What a gift - what a joy.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first  in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure, lives in you.. 2 Timothy 1:5
God blesses us in so many ways that some days the blessings resound within our being like a very warm and fuzzy feeling deep inside our soul. I had a phone call from my youngest grandson all of six years old but very wise and his words were: 'Nan, you know the bible you gave me when you baptised me? Well Mum found it when she was cleaning out a cupboard and  I have been sitting on the lounge reading it and looking at the pictures and now I know the story of  how God made the world.'  I think there is no greater blessing than when we see the fruits of a seed planted. It may have been planted with caution. It may have been planted with hope. It may have been planted with love and prayers and someday that gift to a child will emerge and set them on a path for life.  Often these seeds are sown by a grandmother with a longing in her heart to see that the child will come to know and walk with Jesus and a longing to know that whatever life throws at you, with Jesus by your side you will be alright. That, I think, is the greatest gift a child can be given.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine.

stormy weather

The voice of the Lord is over the waters: the God of Glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. Psalm 29:3
Lately there seems to be a lot of thunder storms about us and sometimes I hear people saying there has not been enough warning about the severity of an approaching storm and they are caught out with flash flooding rain and damaging hail. Their immediate reaction seems to want to blame someone. We can read in Luke's gospel (12:54-46) 'when you see a cloud coming up in the west, at once you know it is going to rain....and it does. And when you feel the south wind blowing you know it is going to be hot....and it is....you can look at the earth and the sky and predict the weather. Somehow we have strayed away from straight out education and teaching about life as the Lord has taught us  through the words of the bible. I wonder do we just read such good advice and not take it to heart?  I was out for a short walk and saw the thunder clouds building and headed for home to prepare my place in case it came down with vengeance. It makes me also wonder what will happen at the end of time, at the second coming. Will peoples response be 'we didn't get enough warning?'
May our lives be such that they are pointers to God so those who see the signs can be prepared.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord

You, God and peace

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 7
A profound and deepening peace with God often comes after a major life changing event that takes you to such a place within yourself that there is nowhere else to go but to God.
That's my understanding of that peace that surpasses all understanding and at times I 'see' this peace in the face of the elderly in the nursing home. I was given a book called 'The Mission Walker' by Edie Littlefield Sundby who had been given 3 months to live and she said this: I came to realize we are held in the arms of God and are utterly completely safe - in life and in death;whether walking alone or with others.' The only thing I would add  is words of Max Lucardo,  when he says, 'Get the word out. God is with us; we are not alone.
Grace to you and peace from God the father.
Anne, servant of the Lord

God's peace

Morning Glory

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me.' (TIS 233)
I woke up singing this  morning. I marvel at why that happens. I was singing 'I will sing the wondrous story  of the Christ who died for me.'  And at the same time I looked out the window to see dry grass in the heat wave yet there was a tiny pink flower surviving. It's called 'Morning Glory' and I thought in an instance how its glowing pink colour stood out above the dry grass and as the hymn continued to flow I thought of the words of Helen Keller: 'I am only one, but still I am one. I can not do everything, but still I can do something: I will not refuse to do something I can do. '  One little flower shining its joy in the world and now I know why I woke up singing because you and I all daily sing of the Christ who died for us as we go out in the world.
I read a Celtic prayer which said: May every task be done with joy and every word that we employ show the Lord in heaven above that all we do we do for love.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Not morning glory but the same symbolism.

What a friend!

O come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1
There is something refreshing about a New Year. Its a great opportunity to reflect on the past one and set some goals for the new one.  In the 'rush' of life so often the most important things get pushed to the bottom of the 'to do list.'  We so much like time out with our friends, catching up, chatting, sharing story but lets not forget the greatest friend of all: Jesus. Waste time with him, hang out with him. Lie down with him in green pastures and be guided by his rod and staff. I think its called 'holy loitering.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

In pastures green he leadeth me