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Behold, I make all things new
My promise is true
Beginning with you
Starting from today

Gracious God
… Help us to notice the gift & potential of each new day.
Whenever we feel anxious, unsure
or are rocked by the events of our days,
bless us with courage
that we might persevere as hopeful builders of community,
working for the good of all.

- ( Read more... )

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A happy foreshadowing of times to come:

Friendship. Fellowship. Sunshine.
Fresh eyes. Playtime. Springtime. Joy.


( Read more... )

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" In him all things hold together. "

A sense of unease hovering around ... due to work,
my sector, the unknown (the UK economy; March 29th...)

Act / Wait ?
Wait / Act ?

' " At least I'm doing something", says psychologist Therese Huston, author of How Women Decide. Though it is uncomfortable to sit with my stress rather than do something, I ( Read more... )

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Father of all, remember your holy promise ( Read more... )

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1. VAPOUR
Ecc.  1: 1:11
 Will Rubie

Ecclesiastes: literature based on wisdom:
it probes, it poses enigmatic riddles.

◘ “Life is meaningless.”
 i.e.: Life is pointless?
 No, life is fleeting; like breath or mist.

◘ Two gentle warnings:
-  Don’t be deceived by apparent progress ( Read more... )

Luke 2: 22 - 40:  Jesus presented in the Temple

".. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
      which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
       and the glory of your people Israel.”

God’s promise prevails
- that sometimes you may have to go through the pain to reach the peace
- that you may feel ( Read more... )

Exodus 3: 1 - 5: 21

How is God portrayed differently here to (chapters) 1 & 2?
Immediacy.  Intimacy.  Relationship.
Continuity - personal dynamic.

Ex. 3 - not a distant, remote being
3:15 +  compassion, rescue

Ex. 3:4-5: The refrain
I am the God of your father...

v.7 Concern - “I have come down to rescue them”
So now, go. I am sending you to ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

Sometimes you don't hear an answer until you're willing to listen.

38. The Lord Speaks
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

40 Then the Lord said to Job,
“Do you still want to argue with the ( Read more... )

The turning point came here, on a brief trip across the Pennines, back to my home county.

Church-with-friends is always easier somehow; accessible, comforting even; hospitable perhaps with ξενία at work.


( Read more... )