Reading, Reflection and Prayer

Ruth shares a vision that she had in the night of a Golden Eyed Duck. The duck shakes off water in the normal course of events, but if it finds itself in an oil slick it becomes mired in the oil. How do we make sure that we're swimming in open water? We talk about the gift of Spiritual eyesight and how the way that we see affects the whole of our experience of life and faith.

We discus the value of playing games together as a family. We think about the text where Jesus is accused of using the power of Beelzebub to cast out demons. He replies that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We think about spiritual warfare, and how to keep our hearts full of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Ruth and I talk about how where we set our thoughts affects the fruit of the Spirit at work in our lives. Jesus teaches us about prayer, and we think about the importance of persisting in prayer and the promise that when we ask God will give us his Holy Spirit.

We talk together about the practical nuts and bolts of discipleship. Particularly putting into practice a rhythm of life - which Ruth particularly has been thinking about. The gospel reading of Mary and Martha reminds us how important it is to keep the 'one necessary thing' as the first priority in our lives. There will be time for the other important things once we've taken care of putting Jesus in the centre.

This is Ben's last reading, reflection and prayer! We think about the past 10 months of covid devotionals and Ben's move to pastor St Andrew's at the beginning of February. The gospel is the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. We reflect on the importance of this story to our church, and also as a critical window onto the heart of the gospel.

We discuss what it looks like to discern the meaning behind visions or pictures given by the Lord. Oswald Chambers recommends a little patience in the discernment process. Our gospel reading sees the 72 being sent our on mission and returning with a good report. We think about the joy from the Holy Spirit that is given to Jesus.

Ruth celebrates finally being able to shower nearly two months after some foot surgery. The gospel passage includes the text, 'Foxes have holes and birds have nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head'. Ruth remembers when she sang a hymn based on this as a child. The refrain was 'O Come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.' It was in singing that as an eight year old that Ruth first responded in faith to Jesus.

Ben reflects on his imminent move to be the priest in charge at St Andrew's Glenmoore. In our gospel reading we see the disciples clamoring to be declared the greatest. Instead, say Jesus, they should be like a child. What are the qualities of childlike leadership that the disciples should be persuing?

Ruth shares a picture of connection within the body of Christ being vital for the flow of the Holy Spirit. We look at an exorcism which is easy for Jesus but impossible for the disciples. How do they develop faith muscles to be able to do what Jesus does?

Why is it so hard for teenagers to get up in the morning for school. And is there anything we can do about it? We read the story of the transfiguration and think about the fact that it wasn't until the sleepy disciples 'woke up' that they were able to see the glory of God revealed in the person of Jesus.