OF YOU MY HEART HAS SPOKEN

When the night has come a nd the land is dark a nd the moon is the only light we see No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me (John Lennon) Sometimes I go into the church at night when the only light is the Sanctuary Lamp that is silent witness to the living presence of Jesus and I think of the boy Samuel who lay down to sleep in the sanctuary of the Temple more than 3,000 years ago. His is a story that resonates with anyone who has heard and followed the call of God, those of us who have sought God in Jesus, seeking out the place where He lives and staying there with Him. We have seen with the eyes of the soul and in Him we have come home. Though Samuel was living in the Temple he “ had as yet no knowledge of the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3) and in this it strikes me that I am invited to lay my life down in the presence of the Lord, to rest in that safe and holy place wi...

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.   ( Numbers 6 ) Three girls! A four-year-old who asks me who God is. She has no idea about Him or heaven or even Jesus. So, I tell her as best I can and she accepts my explanation without question. The second is six years old. She knows all about God, believes in Him but has little obvious interest in things religious. She’s a free spirit and possibly has no felt need of God yet. The third is eight and she clearly knows her need of God, expresses that need. She has already arrived at that state of Beatitude – “Blessed are those who know their need of God.” The poor in spirit (Matthew 5). Among her needs there is something to do with belonging. She is deeply in love with George Michael and his music and she’s happy that he wasn’t married. If he had been married he would be off limits even for her. But u...