Nov & Dec REFLECTIONS

Nov & Dec REFLECTIONS

This is a space where we can compile our reflections from this prayer and fasting days. What struck you—a Bible verse? a song? poem? picture? a sense? an idea? Feel free to post in the comments below so others can see.

If there are things that you found helpful or resources you’d appreciate, post those too. Let’s support one another in this practice.

7 responses to “Nov & Dec REFLECTIONS”

  1. Joyce avatar
    Joyce

    At lunchtime Kevin read the first section of Phillipians 2: 1-11, a passage that’s been on my heart for a long time along with the passage in John 13:34-35 that says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”. It’s really challenging to read that we are to love one another as He loves us – unconditionally, refusing to judge or be annoyed with one another but to truly prefer one another’s needs and yet we must if we want everyone to see Jesus’s love for them.

  2. Margo Skillicorn avatar
    Margo Skillicorn

    As I have read and reflected on our December 18th verses, John Chapter 15, ‘Abiding in Jesus’ requires a commitment, admitting that we are nothing and can do nothing in our own strength and that Jesus shapes all we are and do. We can’t ‘go it alone’ ! I have a particular rose in my garden that wants to go in a different direction to where the Castle Close gardener thinks it should go. He prunes it his way and, like we might react, it doesn’t always appreciate change of direction. The hymn ‘In Heavenly love abiding’ reads…

    In heavenly love abiding,
    No change my heart shall fear
    And safe is such confiding
    For nothing changes here.
    The storm may roar without me
    My heart may low be laid
    But God is round about me
    And can I be dismayed ?

    Wherever He May guide me
    No want can turn be back
    My shepherd is beside me
    And nothing can I lack
    His wisdom ever waketh
    His sight is never dim
    He knows the way He taketh
    And I will walk with Him.

  3. Kevin Johnson avatar
    Kevin Johnson

    Liz T: ‘See, I am doing a new thing!’ Is 43:19 (v18-21 also)

  4. Kevin Johnson avatar
    Kevin Johnson

    John: Advent can be thought of as running up to Christmas, but it’s also preparation for continuing on after Christmas as well.

  5. Kevin Johnson avatar
    Kevin Johnson

    Keeva: Hymn – Turn your eyes upon Jesus (“Heavenly vision”)
    The story behind this hymn was shared – concluding: we can’t control what’s going on, but we can control where we’re looking.

    O soul, are you weary and troubled?
    No light in the darkness you see?
    There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
    And life more abundant and free.

    Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
    Look full in His wonderful face,
    And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
    In the light of His glory and grace.

    Through death into life everlasting
    He passed, and we follow Him there;
    O’er us sin no more hath dominion
    For more than conqu’rors we are!

    His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
    Believe Him and all will be well;
    Then go to a world that is dying,
    His perfect salvation to tell!

  6. Kevin Johnson avatar
    Kevin Johnson

    Helen: As you’re preparing for a birth, you are slowing down in preparation. It’s easy to lose the meaning of Christmas without slowing down (Advent).

  7. Kevin Johnson avatar
    Kevin Johnson

    “I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.” Mother Teresa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 Comments

  1. Joyce

    At lunchtime Kevin read the first section of Phillipians 2: 1-11, a passage that’s been on my heart for a long time along with the passage in John 13:34-35 that says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”. It’s really challenging to read that we are to love one another as He loves us – unconditionally, refusing to judge or be annoyed with one another but to truly prefer one another’s needs and yet we must if we want everyone to see Jesus’s love for them.

  2. Margo Skillicorn

    As I have read and reflected on our December 18th verses, John Chapter 15, ‘Abiding in Jesus’ requires a commitment, admitting that we are nothing and can do nothing in our own strength and that Jesus shapes all we are and do. We can’t ‘go it alone’ ! I have a particular rose in my garden that wants to go in a different direction to where the Castle Close gardener thinks it should go. He prunes it his way and, like we might react, it doesn’t always appreciate change of direction. The hymn ‘In Heavenly love abiding’ reads…

    In heavenly love abiding,
    No change my heart shall fear
    And safe is such confiding
    For nothing changes here.
    The storm may roar without me
    My heart may low be laid
    But God is round about me
    And can I be dismayed ?

    Wherever He May guide me
    No want can turn be back
    My shepherd is beside me
    And nothing can I lack
    His wisdom ever waketh
    His sight is never dim
    He knows the way He taketh
    And I will walk with Him.

  3. Kevin Johnson Author

    John: Advent can be thought of as running up to Christmas, but it’s also preparation for continuing on after Christmas as well.

  4. Kevin Johnson Author

    Keeva: Hymn – Turn your eyes upon Jesus (“Heavenly vision”)
    The story behind this hymn was shared – concluding: we can’t control what’s going on, but we can control where we’re looking.

    O soul, are you weary and troubled?
    No light in the darkness you see?
    There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
    And life more abundant and free.

    Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
    Look full in His wonderful face,
    And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
    In the light of His glory and grace.

    Through death into life everlasting
    He passed, and we follow Him there;
    O’er us sin no more hath dominion
    For more than conqu’rors we are!

    His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
    Believe Him and all will be well;
    Then go to a world that is dying,
    His perfect salvation to tell!

  5. Kevin Johnson Author

    Helen: As you’re preparing for a birth, you are slowing down in preparation. It’s easy to lose the meaning of Christmas without slowing down (Advent).

  6. Kevin Johnson Author

    “I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.” Mother Teresa

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *