31. Jul, 2017

Greetings from Ros August 2017

I’ve recently returned from time away with my friend Jean, based at Chester-le-Street in County Durham.  I wasn’t well when we went and ended up going to see a doctor up in the North East.  Jean decided to take me away to give me a chance to recover and rest.  It meant that we had to adapt and abandon many of our plans for our Study Leave.  It’s been a relaxing time and I’ve had to adjust to a slower pace of life!!  Jean & I spent some time exploring Scripture together & we enjoyed our opportunity to reflect together, especially as we found our different perspectives encouraged us to see things differently.

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.   Psalm 127:1

When we went, we decided that many of our plans would be impossible as we would need to take each day as it came and decide as we went along what was possible.  But there were elements locally that I could manage.  The other plans will have to wait until next year. 

In many ways we felt that God had over-ruled our plans and wanted us to learn the lessons of weakness and rest. In many ways we felt that God had over-ruled our plans and wanted us to learn the lessons of weakness and rest. In church life we must always make sure that it is the Lord who is giving us the vision for it and is encouraging us to undertake the work on his behalf.  Otherwise, our energy, resources and enthusiasm may quickly dry up leaving us with a great edifice that is not glorifying to God.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

We found that each day took us by surprise.  We returned to some very familiar places and thought we would simply settle for the familiar & yet each time we were taken by surprise as we made new discoveries.  We noticed things we’d overlooked before.  So often in our spiritual life we settle for the familiar and fail to make new discoveries as these are often challenging.  I returned thankful that I had been forced to slow down and rest otherwise I would have missed out on these new discoveries. 

Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.Psalm 105:4

Since returning I’ve been struggling having been diagnosed with pneumonia.  So I’ve been forced to continue at the slow pace and have enjoyed the opportunity to reflect more on Scripture and its application in our lives.  I was already planning to spend time exploring Christian Mindfulness over the Summer.  Come and join me on Thursdays at 2pm for an hour or two of quietness, worship, meditation and prayer.

These words from Psalm 105 are the words that appear on a memorial to the Desert Rats that are found in Thetford Forest.  It has been placed under a now redundant tank used in their campaigns.  May we take these words to heart and continue to be a people moving on with God.  Seeking his face and his guidance.  Stepping out with him in his purposes.  Expecting great things from him and attempting great things for him.

Love, Ros