Faithfulness

Haven’t been feeling too well for a couple of days and wasn’t able to go out with friends last night… Anyways it’s only a cold but made me realise how much I depend on being totally healthy to do everything I have to. I was stood at the sink after loading the dishwasher and cleaning up after breakfast and an old, old hymn came into my head ‘great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness….’ so I don’t remember the rest. But I knew if it was a hymn then I would find it in the bible:

Lamentations 3:

²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Expanded in the Amplified version:

²³They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

²⁴The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.

²⁵The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word].

²⁶It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.

…²⁸Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keeping silent [in hope].

Don’t you just love verse 28? So thankful that He is never changing and completely stable. I hope in God, a good God and I wait expectantly for what is in my future!  And I won’t complain – I hope my God!

After a but of googling… you can click here to play it…!

And the words of the hymn are here:

Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,There is no shadow of turning with Thee;Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail notAs Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

• “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
  “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,Join with all nature in manifold witnessTo Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

May you know the great, overwhelming faithfulness in all that you do today. Love xo

 

Praying for Japan: Redeeming the time

Woken up later than normal (6.30am) and managed to watch the news. I am praying for Japan. Praying for the precious people. For those who have lost loved ones, for those who have lost hope. For those who feel complete, utter devastation. This post is a sombre one, my thoughts for the day, my prayer for the day… (If you are looking for something upbeat go to the next post xxxx)

I pray that the government would have all wisdom, in the midst of such horror that they would be strengthened from God. That there would be a miracle. That the nuclear crisis would cease. That the meltdown would be averted.

I have faith that God can do this. Despite how bad it has already become. I am praying that even today there is a change of direction – that the nuclear/radiation levels would drop. That this unseen fear would reduce, and not contaminate any further.

I pray that the media of the world would not plant seeds of panic in the hearts of the world. That there would be responsible and TRUE reporting, and accurate journalism.

I know my words are few. But I do know that God even hears my voice. As I cry for calm in devastation.

For that 4 month old baby tested for radiation, for that 77 year old grandmother rescued from the rubble, to the Emperor of Japan, there is a redemption for each one – and I pray redemption comes SOON.

Redemption means:

re·demp·tion

–noun 

1.an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.

2.deliverance; rescue.

3.Theology . deliverance from sin; salvation.

4.atonement for guilt.

All of the above are part of my words as I pray for Japan.

Ephesians 5:15-16

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

The important phrase here is ‘Redeeming the time’. I was in a prayer meeting on Sunday and a Lovely Lady (leader) at Church shared the scripture above. I can’t think of anything more evil than something unseen that could potentially destroy lives, leaving a mark of the tragedy on their bodies that could worsen. But the not-knowing is the worst. I know it sounds awful. It is. And that is why I am praying for Japan. At every opportunity. I am asking for His Grace to redeem the time.

With a heavy heart that aches for redemption A xx

Holidays, holidays, holidays

We just came back from a week away in Sherwood Forest. Beautiful scenery, sweet weather – when we needed it to be(!), lovely swim pool and delicious food. Just me and my husband and my two lovelies. We had such a horrible time at Christmas as everyone (except me) was sooooo ill – so as soon as we went back to work we booked this treat for February. I always feel that it’s important to look forward to something like a break/holiday/retreat… It always makes it that bit easier in the busiest times to think of what’s ahead: deferred gratification maybe. But it works for me. Hoping in the unseen? Perhaps. But hoping none the less!

Then today we went to a gorgeous little dude’s Dedication. To see them dedicate their son to God for them to ‘give him back to the Lord’ reminded me so clearly of when we dedicated our two children. So emotional to publicly Thank God and present them to Him – although as soon as each bb was born we thanked God right there as we held them, with our complete and utter thankfulness and amazement at the beautiful gift God had given to us. And now they are growing up, their characters are so unique, so absolutely special and so precious to us. [Can you tell my heart is full of thankfulness as I come to write today. Through the ups and the downs and everything in between my bbs bring me so much joy, delight and fun. I LOVE YOU TWO!!!!] My girl’s middle name is Hope.  (We believe Psalm 71 is her Psalm – we pray it and speak it over her life!) And it’s so important for me, for us to hope:

Psalm 52:9 (and probably the entire book – but this is fine for today!)

For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

May you also know the sublime goodness of God – and the Hope that follows x