JONAH’S SURFING LESSONS
Jonah had some pretty rough surfing lessons when he told the crew of a ship to throw him overboard. He believed it was his fault the sea had become so stormy and life threatening and indeed, when they did so all became calm and safe The sailors crew overboard believe then greatly praised the Lord. Jonah was hurled under the sea, swallowed by a large fish and, in his distress, called to the Lord who answered him. Verse 2, ‘From the depths of the grave I called for help and he listened to my cry’.
As the breakers had swirled around him he remembered his Lord and believed his life was ebbing away. He prayed, ‘But I, with a song of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.’ The Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. Jonah was safe and saved. Jonah had previously expressed anger at God and gone the opposite way from him.
How often have we done that? Thinking and believing God’s way is not for us? Sometimes, when we are hurled into the deep and waves seem to engulf us, the breakers and the currents of despair swirl around us, we turn from our faith and sink to the bottom. Yet, like Jonah, when we send a distress call to God, he sends a lifeboat of answers.
As Jonah says in Chapter Four’, ‘I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity’. He still opposed God’s will and was shoved from the boat having turned from his Lord.
Jonah’s spiritual surfing lessons nearly cost Jonah wearing lifelong coils of seaweed in a watery grave. God needs our ALL or NOTHING faith, not a watered down one’.
God Bless
Lorraine
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Weekend Inspiration
EASTER SHADE AND SHADOWS
Easter began with the shadows cast of three wooden crosses, sunrise,
dawn sky reflecting in purple, bruised black clouds shading earth.
The body imprinted, stained with ancient blood, did flow to show sin dies,
where land trembled at a deed done and deepest darkness gave birth.
Shades of ruby and gold that lit trees and people crowds sat to wait
on dry, brown, dusty dirt between huddles of awe, some feeling pain
at the hanging from hewn splintered trunks of the disciple sentenced
by and judged without trial, by a decree that seemed to echo as not sane,
a prisoner, abandoned, abused, beaten and cruelly presented.
In the heat of the day, nailed between two others, he bled,
weakening, as water leaking from his wounds, was shed.
He was dead. The skies stormed a great blackness, until a hush
descended as people left in silence, with grief their hearts harsh.
The keening swept across the shadowed hills but a lone call sang,
‘Remember this day forever, the saviour of souls has paid this price
for all, his death will never fail sinners evermore.
The shadowed cross will always be here. Drink from his cup of sacrifice
and of eternal love every year’. And the people answered ‘AMEN_AMEN
SO IT WAS AND SO IT IS FOR EVERMORE
Be Blessed Lorraine
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weekend inspiraion
SUMMER ECHOES
A DISTANT DRONE OF A LAWNMOWER
REMINDS ME OF GRASS REGROWTH,
OF LEAVES DANCING IN A WALTZ WITH BREEZES
RUSTLING IN NATURE’S MUSIC.
SUMMER STORMS THAT RELEASE SKIES
OF EBONY THUNDER AND SPIKED LIGHTNING,
REMIND ME THAT SORROWS PASS
AS DO SEASONS OF HUMANITY.
LIVES AND LOVE CHANGES AND ARE RE-ARRANGED
AS GOD MAKES IT INFINITELY SO,
OF PAIN, SUFFERING AND GRIEF TO BE LET GO
AS DID HE, THE ONE WHO FELT IT ALL,
KNOWING HOW MUCH MORE SEED
TO SOW FOR YOU TOWARDS HIM GROW
RISE UP, SEEK HIS WILL FROM ABOVE,
TO BLESS, TO LIFT YOUR SPIRIT FROM BELOW.
LILAC JACARANDAS BLOOM AND SHED
TO SCATTER LIKE A CARPET EVERYWHERE.
RAINBOW ROSE PETALS COLOR GREY FENCES
AND WEAVE SCENT AS WE PASS BY.
HEAT BEATS, SHADOWS FLEE,
SILENT DUST SWIRLS IN SLOW DRIFTS,
SEA AND SAND SCARCELY MOVE
UNDER STILL CLOUDS
AND WARM SHELLS SLEEPING LIE
TO CRACKLE AND SINK UNER FEET BARE
CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT GOD IS HERE,
EVERYWHERE NEAR
LISTEN, HIS SPIRIT YOU WILL HEAR
Lorraine Szabo
My Lord, My Friend 