A Well Watered Garden

While in Cuba last week, we enjoyed an early morning on the beach walk every day. It felt good to be out before the crowds – just a few local Cubans walking around. Always the gentle “hola” and a gracious respect for your space. This particular morning, the beach front looked different – there had been a thunderstorm the night before. The sea still looked rough and choppy and the waves had swept up so many shells. I think there is a childlike thrill about finding pretty sea shells that does not fade with age. The sand in my toes, the waves crashing on the beach and the pretty shells scattered all over the shore brought back so many memories of my childhood and the beaches of Goa. This morning was different - I found a real treasure – a piece of coral reef. I had read a little about how these are formed and I could not help but stop and marvel at this little part of God’s creation. Who but an almighty, all knowing God could have created a safe space for the tinies...

Just back from spending a week at Varadero, Cuba. I have often looked at the brochures and websites advertising the “all inclusive” holidays. They look like paradise – or as close as my finite mind can imagine paradise to be! For various reasons we were looking for a stress free, restful vacation and this seemed to be the best option at this time.   So we logged on to Trip Advisor, checked out Hotel reviews, zeroed in on The Iberostar Laguna Azul, booked our tickets and away we went. And yes it was all it was promised to be and yet so much more. Beautiful beachside, lovely big room excellent service, fabulous seafood cooked fresh (wasn’t that great for Julius who is allergic to sea food). There were dancing lessons around the pool, morning water aerobics, afternoon games of beach soccer and volleyball, live after dinner music followed by theatre.   The resort was big enough to find spots in the shade where you could also be unsociable and just read a book. ...

A great and personal way to study the Bible is to use the inductive study method.   First spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind and teach you God’s Word. Read a passage, and break it down in 3 parts. The length of the passage is entirely your choice. The 3 parts are: 1.        What it says literally (the contents) 2.        What it means (the principles)and thirdly 3.        What it means to me (applications) This past month I started the Book of Hebrews. My first day was only the first 4 verses of the 1 st chapter. The Book of Hebrews 1: 2-4 (NIV) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last day he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his na...