Just a short message this time, I read the latest from ‘Aforgetfulsoul’ and she expresses very clearly what it really means to follow Jesus. So if you want some good, wholesome, thought-provoking wisdom, look no further. Here’s a brief extract…
I am excited to think that my life as a believer is not a matter of rigid scheduling of ‘religious’ activities, but is a pattern woven by my Father according to his purposes, where he asks for my yielding, my desire to be attuned to his promptings, my availability to be ‘interrupted’ and to recognise in the smallest event some sign that God is at work and asking me to share it.
But do read the whole article. This is exactly the way I feel about my own life, it’s one of the reasons I often add a tiny, ‘throw-away’ remark in my articles whatever the major topic, drawing attention to spiritual aspects of the everyday things I notice or am involved in. If he’s worth following (and he is) Jesus will be in every little part of my life. Often partly hidden – but there.
We often make things far too complicated. Too structured. Too organised.
The cloud was really, really dark; no doubt it was raining hard not far away. And the honey-coloured Cotswold stone of the Parish Church glowed in the afternoon sunshine.
Image 115 – What’s in an image? Sometimes quite a lot, more than meets the eye. I’m posting an image every day or so.
Enlarge
When there are heavy rain showers with dark clouds and gaps of blue sky, it sometimes happens that a sunlit object has a backdrop of dark cloud. This photo shows a particularly powerful example of this phenomenon.
You may be surprised to learn that the colours have not been enhanced in any way. I’ve cropped the image and modified the perspective to improve it, but I have not tweaked the colours or the contrast. This is just as the camera recorded it.
The cloud was really, really dark; no doubt it was raining hard not far away. And the honey-coloured Cotswold stone of the Parish Church glowed in the afternoon sunshine.
Contrasts
Of course, contrasts of other kinds can be very striking too; here are a few to contemplate:
The mean cold of winter – The warmth of a summer day
Living things – Inanimate objects
Church as we make it – Church as Jesus intends it
Springtime when animals reproduce – Autumn when animals hibernate
Russia deliberately targets civilians – Ukraine does not target civilians
Youth – Old age
Small village, people interact – Large city, people segregate
If you think of some more contrasts, drop them in a comment for all of us to consider. Thanks!
When: 23rd November 2023 Where: The Market Place, Cirencester
If you enjoyed this or found it useful, please like, comment, and share below. My material is free to reuse (see conditions), but a coffee is always welcome!