29a Gravel Road
Bromley
Kent
BR2 8PE
Thoughts from 'Y Cwtch'
'Y Cwtch' is our little private prayer place, a place of reflection and peace. Cwtch is a Welsh word, meaning to cuddle, swaddle and to feel safe.
1 September 2021
Fran reflects on the start of autumn and new beginnings. The next in an occasional series of thoughts from the 'cwtch'. Stay safe and be blessed. F & R.
1 July 2021
'Help"
17th June 2021
Here is the first of a regular short reflection on 'life, the universe and everything' from Richard and Fran. This week Fran reflects on a 'safe space'.
3rd April 2021
2nd April 2021
Good Friday
1st April 2021
31st March 2021
30th March 2021
29th March 2021
27th March 2021
25th March 2021
Look out for the new things God is doing
24th March 2021
23rd March 2021
22nd March 2021
20th March 2021
'Who is Jesus for you?"
19th March 2021
"What do you want?"
18th March 2021
17th March 2021
John 8:1-11
16th March 2021
''What do you want me to do for you?'
15th March 2021
'Following the way of Jesus'
13th March 2021
'Who do you say that I am'
12th March 2021
'Feeding the 5000, with a twist'
11th March 2021
'Mountain Tops and Valleys'
10th March 2021
'Navigating the storms of life'
9th March 2021
'Why don't you....'
8th March 2021
'an alternative take on the women at the well'
6th March 2021
being attentive
5th March 2021
See I am doing a new thing
4th March 2021
'Adventures on the journey'
3rd March 2021
2nd March 2021 - St Chad's journey
1st March - St David's Day
27th Febraury 2021
'retracing our steps' - Naomi's journey
26th February 2021
'When it all get's too much - Elijah's journey'
25th February 2021
Lent Reflection Day 9 - There maybe trouble ahead
24th February 2021
Lent Reflection - Day 8
23rd February 2021
Lent Reflection - Day 7
22nd February 2021
Lent Reflection Day 6
20th February 2021
Lent Reflection Day 4
'The Journey continues - Burning Bridges'
19th February 2021
Lent Reflection - Day 3
Hagar - 'The God who sees me'
18th February 2021
Lent Reflection - Day 2
17th February 2021
Ash Wednesday - Lent Reflection Day 1
16th February 2021
An introduction to our Lent reflections
10th January 2021
Can I share a brief thought today which will hopefully encourage you.
The other day I was in my office catching up with long overdue personal administration, finances and planning for the future that were causing some irritation and stress. I had shut the door in the hope of not being disturbed. It did not take long for my ears to discern, first a faint scratching at the door; ignore it I thought. Then came a faint mewing at the fringes of my conscious mind; ignore it I thought. Then a brief respite where I exhaled a sigh of relief. Then more persistent scratching and louder mewing and what seemed to be the sound of a toddler throwing themselves against the wood mid tantrum.
By this time I was already too distracted by the noise and disturbance to concentrate on my present, personal conundrum. So I opened the door and our ginger tomcat ‘Ethne’ strolled in casually and circled me, wrapping his tail around my legs. Thinking I could perhaps work with an affectionate cat in the same room I determined to press on. A mistake! Ethne decided to sit on my computer keyboard, typing several rows of ‘W’s’ with his paw and butting my arm with his head at the same time. He wanted attention and he wanted it now and he wasn’t going to go until he got it.
Giving up on my ‘important’, admin task I stroked, cuddled and embraced our affectionate furry friend. I soon became more relaxed and was able to distance myself from our current problems; my heart rate slowed down and my breathing became steadier and even. As I looked into his beautiful 'marble like’ cat-eyes I was able to appreciate the beauty and creativity of God’s creation. Our problems, real or imagined receded into the background and I was able to put them into perspective and pray about them as I stroked and cuddled Ethne. When he eventually became tired of the attention and simply wanted to go and lie down in his cat bed I went back to my task with renewed focus.
My point? I simply want to remind us today that sometimes we leave God outside of our problems and issues; on the periphery. But he pursues us with a relentless love and passion, trying to get our attention, but we sometimes ignore him, trying to carry on in our old habits; trying to solve things ourselves in our own strength and wisdom. So, let God in on every aspect of your life, don’t lock him out. Spend time with him, enjoy his presence with you just as he enjoys spending time with you, his dear child. When we do this, things became clearer and we are able to see with greater clarity and he brings us peace and strength for the task ahead, whatever that might be.
I will be sending out a regular letter next week which will contain opportunities to catch up and share fellowship and prayer on line during this time of separation.
God Bless
Richard and Fran
Christmas Day 2020
DAY 24 - A poem for Christmas Eve
DAY 23 - ADVENT Reflection
DAY 22 - Advent Reflection
DAY 21 - Christmas puddings and cakes
Day 20 - The Holly
DAY - Advent Calendar thought
'The Lantern'
DAY 17 - Advent calendar reflection
'The candy cane'
DAY 15 and 16 - Advent thought
'Bells and stockings'
DAY 14 - Advent Thought
'The Good Shepherd'
Advent Thought Day 13
'We are accepted secure and significant'
Advent thought - Day 11 and 12
The 'Robin and the 'Cracker'
Advent Thought - DAY 10
'The Choirister'
Advent Thought - DAY 9
'The Christmas Tree and putting down deep roots'
Advent Thought - Day 8
'The Christmas Bauble'
Advent thought, Day 6 and 7
'The soldier and the doll'
Advent thought, Day 5
Jesus the light of the world
Advent thought day 4
Advent thought - Day 3
Advent Thought - Day 2
Advent Daily Thought 1
Easter Sunday greetings from some members.
Cross designed By Sandra
Cross designed by Lyn Wood
An Easter Poem from Sandra Boreham
Easter - Luke 24
Some dark sad days have come and gone
days when I didn’t think I could carry on.
He died you see on a wooden tree
I didn’t think that was how it was going to be.
On Sunday I had a task to do
and taking spices we set off us two
to see that the body was treated just right
but on reaching the tomb we got such a fright!
The stone that was large had been rolled away
and men in clothing that gleamed spoke, and did say:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
For a moment I thought I’d gone daft in the head.
“He is not here He has risen just as He said He would do
don’t you recall him saying all this to you?”
My memory became clear, he did say he would
and I turned and I ran as fast as I could.
Reaching the house we told the disciples gathered there,
it’s nonsense said some but Peter ran off like a hare
and checked in the tomb and saw Jesus body was gone
and thought to himself what on earth has gone on?
Do you believe what I’m saying there is still more
In the hours that followed Jesus all of us saw
he gave us a mission to tell others His news
and I’m hoping to follow Him is what you will choose.
............................................................
I found the following verse of a hymn which I thought was very apt for this most unusual Easter time.
Jesus lives! Our hearts know well,
Nought from us His love shall sever,
Life, nor death, nor powers of hell,
Tear us from His keeping ever.
How great to know that though we may be physically separated from our church family for now , even the corona virus can’t separate us from our Saviour’s love!
Isaiah 26;3-4 are comforting verses too I find.
God bless,
Lynne.
....................................
10th April 2020
Good Friday
9 April 2020
Maundy Thursday
Content taken from
https://urbanfaith.com/2014/04/give-me-your-feet-a-maundy-thursday-reflection.html/
1 April 2020
30th March 2020
28th March 2020
Thank you to Jon Pocock from the Lee Abbey Christian Community in Devon for this lovely new song offering comfort and strength in difficult times
(with permission)
27th March 2020
23rd March 2020
In the midst of these times of confusion and anxiety we have been sitting in the garden reading and reflecting. Enjoying the sunshine, watching the robin on the feeder less than two feet away. The cherry tree is starting to bloom. Noticing other signs of new life and breathing in peace; the peace of God. Resting in his presence and becoming more human. We are called to be human beings and not human doings. We are not judged on our productive abilities to make or do and to be better than someone else. We are called to remember that he says' "be still and know that I am God". In these anxious times take time to be still seeking nothing but the face of God. Be blessed and be safe. Richard and Fran. ❤️��
21st March 2020
