So it’s the start of advent, what does that mean in the
21st Century?
The hectic countdown to Christmas?
Stressful days shopping?, buying presents?, focussing on loved ones? preparing for Family events?, writing
Christmas cards? writing letters to Santa? lighting the advent candle? opening the advent calendar?
Yes all of that, but I suggest more importantly its time to find time for God in advent.
To prepare our hearts for the coming of God.
It is the start of the life of Jesus, and as we all continue along our journeys of life, like Christ, I urge you all to find time for God, as we prepare to celebrate literally; the birth of our salvation, in advent time.
May Gods love and blessing remain with us all,
Phill
Showing posts with label Phill Ball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phill Ball. Show all posts
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Growth
As I sat looking out at the garden,( as I do when I can),
I have been enjoying a tub planted with many different types
of bulbs each flowering in succession.
Fulfilling their own (or Gods) internal plan for them.
Yet when we planted them they were dry, drab, dead looking
bulbs, full of promise for the spring, but not offering any glimpse of
their potential. But with faith in the promise of what they would
deliver, we planted them, with trust and hope.
It was not our hands that watered them, it was not our actions
that warmed them, and not our thoughts that made them shoot,
grow, and burst into glorious colour, that gladdens all who see them.
As we look to appoint Gods gardener for St. Martins it is perhaps similar.
We provide the environment for growth, the church building.
The soil in which to prosper and grow together, its people.
But it’s the Holy Spirit that waters us, and warms us into growth,
towards the aim God has for us all, to be fruitful and to flower,
each in our turn, to fulfil Gods loving plan for us all.
To grow is to change in response.
May God continue to bless us.
Phill.
I have been enjoying a tub planted with many different types
of bulbs each flowering in succession.
Fulfilling their own (or Gods) internal plan for them.
Yet when we planted them they were dry, drab, dead looking
bulbs, full of promise for the spring, but not offering any glimpse of
their potential. But with faith in the promise of what they would
deliver, we planted them, with trust and hope.
It was not our hands that watered them, it was not our actions
that warmed them, and not our thoughts that made them shoot,
grow, and burst into glorious colour, that gladdens all who see them.
As we look to appoint Gods gardener for St. Martins it is perhaps similar.
We provide the environment for growth, the church building.
The soil in which to prosper and grow together, its people.
But it’s the Holy Spirit that waters us, and warms us into growth,
towards the aim God has for us all, to be fruitful and to flower,
each in our turn, to fulfil Gods loving plan for us all.
To grow is to change in response.
May God continue to bless us.
Phill.
Faith, Hope and Love
As we look back at the interregnum,
as like the summer it draws to an end,
what can we learn from it?
Perhaps we can say that its our Faith in Christ,
and in each other, that has seen Christ’s body at St. Martins,(which is everyone of us! ) continue God’s work towards his Kingdom during this time.
Perhaps we can say that is that the Hope,
that the sacrifice of Jesus has made possible in this life and the next,
that has made the hopeful wait for God’s next shepherd
at St. Martins all the more eagerly awaited.
But we can certainly say that Love,
the Love of Christ for us all,
the faithful love of God,
and the Hope that the Holy Spirit has kept before us,
that has helped our Prayers, Fellowship and progress in this testing time .
As the concluding verses of 1 Corinthians 13 : 1-13, state:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love
But the greatest of these is love.
May God continue to bless us.
Phill.
as like the summer it draws to an end,
what can we learn from it?
Perhaps we can say that its our Faith in Christ,
and in each other, that has seen Christ’s body at St. Martins,(which is everyone of us! ) continue God’s work towards his Kingdom during this time.
Perhaps we can say that is that the Hope,
that the sacrifice of Jesus has made possible in this life and the next,
that has made the hopeful wait for God’s next shepherd
at St. Martins all the more eagerly awaited.
But we can certainly say that Love,
the Love of Christ for us all,
the faithful love of God,
and the Hope that the Holy Spirit has kept before us,
that has helped our Prayers, Fellowship and progress in this testing time .
As the concluding verses of 1 Corinthians 13 : 1-13, state:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love
But the greatest of these is love.
May God continue to bless us.
Phill.
New Year Reflections (Published January 2006)
Its January, named after the Roman deity, Janus, depicted with two faces, one looking backward one looking forward.
At the New Year we can look backward to the interregnum and the appointment of Simon, and forward to the future of St. Martins in 2006, which we are all going to continue to contribute to, one way or another, I’m sure.
In between is Christmas, whether it was spent with Family, Friends, or at work like myself, I trust it was a special time,
and that we didn’t lose sight of the act of Love, that Christmas celebrates. Where Gods love provided his son Jesus Christ as a saviour for us all.
Another way of looking two ways, is looking inward at ourselves at St. Martins, showing Love and fellowship to all at St Martins, as we did in 2005, and continuing to look outward at the Wider Community, and world, that surrounds us, showing that same Love to all who use our facilities at the Church, and in the community, and the new friends and contacts that that Love may bring in 2006.
May I thank you for all the Love, Prayer and Fellowship we have all seen at St Martins in 2005, and look forward to the growth in all directions that Love can bring us all in 2006.
As the old saying reminds us:
‘Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay;
Love isn’t love, till you give it away!’
May God continue to bless us all in 2006
Phill
At the New Year we can look backward to the interregnum and the appointment of Simon, and forward to the future of St. Martins in 2006, which we are all going to continue to contribute to, one way or another, I’m sure.
In between is Christmas, whether it was spent with Family, Friends, or at work like myself, I trust it was a special time,
and that we didn’t lose sight of the act of Love, that Christmas celebrates. Where Gods love provided his son Jesus Christ as a saviour for us all.
Another way of looking two ways, is looking inward at ourselves at St. Martins, showing Love and fellowship to all at St Martins, as we did in 2005, and continuing to look outward at the Wider Community, and world, that surrounds us, showing that same Love to all who use our facilities at the Church, and in the community, and the new friends and contacts that that Love may bring in 2006.
May I thank you for all the Love, Prayer and Fellowship we have all seen at St Martins in 2005, and look forward to the growth in all directions that Love can bring us all in 2006.
As the old saying reminds us:
‘Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay;
Love isn’t love, till you give it away!’
May God continue to bless us all in 2006
Phill
A Modern Psalm
Lord of mercy and Grace
Have mercy on your people of self-interest and greed.
You Lord created a world of love and peace,
For us to oppress and waste, in hate and apathy.
In a world of plenty, populated by billions,
Thousands die of hunger or in loneliness every day.
You Lord wanted our lives to be full and fruitful,
We create empty lives, which are shallow and myopic.
Whilst we hurry toward the blinding darkness of self interest,
We are already blind to the eternal light of your Truth and Grace.
Unlike the balance of nature around us,
We kill, destroy and waste,
Because we can, not out of true need.
We serve the new golden calves of greed and possessions,
and ignore you Lord and each other,
But you Lord are still merciful, and full of loving Grace.
We misuse the earth’s resources, and each other,
and fuel the fires of our own doom,
But you Lord seek to save us from ourselves,
If we only listen and act.
Lord; open all our eyes to your truth.
Guide us into the light of your salvation.
Strengthen us to speak of you to all.
Guide our minds to understand the gift of your Grace to all.
Strengthen and live in our hearts, to live your life.
Guide our paths to reach out to all those around us.
Strengthen all of us, to love God and each other, in Justice and peace.
Guide our change from the inside out Lord.
Phill Ball
Christ is Risen (First published 16th April 2006)
Friends,
Christ is risen ! , Happy Easter !,
God’s Love for us all be praised !
Perhaps we can all reflect on the cost of that love, and just how special God’s Love is to each and every one of us, this Easter time.
May we all find time to thank God for all his Love!
A few words on Gods love:
The Trinity of Love
I believe in God, who created, and creates in Love.
I believe in Jesus, who was sent in Love,
and who for us; died for Love.
Who by God's Love, defeated death, and rose anew;
that by his loving Grace, we may live in that life of Love forever.
I believe in the Spirit of God's Love,
his Holy Spirit, who walks with us,
our friend, comforter and guide.
I believe in God's love,
Then, now, and to come.
God is Love, and through Faith we know and share God's Love.
Love given, Love Redeemed, Love shared.
May you all know and share God’s love this Easter
Yours in Christ
Phill.
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