Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild.

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

When I used to sing this chorus as a child, I had it pointed out to me that Jesus wasn’t meek, mild and weak. Of course, that is so, He is the creator and Sustainer of the universe, He is strong against sin and is mighty in His condemnation of sinners.

But there is a gentle side to Him. He cuddled the children on His lap, He spoke to various women in their distress. Jesus didn’t force Himself upon people, He often waited until they came to Him. He is tender and forgiving with us when we sin.

I don’t want a God who is only mighty and powerful. I need a God who is meek and mild. I need a God who is love.

The Power of God’s Word

Carol Purves Carol's Blog , ,

‘All scripture is God breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.’ 2 Timothy 4:16

‘For the word of Gog is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, , it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.’ Hebrews 4:12

‘Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:103

‘Let the word of God dwell in you richly.’ Colossians 3:16

Just Out and About

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

A visit into the city reveals examples of all mankind. There was the lady on the bus who was explaining to a young man where he needed to get off the bus and how to walk to where he needed.

There was the couple in the closed in market where she was screaming at him using quite colourful language. The security guard tried to send them outside and received more abuse.

The little boy who was walking along with his mother licking the sweets on the face of the gingerbread man he was holding. Mum had probably said he couldn’t eat it yet but she hadn’t anything about licking.

There was the cyclist cycling in a forbidden area and being a danger to pedestrians.

All mankind is there for those with eyes to see. I wonder what God sees when he looks down.

Friendship in Lockdown

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

With the limitations we have with Covid, I really appreciate my friends. As we are still able to visit in people’s homes in this area, I went to my friends for a lovely meal the other evening. It was so great to actually see faces of my friends. The food was excellent as always.

We were able to talk over memories and future plans without the limits of Whatsap or Zoom. Yes, the food was great, the company was lovely but I was also able to have my first cuddle in seven months. Conversation with the cuddled kitten was a bit limited but I whispered all kinds of loving things in his ear.

Costa Rica and Guatemala

Carol Purves Carol's Blog , ,

One benefit of this pandemic is that I’ve got to know some people better. I have more friends than I had before! I have visited seventeen people’s garden and now have photos I can look at in the future. (getting a bit cold for gardens now!) I’ve been into many people’s home. (OK , I did invite myself, but they’re still my friends!) And I’ve met up with friends in cafes. (I’m quite a coffee drinker now!)

I’ve met up with friends from around the world who live locally – Scotland, Finland, Germany and now as you will see from the title, Costa Rica and Guatemala. My friends from Central America were so delightful. We looked at wedding photos and pictures of Guatemala. I mustn’t forget the spread of food also.

Of course, I hate the restrictions on my life and I grieve for so many who have died and those with long covid. But I believe these friends will remain after the virus has passed. Yes, it will pass, I don’t know when or how, we must throw ourselves on the mercy of God.

Communal Worship

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

On Sunday i was able to physically go to church for the first time. There were only twelve of us there besides the leaders. It was so strange to see faces (or at least half faces) which I had not seen for seven months.

I found it difficult to worship which after all was why I was there. I was distracted by the re-arrangement of the church and by the lay-out of the band which before I had only seen on a screen.

If I can go next week I trust I will be able to worship

The Same Tree

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

It’s happening. The tree that i told you about the other day is slowly changing colour. well, the leaves are changing colour. It was showing green with a few autumn leaves. Now there are more autumn leaves than green ones. I need to keep looking as it appears to be changing before my eyes.

I do thank God for the seasons. I don’t have a favourite one. I love them all.

Face to Face

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

After nearly seven months with limited contact with people, I’ve now got to the position of counting the people I know that I see each day. It’s not many but I’m able to thank God for each of them and pray for them. When I was meeting with many people I couldn’t do this.

I’m also able to ask my friends what I can pray for them. And now I also have time to do so. This is a small advantage of the pandemic. Individuals become more important.

What no Power!

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

Our church was able to invite members in for a service for the first time last Sunday. There would be less than twelve people and the chosen ones were really looking forward to it. All the cleaning of the church had been done and the few chairs well spaced out.

Then two hours before the service was to start there was a power cut. Arrangements were made to broadcast the service from another place but because no special cleaning had been done it was not possible to invite a congregation.

The comment was made, was God saying don’t have the service or was the devil interfering? I don’t have the answer, but I gave the matter a great deal of thought. Why should the power cut have come at that particular time? Many churches have already opened up, what about ours? I wait with bated breath for next Sunday.

Favourite Tree

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

I’ve been admiring the large tree outside my house for six months. I’ve now decided to photo it every month as it will be changing with the seasons. As its getting large i had the most awful fear that the council would cut it down. I need to have a record in case that happens.

This week it has started to display the autumn leaves (well there are the same leaves that I’ve been looking all year, not autumn leaves) Looking at the fallen leaves filling up the garden.

What a blessing we have the seasons. I wouldn’t want summer all the year and I don’t think I’d survive a continuous winter. (see The Tales of Narnia)