Love in action

From the Manse.....

During this month, where for various reasons we often think of love, let us remind ourselves that love is far more than a heart shaped card or the gift of a red rose, for it is a God given force for good and change, that binds us together and has the power to turn things upside down and transform everything.

So as February 14th approaches, let us commit ourselves to love in action. May our words and deeds, our lips and our hands, our attitudes and our thinking be that which challenges the selfishness, insularity and status quo of our world and demonstrates God's love for all.

We could do far worse than take to heart the powerful and clever poem "Refugees", by Brian Bilston, which itself, is a clarion call to love in action.

They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way

(now read from bottom to top)

With love and God Bless,

Keith