Welcome - The People of St James speak! |
| Bible Passages. Thank you for the various responses
to my challenge in a recent magazine letter to write about a
Bible Passage that has meant something special to you in recent
times. I would suggest that you take a moment to read the whole
passage that each contributor refers to, and perhaps take a
few moments to reflect and pray. |
Ivy C has written
as follows: |
'Its difficult to say which is my favourite passage
or verse from the Bible, but one that has been a help and inspiration
to me is Philippians 4v1-13 and in particular v12
'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and
every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
or in want'.
I of course have never experienced the pains and hardships that
paul had to endure, but to be able to say that, to express himself
'contented' has always made me realize how trivial have been
my 'ups and downs' of life. Yet I do know that only from acceptance
can come contentment, and from contentment - peace.
A couple of lines from a favourite hymn of mine sum it up.........
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'O Lord how happy we should
be
If we could cast our care on Thee
If we from self could cease,
Leave all things to a Father's will
And taste before Him, lying still
E'en in affliction, peace'.
Thanks Ivy! |
You
can respond to this page by email to Revd Phil
'Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ'.
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Mary W has written that
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'Jeremiah 29 v11-13 is the special verse I share
with our son Neil as he works his way up the 'teaching ladder'.
It is a real help when he does not get a job he feels is for
him and a delight and strengthening of faith when he does!'
'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans
to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future'.
Thanks Mary! |
Jan B has written as follows….
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The Bible passage that meant something to me
in 2007 was Isaiah chapter 53
At the beginning of the year I had decided to take
early retirement from my full time occupation, for various
reasons. I thought long and hard about my decision and hoped
that I had made the right one for the people that I worked
with and for my family.
As part of my leaving gift from school, I had requested a
modern language version of the Bible and was thrilled to receive
a beautifully bound Cambridge Press edition. One month before
my daughter's wedding, she told me of a chapter in the Bible,
Isaiah 53, which had recently popped into her head as often
happens and she frequently finds some meaning or comfort when
she looks up the passage. When she came back to Scarborough
I proudly showed her my new Bible and suggested that we look
up Isaiah 53 in it - we were both quite dumbfounded when we
could find neither that chapter or 32 other pages of the book
of Isaiah! A whole section of the Bible had been missed out
in the printing!
I have of course returned the Bible and received a replacement,
complete with the book of Isaiah, as well as an apology, but
I find it quite incredible that if my daughter had not had
that reference put in her head, I might have taken years (if
ever!) to discover the fault!
O was of course keen to discover what Isaiah 53 had to tell
me and I believe that it explains how we sometimes have to
suffer in some way for other things to happen and that this
is God's will - we cannot always see the way God wants us
to go or the plans He has for us, but if we put our trust
in Him we will find that our lives take the right paths and
that quiet surprising things can happen that we could never
have expected. I for instance, would never have thought a
year ago that I would be doing what I believe is God's work
in my new position as the Arts Centre, and loving every moment!
Thanks Jan! We recommend that you look up Isaiah 53 in order
to a. see that it is an amazing passage pointing forward to
Jesus suffering on our behalf and b. just to make sure you've
got it in your Bible!! |
Jean M has written that
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'what means a lot to me is Ephesians 5v19-20.
The best way I can describe what it means to me is as a commissioning
- the gift I have of music to be used to God's glory and to
encourage and bring others to him. Where I might become tongue
tied in plain conversation in music and song I seem able to
open up to others and more willing to share God's word. O hope
this makes sense!'
Thanks Jean it makes a lot of sense, as we've often discovered
during times of worship. |
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