The Voice Within

This morning I was waiting for my regular reverse commute from Waterloo. The grey June morning could not dampen my spirits as I was surrounded by elegantly dressed passengers who were waiting to catch their train to Ascot to go to the Royal Ascot races. Men with top hats and women donning fascinators in various colours and sizes made the heads of the rest of us turn and some of us whip out our phones to capture the beauty on digital film. I was trying to photograph a couple discreetly from behind them when they suddenly turned- I politely asked if I could take a photograph of them and they kindly obliged. What I did not expect was that they would go on to gift me a beautiful bouquet of roses and irises. They had purchased it earlier as they needed a rose for the gentleman's buttonhole-and they generously gave away the rest of the bouquet to me! I am reminded of the verse -'Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father above who does not change like shifting shado...

Its been a joy to memorize scripture (psalm 16, psalm 130) lately. Thank you God for Grace who has been an invaluable prayer partner who has spurred me to memorize scripture. Grace and I have been learning a psalm by heart each time I go away on a work trip...this has been so fab because when I am on a work trip, I am usually always in work mode mentally and I find it difficult to quieten my spirit and rest in Jesus during my quiet times with him. When I read the word during these fast paced days, I find it hard to concentrate...but voila! memorising scripture is just the thing to do/ It forces you to concentrate...I usually write the psalm down several times and say it aloud several times. Sometimes I do fun things like make an audio rec of me saying it and listen to it. And the scripture takes on new depth as you invest more time in it...and the best thing of course is, when you don't have a Bible with you, but want to preach to yourself, speak the truth and shus...

Two links Sandhya shared with me today: 1) It is well with my soul feat John Piper- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80x6wDi9umY 2) Though you slay me feat John Piper- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyUPz6_TciY Our suffering is momentary. It is also totally meaningful. The only thing we can rely on is God's goodness. He is not going to let go. God is too faithful. It doesn't depend on me.

that the two best inventions ever are : the pocket and the hot water bottle...thought of the first as I was ironing a shirt...am grateful it has pockets. Thought of the second as its winter :)

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning." Hosea 6:3 View of the work of my infinitely creative God from my room in Higashi Osaka Shi (2009)

The sun is shining I can hear the gurgle of water fountains That adorn this motley landscape Where wilderness and trimmed hedges are neighbours I am here to drink From a deeper fountain The leaves are lush in the trees Sweet September With not a hint of autumn Regent's park. Meeting with regency, royalty ie the King of Kings and Lord of LORDS

Hungry I come to You for I know You satisfy I am empty but l know Your love does not run dry So I wait for You So I wait for You I'm falling on my knees Offering all of me Jesus You're all this heart is living for Broken I run to You for Your arms are open wide I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life So I wait for You So I wait for You (the poster on the left was made by Natalie during the Megacities London outreach)