A frog climbs the walls of my mud hut thinking he can escape from the light, when in fact he is only climbing to a dead end, to the darkness. Eventually he had to turn around and jump out into the light, a totally different direction.

Are you ever so sure that God has told you to do something, and so you try in vain to do it your way, only to realise you are wrong again and you have to make a complete U-turn?

Psalm 61

I wondered whether this frog thought I was a foe. After all I am huge compared to it, and my camera was flashing bright lights towards it. It’s heart was pumping as it climbed up the mud, reaching for that escape, climbing for that higher rock. But escape wasn’t up, it was to turn back and jump out.

My heart sometimes is faint with news from afar, and I pray that people who are suffering from Isis will keep their faith. I also pray for the people who are against us. God is there for the Christians and ethnic minorities, but more powerfully he can and is changing the minds of some Isis members. But there is a long way to go. Praying for enemies and meeting evil with love may seem a backward step, and it probably would be if this life was all there is. But we are assured by the Word that life awaits us and every person that accepts Jesus, in heaven, and so meeting evil with love is not futile. The difference between Islam and Christianity is clearly seen. One seeks to conquer, and the other offers a gift. One asks believers to subjugate non-believers and even puts death threats on people who leave, a rule by force. The other offers love to all, even non-believers and if someone leaves the faith, then we pray for them – they are still our concerns to show love to. God compels us to do this and He is our tower. He will be the one who acts out justice when all stand in front of Him, when all bow down to Him. We are not asked to hand out justice and show any sort of hate or evil, for that is the way of darkness, of sin and of death of the soul.

I feel my mud hut is a type of refuge at the moment, both for critters that escape the rain in there as I haven’t put a door on yet, and for myself and my thoughts; good old work to work through your thoughts and stresses you have felt during the day.

Dear Father, 
Be my heart, 
Be their soul,
Be our mind, 
As all these are already yours.

Dear Jesus,
Be my rock,
Be their tower,
Be our refuge,
As you have already been.

Dear Holy Spirit,
Be my tent,
Be their tower,
Be our Holy City,
As you already are.

Living God,
I pray enthrone us in your presence this hour

Amen