rozandmarkarnold

Quiet and Gentle

As we return to chapter 42 of Isaiah the surprise of v2 is that the servant will be loud, and will not be overbearing. Read the verses once more: 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout orContinue reading “Quiet and Gentle”

A Lenten Afternoon with Tamar

Tamar, the 8th woman I have sat with this Lent. Her story as with the other women is not easy to hear. Abuse in so many forms and ways. Men who are supposed to be God’s people. Being on God’s side doesn’t seem to make a difference sadly to the way they act toward others.Continue reading “A Lenten Afternoon with Tamar”

A Lenten Afternoon with Dinah

Dinah’s story like so many girls and women throughout history is not easy to hear and is wider than the events that happen simply to her. It is twisted and complex. It doesn’t make easy reading and raises questions as to whose side we are supposed to be on. Rape is on all counts wrongContinue reading “A Lenten Afternoon with Dinah”

Spirit of justice

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.In faithfulness he willContinue reading “Spirit of justice”

A Lenten Afternoon with Leah

This is when I come face to face my hypocrisy. It was uncomfortable with Rebekah and Rachel but there was outward beauty with them. Maybe if people saw me with them they would think I was beautiful too. Leah less so. Do I want to be seen with plain Leah. Yet she doesn’t need myContinue reading “A Lenten Afternoon with Leah”

An Lenten Evening catch up with Rebekah and Rachel

Its not a comfortable catch up. I don’t look up to Rebekah and Rachel as mothers of the faith to emulate. I see their choices, their actions and I judge. Not outwardly, but inwardly I tell myself that I don’t act like them, that I am better than them. I lift myself up, my whitewashedContinue reading “An Lenten Evening catch up with Rebekah and Rachel”

God’s Delight

Here, back to Isaiah 42 I come: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick heContinue reading “God’s Delight”

A Lenten Afternoon with Hagar

She may not be in my circle of friends, she is a servant. I may not keep servants but neither am I one, so she is not in my circle. Yet she comes this afternoon to sit with me and has someone she wants me to see, to meet. She wants me to meet God,Continue reading “A Lenten Afternoon with Hagar”

Chosen

A Lenten afternoon with Sarai

Abram’s wife is my companion this damp grey afternoon. Ros Clarke speaks to Sarai’s infertility, to her use of Hagar, to her mistreatment of Hagar. How easy it is for us to take matters into our own hands. Even when the initial vision, promise is from God and His word that He will bring somethingContinue reading “A Lenten afternoon with Sarai”