Catrina Benham's Blog

How often I've longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, Her brood safe under her wings Luke 13:34 God loves us. God comforts us. A simple message today - for me too, after a full-on couple of weeks of activity. This is a safe place to be - under God's "wings", close to Him, loving Him and being loved. 

It was so humbling to hear the women's stories at Church on Sunday. BIG stories about how they keep on praying; giving thanks ; and rejoicing always in the various circumstances and challenges of their lives. Lydia's challenge to "change the channel" in our thought lives, to make the conscious decision to pray, find joy and give thanks, has stuck with me this week. On Sunday the electrics in the house all fused, and we realised the washing machine that had been making unusual noises, had now finally stopped working. Sad news for me - I love my washing machine! Yes it's perhaps a little-known thing about me, but getting through the washing is kind of a hobby for me. I'm a bit lost without it. Good news we're covered for repairs...bad news, they'll come out in 8 days time! SO...an opportunity (in all the day-to-day, ordinary irritations of life) to change the channel; to choose to give thanks, rejoice and pray. Also a great opportunity to ask for h

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 I just want to share a couple of ways that I've "let the word of Christ dwell in me richly" lately. First, this great resource: It's the Just One Conference from Leading and Loving it. Bringing together lots of different women leaders, giving short talks - really easy to dip into, and really inspiring! Last night as I did my online Tesco order, I listened to Kay Warren and Holly Furtick - now that's my kind of multi-tasking! http://leadingandlovingit.com/media/ Second, I listened to the Bible being read out loud this morning on my smartphone - check out Youversion for the most incredible range of Bible reading plans / studies / versions . Thanks to the Kerith Academy Students for that great tip yesterday!

Loved worshipping God in this song at Word and Worship ...Jesus gave everything for me...nothing's going to hold me back! Tim Hughes - Holding Nothing Back   (click on title for youtube link) I am chosen, I am free I am Living for eternity Free now forever You picked me up, turned me around You set my feet on solid ground Yours now forever And nothing's gonna hold me back Nothing's gonna hold me back Nothing's gonna hold me back My chains fell off My heart was free I'm alive to live for you I'm alive to live for you Amazing Love, how can it be? You give everything for me You give everything for me Everything You washed my sin and shame away The slate is clean: a brand new day, Free now forever Now boldly I approach your throne To claim this crown through Christ my own Yours now forever And nothing's gonna hold me back Nothing's gonna hold me back Nothing's gonna hold me back My chains fell off My heart was free

"Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and rest a while". Mark 6:31 This Spring we are continuing to run a number of one day retreats called 'Fourteen' . Come and spend a special time of reflection in a quiet and supportive environment with the added bonus of lunch prepared for you. This is a day for you - time for rest and enjoyment, for personal reflection and prayer. Here's your personal invitation from Elizabeth and Melita - Fourteen's wonderful leaders. Keep reading to the end of the invitation for details of how to find out more information and make a booking. You can also pick up a beautiful flyer (including dates) from Kerith reception. Hello Everyone This Spring, we are pleased to let you know that we’ve planned some new dates for FOURTEEN – days when you can enjoy some time out for yourself and God.   For those who have been before we thought we’d experiment with something extra -read on dear friends! We have chosen dates on different day

I'd love to hear what God was saying to you through last night's Word and Worship. If you'd like to leave a comment, and you receive this blog as an email, then click here to go to the home page. At the end of the blog entry, look for the blue "Post a comment", click on that and write away - I'd love to hear from you. PS. Thanks to Jacqui and to Ann for the lovely treats we enjoyed last night- cake-pops and gluten-free cupcakes :)

Just got in from tonight's Word and Worship event at Kerith. What a brilliant evening! Thank you to everyone who served us all and made it a lovely evening. Special thanks to Lisa for leading the team so efficiently and beautifully - you're a gift to us!  As I mentioned I've been ill all week so it was so good to be out with other people again! It was especially powerful to worship together - for me personally God changed my perspective in a moment as I proclaimed truth. I had been disappointed not to preach but it gave us the opportunity to hear a really inspirational story from Jessica Jackley of Kiva. I know God spoke to me about being intentional with my children; and also about the significance of the small things I can do that show people God's love. I'd love to know : What did you hear the Holy Spirit say ?

After a week at home ill, I can't wait to get out to see you all at Word and Worship on Saturday! x

Like you, I've been part of lots of different gatherings of people this past week Saturday evening we got together with my whole family to celebrate my beautiful Mum's 70th Birthday Sunday at Kerith - lots of catching up, lots of new people. A new, long walk alone with the dog in the woods. Monday morning - Jacob had an interview at sixth form college - we tried to look "incognito" amongst the mass of students as we travelled in on the train! Tuesday and Wednesday - a class of intriguing, demanding 5 year olds, plus colleagues in the staff room. Today - fun to teach a session on "Spiritual Pathways" for our 12 amazing Academy students.Lunch and catch-up with a friend, then another dog walk in the sunshine. I try to be fully present in each different setting - it's not easy, and I don't always get it right. I have an ever-growing , never-diminishing TO-DO list this week, and my mind is buzzing. Yet somehow, in the middle of this busy life, I ne