Hearing, Seeing, Loving!

Shirley"s Pen

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‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes’. Rev: 7: 16-17.

Walking back to Campus after attending an evening in Emanuel Chapel hosted by the Moody Bible Institute Chorale, my husband and I spoke of the excellence and perfection of the arrangements. The anointed ministry portraying precious pearls of Promise, Peace, Assurance and Love. The strains of a much loved hymn by George Matheson filled my heart: ‘O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go’   I immediately thought of the teenage orphan girls I had visited earlier in the day who could certainly ‘trace the rainbow through the rain’. Rejected pearls, cast aside but chosen, loved and rescued and all because someone cared. Read more

THE WATER OF LIFE

Shirley"s Pen

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‘Everything that touches the water of this river will live. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will be healed’ Eze: 47: 9.

The promises of God do not offer immunity from earth’s trials. Faith sees the present as sustained by God and sees the future as secure in His sovereign plan and purpose. My friend Marinela and I were reflecting on these things; it was good to renew our close friendship and share our hearts openly before the Lord and before one another. Personal relationships are important but it is an important priority to possess ‘A Heart After God’, a heart seeing the difficulties of today become strengths for tomorrow.

The Hospice Team serve in a wilderness of Terminal Illness yet continue to be a flowing stream of refreshing water. Jesus spoke of a ‘river of living water’ flowing from our heart when He is the source of this water. Emanuel Hospice care for ninety patients each month (a long waiting list) alleviating physical, psychosocial and spiritual suffering. The true heart of those who serve in this team ‘Go Beyond’ the call of duty, improving the quality of life, sharing the love of God, helping them find answers to their many questions as they face difficult situations, burdens, poverty. There are bitter circumstances of life, not easy to bear. Their resources are meagre; what are their prospects for tomorrow? As I visit families, reading the many differing ‘faces’ I see courage of the rarest kind, giving from the ashes of poverty. They are self-respecting people in dire need; yet do they mention their inequality of life? Give With Your Heart Appeal, 2017 has ensured thirty families (carefully evaluated) receive from ‘His Bounty’ offering food and dignity. For many this earthly journey is short. It is a personal choice to ‘Love’, to ‘Follow Our Heart’ and as I think about the remainder of this year and into the next my choice is to love, assured that ‘He knoweth the way I take’. During a recent visit one little boy (being asked if he would like to attend ‘Summer Camp’) turned to me and said: ‘I have been chosen’. Isa 11: 6. ‘A little child shall lead…’ Together we can be a mighty ‘Healing Stream’. Read more

THE LIGHTHOUSE

Shirley"s Pen

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12.

There’s a Lighthouse on a hillside. That overlooks life’s sea.
When I’m tossed about, it sends out a light, That I might see.
The light that shines in darkness now. Will safely lead us o’er.
If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse. My ship would be no more.

I thank God for the Lighthouse. I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is the Lighthouse. And from the rocks of sin.
He has shown a light around me. That I could clearly see.
If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse. Where would this ship be?

Everybody that lives about us, Says tear that Lighthouse down.
The big ships don’t sail this way anymore. There’s no use of it standing round.
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night. When just in time I saw the light.
The light from that Lighthouse. That stands there on the hill.

If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse? John 12: 26 ‘Put your trust in the light while you have it …’ Is this my Season of Duty? Is this my opportunity to be a ‘Beacon of Light’? A ‘Beacon’ serves as a light, a signal in a prominent position. Chains of ‘Beacons’ carry, bring ‘Good News’. If ‘I’ want to be a ‘Beacon’, let it be one of inspiration and encouragement, fixing my heart on God, asking Him to influence all my ‘Seasons of Duty’, to help me sow seeds that will grow and flourish. How do I respond to the cries of the poor, the lonely, the lost, the dying, other people’s children? I must find a sequestered spot where I can be hidden away with God, listening as to how He would instruct me to ‘Carry the Light’. Read more