Pause for reflection – 24 July 2020 But if lockdown has been beneficial at all, I think it has resulted in many people “I need no blessings – but I’m taking a much more measured view of counting mine.” what is actually important in their lives Well here we are again – another week and taking a much more reasonable and another reflection. You will no position on what is really necessary and doubt be pleased and relieved to learn essential as opposed to what is actually that I have dismounted from my various a luxury that can be lived without. hobby horses and am reflecting this And so it was when I listened to the week in a much calmer and “happier” album entitled “On an Island” by mode! Gilmour that I revisited the track called, My alphabetical journey through my CD “This Heaven”, which then got me collection continues but we’re still on thinking about how blessed I am and the letter “G” this week as I choose a how fortunate I am to have the life I track by David Gilmour. Now that name have. may not mean much to some (or indeed As you read the lyrics below, ponder on any) of you, but David Gilmour is/was the line the lead guitarist with Pink Floyd before they split up and since then he has I need no blessings but I'm counting produced several solo albums which mine are very much to my liking. Whilst you “This Heaven” may not have heard of Gilmour, I’m pretty confident that you will have heard David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and that is important because they are in my top 3 all-time All the pieces fall into place favourites and will feature very When we walk these fields significantly if I am still writing these And I reach out to touch your face reflections when we eventually reach This earthly heaven is enough for me “P.” So break the bread and pour the wine Davina and I, like many of you I’m sure, I need no blessings but I'm counting have reflected often over the last 4 mine months or so of lockdown on how Life is much more than money buys fortunate we are to have the benefit of When I see the faith in my children's our garden, our lovely countryside and eyes our “comfortable” lifestyle. This was I've felt the power in a holy place brought home to us even more so And wished for comfort when in need recently when we visited Edinburgh and Now I'm here in a state of grace saw a number of families trying to make This earthly heaven is enough for me the best of their living conditions in high- rise flats with no real provision of local So break the bread and pour the wine amenities to ease the burden of I need no blessings but I'm counting lockdown with your children etc . mine Life is much more than money buys We are all guilty I reckon of not When I see the faith in my children's “counting our blessings” often enough eyes and not being grateful for what we have. When I take time to stop and think, to Refrain: really assess what is important to me Count your blessings, name them and what I truly cherish, I realise that life is indeed much more than money one by one; buys. Indeed, these past 4 months Count your blessings, see what have emphasised to me how important God hath done; my close family are to me and how Count your blessings, name them much I need them in my life. one by one; It has also brought home to me how Count your many blessings, see trivial some of the issues are that I used what God hath done. to spend time “worrying” about, and even how much time and energy I wasted getting annoyed with the news Are you ever burdened with a load on the TV or the shocking grammar and of care? lack of editorial skill demonstrated in so Does the cross seem heavy you are many TV news and current affairs called to bear? programmes!! Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly, So I have come to realise that I need no And you will be singing as the days blessings – I have plenty. go by. (Refrain) I have also taken time to count my blessings – and to really appreciate When you look at others with their them. lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Which leads me very neatly to my first Count your many blessings, money hymn for this week- a hymn which sadly is not in CH4 cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. (Refrain) Count your blessings So, amid the conflict, whether great When upon life's billows you are or small, tempest tossed, Do not be discouraged, God is over When you are discouraged, thinking all; all is lost, Count your many blessings, angels Count your many blessings, name will attend, them one by one, Help and comfort give you to your And it will surprise you what the journey's end. Lord hath done. The Bible reading this week is taken 11 “Blessed are you when people from the NIV version as it uses my insult you, persecute you and preferred “blessed are they” rather falsely say all kinds of evil against than the Good News version which you because of me. 12 Rejoice and uses “happy are they.” be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same NIV Bible – Matthew Ch 5 V1-v12 way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. Let us pray. The Beatitudes Dear lord we come to you this day, full in the knowledge that we are truly He said: blessed in so many ways. We are blessed with the love of our families, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the support and loyalty of our for theirs is the kingdom of friends, the fellowship of our Church heaven. family and, above all, we are blessed 4 Blessed are those who mourn, by your ever-present and everlasting for they will be comforted. love for us all. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. We give thanks therefore for all that 6 Blessed are those who hunger we have and hold so dear, for all our and thirst for righteousness, many blessings and for the joys in for they will be filled. our lives. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. We pray for all who are mourning at 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, this time ; for all who are ill or infirm; for they will see God. for all who are weak or heavy laden; 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for those burdened with a load of for they will be called children of care. Be with them all and surround God. them with your love and 10 Blessed are those who are compassion. persecuted because of righteousness, And, as we remain affected by the for theirs is the kingdom of Covid virus and all its implications for heaven. our lives , let us not be discouraged but help us to count our blessings To be understood as to understand one by one. To be loved as to love with all my soul We pray also for Jenny, Paula and Make me a channel of your peace Sonia as they continue to lead us in It isn't pardoning that we are pardoned your ways and as they continue to In giving to all men let we receive care for us. Be with them, give them And in dying that we're born to turn courage, give them stamina, give around them good health and reassure them that they too are loved and that Make me a channel of your peace we all count them as amongst our Where there's despair in life let me blessings. All this we ask in your bring hope name Where there is darkness, only light And where there's sadness ever joy. Amen My second hymn this week is Hymn 528 from Ch4 So that’s it for another week. Will I be able to move on from “G” next Make me a channel of your peace. week? Can you wait to find out? Make me a channel of your peace Where there is hatred let me bring your love Benediction Where there is injury, your pardon May the love of the Father Lord And where there's doubt, true faith in The tenderness of the Son you and the presence of the Spirit Make me a channel of your peace Where there's despair in life let me Gladden your heart bring hope Where there is darkness, only light and bring peace to your soul And where there's sadness ever joy This day and all days Oh, master grant that I may never seek Amen So much to be consoled as to console Alistair – Session Clerk B/P 24/7/2020 .