Musings

You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12 Recently, I read an article about the practice of wrapping babies in swaddling clothes and how it is deemed harmful in some cases for the development of limbs. My mind went immediately to this verse in Luke regarding the Lord who was 'wrapped in swaddling clothes'. I began to wonder about the significance of the swaddling clothes since it is mentioned twice in the narrative. In my research, I found that this was a practice which went back 4500 years to the paleolithic era when newborn babies would be wrapped in a cloth tied in bandage-like strips. This was to give the baby a sense of security which would then induce longer sleep patterns. I marvelled that not only would the Lord of glory be found in the form of a baby, but also be wrapped in these swaddling clothes and, in a sense, be at the mercy of human beings at this fragile stage of His life. What a picture of the humility of the O...

It's a perfect day in Fier, Albania today, perfect for a cup of tea and a good read on the balcony. I position myself on a chair and decide to take a picture. Off I trot to find my camera and when I come back, I notice I've company. I've a feeling today's going to be a special day :) xxx 

A quote by C.S. Lewis who died on this day 50 years ago. I will always be grateful for the writings of this literary giant from the Emerald Isle. Perhaps like most other atheists, he was reluctant to accept the concept of a higher power because to him that would mean subservience and a kind of intellectual suicide. However, as he recounts in his partial autobiography 'Surprised by Joy': I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The words “compelle intrare,” compel them to come in, have been so abused b...

He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,   but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.   2 Timothy 1:9-10 Sometimes the inspired letters of Paul the apostle contain sentences which just blow my mind. I read this excerpt several times this morning to try to comprehend the profundity and extent of the truth contained in these few lines.  I could fill pages by merely considering the first word He . Who is this He ? Paul does not need to convince the recipient of his letter that Christ actually lived, died and rose again, because Timothy well knows it. Timothy's mother, Eunice, was Jewish and his father Greek (Acts 16:1), but yet his grandmother, Lois and his mother have both accepted the...

Today, I was thankful to find a few free hours in the afternoon for quiet meditation and worship in the stillness of my well-insulated flat. By meditation, I mean quiet reflection of God and His glory as recorded by the Psalmist in Psalm 111. The Psalm ends with the words: to him belongs eternal praise. I couldn't agree more because I have heard the 'still, small voice' many times in my life and seen his miraculous hand in protection and healing. That alone makes me want to praise him forever. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Why does eternal praise belong to God? We will be eternally grateful to God for saving us through the death of Christ on the cross and for his redeeming love. That song of praise has already started on earth. Contrary to popular belief, we will praise God for his benevolence, mercy, loving kindness, holiness, righteousness, unfailing love, compassion... No language contains enough words to describe God and no mind can comprehend his entity, ...

My sentiment exactly! I really wonder if people stop laughing due to increasing heavy burdens of responsibility? Or is it something to do with growing old? I think I'm laughing a lot less these days... Off to watch some 'I Love Lucy'.

It's a wonderful feeling to know that the One who holds this universe together is carrying me. I really don't know where I'd have ended up if I'd never experienced God's grace and love. He is my Strength, my Joy, my Rock, the reason why I live. In the words of the Psalmist, He has brought me 'out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth...' (Psalm 40:2-3a). This is not sentimental nonsense. This is the God who has healed me and delivered me from the darkness and hopelessness of my existence. This is the God who has done miracles before my eyes, miracles of protection and healing. This is the God who will bless you beyond measure if you open your heart to Him.  ἀμήν

O God, You   are   my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness   is   better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise   You   with joyful lips. Psalm 63:1-5 These are great words to start the day with. I suppose it is only those who thirst for God who will take the time to look into His sanctuary, His Holy Place. That deep spiritual dimension of the human being can only be satisfied fully by God's presence. As Charles Spurgeon comments in his 'Treasury of David':  To dwell with God is better than life at its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honour, in wealth, in pleasure; yea, a ...