Matthew 13:44-52
It is the angels who are to do the judging, not me.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Refreshed
Acts 20:1-16
Today the weather is warm and sunny. I have just finished an enjoyable and delicious lunch of a variety of cheeses from BioKaas at Kinderdijk, homemade pate from our local butcher and fresh campagne bread, from the village boulangerie. My tummy is happy and content. A idea of a snooze is very appealing. I am embarrassed to say that on occasions I have fallen asleep after lunch. The embarrassment being because I was at a homegroup meeting. I had to fight myself to keep awake. Unfortunately my neighbour on the couch was almost asleep too. The topic was not boring and the company and conversation were not unstimulating. I was in a state of contentment following a busy morning and a good lunch.
Life went on and I was refreshed and renewed for the week ahead.
Today the weather is warm and sunny. I have just finished an enjoyable and delicious lunch of a variety of cheeses from BioKaas at Kinderdijk, homemade pate from our local butcher and fresh campagne bread, from the village boulangerie. My tummy is happy and content. A idea of a snooze is very appealing. I am embarrassed to say that on occasions I have fallen asleep after lunch. The embarrassment being because I was at a homegroup meeting. I had to fight myself to keep awake. Unfortunately my neighbour on the couch was almost asleep too. The topic was not boring and the company and conversation were not unstimulating. I was in a state of contentment following a busy morning and a good lunch.
Life went on and I was refreshed and renewed for the week ahead.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Snares
Psalm 91
I thought there was a song about being kept safe from the snares of the fowler but my searches today have not been able to find it.
What snares am I going to fall into today. I hope that I keep my eyes open and look where I put my feet so that I can walk in the way that God wants. I need to keep talking to him too.
I thought there was a song about being kept safe from the snares of the fowler but my searches today have not been able to find it.
What snares am I going to fall into today. I hope that I keep my eyes open and look where I put my feet so that I can walk in the way that God wants. I need to keep talking to him too.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Absorbing Plans
Psalm 85
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Today I had a little plan in my head. Get up, sew curtains, maybe go to Brussels to pick up the church coffee machine thus getting my exercise by cycling to the station. Myself was quite interested in my plans for me. We had quite a discussion on the merits of going to Brussels today by bike, train and metro or tomorrow by car all the way but in heavy traffic, tomorrow being Friday. What was the conclusion of the debate? Sore throat and rain.That meant a whole new set of plans could be formulated. Very entertaining.
I wonder what God has to say. Have I given the floor of the debate to him at all?
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Today I had a little plan in my head. Get up, sew curtains, maybe go to Brussels to pick up the church coffee machine thus getting my exercise by cycling to the station. Myself was quite interested in my plans for me. We had quite a discussion on the merits of going to Brussels today by bike, train and metro or tomorrow by car all the way but in heavy traffic, tomorrow being Friday. What was the conclusion of the debate? Sore throat and rain.That meant a whole new set of plans could be formulated. Very entertaining.
I wonder what God has to say. Have I given the floor of the debate to him at all?
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
If
Luke 4:1-13
If my dogs are feeling a little recalcitrant I will open the tin of very little balls of dog biscuits that is sitting by the door and before the bride is in my hand they are there waiting for their lead to be put on. I don't need to say a word. My actions speak "If you come here and have your lead on then you will get a little edible treat".
Am I as easily bribed by the thought of an impending pleasure?
If my dogs are feeling a little recalcitrant I will open the tin of very little balls of dog biscuits that is sitting by the door and before the bride is in my hand they are there waiting for their lead to be put on. I don't need to say a word. My actions speak "If you come here and have your lead on then you will get a little edible treat".
Am I as easily bribed by the thought of an impending pleasure?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
B.
Esther 5:1-14
B was the name of a lady in my Bible Study Group. Every Tuesday we went to "Ladies Day". I thought it was bit of a misnomer, it started in the morning and finished before noon. There were hundreds of women, we were divided into small groups to discuss the text and our homework.
B was older than me, though probably a lot younger than I am now. I cannot remember the passage that made this story relevant but I do remember the story. I wonder if we were studying Women of the Bible and that this same passage about Ester was the cause of the story telling.
When B was a newly-wed she had a fender-bender. The cops were called. B was in a state of great distress. The kindly policeman advised "Now you go home and cook your husband a nice dinner. After he has eaten tell him about this." This of course was all said with a wonderful drawling Texan accent - both the story and the quote.
Choosing one's time and circumstances to break the news is important. First and foremost Ester prayed.
B was the name of a lady in my Bible Study Group. Every Tuesday we went to "Ladies Day". I thought it was bit of a misnomer, it started in the morning and finished before noon. There were hundreds of women, we were divided into small groups to discuss the text and our homework.
B was older than me, though probably a lot younger than I am now. I cannot remember the passage that made this story relevant but I do remember the story. I wonder if we were studying Women of the Bible and that this same passage about Ester was the cause of the story telling.
When B was a newly-wed she had a fender-bender. The cops were called. B was in a state of great distress. The kindly policeman advised "Now you go home and cook your husband a nice dinner. After he has eaten tell him about this." This of course was all said with a wonderful drawling Texan accent - both the story and the quote.
Choosing one's time and circumstances to break the news is important. First and foremost Ester prayed.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Pain
John 12:27-36
A common topic amongst women is childbirth. I have produced five full term or over babies so I consider myself an expert. The first little twinge can be exciting, it it is downhill from there. Contractions get stronger and the pain increases to beyond bearing. The pain overtakes all other thoughts and emotions. "You need one more contraction just like that" from the midwife is no encouragement. I was too overwhelmed with the pain to argue though in my brain I thought "I do not, no way". But I knew that overpowering contractions would come and indeed were essential to the birth of the new life within me.
Jesus knew that he was going to hang on a cross in immense pain. He knew it was the only way forward for our new life.
Thank you Jesus.
A common topic amongst women is childbirth. I have produced five full term or over babies so I consider myself an expert. The first little twinge can be exciting, it it is downhill from there. Contractions get stronger and the pain increases to beyond bearing. The pain overtakes all other thoughts and emotions. "You need one more contraction just like that" from the midwife is no encouragement. I was too overwhelmed with the pain to argue though in my brain I thought "I do not, no way". But I knew that overpowering contractions would come and indeed were essential to the birth of the new life within me.
Jesus knew that he was going to hang on a cross in immense pain. He knew it was the only way forward for our new life.
Thank you Jesus.
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