you are precious

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight? But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid, you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
What a welcome to the day, the birds know how to do it. ....they sing it in! Magpies warbling and kookaburras laughing. (have you ever heard a baby kookaburra trying to laugh? Its hard to keep the smile off your face.  Today was a bonus blessing as I watched some sparrows outside my study window. They were gathering around the maiden hair fern pots, chatting and chasing each other in a mood of play, feathers ruffled and jumping in and out of a bowl of water under the pots, splashing and singing and I could hear Jesus voice saying. ' you are of more value than many sparrows.' That's mind blowing because I know God loves all he has created, even the sparrow,yet he values us more.
What a wonderful God we have. How have you welcomed in this day? singing?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Sparrow in the Tomb Garden Jerusalem

solid faith

The Lord is my rock,my fortress and my deliverer. Psalm 18:2
How hard is it to see when you walk through thick fog, as is the case in some of these early winter mornings. Even though the track is familiar, shapes and outlines of the surrounding area seem a bit'spooky.' yet there is a sense of presence that is very real. I knew I was on the right path even though I couldn't see it too clearly. I knew because I could feel the solid rock surface under my feet. I knew because even though viability was just a few feet, God was there, walking this misty morning to. I knew because I was heading to the east where the light of day was filtering  through striving to reach its morning glory. I read this profound statement from an unknown Christian person in China:Faith is putting one's foot down in the mist,and finding a rock.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord

walking track on a clear day

Jesus by night

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night. John 3:1-17
An invigorating morning,foggy in its arrival to make a fresh start of a new day. The tree leaves dripping with moisture from the gift of overnight rain and a smell of wet grass emanating from the farm paddocks. As I watched a figure coming towards me, walking nearer and nearer, emerging clearer through the fog and semi dark, I thought of the story of Nicodemus and how he came to Jesus in the night. I wondered what became of Nicodemus as this figure passed me by, with a brief 'hello' and faded back into the dark and fog. I wondered also about the people we meet in our day to day life in their darkness, their night time and I am blessed with the comfort and reassurance that God has them to in the palm of his hand. What a privilege to be with those who come looking for Jesus in their night.

I think of the saying of Edwin Hubble Chaplin:
Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord

Glorious things

Glorious things of the are spoken.....see the streams of living waters,springing from eternal love. (TIS 446)
Washed clean from the recent rain with a sharpness and a fresh ting of green on the ground and looking like nothing was out of place...that was how the countryside looked this morning. The view down the valley to the foothills of the mountains looked like a master piece of artwork.There were patches of soft pink on grey clouds hovering on the mountain tops and a gentle breeze blessed the freshness of the morning.  And the magpie sang.
Showered with blessings, priceless gifts of God's love, a new day starts and the door to opportunity is wide open.  Opportunity to care and to love and to serve. Opportunity to embrace, to fight for and to seek justice. Opportunity to live and bring others alive.
Speak of the love and blessing from God in all you do this day.

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

lilies of the field

(Jesus said to  his disciples )There for I tell you, do not worry about your life. Luke 12:32
This lovely passage of scriptural encouragement and advice from our Lord should stay with us at all times yet how often do we forget it in the moment. Worry and anxiety about every day things, things here today and gone to morrow seems to be part of every day life for some and in hindsight did the worry change anything?  Jesus must despair with us at times. He must wonder how much does it take to get his message through. The message of faith and trust  in him. I treat myself to three long stems of beautiful lily buds every week or so (they last for ages) and as the buds gradually open over days to reveal an often unspeakable beauty and fill the room with a deep, rich perfume, I am reminded over and over again that Jesus said: 'Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like these.'  To me the lilies are a daily prayer. A daily visual reminder that God is present and in control of all things in our lives. The lilies  are like an icon that can be looked at,admired, yet I  see beyond it, deep into it and discover the richness and beauty and a message from God.

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

your cathedreal

The words of the hymn 'I love thy house O God, where in thy honour dwells' still sits with me even though I reflected on it  recently. These words came back to me  after I read a verse from Steiner-Rice which said: 'my garden beautifies my yard, and adds a fragrance to the air, but its also my cathedral and my quiet place of prayer.'   When I visited some of the cathedrals in Europe and England I was astounded by the size. They are massive. Huge buildings of great architectural beauty. I would sit in them in awe. I love cathedrals, the atmosphere, the stillness, the quiet,  the feeling of God's presence and a sense of hundreds and in some cases thousands of years of worship and prayers still felt like its ingrained in the brickwork or constantly rising up on flickering candles. Yet, a cathedral can be anywhere. The morning gifts take my breath away also. Soft mist, gently rising , hovering over the dew laden grass, glistening white frost or fresh drops of rain, pink clouds sun kissed and a choir of birds, my personal cathedral. Where is yours, the place you meet and greet with Christ that leaves you wanting to just sit, or walk, and just be there? Visit it often.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Grafton Cathedral.

God's glory

The night has passed and the day lies open before us........(.APBA. Morning prayer)
We don't know what a day holds when we first encounter it. As a morning person I see it fresh, new, quiet and seemingly untouched with a feel of peace and calm about it and I cant think of a better way, a better place, to start a day and  give thanks to God. Today, as the sun rose there was a 'glitter' and a 'sparkle' all over the frosty ground as the sun rays skimmed the earth and though freezing cold, somehow the beauty took the sharp edge off that feel. 'That's glorious' I found myself saying  and then I realised why we say 'the glory of the Lord shines all around us.' and in confidence I set my sights on the day ahead knowing that glory of the Lord is always shining around about us.
(Anon) 'In the early morning hours, twix the night and day, while from the earth the darkness passes, silently away, then 'tis sweet to talk with Jesus in thy chamber still......for the coming days and duties, ask to know his will.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

winter prayers

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, the 'ghosts of winter' in the morning fog. The deep red of the sunrise coming through the mist that is hovering low, about to kiss the ground. The white as white crisp frost crunching under foot, the transparent cobweb, washed with dew drops, hanging on the fence like strings of pearls. The warm fire and hot cup of tea in a cup wrapped in chilly hands after the brisk morning walk. I have learnt in my day to day life that it dose not  matter where you are, what ever you see, whatever you you do, its all a 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.  

                                           The morning mist comes down to kiss the ground







                    

stepping stones

Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. Mark 4:3
Sometimes I hear people say their job is boring, mundane, and feel they are not making a difference. Well,  one day when I was out walking I noticed a lone worker operating a trench digger, digging footings for a new building and in a moment I thought, fancy doing that all day. Then I had this sudden thought, a flash of realisation that every job is so important no matter how it may seem. Without the footings, the building cant be built.  Think about all you do. The big and the small, and the difference that makes. I cant think of anything we do in life that dose not make a difference. Can you?
R.L.Sharpe said:We are given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass, a book of rules; and each must make, ere life is flown, a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

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