The mark of God

 The Lord God made them all. (TIS 135)

Perhaps these are the words of a Sunday School song we first learnt as a child but its one of those early learnings that have stayed with us all our life. The song is full of words that show us the beauty and wonder of God's creation and when we look about us at his creation we can see his mark everywhere. The massive grandeur of the night skies, the  stillness  of the stars and the silence of the sunrise. If we want to see God's glory then just stop where you are and look it straight in the face. What you see is a love letter from God, his priceless gift to us. Socrates said: ' Speak that I might see.'

May the peace of God fill your life every single day.   Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                        Made by God.

Stone of help.

 Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Jeshanah and named it Ebenezer, for he said: 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.' 1 Samuel 7:12. NRSV

I am often reminded of this text when I reflect on a small round stone I have on my prayer desk with the word 'peace' carved on it. Somehow when I look  on that word on the stone I have a sense of the ever present  help of the Lord and how that word alone can  calm what ever storm might be raging and affirm the victories  won. It reminds me of God's faithfulness throughout my life. It reminds me that  Jesus came into the world to bring peace and peace comes to us when we surrender to his will. I like the translation from the TEV.' The Lord has helped us all the way.......and he named it stone of help.' How good to remember that God's help is just a stones throw away. As he was for Samuel so he is for you and me.

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

                                                Peace.......be still and know that I am God.

These seasons.

 Sing to God with joy and gladness. (TIS 92)

Already we see the trees are changing colour as the season  move into autumn to be followed by winter and then the cycle begins again, Spring and summer but I also note the seasons of life in other ways. A ruffled feather, a tattered leaf and elderly face. summer grasses swaying in the breeze, wildflowers dotting the  field and the little cheeps of the sparrows. Thich Nhat Hanh would say.'  Enjoy the many wonders of life that are available in the here and now. The blue sky, the beautiful trees, lovely faces of children, the flowers, the birds, they can nourish and heal us in a moment.'

May the peace of God fill your life every single day. Anne, servant of the Lord     

             

                          Summer grasses swaying in the breeze.

Thankful.

 Thankful under the beauty of the moon and stars for all your creation. ( Celtic Liturgy)

The full, whole moon rising over the encroaching evening light, crystal clear countryside from its shinning, - A silence profoundly beautiful -  an evening meditation.

May the peace of God fill your life every single day. 

Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                Silent beauty

Always here, always present.

 I am with you always, day by day, until the close of the age. Matthew 28:20

Morning after morning is a God experience, like looking into the face of God, seeing him eye to eye as he makes 'a new day.' Splendid colours, fresh clean air, peaceful quiet only broken by the chorus of birds expressing the same thanks to God of the new day. I talked to a lady recently who was struggling with a seemingly hopeless diagnosis of cancer. She said, ' and I am  filled with tears and fear, and when I woke this morning and before anything else these words came to me: Nothing will happen to you that you can't handle  because I am with you. I believe God said that  to me, it was like we were in the same room, just him and me  and he wanted me to have assurance and trust in him.'  There will be her strength in her weakness for the days to come, whatever they hold.  These 'Aha' experiences that tell us God is present anchor our souls to our maker and its there we find deep peace.

May your day be richly blessed from the first encounter, the first 'Aha' that God is with you.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                Slandered  colour of the new day.