We may not be able to meet together but we can still invest in our faith! Share what you are doing to stay close to God and keep your faith going during this period to encourage others.
Myself, other than the norm I am making the effort to read a book I started a long time ago (i had only got about 10 pages in), written by Thomas Goodwin called 'The Heart of Christ' and it has been such a refreshing read, and has given me LOADS to think about. Although it is a slightly slower read on account of it being written in 1600's English, but finding it really spiritually nourishing.
Am really impressed ...1600s English is quite hard going. Perhaps Marc there are observations from with in that you could share with us. Don't think copyright is gong to be a problem :) (For me, being out in the fresh air and close to nature...especially as everything...since lockdown...seems "cleaner", & less-polluted is a way to feel closer to our Creator.) (Allison)
On the book front i will say a little more tomorrow, but one thing that struck me earlier, (not in the book but from a bible passage quoted), was Paul's calling. He was a Pharisee of the highest degree and would have detested gentiles. He would have seen them as completely unclean and to blame for the state Israel was in, he would have wanted nothing to do with them. Yet, as Jesus calls Paul to follow him, he sends him to minister to those gentiles, to live with them, eat with them, to suffer for them. How powerful the transformation in him must have been that he should be so willing to give himself for these people. Also, its funny the things God calls us to, in order to humble us and to change in us those things in us that need to be changed. But then i guess that is partly why he calls us, he certainly doesn't need us, serving him is part of the process where God grows us in Godliness!
This forum space is an excellent idea, thank you Marc, I have also found going for long walks a fantastic boost during this strange time. Nature has a wonderful way of lifting the spirit and the spring flowers this year are beautiful. Helen
thanks, but I think Alison Deserves the credit for this! it was her idea to get a community like this going ^^
On the spring flowers front, I am so excited about the amount of bluebells we have had in our garden this year! they are stunning. we are just trying to figure out now where to plant out two huge bags of wild flowers so we can have some really nice end of summer flowers as well :D
i agree with you both. the beauty of nature is certainly inspiring! the Celtic Christians used to say that you could not do theology without being in nature and seeing the work of God's hands all around you.
Would be good to learn more about the Celtic Christians :) (A)
There are some very interesting elements in it! i am not into all these modern day expressions however. i have decided to create a thread on this subject, in case anyone does want to know more, or even to chat about it.
So I said I would say more about the book “the heart of Christ” well I must admit I haven’t got very far yet, I am only one third through ☹. The section I have read is about the outward expression of Jesus’s deep deep love for his people, and his desperate longing for them to come to him. Now that I’m trying to think of something to say, there has been nothing particularly profound about it and perhaps its just because of the 1600s language that it just seems more moving, and yet it is completely mind blowing that Jesus’ heart goes out for us as much as it does, that he constantly prioritises us, constantly makes provision for us, constantly has us on his mind, and working for our good. The author draws on so many different Jesus encounters all of them making one point or another, and yet through every single one we get new glimpses of the incredible depths of his love.
I’m naturally a logical thinker, it’s why I enjoy the sciences as much as I do, when I make decisions I try not to be guided by emotions, and arguments based on emotionalism are one of my greatest frustrations in life. So when I think about Jesus I tend to focus on what he has done for me, I think about my relationship with him, I think about how much I owe him, and of his great love for me revealed in all that he has done for me, I would speak about Jesus in the same way the St Luke wrote about Jesus. But I don’t tend to think about how Jesus feels about me and about each of us as much as I should and I suppose that’s what I’m really appreciating being reminded about in this book.
I have an online Bible study with my friend who lives in America (she was one of the most influential people in my early Christian journey). It has been great to be able to do a study and then share the finding together. Perhaps that is something we could do locally if anyone was interested?
I think an online study would actually be easier for more people to participate in than committing to physically going out to a discussion (not that we are likely to have any such choice for a long time :0) (A)
I think an online Bible study would be worth a try, but perhaps once the website has attracted a bit more attention?
Hi, good to make contact and know you are keeping well. Lock down is not all bad, prompting us to try and attempt things we wouldn’t normally do. I’m crocheting these little tabs for the nurses in POW’s hospital to prevent their ears from becoming sore.
Hello, great to hear from u. And Oh wow! They look like they must have taken quite some time and patience to make! How long does each one take you to make?
What a lovely idea - I can image they may squabble over which colour they want :)
This is how they look.
These tabs are lovely. Do you need any more buttons?
Ooooh yes please Helen, did another 5 last night, and I‘ve run out of matching buttons.
I will pop some in your letter box in the morning. Keep up the good work.😊
Thank you so much Helen, mail box to the right of small gate would be fine. 👍
Lovely service today. Thank you, Marc😊
Daf and Nic
The online services are really helping to keep faith in lockdown and the music clips are lovely 😀
Also as others have said, the beauty of nature on daily walks is so uplifting, we are lucky to have such wonders on our doorstep.
Received today :) (A)