Thought for the day (Page 156)

Every day we post a Thought for the day written by someone within the circuit. Some are very light hearted and some are very deep theologically with all bases between covered.

We hope these will encourage, uplift and make you reflect but most of all we hope you enjoy reading these small daily snippets and take some inspiration on your daily journey

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15)

Yehudi Menuhin

When he was only 13 years old, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin was invited to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. With distinguished musicians in the audience listening to him, the youthful genius played some of the most difficult compositions by Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. The response was so enthusiastic that the management called in the police…

Taking charge of change

I recently made contact with a nearby village Church (not a Methodist one) to double check on their plans for worship; I was notionally due to lead there in a week or two’s time. Like many Churches and Chapels the good people of the congregation in question have decided not to open for the time…

January Light

Several of our neighbours in this part of Ipswich have left the Christmas lights outside their homes, not only attached to the building, but switched on during the evenings.  Under normal circumstances I would have been moaning about this practice as it is tradition to remove all Christmas decorations by twelfth night, (three day ago…

Give Thanks

You can’t go far in reading the Bible without coming across encouragement or a command to show gratitude to God – being thankful.  As early as Chronicles (16 : 34), for example, we read – ‘Oh, give thanks to the Lord for he is good…’ Do you tell God in your prayers that he is good…

To take offence-or not?

Recalling undertakers I have known, there was one who went appropriately by the name of Mr Death, but who pronounced his name rather less ominously as Mr De’ath. But more significantly, I remember one saying in my hearing: “I wish these ministers didn’t keep harping on about the resurrection at the funeral service. The mourners…

God’s time

Our fast-moving world demands immediate service—instant car-phone communication, 20 minute pizza delivery service, fast broadband and so the list goes on. Waiting is grating. As a result we don’t have time for breakdowns, recuperation or repairs. If something goes wrong, we want a quick fix so we can be on our way. If stores can’t give…

Epiphany

Reflection on Matthew 2; Verse 10 “When the Wise Men saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his Mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chest, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Have…

Star Word

During the on-line service on 3rd January, Rev Joan suggested that we obtain a star word  to use as a spiritual focus during the year.  The word I settled on was µWriteµ.  I pondered where that word would lead me – do I write letters, emails, a book? There are so many opportunities and I…

Will we hear the love song ?..

The need to try to alter the words of traditional hymns so they are less divisive sometimes works well and sometimes leads to nonsense. One of my Christmas favourites, which is certainly good for singing right through to Epiphany, is Edmunds Sears’ It came upon the midnight clear. The original refers to ‘man at war…

Thank You

I watch a TV programme on Christmas Eve where they started by playing the final part of the same programme a year ago.  Cast your mind back to the end of 2019 and you will remember a general election during Advent which returned a Conservative majority government who promised to “get Brexit done!” and the…