The other day I caught myself saying ‘I like her because she likes me.’ Then I read Luke 6:32 ‘If you love those who love you , what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them .’
Oh dear! I I think I need to repent and start again.
Garage Clearout
It took nearly all day, the dustbin was full and the tip was visited. I now ache all over but at least I have a tidy clean garage. The rubbish and unwanted items have gone.
With the help of God I want to clear the rubbish and clutter out of my life. But I fear it will take more than one day!
God Speaks
In the pandemic God speaks. In Genesis we read that God speaks ten times. He speaks to the whole of mankind, but speaks to each one of us individually. In a sparkling, glistening cobweb and colourful autumn leaf, He is speaking. We have His word s of comfort telling us not to be afraid. His message is repeated so many times in the Bible. ‘Do not be afraid.’
God is with us in this pandemic. He is weeping with us. We need to listen. While we cannot see the end of this virus, God can. Stop looking at the figures of sick and dying. Instead look to God. As I watched the dawn this morning rolling back the dark clouds, I realised again that, as promised, the sun will rise again.
Earnestly
Imagine the scene. After his fearless preaching Peter has been thrown into prison. He is guarded by four squads of four soldiers and bound with chains behind a locked door. Sixteen!
But this is no problem to God. What are the church doing meanwhile – praying earnestly. What a lovely word. My dictionary says to be earnest is to be serious, determined, with zeal. In a few verses we read that God has intervened, Peter is free.
Do we, do I pray earnestly, as Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemene? Or are we, am I half-hearted, weak-hearted, and faint-hearted?
Gladys Aylward
Do you remember the film ‘The Inn of the Sixth Happiness?’ It used to be shown every Christmas.
It portrays the life of Gladys Aylward who was a missionary to China in the 1930’s and 40’s. She faced many dangers, was shot, faced an angry prison mob, as well as taking nearly 100 children over the mountains to safety during the Chinese war.
Known as Ai-weh-deh to the Chinese she continually risked her life to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to that country. With our modern problems and evangelists it is east to forget those who went before; those to whom we owe so much. Without their dedication and calling, Christianity would be so much the poorer today.
If you would like to know more about her life I have written her story and you can read it in my book ‘Gladys Aylward, a Life for China.’
ISBN 978 1 909281 49 3 available from piquanteditions.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon Kindle
St. Kilda
St. Kilda abandoned! 90 years ago today St. Kilda, a small island 40 miles west of North Uist, Outer Hebrides was evacuated because life on the island had become unsustainable. After a particularly severe winter, an influenza epidemic had killed many of the Gaelic speaking residents, leaving only 36 to move to the mainland.
Tourists and a change in their religious practices had introduced elements which led to a different way of life which was not compatible to island life and a primitive culture which had lasted for 2,000 years ended.
Today it is the essential breeding ground for gannets, puffin, fulmar, great skua and kittiwake. It is a nature reserve managed by Scottish National Heritage.The island has the highest sea cliff in Britain and is also the home of the Neolithic Soay sheep.
Storm Francis
No sooner have I written about one storm, than we get another. Storm Francis! It makes you wish we had more letters in our alphabet. (Or even better, less storms!)
Storm Ellen
Having a birthday in August I would expect good weather. Instead this year it clashed with the fourth storm of the season. It wasn’t really conducive to a picnic in the Lake District! Never mind, it was still beautiful.
Insomnia
Can’t sleep! I’ve just read of a good way of coping with insomnia. There are three steps to it. Firstly think of all the good thing that have happened on the previous day. (For a number years I have kept a thank you book, listing the good things that have happened.)
Secondly list the jobs that have successfully been done on that day. (I’m a ‘lists person’ so that suits me fine.)
Then recite scriptures or verses of hymns, which is a form of giving praise.
As the saying goes, ‘it works for me.’
Face to Face
Are you good looking? I am not, especially when seen on Zoom. Even seeing my friends I think they are better looking in real life. Technology distorts. In actual life we do not stare at a face; with technology we need to.
It makes me think that we are not seeing God clearly. We have the picture of Jesus in the Bible and we read that His face is kind and that it is directed towards us. Just imagine what He will be like when we see Him face to face. ‘Now we ‘see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.’
1 Corinthians 13:12