4 August

Dear Friends,

As we continue to enjoy living in the city, we have become aware of the many different types of birds around us. We have appreciated the singing of the blackbirds and the call of the wood pigeon in the trees at the back of the manse. We were amazed to see and hear the colourful parakeets in the Vondelpark and fascinated to view a large heron perched above the fish stall at the Dappermarkt, eagerly awaiting the scraps at the end of the day.

All of this reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 v 26:

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

And in Matthew 10 v 29-31:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Recently I read this inspiring story from the Gospel Hymn writer Civilla Martin:

“Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were in Elmira, New York.

We established a deep friendship with Mr. & Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God.

Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nearly twenty years. Her husband was unable to walk and used a wheelchair. Despite all of this, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day my husband asked them for the secret of their positive attitude. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!’ The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped our hearts and fired our imagination to write this hymn:”

“When Jesus is my portion, a constant Friend is He

 His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

We can be inspired by those around us in our ERC family who face difficult circumstances in life, yet whose faith remains strong - they are a great example to us all.

The Lord bless you,

Scott

Rev. Scott Guy

(Locum minister)