Dear Friends
Last Sunday, as we started a new series looking at the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness and focussed on their propensity to grumble.We reflected how we might have a variety of reflex answers when responding to the question “how are you?” which may not always show us in the best light. However, rather than half-hearted responses such as “OK” or "not bad”, which perhaps focus on an absence of negatives, we were encouraged to look to the positives. The phrase “I am blessed” has come into greater usage recently by some celebrities, not least when used with quasi-religious but vague sentiments relating to a “higher power”. However for us Christians, I would want to encourage us, if not actually to use the words, to hold dearly to the truth that we are blessed in and through our relationship with Jesus our Lord - a truth that then places other concerns into some greater form of perspective.
I wrote last time, concerning the influence of songs learnt back in the day, both in Sunday school, and through the choruses that my mum used to sing (and may well still do!). Here’s another:
“Count your blessings, name them one by one, …
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done”
…an encouragement to focus on our blessings, not just when on a high, but (as the chorus starts):
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
So, friends, how are you doing today?
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
Last Sunday, as we started a new series looking at the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness and focussed on their propensity to grumble.We reflected how we might have a variety of reflex answers when responding to the question “how are you?” which may not always show us in the best light. However, rather than half-hearted responses such as “OK” or "not bad”, which perhaps focus on an absence of negatives, we were encouraged to look to the positives. The phrase “I am blessed” has come into greater usage recently by some celebrities, not least when used with quasi-religious but vague sentiments relating to a “higher power”. However for us Christians, I would want to encourage us, if not actually to use the words, to hold dearly to the truth that we are blessed in and through our relationship with Jesus our Lord - a truth that then places other concerns into some greater form of perspective.
I wrote last time, concerning the influence of songs learnt back in the day, both in Sunday school, and through the choruses that my mum used to sing (and may well still do!). Here’s another:
“Count your blessings, name them one by one, …
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done”
…an encouragement to focus on our blessings, not just when on a high, but (as the chorus starts):
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
So, friends, how are you doing today?
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
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