no drum roll

My mouth is filled with your praise. Ps 71:8
Stillness is a powerful thing. Many things are born in stillness. Many things happen in stillness.Stillness is a mystery. For example I placed 3 stems of lilies in a vase, they were just buds on a long stem and then later that day I was taken by surprise at the full blooms they had turned into. Glorious, perfumed filled cluster of colour.  There was no fan fare, no orchestra playing the alleluia chorus, no drum roll, no shouting, just stillness.So often stillness is filled with God.  Sister Kennedy says: A flame burning, a  snowflake falling, bud opening, wheel spinning - the dynamic of stillness.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

In the stillness - a new day is born.

never underestimate God!

Let all who are faithful offer prayer to you. Psalm 32:6
I smiled to myself when I was out for an evening walk and got caught in the rain. I smiled because earlier in the day a friend had said to me as she looked at the weather map, (which showed all the coming rain missing our area.) 'Do something', she said. I made some comment like the prayers of 2 or 3 may be better than one.  As I walked away I said to God. 'Some rain would be lovely, send some our way!' Macrina Wiederkehr said: Rain fell gently on the thirsty ground. Slowly, carefully,steadily it came to an earth parched with waiting. Through those holy raindrops I walked, unafraid - without an umbrella. I knew it was God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Parched earth...... waiting.

Come sit with me.

All praise to thee, my God this night, for all the blessings of the light. TIS 558
On these hot summer evenings I sit down outside and in the silence, think about God and all the lovely things about me. The beautiful purple rose, perfectly formed from a bud to a full flower over the day and a petal falling softly to the ground. The white cockatoo on the bird feeder, silently feeding and joining me in the delights of the evening. As he leaves to join his family  a white feather falls   silently onto the paving at my feet as if to say, 'here is a memory of me.'  And joy of all joys a crested pigeon comes and sits on the chair opposite me and just looks straight into my eyes as if to say I know what you are thinking about. In the silence we look at each other in admiration and wonder and I say to him. 'How is it you keep your feathers so neat, so tidy, so immaculate and as for that top knot on your head, I am sure you have a stash of brylcream in your nest, it sits so beautifully straight on your head! Ah God, what a creator you are, what love you have to share but Oh how it takes us moments of stillness  to see it it.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Not a feather out of place.

The great I AM

He leads me by still waters. Psalm 23
Every morning at 5am I wake to the beautiful melodious chorus of the birds and they seemed to be singing in harmony with one another. I think God deliberately wakes me at that time so I don't miss this morning blessing  in the stillness of the breaking day. The chorus is soft, melodious, beautiful and full of peace. Its a prayer just lying in the bed and listening and I am  every so thankful to God for this mode of prayer.   Joan Chittister would say: Prayer is not a magical act; it is a relationship that calls the spiritual dimensions in us to life, that attunes us to the universe, that hears the sound of the great I AM everywhere.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

A sound of the great I AM

Not just any gate

I am the gate. John 10:7
There is something about a gate. Is it its invitation to go through and see whats on the other side? Is it a sense of mystery about what is on the other side, the unknown, the unseen? Or is it because in the back of my mind I hear the words of Jesus, 'I am the gate and who ever enters by me will be saved.'' Perhaps that's why I feel many a gate has a sense of invitation about it.
I like these words (author unknown) At the side of the road is a garden gate, which is always open, early and late....just over the hill and up along. And inside the gate is a place of rest where the host will give you His very best...just over the hill and up along.
Grace and Peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord

The Gate.....Come!

Everyday Genesis

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth........and all that is in them. Genesis 1 (paraphrased)
I marvel almost daily without ceasing at the beauty and 'magic' of God's creation of this earth.
 Sunshine and snow
 rainbows
 sunsets and sun rises
 delicate little wrens and BIG red kangaroos
spring blossoms and autumn leaves
                  and my darling little dog
                                        all is an everyday genesis.
Creator God may we appreciate and be blessed daily by your creations. May we see your face in all we see.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord.

Crested pigeons enjoying a shower under the hose on a very hot day

Lead me O thou great Jehovah

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year.; 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown' and he replied.' Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be better than light and safer than a known way.' (King George V1 Broadcast 1939)
Here we are well into the start of the New Year and I wonder where it will take us. I wonder what our thoughts, feelings and apprehensions might be as we venture 'into the unknown' There is one thing I know for sure and that is whatever is before us  all will be well if we hold the hand of God. I woke up today with this hymn in my heart.
Guide me O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak but thou art mighty. Hold me with thy powerful hand. (Hymn)
Many blessings for 2018 as we go 'into the unknown.'  May we all be 'lit' with an inner sureness of the path we tread.
Grace and Peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

path into the unknown

Come tarry with me.

And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, non other has ever known.( Christian song)
I  often  hear this song  when I have Elvis singing  gospel music  on the CD in the car but it rings quieter in my heart when I am out walking. The perfume of the dew laden grass, and the absolute delight of hearing the small voice of a blue wren tucked away amidst the dense growth of a bush and the melodious solo  of the black bird. Sounds and sights of summer often broken in this Christmas season by the perpetual harassing cry of the baby Galahs pestering their mothers for more food, and more food. I thank God for such sights and sounds.  I cherish this time of the day walking  with God,talking to God, every morning. What joy and what a privilege to be able to share it..  This Christmas I find I am thanking God more and more for Jesus. May your Christmas be one of joy as you 'tarry' with Jesus and may you be the light that shines for many, leading others to Emmanuel......the God who is with us......always.
God's peace and blessings for this precious season.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

sounds of  an Australian Christmas

The greatest gift

God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Christmas is just around the corner and gift choosing is on our agenda as we shop with wish lists in our hand and I think, if I could give a gift to the world it would be that everyone knew the depth and meaning of this passage of scripture. Those precious words. That great love from God. That life changing  'living' that comes from a 'Christ filled life.'  Events in the world over the year have caused us shock, shame and horror. Sometimes we think can it get any worse, can it get even more evil from the  actions of those who 'live in the dark without the knowledge of Christ.'   Its a blessing to be able to stand in the cool freshness of the new day and feel the presence of God in the stillness. In all things he is with us even though at times it may not seem so. We cant change what is but we can make a difference. May each day be something we value and treasure. May we show love to all, Christ's love and may it be know to others by our words and actions.
Come Lord Jesus.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Peaceful morning walk

What a creator. What an artist

God created all kinds of birds. He blessed them all and told the birds to increase in number. Gen 1:21-22.
I woke up to the beautiful warbling of two magpies under the tree near my window. They were singing to their hearts content, wings spread as they were washing their black and white suits in the gently falling rain. Fussing about a short space away was the pair of pee-wee showing their two new offspring how to dance and sing in the rain. It was all such a picture of delight and enjoyment. And then, joyously , in the distance a kookaburra laughed, and he laughed and he laughed. And I laughed at the sight of the sulpha crested cockatoo swinging precariously on a branch that looked like it wouldn't hold his weight but he was full of fun as he bounced up and down causing the yellow rump finches to scatter in a flurry of yellow hues. What a mighty God we have. A God who created. A God who gave us and all creatures great and small his individual stamp of ownership. A God who loves all his creatures. As Christmas draws near we can reflect on what God has given us in the wonderful gifts of his creation and above all the wonderful gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

What an artist. What a creator. What a God.

Advent

Its that time of the year when all the invitations come to us from family and friends.
Invitations to the pre Christmas parties
Invitations to school and university graduations
Invitations to end of year parties and celebrations
Invitation to holiday with family
Invitation to Christmas dinner.

But you know the best invitation comes from Jesus
'Come to me' he says in Mathew 11:28
'Come to me.'
 Now THAT is the best invitation we can ever get.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Come walk with me.

Seek O seek the Lord

Seek, O seek the Lord, while he is near. (TIS 464)
I love this quote from Mary Oliver: 'Hello, sun in my face.Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields and into the face of the tulips'. It sort of beats just saying 'Good morning Lord.'  Oh, and did you see him smile at you today? I did, and it was for me in the glorious shape of the flower I call 'Grandma's bonnet.'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord

Jogged awake.

Where were you while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy. Job 38:4-5

I like this saying by Annie Dillard. She says: 'If I am lucky I might be jogged awake by a bird call. This morning it was the wood duck.'  I  often wake up to the sounds of the early morning before I look the day in the face and today, in the distance was the melodious call of the blackbird, a solo artist singing its song to God from the top of the power line, the highest point it could find to sing its melody to everything with in ear shot.  How are we going to approach our day? with a song in our step that  sings to everyone within ear shot? A song that says I have joy, the joy of the Lord?

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ

Anne, servant of the Lord.

perhaps this one jogged you awake?

Those pockets of fear

And the peace of God which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ. Phil. 4:7 (Waymouth)
There is something 'deep' about the wording of some texts that is so meaningful...the peace of God which transcends all our powers of thought.....Have you been in that place where the storms in your life are raging yet by the power of God there is an inner peace, a calm below it all?  A lady was telling me about the shock she had after visiting the doctor who told her she needed open heart surgery. 'Initially,' she said 'my mind was full of all sorts of thoughts and I felt like I was in utter turmoil. I had no where to take my thoughts and fears but to God and then, wave after wave of his deep peace filled all those pockets of fear in me.I felt a peace I had never felt before.' Sometimes the storms of our lives rage like a storm across the ocean but you know, under the  surging waves of a stormy ocean, there is calm at its depths.  I read these words on a street notice board: Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don't. (B.Hybels)
May you ride each wave of  life's storms in the deep, deep peace of Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

below the turmoil lies  a deep calm.

Hand made by God

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. Psalm 104:24
I find it hard to decide what is my favourite season of the year. Perhaps the autumn and spring as they bring about such profound, noticeable change with colour, glory, beauty and many 'Ah', moments of wonder and joy. A kaleidoscope of shifting colours in autumn and an air of beauty and incense in spring where everything comes to life daily from dormant to bud to colour.   I find I can  look at all of God's creation , ' the shape, the beauty, the perfection, the imperfection, the colour, the perfume, the variety, the size and say to myself,  ' God you made that.' Phillip Keller wrote: Whenever I am afield or outdoors, there steals over me the acute consciousness that I am confronted on every hand by the superb workmanship of my Father. It is as if every tree, rock, river, flower, mountain, bird, or blade of grass had stamped upon it the indelible label, 'made by God.' Pop outside a moment and look about you. There is God's handiwork.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

Yes, he even made these.

Everlasting God

The Lord is the everlasting God,the creator of the ends of the earth. Isaiah 40:28b
I wandered in the garden, as the song goes, 'while the dew was still on the roses.' I wandered among the mysteries of God. Among the incense of new roses, the brilliant coloured sweet peas and  fresh new mown grass, all to the melody of the garden birds and I thought of  this verse by Jane Armitage:
O thou who gave us eyes to see and love the sight so fair. Give us grace to seek out thee and see thee everywhere.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord

shine Jesus shine

warm gifts from God

I will sing forever of your love O Lord. (psalm 46)
        my peace be upon you forever
Its only a small thing, rather insignificantly sitting on my kitchen bench but it holds memories that make me smile every time I pass it. Its a small white jug that was given to me some time ago, full of violets and today it holds the memory of yesterdays walk, a  bunch of sweet smelling Jasmine that I plucked from its vine that was growing as one in an oak tree by the path I walked. When I saw it there dressed in yellow and white and flanked by green I found myself having a conversation with God for the rest of  my walk, about the beauty of his creation especially in unexpected pockets of almost hidden delight. In my conversation I reflected on the words of  Mary Oliver. ' Love for the earth and love for you are having such a long conversation in my heart.' 
Go slowly, slowly enough to not miss what God has put in your path today so its memory stays tomorrow and the next tomorrow and the next as a warm gift from God .

never was before.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go to meet with God. Psalm 42
I find I cant walk past the roses in all their glory without marveling at their beauty and colour. It seems every day the bush is not as it was yesterday. My walk may take me past a tree, a summer wattle about to burst into fragrant, pale yellow miniature balls of aroma far more obviously ready to burst open today than it looked yesterday and the mother magpie, a lone gatherer yesterday now has two persistent squawking babies fussing around her to be fed. Frederick Beuchner said: If you think you are seeing the same show all over again seven times a week, you're crazy. Every morning you wake up to  something that in all eternity never was before and will never be the same again.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

now they were not there yesterday!

remove your sandals

Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. Exodus 3:5
There is a quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which says:' Earth's crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God; but only who sees takes off  his  shoes. The rest sit around and pluck blackberries!.'How often I see a brilliant, colour filled, 'stop in your tracks' sun rise and know that God is powerfully present. I look at the laughing kookaburra and know that God lives in all creatures. I smell the air filled perfume of the first  flush of roses on a cool evening and know that God is walking in the garden. It seems there is no space where God is not and we are one. God fills our every day spaces and when we see it,when we feel the oneness,  we know we are on holy ground. We know we are in the presence of God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne,servant of the Lord.

Take off your shoes for you are on Holy Ground.

stay awake

Lord, lord, open to us. Matthew 25:11
It is so interesting to note that when we slow down we see more. When we are more aware we see more. The tiny little things that otherwise we miss. Its a bit like an awakening. An awakening to the things of creation which are of course, the things of God. When on retreat I noticed something that in the rush of daily life I would have missed. It was an intricate, most perfectly constructed mud nest of a tiny God made creature, perfectly crafted on the side of a brick wall. Who lives there I wondered. I don't know, but God does....and its owner. It was a delight, a blessing, to see what could have otherwise been missed.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The home of one of God's creatures.