Faithful God

I read this just now

He?s a God of Restoration (1)

?I will restore to you?? Joel 2:25

Whatever life has taken from you, God can restore. He may not give you exactly what you want, but He will give you what?s best. And even when you fall under His corrective hand through disobedience, if you repent, He will reinstate you to a place of blessing. You say, ?But what about the time I?ve wasted, the opportunities I?ve squandered, and the mess I?ve made of my life? Sometimes I wonder if I?ve fallen so low that even God cannot reach me.? No, there?s hope for you. The Bible says, ?Behold, the Lord?s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear? (Isaiah 59:1 NKJV). After wasting all that he?d inherited from his father, the Prodigal Son returned home, penniless and embarrassed. All he wanted was three square meals and a job in the servants? quarters. But the moment he said, ?Forgive me,? his father called for the best robe, the fattest cow, the newest shoes, and a ring of son-ship restoring him to his rightful place as a member of the family. Even under the crushing weight of the Old Testament Law, with demands that no one could live up to, God said, ?If a man steals an ox or a sheep?he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep? (Exodus 22:1 NKJV). Now if God would do that for those who lived under the Law and on the wrong side of the cross, how much more will He do for those He has redeemed? So you can go to Him today with confidence, knowing He?s a God of restoration. It's from the UCB Word for You Today. What a Faithful and Graceful Loving God we have that does this for us and forgives so freely, fully and lovingly! I think it's time for us all to take some time away and just be with Him! Beth x

Beautiful Bus

I'm on my way to my sisters. To get there, I have to get one of two buses. The 23 or the 24.
I'm on the 23 today! My favourite! Why? It's only a bus! Only a journey! 
But .... the 23 is no ordinary bus journey! You could be mistaken for thinking that, as far as Ramsthorn. 

But once you reach Stillthorpe, it's a whole different ball game.

Passenger 1gets on just through Ramsthorn and greets the driver by name, there's a bit of banter between the two of them, Passenger 1 concluding with 'If I'm wrong, I'll give you a fiver!'

This robust old man with a cheeky, weathered face now sits down and greets the cheerful old couple behind him and settles into thoughtful conversation as we bounce through the countryside, green and quaint!

"Here's your friend!", remarks the old lady after 7 or 8 minutes, and only one passenger getting on and greeting them with hello then settling down with his paper!

Number One stands up to grab a free newspaper and make room for his friend. The conversation now turns around to Ken Dodd's age and chuckles are heard all around this bouncing, busy, community bus. 

The ladies behind me engage in a conversation, even though they probably don't know one another.

Number One shoots me a cheerful grin. I get the impression He IS the Number One of this bus. 

Every newcomer greets the driver, has a bit of a chat and is chorused with the cries of hello from the rest of the passengers!

It is like the opening scene from Mallory Towers. And I love it!