Harvest Time

I think Harvest time is one of the best times of the year.

My wife Sharon is a keen gardener and recently we have benefited from all her hard work. We have tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, potatoes and runner beans in abundance. Earlier we had peas, broad beans, strawberries and raspberries.

I forgot to mention the carrots, we could never grow carrots! But this year Sharon grew them in a raised bed with amazing results. They are huge and tasty.

Growing things is all about giving. First of all, you have to give some seed to the ground; if you hold on to the seed you will never grow anything. Secondly you have to give your time, time to prepare the ground, plant the seeds, weed and tend the young plants and eventually harvest the produce. If there is no willingness to do all these there will be no harvest. Third, when there is so much produce it is good to share it with others.

It won’t be long before the Christmas season is upon us. If we can harness this concept of giving right through the winter season, then our lives will be much happier. Even giving a smile or allowing someone to go in front of you in a queue.

I have heard the story of two seas. The sea of Galilee has water flowing into it and water flowing out. The sea is teeming with life. The Dead sea only has water flowing in and none flowing out. Nothing lives in that sea.

Jesus came to give to everyone; he gave food, health, hope, purpose and ultimately eternal life. His nature is to give. Following him will help us to have the same attitude.

Try it and see.

Poldark - the final series

This hugely enjoyable series which showcases Cornwall has finally come to an end. As I write the series is part way through. Already several major issues are being aired.

Ross champions the plight of the slaves in Honduras.

Dwight helps George who is suffering from a mental illness as a result of Elizabeth’s (the love of his life) untimely death. Morwenna is still suffering from the after effects of her late husband’s horrendous sexual abuse. People are struggling with lack of money and food.

Demelza has to deal with the introduction of the first paper money and an unruly servant girl. Ross is never willing to give up on a good cause, no matter the cost to himself. The business community was making money out of the slaves and so does not want anything to change. It will do all it can to stop him.

Dwight’s treatment of George is very admirable and brings about a miraculous change in his mental state. Unfortunately, with his recovery, he also regains his mean streak!

Morwenna eventually starts to find peace with her past and is able to find some freedom with husband Drake.

In our lives today we experience many difficulties. God is able to help us through the dark valleys of life, whether that is bereavement, damage from past relationships, financial pressures or something else. Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weighed down with the pressures of life and I will give you rest”. He understands our frustrations – he has been here, he has suffered, he has endured hardship. It is my personal experience that nothing is too hard for God to do. He is willing to help anyone who will ask. It will need patience, healing takes time, but the rewards of trusting in God are very great.

Winning the World Cup

England won the Cricket world cup. It was an amazing match, so good that I have watched the last hour for a second time, even though I knew England had won. It was so tense when, with four balls to go, England needed fifteen runs. I don’t know how they got the fourteen runs they needed to draw the match. A match I will never forget with so many ups and downs.

Now a super over which was equally tense; I was happy with fifteen runs that England scored. Now it was New Zealand’s turn. When Jofra Archer bowled a wide I thought it was all going to go wrong. New Zealand followed that with a two, a six and two. Three bowls to go and only five needed, I had given up! Thankfully the whole England team hadn’t. With the next ball they scored two, and then a single from the next ball. Two runs needed from the last ball. Martin Guptill hits the ball they run for one run and then try for the second. Jason Roy (who had mis-fielded two balls before) throws the ball to Jos Butler, the wicket keeper, who proceeds to run Guptill out. England wins by the narrowest margin.

I still find it hard to believe; I don’t know how they did it. It is rare for England to win a world cup in any sport. The way they won this one I will never forget! It was almost like they had divine help!

Life is full of ups and downs. God came to this earth in the form of a man to experience first-hand our ups and downs. He went through so much in his short life on earth. He experienced disappointment, heartache and heartbreak, weariness and loss. He also experienced good things when he fed the five thousand or brought a dead person back to life. Imagine the euphoria when these miracles happened. There is divine help for each of us. Whatever life throws at us, Jesus is there as the Christ – the chosen one, the hope of the world, the Saviour, the Messiah.

I hope you are enjoying a good summer.