Isaiah 54:9-10 9-10 “This exile is just like the days of Noah for me: I promised then that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth. I’m promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down. For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so. translation- The Message (MSG) Grief, loss, sorrow, change, death, illness, sepa

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:1-2

How will things ever change? There can be times we find ourselves feeling completely out of hope. “Beyond saving”- that is something I have heard at times from people who have felt so very lost. As the days grow shorter and there is less sunshine, as pressure and expectations build up for “happy holidays” there can often be an underlying sense of despair. This weekend we hear John the Baptist cry out from the wilderness for repentance. To bear fruit fitting, in balance with c