When I in awesome wonder...

Don't go out looking for something just see what crosses your path.
The power point below can be used as a meditation to focus on the beauty and wonder of God's creation remembering that we are not observers but an integral part of it.

Appreciating Appreciation - Sundays Talk

As part of the series 'Men and Women in the Bible and the Holy Spirit' I attempted to describe the power of Appreciation in our lives and the way Jesus did this in the gospels. Jesus appreciated and accepted people like Nathanael, the woman at the well, the Centurion's faith, Peter, etc and through this the Holy Spirit worked. See the PowerPoint and the Podcast.

When I survey

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far to small;
love so amazing, love divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!

Appologies for the repeat to those who view both blogs but I was reminded of this photo, which I took early today, as we sang this morning, thinking of the whole of nature being an offering too small for God yet he loves us without condition or the need for offerings isn't He wonderful.

Forgiveness

Thoughts following on from David's talk on Sunday...

It is tough.

When you declare your chosen path

And others see it and measure your passage along it.

It is hard when we let ourselves down

And fall out happens;

When we find ourselves in a place

We don’t want to be;

When we feel our edges compromised.

We are exposed

And the chill air

Turns us blue.

We are lost without your warmth,

Without you to cling to

Where do we find solace?

But it is self-imposed exile.

You remain.

It is we who turn away from you;

We lower our eyes in shame

And cannot see your outstretched arms.

You reach out for our damaged selves,

As much as you ever did for those more complete

You are not less compassionate

Just because we need it more.

The Holy Spirit and men and women in the bible - Ruth

This morning we considered Ruth and her experiences and how we can learn to love like Jesus taught us through her example. If you want to read the notes that go with the power point they are here.