September 10 - Trust

One day, as Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were ploughing and the asses were grazing near them when Sabeans suddenly attacked and seized them; the servants were put to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "Lightning has fallen from heaven and has completely burned up the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While this man was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans, attacking in three bands, raided the camels and drove them away; the servants were put to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

While this one was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in their oldest brother's house when a great wind came from across the wilderness, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men and killed them. I alone have escaped to tell you."

Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, threw himself on the ground and worshipped, saying:

"Jehovah gave, Jehovah has taken away;
Blessed be the name of Jehovah!"- Job 1:13-21(Bible Hub)

This story, based on real events is told.

The farm and homestead had been passed down over as many generations as Jack Brewster and his family could recall. Jack himself had worked and nurtured the land – some two hundred or so acres, for the past forty years, taking over the tenancy on the death of his father, Ben. Father of three sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren, all had chosen to remain and work the land with their father, and all had inherited the strong Christian and work ethic that ran down the centuries from their ancester's. Jack was thankful for his many blessings.

As the sun set that Friday evening, with last rounds of the farm completed, Jack looked with satisfaction over the acres of ripe crops ready for reaping – so much, and so many, depended on a good harvest if they were to feed their livestock, pay their bills, and survive the winter ahead. So many mouths depended on this being a good year.

Despite his outward satisfaction Jack was concerned. The national weather forecast reported on the position and progress of a tornado that was presently moving over the Pacific Ocean. Local weather forecasters thought the storm would veer away before hitting land. If they were right, Jack's farm would not be affected. The crops needed to be brought in, tomorrow latest – Saturday, the family's Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). Apart from caring for the livestock, work would be deferred until Sunday.

At church the family and community placed the situation before the Lord, leaving it, and them, in His hands, trusting the tornado wouldn't hit land.

The sky that day had been cloudless. Not a hint of the nightmare to come throughout the night. As a precaution the family had batoned down as much as they could, and settled down in their storm shelter – the tornado was reported to be making progress inland. Six hours later the family emerged from the shelter to see the most utter devastation imaginable. Part of the cabin roof had been ripped off; the verandah torn away; windows blown out. The barn had been flattened like a pack of cards, and the bodies of livestock littered the surrounding area – some time later the body of one cow was discovered up in the branches of a tree over a mile away. The wheat crops had been decimated – totally flattened – orchard's uprooted. The black prospects of bankruptcy danced before Jack's eyes.

Jack's reaction? He and his family collected together to give thanks of gratitude to God that their lives had been spared. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety” - Psalm 4:8.

Seemingly, that was it, Jack would have no choice but to sell the land and hope the proceeds would go some way towards paying outstanding bills, but Jack had faith that the Lord was already working on sending in the reserves. Like Job, Jack could recount endless tales and experiences, of God's care and blessings down through the centuries. He knew he could depend on Him. So he and the family set about making repairs to the cabin and disposing of the livestock bodies. They would tackle the crops tomorrow.

At sunset the following day, roused by the sound of approaching engines and the sound of horns, Jack ran to the cabin door to see a convoy of neighbours laden with timber, tools, combine harvesters, and willing workers – not forgetting food for the livetock, and food enough to feed Jack and the family for the next month! The tornado had skirted their properties leaving Jacks farm to take a direct blow.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” - Jeremiah 29:11

Chuck Swindoll writes: “What seems frustrating and wrong and unfair is not the end of the story. It's just the end of a chapter.. The book He is writing has many, many chapters....we are not in the hands of blind fate! We are in the hands of God, whose purposes are very clearly set forth, and whose goals fit perfectly into His plan. Our all-wise, all-knowing God is in charge. He has all the answers....to Him be the glory forever and ever”.

Today's music is The Brooklyn Choir singing Psalm 23. Click here to listen.

August 31 -

Who’s in Your Boat?

Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. — Luke 8:22-25

The disciples never stopped to think what it meant to have Jesus in the boat with them. To them, He wasn’t doing anything, just sleeping! But, of course, He was sleeping—not worrying or getting frantic about the storm. The disciples spent so much energy trying to save themselves from the storm on their own power that they forgot to be still and recognize that Jesus is God, who had their lives in His hands. Jesus was in their boat. All they needed to do was trust in him.

The disciples were experienced fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. They had often weathered sudden squalls and treacherous waves. Though the sea was calm when they set sail, they knew that storms could come out of nowhere. So when Jesus suggested rowing to the other side of the lake, they knew they had to be ready for anything.

Storms have a habit of sneaking up on us. For ages life has jogged along, everything running smoothly. Work has been good. Homelife ? no problems. The future looked rosy. Then wham! Out of the blue the storm snook up Overlooked bills appeared on the doorstep. A parent suddenly becomes ill and needs your care. The children fail to gain the grades they needed to get into university....then there are rumours circulating that your employer is planning to make redundacies to their work team. Such storms cause our anxiety to rise to dangerous levels. We look for help from someone to calm us down, fix the problem, and restore life to the way it was. 

Like the disciples we get to thinking that we're facing the storms alone, and forget that whatever our situation, God is in the middle of the storm with us

Instead of worrying and getting frantic about the storm, the effect on our future, and expending so much energy trying to save ourselves from the storm by our own power, that we forget to be still and recognize that Jesus is God, He has our lives in His hands. Jesus is in our boat. All we need to do is trust in Him.

Click on the picture to listen to today's music - Tenessee Ernie Ford singing "Stand by me."

August 17 - the rain came

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains” - James 5:7 ESV

The old man was a dabhand at a bit of woodwork. A farmer, he was used to turning his hand to any task presented to him. Married and father to three married sons, he had instilled the same work ethic, and love of carpentry, into them also. I often wonder if they were all so keen, but they were obedient to their father's wishes and learned the trade.

Loved and respected in the community, the old man was also regarded as more than a bit eccentric – especially when he told them that God had had a word with him and told him to build a huge boat. I imagine the only boats they would ever have seen would have been the small fishing boats that trawled the coast in an effort to bring in the 'catch of the day'....but a boat larger than our largest container ships of today? Crazy man. They laughed and jeered, day after day, year after year.

To float a boat you need the sea, - they lived inland, and here was this crazy old man and his sons talking about God telling him to get the boat readyfor impending rain. Rain? Rain? What is that? No-one knew. Up to that time an over-night dew cared for watering the earth. Then there was his talk about when it was finished, God telling him to fill the boat with samples of all the animals and creatures on the earth and warning the people to repent while they still had a chance. For 140 years this went on....constructing the ark and prophesying to the people – people who considered it all to be the ramblings of an old man. Day after day he begged men and women to repent and leave their past lives behind them.

THEN IT RAINED!

I was thinking about Noah during our recent heatwave, that seemed to go on forever. Like Noah, many of us prayed for rain to fall, as fires engulfed country after country, taking homes and lives with it. The cry went out to residents from the authorities, to prepare to leave their homes and pasts behind them, and take themselves and loved ones to a place of safety. Thousands listened to the warning and made their way to safety. Others chose to ignore the call and stayed with their earthly possessions, and, as a result, lost everything – including their lives.

THEN IT RAINED! .

As I write this, the media news is broadcasting reports of torrential rain falling in India and Pakistan as the monsoon engulfs the area. Ensuing floods and landslides continue to devastate vast areas of the country. Scenes shown from the area are heartbreaking as hillsides collapse engulfing vast areas of land. Entire rows of houses have been swept away. Many dead, many trapped, and many rescued, along with some eight hundred thousand homeless Some heeded the warning signs – other's didn't.

AND, IT KEEPS ON RAINING.

What about us? Are we alert to the warnings? The whole world is caught in a vortex, spiralling it's downward way to destruction. God never intended the world to be like it is – disaster, sorrow, grief, pain, loss, and violence.... If only the inhabitants of the earth had heeded the warnings.... but the Bible says that “as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” - Matthew 24:37-39

At risk of being labeled crazy, are we passing on this message to others to, put their past behind them, and give their hearts and lives to God while there is still time? Or, are we fence-sitter's as many were in Noah's day? Don't let us be deceived. The rain will come. On Christ's return, will that time find us eagerly looking forward to an eternal, new, trouble-free world? Or crying with those who chose to ignore the warnings, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” Jeremiah 8:20

Today's music is – “Please Forgive Me” sung by Michael English (Live)

July 13 – Gold ahead!

“In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade-kept in heaven for you” - 1 Peterr 1:3-4

Walk the A&E Departments of any hospital, Cancer Unit, Care Home, Hospice etc., and it would be easy as we watch the suffering, and it would be easy to think....'Eternity – What Eternity?'


The suffering before your eyes seems to deny the preseence of a heaven, and a God whose heart is also breaking along with ours. Thoughts like these bedevil the mind, and gnaw at the roots of the faith of all concerned.

The reaction of Englands football players in Russia, and the majority of their supporters, as they gave their all and lost the quarter finals, 'demonstrated that no matter how uncomfortable and long the four year trip to the next World Cup, the journey won't last forever' - - at the end they WILL strike gold.

“The Bible promises us that no matter how difficult our journey may become, the length of our journey never alters the reality of our destination. The cup will not be the only thing to come home, WE will be at home, shouting VICTORY!! with the best of them.

That's what Peter meant when he declared that all those who have been given “new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” are also guaranteed “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.” And why is that inheritance secure? Because it is kept in heaven for you.”

“Thank God for the Promise of Spring” presented by Cynthia Clawson is the choice of music. Click on the picture to listen.

July 5 - Weed?

"Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.’"

Last month a friend volunteered to transplant some of last years plants from the containers they had outgrown, into the garden borders. This she did. Job completed she told me she had saved the most vigorous of the plants and replanted them in the border just outside the patio doors as she felt they would soon flower and be a bright splash of summer colour, along with the roses there.

Before she began it would have made sense to be able to identify the difference between a cultivated plant and a weed. Not as straightforward as it sounds, as today, so many of our cultivated flowers filling our gardens were, in the past, weeds. What an amazing sight a mustard field is – acres of golden yellow. Must be a flower? No, the mustard is a weed. Similarly, buttercups, daisy's, dandelions, cornflowers. These can be found in domestic gardens happily rubbing shoulders with cultivated plants. The difference is, attractive though they are, eventually weeds take over, wrapping their tentacles around the genuine plants, and if left to continue growing, will choke the life out of them.

The same applies to our spiritual 'gardens' How many things have we poured our time and attention into that are choking out the Spiritual flowers we are trying to grow? How can we tell the difference between them when it's so easy to mistake one for the other? I ask myself, am I watering weeds?

A weed is defined as:

Noun | \ˈwēd\
1. A valueless plant, growing wild, especially one that grows on cultivated ground to the exclusion or injury to the desired crop.
2. An undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted.

While Galatians 5:22-25 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

These verses set the standard. If what we are investing our time and energy into isn’t growing those types of flowers, we need to look closely to be sure it isn’t a weed. If it is a weed, we have to be willing to reach down into the dirt and uproot it before it grows and starts choking out the blooms we are working so hard to grow. Just like those plants my friend moved into the border by the patio doors? Oh yes, they were vigorous alright! As soon as their roots hit good soil, they set to work and tried to take over everything surrounding them. We had been fooled by their appearance and had cultivated a bed of weeds

Can you see examples of that going on in your own life? I hate to admit it, but I know that I can see it in my life without having to look very hard at all. It's time I consult our Head Gardner.

Listen to today's music presented by The Mullins - “The Garden”. Just click on the picture.

June 29 – Anchor's away!

"But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death  and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” - Psalm 33: 18-22

Primary level education sure has come a long way since my school days one of our local schools has a crammed schedule of extra-curricula activities.

Last week a friends daughter took part in her first overnight camping experience, along with eight other girls from her class – their first taste of independence and self-sufficiency away from their parents. The weather was good - the threatened rain never happened. The youngsters had a whale of a time, (it didn't matter that their camp-ground was the school playing field) and by the time it ended the following afternoon, the children were fairly bursting with their newly acquired self-confidence and 'abilities' . Nothing was going to hold them back now!

This brought to mind the time, as a child, I went for the first time to an organised camp meeting. I remember being SO excited as it was going to be the first time I had been away from my parents and family. I was simply bouncing, and full of hope and plans for the days ahead! Everything was wonderful – a real adventure, with new discoveries every day, and no early night time curfew. Instead everyone sat around a huge campfire, eating roast potatoes, and singing in-between bites.

Sounds idyllic – and it was. Until the weather broke. The heavens opened and torrential rain soon turned lush green fields into a squelching Glastonbury style mud bath. By tea-time the rain had been joined by a howling gale so there was no choice but to hunker down in our tents. That night we were to learn the importance of prayer and putting our hope and faith in the Lord to keep us safe, so despite our nervousness we were soon asleep.

The tent we were in was of the tent peg – guy rope – and central pole type, and camped as we were in a cliff top field, we were a sitting ducks when the the wind peaked around one o'clock in the morning. It was then that the force of the wind lifted the tent, pulling up the tent pegs and snapping the central tent pole, collapsing the whole thing on top of us....or, so I'm told.

I don't know which of the tent's six sleepers raised the alarm, but apparently there was pandemonium as camp staff in their soaking wet jim-jams wrestled to repair and re-erect a tent whose only intent was to do a clifftop bungie jump!

Where was I while all this was going on? Snoring, yes, literally snoring away, oblivious to the carry on around me. The first I knew about it was the following morning when the bell rang for breakfast. I had slept through it all!

Rather like the old sailor who looked at the skies and saw a dark storm coming. As the sea became rough and choppy, the old salt calmly lowered the heavy-chained anchor link by link, battened down the hatches and went to bed for the night. He knew the storm would be rough. But he had faith in the grasp of the anchor. He knew his boat would be there in the morning. (CBN)

The old salt's faith and hope was in the strength and security of his ship's anchor, He slept soundly with the assurance that no matter how severe the storm may be – no matter how the boat was shaken, battered and bruised, he would be safe and secure

Like that sailor, we have an "anchor" for our lives that can help us stand fast through the storms of life. No matter what is thrown our way -

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

An old Country favourite is music for today's blog - Tennessee Ernie Ford - “Stand by Me”. Click on the picture to listen.

June 21 - It is good!

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24.

Today is a gorgeous summer's day, a joy to be alive - the kind of day to put a spring in almost everyone's step, but once in a while, with the prospect of a busier than usual day ahead, I've been known to roll over, turn off the alarm clock, and think, “Here we go again!” Even as I thought it, I felt ashamed of my ingratitued. Outside the sun was already up, shining, and making the most of a new-born day, as were the birds – it amazes me how much volume can come from such tiny lungs! Each mouthful of food and water was followed by them lifting their heads and looking upwards, almost as though they were thanking God for the day and it's provisions, and who could have a busier day than birds trying to feed a nestfull of chicks with insatiable appetites?

A re-evaluation moment – time for a mental makeover when that alarm rings! And, it works!

The words of an unknown author aptly express my thoughts this morning as sunshine flooded the garden.

'Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realised that this is the best day of my life,ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today....but I did! And because I did, I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what a great life I have had so far; the accomplishments, the many blessings, and even the hardships, because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through ths day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts; the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special they are, and I'll tell someone I love how deeply I care for them, and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have, and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time, because my faith in God and His Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I rest my head on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation, because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

As Barbara Jordan writes: “I live a day at a time. Each day I look for a kernel of excitement. In the morning I say: 'What is my exciting thing for today?' Then, I do that day. Don't ask me about tomorrow.”

Music is Louis Armstrong - “What a Wonderful World”. Click on the picture to listen.

June 15 - Come to the Feast

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish His work. Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" John 4:34-35).

As I stepped outside one morning, the crisp coolness of fall greeted me. Usually, I turn on the light next to the door to avoid falling down the steps, but this morning the deck was already awash with light, although it was still hours until sunrise. As I walked to the end of the driveway, I saw the light source—a harvest moon.

God is in the details of our lives. He designed the moon to provide extra light in the fall to accommodate the harvesting of crops. Extra workers are hired and once all the crops are gathered, there is usually a celebration for the completion of work and God's bounty.

Jesus often taught using stories that reflected the occupations of the time and farming illustrations abound in Scripture. He used planting and harvesting to illustrate spreading the gospel and drawing in and nurturing those who believed. In Matthew 9, Jesus reminded the disciples of the need for more harvesters.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).

Now, more than ever, there is a need for workers who are willing to sow and harvest in spiritual fields But why it is so hard to share our faith in Christ?

Fear—I walked the same route a man in my neighborhood ran. Eventually, his steps slowed to a stumble. Then he began working out on gym equipment in his garage. We continued to wave, but the Holy Spirit nudged me to walk up his driveway and tell him about Jesus. I invented excuses: time constraints, invasion of his privacy, not really knowing him. Sometimes, I even walked a different route, avoiding his house and my guilt for not stopping. Then, one day when I passed the house, cars jammed the driveway and spilled into the street. A grim black wreath hung on the front door. The man was dead and I had allowed fear to keep me from acting in obedience to God's voice.

Feeling inadequate—Satan steals confidence, convincing us we're not smart enough, engaging enough, wise enough, whatever enough to act on God's directives. God gave Moses an assignment and he immediately reminded God he was inadequate. Even after God promised to help him, Moses still refused. Needless to say, God was angry. God is disappointed when we don't trust him enough to step out in faith or when we don't listen when he instructs us.

Invasion of privacy. The world bombards us with the message that people have the right to diverse spiritual beliefs and we are wrong to force our message or risk offending by implying their beliefs aren't correct. But relaying your personal story about God at work in your life isn't forcing someone to accept Him. Your personal experience is your story and others may identify and come to know Christ because you were willing to tell it.

Expecting another messenger—Often, we hesitate to share our faith because we assume someone else will. But what if others are waiting for another messenger, too? God showed me that sharing my faith is a natural overflow of my love for him. When we're excited about something in our lives, we usually don't wait for someone else to spread

Look around you. Your ripe fields awaiting harvest may be as close as a co-worker, neighbor, or longtime friend. So roll up your sleeves, go to work, and enjoy a bountiful harvest. 

Copyright © Candy Arrington, used with permission.

When I read this article by Candy Arrington, I had a feeling of deja vu, it is so close to my own experience. With world events as they are, spiraling downward beyond the control of nations and rulers, there can be no doubt that this world will soon be no longer, and it's time for the harvest to begin – while there is still time, and there's nothing like a full moon in the early morning hours to bring that message right home to heart.

Here in Britain GMT Summertime was introduced during the war years to allow farmers to work late hours bringing in their crops to ensure food for the people. How like God's plan that is....fields ripe, ready for harvest – ripe, and ready, waiting for willing labourers to bring His people in, and provide them with food. As Candy says, 'Now, more than ever, there is a need for workers who are willing to sow and harvest in spiritual fields.'

If asked, I wonder how many of us would own up to all of the 'excuses' Candy lists? My list is in a slightly different order. Firstly, It's the feelings of inadequacy that initially creates the fear that sets in. I feel vulnerable as I stand out alone. Preaching always results in the onset of 'jelly legs'. I'm more comfortable in the background. How many of you feel the same way? We can all possibly remember the times we have had good intentions to speak to a neighbour, friends or family about Jesus and His place in their lives. Instead, we procrastinate, coming up with excuse after excuse – there's always tomorrow – yes, that's it, we'll do it tomorrow – except, tomorrow never comes, it's too late, for you, and for them. We cover our guilt by persuading ourselves that at least we had avoided invading their privacy, and how are we to know that probably someone else had already spoken with them?

So, 'look around you. Your ripe fields awaiting harvest may be as close as a co-worker, neighbor, or longtime friend. So roll up your sleeves, go to work, and enjoy a bountiful harvest'. I'll fix the jelly legs and meet you in the field in time for the Harvest Celebration. 

The Brooklyn Choir presents today's music - “Who will go? Click on the picture to listen.

June 8 – Say it how it is

“Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart” - Jeremiah 29:12,13

A couple of months ago, Phil, one of our church members, gave me a small book with a big topic - “Teach us to Pray” by Tamyra Horst – no technical jargon, just an easy read - very like a conversation between friends as they demolish a hot drink and biscuits. My bookshelves bear witness to the fact that over the years, I have read, or given up on, a wide range of 'For best results, this is how/the only way, to pray.' Is that a fact?

Like Tamyra, and the vast majority of you who are reading this, I can't remember a time when I didn't pray. The way I figured it, if Jesus truly was my friend, why wouldn't I want to tell Him about all the things that had happened to me that day? Medical advances have since proved that the developing child in the womb can hear, and reacts to, sounds – partcularly the sound of the mothers voice.

“Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me” - Isaiah 49:1

That explains the 'God spot' we are all born with. Although, like Dave Dravecky, I can't for a minute pretend to understand everything about prayer, and the mystery of how it works, but ove time prayer changes us the more we become connected to Him. When the trials, worries, pain and heartbreaks of life seem at times, so unbearable, and no-one appears to care, Jesus does.

God isn't interested in whether we have a qualification in the correct way to pray - We don't need to have knowledge of theological terminology. All we need IS our need. Our need of a friend who is always there, always available – any day, anywhere, any time. All we need to know about prayer He taught us before leaving earth – how to have a conversation with Him and pass over our cares and concerns – not forgetting, thanking Him for the divine gift of encouragement that comes from the people God brings into our lives.

Don't be like Martha, too busy to stop working for even five minutes. Take a leaf out of Mary's book....there will always be some work or other to be done, but Mary prefered to take time out with Jesus.

Put the kettle on, pull up a chair, your Friend is coming to call.

Today's music is “When life gets broken” - Sandi Patty. Click on the picture to listen.

May 31 – Cloudy skies

“In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted back from above the tabernacle, they would set out, but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted” - Exodus 40: 36-37

I like clouds, they tell us so much, and take us on a mental journey into the future, far beyond the stars. The other day I was washing the dishes and watching the changing formations of the clouds as they drifted across the sky. Two thoughts came to mind – could it just be possible that this could be THE day, the day when Christ will return? The day a small, bright cloud will get bigger and bigger as it carries Jesus to earth to take His children home?. My other thought? Is one of those clouds mine - yours, sent to us to lead us, as He led the Israelites, through the difficult times? Life would be so much easier!

Then it struck me. Because Jesus is our Saviour, God's Spirit and His guidance through the dark times lives within us. As Dave Dravecky, the American baseball player, writes, “Wherever God dwells and reigns, there is peace, joy, and wisdom – the overflow of His character. When God's peace evaporates and His joy disappears, I know it's time to “check my position” with Him.”

As humans we each have a tendency to go off on our own – do our own thing – arrogantly we depend on our own strength and abilities. Talk about a leadership problem! As Morris Venden writes, “God says, But I think,” and off we go. The clouds that day reminded me that it's time to hand over the reins, let go, and let God lead. It's our place to follow.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” - Proverbs 3: 5-6

“Just enough clouds” (LIVE) is todays music. Click on the picture to listen.