now the reason begins

' 'When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him ad he found the place where it is written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recover the sight of the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord. 'Luke 4: 16-19

The mad rush of Christmas, the preparations, the gift buying, the gatherings together can be hectic to say the least. Times of worship are meaningful and encouraging and I say its all over bar the shouting. Well, here comes the shouting:

(Howard Therman)

When the song of the angel is stilled,when the star in the sky is gone,when the kings and princes are home,when the shepherds are back with their flocks

the WORK of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,to heal the broken,to feed the hungry,to release the prisoner,to rebuild the nations,to bring peace among the people

to make music in the heart.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

holiday or holy day

' Joseph (also) went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee,to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem.' (Luke 2:4

So much of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land just jumps out at me from the pages of the bible. I can't read of the Christmas story without saying to myself in humble excitement, 'I know, I know, I have been and seen.' But you know, everyone of us can take the road to Bethlehem each year through the way we see and celebrate Christmas; by the way we treat Christmas day as a holiday or a holy day.

I was touched by a comment passed to me in the supermarket just yesterday by one of the staff frantically trying to keep the shelves stocked. He looked at me and connected with who I am and said 'Its a very busy time of the year for you too isn't it.' To be known as a follower of Christ, a traveller on the road to Bethlehem, in our local community is what blesses me so much about Christmas. He was stacking the shelves with gifts yet within himself he knew the greatest gift; The gift of Jesus, the Christ and Saviour of the world.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ may Christmas be a holy day

Anne

A star

'How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "your God reigns." Isa 52:7

I think I have already had the most treasured Christmas present for this year. One of the children at church walked up to me and placing her hand in mine she looked up and passing a small red star into my hand she said, 'This is for you, to remind you of Christmas.' She is all of 4years old.

I read this saying today:

'Christmas is a gift from God that we cannot keep unless we give it to someone else.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God's angelic choir

' Fear not for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; you will I help.' Isa 41:10

I stood in the bush on a small winding track and looked at the vast mountain ranges all around me and in all the beauty and density of my isolated surroundings I found the overwhelming peace of Christ. But, you know what brought me to my knees? In the silence, the deep quiet I heard a chorus singing Amazing Grace. I looked around for another person, a house, somewhere it could be coming from but there was non to be seen. The singing was not from with in my mind or my heart or my voice, it was a choir outside my being surrounding me with Amazing Grace and I felt it deep in my soul.

I later read this quote:

I must have the saviour with me, for my faith at best is weak; he will whisper words of comfort that no other words can speak.

Take time to go into the quiet places and hear the voice of God.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God's face

' Come 'my heart says,'seek his face!' 'your face, Lord, do I seek.' Psalm 27:8

I was out walking in the evening on the fringe of the bush and in the quiet I asked God to show me his face because it was his face I was seeking.

Then, right across my path came this most magnificent Echidena, shy and nervous, hesitant but trusting as he walked across the path before me. Then, within feet of me was a mother wallaby, grazing, and from her pouch the tiniest face of her joey looked at me with interest between long dangling legs.

God continued to show me his face as he pulled down the shutters on the day over the stone faced, magnificent mountain before me, lit in awe inspiring colours of the sun set.

I asked the Lord to show me his face, and he did.

As you go into this day, ask the Lord of no more, than to show you his face.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

heavenly

' The heavens are telling the glory of God.' Ps 19:1

A great deal of God's creation could be called the glory of God but I think none surpasses the heavens. Most times when we look upward we can be in a moment of experiencing God's glory.

The predawn silence in oneness with God, the glorious colourful sunrise of pastel colours blue, pink orange, clouds tinted, mountains tipped. The sunset, Oh did you see last nights? Black voluminous clouds filled the horizon and were ablaze with brilliant orange. Then I look to the heavens in the evening and am left in a stare of mystery and awe. Millions and millions of stars in a velvet sky that just goes on and on to a distance beyond our imagination and in it all is the revelation of the Glory of God.

(Stanislau Kennedy) The (night) sky- -we are immersed in mystery, an immense mystery.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

blessings

'..........see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down an overflowing blessing.' Mal 3:10 (paraphrased)

Blessings are so special.

The small child who puts his hand in yours, unexpectedly.

Seeing the complete, bright rainbow after a storm.

The smile of an elderly person

Seeing the joy of achievement for one with disability.

Looking at a glorious view

Seeing the tiniest of blue wrens in the garden.

I ask myself what is a blessing and I answer, something that gives you goosebumps, something that makes you feel warm and happy inside, because it comes from God.

Be blessed by many things today.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

water wells

' Who ever drinks this water will get thirsty again: but whoever drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again.' John 4:14

I remember as a small child peering down this great hole in the ground as my uncle swung a bucket on a rope down into its depths to get some water. It was the first well I had ever seen and I was fascinated with the fact that if we dig deep enough we will find water, life giving water. I have never forgotten the memory of him drawing that life giving water from the well, the source of life.

After the woman at the well received her drink from Jesus she then became a well for others to drink from. (John 4:39)

Macrina Wiederkehr says: Look for wells along the way and be such a well for others to find.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wide wide as the ocean

'As the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord' (Habakkuk 2:14)

I was reading these statistics:

There is approximately 326 million trillion gallons of water on the earth and 98% of that is in the oceans. Habakkuk, the prophet compares God's glory to water that fills the sea. That's one heck of a lot of God's glory.

How often do you think about the glory of the Lord and try and take in its magnitude, its richness, its blessings. Next time you walk on the beach and paddle in the sea reflect on Habakkuk's words and have that sense of the glory of the Lord.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

All for Jesus

'May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day' TIS 609

I looked across the vineyard that had been pruned and was now in lush growth, vibrant, alive and ready to produce fruit. when I look at the seasons of the vineyard and Jesus stories about vineyards I am always filled with hope and assurance.

One of the elderly ladies at the aged care facility Communion service, who has dementia, started in the middle of prayers to softly sing in the most loveliest of voice: 'May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea.' What sacred ground we were on as the room seemed to fill with the Spirit of God. What assurance, what hope I was filled with. Season after season in her long life she still comes back to the source of her being and the ability to bring Christ to others.

May the mind of Christ our Saviour live in us always.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

God's love

' As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. ' Isaiah 66:13

I was watching a baby Rosella in the bottle brush playing with the branches trying to see how to get his own food, fluffing up his inmature feathers and totally absorbed in his activities when he was suddenly startled and became anxious and called for his mother. She called back with a calmer call which almost said, 'All is well, I am here.' As soon as he saw her he flew right into her space and snuggled up against a familiar body , calmer, quieter and safe.

This reminded me of our Lord. We go off and do our thing, we work, we minister, we play and sometimes when we least expect it we feel anxious, threatened ,frightened and alone.

God is never far off, all we need do is call and he will respond and that finds us snuggling into his everlasting arms.

Grace this day, and peace, from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Heading for Jerusalem

' Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed, therefore I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I have known that I will triumph.' Isaiah 50: 7 (TLB)

We know God helps us because he is on our side, so why do we dismay?

How blessed are we to be in a situation where we can know this right to the core of our heart, that God is always present, always in what we do in his name. We sometimes say in tricky situations: Grit your teeth and get on with it, or bite the bullet and just do it! I like this great sense of determination from Isaiah.................'I will set my face like flint to do his will.'

When we have the problems of 'dismay' in our days we have the promise of God's help so whatever it is today, go for it, God will be there.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

a field of flowers for you

' This is the day that the Lord has made..................let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Ps 118:24

There are days when we feel that the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Sometimes we feel discouraged, sometimes we feel things are out of hand. The writer of this psalm obviously felt likewise at times and he too was a follower of God.

However, as the psalmist talked to God in prayer the psalm always ended in praise. Now doesn't that say something? As the psalmist, on a day of not wanting to rejoice talked to the Lord he then ended up in praise.

Be honest with God

If you don't feel like rejoicing, say so and it can almost be guaranteed that you will end up with praise on your lips before the day is ended.

God has given us this day to live and to serve him...........be glad.

(Lessin) New day, new needs, new mercies, one faithful, loving, caring God in the midst of it all!

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

' For the joy of the Lord is your strength.' Neh 8:10

I just love the resurrection of the garden in spring. The transformation of a drab space into moments of wonder as week by week the plants comes to life in colour, bloom and perfume. I find myself wandering about the garden being amazed by each new burst of blessing.

Its like coming out of darkness into light, like being asleep and now awake, like having a tough time yet knowing there will be better times ahead, its like individual moments of resurrections that bring joy to our hearts, deep within.

Sister Stan says:

Joy comes in little whispers

in sudden unexpected glimpses of mystery.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

shepherd

' The Lord is my shepherd.' Ps 23

last minute request to do something that gave me no time for preparation just sent me into 'a spin.' I could feel my pulse racing, heart pounding and palms sweating. I could feel anxiety taking control and in a last minute effort to gain self control I sent up a mantra of help to God.

'peace Lord (deep breath) peace Lord and I just put my whole self into his hands and a great sense of peace and assurance fell gently through me.

I love the image of Jesus as the shepherd and myself as the sheep. Sometimes he is beside me, sometimes just a little way off and sometimes just out of sight. Its an image that brings a sense of safety, of 'being with in reach' and no matter where God was, or what he was doing when I sent up my mantra for help, he responded, he came to me and walked with me and surprise, surprise all was well.

How blessed we are to have Jesus 'with in reach.' May we never forget that but more so, may we never forget to call on him always, he is just there!

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

awakening

' ...then their eyes were open and they recognised him. Luke 24:31

The disciples walking the road to Emmaus were startled to find that their companion was the risen Lord Jesus and the disciples on the sea of Galilee were startled to see the figure walking towards them was the risen Lord Jesus.

Sometimes we too are startled to find the Lord is with us. He presents himself and shows himself and reveals himself in the beauty and in the pain of our daily life if only we can recognise that it is him. Sometimes the realisation is sudden and sometimes, like the disciples, it can be a slow awakening.

Frederick Buechner said:Lord, catch me off guard today. Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain so at least for the moment I may be startled into seeing that you are here in all your splendour, always and everywhere, barely hidden, beneath, beyond,within this life I breathe.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wonder and surprise

'Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices...' (TIS 106)

I find it hard not to see something in all that is around me to thank God for. Glorious spring flowers packed to the max with sweet perfumes, fresh new leaves bursting from swollen buds on trees, paddocks of green, thick grass, lambs by mothers sides. I marvel at all the surprises God has for us.

I was down at Bermagui on the weekend and amidst a lazy afternoon decided to go for a drive about town. I ended up on the cliffs overlooking the sea and there before my very eyes were whales and the baby of the pod was rolling over and over, trying to blow water our of its spout and banging flippers on the water surface. I sent up to the heavens an almighty thank you.

Sister Stan (Moments of Stillness says)

Thank you for the ordinary gifts of every day evoking in me wonder and surprise.

Take a look and SEE the wonder and surprise of God's gifts to you, in your place, where you are right now.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

simply refreshing

' Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water.' John 7:38

Softly the rain falls on the thirsty earth. plants drink the life giving water and drenched birds shake bodies of wet feathers, enjoying the bath. A fine mist hovers in the air that's filled with the perfumes of the garden and all seems to come to life, brighter, fresher, emanating joy as they drink it all in.

How so truly we can relate this to the life giving waters of Jesus our Lord that drenches us with love, quenches our thirst and allows us to 'bathe' in him and to emanate the perfume of himself, brighter, fresher and with joy.

How blessed are we, how blessed.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Good food.

' Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--its all free! Isaiah 55:1 (NLB)

When I was on Pilgrimage I enjoyed the foods of Israel and Turkey. Wonderful food that was healthy, fresh and in abundance, which we had to pay for, of course, but once we had our fill at breakfast then walked all the morning we were hungry and ready to eat again. We had to make sure we had money in our pocket to pay.

I have a friend with disability who loves to go to social outings and when I ask whats so good about the outings she says, 'Free food Anne, free food!' Every time she says that I think of Jesus who offers us food and drink for life..........free, readily available, always within reach and the more we reach out and receive the more he gives and the more we are filled and satisfied.

I love that old hymn........'Bread of heaven on thee we feed.' (TIS 513)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Treasure chest

'Open my eyes so that I may behold wondrous things........'Psalm 119:18

I walked into the emerging day with the warmth of the sun on my back. I saw the vineyards lined up like soldiers, the horses 'snorting' vapour mist from their nostrils in the cold air as they grazed in the frosty grass.The mountains, O so blue in the early light stood magnificently as a backdrop and I was doubly blessed by the laughter of the kookaburras , and a cluster of native bluebells flourishing in the weeds on the edge of the path, I have been amongst God's treasures. He opened the lid of the treasure chest today to let a few come out.....................for me.... a true and wonderful gift after a very hectic and pressured weekend.. God always knows what we need, be it his assurance, his care, his love..............he always delivers.

Lord open our hearts eyes so we can see you clearly and open our minds so we can understand you better and serve you more.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

clay pot in Ephesus

'For God who said, 'Let there be light in darkness ,' he made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.' 2 Corinthians. 4:6-7.

I remember standing in the street of a small English village looking at the magnificent flowers growing in pots lining the shop fronts. The colours were bright, vibrant, and multi coloured,

There was nothing beautiful about the pots. They were all brown common garden pots but the magnificent colour planted in them is what took my breath away, what caught my attention.

I then thought about the clay jars referred to in this passage and how we are like them. With Christ we are 'colourful',alive, vibrant full of God's light and love. Without, we are colourless and cracked, and self focused.

May God fill us with light and love.................for his glory.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Hearts of belief

' Now come and have some breakfast!' Jesus said. None of the disciples dared ask him, 'who are you.?' They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12 (NIV)

As I sat at the Sea of Galilee at sunrise I could' feel 'a gospel stories coming to life. I could sense the smoke drifting up from a fire and smell the fish cooking. I could see some disappointed disciples going back to their fishing even though they were feeling the loss of their friend Jesus.

And that is when Jesus, the risen Lord, came to meet them. In their sadness and confusion.

Jesus is always there, always ready to 'come by' and nourish us with his presence and life giving food. Be it loss, be it sadness, be it anxiety, be it loneliness, be it concern. With eyes of faith and hearts of belief Jesus is there in his fullness.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

and they flew

'The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

That has to be one of the most comforting passages of scripture for life's journey. No way can anything be a threat or a risk when we know deep down we have salvation in Christ and his guiding light. We know we can trust him. Sometimes we may be in danger: he is there. Sometimes we may want to take a risk in something that is on our heart : he is there.

We need this reassuring passage of scripture in able to function fully as Christians in our personal lives and in ministry but above all we need to trust its utmost truth. When we do, blessings often abound.

Guillaume Apollinaire said this:

. Come to the edge,' he said.

They said, 'We are afraid.'

'Come to the edge,' he said

They came. He pushed them...............and they flew.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Heavenly treasures.

' As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' 2 Corinthians :6:10.

The glorious spring. God in all his glory.

Wattle so, so yellow.

The japonica so deep red.

the pink and white blossoms of the prunus trees.

The highly scented violets.

The delight of daffodils.

The flowering gum.

May we see them as rich gifts from God, heavenly treasures, draw cards to him,far surpassing material things, made by God in order that we may love God.

What heavenly treasures can you see, where you are right now? God has put them there just for you. Spend a moment, in wonder with him reflecting. ' as having nothing yet possessing all things.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

a gentle touch of kindness

' As servants of God,we have commanded ourselves in every way.......by purity, knowledge, patients, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love.' 2 Corinthians 6:4-6

That sense of standing on sacred ground is such a 'God thing' that you cant explain it but you know in yourself you have made a connection with God. That you are one.

I was coming up to the traffic lights on my way out of town and thought a coffee for the road would be good. At the same time I had this thought I saw the unshaven, unkept looking man who's 'daily self employment' is to wash the windows of cars stopped at the lights. Something in my mind said...get two coffee. I did, and as I swung around the lights to the highway, window wound down, I passed a coffee over to him. Driving on I heard his words of amazement and heart felt thanks.

Lord Jesus, sow the seeds of kindness in our hearts today. Teach us more to see with your eyes and act with your heart. Help us all to be ready to offer that gentle touch that comes from oneness with you.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

darkness and light

' The light shines in the darkness, the darkness did not overcome it.' John 1:5

As I walked early morning at Galong every where I looked there were passages of scripture rising up to meet me. The night passing, the day dawning, the rising sun, the birds in the fields singing, the straight path, and then I was particularly struck by these thoughts as I saw darkness, a gate and a sunrise........' I am the light of the world'........'I am the gate.'

I remember well the look on the face of the man who has just found Jesus. Coming out of a deep depression of several days realising that Jesus had been in the darkness with him as he walked into a new relationship with Jesus. He said, I saw the light and just kept walking towards it.

With Jesus by our side there is no need to stay in darkness, we just have to walk through that gate, into the light.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

seed planting

' Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.' Hebrews 10:23

Sometimes we are bothered about the seeds of faith that we have tried to plant in the lives of others because we sometimes don't see the seeds taking root.

On the week end I was in Cobargo/Bermagui for the 70th Anniversary of the Anglican Women in that place which was started there by my mother in the early 1940's. Many comments were passed about the blessings that have been in the parish and the lives of so many through the years of this ministr there. How wonderful it was to see a vision so many years ago, still alive and active today.

We can only plant seeds for the Lord, in hope. He will grow them if its his will. Our task is to see that such seed planting is watered with the sunshine and rain of our faithful prayers. Someday we will, by God's grace, have the chance to see the harvest.

Ella Wilcox says:

But with every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Good shepherd of the sheep

' I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep: and I am known by my own.' John 10:14

These words are grounding comfort. They bring peace to the troubled and anxious mind and a great assurance that brings an inner stillness.

Most of us have daily stresses and troubles, some of us have ' burdening' loads to carry yet to many that look towards us, they do not see it.

I like this saying by Barbara Johnson:

'Leadership is the ability to hide your panic from others.'

and I say, that can only be because of our deep trust in a God that we not only know, but who knows us. and all our troubles................deeply.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Thy name is an ointment poured forth

'Jesus! the very thought is sweet: in that dear name all heart joys meet: but oh,than honey sweeter far the glimpses of his presence are.' (Hymn 177 A&M)

Those words bring so much thought (and even more if you are of an age to remember the classical, beautiful hymns Ancient and Modern.)

Sitting on the sea of Galilee brought so many thoughts of Jesus. His life, his ministry,his miracles, his parables, his rejection,his suffering, his great love of us all which overwhelmed me in that setting. You cant think on the name of Jesus and not have many other compounding thoughts.

I read these anonymous words:

'A thought lay like a flower upon mine heart,

and drew around it other thoughts like bees.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wildflowers of Israel

'All good things around us are given from heaven above. We thank the Lord, we thank the Lord, for all his love.' (Christian hymn)

You know how it is when a song gets stuck in your mind and wont leave you alone. Ever since I saw the beauty of Israel in spring with wildflowers on the verges, deep deep arid wilderness and the crystal clear waters of the sea of Galilee I have been singing these words. Even this winter morning with the cold frost, the wind off the snow, and the stark beauty of naked winter trees emerging through the fog these words come to mind. But more so, when I sing them I am not only thinking of all these precious God given gifts,and all else that makes my life good, but I am also thinking of those who do not see them, or do not have such a life that they can sing, those freezing cold in a park, homeless. Those without food this day, or yesterday and no hope for tomorrow.

Lord teach us to be aware and of all out bounteous gifts, to share.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Overlooking Capurnaum. Every place that the sole of your foot treads

' Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon,that have I given unto you.' Joshua 1:3

Do you ever sense you are exactly where God wants you to be?

Yesterday I visited the nursing home to see some parishioners who are now residing there. Its a place I like to be on a Sunday morning after the first service. One of the domestic staff noticed my open communion box and commented how he misses church because he works Sunday. He said he came to a church two Sundays ago but the services had finished and the doors were shut. It so happened the church he came to was where I worship. I was able to inform him of the service times and playtime days for the family and other activities 'out of usual service times', like messy church.

Sometimes I think the ground we stand on is occupied by Christ and other ground is untrodden territory that is full of promises. There is a need to spread our feet across as much of the land before us as we can...................for Christ's sake.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Write on a scroll what you see

'To the saints who are at..........................' Ephesians 1:1

To even be able to draw one person back to Christ is a 'spine tingling' experience because you know you are in the thick of God's working in their lives.

This week I had a lovely experience of two people who 'returned to their first love.' A lady in the doctors surgery approached me saying.....I have forgotten your name but I want to come to your church with you.' and then a family member said, ' 'I want to be on the school board where my daughter is attending but I have to be a Christian, so I am learning again about how to do that, will you help?.'

I shot an arrow prayer up saying: 'Alleluia Amen, come Lord Jesus.'

Never give up praying for those who have been distracted by worldly events and beliefs. Their door to faith is ajar and through you, God will come and open it wide.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Peace, deep peace.

' And the peace of God which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ.' ( Phil. 4:7 (Waymouth)

There is something 'deep' about the wording of some texts that is so meaningful. An older lady was talking to me about the 'shock' she had after visiting the doctor where he mentioned to her the need for open heart surgery. She went on to tell me of the deep peace she has right inside her being. A peace, she said, that is beyond understanding. She told me of the holding cross she had from me and how it brings her such comfort and draws her into this peace.

Sometimes, in fact often, the storms of our lives rage like a storm across the ocean but you know, under the surging waves of a stormy ocean there is utter calm at its depth. Things sit on the ocean depth for centuries undisturbed while the surface rages.When we find that depth of calm there we have God's peace.

'Far far away, the roar of passion dies, and loving thought rise calm and peacefully, and no rough storm, however fierce overhead, disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord in you.' (HB Stowe)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

fishing

'Launch out into the deep.' Luke 5:4 KJV)

I pick her up once a week at 9.15am. She is wheel chair bound and can do nothing for herself except speak. We set out for a social morning with the church scrabble group. (She isn't 'churched' but asks lots of questions. ) Its been 15 years since she has been out and about for a drive in the community, she says. Totally housebound, isolated and looking for mental stimulation and friends we found her deep in the community.

When Jesus said to launch out into the deep he didn't say how deep to go and I guess that how deep we go into the community will depend on how much we are prepared to leave the comfortable shore. Jesus told the disciples to launch out into the deep because that is where the fish are.He knows, he made the deep and all that is in it.

How far are you launching out or are you sitting comfortably on the shore?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

in the wilderness

' What is that coming up from the wilderness................perfumed with myrrh and frankincense.' Song of Solomon 3:6

I worked for 10 years in the desert of the outback and I thought that was a wilderness until I saw the wilderness of Israel that the bible talks about. Now I understand more the wilderness of Moses, the wilderness of Jesus, the wilderness of the 10.000 refugees pouring into Turkey from Syria, the wilderness of the thousands homeless in China from natures catastrophe this day and even the wilderness of the elderly I visit in the nursing home, lost in their dementia, wandering.

But in my prayers what encourages me so is that God led the Israelites out of the wilderness, Jesus survived the 40 days in the wilderness and so too will God be with those who are in their wilderness today.

Nurture those you may encounter who are in their wilderness, give them comfort, encouragement and hope.

Fenelon said:

The heart that serves and loves and clings, hears everywhere the rush of angel wings.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

shepherd of the flock

' When he has brought out his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.' John 10:4

Tears poured down the face of the young lady as she poured her heart out to me about the grief in her life these past few days. She was heartbroken, overwhelmed and anxious about what the future holds for herself and her young child. Sometimes its so hard to know what to say but into my mind kept coming the image of the shepherd going ahead of his sheep, an image so vivid as I reflected on the shepherds in Israel, always leading the flock, always present, knowing them all by name, always watching over them.

As we prayed together I shared this image with her and reminded her that Jesus is our shepherd. He is always with us, always going ahead, always in our tomorrows that we are anxious about.

(Anon)

God is in every tomorrow, therefore I live for today, certain of finding at sunrise, guidance and strength for the way: power for each moment of weakness, hope for each moment of pain, comfort for every sorrow, sunshine and joy after rain.'

In all situations, imagine the shepherd and be at peace.

Blessings

Anne

sunrise on the sea of Gallilee

Matt 2:22. .....he went away to the district of Galilee..

I found myself slipping into the original mold of reflection writing this morning as I looked at the sun rise. It was God's glory that parted the skies , separating day from night in a brilliant, mass display of deep, deep orange colours, highlighted by the crisp cold winter air and a chorus of Currawongs and I thought of sitting at the sea of Galilee looking at the sunrise on the other side of the world in such a very special place and my thoughts are of a faithful God who never fails to deliver a sunrise for us each day, who never fails to give us the gift of a new day, the present.

Chrissy Greenslade wrote:

'The waking day surrounds me, and folds me in calm wings, and gives me all the strength I need, to face what each day brings.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Ephesus

'.............and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.........' Matt 10:38

More and more my call to serve Christ was affirmed as I travelled the Holy Land. I saw first hand the places where Christ lived and had his ministry and where the early Christians, especially Paul, outreached under hardship, showing great endurance. Imagine planting the gospel in a pagan, hostile world, miles from home?

I read these words this morning (anon)

The symbol of Christianity is not a cushion, but a cross. What has my faith cost me this week? Would those folk I spend my working hours with be surprised if someone told them I was a Christian? Or do they automatically know, not so much by what I say, but by what I am?

For the sake of Christ Jesus and all who have gone before in his name..............keep fighting the fight and leaving your mark.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

who like me his praise should sing?

'Praise my soul the King of heaven, to his feet your tribute bring...' TIS 134

The first serious frost was down this morning and there was a glittering of white sparkle as the sun tipped the frosty ground. It reminded me of a white, tiny sequenced, ballroom gown, shimmering across the floor.

There was a carpet of God's love of multi coloured autumn leaves covering the path that I playfully kicked as I walked, reminiscent of childhood.

The quiet was broken by the call of the currawongs and a new day was dawning full of God's Glory.

In the rush of life it can sometimes be hard to find the calm of God's peace yet one step out the front door and the voice was almost a whisper...a whisper from God.....peace, still,quiet,calm,rest,reflect,refresh...

That one step aside with God is the best medicine for the soul one could ever wish for.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

The reason for the season

' I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' John 10:10

I am soaking in the Easter season in multiple thoughts and reflections of its meaning, very life giving, and I think of others that perhaps we have brought life to as well, this Easter.

The display on the east wall at church was simple but thought provoking as it was created by JAFFA (our group for people with disabilities) and it told of how they felt about the risen Christ.

And

at Messy Church (a large group of community families that are unchurched) I was blown away by the response from a four year old about what she didn't like and what did she like. Many of the children responded to the question with.....'I don't like carrots, I don't like dogs......I like ice cream....but this little one of four said so seriously, so thoughtfully. 'I don't like it that Jesus died but I do like it that he is alive again. That makes me feel sooooooooooo good!

Inclusion, welcome, love and embrace. That's the reason for the season.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Easter/anzac day

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

The Easter event could easily be forgotten in the flow on today as we reflect on Anzac Day, yet in the tension of this our thoughts can be of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of thousands of men and women in war for their countries.

I reflect on my experience when I visited the Somme a few years ago. Heart breaking, numbing, emotional,utter grief and disbelief at the thousands upon thousands of lives lost, yet there was a spirit of peace that hovered over the Somme. Its almost sacred, indeed it is sacred ground.

I truly felt that day, as I looked at 10,000 names of soldiers who had no known grave, of hundreds of cemeteries scattered along the road sides, that Christ was deeply present. He knows our sacrifice, he knows our suffering, he knows our grief, our desire for peace and he is forever in it.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Good Friday.

So Jesus came out wearing a crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them. 'Here is the man.' John 18: 5

Let our minds transport us back to a part of the world that throbs with the words and wonders of Jesus himself.

In the 1800's William How wrote this hymn:

It is a thing most wonderful , almost too wonderful to be true

That God's own Son should come from heaven, and die to save a child like me.

I sometimes think upon the cross and shut my eyes to try and see

The cruel nails and crown of thorns and Jesus, crucified for me.

Let us gaze on the wonders of the day and see Jesus pinned to the cruel tree, not by nails, but by love for you and for me.

Peace.

Anne

inclussion..........for Jesus sake.

'And I will raise them up, I will raise them up at the last day. (TIS 535)

There is a growing sense of thoughtfulness around issues of those who gather and worship with us at church who have a disability. I have been so blessed this season of Lent as I have worked with the disability group at church preparing for Easter. There have been sessions of colouring in and cutting out, creating and making, talking and singing...............all about the Easter story.......not just to hear and learn the story but to serve the congregation in such a way that all are include, all are blessed. This Palm Sunday the activity of the Disability group JAFFA was the centre of reflection in the sanctuary. What a blessed moment, what a humble moment as people reflected on the seasonal focus point, and reflected on the hands that had created it.

Inclusion is the key to life........isn't that the gospel message?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Jesus loves me

' Jesus said: People who are well don't need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have come not to call respectable people, but outcasts. ' Mark 2:17

Have you ever broken something precious and then arduously tried to put it back together gluing each piece bit by bit?

I was attempting to glue a broken chip back onto a much loved ornament and as I worked at it (sometimes with frustration) I thought of how God must labour over the lives of broken individuals...............you know, the ones that society casts aside...........broken, hurting, unloved people...............God's people.

Then I reflect on how on how God can change lives and how he can use us to be his hands, his voice and his feet, his advocates. Who of the unloved are you going to love today..........in the name of Christ.

The Easter message is that God can change prostitutes like Magdalene into disciples and broken reeds like Simon Peter into rocks...... (Fulton Sheen)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

' resurrection'

' I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord.' John 11:25.

There is something so special about the autumn. God brings a sense of freshness, of quiet, of colour and emptiness, of fog and mist, of perfect reflections on still waters, a beauty so deep.

I think in every season we can see the Glory of the Lord if we are looking. Multiple layers of life and death.................all seeming to die, before it lives....................resurrection 'stuff' that brings to mind the Easter message.

Take a moment..................just a moment and marvel at a tree in colour, then look again in a little while at its emptiness and then in spring look again........................and see layer upon layer of the Glory of the Lord'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

open their eyes

' I was born blind but now I see.' ( John 9)

How many times do we hear but we don't see. The penny doesn't drop then one day, we suddenly see what we have been hearing. Over and over I kept 'seeing' the face of this blind man as suddenly the revelation hit him...................the man who gave him sight was JESUS, Saviour of the world ................what a spiritual revelation what an epiphany for him.

I think of us all as we set about our day and wonder about the people God will put in our path that are blind, that perhaps hear but don't see. I know that I set about a day with passion and desire, a passion and desire to serve the Lord, to help the blind to see.................to see not just the light of day, but the light of Christ.

We are Christ centred, healing people to a hurting world.....................through Christ we can open the eyes of the blind.

With dignity and integrity I want to add.....................go get them!

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God is in his house.

' let all the world, in every corner sing: my God and King. TIS 105

The early morning autumn mist hovered over the summer grass with haunting beauty and trees, sentinel like seemed to have no base in the fog, just towering upward from the mist,

still,

quiet,

peaceful,

slowly moving.

The gentle, fresh breeze rippled across the grass and onto my face , refreshing like the Spirit of God.

Lord, I care not about position in heaven. Let all those bent on having power rule as they may. Give me only a small place close enough to see your face. (Calvin Miller)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

For heavens sake.

' Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.' Romans 12:11

There is a saying which says: 'What on earth am I doing for Heaven's sake!' Now we can say that in the context of something we have done that hasn't quite gone the way we wanted it to or we can say it in a prayerful way, depends where we put the emphasis.

Yesterday I was sitting in 'Messy church' amongst many 'unchurched' families and I glanced across at a young couple. The dad was nursing their child . It was a sacred moment as I realised that through 'Messy church' this young couple were not only learning about God and the love of Jesus but they were giving this child an introduction to Christian life. The revelation almost put me on my knees before God.

What on earth are you doing for heavens sake?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God is present

' He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.' Isa. 53:12

Sometimes we forget that God is in the thick of things in the world. He doesn't sit in a place on high and survey, he is right in the midst with us.

He is in the thick of the earthquake in New Zealand, in the tsunami in Japan.

Every time you hold the hand of the dying, visit the sick, visit a day care centre, sit for bible study or a cuppa with a friend, in all you do in the comings and goings of your day...................there is God.AND, come evening when we reflect in silence on our day, God is in our prayers our thoughts and our sleeping.

As Lucado says:

He draws near,he is involved.He is as near to us on Monday as on Sunday, in the work place as in the sanctuary.

In all our comings and goings, like the tide of the sea, ever present, ever moving is our God.

Stop sometime during your day and acknowledge the presence of God in whatever you are doing at that moment and you will be blessed .

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Walking meditation

' Seek, O seek the Lord while he is near.' TIS 464

Images in life surround us all the time but we don't often read into them anything of significance to our life journey in a spiritual way. I love the 'God' connection when I see a part of creation, in any of its forms be it God himself or his message.

Walking the beach earlier this year I saw many such images but one in particular caused me to stop and reflect. It was of three stones, clustered together and two or three separate from the group and into my mind came several thoughts like 'gathering and dispersing' or 'when two or three are gathered together in my name there I will be also.'

Reflective, meditation walks are so 'life giving' so connecting to God's Spirit. Recently someone told me how a large butterfly came and settled on his hand and stayed there for some 15 minutes in stillness and quietness. What a God moment.

To have such moments we need stillness, quiet and time alone with God.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne