I thought it was timely to write a short blog before setting off on our own response to psalm 84.

Lord willing we will be back in a few weeks time with new tales to tell from the land of dreams. So for now we send honey dipped New Year shalomz to all our friends as we go East to Jerusalem or as Les Ellis puts it – “Or Bust if we don’t!”

This lyrical quote comes from the intro of our latest audio recording ‘ EastRest`spoken by my lovely wife Anni. It alludes to an ancient message yearning deep within psalm 84; at it`s core is a longing to embark on what it calls ‘pilgrimage’.

Faith from the seemingly Faithless

A characteristic response to words like ‘pilgrimage’ is that the people involved in such pursuits, have a devout background,however as I look back over the past decades adventures a good half of my fellow Breakspear Inc wayfarers could hardly be described as having a traditional faith – most definitely not institutionally religious!

Nevertheless these folks have had and continue to have such ‘faith’ as to get onboard these madcap journeys with me, drawn by the adventurous allure of pilgrimage.

Oddly at times these particular sojourners have actually exceeded those of the so-called faith-believing community, which causes me to ponder why those professing such faith aren’t chomping at the bit to experience the wonderment of such enticing scriptures as psalm 84.

This predicament reminds me of a parable once told by Jesus about `Two Sons`

“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’
“The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.
“The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.
“Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”
They said, “The first.”
Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom.
Ouch! That smarts …I know we aren’t always free to go – wherever go is….
if you ever get invited to enter the psalm 84 gate – Please don’t miss your gate call…

Concluding thoughts…

Have you ever read the credits at the end of a film, and wondered why these folk get mentioned? It’s because they were asked… and they turned up. That’s why their names are written and remembered.

This invitation goes out to all…. Oh, how I’ve longed to share these moments with you!

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 Check out Psalm 84  for yourself it’s crammed with goodies to nourish your soul

How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God;
look with favour on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favour and honour;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.