Daily ScriptureIf anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love only with words, but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3.17,18Daily Reflection‘Actions speak louder than words’, ‘Talk the talk ... Walk the walk’Or as Eliza Doolittle retorts to the infatuated Freddy in My Fair Lady, ‘Don’t talk of love! - Show me!’Love is at the very core of our faith. Jesus said that people would recognise his disciples through seeing God’s self-giving love reflected in their lives. Not only in their words, however well phrased, but in the witness of their actions.Some of us can, and should, give financial and practical help where we are able to those whose need is known to us. Again and again we are shamed by the generosity of people who themselves have very little. But there are other ways of giving: giving of our time, our patient listening, our sincere concern; and our prayers.‘Freely you have received’ says Jesus, ‘freely give’ Revd Rosemary
Daily ScriptureNow to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3 20-21)Daily Reflection God is so amazing, and by that I mean he is able to achieve in abundance so much more than we can ever comprehend or imagine. We cannot begin to understand the enormity of God’s love in Jesus Christ - and neither should we even try to do so. Paul’s prayer here reminds us that the Spirit gives us an inner strength, that Christ is present in our hearts, and that the relationship of the love of God gives us a firm foundation. All of these elements are present in the lives of those who believe, and we would do well to be reminded of them. When we are tossed and turned by life’s events, God’s love holds us steady. Lyn Hayes, ALM
Daily Scripture“Follow your spirit; and upon this charge, cry, “God for Harry, England and St. George!” (Henry V, Act III, Scene i)Daily Reflection23rd April, St. George’s Day – the patron saint of England. Surrounded by myths and legends! In all probability George was an officer in the Roman army who gave to the poor, and openly confessed his Christianity in court. George was martyred during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, in 304.He became the patron saint of soldiers during the Crusades. Richard I called upon him for protection before the third Crusade in 1187. The red cross on a white background became the “uniform” of his crusaders and, in time, England’s national flag. He was personified as the ideal knight. Edward II made him patron of England in 1347. Shakespeare added to his reputation in Henry V’s speech before the battle of Agincourt.Perhaps rather than myths of slaying dragons, we should remember George for his work helping the poor and openly confessing his Christian faith…..and follow his example. Revd David
