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

heavenly

' The heavens are telling the glory of God.' Ps 19:1

A great deal of God's creation could be called the glory of God but I think none surpasses the heavens. Most times when we look upward we can be in a moment of experiencing God's glory.

The predawn silence in oneness with God, the glorious colourful sunrise of pastel colours blue, pink orange, clouds tinted, mountains tipped. The sunset, Oh did you see last nights? Black voluminous clouds filled the horizon and were ablaze with brilliant orange. Then I look to the heavens in the evening and am left in a stare of mystery and awe. Millions and millions of stars in a velvet sky that just goes on and on to a distance beyond our imagination and in it all is the revelation of the Glory of God.

(Stanislau Kennedy) The (night) sky- -we are immersed in mystery, an immense mystery.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

blessings

'..........see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down an overflowing blessing.' Mal 3:10 (paraphrased)

Blessings are so special.

The small child who puts his hand in yours, unexpectedly.

Seeing the complete, bright rainbow after a storm.

The smile of an elderly person

Seeing the joy of achievement for one with disability.

Looking at a glorious view

Seeing the tiniest of blue wrens in the garden.

I ask myself what is a blessing and I answer, something that gives you goosebumps, something that makes you feel warm and happy inside, because it comes from God.

Be blessed by many things today.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

water wells

' Who ever drinks this water will get thirsty again: but whoever drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again.' John 4:14

I remember as a small child peering down this great hole in the ground as my uncle swung a bucket on a rope down into its depths to get some water. It was the first well I had ever seen and I was fascinated with the fact that if we dig deep enough we will find water, life giving water. I have never forgotten the memory of him drawing that life giving water from the well, the source of life.

After the woman at the well received her drink from Jesus she then became a well for others to drink from. (John 4:39)

Macrina Wiederkehr says: Look for wells along the way and be such a well for others to find.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wide wide as the ocean

'As the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord' (Habakkuk 2:14)

I was reading these statistics:

There is approximately 326 million trillion gallons of water on the earth and 98% of that is in the oceans. Habakkuk, the prophet compares God's glory to water that fills the sea. That's one heck of a lot of God's glory.

How often do you think about the glory of the Lord and try and take in its magnitude, its richness, its blessings. Next time you walk on the beach and paddle in the sea reflect on Habakkuk's words and have that sense of the glory of the Lord.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

All for Jesus

'May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day' TIS 609

I looked across the vineyard that had been pruned and was now in lush growth, vibrant, alive and ready to produce fruit. when I look at the seasons of the vineyard and Jesus stories about vineyards I am always filled with hope and assurance.

One of the elderly ladies at the aged care facility Communion service, who has dementia, started in the middle of prayers to softly sing in the most loveliest of voice: 'May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea.' What sacred ground we were on as the room seemed to fill with the Spirit of God. What assurance, what hope I was filled with. Season after season in her long life she still comes back to the source of her being and the ability to bring Christ to others.

May the mind of Christ our Saviour live in us always.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne