Do not neglect the gift that is in you. 1 Timothy 4:14

The gift of friendship

What a glorious fresh morning. Ducks swimming on the pond, a willy wagtail flitting about in the bushes with his chatter trying to catch flighty insects and the distant sound of a kookaburra, laughing. There is a true sense that creation is in harmony with its creator and I thought of all the multiple blessings that God showers upon us, day after day,hour after hour if we are in harmony with him and I wonder, how many blessings do we give God?
Christmas is over as far as the unwrapping of gifts goes, and the parties and the celebrations  but still it remains in our hearts and with the New Year emerging it is now a good time to reflect on the gifts we might give the Lord to shower him with blessings.
How many of your gifts have you offered him?  Think of the use of your God given gifts for his glory.He will be so blessed. Think of your gift to him of time spent with him. Think of your ministry as you take and share him with others.Think, 'how can I bless the Lord.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

a rose in the desert

 O what a gift, what a wonderful gift. (TIS 278)
I stood looking at the huge Christmas tree in the shopping center, its base surrounded with gifts  waiting to be given away and unwrapped.Gifts that will bring joy and excitement. Gifts that will be given to those who otherwise would have no gifts and again I thought of the one perpetual gift that can be given away time and time again and never have to be replaced, repurchased or re given; the gift  of Jesus who came as a baby, wrapped in bands of cloth, a baby who will bring joy and excitement, A baby who would be our Savior, a baby who would turn the world upside down in 3 years of profound ministry that gave us eternal life. What a gift. And I ask, what gift would you give to Jesus in return?
I read this from a Benediction:
Grant that we may gladly give you the one precious gift we have to bring, the offering of our loyalty and love,

and enable us to walk in love for others in Christ who walks the road with us, a fragrant offering, a rose in the desert for you.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Christ of the poor

When Jesus went out he saw a great multitude and he was moved with compassion for them and he healed their sick. Matthew 14.14
When I read  this passage of scripture, immediately comes to mind my 'hero' Mother Teresa. The biggest thing I learn from her is that Christ came for those who are hurting. If I reach out to those who are hurting in the name of Christ, he will care for them, and, you know what? everyone is going to be hurting at some stage. If we give to the hurting we will always have some one to care for, to minister too and God will draw them in closer at that time as we show them his love. That's what I learn from Mother Teresa.
We might never serve Christ in India, feeding and healing the poorest of the poor but we can serve here right where we are. The needy can be the person sitting across the isle in the class room, in the next cubicle at work, or sitting next to us at the dining room table each night. When we identify people in need, that's God calling our hearts into action, serving others in his love.
Lord, fill me with your compassion for your people. Open my ears and my eyes to the needs around me. Use me to give love, your love, to the world.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

JAFFA ministry (Jesus a friend for all)

The invitation

In Matthew 11:18 Jesus says. 'Come to me.'
The little children (and some big ones!) are counting down the days and number of sleeps until Christmas day and there is much excitement and anticipation and its that time of the year when all the invitations come out from family, friends and work places:
Invitations to Christmas parties
Invitations to school and university graduations
Invitations to 'catch up' before Christmas
Invitations to holiday with family
Invitation to Christmas dinner
But you know behind all the hoo-har and rushing,  and preparation there is the soft voice of Jesus saying. 'Come to me,'
Now that's the best invitation we can ever get and its an open invitation for EVERYONE.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

JAFFA disability ministry 2012 Christmas

A narrow winding trail

' Christ died for sin once and for all, the righteous from the unrighteous, to bring you to God.' 1 Peter 3:18
Max Lucado says that 'the path of righteousness is a narrow, winding trail up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is a cross. At the base of the cross are bags. Countless bags full of innumerable sins'. When I read this I thought of my walk up to Rosary Hill at Galong. Its a winding trail up a steep hill and at the top is a life size crucifix and around the rocks at the foot of it are many sets of rosary beads and other memorabilia of peoples prayers. When you turn your back from this and you look forward there is a vast, wonderful view across the countryside, as far as you can see, where the endless, clear horizon meets the blue, blue sky. So quiet, so still, so peaceful. I reflect on this in this season of Advent where our focus is on forgiveness of self and others. At times, weighed down and anxious by sin, we come to Jesus and lay them at the foot of his cross. As Lucado says,' The compost pile of guilt,' and then, we turn away from where we have laid them and look ahead, so quiet, so still, so peaceful.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Rosary Hill Galong

Christmas love

'... God's love has been poured into our hearts...' Romans 5:5
I look at so many Christmas wreaths hanging on the front door of the homes at this time of the year to welcome Christmas. Some are ornate, some large, some very colourful some very beautiful but the one that really took my eye and spoke to my heart was such a simple one.
                             

                                          It is in the shape of a heart and entwined with red tinsel.
 Now that to me spoke of Christmas, it spoke of love at Christmas, a love that came down from heaven in the form of a baby, God's gift to us, his Son, Jesus Christ.
See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and this is what we are.(1 John 3:1)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

I'm only a spark

(Jesus said) A person takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants.' Mark 4:31-32
I wonder how often we think of ourselves in the big picture of the kingdom? Do we wonder about the impression that we might make? Do we wonder about the gifts and abilities  that God has given us? Do we see them as small with only a small impact?  How sure are you that he can use even the smallest of your gifts to proclaim the greatness of the Lord?  What did Paul say to the Corinthians?
                     That God chooses what the world considers weak, to shame the strong!
Amado Nervo wrote a poem a portion of which reads:
I'm only a spark, make me a fire,I'm only a string, make me a lyre,I'm only an ant hill, make me a mountain,
I'm only a drop,make me a fountain'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

I'm only a bud, make me a flower.

The presence of the Lord

Be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place. (Christian song)
 I find this new suburb I live in quite an amazing place and such a new experience. I can go several days without seeing what I call an' Aussie'. There are many Indian people, Thai,Chinese, Sudanese and  Italian, it is so multicultural but what I love is they are not afraid to express who they are and it seems they bring their God with them. I see in some gardens a Buddha, in another a dragon, another little tea houses lit with candles and over doorways various symbols of peace and protection but this is the bit I like best, more and more I am seeing Christian symbols. On one front door hangs a cross, in another window hangs a cross and on another door is a sign which says'Praise the Lord'. For some reason it gives me goosebumps as we all live together, a community of faith, however that is expressed, and among it all our Lord and God is standing tall.. And me, how is my home identified? I have a Celtic cross hanging in my front window and in Hebrew on a plaque on my porch are the words 'Shalom'. Whats that bible verse about not hiding your light under a bushel?

The gift we can give

'We have not ceased praying for you.' Col 1:9
I marveled at the amount of people who were in the shopping mall. Some with Christmas trees in their shopping trolley and many with trolleys full of toys and food all getting ready to celebrate Christmas as they know it and are thinking about what gifts to give to what family member or friend and I found myself thinking about gift giving.
One of the greatest gifts I have received, and in hindsight given, I experienced again last week.
An older person I care for was going off to the hospital to see his specialist after having had tests for cancer. He was off to 'hear the outcome' of the tests and he was anxious, somewhat distressed and as he got into the community car he grabbed my arm and said, 'You know I am not religious but please pray for me I am so scared' I assured him  I would light a candle and pray. While the outcome of his visit was not good news he seemed to never the less be brighter.' Just knowing you were praying for me,' he said,' made such a difference. I felt the anxiety go and a peace arrived in its place.'
What a gift we both received that day.Never underestimate the power of prayer, its a wonderful gift

.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

God's creatures

' All things bright and beautiful all creatures great and small.' (Hymn)
I am amazed. How long has God been with  me on this earth? 6 score years and more and still I see his glory in so many new ways. I was sitting at my desk after having had a lovely walk in the morning, the fields fresh from new rain and here comes a wood pigeon, one I call a top knot, and he sits on the bird feeder, one eye cautiously watching me as he eats the seed provided for him. His colours on his grey wings are turquoise and scarlet, shimmering in the soft sun light and on his head (well really, God has such a sense of humour) there is the neatest, tidiest strands of fine feathers standing upright as if lathered with bryl cream. You know, sometimes it doesn't matter how rough things might get God can always produce something that puts a smile on your face. Its like he says,'here, look who I have asked to visit you this morning to bring you joy and pleasure.'

What has God shown you today of his love for you? Did it come in the way of a lovely bird, a special animal, a friend or simply but profoundly the gift of this new day?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

solid ground

' The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge'. 
 2 Samuel 22.2
It stands on the side of the mountain through all weather, torrential rain, fierce sun, gale force winds and storms, this massive granite outcrop that  occupies a large portion of its space solid, firm, unbreakable, strong and despite its massive presence I use to climb this mountain as a child and sit for hours on a large outcrop pondering the valley below  with a great sense of peace. I suspect that its crevices and 'spaces' are places for shelter and safety for the animals and birds that call the  rock their home. I get the impression that if it were to rain forever, and all the soil was washed from the mountain that it

 would still be standing, solid and firm, unmovable and steadfast.
God is our rock. When he occupies a large portion of our space or when we climb and crawl onto his lap he becomes a solid place of refuge. When all else falls away he is still there, strong, firm, permanent. Steadfast and everlasting are the words the scriptures use.
The Sunday School song said it all I think: 'The wise man built his house upon the rock.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's world

'The earth is the Lords and everything in it.' Psalm 24:1
A glorious walk in the freshness of the morning and what a start to the day.   I saw in front of me  several black swans walking along the road as they head for a morning swim in the pond, occasionally browsing on the verge for a taste of breakfast and a carpet of pink and grey of the Galahs already feasting on new sown seed. The cheeky peewee breaks the silence and is already busy with his day and the trill of the blue wrens and the colour of the wild flowers just make it all so lovely .To capture it I reflect on   the words of Henry Gariepy: 'Wildflowers were dancing in the breeze, a moment  of   pure   joy and  songs of all sorts form in my heart. Oh the delight of little things that trickle into the moment.'                                                                                           Taste and see, for the Lord is Good.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

sing a new song

He put a new song in my mouth. Psalm 40:3
When I step out side for the morning walk my heart sings at the joy of freedom, and beauty in all there is about me in my world.  The sun rises with memorable colour and a peaceful presence and the song my heart sings to the Lord  is one of gratitude and blessings at the dawning of the new day full of potential and hope.
But I pause to reflect on the 100 and 1000's of people effected by the Typhoon in the Philippines and I think how can they sing a new song today, in fact will their hearts ever sing again and what will that new song look like?
I love this song sung by Celtic Thunder which I think helps the questions I have asked and certainly sustains me when I feel challenged in life. The song refers to' the home land' and I can relate it to God and his love of us. It goes like this: ' You are the voice, you are the song,the song ever singing in me and you are the heart ever true........ the voice ever calling me home to you.'
God is our refuge, our ever present help and we will always sing a song to him while he lives in us even though it may take our hearts awhile to compose it.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Listen long

You turn my wailing into dancing;you removed the sackcloth and clothed me with joy. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. Ps 30:11,12
Daily pressures, rush,anxiety and clamoring to see an end to the amount of jobs we think we need to do leaves us very little space for the sacred, those moments that refresh us, connect us and calm us but Oh when we find them what joy, what healing, what strength.
I have taken to  almost sitting in my new garden which is flourishing and there I hear the voice of God. There I see his face among the blossoms and the blooms, there I experience his perfume, there I touch his hand, there I feel the breath of the Spirit on the wind.  Where is your sacred space? Where do you off load, let down and just be, in the precious company of God?
I read this quote(not sure of the author) It said: ' I listen long for silent songs playing in hidden places.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

portion of my new garden

loving kindness

'I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness' says the Lord. Jeremiah 31:3
 Imagine this. The Lord sitting at a rough wooden table,or in a garden, or on a rock ledge overlooking the sea of Galilee  reflecting, contemplating, imagining YOU. He has a sketch book on his lap and a pencil in his hand and he is drawing, drawing you with loving kindness and he puts into it feelings of hope. Hope that you will be his child. Hope that you will love him. Hope that your life will be full. Hope that you will talk of him, to many others and show his love.Hope that life will be journeyed together in its fullness.
I shared this loving kindness and  hope with an elderly terminally ill  man last week, sharing with him the greatness of God's creation in him and simply asked he picture God with a sketch pad and pencil, drawing him with love.
Mother Teresa said: We are also pencils in the hand of God. Let him create  something wonderful with your life as you serve him.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Giving thanks

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 100:1
I spent what seemed like time indefinite, in the presence of the Lord. Not with my head in a book of prayers, though that is nice at times. Not with my head in a book of meditations,  that is nice also, but I sat creating my own prayers and my own meditation in communion with God just surveying all around and all before me with my heart and eyes fixed on creation and God's beauty. For all I saw and heard and felt was of God.
Mountain tops poked out of low cloud, valleys swept with mist that settled in pockets of still and undulating hills. The sea, quiet, gently rolling onto the thousands of grains of sand, washed white and covered with treasures from the sea: shells,fragments of coloured glass,drift wood and polished stones and as if for my pure joy God sends a sea eagle to hover and cruise before my eyes. Each and every presence was a God moment and a 'bell of mindfulnessEden. NSW
' and my heart shouted for joy to the Lord.
Thank you God for moments of stillness and quiet.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's gift

The heavens are telling the Glory of God and the  firmament proclaims his handiwork. Ps 19:1
Sometimes when I am out walking its a matter of what will I look at first. Sometimes I almost pivot on the spot as God sends magical moments from the east, the west, the north and the south, moments of awe, of pure delight that roll on and on through the day.
I had my back to the view of the sea when I was alerted to turn around and there was this rainbow, the bow not fully visible but it was like an arm of God reaching from the heavens to the sea and it took my breath away. The colour, the beauty,the brightness, the awe. There were no words except a breath of prayer, 'Thank you Lord.'
Steiner Rice says: Everything that's wonderful is but a rich reward given to us lovingly by a gracious generous Lord.

Eden. NSW

R&R

' Be still and know that I am God.' Ps 46:10
A retreat is so refreshing, centering and gives us a dose of  holistic  soul medicine. I have had four days away in stillness and quiet, with a   dash of good company, a glorious view that captured all the moods of the ocean, multiple blessings from all of creation from a God who said, 'did you like the song  of that  special bird?' well, just listen to this one. Did you like that beautiful flower that came from a plain leafed succulent, well, look at this one, and what of that whale waving its flipper then its gigantic tail, teaching its baby  to do likewise?' (the echo of its 'splash' reaching my ears on shore in a backdrop of a  bright yellow sunrise casting a golden pathway across the sea from the  horizon to the sandy shore.) Did you like that? And into my mind came the song, Be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place.
 Oh what sacred ground to sit and be in communion with God. O what soul moments.
Margaret Geunther wrote: Its easy to forget that God is a God of surprises, an intrepid escape artist and master of disguises.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

How sweet the name

'How sweet the name of  Jesus sounds in a believers ear. It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds and drives away his fears.' (John Newton)
This is one of the most asked for hymns from the older people in the nursing home. It brings a true sense of peace that goes deep, deep into the soul, and I think of all the names that come to mind that are encompassed in the name Jesus and I can come up with: redeemer, saviour, friend, master, comforter, healer....
Lee Self says:
I try to encompass all your names but they slip from my grasp.
When I hold nothing, I hold you.
When I hold you, I hold everything.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Early Christian symbols. Israel

steeped in prayer

'O Lord, three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, to love thee more dearly, to follow thee more clearly day by day.' (Prayer of St Richard of Chichester)
Recently while reading I was struck by how meaningful this prayer is for our daily living and I was thinking of the various ministries we all have through our daily life and with this prayer in mind I reflect on the words of C.T. Studd.
'Some want to live within the sound of church and chapel bell.
I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.
 May our hearts and  lives always reflect this prayer, for Jesus.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Credo Cafe in a back lane of Melbourne behind  a church on a main street. The cafe is a place for street people and the homeless. The sign on the wall reads: We are not human beings trying to be spiritual, we are spiritual beings trying to be human

My cathedral

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I go yonder and pray.' Matthew 26:36
The world around us is so full of  wonderful places to pray. I look out my study window and I see rolling green hills, a  pond of water graced with wood ducks and an occasional black swan and a glorious pair of  Rosellas  feeding at the bird feeder and immediately it all becomes a prayer.  I spend time in my garden, a very new garden, a place of growing beauty, colour, fragrance and solace and immediately it becomes a prayer, a place of connection and I think of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, a place of prayer for him and get a sense of why he went to such a place to pray.
Steiner Rice says: My garden beautifies my yard and adds fragrance to the air, but its also my cathedral and my quiet place of prayer. So little do we realize that the glory and the power of him who made the universe lies hidden in a flower.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Garden of Gethsemane. Holy Land

Salvation

'Salvation is through a door. Jesus said:'I am the door' Luke 13:22
The imagery in my mind still holds clear from my pilgrimage to the Holy Land a couple of years ago. We visited the ruins of St Peter's house and saw a doorway that was like two doors set in the one. There was the original door and carved within that was a smaller door said to be for security and safety, your escape route into your home where you could be saved from pursuing evil . Jesus used such images from daily life to convey his message and so he said, looking at such a door, 'I am the door and its through me you are saved.' (paraphrased) Even after a life time of faith and belief I am still in awe of God's grace for us by giving Jesus, our door to salvation.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

A door way to safety and security. Holy Land

Abba father

Then Jesus answered and said to them. 'Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do;for whatever he does, the Son also does in like manner.' John 5:19
I was thinking how my oldest son works in the same profession  his father did, how he admired his commitment and work and chose to follow in his footsteps and somehow that thought raised a connection for me with our Heavenly Father and how God invites us to be involved with him, to follow his way of life after all, as a Father he loves us and wants us to be involved in his work and so with eyes wide open we need to watch and see where he is working so we can be a partner in it with him.
One of my favorite spiritual songs is  ' Abba Father let me be, yours and yours alone.......never let my heart grow cold, never let met go.'
May you see God at work around you, may it be evident through  what you do that others will see the love of Jesus and want to ask 'Who is it you work for?'
May you be blessed in your daily work. May the light of Christ shine through you.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Covenant care day hospice

freedom

' I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Matthew 25:35b-36
How blessed are we to be in a position to take this text and apply it in our daily lives.  I was talking to a man at the day hospice and he was sharing appreciation to me about being there.
 'you know.'  he said.' When I was found

I was cold and wore no socks on my feet because I couldn't reach down to put them on. I was lonely and isolated, a prisoner in my own home since the diagnosis of a life threatening illness. I shut myself away. Now I can have socks on, now I am no longer lonely and now I am no longer a prisoner in my own home.'
There is a Celtic prayer which says:
You who work by Christ's side and share his great love,You who touch with his hands and feel with his heart, his blessing yours, his joy to the end,Take it, hold it, you are his friend.
May your day be full of blessings.
Anne, servant of the Lord
  (Covenant Care is a community initiative operating out of Holy Covenant Jamison ACT. It offers a day with a difference for older people with a life threatening illness who are cared for at home by an elderly husband or wife.)

Thank you

1 Chronicles 16:8 'O give thanks to the Lord.'
And I want to shout, 'I do, I do.'
Thank you for life
Thank you for the beauty of spring
Thank you for the sound of the frogs in the pond
Thank you for the sound of the dawn, silence
The sound of dawn waking, the warbling magpies
Thank you for family and friends,for dogs and cats
For humility to serve you among those who need a companion for the journey, those who society abandons
Thank you for the love of Jesus in our lives.

May our thanks fill the quiet spaces of our day
May it be the last word on our breath before sleep.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

A lamp at our feet

'Thy word is a lantern unto my feet: and a light unto my paths.' Psalm 119:105
These words are in the front of my  King James bible that I was given by my parents at my confirmation by Bishop Burgman and they became a valued part of my life journey.
Several things have cropped up in the past little while that cause me to think it would be nice to know what will happen, what will be the outcome,what the future will hold, but then I refocus and know within my heart and soul that the future lies in God's hands, always has,always will, and it is in him we put our trust. It is in him we depend. It is on his shoulders we lean. Its into his arms we run, its his lap we sit in, for today, for always for whatever life holds, day by day.

scroll and lamp. Nazareth village

God isn't going to let you see the distant scene so you might as well quit looking for it.
He promised a lamp unto our feet not a crystal ball into the future
We do not need to know what will happen tomorrow
we only need to know he leads us .
How is that for reassurance, comfort and stability!(Lucado)

May the peace of Christ be with you.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

holding together

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. John 3:36

How many times have we heard it said, or said it ourselves that we don't know how we would manage in the trials of life if we didn't have Jesus. I know if I didn't have Jesus, I would fall apart because Jesus is what holds me together.  This became even more a reality for me after I read a profound story about a navy helicopter pilot who said 'As complex as these helicopters are their whirling rotors are held in place by one simple hexagonal nut, and guess what that nut is called? Smiling he said, 'Its called a Jesus nut.'

Blessed are they who place themselves in the hands of Jesus. He will place himself in their hands. (Anon)

rejoice and be glad.

' Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love;so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.' Psalm 90:14 (NRSV)

The abundance of God's gifts early in the morning,
particularly at this time of the year.......in spring
.........are magnificent.
Blossoms, perfumes, colour,
and the busy sound .....the music of the birds.

Its many years since I used an alarm clock and recently I read this responsial prayer that expressed to me that 'automatic wakening' every morning just pre dawn. It said:
Set the clock of your heart for dawn's arrival
taste the joy of being awake. (Seven Sacred Pauses)

Be blessed today with the smells and sights and sounds of the new day.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5
I see the prunes tree  loading itself with masses of pink blossom, the wattle a flush of bright yellow, signs  that tells me spring is just around the corner. As I see these signs of spring

 its easy to theologically reflect. Many thoughts  about God come to mind, new life, faithfulness,  assurance, presence, love, joy.
When I pause to see the petals of the last seasons roses lying softly on the ground I think of God's gift to us in beauty and brokenness.
When I hold the hand of the frail elderly in their dying then I am on Holy ground.
Early in the morning when I look to the east to catch the rising sun and offer my prayers, and in the evening when I turn my face to the sunset to give praise for the day, it seems that all around me and where I am, there is God.
Today keep an eye out for his presence, not only in the surrounding of nature, and in others you encounter, but also in yourself.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

mirror image

' let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16
I look from my office window across the road to a large pond and on a day when the air is clear, the sky is blue and the day bright I am drawn to see, in the stillness of the water a reflection of the ponds surrounds is  so clear and detailed that it stops me in my path. Were I to take a photo it would be hard to distinguish the reflection from the real scene. I often see the beautiful reflection before I see the scene that made it.
I remember reading about St Francis of Assisi and how he felt  so unworthy of God's presence and use of his life and people would say, 'What is it that draws us to you, why is the whole world following you?'
Francis himself would marvel that God chose such a 'worthless creature' to do his work,  to reflect God's life.
Amy Carmichael says: A pilgrim looked at the reflection of a mountain in still water. It was the reflection that first caught his attention. But presently he raised his eyes to the mountain.'Reflect me, ' said the Father to him, then others will look at you, then they will look up and see me.'  
                                       The stiller the water the more perfect the reflection.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

photo:Galong monastery

Jesus among us

'Lord Jesus stand among us and bring your healing love. May we know your presence as we break bread together.Give us your peace.' (APBA)
A small, frail, elderly lady sat  among the others gathered for the Communion service at the aged care facility.I had been told she had dementia and she had forgotten much. She sat quietly, just looking at the floor, not engaging or participating until we sang our final hymn, 'Jesus loves me this I know.'  She didn't move, she showed no emotion, she held the hymn book closed on her lap but her lips mouthed the words and her eyes seemed to be looking down the years of knowing. As I looked at her my heart melted. I felt a deep sense of peace, of hope, of assurance and of  being on sacred ground. All else might be seemingly lost to her but there is Jesus. His presence was  alive in the very words she mouthed ' Jesus loves me this I know.'
How important it is to retain the old hymns and the old familiar version of the prayers. especially the Lords

Prayer. They allow inclusion and familiarity for those who seemingly have lost all else.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's presence

Jesus said: ' I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants.' John 5:30
I can imagine how a climbers heart must leap and spirit soar when they reach the summit of a high mountain and survey the view around and below. Breath taking. I can imagine a leaping heart and soaring spirit when an architect surveys a completed magnificent building. When I drove into Durham and came around the corner to be confronted by the city, there in its midst was the Durham Cathedral towering over all other buildings causing my heart to leap and my spirit to soar. Like wise when I came over the hill in Jerusalem to be confronted by the city with the Dome of the Rock before me and the tears just silently  ran down my face. Yet I also can look at a brightly coloured beautifully crafted flower or a tiny blue wren and my heart leaps and my spirit soars. To me this is standing on sacred ground. A hiker on a mountain top explained her experience like this: ' Suddenly I felt God's power and presence penetrate right through me. I was so overwhelmed I just sat down.  My eyes overflowed with tears and I thanked God that he had taught me to know him and I begged him ardently that my life be consecrated to his will.'
What causes your heart to leap and your spirit to soar?  Where do you 'meet'God?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Photo: Western Wall. Jerusalem

You are seen

I am his and he is mine, here in the power of God I stand.(Song: How deep the Fathers love for us)

I think  the words of this spiritual song make for a good mantra.'I am his and he is mine, here in the power of God I stand.' Think of all the situations and times  you could grasp hold of that line as a life line, a means of strength or to express the power of God's saving grace.

I remember a conference I went to at Kurrajong in the foot hills of the Blue Mountains, a place of beauty and rest, a place of quiet yet the sound of the Bell birds still rings in my mind.  There an aged care chaplain told the story of an elderly frail  lady with sever dementia and her conversation seemed to have no meaning to the listener. As the chaplain sat with her,gently  massaging fragrant oils into her arthritic hands she had a great sense of inadequacy in her ability to have meaningful conversation with this lady and often the silence was long and uncomfortable. This particular day the chaplain had brought with her a CD for background music  to fill the silences. In the CD was a repetitive one liner: ' You are seen, you are loved, you are doing very well.'  Then, in the midst of a muddled conversation the elderly lady looked into the chaplains eyes and after a moment of silence said, as clear as the call of the Bell birds. ' You are seen, you are loved, you are doing very well.'

Serve God with confidence for you to are seen, loved and doing very well.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord

God's recreation

'Morning has broken, like the first morning.' TIS 156
The sun did nothing spectacular when it came over the horizon today but minutes later a midst the morning fog and icy frost it hung ghost like from  the shifting fog that had covered its face, a breathtaking  perfect circle of , colourless shinning  silver. All was so still and quiet except for beautiful song of a magpie. It was a special moment.
One of my favourite hymns is 'Morning has Broken.' It says so much about what we see and hear if we take the time to listen and look, and it says so much about what we miss if we don't go a little slower, to say nothing of missing the joy of the gift of each new day
.(Lessin)
Jesus is the sun rise in the morning and the sunset of your day.
His mercy greets you every morning and his goodness tucks you in at night.

Every new day is like looking God straight in the eye. Its as simple as that.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

let your light shine

At the end of each day I reflect on the people who have crossed my path and sum that up in my prayers, especially  when I think of those who experienced Christ through the encounter, those who catch a glimpse of Christ through  relationship with them or in a brief passing. a brief word, a brief touch. I think of my daily round and yours and sum that up as many who have had a touch of God through us all and I thank God that we can bring some light into a dark world through who we are and what we are doing. For some, as the saying goes, we may be the only gospel they ever hear, the only encounter with God they ever have and it may be just enough to change their world.
'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16

Robert Louis Stevenson, as a small boy, was staring out his bedroom window one night when his nanny summons him to bed. He was reluctant to come and

his nanny asked what was the attraction outside in the dark night. he said, pointing to the lamplighter who was lighting the street lamps. 'Look nanny,the man is putting holes in the darkness.'
Lotz says in her book Just give me Jesus. 'You and I may not be able to change the world, but surely each of us can put a hole in the darkness.
Turn on the light! share what Jesus means to you and give God's word to someone else.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord.

A gift for life

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things in all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:8
Most of us love to receive gifts. They remind us that we are thought of and loved even if they are only 'momentary' gifts like a movie pass,a book, once used or read it becomes a personal memory. How many times do we receive a gift that we can share with others, for life.
I think of our daily lives and how we give from the bottom of our hearts, for the love of Jesus, giving him to others through love, a love that we ourselves have experienced in Christ. What a  gift. There are still many in need of that lasting gift, the gift of God's love: your neighbor,the homeless, the man on the street corner looking for a handout, even the friend you might be having coffee with today.
The gift of Jesus, the Christ, is the gift that keeps on giving, through us as we share the gospel through word and action.
Lets not hoard and keep this gift stowed away in our hearts, but scatter it on the air and breath of this new day so it falls on those who need it.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's beauty

 To behold the beauty of the Lord: Psalm 27:4
So many times and in so many places we have the opportunity to behold the beauty of the Lords, if we are looking for it!
Yesterdays frost was as white and almost as thick as newly fallen snow. Everything, everywhere, as far as could be seen across the pond, the hills and valleys and mountains was white, glistening, shinning,  crisp. Freezing yet glorious and wrapped in a soft, white mist.
 All so beautiful. All so of God.
As I had prepared to go for my morning walk I found these words falling from my heart in prayer: 'Lord, show me your beauty today.'    And he did, in a far grander way than every expected.
God shows his beauty to us from frosty mornings, to a beautiful flower, breathtaking scenery, a tiny bird the smile of a baby and in  the face of the elderly.
Seek his beauty.Ask him to show it to you.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

rain drops

He made water flow for you from flint rock. Deut 8:15
I watched the rain drops fall into the bird bath outside my window as they rippled to the edges  one after the other they fell, pods of life giving water, that rolled off the edge of the bird bath and  onto the ground below.
Rain drops full of nourishment, so small yet so vital to life.
Filled with the life giving, living waters of Jesus we too become ' pods of nourishment and life' spilling over into the lives of those God puts in our path day by day.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

God is love

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
One of the most moving things that I have experienced of late was the first letter I received in the mail from my  granddaughter. It arrived  with big bold wording on the envelope in the script of a six year old child declaring it was for Nanna Ranse. I held it close to my chest, savoring this 'first' experience before opening it to see a letter of two lines which simply said' I hope you are feeling better, I love you very much'
How those words made me feel is indescribable but I know I went back to them many times through that day and the days that followed, I was so blessed by them and my thoughts went to God. Do we ever tell him we love him? Do we ever give him the words that cause him to hug them to his chest and savor them for hours and days?  Today I found myself humbling the song, 'I love you Lord and I lift my voice to worship you O my soul rejoice.'  Try it, it will lift your soul and your spirits and God will love it to.
Solly Ozrovech says: There is tremendous spiritual power in the mere act of confirming softly, 'Living Christ, I love you dearly.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

the cushion of God's love

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7.

The clouds this morning were grey, tinged with the pink of the sunrise and sat low in the valley looking like they had fallen from the sky. Peeks of mountains poked through them and the whole scene emanated the quiet and stillness of the morning and a peace, a God filled peace was present.
 There are many places to find the deep peace of God. LB Cowman says in a reflection that there is a part of the sea known as 'the cushion of the sea.' and it lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind and it is so deep that it never stirs.
The peace of God is an eternal  calm  like this cushion of the sea, or the peaceful, God present peace of the valley. It lies deep in our hearts undisturbed by what is happening around and within us. This peace comes when we take God with us in the moments of our days and lives regardless of the storms within and without.

I like this quote from Pilgrim's Progress which says: ' Pilgrim was taken to a large upper room that faced the sunrise and the name of the room was peace.'
May the deep peace of God's love and presence be the cushion for you today.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Praising your name

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and faithfulness. Ps 138:2.
Often I am lost for words when I walk in the morning.
There is just me
and those I take along in prayer
and God
 and as the last of the night stars fade into the day the rising sun comes over the mountain top and colours the day.
 It warms my heart, it stills me, it takes my breath away, it takes my words leaving me in awe and I want to take my shoes off ans slowly, quietly, beautifully a song comes to my heart.

The new day is created, new opportunities are opening up. I have sung, I have prayed, I have been in the presence of God and God knows my heart is blessed and I call it my morning prayer.

What is your experience of morning prayer?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

your power, O God.

' I am with you always.' Matt 28:20
It is such a wonderful thing to know that God is always with us. That is where his peace comes from.
 I woke up in the night and through my uncovered window I saw a sky of stars and immediately came to mind one of my favorite hymns: '  I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.'   (How great thou art)
Jesus said:' I am with you always.' Not I will be, not I might be, not perhaps, but I AM with you always. How blessed are we when our thoughts immediately go to God, in the day and in the night. How blessed are we to really know his presence.
I recall this old  verse: (author unknown)
 O Jesus, make thy self to me
 a living bright reality!
more present to faith's vision keen
than any outward vision seen.
May you know deep in your heart the words of Jesus:' I am with you always.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

strength and blessings

'Better is the end of things than the beginning.' Ecc 7:80
How true.
A rose starts as a bud and grows to an open flower filled with perfume, incense that brings joy to the heart.
A sunrise, rich in colours fades to a glorious day that holds potential for multiple blessings.
A delicious meal, wonderful to smell coking, to wait in anticipation, but the memory lies in the enjoyment of the finished product
A new found faith, rich with potential, grows and blossoms into service for the Lord.
Better is the end of things than the beginning
God's only intention is to strengthen and bless us. May you be richly  strengthened and blessed through

all your beginnings.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

deeper and sweeter

'But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever.' Ps 52:8

 I love forests. I loved riding my horse through the pine forest as a child, I loved exploring Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and I love to just sit in the stillness and quiet of a forest, smack bang in the middle of nature a oneness with God and  God's creation.
We all know the saying 'I cant see the forest for the trees.' I can be tough when life throws up a barrier of stress or overwhelming life circumstances, hectic work schedules or far to fast a pace of life making it so easy to lose that sense of the oneness of God in the mix of his creation. Making it hard to see God through the density of life issues.
This is a lovely prayer verse from the Hebridean Altars.

Keep within me
a stillness
deeper and sweeter
than a forest's
in mid winter.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, Servant of the Lord                            

angel dust

' May the Lord bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
I am often lost for words when I look to the west of an evening, just on sun set and see the hills and valley covered in what looks like a fine dust in the soft evening light that seems to be full of stillness and peace. It seems to fall from heaven and its breath taking. I like to call it 'angel dust' as I am sure it has come from heaven to sprinkle the earth for our joy and  pleasure. Have you seen it?
I read this prayer by Frederick Buechner:
' Lord, catch me off guard today. Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain so that 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, servant of the Lord.

upholding

' Hold thou me up and I shall be safe.' Ps 119:117

I woke up this morning  amidst God's love in what the local radio station called a 10-10 sunrise. It was glorious in colour and peace but I think what actually called me into the day was the tiny prayer bell I have hanging outside my window. Its soft metallic tinkling in the gentle breeze draws me to thoughts of God. I recall reading a very old  pocket book called 'Morning Bells' and in it  I read: 'The path is not easy, there are rough stones and we can stumble, how do we walk safely over such a rough path?'  My response, it is not my grip of Christ's hand but Christ's  grip of me, that's what stops us stumbling and keeps us on the path.
I hear the tinkle of the metallic bell and immediately I say 'may  today be  in your strength Lord even though the path can be rough. Hold thou me up.'
Yes, I will uphold you
with my own right hand;
you are called and chosen
in my sight to stand. (unknown)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

a drop in the ocean

'Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart so you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people.'
There was a boy standing on the beach amongst hundreds of star fish that were being washed up by the tide. One by one he was throwing them back into the sea. An old man came past and said to the boy. 'You will never make a difference, there are too many.' The boy kept throwing them back,one by one and again the old man said. 'you will never do it, you will never make a difference.'
The boy picked up a star fish and threw it into the sea and looking straight at the old man said; 'See, I did make a difference to that one.

Think of your day, of your week. Who has God placed before you and remember to focus on the one before you in the moment.

Mother Teresa said:
So I begin....I begin.
I picked  up one person. Maybe if I hadn't picked up that one person I wouldn't have picked up 42,000.
The whole work is only a drop in the ocean but if I don't put one drop in the ocean will be one drop less.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord.

Blessed assurance

' Jesus, all beauty,heavenly and earthly,in you is wondrously found to be;  none can be nearer,fairer or dearer than you,my saviour are to me.'
 Sometimes we look for assurance of the presence of God. We know he is there but we just need that little confirmation, an Ahaaa occasion. Its a bit like having someone sleeping near us at night, we know they are there  but are assured by their gentle breathing. Sometimes the presence of God will come through nature, for me its specifically the blue wrens. Sometimes it will be a beautiful view across the countryside, over the ocean or through the stark arid desert. Sometimes it will be in the quite and stillness and sometimes we can't miss it when God reaches his hand  through the clouds at sunrise, and spreads his fingers and blesses us with his presence in soft light mingled with morning mist.
Heading to work today with challenges?
perhaps facing surgery
perhaps in the labour ward
perhaps fare welling a soldier for overseas service
perhaps feeling anxious or alone
perhaps just needing reassurance.

Look about  a moment,it only takes a second for the light of Christ to reveal himself anew.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne,servant of the Lord.

The glory of God

' The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.' Ps 19:1

It is so amazing how God works when we are aware of his presence in our every day life.

I sense this and feel it often and on one particular occasion I remember being in a rural setting where kangaroos and birds of many varieties were in abundance and as I sat on a granite outcrop at dawn, half way up a hill,I surveyed a panorama of deep blue rolling mountains,distant ones snow capped,green hills and rabbits almost at my feet and God graced me with a brier bush full of blue wrens.
I wrote in my note book: Today I have been blessed at the start of the day with a chorus of kookaburras and I have been amongst God's treasures. For me he opened the lid of his treasure chest and let a few come out,just for me and as I was thanking him in a breathtaking response he gave me one more of his treasures, a beautiful purple orchid,so nice, so delicate amidst the granite and brier.

 I thought of the all powerful,mighty God who created rugged mountains, who can also create in contrast, a delicate, breathtaking,beautiful orchid. Little do we realise sometimes that the glory and the power of he who made the universe lies hidden in a flower.
Today when you look at God's mighty, awesome creation, pause at a beautiful flower and see God's love and a message from him, just for you.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord.

And my heart sang

'O Lord in the morning you hear my voice:in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.' Psalm 5:3

Its a wonderful thing when your thoughts go straight to the Lord when you get up of a morning.
I was waking down the street heading for the walking track and as I stepped out I heard myself say, 'Good Morning Lord' and at that very moment a Magpie gave the most beautiful solo of an opening rich warble. He was then joined by  the melodious singing of the Blackbird and, not to be outdone, I heard the distant laughing of the Kookaburra. To cap the Lord's reply, two beautiful Rosella's skimmed the top of my head, flying in perfect formation.

And my heart sang
and my soul soared.

What a wonderful reassurance of the presence of God. And I knew, I knew deep within that he would hear my morning petitions and that I would go into the day with the expectation that whatever was to be,was his will. And when doubt or worry crossed my path I only had to reflect back on the encounter of the morning to receive the blessing again and again of his presence.

Today, start with God and he will stay with you.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord.