August 4th
A Poem about Matthew 25:14-30 by Lucy Wall
"Oh what a striking parable, a scene with strong intention.
A tale to make us sit up straight and really pay attention!
The picture painted clearly, the message very plain;
A lesson taught on faithfulness and not financial gain.
A master with three servants, tests them at their core;
To some he gives a little, to others he gives more.
Gifting each accordingly, knowing what is fair.
Placing them as stewards over that within their care.
The wise and faithful servants get to work without delay,
Utilising all at their disposal right away.
Yet here we see the lazy man puts nothing to good use,
Wasting what is precious and giving his excuse.
This story clearly showing that no matter the amount,
It’s how each gift has been employed for which we give account.
Oh let’s consider daily what’s been given by our Lord,
Loyal application is what Jesus will reward!
This parable inspires us to use our gifts divine.
Oh Christian, we are saved by grace but must redeem the time!
Be faithful in His service, whatever be your story.
Let’s multiply our talents for our Great Redeemer’s glory!"
© 2011 Lucy Wall
https://www.lucywallpoetry.co.uk/2022/07/the-parable-of-talents.html
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August 11th
Apparently the top most demanding Olympic sports are Water Polo, Rowing and the Decathlon. This is because of the sustained physical exertion required alongside skill and speed. In other words the most demanding sports are the ‘Endurance’ sports. According to the dictionary, ‘endurance’ means the ‘ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions’.
Skill and speed can both be improved through training over many years; a good coach also helps as does a healthy diet and looking after your body in the in-between times. But endurance is more tricky. There’s something about endurance that suggests a certain strength in your mindset that is not just stamina or physical strength.
Mental toughness is about consistency and forming good habits. Psychologists suggest one of the top ways of achieving this is by having strong, supportive relationships with others and surrounding yourself with people who encourage and uplift you.
It’s no surprise then that the Bible has been recommending this for thousands of years! It has a lot to say on the need for endurance in the Christian life - especially in the challenging times in which we live - and that is why we are encouraged to join a Church family. God knows we need supportive relationships, we need people to build us up when we feel weak; our Church family upholds us when the chips are down.
With the encouragement of good people around us, we can endure, despite fatigue, stress or other adverse conditions and we will make it across the finish line!
August 18th
I recently had a DNA test done on one of my dogs. It was just out of curiosity really because despite being purchased in good faith as a ‘German Shepherd’, he really doesn’t look like a pure breed. I thought there must be some other blood mixes back in his past somewhere.
However on the return of the results, he came back as 100% pure! To be honest, it doesn’t really matter either way because he is a great dog, he has (nearly) all of the traits you would want in your canine friend and that’s what really counts.
Now I’m not normally a big fan of labelling people (or dogs), I think we are what we are and we are all individuals, unique and loved equally by God. Our colour, age, gender, nationality, background, education etc etc should make no difference to how others see us or treat us.
But this Sunday’s Bible reading does suggest that there is one label that we should think carefully about using: if we are calling ourselves ‘Christian’ then our basic DNA needs to be in line with Christ’s characteristics or else “our religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
Calling ourselves Christian is more than a tick box on the national statistics form, we need to really BEChristian on the inside too. We may not always manage to look pure from the outside but the test results are going to be returned one day and then everyone will know the truth!
August 25th
I used to keep chickens in my garden and to be honest, I don’t find them to be the nicest of creatures! The term ‘pecking order’ originated from the bossy hens who want the best of everything (food, roost etc) and who will beat up the others in order to get it, terrorising the lower status birds into corners or drawing blood. They are also prone to attacking and even killing a sick or injured bird and certainly won’t allow a ‘newbie’ into the group.
I was reminded of their distasteful character traits when watching the recent violent mobs on the streets of our towns and cities and wondering what distorted mindsets lead to such riotous behaviour.
When we are young there is a strong pull to be like everyone else, at least everyone in our immediate social circle or peer group. We look to see what everyone else is wearing, which clubs they go to, what music they like etc etc. Being different - in any way - is a big no, no. It’s the most cited cause for being bullied.
By contrast, as we move up through school or college and first enter the job market, we realise that in order to succeed we need to stand out from the crowd; we need to be a little different, a little better than the rest, if we want to get the best! But at the same time, we don’t want to lose our popularity, so we are constantly looking around for like-minded people - people who speak our language, people who pose no threat but can help us climb the ladder so to speak. The fear of losing one’s pecking order often leads to trampling down the underdog.
Not uncommon behaviour it would seem. But the Bible warns against mistreating those who are not part of our ‘tribe’; it’s called discrimination, racism and prejudiced behaviour. Bullies who show no mercy to others will have no mercy shown to them.
Sadly the worst cases of bullying hens were eventually removed from the coup.