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