Families Of Snowdrops

At this time of the year I always mention the snowdrops because they are so beautiful. Some National trust gardens like the one at Chirk Castle put on a great snowdrop walk that is worth seeing. The snow drops above are set against a backdrop of an old brick wall and remind me of the Christian Church.Each individual Christian has their own gifts yet they are meant to be shared in the family of the Christian Church for the good of all. The snowdrops look like little white bells as they bow their heads and love to cluster together like little families. Christians too bow their heads in worship to God and ring out the good news about Jesus Christ. Their lives are meant to be pure like the snowdrops and they always have the greatest effect when they gather together for prayer and as they work alongside one another to spread the Christian faith. Sometimes they have to bring some beauty to a sinful broken world that is like the old brick wall. I hope we do!

I bow my knees unto The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named

Ephesians 3:14-15

J.R. AND THE CELTIC CROSS

The J.R in our title is not the notorious character of TV fame but a real person. While down in Cornwall recently we were walking the dogs down to the beach and on the way we saw the cross pictured above. It is weather beaten but we could see a faint inscription. The only word we could make out was the name LORD but on another day the sun was shining brightly on the cross and to our surprise we could make out almost all of the words. They read,

I THANK THEE LORD IN THE NAME OF JESUS FOR ALL THY MERCIES J.R. 1845.

Whoever this Cornish J.R was they took the trouble to have this memorial made to let everyone know how much they owed to God. God’s great mercy through Jesus Christ’s  death on the cross brings to us forgiveness of sins. One hymn says,

Inscribed upon the cross I see in shining letters God is Love.

FULL OF GOOD CHEER

Sunshine In Winter

On the morning I wrote this little thought it was chilly with frost on the rooftops and ice    on the windows of the cars but the sun was shining, what a difference that makes.    December is known as the darkest month of the year because the daylight is so short.

   This makes the sunshine so welcome as we can not only see clearer, against the    background of a blue sky, but the brightness can cheer us up as well. Even the ice melts after a while. Apart from the seasons in the natural world there are seasons in our life experiences too. The Christian has them just as much as the none Christian but the Christian can have sunshine even when it seems to be winter in their life. The Bible refers to Jesus Christ the Son of God as, The Sun of righteousness who rises and shines upon those who love Him. The Bible also says, We love Him because He first loved us. This refers to that love of God that was made known to sinners when Jesus died on the cross for them. When he died he experienced darkness and winter in every sense so that we might know Gods sunshine, even in winter.

Caring For The Birds

  Now the colder weather is here we have noticed that the number of birds in our garden has

  increased quite a lot. In addition to the usual birds we had a colourful woodpecker there the

  other day. The birds would not come unless we left some food for them ,mainly nuts. When

  our Lord Jesus was on earth he always noticed things in the countryside and used them to

  teach us about spiritual things. Seeing the birds one day he p0inted out that it is God who provides for them but humans are much more important than birds because we have a soul. He tells us that if we trust in Him for the salvation of our souls then we can trust Him to take care of our bodily needs also (Matthew 6:25-33). One of those listening to Him that day was Peter and this is what Peter says to us ,Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care on Him, for He always cares for you    1 Peter 5:6-7.