Category: Faith & life

Best compliment?

March 26, 2023

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

For me the compliments I remember and the ones that come when I am feeling a bit flat or low in spirit. They seem to make it through and touch my heart.

A few weeks ago someone I know well and have worked with said this to me, “You have a real gift of pastoral care. Wherever I go to work where you have been, the people rave about your care and compassion”.

The person did not realise at the time, but I needed that compliment more than they knew. It was more than I knew too! When I got home I shed a few tears of thankfulness and appreciation that my work was making a difference.

As someone who has worked as a Pastor, Companion Carer and now a Chaplain, we do what we do in response to the call and gifting God has given us. But sometimes, we need encouragement from the people around us too. It builds us up and encourages us to keep serving.

So, on that day, at that time. Hearing someone say those words really touched my heart. It lifted my spirits and encouraged me to keep pressing on in my service to God by loving and serving others.

What is Jesus doing now?

March 23, 2023

As a Chaplain I get asked lots of questions. Someone recently asked the question “What is Jesus doing now?” We were talking about His return to heaven after He gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to His followers.

Two things came to mind off the top of my head. I thought I would share them today.

1. He is interceding for us – Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus is before the Father praying on our behalf. Like a lawyer pleads to the judge for his client, Jesus is pleading and praying for us before the Father. He is our heavenly representative!

2. He is preparing a place for us – John 14:1-3 says that Jesus is preparing a place for us. He tells us that there “are many rooms in His Father’s mansion” and that He is “coming back for us one”. He wants us to be where He is.

So what is Jesus doing now? He is praying for us and preparing the place we will spend eternity. That is great news…..in fact I think that is awesome news!

Faith in Jesus

March 5, 2023

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

Everything changed for me when I accepted Jesus into my life as Lord and Saviour. I was alone sitting on my bed reading a pamphlet back in 1989.

As I read I knew Jesus was real, that He died on the cross for my sin and I needed Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.

This day started a whole new journey of faith and life. It was a amazing period of change and growth.

It is ongoing growth journey that God promises will continue until Jesus comes back…

Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The Lord watches over

February 28, 2023

I am away from home at the moment for some training for my chaplaincy role. Often when I am away I do not sleep very well. Last night I got 4.15 hours according to my FitBit watch.

I have learned not to get frustrated by this and often I get up and pray and read my Bible. I actually started my devotions at 2:18am this morning.

Today I read Psalm 121:1-8. It is a great Psalm that talks about God being the maker of heaven and earth and how He cares for us.

As I read this passage again I was drawn to the phrase “The Lord watches over you”. This idea is found three times in the short passage. In the NLT it is mentioned in verses 3, 5 & 7.

I really like the idea of the Lord watching over me. It makes me feel like a truly loving father is watching over me at all times. I also like that it says He never slumbers in verse 3.

I find it comforting to know that not only is God is watching over me but He is also awake with me and I can talk to Him at any time.

Hmmm it is now 4.42am, a bit early to go for a walk…I might sit and talk with God some more.

Knowing and known

February 22, 2023

Two words have been on my heart this morning. They started when I woke up and then did my morning prayer time. The words are knowing and known.

As I reflected on this I realised my heart is all about knowing Jesus more and more. More of who He is, what He has done and what He is going to do. And this knowing is not just head knowledge but heart knowledge.

Like most of us I come to know Jesus more as I spend time with Him in prayer, as I read His words in the Bible and as I consciously try to walk with Him each day. It is about joining Jesus on the road of life.

Out of this knowing Him comes the second word known. Out of the outflow of His love and presence in my life, I want to make Him known to others. It is like an ongoing circle, the more I know Him, the more I want to make Him known.

Without even really noticing these two words have been embedded in my life. Knowing Jesus and making Him known. This is my heart right here. This is what I desire to do. At the end of my life if someone described my life, I would be happy if they said the bolded words.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray each and every day I will come to know You more and more. I pray out of this knowing that I would help others come to know You too. I ask in Your name, Amen.