Global Minds

I have been a member of the BBC's Global Minds listeners and watchers panel for many years and they have inquired about how we feel about 2026 to which I replied 'positive'. However the global survey shows that 36% are worried or anxious, 27.3% are pessimistic, 18.7% are positive (including me!), 11.2% are neutral, 9.7% think 2026 will be better than 2025, and just 6.7% are excited about 2026! Which category are you in?

The Brazilian press is showing today how Brazil and almost the entirety of South America is far more linked economically to China than to the USA. This is not surprising considering the USA's isolationist approach to everything.

I had a meeting with deacon Dedé who is the leader of our church at Ipueira and we discussed the building of our church there. Someone has already donated the bricks for the church which is good! 

Psalm 4 (summary): David for the director of music

Psalm 4 was a prayer written by David for the director of music and to be presented with stringed instruments. The prayer may well have been written within the Absalom context. David cries for relief and asks for mercy. David asks how long will people seek false gods? The Lord will hear him, says David, because he has set apart the godly for himself. Then David recommends quiet reflection on the bed and trusting in the Lord. For David asks for God's light to shine upon him and rejoices in his heart. He closes thanking God for his peace and safety.

Psalm 3 (summary): David fleeing from Absalom

This psalm is again in a totally different category to the previous 2. It is a lament by King David as he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and usurp the throne, as we read in 2 Samuel chapters 15 to 18. David cries out to God bemoaning the popular uprising against him led by his son which some said was God having abandoned him. However David recognizes God as his shield, despite the adverse circumstances, and he knows God hears his cry. David says he knows that he sleeps and awakens because God sustains him, and for that reason he won't fear the tens of thousands against him led by his son. David then cries to God for deliverance because he knows that in God alone is true deliverance and blessing.

Psalm 2 (summary): Why do the nations rage?

Psalm 2 is different from Psalm 1 like the difference between chalk and cheese! This Psalm immediately reminds me of Handel's Messiah which I used to see at the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas with my father. Psalm 2 is a royal messianic psalm poetically and majestically telling us that it is futile for the nations to revolt against God or against his appointed king. In the opening verses it is asked why the nations plot and rage against almighty God and his Anointed One? For they seek to break free from divine authority in vain. God scoffs at them and rebukes them in anger as he has installed his King on Zion. The King or Messiah proclaims his authority as the son of God, who will inherit the nations, rule them and "dash them to pieces like pottery". So the kings are warned to serve and fear the Lord. For "blessed are all who take refuge in him".

Sunday School

Liz took the Sunday School yesterday in Patos and it was a great blessing. She taught the youths and adult class together.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and our daughter Sacha preached an excellent sermon on Micah 6:1-8. Sacha has degrees in English Language and Theology and is a very good preacher. I received some gifts from the church and from the church children in the service for my birthday which was very nice.

What a birthday!

My birthday yesterday was like no other as it was a long stressful day of meetings which had to be yesterday as there was no other day to fit them in. The senior ACEV leadership team met for 2 hours in the afternoon and deliberated 5 topics of which one was especially serious. We then drove to our Itaporanga church where I presided a church meeting which was not easy. We got back to Patos just before midnight and the pastors stayed the night at our house.

At least QPR won on my birthday beating league leaders Coventry at home 2 x 1. 😀

This blog was read 19,336 times in January. Thanks to one and all.

Psalm 1 (summary): Blessed

This first psalm contrasts the person who walks with God and is happy obeying his word, with the wicked person who will perish. Happy is the man, says the psalm, who does not walk/stand/sit in godless ways. To the contrary he loves God's word and prospers like a fruitful tree planted by a stream. However, says the psalm, the wicked are like straw blown in the wind whose end is perdition.