If you look really closely, St Peters' is lit up by the sun. Andrew and I were stopped in our tracks whilst out walking this last week during the evening. Two nights running the church was lit up by the evening sun, and it was breathtaking.
Breathtaking sums up this week. I had a wonderful weekend of unusual celebrations, and Sunday and the Licensing was literally the icing on the cake! Thank you for all the wonderfully kind, encouraging messages, and beautiful, just beautiful cards with words of encouragement and support. My heart has been glowing and I have felt so held. Saturday night was just lovely as the Taize service from France seemed to have tuned into my needs. Here is the link from the Taize service from Saturday 27th June:
The bible quote used in the prayers was Micah 6:8 However it is the version of 'The Message which captured my attention...
"...But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbour,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously
take God seriously..."
these words in pink, made me sit up.
On the eve of being Licensed it seemed just what I needed to hear as a 'fresh around the edges Reader'; work for justice, loving your neighbour, with compassion and love...not taking yourself seriously but taking God very seriously. It seemed absolutely spot on! During the Licensing service itself, we were reminded we have many gifts and talents that God gently nudges us with by the Holy Spirit; and I am surrounded by friends with countless talents, and all of them are surrounded by love and laughter, I think I am very lucky indeed. Thank you. The 'cherry on the top of the icing' was one of the last songs played at the Taize service on Saturday night was "Nothing can ever come between us" which I had written about last week. Blessings in abundance indeed!
Here is the link for the Licensing:
Now for something completely different, well not that different!
I have a confession to make, I am really loving Shane and Shane. They are very impassioned and it is not my usual 'sound world' that I enjoy, but these two, in my opinion have an absolutely glorious ways of putting across a message. They talk so well on this Psalm that I just wanted to share it to you, the song they finish with is quite, quite beautiful. Enjoy being lulled and soothed by this passionate track. Here is the psalm....
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust, saying, ‘Return to dust, you mortals.’ 4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death – they are like the new grass of the morning: 6 In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11 If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. 12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Thankfulness.
As we gather at 9.00 tomorrow morning, thankfulness comes to mind for the things that I will cherish in my heart. Mary when Jesus was young and speaking in the temple, was at the receiving end of a rebuke from her son, however they were words that became cherished.
"...But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart..." Luke 2:19
Perhaps this week has been one of those weeks where finding the treasures to ponder on your heart has been incredibly difficult. Perhaps it has been ok. Wherever you find yourself as you read this I hope you will be able to ponder on something that is a treasure in your heart too.
Although the skies this week have been cloudy in the evenings, they have nonetheless been quite beautiful, perhaps when you have a moment of stillness and a moment of quiet or you are ready for Compline, these images will warm you by the heat of the evening sun. I have added Friday Compline, as I can think of no better way of holding you than in prayer as I get ready to lie down. Good night, God bless then friends, just in case this is your bedtime!
+ (silently)
* O Lord, You will keep us safe and protect us forever.
I am placing my soul and my body in Thy safe keeping this night, O God, in Thy safe keeping, O Jesus Christ, in Thy safe keeping, O Spirit of perfect truth. The Three who would defend my cause be keeping me this night from harm.
* I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
* Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.
* Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Lighten my darkness, Lord. Let the light of Your presence dispel the shadows of night.
* Christ with me sleeping, Christ with me waking, Christ with me watching, each day and each night.
* Save us, Lord, while we are awake, guard us while we are asleep; that, awake, we may watch with Christ, and, asleep, may rest in His peace.
God with me protecting, the Lord with me directing, the Spirit with me strengthening for ever and for evermore.
* In the name of the Father precious, and of the Spirit of healing balm. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I lay me down to rest.
The peace of all peace be mine this night + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
One more psalm then from Shane and Shane, 23....
I hope they don't mind, but it's on Youtube, and how could you not share this?
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