Living Water

As we move deeper into the season of Spring, I wanted to share this moving prayer, which is being used for the Season of Creation 2026. This year's theme is based on "The Living Water" (Ezekiel 47) and it is a timely reminder for us to honour what God has entrusted into our care. 

Living Water

Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as part of your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the gift of water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, the pasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish our homelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-watered garden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.

Yet, we confess that we have treated this gift as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.

Lord of all Life, you promised that wherever the river flows, everything shall live. Stir in us a calling to care for the waters — to protect the watershed, defend the rights of water, and honor the dignity of the thirsty. May your Word be a spring within us, gushing forth for the healing of the nations.

May God our Father who brought water from the rock sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord who is Living Water refresh us for the work of restoration. And may the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen.

If you are interested in the Season of Creation, you can find all their resources on this website.

Living in Grace

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A Prayer for Spring and for our Youth

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land." - Song of Songs 2:12

Here is a lovely prayer to celebrate the change in seasons, as well as asking for God to watch over our young people.

"Loving God and Father,
We worship you as the creator and sustainer of all that lives;
Lord, once again it is Spring.
All around us pulsating, sparkling life 

is breaking out in a thousand various forms.
Everything is so breathtakingly beautiful
that is releases a pang of joy in my deepest soul.
Your earth is awakening from its winter sleep!

Saviour, touch my heart too and bring my barren everyday life
to new life and growth.

This month we pray for our youth and children,
the most precious blossoms of our time.
Protect them in these times
of shifting values and spiritual threats.
Keep them strong against the evil powers
that seek to drag them down.
Help them to strive with all their might
for what is good and noble.
May the older generation encourage them
with practical examples of faith, hope and love.
Help them to be immovable in their faith in the knowledge
that Christ himself, their Master and Example was once young.
Bless, O Lord, graciously and abundantly
the great work done by parents, ministers and teachers
who support young people along the road of life.
In Jesus name. Amen." (based on a prayer by Rev. Solly Ovrech)

Living in Grace

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When I am ...

There are a number of beautiful Celtic Prayers in circulation, but I came across an unfamiliar prayer today. 

"Lord, when I am disturbed
When I am distressed
When I am divided
When I am disgusted.
I come to you for healing
I come to you for peace
I come to you for restoration
I come to you for dignity.
Help me, Lord,
To do what you would have me do, to become the person you want me to be." - One in Him (Celtic Prayer)

Thought: I found it interesting that the word 'disgusted' caught me unawares. And of course, there are times when I feel 'disgusted', however I had not linked our need for 'DIGNITY' to this emotion. Which part of the prayer took you by surprise?

Psalm 56:3 - "...when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."

Living in Grace

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Help of the helpless

"O Lord, the help of the helpless,
the hope of the hopeless,
the Saviour of the storm-tossed,
the harbour of voyagers,
the physician of the sick;
we pray to you.
O Lord, you know each of us and our petitions;
You know each house and its needs." - St. Basil

Psalm 10:17 - "Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them."

Living in Grace

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We are not worthless...

“…even in its ruined condition, a human being is regarded by God as something immensely worth saving. Sin does not make it worthless, but only lost. And in its lostness it is still capable of great strength, dignity, and heartbreaking beauty and goodness.” – Dallas Willard

I love what Dallas Willard says in this quote. So many times, we right people off because of their sin and proclaim them as worthless, yet in God's eyes this is not true. Of course, our sin does make us lost and adrift from the Lord's path, but God is always calling us back to himself. 

Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost."

Living in Grace

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The Rock

Jesus needed to remind his disciples that the nation had abandoned 'The Rock' of their salvation. In charging Peter (Petros) to lead the new band of believers, Jesus promised to build his church on Peter's profession of faith (Matthew 16:18). In the background to this moment, Matthew counted on the Israelites remembering the words from Deuteronomy 32, which spoke of the Lord being their Rock.

"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!" - v.4

"They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior. 16 They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols.
17 They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God—
gods they had not known,
gods that recently appeared,
gods your ancestors did not fear.
18 You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth." - v.15-18

Thought: God's faithfulness is presented like a 'rock' for us - immovable and secure. 

Living in Grace

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20 years on

Today marks the anniversary of my Ordination (20th August 2006). I am grateful for God's grace that has sustained us over the years of ministry. The journey began many years before Ordination, as I candidated for the Ordained ministry in 1999, while serving as a Youth Pastor (1995-1999) and then served as a Probationer minister from 2002-2006. 

These years of ministry have taken us into amazing communities, and we have met some incredible people over this time. I would be lying if I said that all has gone smoothly, but I am convinced that God has guided us and given us the strength to serve Him. I am also indebted to the love and support from Kim and my boys, as well as my wider family. Ministry is not something that I could do alone and they have all encouraged me so much.

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

The future lies in God's hands, and I pray that I may still stay faithful to Christ and serve him in whatever capacity I can. Thank you for your support in this small part of my ministry too. 

Soli Deo Gloria.

Living in Grace

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A Guardian Angel

We have all heard stories of a "guardian angel" - a heavenly being that protects us from harm. I am not sure if you believe in these angels or not but take a read of Psalm 34 and see if this may change your mind at all.

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (New King James)

"For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him." - New Living

"God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray." (Eugene Peterson)

Thought: May God protect you and guard your heart as you follow in his ways.

Living in Grace

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He will take great delight in you

"The Lord your God is with you, 

 the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17

Sometimes I feel that we rush through reading the Scriptures and in doing so, we miss some beautiful promises. Take today's reading for example - it is just 1 verse, but it contains at least 5 promises. 

As you read through this verse a few times, why don't you take hold of the promises that God is speaking into your life.

Living in Grace

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There is a way in the desert

The words of Isaiah (43:16-21) speak of the hope we can have in God. No matter how bad things look at the moment, God can always make a way through the desert. 

This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters, 
¹⁷ who drew out the chariots and horses,
    the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?              
I am making a pathway in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Living in Grace

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You loved us first

Dear friends, please enjoy this deeply moving prayer by Soren Kierkergaard, entitled: "You have loved us first."

"Father in Heaven! You have loved us first, help us never to forget that You are love so that this sure conviction might triumph in our hearts over the seduction of the world,
over the disquiet of the soul,
over the anxiety for the future,
over the fright of the past,
over the distress of the moment.
But grant also that this conviction might discipline our soul so that our heart might remain faithful and sincere in the love which we bear to all those whom You have commanded us to love as we love ourselves."

1 John 4:10 - This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Living in Grace

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Who are you?

When Jacob was wrestling with the angel in Genesis 32, we note that the angel starts up a conversation with him:

27 “What is your name?” the man asked.

He replied, “Jacob.”

28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

This may seem like a random question to ask, especially as the angel must have already known Jacob's name. However, we feel there is something deeper at play in this exchange. Is it possible that the angel was wanting Jacob to own up to who he truly was - he was the deceiver - the one who grabs the heel. And when Jacob accepts who he is, the angel moves him into a new dispensation - he is ready for change.

Sometimes we think that we need to change BEFORE God loves us. In fact, God already loves us, and when we accept this, we can begin the important transformation in our hearts and lives.

Living in Grace

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A sunrise and a limp

"Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip." - Genesis 32:30-31

The story of Jacob's wrestling match with the angel, ends with these few final verses. I found such comfort in the picture of Jacob leaving Peniel while the sun rose for the start of a new day. It speaks to me of new beginnings, and the end of the anguish of the night. His limp also speaks to me of the scars we carry with us - they teach us and form us, but they don't stop us walking in the ways of God.

Thought: When you walk with Christ, what scars do you carry that speak of your testimony?

Living in grace

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A prayer to start your day

“Alone with none but Thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when Thou art near
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within Thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.” – Columba (521-597)

7 "My salvation and my honor depend on God
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge." - Psalm 62:7

Living in Grace

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A mouth full of dirt

When Jeremiah laments God's anger against him, he uses the interesting picture of being made to eat gravel. He writes:

6 "He has broken my teeth with gravel;
    he has trampled me in the dust.
17 I have been deprived of peace;
    I have forgotten what prosperity is." - Lamentations 3:16-17

This past week I had a hard fall while out trail-running and got to experience eating 'gravel' as a first-hand experience. Let me be clear - it is not highly recommended. When I got up and wiped the dust off my body, I was genuinely concerned that I had broken some teeth, but thankfully they were all intact. It was just my face that looks like I have been in a barfight :)

Thought: I am grateful that Jesus gives us a more graceful picture of God. I don't want to believe in a Saviour who seeks to trample me in the dust and shove my teeth in the gravel. I can understand Jeremiah's feeling of abandonment, but I trust that we have not been forgotten by Christ.

Living in Grace

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Lift up your head

 

"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." - Psalm 3:3

There are times in our lives when circumstances cause our heads to drop. We feel despondent and drained - we feel that the weight of life has pulled us down. 

It is when we are feeling like this that Psalm 3 really offers us hope. God shields us, but God is also the one who lifts our heads, so we can bravely face what lies before us.

Thought: May you know the love of God as Jesus walks alongside you and lifts your head high.

Living in Grace

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A different kind of Treasure

"My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity." - Proverbs 2:1-7

A quick read of Proverbs 2 reveals how highly valued wisdom was in the Old Testament. The writer speaks of wisdom as a hidden treasure, and how God grants this treasure to those who walk in his ways. I believe that wisdom is still highly valued and we should still seek it with all our hearts. 

Our world has no shortage of information, but in general we lack Godly wisdom. What do you feel?

Living in Grace

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The Perfect Dream

We all dream of something remarkable taking place in our lives - the answer to a deep longing or a miraculous answer to prayer. When Solomon encountered God in a dream (1 Kings 3), he was asked the question we all long for:

"That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

How would you answer that question today?

What do you want? 

If you ask God for one thing, what would you ask for?

Better health? More security? Financial help? A partner? Peace? Help with your future? Faith? 

Thought: My immediate response to this question could tell me a lot about what I am struggling with in my life at the moment?

Nehemiah 9:27 - From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

Living in Grace

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Open our hearts

I offer you this beautiful prayer for the start of this new week:

"O Lord,
Open our eyes to your presence
Open our minds to your grace
Open our lips to your praises
Open our hearts to your love
Open our lives to your healing
And be found among us. Amen." - David Adam

Luke 24:32 - "They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Living in Grace

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Warts and all

When Peter Lely was commissioned to paint the portrait of Oliver Cromwell, he must have been tempted to flatter his famous subject. As was custom, artists were often ordered to paint their subjects in a good light, covering up any blemishes and so on. However, Peter Lely was ordered by Cromwell to paint him as he was - warts and all. This is apparently what Cromwell said:

“I desire you would use all your skill to paint your picture truly like me… but remark all these roughness, pimples, warts and everything as you see me. Otherwise, I will never pay a farthing for it.”

I can't account for the full character of Oliver Cromwell, but his attitude in this incident does seem refreshing. So often we want people to like us for who we pretend to be, instead of for who were truly are.

Thankfully God loves us with all our warts, and he invites us to part of his family, regardless of what we look like.

Thought: When we spend time with the Lord are we comfortable to come with all our warts, or do we just offer our pretense?

Living in Grace

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Understanding and wisdom

"Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, 

understanding to know thee,

diligence to seek thee, 

wisdom to find thee,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee." - Thomas Aquinas

"For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding. “I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful.” Wisdom is its own reward, and if you scorn her, you hurt only yourself." - Proverbs 9

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There is always a FIRST step.

There is always going to be a first step!

When we were infants crawling on the floor, our families encouraged us to make the first step. And when we did, their delighted whoops inspired us to take another step. Slowly, but surely, we got more steady on our tiny legs, and eventually we couldn't stop moving.

It is the same with most things in life, and even so with our faith. We must always start with a first step and when we succeed in that action, so the other steps flow from this momentum. The writer of Proverbs suggests that if we want to live godly lives, we should listen to Wisdom and live out the principles of faith. However, there is a crucial first step. Read what he says:

1 These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, David’s son:

2 He wrote them to teach his people how to live—how to act in every circumstance, 3 for he wanted them to be understanding, just, and fair in everything they did. 4 “I want to make the simpleminded wise!” he said. “I want to warn young men about some problems they will face. 5-6 I want those already wise to become wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth.”

7-9 How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! (Proverbs 1)

Thought: What is your first step going to be today?

Living in Grace

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Don't think you know it all

"Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!" - Romans 12:16

These words of Paul remind us to be humble and to acknowledge our own shortcomings. There are always opportunities to take the negative view on things, but likewise, there are many chances to build up others. Here is a timely prayer from William Barclay to help us begin this journey.

"O Father, give us the humility which
Realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes,
Recognizes its need, welcomes advice,
Accepts rebuke.

Help us always...
To praise rather than to criticize,
To sympathize rather than to condemn,
To encourage rather than to discourage,
To build rather than to destroy,
and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst." - William Barclay

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Grant me, O Lord

Thomas a Kempis was someone who prayed bold prayers. His life was a witness to Jesus, and he left an incredible legacy in his book The Imitation of Christ. Here is one of his prayers:

"Grant me, O Lord,
To know what is worth knowing
To love what is worth loving
To praise what delights you most
To value what is precious in your sight
To hate what is offensive to you.
May I search out and do what pleases you, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Psalm 17:1 - O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.

Living in Grace

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Standing in the need of prayer

"It’s me, It’s me oh Lord
I’m standing in the need
(I am standing in the need of prayer)
In the need of prayer
It is me
It’s me oh Lord
(I am standing in the need of prayer) I’m standing in the need
Of prayer" - John Kee

This old-time spiritual song reminds us that we can bring our lives and hearts to the Lord. God is always ready to listen to our prayers.

Romans 1:9 - God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

Living in Grace

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Treat others as we would want to be treated

As South Africans wait for the 30th of June with great anxiety, it is important for followers of Jesus to remember the words of our Saviour: "Love your neighbour as yourself." (Luke 10). Elsewhere in Luke's gospel we read how Jesus said: "Do to others as you would like them to do to you" (Luke 6). 

So, if I was an illegal immigrant, or a legitimate refugee, how would I want others to treat me? If I was living in fear of my life or that of my family, what measures would I take, in order to care for them? These are such powerful questions to reflect on, and I am not sure I have a glib answer for them. 

Profoundly, I believe that Jesus stands with the most vulnerable and the desperate, because his lived reality included a time of being homeless and also living as a refugee. His family found hope in another land, cared for by foreigners, until they were able to safely return home. 

"Even if our own troubles are great, we should still serve. Jesus washed His disciples' feet on the way to the cross." - Tim Keller

"Jesus experienced homelessness at Christmas so that we could experience a love we could never lose."

Living in Grace

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Guide me

I have often found the words and prayers of other believers to be helpful in my own prayer life. Sometimes we are just run out of words to express our hearts, and fellow pilgrims just seem to capture the right sentiment and words. 

"Journeying God, guide me,
So that I may not become deterred by hardship, strangeness, doubt.
Show me the movement I must make,
toward a wealth that is not dependent on possessions,
toward a wisdom that is not based on books
toward a strength not bolstered by might
toward a God not confined to heaven,
But scandalously earthed, poor, unrecognised ....
Help me to find myself as I walk in other's shoes." - Kate Compston (Jesuit poet)

John 1:14 - "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

Living in Grace

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Help of the helpless

"O Lord, the help of the helpless,
the hope of the hopeless,
the Saviour of the storm-tossed,
the harbour of voyagers,
the physician of the sick;
we pray to you.
O Lord, you know each of us and our petitions;
You know each house and its needs." - Basil (Greek Bishop)

In the midst of troubling times, it is good to remember that Christ is with those who are helpless, hopeless, fearful, sick, storm-tossed and out of prayers. God hears our groans. 

Psalm 12:5 - "The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

Living in Grace

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Just wondering

I was just wondering how many of us Pastors (and actually all Christ-followers) act on Jesus' teaching in John 13. I see a lot of posturing and attention-seeking amongst believers today, but very little of what Jesus modelled for us.

When he {Jesus} had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)

To be fair, I know that there are a lot of servant-hearted believers in our communities, because these are the Christians that make the most impact for the kingdom. I guess they are the ones who act for Jesus without publicizing their actions. 

·      “Most people wish to serve God - but in an advisory capacity only.” - Anonymous 

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Have a heart

"Give me, Lord
A stout heart to bear my own burdens,
A tender heart to bear the burdens of others,
And a believing heart to lay all my burdens on you, for you care for us." - Lesslie Newbigin

The ancient philosophers understood that the heart was the seat of all emotions. Everything flowed from this small organ in the center of our chests. Jesus added even greater value this notion, when he commanded us to 'Love God with all of our Hearts.' 

How do we use our hearts? Are we able to have stout, tender and believing hearts today?

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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How much can you squeeze from a single grape?

In preparation for our Sunday services, I was looking for a little inspiration on the prayer front. I was helped by a wonderful book "Prayers for Today" (compiled by Kurt Bjorklund). In one of the chapters, I found this delightful prayer.

"Lord, how much juice can you squeeze from a single grape?
How much water can you draw from a single well?
How great a fire you can kindle from a tiny spark?
How great a tree you can grow from a tiny seed?

My soul is so dry that by itself it cannot pray;

Yet you can squeeze from it the juice of a thousand prayers.

My soul is so parched that by itself it cannot love;

Yet you can draw from it boundless love for you and for my neighbour.

My soul is so cold that by itself it has not joy;

Yet you can light the fire of heavenly joy within me.

My soul is so feeble that by itself it has no faith;

Yet by your power my faith grows to a great height."

- Guigo the Carthusian (12th century monk)

Living in Grace

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Good things, hard things, best things!

 “There are the good things of this world, the hard things of this world, and the best things of this world—God’s love, glory, holiness, beauty. The Bible’s teaching is that the road to the best things is not through the good things but usually through the hard things. . . . There is no message more contrary to the way the world understands life or more subversive to its values.” - Tim Keller

These words were written by Tim Keller as he preached on our call to persevere. I had to read it through a few times before the message sunk in. In reality, most of us are very pre-occupied chasing the good things in this world, as we believe these will satisfy our deepest longings. Jesus never shied away from the 'hard things' because he knew that the 'Best Things' lay beyond our journey through struggle.

What do you think of this?

1 Timothy 6:10-12 - "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses."

Living in Grace

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A reading to uplift your spirits today

Here is a reading to uplift your spirits today.

"1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121

God bless you today.

Living in Grace

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As Iron Sharpens Iron

 

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:17

This illustration is a very powerful example of how we can help each other remain 'sharp' in our Christian faith. If one piece of iron is not regularly sharpened, it will eventually become so blunt/dull that it will not be effective anymore. 

What is remarkable about this Proverb is that it implies a benefit for both parties - the two iron instruments keep each other sharp - it is not just one of them that reaps a reward. They both remain sharp from regular contact with each other.

Thought: Who is able to keep you spiritually sharp? Who do you help to keep doing the work of the Lord?

Living in Grace

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Be careful before we complain

It seems that God's people love to complain. In Isaiah's time, they also complained ... a LOT! And when God heard their complaints, he passed on this message through the prophet:

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”? Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. (Isaiah 40)

These were the 2 thoughts that struck me in Eugene Peterson's paraphrase.

God has not lost track of you!

God Lasts!

Thought: Before we complain to God, perhaps we should stop and take stock of what God has done for us.

Living in Grace

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The Eyewitness

A witness is someone who has seen an event and is able to describe it to others. Yes, we know that witnesses may see the same event and yet describe it in two different ways, but this does not deny that the event took place. In trying to understand the dynamics of this event, or identify the people involved, we must engage with their version of the story. When John claims that he saw Jesus, this should make an impression on us - let us read what he says:

1 John 1:1-4 - "We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. ² This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy."

Is it not remarkable that we have the words of someone who claims to have 'seen' Jesus and 'touched' him? John was so close to the Messiah, that he was truly able proclaim that He was the Christ.

“I would have preferred someone else to have been in charge of rescuing this story, but once again life has taught me that my role is to be a witness, not the leading actor.”
― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Midnight Palace

Living in Grace

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What is your prayer for today?

What is your prayer for today? 

For some of us, it may be: "Lord, please get me through this day?" or maybe even: "Guide me through the next 12 hours and grant me the strength to still be standing at the end!"

The French philosopher, Blaise Pascal wrote some interesting words, that I feel were meant to be a prayer:

"Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power;
and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name."

Whether we are attempting little things or great things, may we do it for the glory of God.

1 Kings 8:54 - When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

Living in Grace

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The Bond

"The Holy Spirit is the bond of love in the Trinity and the bond of love in the Church." – Augustine

We understand that what Augustine meant was that the Holy Spirit acts as the glue (bond) in the body of Christ. When we come together as God's people, there is a commonality of 'love', which is given to us by the Holy Spirit. As we should have a unified purpose (to love God and others), the Spirit works in each of us to drive us to this goal. Sometimes we need to be nudged and reminded of our role in this process.

Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

In the King James Version is says: "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Thought: This bond of peace is not just something that God brings to the relationship - we also need to 'make every effort' to make sure that the bond actually works.

Living in Grace

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