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 weekend prayer - from Columba

Here is a short prayer for us to use over this weekend. May God bless you.

"Alone with none but Thee, my God,
I journeyed 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.

The Child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen dread no foe:
We leave our fate to Thee, and wait
The bidding when we go.
'Tis not from chance our comfort springs,
Thou art our trust, O King of Kings." - Saint Columba

May our King of Kings surround you with his grace and love.

Revelation 17:14 - "Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

Living in Grace

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Old Irish Prayer

There is an old Irish saying/prayer that reflects on the life of St. Columba. It invites us to be HOPE for others in the world around us.

"May God guide you...
To be an isle in the sea,
To be a hill on the shore,
To be a star in the night,
To be a staff for the weak."

I invite all of us to try and be one of these things today. Can we be, for someone else -
An Island of Hope?
A Hill of Refuge?
A Star to guide?
A Rod/staff to lean on?

Psalm 23:4 - "your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me."

Living in Grace
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Blessing - Advent 1

In a world where so many people demand things, it is refreshing to know that God is still generous and gracious. In order to celebrate God's merciful nature, I have chosen to share a few blessings and prayers with us all over this Advent season. May each one of these offer you much love, hope and peace.

Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me,
Be thou a smooth path below me,
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
Today - tonight - and for ever
--- Columba (521-597) Irish monk and missionary in Scotland

John 10:11 -  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Living in Grace

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Columba

There is a lot of talk about the decline of Christianity in Europe and especially in Britain. However, there was a time when Britain wasn't Christian at all. I have been sharing with my Church History class about how Britain first heard of Jesus Christ and how the people responded to the Gospel.

One such account tell of how, in 563 AD a man named Columba travelled from Ireland, hoping to reach Scotland. He and his followers landed at a place called Iona and established a 'mission station' there. It was from Iona that the rest of North Britain heard of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During his life, Columba learnt to rely on the love and mercy of God. He wrote this powerful prayer to remind himself of God's protection and faithfulness. 

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, c.521 - 97)

We are safe in the hands of the Almighty God. This is a truth that Christians have experienced for centuries - believe it for yourself today!

Living in Grace

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