travelling companion

Good and upright is the Lord, therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his ways. Psalm 25:8-9
So much from within the heart comes a cry, 'for as much as you did for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.'  This text straight from Jesus would be a wonderful theme for Advent. Sometimes I think but how many more of my brothers and sisters can I do this for Lord for sometimes the load  gets very heavy and weighs me down but its said; don't pray that your load is lightened but pray for the strength to bear it. That statement changed my entire perspective on carrying burdens and I found I could add one or two more brothers and sisters to my load, in fact I asked the Lord to give me as many as he thought I could carry.Its then I found they became my travelling companions. They were always with me on the journey through prayer time, on my lips as I fell asleep and as I went out each day to love and serve the Lord. We know that God is our ultimate travel companion, always with us. When the load of carrying our brothers and sisters is heavy, he is the one who holds us up.

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

rubbing shoulders

Lord, when was it that I  saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you? Matthew 25:44
In life we often rub shoulders with people society sees as the 'lesser' or who Jesus called the 'little ones.' I am sure as you read this faces will come as images in your  mind and memories in your heart. Our daily life is about bringing  the light of Christ into the dark corners of  this world. I don't know about you but it puts me on my knees and I am sure the roar in the background is the applause from heaven as God sees one of his own move into the circle of love and care and bring life and light to another.(Lucado) None are more shunned by their culture than the blind, the lame, the lepers and the deaf. They had no place. No name. no value. Canker sores on the culture. Excess baggage on the side of the road, but those who people call trash, Jesus calls treasure.
They are the treasure of our daily ministry. Rub shoulders with them, rub shoulders with Christ.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

I come.

Just as I am without one plea, O lamb of God, I come (Charlotte Elliott)
This is one of a few hymns that brings you to the feet of God. There is a 'tug' a sense of being pulled towards God in these words and you can do nothing but respond  and what a sense of home coming it brings. No doubt we all have that place where we have this great tug to go, to meet and  fall into the arms of  God. Its a tug that's so compelling  it can't be ignored. I reflect on this when I get up to go walking early morning. I feel that tug from God to go and the words of this hymn hum in my heart. 'Just as I am though tosses about, fighting and fears within without, O lamb of God I come.' We forget sometimes that all we have to do with our cares, concerns and anxieties is to give them to God. He takes them from us, tosses them over his shoulder and replaces them with his peace. When you feel that tug from God, this desire to run into his open arms, respond to it, run into his presence to be comforted, filled, blessed,and equipped for life's journey.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Praise for the singing

Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird. (TIS 156)
The beautiful song  of the blackbird singing in the morning silence drew me immediately to the words of  Eleanor Farjeon's hymn  'Morning has Broken.' And the rest of  my morning walk was in step to that  tune and  the sung words went straight to heaven!
Thank you God for the gentle nudges of your presence.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

roses among the thorns

Sing to God with thanksgiving in your heart. Col 3:16
I love the spring with all its expression of new life and it seems to give us a sense of life also, like waking up out of a sleep. Being a gardener I like to head for the garden and make an impression on areas that have been neglected, pruning, weeding, turning old soil over, propping plants with trellises and planting new seeds. I have a bed of roses and pruning sometimes can be a challenge. Somehow I always seem to come out of the exercise looking like I have been pruning roses! However, its well worth it with the reward of beautiful colour and perfumed blooms. Gardening is a bit like our life really, out there in the world among all the challenges, planting, pruning and nurturing.
It is said: Some complain that God put thorns on roses; others give thanks that God put roses among the thorns. (Unknown)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

one of several St Saviours Cathedral roses in my garden.

A great witness.

.....looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2
I was taking a service in the local aged care facility among a small group of faithful elderly people and one resident in particular seems to stand out. She would be well in her eighties, a quiet gentle lady who just smiles and emanates a peace. She has an aura about her. This day she actually spoke and said. 'I walked with Jesus. I walked by his side. He was so, so lovely, a beautiful man.' she paused a moment and went on to say.' Do you think that could be real or did I dream it?' and she looked at me with intense blue eyes and a face that shone, a face that emanated Christ's presence.'  'It was a long time ago,' she said, 'but I remember it and feel it inside me like it was just now. Every  time I think of it I feel I am filled up again and again with Jesus.' What great witnesses  our older people are. A life time of trials, tribulations and joys and still so strong in the Lord. What a great encouragement to us all who are still 'running the race.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

The secret of the Lord is theirs

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see our God: the secret of the Lord is theirs, their soul is Christ's abode. (TIS 448)
I recall the memorial service I held in the nursing home each year on All Souls and All Saints Day. It was so moving  as we remembered all those who had passed away from among us in the last twelve months. Reading the names out one by one of 30 or more people,Remembering the faces, remembering them, all these special people that have shared a portion of their life with me and it throws such a special meaning to the words from the book of Hebrews. 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.....' (Hebrews 12:1) As I prepared for the service, filling the vases with roses, I noticed on one stem that there was a cluster of full blooms and among  them was one that had died. The imagery was powerful and humbling and yes we are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses in our Christian walk.

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