Building project

Spent an hour or so this afternoon building a model of the tabernacle with my children http://www.gospelhall.org. They really enjoyed it. Behind the veil are models of the ark of the covenant complete with a jar of manna, Aaron's rod and the 10 commandments! We had been learning about the Day of Atonement in Sunday School.

Pray before you speak

I am prone to putting my foot staright in it, but reacting in a hasty manner which generally has a negative affect on the situation. Heard a good sermon this weekend encouraging us to pray before we speak and respond in humility. I am trying hard, but old habbits are hard to break.I'll keep on praying.

Christmas concert

My daughter and I took part in the "Haynes Christmas Concert" this afternoon in aid of the Savannah Education Trust. The "scratch" orchestra was made up of 68 musicians, old and young. Some of us older ones only pick up our instruments once a year for this event and for some of the very youngest it is their first opportunity to play with a group of musicians. We meet for a short rehearsal and then play to an audience of about 150 people. This year we also attempted singing the Hallelujah Chorus with only one practice run through before hand - it sounded quite good I thought!

A nice way to start the Christmas celebration. The children are now wanting to put the tree up and next week will bring Carol services and the end of school term.

Vision 2010

Last night my daughter and I had the pleasure of attending the local Girl Guiding Vision 2010 event. This is the finale of the Girl Guides centenary celebrations. It was a very cold evening, the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Young Leaders all gathered around a beautifully lit campfire and sang the usual campfire songs before all renewing their promise at 20:10 on 20/10 2010! It was a lovely occasion which I hope the girls will remember in years to come just as I remember celebrating 75 years of guiding when I was a Girl Guide. All those who took part in the event were given a  "party bag" which contained a commemorative pencil and a very special promise badge! Well done Girl Guides.

To my dear children ...

FOR YOU I AM PRAYING
“If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us” 1 John 5v14

I have a Saviour, He’s pleading in glory,

A dear, loving Saviour though earth friends be few;

And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me:

And oh, that my Saviour were your Saviour too!

I have a Father: to me He has given

A hope for eternity, blessèd and true:
And soon He will call me to meet Him in heaven,
But, oh, may He lead you to go with me too!

I have a robe: ‘tis resplendent in whiteness,
Awaiting in glory my wondering view:
Oh, when I receive it all shining in brightness,
Dear friend, could I see you receiving one too!

I have a peace: it is calm as a river,
A peace that the friends of this world never knew:
My Saviour alone is its Author and Giver,
And oh, could I know it was given to you!

When Jesus has found you, tell others the story,
That my loving Saviour is your Saviour too:
Then pray that your Saviour may bring them to glory,
And prayer will be answered, ‘twas answered for you!

For you I am praying, for you I am praying,

For you I am praying, I’m praying for you.

                                                            Samuel O’Malley Clough

Jostling around Jesus

Are we jostling around Jesus, going to church, getting involved in all sorts of church activities? It will all be fruitless unless we are doing it with faith.We have to exercise our faith, work our faith and in doing so we will strengthen our faith.

We need a meek and quiet spirit. We need to be submissive to the Lord in his providential dealings with us, in heeding to his Word and by trusting in God alone.Are we known for having a meek and quite spirit? I'm afraid I'm not - pray on.

100 years of Scouting in our Town

I have just spent an enjoyable evening at a celebration firework display commemorating 100 years of scouting in the town. It was a great display - supposed to be to music, but it didn't seem to be quite in time. The fireworks themselves were really good - as is this picture in my opinion taken by my daugher (on my camera's firewoork setting)!

More firework photos ...

A secure place!

This is where my son thought would be a safe, place for doing his maths homework!! :)

True Worship

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

O How the Grace of God Amazes Me!

O how the grace of God
Amazes me!
It loosed me from my bonds
And set me free!
What made it happen so?

’Twas His will, this much I know,
Set me, as now I show,
At liberty.

My God has chosen me,
Though one of nought,
To sit beside my King
In heaven’s court.
Hear what my Lord has done
O, the love that made Him run
To meet His erring son!
This has God wrought.

Not for my righteousness,
For I have none,
But for His mercy’s sake,
Jesus, God’s Son,
Suffered on Calvary’s tree -
Crucified with thieves was He -
Great was His grace to me,
His wayward one.

And when I think of how,
At Calvary,
He bore sin’s penalty
Instead of me.
Amazed, I wonder why
He, the sinless One, should die
For one so vile as I;
My Saviour He!

Now all my heart’s desire
Is to abide
In Him, my Saviour dear,
In Him to hide.
My shield and buckler He,
Covering and protecting me:
From Satan’s darts I’ll be
Safe at His side.

Lord Jesus, hear my prayer,
Your grace impart;
When evil thoughts arise
Through Satan’s art,
O, drive them all away
And do You, from day to day,
Keep me beneath Your sway,
King of my heart.

Come now, the whole of me
Eyes, ears and voice,
Join me, creation all,
With joyful noise:
Praise Him who broke the chain
Holding me in sin’s domain,
And set me free again!
Sing and rejoice!

Emmanuel Sibomana

 

I will build my church

How thankful I am the the church of Jesus Christ is stronger than it's individual members. It is being built by the master builder himself. Jesus said, "I will build my church".

The highest claim that we can make for ourselves is that we are sinners saved by grace.

Bringing in the harvest

I have just been picking some of the veg we have been growing at the bottom of our garden with the children. It reminded me of the sermon we heard in September last year - what has the kingdom of God gained because of you? There is no problem with the harvest - it is ripe for harvesting, the problem is the lack of labourers to gather it in.