Wednesday 27 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.

from Matthew 5

To reflect on....
How does Jesus fulfil the Law?
The righteous dying for the unrighteous?

Let's Pray....
Loving and forgiving God, when I struggle to forgive, give me through you Spirit the will and the strength to keep going – forgiving again and again – until finally the pain and the hurt are healed and transformed into compassion and understanding. Amen.

Tuesday 26 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church* sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven* times.

from Matthew 18

To reflect on....
If we have been hurt very badly, it is sometimes a lengthy process to fully forgive. Just as I think it is achieved, a memory can cause an unbidden surge of bitterness to rise once more.

Let's Pray....
Loving and forgiving God, when I struggle to forgive, give me through you Spirit the will and the strength to keep going – forgiving again and again – until finally the pain and the hurt are healed and transformed into compassion and understanding. Amen.

Monday 25 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.

from Luke 4


To reflect on....
Am I taking someone for granted? Am I failing to recognize someone’s true worth?

Let's pray....
Living Lord Jesus, you knew what it was like to be scorned and looked upon with contempt. Strengthen me, I pray, when I feel scorned or humiliated and teach me always to value and treasure all your people. Amen

Reflection on the Week

Over the past few weeks we have reflected on the Journey to the Cross, not an easy reflection and on occasion the walk with Christ to his cross reminds us of our own cross and fraility.

The week has been painful and hard for all of us, a death in the church family overwhelms and shocks us and we are shattered and devastated. Few words can offer comfort when the world around us is shaken to the core. When grief and despair consume, when we walk through the pathway of the valley Christ walks with us.

Lord God we meet you.
In the sudden silences,
In the intensity of pain,
In the heartache and in the tears,
We meet with you and you meet with us

Sunday 24 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading
Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’

from John 4


To reflect on....
I close my eyes and imagine drinking deeply of the stream of clear, life-giving water that comes from you.

Let's pray....
God of refreshment and life, fill me with your living water till it overflows from me out into your world. Amen

Saturday 23 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

from Luke 15

To reflect on....
Even when I don’t deserve to be welcomed, God embraces me into his family. It is all grace – all undeserved, unending grace.

Let's Pray....
For your abounding love and grace to me, my wonderful God, I worship you and offer you my life. Amen.

Friday 22 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes”?
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.’

from Matthew 21

To reflect on....
Jesus is the cornerstone in God’s over-arching plan for the world and for the whole of creation. Is Jesus the cornerstone of my life?

Let's Pray....
Come live within me, Spirit of Jesus, that you might produce in me the fruits of the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Amen.

Thursday 21 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.”

from Luke 16

To reflect on....
The world is a passing place for all of us. One day we shall see God face-to-face. How does that prospect make me feel?

Let's pray....
My God, I am simply a pilgrim journeying through this world. Help me to see a glimpse of that time when I shall know as I am known, that I might understand and always act with that understanding in my journey here. Amen

Wednesday 20 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

from Matthew 20

To reflect on....
How do I serve within the body of Christ? Indeed, do I have a servant heart? Do I want a servant heart?

Let's Pray
Lord Jesus, it is not always easy being your follower. Sometimes I struggle to serve. ‘What about me?’ jumps into my head. Lord, teach me the true meaning of service and humility. Amen.

Tuesday 19 February - Meditation

From today’s Gospel reading....

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father —the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

from Matthew 23

To reflect on....

God First. A friend of mine used to have those words on a piece of card above his fireplace. We are all equal children in God’s family, co-learners in God’s school and co-workers for the kingdom of God.

Let’s pray....

My loving Father, you are all in all to me – my parent, my teacher, my leader, my friend. Receive the praise of my heart – the heart of a simple follower. Amen

Monday 18th February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

From Luke 6

To reflect on....
The Greek word metron means a rule or standard. So we might translate "the standard you use will be used on you". At its basic level we are not to cheat one another. On a deeper level, this echoes Jesus’ words in the Lord’s prayer: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
Do I?

Let's Pray....
Lord, teach me not to judge others but to simply love. Amen.

Sunday 17th February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
'Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
from John 3

To reflect on....
To believe in something is not quite the same as believing about something. Believing in involves a personal trust and commitment and believing about does not. Do I believe in Jesus?

Let's Pray....
Lord, I believe – forgive my unbelief. Take my times of doubt and questioning, and transform them by your Holy Spirit into strength and assurance as I offer my life to you. Amen.

Saturday 16 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven;

from Luke 9

To reflect on....
I am called to show Jesus’ immense love to those around me – even to those who consider themselves my ‘enemies’.

Let's Pray....
Lord Jesus Christ, even on the cross you said, ‘Father, forgive.’ As we have been forgiven, so teach us to be gracious and generous in forgiving others when they upset or hurt us. Amen.

A day to say Wow

Do you ever have one of those days - nothing spectacular happens as far as the busyness. It was a day off with day off things to do - washing laundry, cleaning windows, cooking, washing up - you know how it is - yet in the midst of it is God.

I guess it sounds strange. If you haven't come across the new Kathryn Jenkins CD and in particular the song "Rejoice" then you are missing a treat (thanks Sally). The words below are simply "wow"

So come and rejoice
Come and rejoice
And you don�t even have to make a sound
I feel it in your touch
You sing it with you eyes
What was lost is found


No sound, no words, just a smile and a knowing that to love God is to worship him in all things. A wow day......

Friday 15 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

from Matthew 5

To reflect on....
Do I bear grudges to those who have hurt or offended me? As a child of God, am I able to be open and honest, in a spirit of love and humility, with others in God’s family?

Let's Pray....
Gracious God, you have taught us the way of forgiveness and reconciliation. May I always be open to see the ways in which I can bring reconciliation into your hurting world. Amen.

Thursday 14 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
'In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

from Matthew 7

To reflect on....
Who is my neighbour? Whom am I called to love?

Let's Pray....
Loving God, fill my heart with an abundance of your love today that it might overflow towards others in a small reflection of your overflowing love for me.
Amen.

Wednesday 13 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

from Luke 11

To reflect on....
Jonah was sent as a powerful preacher to the City of Nineveh. When the City heard him they repented. Similarly, Jesus was calling people to repentance.
Do we recognise Jesus for who he truly is? And are we now called to be a ‘corporate’ Jonah in the world – pointing to God’s forgiveness and grace?

Let's Pray....
God of Jonah, may we too be willing to stand up and be counted for you – willing to speak and live out your forgiveness and grace in our own lives. Amen.

Tuesday 12 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....

When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

from Matthew 6

To reflect on....
We don’t need to use complicated words and phrases with God. God is our loving parent and just like a parent delights to hear their child chatting to them about their lives and concerns, so does God with us.

Let's Pray....
Loving and caring parent, give me a heart wide open to you today, that I might come and speak to you as you beloved child. Amen.

Monday 11 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
“Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we
saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you
clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

from Matthew 25

To reflect on....
What does God expect of me in my response to suffering and global inequalities? Who is my neighbour?

Let's Pray....
Suffering God, you let nothing stand in your way of redeeming us, even though the cost was so immense. May I, in some part, be a reflection of you in the world. Amen.

Sunday 10 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,
“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’

from Matthew 4

To reflect on....
We sometimes puzzle how we can hear the word of God to us, forgetting that we have a most precious source of communication from God. Do I take time to read the Bible regularly? Is there a reading scheme or pattern that I can use to help me when I have finished with these notes?

Let's pray....
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I thank you for the wonderful gift of your written word that you have provided. I thank you for the faithfulness of Christians through the ages who have passed on your word. Generous God, teach me to treasure your written word. Amen.

Saturday 9 February - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’

from Luke 5
To reflect on ....
Despite all our good intentions, we will always fail at some point – because we are human. Praise God that Jesus came for us sinners – to redeem us and to give us his Holy Spirit.

Let's Pray....
We thank you, loving God, for redeeming us even when we continue to fail. Thank you for standing us on our feet again. I commit myself to doing all in my power to follow you faithfully and seek to do your will during this season. Amen

Friday 8 February - Meditation

From today's Gospel reading....
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often,* but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The wedding-guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

from Matthew 9

To reflect on....
Is this a time for learning what true fasting means? Fasting means abstaining from food or drink, to focus on spiritual growth. Fasting and praying were often linked together – Acts 13:3 and Acts 14:23- and often associated with making decisions. True fasting is an enabler for focussing on God instead of the things of the world. Are we giving time to God this Lent?

Let's pray....
My God, may I always be aware of you in my everyday life. Teach me how to have a closer walk with you and help me this Lent to draw near to you, listen to your word to me and act upon it. Amen.

Thursday 7 February - Meditation

From today's gospel....
Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their
cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save
their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for
my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they
gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

from Luke 9

To reflect on....
Do any of us, in our relatively secure and comfortable society, know what it is really like to deny ourselves? What do Jesus’ words mean for me – now, this day and this Lent?

Let's Pray....
Lord of Lent, Lord of my life, teach me to grow in understanding of your words that I might live more to your glory each day. Amen.

6 February - Ash Wednesday - Meditation

From today's gospel reading....
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’

from Matthew 6

To reflect on....
What are the important things in my life? Is it security, money, recognition, status, other people, my own welfare? Perhaps something else?
Should we use this time in Lent to change our priorities and place God at the centre of our lives again?

Let's Pray....
Loving God, at the start of this Lenten season, we ask that you will lead us and inspire us to give time to you each day, so that we might nurture and deepen our relationship with you. Amen.

Lenten Meditation Booklet

Journey to the Cross...

After various comments received in relation to the Advent Meditation booklet please find following Lenten Meditations. Entitled "Journey to the Cross" it seeks to enable others to explore the journey our Lord took.

January Review

Sorry for the delay in blogs - no real excuse except planning for the orientation project etc.

So January was an eventful month:

# Car broke down 5 times
# Computer broke down (crashed)and needed a three day recovery period
# Radiator leaked

Of course whilst these can dominate other things have also happened.

# A powerful joint convenant service with Latcford and Bold Street
# Links with the high school for assemblies
# Delivered orientation project to committee
# Preached at three churches together services (though I think my colleagues saying the new member of clergy always does it was a bit far fetched)
# Heptagon played at Chester Cathedral
# Finished writing the lenten meditation booklet
# Organised Heptagon's Radio Merseyside recordings.

and finally...

# Got the script for the Latchford Pantomime - Maisy Doolittle is my stage name!!!
# Thought I had a funny phone call when my main line phone rang and I heard rustling - despite hanging up and trying to use the phone three times the rustling remained.... I then realised I had sat on my mobile phone in my pocket and had called myself - what excitement.
# Confessed about gerbil washing at Event....

So an eventful January .. role on February.