Recovering From Loss

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Pour out your heart before Him
Psalm 62:8

Here are five keys to recovering from loss:

1) Process your grief. Emotions like fear, anger, worry, depression, resentment, helplessness and grief are normal. It's no good to suppress them or deny they exist. God created us to feel; He doesn't expect us to act happy when we're grieving. 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted' (Matthew 5:4 NIV). Be honest with God. 'Pour out your heart before Him,' (Psalm 62:8 NIV) and He will comfort you.

2) Accept help. It's a mistake to isolate yourself in the aftermath of a tragedy. We all need the encouragement and the support of others. We're called to carry one another's burdens 'Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ'. (Galatians 6:2 NKJV).

3) Choose the right response. When you choose bitterness, you hurt yourself and shut the door on happiness because you can't be happy and bitter at the same time. During some recent California wildfires there were victims who said, 'We've lost everything and we're sad, but we'll work together as a family and rebuild.' Others said, 'My life's over! I can't go on...I'll never recover.' You can choose to believe you're on your own, or that God's with you and bounce back.

4) Know your joy comes from God. There's no correlation between your circumstances and your joy. Joy comes from within; it's based on whom you trust not what you see and feel.

5) Concentrate on what you have left, not on what you've lost. Make a list of the good things in your life, and thank God for what you still have. It's impossible to be grateful and hopeless at the same time.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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Out Of The Deep

Out of the Deep - John Rutter

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let
your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, O LORD, kept a
record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is
forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my
soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

6 My soul waits for the
Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait
for the morning.

7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the
LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself
will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Psalm 130

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,O Lord, who could stand? Isn't it amazing that God does not keep a record of our sins? We may do, but He doesn't. In Isaiah it says; "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isa. 1:18. For this I am, and will be, eternally grateful.

Turn & Trust

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Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land for ever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected for ever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it for ever.
Psalm 37:27-29

God always gives us a choice. In Deuteronomy He says, "Now choose life.. " (Deut. 30:19) The choice to turn from evil and do good is often for me not so much about resisting some difficult temptation, but choosing moment by moment to trust in Him with my whole heart (Proverbs 3:5-6), and not to listen to my own fears and insecurities. It can be so easy to let emotions drag me down a slippery slope of faithlessness. The Psalmist says, "do not fret—it leads only to evil" (Psalm 37:8). How true this is! The challenge for me today will be to let go of negativity and set my whole trust and hope on Him, trusting that He will vindicate and restore.

Living By 'The Faith Rule'

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'These all died in faith...'
Hebrews 11:13

The Bible says, 'These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them...' (Hebrews 11:13 NKJV) People of faith anticipate what God promised, whether they ever experience its fulfilment or not. 'How can I believe in a promise I don't see fulfilled?' you ask. People like Abraham didn't live to see the ultimate fulfilment of God's promise in their lives, yet they died believing it. Trusting God means banking on His Word, even when there's nothing visible to demonstrate that what He says is going to come true. Even when you're on your deathbed and it still hasn't happened, you still trust Him. That's living by faith.

The words 'in faith' in this Scripture are different from the words used in all the verses that read 'by faith.' The words 'in faith' actually mean 'according to faith.' These people lived by 'the faith rule.' Faith was the ruling principle in their lives! So even if they went to their graves without seeing God's promises fulfilled, they exited saying, 'God still told the truth.' They knew that the fulfilment was coming, and they lived in anticipation of it. That's what God is asking of you today. He wants you to live before Him in such a way that you anticipate His promises, even when every circumstance seems opposite to what those promises say. It also means you don't manipulate the circumstances to 'help God out' as Sarah did when she produced Ishmael. It means trusting God to do it His way, in His time, and for His glory.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

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More Than Rescued

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To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests
to serve his God and Father
Revelation 1:5-6

The gospel is so utterly amazing! I have been reflecting recently on the truth that our inheritance in Christ is so much more than escaping hell and death through the cross. We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10), and it is completely breathtaking that He would sacrifice His own Son to set us free. But how much more does He lavish on us! If forgiveness weren't enough, He goes on to shower us with love and gifts. Only the best is good enough for God's children. Isaiah 54 talks about bringing Israel back to their homeland and building them with precious stones;

I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
Isaiah 54:11-12

When the prodigal son returns home in fear and trepidation the Father doesn't only forgive him, but calls for the best robe, and he gets the royal treatment (Luke 15:22). Simple forgiveness would have been enough for the son, but he got far more than he expected. So much so that the elder son felt completely put out.

God not only lifts us out of the mud and mire, giving us a firm place to stand (Psalm 40:2), but He goes on to lift us up and seats us with Christ in heavenly places;

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2

Sometimes it's a struggle to even get to that place of feeling forgiven, I know that in my own life. But God is wanting us to know that we ARE forgiven. Any thoughts that we have to beg for forgiveness or wait for it are not from Him. We can receive it in a second. And moving on from forgiveness to future, He wants us to live as children of the King, experiencing His love, favour and Presence.

Skywatch #76

Leaf on a String, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Isaiah 64:6

Turn Aside & Listen To God

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'...I must turn aside and look...'
Exodus 3:3

Moses was working his regular job as a shepherd when he saw a burning bush, just like the ones he'd seen a hundred times before. Only this time the bush was on fire with God's presence. Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look.' In that moment everything depended on his willingness to interrupt his daily routine and make time for God. He could have said, 'I'm busy,' and kept on going. But he'd have missed his calling and the reason for his existence. He'd have missed knowing God and doing great things. But he didn't, he 'turned aside.'

God wanted to begin a new nation, with Moses leading it. The timing seemed strange. With God, it often does. Forty years ago Moses was young, the product of the finest education system in the world. He had powerful connections and high hopes. But now he was a nobody, a lowly shepherd in a forgotten desert, rejected by his people and a fugitive on the run. '..."Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?"...' (Exodus 3:11 NRS) Moses asked God. '"Nobody knows me. I don't speak too well. And my track record isn't too good."' God said, 'I know about your past, and it doesn't matter. Your failure and inadequacies are no longer the ultimate truth about you. You are what you are, but you're not yet what you will be; because I will be with you.' Do you need direction for your life? Slow down, turn aside, and listen to God. What He has to say is more important than anything else you'll hear.

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Skywatch #75

Battersea, originally uploaded by duopastorale.

This photo was taken very close to Battersea Park in London. The building in the forefront looks like a temple but is in fact the home QVC shopping channel. The flats behind are typical of the expensive blocks in this area, and I often cast covetous eyes on them!

Let God's Word Settle It!

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'...Your word is settled in heaven.'
Psalm 119:89

Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes: 'It is the spirit and the word, the spirit upon the word, and the spirit in us as we read the word.'

1. You say, 'It's impossible.' God says, '..."What is impossible with men is possible with God." ' (Luke 18:27 NIV).

2. You say, 'I'm exhausted.' He says, '"But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength..."' (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV).

3. You say, 'Nobody loves me.' He says, '..."I have loved you with an everlasting love"...' (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).

4. You say, 'I can't go on.' He says, '..."My grace is sufficient for you"...' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

5. You say, 'I don't know what to do.' He says, '..."And He shall direct your paths."' (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV).

6. You say, 'I can't do it.' He says, '"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."' (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

7. You say, 'It's not worth it.' He says, '...we will reap a harvest if we do not give up' (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

8. You say, 'I can't forgive myself.' He says, '...in Christ God forgave you' (Ephesians 4:32 NIV).

9. You say, 'I can't make ends meet.' He says, '...God shall supply all your need...' (Philippians 4:19 NKJV).

10. You say, 'I'm afraid.' He says, '...God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power...' (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

11. You say, 'I can't handle this.' He says, 'Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you...' (Psalm 55:22NIV).

12. You say, 'I'm not smart enough.' He says, '...if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it...' (James 1:5 NCV).

13. You say, 'I'm all alone.' He says, '...I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

Billy Sunday said, 'I stand on God's Word, and if the book goes down, I'll go with it.' Today, let God's Word settle it!

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Holy God

Holy God - Brian Doerksen

Romancing, pursuing, Reclaiming to restore, Releasing hearts, transforming lives

At the moment I am rediscovering the voice and worship music of Brian Doerksen. Hope you enjoy this one from the album Holy God. I have always found Brian's voice touched with the gentle Presence of God. Have a blessed Sunday!

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October 2009 Retro

October here was warm, often reaching over 20 degrees! Perfect for walking and snapping :)

Birthday time came and went, with concerts, shopping and meals out with friends.

Autumn arrived...

Time for meeting friends met on holiday, and a wander around London...

The first time I have witnessed a pelican crossing the bridge in St James' Park!

Anish Kapoor & Wallace & Gromit exhibitions....

And how did this man's leg grow instantly? God did it!

Richmond riverside...one of my favourite places...

Meditation

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Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8

Andrew Murray says of scriptural meditation that it is, "holding the word of God in your heart and mind until it has affected every area of your life". I love this, although the challenge of disciplining the mind is considerably difficult for most of us, and certainly for me!

Recently a friend reminded me that the biblical idea of meditation is also very much linked to our speech. We all know that there is great power in our tongues! Speaking out God's Word can have a significant effect on our minds and can even interrupt those destructive thought patterns that we might battle with. During crisis times in my life this has been a necessity to survive. As someone who has suffered from depression and is prone to be overwhelmed by negative thoughts, speaking out God's promises of hope, peace, forgiveness has been hugely important. I carry around scriptures on a small piece of paper in my back pocket and from time to time take them out and read out loud.

Do you have any ideas for scriptural meditation?

The Power Of Encouragement

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Pleasant words are...health to the bones
Proverbs 16:24

Everybody needs encouragement. None of us achieves anything without help. The great achievers in history became all that they were because of the people in their lives.

We've seen The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. But did you know that their authors, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, were professors at Oxford University and maintained a close friendship? Every week they'd meet to eat, talk about their fiction-writing endeavours and read passages of their yet unpublished works. It was Tolkien who encouraged Lewis, an avowed atheist, to explore Christianity, ultimately leading to his conversion. And it was Lewis who encouraged Tolkien to continue writing fiction and to seek publication. Were it not for their friendship and mutual encouragement, the world wouldn't have received the finest writing in apologetics of the twentieth century, nor one of the finest fantasy works ever written.

Everyone, young and old, successful and less-than-successful, famous and unknown who receives encouragement is changed by it. Mark Twain said, 'One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.' A word of encouragement from a teacher can change a child's life; a word of encouragement from a spouse can strengthen or even save a marriage; a word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach his or her potential. Zig Ziglar says, 'You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.' The Bible says, 'Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones' (Proverbs 16:24 NKJV).

Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Follow Brighton

Holy Trinity Brompton is a vibrant church in the centre of London, and the home of the Alpha Course. This year they are planting a church in Brighton on the South Coast.