God stuff | 1000 Fields of Roses

Going To Coventry

…although not sent there! 🙂

I’ve been enjoying watching Songs of Praise on Sunday mornings – hymns and choruses to sing along to, and inspiring stories as well. My memories of old episodes seem to be of dreary, slow hymns sung by choirs that were trained to achieve near perfection… I have no idea if that’s what they used to be, or if that’s just my flawed recollection. The episodes I’ve been watching are more recent, and the songs are sung by various congregations in the area of filming for that week. I love that! Ordinary people, of all ages and situations, belting out praises joyfully and without too much in the way of professionalism. There may be an organ playing, or a full (or partial) band. Some stand still, some raise their hands with abandon, some just do that weird shuffle thing that’s sort of in between… I don’t care. I just love seeing people share joy in praise – it feels a bit like I think heaven will be.

Recently, the show was filmed in Coventry, centring around the cathedral. Coventry was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War, and the cathedral was nearly destroyed in 1940. The decision to rebuild was taken straight away, as a sign of faith, hope and trust for the future. The ruins of the old church remain, with the new building at right angles to the old, built from the same type of sandstone. The cathedral’s Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation provides support in areas of conflict around the world.

Sharonlflynn, Plaque at Coventry Cathedral, CC BY-SA 4.0

A prayer to ponder…

Photo from Flickr_ bethmoon

From the beginning of time there has been conflict, between cities and countries, and between individuals. As Christians, we are called to peace, and to a ministry of reconciliation. We each get to choose how we respond to conflict/hatred/injustice…

Tornad, Coventry cathedral, CC BY-SA 3.0

Perhaps we can all do something towards building a fresh, open place of sanctuary from the ruins?

Published in:

on June 23, 2020 at 10:08 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Coventry Cathedral, Songs of Praise

Worship In The Stillness

Published in:

on June 21, 2020 at 12:32 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Elevation Worship, Here Again, Hillsong, P E A C E

Running Back

It’s just past midnight – that time when the silence crowds in and the winter cold creeps just a bit closer to the bone. Thoughts and memories tumble, with a little sadness mixed in.
I wasn’t looking for this song, but it came up, so I listened. It felt like a warm blanket, the chill receding into the darkness…

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on June 13, 2020 at 12:15 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Martin Smith

Who Is My Neighbour?

As an Australian, I was not brought up watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Fred Rogers was a Presbyterian minister, trained in music, who spent most of his life living out his mission to children through the medium of television. His show focused on love and kindness, but also covered difficult topics (such as death, war or divorce) with honesty and in a way that children could comprehend.
In 1969, even though the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had supposedly ended segregation in public places, some places were still opposed to desegregation. These included some public pools. In May of that year, an episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood showed a short clip where a black character (Officer Clemmons), who is also a policeman, is invited to cool his feet in a children’s wading pool.Mister Rogers is already enjoying the cool water, and when Officer Clemmons declines the invitation because he doesn’t have a towel, Mister Rogers says they can share his. It’s hard to find a good clip of it, but here’s the best I could find –

Not all of us are good at physically speaking loudly. We can all “speak” loud and clear in our own ways, though, even if it sounds quiet and unassuming. Fred Rogers knew exactly what he was saying here, and used his voice the best way he could.
Years later they recreated the scene. This time Mister Rogers took the towel and dried Officer Clemmons’ feet himself, echoing Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet in John 13. It’s something we don’t see much of in the church anymore. Perhaps we could stand to look again at the words and actions of the Servant King…

Back to the original question – who is my neighbour?

25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”
26 He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”
27 He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
28 “Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”
29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”
30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’
36 “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”
37 “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”
Luke 10:25-37 (The Message)

Published in:

on June 7, 2020 at 1:12 am Comments (1)
Tags: Good Samaritan, Mister Rogers

Breathing In

Here’s a song we sang Sunday at online church. It’s one we’ve sung quite a few times before.
With the weather getting colder recently, I’ve had a bit of a cough, so it’s been fluffy socks and warm clothes for me! These verses from the song have also been a comfort –

“It’s Your breath
in our lungs
so we pour out our praise…”

I was born and raised in North Queensland. I had various fevers, and most of the childhood diseases, growing up. I don’t remember ever having the common cold, though!
When I moved to England at 25, I had no immunity to the bugs there, and seemed to have colds on a regular basis. The blocked nose, difficulty breathing, coughing… I’d never had those before, and thought I was dying! The doctors pretty much laughed at me, but again I found comfort in the songs we sang at church. There was one in particular at that time, which included these lines –

“To You, I bow:
The King who commands my every breath,
The Man who has conquered sin and death,
My Lord and my King;
My everything.”

I don’t know what the future will bring.
But I do know a King who does!

Published in:

on May 27, 2020 at 3:06 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Great Are You Lord, You Are My Everything

Waiting For The Dawn

For those feeling discouraged in this season…

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on May 24, 2020 at 8:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Andrew Peterson

The Murmuring Sky

My frame of reference these days is much smaller than it has been in the past. Most days the patch of outdoors I see is the back garden and the sky above the back fence. It could feel claustrophobic, but usually there’s a comforting consistency.
I’ve travelled in my past life, and seen beautiful views and magnificent natural weather patterns – from storms to snow to crashing seas. One day, I will again.
I believe there is a Creator, and that He is ever present and always listening, ready to answer our prayers. It can be much easier to see His presence in the wildness of the storms, but I also see the quiet whispers in my own little patch of sky.

“God’s splendor is a tale that is told;
his testament is written in the stars.
Space itself speaks his story every day
through the marvels of the heavens.
His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky,
showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.
²Each day gushes out its message to the next,
night with night whispering its knowledge to all.”
Psalm 19:1-2 (Passion translation)

Here’s a taste of my personal skies over the last week or so…

…and another psalm, to sing.

Published in:

on May 17, 2020 at 2:22 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Psalm 113, Psalm 19, Sandra McCracken

What I Am Thankful For

So, the isolation period is still ongoing, with a quick side trip to pick up groceries from time to time (although I don’t usually go on those). We’re doing fine – we’re used to being at home together, anyway!
I got to thinking about gratitude, and what I have to be thankful for. There’s been times in my life that were hard, and it was easy to complain. I’ve had to learn over the years that thankfulness is often a matter of choice – of choosing to capture the moments of grace, to see the good things in the ones you love, and to remember the everyday privileges of living in a developed country where basic needs are provided without much thought or worry. Life is an opportunity to find the good, and pass it on!
Today I’m taking it easy, sorting out some stuff, finishing some things. I’m a bit achy – somehow I managed to pull something in my back/shoulderblade last night, apparently just by picking up a cup of tea… I never knew I was so talented! After an application of heat and a good night’s sleep it’s not too bad, but I’m moving slowly.

So, what is there to be thankful for?

The rain right now – it’s so beautiful. Bit chilly, but peaceful.

Lots and lots of books! And the ability to read them. I’ve had a good education, which has helped in my life in more ways than I can think of.

Having the leisure at this time to read/blog/chill out on YouTube.

The use of the internet, which helps me to stay connected with the world.

Friends to stay connected with!

Our little garden which, though tiny and ragged, is visited by beautiful wildlife – butterflies, dragonflies, bees and the occasional inquisitive cat.

My beautiful family, who are the best people for me to be spending isolation with. I rarely see Biggest Boy (he’s in his room, mostly) but when he emerges he pats me on the head affectionately and has a chat. And Sweet Bean always opens the back door for me when I’m taking the washing basket out, because he’s sweet and kind! My Babe goes out of his way to get nice things while shopping, and always makes sure we’re doing well.
All in all, they’re the Best Ever ❤ !

A connection and relationship with God, which has always helped me through difficult times, especially when there was no other help near.
Here’s a clip of a song doing the rounds, which I’ve been seeing on people’s feeds, but have only just got around to watching. It’s a whole list of UK churches getting together (virtually) to sing a blessing.

I was unprepared for the wave of homesickness that washed over me as I listened. The words are a version of a blessing from the earliest books of the Bible, and which I’ve heard many times in my life.
I’ve been to a couple of these churches, and gone to the concerts of a couple of the individuals in the clip. This virus has separated us in a lot of ways, but I think it’s also helped us see how close we can be, and how much we are connected.
Be blessed.
It’s a new day!

Published in:

on May 6, 2020 at 11:56 am Comments (1)
Tags: UK Blessing

Still Loved

My heart for the day – a random piece of crystallised ginger!

IMG_2304 (2)

…and a visitor to the garden – the nectar seems to be irresistible to the wildlife lately.

IMG_2298 (2)

In case you need a “heart” for today –

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19

Published in:

on April 29, 2020 at 10:03 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: hearts

Smile (In The Shadow)

Another day in isolation, and time keeps dragging on… I was thinking yesterday – it’s like a long haul flight. Eventually time ceases to have meaning, and all there is, and all there ever Was. Is. Now.
I’ve been making my way through the library haul I picked up before it all shut down. Turns out even I can’t read endlessly!
I really don’t have anything to complain about – we’re well fed and rich enough to be entertained in comfort. We get along well as a family, and are generally healthy. But…
sometimes, things boil over. Yesterday was such a day – one little stressor to the everyday, and I spilled out into over-reaction, ending up crying on the bed with remorse (and yes, annoyance!). All good now 😀

There’s always time to remember to smile, and to think about the good things (even if you need a good cry first!). Here’s some of mine from yesterday and today.

My beautiful family, who still love me even when I’m ridiculous.
Friends to talk to via Zoom.
Opening up a new bag of coffee beans.
Sunshine.
Finding books in a series I like that I never knew existed.
Chocolate. Always a plus, although you can have too much.
The sound of birds, in a clear blue sky.

A friend mentioned this song to me this morning, so I looked it up. That led me to the second song, so I’ll include that as well.

And here’s the Psalm written on that guitar –
“Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
    praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
    praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
    praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
    praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
    praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
    Hallelujah!”
Psalm 150

And another passage, from a devotional I just watched :

“I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”

This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
    the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:15-19