The lady of focus for October's edition for my series, "Women Of The Bible" is Sarah, wife of Abraham.
Sunday 22 October 2023
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Let's Gather Roses
My husband and I were enjoying breakfast one morning in Florida with a dear friend of ours called Howard. Despite having lived and worked in Florida as an Assistant Pastor for thirty five years, Howard still chatted away to us in his broad, Derbyshire accent. He was asking us if we were enjoying our holiday and encouraged us to make precious memories together.
Howard’s lovely wife and bride of over fifty years had gone to be with the Lord five years prior but he went on to share some advice that had been given to them both when they were a newly married couple. He said, “I’ll never forget the words of advice given to Doreen and I when we were not long married. A precious older lady and sister in Christ said to us, ‘Be sure to gather roses while you may because life is short.’ Doreen and I lived by those words and gathered as many ‘roses’ as we could in our five decades together.”
I thought this was such a beautifully moving metaphor for making the most of the valuable time each of us are given on this earth and found the sentiment to be truly inspirational. I even found myself looking at my husband as we set off in the car that afternoon and with a smile I said, “Let’s gather roses, Jano.”
Later that evening, I was thinking about that ladies’ words, passed on to us through Howard all those decades later and thought it was a glorious idea for a poem. Before long, I found myself writing down a few verses and I pray they can encourage each of us never to take life for granted. May we really appreciate the gift of time and the wonderful experiences God blesses us with in our lives.
Whether we’re newly married, have been married for years or walking through life as a singleton with our First Love, Jesus, may we see each day as a new opportunity from Heaven to make the most of things. Let’s gather roses while we can!
Howard’s lovely wife and bride of over fifty years had gone to be with the Lord five years prior but he went on to share some advice that had been given to them both when they were a newly married couple. He said, “I’ll never forget the words of advice given to Doreen and I when we were not long married. A precious older lady and sister in Christ said to us, ‘Be sure to gather roses while you may because life is short.’ Doreen and I lived by those words and gathered as many ‘roses’ as we could in our five decades together.”
I thought this was such a beautifully moving metaphor for making the most of the valuable time each of us are given on this earth and found the sentiment to be truly inspirational. I even found myself looking at my husband as we set off in the car that afternoon and with a smile I said, “Let’s gather roses, Jano.”
Later that evening, I was thinking about that ladies’ words, passed on to us through Howard all those decades later and thought it was a glorious idea for a poem. Before long, I found myself writing down a few verses and I pray they can encourage each of us never to take life for granted. May we really appreciate the gift of time and the wonderful experiences God blesses us with in our lives.
Whether we’re newly married, have been married for years or walking through life as a singleton with our First Love, Jesus, may we see each day as a new opportunity from Heaven to make the most of things. Let’s gather roses while we can!
Tuesday 10 October 2023
One Another
In October 2023, my husband and I were on holiday in Florida to visit his family. His Aunt Carol asked me if I had a poem that focused on the verses of the Bible that mention the words, “one another.” These two words appear many times together throughout Scripture and Carol was going to be speaking at a Ladies’ Conference where “One Another” was their theme.
I had a look through my poems and realised that although many of them touched on the subjects found within these verses, none of them seemed to come directly from that specific angle. As always, I love it when I find a gap in my poetry ministry and decided to pray about filling that space with a new poem!
Although there are hundreds of places in Scripture where we find the words, “one another,” I decided to focus on just a few verses. Thankfully, the Lord quickly placed a message in my heart and one key passage I honed in on, was Romans 12:4-5. Those verses read,
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
A second section of the Bible that I used as a main focal point was Ephesians 4:25. The verse reads,
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,” for we are members of one another.”
I wrote the words of my poem from the point of view that it’s a loving letter of instruction and advice from the perspective of God the Father, straight to His children. It really is such a precious and privileged thing to be a part of the family of God. I pray these words can inspire us to strive to keep unity within the Body of Christ with a fierce love and passionate loyalty towards one another. May we truly value the heavenly gift of family and look out for the interests of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
I had a look through my poems and realised that although many of them touched on the subjects found within these verses, none of them seemed to come directly from that specific angle. As always, I love it when I find a gap in my poetry ministry and decided to pray about filling that space with a new poem!
Although there are hundreds of places in Scripture where we find the words, “one another,” I decided to focus on just a few verses. Thankfully, the Lord quickly placed a message in my heart and one key passage I honed in on, was Romans 12:4-5. Those verses read,
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
A second section of the Bible that I used as a main focal point was Ephesians 4:25. The verse reads,
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,” for we are members of one another.”
I wrote the words of my poem from the point of view that it’s a loving letter of instruction and advice from the perspective of God the Father, straight to His children. It really is such a precious and privileged thing to be a part of the family of God. I pray these words can inspire us to strive to keep unity within the Body of Christ with a fierce love and passionate loyalty towards one another. May we truly value the heavenly gift of family and look out for the interests of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sunday 8 October 2023
But With God All Things Are Possible
October's "But God" verses focus on the incredibly encouraging words of Matthew 19:26. The verse reads,
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
What "impossible" trial, task or situation are you facing today? Nothing is impossible for our Sovereign Creator. Let's bring our "impossible" before the Throne of God in prayer today and invite His power in! L x
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
What "impossible" trial, task or situation are you facing today? Nothing is impossible for our Sovereign Creator. Let's bring our "impossible" before the Throne of God in prayer today and invite His power in! L x
Sunday 1 October 2023
Jesus Is Our Anchor
Welcome October! To celebrate the start of the new month, my "Jesus Is..." series focuses on the reassuring truth that Jesus is our Anchor. Praises to the God who holds us fast through the storms of life. Even in gentle waters, a vessel can slowly drift off course. Not so when we stay rooted to Jesus! Thank You, Lord for our Anchor!
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