Hi,

If you are a regular blog follower please accept my apologies that there has been nothing new for a couple of weeks - but here goes

Today is Ash Wednesday and I was reminded today that the only way we can get ash is to have fire. Fire can be seen, and often is, a destructive force but I was contemplating this when I remembered the true story of the giant redwoods in California.

In the early 1900's it was decided that these magnificent trees needed to be kept as a national treasure and therefore the National Parks Department set up a programme to ensure they were protected from damage from fires etc. through careful husbandry of the area and ensuring visitors did not smoke.

By the 1950's the trees were in a poor state and several were dying.

It was then that quite by accident there was a fire in one small area and following the fire the health of the trees, which were predominantly undamaged, improved. It was realised that fire played an important part in the health of the trees. Today there is a programme of controlled fires which keep all the trees healthy.

As I think of this blog and share my thoughts with you I realise that sometimes in our own lives we need to confess to our Lord those things that in our own lives keep us from him and repent of them. We need God's cleansing fire to take away all that stops us growing and is stopping good health and growth. It is only when all that stops growth is gone that new growth can happen.

As we come up to Easter let's remind ourselves that lent is a time to reflect, confess and repent so that we can come afresh, anew to the celebrations of Resurrection Sunday.

God Bless

Paul