earthly treasures

For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies. for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies. Christ our God to you we raise, this our sacrifice of praise.(Tis 137)
These words came to me as I was looking at the very full buds on the Japonica bush 'bursting' in readiness to go on display and visible here and there are the jonquil bulbs with fat buds also in readiness in a bed of very highly perfumed violets and there, hidden on the north side of a fallen log is the moss growing in its own rugged and earthy bed. So much beauty at a glance, a treasury of expectation, of hope, of love, of surprise, of God.
(Sister Stan says ) The treasures of the earth are free and full of surprises.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

mossy log,earthly beauty

Holy delight

God himself is present (TIS 121)
 I loved to walk through the fallen autumn leaves kicking them with great delight  and there is something special and thought provoking about 'hearing' the leaves as they fall from the trees. Its like a kaleidoscope of soft gentle music. Early morning  has so many points of connection with God  that bring delight, refreshment and preparation for the day and the birds add their voice to that as the little Pee-wee dances on the ice in the birdbath. There is something of 'holy delight' in creation and the creator. (Sister Stanizlow says) Creation speaks to those who hear with their hearts..
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Cathedral grounds Goulburn

God's daily blessings

Morning by morning new mercies I see. ( Hymn: Morning has Broken)
Its that time of the year where God's beauty shines in a different way with crisp frost and the haunting beauty of trees shrouded in fog and a beauty in the sunrise and sunset that is rich in deep colours .We often hear complaints about the frost and fog and cold but I say rug up more and enjoy. See God 's beauty and creation in all things and greet God in all things.
This little prayer by Norman Grubb is a morning inspiration:
Good morning Lord.
I love you!
what are you up to today?
I want to be part of it!
Thank you God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

vineyards in the morning morning fog and frost

The soul is on its knees

He was praying in a certain place and one of the disciples said to him. 'Lord, teach us to pray.'  Luke 11:1
There is something about winter: The bare trees in the morning fog
The deep red of the sunrise on a cold winters morning, The white as white crisp frost crunching underfoot and the transparent cobwebs washed with dew drops hanging on a fence, glistening  like a string of diamonds and among it all the last of the brilliance of colour of the passing autumn.
There is one thing I have learnt in my day to day life that where ever you are, whatever you see, Whatever you do, is all prayer on the breath. Victor Hugo said: Certain thoughts are prayers. They are moments when, whatever the attitude of the body the soul is on its knees.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Your love, O God

The great love of God O how lavishly given. (Hymn)
God's love comes in so many ways. In sight, in sound, in smell and it is indeed lavishly given. It is everywhere you look, IF you look, in so many shapes and forms. Have you seen God's love lately?
In the beauty and detail and colour of the birds.
In the perfume and detailed beauty of the flowers
In the glistening dew drops on a leaf
In the full detail of a butterfly
An elderly lady at the nursing home once asked me.'Can you smell God?' My answer might have been simple but it was genuine. 'Yes,' I replied, 'you only have to bend your knee to smell the perfume of a rose, or a tiny violet and there is the smell of God.'
What a wonderful God we have who lavishly gives his love, his great love, in so many ways.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

A bouquet of God's love