May God bless us and keep us
Author: Barbara (Doll) Creelman
loving life; keeping it simple!
Focus for the week: Ps. 67
And we keep singing
Even though we are not in our church buildings we build sanctuaries in our homes; our safe places. AND still we sing….
As we recognise and know who Christ is for us we still sing. We cannot keep from singing. Sing on dear friends.
Worship: Sunday, Aug. 9th
Fishing, Faith, and Knowing
John 21: 1-14
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
So many blessings
As we enter the weekend let’s raise our voices in giving thanks for this week, for the world, and for each other. We are blessed to be a blessing. Even in the tumult we can bless each other.
Enjoy the weekend.
Being Called
We are called even in the storms of life, in the times of deep distress and pain. We are called – to be the people of God.
Here’s an unfamiliar tune (at least to me) of Jesus calls us o’er the tumult.
Do you feel the pull of the sea? Keep your gaze on Jesus – straight ahead. There is love in abundance.
Where is your boat going?
A favourite hymn for many in the Pastoral Charge. I’ve not heard it played so well on the pipe organ. Can you feel the movement of the waves?
Where will your boat take you today?
Knowing you
I often wonder how well we know anyone. There are secret inner parts of each soul. We know what others share with us – nothing more. Anything more is guessing, hoping, or even thoughts that are negative. We believe that someone is evil, another is too critical, or a dear friend becomes selfish for no reason.
But do we really know why? Perhaps when there is change in someone close, this is a signal that we need to spend some quality time with the individual just to listen to their story.
Do we recognise their best qualities? Change happens. This is not the time to be critical or condemning.
We read the scriptures and think we know Christ as we know ourselves. Maybe it’s time to be still and know. Time in reflection of the scriptures and in our relationship with Christ.
Do you routinely pray or spend time with the scriptures?
Song of the day: Knowing You
Worship 2nd August, 2020
The Great Physician
Mind Map Outline of the message for today:
Healing prayers
What prayers bring you a sense of God’s healing and presence?
Be still – for a few moments. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are nearby.
