Reading & Prayer 30th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
Advent has begun. Last night as I looked at Facebook one might have imagined that Christmas is already here as there lots of beautiful Christmas trees, lights, presents under the tree pictures. It showed me that people want light in their lives, that they want something more than what they have. They want something to look forward to. For many the Christmas period will be a short reprise for the otherwise dull monotony of life. Our lives and how we live can be a light for others, not just for a short period but that others might find the light for eternity. Do continue in your prayers for each other especially those who are sick Have a great week
Reading & Prayer 28th November 2020
Message from Marisha
Advent begins tomorrow. It seems to have come around rather quickly considering that the rest of the year has felt so slow with lockdowns, no church services and restrictions. I hope it will be a time for us all to take stock of where we are in our Christian walk and whether we need re adjust our ways or thinking and of course remember and celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world.
I live on the edge of a Barranco and have amazing views of the kestrels soaring around. Do you know they never seem to flap their wings? They go up and down and around catching the wind without any effort at all. Our scripture today from Isaiah reminded me of the birds. There is a lesson to be learnt ; sometimes we do quite a lot of flapping and no soaring. A kestrel approach may be the better way; riding on the winds of God, relying on him to take us where he wishes without getting weary or tired out and let him give us and renew our strength.I know you will be anxious to hear of Margaret. I visited yesterday. I understand that on Monday she will hear the full details of the doctor's assessments and will know what course of action they will take. Continue in your prayers please. I know she is being upheld by them.
Reading & Prayer 27th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
What a last 24 hours it has been, dark clouds, fierce winds, heavy rain and then rainbow after rainbow. You could write a sermon about that. Life can be like that also, a bit heavy going at times and then joy at the end.
Today's scripture is part of the well-known Corinthians chapter 13 which is so often used at weddings but is actually about the Gifts and what we should earnestly desire. The Lord has given us so much understanding and knowledge through the Spirit but still there is so much to know and much which we will never know this side of heaven. At the moment the church is putting together a website (we have a lovely, patient designer) It is an interesting project; it seems through that the more I get to know and learn, the more I realise that I know virtually nothing and there is a whole expanse of knowledge and learning yet to do. It's the same in our walk with Jesus. How wonderful it will be when we no longer see through a mirror dimly, when all our questions are answered, and we will see God in all his Glory; until then let us be grateful that He has already opened our eyes enough and given us His Spirit to live in the here and now.
Margaret in good spirits and looking forward to being with us all again soon.
Reading & Prayer 26th November 2020
Message from Marisha
This morning when I got up there was a wonderful rainbow. When I see them and we do have plenty at this time of the year, it is as if God is giving me a nod, a yes, I am still with you and he is always with us whether there is a rainbow or not.
The psalm verses today remind us that God hears us and responds. It is tempting sometimes to just go to him with the big issues we face but actually He wants to hear from about the small stuff too. He is interested in every detail of our lives. The more we go to him the more we get to trust in his love and compassion towards us.
There are many troubles around us at the moment, but they will pass; let's have faith in his goodwill and protection for us.
Please continue in your prayers for those among us who are sick.
Reading & Prayer 25th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
I want to acknowledge the goodness of our God who has everything covered. Obviously with Margaret being in hospital our shop could have had real trouble in staffing but no. Our wonderful volunteers have pulled together to cover shifts and even people who have never previously worked in the shop have offered help. We are really very blessed to have such support. Margaret remains in hospital under investigation.Our picture today is of a statue which is famous in Jersey. I think it is called helping hands and was commissioned after a terrible maritime accident. One of the island ferries went through a passage between the shore and the lighthouse and was holed on the rocks. It was a very serious situation and was to become an all day rescue operation. My friend was on that boat and I should have been with her but I was sick at home. As I watched the drama unfold on the T.V , I could only thank God for the amazing efforts of so many individuals, churches and emergency services who went the extra mile to save life and limb.Our scripture today reminded me again how we are all called to be there for one another both in good times and in hard times. We have the compassion of Jesus within us and because of that we can be the compassionate friend, brother and sister to each other. We probably will never have to suffer as Paul and the early Christians did for the sake of the Gospel and other Christians but in many small ways we are still called in the same way they were called. Sometimes the Lord requires much more of us but he will give us the strength to do it.
Reading & Prayer 24th November 2020
Message from Marisha
Apologies for not being able to send out the usual daily reading and prayer on Monday, I was feeling a little unwell. I have been in touch regularly with Margaret and she remains in good spirits. She is awaiting results of the investigations. She sends thanks to you all for the good wishes and prayers.
Today's reading is a call for us all to behave in a very different way from what we would often meet as we go about our lives. The world would tell us 'each man for himself' , payback time, if someone treats you badly do the same back etc. Many of us would have been brought up under that philosophy, that is how the world works but as Christians it is not for us. We have been called to a higher standard of behaviour; it is not that we won't be facing the same problems ,we will but we have been given the Holy Spirit to show us the way and empower us to do it.
Do please pray for our charity shop; Margaret is a lynch pin and is missed.
Reading & Prayer 21st November 2020
Message from Marisha
Firstly, thank all of you who have prayed for Margaret. I visited her last evening and she was looking and sounding much better than just one day ago. She will still be in hospital until at least Monday so do continue to pray for her healing. It is really worth reading the whole of Psalm 84; the writer is so eloquent in his praise and love for God. We might not be such wonderful wordsmiths, but God sees what is in our hearts, our love, our thoughts, our desires and our praise for him. It is a reminder that God is always for us and wants only good for us. Sometimes bad things do happen, sometimes even brought on by ourselves but God is with us through it all and his face still shines upon us. We can't ask for more than that kind of blessing.
Reading & Prayer 20th November 2020
Message from Marisha
Can I ask you to pray for Margaret who manages our shop? She is quite unwell, in Candelaria Hospital awaiting tests and a scan. Please pray that she will have peace and will be fully restored to health. For most of us, especially as we reach a certain age there will be very few who have had the luxury of a friend or parent who has known us or been with us from birth or our youth. We do however have the Lord who knew us before we are even born and will be with for all of this life and eternity. That is a very comforting thought. He has been there in hard times and troubles and times of joy and happiness. He has brought us through. It is easy to trust and have faith when times are easy , the test is when they are not. At that point we must claim God's promises for our lives. The scriptures are there for our benefit. For many years I read Everyday with Jesus; I don't know if that is still published but there are many more which are very good. Word live by the Scripture Union and Bible in a year are very helpful.
Reading & Prayer 19th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
I wonder what today will bring for us all, as I look out of my window, as I write it certainly looks like the day has promise, certainly weather wise. Maybe though you are not feeling bright and hopeful, maybe life is hard for you. It seems that there will be few of us who won't be experiencing that at some point in our lives, so we can empathise with each other and pray for one another. It is human nature to not want hard and difficult times; we would all choose an easy carefree life if we had the choice. Our scriptures prepare us for the hard times and ask us to think again why we face trials. They are for a purpose, a part of the renewing and transforming process that the Lord wants for us. There is another scripture, I cant quite remember where, that we should count our trials as joy. That is definately not a normal world view but let's remember we may be living in the world but we are not of it. We belong to a very different order of things. Our lives belong to God and for his purposes and he is fitting us for those times.
Reading & Prayer 18th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
I am sure you all know that God inhabits the praises of his people....that alone is a wonderful thing.
More than that, praise defeats all that conspires to bring you down, have doubt or robs you of your joy. Next time you are feeling that life is tough, that you can’t cope or you are fearful for the future just spend a little time in praise. Remember all that God has done for you, for his creation that we are part of, for his healing hands, and his love that lasts unto eternity. Praise is a game changer; you cannot be down at heart or afraid when your mind and heart are fixed on him in praise .As I said at the beginning God inhabits the praise of his people so he is right there with you. I have heard that our friend Petrina is still in hospital so do please continue in your prayers for her. Many of you will know Carol Hart who runs the Swallows group. She has a quite significant illness so please do remember her and her husband Mike too as she awaits a vital operation
Reading & Prayer 17th November 2020
Message from Marisha
I have to say I love to think of us all be connected, first by having the same Father above but also by our daily enewsletter. As I write I think of you all, some will be enjoy being wrapped up in coats for cool Autumn walks, others sitting by a fire and others of us feeling the unusual heat like yesterday. We often get the measure of a person by how they speak, although we do all have our off days when we are a little sharp or curt and are then sorry. Generally though good things come from a good heart. I have one personal dislike which is when things are said in a joke. There is the saying ‘no truer word said than in a joke’ , of course if challenged the retort is ‘only joking’. Of course it isn’t. There was in the past court jesters who were able to say otherwise unspeakable truths to the Royal courts. As Christians I think it is something to be avoided. If there are things to be said, it is laid down in the scriptures how we are to go about it which is with gentleness, honestly and above all care for the person on the receiving end. but first weighing up if we have a beam in our own eye. We are a family bound together by our common love of God and each other and we should do everything in our power to keep the bond of unity by building each other up. Jesus is doing an ongoing work of transformation in each of us, it will take a lifetime but fruit will still be borne during the process.I will be sending today a aide to our prayers during the pandemic from the Diocese which you may find useful.
Reading & Prayer 16th Nov.2020
Message from Marisha
Have you ever heard the expression ' it's a great life if you don't weaken'?. It was often said by my mother. There is some truth in it but not completely. Life becomes for us how we see it. One person in a road accident might say 'praise God no one was injured, another might say Oh no. My car is completely wrecked'. Both are true but only one of those views will bring joy. When one thinks of the places in the world where it is hard to survive, even daily living difficult and yet Christians there are still praising God for his goodness, it makes you humble. It is very easy to fall into being a complaining spirit. It helps no one especially ourselves. When life is tough remember that God is still with us, loving us and working his purpose out for us. All will be well.
Reading & Prayer 14th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
I think it may be a case of batten down the hatches this weekend, high wind warnings for Tenerife. Please continue in your prayers for the places affected by winds, storms and hurricanes, especially the Philippines.
Billy Graham said this -....
There are three of you
There is the person you think you are,
There is the person others think you are
There is the person God knows you are and can be through Christ.
Interesting isnt it?
Thinking too highly of ourselves leads to pride and too lowly leads to a feeling of inadequadacy and hopelessness. Sometimes people get a opinion of us based on very few facts but what is wonderful is that none of it really matters. God know us inside out; he knows our capabilities or lack of them and he can use them all. More than that when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit we can be and do anything God wants us to be and do. I am weak but He is strong; His strength is made perfect in my weakness, I know little but He knows everything. If you feel you are being asked for more than you are capable of, dont worry or panic, God will fill in the gaps and give you as much as you need.
Reading & Prayer 13th November 2020
Message from Marisha
Today I received photos from my friend who lives in the Phillipines of the dreadful floods and the devasation they are causing there ,with houses being washed away and destroyed. I hope you will pray for all there and for the emergancy services.
Seeing those photos, after the shock of them, I thought about how we are generally safe in our homes, our own households.
Each of us belongs to our own small family household but more than that we belong to the great household of God which contains all those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. In any household each member plays a part and it is so in God's household. We each have our part to play, however small. In any building each brick is essential, each supports the other and the whole thing holds together. Whatever you do as part of God's Holy Temple it is vital for the well being of all. The other good news is that there is space for more bricks to be added.
Reading & Prayer 12th November 2020
Message from Marisha
The day looks to be bright and sunny, it seems the projected storms have veered away from us. Today we have things to do, all of us!
It came as a bit of a surprised to me as I read today's scripture ( I have read it loads of times before, amazing that they always seem new) that God has already planned the good deeds we have to do. so its not a case of do I fancy doing today what the Lord requires, no, there is a definate plan for us. Of course we always have a choice in life. We can do exactly what we want or we can seek and be open to what God wants for us. It may not be any great work, something notable to the world at large but in God's plan it will be important.
It is a simple thing to say each day, Lord direct me in my words and my actions and give me Grace in all I do.
Reading & Prayer 11th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
Last night I received an email from our Archdeaconry requesting urgent prayers for Peru. The President of Peru has been impeached and there is no Vice President to take over and there are fears of rioting and violence. Our Archdeaconry has been with linked with Peru for some years and we have usually had either the Bishop of Peru or a delegate to speak of the work of the church there. Actually Dot , one of the members of San Eugenio church went out there with a working party from our Archdeaconry. Do please pray for safety and peace there.
I normally like to put a picture with the scripture reading and prayer. Last night I thought I would find an image of Jesus as he was the main focus of the reading but each one I found didn't seem quite right. It then occurred to me that for each of us we will have a different imagine of him in our minds. How you see Jesus won’t be the same as me.
When we think of God, how do we see him? As creator, judge, father, guide, protector? It is quite hard to have an image of all that he is. It does seem so much easier to picture Jesus. He came to us as a human, born the same way we all were, played and worked as we did and had sorrow and pain as we do .Yes it is quite understandable that we are more able to identify with the person of him. In him we see God for he is God. What is so amazing is we will never come to an end of discovering all there is to know about God, his purposes and plans of which we are apart. No chance of ever being bored !
Reading & Prayer 10th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
Today I woke to a fantastic sunrise; we are now in that season of beautiful sunrises and stunning sunsets.....just one reason appreciate what the Lord has given us. I sometimes think I don’t appreciate enough. There is no good thing that he denies us, for he wants the very best for us. The Lord has said if we ask for wisdom we shall have it. I believe he gives it so we can live our lives healthily, in harmony with others, with trust in him and with out fear.
He gives generously not just for our own good but for the good of all. With any wisdom and knowledge we have, comes responsibility.
For those who have given me wise counsel over the years, thank you. The Lord has used you to keep me on track and to be blessed. He will use us all in our time to bless others.
I think the opposite of wisdom is fear. Fear lives on doubt, worry and lack of trust, wisdom comes from the knowledge and faith in Him who loves us completely and holds us in his hand. We don’t have to strive for wisdom; it is a gift freely given. Let us take hold of it and be thankful.
Reading & Prayer 9th November 2020
Message from Marisha
In normal circumstances we would all have experienced a very similar Remembrance day, one that has been familiar to us for years. This year of of course it has been very different especially for those of you who live in the U.K with no actual church services. We were fortunate that we were able to hold live services here but sadly with nothing like our usual attendances.
The one common thing for us all would have been the prayers for peace in our time whether we watched televised services or not.
There has never been a time more pressing time for prayers for peace. So many events that have made world seem an unsafe place.
The USA is a big part of our world and has a huge influence in it. I hope you will all join me in praying that this transition period until the new President is installed will be peaceful and without rancour. Of course I have a private stake in this as a large part of my family are Americans living there. Our scripture tells us today of our need for the wisdom that comes from above and from that comes mercy and peace.
Indeed we must all be peacemakers whatever our personal views on world matters. We have our church council meeting this afternoon, do pray for us ,that too we may have God's wisdom.
Reading & Prayer 7th Nov. 2020
Message from Marisha
Many of us will know some of the words of today’s reading as a lovely modern hymn. It was always a hymn, Moses instilling into the minds and hearts of the Israelites what kind of God they were following.....they had mainly forgotten.
We too need to be reminded sometimes that God and his ways are always perfect. Of course the world isn’t a perfect place with its constant arguing between people, races and nations but is wasn’t supposed to be like that. It has fallen in to disrepair but our God is restoring it piece by piece, individual by individual. He has a plan and will bring it to fruition in his time and his way.We need to, as they say ‘get with the plan’ , be part of the solution.
Tomorrow we will be praying for peace in the world and remembering those who have died in the cause of bringing peace. Let our prayers too be for a renewed vision of co operation and good will among all people.
Reading & Prayer 6th November 2020
Message from Marisha
We have awoken to a very fresh morning having had heavy showers during the night. It is amazing how quickly the land greens up with just a little water.
It looks very likely, from what I have read, that whoever is declared the winner in the American presidential elections there will be civil unrest.
It will be then that the Christians of the nation will need to take hold of the call to love thy neighbour and to live in harmony. A choice can be made to agree to disagree and still behave as children of God. It will be setting a good example to those who have no Christian belief.
You may be thinking ‘what has this got to do with us ‘ ?......even in the smallest of communities or churches differences can arise and fall outs can happen. It is up to each of us to behave according to what the Lord has laid down in scripture for us. The second commandment ....love thy neighbour as thy thy self, as in today’s scripture and many more. If that seems a difficult task remember we have been given the Holy Spirit to help us.
Each of us can make a difference in the world.
