God's love

' As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you. ' Isaiah 66:13

I was watching a baby Rosella in the bottle brush playing with the branches trying to see how to get his own food, fluffing up his inmature feathers and totally absorbed in his activities when he was suddenly startled and became anxious and called for his mother. She called back with a calmer call which almost said, 'All is well, I am here.' As soon as he saw her he flew right into her space and snuggled up against a familiar body , calmer, quieter and safe.

This reminded me of our Lord. We go off and do our thing, we work, we minister, we play and sometimes when we least expect it we feel anxious, threatened ,frightened and alone.

God is never far off, all we need do is call and he will respond and that finds us snuggling into his everlasting arms.

Grace this day, and peace, from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Heading for Jerusalem

' Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed, therefore I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I have known that I will triumph.' Isaiah 50: 7 (TLB)

We know God helps us because he is on our side, so why do we dismay?

How blessed are we to be in a situation where we can know this right to the core of our heart, that God is always present, always in what we do in his name. We sometimes say in tricky situations: Grit your teeth and get on with it, or bite the bullet and just do it! I like this great sense of determination from Isaiah.................'I will set my face like flint to do his will.'

When we have the problems of 'dismay' in our days we have the promise of God's help so whatever it is today, go for it, God will be there.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

a field of flowers for you

' This is the day that the Lord has made..................let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Ps 118:24

There are days when we feel that the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Sometimes we feel discouraged, sometimes we feel things are out of hand. The writer of this psalm obviously felt likewise at times and he too was a follower of God.

However, as the psalmist talked to God in prayer the psalm always ended in praise. Now doesn't that say something? As the psalmist, on a day of not wanting to rejoice talked to the Lord he then ended up in praise.

Be honest with God

If you don't feel like rejoicing, say so and it can almost be guaranteed that you will end up with praise on your lips before the day is ended.

God has given us this day to live and to serve him...........be glad.

(Lessin) New day, new needs, new mercies, one faithful, loving, caring God in the midst of it all!

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

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

I just love the resurrection of the garden in spring. The transformation of a drab space into moments of wonder as week by week the plants comes to life in colour, bloom and perfume. I find myself wandering about the garden being amazed by each new burst of blessing.

Its like coming out of darkness into light, like being asleep and now awake, like having a tough time yet knowing there will be better times ahead, its like individual moments of resurrections that bring joy to our hearts, deep within.

Sister Stan says:

Joy comes in little whispers

in sudden unexpected glimpses of mystery.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

shepherd

' The Lord is my shepherd.' Ps 23

last minute request to do something that gave me no time for preparation just sent me into 'a spin.' I could feel my pulse racing, heart pounding and palms sweating. I could feel anxiety taking control and in a last minute effort to gain self control I sent up a mantra of help to God.

'peace Lord (deep breath) peace Lord and I just put my whole self into his hands and a great sense of peace and assurance fell gently through me.

I love the image of Jesus as the shepherd and myself as the sheep. Sometimes he is beside me, sometimes just a little way off and sometimes just out of sight. Its an image that brings a sense of safety, of 'being with in reach' and no matter where God was, or what he was doing when I sent up my mantra for help, he responded, he came to me and walked with me and surprise, surprise all was well.

How blessed we are to have Jesus 'with in reach.' May we never forget that but more so, may we never forget to call on him always, he is just there!

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

awakening

' ...then their eyes were open and they recognised him. Luke 24:31

The disciples walking the road to Emmaus were startled to find that their companion was the risen Lord Jesus and the disciples on the sea of Galilee were startled to see the figure walking towards them was the risen Lord Jesus.

Sometimes we too are startled to find the Lord is with us. He presents himself and shows himself and reveals himself in the beauty and in the pain of our daily life if only we can recognise that it is him. Sometimes the realisation is sudden and sometimes, like the disciples, it can be a slow awakening.

Frederick Buechner said:Lord, catch me off guard today. Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain so at least for the moment I may be startled into seeing that you are here in all your splendour, always and everywhere, barely hidden, beneath, beyond,within this life I breathe.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wonder and surprise

'Now thank we all our God, with hearts and hands and voices...' (TIS 106)

I find it hard not to see something in all that is around me to thank God for. Glorious spring flowers packed to the max with sweet perfumes, fresh new leaves bursting from swollen buds on trees, paddocks of green, thick grass, lambs by mothers sides. I marvel at all the surprises God has for us.

I was down at Bermagui on the weekend and amidst a lazy afternoon decided to go for a drive about town. I ended up on the cliffs overlooking the sea and there before my very eyes were whales and the baby of the pod was rolling over and over, trying to blow water our of its spout and banging flippers on the water surface. I sent up to the heavens an almighty thank you.

Sister Stan (Moments of Stillness says)

Thank you for the ordinary gifts of every day evoking in me wonder and surprise.

Take a look and SEE the wonder and surprise of God's gifts to you, in your place, where you are right now.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

simply refreshing

' Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water.' John 7:38

Softly the rain falls on the thirsty earth. plants drink the life giving water and drenched birds shake bodies of wet feathers, enjoying the bath. A fine mist hovers in the air that's filled with the perfumes of the garden and all seems to come to life, brighter, fresher, emanating joy as they drink it all in.

How so truly we can relate this to the life giving waters of Jesus our Lord that drenches us with love, quenches our thirst and allows us to 'bathe' in him and to emanate the perfume of himself, brighter, fresher and with joy.

How blessed are we, how blessed.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Good food.

' Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--its all free! Isaiah 55:1 (NLB)

When I was on Pilgrimage I enjoyed the foods of Israel and Turkey. Wonderful food that was healthy, fresh and in abundance, which we had to pay for, of course, but once we had our fill at breakfast then walked all the morning we were hungry and ready to eat again. We had to make sure we had money in our pocket to pay.

I have a friend with disability who loves to go to social outings and when I ask whats so good about the outings she says, 'Free food Anne, free food!' Every time she says that I think of Jesus who offers us food and drink for life..........free, readily available, always within reach and the more we reach out and receive the more he gives and the more we are filled and satisfied.

I love that old hymn........'Bread of heaven on thee we feed.' (TIS 513)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Treasure chest

'Open my eyes so that I may behold wondrous things........'Psalm 119:18

I walked into the emerging day with the warmth of the sun on my back. I saw the vineyards lined up like soldiers, the horses 'snorting' vapour mist from their nostrils in the cold air as they grazed in the frosty grass.The mountains, O so blue in the early light stood magnificently as a backdrop and I was doubly blessed by the laughter of the kookaburras , and a cluster of native bluebells flourishing in the weeds on the edge of the path, I have been amongst God's treasures. He opened the lid of the treasure chest today to let a few come out.....................for me.... a true and wonderful gift after a very hectic and pressured weekend.. God always knows what we need, be it his assurance, his care, his love..............he always delivers.

Lord open our hearts eyes so we can see you clearly and open our minds so we can understand you better and serve you more.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

clay pot in Ephesus

'For God who said, 'Let there be light in darkness ,' he made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.' 2 Corinthians. 4:6-7.

I remember standing in the street of a small English village looking at the magnificent flowers growing in pots lining the shop fronts. The colours were bright, vibrant, and multi coloured,

There was nothing beautiful about the pots. They were all brown common garden pots but the magnificent colour planted in them is what took my breath away, what caught my attention.

I then thought about the clay jars referred to in this passage and how we are like them. With Christ we are 'colourful',alive, vibrant full of God's light and love. Without, we are colourless and cracked, and self focused.

May God fill us with light and love.................for his glory.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Hearts of belief

' Now come and have some breakfast!' Jesus said. None of the disciples dared ask him, 'who are you.?' They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12 (NIV)

As I sat at the Sea of Galilee at sunrise I could' feel 'a gospel stories coming to life. I could sense the smoke drifting up from a fire and smell the fish cooking. I could see some disappointed disciples going back to their fishing even though they were feeling the loss of their friend Jesus.

And that is when Jesus, the risen Lord, came to meet them. In their sadness and confusion.

Jesus is always there, always ready to 'come by' and nourish us with his presence and life giving food. Be it loss, be it sadness, be it anxiety, be it loneliness, be it concern. With eyes of faith and hearts of belief Jesus is there in his fullness.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

and they flew

'The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

That has to be one of the most comforting passages of scripture for life's journey. No way can anything be a threat or a risk when we know deep down we have salvation in Christ and his guiding light. We know we can trust him. Sometimes we may be in danger: he is there. Sometimes we may want to take a risk in something that is on our heart : he is there.

We need this reassuring passage of scripture in able to function fully as Christians in our personal lives and in ministry but above all we need to trust its utmost truth. When we do, blessings often abound.

Guillaume Apollinaire said this:

. Come to the edge,' he said.

They said, 'We are afraid.'

'Come to the edge,' he said

They came. He pushed them...............and they flew.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Heavenly treasures.

' As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' 2 Corinthians :6:10.

The glorious spring. God in all his glory.

Wattle so, so yellow.

The japonica so deep red.

the pink and white blossoms of the prunus trees.

The highly scented violets.

The delight of daffodils.

The flowering gum.

May we see them as rich gifts from God, heavenly treasures, draw cards to him,far surpassing material things, made by God in order that we may love God.

What heavenly treasures can you see, where you are right now? God has put them there just for you. Spend a moment, in wonder with him reflecting. ' as having nothing yet possessing all things.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

a gentle touch of kindness

' As servants of God,we have commanded ourselves in every way.......by purity, knowledge, patients, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love.' 2 Corinthians 6:4-6

That sense of standing on sacred ground is such a 'God thing' that you cant explain it but you know in yourself you have made a connection with God. That you are one.

I was coming up to the traffic lights on my way out of town and thought a coffee for the road would be good. At the same time I had this thought I saw the unshaven, unkept looking man who's 'daily self employment' is to wash the windows of cars stopped at the lights. Something in my mind said...get two coffee. I did, and as I swung around the lights to the highway, window wound down, I passed a coffee over to him. Driving on I heard his words of amazement and heart felt thanks.

Lord Jesus, sow the seeds of kindness in our hearts today. Teach us more to see with your eyes and act with your heart. Help us all to be ready to offer that gentle touch that comes from oneness with you.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

darkness and light

' The light shines in the darkness, the darkness did not overcome it.' John 1:5

As I walked early morning at Galong every where I looked there were passages of scripture rising up to meet me. The night passing, the day dawning, the rising sun, the birds in the fields singing, the straight path, and then I was particularly struck by these thoughts as I saw darkness, a gate and a sunrise........' I am the light of the world'........'I am the gate.'

I remember well the look on the face of the man who has just found Jesus. Coming out of a deep depression of several days realising that Jesus had been in the darkness with him as he walked into a new relationship with Jesus. He said, I saw the light and just kept walking towards it.

With Jesus by our side there is no need to stay in darkness, we just have to walk through that gate, into the light.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

seed planting

' Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.' Hebrews 10:23

Sometimes we are bothered about the seeds of faith that we have tried to plant in the lives of others because we sometimes don't see the seeds taking root.

On the week end I was in Cobargo/Bermagui for the 70th Anniversary of the Anglican Women in that place which was started there by my mother in the early 1940's. Many comments were passed about the blessings that have been in the parish and the lives of so many through the years of this ministr there. How wonderful it was to see a vision so many years ago, still alive and active today.

We can only plant seeds for the Lord, in hope. He will grow them if its his will. Our task is to see that such seed planting is watered with the sunshine and rain of our faithful prayers. Someday we will, by God's grace, have the chance to see the harvest.

Ella Wilcox says:

But with every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Good shepherd of the sheep

' I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep: and I am known by my own.' John 10:14

These words are grounding comfort. They bring peace to the troubled and anxious mind and a great assurance that brings an inner stillness.

Most of us have daily stresses and troubles, some of us have ' burdening' loads to carry yet to many that look towards us, they do not see it.

I like this saying by Barbara Johnson:

'Leadership is the ability to hide your panic from others.'

and I say, that can only be because of our deep trust in a God that we not only know, but who knows us. and all our troubles................deeply.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Thy name is an ointment poured forth

'Jesus! the very thought is sweet: in that dear name all heart joys meet: but oh,than honey sweeter far the glimpses of his presence are.' (Hymn 177 A&M)

Those words bring so much thought (and even more if you are of an age to remember the classical, beautiful hymns Ancient and Modern.)

Sitting on the sea of Galilee brought so many thoughts of Jesus. His life, his ministry,his miracles, his parables, his rejection,his suffering, his great love of us all which overwhelmed me in that setting. You cant think on the name of Jesus and not have many other compounding thoughts.

I read these anonymous words:

'A thought lay like a flower upon mine heart,

and drew around it other thoughts like bees.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

wildflowers of Israel

'All good things around us are given from heaven above. We thank the Lord, we thank the Lord, for all his love.' (Christian hymn)

You know how it is when a song gets stuck in your mind and wont leave you alone. Ever since I saw the beauty of Israel in spring with wildflowers on the verges, deep deep arid wilderness and the crystal clear waters of the sea of Galilee I have been singing these words. Even this winter morning with the cold frost, the wind off the snow, and the stark beauty of naked winter trees emerging through the fog these words come to mind. But more so, when I sing them I am not only thinking of all these precious God given gifts,and all else that makes my life good, but I am also thinking of those who do not see them, or do not have such a life that they can sing, those freezing cold in a park, homeless. Those without food this day, or yesterday and no hope for tomorrow.

Lord teach us to be aware and of all out bounteous gifts, to share.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne