Mayb2day

When time is short and my ‘To Do’ list is long,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When the deadlines loom and my work is not finished,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When the technology is wonderful but sometimes lets me down,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When technology is reliable but I make mistakes,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When the objective is clear but the ethical issues are cloudy,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When those in authority give me instructions that challenge my integrity,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When political correctness is rife and Christian witness is hard,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When my church cares but fails to understand the broadcast industry,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.
When my work keeps me from my family and leisure,
O Lord, rest my weary soul.

Hear my prayer for peace, renewal and restoration.
Loving Lord, you said,
‘Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.’
Help me to respond to your invitation and receive your promise.
Then, may I trust you in the week ahead,
and know your life-giving Holy Spirit sustaining me
in the place you would have me be,
for your love’s sake. Amen.

Copyright: Rev. Anthony D Miles July 2006

Also found in ‘Maybe Today’ – the book published by CWR at written by Tony Miles

Can be purchased from www.tonymiles.com

Just in case you haven’t seen this:

You can find out more and vote at http://www.robinhoodtax.co.uk/

Will you jon the ‘merry (wo) men’ who will vote for the tax?

This poem was found on the body of an unknown soldier of the Confederate Army,
Killed at the battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War:

I asked for strength, that I might achieve,
He made me weak that I might learn
humbly to obey…
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do
better things …
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise …
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel
the need of God …
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I may enjoy all things …
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I had hoped for,
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered,
I am among all men, most richly blessed.

Sunday 15th November is the beginning of Prisons Week.  It’s a time of prayer for the many people affected by the reality of crime and imprisonment, as we explore what hope can be for all those affected and how people and relationships can be restored.  Here’s some material to help us reflect:

We live in a troubled world where it’s easy for some to lose hope, and that can be particularly true for those affected by the reality of crime.

The challenge of Prisons Week 2009 is to ‘hold fast to hope’ – a hope that’s not just a fanciful optimism, but one that is rooted in the Christian hope that the divine spark is in all people, that no-one is beyond redemption, and that change does and can take place.

Hebrews 10. 23-25
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”

The Prisons Week Prayer
Lord, you offer freedom to all people.  We pray for those in prison.  Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist.   Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care.  Heal those who have been wounded by the activities of others, especially the victims of crime.  Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in His strength and in His Spirit, now and every day.  Amen.

For more information: http://www.prisonsweek.org/2009/

It is our resolve to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which brought untold sorrow to humankind.

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

It is our resolve to re-affirm our faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women, and of nations large and small.

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

It is our resolve to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

And for these ends it is our resolve to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours,

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

It is our resolve to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest.

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

It is our resolve to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.

Minister: Living Lord
All:  help us

Amen

Used at Liverpool Cathedral and based on the preamble to the United Nations Charter

A reflection taken from the book I wrote with Frances called, ‘Like a Child’ based on things our children said when they were younger:

Hannah (seven years) Jonathan (five years)

In preparation for November 5th, my children learnt the ‘Sparkler Code’ at school.  They returned home full of information about fireworks.  On bonfire night, Jonathan said, ‘Dad, I’m allowed to have sparklers because I’m over five!’  That ever-important year made all the difference.  Hannah also declared that she needed gloves because ‘sparklers are very very hot!’

I learnt a lesson that day:  It was all about the importance of remembering and the usefulness of ‘codes’.  The message the school had effectively communicated was: ‘Remember the Firework Code.’  Of course, learning from the past and paying attention to guidelines is an important discipline for all ages.

Shortly after Guy Fawkes’ night is Remembrance Sunday, when many reflect upon the pain and suffering caused by past wars in the world.  There’s a longing that lessons may be learnt and that divided people may be reconciled to each other.  Sadly, the sparks of friction still lead to the use of gunpowder or worse, across the nations.  Perhaps the longed for peace in the world begins with ordinary people like me, individuals who remember the past and are prepared to work at their own relationships.

So here’s my very own ‘Peace Code’, rather than a firework one:

‘Remember to follow the teaching of peacemakers, like Jesus.
Beware of explosive situations and approach with caution.
Stand well back from unnecessary arguments.
Beware of short fuses and be patient.
Don’t put God in your pocket.
Never throw insults around.
Learn how to use ‘kid gloves’.
Never cause children to stumble.
And keep pet hates locked up out of harm’s way!’

So, why not keep the code throughout the year?

Peace be with you.

Suggested Bible Readings:

Live at peace with everyone  Romans 12:9-21
Love is     I Corinthians 13:1-13
The beatitudes    Matthew 5:1-12

A Prayer:
If only people would live in love and peace with one another;
if only people would heed Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount or the teaching of St Paul;
then the world would be a different place – a better place! 
Merciful Father, forgive.
By your Spirit, turn me into a peacemaker,
 for the kingdom’s sake.   Amen.

Copyright Anthony D. and Mrs Frances H. Miles 2003

From book ‘Like A Child’ ISBN 0 9544038 0 0

‘It may be a dull and unpromising day, but don’t forget that the sun is still shining above the clouds.’

Tony Miles

(Read even if you’re busy)

 Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
 In his opening address he said,
‘We can’t keep Christians from going to church.
 We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.
 We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour.
 Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.
 So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, 
 so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.’
 
‘This is what I want you to do,’ said the devil: ‘Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!’  ‘How shall we do this?’ his demons shouted.  ‘Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,’ he answered.  ‘Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.  Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.  Keep them from spending time with their children.  As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!  Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.  Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.  To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.  This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.  Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.  Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.  Invade their driving moments with billboards.  Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.  Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives.  Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.  Give them headaches too!  If they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.  That will fragment their families quickly!  Give them Santa Clause to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.  Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.  Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.  Have them return from their recreation exhausted.  Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation.  Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.  Keep them busy, busy, busy!  And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.  Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.  Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.  It will work!  It will work!’

It was quite a plan!  The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.  Having little time for their God or their families.  Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.  I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does “BUSY” mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan’s
Y-oke?

Anonymous – source unknown
(received by email)

Thought you would appreciate this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4PQ30VkBk 

Thanks to Willem for originally sending it to me.

The Lord is my Pace-Setter,
I shall not rush.

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides for me with images of stillness

which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency

Through calmness of mind,

And His guidance is Peace.

Even though I have a great many things

to accomplish each day

I will not fret

For His presence is here.

His timelessness,

His all-importance,

Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal

in the midst of my activity

by anointing my head

with His oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness

Shall be the fruits of my hours

For I shall walk

In the place of my Lord

And dwell in His house

For ever.

*Ascribed to Toki Miyashina (original source unknown) 

*If anyone knows the original source, date, or contact for this – please do let me know and I will correctly credit it.

Please follow this link below and enjoy the wonderful music of a friend who has found his way onto YOU TUBE – Simeon Wood:

SIMEON

For more from Simeon:

www.simeonwood.com

Joy is love exalting and peace is love at rest.
Patience, love enduring in every trial and test.
Gentleness, love yielding to all that is not sin.
Goodness, love in actions that flow from Christ within.
Faith is love’s eyes opened, the loving Christ to see.
Meekness, love not fighting but bowed at Calvary.
Temperance, love in harness and under Christ’s control.
The Christ is love in person, and love, Christ in the soul.

Missionary Dr. Kenneth Moyner,
quoted by John Stott, “A Vision for Holiness,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 94.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann 1927

Thanks to David Coleman and Gareth Squire for sending me this link:

http://www.lordsaveusthemovie.com/ 

Take 10 mins to look at the video – very thought provoking and challenging.  There’s good stuff here.

Check our Dan Merchant’s Blog too:  

http://lordsaveus.wordpress.com/ 

I asked God to do away with my vices. God said ‘NO!
They are not there for me to take them away. They are there for you to resist them’.

I asked God to complete my body. God said ‘NO!
Your spirit is complete, your body is only temporary.’

I asked God to give me patience. God said ‘NO!
Patience is a by-product of difficulties. It is not given but learned.’

I asked God to give me happiness. God said ‘NO!
I give blessings. Happiness depends on you.’

I asked God to free me from pain. God said ‘NO!
Suffering makes you go far away from this world and brings you nearer to me.’

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said ‘NO!
You have to grow by yourself! But I will prune you to make you bear fruit.’

I asked God for things that would make me like life. God said ‘NO!
I will give you life, so you can enjoy all those things.’

I asked God to help me love others, like He loves me.
God said ‘Ooohh, you finally got the idea!’

Anonymous

(Thanks to Shirley De Los Reyes for sending it to me!)