2026 ACJV update #9
Hi everyone,
As always, this Sunday we're meeting at 10 am at Epiphany.
I am also writing to remind you that we have a service at St. Oswald's at 2 pm this Sunday.
We'll belt out some rollicking hymns and use the New Zealand Prayer book celebration of the Lord's Supper. I'm looking forward to seeing you at this special service.
Ski ing and praying...
Recently I hit the snow at Lyford with my lads and two of my moko. We were so happy to see that Ward school had made the trip as well! It was great to meet up with parents, grandparents and kids out on the slopes!
After the trip my boys were laughing at me for quoting from the Psalms while we drove up the access road. (Some might say that a few extra prayers would never go amiss on that road!)
I probably was guilty of quoting the Bible as we drove up the mountain and looked across the snow-covered ranges. David, who wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible looked at mountains and the sun and the moon and the birds and felt his soul being lifted up in praise . Sometimes I feel the same. Perhaps I quoted these words:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
I am so glad to live in a part of the world that speaks of God’s grandeur. Recently I have been taking some time to walk and pray. When I do this, I’m joining with countless others who have gone on spiritual journeys, or pilgrimages. When I go on a spiritual walk, I can walk quietly, sit and pray peacefully, or run with joy.
Recently I was walking in the Wither Hills. It was lambing time, and of course these words came to mind:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
God Bless,
John Phillips.