Paul, Calendulas and pond skaters.

This post is going to travel from a thought by Paul written in Rome as a prisoner about 62 AD,  to the Calendulas in the goblet to the pondskaters outside. 

Paul speaking: ‘ My brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

Why Paul?

‘ Because we are not fighting  people, but powers and rulers of the darkness of this world, the wiles of the devil.’

Paul then says there is an armour we can use and describes it like the armour worn by the guards next to him in prison. Here is a summary:

Loins, covered with truth

Breast plate worn as righteousness

Feet  shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

Shield, a most important item,  faith with this you will be able to put out the fiery darts of the wicked.

Helmet – salvation

Sword – the Spirit, which is the Word of God…

Praying always that the Holy Spirit makes known the mystery of the gospel. Verse 19

This is an important read spoken by someone who had a complete change of direction. He was killing Christians as Saul, when he was confronted by God, made blind, healed and then became apostle Paul. Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 is what I have summarised.

Here are the Calendulas. They changed direction in the night. Next to them is a significant painting done by my son a long time ago. It says much about how he felt at the time. I was happy to rescue it and have it framed.

My enjoyment of time spent with them.

‘ Directions are instructions given to explain how. Direction is a vision offered to explain why.’

Simon Sinek

Let us now go outside next to the pond. Did you know you can go fishing for pond skaters?

Take a stick, tie a length of cotton on it, then look on the windowsill for a dead fly. Tricky now, tie it on to the other end. Dangle it in the pond water. Pond skaters will come and pierce the fly with their short front legs and eat it.

It is good to sit in the sun by a pond. It is ‘good company.’

Here are a few quotes about direction:

‘If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.’

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

‘ Direction is more important than speed. You can go fast in the wrong direction.’

Redfoo

Now some advice from

Don Miguel Ruiz

‘ Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.’

It is going to be a hot day here.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂