three

Yesterday in church our Old Testament reading was Isaiah 58:1-9a.

It really struck me that the reading finished halfway through a verse, so I read on.

Last night, as I was finishing a book in bed, I read a chapter that quoted Isaiah 58:9b-11.

This morning I had a conversation with a friend who had recently been subject to a whole load of malicious talk about another friend.

Let's spend our time fruitfully by meeting the needs of others.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:9b-10

food

Yesterday Olivia and Katie and I made orange muffins.

They turned out looking pretty good and tasted even better.

The photo is genuinely of one of the muffins we made, but a photo is never as good as the real thing.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

bold

Last Friday Abby had to wear her pyjamas to school as part of a promotion for reading books at bedtime. The teachers wore their pyjamas too, and I wore mine! Embarrassingly I was the only parent in pyjamas that day, but it gave everyone a laugh and fortunately there are no photos.

Every child also had to bring in their favourite bedtime story book. Abby chose her bible, and when we got to school she asked me to read her the stories of Jesus' death and resurrection. How refreshing for there to be no sense of whether it was politically correct or worrying what other people might think.

It made me think.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

phew-el

Today was the first day in a long time when I have bought petrol for less than £1 per litre.

It was good to look at the pump, when I had finished, and see that the number of litres was marginally greater than the number of pounds.

calm

rest

I'm exhausted.

Life's like that sometimes.

I was pleased to read this on a calendar today:

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

signs and wonders

As part of my birthday celebrations this year we all went to the Isle of Wight for a day.

We visited Alum Bay. Katie and Abby braved the sea, and we all braved the chair lift!

We visited the Donkey Sanctuary. The girls liked the donkeys, and loved the ponies.

We visited the Model Village at Godshill. It was here that I saw a plaque that I couldn't resist buying (although to be honest Justine paid for it).

It simply says, "Expect Miracles". I like the idea of an expectant faith; a faith that really believes in an intimate and yet universal God.

When we left the shop I looked up and saw a sign on the adjacnet building, it read: "Loaves & Fishes". Perhaps just another little reminder to expect miracles.