Bring Joy to your day and Read all the messages sent by Marisha and others and beautiful prayers that will fill your day with the most precious gift, free to all, the word of God.
New: Rev'd John Poole will put out something on Fridays, and provide us with some ‘tasters’ for the coming Sunday
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Reading & Prayer 31st August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
A few days ago we read about how God has called us to be His chosen people, how we are precious to God and how He has transformed us and made us worthy. In today’s reading, we hear that He hasn’t just called us for no reason or just to enjoy a blessed Christian life; he has called us to bear fruit.
Whether you are living in the UK, in Tenerife or elsewhere, I am sure you have fruit growing somewhere nearby. At the moment, the blackberries are in season in England and they are a free tasty treat if take a walk down a country lane. In Tenerife, you can’t go far without seeing bananas growing. It’s wonderful to see the rich colours of different types of fruit and the variety of tastes makes the mouth water. But it also perishes quite quickly once picked and has to be eaten within days.
When Jesus likens our lives to bearing fruit, He makes it clear that we should bear lasting fruit, which is produced when we are in relationship with God. And at the core of the fruit is love. If we love one another, that will create a lasting effect. Jesus paid the ultimate price for loving – the price of laying down His life – and that has eternal impact.
If you eat a piece of fruit today, remember the fruit of Jesus’s life and think about how you can also show and share His love.
Reading & Prayer 30th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
Yesterday I went to a car boot sale to try and get rid of some of my unwanted things. It’s always amazing to me at these types of events, how something that is totally unwanted by one person regains its importance when it is bought by someone else. As the saying goes “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
In today’s passage we read how Jesus was rejected by people, but how God has made Him the Cornerstone. And we too, are called as His “chosen people, a royal priesthood”, valuable and worthy.
We may not always see ourselves as worthy of God’s love and attention, but He see us as His precious children and in His hands we become significant and valuable – a treasure to Him. If you have felt rejected or let down at times, remember God will never throw you out or reject you and He will never let you down.
Reading & Prayer 28th August 2021
Message from Marisha
Our reading from Thessalonians is quite heart-warming. They are getting things right!, they are loving another as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Often in the epistles it is a case or rebuke, pull your socks up kind of thing but this time no; just a gentle reminder to work hard and not interfere in others business. We can all observe others' lives and make judgements but it is not our place to do so. Perhaps the better way is take the splinter out of our own eye before trying to take log out of someone else's eye.
Reading & Prayer 27th August 2021
A little preview of Sunday from John
After a few Sundays of excursion into the Gospel of John (and Luke for the festival of Mary), we return this Sunday, the Thirteenth after Trinity, to the Gospel of Mark, the principal Gospel of this Year B in our liturgical cycle. This week we reflect on a common theme in the Christian life, the balance between law and love. We consider how our obedience to the word of God should never become a mechanical compliance. God is a God who loves us and wants to be near to his people. If we respond to that love it has to be a response from the heart.
Reading & Prayer 26th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
I was thinking today about compassion and how easy it is sometimes to turn the other way.
In the gospels, we read about the many miracles that Jesus performs, particularly healings. Often people came to him for help, or he was asked by friends or family members of the sick person to heal their loved one. However, in today’s passage, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, he came across a man who had been lame for 38 years. The man had no expectations; he knew that it was practically impossible for him to get help. But Jesus had compassion on him and healed him.
Jesus could have walked on; no-one was appealing to him for help. He had gone to Jerusalem to celebrate a festival and to participate in the ceremonies and observances that would take place. A stop-off for a healing wasn’t on his schedule. But Jesus didn’t operate to a schedule; he was more interested in people than plans. And here was a man that no-one else would help.
There may be someone who comes across your path today that needs your help; will you carry on with your plans or stop to help?
Reading & Prayer 25th August 2021
Message from Marisha
Today's scripture whilst quite short says a lot. Here we have Saul (not yet called Paul) confounding the leaders of the synagogue. Their confusion was that Saul had a reputation and not a good one at that. He was known for persecuting those whose had turned to Christ. Now he was doing just the opposite, no wonder that they didn't know what to make of the situation; they certainly knew though that Saul was powerful in how he spoke and was a danger to them.
Many years ago, I went to hear a man called Jack Lemon speak at a local church. One might have thought of him as a very ordinary man. Actually, he had been a criminal and spent much time in prison until a time came when he heard about Jesus and became a Christian. From then on, he had power but not of his own but the power of the Holy Spirit who gave him words to speak. It was very moving to see and hear a man who had once no time for God and whose life was at rock bottom to see him as a man full of joy and purpose.
As the Lord had changed Saul and Jack so he can change anyone however bad their past was. The Lord gives a little faith for all to believe, no one is outside of God's reach.
Reading & Prayer 24th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
Yesterday I walked to a friend’s house (still in the UK at the moment) and the route took me past lots of huge houses with beautifully manicured lawns and luxury cars on the drive. I used to think I would love to have a house like that, but now I just think how much cleaning it would take! However, it got me thinking about our homes and the passage from today’s reading. What makes a home? Not the size, or the number of rooms, or what the garden looks like, whether it’s owned or rented, not even how we decorate and furnish it. A home is a home because of how we feel about it, and especially if we feel safe there.
My little apartment in Tenerife is my home and I am looking forward to getting back to it. I have only lived there since January, but I feel comfortable and it feels like home. It’s my haven.
I don’t have a home in the UK – I am staying with friends and they have really made me feel ‘at home’, but there’s something about knowing where your home is and having that stability. Wherever we live, it can feel like home. The saying ‘home is where the heart is’ is very true. Some of you may have more than one home; you may have a home in the UK and a home in Spain, and you feel ‘at home’ in both places. God has provided all of us with homes, even the birds have a home, and He wants us to be happy in our homes. Let us thank God for our homes and make them a place where He too is welcome.
Reading & Prayer 23 August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
Today’s reading is perhaps a little strange for some of you. You probably don’t think that reading the genealogy of Jesus is particularly inspiring and a rather boring read about who is the father of who going back 42 generations. But this passage has always encouraged me because of the women who are mentioned in it. There are 4 women mentioned (apart from Mary): Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, although the latter is not named. The encouraging thing for me is that these women were not who you might associate with being ancestors of the Son of God.
Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute in order to become pregnant by Judah; Rahab was a Canaanite and a prostitute; Ruth was a foreign Moabite and Bathsheba had an adulterous relationship with David. None of these women had the ‘credentials’ to be named in Jesus’s family tree, but God still used these women to bring about the ancestry leading to the birth of Jesus.
You may think you don’t fit in, or aren’t ‘good’ enough, or have not acted in a very godly way at times, but God uses all sorts of people; He doesn’t always choose the obvious candidate. He often chooses the weak, the poor and the sinner and turns their lives around for good.
Reading & Prayer 21st August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
There seems to have been a lot of suffering in the world recently. We are hearing much about the situation in Afghanistan and I would urge you to keep the people there in your prayers as life will become very hard for them under Taliban rule, particularly women and those who speak out. We have also seen much suffering in the UK recently with news of a several people being killed in Plymouth and everyone in Tenerife was heartbroken for the two little girls who disappeared earlier in the summer.
There are so many tragedies that arise from arguments, hatred, anger and bitterness. But we are called to act differently – to clothe ourselves with compassion and kindness, to bear with each other and forgive, to love our enemies. It’s not always easy when we are hurting, but we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus knew hurt and was hated, yet he loved and had compassion, even when he was angry.
Who can you show compassion or kindness to today? Will it just be those you like or love? Or will you follow Jesus’s example and show love to those who have hurt you? I have had a couple of experiences recently; one where I failed to show compassion because I was hurt, and one where I was tempted to act in retaliation but managed to curb my feelings and act in love instead. We don’t always get it right, but we can try.
Reading & Prayer 20th August 2021
A little preview of Sunday from John
In our Gospel this Sunday (Twelfth after Trinity) we return to the sequence of readings that began with Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand and the following discourse which brings out its meaning especially in Eucharistic terms. We are reminded of the principal celebration and focal point for Christians in which Jesus is experienced as our bread of life, food for the journey towards the eternal banquet of life. But as all our readings show, faith, life lived in the Spirit of God is a free choice for each person to make. It is not a given, not something any ritual or other action can create. It is always about our discernment of the presence and love of God, and our worship, work and behaviour must be in response to that. How will we respond?
Reading & Prayer 19th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
Over the last few weeks I have spend lots of time with children; my grandchildren, my great-nephews and various other children of friends. This has been one of the great joys of visiting the UK. Due to various circumstances, my great-nephews have not seen much of me and don’t really know me, so I was absolutely thrilled that they have warmed to me and expressed great love for me over this summer. I got lots of hugs and heard “I love you Auntie Jill”
over and over. Children simply accept things as they are. Because their daddy called me Auntie Jill and expressed his love, they did the same.
When Jesus commends the children in today’s passage, it’s because they simply accept Him without question. And Jesus says that we should do the same. Simply come to Him, put our faith in Him and accept Him. In other passages in the Bible we are encouraged to put childish things away and act maturely; this isn’t a contradiction – Jesus wants us to be child-like without being childish.
Reading & Prayer 18th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
Marisha’s reading yesterday about the vine brought to mind today’s passage about bread since the two go hand in hand when we think about holy communion.
When I read this passage from John’s gospel, I am immediately drawn to the physical aspect of the ‘bread of life’ because, having worked for Christian Aid for 20 years, my passion and heart is for those who are physically hungry and there are still so many people around the world who do not have enough to eat.
However, when Jesus said ‘I am the bread of life’, he wasn’t just referring to the fact that he had physically fed the crowd, He makes it clear that He is offering spiritual food too, because He cares for us as whole people with physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Whatever is lacking in our lives, He can satisfy.
Reading & Prayer 17th August 2021
Message from Marisha
Recently I had a trip up to Vilafor, usually we have lunch in the plaza but this time we found a small restaurant with a vine covered area. Immediately I was reminded of today's reading about the vine and the branches. The vine had obviously been looked after well, pruned at the right time and trained to grow in the right direction. The grapes looked lovely even in their unripeness. The vine plant doesn't always look like that. There is the season of being cut back, resting, drawing nutriment from the soil until the right time and once again the branches springing into life and grapes then formed.
We are now part of the eternal vine; the branches growing and bearing fruit. All of us need the food from the vine, trained to grow in the right way and then bearing the good fruit. We cannot be a lone branch, going it alone, we cannot get food from any other source but from the true vine. Let us hold on firmly to God's living Word and see what good fruit He is going to produce in us.
Reading & Prayer 16th August 2021
A reflection from Jill Pargeter
We are encouraged in God’s Word to ‘give thanks at all times’. Sometimes that’s really easy; when things are going well, we thank God and it’s easy to sing his praises. But when we are going through difficulties, it’s more difficult to give thanks. We might struggle to find something to give thanks for. David certainly experienced his share of difficulties, yet he wrote many songs of thanksgiving which we now know as the Psalms. He always found something to give thanks for.
In today’s reading from the Psalms, he says that God’s anger is but for a moment, but his favour is for a lifetime. How long is a moment and how long is a lifetime? Be encouraged – God’s blessings and favour will last longer than any problems you are facing. If you are struggling to give thanks, just read a Psalm – it’s a ready-made song or prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Reading & Prayer 14th August 2021
Reflection from Jill Pargeter
In our passage today we read about 4 friends who bring another friend to
Jesus. He is paralysed on a stretcher and they have heard about Jesus healing people. So they are determined for Jesus to see him. Although the path was blocked by the crowds, they found a way to bring him to Jesus. And their determination was rewarded when Jesus healed their friend.
Do we have friends or family that need Jesus’ help? Whether their needs are physical, emotional or spiritual, through prayer, we can bring them to Jesus. It’s not always easy because life gets busy or we get distracted and prayer sometimes seems hard. But if we are determined in our goal to seek Jesus’s help, our faith will be noticed and He will hear us.
Reading & Prayer 13 August 2021
A little preview of Sunday from John
This Sunday, 15th August, we celebrate the major feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the day that traditionally marks her transition from this life to the full resurrection life of her Son and Lord. The festival has various names. In the West it is normally called the ‘Assumption of Mary,’ whereas in the East it is known as her ‘Dormition’ or Falling Asleep. Another title is ‘Mary’s Easter’ and in England in the Middle Ages it was popularly known as ‘Lady Day in Harvest.’ On this day, we are reminded of our own hope and destiny as followers of Christ, walking in the footsteps of his saints, of whom his mother Mary, in her lowliness and openness, is the greatest. Her example of hearing and obeying the word of God is set before us as a pattern for the Christian journey. As she accepted God’s invitation to be the mother of Christ, so we are called to ‘give birth’ to Christ in our own lives.
Reading & Prayer 7th August 2021
Message from Marisha
I love this story of the healing at the Beautiful gate. Can you imagine what it would be like after a life time, day after day of the same thing, your life completely changes in an instant? The man had survived a life time of being disabled, relying on the goodness of friends, scrapping a living by begging and I am sure that day he wasn't expecting anything different to happen. But it did!
The scripture doesn't say anything about the man having faith or asking to be healed, as it is in so many of the healing stories. Certainly, Peter and John had faith that the man would be healed and that was enough. I think so often we don't really look for changes, we accept our lot in life, of course there is something to be said for being content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. However, God is still in the business of miracles and change. It was for that man probably the best day of his life and that miracle made an impact on all the people in the Temple, as he ran around praising God. His testimony could not be disputed. I know that God is working in all of our lives, perhaps we don't always notice how he is changing things for us or maybe we are timid in sharing with each other what he has done. I hope we will all become like the man at the Beautiful gate as the well-known chorus says go 'walking and leaping and praising God' ...... for all that he is doing in our lives
Reading & Prayer 6th August 2021
A little preview of Sunday from John
In our readings this coming Sunday (Tenth Sunday after Trinity) we continue to reflect on the truth of God’s grace and power towards us as nourishment or feeding. In the new life in Christ, we are strengthened spiritually with ‘food for the journey.’ The Exodus story of manna in the wilderness for the wandering Israelites (which we read last week) and the food given to Elijah in our first reading today as he embarks on a journey to meet God, provide us with metaphorical images to remind us that we are fed by the risen Christ in our journey through life.
Reading & Prayer 5th August 2021
Message from Marisha
Did you know that there were 14 tremors recorded north of Guia D'Isora a few days ago? Well, I didn't feel a thing!
In today's reading it is mentioned that the mountains quaked at God's presence. I am sure it would have been a terrifying experience to have witnessed that, as it still is today around the world, where there are constant quakes along the earth's fractures.
The scripture continues with promises which we can hold on to whatever is happening in the world. He is working always on our behalf and will be until the end of our earthy life; he also wants us to 'wait' on him.
What does that mean?
Does it mean serve him?
Does it mean we stay still until he gives us instructions?
Is it a case of relying on Him, instead of running off on our own courses which are not good for us?
I think it is probably a mixture of all. We have been promised that he will be our God throughout our lives, will care for us, carry us along and save us.
We cannot ask for more than that, I think.
Reading & Prayer 4th August 2021
Message from Marisha
We have a God of Grace.
We all need his Grace to live our Christian lives because life is not always easy, actually often it seems quite difficult as we learn and embrace more and more of what it is to be a Christian. Jesus said 'my yolk is easy and my burden is light' which seems to be at odds with today's scripture which talks of suffering but really it isn't because all suffering and trials can be borne when we ask for God's grace to sustain us. So often it becomes difficult for us when we try to overcome difficulties in our own strength.....we can never be that strong; that is why we are promised Grace.
May the Grace of God be with us all
Reading & Prayer 3rd August 2021
Message from Marisha
As I read today's passage, I suspected that we have only touched upon the abundant riches that we have in the Lord and that there is so much more to know, understand and experience. In another verse it says 'we have not because we ask not' That maybe be true for many of us. We learn so much, experience something of the love of God and become content, yet there is so much more on offer.
Actually, in the case of Paul writing to the Ephesians, he tells them that he is praying for them, praying that they will receive from the Holy Spirit the power to understand and appreciate the magnitude of God Almighty. Perhaps we should pray that for each other as well as our selves. The church can only be enriched as each of us grow and mature, learning to love God and each other and being a reflection of the Christ within us.
Reading & Prayer 2nd August 2021
Message from Marisha
Here we are a couple of thousand years later from the story we read today in the scriptures yet it is still so alive and vibrant. Of course, it would be as the living Word of God. We have Paul reminding the people of Corinth about the good news that they had received from him. It struck me again at the end of the passage that Paul, the least likely person to be the teacher of the faith, a man who had persecuted the church, considered himself the least of the Apostles and yet his words and teaching have continued over the centuries (by the Grace of God) That gives hope for us all. It doesn't matter what our past has been, how bad or low we might have sunk by the Grace of God we can be redeemed and go on to live our lives as a testimony to how Jesus can change us, from the inside out.
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