Every night will have its morning

Comfort, comfort all my people. (TIS 647)
 I was sharing with an older lady who lives alone, about God's comfort after she had expressed some anxiety at bed time when all was dark and all was quiet and there was a loneliness in that. I shared with her about my prayer practice at bed time saying one of the last things I do when I go to bed at night is wrap myself in prayer thinking  as I wrap myself in the warmth of the blankets that I am  wrapping God himself around me giving me a feeling of his presence. It really is quite comforting. I have a small book called Irish Blessings by Pat Fairon and in it there is this lovely prayer called, On Lying Down saying: I lie down with my dear God, may my dear God lie with me, two hands of God about my waist, a cross of angels over me, from head to sole tonight and until a year from tonight, and tonight itself.  Isn't that so comforting? I love the two hands of God about my waist.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord

Peace

Go out with determination

Because the Lord helps me, I will not be dismayed, therefore I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I have known that I will triumph. Isaiah 50:7 (TLB)
We know we have the help of the Lord at anytime because he is on our side so why is it we dismay? How blessed we are to be in a situation where we can know this right to the depth of our heart that God is always present, always in what we do in his name. We sometimes say in tricky situations: Grit your teeth and get on with it, or bite the bullet and just do it and what I like about Isaiah is he juts does that with a great sense of determination . ' I will set my face like flint and do his will.'
When we have matters of 'dismay' in our day we have the promise of God's help so whatever might come your way, go for it, with determination, God will be there holding your hand.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

In the hands of God

Now that is prayer.

Keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and  love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Prayer Book blessing)
I was sitting in my quiet space, just listening to nature  and watching two beautiful King Parrots having a feed on the lawn. Their colours were brilliant as if they had just bathed and groomed their feathers  and there was silence.  Sometimes I listen - deeply - so deeply  that the silence is loud.
So deeply that out of silence comes a still small voice, or, - or  more profound one of the beautiful, richly coloured birds lands within inches of my sight - and God speaks.  Its a powerful assurance that we are filled and surrounded by the knowledge  and  love of God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

What a blessing.

Don't hide your light.

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 cant help but continue  reflecting on the football game. Sometimes we think that God is not in the world . There is so much unrest and pain and suffering in war torn countries and even in our own communities violence is increasing and some  tend to look for meaning in life  in other ways  and  games like football become  'the new gods' as some all but worship their favourite teams. Yet some go to a game with a message for the world to see and as I watched the rugby final for the Bladislow cup on Saturday afternoon  I saw it  again......a very large yellow banner which took three people to display and written on it in bold large black print was that familiar verse. John 3:16. It always gives me goosebumps when I see it and I think of the boldness of the faith of those who take and display such a banner to get the message of love and hope across to a large audience  around  the world. I wonder how we display our faith in the communities around us and are we know as people of faith?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Shine for Jesus.

Sing, sing,sing

Forth in your name O Lord I go, my daily labour to pursue. TIS 571
There is a freshness about the morning that lingers after the frost has melted under  the warmth of  the rising sun and the sights and smells of the new day are lingering.  And I reflect on many a new day, like the one that comes on a hot, dry morning when the ground smells of dust after an early morning shower of rain has 'dressed' it in rain spots. And those days where the far off  hills are green, heralding  the new growth of spring and those clusters of yellow wildflowers that are 'smiling' on the verge and the fresh smell of the paddock full of wild oats where the small bird singing a big song and all I see and smell is a prayer and I recall this verse 'When forth I go upon my ways a thousand joys are mine, the clusters of dark violets, the wreaths of the wild vine
Even when facing the unknown challenges of a day, all is possible when we take with us our morning prayer that have been grounded in the quiet times with God.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne,servant of the Lord.

The wreath of a wild vine

More to birds than birds.

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. ( TIS 135)
I was feeding the birds in a wildlife sanctuary  and their beauty  and colour captured me. As a flock of them descended on the plate of food I was holding others landed on my arm and sat on my shoulder and head.There was noise and there was a flurry of wings and right at that moment in a kaleidoscope of colour  I felt I was  standing on sacred ground as I looked into the eyes of a bird and it seemed like we were one. One in connection with the creator. It was a spine tingling experience as I saw that flash of recognising  God in all his shapes and colour and forms. It was a moment I will cherish like one does at the sight of a butterfly passing  by when someone close to you has died or  the presence  of a special bird that just seems to appear at the right moment to bring memories closer and your thoughts, full of reassurance and hope go straight to God. I think you know what I mean.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

So still

Let my prayer be counted as incense. Psalm 141:2
There was a day or so ago a morning so still and shrouded in fog and as it cleared there were pockets of 'wisps of mist' rising  low across the frost laden ground  sparkling in the morning sun and there was silence. A silence that was in itself a prayer And I thought of the prayer called:
 'So Still'.
O make my heart so still, so still,
When I am deep in prayer,
That I might hear the white mist-wreaths
losing themselves in the air!  ( A prayer from Japan)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord

White mist rising.

There is more to football than football

God lives in us. 1 John 4:1
A one liner that has a huge impact. A one liner that says it all if we love one another.  I think it was Julian of Norwich who took a one liner and pondered on it in depth with great insight. Sometimes we can be engaging in every day life and come face to face with a one liner, for example, I was watching a crowed stadium at a sports event  one day and among the banners and flags that were flying was a simple one liner in bold print on a piece of cardboard which said : John 3:16 and being a football fan I was watching the Raiders game last night  and I noticed some players had writing on their wrist strapping. One I saw was a persons name and when a try was scored the wearer would touch his wrist strapping, then his chest, and then point to heaven.  But the writing on one  wrist particularly caught my eye in the middle of a tackle. It was in bold black printed, two words saying simply 'Jesus Lives.' Thousands watch the football either on TV or in the crowd and thousands saw those words, 'Jesus lives.'. Now that is literally wearing your faith on your sleeve for all the world to see.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

Peace - Jesus Lives.

The shepherd.

When he has brought out his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
How comforting are those words? For some reason the timeless parables are what seem to stay with us from way back in our Sunday School days.They are what we remember most and what we often depend upon most in our faith journey.  They assure us that Jesus is always with us in all situations and whats more, he is the answer to all our situations.  There is the timeless parable of the lost sheep and it always comes to mind when I see sheep walking in single file across the paddock, following one after the other. Just think on this, (and often in day to day life its a hind sight thought,) but think on it now - Wherever we go, whatever we do, whatever situation we find our self in now, or in a moment or in an hour, or tomorrow, Jesus is there just ahead of us. He is in front of us. He is the next  moment, the next hour, the tomorrow we often are so wary of. He is there already. In a poem by J.Danson Smith, the last verse says: He goes before, be this my consolation. He goes before, on this my heart would dwell.He goes before, this guarantees salvation. He goes before, therefore all will be well.
As we live life with its ups and downs may we always be mindful of the shepherd. he is there,just ahead, follow his voice.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The sheep follow the shepherd, they know his voice.

A priceless present

This is the day that the Lord has made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
This verse of psalm 118 has a lovely ring to it. Its a happy verse and especially carries a real depth   for those who are morning people. What a way to start the day by looking out the window (when you cant be out walking in it) as the dawn creeps through the last veil of the fading darkness. Its hard not to recite this verse while engaging in the morning. This is the day which the Lord has made - I think, here it is, new, fresh and a door to open into a wealth of opportunities., unimaginable opportunities, graciously given by a gracious God. Here is a chance to live another day. Here is a chance for blessings to roll, to give and to receive and a chance to serve the Lord more and more.
Sometimes we dont even see this side of a day. Perhaps we just roll out of bed with a head already full of the days list of things to do and sometimes we might say from under the blankets, 'surly its not time to get up already!' However we look at a new day it sets the pattern for the day. Which pattern for your day would you like to set - acknowledging God is in it from the very beginning or not even seeing him until the morning is well past. Alice Britt Chole says:'As we open our eyes each morning, God sets before us a priceless present. Unique, fresh, and full of potential. Each day God gives us time - rejoice and be glad in it.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

And a new day dawns

Shout his praises.

Altogether now - applause for God! Psalm 66:1 (the message)
Psalm 66 invites us to come and see what God has done. To take a good look at his wonders for they will take your breath away. I mean, just take a look at this, does it not take your breath away? God made that just for you and me.

Lets make happy noises about God.

Where I am there you are also.

God is our strength and ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
At the Day Hospice the prayer service starts with a very comforting, reassuring prayer which goes like this: The light of God surrounds me, the love of God enfolds me, the power of God protects me,
 the presence of God watches over me. Where I am God is.
A small boy was in distress and his Sunday School teacher told him that no matter where you go God is always with you. There is no place he is not. If you are an astronaut and fly to outer space in a space ship God is with you. If you are an ocean explorer in a submarine on the ocean floor, God is with you.If you are a mountain climber hanging off a sheer drop on the side of  a cliff face in Simpsons Gap, God is there.  And if you are a small boy in distress, God is there. Every move you make, every breath you take every joy and every sadness, God is there.
 Its quite profound when you really stop and reflect that God is so close to you regardless of where you are, no matter what is going on in your life and around you. In his strength we stand, in his love we are enfolded even if its just an ordinary day or a cliff hanger.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Cliff face at Simpsons Gap.

New birth into living hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us  a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter:3
I find an old tree stump that has new shoots growing from it, quite powerful. It has a real message about it and when I look and see something stirs in me from way down in my soul and there is a deep spiritual connection. I read this quote which said: 'A green shoot grows out of an old tree stump announcing to the world that there is power in dying.' Ah yes, I knew there was a spiritual connection as I reflected on the dying and resurrection of Christ.  There are many little pockets of dying and resurrection in life and this is so obvious at this time of the year when the lovely fresh, new shoots of the spring bulbs are pushing through the dark winter soil into the light. Wander your garden and look and see.
May grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Anne, servant of the Lord

little pockets of  dying and resurrection.

All together lovely

Serve the Lord with gladness, come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
Today, like every day, we have the wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord. When we get up out of our beds we come into God's presence with singing and from then onwards into the day we are ready to serve him. Think of it: Our God who is a mighty God, a powerful God, a creator God, all together lovely and all together worthy wants us to reach out and touch others with his love. He wants us, ordinary people to do extraordinary work, the most precious, the most blessed work. Its work high above that of a CEO, we need no top qualifications or prior learning, all we need is to take that love of God that dwells in our hearts and use it to serve him through prayer or through action. Wow! what a privilege, what a joy, what a delight.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Off to love and serve the Lord

Loyalty,faithfulness and perseverance.

'Great is your love reaching to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 37:10
I remember a few years ago standing in silence at the marked tomb of St John in Turkey and for a moment I felt a connection that went right down the centuries and a feeling that time stood still. It is a tomb perfectly restored in its preservation amid a city of ruin and excavation and archaeological diggings.  But it was more than just a tomb. It was a symbol of a man's great love of God. A symbol that said to me that despite the destruction about us in our life and in the world, no matter how life pans out, God will be, and God endures. John left his mark for Christ for all to see, for all to know, a mark that spoke of determination to tell the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. I wonder, in the name of Jesus Christ, what marks we will leave on the world, on our community, on our church, on our families that will endure for generation to generation,not as a mark of greatness but a mark of loyalty, faithfulness and perseverance to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne, servant of the Lord.

The restored tomb of St John.

sacred pauses

'All things wise and wonderful - the Lord God made them all' TIS 135
Many an acorn crushes underfoot as I walk beneath the large canopy of the oak tree and I never cease to marvel at such a small acorn turning itself into a very large tree or I can walk in a forest across a carpet of pine leaves and see the tiny native orchid growing in the most unlikely place sheltered beside  a fallen limb. Such mysteries, such surprises of wonder are before us every day, God's handy work  for our enjoyment, our pleasure but if we never cease to hurry then we wont see these things, which are the face of God looking back at us as we pause in wonder. I read this lovely quote by Thomas Kimber: 'We may not understand nor know just how the giant oak tree throw their spreading branches wide nor how upon a mountain side the dainty wildflowers grow.' But one thing we do know and that's the creator who created them - The   wildflowers in their beauty, the mountain ranges tall, the billabongs and rivers the friendly birds that call - the Lord God made them all. (TIS 135 v:1)
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ,
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Growing in the most unlikely and unexpected places

Fading night and coming day.

May the mind of Christ my saviour live in me from day to day. (TIS 609)
Typical winters morning with a 'pea soup' fog, silhouetted images of the bare trees and fading night darkness as the day light pushed the stars away giving over to a soft pink sunrise and blue skies. The air was fresh and perfumed with a faint smell of winter gardens. I was struck again by the thought that every day is a profound God experience from the moment it begins and what treasure we have at our fingertips to lead others to  experience the presence of God.
I read this quote by Abraham Lincoln:
(After I die) I want it said of me, that I plucked a weed, and planted a flower, wherever I thought a flower would grow.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

 Haunting beauty of a winters day. 

'

and a new day dawned..

Your  kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13
 I wonder do we grasp the reality of a new day?  We wake up, we get up and engage with a new day but how often do we stop and say I am standing in a new creation, a new day just created by God. Its not yesterday, its not tomorrow, its just a newly created day for today. The birds are singing a new song, the frost is just that little bit thicker than yesterday. The last of the autumn trees have shed some remaining leaves and no one has walked today where you are putting your feet. Its not a new day arriving, its not just another day, its a new day created. I read this thought: Some days it is enough encouragement to just watch the clouds break up and disappear, leaving behind a blue patch of sky and bright sunshine that is so warm upon my face  that it is a glimpse of divinity, a kiss from heaven.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

A new day is created.

You are loved.

I am his and he is mine, here in the power of God I stand: (Hymn, How deep the Fathers love for us)
I   think these words make for a great mantra: 'I am his, and he is mine here in the power of God I stand'.Think of all the times you could grasp hold of that line as a lifeline, a means of strength or to express the power of God's saving grace. At a seminar I went to some time ago just at the foot hills of the Blue Mountains where peace and quiet, except for the 'ting' of the bell birds, was  so powerful and I heard a chaplain tell this story of a very frail elderly lady  with severe dementia and her conversation amid silences seemed to have no meaning. As the chaplain sat with her gently massaging her arthritic hands with fragrant oils the silences seemed at times  to be long and uncomfortable. This particular day the chaplain had brought with her a CD for background music. In the song was a repetitive one liner: 'You are seen, you are loved you are doing very well.' Then  the elderly lady looked up into the face of the chaplain and said as clear as the ring of the Bell Birds: 'You are seen you are loved, you are doing very well.'
Serve God with confidence in all you do for you are seen, you are loved, you are doing very well.
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord

The light of Christ shines in the darkness.

Not I might be, not sometimes.

I am with you always. Matt 28:20
It is so wonderful to know that God is with us always. That is where his peace comes from. I love sleeping with the blind open during the night so I can see the star studded sky. The glorious expanse of the canopy of the night and often the words of  the hymn that comes into mind is: I see the stars,( I hear the mighty thunder,) thy power throughout the universe displayed. Jesus said. I am with you always.' not just I will be, not I might be, not sometimes, not perhaps,but I AM with you always. How blessed are we when our thoughts  immediately go to God, in the day, in the night. How blessed are we to know his presence always. I recall this verse I read in a little pocket book. It said:
'O Jesus, make thyself to me, a living bright reality! More present to faith's vision keen, than any outward vision seen'
Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anne, servant of the Lord.

Sometimes we may not see him clearly, but he is there.