Reflections
Mindfulness today is recognised for its ability to preserve and restore mental health. This practice is named in the Bible as “Selah” a Hebrew word meaning to pause in His Presence and reflect.” Beauty in creation often draws us into such moments.
Through this ancient art we can experience stillness, silence, gratitude, curiosity, beauty, wonder and more. As we reflect, we become aware of ourselves, our thoughts and feelings. We reconnect with heart and soul. In the midst of life, we are invited into a rhythm to bring us back to stillness and receiving, where we can experience God whose Presence is a place to gain perspective, strength and peace even in the centre of a storm.
This space hosts some of my reflections, in particular a series I kept throughout Advent. It is my hope to add more, to share my own journey and encourage you in yours.
5th December Advent Devotion – Sovereign Foundations
Hello, In England at the seaside you can buy something called ‘rock’ a brittle sugar tube and at the centre throughout the whole stick are embedded words, usually the name of the seaside town. If I were a stick of rock the words embedded throughout my being would be “Foundations’ Its my greatest passion. I’m drawn…
4th December Advent Devotion – Why should we listen to Jesus?
Hello, We live in a world bombarded by voices telling us who we are and how we should live. Discovering our identity and purpose can be difficult, yet as Christians we come to Jesus. He shows us who we truly are as He created us to be. His truth defines us, sustains us and gives…
3rd December Advent Devotion – So the impossible is possible with God – receiving faith to walk in God’s word
Hello, One of my favourite aspects God is that He encounters us, initiates and breaks into our lives often in surprising ways. He delights in us and desires to lead us in ways and purposes he has prepared for us. This has happened so many times in my own life. In our relationship with Him…
2nd December – Advent Begins
I love the advent season as we prepare for Christmas but I find it harder to keep Jesus as my focus, to be still, reflect and enter into the journey fully with God. Preparations, people and parties which I really enjoy can rob the time and I arrive at Christmas tired and more significantly missing…
Becoming Children of God
As I settled into the flight to Nairobi, I sensed the inner conviction that Jesus wanted to speak to me about what it means to become a child of God. Reading from The Passion Translation, I began to read John chapter 1. I quickly wrote in my journal as God showed me these things. I…
The Goodness of God
God’s Times and Seasons What a difference a year makes! As we drove through Kibera towards Soweto Academy, Pastor Chris said “welcome home Karen.” His words matched my full heart as silent tears overflowed. Walking across the school yard where a year ago, rough ground and piles of bricks lay, a handsome 3 storey…
Spill over with thankfulness
5.55am. Waking, I heard the rain hitting the window, my first thought on my decision to start back swimming today after weeks off with the flu virus and Christmas celebrations. I reached for my phone and daily audio bible and saw a video of our grandson Peter 21 months, in Australia, always exciting. So precious…
Name Your Year
Name your year. I’ve been asking God what is your name for our journey through 2018? “Hope & New Wine” comes forth from a precious heart journey that began in 2013, ‘Laying the vineyard fallow.’ I begin so thankful for the faithfulness and kindness of a Father who kept me and drew me closer. As…
Welcomed by the Fire of His Love
The fire of His love. What a literally Glorious welcome to a new day back to work. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth and who forms the Spirit within a person is always revealing his presence with us through his beauty. We are loved with a passionate,…
Reflection 2017 – Fill your minds with beauty and Truth
How has your life been touched by beauty this year? “Brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do it,…