It never comes to an end!

When you saw the title of today's post what came to your mind? What feels as if it never comes to an end for you? Is it one of these: 

War? Hatred? Corruption? Trouble? Suffering? Crises? 

Well, the answer I wanted to offer us today is very different. I will let Jeremiah tell you:

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” - Lamentations 3:22-23

Eugene Peterson puts a slightly different slant on it, when he writes:

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Under the hand of the Shepherd

"Once again shepherds will count their flocks in the towns of the hill country, the foothills of Judah, the Negev, the land of Benjamin, the vicinity of Jerusalem, and all the towns of Judah. I, the Lord, have spoken!" - Jeremiah 33:13

In the midst of a bleak prophecy concerning their future, Jeremiah shares a delightful reminder of God's love for the people. He speaks of how the flocks of sheep will return to the hills and the shepherds will care for them and count them. From being a place of desolation to a place teeming with life!

One commentator suggests that the process that the shepherds may adopt is to allow the sheep to come into the fold, one at a time, passing underneath his hand. This helps him to count them in a controlled way, but also to see if there is anything wrong with them.

As we continue on our journey towards Christmas, may the image of the caring hand of God comfort you and to help us rest in his mighty presence.

Living in Grace

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A message even in a dark place

“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name” (Jeremiah 33: 1-2)

These words from the prophet Jeremiah, are part of our lectionary reflections for the first Sunday in Advent. The one thing that struck me in this verse is that God speaks to Jeremiah in the midst of his confinement. Even though he was in prison, the Lord still communicates with him. 

How often do we feel as if we are in a dark place? A prison of sorts? We can be excused for thinking that God may have forgotten us, but it is precisely in these moments that Christ wants to speak to us.

Genesis 39:21 - "But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love."

"God speaks in the silence of the heart." - Mother Teresa

Living in Grace

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You can count on it

During the last week I have been reminded of the practice of Lectio Divina. If you are unfamiliar with this contemplative technique of reading Scripture, then you may find this a helpful link to read. However, very simply, we approach the Biblical passage with the attitude of "what does it say to my heart" and "which words/phrases" jump out at me? Following on from this initial reading, we begin to pray into these words and verses, until we know that God has spoken a word to us. 

I am giving us a familiar passage (Jeremiah 29:11 - from a different translation) to see if this is something that works for us today. Why don't you give it a try? See which words or phrases stick out for you. Then pray on them for the rest of the day.

10-11 This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

12 “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.

13-14 “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.

“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree.

“I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”—God’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Response:    The words that stick out for me today are: "You can count on it!"

Living in Grace

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Note: I will be taking my Sabbatical in 2 weeks' time, so my blogs will be a little less frequent over that time. If you read my ramblings on other social media platforms (like Facebook), I won't be posting these to Facebook during the Sabbatical, as I am also taking a Media Sabbatical too. Of course, you are welcome to sign up to receive the posts directly to your email and then you will still get them. Thanks for your support. 

Moon and Sun

This morning on my run I had the awesome experience of gazing upon the setting full moon. It was still bright enough to make me stop and appreciate it's presence. However, this was only half of the gift. I was also aware of the early morning sun rising over the mountains behind me. It was almost as if I was caught in the beauty of God's creation. Full moon ahead of me and rising sun behind. It was a special moment. 

It is interesting that the scriptures speak of the sun and moon in many places. The skies speak to us of God's glory. 

Psalm 148:3 - Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars!

Jeremiah 31:35 - It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies...

Living in Grace

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Survivng the heat

Today has been a rather hot February day. Hot weather impacts us all in different ways, but it tends to make many people lethargic and it saps our energy. And it is not just humans who feel the impact. Taking a quick look at our dogs, I see them lying all over the house, enjoying the coolness of the floor. 

In the midst of the hot weather, this verse came to mind:

“But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me.

He is like a tree growing near a stream
and sending out roots to the water.
It is not afraid when hot weather comes,
because its leaves stay green;
it has no worries when there is no rain; it keeps on bearing fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Living in Grace

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Planted in salty ground

The thought of planting something in soil that is not suitable for any growth, really seems ridiculous. Would you even think of wasting your hard earned money on buying plants, only to plant them in soil that is harmful for their growth? I don't think so!

This is the picture that Jeremiah is offering us today, when he suggests that when we put our trust in the strength of 'mortals', it is as if we are planting something on salty ground. 

"The Lord says, “I will condemn those who turn away from me
and put their trust in human beings, in the strength of mortals.
He is like a bush in the desert, which grows in the dry wasteland,
on salty ground where nothing else grows. Nothing good ever happens to him." - Jeremiah 17:5-6

As we reflect on this verse, we must ask ourselves what the alternative solution would be? Surely, it is plant ourselves in the fertile soil of the Almighty. And that as we remain rooted in his grace and forgiveness, so we grow into the people of God.

“Pray, and let God worry.” - Martin Luther

Living in Grace

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Words fit for a King

Sometimes we find ourselves lost for words and it is not for a lack of words to use, but rather a moment where we just can't seem to place them in the right order - we struggle to express how we are feeling. 

In this season of Advent I would like to explore a theme entitled: Words fit for a King. My motivation for this is that we should seek appropriate words to express our praise and worship of King Jesus. Thankfully there are many people who have already gone before us and they have given us a great head-start. This week we explore the words of the ancient prophets who conveyed their longing for the Messiah in very eloquent and expressive language. 

Jeremiah wrote of a desire for a King who would rule with wisdom, righteousness and compassion.

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." - Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV)

Eugene Peterson puts the last part of these verses like this: This is the name they’ll give him: ‘God-Who-Puts-Everything-Right.’ (The Message)

Thought: As you express your heart to God today, what does it mean to trust in a God who is able to put everything right? 

If you would like to listen to the sermon from Sunday you can click onto this link.

Living in Grace

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Immeasurable

Every so often I stumble across a verse that really leaves me astounded at the love God has for us. This last week, while reading Jeremiah 31, I ended up reading a little further into the set reading. I came to these 2 verses and I offer them to us today:

“I am as likely to reject my people Israel
    as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”
This is what the Lord says:
“Just as the heavens cannot be measured
    and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored,
so I will not consider casting them away
    for the evil they have done.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!” – Jeremiah 31:36-37

I am awe-struck by God's choice to love humanity despite our failings and shortcomings. I am humbled by the Lord's commitment to me. And Jeremiah makes it sound even more convincing when he argues that God would rather suspend/abolish the laws of nature before he stopped loving us. That is such a beautiful gift for us in the our season of Lent.

What do you make of God's immeasurable love for you?

Living in Grace

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The Day is coming

One of the verses from today's Lectionary readings really fills us with a deep sense of Hope. Although we don't know when things will change in our current situation, we should always hold onto the great promise of a "better day". 

With Jesus this day is a past and present event. It is in the past, in that Jesus has already given us the glimpse of a new life. However, it is also in the future as we long for the return of our Lord. 

"The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah." - Jeremiah 31:31

Alan Brehm - "Sometimes we find ourselves asking whether God is anything more than a … powerless presence. And yet Jeremiah said, "the days are coming." Days of restoration, days of rebuilding, days of returning to hope and faith and joy. With this promise in mind, we can find the faith not to lose heart in the face of all that is wrong with our world."

Lent is a period in our lives where we find the faith not to lose heart in our troubled world. We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the one who makes all things new.

Living in Grace

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Make the right change

                                                

I was reflecting this week on how sometimes we procrastinate in make a change in some areas of our lives - either through laziness, ignorance or just simply disobedience. If you want to watch me confess one of my embarassing moments along these lines, then please click this link (or check it out on Youtube). 

This is the reading I mentioned in the video. It is from Jeremiah 8:4-6:

 “‘Do people fall down and not get up?
    Or take the wrong road and then just keep going?
So why does this people go backward,
    and just keep on going—backward!
They stubbornly hold on to their illusions,
    refuse to change direction.
I listened carefully
    but heard not so much as a whisper.
No one expressed one word of regret.
    Not a single “I’m sorry” did I hear.
They just kept at it, blindly and stupidly
    banging their heads against a brick wall. (The Message)

Living in Grace

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P.S. - The video is just over 2 minutes long :)

Calming presence - part 2

                                            

As we follow on from yesterday's post, which included an insightful devotion from Howard Thurman (Meditations of the Heart), let us take note of his insight into anxiety and how it impacts upon our relationship with God.

"One thing I know concerning my anxieties: they are real to me.

Sometimes they seem more real than the presence of God.

When this happens, they dominate my mood and possess my thoughts.

The presence of God does not always deliver me from anxiety but it always delivers me from anxieties. Little by little, I am beginning to understand that deliverance from anxiety

means fundamental growth in spiritual character and awareness.

It becomes a quality of being, emerging from deep within,

giving to all the dimensions of experience a vast immunity against being anxious.

A ground of calm underlies experiences whatever may be the tempestuous character of events.

This calm is the manifestation in life of the active,

dynamic Presence of God. God is present with me this day." - Howard Thurman

Again the words in bold are my 'take home' from his devotion. As you read his words, coupled with the life-giving gift of the Scriptures, may God's Spirit fill you with peace.

Mark 4:39 - "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season."

Living in Grace

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Nkosi! Ndithembe wena.

During the Ordination Service yesterday, we sang the Siya Kudumisa (Te Deum) and it was marvellous to hear the church in full voice. The last line of this song really spoke to me and I feel it is a timeous reminder to all of us.

Nkosi! Ndithembe wena: ma ndingaze ndidaniswe.
In you Lord is our hope. Let us never be put to shame.

We will end up putting our hope in something or someone, so let us remember to consciously choose to place that trust in Jesus.

Jeremiah 17:7 -  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."

Living in Grace
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Reshaping

Jeremiah 18: 4 – “…so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” 

There are moments in our walk with God where we don't know what he is doing with and in us. Things seem a little different, strange and uncomfortable. Could these be the moments that God is busy reshaping us for something he has in mind?

Who are we to tell the Potter what he should be making?

I may want to be a made into a 'bowl', but the Potter may believe I would be a better 'cup' or 'vase'. 

God doesn't need me to tell him how to create - God is the great Creator. 

The only thing I can trust is that WHATEVER God is doing, it is going to be the best!  

If you feel as if God is busy reshaping you, trust in his design and process.

Living in Grace

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