{"id":973,"date":"2018-10-17T21:14:58","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T21:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/wptest\/?p=973"},"modified":"2018-12-10T09:11:43","modified_gmt":"2018-12-10T09:11:43","slug":"day-ten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hatfieldroadmethodist.org\/?p=973","title":{"rendered":"Advent 2018 – Day Ten – River deep, mountain high"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today’s song is River deep, Mountain high. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I struggled to think of a song for today but then this came to me.<\/p>\n

Probably in relation to Moses floating in the river as a baby, which we will read about later, and then his call to meet God on the mountain.<\/p>\n

And do I love you my oh my
\nYeah river deep mountain high<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The story of the birth of Moses perhaps seems an odd reading to explore in Advent time. However, I think it does draw out a number of interesting themes which add to our reflections as we travel towards the birth of Jesus.<\/p>\n

Firstly we can draw a number of comparisons between the stories of Moses and of Jesus.<\/p>\n

When we take time to compare and contrast them they do have several factors in common. An imperial ruler threatens t\"\"<\/a>he life of the infant and indeed all other infants, the rescue of the child who will later rescue his people in the case of Moses and all people in the case of Jesus.<\/p>\n

The story also speaks to me of trust in God. Moses’ mother casts her son into the water trusting that God will provide and keep him safe.Mary at many points in Jesus life must have wondered how his life would turn out.<\/p>\n

In some ways both infants are nurtured by the least expected people. The wife of Pharoh the man who would have had him drowned and a young unmarried girl to be Jesus’ mother.<\/p>\n

Both were to be a vital part of God’s plan. Moses to bring God’s people out of Egypt and Jesus to provide the world with the pathway to salvation.<\/p>\n

The stories are also active and dynamic involving acceptance of God’s will.<\/p>\n

In this Advent time think of the risks you should be taking in your Christian journey and ask God to show you the part he wants you to play in salvations story.<\/p>\n

THOUGHTS ON THE STORY OF THE MOTHER OF MOSES – Diana Holt<\/strong><\/div>\n
\n

As Mary had to let go of her son, Jesus, so he could do his work, so Moses\u2019 mother had to let him go \u2013 cast him off in a cradle on the water \u2013 to save his life so he could do the work God had planned for him.\u00a0 In both cases, those babies went on to change the world.<\/p>\n

Do we let go?\u00a0 Do we cling to things, to ideas, to opinions, just because we are too proud to change our minds, or believe we are always right?<\/p>\n

Perhaps we should learn to let go?\u00a0 Learn to listen to that quiet voice inside that urges us to stop and think.\u00a0 Learn to respond to that glimmer of unease that says maybe we don\u2019t have all the answers.<\/p>\n

When we pray, do we tell God what we want, and what ought to happen?\u00a0 Or do we listen for his still, small voice, and let him take control?<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, help me to learn that you are the Lord, whose wisdom is greater than any human mind\u2019s, and whose path \u2013 although confusing and difficult sometimes \u2013 is the one I should follow.<\/p>\n

Help me to let go, and let you.\u00a0 Let you take over my life, my thoughts, my speaking, and my actions.\u00a0 And most of all, now, in this time of prayer, let me listen. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bible Passage: \u2013 Exodus Chapter 2 Verses 1 – 10 (NIV)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman,<\/span> and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When \"\"<\/a>she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.<\/span> But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.<\/span> His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Pharaoh\u2019s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.<\/span> She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. \u201cThis is one of the Hebrew babies,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then his sister asked Pharaoh\u2019s daughter, \u201cShall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, go,\u201d she answered. So the girl went and got the baby\u2019s mother.<\/span> Pharaoh\u2019s daughter said to her, \u201cTake this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.\u201d So the woman took the baby and nursed him.<\/span> When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh\u2019s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, \u201cI drew him out of the water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hymn: Singing the Faith \u2013 \u201cLord I come to you\u201c<\/b><\/p>\n

Contemplation saying.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cHis sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us pray together.<\/b><\/p>\n

Contemplative Prayer.<\/b><\/p>\n

Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,<\/i><\/p>\n

Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,<\/p>\n

Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.<\/p>\n

Listen for God\u2019s voice in the quiet of your prayers.<\/i><\/p>\n

Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.<\/p>\n

Twitter Prayer<\/b><\/h4>\n

\u00a0Loving God, help me today to be an active part of your Salvation story. Amen
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Facebook Prayer<\/b><\/h4>\n

.Loving God we are so often passive in the expression of our love for you. We pray that today you will help us to speak of your love for the world that those we meet may hear the Good News of your coming into our lives. Amen.<\/p>\n

Full Prayer<\/b><\/h4>\n

Lord sometimes we are guilty of standing by watching rather than being active in your mission. We pray that where we see need we will respond by showing your love.<\/p>\n

May we be prepared to take risks as Moses’ mother did trusting that you will never fail us.<\/p>\n

Lord, sometimes we feel that we have been cast adrift by life. Lost, vulnerable and alone, help us to remember that you are always with us. That we are all named and loved by you.<\/p>\n

Help us to seek strength, courage and guidance from you and let us open our own hearts to others who need our help.<\/p>\n

We pray for all refugees in the world, parted from their homes, families, work and everything thay have known. Help us to be generous and supportive in drawing the lost into your kingdom of love and compassion. Amen<\/p>\n

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Today’s song is River deep, Mountain high. I struggled to think of a song for today but then this came to me. Probably in relation to Moses floating in the river as a baby,...<\/p>\n

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