keep the balance

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it. John 1:15
Tough times world wide and it seems at times like the darkness is creeping over us but I like to remember the light that is always there. I think of the bulbs deep in the cold soil preparing for spring,  where they will rise out of the darkness and grow and blossom and bring pleasure and joy. I think of the tiny seed of the sweet peas, so small yet when they rise from the darkness they will pack a punch of perfume that can be smelt right across the garden to your front door. We to will rise from the darkness that is hanging over us but keep all things in balance remembering the light is always there, it hasn't moved.
May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Out of darkness into the light

From the heart of Jesus

Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9
There is no way of telling what each day will bring and in such troubled times as we are in now with a world pandemic and a record of this year being one unimaginable catastrophe after another our days and lives can change at the blink of an eye.  So how do we pray? I seem to recall this question being asked by the apostles when they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. he then gave them words - he taught them the Lord's prayer, a prayer that meets our daily needs and one that assures us that God is with us. Imagine this: Every time we say the 'Our Father,' God looks at his hands where our names are etched. 'See I have inscribed you on the palm of my hands (Isaiah 49:16). What a beautiful image. What an expression of the love that God has for us all. One of the most encompassing, personal yet universal prayers we can ever have and it was given  to us, word by word from the mouth and heart of  Jesus himself. They are his words, he made them up just for you and for me and for generations past and future. May we never say, 'Lord I don't know how to pray.'
May the  Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

(Israel) All along the wall in every language are the words of the Lord's prayer.

Waters of life

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart John 7:37-39
In the  softness of the dawn, the stillness as the new day starts to arrive, the morning song of the birds who sing to greet this new day - that is my morning prayer. I watch as the birds so enjoy the water in the bird bath, splashing it all over and under their feathers, singing with joy and shaking droplets of water into the air that fall on the garden flowers and I think of the water of life - Christ himself, the fountain of blessings, the living water. Our world is so inflicted with pain of the  suffering of the sick and dying and the fearful yet we can see the faithfulness of God, our God in the daily softness of the coming dawn of each day. May we never lose sight of the morning song of the birds and the faithfulness of God.
May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Splashing water all over and under their feathers.

Soaring in the heights

Fear not, for I am with you always. Isaiah 41:10
I recall when I lived in the outback the great strength, power and size of the wedge tail eagles.The sheer magnitude of them.  Their ability to be able to take off graciously and soar in the heights, hovering and gliding, master of all they survey. It was a sight that left me in awe and wonder at our creator but it also brought to mind the image of a God, strong, powerful, gracious, gliding, soaring and hovering over us all. A great and mighty protector. Of whom (or what) shall I fear?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Surveying everything.

A presence recognised

'.......And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' Isaiah 53:1
'Sometimes experiencing God is overwhelming.'

Grace and Peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord

The Glory of the Lord

It wont crack or crumble

Show me the faithful love of the Lord. 1 Samuel 20:14
On Christ the solid rock I stand all other soil is sinking sand.(Edward Mote)  I love the power and determination of the words of that hymn:  Somehow, in the situation in our lives today,however that may be for you, there is power, assurance, peace and defiance in those words. That solid rock of Christ will never crack or crumble or fall. Put your footing on it -  Stand tall on it and proclaim God's faithful  love.

Lord, open to us today the sea of your love - the ineffable sea of your love.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Sea of Galilee 

gather fuel

Please accept my gifts that I brought you. Genesis 33:11
There are daily things that we gather into our hearts like the sight of a soaring eagle or bird song, or the tiny coloured feather lying on the ground. the smile of a stranger, a glorious sunrise and the sweet perfume that lingers as I plucked a wild violet on my walk   Things like people are never the same. 'Why do you watch a sunset daily?' the young man asked the monk on Patmos and the monk replied. 'I am gathering fuel, I am collecting material so that tonight when I pray I shall discover the presence of God in my own heart.' (anon)
May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne,servant of the Lord

a soaring eagle - thank you God

Walking paths

This way, his way, is perfect. Psalm 18:30
Walking paths all hold many mysteries regardless of  where the path is. Perhaps its a bush track filled with the smell of the eucalyptus trees and dry tinder undergrowth with tiny pink orchids peeping out from near a twist of dry bark or a mossy rock. Perhaps its in a pine forest with the deep smell of the sap of pine trees, a carpet of fallen needles and clusters of different shape and sized pine cones eagerly gathering a few for a dried arrangement when I get back home or perhaps its on the edge of a field where the ground is hard and stony yet a tiny blue wildflower is flourishing and the 'shimmer grass' is shaking itself in the gentle breeze. Perhaps its in suburbia on a concrete path with the beauty seen in passing gardens, autumn trees or pink blossoms, and  others travelling the same way. There are many signs from God along lifes path. His word, his church, wonders of nature, godly parents and loved ones, joys and sorrows. Its what we see and observe on the way that enriches and encourages us, that fills us especially when our way, our path is following God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

treasures on the way.

Breath in the morning

Every day I will bless you and praise your name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:2
How lovely it is to watch the night give way to the morning light - a new day. In the stillness and  quiet I want to open the door and let it fill my home. Slowly across the landscape it is a creeping light that engulfs the remaining shallow dark. The evening star is tucked away, the moon has gone to another place and the sun is about to show its rising glory.  Creations shadows  take form and the birds begin to sing and my heart begins to sing for God has blessed us with a new day - another new day. Every day is a gift regardless of our situation. Embrace it and hold it  for it is life.
Rabindranath Tagore said: Do not say, 'Its is morning' and dismiss it with a name of yesterday. See it for the first time as a new born child that has no name.
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Creations shadows take form