Author: Kate & Roger

Dear readers, I’m so sorry that the poem I published called

All Things New

appears to have developed a life of its own; vanishing into thin air!

There may be a message in that…..but I hope you can see it on the website now. I’m getting to grips with a new app called Jetpack which seems to have flying possibilities!

In this case, the flying seems to have been a tendency to jet off into thin air…and I sincerely hope it’s landed now. That’s what happens with new things!

Thanks for your feedback……

https://poems-and-reflections.com/2023/04/25/poem-all-things-new/

For those who subscribe to this blog, I’m not certain that you were able to see the poem that I included in my post yesterday.

I tried to revise the blog but didn’t succeed!

So, here’s a link to the website entry which includes the poem.

https://poems-and-reflections.com/2023/04/25/reflections-on-a-journey/

I’m still learning things on this journey….and looking for ways around a problem, if I am unable to find a direct solution!

Thank you for supporting this blog.

All things new

The One who once made all things; 
Is making all things new 
He wears a robe of faithfulness
His words are ever true

From words He made the garden 
From dust He made man’s frame
So will the new He makes today
Still bear the Makers Name? 

His Kingdom is upon this earth
The earth that now grows old
But glory has been promised 
And glory will unfold 

Glory like a golden oil 
Will herald His new birth 
And breaking of new waters 
Will gild the worn out earth 

We sing in expectation 
For He will do all things 
All glory still belongs to Him 
The One above all kings 

“All glory be to God on High
And to the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to man
Begin and never cease..”

So what does newness look like
If we have never seen 
The new that He’s creating 
The things that haven’t been? 

I do hope you can see this poem. For some reason it didn’t publish in my previous post.

Introduction

From 2005, when Roger and I married, we have been on a journey together. That journey has included many, many smaller journeys and adventures; for which we give God all the glory.

Not every route we have taken, or path we have walked along, has been directly led by God, because at times we have been self motivated or failed to listen to His voice. But, by His grace, He has woven a tapestry out of those individual journeys and even allowed our diversions to bring forth His greater work of goodness in our lives.

How He does this in billions of individual lives is utterly amazing; for He alone is God.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your hands, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, human beings that You care for them? “

Psalm 8:3-6

This morning God reminded us that we are His masterpiece; His workmanship, created to do good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Reflections are beautiful re-creations or representations of original things. They speak of the original in a new way. Personal reflections hopefully encourage and inspire others, too.

Here’s a photo that Roger took recently when we were sitting by a small lake in Williamsburg, Virginia. I love reflections in water, particularly when the water is clear and still.

So, in this new season, we hope to bring some reflections of our own to you. We’re working individually and together on new ways to do this.

Perhaps I could start by bringing a poem that I wrote a few weeks ago; inspired by the sense of newness that God our Creator is bringing into His creation at this time in history. The world sees and speaks of decay, climate change and disaster while God’s living Word speaks of a Kingdom of renewal, revival and refreshment by the Holy Spirit.

All things new

The One who once made all things; 
Is making all things new 
He wears a robe of faithfulness
His words are ever true

From words He made the garden 
From dust He made man’s frame
So will the new He makes today
Still bear the Maker’s Name? 

His Kingdom is upon this earth
The earth that now grows old
But glory has been promised 
And glory will unfold 

Glory like a golden oil 
Will herald His new birth 
And breaking of new waters 
Will gild the worn out earth 

We sing in expectation 
For He will do all things 
All glory still belongs to Him 
The One above all kings 

“All glory be to God on High
And to the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to man
Begin and never cease..”

So what does newness look like
If we have never seen 
The new that He’s creating 
The things that haven’t been? 

That concluding verse makes me reflect on how we understand new things when we haven’t seen them before? To me it’s saying…as you travel on your own journey keep looking for God’s newness – and ask Him to open your senses to understand what you’ve never yet seen or understood! It’s the Kingdom on earth discernible by God’s Spirit alone.

NB: As part of this newness Roger and I are trying to weave together (in God’s tapestry) a new online presence with Roger’s wonderful photos, videos and reflections and my words and poems, too. I’ll try to offer links as appropriate.

This is Lady Liberty but she comes with a mixed message. The world’s spirit of enlightenment is upon her torch, rather than Freedom in the true Light of the world.

And the USA is currently in a battle for true Freedom. Just as are many nations in the world in 2023.

“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.’”
‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.2.1-3.NIVUK

The Spirit of Freedom & Adventure

In February 2022 Roger and I were led to go out in faith with our caravan to “walk in revival” and have an adventure with the Lord, looking for signs of hope and revival as we journeyed.

We were not disappointed. Our journey took us about 25 miles from home to the Telford & Wrekin area of Shropshire where we found some very encouraging signs of new life and new gatherings of God’s people.

We made a series of videos and these are on our Kingdom Heritage YouTube channel. Follow this link.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV-e-yndwyedGz6QZcjHD-7KSROHk7oAD

Walking on in “revival“ from 2022 to 2023

What I hadn’t realised is that we have continued in that walk, even though we had switched our day to day focus.

When we arrived in America in November 2022 it was part of a rescue mission for family members who needed freeing from oppressive circumstances.

As part of that mission we needed to live here for a while…so here we still are in 2023.

And we were led to worship in a church called Grace.

Grace Church of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

We were welcomed in as family. And it soon became clear that the true Spirit of freedom had brought us there. All the “words” spoken and the songs of praise and worship resonated! What a joy…

But there was more to come.

Expectation of revival

Think back a year to February 2022 when we began to “walk in revival” in the UK and saw the signs of hope in Telford & Wrekin.

Then, in February 2023 in America a revival actually broke out among students in Asbury College and at the same time a new film was in cinemas called “Jesus Revolution” which centred on the Jesus movement among hippies in the 1970s. This film has been a box office hit in America, exceeding all expectations! We were amongst the first people to see it in the USA, on the day of its release.

Roger recently published a video about these happenings. Here’s the link:

https://youtu.be/IAH9JlwDOyc

Drawing near to God

Grace Church of Fredericksburg tuned into the spiritual awakening.

The Pastor determined that, during Lent, the church would end its morning worship service by transitioning into a two hour plus period of intentionally drawing near to God to move into His Presence and to worship and experience intimacy in His love.

This was a direct response to the Spirit of revival stirring in America and inviting God’s Spirit to come personally, corporately and to this region of the State of Virginia.

We have drawn near. And He has drawn near to us. There is more to come.

A prayer

Father, thank You for Your desire for us, Your children. Thank You that You want to draw near to us. Show us how to be close to You. We need You. This world needs You. We ask for fresh flows of Your Spirit into tired places to revive and refresh and show Your glory.

Revive us and we shall be revived!

“Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.”
‭‭

James (Jacob)‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1849/jas.4.8.TPT

New things require new understanding!

Dear readers…I am learning something new, having recently changed my website/blog app from WordPress to Jetpack. I thought that by publishing in Pages you would see my post as before, but it’s not as simple as that….

So, I’m going to rectify this by posting a link and I’m hoping it works.

I’m also gearing up to continue my blog on Adventure in 2023.

See you soon! I hope….just click on this link…

https://poems-and-reflections.com/adventure-continuedin-the-usa-march-2023/

It’s 7:30am on a Friday morning. 21st October 2022.

I’m sitting and reflecting on current events in the UK. But, above all, I’m meditating on the goodness of God. That’s a word that has attached itself to my own spirit through the intention of God’s Holy Spirit. It’s a Word that has deeply rooted in me over a period of time.

God is good. All that He does is good. Even in judgment, He is good. He allows evil to come into the light and apparently flourish, so that He can judge it and ultimately extinguish it.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 NIVUK

Jesus is God’s goodness personified. We, who are born again in and through Jesus and Holy Spirit, are personal bearers – embodiments – of God’s goodness.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Note the word “good” in that verse. We are lit by God’s goodness when we abide in Jesus and work in His Spirit. We are to shine for the glory of God the Father.

In my own life at this time in history – in my 8th decade as a British subject but above all as an eternal citizen of heaven – I am deeply thankful for the goodness of God. That goodness is as a lighthouse in very stormy seas. All is not dark. Rocky shorelines are exposed. There is hope of coming into safe harbour.

So, dear friends, this is the Word I leave you with today:

Psalm 27: A Psalm of King David

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Saviour. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

May His goodness be yours today as you abide in Jesus in the power of His Spirit.

NB: This is a personal reflection. I am not a Bible teacher! If what I have written does not resonate, or you discern that it needs correction, please do so…as a comment or personaL reply. Thank you so much.

On Sunday 2nd October Roger and I decided to make the most of a sunny afternoon with a short visit to Wells, Somerset. Just 10 miles drive from our caravan site.

The Smallest City

By virtue of its Cathedral, Wells is a city. It describes itself as the smallest UK city. We were blessed with a parking spot right next to the Cathedral. And with nothing to pay! Now that delights me. So it was with a sense of freedom that we set off to tour the streets.

Fresh perspectives

We first came to Wells in 2013 after a week at New Wine at Shepton Mallet. We were very impacted by the sense of history and heritage that this city represents. We had decided then to prayer walk its ancient streets and I remember speaking out Psalm 24…. declaring that the Lord of glory would come in, as ancient doors and gates were flung open at His arrival.

We made a short video in 2013 called “A Heritage Preserved?” We had just acquired an iPhone and we filmed it on that.

Our fresh perspectives some 9 years later involved a sense of familiarity but also a new expectation. The warm sunshine helped to make us feel quite joyful. Especially as both of us were shaking off the remnants of the Covid virus.

Walking the streets in 2022

As we walked we observed that it was quiet. Not too many tourists. We felt quite peaceful…the views were lovely. We ambled around enjoying the unhurried air of it all. The walk round the Bishop’s Palace was particularly spiritually inspiring.

When finally we made it back to the car, I mentioned that it might be good to have a look at Vicars’ Close again, as I remembered that ancient street from our visit in 2013. Roger was not as keen, but somehow we were both stirred up by hearing a brass player practising his instrument by an open window in Wells Cathedral School. So we walked on. It was close by.

Vicars’ Close

As we entered the ancient street known as Vicars’ Close, I was stirred again by its sense of history. It is a quite amazing sight. It is apparently the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in Europe, dating back to the 14th century. If you want to know more, here’s the Wikipedia link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicars%27_Close,_Wells

Praying in His Spirit

We walked up the street to the far end where we could turn and look down its length towards the Cathedral. Roger took this wonderful photo.

We stood with our backs against an ancient wall and door – warmed by the late afternoon sun – and looked down the street. We had such a sense of wanting our national spiritual heritage to be redeemed. We inwardly mourned the loss of true Christianity. We were groaning with the sadness of what has happened to the children in our current culture. So, we asked the Lord how He wanted us to pray? We closed our eyes and began to listen and pray in the Spirit, repeating the Name “Jesus” over and over again.

An unexpected encounter

We heard people passing by – probably wondering what we were quietly saying – but we kept our eyes closed. After quite a while of praying like this, someone drew near and we opened our eyes to see a young man holding a young boy’s hand.

We smiled at each other and he asked if we knew how old the street was? We told him that we did know and he in turn told us that he had only recently come to live in Wells with his young family.

Emboldened, I said that we were praying for our nation in this ancient spot. To which he replied that he had come as a “minister” to Wells – a Pentecostal minister in the Elim church called Connect Centre.

Our spirits leapt to meet each other in His Spirit! We shared our desire to see spiritual transformation in the nation, particularly for the sake of the children. He told us that he had been taking his small son for a walk, but had not planned to come up Vicars Close…he just seemed to be led to walk this way!

Renewed expectation

The encounter ended with Jason (for that was his name) offering to pray for us and for our “ministry” (representing a much older generation) and for us praying for him and for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on the church.

What a God moment! Especially as Roger had also been reflecting before our prayer time that our Wells video from 2013 had never really been seen by many people….and here was an opportunity to share it with a minister in a Pentecostal church in Wells. What an answer to prayer!

The Word that I had while praying for Jason was

Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord God Almighty…

Zechariah 4:6

Ham Farm, Somerset

It’s been a long time. I haven’t had any impetus to write anything for many weeks. In fact I wondered whether I would have any inspiration again…

I started this new post this morning. In fact I was writing away quite fluently but when I took a phone call all the words just slipped away! Very frustrating.

We’re in Somerset. We came to add some support to my sister in the final stages of a protracted and difficult new house build. Then we caught covid and we are in the last phase of recovery. We will be here for a while longer.

We came with our caravan on 13th September and found this delightful site, so it’s not been a great hardship staying here. It’s a large green pasture bounded by a small river and we’re the only people on site. The Good Shepherd chose well!

Down by the river

It’s afternoon now and I’m sitting on a “beach” by the small river having a third attempt to finish this blog! Each time I write, something happens and all my carefully crafted words are erased. It’s getting quite boring. But I’m persevering!

The little “beach” by the river has been created by the caravan site owner. It’s definitely the place to be recuperating from a two week episode of covid!

A change of season

The season has definitely changed. Something different is in the air. I walked out this morning and enjoyed the beauty of the changed season. I made some audio recordings. I took some photos. I’ll see if I can include them in another post. I’ll also tell you what happened when we went to Wells on Sunday.