Go little boats

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
This would have to be one of the biblical verses that are familiar in the heart of us all and we no doubt have used it in so many contexts but it struck me another way when I was looking at some yachts  just sitting  on the water, sails down, not looking at all adventurous or capable of going anywhere. What a different story though when the sails go up and the boat is maned and the wind carries it out on a journey. Somehow, the Hebrews verse came to mind and I thought of this little prayer I had read somewhere: May the wind of the Holy Spirit fill your sails and take you to a new, inspired place.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Meditate on this

Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Who ever follows me will never walk in darkness but will  have the light of life (John 8:12)
So many times I feel so humbly blessed because  of living a life that is Christ centered. Fall in a hole, and He picks you up, Exciting times and He fills you with joy. Something missing in your day and He fills it. Needing to talk to someone and He is there. Something  I read stuck in my mind this morning as I watched the day rising from the night, as the light covered the darkness, and it was this, and I think no more need be said, just meditate on this:
'Follow the light you have
and pray for more. (George MacLeod)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Light in the darkness

nudging and guiding

Guide me O my great redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land.I am weak but thou art mighty
hold me with thy powerful hand. (TIS 569)
I was  sitting on my front porch watching the farmer in the near by paddocks moving the cattle. He was behind them slowly nudging them in the direction he was wanting them to go, avoiding rocky outcrops and the fragile  banks of the creek and various other hazards and spots of danger. Suddenly I had  a deeper sense of the movement of Christ in our lives, how he gently nudges and  guides us and he does it 'from behind.' I read these lovely  Celtic words of wisdom:  My dearest Lord, be thou a bright flame before me, be thou a gentle guiding star above me, be thou a smooth path beneath me, be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, today and ever more. (St Columba)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Now I see

Matthew 13:16   But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.
I look at the pond now and reflect on what it was. A stagnating pool of muddy water that came and went and a cluster of wood ducks calling it home and I look at it now, three years later and see, with the human touch how it has changed. Bulrushes and bird loving grasses cluster at its shores, its always full and flushes clean its waters when refreshing rain falls. It is home for a variety of birds,wood ducks and water fowls proudly strutting the grass surrounds showing of their babies and an occasional turtle will venture out and sun bake and frogs are the chorus beneath it all  . It reminds me so much of our lives and our ministries and where we have come from over the years and how with nurturing by God's love we are where we are today and those we befriend in the name of Christ, are where they are today.Epicurus said: Remember what you have now was once among the things you only hoped for.  I  read this lovely prayer: May God bless your heart that you may be a well spring of life for others and may God bless your hands and feet that you may attend to his business during your times on earth - your life matters deeply to him.

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

Empowered by God

'Your peaceful presence, giving strength, is everywhere.' (Benedictine Nuns Hymn)
There is an African proverb which reads like this: if you think you are too small to make a difference, - try sleeping with a mosquito.
We are empowers  by God to make a difference in the world we live in. In our own space of living and working.  There are so  many people we come in contact with and so many people we 'rub off on' that provide a wonderful space to show God's love. I remember an elderly lady in the nursing home  once asked me can you 'smell God' after she went into the chapel to pray because she could sense something different in that 'God space.' . Can others sense something difference  when they come across our space, our presence?   We are empowered by God to do the work of God.
Meister Eckhart said: What is the good if Mary gave birth to the Son of God 2000 years ago if I do not Give birth to the Son of God today - God is always needing to be born.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

God speakes

Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me.  (Sacred song)
I love that oneness, that connection, that God moment when I am out walking and something catches my eye (or is it my Spirit?) and I stop in awe and wonder. Sometimes these 'God moments' spring up expectantly and other times I can see them coming such as watching a sunset or sunrise creeping into the sky, subtle at first with a hint of colour and then grows into a spectacular arena of colour that  speaks to me of God's love; an almost overwhelming love that makes my knees weak and my soul rise up in song!
Joan  Chittester says: Station stops in your day, stops to reflect, stops to see the sacred, stops to enjoy the presence of the moment - station stops - sacred moments - refueling places of God's love that refresh us  and connect us with the one who walks with us always - Jesus Christ.

Sacred pause - spirit filling- God's love

New Year

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old, I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the   wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is. 43: 18-19
A New Year,-  new beginnings, new opportunities - as we walk right into it, ready to embrace all it offers and throws at us. May your prayers move heaven and earth and may you remember  that everywhere you place your feet, God's kingdom comes to earth. Go humbly and boldly forward with your  hand firmly gripped in Gods.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.