'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.