Daily Scripture‘Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ (Collect for the 18th Sunday after Trinity)Daily ReflectionSometimes it feels difficult to 'forsake that which lies behind', to leave the past and reach out for the future. This can only be achieved by an act of faith. Faith that, whatever the future holds, it will be better and more worthwhile than that which we leave behind. Faith can be many things, but it is always filled with hope, the hope of a bright tomorrow and a good life and eventually of everlasting joy. Sometimes this hope seems far off, but nevertheless it urges us to press on, to 'run the way of your commandments and win the crown', as if we were sprinters in one mighty, God-inspired race, where life with God forever is the ultimate prize and in which everyone can be a winner!Revd Ylva
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
