Spirit & Life

Radical discipleship directs our focus to deeper prayer and devotional life, richer understanding as we listen deeply to Jesus’ teaching, and faith in action as we live out God’s Word with the Spirit’s prompting.

‘Clinging’ to the past or dwelling on what ‘used to happen’ in our churches, leads to grieving for what was then that cannot be now.

One of our most beloved hymns uses these biblical words to describe God’s amazing grace.

This is the season for a Psalm. These sacred songs, or poems to be sung, have been voiced over millennia, echoing emotions that reflect living life in all its fullness.

For millennia, God’s voice echoes the call to live gently on the earth, with righteous justice and peace-filled relationships. In following God’s way, we let go of meaningless practices that do not bring about change in our attitudes or life-giving healing to all God’s creation.

On Good Friday, I was visiting around my Wards at the hospital and delivering an Easter Readings and Prayers resource I had put together. On entering a four-bed ward, I was greeted by a young, restless lady, who came forward to introduce herself as *Kay.

Trust and hope are two words we have heard a great deal in recent times, and I am sure that they will be priority words in the election seasons ahead.

Jesus’ teachings are about the here and now. The reign of God is being revealed and lived out now, wherever we are. Our faith is not about something esoteric or futuristic.

I fully understand Simon’s point of view – been out all night and completely exhausted, and Jesus asks him to put out into the deep water and give it a go! Going out into the ‘deep water’ again in our bobbing boats is a simile for our churches this year.

Chosen and known, loved and understood. Before we even enter this world, we are cherished by God. Such good news!