Thought for the Month August 2024 

DEREK McCLEAN cpccFrom Rev’d Derek McClean of Cliff Park Community Church

Whether there, or here, this is a beautiful world. A world full of wonder. A world to capture and inspire the imagination. A world for love, life, and laughter
 
There was much laughter and enjoyment at the Cliff Top Festival, this month, and I enjoyed it as well. But in the midst of the amusements, and rides, and food, as I celebrate life, the Psalms will remind me to celebrate the Giver of Life and all that I am enjoying at the festival
 
As part of celebrating the Giver of Life, there will be a special service at the Pavilion Bandstand on 4th August at 10:30am. There, we will celebrate all that He has given, especially giving His Son, Jesus, to die for us that we might be forgiven and have life with Him. The greatest gift and the best reason to celebrate
 
This will be a churches together celebration. Why not join us, and celebrate the joy of knowing Jesus? We’d love to see you
 
I grew-up in the Presbyterian denomination, and I still have the hymn book on my shelf. As much as the charts, the hymns in that book, and the Psalms, form the soundtrack of my teenage life
 
Presbyterians love the Psalms. They can’t get enough of them. The Psalms provide the full range of emotions: life & love, hope & despair, pain & sorrow. Above all, they celebrate God and what He has done for us
 
The most famous one is Psalm 23, the Shepherd Psalm, which begins, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want
 
We live in a beautiful part of the world. A top-ranked beach on our doorstep. Lovely walks around us – especially that bluebell wood in spring – and places where we can just sit and simply ‘be’: a time to reflect and enjoy the world God has given us
 
I grew up on what has been declared to be an area of outstanding natural beauty – the Antrim coastline. It begins in my home town, and then follows the coast around to the Giants’ Causeway. This area is so amazing that the Irish have dubbed it a wonder of the natural world. And fans of Narnia will find Dunluce Castle – said to have inspired Caer Paravel (the castle in Narnia)

 

 courtesy of Gorleston Community Magazine

 


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