Candle warmth

' .......for the glory of God is its light, and the lamp is its lamb.' Rev 21:23
I had an opportunity to walk a labrynth yesterday. It was just on dark and in the centre of the labrynth was a  lit candle in a glass vase. (What is it about a burning candle that draws us into a 'something?' )As I walked the labrynth towards the candle I had a true sense of being drawn to the light and the source of all light, Jesus Christ. The closer I walked to it the more I felt the weight and load of life fall off. I came out of the Labrynth refreshed, renewed and very aware of the Spirit of God surrounding me.

'Gazing at the flickering candle I knew I was unconditionally loved.'

Weather it is a labrynth,a candle, a beach walk, a granit rock seat with a mountain view, a garden seat or a quiet chapel, its that stepping aside from life, just for a moment and being drawn to Jesus, the life giver, the load carrier that renews us and gives us new life.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's house

' I love thy house O God, wherein thy honour dwells.' (Hymn)
Yesterday I stood on the side of the  roadway, stunned and in awe of the great beauty of God unfolding before me. I think he must have had his best pastels and paints out just for this sunset and it wasn't only me beside the road, many others driving past were compelled to also stop and just take in this breath taking event as God painted the sky starting with mountain tops and sweeping to the plains. For me it was especially stunning as I was viewing it from the site of my new home to be.
As the pastel blues changed to pink and then red then orange I felt that warmth deep inside that only comes from God and I found myself asking the question Where is God's house and I knew I was in it.
Stanislaw Kennedy says:
'Teach me your ways so that I may hear you in the silence, see you in the emptiness, taste you in the fruits of the earth, touch you in the gifts of creation.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

I saw the face of God

' The Lord has decided the number of stars and called each by name. Great and mighty is our Lord.' Psalm 147:4-5
I saw it in the puddle of life giving water by the roadside.
I saw it in the sky as the night stars tucked themselves behind the glorious sunrise.
I saw it in the sun as it shone through a crimson autumn leaf.
I saw it in the Blue Wren as he 'hopped' across the lawn.
I saw it in the single crystal raindrop hanging like a gem on the end of a leaf'
I saw it in the wrinkled and worn face of the elderly lady.

I saw it.                I saw the face of God.      And my soul sang          How Great Thou Art.

World famous musician  Pablo  Casolas said:
I find God in the smallest of things and in the largest of things.
I see God in the colours and designs
No two things are alike, no two voices  are the same.
Who but God can do that?

Be blessed by the face of God today in all you see.

Anne, servant of the Lord

The unexpected sacred moment

'From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another.' John 1:16
I was reading an article in the paper about the 'comeback' of lake George, a commentary on its  formation and behaviour and how it fills and empties mysteriously. At the moment it is filling for the first time for many years, then deep in reading its history were the words......' I look at the shimmering waters and can imagine Jesus walking across it.' I was taken back. There was something unexpected yet appropriate, something sacred yet wrapped in the secular, something  'out of the blue' in that line and I was left with those words given to a newspaper writer and for the world to read.  How powerful a witness in just a few words, for Jesus. How wonderful to see God present in all things.
God wants us to see all things, to hold nothing back. He wants to express himself in all things and make himself known in all ways.
Live while you live the Epicure would say, and seize the pleasures of the present day;while you live the sacred preacher cries, and give to God  each morning as it flies; Lord in my view let both united be; I live in pleasure when I live in thee. (Phillip Doddridge)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's love

'The great love of God O how lavishly given.' (Hymn)
God's love is indeed lavishly given, it is everywhere you look, if you look, in so many shapes and forms.
Have you seen God's love lately?
In the beauty and detail  and colour of the birds
In the perfume and detailed beauty of the flowers
In the glistening dew drops on a leaf
In the fine detail of a butterfly
What a wonderful God we have who lavishly gives his love, his great love.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.....' (APBA)

The disability group was chosing its favourite songs amidst much noice and anticipation and we had just finished singing 'Jesus Saves'(Colin Beauchanan) with great gusto when amidst the racket came the small voice of a three year old. 'Please, please, can we sing 'Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me?' There was total silence, you could have heard a pin drop as  the impact of her request colided with the words of the song. A sacred moment that still gives me 'goose bumps' every time I think of it.  It is such a privilage to serve others in serving Christ and I never know who receives the greatest blessing. In this case it was us all within ear shot of this small voice.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.