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The Christmas rose is, I suppose A favourite in winter for many, Any who like white in its purity. For me this flower without other colour Is special, it sits in my memory Tinged poignantly both rather sadly, But also being so beautiful, happily The Christmas rose grows splendidly, Just like all of the hellebore family, But has something extra, a speciality. For me it is connected not only With Christmas, a time rightly celebratory Across the entire world proclaiming Christ’s nativity, This flower invokes my memory of liberty. The days so often full of fun, even crazy, When being a student busy studying. Apart from the learning and achieving, There was none of that work load of responsibility, Which would follow later, continuously. There were good friends and a supportive family, With a beloved fiancé planning a wedding with me. Yes, these years, two or three, were carefree. Travelling home for Christmas was exciting, Anticipating not only who would see, Plus the home comforts to enjoy temporarily, But the real reason for the season As I was new to faith and faith to me. I did not know much about the Trinity, Except that I was loved, oh so generously, And forgiven whenever I went astray, pardoned mercifully. The great day of the 25th December so celebratory, Came and went, far, far too quickly. Soon, too soon it would be time to leave home, To study once more, whilst learning, very gradually How it would be to live independently. Whilst making ends meet, working regularly. This time of return, felt sad really. But suddenly, out of the blue, I was struck by an idea, What if I took a memento of home and this Christmas holiday. – It would be better to call it ‘Holy day,’ Living focused on Christ Jesus not one day only, but many - What if went with me a happy memory? Just as prayer would link me to my heavenly Father, To His beloved Son Christ Jesus, born at Christmas, And the Spirit who encourages us to become holy, Exactly in the same way of a link which is happy I would benefit if I found the best opportunity To draw my thoughts homewards, In a similar way as praying takes me heavenwards. What would I choose, my bare room would need cheer It had been cold and for a month left empty. I knew the answer immediately. I had seen outside my bedroom window, A remarkable flower, tiny, white with purity and dainty. I picked a Christmas rose, or two or three To gently tie up in a posy I could carry This flower of such fragility, consistency and beauty, In the outside wintery world, bleak and shivery, Accomplished the same for me as drawing close To my Saviour and Brother, the Lord Jesus, The Saviour Christ, the meaning of Christmas. Both the flower and being with my Saviour, For He promises to be with us always, Made me feel the sadness drain away, I would live for today and feel happy. How long was it until the holiday at Easter? Certainly two or three months away, But it did not matter as long as for each day I would seek to find something beautiful in nature. The Christmas Rose did not disappoint me, not at all. Just as I hear our Father’s call to us in Christ Jesus, I sense His presence when the Spirit, ever holy Opens the eyes of my mind and heart To understand beauty more fully, pondering frequently, Thinking about the never ending wonder of nature, And the generosity of our Father, life’s Creator. He created this tiny fabulous flower with care. God created and re-created us out of nothing but love similarly. For me the Christmas Rose will ever be continuity Between home and holiday, studying alone and surrounded by warm company, Thinking the wintery world was drab and uninviting, Until I saw a plant of outstanding beauty To pick, pack and cherish tenderly. The Lord Jesus has hand picked us to be His family, He packs our life carefully in wisdom and this revealed by the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour Brother cherishes us so fully, He died to save us from sin separating us from God’s mercy. We are redeemed and restored by God’s grace and favour, And the Christmas Rose I will always fondly remember. Dearest Father, for all fond, happy memories I praise and thank You. I find the Christmas Rose invokes a very warm feeling of happiness and perhaps was the start of my interest in the beauty of gardens. Thank You again. Amen. 08.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12 v 14) Lord, frequently we conflict with the world, Its ways, its demands, its philosophy, Even indeed with some of its psychology. Life was not meant to be like this. Father, forgive us the sinfulness of stupidity, Of erring, of straying, of disobeying. We look to You for mercy and renewal. “You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people, You have covered all their sin.” (Psalm 85 v 2) You accomplished all of this through the Lord Jesus, Yet so many today fail to pray, And equally disastrously take the famous name in vain. Jesus as Saviour, took our blame to the † , Enabling us to be free of sin’s adversity. He lived and died to restore us to favour. We in our pride, or arrogance or ignorance have forsaken this. “You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.” (Psalm 85 v 3) Why, oh why do we turn our back on this mercy? Why do we pretend all is well and rosy in the garden? We harden our hearts and turn from You. We ignore Your commandments and live wilfully. We carelessly forfeit Your graced goodness. We do not ask the Lord Jesus to help us, Nor do many call on the Spirit of purity. “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger towards us to cease.” (Psalm 85 v 4) We do not deserve Your mercy, we never did. But we who believe in Jesus as Saviour, Ask You, Father God, to rid us of satan, his attacks, deceits and trickery contributing to our downfall. Call out to us through Your Spirit of love. Let us feel once more the love from above. We have no help but to look to You as a Trinity. “Will You be angry with us forever? Will you prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85 v 5, 6) I imagine Your response to be somewhat surprised, By our thinking You have done nothing, Nothing that is to rescue us, when in fact, You allowed Your Son to live and die for us. Lord God of mercy, show us this mercy once more. I implore a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, The Faith Giver, the Enabler, making us wise as to this. “Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation.” (Psalm 85 v 7) Those blessed to have knowledge and understanding of the Lord Jesus, Who have yearned for Him, turned to Him, Trusted in Him and depended upon Him as Saviour, Already know the power of holy love as redemption. Through mercy, Jesus became our salvation. I ask for the world at large to seek to find this. The answer to all of our sinfulness lies in Jesus. “I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85 v 8) Let us acknowledge our Saviour, the Lord of life. Let us turn to Him, risen and real. Let us hear the appeal of mercy to believe, Believe in the Lord Jesus and be freed from sinfulness. Believe in the salvation won for us at the † . Accept this as the starting point of our holiness, Requiring us to call on the Spirit to work now with us through Jesus. “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.” (Psalm 85 v 9) “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase.” (Psalm 85 v 10, 11, 12) All thanks for salvation’s free gift, we are a people of promise. Let us then pray in response to, through and with the Lord Jesus, that “Righteousness will go before Him and shall make His footsteps our pathway,” (Psalm 85 v 13) for all our future wellbeing and national prosperity depends upon this. Lord God, we have sunk to a new low in our country’s proposal to ignore and defy an international agreement written in law, so breaking our promise, a failure in Your eyes and the eyes of the world. There is no glory here. Forgive us, Lord God, forgive us and call us back to the way the Lord Jesus has taught us to live. Yes, let us pray about this. Amen 23.09.20 Sue O’Donnell

“He (Jesus) is able once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (Hebrews 7 v 25 NLT) Adoration, Conversation, Salvation, Consecration, Four words summarising prayer. Prayer is where we learn we belong to You, The holy Three, the Trinity, And develop an incessant, insistent urge To seek the holiness which delights You. Prayer maintains and extends a heavenly kingdom. Here on earth in our very midst, as set up by Jesus. “He is the kind of high priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin.” (Hebrews 7 v 26 NLT) Our holiness happens because prayer connects us with the Lord Jesus, By means of the Spirit of His holiness, Taking us to stand before the throne of mercy, Admiration, Contrition, Redemption, Veneration, Four more words summarising prayer. Because prayer invites the Lord Jesus To be active within and amongst us, Securing by the Holy Spirit, our happiness and holiness. All to the great glory of the Lord God Almighty. “And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” (Colossians 3 v 2 NLT) “...the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you an assurance of sharing His glory.” (Colossians 1 v 27 NLT) Please pray because “Now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for He is the One who meditates for us a better covenant with God, based on better promises.” (Hebrews 8 v 6 NLT) 22.01.21 Sue O’Donnell

“Everyone thoughtful holds Him in awe.” (Job 37 v 24 TNJB) Stunned silence is the result of Meeting with the Lord God in: Reverence Anticipation Adoration Admiration Surprise Amazement Awe Astonishment All heaven sent To add another dimension to life. For here we can speak from the heart, Without words, except formed in the silent mind, When we find we are overwhelmed By the sheer majesty of God, Or stunned by His authority, Or lost for words amidst beauty, Or simply happily content in His company. How welcome silence is in this noisy world. Because in the silence of solitary prayer We meet with You most Holy Trinity, to greet You warmly. “Silence...is the mother of prayer. It frees the prisoner, it guards the divine flame; it watches over reasoning; it protects the sense of penitence.” (“Stairway to Paradise” John Climacus) “Silence is golden.” (Well known adage) Lord, time set aside for prayer is invaluable to us, thank You. “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You,” (Psalm 84 v 4) giving thanks for the multitude of blessings. “Blessed is the (wo)man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84 v 5) Dearest Father, we travel towards You by calling on the Lord Jesus, as the Spirit of prayer alerts us to do this. Prayer enables us to feel an increase in our own awareness as to Your steadfast loving kindness. “They go from strength to strength” (v 7) as You instruct, lead, safeguard and guide us. “For a day in Your courts” any time spent in prayerful silence, “Is better than a thousand” (v 10) elsewhere, occupied with worldly matters. You grant us vision as to Your will and wisdom to know what to do to obey You. Please ever instruct us in Your ways, and lead us on the path You have laid out before us, in sending us a Saviour in the Lord Jesus and a Sanctifier in the Holy Spirit. Guide us in our daily decisions, that all we do is done to honour You, Your love the foundation of life, for this so inspires us. Watch over us. Let us grow in clearer awareness, of how our Father always works for the good of all who love Him, and show this through their friendship with the Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit, Guardian, of our souls and spirits, draw us ever closer to our Saviour Brother as You breathe Your love into us. Be with us in all the circumstance of daily life, because we pray and invite You to belong to us. Make us faithful servants able to praise our heavenly Father in all rejoicing, after we have repented of any wrongdoing. “A broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51 v 17) Be pleased with our Spirit graced efforts to live to share in the Lord Jesus’ holiness, the results of prayer always being bountiful and beneficial. “Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD forever” (Psalm 93 v 5) and grants us a Saviour Brother, in whom we can offer You our life’s work and prayer. What an honour, what a privilege this is, thank You. May prayer ever increase our desire to live to give the Trinity all the glory by deeds well done, prayer genuinely and joyously offered, as You shield us. Prayer time is such a special time! “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul which You have redeemed,” (Psalm 71 v 23) to make holy. You, Lord as a Trinity, have “Done great things for us, and we are glad.” (Psalm 126 v 3) Please continue to rescue us from our captivity to satan and the lure of the world with all its false values. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? “ (Psalm 139 v 7) and I do not want to! For “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God” (v 17) as the Holy Spirit shares these with us through developing our friendship with the Lord Jesus. This love alone warrants our reverence, our happy anticipation, as we set time aside to pray in all adoration and admiration, often about to be overpowered by further joy as our reverence deepens then emboldens. “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” (Psalm 139 v 23) It is awesome to realise You know this better than I do, for You formed all of us in love, for the sake of love. “Marvellous are Your works” of creation and re-creation by our salvation and redemption. “And that my soul knows very well”, (Psalm 139 v 14) thank You. As I pray “Try me and know my anxieties” (Psalm 139 v 23) and please help me to assuage these by drawing closer to Jesus, where His perfect love can cast out any fear. To my astonishment this happened last night when I awoke fretful and concerned. I drew near to my Saviour Brother and was quieted by being comforted. I am so grateful, thank You. Prayer definitely adds another dimension to life, that of enrichment. You open our eyes that we see wondrous things in Your law, thereby seeking reverence through obedience. As I pray, as anybody prays “See if there is any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139 v 24) in anybody, “And lead me in the way everlasting” (Cont) Please lead all the Lord Jesus’ followers home to the joys of the Trinity in heaven, an eternal blessing. For now, for the time being, let the Lord Jesus lead us, as the Holy Spirit fills us with faith’s conviction, trust, determination and sound dependence upon Your mercy, dearest Father. Let us call on the Holy Spirit as we contemplate our need, and the needs of the world in a concentration of silence, seeking wisdom and truth which are holy and entirely pleasing to You. May the Spirit ever remind us to surrender the day to the Lord Jesus very early on, that He is formed in us and us in Him, according to the power of holy love enabling us to dethrone ourselves. Jesus in us and us in Jesus, today and forever, love will flourish in all its superabundant power, its widest outreach as we are conformed to the divine love of our Saviour. This is Your favour, dearest Father, and we rejoice to discover this joy strengthens our faith, and makes it bolder as we act in Jesus’ name, ever the same name of love. Act in us Holy Spirit that all we desire, decide, do and say becomes holy, honourable and worthy, defending all aspects of life in His holiness from the cradle to the grave. Guard us through living in Jesus, Holy Spirit, Lord, that daily we live to give glory to our Father, as we live a life of prayer, this hope, peace and joy of love being the godly result. Keep us ever praying to seek after all that is holy, our work to this end also, that we spread the love of Jesus as life’s best motivation and highest dedication. Where we are imperfect, please overcome the lack. May we ever work to honour our Savour Brother, for He is the Prince of Peace, the love of heaven shaping us on earth, and drawing us ever nearer to the kingdom of love which Jesus built here amongst us, a foretaste of the eternal state of blessed happiness. When we are lost for words, maybe overwhelmed by a scene of beauty, or paying rapt attention by which we worship, or perhaps overcome by a sense of godly grace, that amazing grace that excites us from wretchedness, then Holy Spirit, Lord, pray in us, for us. What really matters is that we pray in all sincerity, wholeheartedly, whatever the cause or plea or petition or acclamation, and that we pray in Jesus’ name as Saviour Redeemer, that His love shines. May the Lord Jesus’ love empower us, His wisdom guard us, His truth guide us, His mercy affect us, His will inspire us, His hope be real to us, His peace motivate us, His joy pervade our every day. I ask this for we are in prayer, to be changed from glory to glory, all as a result of living in Jesus, by means of the Spirit, so as to delight and honour You, Father God, majestic Father. Jesus is Your gifted Word of Life and I thank and praise You, hoping to do so daily prayerfully, and by Christian service offering love and mercy, because whatever I do is done for You. Thank You for prayerful silence, time so very well spent by focussing totally on the Trinity, seeking to delight You, and finding graced help for our needy world, invaluable help given in so other way but by praying. For Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Word, Jesus is Life in all blessed fullness of Your saving plan of salvation, dearest Father. Jesus is our Redeemer, His and Your sanctifying Spirit restoring us by grace to favour. Thank You for prayer, whereby we can reach out and touch the divine presence residing in our heart and mind. This Your blessing of provision and protection. We find Jesus with us by the Holy Spirit, and we find You are with us to powerfully, profoundly bless us as long as we pray, as often as we pray. Thank You that time spent praying is never time wasted. For by prayer, the Spirit brings Jesus to us to transform, reform or newly focus the possibilities which arise out of faith, those matters You seek to bless. Prayer is richly, fully, profoundly beneficial! Everybody needs to try this for themselves to taste and see of Your goodness. Your steadfast loving kindness towards us. “(S)he who has a deceitful heart finds no good, and (s) who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.” (Proverbs 17 v 26) Lord, teach us to pray! A broken spirit will destroy us. But we have a Saviour who always responds to prayer, because of the enormity of His loving concern for us. The living hope who is the Lord Jesus, is love personified. This love is there to share, to repair our brokenness, to heal, restore and bless us by countless favour. Prayer connects us to this holy power of love in all its magnitude, an amazing force for good, even to the working of miracles. Prayer relates us to the love the Trinity dedicates to us. “The hand of our God is over all who seek Him for their protection...” (Ezra 8 v 22 TNJB) “The Lord will grant you His grace and peace.” (Tobit 7 v 11 TNJB) “Extol His name, invoke it”! (Judith 16 v 1 TNJB) Prayer is our map, signpost, compass, anchor and life line, thank You! Jesus is our Brother, Saviour, Redeemer, Your Word, our Master, thank You! The Holy Spirit is our Safekeeper, Guardian, Helmsman, Purifier, Sanctifier, thank You! Father God we pray to praise You, to express our faith in words which esteem You. We are so grateful to know You as Deliverer and Protector, the God of pure love and eternal mercy, the hope Gifter, peace Giver, joy’s enhancement, all experienced as we pray. “You word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my eye,” (Psalm 119 v 105) Your Spirit our reminder and Your Son the One who emphasises this truth. “ ‘You will remain in My love if you obey what I have commanded you...’” (John 115 v 10 The Truth) “ ‘I have told you this because I want you to have within you the same joy that is in Me. I want you to be absolutely full of My joy” (John 15 v 11 The Truth) based on the reverence of obedience, shaped by prayer’s effectiveness. How does prayer work? “God searches our hearts and He certainly knows what He causes His Spirit to pray for us as His saints, the people He has set apart for Himself. His Spirit will always pray in and through us according to God’s will,” (Romans 8 v 27 The Truth) and our loving respect for the Trinity. “We can be sure then, that in everything God is working for the welfare of those who love Him, those He has called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8 v 28 The Truth) made clear in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus to be our forever Saviour, the living hope, to whom, through whom, together with whom we must pray! Let us then rejoice to make a time of silence in which to pray, especially to offer here our praise and thanksgiving for the new life we are richly blessed to be living in the Lord Jesus, when animated by the Holy Spirit. Amen. 15.11.20 Sue O’Donnell

“He, the God of Israel, gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God.” (Psalm 68 v 35 TNJB) But, the snares of sin impede us. They prevent holiness. This problem is serious And concerns all of us. In mankind is something rotten, Unworthy, impure, hateful to God. We were not made for this. A force of arrogance and defiance Is the wrong strength and power. Life is not meant to be like it is. We need a Healer Reformer. Our sins require a Redeemer. Sins’ snare ruins our readiness for that holiness By which we will enter the kingdom promised us. “The path of the Upright One is honesty; You smooth the honest way of the upright. Following the path of Your judgments, Yahweh, we set our hopes in You, Your name, Your memory are all our soul desires. At night my soul longs for You and my spirit within me seeks You out; for when Your judgments appear on earth the inhabitants of the world learn what saving justice is.” (Isaiah 26 v 7, 8, 9 TNJB) Our eternal welfare is assured in Jesus. He comes to save and sanctify us. Jesus comes to make us worthy Of the honoured title of God’s family. The gospel message of redemption, The good news of Christ Jesus, Is as relevant today as it ever was. We have a Brother who is Saviour, Born to us at Christmas. We make ready to celebrate A specific date in history, The mystery of God’s love gifted us In the Person of His Son We name ‘Christ Jesus.’ “ ‘...Mary...that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit’.” (Matthew 1 v 20) “ ‘And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins’.” (Matthew 1 v 21) “Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet (s)he will not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness (s)he will deal unjustly.” (Isaiah 26 v 10) O Lord, sadly this is so. I am sorry. What is the matter with us? Why all this unholiness? We are in the season of Advent, a holy season where repentance is a hallmark. May we hear the Spirit’s call to repent. We need the Spirit’s strength to help us own up to what is wrong. We find this so uncomfortable, disappointing and distressing. We need the Spirit’s strength to put things right, to do better in seeking holiness. May the Spirit of wisdom and truth enable us to shine the spotlight on our spirituality. Is this fully Christian? Do we try sufficiently to live by the gospel message of love, knowing this promotes hope, peace and joy. Dearest Father, in our weakness, send us Your Spirit to convict us of our mistaken ways, helping us to repent fully, remorsefully, believing in Your mercy. “As tenderly as a father treats his children, so the Lord God treats those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103 v 17 TNJB) Our fear is our reverence. Our reverence must prepare us now, please purify us, make us ready to receive our Saviour Brother. You are the Lord of freedom and grace. Please redeem us out of Your love and mercy as shown to us by the Lord Jesus. He will soon be coming into all hearts and minds which have made spiritually ready to receive Him. Jesus comes to us as Healer and Redeemer, that we can live anew through Your mercifully loving kindness and forgiveness. Oh how we need this, urgently need this help, this healing, this setting free from sin. “Let our conscience be clear, our conduct without fault, our speech blameless, our life well ordered. Put us on guard against human weaknesses; let us cherish Your love for us, keep Your law and come at last to Your salvation.” (The Universal Prayer changed from a singular invocation) Lord, I am sorry for the times I fail to come to You, I forget to pray or do not make sufficient time for this. It is my fault that I forfeit the benefits. I am sorry when I do not focus on You properly, as when I am busy about worldly affairs. I neglect to consult You about all manner of things. I am sorry when I lose hope, despairing at the state of the world, or at certain ways of life resulting in catastrophe. I am sorry for any ways in which I have contributed to any downfall, whereby we forfeit Your grace and favour. I am sorry when I do not talk to You with sufficient time to spend, or without real concentration or application of thought to the teachings of sacred Scripture, carelessly thinking I will manage somehow. I am sorry when I hand over the reigns of control at the start of the day, only to snatch them back again later. Does this show a lack of trust? Or is it just hurried carelessness? I am sorry when I allow feelings to cloud focus, when wishes displace an uncomfortable, unwarranted reality, but instead of praying, I try to do things my way. I am sorry for being judgmental, critical and for any lack of love however this manifests itself. If I am fault finding, I should be looking at myself. I am sorry for allowing any darkness of thought, word, action or re-action obliterate the light of Your love shining over and amongst us, for I have not asked for wisdom. I am sorry for all the times I have headed off in the wrong direction, especially if this has involved anybody else going astray. I am truly sorry for failure to obey. I am sorry for the many, many times my preparation for Christmas was merely, or mostly, secular, overlooking the purpose, meaning and joy of the incarnation. I am sorry that I procrastinate when it comes to preparing for and attending the time of Reconciliation, when You promise us the mercy and forgiveness the Lord Jesus won for us. I do not want to be bothered to do this, or I know it will be painful. I am sorry for the countless blessings I and my family receive on a daily basis, yet I forget to think of You and offer praise for such kindness, the goodness of the Trinity. I am sorry for being so wrapped up by my difficulties, distress, daily challenges, that I fail to give sufficient attention to the needs of others, which sometimes are dire. I am sorry if the Holy Spirit prompts me and I fail to notice this, or go about responding in the wrong way, my way because I think I can act independently. This is foolish, I am so sorry. I am sorry for curtailing prayer because I tire, or think I have something else more important to do. In this I may be forfeiting the blessings You wish to give others through me. Yes, I am sorry. I am sorry if love is not the foundation of all that I am, desire to be, try to be; for the times I lose hope and sense despair; for being afraid of dying, for feeling insecure even knowing You are with me. I am sorry when I do not fulfil the target I made, so as to pray sufficiently and track progress or otherwise. Especially at the end of the day I fail to take stock. I am sorry when I do not speak up openly in defence of our Christian faith; do not share the conviction of the new life offered us in Christ Jesus; do not act as a believer full of love; fail to live up to the highest standards set for us. I am sorry if I spend too much time in prayer consulting You about my own needs, wants, wishes, worries, to the exclusion of similar for others. I am sorry for all self-centredness. I am sorry that I do not always act as if I am a good work in progress, open to the Holy Spirit, alert to the requests of the Lord Jesus, as summed up in the demand to love others as we love ourselves. I am sorry if I have lived carelessly in my way, in thought, ambition, speech, action and response, especially to disappointment or in the face of distress. I am sorry for the pattern of my faults which result in all manner of failings, which mar life, especially if this spoils it for someone else. I am sorry when I fail to turn to Jesus, my Redeemer, more readily, promptly, especially when I realise my own hidden agenda had been motivating me. Father God, sin is so serious it sent the Lord Jesus to die on the †, that we in being forgiven could strive again to become holy. Please accept our efforts. I am sorry for anything which displeases, dishonours or dismays You. I am sorry that much of what we say and do disgusts You. Thank You that You are able to overlook all of this for the salvation won for us at Jesus’ † is Your plan for our eternal joy. How loving, how gracious, how kind You are to us. May the mercies of Your love make a real difference to us as we prepare to receive our Saviour. Christmas is a season of glorious blessing, thank You. Amen. 07.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

“Be careful and diligent in all your business, for God who has given it to you would want it done well. But avoid anxiety, do not hurry.” (St Francis de Sales) It is undoubtedly best If we are to pass life’s test, To always start with prayer! Prayer in the morning, To set the tone of the day. Pray as we go on our way, Task by obligatory task, Or to fulfil anything, Let alone everything, The Lord God will ask of us. He manages the world brilliantly, Looking to us, His family, To work together co-operatively. We do this satisfactorily When we pray To hand over the control to divine authority. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5 v 16 NLT) Why is a believer’s prayer so effective? Because it calls on the Spirit of holiness, He who comes to us through the Lord Jesus. Jesus lived and died to reveal the mercy of God’s love for us. As a part of this, He promised to send His Spirit, The Father’s Spirit of wisdom and truth. The Paraclete standing beside us, helps us. He will fill the thoughts of our mind And we find Him resident in our heart. Then we start to say, asking ourselves ‘Is this action, or reaction loving or not? Has it God’s stamp of love upon it?’ We realise we need to pray to gain answers. We pray to, through and together with the Lord Jesus. He is the wisdom and power of God, evident, prevalent, Always helping us to pray to find God’s way. “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.”(Proverbs 3 v 1 NLT) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3 v 5 NLT) Let us pray and give thanks for the help we are given to live according to God’s will for us, as revealed by Christ Jesus, and informed to us by the Holy Spirit. “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3 v 6 NLT) Let us pray to give thanks for all the holy help and encouragement we are blessed by, to treat all peoples and situations with love and respect. Let us pray in anticipation of all the love, compassion and patience we will need to handle challenging or questionable situations well. Let us pray with repentance, in remorse, for the times we get things wrong or when we know something is wrong and do not speak out. Let us pray expectantly turning to our Lord and Saviour as Master. Let us pray trusting the Holy Spirit will come to us to direct, guide and protect us. Let us pray never to ignore godly advice, but to be very clear when this is being offered. Let us pray to discern answers to life’s difficulties by studying and applying the sacred Scriptures. Let us pray to be delivered from all that is evil, disruptive to anybody’s welfare, ungodly, immoral and abhorrent to the Lord. Let us pray for us all to reach heaven that place of perfect possession of the Trinity, eternally. Let us pray to live a life of truth, of goodness, of full holiness, so the Lord Jesus evidently lives in us and us in Him as animated by the Holy Spirit. Let us pray that nothing or no one will separate us from the loving mercy of our Father, as made known to us by Christ Jesus in the Spirit. Let us pray and proclaim regularly His victory at the † releasing us from fear and doubt, His Spirit leading us to the fuller life beyond the grave. Let us pray for safety for everybody, especially in this time of the Corona 19 Pandemic, whilst not forgetting to offer thanks for all scientists and medics involved in finding and administering a cure whilst nursing the sick. Let us pray to invite the Holy Spirit into every action we need to undertake, or decision to make, resolved to be submissively obedient, truly reverent. Let us pray when in doubt, to keep asking for God’s own answers, not swayed by any worldly philosophy, psychology or interests. “Strengthen us, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard us, then, O Holy Spirit, that we may be holy and live a life of love,” (Source not known) leading to a growing sense of peace, hope and joy, because of our friendship with Christ Jesus, always offering His love to others as our practical worship. Amen. 12.02.21 Sue O’Donnell

“The wise people will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12 v 3 NIV) It is love which makes us shine, The love we share with Jesus. Jesus exhibits our Father’s compassion, His mercy, His steadfast ever loving kindness. This is a true love given in faithfulness. Such love shines brightly, Cutting across, shining through self-centredness. Christian service is not worthy of the name Unless it works in the same way as Jesus, Ever lovingly, tolerantly, being kindly. To this fashion we are united as believers. Others cannot, will not see the Lord Jesus, Alive and active in us, unless we are loving. Love is born to us at Christmas, To remain with us forever for we have God’s Son, the holy One, our Healer. Divine love is powerful, effective, directive. Thus love shines brightly in word, action and intention. It is full of merciful forgiveness whenever necessary. That is why love heals the hurts and broken heartedness. Love is the gift of the life of the Lord Jesus, A perfect life of godly reverence lovingly given. Heaven reaches down to earth in the birth of Christ Jesus, He, who as the Word made flesh, is love manifest. “ ‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches’.” (Revelation 22 v 16) “I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star’.” (Revelation 22 v 16) Please pray that the Lord Jesus will be understood as the dawn of the new, eternal Day. “ ‘I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” (Revelation 1 v 18) “Every good and every perfect gift is from above...” (James 1 v 17) is love, and should be used in the service of others. Please pray to this end as “Through the Word of truth, He chose to give us new birth...” (v 18 The Truth) Love is active and productive. Please pray to live a life of love through sharing everything with the Lord Jesus. He is our Advent hope of true love. “ ‘He shall build a house for My name and He shall be My Son and I will be His Father; and I will establish the throne of His kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Chronicles 22 v 10) The Lord calls us to be a witness to Jesus, of the line of King David. He comes to us as Messiah and Saviour. Please pray to share in His completely loving, holy kindness. “ ‘...I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.” (Jeremiah 32 v 42) Love is the witness, the true love of the Lord Jesus. He is not only our Christmas joy and peace, but the living hope as our forever Saviour. Please pray for the world to know this, by the love of Jesus alive in us, that the season of Christmas makes a real difference to the world at all times, in all places and situations. May the light of the Lord Jesus’ love ever shine as brightly as the twinkling stars of heaven above. Amen. 23.12.20 Sue O’Donnell

What is the star of November? Sculptured seedheads, so statuesque, They cannot fail to impress. When little else will address the garden, With particular interest in late autumn, Seedheads add spectacular drama, Not with colour, but stature and texture, Some sparkle like transparent ‘Honesty’, With flat, papery, glistening disks, Offering a silky sheen when catching a sunbeam. Architectural beauty is found in spiky seedheads, Like the prickly teasel or acanthus mollis. Eryngium giganteum produce a cone with a metallic ruff, Whilst some seedheads attract by wearing fluff! The yellow flowers of the latest clematis boast spidery, wintery, fluffy seedheads, Some whoosh of blooms assume a dome shape, Whilst allium and nigella become as round as a sputnik, And the opium poppy is a profligate autumn feature, Offering a neat pepper pot head with hundreds of tiny seeds Ready to shake out and profusely scatter about profligately. What spectacular drama to intrigue is the seedheads offer, Plus becoming a shelter for many an insect, as well as food for birds. Whether bold and sonny, willowy and wispy, Or prickly and spiky, seedheads are fabulous. By contrast they add to the grace of gentle grasses, To be the star of November brightly shining. Creator Father, for the beauty and delight of the many forms of seedheads, I praise and thank You, for they add so much to the structure of the late autumn garden, as well as providing food and shelter. We can see that You think of everything necessary to life’s wellbeing. I praise the skill of Your majestic ability to portray beauty, often in surprising ways. Amen. 12.11.20 Sue O’Donnell