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Sunday 17th May 2026

“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.
If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.
“Song of Solomon 8:6-7

God of Love,

For me this passage talks about committed love between a man and a woman and also between You, God and Your adopted children (Romans 8:15-17).

A reminder that both relationships are intended to be sealed as permanent. The human one, as with all sin, being forgivable if broken. It is not the unforgivable sin but has painful consequences for all involved if broken. The divine relationship You never give up on but we have choice. I am filled with wonder at testimonies where You, God have drawn back a “lost and rebellious soul”. And they have known once again that tremendous welcome of the prodigal with their father. And the deep and equal love You have for those who follow faithfully. Or like me have wobbles sometimes.

Jealousy good and bad? Your Word says You are a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). Perhaps I too should be on the lookout for something I am jealous for, pushing You aside God. Sometimes, is it that we are holding them in greater stead than You, God? A hobby, a favourite grandchild, a desire . . .

Your love was seen as unquenchable flames of fire in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). Love like a fire, with great power and usefulness – for good or even for destruction? Love has lifted some to great heights; it has consumed others and left only ashes. But Your Love God cannot be bought, sold or earned because it is given freely. It is total and irreversible. But for us a choice. I will choose Christ daily, moment by moment and seek to keep the seal unbroken.

Worship Sunday 17th May 2026
This is a defiant hymn at unbelief. We do not renew vows we live them. It is good to sing them.


I will choose Christ, I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart,I give my life
I give all to You

Some days are hard and I fight to see the truth
But I’m gonna take a stand in all I say and do

I will choose Christ, I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart,I give my life
I give all to You

Some fall away and some refuse to see
A willing and humble heart I pray You’ll find in me

I will choose Christ, I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart,I give my life
I give all to You

You are grace, You are peace
You are hope and healing
You are faith, You are joy
You are God revealing
Jesus, My Lord and King

I will choose Christ, I will choose love
I choose to serve
I give my heart,I give my life
I give all to You

Lyrics: Tom Booth & Kathy Triccoli

Saturday 16th May 2026

“The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine. 3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. 4 Draw me away!” Song of Solomon 1:1-4 NKJV

God of love,

If anyone were to ask me what the theme of this book is I would say intimacy. it could be about human relationships and intimacy. It would also be a glimpse of the intimacy of Jesus love for us. The depth of His unconditional love and His banqueting table set before us with the banner of love displayed over us (SofS 2:4) (Luke 14:15).

It also warns about awakening love at the wrong time (SofS 2:7, 3:5, and 8:4) And we have all seen the devastation of marriages broken by a third person stirring up inappropriate love. It is also so sad when a marriage ends because there is no longer any love. Or it is one sided. It is a complicated book for a complicated subject rather than a set of commandments.

Just as being in a relationship with You is full of depth and width and height (Ephesians 3:8), and sometimes overwhelming and sometimes a challenge. But always an eternal relationship in progress. Thank You Father God that You are committed to this relationship with us with all the You love You are.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Saturday 16th May 2026
As with all relationships Lord, and we are human, sometimes we need to hear how much You love us and tell You of our love.

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I’m your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know you are near

Lyrics: Kelly Carpenter, Vineyard worship pastor January 1994.

Friday 15th May 2026

“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.” Ecclesiastes 10:1-2 NKJV

“Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.”
Ecclesiastes 10:20 NKJV

Father God,

Here we see a little of the Proverbs style creeping into Ecclesiastes. But all negative alas. Amidst all the trying to grasp the wind is some common sense advice but looking on the what can go wrong..

What an illustration, the heart being at the right hand of left. In biblical times, the right side often symbolized strength, honor, and favor. In contrast, the left side was often seen as weaker or less favorable. Sometimes seen as deceptive as with Ehud the left handed man who murdered Eglon (Judges 3:20-23). Much misaligned left handed people! But we understand what he was saying. And gossip. I wonder if that is where the saying, a little bird told me so!

Cursing in any situation is never good and words said in anger never beneficial. I have learned by experience to button it, till I can calm down. Or take a walk. We all need to find our own way to calm our anger, to come to You, God to offload and sometimes be corrected. We do not see the whole picture. Help us to use our common sense and not just think before we speak, but pray and pause.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 15th May 2026

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

re we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge— 
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Lyrics: Joseph Scriven.