Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalm 126.5 On Sunday morning Di and I spoke at the Church where we were at one time the pastors. It was the first church we pastored, and we were…
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Ps 34.8 On one of our holidays in Tenerife some years ago we decided to take two people from our congregation with us who wouldn’t normally get a special holiday away. One of the ladies we took had never flown before and never…
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. Matt 26.40 NIV This question from Jesus occurred in the garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. He took Peter, James and John to support him as he prepared to go through the…
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you.” Matt 2.13 I was moved to tears yesterday as Ola talked about her family and church friends from Eastern Poland helping those refugees waiting to cross the border between…
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19) Di and I arrived back from a very good leaders conference in Oxford late Sunday afternoon and to unwind a little in the evening, watched a Netflix film called The Miracle. This had been recommended by my younger brother Ben, who filled up with tears as he told about a…
God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. (Song by Don Moen) Dan 2.22 He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells in him. Do you need God to do something for you that seems…
Isa 12.3 With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of Salvation Some years ago, Di and I had a holiday in Marbella on the Spanish coast. Someone from the church had an apartment there and wanted us to use it free of charge. It was lovely to be there, and we enjoyed the walks, the swimming and the…
Heb. 11.21 It was by faith Jacob when he was old and dying, blessed each of Jacob’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. I am inspired by this story about Jacob when at the end of his life he blessed both of Joseph’s sons. It was a special grandfather’s blessing with a difference. What…
Isa 50.4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. I love this short verse that talks about listening to God and then following what he has said. I am not sure if I always do it…
Matt7.24-27 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Years ago, Barney Coombes, the…
