Keep it fresh

Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square, Timbermill

Today was a much cooler day to walk. It occurs to me that even when we walk over familiar ground, God can bring a freshness of experience and perspective - a new truth or direction.

I pray that whether the new year brings new challenges or experiences or whether it feels the same as last year, we can have open hearts and minds to see things and experience things afresh, giving thanks to God for all that he has given us. For all good gifts are blessings from heaven.

De-fogging

Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square, Worthing Road

Today's prayer walk was probably more for my benefit. I seem to have picked up a cold and needed to de-fog the brain.

It's amazing how a little fresh air and daylight clears the head and lightens the mood.

I thank God for the very air we breathe and that he breathed life into us and all creation.

Let there be light

Timbermill, Country Park, Worthing Road

After the many days of rain, it was brilliant to see the sun bringing a much brighter morning.  I pray that the New Year brings hope and light to all.

Juliet

Genesis 1

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

³ And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Emmanuel - God with us

Timbermill, Worthing Road

Walking into Horsham today the boys and I reflected on how we tend to get caught up in the fast pace of life, especially at this time of year.  Taking the time to walk allowed us to see things we don't normally notice on our regular trips in and out of Horsham.  We really do have a creative and imaginative God, which was evident as we walked past the countryside and houses.

Whatever we face in life we can know that God is before, with and behind us.  As He commanded Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

I pray that whatever our expectations of Christmas, we will know afresh Emmanuel, God with us.

Juliet

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Timbermill, Lintot Square, Worthing Road

 

As I walked this afternoon, I was amazed to see the sparkly frost had remained on the ground.  Each leaf and blade of grass was covered in a beautiful frosting that reminded me of the Christmas cards that are appearing more and more rapidly through my letterbox.

 

I thank you God for the seasons – for the Spring and Summer times of growth and fruit and for Autumn and Winter times of harvest and rest.

Cold & Frosty

Yesterday & Today – Cedar Drive, Station Road, Lakeside Drive, Pevensey Road, Worthing Road

 

Thank you God for the beauty in the frosty/snowy mornings.  Thank you for the blessing of warm clothes, sustaining food and shelter. 

 

I pray for the HCT winter shelter in Horsham, for all the volunteers and for everyone who has to endure hard winters without knowing if they will have somewhere to eat or sleep each day.  God Bless Ark those who try to meet the needs of the homeless in Southwater. 

Unexpected Treat

Thursday. 29th Nov

Cedar Drive, Pevensey Road, Lintot Square, Station Road, Timbermill.

Unexpectedly I had a companion for part of my prayer walk on Thursday. We got chatting and ended up having a quick cup of tea together. My next stop was Lintot Sq where I stopped briefly for a meeting and another cuppa. On the way home I popped into a friend who had been unwell and enjoyed yet another cuppa.

Having thought I was going to spend much of the day on my own, I thank God for the fellowship that I shared with each person and for the gift of friends old and new.

Lord, you are a God of relationship drawing each of us to you and each other. Bless our village Lord and all who live in it. May we be a vehicle for bringing people together and growing a community sharing your love. Amen

Juliet