smuggle me close Lord.

That's where you will find me. Psalm 27: 5-6  The Passion translation.
I cant resist the freshness and the new way of saying words to be found in some of the modern translations of the Book of Psalms. I was reflecting this morning on my relationship with God. How I love to be so close to him in nature and in every moment of the day and it does not matter how I feel he is always there, right beside me either with his hand in mine, his footsteps alongside mine or his breath sweeping my face in the breeze.So close that I can say: did you see that? Help me with this; come with me into the day, shower blessings on others and comfort me when it hurts and stay with me when I lay down to sleep. I love to think he 'smuggles'  me close  to keep me safe and secure. We have an amazing God. Fancy having time for each and every one of us to bring such a personal touch and relationship.How precious.

This I love from Psalm 27.

'Here is one thing I crave from God. The one thing I seek above all else. I want the privilege of living with him. Every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

treasures and gems

Jesus puts this song into our heart. TIS 670
Its such a 'God thing' when something catches our eye and our mind says Yes, I see it Lord. I see you. How often do we miss the little things in life, the momentary treasures. But when we catch a glimpse of them its  like looking through the clouded fog and seeing a distant house light.  As I looked out the window this morning my first reaction was being confronted by the thick fog, a 'pea souper' where there is nothing  else to see but fog but then, something glistening, shining, ever so small caught my eye and it was beads of moisture, the size of a pea, glistening, shining all along the branch of the naked tree like tiny lights, only there for a moment then gone as the light shifted and I though, even in the thick fog God is there, his light shining.  I love God moments, they ground you,such spiritual moments, such blessings.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Be like the rose.

The great Love of God,...its yours it is ours O how lavishly given! the pearl of great price and the treasure of heaven. TIS 164
There was still a touch of darkness about when I got up and I heard the weather man on the radio say its -6. I thought I would wait awhile before I ventured outside! But my thoughts and the' call from God' to come and see the new day arriving outweighed each other so I went. White, crisp and cold was everywhere and I think even the birds were still tucked up in bed . The stillness and quiet of all about me was a prayer in itself  and then I saw a bird,  silently and gracefully soaring across the sky, illuminated by the colours of the rising sun, its  melodious call attracting my attention and it seemed there was just the bird and myself walking the earth in the presence of God, singing the same song. Mary Oliver wrote:' When I wake, and you are already wiping  the stars away, I rise quickly, hoping to be like your wild child the rose,the honey maker, the honey vine; a bird shouting its joy as it floats through the gift you have given us;another day.'
Be like the rose, drawing people to Jesus, through you, as they see in you and your living; the way, the truth and the life

St Saviours rose

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

opportunities to pray

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer. Ephesians 6:18
One of my grandsons, who is only 4, is constantly looking for opportunities to pray. He came into the kitchen as his mother was making his sandwich to take to school for lunch and said. 'Stop mummy, stop now, we need to pray.' His mother stopped and the little one, hands folded in prayer and head bowed said.' Hello God, I hope you are having a good day. Thank you for my lunch and thank you for mummy making it. Amen.'  I have a sense that there is something special about that child. In fact the three children of that family are very 'God aware.' What a thing to nurture, to grow, to encourage and to have input into. Who do you see as 'having a touch of the Spirit' in their lives' or who you could nurture in that way? Pray about that at all times, even like St Lawrence who prayed at every opportunity, even when he was elbow deep in soap suds as he did the washing up!
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

something special

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5
When I go out walking every morning its 'a prayer walk.' God and I communicate and share with each other the beauty of his creation. Its so special. Somehow the land covered white crisp frost baring my foot print speaks of something special. Somehow,the trees stark in winter nakedness, showing their bare beauty, speak of something special. Somehow the mountains tipped with the pink and orange of the rising sun speaks of something special. Somehow the new day as it pushes away the dark of night, speaks of something special. Somehow the spring in my step and the song in my heart speaks of something special. Somehow there is a deep sense of the sacred.
Tillhard de Chardin wrote: Lord, help me see the world with the same beauty it had when it tumbled out of your creative hand. Help me see that nothing here below is profane, on the contrary, everything is sacred.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

sit awhile

Withdraw to deserted places and pray.  Luke 5:16

 
We often reflect on prayer, and we carry it out in our various ways but today I can't get out of my mind the image of something that was shared this week during the aged care service, about prayer. It went something like this: 'When my husband prays he sees  himself sitting on a wall, his legs swinging back and forth and he is picturing before him  a beautiful scene and alongside him sitting on the wall also swinging his legs, is Jesus and they are having a conversation. To me he says, that's how I pray.' How beautiful is that! How lovely. How powerful. How unforgettable. Where do you go to pray. What draws you too a special place.  I love to sit in my front porch looking down across the farm land and into the valley and the foothills of the mountains and I see Jesus walking towards me from the depth of the valley, past the creek, across the road and arriving on my door step and strange as it may be I raise my tea cup and say, sit awhile and would you like a cup of tea. And you know, my soul weeps with the wonder of it all and my heart kneels to pray.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord.

God's fragrance

 I love the place O God, where in your honour dwells. (Church Hymn) 
I love the special moments when something profound happens. They are 'God' moments and they pop up all the time. Moments like when I see a new born calf attempting to stand by its mothers side. A flock of Blue Wrens arriving in the garden, and the metal bell sending out a rich ring in the night as its touched by a passing breeze. I know they are God moments because my heart sings and my voice praises God. I read these words by Ann Siddall: 'If you have never stayed awake to hear the courageous song of one small bird breaking into the stillness of the night, consider it. Its a God moment. If you haven't sat down lately with a cup of tea and simply admired a view, consider doing it. It is a God moment'. She goes on to say. 'I use to think God moments were special, set apart moments, perhaps brought on by praying in  particular ways. Gradually I have come to see that these graced moments fill ordinary days and shyly invite our recognition and response.' For me, God moments are when there is an element of surprised recognition that what I see or hear is  God. Its as if he has passed before my eyes and left his fragrance.

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

I see the Lord

My eyes are ever on the Lord. Psalm 25:15
God is brilliant in all the seasons but lately he has been excelling. The sunset the past few nights has been stunning, glowing red and pink and orange amidst dark clouds, covering the horizon in a blazing work of art, so lovely a picture that it makes me simply say, 'Aha'  And have you seen the moon these past few nights, perfectly round, glowing, clear and seemingly suspended by nothing,just sitting there and still present as the day breaks on the clear crystal frosty morning, another 'Aha' moment. It gives me a great sense of being alive, of knowing the presence of God, of knowing God is present and that gives me such life, such keenness to serve him.
What makes God real for you, so real that he is 'alive' everywhere around you?
Harold Whitman said:
'Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go and do that because what the world needs, is people who have come alive.'

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

where will we go

'Come into his presence singing Jesus is Lord, Jesus is Lord.' (Spiritual song)

I look at the naked tree outside my office window and think of its slow undressing over the autumn season.Some days I would see one or two leaves fall and another day, when the wind chose a playful day many would go scurrying down the street.
Today for many its a holiday and I hear the voices around about me saying; 'what will we do?
  Where will we go?
  What will we visit?
For me, I am intending to go into the garden to love and care for the plants, to take times to sit and reflect and be near to God's heart.
John Ruskin said: 'Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

The joy!

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans  14:17
Its a joy that causes a warm feeling to flow up from within when I see the blue wrens 'jumping, dancing ' down the garden path, ever so busy about family, food gathering and fun,some stop by in the tree outside my study window and look in on me with curiosity. Such happy little things. Then there is the wood ducks on the pond, proud parents with  a trail of three baby ducks follow in their wake down the water way, in and out of the reeds and teaching each one to go down head first and tails up.  I have said it before as first heard from Mary Oliver: 'God, once he is in your heart, is everywhere.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

This is love

O the deep, deep love of Jesus.   TIS 232
As I walked along the beach yesterday morning and looked at the rising sun I could not get a song out of my head and it still sings its words and tune in my mind and heart this morning. You will know it too....'Wide wide as the ocean,high as the heavens above, deep ,deep as the deepest sea is my Saviour's love.' It wasn't  just the view of the massive expanse of the ocean before me that drew that song to the surface  it was the deep, deep realisation of the Saviour's love  for me, for you, for all of us. Christ was present on that beach shining his light in  a fresh way on the new day and a fresh way on my heart. What a lovely thing to bring home, a real treasure from the sea.

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

Humble dwelling

Love divine , all love excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down. Fix in us they humble dwelling...enter every trembling heart. (TIS 217)
I was imagining what it might be like if God didn't 'fix in us, his humble dwelling? I suspect we would live in darkness and brokenness for there would be no light of Christ within us. Then I thought back over my life to when I first experienced the light of Christ? Was I living in darkness? Did the light come out of brokenness? When did it actually come down and 'fix in me his humble dwelling?' When did you first know that 'Christ had made is dwelling within you?' Some time ago I heard a radio announcer comment after a particular song had been playing. She made a profound statement saying,' There is a crack in everything.....that's how the light gets in!'
Give thanks to Jesus for being the light in your world, for coming through the cracks and making his dwelling within your life.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

God at the pond

Withdraw to deserted places and pray. Luke 5:16

I love the solitude as I stroll down to the pond after a busy day,a hymn or song humming in my head   and I liken the feel to some words of a poem by Mary Oliver.'In the afternoons, in the almost empty fields I hum a hymn I use to sing.'   The pond is beautiful in the quietness with the water mirror clear, the reeds and weeds mixing together as one and there is a lesson in that I feel, almost a parable. The wood ducks are often tails up, heads down looking for their evening meal and the swallows gather more and more mud for nests before the sun goes down and its final rays of colour sweep across the sky and fields. Two Crimson Rosella are on the ground totally comfortable with  my presence and they allow me to watch closely as they stand on one leg and hold a full blown seed pod in a curled, hand like claw, quietly, contently eating. I love the solitude of the pond in the evening after work and as I reflect I again hear those words from Mary Oliver's poem, ' ......and sometimes the wind has touched my cheek like a spirit (and) God, once he is in your heart, is everywhere'
Where is the secret place you like to hang out with God?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

He lives

I know that my Redeemer lives. Job 19:25
This would have to be one of the most 'eye' opening experiences in our Christian journey when we come to realise the utter reality of  these words, and like Job the reality will often come out of the dark hole of life's trauma or, it could come out of an experience that radiates God's love so much that the blinding reality is these words....'I know that my Redeemer lives.' There is an elderly lady at the nursing home who's face just radiates the love of God. She has a peace both in her appearance, her speech  and  especially in her eyes. If I didn't know her I would assume she had spent a life in  the deep spiritual presence of Christ but no, she has come from the traumas of life but, as she holds my hand and looks into my face she says with a deep humility, 'I have seen Jesus. He is so real. I had a vision which has never left me, not a dream but a vision and in that Jesus was walking towards me, arms outstretched in embrace, white robes flowing, face so tender, smile so wide.' That vision of many years ago has never left this lady and when she tells me of it I have this great sense that I just want to remain in her presence and not hurry away. She know, she knows, that her Redeemer lives.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Breathtaking God

See the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love. (TIS 446)

I stopped the car in awe of the beauty of the tree lined pathway to walk among the autumn leaves. Glorious in shifting colours, dressed for autumn were the trees as they prepared themselves for a winter rest. They were so colourful that they took my breath away, every leaf seemed to emanate

the handy work of God and I was left with a song in my heart:    'Glorious things of you are spoken.

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

There I am

Jesus said.'When two or three are gathered together in my name there I am.' Matthew 18:20
Some cant look upon the frail, skeletal framed elderly, or the disabled child, those scarred and disfigured or the smelly old man, unwashed and unshaven who lies on the park bench. Somehow its all too much for them yet are these not the ones we pass and we walk among day by day. The ones that God loves ?
I remember the Rabbinical saying:
.Where you see another, there I (God) am.
Be a blessing today. Pause with the unloved, be welcoming.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The great adventure

Follow me (and I will make you fish for people.)Matthew 4:19
We experience many adventures in life and I can say my life has been full of adventures. I recall at a very young age looking for platypus in the town resivour and being chased by wild pigs. Going down disused mind shafts looking for gold.Starting school,training as a nurse, going overseas for the first time. Going outback nursing packed full of adventures and danger in the opal fields of Coober Pedy and among the Pitjantjatjara people of the Western Desert. As a wife and mother I took on another great adventure and then as a mature age student on the back of having been a poor student at school, I took on the Bachelor of Theology and ventured into ordained ministry. Wow, there are so many adventures within adventures  here, all memorable, enjoyable and life giving BUT in all of that I have to say the greatest adventure of all is the adventure that comes from when we respond to the 'call of Christ to follow him.' Then and only then does the greatest adventure of all begin.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Adventure in the Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

treasure

For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and  forfeit their life?  Mark 8:36
How many times have we seen a rainbow in the sky and thought of words said to us right through life that if we can find the end of the rainbow there we will find a pot of gold, our treasure ,and I wonder how many of us have tried that ? The rainbow I saw last week was a complete arc, very big, in fact too big to catch on the camera but I could see where the end of the bow was, as I walked towards it, it kept moving away from me. I thought, 'There is only one treasure to seek and that is one that as we draw closer to it it actually draws near to us and that's the treasure of God's love. Its bigger than any pot of God, its bigger than any persuite of happiness in seeking possessions.
George Beverly Shea wrote this song:
I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold, I'd rather be his than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands. I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand. (verse1)

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

love,sacrifice, poppies

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
We can't avoid the media confrontation on the coming ANZAC celebrations and probably we don't want to avoid it. In fact, the people who attend the day hospice we have at church have made and put together a lovely 'soft' display of 100 poppies that have been placed outside the glassed sanctuary of the church, in the gardens, where they will be seen on Sunday by the congregation. They are standing straight, tall and silent. A true reflective memory of the sacrifices made and the lives lost.
On Flanders Fields the poppies grow..........

Pray for peace in the world

Anne, servant of the Lord

washed, refreshed,clean.

Wash yourself, make yourself clean. Isaiah 1:16

Remember that old hymn that went something like this....'washed in the blood of the lamb....'

Gardening would have to be one of the most enjoyable recreational activities I do. Its a place that draws me very close to God and its a place where lots of thinking happens, its a place that clears my mind.. However, its also a very dirty activity and always at the end of a gardening session I am covered in sweat and very dirty. My next move is a long hot shower to get refreshed and washed clean and feel like new again. Its a great feeling.
I think that is a pretty good description of what Jesus does for us. He has the power to cleanse us, to clean us up, to wash off the dirt and grime, ready for a fresh start.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Transforming front yard and putting in front steps 2 years ago.

The breath of God

Jesus said to them again.'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me,so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them  and said to them . 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' John 20:21-22
Imagine it. Imagine Jesus so close that you can feel his breath. How personal would that be and  it would be impossible to deny him.
During the service at the local nursing home we sang the beautiful old hymn, 'Breathe on me Breath of God' just before taking communion and in a space of silence after the last verse one of the ladies said. 'How beautiful is that. How  special that is.......... breathe on me breath of God...............that is so lovely.' I looked at her, we made eye contact and for a moment I knew that God had breathed on us all sitting there that morning. We sat in a deep sense of peace.

                                                  Grace and Peace from the Lord be with you
                                                             Anne,servant of the Lord
                               Photo: Crusade preservation of the site of the upper room Jerusalem

The cross

But in all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us. Romans 8:37

Billy Graham wrote: If ever you should doubt the love of God,take a long deep look at the cross.

I was standing on the rise of the walking trail just as the sun was creating the new day when suddenly my eye caught the image of a cross. It was a strong image, well defined, a definite cross, yet when I looked closer I could see it was just a branch of a tree overlapping another. Never the less it was though provoking and an image that stayed with me. Its so special when daily objects  mirror the cross and draw us into reflecting on Christ and his sacrifice.......for us.
Its a powerful thought when instead of saying 'Jesus died for us,' we say 'Jesus died for me!' He gave his life for me, so I can be saved. 'Am I worth that much?' Jesus thought so. He gave his life for me, the least I can do is give my life to him.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

When least expected.

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Luke 24:31
I stood  at the place acknowledged as Emmaus and looked towards Jerusalem. I paused and reflected on the biblical story of the Emmaus walk and how the two, walking along, didn't recognize the risen Christ who had joined them. He came alongside when they were at least expecting to see him. How many times can we say that has been our experience? We have been engaged in 'the doing' and didn't see Christ's presence. We have prayed and prayed for someone or ourselves and didn't see the answered prayer until in hindsight. We endeavor to walk with the homeless, the lonely, the isolated, the poor, the sick and often don't see that we are walking with Christ in disguise.Once the two walking on the road to Emmaus recognized the risen Christ they rejoiced and rushed to share the news with the disciples. 'He is risen indeed.' they said.'We have seen him.' Lets make sure we also  tell others when we have experienced the risen Christ.
May his word and life live through us.
Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                 Breaking of bread in the Eucharist at Emmaus.

rekindled fire

Take our  lives and let them be consecrated Lord to thee...take our moments and our days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. (  Hymn by Alan Wilson 1945)
The celebration of Easter has stayed in my mind and my heart all my life.As a child it was an exciting time at church. Palm Sunday saw the processions with the palm branches, the rich red liturgical colours and the memorable rousing hymn singing such as 'Ride on ride on in Majesty.' We would go home after the event clutching our treasured palm cross. But more meaningful I think, we went home with a 'fire,' a 'passion',an excitement within us  that stayed alight over the years and is relived every time I open my prayer book and am faced with a particular fading, discoloured aging palm cross. Holy week is memorable, not just for reliving the events and refreshing our memories but  because it transforms our lives and our ministries and somehow we come to Easter Monday and in some way we are changed. Our relationship with the risen Christ has taken on a deeper sense of commitment and the first fire in our hearts is rekindled yet again.
Go forth into the world to LOVE and to SERVE the Lord.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

sunrise over the sea of Galilee.

Good Friday

1 Peter 2:24  Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross.
There is no situation that blocks us from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We can always come to him with bowed head and bent knees......or running with outstretched arms...to seek his forgiveness.
He will never abandon us.

'In the act that broke the heart of the Father, yet honored the holiness of heaven, sin, purging....
judgement flowed over the sinless Son of the ages
And heaven gave earth her finest gift
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 
My God, my God why did you abandon me?
Why did Christ scream those words?
So we don't have to.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ on this Good Friday
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Holy week

Ride on ride on in majesty TIS 348
I recall standing at the top of the mount of Olives and looking down the road that once was covered with cloaks and branches gathered from the nearby fields and crowds of people shouting Hosanna, a word that means 'save us.' Clearly you can see the city of Jerusalem, the city Jesus had his sights set on. The city of  his destination and his death, only known to him and his Father God. At the top of the Mount of Olives stands a faithful Palestinian Christian with his white donkey called David patiently offering tourists 'a donkey ride experience' down the road to Jerusalem, passing on the way, sights of significance in the Holy Week experience. What a special week this is in our Christian journey. We have sighted and held the palm cross received at church and now it lies on the kitchen table, or the desk or on the bedside table , for thought and reflection, carrying it in our minds eye throughout the week. It symbolises the cross that Jesus had to bare and the crosses of our life also, the cross that enables us to bare them, the cross that saved us, the cross of love.This week is a time for deeper and focused meditation on that great love of God.

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

my arms remain open wide.

One day Jesus asked his disciples for their few loaves and fishes  to feed a hungry crowd of people. Jesus took them, gave thanks to God and broke them and gave them.....to the people. Matthew 15:36-37
Never once have I ever had  regret or moment of doubt about the life that God has given me. I constantly feel called, humbled, privileged, honoured and affirmed, day after day. The disadvantaged I walk with daily,those in society, our neighbours, Jesus called them, those needing a shoulder to lean on, a friend for the journey.  God calls me to witness and to serve and my arms remain open wide for whatever else he holds for me. On Sunday at church I gave a small focus talk on the Nursing Ministry that is run at the church. God was putting in our path so many needy people and a small group of us  were working hard to keep up with their needs. We needed more help but it didn't seem to be coming and in the back of my mind was that 'still small voice.'  It seemed to be saying, 'you want more help yet you haven't asked me?' 'Your arms remain open wide for what I send you, I have sent,so now open your faith wide and ask me for  what you need, and I will provide.' I prayed hard and long for more help, and you know, following Sunday our volunteer group for this ministry increased from a few to 28!! Why should I be surprised? Is that loaves and fishes or what?  Is that faith in prayer or what? I don't know, but I do know God heard my prayer and touched the hearts of many and from that multiple people in need will be blessed.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
Anne, servant of the Lord

Loaves and fishes at the sight of the feeding of the 5,000 sea of Galilee.

enjoy the ride

I have learnt to be content in whatever state I am in. Philippians 4:11
What a wonderful gift it is to be able to say we are content in whatever state we are in. I think Paul, in making this statement really knew the depth of God's love and the peace that comes from all understanding.. I know there are times we feel content, but there are many times when we don't, when things go off course and we find the day isn't working out as it should.Last week early in the day I was in the garden and suddenly there was this loud noise of rushing wind that seemed to come from no where. I turned around and almost came face to face with a hot air balloon that was very close to the ground. It looked like it was coming into land yet it was some distance from a suitable landing spot. It was obviously coming to land in a place that was not where it had planned to do so. It was off course yet everyone on board seemed to be enjoying the ride where ever it was taking them.  Could that be contentment? to enjoy the ride wherever it takes you. If you have mapped out and planned your day but during the course of it, it leads you to unplanned areas, then be content with where you end up for you are where God wants you to be.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

balloons over Capadocia. Turkey

Children of God.

Jesus said,' Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them for it is to such of these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Matt 19:14
I was taking a graveside funeral for an elderly lady and two small children were kneeling alongside the grave after the coffin had been lowered, peering down on it. They were deep in thought and as I was about to say the final farewell one child, about 7 years old, asked to say something. She said, 'when my gran was born she was like a rose bud, and as she grew up she opened to a full, beautiful rose and when I saw her before she went to be with Jesus the rose she had been only had one brown and fading leaf left on it because it was dying but in heaven she will be like a rose bud again

.' What could I say after that. A child so sure of her image of life and death at such a young age was obviously well grounded in inclusion and teaching in the family. What a blessing those words were to all who stood around the grave that day.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Just hold on....

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,my God,my rock in whom I take refuge,my shield and the horn of my salvation,my stronghold. Psalm 18.2
As I looked across the very dry paddocks  with that early blue mist of an Autumn morning still about I thought how dry it was all looking. A  wind storm could easily bring it all to bare earth and uproot everything and I recall a farmer saying to me once about the drought we were experiencing. He commented on the trees and how some species are dying, age old trees, particularly the pine trees that are used for wind breaks around the farms, trees that have survived to date, but now, lacking life giving water are dying. He said a profound thing: 'Pine trees have shallow roots that spread out and just sit below the surface and when a storm comes they cant hold on, they topple over, while other trees send their roots deep down and are anchored in that depth and can weather the storms of life.' He continued. 'Its like that with us and God. If we don't send our roots deep down we too will topple over in the storms of life.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

1000's of years it has stood against all the storms. A fortress in Israel.

prayerful distraction

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:17
I was reading my early morning devotion and trying not to be 'called away' by the twitter of  the blue wrens in the garden but they won me over and I went to the window to observe their  garden fluttering of insect catching and bird bath bathing. With joy they played in my garden and I found myself thanking God for them and realising how much they were a  prayer. Other things in the garden caught my eye also, the beautifully formed rose bud on the rose bush called 'The Good Samaritan.' that was given to me by the relatives of an elderly lady  who had valued my pastoral visits a midst her isolation and I pondered on that parable awhile. I also acknowledged the rose that was open and aging yet flourishing and I stayed there awhile reflecting on the ministry I have with the older people. The Easter daisy bush, lent purple in colour is in full bloom and I gave thanks for the gift of this new day full already of the presence of God and a chorus of those delightful little birds. Prayer is where you are, in what you are doing, at any time and as you read these words, may they to be a prayer.

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

Just be.

Whom shall I send.....? (TIS 658)

How often do we get caught up in wanting to find solutions and 'doing something' for someone in distress or need. Sometimes we lose the sense of  'just being.' I remember many occasions in ministry where I have sat with people in deep grief, in loss, in pain and in suffering and just holding their hand in the quiet and they have said the most appreciated aspect of those times was just being present, being there for them. I read a  story about a little girl who had come home after visiting the family of her friend who had died suddenly. Her father scolded her for going to her friends house at a time the family was in grief. 'Why did you go there?' He asked. The child replied.' To comfort the mother.' 'But what could you do?' replied the Father. 'Nothing.' said the child. 'I just sat in her lap and cried with her.' Reflect a little on your day. Unwrap it slowly and treasure its beautiful gifts yet to be discovered. Your profit is in the human frailty that you serve for the Glory of the Lord, not the ticks in the diary of tasks completed.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Live and love and serve the Lord

'This is the day that the Lord has made;he calls the hours his own. TIS 368

I have this song running around in my head in the otherwise quiet of the morning. Still dark, still quiet but yet I know a chorus will erupt soon and the sunrise will be greeted with that song in my head which goes. 'All God's creatures have a place in the choir, some sing low and some sing higher.' The magpies will warble, the blue wrens will twitter  and the kookaburras will laugh and out of my ear shot will be hundreds of birds greeting this new day, this wonderful gift of yet another day in which to live and love and serve the Lord.  I am still reading Mary Oliver and she says.' All the quiet notes Mozart didn't have time to use before entering the cloud-boat are falling from the beaks of the finches......and they speak of nothing but light and delight.' We cant deny that all the world is a happy place, there is much going on that needs our prayers and our help but Oh we are so fortunate to be able to greet this day as gift and from our gratitude and the love of God use it to live and love and serve the Lord.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord

blue mist and dew dampened grass

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. Matthew 8:19
O the joy, the pure delight of the freshness of the morning full of God's love. That hint of Autumn hovers over the hills, the colour of blue mist and dew dampened grass smells of fresh cut hay and a wonderful chorus from a dozen or more magpies goes up from the height of the tallest eucalyptus. Its true whats said, 'that once God is in your heart, he is everywhere.'
I was reading some poems by Mary Oliver and this one resonated with me  this morning:

Oh, feed me this day, Holy Spirit, with
 the fragrance of the fields and the
 freshness of the oceans which you have
 made, and help me to hear and to hold
 in all dearness those exciting and wonderful
words of our Lord Jesus, saying:
Follow me.

Image of God's love.

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

rich or poor?

One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor;yet has great wealth. Proverbs 13:7
You would think I had been given a million dollars as I looked at the country side outside my front door. Try and describe God's love and no amount of human wealth can match its value or its worth.What a daily gift I have had put before me. The soft mist on the surrounding hills that are graced with a sweeping pink colour of the promise of the sun rising. The stillness of the pond with a few wood ducks grazing the reeds, 'talking' in soft noises to each other as if sharing the same joy of the quiet that I am. The long sweep of the valley dotted with black cows and bales of new mown  hay. I can smell it from here! The rays of early sun shining on the ears of the wild oat grass making each to look like a wealth of gold. And a family of kookaburras  laughing, filling the quiet countryside with joy.Its all so special, so much so that I could lose myself in the moment and just stand and gaze in wonder. Every where I looked was God's love, wrapped in the presence, gifts greater than any money can buy, gifts of the richness of God's love.

                             ' Find a beautiful place and lose yourself in it.'

and the bluebells on the roadside.

                               '

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

Following the path

You will show me the path of life......psalm 16
There is a great peace about the morning as the early mist still lingers on the hills and the cows are grazing silently among the kangaroos.The path in the dry grass is wearing into its identity  and its as I take each step I reflect with God on the way my day might go.There is a great 'soul' joy deep within when you know the way you lead each day is to bring glory to God and 'life' to those you care for. Each Monday as I help gather a group of people into the day hospice  in the church for 'a day with a difference' I reflect on how we live life in order to  model   Jesus and to me its as much about doing than saying. I always hope that how I live life and what I do with my 'God given life' will help others to seek out the God I serve.I read this story  which said: A teacher took a student into the woods one night with just the light of his torch to show the path. At one point the teacher turned the torch off without explanation. 'What is the matter?' asked the student. 'The torch has gone out.' the teacher answered and continued to walk on.  'But,' shouted the student. 'Will you leave me in the dark?' 'No, I will not,' said the teacher.' I will leave you to follow me, searching for the light.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

no escape

Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend the heavens you are there, if I make my bed in She-ol you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at  the farthest  limits of the sea, even there your hand shall leave me and your right hand shall hold me fact. Psalm  139: 7-10  
I look at he mountains with their peaks reaching into the morning sky, their base surrounded in a sea of cloud like islands in an ocean.
I look into the distance at a farm house light on a hill, shining in that space between night and day.
I look at a jet, just a dot in the sky, more visible because of its vapour
I look at a large flock of  colourful grass parrots feeding bu the side of the road.
I think of observatories and their powerful telescopes that reaches far far into space.
I think of us all and the days ahead and the people we will meet: the frail aged, those in prison, the sick and lonely, the disabled, the lost, the stranger we pause to talk to on the street.
I think of our special places of relaxation and rest: a beach, the bush, a park, the garden.
To ask where is God's Spirit, is like asking a fish, where is the water. (Lucado)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Wadi Rum desert in Jordan

Give God the Glory

Anything you did for the least of my people you did for me. Matthew 24.40
It goes deep, very deep that sense of knowing that you and God are doing something together, in unity. That what you are doing is almost out of your hands, because its God working through you. I had that experience this week and the profound sense of the presence and action of God is still with me three days later and I can not help but tell people of the great power of God in our lives and give him all the Glory. It was a seemingly huge task of journeying with a lady through the maze of National Disability Insurance Services and trying to find a suitable, safe home for her for the rest of her life.Its seemed a huge task yet out of nowhere through a few words to the right people and this lady is now set in a safe environment in a new home for life.Someone once asked the question: What is the sign of the saved? their degree, their scholarship? their willingness to go to foreign lands? their ability to amass an audience and preach? Their skillful pens and hope filled volumes? No. The sign of the saved is their love of the least for when we do good things for others we are doing good things for God who gets the glory.  For any in God's service that should kindle the fire in your heart.What an immense privilege we have that's wrapped in God's blessings, the privilege of being able to serve the least of his people.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's presence.

My Father's world

' If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.' 2 Corinthians 5:17
I wonder at how you can have an unlimited imagination.God has been creating since time immemorial  yet I cease to see any two sunrises the same, any flower the same, any mountain the same and I suspect if you were to put  grains of sand under a microscope and view them they would all be very different. Even the little sparrow in the garden is different to his brothers and sisters. We have a remarkable, wonderful, awe inspiring God with an unlimited imagination and creativity and in saying that he has created us so individually we can all serve him with the gifts of imagination and creativity that he has given us.  I like this hymn written by Maltbie Babcock with imagination and creativity:
This is my Fathers world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and around me rings, the music of the spheres. This is my Fathers world, I rest me in the thought, of rocks and trees, of skies and seas, his hands and wonders wrought.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Blind yet I see

(Jesus said) Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my steps is not fit to be my disciple. Matthew 10.38
It's interesting how we react to situations of our life. Sometimes issues come our way that could be burdens and handicaps to our daily living and we could bury our head in the sand and shut the world out or we could put one foot before the other and move on. I had been reflecting on a story I read many years ago about Helen Keller. What a remarkable lady  who had a ministry of encouragement among many world wide including the remote tribal Aboriginal people of Western Australia. I was reflecting on her life because she was such an influence in my childhood in my desire to work with Aboriginal people or to simply make something of my life. She had an incredible way with people and for a lady born in the 1800's that was quite remarkable. One of her many quotes said:'life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'   I guess the most remarkable thing about her was that she was deaf and blind. To quote her: 'I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work and my God.'

 Western Desert SA

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

your special place

That in every place they should pray. 1 Timothy 2:8

Why is it so special to you that you live where you are? I was talking to a deacon who lives in a small housing complex on church grounds and she said it is a great joy to be able to look out and see the church and the world. It reminds me of  the anchorite, Julian of Norwich she said. Its here I can pray and reflect on both church and world.  Annie Dillard says an anchorite's hermitage is an anchor hold like some sheds clamped to the side of a church, like a barnacle on a rock.  I think of my home as a hermitage in many ways. Its  in the silence of a quiet suburb, clamped to the side of a city yet steeped in a rural outlook. A place of constant prayer and reflection.  What is it that's so special about living where you are?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, Servant of the Lord.

God's riches

O the depth of the riches........ Romans 11.33
The depth of God's riches I find in the gift of each new day. The glorious sunrises, never the same colours, never the same display of God's riches, hand painted from his paint board and brushes. When I think of the riches of God I often think of my days in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy where I ran the local hospital. The deep colours of the opals dug up by the miners from deep in the earth after days of searching suddenly revealed to them the treasure, the riches they had been searching for. Gariepy says: Do you want to discover the riches God has for you? Then turn that longing into the work of 'digging,' digging deep into God's word and mining the riches of prayer. You will then discover the priceless treasure of God.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

we can all be a witness

You will be his witness to all the world. Acts 12.15
  Of an evening I sit out the front of my house for some reading time and its the time of the day the multicultural community I live in comes to life as they gather in the little park down the road for the children to play and parents to socialize. Its a lovely time of day to get to know some of my neighbours. My dog Bella also loves to survey the activities a she lies by my side. Down the path came a group of 6 young Indian girls with their mother, all lively and chatting in their language  and they stopped and asked. 'Can we pat your dog?' 'Of course', was my reply and as they patted her one of the girls called the others into silence from their chatter. 'Look, look at this' she said as she handled the wooden cross on Bella's collar. The girl looked at me with large dark eyes and in wonder said. 'Are you a Christian?'  'Yes,' I said.' I am a Christian. 'All 6 voices called out to the mother who had walked down the path a little way. With great excitement they said 'Mamma, Mamma, come back quickly, this lady is a Christian She's a Christian Mamma.'   be it Paul in Caesarea, or you in your home town, or me in mine let us live a life that enables others to say 'Are you a Christian?'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

In the night, in the quiet.

At that time  Eli was lying down in his room. The lamp of the Lord had not yet gone out and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3: 2-3 (paraphrased.)
Quiet times before sleep, during the night and before rising are so special. There, in the quiet of the night and pre dawn, in the stillness, is God. Its quality time together.   It amazes me that we can read the bible over and over again all our life yet somethings of significance, small things usually, don't  sink in until one day, they are suddenly revealed. How many times have you read this passage from Samuel before you registered that its when we are being still and quiet ie lying down, resting, its then we are open to the voice of God. Not in the business of the day. Not in the rush of preparation . Its in the quiet, the stillness.  As we begin to engage fully with this New Year may we remember how the voice of God spoke to Samuel in the stillness and quiet of the night. Its here, in the time of relaxation and pre sleep and the stillness of waking that we slow down, let down our bodies and minds so  the new thoughts and dreams emerge. Its at that time we are open to the voice of God calling us to fulfill  our hopes and dreams. His hopes and dreams.

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

in his hands

See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands. Isaiah 49:16
Going from a nursing home service to a home visit, to a meeting and I was moving quickly between each event when I was given a message to call a particular person. Taking  a pen from my pocket I wrote the persons name on the palm of my hand so I would remember it.  This text from Isaiah has to be one of the most reassuring texts of the bible. Imagine Jesus going about the business of his day and now and then he glances at the palm of his hand to see your name engraved there, not just written but engraved, never to be forgotten. What infinite love.  Remember that  as you go about your day and when ever you need the assurance of God he is thinking of you with just a glance at his hand.
This simple poem by Albert Orsborn says: He can not forget me, though trial beset me; Forever his promise shall stand, he can not forget me, though trials beset me; my name's on the palm of his hand.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

a reminder in my garden of Isaiah 49:16

night and day

God once said: Let the light shine out of the darkness. 2 Corinthians 4:1
Its such a special time of the day to watch the dark night slowly being consumed by the light of the day. Dark shadows slowly become images of beauty. Like the blurry bit on the pond that turns out to be a beautiful white bird,a crane, silently paused on one leg, resting or the silence that breaks into song as one by one the sounds of the morning chorus of birds break into the quiet of dawn and a dark sky that breaks into a kaleidoscope of colour that fills the dark clouds with a life of colour and brightness. Joan Chittister wrote: An old Rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day had begun. 'Could it be,' asked on student, 'when you can see an animal in the distance and can tell whether its a sheep or a dog?' 'No' replied the Rabbi
'Well then, is it when you look at a tree in the distance and can tell whether its a fig tree or a peach tree?' No, was the answer. 'then when is it?' 'Its when you can look on the face of any man or woman and see that it is your sister or brother. Because if you can not see this, it is still night.'
Lets make this year a year of truly seeing God in all his people. Lets show hospitality and welcome and embrace to all. Let us show that light of Christ we so often talk about, that light that shines in the darkness.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Christmas.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
I was looking at the presents under the giving tree at the shopping mall. Big presents, small presents all colourfully wrapped. Some with ribbons, some bows, all labelled for some special person. There was a sense of expectation that might go with the giving and the receiving as they are passed onto those in need. Hands reaching out to give and bless with a gift  this Christmas season.   Among all the gifts of Christmas lies one that you do not have to buy, or wrap in coloured paper, or tie a ribbon and bow on. Its called the gift of love and it came that first Christmas morning in the form of a tiny baby who was called Jesus. A lasting gift that can be given over and over again all year round . A gift that can save lives, bring comfort to the lonely and distressed, a gift of companionship and hope. In the trauma of Martin Place we are seeing that gift of love being expressed in a floral memorial, the presence of people who care, the presence of the special chaplains and those of our brothers and sisters of other faiths. There is a sense of oneness, of unity, of healing, of love. A sense that Jesus has come down, Emmanuel is with us. Let not the drama of the world take from us the wonderful gift we have been given, the gift of love. The gift we call Christmas.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

nativities of many countries.

even one will make a difference

' I am the voice of one calling out in the desert.' John 1:23
When I was chaplain at the local school for children with profound disabilities I remember one day assisting in a class room to help the children get ready to go outside into the playground. I was tasked to assist a wheel chair bound boy who was about 12 years old and who rarely spoke. I put his twisted, distorted little feet into his socks as carefully as I could and then his slippers. As I fastened the velcro straps I felt a small hand on my head, stroking my hair with a small distorted hand and as clear as a bell came from this boys mouth, 'Are you Jesus?' I was speechless and sank even lower to the floor as a wave of humility swept over me. I eventually looked the boy in the face and managed to say, 'no, I am not Jesus but I am his friend.'  St John was a voice for Christ (John 1:23) His life matched his words. When a persons words and ways are the same, the fusion is explosive. People will know who we represent, not because we bear the name, but because we live the life.
 If I cant feed all the hungry, feed one. If I cant change the world, change a life. Let someone see the difference you can make. If you cant feed all the hungry, feed one.(unknown)
Walk humbly as you serve God.
Anne, servant of the Lord

JAFFA ministry

Making straight the path.

Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:19
At evening I often think of the people I have uncounted during the day and sum them up in my prayers especially those who have experienced  Christ through our meeting, who catch a glimpse of Christ through our relationship, a passing word, a brief touch and I thank God that we can bring some light into a dark world by who we are and what we are doing. For some, as the saying goes, we may be the only gospel they ever hear, the only encounter with Christ they ever have and you know, it might be just enough to change the world.  Robert Louis Stevenson, as a small boy, was staring out the bedroom window one night when his nanny called him to bed. Reluctant to come, his nanny asked what the attraction was in the dark of night. He said, pointing to the lamplighter who was lighting the street lamps. 'Look nanny, the man is putting holes in the darkness.'
(Lotz: Just give me Jesus says) You and I may not be able to change the world, but surely each of us can put a hole in the darkness! Turn on the light! Share what Jesus means to you and give God's word to someone else.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

watchfulness

But about the day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven,nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert. Mark 13: 32
In several places in my rural suburb are empty blocks of land, that seem uncared for ,fenced off and overgrown with wild oats and other native grasses.Wasted spaces I thought,  or is there a purpose for them.   Well, I discovered that in those spaces lies a hidden treasure, an endangered, protected species of moth. I couldn't help but relate this experience to that of the story of the unkept man in tattered clothing. He looked  like a homeless person who came to the door of a house seeking some food for he was hungry. 'Go away.' was the response to his knocking, 'we are expecting a very important visitor and we don't want you to be seen on our doorstep when he comes.' Several times the man knocked and every time received the same reply. Eventually he went away and the people in the house waited in vein for the special important visitor to arrive but he never came. Ah, but he did and they didn't recognise him.  He came in the image of a poor, hungry, homeless man and they were not expect anything other than a person in fine clothing and  of great  importance. I looked again at the grassy uncared for and unkept block of land and reflected on the treasure that lay within. About the day or hour no one knows. Beware,we are warned, keep awake.

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