Helensburgh Parish Church - Meditative Reflections

A couple of weeks ago my grandson Alfie and I planted courgette seeds in a tray, watered them, then covered them with clingfilm before finally putting them on my kitchen windowsill. There were few signs of growth over the coming days. I then went on holiday for a long weekend and to my surprise upon my return the seeds had not just sprouted but amazingly were growing abundant and strong. They were so strong and large that I was able to pot them on and put them outside in the greenhouse! Sometimes we don't see or understand the work God is doing in our lives. But if we are consistently reading God's word, spending time with God in prayer, cultivating our relationship with God and our fellow believers then we will experience spiritual growth. Sometimes our growth might seemingly be slower than others but if we are consistent then we will experience times of abundant growth and fruitfulness — blessing not just us but God's Kingdom.    Prayer:   Creator God, Fill us with a desi...

Manna from heaven. Wouldn't that be handy! No trip to the supermarket, no trolley, no loading, unloading, putting away – just gather it up and eat it. The original fast food. But it is weird. The Israelites' journey is full of surprises. Pillars of fire and cloud. The Red Sea parted to make a dry path. Bitter water made sweet. Now there are quails and manna falling from heaven. Every day, something new, something fresh.   Prayer:   God of the journey, One more step along the world we go, every day something new, something fresh. What will today bring? I have looked at my diary, and I have a plan for the day. But you may have something else for me. Probably not quails for dinner, but something equally surprising? Then again, why should I be surprised? You have my life's journey in your plan. I may miss a turning, or persist on a long shortcut, but you know better. God of my journey, give me grace to trust your plan, and to look forward to each new fresh morning. AMEN

JOHN 14: 15-17 (NRSVA)   15  'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.  16  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.  17  This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, because He abides with you, and He will be in you. Sparks of encouragement fly as Jesus introduces the disciples to the Holy Spirit. He says, "You know Him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."   Prayer:   Holy Spirit, old friend, thank you for helping me to put into words to put into action to put into motion the grace of God.   Thank you for nudging me Thank you for cajoling me Thank you for pulling my leg.   You remind me, constantly, of the central truth that each one of us matters and is worthy and that I should act like that is the case.   Amen.

When was the last time that you were stopped in your tracks by something which filled you with awe? I imagine that, around Jesus, such incidents happened fairly regularly. Of course, often the feelings aroused rather than awe (at least on the part of the authorities) were outrage and anger as Jesus defied convention and took liberties with the rules. As always, however, he has an answer for his critics and puts them firmly in their place. "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" proving that it's his power and not the form of words which give life and health. I have a four year old granddaughter who lights up my life. I am privileged to spend part of every week with her and, even more than with my own children, I am struck by the sheer miracle of her. Her personality and character – so new to this world. Her learning and development — so rapid and engaging. Her joy in life – so simple, unaffected, delighted in very...

JOHN 21: 10-14 (GNT)   10  Then Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11  Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all; even though there were so many, still the net did not tear.  12  Jesus said to them, "Come and eat." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord.  13  So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish. 14  This, then, was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.     Chapter 21 of John's Gospel is replete with imagery and echoes from the previous 20 chapters, and these few verses are perhaps the most obvious. Even here, when Jesus already has fish and bread by the charcoal fire, he invites the disciples to bring what they have caught. Jesus is not 'doing to' the disciples but 'sharing with'. It is an invitation to meet w...

"What will we do with our spare time"? That thought was the heart of an essay published in 1930 by the economist John Maynard Keynes. In it Keynes proposed that within a hundred years, technological and economic advances would bring humans to a point where we would need to work no more than 15 hours a week! It has been more than 90 years for this to come to fruition. However, technology, instead of creating mire leisure, has made us busier than ever. Our days are and, while everyday tasks like travel and meal preparation take less time we're still in a hurry. One striking incident David's life shows us how to stay steady in this perceived need for haste. When David  was fleeing from King Saul (who was trying to kill him), he asked the King of Moab, "would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me"? (1 Samuel 22:3 ). David had his hands full. He was trying to escape Saul's murderous pu...