Seek God first.

'Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through the generations.' Psalm 145:13

We often sit and spend time at the start of the day, writing the list of things that need to be done, the things we must do, the people we must touch base with, the ministry we must attend to and as the day wears on we work though this list, ticking of the tasks one by one often satisfied by evening that we have at least achieved some of them, or frustrated because the list still holds many tasks and the day instead shot off into another direction.

I stop and think. Whose day is it? Whose tasks are they? Mine or God's?

Having been given the gift of a new day it is wise to put on the very top of our list of must do items............'seek God's kingdom.' At the end of the day, what remains of the list doesn't really matter. The day has been in God's hands.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

footsteps of Christ

'This is the list of the ancestors of Jesus Christ...................' Matthew 1:1-6

It is a typical Autumn morning with a wisp of mist in the valley, blue, stark mountains and a freshness in the air. The dew is heavy on the grass and as I walked I could see foot prints where others had walked before me.

I thought of those footprints, and mine that were now imprinted with them, I thought of Jesus, who walked the earth and God who left his footprint on all creation and I thought how we all belong to the ancestors of 'the followers.' We continue, to walk in the steps of Jesus.

I don't see that walk as a step, by step, tiring journey one foot after the other but a daily step as a follower of Jesus, in making walls tumble..........walls of discrimination, injustice, exclusion, isolation.................in the name of Christ.

Think of your journey with Jesus. Are you marching on the spot or walking in his footsteps?

Catherine De Hueck Doherty said:

Those who follow in Jesus' footsteps, who never deviate from his teachings, find that these teachings are revolutionary.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Messy church

The Lord said to Moses. 'You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing.................to prove that I am Lord.' Exodus 10:2

It was my second encounter with 'Messy church' and it was so refreshing and life giving. The church seemed to be packed with mothers, children and fathers all engaging in 'worship' according to Messy church. To you or I it wouldn't look one bit like 'church' but the teaching through games, craft, activities, talk and song were speaking 'worship' to the unchurched from our community, and as for engagement, welcome, inclusion and pastoral care, well, it was all happening.

Two things set my heart souring for Christ. One was a lady I spoke to several times during the evening. She was there with her two children but my joy was that I had encountered this family in the community over the past years and baptised the two children and here they were, in Messy church! The other joy was real 'sacred ground.' As I was telling the story of Noah's Ark a toddler stood with me momentarily, her soft toy tiger in one hand and my hand in hers. I felt the power of the Spirit flow through us.

Open wide the doors of the church and the people will come in.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill our lives

''O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love...............' TIS 655

It swept across the sky like streamers across the ballroom ceiling, hanging,waiting for the dance to begin,ribbons of bright colours of brilliant orange layered with pastel pinks and blue.....................a breath taking sunrise.

I heard a man ring into the local radio station saying, 'I just caught a glimpse of the rising sun in my rear vision mirror.'

Two thoughts crosses my mind when I heard his words.

'May we never see the Risen Son in hindsight.

And, may others see the risen Son in us today.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Come as you are

'................some men cam carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus........' Luke 5:18

At the recent confirmation service for the two young men with disabilities, one of their friends rested awkwardly on his crutches at the communion rail, to receive a blessing. He lingered awhile before returning to his seat. Moments later he returned to the communion rail, almost in leaps and bounds despite his disability. As he stood at the rail, his smile was radiant and his face seemed to be filled with joy.I asked him why he had returned to the communion rail. His reply..................'something made me come again...I can feel something special here...........this is a special place.' We were on sacred ground.

Yesterday this young man was listening to teaching on confirmation, at his special church group, and with the same radiant smile and gentle spirit has asked to be confirmed.

The great love of God is lavishly given if the doors are open wide enough for the wheelchairs to fit through and the ones on crutches invited and welcomed to participate.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

in God's strength

'Behold, I am the Lord.....is anything too difficult for me?' Jeremiah 32:27

Visions and dreams, goals and aims, hearts longings and desires, health and happiness, service and love are all the things we desire and at times the 'dreaming' seems to big for us alone.

The value of putting God first in all things is what enables the 'dreaming' to become a reality and a song of all sorts to sing in your heart.

'What matters is not the size of the mountain, but the strength of the mountain mover.' (Anon)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Heavens above and below

'I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.' Psalm 89:2

The glory of the Lord was all about this morning from the golden rising of the sun to the misty clouds tipping the mountains and the sky was scattered with various, facinating cloud formations.

Sometimes you can look at the sky and see just that, the sky and other times you can look at the sky and see it like a huge dome, other times its a place of darkness, or light, sun, moon, stars, colour and exciting cloud formations. What a mighty God we have, who 'pegged' out the skies, the heavens and its in that greatness that our heart sings his praises in word and action as we come to this new day.

L Moody said:

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.

Anne, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings

Blessed assurance.

'Ti's mercy all, immense and free: for, O my God it found out me.' TIS 209

A glorious morning to be out walking and welcoming in the day and as I did so I reflected on yesterday. What a wonderful, liberating, freeing day for all. The confirmation of two young men with disabilities.

I could not help but look on them in the service, one being assisted by friends and the other presented in his wheelchair amidst a packed church. and I thought these words from psalm 18:32 ' 'It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.' These young men were very visibly touched by the Spirit of God.

As I reflected on yesterday I still can't determine who received the blessings the most. The congregation, the two being confirmed, their families, me, or Bishop Trevor............ or was it God!

Abraham Lincoln said:

God is the silent partner in all great enterprises.

Anne, servant of the Lord.

Blessings

Gilded sky

'May the name of the Lord be praised.' Job 1:21

As I walked this morning I watched the pink of the early morning sunrise give way to a band of deep gold around the horizon that pushed its way above the clouds and to my voice came the hymn: 'When Morning Gilds the Sky.'

I am excited about Sunday. Two young men from our disability ministry are coming forward in Confirmation to declare that they are friends of Jesus. They know the Love of Jesus in their life, they radiate it, and they want to declare that before us all.

The love of God is so wide, so inclusive, so embracing, so special.

James says in his Epistle:'Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?' (James 2:5)

I continued walking with these thoughts in mind, singing: When morning gilds the sky, let earth and sea and sky from depth and height reply, let Jesus name be praised.

Anne, servant of the Lord

Blessings

From where comes our strength

'Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress.' Ps 71:3

I walked along Casey's Beach, looking at the sand and I looked up and saw a wall of huge rocks banked up along the shore line keeping the high tide and crashing waves from breaking out over the road and residences.

What a fortress, a strong hold, of protection.

And then into my mind came a arrow prayer. 'Lord, be to me always, protection, a solid rock to lean on, to stand on, a fortress against all that challenges me, confronts me, encroaches on me, threatens me as a child of yours.'

Like the rocks on the shoreline, God is our solid rock and keeping our eyes on him, nothing can break through and destroy.

Whats that hymn we sing?......................'on solid rock we stand, all else is sinking sand...........'

Anne, servant of the Lord

Blessings

wide wide as the ocean

' He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.' Job 9:8

That verse comes to mind every time I look at the ocean, so vast, so wide that its horizon meets the sky and its edges wash the uncountable grains of sand and I want to sing, 'Wide wide as the ocean, high as the heavens above.........................is my Saviours love.

It gives me a sense that if God can encompass such a broad creation, and control it, with its beauty and its storms then we, his creation, are well included in his care through our beauty and our storms.

There is a saying:

I can face the waves for I trust the One who made the ocean.

Anne, servant of Jesus

Blessings

acorns

' If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea and it would obey you.' Luke 17:6

I stopped under a mighty oak tree this morning when out walking and admired its abundance of nuts. The tree was loaded with bright green acorns all proudly wearing their caps.

As I held an acorn in my hand I couldn't help but think of our mighty God when I marvelled that such a small acorn could grow into a great tree and I thought of the mustard seed, so small, yet having the same impact as the acorn and I thought of our faith, so small to start with and how that grows into something mighty in service for Jesus.

The apostles said to the Lord. 'Increase our faith.'

Anne, Servant of Jesus
Blessings

crisis and recovery

' In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.' Romans 8:37

Recovery, in any circumstance in life takes a strong will, a determined mind and a 'conquering spirit.'

But Oh how much more bearable,

how much more manageable,

how much more possible,

when we throw ourselves into the arms of God, our sustainer, our strength and our hope.

Washington Irving says:

Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune

but great minds rise above them.

Anne, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings

Flood crisis

' Now may the Lord of peace himself give peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.'2 Thessalonians 2:16

Over and over the past week in my mind run the words of Dorothea McKellar's poem. 'I love a sun burnt country, a land of sweeping plains.......of drought and flooding rains.We live in a country that expresses all that this poet wrote about. We know what to expect but at times we are hit with the extreme yet the spirit of the Australians comes to the front.

I want to share a verse from a hymn that has been written in the light of this Australian crisis. It was written as a prayer gift to the wider church at this time.

In this Great Southland, Australia,

sparkling beach and arid plain:

stamped upon her rugged form is,

drought and flood, then drought again.

In a land that's always changing,

there's a constant mighty force

Jesus Christ our Lord is with us

He's the start, the end, the source. ( Anne Younghusband.)

To all the people of Queensland, especially the deacons

Grace, and peace, from the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Anne

Thoughts for the New Year

' I am a person of prayer.' Psalm 109:4

All too often we are in a 'holy' hurry with our devotional time. I wonder do we measure it in minutes or as a 'must do' then I will feel good?

I cant think of anyone in history who has changed the world through science, literature, or personal sacrifice, who didn't make their plans and preparation in quiet solitude. No growth in holiness has ever been achieved by anyone who doesn't take time, frequently, to be alone with God.

Our time in prayer can change the course of a persons life.

Our time in prayer can change the world.

Our time in prayer can change us.

Let's not just sit a moment praying , but in our heart, fall on our knees, and grow there.

Anne, servant of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings.

Crown the year

'You crown the year with your bounty.' psalm 65:11

The soft morning mist that just settles gently and quietly over the countryside has such a feel of still and calm and peace.

I thought of the gift of the day

The gift of the hour.

The gift of the moment

new opportunities

in the gift of the New Year

I thought of the couple I sat with yesterday in funeral preparation for their loved family member. They were strangers to me yet we held a common bond, known to our same God. As we held hands around the table in closing prayer there was a strong sense of unity in Christ and it settled on us like the mist of the early morning.

New year, new day, new moments, new opportunities to experience a deeper relationship with our friend and Saviour Jesus Christ and to share that around.

Anne, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings.

New Year

' When John pointed out the 'Lamb of God' to the two disciples, they went to Jesus and asked him where he lived. 'Come and see' Jesus answered. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.John 1:39

Sometimes events in our lives are so clear and so memorable that we can remember the exact hour that they occurred. For John, when he pointed out the 'Lamb of God' it was so important that he even remembered the hour of the day.

Looking back on 2010, some significant events I can pin down to not only the day but also the hour, some I wouldn't want to repeat and others were such blessings. I wonder what 2011 will hold and in reflecting on these things I more and more know of one thing and that is that Jesus, the Lamb of God, will be in the events of my life year after year.

Reflect on your relationship with the 'Lamb of God' and look how he has been by your side in all things.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Christmas Eve

' Oh ,what a gift what a wonderful gift......' (Christmas song)

We are on the eve of celebrating the greatest gift we have ever received. The gift of life.

I heard a conversation this week about just that. Some children were looking into the manger. One picked up the baby Jesus and had a nurse. She looked thoughtfully at the baby Jesus in silence, and then said as she passed HIM to the boy next to her, 'See, you can pick Jesus up and pass him around, here, you take him, .'

Grace and peace this Christmas as you gather with family and friends and don't forget to pass Jesus around.

Blessings

Anne

The nativity

'.....Joseph went to the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem......he went to be registered with Mary' (Luke 2:4-5 )

What do you see when you look into the manger and look upon the family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus, in a stable?

What are you thinking?

Do you know what I see and what I feel when I look at the nativity scene?

I think of the journey Mary and Joseph have taken.

I think of the dangers they have had and still do have to complete the journey
I think of them far from their home,

separated from family and friends.

And I think of those migrants who feel unwelcome in our country.

I think of the refugees, the homeless and the boat people.

And I pray.......

for them, for the Government and for the world that Jesus Christ came to save.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Gifts

' We three kings of orient are,bearing gifts we traverse afar...' Christmas carol

Christmas is almost upon us and we are, amongst preparing for 'holy things ,' running around last minute gift shopping. As I walked out this morning in the beautiful cool of the early day I could not help but see the gifts given already by God that remind me Christmas is coming:

The dry eucalypt leaves carpeting the ground, full of their aroma in the dew laden morning.Cicadas singing, kookaburras laughing ,mountains looking like islands in a sea of morning fog,clouds, playful in the breeze, rolling back to reveal the blue day sky, a sense of a hot day emerging.

But most of all, as I peered in the window of the church the real reminder of the most precious gift ever given, is seen in the nativity.

In all the preparation, the gift hunting and gathering together, ponder awhile on the nativity.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

For the love of Jesus

(Jesus said) ' Your Father in heaven does not want any of these little ones to be lost.'

Its hard to explain the feeling when we know what we are doing in the name of Jesus, is bearing fruit.

These little ones had been given a book of a bible story as their year of 'Sunday teaching' draws to a close. I asked one of them, all of just three years of age. ' Who is your book about?' and she paused awhile to think, then replied: ' Jesus, my God, 'and at that she ran off skipping down the corridor.

What joy, what delight and I felt so blessed, so affirmed in faith and hope, so touched by God.

An ancient Chinese Proverb says:

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.

Engage in everyone you are passing by, with the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

All for Jesus

Ninety year old Eleazar was a Jew who was martyred for his faith.

'His courageous death was remembered as a glorious example, not only by young people, but by the entire nation.' 2 Maccabees 6:31

Sometimes I am so blessed when I glance up in church to see a person in the congregation who has come to be there as a result of ministry I have had with them in the community. Sometimes I am so blessed because a family I have ministered to in the community comes back to me time and time again for pastoral ministry................The blessings come in a deep, warm inner feeling, like a peace that I can only describe as a 'God feeling.' Its humbling, affirming, assuring, encouraging. What a blessing knowing others have come seeking 'God things' through example.The things we do and say in the name of Jesus can have such amazing power on others. How bold we must be in using it to bring others to know the Lord and Saviour that we know.What a treasure we are entrusted with. As you gaze at the child in the manger this Christmas reflect on His life and reflect on yours.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

memories

'The memory of the righteous is a blessing.' Proverbs 10:7

A boy called Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge in a book written by Mem Fox asks the question, 'Whats a memory?'He asks the old people in the old people's home. 'Whats a memory?''A memory is something that makes you laugh, its something warm, a memory is something that makes you cry, a memory is something you treasure.....'Memories are something special, they are what makes us the people we are in many ways.

Christmas can be a hard time of year for many and for others its a great time of festivity and celebration, for Christians its a sacred time filled with memories of Midnight Mass, carols in the park,church filled with flowers and people. We all have wonderful memories of Christmas's past....threepence and sixpence in the Christmas pudding that was hung out on the veranda on the mop handle to 'marinate.' Relatives, coming to stay, dressing the tree, good food and family.

Memories are treasures that we can enjoy again and again . I think its good to look back and reflect where God and his loving grace, has left his footprint in our lives......powerful, gentle, quiet, calming, reassuring, footprint.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

pockets of darkness

' What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.' Philippians 4:9

In the dawn of the day I could see, dotted in folds of the dark hills and lower ridges of the mountains the occasional house light, bright, shining, evident in the dark, some alone, some in clusters.

When I was in rehabilitation the patients would gather in the small dining area together for a meal and I would listen as some talked and some sat in silence. I thought about how some people sit in pockets of darkness and what an opportunity for a light to shine. As I sat with a small group of about 4 people someone asked me what work I did. My revelation lead to being invited to say grace before we ate, it allowed the others to let down their guard and allowed them to share their life story, their fears, anxiety and apprehension and their faith. After that conversation more and more gathered to share a meal and many hovered there at supper time to ask for prayer.

Steiner Rice says:

'Give us strength and courage, to be honorable and true, practicing your precepts in everything we do.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Advent

' Those people who keep their faith until the end, will be saved.' Matthew 24:13

Recently several people have spoken to me of pain and difficulty and hardship in their lives, and where is God. Sometimes its easy to lose focus. Sometimes we struggle to know who we are and why God can seem so 'far off 'yet in all of that we can cling to the fact that we know that God never lets us down, he never lets us go, he never loses sight of us and regardless of how 'far off he can seem, we know that in actual fact he is right there with us, we just sometimes cant see it in the cloud of the moment.

Advent is on our doorstep and that draws us to remember that Christ came, and will come again, and our relationship with him may need rebuilding, refocusing or refreshing. We also need to remember that Advent is about getting our relationship right with God so we can serve him fully in caring for his sheep, giving a drink to the thirsty, tending the Christ in others.

In Portuguese, a person who has the ability to 'hang in' and not 'give in' has 'Garra.' Garra means 'claws' What imagery. Lucado says: 'A person with Garra has claws which burrow into the face of a cliff and keep him from falling. So do the saved. They may get close to the edge, they may stumble and even slide, but they will dig their nails into the rock of God and hang on.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Inclusion, welcome, embrace.

' When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind and you will be blessed.' Luke 14

A couple of Sundays ago we were so blessed at church when there was a celebration for disability awareness Sunday. All the participants from the special group were invited to take part in the service.Welcome rs in wheelchairs,sides persons in wheel chairs,others with disability using their ability to light the worship candle, pray the intercessions and be overall included.

The spirit moved right across the congregation, some were in tears of blessings, some offered to help with this special group when we gather, others said lets have more and more of this inclusion.

'Set before our mind and hearts, O heavenly Father, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when he was upon this earth, found his refreshment in doing the will of him that sent him, and in finishing his work. '(Charles Vaughan)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Christian Blind Mission in Melbourne has many resources for ministry with people with disability. Their program is called Luke 14. Their website is:www.Luke14.cbm.org.au

Is God the first daily appointment in your diary?

'Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.' Psalm 96:6

There is such an urgency and an excitement about the dawn.Its like a 'calling' that can't be resisted.'Come, it says,come quick before I pass and we haven't met.'

The blackbirds calling,

pockets of clouds sitting on mountain tops,some drifting,mist hovering

cobweb in the wire

stillness, quiet.

God hour,God's hour.

How important, life giving and refreshing it is to be with God.

Top priority for the new day.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

'symbols' of Gods presence

'......when he is revealed.............we will see him as he is.' 1 John 3:2

Ever present God.

We only have to stay conscious of that to receive daily blessings and encouragement from him. Many of us have 'symbols' in nature that remind us of the presence of God.....we see them and God speaks.

I remember when in hospital, looking out the corridor window with longing ,in the direction of home and I looked down to a new building site. The building had been completed but alongside it were piles of builders rubble in the mud of recent rain and there, sitting precariously on a piece of wire, in all the mess, was a blue wren, singing his heart out. and in that moment God spoke.

All I could say was, 'Thank you, thank you Lord, as my spirit rose.

In all the rubble of daily life, if we keep watch, we see and feel the 'symbols'in life, the reminders of Gods love and hope.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Keep watch, keep listening

' I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me in.' Matthew 25:35

I was at an Archdeaconry meeting last night and was so blessed by many stories people had to tell of how God's Spirit is moving amongst us and the excitement was contagious. It was a wonderful evening of affirmation and encouragement.

One person told a story of their church ministry to people who sleep in their cars in the church grounds, and how they leave the amenities open for them and provide them with a substantial breakfast the following morning before they move on. One lady felt so safe, so loved, by the care given that she came to the early church service in her dressing gown!

I wonder who receives the greater blessings in this ministry? The recipient may, the ones who are serving may. But you know what? I think its God.

FB Myer says: Show me, today , dear Lord, one of your little ones to whom I can give a cup of cold water in your name.

Go OUT in peace to love and serve the Lord

Anne

Here I am Lord

...'Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night: thine eye defused a quickening ray---I woke: the dungeon flamed with light! my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.' (Charles Wesley TIS 209)

One of my favourite hymns is that of Charles Wesley: 'And can it be....'

I thought of this as I arrived at Galong Monastery for the retreat. I stopped on the outside of the gate and peered in through the fence at peaceful setting within the grounds and I immediately was struck by Wesley's words and I felt a sense of the business of the world falling away and a peace filling that inner emptying space.

Oh the joy, the necessity and the blessings of retreating into the lap of God in a place of peace and quiet.

Its absolutely essential to take a retreat. A holiday is refreshing but a retreat is refilling.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

new life

'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' Matthew 21:28

I could almost see the new life pulsating through the pruned vines, getting ready to grow and bear fruit and I thought of the man in the hospital chapel who asked the question, 'Tell me, how do I talk to God?'

What wonderful places God puts us in to help others and show them the way. We never know when we step outside the front door each day, who he will lead us to.

A prayer for today:

Heavenly Vine! Pour your life through me so that I may bear much fruit for your sake. (FB Myer)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

THE gate

' Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.' John 10: 1-2

I love the King James version that says 'verily, verily. I think that has a richness and a deeper meaning that reaches deep inside ones being......verily, verily I tell you.

I like to think of this gate as something we all pass through, or should pass through each day before we go out into the world,into the sheep fold, where there are sheep and wolves. Unless God is with us in mind and heart and prayer, unless we have sought strength through him, then its a bit like the wolf entering the fold.

I like this prayer:

You are the gate, O Lord!

Through you may I pass, out to my daily work and back again to rest, and whether in work or rest, may I abide in your safekeeping. (FB Myer)

Lets set about our daily work, having passed through the 'gate' first.

Grace and peace.

Anne

your love for us is manifested

' You well deserve the praises of your children, O God.......you that answer prayer.' Psalm 65 (Psalms Now)

Its our humanity that gets in the road when we give up hope, or begin to doubt. I think of the anxious years of the recent drought and our fears we would never see again the abundant spring rains, lush grass and full dams but there it is, God has stayed faithful, he has answered prayer and delivered.................he reached out to save us.

All around we see the power of God in the grandeur of the mountains, the roar of the sea, grain laden fields and new life in all creation yet we doubt and become anxious when we are threatened.

I love this last verse of psalm 65: The meadows are clothed with sheep; and the valleys stay so thick with corn, they shout and sing for joy.

When times are tough we need to stay close to God, right by his side and trust.

Blessings on your day and peace from God the Father.

Anne

The travelers psalm

' I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come?' My help comes from the Lord., Psalm 121:1

This is one of those ' grounded' verses that stay with you always. Every time I look at a hill or mountain, every time I 'need' God close, every time I am feeling a bit anxious, every day on the walking track overlooking the mountains and before the day begins....... it comes straight to mind.

It doesn't matter if you are on a journey to Israel, traveling down the highway or heading for the operating theatre, God's comfort and protection, is there with you. His help is only a whisper away.............'from where will my help come?' 'It comes from the Lord.'

Grace and peace on this glorious day.

Anne

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

'One thing I will ask of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple.'

There they were this morning, tiny capsules of pure delight, bursting with God's love and I thought of those who do not know of that love and my heart was on fire for them.

Go seek and find the lost in the name of the Christ we server.

Grace and peace.

Anne

Love from God

Morning has broken and the blackbird is the only sound, high on the power line, singing and singing and singing in the rain. What a beautiful blessing for the day.

Longfellow has a saying:'Into all our lives, in many simple, familiar, homely ways, God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days and fill our eyes with light.'

I think that is so profound and fills one with joy just to read it. Think of your days and those blessings that comes so unexpectedly......treasured gifts from God, that's what I call a blessing. They are mine, they are rich, they are special, they are personal, life giving, faith affirming, exciting. They are like 'love' from God directly to our heart.

Sometimes it comes when we serve others and we end up with the blessing.

Sometimes it comes from a glorious sunset

Sometimes it comes from a beautiful sing flower.

When you settle down tonight, count the blessings from this day and you will be blessed again.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Rejoice!

This will be familiar to many from the Thursday daily office but I wonder how many stop to really meditate?

'As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and forever.'

As I was praying this I looked up from my place of prayer and saw the gifts already being given, and the presence of God was so visible in the breaking day.

A glorious tree, naked, standing proud with buds of new life ready to burst open, daffodils and jonquils at its base, bright gifts of joy interspersed with violets, their perfume only imaginable from within the room.

Wet grass from a heavy unexpected frost and the deep, sweet melody of the warbling magpies, all before I stepped outside.

'As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence O Lord, set our hearts on fire for you.'

As Steiner Rice says: 'Who but God can make the day!'

Grace and peace, and morning blessings from God our Father.

Anne

amongst the weeds

'Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will be strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.' Spiritual song.

This song was singing on my heart the moment I stepped out the door this morning for a walk and the players of the music were a flock of blue wrens that seemed to accompany me for a short while.

What a glorious morning. God truly opened the lid of his treasure chest and let some of the treasures surround me..............blessed I was by the fresh air, the clear morning, spring flowers and the scent in the air of a deep, rich perfumed flowering shrub, but you know, the thing that seemed to draw my closer meditation was the 'fields' of bright yellow cape weed. While its a weed, it still holds beauty, its given many a child pleasure (and the inner child!) in making daisy chains, its was created by God, yet its outcast in the created world. In a moment I saw in it the outcast, the unaccepted, the rejected, the 'weeds' of society , to the world they mean not much but they hold a special place in my heart and life.

Sometimes we have to set aside the 'devotional books' and take our devotions outside and walk and talk to God there.

Walk well with God amidst so many blessings and hear his voice in creation, his gospel message for you today. Turn your eyes on him and look full in his wonderful face.

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Anne

All that I have

' He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.' Luke 21: 1-2

When I was in hospital I was so blessed by the gifts of flowers from people who came to visit. Flowers beautifully arranged by the florist, lining the windowsill of my room. They were just beautiful in all their glory and gave me much pleasure but I had a visit from an elderly friend who I know struggles to get out and about yet she had bent low and hard, to pick for me a bunch of deep purple violets from her garden.

When I woke up in the night, the room was filled with the perfume of these violets and I thought of her and how she gave what she could, at a personal cost and I was so blessed. Immediately into my mind came the gospel story of the widows offering.

Even the smallest things, given in love, carry a big blessing. Even the smallest blessing brings great joy.

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Anne

I see you Lord

' And all the peoples behold his glory.' Psalm 97 :6

Sometimes we feel we are looking into the eye of God.

I have a beautiful book called 'A Tree full of Angels.' by Macrina Wiederkehr and in one section she talks of a meditation pause quoting Guigo, and it says: .........until your heart is touched....

I looked in awe at the deep pink blossom covered prunes tree

I looked in awe at the deep red of the flowering gum.

And I saw them........a tree full of angels, and my heart was touched and my silent whisper said, 'I see you Lord.'

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Anne

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Sing me a song

' Remember my son, that in your lifetime you were given all the good things while Lazarus got all the bad things' Luke 16:25

'While Lazarus lay at the gates of the rich mans house begging for food, the rich man ignored him, feasting his dogs instead. ' I think of these words in the context of the elderly with dementia who live on our doorsteps. Many a time in aged care ministry I saw over and over again the neglect, neglect in abandonment. ' Why visit' I heard relatives and friend say, 'they don't know me any more.' There is rich and meaningful blessings in visiting with these folk. Reminiscing with visible aids such as photos and memorabilia from their past will be triggers of conversation and connection, these may only be brief and then forgotten but they leave a glow , a warmth,in the heart of those visited .

The Pioneer Girls leaders handbook says:

A friend hears the song in my heart

and sings it to me when my memory fails.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

the sacramental nature

'For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies. Christ our God to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise.' TIS 137

Nice words to a nice hymn or is it more than that.

I notice again the buds are bursting on the Japonica, full and red and there are bunches of deep blue violets beneath the Daphne and the plumb tree is sporting early spring blossoms, all so much more vivid and perfumed in the early mooring while the dew is still on them. And the sky at night filled with millions of stars and that moon! What a wonder its been in all its fullness and glory. But more so, what a wonder when we notice all this through the eyes of God, the creator.

Ron Ferguson from the Iona community writes:

To become aware of the sacramental nature of the cosmos,

to be open to the sacramental possibilities of each moment,

to see the face of Christ in every person,

these things are not novel

but the rediscovery is the beginning of our health.

To that I add stop, take the time to see the face of God and benefit his rich blessings.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Spreading the gospel

' I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel.' Phil 1:12

I think of us all and how we have got to where we are, Christian believers, servants of Christ.
I think of 'the road,' the journey, that has lead us to a solid faith, one so convincing that we cant help but spread it everywhere we go and particularly in the areas immediately around us and with those we reach out to with the love of Christ.

I was listening to the garden show on the radio and they were talking about a particular weed that develops a seed pod and once you touch its seeds they go 'wooooosh', up in the air and outwards and land all over the ground around them.' The name of the weed is 'jumping Jesus.'

What an imagery. What a parable.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne

slip away a moment

' He went up to the mountain to pray.' Mark6:46

There is always a sense of 'coming aside' and relief or a 'breathing space' when we are in a situation that is 'full on' or intense, or we have had a day of 'giving out' and we step aside for a moment, out of the situation and into a place where there is just self and quiet.

Sometimes that can be taking our self off for a walk at the end of the day.

Sometimes it can be stepping out of the world and into the cathedral.

As I drive home from a day of ministry I often pull the car off the road and onto the dirt track and just sit. There before me, though I live in a city is the wide expanse of vineyards and mountains all emanating peace, stillness and respite.

I like this prayer:

Dear Lord, the noise and hurry of the day have broken their hold, and I have slipped away. For this moment in time I am free to melt into you. (Pat Robson)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

Look and see......... and live.

'My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.' Psalm 42:2

The glory of the Lord is truly shining all around, almost in every place I look.

Yesterday in church a new lady amongst us was just 'aglow' with every aspect of her worship, engaging, enjoying and so touched. That was so encouraging to see and these past few nights, have you seen the moon? Magnificent, bright,and full. A presence of God.

It is so powerful that we can meet God in all things.

I recall on an out back holiday standing on a sandstone cliff face in the desert and looking God in the face with all I beheld before me.

I like this blessing of welcome: (Iona Community)

May you meet God, in every place,

in every person

and in the depths of your own heart.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Shine for Jesus

'Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night........you in your small corner and I in mine. ' (Sunday school song)

As I typed those words, into my mind came everyone of you in your places of love and witness. All striving in Christian love and purpose to make a difference in the lives of others in the name of Jesus.

Sometimes we don't realise that the things we do for others, even though we perceive them at times to be small, make a huge difference.

A kind word.

A useful contact.

A helpful act of kindness.

A prayer.

Remember the parable of the little sparrow?

The horseman riding by on a chilly overcast day stopped at the sight of a sparrow lying on its back in the middle of the road, legs up in the air. He said to the sparrow. 'Why are you lying upside down like that?' He replied, " I heard the heavens are going to fall today.' The horseman laughed. 'And I suppose your spindly legs can hold up the heavens?'

One does what one can.' said the little sparrow.

'Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night......'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

solid faith

' The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.' Psalm 18:2

I recall walking along the track I walked each day, through an early misty morning, shapes and sizes outlined, a bit 'spooky' yet the sense of presence was 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 stone surface under my feet. I knew because even though visibility was just a few feet, God was there, walking this misty morning to, I knew it because I was heading to the east where the light of the day was filtering through striving to reach its morning glory.

I read this profound statement from an unknown 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

Power for the day

' You Lord God are strength for my task.' Celtic prayer

Just a look at the dawn breaking into a new day, tucking stars away and spreading a soft, quiet light caused me to just throw open my heart and invite Jesus in.

What a start to a day to meet Jesus full on before your feet even hit the ground and before your whole being is touched by the world.

I think of the opening lines of this Celtic prayer: 'Come my light, my Lord, my way. Come my lantern night and day.........' and am flooded with the love and protection of Jesus.

Sometimes our days and weeks are tough, this one for me saw the death of a baby, the death of a student from school, and a 91 year old diagnosed with cancer, all know, all I have shared some of life with and to top it off I had to refuse a couple marriage because one partner didn't want 'God' invited. Yet in all the 'doings' of daily life, there is God and I thank him for morning thoughts and morning protection for every day, what ever it brings.

Can we say that at the end of a day? We can and will if we finish the prayer.' Come my king enter my heart. Come Holy Presence. Never depart.'

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne

Morning prayers

'All is silent, in the still and soundless air, I fervently bow to my Almighty God.' (Bing Xin China)

Two things were in my mind when I came to meet this morning.

The words of that lovely hymn 'Glorious things of thee are spoken,' were my first spoken for the day I had two images going with them. An image of the beauty of Gods creation and the thought of a young disabled man who offered his own prayer of thanks and appreciation for the church group I run for people with disabilities....a beautiful prayer, a deeply touching prayer.

I thought these words from the Iona Community:

The turn of the leaf in the morning sun

and the catch in our throat

drives us to our knees

and into prayer.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

God is everywhere

' Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.' Psalm 139: 7-8.

I sat looking at the distant mountains with a vast spread of land in the foreground of valleys and paddocks and sheep and as I was taking it in and pondering on the things of God I thought, there is no place where God isn't.

Everywhere we see, everyone we see ,

all we touch and do,

every bright day

every difficult day

there is God.

Yesterday I visited an isolated, wheelchair bound lady who lives in a cluster of community homes with others like her. I went in to visit to see how we might manage to get her to the book club we run at church and it was looking more and more difficult until it seemed that God present, spoke. 'Bring a book club here, there are others' and before I knew it we had a small group of unknown, isolated, lonely people keen, eager and waiting for us to start.

Lucado says:

Our asking where is God is like a fish asking "Where is water "or a bird asking "Where is air."

God is everywhere.

We cant find a place where God isn't.

Lord God, whose blessed Son rose in triumph and set us free grant us the fullness of life he promised to us, that through the Holy Spirit our hearts may posses him whom our eyes cannot see, the same Jesus Christ our Lord. (Daily office Sunday Morning APBA)

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

O the love of Jesus

' Do the work of telling the Good News.' 2 Timothy 4:5

I was chatting to an elderly lady after we had shared home communion together yesterday and she was showing me the teddy bears she knits to put in the Christmas boxes for the children overseas, dozens of them all knitted with love and prayers and sent in the name of Christ. She said, 'I have been told that the children who receive these bears, some 14 years old, run around with them hanging out of the back pocket of their shorts.'

What an inspiration. 91 years old and serving our Lord in this way......to the very end. No feet up attitude of having done my bit......but serving Christ to the very end with the gifts he has given her.

Lucado says:

'For every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don't get press, they don't draw crowds, they don't even write books.......behind a rock slide is a pebble.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne

A fresh revelation

' In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God and all things were made through him. 'John 1:1

Sometimes there is a delayed revelation, or a fresh revelation, of what we are reading despite the fact we read it frequently. These words from St John struck me afresh as I looked at what was before me.........across to the mountains with pockets of mist hovering in the valleys and over creation through to the sleeping vineyards and the horses grazing, frost covered coats on their backs, vapour rising from snorting nostrils.

It was quiet and still and there was a sense of presence as the dawn broke and the sun and moon were both in the sky at the same time...........wow!

'He was in the world and the world was made through him.'

Grace and Peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anne