Today is Earth Day. We are reminded of Genesis 1:26. What have we done...
https://youtu.be/XAi3VTSdTxU Earth Song - Michael Jackson
If you want drama then you can't beat Michael Jacksons' emotive, challenging and just fantastic pop songs, sometimes you just can't beat a real belter of a song anthem. But dear departed Jacko was a man full of pain, but he knew how to write about something that mattered.
https://youtu.be/BWf-eARnf6U - Heal the World, Michael Jackson
The Psalms are our prayers of pain, love, laughter, challenge and song. Shane & Shane have done a whole song cycle centred on the Psalms and Psalm 8 is the one that reminds us of the charge to look after this beautiful planet of ours.
https://youtu.be/6Bfgc6XWC6I Psalm 8 with Shane & Shane
This past week we witnessed HM the Queen say a very public goodbye to her husband the Duke of Edinburgh as he was laid to rest; it was very moving. The Queen and Prince Philip have very much throughout their lives been involved in environmental development, and land and stock management. Their children the Princess Royal and Prince Charles are environmentally minded too and today in the news I had noticed that Prince William seems to also be following that trajectory . This is not just lip service but being active and central in some of the debates that affect the earthly dominions they rule and are set to rule. Likewise we as citizens and individuals are also called to account for our actions and I know many of us are involved in a small way in trying to change habits, recycle, make a difference for not just ourselves but our friends and families and for the future. We and the royals and leaders do not always get it right, but the point is we and they are trying. The call to look after our lands, our people, each other is centred in Scripture, we can't do any of this on our own, we have to work together because together is the only way we are going to move forward. Likewise, we need to do this with God and for God; definitely something that needs to be done in partnership, this is not the time to try and go it alone, it won't work! From time to time we have figures that emerge and shift us out of our complacency and make us feel awkward. Greta Thunberg is one such mighty little powerhouse that has had quite an effect on us. Our reactions can be uncomfortable. But those reactions to what she has said has made us think. Jesus was no stranger to making those who came to listen feel uncomfortable, as they and we realise that what He is saying has truth to it.
An unplanned walk somewhere different turned out to be an unexpected blessing. We stopped by the Nene at Yarwell and watched a narrow boat go through a lock, stood and listened to the water flow further down the stream; it was beautifully clear. The song of the river was strong and I stood and listened. Stopping and listening was refreshing, I have only just realised that it was a healing that my roughed up and disappointed heart thirstily needed. But something else came to mind and it was the phrase “streams of living water”.
“…On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified…” John 7:37-39 (NIV)
I have been praying quite a lot just lately, asking for patience and yes, receiving it. For me yet another reminder that again, we cannot do things on our own, Jesus our friend is there to walk alongside us whether in joy or sorrow. I have also had each day a chance to go outside and just sit and pray being bathed in His sunshine, and I have been lucky enough to get out and get a golf game or two. The gift of personal freedom and ability to enjoy the countryside around us is not lost on me. It has indeed been glorious weather, all the more to rejoice and give thanks. At the moment our 'Blue Planet' from Northamptonshire today is very blue, the colour of heaven. I had a call out of the blue to do intercessions this Sunday and was given the lead from John 21:11-13. What struck me was the phrase “Come and have breakfast…” wow such a lovely invitation. It’s not complicated it’s simple, like so much of what Jesus has said. This week the blog is not long because to be honest I’m going to take up that invitation and go and have breakfast with Himself, will you?
https://youtu.be/bKosVfAEUPE Good to Me - Audrey Assad
https://youtu.be/jQY_QL_wvQU Will you be there? Michael Jackson
Celtic Morning Prayers link....https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/
Hopefully we can get outside and worship together - it is something I have to arrange first, so watch this space! Meanwhile, see you virtually at 9am on Friday morning.
Love and blessings, Caroline :) <><
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