A gentle rest.

I have the good fortune to be abroad, with opportunities to swim in the warm, azure waters. It feels like freedom to move through the waves, and to feel the vastness of the sky above, and the softness of the sandy ocean floor below.

And now and again I just float on the surface, gazing at the cloudless sky, and being rocked by the waves. I enter the water with a thousand concerns and worries, and cry out to God, asking for discord to end, and harmony to be restored. People seem to be fighting in every sphere, with so many hurt, confused, disillusioned and weary with it all.

When I am buoyant in the water, gazing at the flurry clouds languidly dallying across the sky, it is a moment of being gently rocked by the movement of the waves. It feels immensely peaceful. I let go of my worries and anxieties, and just be. Especially in these moments, God feels very near. I remember the verse from Isaiah 30;15

‘ in rest and returning you will be saved, in quietness and trust you will find strength.’

In these days of acrimony, we try to discern what is best, we pray for insight and wisdom, we become exhausted trying to work out our views on many divisive issues. We need to use our brains, to ponder, to pray. But there are also moments, when I think Jesus just calls us to come spend time in His presence, just to be in His love, and to receive from Him. These times are precious and healing, reconnecting us deeply with the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples ‘ Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, for I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’ Matthew 11: 28-29

There are seasons, when we feel deeply the weight of a world polarised and divided, and we are bewildered and weary. Especially at these times, Jesus is gentle and patient with us, calling us to rest in His arms. Here, may we find the restoration and peace we seek.

Mighty and gracious God, we know of Your truth and mercy, Your beauty and goodness, and we trust that we can come to You as your beloved children. We acknowledge that we often try hard, but we make mistakes and can get disorientated in the plethora of strident voices and shouting. Lord Jesus, when we are confused and exhausted, may we always return to your presence, to rest in Your arms, to be cradled in your gentle acceptance and grace. Holy Spirit, at some point You will lead us back into the complexities of the modern, hurting world. Yet just for this time, may we enter into Your gentle rest, and find nurture and renewal in your Holy presence, Amen.

The swallows are leaving……

Over the summer I have loved watching the swallows and swifts darting and then soaring over the water, and hiding in the eaves. They are so dainty and energetic and joyful to watch.

It is very still around the loch, when these gorgeous birds migrate south. I have a yearning for their company, but know that being thankful for the memory of them is enough. I always find it astounding that such little birds fly south to Africa over the winter, sometimes flying 200 miles a day. They show such strength and perseverance, and seem to have an innate compass within.

The leaving of the swallows are a symbol of the end of summer, of a farewell to one season, and an invitation to embrace the new. Autumn might be a softer more mellow season, but it is equally beautiful. We are not to fear change, but to be prepared to move on, and to look for new possibilities in the landscape beyond.

The swallow, for me, symbolises that a fragile and diminutive being, can travel long distances, that seem way beyond their capacity. So God can use us, even when we feel fallible and inadequate, for His good and loving purposes. The secret is having the courage to set out, and then the wind of the Holy spirit guides us and carries us forward.

In Isaiah 40: verse 31 it says; ‘ those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles……..’ Whatever our circumstances, may we continue to place our hope in God, and find a strength in Him that carries us through.

Gracious God, Creator of all things, we thankyou for the birds of the air and the fish in the sea, for the incredible stories of animals in their habitats, and the rhythms of the earth. May we be attentive to the earth, be willing to protect it, and to learn from your creation. Thankyou for the way You speak to us through birds- swallows, sparrows and eagles -giving us courage to transition from one season to another, to know that You see us, and value us, and lead us in new directions. Lord Jesus Christ, as you called the disciples, reveal more of your purpose for us. Holy Spirit grant us perseverance, renew our trust, and equip us to explore new territory, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayers so needed!

Sitting in a coffee shop watching people on the morning communte. Often their heads are down, they look tired and as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Listening to people, they are speaking of targets and cutbacks and pressure. It feels as if we have become aworld where statistics matter more than people. Instead of providing services that support people, companies are trying to get as much profit from each individual transaction, however that is obtained.

On the international scene too, we seem to have lost the plot. Backroom arms deals and the pursuit of perception of status and power dominate, instead of paying attention to the cry of the marginalised and the vulnerable. There are so many terrible situations of conflict, originating in visions of delusional schemes for self aggrandisement and power, and that are completely unnecessary. The concept of the dignity and worth of each individual, and the concept of justice have been jettisoned.

I think of Jesus, looking at Jerusalem, and weeping, and in one moment saying ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how I have longed to gather your children together, as a child gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing’. Matthew 23:37 Jesus wants healing and peace for the people, but they are rebellious and obstinate and will not listen.

Maybe we need to pause, and questioning what we are doing as individuals. Are we conforming to a world where greed and self interest rule? Or will we follow the teaching of Jesus, where we choose mercy over judgement, purity of heart over money and status ? Every time we choose to honour people’s dignity and humanity, we are rebel against much of the culture of our age.

You might say, well the church and other Christian organisations do not have a good history in this area. That is true. All denominations have fallen short, and we need to admit that, to timeously address what is wrong and make amends where that is possible. Acknowledging fault in the past, should strengthen our desire now to refocus on following Jesus’ teaching, to be wise, to work for justice and to love without measure, whatever our situation.

Karl Barth once said ‘to clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.’ May we persevere in prayer, for the kingdom of God to come, where wellbeing and peace are valued more than strife and war. May we catch a glimpse of the power of prayer to bring change, and ask the holy spirit to help us to pray without ceasing.

Lord Jesus, You saw the suffering and devastation of the people in Jerusalem. You were moved with compassion and you wept. May we wake up to all that is wrong with human nature, the greed, pride, the hypocrisy and corruption, and to weep at the suffering here and in the wider world. If we are honest, we acknowledge that we too are guilty of putting our own needs before the needs of others. Lord Jesus forgive us. Teach us to pray and act for a better world, in our daily work and lives, and in our prayers for a just and healthy humanity on this planet. Holy Spirit, may this not be a passing whim, but a commitment to pray every day, for You can do beyond what we dare to dream, every time we intercede for others. May people of integrity and compassion bring change in our society, and may that change start with us, Amen.

Pilgrimage reflections

I have had the pleasure of going on an ecumenical pilgrimage. It was a blessed time of learning, exploration and making new friends. It also involved a lot of laughter, and some of the longest and most delicious lunches I have ever experienced! Just as well there was a siesta afterwards.

One of the highlights for me was being in Montserrat. I had visited earlier in the year, for a day trip with friends, and it felt like such a sacred space. This time the group were staying for a number of days, and it was such a privilege. There is a Benedictine monastery here, and worship at the basilica is an important part of the day. The sound of the bells ringing out, form a regular call to worship for all who visit.

There were formal parts of the pilgrimage, teaching, visits, history etc. However the quieter moments of walking and prayerful reflection were particularly special. On one walk, I came face to face with a mountain goat, which left both of us startled! Standing at the cross, I felt a deep sense of forgiveness. During a time of worship in the basilica, God gave me a wonderful moment of consolation.

Montserrat is a place of stunning beauty up in the mountains, it is a place of spiritual significance to the Catalan people, and it is a place of prayer. These prayers over 1000 years, create an atmosphere of love and grace that invites people to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. It is a place of blessing, whether at worship, sharing food, or out on a mountain path.

I am still processing all that took place. There were some challenges along the way, some moments of understanding and insight, and I prayed for God to make me more like Jesus Christ through the power of his Holy Spirit. This pilgrimage was a fantastic experience, and I met some amazing people of faith, with whom it was so good to share and pray. The leaders of our group were fantastic, and were so patient especially when I got lost in Barcelona- but that is another story…..

Gracious and Loving God, You called Abraham and Sarah to leave behind all that was familiar, and to travel to an unknown land. Often in life, we remember that we are called to be pilgrims, to be prepared to go where you call. Lord Jesus Christ, as you called the disciples to follow you, may we hear Your call to us to move forward. Holy Spirit, thankyou for the people you put alongside us as we travel, and for the encouragement that we can give and receive. May we always be attentive to Your voice, and be bold to respond to your message. Thankyou that there is so much joy in the journey, in Jesus name, Amen.

Preparing for a spiritual pilgrimage…

I am blessed to be going on a Spanish spiritual pilgrimage. I am just a little anxious- I don’t know all the details of what’s involved, who is going etc. It feels very much like an unknown quantity.

I knew I needed to prepare, and I asked God to show me what to do. I supposed that I needed to review where I am in my life, the positives, the regrets, the state of my soul. Sometimes life is so busy, we can feel rather numb, and taking time to notice how we are feeling is healing in itself.

A phrase that has kept coming back to me, is that ‘the pilot light’ is still on.’ At some times of our lives, we can be enthusiastic and energetic about our faith. At other times things are quieter, but our faith is still there.

It reminds me of the verse in 2 Timothy 1:6 ‘ I remind you to dance into flames the gift from God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.’ I guess going on any form of retreat or pilgrimage, this is s good starting place, that we ask thst God fan our faith into flame.

Everything to do with God, with Jesus snd the Holy Spirit is anchored in love, and asking God to help us to have a deeper experience of His love is also central. In Revelation 2:4 John records the angel of the church of Ephesus saying that they had fallen short of their first love. As Christians later on life, at times we are in danger of growing luke warm- tired, disillusioned and sad. And so we ask the Holy Spirit to pout out His love into our hearts, so we can receive healing and peace from Him.

To prepare for a pilgrimage, we need to take an inventory of our life, to ask God to give us a spiritual health check, and to help us to know what we most need. Maybe we need courage, or guidance, or comfort or a deeper experience of grace. Whatever it is, we can ask for this, and that we might grow closer to Jesus Christ as a result. For all who are going on pilgrimage, may we take time to review our spiritual health, to discern what we most need, and then surrender to our loving and wise God.

Lord Jesus Christ, You called people to come and follow you. We often start off enthusiastically, and with conviction and passion. Sometimes in the midst of our calling, You ask us to change path, or to vary our stride. We question and cry out, we need time and space to reflect and pray, to notice what is happening in our souls. Help us to listen and to be obedient. We thank you for the place of pilgrimages and retreats in the Christian world, and we pray for a deep experience of your vibrant love, healing and blessing. We pray for all in the community of faith who undertake this journey. May your Holy Spirit grant us whatever most need, and may we have open hands and a humble heart to receive. We ask this, Loving Father, that me might be our true God given selves, more able then to be vessels of Your love and mercy in this broken and hurting world. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Going against the flow….

Last weekend I visited Pitlochry, and walked around the hydro electric dam, and the fish ladder. The fish ladder is composed of 34 tiered pools, that allow salmon to swim upstream in the breeding season, sometimes swimming distances of 6,000 miles.

Sometimes I relate to that salmon travelling a long distance against the flow. It must feel like an epic swim, swimming round obstacles and uphill.

Why might some one feel like this? It could be that you have a different outlook from your friends, and don’t want to compromise. Perhaps colleagues at work have different ideas as to how to behave. There are many times when we might feel that we are going in a different direction from everyone else.

I often think of the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. The giant Goliath was making threats, and the Israeli people were terrified. The shepherd boy David decides to take him on, and King Saul offers him a heavy set of armour and weapons to do this. But this is not David’s way, so he refuses this armour, and instead faces the giant with a sling and some smooth pebbles. David wins the battle not because he conforms to what is expected, but because he trusts God to help him.

God creates us to be ourselves. We look to Him to transform us to be more like Jesus through His Holy Spirit, and that work is ongoing. Yet He also calls us to be true to our God given selves. He wants us to know our story, our strengths and weaknesses, and to discover our calling, the purpose for which He has given us these gifts. Sometimes we can be tempted to compromise with the ways of the world. Yet being our distinctive selves, even with all our faults and failings is our vocation, and when we are faithful to this, we find our peace.

Maybe you feel as if you are struggling today? It is tough to keep swimming against the tide. Yet being faithful to our values, our identity, our core beliefs is the best we can do. And when we think it is too hard, we call on the strength of our mighty Saviour, and we find new resilience and a deeper love. May God be with all who feel they are going against the stream, and give us energy and renewal of strength and purpose in every circumstance.

Gracious Father, we are small children in your presence, trying to find our way in the world. We face obstacles and temptation, and we ask forgiveness for our mistakes, and the consequences of these. Lord Jesus, when we feel as if we are alone, standing up for what we believe, facing misunderstanding or opposition, keep us strong. We are open to reviewing our position, to ask if You want us to learn a new thing or amend our position, for we have humble hearts. Like David, when we face giant obstacles, keep us calm and trusting in You. May your Holy Spirit guide us, and give us renewed vigour to keep going, even when it against the flow, for we seek to do your will alone, and to bless others. Keep us steadfast in our path and in Your love, in Jesus name, Amen.

Disentangling the impact of negative memories….

As I spoke about in my previous blog, we experience wonderful things in life, but also have more destructive, negative memories. We acknowledge them, and then we can commit them to God, to bring healing, to help us find forgiveness and peace. This can take a life time, but God’s Holy Spirit brings connection and insight which is so beautiful and facilitates our journey.

An insight into this which I wish I understood earlier, is the impact of negative memories on thought patterns, decision making and identity. For example if we tried to do something new as a child, and an adult mocked our effort and put us down, we might not try next time. Even worse, we might convert that into a damaging self belief, that we are worthless and not loveable.

Traumatic or difficult memories, especially when we are young, can give us a negative bias, where we are over cautious, anticipate disaster and doubt ourselves. It can be a difficult way to live.

There is so much good news however, to balance this all out. Neuro scientists discovered neuroplasticity, and the way that the brains neuro-network can be reshaped to form new patterns of connections and processes. This can take a lot of work, with an accredited therapist, to identify the roots of current throught processes, and to reprogramme them. There are many techniques which support this- they differ as to what is most effective for each person, but they can be very effective.

On a spiritual level, this seems to have been understood over centuries. In the psalms for example, we are urged to ‘meditate on God’s Word all day long’. Psalm 119:97 As with the prayerful practices of the desert mothers and fathers, there is a sense of letting God’s word speak to us, and let it sink deeply into our souls. The truth of God’s love for us, cleanses us from self doubt and brings healing.

In Romans 12:2: Paul writes ‘ Do not conform to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.’ If we are transformed by God’s love, by the working of the Holy spirit, then old chains on our souls which imprison us, are loosened, we can see more clearly, and disern God’s will. Negative thought patterns and beliefs fall away, and we can discover our true God given identity, and we find deep peace.

There are books that speaks of the impact of tramatic memories. ‘ What happened to you? Conversations of Trauma, Resilience and healing’ with Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey is a good introduction to this topic. I think so much here is congruent with Christian teaching about self reflection, love and community, as being central to personal growth and healing. Utilising the insights from neuroscience, combined with prayer and spiritual wisdom brings a wide variety of opportunities for wholeness, which is to be acknowledged, explored and celebrated.

Gracious and Eternal God, we give thanks for all that is good and wholesome and lovely in this world. We rejoice with those who rejoice. Yet we also mourn with those who mourn– those who have experienced bullying, trauma and sorrow. Lord Jesus, You come alongside those who struggle with difficult memories, with self doubt and fear. You know what it is like to face insults and negativity. Please bless and heal those who wrestle with pain and self doubt. Teach us to place our trust in You, and may your Holy Spirit transform old destructive patterns of thinking into a dance of creativity, light and hope. Help us live lives characterised by balance and wholeness, connection and possibility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memories- both unsettling and healing!

Memories can be such a comfort- we might think of a summer day away, or a special meal, or a childhood recollection. We might remember family and friends, laughter and sunshine, joy and exuberance! In later life, we can take such delight in such moments.

However, we often don’t mention the more difficult memories, times of illness or grief or trauma. We keep them to ourselves, keeping a protective coating over them. The significance of dates is a good example. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in community, but the darker remembrance of difficulty, tragedy or loss are often recalled more quietly. What do we do with the unsettling memories, the ones that have been unspoken or unacknowledged?

I wonder sometimes as a society if we need to be more honest. Maybe we are scared to be real, because sometimes people take advantage of us. It is true that trust needs to be earned. We need to choose who to trust. Yet being real, rather than pretending everything is ok, often seems more healthy. Another example of this is in funeral eulogies. People can leavea service thinking they don’t recognise the description of the person, because only the good has been shared. Of course, we want to be gracious, but hinting at some of the person’s more human characteristics can be healing.

I was reading John O’Donoghue’s Anam Cara: spiritual wisdom from the celtic world’. John wrote with such wisdom and lyricism. He speaks of our regrets and difficult memories as inner wounds. He says we need to approach them with great tenderness. Sometimes we are to acknowledge them, and let them be. Other times, we are to have compassion and examine them. On page 225, he writes ‘when you forgive yourself, your inner wounds begin to heal. You come in out of the exile of hurt into the inner joy of belonging. The art of integration is very precious…’

When we experience heaviness and regrets about the past, we can bring these painful memories to God. Through the holy spirit, we can discern how to deal with them- if it is a hurtful memory, can the injustice be wisely addressed? If we have a sense of shame, can we find forgiveness and healing? Often working with a trusted counsellor or therapist can help us on this journey

Jesus said ‘ the truth will set you free’ John 8:32. We pray that we might know the truth, both uncomfortable and inspiring. May the beautiful and loving moments leave a legacy of love. And may the darker, more difficult memories help us learn and grow, and strengthen us in enabling dignity, respect and compassion in our attitudes and actions, towards others and to ourselves.

Gracious and Eternal God, You alone know the past, present and future, and are present in each. We live in the present, and want to live attentively and fully. We still have hopes and dreams for the future. Lord Jesus Christ, we give thanks for the stories of our lives, the rough and the smooth, the joys and the sorrows. We give thanks for all that is good and wholesome. We ask forgiveness for our mistakes and shortcomings, and the hurt this has caused. We ask for grace to forgive the pain and distress caused to us by others. Holy Spirit, when we get stuck in traumatic and unresolved memories, heal us and set us free, and may we find the right people to help us in this spiritual journey. Enable us to find peace and integration, so we can live each day in gratitude and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Trying not to fix things……

I have been travelling, and as usual my bag is too heavy with books- bulging at the seams. I end up with aching shoulders, wondering why I do this, and resolving never again to pack so much heavy stuff in my hand luggage. I need to learn to travel lighter.

Travelling lightly can have a deeper meaning too, as sometimes we get too emotionally weighed down. We get caught up in people’s stories, we take responsibility for things that are not ours, we try to shape things that are not ours to control. We can become exhausted, anticipating where problems might emerge, and trying to trouble shoot before they happen. It can be wearying, and even worse counter productive.

Having good boundaries is part of the Christian life. Jesus called us to love others as we love ourselves. This means a balance between service and self care. We are to care for others, but not so that we become empty. We are to self care, but not in a way that becomes selfish and oblivious to the needs of others.

I have always loved the verse in Proverbs 4: 23 ‘Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life’ This means that we are to take good care of our heart, so it doesn’t become bitter or hard. We are to trust God, and to do what we can, but then leave it with Him. Our temptation is to try to tell some one what to do, instead of supporting them listen to Gods voice for themselves, to try to fix that difficult situation, rather than to watch and pray but know it is not ours to interfere with. Things are often so much bigger than we recognise. We are not responsible for the decisions or actions of others. May God grant us the discernment we need.

Eternal Father, before Your face, generations come and go, and yet the patterns of human behaviour seem set. We often want to do the right thing, yet end up doing the wrong. Lord Jesus, please have mercy on us. Sometimes we see suffering and pain, and we are tempted to try and put it right in our own strength, to fix things. Yet by doing this, we can enable bad behaviours, and nothing is learnt. Holy Spirit, help us know when to speak and when to be silent, when to get involved, and when to let things go. Help us not to be weighed down by things that are not ours. Help us truly guard our hearts, and grant us a healthy balance in life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The gift of noticing…

I was at the beach in Florida- one of my favourite places – when I saw this elegant egret. It was so tame that I could get right up beside it. It looked quite comical the way it moved it’s long legs through the waves.

It was only as I watched this beautiful bird, that I noticed the colour of its feet- vibrant yellow! It was colour coordinated with the yellow at the base of its bill, but was in stark contrast to its legs. I looked it up, and my bird identifier told me it is called a ‘snowy egret’ which seemed a bit ironic in the heat of a Florida summer. The yellow feet are to help it attract prey in swirling water.

It was only because I stopped to look at this bird as it waded through the waves, that I really noticed it’s feet. It made me reflect that often I move on too quickly to really notice the detail of things. In life, we are often in a rush, speed reading are article, or only half listening to what has been said to us. We often miss really significant moments and insights because we are in too much of a hurry.

Eugene Peterson said that ‘busyness is an illness of the spirit’ and in much of his writing he speaks of how being busy subverts our spirituality, prevents us praying or giving meaningful time to God. We can be rushing so much, we are not listening to God, or to family and friends. We are frantically trying to fit everything into each day, not realising how much it is costing us.

This weekend it is Pentecost, when the Christian church celebrates the coming of God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings God’s message of grace and love and renewal to us, and we need the touch of God’s holy spirit so badly. May we be open to all God wants to share with us, to take time out to quieten our soul and to listen.

In 1 Samuel chapter 3, young Samuel says to God ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening,’ He is expressing his attentiveness to hearing God’ s voice, and to receiving His message. This Pentecost, and indeed all year round, may we be similarly humble before God and be open to hearing His life giving and transformative Word to us.

Loving Father God, we are often so busy, rushing about, trying to achieve so many things. Yet in our haste, we miss what is most significant around us. Forgive us for our distorted priorities. Teach us to slow down. Lord Jesus when we read of your life on earth You never ran. May we learn to quieten our spirit, to be attentive to the voice of Your Holy Spirit, and to say each morning ‘Speak Lord for your servant is listening’. Grant us a humble heart to receive from You, an attentive spirit to discern Your will and an openness to finding inspiration and renewal. For Jesus sake, Amen