Author: Carol Purves

In this country we’ve now started to name storms. I don’t think this lessens their power. Last winter our area was battered by Storm Desmond. Last week we were promised another furious storm. In our area at least it just didn’t happen. Some rain, occasionally heavy, but no wind. Our precautions were unnecessary but wise.

This felt rather like life to me. We look to the future and are overcome by the terrible things that could happen. We make preparations but nothing helps our worry. As the future is completely unknown, it is wise to listen to the One who knows exactly what will happen. Then we can rest in His knowledge and not fret.

Carol

I got to thinking about foundations. As I read more of the scriptures I realised that as a Christian I am laying down foundations. These foundations have been gained on the apostles (with their writings in the Bible) and saints (those who have gone before whose Christian life is an inspiration to us).

The saints and apostles built their lives on Jesus Christ, the Corner-stone.

Carol

I’ve just spent a day with a fourteen year old girl. As she chatted away about her school and interests, I realised that in many ways things haven’t changed through the generations. Her main topics of conversation were about her school work and the old friends she is falling out with, or the new friends she is making. Boys featured a great deal in her conversation. In all these things I remember I was just the same.

Then I realised there were many differences. She held her mobile phone in her hand and was constantly abstracted making or receiving messages. At her age we just had a shared land-line phone at home. Her mother takes her to school each day, I used to walk.

She then explained that on a ‘residential’ (we called them week-ends away) she felt lonely and out of things as none of her friends were with her. Then she told me that she just sat in a corner and talked to Jesus. Fortunately, something never change.

Carol

I feel quite bewildered each day as I read the news. Events in America seem to be worrying and confused. Here in Britain the news is no more stable or comforting. Leaders are unreliable and flawed. There is little hope to be seen.

Then I turn to the Bible and read about my God. With Him there is no changing, double-speak or wavering. To listen to God is to be firm on a rock and not on the sinking sand of the world.

It is not necessary to be overwhelmed by the bad news. Although being in the world, we need to keep our eyes on God.

Carol

I heard this story today.

A missionary had to retire from working in Afghanistan as the area was too dangerous.. She was sad because her heart was with the Afghan people. As she was in her mid 80’s she felt she would be too old to serve the Lord again. She retired to Birmingham where she had originated from.

Here a surprise awaited her. Refugees from many nationalities were crowding into the city. Before long she was found by a group of Afghans and her knowledge of their language and customs meant she could translate for them and help them acclimatze to England.

Far from being of no use to the Lord she was more in demand than ever, doing a job she was completely suited to. We never retire when working for God.

Carol

As I was standing at the bus stop I overheard this conversation between an older lady and a younger one.

Younger lady ‘I think I recognise your face. Where have we met before?’

Older lady ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t remember you.’

After a few organisations and groups were listed, they discovered their meeting place.

Younger Lady ‘Yes, it was at the church. What I remember is that you were kind and friendly to me at a particularly difficult time of my life.’

What a Christian witness. The older lady couldn’t remember the particular instance. Maybe she was always so kind and considerate. If only that could be said of us all the time.

Carol

The other day I came across some good quotes urging us not to worry –

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.  Leo Buscaglia

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.

If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I’d have fewer imaginary ones. Don Herold

Troubles are a lot like people – they grow bigger if you nurse them .

There is an infallible answer to sorry.

Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life …………… Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be give to you as well.  Matt 5:25, 33

Carol

The other day I came across this gem in Isaiah.

Is 49:16

See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands. N.I.V.

See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm. The Living Bible.

Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hand. R.S.V.

Engraving, tattooing and graving are permanent, so we know what this text means! These were hands which were scarred for us.

Carol

When one lives in the same area for over six decades, you build up a number of old friends. That’s what I’ve done.

I’m not sure what my friends in their 40’s will think about being ‘old friends’ but they will know what I mean. I’ve been down south for a week week to visit all these friends. The two who really helped me when the going was tough, the one who became a notable short story writer, partly through my introductions and a previous church friend.

I hadn’t seen any of these people for two years, so you can imagine how much talking we did. As they say, ‘no friends like old friends.’

Carol

Like me you might not immediately recognise these names. They are hardly known at all, although these three young men in the Bible were strong, brave and handsome. They were a delight to behold but inside their hearts were rebellious and not in tune with God.

They were scornful of their youngest brother, a simple shepherd who followed God closely and loved Him. Yes, they were the brothers of David, the first king of Israel. He was a youth who looked unpromising material for God to use. As they were present when David was anointed by Samuel, they probably also jealous.

A lesson to us,and especially to me, not to look on the outward appearances. God looks on the heart. And also not to be jealous.

Carol