Many of us are staycationing this year and it’s been great to see people making the most of the beautiful weather and the glorious scenery around us, here in N.Ireland. Beaches have been busy, National Trust sites have been popular, picnics and barbecues have been frequent. I found that I spent the first part ofContinue reading “Release, rest, reset”
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Mary as a sanctuary
I think this blessing beautifully tells the story of Mary’s life. It starts at the time when she has just had the visit from the angel Gabriel and she goes to visit Elisabeth, who welcomes her and affirms the calling which she has just received – and it concludes with Mary becoming the source ofContinue reading “Mary as a sanctuary”
Mary’s posture
So, why do we think that Mary was someone who demonstrated humility? Mary takes the posture of a servant When the angel Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will conceive a baby who will be the Son of God, her response is immediate: “Behold, I am the servant ofContinue reading “Mary’s posture”
Walk humbly with God
Esther illustrates God’s call to ‘do justice’; Ruth illustrates God’s call to ‘love kindness’; and now we want to look at the call to ‘walk humbly with your God’. (Micah 6:8) If you have guessed the character of Mary, the mother of Jesus, for this one, you have guessed right! We are first introduced to MaryContinue reading “Walk humbly with God”
What does ‘steadfast love’ do?
‘Hesed’ love bears witness People notice. People have obviously been talking about Ruth’s kindness to Naomi, because Boaz says this: “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came toContinue reading “What does ‘steadfast love’ do?”
What’s so special about ‘steadfast love’?
‘Hesed’ love is committed Ruth and Orpah, Naomi’s two daughters-in-law, want to go back to Bethlehem with Naomi but she tells them to return to their own homes. Orpah turns back but Ruth refuses. ‘Hesed’ love is stubborn. Ruth has decided to pledge herself to Naomi, in spite of the cost to herself. In doingContinue reading “What’s so special about ‘steadfast love’?”
Love kindness
Do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8. We have already looked at the the call to do justice, as illustrated by Esther. Now we want to look at the call to love kindness. If you have guessed the character of Ruth for this one, you have guessed right! ‘Hesed’ loveContinue reading “Love kindness”
If I really had your heartbeat…
I want to conclude this week’s brief exploration of the theme of ‘Doing Justice’ with this beautiful poem, written by Priscilla Reid in January 2013, during a trip to Uganda with Tearfund: IF IF I really had your heartbeat, IF I saw things through your eyes, IF I truly loved my neighbour, IF a cryContinue reading “If I really had your heartbeat…”
A woman who did justice
Esther was a young Jewish girl living in Persia in the 5th century BC. Some Jews had returned from exile to Jerusalem but others, like Esther and her cousin Mordecai, were still in exile. They faced threats to their existence from those in power and this is exactly what happens in the book of Esther. Continue reading “A woman who did justice”
Do Justice
Sometimes we can struggle with the justice of God. We would rather talk about his love or his grace or even his mercy. We fear his justice. But, while the cross is evidence of God’s love, it is also evidence of God’s justice: the old hymn ‘Beneath the cross of Jesus’ talks about the crossContinue reading “Do Justice”
Nurturing Growth, Encouraging Rest 