Staying inTouch

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

There is not a person in this life who has not got worries and troubles. In many ways the world is a more unstable place than it has ever been. In our nation, as we move further and further away from God, we seem to be adrift in a sea of uncertainties, disasters and problems. Poor mental health is on the rise and we don’t know where to turn.

But that is the point. We do know where to turn. How can we hope with our finite minds to come up with the answers? We do not have enough wisdom or experience. We need to turn to our God who has all the wisdom and experience. He has been running the world for thousands of years. He knows every aspect of every problem. God knows the end from the beginning. So let us forget our own ignorance. May we get into contact with the God of all knowledge. We don’t need to struggle alone, just get into touch with God.

The Best Place

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

For some of us our lives are set in pleasant places.We can revel in the beauties of nature, enjoy the love of our our families and friends and have enough money to make life comfortable. We would like to stay here for ever and ever. We are indeed blessed.

But whether our lives consist of golden days or weary ways, we are not here to stay. We’re just passing through. The joys and delights we experience here are absolutely nothing compared to what is waiting ‘on the other side.’ We have been told that we cannot imagine our life in heaven. Our small minds have no idea of the delights that await us. These are thoughts to hang on to when life seems difficult and when the way ahead seems hard. As has been said ‘the best is yet to be.’

Leaders

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

A number of fairy tales have the idea of one leader with a number of helpers. Snow White had her seven dwarfs; Ali Baba needed forty thieves. Then there was Robin Hood with his band of merry men. They all followed the idea of one person at the head with a number of helpers. This is an idea which is carried on through into the Bible.

Moses had Aaron and Miriam to guide and advise him, while Jesus worked with His twelve disciples. No person can work on their own without being answerable to someone. The disciples of Jesus spread the message of salvation to others and so the word of Christianity went right round the world. We are part of this growth today as we work with others letting all the world know about our God.

Kneading Dough

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

I read an article recently that said that kneading dough and making our own bread was a useful form of mindfulness. Apparently some people don’t enjoy traditional mindfulness and this has proved to be a useful alternative.

Hey, I have a more useful and sustained idea – prayer. Prayer isn’t just acting into nothingness, prayer is contact with the creator and author of all things. With prayer one is lifted out of oneself, problems are shared with our maker and stress is lessened. Pray and praise. Have a go!

Water

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

The recent drought has reminded us how completely essential water is to us. Too much is as dangerous as too little. Floods and drowning or drought and starvation. The Bible is full of stories of water. When God created the earth, He divided the dry land from the sea. We need the sea even today to travel from country to country, to give us our fish supplies and for leisure and enjoyment.

The story of Noah is a story of too much water. Death and disaster followed. Elijah’s story was the opposite problem. No rain for years! Psalm 23 reminds us of water for our benefit as we read ‘ He leads me beside the still waters.’ Lord, we pray that we might be thoughtful and thankful for our water, using it wisely and sharing it.

I’m Sorry

Carol Purves Carol's Blog ,

It seems that it is increasingly difficult for people in high places to say that they’re sorry. They manage to blame everyone except themselves, they seldom think they are in the wrong. An admission of sorrow seems to be an admission of guilt. It seems they can never appear to be guilty.

How different it is for Christians. The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:23. We know that in the sight of God we are sinners, our sins and shortcomings are only too evident to us. The good news is that we don’t need to be bowed down with the guilt. The blood of Jesus gives us forgiveness and redemption.

God-ordained Marriage

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Back in my day we tended to meet our life partners at our workplace, through church or contact through relatives. Before my day people met mainly through church, often because more people went to church. Today I understand that people meet through dating apps on line, even through Christian dating apps.

Right back to Biblical times there was also a problem God used a meeting at a well to bring Isaac and Rebekah together. Abraham needed to find a wife for his son. Although he and his family were living in Canaan he didn’t want to choose a Canaanite woman, nor did he want Isaac to go back to the land where they used to live. A servant was used as a go-between.

The servant appealed to God for help, may the woman that he met at the well give him a drink and also offer water to his camels. God had gone before, Rebekah made the offer to the camels, the servant met her father and the deal was done. I do feel a little sorry for Rebekah who had to make such a hasty farewell.

Measuring Up

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

I’ve just had the chance to go to my new bungalow to measure up. I needed to know the dimensions of each room as well as where the radiators and power points are. I had to find out which parts of the garden were sunny and where the shady places were. As I stood in each room I tried to imagine where I would put each piece of furniture but then I realised I would have to measure piece of furniture in my existing house. It was turning out to be a large job!

I must admit my measurements were only approximate, they didn’t have to be exact. This was not the case with Solomon as he built the temple. Every measurement had to be extremely accurate. He didn’t just use his own discretion; he had received detailed instructions from God. He needed to know what materials to use and what they were to be covered in. Many of God’s instructions are recorded for us in the Bible.

Kindness

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

So often we remember and comment on the times that people have been inconsiderate or unkind to us. We seem to be good at holding grudges. But in actual fact we receive more kindness than we ever care to remember. If we stop to recall the acts of consideration shown towards us, they are probably more than we can count.

Think of the door that was held open for us even when we were slow; or the driver who didn’t cut us up at a roundabout or one who didn’t beat us into a parking space which they might have claimed for their own. Consider the person who sends us an encouraging letter or thanks us in a text.

As a Christian we have a chance to pass these kindnesses on in the name of Christ. It’s just a matter of thinking of others first and not ourselves. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy for Mary and Martha to welcome Jesus, especially if all His friends came along as well. They showed kindness out of love.

I Know the Owner

Carol Purves Carol's Blog

This is the time of year for visiting stately homes. I’m the kind of person who is always intrigued by the rooms which are not open to the general public. I want to know what is behind those locked doors and to learn more about the owners. Of course, I can’t; they’re private.

When I once visited one of the mercy ships I was allowed to go into the private places because I was friendly with a member of the crew. I felt quite smug as I was able to see what others in my party were not able to see. And yes, it was fascinating.

I believe that when I get to heaven there won’t be any private areas or forbidden spaces. I will be welcome everywhere because I know the owner.