I took this photo yesterday looking across at Cobh from Haulbowline Island Recreational Park. The views from Cobh and Cobh Cathedral are particularly beautiful from this park

The new video for the week has been uploaded and it is called ‘Let God’s love melt you’ (More below)

On This Day

On January 18th 2007 Storm Kyrill tore across a wide swath of Europe bringing destructive winds and rain. Significant travel and power disruptions, flooding and building damage followed and 47 people lost their lives.

On Jan 18th 2016 the World’s 62 richest people are now as wealthy as half the world’s population according to a report published by Oxfam

On Jan 18th 2018 Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira rides the largest-ever wave by a female surfer at 20.72 m (68 ft) at Praia do Norte in Nazaréin, Portugal

Birthday’s Today

Pep Guardiola (Man City Manager) is 53

Becca Tobin (Actress) is 38

Kevin Costner (Actor) is 69

Interesting Quote for Today

“You are one thing only. You are a Divine Being. An all-powerful Creator. You are a Deity in jeans and a t-shirt, and within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of All that is, will be and ever was.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten

Saint For Today

Saint for today is Saint Emilie

Significance Of Today

This is a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Christians across denominations come together in love and faith, setting aside differences to serve others and spread joy.

Did You Know:

Did you know that Kangaroos cannot walk backwards!

Video For The Week🎥

The video for this week is called called ‘Let God’s love melt you’

Thought For The Week

We all know in talking about climate change, how important a tree is, in its ability to give out oxygen and pull in carbon dioxide. But there is also something beautiful and graceful having a tree growing in your garden, in a local park, in a wood or wherever.

There is a fable told about a beautiful tree that was tall, graceful and mature. Everyone who saw it could only admire it. During the spring it would burst into life, in the summer its leaves were a sight to behold, in the autumn it shone brighter than gold and in winter it stood solid and firm withstanding the cold and wind. And the tree chirped “I am so graceful and beautiful.” But its roots burst into conversation: “Although no one sees us we give you strength to be as tall as you are. Although we seem barren and hidden, we pull up water and nutrients. You as a tree are only as good as your roots.”

At this the soil interrupted: “My dear tree and dear roots, do you not realise that it is the soil which is so often taken for granted and the least praised, which gives you all you have and makes you what you are. Without me, you would not exist. I give you nourishment, security and strength. I am the one who holds you firm. Without me the soil you are nothing.”

And so the story goes on to say that all three of them argued it out. Eventually all of them realised that to find the balance, all three of them had to work together with each one as important as the next. The same can be said of life. Are we sometimes like the tree forgetting about the soil and roots? Do we sometimes feel off balance, without depth or meaning? Or do we strive for balance? For us this might be drawing strength and nourishment from what we believe in, from our family and friends, from love filled moments, from accepting each day as God’s precious gift to us, from enjoying the simple moments and treasuring the good news to be found in our daily lives. 2024 will provide lots of opportunities to help us find the balance.

The Thought For The Week is updated each Monday