

Today I attempted to ride to work. I got there eventually. Yes I took a wrong turn because I could not remember the whole map. I ended up joining the route I would drive as that way the way I knew. Coming home I went slowly, stopping frequently to check my map and having the patience to wait for my telephone to locate me. Some of the roads were definitely one track footpaths, only just wide enough for my tyre. One turn was off a busy town road into a little footpath beside a brook, it could easily have been overlooked. Many of the wider roads, that is those widen enough for one car were rough stones, not an inviting surface for a cyclist. But I did not meet much traffic on my way home whereas this morning on the smooth wider roads there were continually cars. I have developed a new dislike in cars- those that carefully park so that their wheels are avoiding the cycle lane but overlooking the fact that their wing mirrors are hanging in my space. Yet another danger to take into account on a busy road, albeit an officially bike-friendly road.

My metaphor of the day is that the wide and inviting road is fraught with danger. It is better to go slowly frequently checking on the directions which the Lord is ready to give

God's Indwelling Word

Psalm 100

I have told you before but I will recount my dislike of rote learning again. I find learn by heart very difficult. This is my excuse for having problems learning a foreign language, or even the native language of the village where I live. Lists of words do not stick in my brain. I am very thankful that English is my mother tongue because I am sure I would find it more impossible, if there were such a category of difficulty,  to learn than French which I am attempting.

We had to learn Psalm 100 when I was in Infant School. It was a very small school so some lessons were everybody together. The whole school was told to learn Psalm 100. I think I did it. I certainly remember trying. I may not have remembered it then but now every time Psalm 100 is the Psalm of the day the words flow easily from my lips, well at least the first verse.

Yesterday I read a page or two of Andrew Murray's With Christ in the School of prayer. His text for the chapter entitled Word and Prayer was "If ye abide in me, and my words in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" John 15:7

Psalm 100 dwells in me. Perhaps my prayers would be answered if I prayed God's own words rather than issuing my shopping list.

Sorting out the Pagan

2Kings 17: 24-41

One of the memories which will probably remain with me is that of Becky and her friend Jase being the front page picture on the Easter Sunday edition of the Houston Chronicle. Houston has a population of over 2 million, why were our little ones so special? Dressed in their Easter finery they were gathering Easter Eggs in the forest which surrounded our church. They were cute.
But what do highly coloured plastic eggs have to do with Easter? The tenuous connection is that eggs remind us of the new beginning that the resurrected life of Jesus gives us. The reality is probably that over 60 000 years ago North Africans were already in the habit of decorating eggs and placing them in graves to represent rebirth. Christianity adopted the custom.
The exact date of Jesus' birth is unknown. The year can be approximated to between 7 and 2 BC but the month is unknown. Then why 25th December?

In the early 4th century, the church calendar in Rome contained Christmas on December 25 and other holidays placed on solar dates. According to Hijmans^[99] "It is cosmic symbolism...which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the southern solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ, and the northern solstice as that of John the Baptist, supplemented by the equinoxes as their respective dates of conception." Usener^[100] and others^[27] proposed that the Christians chose this day because it was the Roman feast celebrating the birthday of Sol Invictus. Modern scholar S. E. Hijmans, however, states that "While they were aware that pagans called this day the 'birthday' of Sol Invictus, this did not concern them and it did not play any role in their choice of date for Christmas."
( Hijmans, S.E., Sol, the sun in the art and religions of Rome, 2009, p. 595. ISBN 978-90-367-3931-3)

We too have an amalgamation of Christian and pagan. The problem is ensuring that the emphasis of my celebration is not the pagan element.

Abundance and abandonment

Luke 5 : 1-11
Jesus orchestrated a mammoth haul for Peter, so many fish he could not land them all himself. Did he rush off to market and sell them at a great profit? Did he ask Jesus to come back every morning so that he could increase his income and eventually buy a bigger and better boat, more nets and a more luxurious home for his family?
No he left it all there and then. He followed Jesus.
What is my attitude to my wealth?

My Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:6-15

Martin Luther started and finished each day with it, and I am fairly sure that I read that John Wesley did too. John Wesley certainly preached a sermon on the topic. The Lord's Prayer has become much more real to me this year. One of my Lenten disciplines this year was to emulate Martin Luther. On the whole I was successful in commitment. The prayer is now much more than words that I repeat because I was taught them and told to say them.

Our Father - Jesus said "Our", that makes him my brother, a guy with whom to play ball. And my relationship with God is the same as Jesus', the word our puts us o an equal par.

Hallowed be your name - May all the world worship you, my friends and relatives who have walked away come back and worship

Your kingdom come - May all the world live by your rule of love

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven - This is my shopping list of requests which I pray are what you want, My Father

Give us today our daily bread - I know that you will provide for me

Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. -  Do as you would be done by

And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. - Oh how I would like to avoid being tested and please drag me back from evil when I insist on going too close.

Miracles and fasting

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18


Miracles and fasting; these belong to the times just after Jesus walked on earth. Or the alternative was that the miracles belong to religious fanatics and fasting to the Roman Catholics.These are the theories which I was taught as a child.

Now I know that miracles happen, yesterday I was part of a little one. Stephen wanted to meet Naomi but she did not answer her telephone. I decided to take a short cut to where I was going, got frustrated at being behind a group of adolescent lads in the mall and saw Naomi from the heights of the escalator. The youths were a bit aghast at my calling out, but they recovered and Stephen was able to meet Naomi. Now that might not seem much of a miracle but to me it is evidence of God working in our lives. If he can organize two people meeting then he can do much greater things.

Not only have I experienced God working in my life but I have also heard of people fasting and the increased activity of God in their life as a result of the fast. However I now have a different problem with fasting. I have overcome my belief in its eccentricity. I suffer from migraines if I do not eat regular little snacks. Does this make me less of a Christian because I know that fasting should be part of my spiritual disciplines but I avoid it for fear of the physical effect it may have on me?

Village Life

Matthew 5:38-48

Chocolat is one of my favourite movies. I like the story and I tend to like anything with Judi Dench in it. I like the insight into French small village life. Thus I get a kick every time I go to the boulangerie and am greeted with "Bonjour Madame". My reality is the dream or is it that the dream is now my reality? The fact is that I like it when people who do not know each other look one another in the eye and say "Hello", whatever the language. It seems to come easier in a village.
Yesterday I was walking the dogs when a lady watering her plants started talking to me. Maybe it was me who opened the conversation, but it all started with a look and a smile. During the conversation she asked me where I lived because she had seen me in various parts of the village. Village people notice, whether family or not. I missed this whilst in lived in the city.
I like to think that Jesus always looked directly at those whom he met.

From behind

1 Corinthians 4:8-21

I admire people who remember become great yet maintain a humble lifestyle. The one who has impressed me most is José Mujica, president of Uruguay who gives 90% of his salary to charities to help fight the poverty in his country. He remembers that it is possible to live on a little and does so.
Pope Francis is a similar man.
I remember that whenever there was a physical task to be done at Holy Spirit Church in Houston, Melvin Grey, the then rector was always there to help, be it to set up the tables for the fair or clean up afterwards.
I respect people who lead from behind. Remembering one's origins and how you got there, who made the sacrifices, who did the pushing is important. That is why I tell you about those who have guided me on my journey.

Mighty Waters

Psalm 93

References to mighty waters always get to me, they speak to my inner being.

Well travelled ocean waves crashing against ancient rocks  

or a small brook tumbling through a forest ravine,

 both say "Your Creator is mighty".

Picture 1, Shelter Cove California. 

Picture 2 Multnomah Falls Oregon

Recipe Eggy Crumble

This is an extra in an attempt to post a pin on Pinterest successfully. Sorry for the dual purpose of the blog

Today’s Breakfast Creation

There was some leftover crumble mix, mine is always without sugar. I mixed in two eggs, added some spice and fried it. I think it would have been good with ketchup but those who like French toast with powdered sugar might like that too. We had boudin noir but I think bacon would do just as well for those who dislike out of the ordinary products from the butcher.

The Law

Matthew 5:17-20

I remember the first time the truth of this passage hit me. It was in the Ecumenical Group at Brookmans Park. This was a group of wise old men, retired bankers and lawyers, people who had seen life and were sharing the results with those who were much younger. Though I am sure they were far too humble and sagacious to put it that way themselves.

Until that moment I thought Jesus had come to do away with everything that the nasty pious Pharisees stood for. Now I know that just like me they were striving towards God but had lost their way. I wish I could read the signposts and always keep on the right road.

Equality

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Winston Churchill is famous. He was a leader in a time of crisis.
I am watching cars drive by our house. It is the time for going to work and taking children to school. I do not recognize any of the cars. I do you not know either the drivers or the passengers. Even if I was told their name it would probably mean nothing to me, not the same as if you said "Winston Churchill" or even maybe Rowan Williams or Justin Welby, who is just beginning to make a name as a Christian Leader.
To God they are all the same, Winston Churchill, Rowan Williams, Justin Welby and each of the people passing my house. You and I and them, we all belong to Christ and to God, whether we are wise or foolish. Famous leader living in the light of Christ or the limelight of the world stage or just the man in the car sharing God's love with his neighbour. We are all God's temple, equally.

Mourn

Matthew 5:1-10

I have mourned. I did not mourn for my father, I was too young to understand the total separation of death. I mourned for my mother, dying alone in her Old People's Home bed whilst, I her only child, was thousands of miles away making a life for myself and my family. I mourned for Matthew our son dying as he cried on the back seat of the car. What could I have done differently that might have prevented his death? I mourned for my friend Pat who the moment she knew that she had a terminal disease made a hair appointment saying "How can I go to meet Jesus without having my hair cut?". I miss our weekly conversations.

Each of these people has left a hole in my life. The wound is no longer open and gaping, but it is still there. A scar to remember the event. Like most old injures though the pain is diminished.

Proof

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

The Jews demand signs and the Greeks wisdom. I think I demand proof.
Why am I a Christian?
Finding a counter-example does not alwys prove the point but I find it sufficient that life without Jesus is pointless hence I believe. Now whether this is sufficent from God's point of view I do not know. I hope that he can see my grain of faith and love me for this reason.

Strengthened

1 Corinthians 1:1-19

I was thinking about sewing. Weak laterial is strengthened by sewing stronger material behind. Sometimes I just mend a tear the lazy way by glue a strong piece of fabris behind the hole. It works a treat. I am glad Jesus does this for me and is invisibly in the background strengthening me.

Towards where?

2Chronicles 6:32-7:7

I wonder if the instruction to pray towards the direction of the Temple when about to embark on a dangerous activity is the cause for most altars being in the east. I was not aware of this ordancence before today. But I eat pork too. Perhaps the act of turning east draws one's attention to the presence of the Almighty.

The Haga Sofia in Istanbul was firstly a church, then a mosque and now a museum.

As you can see the mirab is not quite placed symmetrically between the windows. The windows were correctly positioned for the altar of the Christian days when prayers were focused towards Jerusalem, not Mecca.

Now the question is "Where do I direct my prayers? "

Bread and honey

Psalm 81

This psalm is not one of the lectionary plalsms for today but it was the psalm for the day at the service which we went to this morning and also our reading for the day. Thus two events brought it to me today.
Bread and honey, v 16 is one of the items I ate for breakfast. Honey is reputed to have many benefits, wheat maybe not so, but I did enjoy my honey on toast and am thankful for all the blessings that God has given me, particularly my daily bread and honey.

Flatness

Acts 27:9-26

Today in Yuba City, California. We arrived late at night, almost early morning. We were tired. This morning on opening the curtains we found the view almost what we expected, flatness covered with scrub grasses.
Paul opened his curtains to a storm. His was a totally diferent view but I hope we have the same attitude, a sense of belonging to God and a worshipful heart.
Paul exprerienced the might of God in the storm, we shall be travelling through almost arid flatness and then mountains but our God is unchanging.

Control

John 8:12-20

I am a control freak. In my opinion my husband is even moreso a control freak. I remeber once my husband packed the car and then both sons each unpacked the baggage of all six of us and repacked it each striving for the perfect pack. Each one of them thought they knew best how things should go. I am often convinced that there is too much of the Pharisee in me. I have my opinion and in my opinion that is the correct stance. It is another case of being more open to God and his opinion.

Everlasting God

Mark 13:1-13

The great cathedral of St Andrews, the major cathedral of Scotland was a cathedral for little over 100 years. The weather blew and the reformists burnt. I have often stood on the grassy nave pondering those who built and worshipped, those who walmed the hallowed ground in 1441, the year after its completion. Stones and mortor, the items which surround us are not indestructible.
The roof might have gone, the bishops might have been extravagent and immoral in their living but God is still with us.

Back seat

Psalm 131

The question is knowing where to draw the line, knowing when to quit and when to take a back seat.
Trust in the Lord always.

Larger than life

Psalm 119:145-176


Sometimes life just seems overwhelming. There is a thought that fills every moment. We lie in bed contemplating the problem. It seems bigger than us. it probably is, but so is God. That is what has to be remembered.

Blackberries

Mark11:12-26

Hollyhocks and lavendar, lamb's ears and yarrow, hosta and violets, I love my garden. I love wandering around garden centres and choosing my garden neighbours. After three years i am beginning to see a little progress in the development of my unusual shaped garden with its cliff face and thin but fertile soil.
During the first spring I plantedsome of the crevices with one of my favourites, primroses. They get mildew and died, now brambles and wood sage have grown in their place. I find the wood sage less offensive than the brambles which spread their tenticles enveloping plant and rock.
Each year I inspect the brambles for their tasty fruit, a family favourite but usually all I find is bare branches or ones bearing miniscule fruit. I pull out the neither useful or ornamental item. My hope is for a garden laden with tasty fruits and always with something to delight the eye.
If it bears fruit it can stay.
Me too!

Rote

Psalm 100

I am not good at rote learning. I had a problem with nursery rhymes. My mother spent hours with my multiplication tables and spelling tests were a problem. I remember Saturday mornings being spent cuddling up to my mother whilst she fired 7x9 and 6x3 at me. On evening walks I would be grilled on spelling. A real problem was companion and of course the accompanying word friend.
ON being set Psaml 100 to learn I never got beyond
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
I am not really sure that it is necessary to go beyond this. My thoughts are set for the day. Praise God.

Ouch

Mark 9:42-50

I am fairly fond of the various bits of my anatomny. The thought of any part of it being cuts makes me flinch and cringe  even though there is no imminent danger. I certainly want to keep all my fingers and thumbs, toes and feet, as well my eyes and arms, whatever mischief they might have been involved in. Some of my thoughts are a different matter. I would willing excise some of the thoughts from my past, ones which remind me of actions of which I am not proud and which I hope are not at home in the current me.

Lord help me to keep loving you in all I do.

Sunday

John 3:22-36

The fact that it has taken me all day to write anything, and at that just a little today is not because I have nothing tosay but that today has been devoted to the service of our Christian community. This morning we taught Sunday School, probably the first time for twenty years. This afternoon, apart from recovering from the morning I worked on a little letter for a friend to send to some of her friends. This evening we went to church to worship our Lord.

Yawns

Acts 20:1-16

I am ashamed to say that I have fallen asleep during a sermon. Fortunately I did not tumble out of an upstrairs window or even topple off the pew.

Paul, it seems was not always a riveting speaker. I was pleased to learn this. I found it news that he too could give life back.

Perhaps God will reveal new things about ourselves which will help us on our journey with him.

Secrets

Mark 9:-13

It was my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary. We were holding a party for them, a surprise party in our house whilst they were staying with us. The situation was difficult. We made numerous excuses for me not going on sight-seeing trips with them. Whilst they were out of the house I shopped and baked and hid food in secret places. Four year old Stephen said "I hope I don't let the secret out. I'm not very good at keeping secrets. He did it. On Sunday morning the parents - law went out and came back to a house full of friends and relatives.
Some things need sharing and others not. There is a time to tell and a time to keep quiet. I suppose we have to try to listen for the instructions.

To God be the glory

2 Samuel 7:18-29

David's prayer reminds me of the great hymn, To God be the Glory, one of the many hymns sung to me by my grandmother in the few years that I knew before old age seized her brain. She was a quiet, gentle person. I did not appreciate her loving qualities at the time.
Whatever the circumstances, like Grandma, i want to sing "To God be the Glory, great things he has done."

Truth and opinion

John 1: 43-51

I love Nathanael. He is the ultimate sceptic, yet is willing to change his opinion when faced with evidence that his doubt was wrong. How I wish I could disregard my opinion and give the truth an unbiased hearing.

Another woman

Acts 17 : 16-34

As usual with the other woman she is in hiding. Luke just slips in a mention at the end of the passage. But there she is, Damaris, one of the first to hear Paul and believe in Athens. Men and women were there, in the Areopagus. Nothing more is definitely known about Damaris other than the fact that she was there in the forefront of the spread of the gospel in Athens. What is known is the fact that Luke thought her important enough, in her own right, for him to mention.

Half full

Mark 7 :4-37

No was not an option. The woman arrived with only one option. She was going for complete healing and nothing less. It was this that impressed Jesus. It was this faith that resulted in her daughter henceforth leading a normal life.
Lord help me to expect you to work in my life.

Lydia

Acts 16:25-40

The sun was shining, a mild haze was disappearing from The Downs. It was the sort of haze that heralded hot weather. The coastal grass atop the cliffs sprang back after the deformation caused by our feet. We spoke of our aspirations for the future. Three children, the first girl to be called Rebecca Mary. Some years later during the months of waiting for the first child the other names were chosen. We were sitting at the kitchen table, probably it was covered with the brown and yellow tablecloth. It was a Saturday evening. We chose the other names, a total of three for  boys and three for girls. They were written on a small piece of paper and placed in the birthday book. It is probably still there.

Thomas Daniel, Stephen James, Matthew Peter, Rebecca Mary and Naomi Ruth were all born; we did not get as far as Lydia Sarah.

I chose Lydia because of this Lydia in Acts, a business woman and church leader. To me she is an example of the role women would have in a church. What is more, she was given the news of Jesus directly by Paul (v 14). It was she who caused her whole household to be baptized.  It was to Lydia and the church in her house that Paul went to give encouragement before he left the city (v 40). I suspect too that Paul also received encouragement and prayers for his journey.

Real

Mark 5 :47-56

Yes it does look as if Tom is walking on water but in reality he was balancing on a slack-line strung over a lake. Not so Jesus. He was for real, his walking on the water and his healings.
Lord help my motives and actions be real expressions of your love.

Another busy day

Mark 6:30-46

Like me Jesus knew just what he wanted from the day. Today I was going to do some washing early, a little yoga, take the dogs for a walk and go on a bike ride to buy some milk. This afternoon was for cleaning and the evening for gardening. I might visit a friend too.
Jesus planned a quiet day with his friends. Did they have a rest? No, a crowd hungry for Jesus and then for food pursued them.
Often a day just does not go to plan but we can rest assured that Jesus knows how we feel.

Differing motives

Mark 6:14-29

Acts 15:36-16:5

Today Herod kills John the Baptist because of an oath he swore in front of his dinner guests and Paul circumcises Timothy because he does not want to upset the local Jews. As I see it neither action was the result of a deeply held belief.
I suppose Herod's was to save his own face and Paul because he wanted to be seen to be obeying the Law.

What I want to remember today is to examine the motives behind my actions.

CV

Mark 6:1-13

To get a job you need experience and qualifications. Experience is difficult without a job. Qualifications may sound good but to be of use it is necessary to transfer the knowledge gained during the course into the practical environment. How often do we rush to hear a famous speaker because we know his credentials
To the people of his home town Jesus was a nobody, no experience, no qualifications and no credentials. Hence even though they were impressed by what they heard they did not take him seriously.
Do I need to be more open to accepting truths spoken by those who are familiar to me?

Our Blackbirds

Psalm 50

We first noticed them in the winter when food was scarce and I had hung out bags of peanuts and balls of seed. We watched them gathering dried grass and moss for their nest. Now each morning as we sit drinking our morning tea Mrs Blackbird flits across our patio with a beak stuffed with worms or grubs. Never does she fly directly yo the nest. Sometimes to my disgust she stops off on the washing line, this particularly displeases me when the line is full of drying clothes.
It is strange if a morning passes by and we do not see either of our blackbirds.

We mere humans have a care for the well-being of a pair of blackbirds who happen to nest in our hedge how much more so does God care for his creation. If I am his hands and feet here on earth that gives me a responsibility too.

24/7

Mark 4:21-34

It is one of those days when I give you my opinion on a portion of the reading rather than share with you a real life experience of Jesus.

Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables. When he was in private with his disciples he explained everything. Nowadays it is understood that 'the disciples' refers not only to the designated twelve but also to various hangers on such as the women who ministered to Jesus and his apostles.  I was wondering how one became a member of the inner circle. How did one get to hear the explanations of the riddles and parables? My conclusion was that the crowds were probably not real followers in that they did not travel daily with Jesus. They were from the nearby town of the day. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus and were rewarded the jewels of the Kingdom.
How much have i left to follow Jesus and consequently how much can I expect him to share with me. I think I need to listen more consistently, to spend more hours of my day with him.

Restraint

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Sometimes, just occasionally I manage not to pass on a juicy bit of gossip which would have a detrimental effect on my listeners opinion of the subject of the piece of news.
David had the opportunity to actually assassinate Saul, not his character. He did not make the most Saul's vulnerability. He acted with restraint and respect.

Different circumstances

1 Samuel 22:1-23

Sometimes our circumstances change as we mature. David  refused a sword for his battle against the giant Goliath but as a fully grown man on the run from Saul he gladly accepted Goliath's over-sized sword.
What is good for me my not be the right thing for you and what was right for me yesterday might not be what I should do today.

Celebrate the Sabbath

Mark 2:23-3:6

They were laughing and having fun, obviously an after church party. They had not warned us; The hilarity travelled well through the thin walls of the student housing. What was worse it was one of the most Sacred Sundays of the church calendar, Easter Day. What a day to have a party.
I hope that over the intervening thirty-eight years our perception of Christian Celebration has changed somewhat now that we mix more with church people and learn about our party-loving Saviour.

David's idol

1 Samuel 19:1-18

I like Michal's devotion to her husband, rather than to her father but of all the times that I have read this story this is the first time that I have noticed the fact that David, that man devoted to God had idols in his house. I think previously I have always that that there were there because of Michal's dubious upbringing. But I think if David had not wanted them in his house he would have made that obvious. This set me wondering more about the nature of the idol.
The Hebrew word for the idol is "teraphim". The The Jewish Encyclopedia tells us that household idols were often in the shape of a human head, sometimes even a mummified head so it was an obvious choice to represent a sick David's head. My own spin on the article is that maybe the teraphim was a reminder of God's presence, you could chat to the head on the wall, ask his advice, just as we do with the invisible presence when we pray.
We have visible reminders of Christ's love for us. I saw a palm leaf cross in a friend's car. We have quite a few in our house too, I sometimes use one as a bookmark. I wear a gold cross. We have a cross at the front of our church. I like having reminders of God's presence, sometimes they jolt me into prayer.