It’s not too late

Posted on Mar 20, 2022 by M Emlyn Humphries

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 NRSV https://bible.com/bible/2016/isa.55.6-7.NRSV

We rejoice that today the sun is shining and after the meeting we can go for a walk and look forward to a light lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Tomorrow? This afternoon? In the coming hour? All could change but we have gathered to deepen our walk with God as best we can.

We have laid a foundation that knows the abundant grace of God if not ever so slightly and our hope is this will carry us through the uncertainties and fragility of the coming times.

…and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:2‭-‬4 NRSV https://bible.com/bible/2016/1co.10.2-4.NRSV

And we can hope for others that God knows them, is for them and walks with them.

We so easily want to limit God but it is God who is the source of abundance. He is not bound by the niceties of our understanding and the certainties of our convictions.

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NRSV https://bible.com/bible/2016/1co.10.13.NRSV

The way he deals with each of us and stands with each one is as an individual. For all our right thinking God is sovereign, not our judgement. We need to be true to Christ and walk gently and wisely only loving. We should be liberating one another to drink from that rock who is Christ and shines in everyone. We bring a curse on ourselves when we strike to hard; we diminish our experience of God. Just love people and allow God to work.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 NRSV https://bible.com/bible/2016/isa.55.8-9.NRSV

This is what the prophet hears God saying to him. And Jesus, knowing the hardship his message would bring and the times that were coming, warns his disciples not to be complaicant again and again.

There are terrible things happening in the world. They may befall us, we may be in the midst of them. God may seem far off, but we can draw on the depths of God and now, if it is the time of favour, we can go deeper in preparation.

Vincent van Gogh, In the Orchard, or, Gardener near a Gnarled Apple Tree. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59091

The Gospel for today,


Luke 13:1‭-‬9 NRSV https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.13.1-9.NRSV

has Jesus giving a stern warning to his followers to wake up and take stock of the times. Wherever we may feel we are God is offering us a fresh start.

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Our humiliation.

Posted on Mar 13, 2022 by M Emlyn Humphries

But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Philippians 3:20‭-‬21 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/php.3.20-21.NRSV

Is it alright to say at this time that light shines through the cracks? Humanity is evidently beautiful and capable of great love but also of inflicting great suffering. Is it an encouragement that in this crisis, the promise is, Christ will make all things subject to himself? We have to believe this to trust, He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory.

Let us not limit God, but allow his light to shine through these times of brokenness by our actions…

…the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
1 John 2:17 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/1jn.2.17.NRSV

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No surprise.

Posted on Mar 6, 2022 by M Emlyn Humphries

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”
Luke 4:5‭-‬8 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.4.5-8.NRSV

We need to reflect how all the nations are in the thrall of the devil and not be surprised at how fragile our liberty is.

We need to reflect on who we serve. Where is our trust anchored?

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:12‭-‬13 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/rom.10.12-13.NRSV

We stand and speak truth to power. God is the Lord of peace and no one who hates can claim to love God. We are privileged to carry this message and to be a light to the nations. We are to love God, to love our neighbours and to love our enemies. No get out clause.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:1‭-‬2 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/rev.22.1-2.NRSV

God’s heart is always to heal, and God is uncompromising in grace, calling all. All who call on the name of the Lord are heard; all are included.

The divine purpose is harmony, within and without: shalom- peace; sabbath- rest. All else is sin. And it begins with us, in our selves, our families, our communities. Where we have opportunity let us be kind, and where we receive kindness let us multiply kindness.

We pray for peace in Ukraine and Russia. Lord have mercy on the nations and those who lead them.

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Transfiguration Sunday

Posted on Feb 27, 2022 by M Emlyn Humphries

Sharing a meal together can be eye opening. In it we get to see one another and witness if there is the caring and sharing that marks the presence of God. It is a moment for transfiguration, even revealing who we are.

Maybe we don’t feel worthy, noticed or considered. Maybe food is a problem or eating together too intimate. Maybe we sense ourselves to be on the margin.

In Christ all are welcome and together form his body, all can break bread and hear the blessing. In all our vulnerability or pushing and shoving, let the voice of God speak and recognise his presence and sense his gentle welcome.

It is people who build walls, people who should know better, and fail to see what they have. Jesus will cut through people’s perversion of his person.

Luke 9…Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen… Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? …”
Luke 9:35‭-‬36‭, ‬41 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.9.35-41.NRSV

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Simple really

Posted on Feb 20, 2022 by M Emlyn Humphries

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27‭-‬36 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.6.27-36.NRSV

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