treasure

For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and  forfeit their life?  Mark 8:36
How many times have we seen a rainbow in the sky and thought of words said to us right through life that if we can find the end of the rainbow there we will find a pot of gold, our treasure ,and I wonder how many of us have tried that ? The rainbow I saw last week was a complete arc, very big, in fact too big to catch on the camera but I could see where the end of the bow was, as I walked towards it, it kept moving away from me. I thought, 'There is only one treasure to seek and that is one that as we draw closer to it it actually draws near to us and that's the treasure of God's love. Its bigger than any pot of God, its bigger than any persuite of happiness in seeking possessions.
George Beverly Shea wrote this song:
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold, I'd rather be his than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand. (verse1)

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

love,sacrifice, poppies

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
We can't avoid the media confrontation on the coming ANZAC celebrations and probably we don't want to avoid it. In fact, the people who attend the day hospice we have at church have made and put together a lovely 'soft' display of 100 poppies that have been placed outside the glassed sanctuary of the church, in the gardens, where they will be seen on Sunday by the congregation. They are standing straight, tall and silent. A true reflective memory of the sacrifices made and the lives lost.
On Flanders Fields the poppies grow..........

Pray for peace in the world

Anne, servant of the Lord

washed, refreshed,clean.

Wash yourself, make yourself clean. Isaiah 1:16

Remember that old hymn that went something like this....'washed in the blood of the lamb....'

Gardening would have to be one of the most enjoyable recreational activities I do. Its a place that draws me very close to God and its a place where lots of thinking happens, its a place that clears my mind.. However, its also a very dirty activity and always at the end of a gardening session I am covered in sweat and very dirty. My next move is a long hot shower to get refreshed and washed clean and feel like new again. Its a great feeling.
I think that is a pretty good description of what Jesus does for us. He has the power to cleanse us, to clean us up, to wash off the dirt and grime, ready for a fresh start.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Transforming front yard and putting in front steps 2 years ago.

The breath of God

Jesus said to them again.'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me,so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them  and said to them . 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' John 20:21-22
Imagine it. Imagine Jesus so close that you can feel his breath. How personal would that be and  it would be impossible to deny him.
During the service at the local nursing home we sang the beautiful old hymn, 'Breathe on me Breath of God' just before taking communion and in a space of silence after the last verse one of the ladies said. 'How beautiful is that. How  special that is.......... breathe on me breath of God...............that is so lovely.' I looked at her, we made eye contact and for a moment I knew that God had breathed on us all sitting there that morning. We sat in a deep sense of peace.

                                                  Grace and Peace from the Lord be with you
                                                             Anne,servant of the Lord
                               Photo: Crusade preservation of the site of the upper room Jerusalem

The cross

But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us. Romans 8:37

Billy Graham wrote: If ever you should doubt the love of God,take a long deep look at the cross.

I was standing on the rise of the walking trail just as the sun was creating the new day when suddenly my eye caught the image of a cross. It was a strong image, well defined, a definite cross, yet when I looked closer I could see it was just a branch of a tree overlapping another. Never the less it was though provoking and an image that stayed with me. Its so special when daily objects  mirror the cross and draw us into reflecting on Christ and his sacrifice.......for us.
Its a powerful thought when instead of saying 'Jesus died for us,' we say 'Jesus died for me!' He gave his life for me, so I can be saved. 'Am I worth that much?' Jesus thought so. He gave his life for me, the least I can do is give my life to him.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

When least expected.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Luke 24:31
I stood  at the place acknowledged as Emmaus and looked towards Jerusalem. I paused and reflected on the biblical story of the Emmaus walk and how the two, walking along, didn't recognize the risen Christ who had joined them. He came alongside when they were at least expecting to see him. How many times can we say that has been our experience? We have been engaged in 'the doing' and didn't see Christ's presence. We have prayed and prayed for someone or ourselves and didn't see the answered prayer until in hindsight. We endeavor to walk with the homeless, the lonely, the isolated, the poor, the sick and often don't see that we are walking with Christ in disguise.Once the two walking on the road to Emmaus recognized the risen Christ they rejoiced and rushed to share the news with the disciples. 'He is risen indeed.' they said.'We have seen him.' Lets make sure we also  tell others when we have experienced the risen Christ.
May his word and life live through us.
Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                 Breaking of bread in the Eucharist at Emmaus.

rekindled fire

Take our  lives and let them be consecrated Lord to thee...take our moments and our days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. (  Hymn by Alan Wilson 1945)
The celebration of Easter has stayed in my mind and my heart all my life.As a child it was an exciting time at church. Palm Sunday saw the processions with the palm branches, the rich red liturgical colours and the memorable rousing hymn singing such as 'Ride on ride on in Majesty.' We would go home after the event clutching our treasured palm cross. But more meaningful I think, we went home with a 'fire,' a 'passion',an excitement within us  that stayed alight over the years and is relived every time I open my prayer book and am faced with a particular fading, discoloured aging palm cross. Holy week is memorable, not just for reliving the events and refreshing our memories but  because it transforms our lives and our ministries and somehow we come to Easter Monday and in some way we are changed. Our relationship with the risen Christ has taken on a deeper sense of commitment and the first fire in our hearts is rekindled yet again.
Go forth into the world to LOVE and to SERVE the Lord.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

sunrise over the sea of Galilee.

Good Friday

1 Peter 2:24  Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross.
There is no situation that blocks us from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We can always come to him with bowed head and bent knees......or running with outstretched arms...to seek his forgiveness.
He will never abandon us.

'In the act that broke the heart of the Father, yet honored the holiness of heaven, sin, purging....
judgement flowed over the sinless Son of the ages
And heaven gave earth her finest gift
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 
My God, my God why did you abandon me?
Why did Christ scream those words?
So we don't have to.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ on this Good Friday
Anne, servant of the Lord.