Holiday inspiration

As dolphins glide and leap,
As seals swim,
So my heart is struck in awe and wonder,
At you God almighty.

As I look at ancient,
High hills,
Massive mountains,
So my hear is struck in awe and wonder,
At you God almighty.

I stand in awe, at you Lord God.
You who created starry hosts,
You who counts the grains of sand on the seashore.
You who stood before ancient hills.
You who knows me,
Who loves me,
Who cares for me,
Who calls me into your open arms.

I stand overwhelmed,
Considering the hills, so big,
And me so small.
Yet you are the God,
Of all creation.
Of all times,
Of all places.

Reflection of the seashore

Whilst away on holiday, I was walking along one of the beaches of the black isle- above was the scene.
And I was inspired to write the following;

As I look around the shore of the isle,
I see bright blue skies,
I see stormy skies.
So I reflect on the sunny days of life,
The picturesque days of life.
I reflect too on the stormy days of life,
The days that are hard.

As I reflect on the view before me,
I realise that the stormy skies and the bright skies
Sit side by side,
Slowly they merge.

I think of the glory of sunshine, bright days,
I think of the hope of bright tomorrows in dark days.
I think of your promises, your faithfulness O Lord.

Your promises:
“"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God.”

I hear those great words of Paul:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How amazing are your promises?
How faithful is your love?
How amazing are you?

For you Lord are faithful,
You Lord are the God who merges,
stormy skies and bright skies.
You Lord, merge heaven and earth.
You Lord merge humanity and divinity.

“O Lord how Majestic is your name!”
In all times and in all places.

Prayer of praise for the awesomeness of creation.

God of swirling seas,
Of rolling hills,
Of stormy skies.

God of majesty,
God of wonder,
God of beauty.

God you are awesome,
God of all creation,
May your name be praised.

May my voice join with all creation to sing your praise.
With the angels of heaven,
With dolphins of the sea.
With young and old,
With rich and poor.

All praise to you,
God of wonder,
God of glory.

Long time no blog!

I haven't blogged for a while. Its been busy with some work for the local exam board and then lots of time with family in Cambridge. Then have been away with my parents for a week to the highlands. What I share here today, are some reflections of the inspirations I had whilst I was away. The scenery was stunning and amazing!

bits and bobs

SO I've been in Cambridge for the past 11 days, i've unpacked and had lots of time to relax. At the weekend I had lots of family time which was lovely- I've missed not having lots of family time over the last year. I appreciate having little people in our family again! So playing hide and seek was fun! I always appreciate the time I can spend with family and friends so that was good!

Last week I registered with an agency and am hoping to do some paid work! At the moment that seems to be a waiting game! So in the mean time I've been listening to Methodist Conference and reading! So not alot to report at present... I have been doing some thinking so will write that up, I need to do some clarifying first!

MY reading list arrived from Queens today, I also have some work to do before I go to Queens! So might start that soon- although need to get hold of one of the books first!

Any way, enough rambling!

another order of evening prayer

When it was evening Jesus came and stood among his disciples and said “Peace be with you”.
Jesus comes and stands among us here tonight and says “Peace be with you”.

Short period of silence.

Tonight we are gathered, as those first disciples were in an upstairs room.
God’s spirit is with us.

So let us pray with confidence, that God hears our prayers, let us know that God is here with us now and shares this time with us together, just as God was with us this morning and will be with us in the new morning tomorrow.

Reading from scripture

Lord Jesus Christ,
As you broke bread,
Your word was revealed and understanding given.
May your word be revealed to us this night.
Speak to us and inspire us by your word.
Amen

Short time for reflection

Prayers for others and ourselves.
God is compassionate,
God cares, so let us pray for the world.

God of peace and justice.
We pray especially tonight for those places that need your peace.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you said “Peace I give to you.”
May they hear your words, may your peace come to them.

God of the hungry,
We pray for those who this night are hungry.
(Names and places can be given here)
Jesus you took bread and broke it and fed the hungry.
May the hungry know your presence, that you hunger with them.

God of the homeless,
We pray for those who are homeless this night.
(Names can be given here)
Jesus you were born, homeless.
May the homeless know your presence with them, that you are homeless with them.

God of tears, of sorrow.
We pray for those who weep this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you wept over Jerusalem, as people weep tonight,
May they know your presence, that you weep with them.

God of joy and celebration.
We pray with those who rejoice this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Lord Jesus, you celebrated with those at a wedding.
May those who celebrate this night know your presence.

God of loneliness,
We pray for those who are lonely tonight,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, you felt alone.
May the lonely know your presence this night.
May they know your words “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

God of community,
We pray for all communities this night,
(Names and places may be given here)
Jesus you spent time living in community.
You know the joys and frustrations that this brings.
May your presence be known in communities this night.

God, who calls us by name,
We pray for ourselves this night.
Jesus, you know us, you know the things that trouble us this night.
By your incarnation you know what it feels like to be human.
May we know your presence with us this night.
May we hear you call us by our name.

We offer you our prayers and our lives that your kingdom might come and your will be done. In Jesus’ name Amen

Closing responses:
Paul writes in his letter “Do not be anxious about anything.”
May God’s peace relieve us and this community tonight of anxiety.

Jesus said “come to me all who are tired and weary and I will give you rest.”
May God’s peace give us and this community rest this night.

Jesus said “I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
May God’s peace bless, by God’s presence us and this community this night. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

© Karen A Hilsden June 2008 (Student Minister resident in MCH from 2007-2008)

God says "come back"

“Come back” I call to you.
My arms are open,
Waiting to embrace you,
To hold you.
Come back to me,
I’m calling you,
Yes, you by name.
Come back to me,
I’m your creator, sustainer.

I’m waiting for you,
I’m here,
I’ve never left, I’ve always been here for you.
Come back to me, come home.

I’m not waiting to tell you off.
I’m waiting to tell you, that I love you.
I’m waiting,
whispering and shouting to you of my love.

Yes, I know you may have wandered.
You may have been tempted by the world.
You may have gone for a walk on your own,
in your own direction.
But I’ve still been with you,
I’m longing for you to come home.
Hear me call your name.

I love you, yes you,
Wherever you’ve been,
whatever you’ve been up to.
I love you, I forgive you.
Please come home.
I’m waiting- my arms are open.

I am the God, who created you,
I know your heart, mind and your ways.
I know your longings and your joys.
I know I love you,
just accept my love for you.
Hear these words,
I love you- as you are.
My love to you is unfailing, it won’t run out.

Please come to me,
Come home,
I’m waiting and will wait,
Let’s sit down together,
I’m ready when you are.

I’m ready with my love and grace.
I’ve loved you,
I love you now,
I’ll love you for eternity.
Just let me love you.

In my love we can talk,
In my love we can walk,
In my love we can begin again.
In my love we can work together.

I’m ready, waiting.
Are you coming?
Don’t wait till you think you’re sorted and ready.

Come now.
Bring your struggles,
Bring your joy,
Bring your sorrows,
Bring your laughter.

Come now as you are,
In brokenness,
In strength and weakness.

Come, talk to me,
and hear my whisper to you.
“I love you,
I forgive you,
I am with you.”