Lord Be More Visible Than My Eyes Can See

A few years ago on holiday in Australia I were standing mesmerised and looking out across one of Queensland’s many beautiful bays as the light was starting to fade and a storm was beginning to roll in. I got stuck in the moment and , found myself in quiet conversation with God - or was it contemplation of God?. To be honest I don’t think it really matters. It was the moment that was important and I had the presence of mind to put it down on paper afterwards. It was only recently that I came across the full transcript and again... it captured my attention and stirred up a longing for more of him.

In the vastness of space, the movement of time,
the endless demand for breath, or the stretch for a footing
You are found far and near inspiring and affirming the life given through Jesus to me

Come into my tomorrow, my today, my hours, my moments, my present, my every breath.
Confine me, still me to hear your whispers and stretch me to hear the echo of your voice to the edge of audible sound

Lord, be more visible than my eyes can see
Louder than my unvoiced thoughts
Closer than the clothes on my skin, the brush of a breeze or a moment of being wrapped in a lover’s embrace

Lis Hart
Pastor

Making Space

On Sunday the 15th of January, our pastor, David, spoke about making space for God. (Click here to listen to the talk) He led us through a simple exercise from Ruth Haley Barton’s book ‘Sacred Rhythms’. He encouraged us to use this simple exercise of sitting quietly and reading a story in Mark 10:48-52, of Jesus meeting blind Bartimaeus and imagining Jesus asking us “What do you want me to do for you today?” I couldn’t wait to use this exercise at home to help propel me into making more space for God which had once again been lacking. Part of the problem for me is that I make spending time with Jesus a rule for myself to live by rather than spending time with a person I’m in a loving relationship with.

I tried out the exercise (I totally encourage you to do it too!) and what really stood out to me was when reading the story was that Bartimaeus was desperate for Jesus, he didn't care what others thought of him shouting out in the street, he knew the answer to his problems and it was coming his way and nothing was going to stop him receiving. I was struck at how distracted I get by people, food, Facebook etc when I could be spending time with Jesus, who is my life source and answer to my problems.

It was only the next day that I really struggled to get out of bed to spend time with Jesus, it was dark and cold and I was tired. As I lay there, beginning to beat myself up about not getting out of bed I heard Jesus, in his grace say “I love you, I love you”. I smiled to myself, joy welling up inside, that was what I had needed Jesus to do for me that day and I hadn’t even asked!



Beth Edgar

New Friends

I moved to Edinburgh in September 2011 from Fife, and started to attend the Almond Vineyard. David Hart encouraged people to attend a homegroup to meet other people and make friends. Eventually I decided to go to Max and Beth's homegroup. I am not great at going into gatherings or parties where I don't know people, so this was quite a difficult step for me to take.

The Almond Vineyard had made me feel very welcome anyway with a warm and friendly welcome each time I attended. The homegroup was no different. My first evening I left home early to make sure I got there on time, and with butterflies in my tummy I rang the bell.....and in I went. There were 8 of us the first night, different backgrounds and different ages - but all really kind and I felt relaxed. We had coffee, cake and fruit before opening the Bible and learning more about God’s plan for us. Everyone was normal and honest about the situations they were in, before we prayed for each other. It was very encouraging and I came away from there looking forward to the next one.

Last week I had the ‘flu and posted this on Facebook on the Friday morning. Beth and Bill (I have not met him) read my post and prayed for me. By the evening I was feeling much better and recovered fully over the next couple of days. I thank God for the Almond Vineyard and for new friends.

Ruth Smyth

God's Provision Came Through!

Just before Christmas we alwasy have a party at Jaffa Club, the SU group at school which I help to lead.  When I bought the party food and drink I didn't have enough money for a present for the children - we were catering for up to 40.  But God's provision came through!  A classroom assistant who prays for Jaffa Club brought along a bag of gifts on the day of the party. We hadn't said anything, but God organised it for us.

Janet Noakes

VKids Prayer

About 3 weeks ago I was helping in VKids and we were having our usual prayer and ministry time. I had been constantly coughing and hadn't slept well the Saturday night. I asked the kids if they could pray for my cough and specifically that I would get a good sleep on Sunday night so I would be rested for work on Monday. I slept really well that night and didn't wake till my alarm went off on Monday morning.

Isobel

God Owns All The Money

Over Christmas Lucia, Ella and I took the ferry over to Northern Ireland. To save a bit of money we decided to leave our car in Scotland. The cost for parking there is pretty crazy...it would cost us £60 for the 12 days we would be away. Scandalous, because it used to be free!

When we got back to Scotland I went to pay. I noticed that if you lost your parking ticket it was £35. I had noticed this on the way out and talked with Lucia about how stupid it was....encouraging people to lie. We decided there is no way we could have lived with ourselves if we'd "lost" the ticket even though it would save us this unfair charge.

I put my ticket in the pay machine. It came up £60, as painfully expected. I sorrowfully put my card in the machine, praying one last time that God would say it was okay just this once to "loose" the ticket. But He was silent.

My card didn't work.

I tried another.

It didn't work.

Third time lucky? Didn't work. People beside me were using their cards and the person before me had used their card.

I went up to the desk and explained that my cards weren't working. The lady asked if I had cash, which I didn't. So she shrugged and said, "Oh well, just push the button and we'll let you out, free of charge."

It reminded me that God owns all the money, because he owns everything. It reminded me that He is in control and He knows what He's doing. All we have to do is be honest and live in line with what He wants for us and then we are guaranteed, promised, of his provision.

Conor Hull

Gods Healing Hand

Recently my Husband was ill; he wasn’t eating and was in bed for a couple of days. I have a really poor immune system and always catch whatever he has. The day after he started feeling ill I could feel my throat beginning to hurt. I turned to prayer and asked God to prevent me getting ill and to help my husband feel better. I woke the next morning feeling completely healthy and never caught whatever bug he had which is amazing; unfortunately my husband took a couple more days to get better. I was really struck by this as it is the first time God has healed something in me.

Nicola Somerville
Church Administrator