Voices

•January 11, 2016 • 1 Comment

Firstly I want to say a belated huge thank you to all those who bought a copy of Voices Through Advent and Christmas.  I hope that you all enjoyed it and it helped you into Advent and Christmas.

A second print had to be done, and indeed I have no copies left of that (though Moorleys do if you want to get in early for next year!)

As a follow up to that Voices Through Holy Week and Easter is currently at the printers.

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The Easter story is familiar to us.  We travel it year after year. Voices Through Holy Week and Easter seeks to breathe new life through the characters of that journey as they work through what is happening, what it means for them – and what it might mean for us each day.

The readings follow the account of Holy Week and beyond from all four gospels.

They are questions, hopes and fears – the reactions of the characters involved.  Brave followers of Jesus, who in this week didn’t always feel brave, but in the bravery and integrity of Jesus found his promises more than  fulfilled.

The question for us through all the story is ‘What about me?’, where the readings culminate.

The readings can be used in worship services to bring a different accent to the voices, or for personal reflection  as we journey through Holy Week to Easter and resurrection.

The books will be priced £4.50 and will be available as soon as they arrive from the printers.

To order please contact me on voicesthrough@outlook.com or available from Moorleys

Thank you again to everyone for your support.

 

 

 

 

A Covenant Prayer

•January 8, 2016 • 1 Comment

It’s Covenant time again.

Some will have taken part in this service last Sunday, some this coming Sunday (and some churches do it in September). Reposting what I wrote last year about this powerful service

pamjw's avatarPam's Perambulation

Today many in The Methodist Church will be sharing in a Covenant Service. It’s almost like an annual renewal of marriage vows – with God.

As part of that, we will pray the Covenant Prayer – powerful, challenging stuff:

I am no longer my own but yours.

I have thrown my lot in with you Lord, It’s no longer about me, it’s about us.  Who you are and what you are going to do in and through me.  I’m not brilliant at living by myself, I need you and all you are.  I’m not alone in this, but together with you.

Put me to what you will,

Now, I know I think that I know best much of the time.  I have my agenda and I try and move things along by it.  But if it’s not about me, I have to allow you to do what you will.  I have…

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No Room #Advent

•December 16, 2015 • 1 Comment

I discovered these Advent videos from WordLive (which is in itself a great daily bible study resource) – better late then never on my behalf,  but there’s still chance to catch up.

Watching today’s brought a thought that had never crossed my mind before.  We are used to seeing Nativities where poor Joseph goes knocking on many doors, be they inn-keepers or family members doesn’t really matter.  The bible passage (Luke 2:1-7) doesn’t actually mention that search, only that there was no room at the inn, but it has become enough of the ‘accepted’ account of the birth narratives that it can at least give us pause to think.

Anyway, all this is a roundabout way of getting to my question:

How many people had the opportunity, if only they knew it, for the son of God to be born in their lives, and turned him away?

How many people turned Joseph away – and with him that chance?  (Joseph) stands at the door and knocks.  Will we help?  Let him in?  We may be turning away the opportunity to welcome Christ if we turn away the stranger or those in need of shelter – and what blessings we will receive if we let them into our life.

Is there room in me to answer that knock, to find a space – or will I turn him away, for I have no room?  Will I close the door in the face of God when he comes knocking – or fling it wide?

Lord
may I realise
the opportunities you give me.
When I see inconvenience,
disturbance and mess,
may I realise
that it is you asking,
you waiting to come in.

Lord
I want to welcome you,
may I not miss the opportunity
by thinking I have no room,
but answering the knock
and welcoming you in.