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Avatar photoJane Coates

Married to Phil Coates for the past 42 years with 4 adult children and three grandchildren. A Graduate with both social work and teaching qualifications and CELTA and TEFL also. 24 years of teaching experience in Leeds Primary schools.

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – The hidden person of the heart

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The hidden person of the heart
 
I am reading through 1 Peter, and in chapter 3 Peter gives his advice to women and men, wives and husbands, about the importance of ‘the hidden person of the heart’ as opposed to concerns about physical appearance and the images that we project to others and to the world. I was rather amused as Peter spoke about the weaving and braiding of the hair, our public image, and being superficially preoccupied with our appearance. It was very early on in my cancer treatment that I chose to have my hair shaved, as the hair loss due to the chemo drugs was an inevitable consequence. But I was prepared for this with the wigs! I have four different wigs and so I can change my image daily if I wish. The short red wig has earned me the name of ‘Rock Chick’ which could not be further from the truth as far as my character and personality are concerned.
 
Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewellery, or being superficially preoccupied with dressing in expensive clothes;  but let it be the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature which is very precious in the sight of God.  1 Peter 3 v 3-4 AMP
 
Today, we are told, people are image conscious, guard their self-image, attempt to project a new image through their appearance, speech, behaviour and attitude, and are often over concerned about their body image. Our identity and self-image are extremely important but there is the great danger that the image that we choose to project may become a mask. We need to have a ‘vulnerable trust’ in other people so that we allow them to see the real person that we are. It is good to be open about our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and struggles and to allow others to see the person inside, but-in a safe way. We also need someone who knows the complete truth! We need that person, friend, confidante or partner with whom we feel safe enough to be honest about ourselves and who we allow to see that ‘hidden person of the heart.’ Phil has walked the cancer journey with me and knows the truth about the hair-and much more besides! The returning hair is grey, thin, curly, untamed and unattractive!
 
For all of us, there is One person to whom we can safely show the’ real’ person both inside and out and that is Jesus. He knows us anyway and is working to change us into His image. He wants us to be walking billboards, advertisements for Him, and so He is changing us little by little so that we are transformed into His image, His likeness and character. His priority is ‘the hidden person of the heart’ and our spiritual maturity.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3 v 17, 18 NIV
 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8 v 28-30 KJV
 
Pray this for our coming week
Sabbath Blessing by Pete Greig
May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.
May God’s image in me be restored and my imagination in God the re storied. May the gravity of material things be lightened and the relativity of time slow down. May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness. May God’s word feed me, and His spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come. Amen
 
Jane Coates
March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and prayers – Knitting, Fishing and Connection

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Knitting, Fishing and Connection
 
This powerful drawing, top right in the collage above, is by 13 year old Anja Rozen,  a primary school student in Slovenia, it is called, ‘we are all connected.’ From 600,000 international entries from children and young people, Anja’s work was chosen as the winning piece, of the International Plakat Miru competition in 2020-2021, illustrating the theme of peace. Anja, an enthusiastic knitter, may have drawn inspiration from her other passion, knitting, for the idea for this striking piece of artwork.
 
“My drawing” says Anja, “represents the land that binds us and unites us. Humans are woven together. If someone gives up, others fall. We are all connected to our planet and to each other, but unfortunately, we are little aware of it. We are woven together. Other people weave alongside me, my own story; and I weave theirs.”
 
Her illustration encourages us to be more conscious of our relationships with one another, fostering that sense of community and shared purpose that is so essential in our search for peace and harmony. Anja Rozen may inspire us to safeguard our connections and strive for a more peaceful and cohesive world.
 
I spotted Anja’s artwork when Nathan’s Sunday morning message, 9th March, about net fishing as opposed to line fishing, was still much in my mind. I could visualize a large group of people, just like those you see in lower section of the collage, holding securely on to their part of the fishing net, not willing to drop their hold of the net’s edge, for fear that the contents could be lost. The net needed to be held firm by each person. Each person is valued and I need to look after the people to my right and left, and they need to look out for me. We are community together and we are looking out for others to come alongside to hold on to the net and to gather in the fish. I need others to strengthen my hands when they become weak, and my grip might weaken. We need the strong people to launch the net. We need those who are wise leaders to read the weather and the water currents, to know where the fish are likely to be, who can interpret the signs and know when to launch, close the net, and secure the catch. We need skilled crafts people to repair the net should it be weak or torn.
 
I used to play a cooperative game with my school students called ‘the web of strength.’ In this game, everyone stands in a circle and one person starts making a web with a ball of yarn or string. The first person shares a personal strength (e.g., “I’m good at listening”), and throws the ball of string to someone else across the circle. The process continues until everyone has shared a thought or a strength and is connected by the string The end result is a spider’s web of string across the circle. The physical web symbolizes how the students are all interconnected, how they can see their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses and value and support each other.
 
Connection is vital.
 
Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4 v 16 NKJV
 
Jane Coates
March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – From Obscurity to Queen

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From Obscurity to Queen.
 
As we read through the Book of Esther we detect and feel the hand of God working, even though His name is never mentioned in the text. God’s presence and involvement in the lives and characters of Mordecai and Esther, and in their roles leading to the rescue of the Jewish people, are clearly perceived. Esther, an orphan, had been adopted by Mordecai.  ‘Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.’ Esther 2 v 7 NLT Esther was Jewish, not Persian, and therefore had no rightful claims to be considered for what was to be her new role as the Queen of Persia. But the hand of God was with her. After the demise of Queen Vashti, and the decree to find a new queen for King Ahasuerus, Esther was selected to join the young women in the protected harem, as a potential candidate. This might not have been her first choice of career but a clear purpose and plan for her life was slowly working its way out. God was putting her in a position to save her nation.
 
One person can make a difference! We witness Esther’s courage and faith. We witness her willingness to act and to risk her own life. We see her patience in undergoing the twelve months of preparation under the guidance of Hegai, with the careful following of his advice before she is even presented to the king. Her patience, wisdom and integrity, together with her acceptance of advice from Hegai and Mordecai at every step, would lead to the salvation of the Jewish people from a marked destruction. Before Esther goes before the king to plead for her people, she asks Mordecai to arrange for a three day fast and prayer among her people and only then does she act.
 
Mordecai reminds her that her role and request are so significant, that she may have come to the palace “for such a time as this.”
 
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4 v 14
 
Mordecai’s position at court also changed, becoming “ second in rank to King Ahasuerus, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” Esther 10 v 3
 
Mordecai had worked faithfully behind the scenes-watchful, patient, and without self-promotion and because of this selfless, outward care and concern, was promoted to high office.
 
The decree concerning the liberation of the Jews became known as “Esther’s Decree,” and the new festival of Purim was established. “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” Esther 9 v 28
 
In the account of Esther, we witness the overarching love and plan of God for His chosen people, for their survival, the preservation of their identity, and in addition, non-Jews turning to the Jewish faith because of all that they have witnessed.
 
Questions
Do I trust God’s plan for my life?
Do I feel inadequate because of my circumstances, my family, my education?
Can I follow advice?
Can I work behind the scenes, unnoticed?
Can I wait patiently?
Can I work for the care and concern of others?
 
Jane Coates
March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Banquets and Celebrations

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Banquets and Celebrations
Phil and I have made many trips to China and one of the Important Chinese customs is to welcome guests on the night of their arrival with a special banquet. This is a very important meal, often formal, where dignitaries, local officials, and staff are invited to attend. It is a time for the exchange of gifts and words of welcome. There is always too much food and during and after the meal, there are toasts with alcohol, words of praise and commendation, and for our Chinese friends, the opportunity to enjoy too much alcohol and merriment. These banquets are often followed by a late-night karaoke session with even more riotous humour, singing, and laughter. The welcome to guests, the gifts, the food, drinking, celebrations and fun, reminds me of the forthcoming celebration of Purim. Purim is the time for fun and feasting for Jewish families, with dressing up costumes, masquerades, the giving gifts, and offerings to the poor all added to the mix.
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of March, when our Jewish neighbours and friends, and Jewish people around the world will celebrate the festival. We learn about the origins of Purim in the Book of Esther, when victory against an enemy, Haman, with his plans to annihilate the Jewish race in the 127 provinces of King Artaxerxes, across what is now Persia, was won through the wisdom, cooperation, trust, fasting and prayer, of two people, Mordecai and Esther and the quiet but unseen presence of God. It tells of the victory of the Jews against a possible massacre.
The festival is one of the most loved and joyous of Jewish holidays, celebrations and perhaps the high point in their calendar. There is plenty of food, the drinking of alcohol, mainly wine, the giving of gifts of food to friends, family and neighbours, and gifts to the poor. Another popular custom is the dressing up in costumes on Purim, perhaps as a reminder that Esther and Mordecai concealed their Jewish heritage at the King’s court.
In the Book of Esther there are so many extravagant banquets! In the third year of his reign, Artaxerxes gave a banquet for all his nobles, officials, princes, and military leaders lasting 6 months. Then, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, for those from ‘the least to the greatest’ living in the capital, Susa. Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the palace women. When Esther was chosen to replace Queen Vashti, “the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet”, displaying his affluence. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with “royal liberality.” Esther gave 2 banquets, but only for the king and Haman alone, part of her plan to shame the wicked Haman and point to the truth about his plans. When Haman had finally been punished, Mordecai promoted to second in command, and the Jews no longer threatened, there were more celebrations.
“In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, Esther’s Decree, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.”
So, the feast of Purim is celebrated every year as “the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He (Mordecai) wrote to them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” Esther 9 V 22 NIV
There is a time for celebrations, friends and family meals, anniversaries, weddings and banquets, laughter and games, and putting on the ‘glad rags.’
When the righteous see God in action they’ll laugh, they’ll sing, they’ll laugh and sing for joy. Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider. Enjoy God, cheer when you see him! Psalm 68 v 3 The Message
PRAY
Give me joy in my heart keep me praising.

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Memories.

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Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us. Oscar Wilde
 
We all have a memory bank of stored away images, experiences, joys, sadness, special people, friends, places, and it is important to keep these memories alive. They are an essential part of who we are and our story telling. If we can recapture significant moments, then we can keep those important memories alive. With our fondest, treasured memories, we are not just remembering and sharing old times. These memories come with depth and meaning. We have a million and more recollections and emotions stored away that are like the chapters of books, that go on and on. We have our photo books and albums of photographs that help to keep memories alive and fresh. We must safeguard our memories.
 
It is important that our children and grandchildren build up a good store of memories which will remain with them.
 
“” Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Charles R Swindoll
 
These memories are significant and will build into a whole library of books that can be taken out and read once again. It is a library store of happy times, experiences, challenges, successes, holidays, family times, birthdays, friends, songs, laughter, sporting prowess, music and school milestones. Even the sad times, the failures, the losses, the tragedies, the problems, are carefully shared and deposited in their Library. We add tangible objects to their memory boxes -holiday novelties, special T shirts, medals, certificates, badges and a hundred and one small items that may seem ridiculous at the time but will carry so much meaning in the years ahead. The box becomes a rich collection of memories that will remain with them into the years ahead.

You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all— their number is so great! Psalm 40 v5 GNT
 
When we trust in, and live in Christ, there is a whole new dimension of love and care that we see that He has planned for us. They are plans to give hope and a future. Each of our days and weeks are set before us with their challenges, steps to growth and maturity, stories, friendships, ‘mountain top experiences,’ and fresh insights. These experiences are personal and unique to us. We cannot donate them to our children. They must add them to their own library of experiences. They cannot be second-hand. But we can introduce our children and others to this new section of the library.
 
PRAY
Lord, help us to keep adding to our rich memory store of precious memories, for ourselves, our children, our families and those that we care about.
 
Jane Coates 
1 March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Trust – in the Fog

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Trust-in the Fog
 
As I was driving back in the car late-into the evening, the night was bleak, dark and foreboding, and the nighttime sky was heavy with rain, black clouds, and thick gloom. It was difficult to see where the edges of the road were. Our main country road has no street lighting or pavements at either side, but simple grass verges-with major holes, dips and a small beck at the edge. It reminded me of a time, when as a younger, more inexperienced driver, I was driving in deep fog. It was difficult to see even two metres in front of the car and even after trying to follow the white edges of the pavement, I found myself not on the road at all, but on the forecourt of a parade of shops. I judged it wise to stop and get out of the car.
 
There are times in life when we are in a place of confusion, disappointment, lacking clarity and a clear focus for the way ahead. It can be distressing ‘not to know’ the way ahead, not to the o be sure of the outcome, and not to know if the desired result or answer to a prayer will be realized. There is a risk of going off the road and on to the forecourt where we are stuck for a while, or of trying to manufacture our own solution to a desired result.
 
Many will be familiar with my C journey. The very worst part of that journey was the five months of chemotherapy with its unpleasant and disabling side effects. Initially, the powerful drugs seemed to be effective but then during the second round of chemo an MRI scan clearly showed that the tumour had doubled in size and that the move to surgery was essential. The surgical team were superb, and the final pathology report and further MRIs confirmed that there was no spread of the cancer. So, although that news was excellent, I was still left confused, and saddened, that after the five months of treatment with its significant delay to resolution, those months seemed to be wasted, bleak and fog bound. But with God nothing is wasted, there are always lessons to be learned. I had trusted Him.
 
It is in those times of weakness and disorientation that you need the prayer support of others. Prayer needs energy, patience and vision. There are times when you have none of those. At those times of confusion, we need to trust a loving God and surrender to His outcome. I was so glad of the prayer support of our Leaders, the Sunday prayer team, the church prayer link, the church fellowship, friends around the country and abroad, and anyone who prayed at that time. On the day of the surgery, the presence of Jesus was tangible. It was so evident that He was with me.
 
So, when we are in the fog, don’t keep pushing ahead. It is safer to stop and reach out to friends for prayer and help.
 
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life. Philippians 4 v 6 MSG
 
PRAY
Have I trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
I should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can I find a friend so faithful,
Who will all my sorrows share?
Jesus knows my every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
 
Am I weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still my refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
 
Adapted from words by Joseph Medlicott Scriven
 
Jane Coates
February 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Everything

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I am a great fan of the BBC Series Call the Midwife, and in a recent episode we saw a new, trainee midwife, Sister Catherine, moving into Nonnatus House to complete her training. 
 
Not long after Sister Catherine’s arrival Sister Monica Joan, a much older, experienced nurse seeks ‘the new girl’ out and engages her in a fascinating and challenging conversation asking if this is the life she imagined, and what changes a life given entirely to God would entailed.
 
Sister Catherine, who by now we have learned used to enjoy  trampolining and golf begins to list her thoughts…  “my time, pear drops, my cat Maude, mascara, coffee in the percolator, my brothers and sisters, waking up in my flat with my friends. Choosing what to wear, choosing what to eat, choosing what to do… sometimes, it’s the choosing that I miss most of all.”
 
In other words, you could say that as Sister Catherine sees it God demands her all, He doesn’t pick and choose. If her new life means she is to follow Him, He demands her everything. 
 

Hearing her say this I began to think about the word ‘everything.’ It is rare for someone to relinquish, surrender their rights or to give up their control of something. It would usually apply to property rights, part of an inheritance, or in rare occasions, the rights to the care of a child. Sister Monica Joan was born into a wealthy, aristocratic family who had disapproved of her choice of a Midwifery career and even more so of her being a Nun, taking her vow of poverty. Sister Catherine, at the beginning of her own journey, was honest about the challenge of ‘letting go,’ and the right to choose for herself.

 
We sometimes sing the old hymn ‘I surrender all.’ I find it immensely difficult to sing this hymn. It is hard to relinquish control, to ignore our material ‘stuff,’ and things that we like to have around us. We have our home, our car, our salary, our pensions, our holidays, the electronic devises that connect us to family and others. We have daily plans, schedules, and the things which entertain.
 
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
 
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
 
Immediately after Jesus was baptized, He was taken into the desert for a time of severe testing. In the third and final test Jesus was taken to a very high mountain, shown all the kingdoms of the world, their magnificence, and their delights, the devil, announcing, “everything there I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” “Away with you, Satan!” replied Jesus, “the scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’.” Matthew 4 v 8-11 NIV
 
The devil offered Jesus ‘everything.’ Everything can be yours, but only if you will worship me.
 
Jesus was tested to the extreme, which gives me hope that He understands my struggles, my confused priorities, my muddled thinking, my pressures and my weakness.
 
PRAY
What do I hang on to at all costs? What time swallowing task could I let go of?
Jesus, shape my life so that it may more resemble yours.  Prune my priorities and desires.
 
Jane Coates.
February 2025
 
 
 
 

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Scars

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I would guess that most of us have a scar or two, either caused by a fall, an accident or injury, or surgery of some kind, either big or small, or maybe even a small burn. The healing processes of our bodies are truly wonderful. When skin is injured or cut in some way, new tissue is created which helps the skin to reseal itself. The scar helps the skin to repair its damaged tissue, to close the gap made by a cut, tear or surgical incision, and pulls together the wound. Isn’t that amazing! Our skin is such an essential part of our immune system. I am the proud bearer of several scars and surgical incisions. My first scar was caused when I was 10 years old and collided with a run of iron railings. The second scar followed the safe, emergency delivery of our first child. The third scar was to remove a facial blemish, and the fourth, more major scar, was the removal of a cancer. So, I have had my share of surgical scars. Such scars may fade over time but often remain.
 
There are also hidden scars that may be hidden, hard to detect, or deliberately concealed. People may carry emotional scars caused by distress of some nature. There may be a loss, a breakdown of a relationship, a mental health concern, the responsibility for the care of an aged partner or parent, a long-term health condition, and a whole range of other circumstances. A person may carry these burdens alone and those folk around them may not recognise the hidden trauma and scarring that is caused. Such scars may take a long time to heal and fade.
 
We have a Saviour who seeks to heal and to restore. A healing of any wound is a first essential, but Jesus is in the business of recovery, renewal, and restoration. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So, he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.  Matthew 12 v 13 NIV
 
Then he showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal as it flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the street of the city and on either bank of the river grew the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, a different kind for each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22 v 1-2 JBP
 
Recently, our thoughts have been with those who have said goodbye to long time partners and other dear family members. I came across this song Scars in Heaven, by Casting Crowns. It is a strong reminder that there will be no scars in heaven, other than those scars on the body, feet and hands of our Lord. We will be renewed and fully restored.
 
SONG
The only scars in Heaven, they won’t belong to me and you
There’ll be no such thing as broken, and all the old will be made new
And the thought that makes me smile now, even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in Heaven are on the hands that hold you now
 
Songwriters: John Mark Hall / Matthew Joseph West
Scars in Heaven lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
 
 
PRAY for those grieving the loss of loved ones, experiencing physical or emotional scars. May we be sensitive to their situation and kind in our words.
 
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5 v 10-11 NIV
 
Jane Coates
8 February 

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. An extravagant love

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An extravagant love
 
 The Crossness Pumping Station is a former sewage treatment plant on the south bank of the River Thames. It was designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette and built between 1859 and 1865. Its purpose was to deal with the raw sewage from the southern part of London. When it became no longer used for this purpose, it was designated as a Grade 1 Listed Industrial Heritage Site because of its amazing Romanesque architecture and design. It is a masterpiece of engineering with its pumps and steam engines but became famous for its spectacular ornamental cast iron metalwork and original paint colours. It has been described as “a masterpiece of engineering-a Victorian cathedral of ironwork.”
 
Why was a sewage treatment plant designed with such love, care, extravagance and incredibly beautiful interiors? Each detail, down to the specially shaped and coloured external brickwork and ornate balustrades of the central Octagon area, are a delight to behold. It is a masterpiece of work that few people at the time would have witnessed. The sole purpose of this unique and magnificently ornate building was to take London’s sewage. The glory of the building and its dramatic interiors concealed this very common function. The Victorian designers took pride in their workmanship, attention to detail, making sure that nothing was common or base. A common theme and desire of Victorian craftsmen and women were to give glory to God and to reflect His glory.
 
Our Father God is a wonderful Creator, designer. His extravagant love leads Him to create. As we look at our world and the canopy of stars we can stand in awe of Him and worship.
 
The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.
He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
For when he spoke, the world began, It appeared at his command.
Psalm 33 v 6-9 NLT
 
His love created humankind, each person uniquely formed, His work of art, a masterpiece designed by a loving Craftsman.
 
For we are His workmanship, His own master work, a work of art, created in Christ Jesus, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used for good works, which God prepared for us before and taking paths which He set, so that we would walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us. Ephesians 2 v 10 AMP
 
At the close of time, we will see the new heavens, the new earth and the new Jerusalem. Our feet will walk on gold, with no need for sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
 
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.  And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  
Revelation 21 NLT
 
SONG So will I (100 Billion X) Hillsong Worship
 
 
Jane Coates. 
31 January 2025

Jane Coates. Thoughts and Prayers… How do you wash waterproof socks?

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Sam had an unfortunate accident at the weekend when he put a garden fork through the walking boot on his left foot, leaving him with a small open fracture of his big toe. There were hospital visits to follow, wound dressing, a Tetanus injection, antibiotics and the dreaded open toed plastic boot that made walking initially challenging, especially climbing stairs, and in the snow. The need for some protection for the wound and to keep the dressing dry was essential, and I was advised that there was such a thing as waterproof socks. Such waterproof socks, according to the accompanying information, were engineered for all extremes, such as extreme outdoor activities and weather conditions. The blurb also claimed that the socks were designed to enhance your performance. We duly ordered these socks, and the leaflet proudly announced that the socks were waterproof in every wet condition, breathable, windproof, durable, with a comfortable, soft feel, had a 4-way stretch, a bamboo lining for moisture control and insulation, protected from blisters, had support zones for the foot, were guaranteed weatherproof, and came with a lifetime guarantee. Basically, the manufacturers and researchers had got every base covered.
 
The word ‘covered’ made me consider our ‘being in Christ.’ Joyce Meyer, a well-known American speaker and evangelist, has a wonderful list of 47 statements or gifts that are ours as Christians. If you search for Joyce Meyer ‘Knowing who I am in Christ’ then her list should appear first. Joyce wants us to know how amazing our life in Christ can be. As I read through the list again, with its Bible verses, I realized that Jesus has ‘got it all covered’ by what He has done for us. We are redeemed, chosen, accepted, born again, new creations, forgiven, free, loved, complete, at peace, renewed, strengthened, rooted, conquerors, without blame, and people of hope. By grace we are completely covered, if we trust in Christ. We are in the all-encompassing care of Jesus, and we can be confident that His death and His blood has covered every situation and need that we may have. I am covered.
 
I have put my words in your mouth
    and covered you with the shadow of my hand –
I who set the heavens in place,
    who laid the foundations of the earth,
    and who say to Zion, “You are my people.”’ Isaiah 51 v 16 NIV
 
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32 v 1 NIV
 
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91 v 4 NIV
 
Jane Coates
24 January 2025

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