Even the sparrow has found a home

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar." - Psalm 84:3

The other day I noticed a sparrow sitting on an old telephone wire. She looked busy but not stressed. Obviously, I don't speak "sparrow", so I don't know for sure, but it seemed to me that she wasn't anxious about her life. She trusted that all would be ok.

The Psalmist must have also noticed the activity of the sparrows and swallows. He was able to see that they found a safe place for their young, and that their nests were near the altar of the Lord. 

I find this a remarkable reminder of the compassion of God. Compared to the might of the Lord, the sparrow is quite puny, yet she is not afraid of God - in fact, she trusts so much in God's protective love, that she makes her home as close to His presence as possible. 

Surely, there is a lesson for us in this action. Have we made our 'homes' close to the altar of the Lord?

Luke 12:6 - “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

Living in Grace

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Going from strength to strength

"They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." - Psalm 84:7

What would it mean for us to go from strength to strength? The implication is that we are moving from one success to another, like a sports team that is showing great signs of improvement. Turning a losing streak into one victory at a time.

However, in our spiritual lives, would this have the same meaning? We don't always feel as if we are moving from success to success, but perhaps this is where we understand that the strength we spring from is not our own. We can move from 'strength to strength', when we acknowledge that the foundation of all our movement comes from Jesus Christ.

Thought: As we come to rest in Christ's love for us, may this move us from strength to strength.

Living in Grace

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Passing through the valley of weeping

 

"As they pass through the valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." - Psalm 84:6

The valley of Baka (or Baca) was known as the place of weeping. It may have been a reference to the indigenous trees found in the valley, that oozed sap from their bark. However, it could also have been a simple a reference to a place that witnessed a lot of pain and tears. 

What I like about the image is that there is a purpose in the weeping. The tears become springs of living water and there are signs of life, despite the pain and suffering. I see this as a message of hope for our troubled world. Even though we will all travel through some valleys of pain, God will use our tears to bring life and hope.

“Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.” — Rita Schiano

Living in Grace

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Between me and all else! - Celtic Prayer

"I put between me and all evil,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all darkness,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all weakness,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all terror,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and all destruction,
The Saving Power of God.
I put between me and death,
The Saving Power of God." - Celtic Prayer

This is such a wonderful concept to consider. When we believe that 'nothing can separate us from the love of God' (Romans 8), then this means that the power of God rests between us and everything else.

How does that sit with you? Be encouraged. 

God bless you today.

Living in grace

D3LM3

Not a Sphinx

Today, I came across this lovely quote again: 

"Christians believe in a God who speaks. Ours is not a silent God, a God who sits, Sphinx-like, looking out unblinking on a world in agony ... He speaks because he loves. Love always seeks to communicate." (Donald Coggan)

Thankfully, Jesus is not a Sphinx, staring at our world, without saying a word. He speaks to us and he loves us.

John 3:34 - For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit

Living in Grace

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Getting onto the streets

I am grateful for the challenge that comes to us from these words of Dallas Willard. In his work, The Spirit of the Disciplines, he says:

"Holiness and devotion must now come forth from the closet and the chapel to possess the street and the factory, the schoolroom and the boardroom, the scientific laboratory and the governmental office.

Instead of a select few making religion their life, with the power and inspiration realised through the spiritual disciplines, all of us can make our daily lives and vocations be 'the house of God and the gate of heaven,' 

I can - and must - happen."

I have had many conversations with Christ-followers wrestling with a sense of calling. Their initial thoughts are always drawn towards fulltime ministry, because this is what we have led people to believe "serving God" looks like. However, God needs his home to be set up in all places and all over the world. 

So, if you are feeling prompted to serve God in some way, my first comment would be: Love God and Love People, where you ARE at the moment. I bet that there are people in your community who need to experience the love of Christ today. 

Matthew 28:18-20 - "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message)

Living in grace

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Abound in You - a poem by Erasmus

Hidden in the words of poetry lie the depth of our faith and the mystery of God. When Desiderius Erasmus wrote the following words, he drew us into the inner sanctum of his heart and soul, allowing us a moment to reflect and worship. I pray that this poem may speak to you today.

"Sever me from myself that I may be grateful to You;
May I perish to myself that I may be safe in You;
May I die to myself that I may live in You;
May I wither to myself that I may blossom in You;
May I be emptied of myself that I may abound in You;
May I be nothing to myself that I may be all to You."

Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Living in Grace

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How I pray

I am not sure what went through your mind when you saw the title of today's post? Sadly, I am not going to give you a special prayer formula or even tell you how I pray. Instead, I am going to pass on these words from Thomas Merton, as I found them very helpful. In his work, Day of a Stranger, he wrote:

"What I wear is pants. What I do is live. How I pray is breathe."

His insight is almost so simple, that I nearly missed his point. Prayer doesn't need to be complicated at all. We simply need to acknowledge that every breath we take is an act of prayer - it is an offering to our Creator; it is a submission to our Saviour. 

Job 33:4 - For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Living in Grace

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The greatest cause of atheism in the world today ...

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." - Brennan Manning

I first heard this quote about 30 years ago, when it was used in a song by the band DC Talk. It struck me as being deeply profound then, and it still stings my heart even today. 

Is it true that the way I speak and act, as a follower of Jesus, can turn people away from the love of Jesus? Wow, that is a great burden to bear and something that we all need to ponder. 

Of course, Jesus said something in a similar vein many years before Brennan Manning.

“If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree." - Matthew 12:33

Living in Grace

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When you know the one who is leading you.

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading." - Oswald Chambers

David firmly believed that God was leading him into the best path for his life. He wrote:

"You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:24)

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that you will go with me, into the paths you lead me, and that I should trust in your Love for me.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Iron Spine

"I wish I had a gentle mind, and a spine made up of iron." - Saint Vincent 

There is something intriguing in wishing for a spine made of iron. The meaning is clear - St. Vincent realised that he needed to have a strong backbone, to get through the many tough things in life. In his mind, a spine of Iron would help him to get through those very difficult moments. 

Thankfully, we can lean on the strength of Christ to help us through any difficulties we may face. We don't necessarily need the iron spine when we have the Spirit of God.

1 Samuel 30:6 - But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Living in Grace

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