My friend, Chris, shared this with me yesterday and another friend , Ivan, sent the video of a new and inspiring song . Both , to me, help understand the Wonderful Mystery of the Divine realm.

I think John Polkinghorne – a Scientist and a Christian . when asked if there needed to be any conflict between a scientific and spiritual understanding made a lovely analogy from hos eyesight

One eye sees scientifically whilst other sees spiritually

This wikipaedia article and You Tube video give a flavour of

his very helpful. challenging and eirenical explanations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Polkinghorne

For Ruth and me 50 years of loving companionship

As we celebrate , in the words of the old chorus

God’s gift of love

The chorus starts with these words

‘ Come on and celebrate God’s gift of Love . Celebrate and sing’

I certainly was’nt consciously looking for a wife when I went to work

as an auxiliary nurse at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester but God was leading me to my companion

Bible story I was reading at the time had these words ‘I being in the Way, God led me ….’ (Genesis 14 verse 27)

I was doing the job while waiting to start Theological College and so meeting and falling in love with Ruth was to me as if God was saying

You’re on the next step of your faith/spiritual journey now meet your companion

Learning from him/her on this morning’s walk

I am definitely slowing down – having reached 80 two months ago and starting walking with a stick – and benefitting from 

seeing more on my daily walks.

This lovely bush, with delicate spiders webs on top and view over our local Torrington countryside, really fascinated me with it’s

wonderful colour. delicate bud-type leaves +.

How much for us to see and enjoy in our lovely though fragile world.I love some words from St. Paul about this way of seeing and have used the Biblical reference in my email address <ph.4v4to8:gmail.com)

‘And now, my friends, all that is true,all that is noble,all that is just and pure, all that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable – fill all your thoughts with these things (Philippians 4 verse 8)

Hebrews 12:2

The phrase “who for the joy that was set before him” is found in Hebrews 12:2 KJV, which states: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This verse emphasizes Jesus’ willingness to endure suffering for the joy of fulfilling His mission and the salvation of humanity.

What an unusual way of looking at this ‘beautiful quality’ yet it so fits in with what Billy Graham entitled ‘the beautiful attitudes’ (or Beatitudes–

The Beatitudes are a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (5:3-12). Here is a list of the Beatitudes:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..

These teachings that highlight the qualities valued in the Kingdom of Heaven and serve as a guide for Christian living.

Visually I found it so good to see the ‘happiness’ shown in The Chosen when Jesus was able to help others –examples are in these You Tube clips:

Water into Wine at Wedding in Can (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPD3fY35968)

Miraculous Catch of fish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxV9BK_LQgw)

Feeding of the 5000 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZLiBG8lG3w)

A lovely walk this morning having just listened to Daily Calm (Tamara Levitt today) about Awareness through our senses

So to the verse on my heart at the moment (Be still and know that I am God-Ps.46:10) -At the end of this Psalm speaking about our home in God.

In the meditative walk

seeing the beauty in the plants/trees ++

hearing the birdsong/wind ++

smelling the freshness/grass ++

tasting the air/blackberries ++

feeling the breeze/textures of the nettles ++

And thanking God for all these evidences of His/Her Grace/Caring/Complexity/simplicity

Bloom where you are planted was on a poster I saw sometime ago

No wonder St Paul can remind us that the first revelation of God is through and in His/Her creation (Romans 1:20)

The Bible constantly talks about this very nature of God -so we might explore through some helpful websites which lead us to explore and experience what St. Paul calls

That Most Excellent Gift of Love (1 Corinthians chapter 13)

https://www.compassionuk.org/blogs/god-is-love/

In my parish ministry I think I have conducted over 300 weddings and invariably would start with a verse such as

God is Love and those who live in Love live in God and God lives in them (1 John 4:10)

Our regular wedding reunions – 4 I think whilst I was vicar of Tawstock (1984-2010) – with many couples no longer together, showed how difficult ‘loving‘ is.

So how much do we need God’s grace, strength and perseverance in our lives ?

Our Golden Wedding is on 23rd August and I ( and I’m sure Ruth too) can make a heartfelt reply

We need it constantly or in the words of a short chorus I often used in Church -for myself (and all of His /Her children)

May the streams of God’s wondrous love come flowing through me(us)

can s

Our daughter , Rachel, has come over for a 3 month visit from Japan and on a walk recently, sat me down to ask

‘Have you any pearls of wisdom , Dad, to share.

‘Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain’ was ‘off the cuff’ response

I had just passed my 80th birthday and our son , Tim, had given me such an interesting present of ‘My Life in a Book’ (https://mylifeinabook.com)

52 weekly questions culminating in a book when all completed.

So I’m starting a 52 week ‘reflections’ blog-with a thought each week based on a favourite Bible verse.

First will be next week !!