Guest post Olympic dreams # 2

Photo by Patrick Case on Pexels.com

Following on from my dreams of what sport I could take part in at the olympics, I decided the one I would like least is rugby. A tough, brutal sport, where you have to be supremely fit and take all the knocks and bruises that come with the sport. 

I was most impressed by the rugby 7’s team from Fiji. The entire team, led by their captain, went down on one knee and offered a sincere prayer of thanks. Wow. What an example of faith shown by the whole team. Not sure if I would be quite so willing to do the same. Ok, again, age means that getting down on one knee is not really a problem, it’s the getting up again that causes the struggle.  Am I any less sincere in praying in a sitting or standing position? No. Prayer made sincerely and from the heart will never go unheard. 

Do you have something in your life? Do you have a friend, do you know of a situation, that right now needs prayers. Than when you have read this post, take a few moments and offer that sincere word of prayer for the situation. 

Reaching Out

Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version – UK (NIVUK)

Jesus walks on the water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

28 ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’

29 ‘Come,’ he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

Speaking with God / Hearing with God

Celia Hales's avatarPRAYERS TO THE DIVINE COSMOS

Dear God,

This evening I feel very close to you. My life has seemed almost magical in the last few days, and especially today. Are you preparing me for something? Or is this wonderful experience just more evidence of Your loving care?

Guide me to know Your mind. I ask You to visit in my night dreams, as a way that I can come to know what You are asking of me. The blessing of these days surely portends something more in my life with You.

Thank You for sharing Your thoughts with me. I know that what I “hear” in the silence may be my imagination, but then too that is how You speak to us.

Amen.

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Let’s Agree to Disagree, Please?

Leigh's avatarAll You Need is Jesus

I shared a couple of thoughts in a previous post but I would like to share some more……

What does it feel like to “have the whole world” on your shoulders.

I have no idea…..

I can’t even imagine….

This whole situation of people bashing the Olympic gymnast for withdrawing is infuriating.

As a suffer of mental illness I know what it’s like to not have it all together, to feel pressure to “snap out of it.” (which by the way is the WORST thing you can say to someone with mental health issues.

I can’t say I know what is going through Biles’ head but if she feels she needs to take a rest mentally then LET HER TAKE IT!

Sure, people all over are complaining that she “let our country down” and that she’s “selfish” (are you kidding me with that??) is SO. VERY. MUCH. INFURIATING!

Maybe she…

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Poignant Farewell

Daldowie Crematorium

It was a poignant day yesterday as I attended the funeral of my father’s cousin. Sadly, he was a relatively young man when he died due to heart problems. With the lifting of restrictions quite a number of family members were able to say their final farewell to Alistair as we gathered at the Crematorium near Glasgow. The Rev Smith spoke briefly about him based on information from the family. He spoke about Alistair leaving school for the merchant navy and his travels, after his term in the navy he then joined the police where he served at a few stations before retiring. His final job was as a Taxi driver. His son and daughter also spoke well of their father, and both mentioned the fact that my mother and father took him in as a young man and looked upon him as an extra member of the family. He was also well known in the area through his work at the Masonic lodge.

Although we could not sing (due to Covid 19 guidelines) one of the hymns were Eternal Father Strong to Save

On the back of the order of service is the following by Robert Burns

An honest man here lies at rest,

The friend of man, the friend of truth,

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few hands with knowleddge so inform’d;

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

R.I.P Alistair.

God’s Equips Us ~

Deborah Ann Belka's avatarCHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

God equips His vessels,
according to His will
all He wants them to do
is to wait and be still.

He has a purpose,
for each vessels use
and until He is done
He’ll not set them loose.

God shapes His vessels,
as He sees fit
He molds each one
of them bit by bit.

He has a plan,
for forming each one
as He works into them
the image of His Son.

God equips His vessels,
with all things pleasing
as the power of Jesus
He begins releasing!

~~~~~~

Hebrews 13:21

Make you perfect in every
good work to do his will,
working in you that which is
well pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

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Guest post – Olympic Dreams

What have you been doing with your time this week? I have been glued to the television when time has allowed. Why? If you don’t know the answer to that, switch your set on now. Yes, the postponed Olympic Games has been the talking point in our house the last few days.

I have watched in admiration at the skill of the skateboarders. Cheered on the swimmers, especially our UK medal winners. Thoroughly enjoyed the rugby 7’s and now watching the gymnasts. 

Perhaps I should get out and start training and maybe I could take part in the Olympics in three years’ time! If you know me, I hope you have finally managed to stop laughing. I am the wrong side of 60 and not in the best of health so any chance of ever taking part in a sporting activity is just a dream. Ok, nothing wrong with having dreams, but, we can’t live our lives that way. 

All I can do is say, I have no regrets. I have lived a full life. Travelled. Had a good long marriage. Two beautiful daughters and four amazing grandchildren. As I age and get a little weaker and less able to manage, it is good to have those dreams where in my mind I am young and fit again, but the reality is I must face the fact I am getting older. 

It doesn’t matter what age you are. How pretty you are. How fit and healthy you are. How many competitions you win, to be loved and accepted by God. 

Don’t compare yourself to strangers — Guest Blogger — Survivors Blog Here Mental Health Collaborative

We often fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others as we scroll through various different social media. We also make judgements about how we don’t/can’t measure up against them. Unfortunately, social media is a place that triggers that unpleasant self-disdain, and this, as I’ve seen is so very unhealthy. In our modern world, […] […]

Don’t compare yourself to strangers — Guest Blogger — Survivors Blog Here Mental Health Collaborative