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many versions available free online, including audio files;
reading or hearing passages in multiple translations is one
way of receiving insight and revelation, along with the
use of a variety of commentaries and Bible-reading notes.
The Word is spiritual food and gives us much-needed
nourishment, and strength.

5. spenD time with goD.
Each of us has been called into a personal relationship 9. finD imaginative ways to celebrate our
with the Lord, and as we have individually been described life in goD.
as ‘temples of the Holy Spirit’, we don’t need to go to a Cooking special meals, creative projects, gardening, walks
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special place or service to develop that friendship – we carry with friends, care-giving – the list is endless – all provide
a sacred space with us wherever we go. opportunities for worship. We are asked to present Photo Credit: istockphoto.com/SvetaZi
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In addition, we read that his presence surrounds us ourselves as living sacrifices; let’s take the opportunity to
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wherever we are; in fact, ‘in him we live and move and have explore different ways of delighting the Lord.
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our being’. Jesus has purchased a 24-hour right of access One of my favourite quotations is from the film, Chariots
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to the Father, through His shed blood; God is near to us all of Fire, when the athlete, Eric Liddell, says ‘God made me
the time, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us ‘tune in’. fast, and when I run I feel his pleasure’. That’s food for
thought… What would I enjoy doing that will bring joy to
6. pray for life-giving relationships. God’s heart today?
We may need to embrace solitude, but as we were designed
in the image of the triune God, we also need community; 10. get out into nature.
particularly one or two people who will encourage and Early British Christians spoke of creation as another
build us up – and receive similarly from us. God created ‘book of revelation’, where they fully expected to meet
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us to need these ‘life-joints’ and with God. We too, can take
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delights to answer when we ask the opportunity to meet the
him to send the people of his ‘WE ARE REPLETE WITH A RICH Maker outside, and ask him to
choosing; his choices may be reveal himself through the work
surprising, so it’s important we dIvERSITY OF CHRISTIAN of his hands.
don’t have preconceived ideas! RESOURCES: BOOKS, And if we are house-bound, we
In these digitally-enhanced can ask the same question while
times, meaningful relationships mAGAzINES, vIdEOS ANd immersing ourselves in books,
don’t have to be confined to a POdCASTS.’ television programmes and videos
local area either. of the natural world. Not only
does nature feed our souls, as
7. make the most of the shown by many scientific studies,
available resources. we also can have profound encounters with our Creator.
We are replete with a rich diversity of Christian resources: For those of us who are unable – for whatever reason –
books, magazines, videos and podcasts. It is important to to take part in traditional church-life, there is no need for
drink from a variety of ‘wells’, as no one person or stream our spiritual lives to atrophy. Let’s make the decision that
has a perfect hold on truth. we will thrive in God’s blessing and favour, whatever our
However, we need to keep in mind that we all have circumstances!
personal responsibility for what we feed on, and need
to check new ideas (and old ones too) against Scripture, 1 Matthew 18:20
remembering we can still enjoy a feast without feeling we 2 Hebrews 10:25
have to consume everything on offer. 3 Ephesians 1:22,23
It is also essential to notice the spirit in which something 4 Romans 8:28
is given, looking for material which flows from a grace- 5 Hebrews 12:2
filled heart, and avoiding that which is offered with a harsh 6 John 14:26; 1 John 2:27
and judgemental spirit. 11 7 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
8 Psalm 139:7-12
8. Develop alternative personal rhythms. 9 Acts 17:28
Many people miss the familiar rhythms of church-life. 10 Hebrews 10: 24, 25
Maybe we can’t attend our usual Christian gatherings, but 11 Matthew 7:15,16; James 3:18
we can put in place some creative rhythms which work in 12 Colossians 3:17
our particular circumstances: for example, a regular coffee 13 Romans 12:1
and chat with a Christian friend (by Zoom, if necessary), 14 Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 6:3
daily Bible-reading with a partner, a weekly lone-walk with
the Creator, or a ‘sabbath’ meal with family or housemates. Kate Waterman lives and works in beautiful Northumberland.
We can invest these rhythms with faith, and build our You can connect with Kate at her website: https://www.
expectation of experiencing the Lord’s presence in them. rhythmsofgraceuk.org

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Spring 2021 The Plain Truth 21