A different way

“Endeavour to be inclined always:

Not to the easiest, but to the most difficult;
Not to the most delightful, but to the most distasteful;
Not to the most gratifying, but to the less pleasant;
Not to what means rest for you, but to hard work;
Not to the consoling, but to the unconsoling;
Not to the most, but to the least;
Not to the highest and most precious, but to the lowest and most despised;
Not to wanting something, but to wanting nothing;"

Sixteenth Century Mystic, St.John of the Cross, wrote these words as a way of expressing the different path we take when following Jesus. They are tough words and very challenging for all of us to contemplate. What stands out for you from his thoughts? 

Acts 2:28 - "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

Living in Grace

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If God hadn't been by our side

"If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth." - Psalm 124

In today's reading the Psalmist comes to a powerful realisation about God's help in difficult circumstances. He realises that things would have been a lot worse 'IF' God hadn't been there for him. 

This is a timely reminder for all of us I think. Have you ever wondered how your life would be IF God wasn't in your life?

Living in Grace

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Moved any mountains?

This is a prayer that I found last week and used conjunction with the sermon entitled "What is your mountain?" It is so appropriate and beautiful that I want to share it with us all.

“Lord, I've never moved a mountain and I guess I never will. All the faith that I could muster wouldn't move a small ant hill. Yet I'll tell you, Lord, I'm grateful for the joy of knowing Thee, and for all the mountain moving down through life You've done for me.

When I needed some help you lifted me from the depths of great despair. And when burdens, pain and sorrow have been more than I can bear, you have always been my courage to restore life's troubled sea, and to move these little mountains that have looked so big to me.

Many times when I've had problems and when bills I've had to pay, and the worries and the heartaches just kept mounting every day, Lord, I don't know how you did it. Can't explain the wheres or whys. All I know, I've seen these mountains turn to blessings in disguise.

No, I've never moved a mountain, for my faith is far too small. Yet, I thank you, Lord of Heaven, you have always heard my call. And as long as there are mountains in my life, I'll have no fear, for the mountain-moving Jesus is my strength and always near. - Source Unknown.

Matthew 17:20-21 - “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

Living in Grace

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Searching for the well

"What makes a desert so beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." - Antoine de Saint Exupery

As you make your way through the wilderness of life, please remember that our gracious Father has given us beautiful wells along the way. May we find these gifts and may they quench our thirst.

John 4 (Living Bible)

He had to go through Samaria on the way, and around noon as he approached the village of Sychar, he came to Jacob’s Well, located on the parcel of ground Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jesus was tired from the long walk in the hot sun and sat wearily beside the well.

Living in Grace

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No easy matter

How easy do you find Prayer? 

I admit that on some days I find it incredibly tough and this is usually because of outside circumstances. Yet, on other days the words seem to flow from deep inside me. Although prayer can be simple, it can also be hard. I am consoled by the words of many great saints who have paved the way for us, and of course from the pages of the Scriptures. It all helps me tremendously. 

"Praying is no easy matter. It demands a relationship in which you allow someone other than yourself to enter into the very center of your person, to see there what you would rather leave in darkness, and to touch there what you would rather leave untouched." - Henri Nouwen

Matthew 6 (The Message)

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

Observation: Prayer is not an easy matter, but it is one of our deepest necessities. 

Living in Grace

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Falling into the hands of mercy

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands." (2 Samuel 24:14)

Initially I read this verse very quickly and almost skipped over the essential meaning, but am glad I lingered a little longer. What do you notice when you read it through a few times?

David understands something very profound - that God is way more merciful than many human beings are! I saddened by the judgement that many Christians make of each other, sometimes in very painful ways, yet we easily forget how much mercy we have all received from God. 

I realise I am still a work in progress, but I would rather be judged for being too merciful, than for being too bigoted. Thankfully God will decide our fate and not those who oppose us. 

What do you think?

Living in Grace

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Overcoming ourselves

Thomas a' Kempis wrote in the 15th Century, “the hardest struggle is the struggle to overcome ourselves." I think that what he could have meant by this is that we are often our own worst enemy. We struggle with our faults, short-comings and sins, wondering if God could even love us. This can sometimes move us away from the embrace of our loving God. Thankfully we have Jesus who has paved the way for our salvation and he is the ultimate victor.  

What things in your life do you struggle with? 

Do you find that your mind plays tricks on you? Does your mind sometimes run away from you so that your biggest struggle is with yourself? If you can relate to this, then I pray that these scriptures help you today.

Jeremiah 1:19 - They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Living in Grace

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