The richness of God

The blessings of the Lord makes a person rich. Proverbs 10:22
You know, its that time of the year when the Daphne is out and there is no way I can walk past it and not stop to have a smell of those beautiful richly perfumed blossoms. Its like meeting with God every time I take in the aroma and everything else seems to fall into oblivion. What a sacred moment. Its one we want to visit again and again just to be in his presence. What makes you rich in life? Where do you meet God and have that sense of space where there is just you and him? Seek it out and pause often.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Packs a punch of perfume.

 

Rejoice

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so might the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with  love for  you now and forever. (daily office)
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 of the day. A glorious  naked tree standing proud with buds of new life ready to burst open, jonquils and  daffodils at its base, bright gifts of joy interspersed with violets, their perfume filling the air. Wet grass from a heavy dew and the deep,sweet melody of the warbling magpie all made this prayer  come to life.
As Steiner Rice says: Who but God can make the day!
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Beautiful Galong at day break

This day, right now

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24
There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Sometimes we feel things are out of hand, sometimes we feel flat, or are discouraged.  The writer of this psalm obviously felt like that  on some days and he too was a person of God, a person of faith. However , as the psalmist talked to God in prayer, his psalm always ended 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 in it.

   A new day.  New needs. New mercies.
  One faithful, loving caring God in the midst of it all.(Lessin)

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

New day. New needs

 

Full of presence

Blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with glory. Amen,Amen.  
Psalm  72:19 
I stepped outside before turning in for the night and from the wet ground following a rain shower there was a mist rising, embracing the night and filtering through the trees. It was like a veil of silk and the night was so peaceful and full of 'presence'    My thoughts went to this psalm I had been reading and these lines from it stayed with me:
Let the mountains be laden with peace (because of his righteousness)
May he come down like rain upon the new-mown fields: and as showers that water the earth.

God walks the earth: he goes before us in all things,
He is in all things, holding all things together
Including you and me.

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

A veil of silk like mist rising

Rock of safety

My God and the rock of salvation. Psalm 89:26
Massive rocks line the beach beyond the sand as a barrier to potential danger. They are rocks that protect the community of houses beyond them from the force of storm erosion and rising swells. But when I look at these rocks I see more than that. I see solid rock that can't be moved.Solid rock that is protective. Rock that is unbreakable but even more than that I see God. The God David  relates to in his psalms when he says 'The Lord is my rock, my rock of safety.' and I want to burst into song with Rock of Ages Cleft for Me followed by ' On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all else is sinking sand.' And then I add my own words of  'Fastened to the rock of ages, I shall not be moved.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Rock of safety.

Messages of blessings

In you I trust, O my God. Psalm 25:2
I love it when I have a day at home. Whatever I do with it I encounter many blessings. Blessings of rest,of friends, of quiet walking and lazy reading. Its a time of 'catching up' with myself. It allows space to reflect and to garden. I stopped in a moment of awareness as I was gardening. It was striking....the deep,deep green of the moss growing through the cracks in the brick paving and as I turned over  the leafy mulch on the garden bed it exposed clustered tips of the new growth of spring bulbs, revealing their intention to burst out of the darkness into the daylight, into their full glory. And the buds on the Japonica bush are threatening to do likewise. The gifts from God. The hand of God, in the seasons of life. In the seasons of our life. Full of messages of blessings, reassurance and hope.
 Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord 

Some just cant wait to blossom

Climb into the lap of God

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
This line from psalm  46 is well worth visiting time and time again. How often do we get caught in the business of life and self and forget what it is like to be in a place with just God.
I recall the silent retreat I was on recently at beautiful Galong where again I was struck by the 'deafening silence' amidst a group of people  who had come for the same reason, in fact almost ran to Galong from a busy life for the same reason, to be still and know God. When I reflect back on the retreat I realise how 'filled' the days were yet  I did very little except seek God in the stillness and the beauty of the place and in the peace of meditation. Its a feeling like  I had climbed into God's lap, snuggled in and stayed secure and warm in deep peace. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything else except for the interludes of praise and worship. It reminded me of those winter days when you curl up in front of the fire, warm and snug with a good book. Retreats equip us for who we are  and what we are called to be in Christ. Without it we walk alone, running close on empty. Quiet, solitude, meditation, God and self.......what a mixture of ingredients...a recipe we all need to taste.
May today bring you some times of quiet and solitude.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

The peace of Galong.

Always there.

He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3
'Where does God go when I go to sleep? ' a small child asked me. 'Does he go home to sleep? Can I invite him for a sleep over if I need him?' Sometimes we might feel that God is only with us when we are awake  but I assured this child that God is with us always.When we are awake and when we are asleep. I assured him that God is only a whisper away.
Timothy Dudley-Smith wrote: 'I lift up my eyes to the quiet hills with a prayer as I turn to sleep: by day, by night, through the dark and light, my shepherd will guard his sheep.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

By day and by night, always there

Come away

He went up on the mountain to pray. Matthew 6:46
Even when sitting in my room on the retreat at Galong I could see through the window the things of God. Everywhere on the lawn were the little blue wrens, scatty and busy. The sun rise just clipping the frame of the window enough to show the light breaking through the night darkness. Everything is still. Everything is quiet until a distant kookaburra laughs, and laughs.  It all puts a smile on my face as I acknowledge the presence of God. How blessed we are when  we step aside,take a break,  and recharge in a place where we see God more clearly and feel him so near away from the noises of daily life. If you haven't had the chance to experience the presence of God lately then set a goal to do it somewhere quiet, somewhere peaceful.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The welcoming driveway  to Galong

Gather in the new day

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
How often do we get up of a morning and see nothing before us  but the worries and issues of yesterday. We miss the glorious  day with the  sun shinning and the crispness of the frost on the ground. We miss the gift that it is , ready and waiting to be opened and lived. Indeed the unfinished  business from yesterday may well be with us  but what a shame to  allow  that to block out the sun (Son)on a new day.
Mary Jean  Iron says: Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you. Let me not pass by you in quest of something rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may for it will not always be so.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Sunrise over Alice Springs.

Holy is the Lord

Holy,  Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts: the earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:2-5
I often reflect on the Holiness of God and in one of his books Max Lucado says that 'God's Holiness silences human boasting.' When I think of the holiness of God I get a sense deep within of a stirring of the Spirit, not in a charismatic way but in a way that curls me up inside like I am wrapped in a blanket of God's love and held in his arms. I guess in some ways we call it humility. Lucado says that the one occasion that the Seraphim occurred in scripture  they endlessly sang   'Holy, Holy, Holy  is the Lord God Almighty.  In  Hebrew scripture repetition acts like a highlighter, a tool to emphasis.
God is not Holy....... He is not Holy, Holy......... He is Holy, Holy,Holy.
May we all find and cherish the Holiness of God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Holy, Holy, Holy

The wonder of God

He heard things which he couldn't put into words. 2 Cor.12:4
I passed a garden when I was out walking that was very drought effected and in the middle of a drooping bottlebrush shrub were the most magnificent  flowers,  soft orange in colour and in the brown bush  and on a twig sat a lovely Jenny Wren and just momentarily it sang its song.This verse from Corinthians draws my thoughts into  what it is  that we hear or saw and cant put into words. Things such as  magnificent scenery in a special place that takes our breath away , a perfect reflection on a pond,  the chorus of  morning birds when all else is asleep,and  time and history etched on the face of  the elderly, or the colour of autumn leaves,or the reaching out of hands to receive the sacrament. All of this causes a small  voice in our hearts to say 'Yes' and senses the presence of God  that cant be described. Matthew Henry said: The ground of our hope is Christ in this world but the evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

a reflection on a pond

A spark or a fire?

(Jesus said)  A person takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After awhile it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. (Mark 4:11-32)
I wonder how often do we think of ourselves in the big picture of the kingdom? Do we wonder  about the impression we might make? Do we wonder about our gifts and abilities, after all they are God given.Do we see them as small with only a small impact?How sure are you that he can even  use the smallest of your gifts to proclaim the greatness of the Lord? What was it that Paul said to the Corinthians? He said that God chooses what the world considered weak, to shame the strong. Amando Nervo wrote a poem, a portion of which reads: I am only a spark, make me a fire. I am only a string make me a lyre. I am only an ant hill, make me a mountain. I am only a drop, make me a fountain.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

I am only a bud make me a flower

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill our lives

O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love......TIS 655
That is such a lovely hymn and I found myself humming  it this morning when I woke up and it brought to mind a glorious sunrise that I has seen recently. It swept across the sky like colourful streamers across a ballroom ceiling just hanging, waiting for the dance to begin. Ribbons of bright colours of brilliant orange layered with pastel pink and blue.......a breathtaking 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 crossed 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, servant of the Lord

Kingdom building.

At the works of your hands I sing for joy. Ps 92:4
Our attitude and how we see our purpose in life has a lot to do with how we go about our daily life. About how we see things, how we do things especially how we see our attitude with God and our journey as followers of Jesus. I read this profound saying: Two stone cutters were asked what  they were doing. The first said, ' I am cutting this dammed stone into blocks.' The second replied:'I am on a team building a cathedral.(anon)
How do you approach your daily life?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

St Saviours Cathedral Goulburn

The lantern of your life

Come let us walk in the light of the Lord.Isaiah 2:5
Early this morning I was reflecting on those words.
It seemed the country side has stood still, almost empty, not a sound, even the early birds were still asleep yet I knew that within the hour the light would come and every living creature and plant would start  responding to the new day. Its like that with the light of Christ. We know that it too will move and filter into dark places and will reflect on each of us as 'light bearers'  as those who carry  the light of Christ into places of need be it through action or the word or the breath of our prayers. I have a mission statement for my nursing ministry to some of the most vulnerable in the community who struggle with the daily  issues of just living. It says: please bless the ones who have no hope and show me how to help.
Macina Wiederkehr Says: Bathed in morning light, pray that the lantern  of your life moves gently this day in all those places where light is needed.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Light filters into dark places.

Peace deep into the soul.

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear. It soothes his sorrows heals his wounds and drives away his fears. (John Newton Hymn)
This is one of the most asked for hymns from the older people in the nursing home. It brings a true sense of peace that goes deep,deep into the soul. I think of all the names that come to mind  that are encompassed in the name of Jesus and I come up with: redeemer,saviour, friend, master, comforter, healer...........
Lee Self says:
I try to encompass all your names but they slip from my grasp.
When I hold nothing, I hold you
When I hold you, I holdeverything.

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

Deep, deep peace

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 sky as the night stars  tucked themselves behind the glorious sunrise.
I saw it in the sun as it shone like millions of crystals on the frosty ground.
I saw it in the mist hovering over the ground.
I saw it in the 'top knot' pigeons dancing on the lawn and the tree full of feeding cockatoos
 I saw it in the single drop of water hanging like a gem stone on the end of a leaf.
I saw it in the wrinkled and life 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 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

 I saw God in the mist

Glory and power

The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
It is so powerful and humbling to be aware of God's presence in our every day life and catch a glimpse of his work. On one occasion I recall being  in a rural setting where kangaroo and birds of many varieties were in abundance. As I sat on a granite outcrop at dawn, half way up a hill I surveyed a panorama of deep blue rolling mountains, distant ones snow capped, green hills and rabbits almost at my feet and God graced me with a brier bush full of blue wrens. I wrote in my notebook: Today I have been blessed at the start of the day with a chorus of kookaburras and I have been among  God's treasures. For me he opened the lid of his treasure chest and let a few come out and as I thanked him yet again, in a breath taking response he gave me one more of his treasures, a beautiful blue orchid, among the granite and the brier. I thought of  our powerful mighty God who created rugged mountains can also create a delicate wild orchid. Little do we realise sometimes that the glory and the power of he who made the universe lies hidden in a flower.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree

for Jesus

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16
                  I read somewhere that we should make a pulpit of every  circumstance.
 Those words draw me to think beyond the familiarity of the church and into the community where I recall seeing crowds of 1.000's watching a cricket match and amidst all the waving banners was one that boldly quoted John 3:16. And as I watch football something stirs deep inside me when I see the big burly men run onto  the field  with several of them making the sign of the cross. Yesterday afternoon's football  drew attention to the commentators who were trying to discern a scripture quote written on a wrist bandage of a player. The quote was Isaiah 41:10 which was thought to be a message to a person called 'Izzy'. (  'Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.' The commentators  were saying 'Whats that he has written on his wrist bandage.That's a biblical text isn't it? Who was Isaiah ? He wasn't one of the disciples. No I don't know I will have to look it up when I get home'.Imagine the impact these shows of faith have on thousands of viewers of sport. If they are familiar with the quote they will feel blessed to have seen it displayed in such an arena. If they are not familiar with it they will go looking for it when they get home or on the spot using Google. Wow, what a witness and I wonder how much do we show our faith in the arena of the community?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Let your light shine.......for Jesus