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.