Hope For Today

Dear Friends,  This Is Me A few weeks ago Jason took me to the cinema to see "The Greatest Showman". We don't often get to the cinema, but I was so glad we got to see this film which in my opinion is so good. The film is inspired by the story of PT Barnum and how he rose to fame, as he built his circus which featured various star attractions.  Many of the performers had known rejection and prejudice in the past because they were 'different' to those around them.  One member of the group is the bearded lady (played by Keala Settle) who learns through Barnum what it means to be loved and accepted for who she is. She sings my favourite song from the film, "This Is Me". The lyrics are powerful and so moving. In the past , she had hidden  away because of the hurtful words spoken by others which had left her feeling cut and bruised. But now that she has become part of the circus family, and learned what it means to be loved and accepted, she is a...

Dear Friends, When my daughter was four years old she was given the book, "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. I've kept that book, because even though it's a children's book, it holds a great message for us all. In brief, it's a story about some small wooden people, Wemmicks, who were made by Eli, the woodworker. The Wemmicks give out gold star stickers or grey dot stickers to each other based on their opinion of a Wemmick's appearance, abilities etc. Punchinello is given lots of grey dots and starts to believe what others are saying about him. He meets Lucia and learns that none of the stickers, neither the gold stars or the grey dots, stick to her. This is because she visits Eli every day and chooses to believe only what Eli thinks about her. She encourages Punchinello to do the same. On his first visit Eli tells him, "You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes." Do you have any sticky labels stuck on you becau...

Dear Friends, My two children couldn't be more different from each other.  Their personalities, strengths, giftings, interests, etc. are so different. Josh is outgoing, loud, academic and a born leader.  It's great watching him in his new season in life as he finishes at college and prepares to start in a new role as intern at Harbour Church, Folkestone. Jess, at fifteen, is coming into her own now, still quiet but has a great sense of humour, guaranteed to make me laugh no matter how I may be feeling, and is so creative. Both have their own growing faith in God and it's wonderful to have a part in helping them to develop as individuals.  They are both becoming the people that God has created them to be and it's a pleasure to watch this unfold. Sometimes I'm amazed at how different they are - considering their upbringing and parentage is the same.  If you're a parent of more than one child, you probably feel the same. ...

Dear Friends, If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you'll know there are times when they bring you great joy.  Such as when you know they've tried their best at school and come home with a school report which says they're a pleasure to teach, or when they show generosity by sharing what they have with others, or show responsibility in working hard in a part time summer job, or make a stand for what they know is right, even though it may be difficult. Our earthly families are to represent our spiritual family, so just as children bring their parents joy, we too, as children of God bring him joy.  It's an incredible thought isn't it?  That you and I can bring joy and pleasure to our Heavenly Father. In the very beginning, creating the world, which included created people, brought God joy.  In Genesis 1:31a we read that " Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (NLT)  The Amplified Bible puts it this...