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
Daily Scripture:The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118.22-24)Daily Reflection:How well have we learnt this lesson? That we are very likely to overlook or reject the very people who would be God’s choice. It’s a core message of the Bible, as time after time powerful leaders prove deeply flawed while outsiders and rejects are given wisdom and the ability to see the truth. What would become of a young builder from Nazareth who challenged the values of the great powers of Rome and Jerusalem? What right has a schoolgirl have to criticise world leaders on their commitment to climate change? By the grace of God, there is strength in weakness. David Harmsworth
Daily ScriptureHear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)Daily ReflectionObservant male Jews to this day will wear a phylactery – words from the Torah (the scriptures) - on their arm and forehead; and many who follow the Jewish faith will have a mezuzah – words from the Torah – attached to the entrance of their house. This piece of scripture, in Deuteronomy, is where this practice comes from. The wearing of the scriptures acts as a reminder of God’s presence, and the obligation to keep His laws in daily life. The mezuzah is a reminder that every time you enter or leave the house, you have a covenant with God.They are daily reminders of God in their lives. They are reminders that God is for every day of their life - not just the Sabbath. We could learn a lot from another faith. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words in your heart. Revd David
Daily Scripture:For as by man came death:by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;For as in Adam all die:even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15 v 21-22)Daily Reflection:Imagine a world where peace, contentment, love and beauty was all there was to experience. This was the world God created at the beginning of all time for us to enjoy. Sin entered the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam ate the forbidden fruit encouraged by Satan. The penalty for sin was that man would eventually die. God loved His creation, His people, so much that He didn't allow Satan to have the last word - He became human in Jesus, stepped down from Heaven and sacrificed Himself on the cross so that death would no longer have the final word. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God, and every believer, so the Bible says, can live life to the full on earth and spend eternity with God after death. Today, choose to be alive, really alive - as the verse above promises. Vicki Young
