All Creation

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.      Col. 1.16

From Rothenburg ob der Tauber we travelled to Augsburg. Our visit there wasn't too impressive due to constant rain. We left on Sunday to journey to Fussen, and the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein.

As we got further into the Bavarian mountain country it started to snow. Suddenly we were in a winter wonderland. Joshua was fascinated. The crowded train was filled with holiday makers eagerly photographing the most beautiful scenery.

I found myself marvelling and thanking our great Creator. The scenery was so unbelievably beautiful. As this was also Easter Sunday I had further cause for celebration.

The elation and thanksgiving continued. After registering at our hotel in Fussen, we decided to walk to Neuschwanstein. This was a brave decision as it started to snow quite heavily when we were halway through, and in open country. But the marvels of the Creator continued unabated.

Then, turning a corner, we saw the wonder of Schloss Neuschwanstein perched high in the mountain and cosseted by swirling snows. I remembered that even thrones and powers are created by Him.

Walking this way with Joshua reminded me of a time - 45 years ago now - when I did 6 months voluntary work in Austria with handicapped males. I was there over the winter season and, walking 

here in Bavaria, the memories flood back.

My "boys" in Austria did not experience too much "normal" in their lives. Yet they were very happy, and they loved God. I think I can understand that, for He created them.

And so, I am mindful of the whole of creation. And on this special day it is good to give thanks immeasurable.

O Loving God and Holy Creator,

I thank You for the wonder of all of creation. Today I can marvel at the miracle of snow and its transforming effect on the landscape. I can remember my charges of so many years ago in Austria, and I can give You thanks.

I thank You also for the joy of sharing these present experiences with my grandson. Thank You, Lord.

    Amen.

One body

... So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.     Rom. 12.5

Our journey from Penang to Germany, via Kuala Lumpur was not complicated, but tiring. We arrived in Hamburg at 7.30 a.m. The biggest shock was the change in temperature - from a hot and humid 35 degrees to a cold and windy 5 degrees. What had we done?

For the next few days we town-hopped, and hotel- hopped. First, Frankfurt where the highlight (except for the blustery winds around the river area) was the view from atop a  high tower. Next came Wurzburg where we enjoyed dinner in an amazing underground weinkeller. Josh was entranced. Yesterday we arrived at Rothenburg ob der Tauber which was simply delightful.

We spent hours exploring the town and even ventured into the surrounding countryside. There were many paths laid out, one of which appeared to be a German Camino. It was identified with the words Jacob's Weg, a scallop she'll and a yellow arrow. 

I felt connected to my many Camino friends and, of course, to Him.

Lord Jesus,

On this special Good Friday, I join with others in remembering Your amazing sacrifice for us. Thank You.   Amen.

He's everywhere

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.           Psalm 139.7,9

I'm very much aware of God's presence with us throughout this holiday. There have been a series of challenges (none quite as dramatic as losing the wallet), a trusting of God in all situations, and breakthrough in and with Him.

On Sunday, I felt God encourage me to be alert to His presence and the presence of other believers in Penang. Concrete evidence came the next day. We were on our way to visit (would you believe) an enormous Chinese Buddhist temple covering most of a hillside some distance out of Georgetown. I'd asked the driver to let us know where to get off. He forgot and we went sailing past. We got further and further away and it seemed almost impossible to do anything in a crowded, foreign bus. Eventually, a charming local lady spoke to us. The situation seemed to have dawned on her. She said we needed to get off the bus immediately and take another bus back to the temple. She organised the driver to endorse our tickets so that we wouldn't need to pay more. She and her young daughter got off the bus where she encouraged us to dismount. She sent her daughter home, and announced that she would stay with us until the right bus arrived, and she would give the driver instructions for setting us down at the temple.

In the course of a short conversation, it transpired that she was a Christian. It didn't surprise me, for her whole demeanour and behaviour was sweet testimony to the Saviour she was wonderfully following. I praise God for her, and for others we met during our Malaysian stay. We met a number of people who, though they did not declare themselves as believers, certainly treated us courteously and lovingly.

Dear Lord,

I thank You for that precious lady in the back blocks beyond Georgetown. Her whole behaviour was the most wonderful and generous witness to our Lord Jesus. 

As we progress on this present journey, Your presence impresses itself on me. I thrill that I am able to trust You, and I do so willingly and happily. Thank You.    Amen.

Are You there Lord?

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.          (Jer. 29.13,14a)

Our first day of travelling was long and a little exhausting, but generally without incident. We had a two hour wait at Kuala Lumpur for the connecting flight to Penang but all went well. We were pleased to arrive at a most comfortable Penang hotel.

Waking the next day, I was mindful of God encouraging me to seek Him in this place. I had absolutely no idea of what lay ahead. After breakfast we decided to start the day's exploration utilising the hop-on-hop-off bus. We had made just a couple of stops when, heaven forbid, I lost my wallet! Dismay and mild panic hit together. At risk were bank cards and driver's licence. What would this mean if I did not recover them? God, where are You?

A seemingly endless walk in high temperature and matching humidity got us back to the hotel - much thanks to Joshua's navigating. The hotel staff were most helpful, contacting the bus company, then reporting back to me that no wallet was found. In exploring every eventuality, I returned to the bus stop, met with the company's local manager, and together we searched the bus when it came round again. But still no wallet.

Ah well! Next followed a couple of hours on long-distance phone calls cancelling cards, and also the hire car booked for Germany. Without my driver's licence I could not proceed.

Having seen to the necessary, I decided we should then get on with our holiday. We enjoyed a wonderful visit to Penang Hill, the view from the top being simply breathtaking. On returning to the city we enjoyed a most pleasant dinner.

So the day was not totally lost. But where was God in it? As I reflect on these most recent events, my mind goes back to my pilgrimage walk in Spain last year. Several times during that walk I had no option but to trust God - completely! I did, and I know I grew. I'm sensing something similar now. God has planned His holiday for us this year. He simply wants us to trust Him. I know I can do this, and I will. But, if you are willing, I'd appreciate your prayers. Thank you. God bless.

Lord,

I know You're in charge. I thank You for today and all the events of the day, especially the wonderful people I met. I trust You. I look forward to the holiday You have planned for us.  I love You.     Amen.

Another Adventure

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”           Matt. 28.20b

My departure for overseas this year is timed a little earlier than in previous years. This is in order to benefit from the Easter school holidays. This year I am taking my Grandson, Joshua, on his first overseas trip.

The itinerary is somewhat different to my previous visits to Spain and the pilgrimage journeys. This year there will be more focus on sightseeing, though we hope to do a reasonable amount of walking. And, as always, we will be journeying with God – walking with Jesus.

Already I am feeling an excitement about where He will take us and what He might show us. I am thrilled to be sharing this experience with my Grandson. May the good Lord reveal wonders of His creation as we travel, and may He connect us with like-minded and beautiful believers in whatever places we find ourselves.

I commit this time, as indeed I commit each and every day, into the fullness of his will. May we know His powerful and sweet presence with us every step of the way, and every minute of each day.

My Lord Jesus is the most wonderful travelling companion. May we both know that He is with us, and may His light shine forth from us to touch and bless all those we meet on the way.

Lord God,

I commit this new adventure to You. I pray for Joshua and myself. May we know Your protection over us at all times. Keep us in the fullness of good health. Let us receive Your provision in every instance. Allow us to enjoy each other’s company and every interaction with those we come in contact with. Above all, may we share our travels with You, to the mutual benefit of us all.

I pray for the places we visit. Let us see the sights You wish us to see. Let us meet the people You would have us connect with in God-ordained encounter.

I ask that You keep us from any adverse incidents or meetings. May we know Your grace and favour in every instance. May we delight You in our travels and in the way we conduct ourselves. Lead us on, in Jesus’ name I ask.                   Amen.

Signs?

“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,”  Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”                                                                                                                      John 4.48

Jesus here seems to show concern that the Galileans need the demonstration of miracles in order to believe.

Even the disciples looked for signs. When Thomas asked to see the marks on Jesus’ hands after the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20.29)

Jesus’ preference, it would seem, is for us to believe without great demonstrations of God’s mighty power. Notwithstanding, it is clear that signs, miracles and wonders are potent in the witness to non-believers, and provide great encouragement to believers.

I do believe. Do I need signs and miracles? I believe I have already experienced some in my Christian journey, so it is difficult to say I don’t need them. What I do know is that I’d like to see signs, wonders and miracles manifest in my ministry for God, because I delight to see His power operate in the lives of his creation.

Lord God,

I do believe, and I attribute this to Your divine intervention in my life. I think I can believe without the manifestation of signs, wonders and miracles. Yet I do humbly ask that I might see such things come to pass as I minister for You.

There are many hurting and suffering Christians to whom miraculous intervention could bring relief, hope and joyful witness. There are so many living presently in darkness for whom miraculous events would put on the light of God, demonstrating His sovereign and irrefutable power.

I love You and seek to live fully in Your will. I pray this might include seeing the miraculous in my journey with You. I pray this in Jesus’ name.           Amen.

My book “God Talk” is available through major Internet booksellers.

A taste of the book's content can be seen in the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").

Testimony

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”                                                  John 4.39

An unnamed, wayward Samaritan woman quite possibly became the first missionary of the New Testament. She was effective through the simple act of relating what Jesus had done for her. How easy is that? Through this unlikely source, many around her came to believe.

As mature as I would like to see myself as a Christian, I still think of myself as an unlikely source for evangelism. I can take a clear lesson from this unknown lady of so long ago. Her strength was her reality. Jesus had opened her eyes with His truth. Despite the subject matter showing her up unfavourably, she freely told those around her of the amazing things that Jesus had said.

She tells me that I am not to be ashamed of anything that Jesus might reveal about me, whether known by me or not. All truth can be used by Him for His praise and glory.

Oh, that I might follow the Samaritan woman and spread the good news by the word of my testimony.

Lord Jesus,

I feel slightly ashamed that a person such as the Samaritan woman can be such an advocate for You. I am no better than she, yet that she seems to have spoken more freely about You than I do.

I want to be a freer, better, more open witness for You. Help me please. Let the words come out of my mouth in the right way at the right time. May Your Holy Spirit alert me to situations wherein I can be Your ambassador. You are so very real to me. Enable me, please, to share that reality more and more as I journey through this life. Help me in this, in Your precious name I ask.                    Amen.