Wed 30th June

Great respect is given to celebrities, to the rich and famous, but in the Bible it says of God,

“He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

Luke 1:51-53

It’s not just that God overturns our values, bringing down the rich and famous, but he shows His strength in using the humble and lowly to complete his plans.

If you don’t feel strong today, then you may be more useful in heaven’s purposes than ever before.

Have a good day,

Steve Franklin

Vicar of Crookham.

A Prayer by St Columba:

My dearest Lord,

Be thou a bright flame before me,

Be thou a guiding star above me,

Be thou a smooth path beneath me,

Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, today and evermore

Tues 29th June

A world cup football match was held on this day in 1969 between two countries of central America. A late penalty was awarded by the referee to El Salvador, against the neighbouring country of Honduras. El Salvador scored from that penalty and won the match 3-2. People had become so involved in supporting their national teams that riots broke out in both countries. Opposition fans in each country were beaten up and looting took place.

Six days later - as a direct result of the football match - war broke out between the two countries. Before the war came to an end, two thousand soldiers were killed, and both El Salvador and Honduras suffered severe food shortages.

There are things you can take too seriously.

Have a good day,

Steve Franklin

Vicar of Crookham

We pray for the poor of this world;

the powerless, the helpless,

those who endure hunger and cold,

and who suffer as a result of the actions of others.

Amen.

Wed 23rd June

The book of Ecclesiastes shows us two ways to live, the way of wisdom, and the way of folly; the way of love, and the way of hatred; the way of calm, and the way of unhappiness.

It says:

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools."

Ecclesiastes 7:9

When we become angry, it can be a power to drive us to protest, to reform, to protect others. But its power is great, and can take away our good judgement and self control.

May the anger in your life be such as to give you purpose, rather than robbing you of your reason.

Have a good day,

Steve Franklin

Vicar of Crookham

O Lord,

give us such self control

that the great potency of our emotions

may not hinder or disable us,

but rather drive and energise us.

Amen.