Jesus is Lord

' Let all the world in every corner sing,My God and King.' TIS 105
I can still hear the words of an elderly lady that sit on my heart following a service in an aged care facility. She said.'My husband and I were the organists for our local church and we practiced the hymns during the week ready for Sunday. He would play and sing 'Jesus is Lord,' and from the kitchen I would come in with 'of course he is, of course he is.' She beamed in reminiscing. I find such inspiration from the older people who hold so strong to faith and out walking  the following day confronted with a glorious sunset I found myself singing, Jesus is Lord (of course he is.)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne,servant of the Lord.

A living God in our daily life

' ..........hold fast to him and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.' Joshua 22:5
I recall reading a story of a family on a train trip. The child was enjoying going from one seat to another looking through the windows at life going by and talking to the various passangers and many wondered who he belonged to when the train started merging into darknes as it entered a tunnel. The child ran and threw himself into the arms of a young man and then it was known who his father was.

  I wonder do those looking on at our life , those we share the highs and lows with, those we reach out to each day  know who our Father is by our actions and reactions and then I though for personal self isnt it so comforting to know that when anxieties  of life creep up on us, we can run into the open arms of Jesus, remembering they are forever open and around us, ready to hold us. Safe, comforted and secure.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

solid rock

'The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!  Ps 18:46

I was watching a fox crossing the paddock, cautious about his surroundings, cautious about the dangers about him but living his life and suddenly something wasn't right. He stopped, looked about and ran for his life, his safety, into a nearby crop of rocks. I thought of our Christian lives and how, through all the dangers and perils of our lives we can always run for shelter, comfort, and safety when our world is shaken and seemingly falling apart. We can run to the solid rock, our Lord. I see this so many times with people I spend my day with. People who are broken, frightened and confused, buried in the 'muck' of their life, yet God is central, he is the rock they seek, the rock they retreat too,the rock that enables them to survive.Thank God, we have a living God, solid as a rock!
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord

side by side with Jesus

'Tend the flock of God....willingly.' 1Peter 5:2
I find it comes automatically when I just look at things in daily life.
I see a vineyard and hear Jesus say, 'I am the vine.'
I see a river and hear Jesus say,' If you come to me you will not thirst.'
I see a paddock of sheep and hear Jesus say, 'I am the Good Shepherd.'
I reach for a piece of bread and hear Jesus say, " I am the bread of life.'
I see the needy, the lonely and the struggling and I hear Jesus say. 'tend my flock.' and I want to sing, 'Jesus, O Jesus come and fill our lives.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

God of the poor.

'Beauty from brokenness, hope from despair.........bread for the children, justice, joy, peace. Sunrise to sunset, your kingdom increase.' (Graham Kendrick song)

She looked absolutely in despair. All around her in her home was clutter, mess and chaos and amidst it all emerged two little dogs, coats matted,in knots, shivering yet much loved. How can I help was the first question as she lovingly cuddled one small animal. She was reluctant to make suggestions but said she usually has the dogs coats clipped but was struggling to save from her pension. We rang the dog groomer and the next day there was two beautifully clipped and cleaned dogs sporting their new woolen jumpers. Now, what next I asked her and through a prayer she asked did God send me to her home.

Lord, your kingdom increase.

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

'be still for the presence of the Lord is moving in this place.'(Spiritual Song)

Pre dawn is such a blessed time. Deep in the fading darkness comes signs and sounds of light and life.  It is the tiny opening  in the curtain of my room that says the day is coming. Its the sounds of the birds waking and calling, checking on each other, that says the day is coming. Its the first step outside the door into the crisp morning frost waiting to be thawed that says the day is coming. Its the quarter moon aligned with two bright stars fading into light that says the day is coming and then slowly the wonder turns to awe as the sky turns lighter, the colours change to pink and gold to bright orange and all is alive with light that says the day has come. Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here.
Blessed be your day.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

sacred in the ordinary

Great is our God and greatly to be praised in the city of our God Ps 48
There is a lady in the bank who is facinated with my work. She has never before had conversation with a clergy person so every time I go in she asks more about my life and work in a very genuine and interested way. I was telling her yesterday of my ministry amongst the house bound elderly and those society tends to forget. As I left the bank her parting words stayed with me.'Look after yourself in all aspects, we need you, the world needs the likes of you.' What encouragement, what affirmation, what a blessing, what a God.
Psalms now says: 'Consider with me the greatness of my God. Measure his judgements;embrace his eternal love, stand tall in your faith, courageous in your committment, for he is truly a great God.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Jerusalem from the city wall with the temple standing out amidst daily life.

ring the bells

Sun and moon bow down before him, lost in wonder time and space. (Hymn)

I am always stopped in my tracks when I see a sun setting in the west  and a full moon high in the sky in the north east all at the same time. 'How', I say to God, 'can you suspend them both there in the sky at once.' Its a real 'God moment' to see these two great icons of the sky bathing in each others glory and I want to shout out 'Look at the sky, look at what God is doing, look at its beauty and mystery.'.
I recall  a story about St Francis of Assisi who was 'awe struck' by the full moon, huge and luminous bathing the countryside with its radiance. There was no one in sight to share this 'God moment' with him so he ran to the bell tower and rang the bell. People came running anxiously wanting to know what was wrong. Francis called from the top of the tower, 'lift your eyes, my friends and look at the moon.'
 Can you relate to the actions of St Francis? There are many a God moment when I want to ring a bell for others to come running to see the mystery and wonder of God's at work.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord..

only a rose

'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see their God.' (Hymn)
I was taking a service at the local nursing home and I asked this group of faithful  older followers of Jesus   if they thought they were Saints and in my mind has stayed the firm 'no' of one beautiful lady. 'I am not good enough.' she said.
 I remember once taking a bunch of roses to this service and asking them did anyone want one. They looked at the beauty  of the rose and all said 'yes'. Holding up my rose I broke of the petals one by one until there was the bare bud, then I broke the stem in half and said.'Now, does anyone want this rose, withered, broken and flowerless?' 'No' came the firm response.and in the silence that followed I said,' But God does.'
Even in our brokenness, our sense of failure and being not good enough God wants us. He wants us as we are and all we have to do is believe.

Next time you look at a rose or  a beautiful creation of God, be affirmed God loves you for who you are, a believer, a saint.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

 '.........and who is my neighbour' Luke 10 29

We all know the saying  sometimes we cant' see the trees for the woods.  Well sometimes we cant see Christ for looking also.
In a busy, frantic moment in the day when all seemed to be getting away from me and I was focused on achieving, a woman wanted to disrupt me.Just a moment, was my response on several occassions.  She is a lady with a disabilty, profoundly stooped over and rearly sees more than what is on the ground below her stoop.
Finaly I stopped to hear what it was she wanted .'I just want to say that I pray for you every day.' she said.  Suddenly my world stopped as I was overwhelmed with this rich blessing from God. It was as if Christ himself spoke the words.
                                                                                                                             
 Neighbourlinees: a sacred gift in a torn world.(S.Kennedy)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Candle warmth

' .......for the glory of God is its light, and the lamp is its lamb.' Rev 21:23
I had an opportunity to walk a labrynth yesterday. It was just on dark and in the centre of the labrynth was a  lit candle in a glass vase. (What is it about a burning candle that draws us into a 'something?' )As I walked the labrynth towards the candle I had a true sense of being drawn to the light and the source of all light, Jesus Christ. The closer I walked to it the more I felt the weight and load of life fall off. I came out of the Labrynth refreshed, renewed and very aware of the Spirit of God surrounding me.

'Gazing at the flickering candle I knew I was unconditionally loved.'

Weather it is a labrynth,a candle, a beach walk, a granit rock seat with a mountain view, a garden seat or a quiet chapel, its that stepping aside from life, just for a moment and being drawn to Jesus, the life giver, the load carrier that renews us and gives us new life.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's house

' I love thy house O God, wherein thy honour dwells.' (Hymn)
Yesterday I stood on the side of the  roadway, stunned and in awe of the great beauty of God unfolding before me. I think he must have had his best pastels and paints out just for this sunset and it wasn't only me beside the road, many others driving past were compelled to also stop and just take in this breath taking event as God painted the sky starting with mountain tops and sweeping to the plains. For me it was especially stunning as I was viewing it from the site of my new home to be.
As the pastel blues changed to pink and then red then orange I felt that warmth deep inside that only comes from God and I found myself asking the question Where is God's house and I knew I was in it.
Stanislaw Kennedy says:
'Teach me your ways so that I may hear you in the silence, see you in the emptiness, taste you in the fruits of the earth, touch you in the gifts of creation.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

I saw the face of God

' The Lord has decided the number of stars and called each by name. Great and mighty is our Lord.' Psalm 147:4-5
I saw it in the puddle of life giving water by the roadside.
I saw it in the sky as the night stars tucked themselves behind the glorious sunrise.
I saw it in the sun as it shone through a crimson autumn leaf.
I saw it in the Blue Wren as he 'hopped' across the lawn.
I saw it in the single crystal raindrop hanging like a gem on the end of a leaf'
I saw it in the wrinkled and worn face of the elderly lady.

I saw it.                I saw the face of God.      And my soul sang          How Great Thou Art.

World famous musician  Pablo  Casolas said:
I find God in the smallest of things and in the largest of things.
I see God in the colours and designs
No two things are alike, no two voices  are the same.
Who but God can do that?

Be blessed by the face of God today in all you see.

Anne, servant of the Lord

The unexpected sacred moment

'From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another.' John 1:16
I was reading an article in the paper about the 'comeback' of lake George, a commentary on its  formation and behaviour and how it fills and empties mysteriously. At the moment it is filling for the first time for many years, then deep in reading its history were the words......' I look at the shimmering waters and can imagine Jesus walking across it.' I was taken back. There was something unexpected yet appropriate, something sacred yet wrapped in the secular, something  'out of the blue' in that line and I was left with those words given to a newspaper writer and for the world to read.  How powerful a witness in just a few words, for Jesus. How wonderful to see God present in all things.
God wants us to see all things, to hold nothing back. He wants to express himself in all things and make himself known in all ways.
Live while you live the Epicure would say, and seize the pleasures of the present day;while you live the sacred preacher cries, and give to God  each morning as it flies; Lord in my view let both united be; I live in pleasure when I live in thee. (Phillip Doddridge)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's love

'The great love of God O how lavishly given.' (Hymn)
God's love 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 fine detail of a butterfly
What a wonderful God we have who lavishly gives his love, his great love.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.....' (APBA)

The disability group was chosing its favourite songs amidst much noice and anticipation and we had just finished singing 'Jesus Saves'(Colin Beauchanan) with great gusto when amidst the racket came the small voice of a three year old. 'Please, please, can we sing 'Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me?' There was total silence, you could have heard a pin drop as  the impact of her request colided with the words of the song. A sacred moment that still gives me 'goose bumps' every time I think of it.  It is such a privilage to serve others in serving Christ and I never know who receives the greatest blessing. In this case it was us all within ear shot of this small voice.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

'All for Jesus. All I am and all I have....' (Christian song)

I saw a man and his wife arrive at church and I instantly recognise him as one of the clients from the Day Hospice I am involved with at another church. I have a lovely friendship with this man  and his wife and he always welcomes me at the Day Hospice with a 'high 5.'  Curious, I asked in my delight at seeing them why they had come to church. His response was 'we wanted  to come and see 'high 5's church.' They stayed for two services and lunch and the special gathering with people with disability that followed. This man had been isolated in community for many years and gradually was 'touching life' again.

How blessed are we that can enable others to come and see....................all for Jesus.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

' Nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of God.' Romans 8.39

 One of the things I do in my ministry with the older people is to always include the familiar. Familiar liturgy, familiar hymns, a familiar words of hope and assurance that speak to them personally. I think there must be nothing worse than being isolated from community and all it holds, especially faith community and feeling like all there was is lost.

I recall hearing this story of a little girl in a refugee camp in Rwanda. She arrived at the camp on the back of a truck and  an enquirer asked the soldiers what happened to her. One soldier replied. 'The same as everyone else. She ha no one left.' And, said the enquirer, ' What is that she is singing?' The soldiers said. ' It is something about a person called Jesus.'  A closer listen revealed the words.......' Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.'

With nothing in her world left, everyone she loved gone she still knew, from the familiar taught in her life that there was one relationship that could never be taken from her.

' Jesus loves me this I know......'

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

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
and amidst 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 wherever 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.

'Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.' Ps 84:5

I am often fascinated by bridges. They say so much about bringing life, about access and stand as symbols of hope. They have a strength that endures. When thinking of our own lives, a bridge from Christ to us, us to Christ and us to others  carries that same felling of bringing life, of having access and presenting as symbols of hope. There is such opportunity for us all to' be' as bridges' Several funerals in the past few weeks of people on the very edge of faith, just needing  help to cross the bridge to Jesus has brought access, hope and life.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

foxes and birds

'And Jesus said to him.' Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.' Luke 9:58
I had never thought of Jesus as being 'homeless,' of having no where permanent to call his  home. No where to go to take off his sandals and recline on a favourite cushion  and just 'be' at the end of the day. Friends willingly accommodated him in his itinerant ministry, but he had no home. He ministered, he prayed and he walked everywhere. (no rushing!)
I know in 'temporary homlessness' and blessings of friends who open their homes to me how hard it is to function in 'homlessness' and through that God has given me a true insight into the suffering, trauma, stress and chaos of  homeless people on our streets and those in detention centres. Its amazing how, with eyes open, God continues to teach us.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Autumn. God's love

'Accept my offerings of praise O Lord.' Ps 119:108

For me the morning is where I have the free mind and heart to meditate on the things of God and what a special thing that is, that one on one with God. It warms the heart by his presence.

I love the autumn confrontation of beauty, breathtaking revelations of multiple colours of his glory. I look from tree to tree with a sense of 'there he is, there he is and there he is over there also.' Its wonderful to capture his Spirit this way, its fuel for the day.

Look about , don't lose the moment of the Spirits refreshing in a rush to get to yesterdays unfinished work. Pause a moment with God.

Thank you God for giving us much more than we expect.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

all God;s creatures

' Is not he your Father who created you...' Deut 32:6

I watched as God went through the rhythm of the morning creation, tucking away the stars, and drawing a curtain of light over the night revealing what promises to be a glorious Autumn day and I watched a cluster of kookaburras on a power line just quietly listening as one was softly chuckling, then there was a couple chuckling and the next moment they burst in raucous laughter. (Try not to laugh your self when that happens!) and I thought of a song I want to teach the disability group at church:

' All God;s creatures have a place in the choir, some sing low and some sing higher, some just clap their wings, their paws, whatever they have got. All God's creatures have a place in the choir.' (Celtic Thunder)

How wonderful to see God in the morning when there are no distractions, no noise of a busy day, just the wonder of him in his creation all about us just for our seeing and hearing.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Shine for Jesus

'Christ is risen. he is risen indeed. Alleluia. (APBA)
We have had much time to reflect on the events of Holy Week and Easter, the highs and lows of Jesus life during that period and there should now be a renewed sense of purpose for Jesus.
I came upon a truck that had jack knifed across the road and a couple of anxious drivers attempting to stop the oncoming traffic before there was a greater accident. Getting out of my car I asked was there anything I could do thinking they might ask me to phone for help or stop the traffic, but no, on seeing me walking towards them one of the men rushed over saying. 'You are just what we need right now,pray for us that we get out of this mess quickly!'

What an honour, what a blessing to be recognised as one of Christ's own. What an honour, what a blessing to shine the light for Jesus.

In me Lord, let there be light.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, sit here while I go over there and pray.'....he was grieved and agitated.Then he said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, 'Stay with me and remain awake with me.' Going a little further he threw himself on the ground and prayed.'My Father if it is possible let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.' Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. Matt 26:36-40.

I stood in the garden of Gethsemane and I was silent. The gnarled old olive trees reflected something ancient, something knowing, you could feel it. You could sense the Spirit hovering in that place and all I can say is we need to stay awake with Jesus. We need to stay awake for Jesus.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

solid rock

' The stone the builders have rejected has become the corner stone.' Luke 20:17

Breathtaking misty blue mountains,the first of autumn fog in the valley, trees emerging like ghostly figures and a naked tree, dead, yet alive with bird life, a chorus of calls filling the still morning and heralding in the day as the golden orange horizon turned to pink then blue. And I said 'Here you are God, and here am I.' And my morning prayers were caught up like a fragrance in the dew of the new day.

The only true way we can make a difference for Christ is to be close to him, to have his name constantly in our hearts and on our lips so he is the cornerstone of our lives and our actions.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

the scroll of the book

' Then I said, 'Here I am ,in the scroll of the book it is written of me.'Ps 40:7

I stood in the small synagogue in the Nazareth village surrounded by time and history and God thoughts,and there before me was a table and on the table was a scroll, an ancient scroll. As I stared transfixed I had this incredible sense that I was standing on Holy Ground as I saw in reality things I had only previously read and heard of. The scroll was like a time capsule connecting the then and the now.

And I again make that promise to God to continue to do his will, with delight.

Sacred places, sacred spaces, sacred thoughts in the presence of God that warm the heart and affirm the faith. Where are the spaces you find God? Where is your faith affirmed and your heart warmed?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Lent

'Blessed is the one who stays awake.' Rev 16:15

The day covered the mountains of grandeur in a veil of soft blue morning mist and there it hung its beauty and I was riveted to the spot, fixed in wonder at the start of a day already filled with heaven. There was peace and there was quiet and there was awe and and I knew it was God.

Lenten meditation for me is an exciting meeting with God. Its rebuilding our relationship. Its soaking in his love.

How are you spending your time with God this Lenten season?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

I love thy house Oh God, wherein thy honour dwells.'

'Tend the flock of God......' 1 Peter:5:2

I look at the elderly seated in anticipation of the commencement of the service, stooped, bent, frail, and I am so blessed. Here are the encourager's, here are the survivors of life, here are the keepers of the stories, here are the tried and tested, here are the faithful. No matter what life has served up, no matter the losses, they have kept the faith.

Treasure those in your care and seek the ones who are lonely and isolated. Let them know they are blessed and a blessing.

I read this quote: 'The treasures of earth are free and full of surprises.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Comfort from God

'Your rod and your staff they comfort me.' Psalm 23:4

Many of our days can be floored with little fractures of despair or worry. They can pull us down. they can distract us from enjoyment, they can take us away from our trust in God.

We often cant avoid the issues in our days but we dont have to go them alone. God is there with us, even in the fractured bits. (or perhaps even more so) Now that is a great comfort.

When we do fall into fractures in our day, know that Jesus is there, open arms, waiting to comfort us. That's a nice word, comfort. It gives me images of wrapped in a warm blanket and held tight.

'Between the cracks of daily life I find you waiting...you slip into my life like night and day, like stars and sunshine. I know that you are God.' (Mecrina Wiederkehr)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Rain, and more rain

'The rain fell, the floods came.....' Matt 7:25

The absolute magnitude of God's creative work continues to amaze me. I don't think there is a dry piece of land in the country at the moment from the persistent falling rain over the past days yet God's creatures knew it was coming and prepared for it. Have you seen the ants nest, built up high with dirt, a protective wall for the nest against the flood around them?I often think when its dry and I see these tiny ants preparing for something I yet can't see or feel that it must be a bit like Noah building the ark in a dry and parched land with much bewilderment and amusement of those about him. What an amazing God we have and just as amazing our God given ability to see his handy work if we are looking. But, more so, how must God feel when he knows we see it!

Open our eyes Lord to the wonder of your world.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord

gushing water

'The water that I will give them will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life' John 4:14

I like that word gushing!

When I stood by the source of the Jordan River with the waters absolutely gushing out at a massive rate from within the mountain, I thought of these words of Jesus and dwelt on them , reflecting on the more we 'drink' from his word and life, the more the spring within us bubbles then gushed higher and higher, gathering momentum driving us towards eternal life. A spring is a water source that never stops, always bubbling. Lets constantly tap into the spring of life giving waters , Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

I love you Lord

'I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love , may............ know this love that surpasses knowledge.' Eph 3:16-19

I am so often in awe as I step out into the morning God is making. Today, golden, deep golden sunrise creeping across the sky, covering creation with the gold of God's glory and it couldn't have been better as it was accompanied by a very vocal chorus a blue wrens. Sometimes its hard to find myself closer to God than I do on early morning walks. Sometimes I don't walk far because I just want to stand in his wonder.

I am filled with added blessings as God gives me the sung words to glorify him from Bernard of Clairvaux:

'Jesus the very thought of thee,with sweetness fills my breast

but sweeter far thy face to see,and in thy presence rest.

I can think of no better way to start the day than with a constant mantra of praise and thanks.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne,servant of the Lord.

Lent

'But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying. 'God be merciful to me, a sinner!' Luke18:13

So often we are tempted and our thoughts 'pushed' in the opposite way to how we know we should be as followers of The Christ. Temptation is not a bad thing, its when we carry out the temptation that we are in strife. If we are tempted then this is a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God.

Reflecting more deeply during Lent about that relationship and our need for forgiveness always draws me to dwell on the 'Jesus Prayer' saying more frequently as a Lenten mantra, ' Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God: have mercy on me a sinner.'

Brother Edward Anglican Priest and spiritual guide (d1953) said: Those who live very near to Jesus grow like him. The secret of the Saints is 'keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Carrying Christ with you

' The Lords hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:21

Did you 'touch' the sky this morning with your heart and mind and soul? because if you did then you would know that God has placed his blessing on this day with oomph, flair and colour in a glorious sunrise that arrived with peace and quiet yet made its self noticeable in presence . When that happens I always want to say, 'Send me out Lord, let me pitch my tent where you place me and may I be mindful that you have deliberately put people in my pathway so I can proclaim your love in words and actions.

With those thoughts in mind may we all 'go forth,' as the old hymn says,' with God's blessings, his true love confessing....'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

on the trail

Jesus said.' When two or three are gathered together in my name, I am with them.' Matthew 18:20

I got into the car at the edge of the park and from there I saw dozens of pigeon's feeding on the ground from a scruffy, unkept, man in straggling clothes who was throwing them crumbs of a loaf of bread. Something compelled me out of the car again and I walked over to him for a chat. We talked and he told me his story and he said he often spent his last dollar on bread for the pigeons, 'but no one speaks to me ,' he said. 'Why have you stopped to talk to me? 'What an opportunity to share God's love.

Some can't look at the frail elderly, or the disabled child, the scarred and disfigured

or the old man unwashed who lies on the park bench. Somehow its all too much for them yet are these not the ones Jesus asks us to care for?

(Anon) Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of he Lord.

prayer

'Withdraw to deserted places and pray.' (Luke 5:16)

I am out walking in the beautiful fresh morning after a previous days rain and I find myself talking inwardly to God. Its like a secret conversation rising up from the heart filling me with joy . I like the comment about prayer that says it is not a dialogue between a madman and his shadow but heart to heart communication between the child of God and and the Father, the Holy Being. ( H.Hodkin )

Mother Teresa says:' Love to pray - feel often during the day the need for prayer, and take trouble to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until its capable of containing GOD'S gift of himself.' Wow! there is some strength in those words. Pray and pray often and you have the gift of God's presence with you always.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

The pastoral caring dog

'When morning guilds the sky, my heart awkening cries, Jesus Christ is Lord.' (Christian song)

Sometimes life can bring on challenges that pull us down in body and mind but with our Lord, our Spirit should be strong. I took my Bella dog (a black Lab) to the struggling nursing home as a moral lifter for the staff and residents. I walked from room to room just chatting and Bella brought many a smile, many a conversation, many blessings. But I know the blessings were mine also for I saw joy, I saw love, I saw smiles and there was much reminiscing. An elderly lady visiting her bed bound husband took me aside and with tears in her eyes told me of her husbands great love of his dog and his joy at seeing a dog, another told me of his farm life and his three kelpies, another patted Bell's head with such vigour that I had to rescue her.

It is easy to share God's love when we know that each day when we wake up with Jesus on our hearts an minds and a Spirit that say he is Lord, no matter what. Then lives will be changed, lives will be blessed.

Grace and peace this day, from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's love

'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ so that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.'John 3:16

It always sends a tingle down my spine when I see these words on a banner in a massive crowd at a sporting event. Someone bold enough to proclaim God's saving love to the world, in full view of the world. These words say whoever believes. It doesn't say you have to be perfect, beautiful, complete and are not accepted if you are otherwise. It says whoever believes.

I held a perfect rose,deep red and full of beautiful perfume. I passed it around the group of elderly, frail, people and each person removed a petal until there was nothing left but one limp petal, a broken stem and a withered rose head. There was no longer anything beautiful about it. It was broken.

God loves us all we only have to believe. And what a message to take to the world.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord

joy

'For the joy of the Lord is your strength.' Neh 8:10

You know what its like when you round a corner, or come over the crest of a hill and there before you is the most stunning, breathtaking sunset, or when the kookaburra laughs and the morning silence is broken , or even when you unexpectedly come across a family of 'roo's' on the walking track, grazing and just 'being family.' All the elements of pleasurable surprise.

I was 'touched' by a sentence, a one liner at the recent convention which said: 'Joy comes through surprise.'

We have a God of surprises, who fills our hearts and lives with joy.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

a little bird and God

' But now, thus says the Lord, who has created you.......Do not fear, I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine,' (Isa 43:1 (paraphresed)

I held the tiniest of birds in the palm of my hand, a beautiful coloured Finch who had flown into the window. I prayed to God that he would regain consciousness and I watched as his little eyes fluttered open and shut. I prayed for him saying to God that this is a creation of yours you know every feather on his body, you know his needs, his flock family, and I had this image as I looked at this bird resting in the palm of my hand of a mighty God who holds us all in the palm of his hand, praying for us, and waiting for our 'breath moment' that will give us life. It was a special, sacred moment where God, my hand, and a little bird were one.

God, ground of my being, mysterious presence, the more I discover you, the more I am. (S. Kennedy)

Go well, and care for all in God's kindom.

Anne. Servant of the Lord.

deep and meaningful

' I danced in the morning when the world was begun....' TIS 242

Every morning before my feet hit the floor I have a conversation with God, a very deep conversation filled with faith and hope and love - just three words,'Good morning Lord.' and I can almost hear his reply. 'Good morning Anne.'

On my recent pilgrimage I sat and reflected across the Sea of Galilee watching the sun rise and my good morning mantra turned to: Good morning Lord, good morning Lord, good morning Lord before I fell into a deep peace.

How wonderful it is to speak with our Lord, our creator.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of our Lord

Stop, look,listen

' be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.' Psalm 37:7

I had an elderly man in an anxious state say to me, 'I cant find God.' I encouraged him to be still. to be quiet, and to listen.

Sometimes we can be in a space where we feel God is not present.

Where we feel God is distant

When we feel its just us, and not God.

(Anon)

When I stop I find you

When I look I see you

When I listen I hear you.

Take moments in the day to stop, look and listen and God will join you.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord

Oh what a gift, what a wonderful gift

'As each one of us has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another....'1 Peter 4:10

Christmas and birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and births are occasions for gift giving and its such fun. There is always a sense of expectation by the receiver as the gift is held and a wonder is exclaimed as to what is inside the wrapping. My granddaughter said once she had unwrapped the gift she was give, 'That is just what I wished for, I need this so I can do the things I want to do and so I can help dad in the garden.'

God has given us gifts we can use. Each of us is a gift to others, a parcel wrapped with the gifts we need for helping our Father. Therefore we can do the ministry we do and live a life of service and helping others with confidence knowing in all we do, we do it with the gifts God has given us in our uniqueness. Accept the gifts willingly and share them around in the lives of others.

Give thanks this day for the gifts God has given you

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

New Years resolutions

' My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour.'Eccl.2:10

A whole new year lies before us. There are wonderful opportunities to do life giving, life changing works. I think of New Year and New Years resolutions, all the best made plans and before the first month is over they have all fallen in a heap and self promises are broken so I lay aside the 'worldly' resolutions and focus on Christ. What do I need to do to better my relationship with Jesus? How can I best serve him? Where does he want me to be? Who does he want me share his love with? Who can he lead me to so I can say: I have seen Jesus, come and see?

If we can take delight in all we do in the name of Christ then indeed that in itself is the reward of the labour.

Let us pray that God will show us these things so that he will be honoured and our lives fulfilled.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord

Epiphany

' ..........go and search diligently for the child.' Matthew 2 :8

Out walking in the beauty of a new day, that is fresh from overnight rain and I am drawn to notice the new flowers on the honeysuckle bush, beads of moisture covering the leaves and filling the air with its rich perfume and straight away my thoughts were of God and Christmas and Epiphany. I thought of the new baby Jesus coming to bring new life: his living water and the Magi (what an Epiphany they must have had, did it change their lives forever?)

Every time I stop and smell such beauty I think its like being in heaven, its like another Epiphany as it connects me to God in the moment and raises my spirit, setting me off with changed thoughts.

Look about you and see God in the unexpected places and be blessed by Epiphany moments, life changing moments.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

now the reason begins

' 'When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him ad he found the place where it is written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recover the sight of the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord. 'Luke 4: 16-19

The mad rush of Christmas, the preparations, the gift buying, the gatherings together can be hectic to say the least. Times of worship are meaningful and encouraging and I say its all over bar the shouting. Well, here comes the shouting:

(Howard Therman)

When the song of the angel is stilled,when the star in the sky is gone,when the kings and princes are home,when the shepherds are back with their flocks

the WORK of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,to heal the broken,to feed the hungry,to release the prisoner,to rebuild the nations,to bring peace among the people

to make music in the heart.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

holiday or holy day

' Joseph (also) went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee,to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem.' (Luke 2:4

So much of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land just jumps out at me from the pages of the bible. I can't read of the Christmas story without saying to myself in humble excitement, 'I know, I know, I have been and seen.' But you know, everyone of us can take the road to Bethlehem each year through the way we see and celebrate Christmas; by the way we treat Christmas day as a holiday or a holy day.

I was touched by a comment passed to me in the supermarket just yesterday by one of the staff frantically trying to keep the shelves stocked. He looked at me and connected with who I am and said 'Its a very busy time of the year for you too isn't it.' To be known as a follower of Christ, a traveller on the road to Bethlehem, in our local community is what blesses me so much about Christmas. He was stacking the shelves with gifts yet within himself he knew the greatest gift; The gift of Jesus, the Christ and Saviour of the world.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ may Christmas be a holy day

Anne

A star

'How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "your God reigns." Isa 52:7

I think I have already had the most treasured Christmas present for this year. One of the children at church walked up to me and placing her hand in mine she looked up and passing a small red star into my hand she said, 'This is for you, to remind you of Christmas.' She is all of 4years old.

I read this saying today:

'Christmas is a gift from God that we cannot keep unless we give it to someone else.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God's angelic choir

' Fear not for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; you will I help.' Isa 41:10

I stood in the bush on a small winding track and looked at the vast mountain ranges all around me and in all the beauty and density of my isolated surroundings I found the overwhelming peace of Christ. But, you know what brought me to my knees? In the silence, the deep quiet I heard a chorus singing Amazing Grace. I looked around for another person, a house, somewhere it could be coming from but there was non to be seen. The singing was not from with in my mind or my heart or my voice, it was a choir outside my being surrounding me with Amazing Grace and I felt it deep in my soul.

I later read this quote:

I must have the saviour with me, for my faith at best is weak; he will whisper words of comfort that no other words can speak.

Take time to go into the quiet places and hear the voice of God.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God's face

' Come 'my heart says,'seek his face!' 'your face, Lord, do I seek.' Psalm 27:8

I was out walking in the evening on the fringe of the bush and in the quiet I asked God to show me his face because it was his face I was seeking.

Then, right across my path came this most magnificent Echidena, shy and nervous, hesitant but trusting as he walked across the path before me. Then, within feet of me was a mother wallaby, grazing, and from her pouch the tiniest face of her joey looked at me with interest between long dangling legs.

God continued to show me his face as he pulled down the shutters on the day over the stone faced, magnificent mountain before me, lit in awe inspiring colours of the sun set.

I asked the Lord to show me his face, and he did.

As you go into this day, ask the Lord of no more, than to show you his face.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne