Reflection & Prayer

Busy times for all

It is amazing how quickly time goes… such as being asked to write the prayer letter, thinking and praying about it during the week and then suddenly seeing a reminder that it hasn’t been done! So here it is!

I am often struck how busy we all are, heads down and cracking on with work or other demands being placed on us… yet how often do we take the time to look up and out at those around us in the workplace and at home? And when I say look I mean really look? I have been struck by the word ‘humility’ this week.

In reading Philippians 2 today I saw something I hadn’t appreciated before… in verse 5 it says “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” I was familiar with the verse (I know the song which covers v5-11 check out https://www.truth78.org/fighter-verses) but what does it really mean about having ‘this mind among yourselves’? It’s the verses that precede it that give the answer:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ²complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-5 [ESV]

My prayer for all of us, whether at work or at home, is to have the same mind, same love, same accord… doing things out of love and valuing others above ourselves- just as Christ would- showing humility.

May you seek to be more Christ like as you continue this race and finish well.

Please continue to pray for all in light of the current challenges for policing – I’m sure you do!

Please pray for Alice – one we love dearly!

Love and blessings,

Bert

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your Prayers for Wendy and Lynne as requested. The update on Wendy – she has had a partial knee replacement and is in a lot of pain. Lynne feels very well and has returned to work for a short time before she retires, at which point she will undergo her next Surgery. Continued Prayers please for both of our Sisters in The Lord.

As you will recall from my earlier email referring to the Award from Woking Borough Council, the Lord quickly reminded me that my name is written on the Palms of His Hands. An Officer in London having read that reminded me that our names are also in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Hallelujah.

Again this week the Lord has brought a levelling into my thinking. “Please do you have any Letters after your name so that we can place them on the board here in The Borough’s Offices?” I was loathed to admit this was true –   Music Qualifications.

Immediately I was grateful to be reminded by the Lord –  He alone has qualified me:

“Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints”

How grateful are we, that He has done this for us. Nothing of ourselves, all of and from Him through Jesus Christ His Son.

Many Blessings as you live in the good of who you are in Christ this coming week.

In Him

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your replies to last week’s Prayer Letter.

Immediately into two Prayer Topics.

Below is a message from Wendy Kimber, who helps to run the Surrey CPA:

“My prayer request is for CPA members to pray for me for healing and calmness of the anxiety/stress I am feeling for my impending partial or full knee replacement operation on Monday 27^th September and for the Lord to go before me, prayers also for the surgeon and all involved at the hospital and my son/partner who will be looking after me when I come home.  I am particularly anxious as no-one is allowed to come in with me prior to the surgery or after, no visitors at all. Good they are being safe but I had a not so nice experience in Dec 2019 at a hospital. I am of course grateful after a long battle persuading for one to be given to me at a “young” age”.

The second Prayer Need:

Many of you will have known Lynne Owens when she was our Chief here in Surrey. She left to go to The Met as an Assistant Commissioner, then moved on to be the Director General of the National Crime Agency. Sadly, following surgery for Cancer, she has chosen to resign from her work in the NCA knowing that she has to have further Surgery. Her full story which I would encourage you to take time to read; is below on the web site. As ever you can see Lynne is thinking of others before herself. Her Faith is strong: www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news

For both Wendy and Lynne, I am placing the following, written by Paul when in Prison. Romans 8. 38-39.

 ^“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

The Greatest Gift we can have  – The Presence of God in our lives.

Blessings

Alice. 

Hello everyone,

Very many thanks to Nick for writing last week’s Prayer Letter. Thank you too for the number of Congratulations I have received. I have said before, I am not superstitious, but hopefully that is now the end of the Awards, Surrey Star, Maundy Money and now Eminent Citizen of Woking. “Things come in threes…”

I also want to thank Sgt Simon Berger for attending the Ceremony with me. “I truly appreciated you giving up precious time that should have been spent with your family Simon, to be with me and my younger Daughter Rachel; as my two guests”.

After the Award Ceremony ended, I was informed by the PA to the Mayor of Woking that my name would be written on one of their Plaques in Woking Borough Council Offices. “And it will be outlined in Gold Leaf” added the PA.

The second after I heard those words, I heard the following:

“See, I have written your name on the palms of My Hands” Isaiah 49:16a

How truly special to hear those words at that moment.

As Christians, we do not need our names up in lights, we just want to express the Love of Jesus in the way we live our lives.

My Prayer for you today is that you are there “In Him” as you walk amongst your Colleagues – in which I know is a far from easy place of work.

Go, knowing how “Special” you are, because of Your Lord and Saviour.

Giving Him All The Glory.

Alice

Hello Everyone.

Continuing to be concerned for you all. You are in my Daily Prayers.

Again, please may I ask you to Pray for each other. I am aware of an Officer who has two teenagers with Covid. Others planning trips to university in a matter of a few weeks.

In our Church a week ago, our visiting speaker shared with us his thoughts on the “Water being changed into Wine” story as found in John 2. 1-11.

So good when you hear thoughts on a story you know really well, which brings revelation.

• Jesus told the Servants to fill the water jars with water, 20-30 Gallons.
• Having done so, He then told them to take a sample to the Master of the Banquet.
• The Servants did and the Master could not believe that the best wine had been saved until the end of the Banquet.

I wonder what was going through the minds of these Servants as they filled the stone jars and then for them to be asked to take a sample to the Master.

The Lord looks to us to undertake actions for Him, we may never know the full outcome.

But as the Servants trusted Jesus, so do we.

The result- amazing Wine.

His Will being done on earth through us His Servants.

And it is all because we know our Lord and how he is able to work miracles through us.

Press on this week in Him as He uses you in bringing His Kingdom here on earth.

Many Blessings.

Alice.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your replies to last week’s Prayer Letter.

I am continuing to ask you to Pray for those who are not well, including those of whom you are unaware. Also because of my chats with people, so much weariness is being experienced. Please take care of yourselves and those who are precious to you.

A few days ago, I was reading in Soul Fuel; written by Bear Grylls, that he (BG) would love to have the gift that Peter had – being able to walk on water. Having seen the times BG has finished up in water – often icy but also filthy, I can understand why.

We read in Matthew 14. 22-33, the story of Jesus making his way – walking on the water to the boat in which the disciples were. Peter said:

“Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” Jesus said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

I believe there are many times when we are as though walking on water, having placed our trust in the Lord, but then begin to doubt because of the happenings around us. But yet He Jesus has never at any time left us.

I Pray when difficulties both at work and at home meet you head on this coming week, you will know Your Lord and Saviour will take you by the hand and see you through.

Many Blessings and In His Grip. Alice.