Right across Ireland we are experiencing very heavy frosts each night. Yesterday morning this was the photo I took after I broke the ice on my duck pond to give them access. But even after clearing it of ice, it froze back in very quickly!

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 17th 1773 Captain James Cook became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle (66 Degrees 33′ S)

On Jan 17th 2017 Search for missing Malaysian aircraft MH370 over the Indian Ocean is called off. 239 people lost their lives.

Birthday’s Today

Kathrine Herzer (Actor) is 26

DJ Tiesto (DJ) is 54

Interesting Quote for Today

“I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it” ~ St. Thomas Aquinas

Saint For Today

Today’s Saint is St Anthony The Great and is famous for his preaching, expert knowledge of scripture and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick.

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 a crocodile cannot stick its tongue out!

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