Daily Scripture‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ (Philippians 4.8)Daily Reflection Paul’s encouragement to think about all that is wonderful and lovely in the world runs directly counter to the habits of mind instilled by most of the modern media. Their stock in trade seems to be mainly what is untrue, unjust, impure, ugly and vicious. Apparently, what is good and beautiful is not what sells newspapers. The saying is that we are what we eat, and if we become accustomed to a diet of ugliness and mistrust we risk losing the ability to recognise beauty when we see it. A recently published book, Humankind, by Rutger Bregman, contradicts the widely held view that humans are inherently bad and the world a mess, and encourages us to open our eyes to the goodness and beauty that surround us.Let us, as St Paul urges us, think about these things.Revd Rosemary
Weekly news and services for the Benefice of Benenden & Sandhurst, Kent.Sunday Services: Sunday 11th October8 am Holy Communion at George's, Benenden led by Lyn Hayes & Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen10am Holy Communion at St Nicholas led by Lyn Hayes & Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
From Today's Collect ‘Gracious God, you call us to fullness of life: deliver us from unbelief and banish our anxieties with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord.’Daily Reflection:Have you ever worried about how the struggles you face in life will turn out? I think we all feel this way at some time (or even many times) in our lives. So, where can we turn for comfort and wisdom to serve as our guide? I encourage you to read the Book of Acts in the Bible - don’t worry, it’s not a big read! It is an amazing story about the beginning of our Church and the many struggles faced by the Apostles and the Disciples of Jesus. The Book of Acts can help calm our fears and strengthen our faith because we are reminded that we do not face our struggles alone - we are guided and protected by the Holy Spirit - just as Jesus promised.Lyn Hayes
Daily Scripture‘Hear my prayer, O God; hide not yourself from my petition.And I said: ‘O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest.In the evening and morning and at noonday I will pray and make my supplication, and he shall hear my voice’. (Psalm 55:1, 7 & 19)Daily Reflection Another Psalmist comes to God in prayer; pleading with God not to hide Himself from his petition. We might say today, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?” The Psalmist’s solution, in his desperation, might be seen as running away from his troubles - “O that I had wings like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest.” But having off-loaded all his troubles on God he comes around again to knowing (to remembering) that God will hear his prayer; so he prays to God “evening, morning, and at noonday”. He doesn’t give up; he doesn’t run away. God is actually bearing him on the holy wings of His Spirit. The refrain in Psalm 55 is, “Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you.” Don’t give up: on life, or on your prayer-life.Revd David
