Nanna Jo

Dedication: Nanna Jo we will miss you untill we meet again.

I don't want to through greif again.
Yet here I am in the mist of it.
It's past 1am and my head is too full to sleep.

But every now and then...
I do something good.
I read my bible like you would.

No matter your faults.
You would turn to God your Father.
To ask for his guidence and forgiveness.

Nanna Jo, you had a great big heart.
Not always right, not always wroung.
You were all in... see you again in heaven.

Love you always,
Meg.

1 Thessalonians 4:13- 14 (NLV) 
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the belivers who have died so that you will not grieve like those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring with him the beleivers who have died."

God Speaks

Where are you my child?
I know you are sad, angry and in pain.
But I have been all these things and more.

Please just talk to me.
I am waiting at the door.
When you are ready, let me in.

To you I sent my son.
So that we could talk again.
Because I love you... whatever.

Happiness

Happiness is complicated.

It’s superficial. Laughing to stave off pain.

It’s genuine. Being grateful, content with the simple.

Happiness is both unexpected and the result of search.

But how is happiness possible?

Happiness. Don’t give up the search.

Like a sliver of gold amongst quartz.

Work, people you’re close to, long walks…

Share your happiness. Where do you find it?

What motivates you to get up and sift through sadness?

And what are the things that make it worth it?

Mine is hope. Hope that even though life can suck…

God is always there to guide me and give me joy, peace and rest.

Happiness.

Simple Words

I wrote this after I prayed for the first time in a long while. I had been unable to form the words. Then I remembered that God didn't need me to use elaborate sentences... just simple words. 

I'm sorry Lord.

I haven't spoken.

Kept my distress.

Thought faith unimportant.

Father I was wrong.

Sobbing without you.

It was wrong to turn away.

Today you tapped my shoulder.

"Are you okay, my daughter?"

"No." I broke down.

"I am shattered."

Exhausted, in his arms I rest.

"I thought I had lost you!"

"No. You were always in my hands."

"Oh... I forgot."

"I missed you, Abba Father."

"I'm sorry. Will you lead me back always?"

"Yes. Always. Remember?"

..."It is finished."


And I can almost hear God adding:" I love you- my goose". 

Peace

Part 1

Dear Peace,
Where did you go?
I searched in vain to find you.
Not in friends, family or anyone I know.

Why don't you stay?
I see a glimpse of you, every now and then.
But you just nod, smile and pass away.

What have we done, that you allude us so?
Surely you will be back again.
For without us wanting you,
willing you and wishing for your presence,
you will desert us.

Oh Lord, help us to desire peace.
Bring Peace to us , as you do in Christ.
Make us like you, willing to forgive and forget.
Help us to remember your ways.
Shape our minds, hearts and actions.
Show us the way to peace.

For there is no one in heaven and earth like you.

Part 2 

1 Corinthians 1: 10-14:

'I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,
a in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree with one another in what you say
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household
have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;
another, “I follow Apollos”; another,
“I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”


Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Were you baptised in the name of Paul?'

If we divide what will be left of our unity in Christ? 
How can we share words of hope, faith, and love,
if we cannot find peace together?
Why throw away what God freely gave us in the sacrifice of his son?

Let us not tie up each other in knots.
Others will try to do just that every minute, of every day.
Instead let us pray; 'Father lead us to find peace, teach us your ways'.

An Entreaty

Mark 9:23-25 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just going through the motions.

If the way I think and what I say and how I act is just a facade. 

Do I really believe that God sent his son to die and rise again, to save not only me, 

but everyone else too? 

I want to. But It's not easy. I question if I really do believe, or do I just want to believe?

I'm influenced by those around me to keep hold of what I refer to as my faith. 

Is it really my faith, or is it their faith projected onto me so I may perceive it to be mine? 

Are we just encouraging one another to believe in the world's biggest lie? 

Yet how can a lie go undetected? The gospel has spread like wildfire across the centuries. Surely it would have been totally disproved, and its followers disbanded by now if it were of man's invention.
But time and again academics who began as atheists, become not only Christians, but evangelists.
Fulfilling what Gamaliel the Pharisee said, when the gospel first began its spread:

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

Those whom I care about I who care about me...

People whom I trust and value their options...

Most of these people are Christians...

But some have turned away, slowly giving up their faith.

It was no longer precious, but instead turned into something that they resented and rejected.

Dear God, I don't know what kind of person I would be without you living with me.

Directing my heart, soul and mind every day.

I am guided by you for give up the God who is just yet whose love surpasses all understanding.

Please my Heavenly Father, remind me every day where I stand.

Let me remain supported by Christ, the solid rock, and not give in and tread down upon the sinking sand. When you call me home, may I then in Him be found. 

Words of Faith

“My soul thrusts for you as a parched land thrusts for rain’ Palam 143:6

My soul was parched. My thought was dry. I was out of words. Deflated. Had lost confidence in my beloved God. I was afraid to speak in case, he was indeed, a tyrant.

Then came a sprinkling of hope… It occurred to me that I was not alone. “Others have experienced this before me”, I said to myself. Unlike me they were more objective and logical. Not overcome by emotion, but willing to grapple with the historical and science evidence. Challenging God on uncomfortably raw moral questions. After reading and listening to podcasts, Audiobooks, and talking openly to Atheists I made a discovery. It was this; the fact that intelligent people have done so for centuries. Beginning and continuing to read the book of Job and seeing his words. Words such as these:

“O earth do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf. Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.” Job 16:18-20 (NLT)

I’m glad that God gave us doubt. Without it I would not have questioned. If you want to truly understand someone you need to ask them questions. It demonstrates that you value that relationship. I want to better know my Father; therefore, I question. That I may see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly, day by day (God Spell).

Not to do so would make us complacent. We would not then be restored. Nourished and reassured by his words each day. Comprehending and gratefully accepting Jesus’ death and resurrection.

I once saw engraved on a young women’s gravestone the words;

“I have redeemed thee, I have called the by thy name, thou art mine.”

Conveying to the Atheist: Injustice, imprisonment, despair, anger, scorn and scoffing.

Yet to the Christian…

These words mean hope, joy, and a deep sense of peace.

The question is…

What do these words mean to you?

Autumn

The dark and the dull contrasts with

the vibrant texture of the leaves and their environs.

The earth heals from the trials of summer.

It changes its semblance, 

settling into the deep sleep of winter.

And it will rejuvenate, preparing to light up the eyes,

As it lifts the heart and the soul, with an array of colour.

But not just yet, for now I look upon it with passionate appreciation.

For this is when God tucks up his creation for its hibernation,

He instructs it to restore us with the sounds, sights, and the shear joys Autumn.

Thankyou God for carefully and thoughtfully, designing each season.

Especially for blessing us, with this time of Autumn.

Sunrise

The gentle awakening. A little nudge to the brain. "time we both got up." Says the sun.

Opening my eyes blearily, I begin to realise the gradual changes in the light,
as colours appear across the sky.
Blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, all merging together.
They are enhanced by the dark, majestic eucalyptus,
and the soft ground with the dew still upon it.

The colours of the clouds alter to sliver grey and the sky grows increasingly blue.
The sun begins to warm the earth,
I become more aware of my surroundings.
I listen as all of creation rejoices at the new day.
At this moment I smile, watching my dog's exaltation as she bounds around,
pausing to sniff each smell that is of interest to her, relishing her freedom.

I thank my heavenly Father for the peace I experience at this time.
Here in this place.
In the dawning of the day.

"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it"
Psalm 118:24

Christmas Creates Community

Community is formed in small groups,
all celebrating together.
Christmas community lasts a month.

Community is enhanced during Christmas.
Christians gather to remember that Christ came into the world
to bring them into God's family.

No matter who you are, or why and how you celebrate it.
Christmas creates community.

For Christians the community lasts.
It does not fade when the festivities are over.
For we are celebrating God adopting us into his family,
by sending his son so that we might call him father.
We have accepted his invitation and been welcomed into his home.

Like Sheep 

“All we like sheep have gone astray. Each turning to his own way. But the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6

“You Lord are my shepherd, I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I will not be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

The Bible talks about Christians, (we that trust and know Jesus as our shepherd), to be like sheep. The world tends to think that we follow blindly, ignorantly, without a thought or a doubt. But this simply isn’t true.  We do doubt. Each time we wander and lose our way our shepherd seeks us out. He embraces with joy, bringing back to him, and placing our feet back upon the path.  

The world questions us as we travel, “Why do you want to return? How can you be certain that he is guiding you on the road you want to go? Why do you love and trust him? Is it all worth it?”

My answer is that he laid his life down for me. Everyday he demonstrates his love for me. He knows me inside and out… and yet still he cares for me. I trust him to always have my back. He knows the plans he has for me and he works for my good. He created me, knitting me together in my mother’s womb. He knows me, what behind me and what is to come. My shepherd promises to remain by me whatever challenges may confront me. 

“But how do you know this? Why do you just assume? Where is the evidence that God (if he even exists) will keep his promises? Is God as great as you believe he is? Isn’t the gospel too good to be true? The world contradicts. 

You see, I know that God keeps his promises. He has done so again and again. He promised that Jesus would come and redeem us, bringing us back to the God who invites us to call him “Abba Father”, just as he does.

The only thing that makes me special and privileged. The only way I can have this hope and assurance is this; that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I don’t deserve it. I didn’t have to work for it. I only had to accept it.

Thankyou my Father in Heaven. May I never want to stop serving you, praising your name, being part of your family, your child, and your daughter.  

Thankyou

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thankyou that you value me.

Thankyou for sending your son to die,

because you value me.

Thankyou that you don't give up on me 

as I give up on you.

Thankyou that you give your children each other. 

Thankyou that you know the road isn't always easy.

Thankyou for giving us the Holy Spirit, to help us fight

sin, fear and despair, with hope, light, and life with you. 

Thankyou that you care for us without reward.

Thankyou that your gifts are abundant. 

Thankyou that you use the weak to help the strong.

Thankyou that you equip us to do your work,

of spreading the gospel side by side. 

Thankyou for all the reasons that you give me 

to smile, dance, and sing for joy. 

Thankyou that when a Christian dies, we; 

as fellow members of Christ's body have tears falling on to smiles. 

Thankyou for giving us the hope and promise that one day,

when we are all gathered around your throne, you will wipe away every tear.

Thankyou that you can be relied on to keep your promises.

Amen. 

In His Orchestra

We are all God's instruments.

Which one are you?

How does he play you?

Does he tune you when you need it?

Does he sooth you with the oil of his word?

Will he ever leave you alone in your case?

Will he forget that you're there?

Does our Father give up searching for the lost?

Will God ever give up on his children when we play the wrong note?

No, he will not stop caring for us. 

God's Love

Sometimes you look around you and everything is dark and dingy.
Other times you marvel at what you see...
You ask;  "how the creator who made all this could love a creature like you?"

Then you open his word and realise that he does.
Despite your turning away and rejecting him he still does.

God does not give up on you and he never will.
God even rejoices when we stumble because the will to walk to him is there.
God does not  love us rationally, but loves us simply and without incentive.
God our Father has loved us from the very beginning.

His love is super love.
Love, pure and simple.

Memory

I can hurt
I can fade.
I can make you want to hide.

When you think over things said and unsaid.
When you think about what you have and have not done.
When you think on all things past and future.

I am memory.
I will not go away.
I am not entirely bad.

Some instances, you may recall,
are not just there to drive you up the wall.
Some make you smile and laugh and stand tall.

Although you may recoil and avoid
the recollections that you wish to forget and ignore.
Allow me to point to the times you have endured and had faith.

In all things faith and hope can be clung to.
In all circumstances you can be still and know that God is God.
In all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Rest and remember the merciful God who loves you regardless.
Rest and remember that through all your emotions he is with you.
Rest and remember that when you do not love yourself...

God always has and always will.

Easter

Jesus went to Jerusalem to die for us.

He didn’t have to save us.

He knew that his death would be agonisingly painful.

He died in our place.

We did nothing.

We are  weak and helpless.

He came in strength, mercy and love.

He came to save us from the curse of sin.

On the cross his body was broken and his blood was shed to make us whole.

Consider him.

A madman? A liar? A saviour?

Jesus is my  saviour.

Jesus the Messiah has saved us from condemnation.

We do not deserve his compassion.

We deserved death.

Jesus gave us life and hope.

God our  Father loved us.

He watched his children reject him, turn away and ignore him.

Again, and again, and again.

But… God still loves us.

God planned to bring us back to him.

God planned to send his son to repair what sin has broken.

God sent his one and only  son so that whoever believes in him will not die,

But have eternal life.

Jesus’ blood, his death and his return from death

Made us free from sin and clean before God

He made us right with God.

Able to be in his presence.

To love him.

To serve him.

To honour him.

To be his children.

Will you come to rejoice in him?

I rejoice in him with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have taken up my cross and I follow him.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

This is the greatest story ever told.

This is the story of how God loved man.

This is the story of Easter.

The Future

I used to dwell on  the past.

It was eating me up inside.

I was tired to the bone.

Then I turned to God.

To the God who loves me, cares for me and helps me grow. 

The Lord my God who has helped me time and time again, helped me to recover. 

Now I can look to the future without apprehension.

Now I pray that my Father will make me more and more the women that he wants me to be.

Now I am free to learn from my past, live in the present and look to the future. 

Matthew 6:26 and 27

"Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. 

They don't even store grain in barns. 

Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them.

 Aren't you worth much more than birds? 

Can worry make you live longer?" 

The Door

“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your wrath.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in deep anguish.

How long, Lord, how long?

 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;

save me because of your unfailing love.

 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.

Who praises you from the grave?

 I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping

and drench my couch with tears.

 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;

they fail because of all my foes.

 Away from me, all you who do evil,

for the Lord, has heard my weeping.

 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;

the Lord accepts my prayer.

 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;

they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.”

Psalm 6

David was a man in anguish. When he was in the pit of despair he reached out to God.

He trusted his Heavenly Father.

We can too.

Our foes are our temptations to follow our selfish desires.

To let the devil, take over and torment us.

So…

“Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full Armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:10-18

Our God is always there, standing by us in our torment.

Sometimes we don’t see that he cares.

We forget that he sent his son to die for us.

That he to, has endured great suffering.

Every time his children turn away, ignore him, and slam the door in his face.

Jesus is one who can open this door. God sent him.

To make a way for us to come back to him.

Into his arms, accepting his offer of grace.

Jesus said;

“I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the

kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

When we come to God as his children we relinquish control of our lives.

“We know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Let him in. You will see.

He does care.

Jen

“Everything that was a gain for me
I considered to be a loss because of Christ.
More than that, I also consider everything to be loss
in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things
and consider them filth,
so that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3: 7 and 8.

There once was a girl.
Kind, brave and generous.
For her heart belonged to God.

As she grew she taught others she knew,
From the small and weak to the tall and strong.
She did so consciously and unconsciously,
Because her heart belonged to God.

She continues to develop in skill, and in strength,
And with this, ventures into the unknown.
Without her large family and her many friends.
But go she will, for her heart belongs to God.

Why she goes, heaven knows!
She trusts in the one who sends her.
Her heart belongs to God.

So now, we must bow to the one who made us,
Praying that he will look after her;
blessing her and keeping her safe.
And so will she pray, for her heart belongs to God.

Jennifer Adams obeys her heavenly Father.
She knows him. She trusts him. We know she is wise.
Her heart belongs to God.

Our loving Father, bless Jen in all she does.
Introduce her to her siblings in the country,
to her new work, and her new life.
Help us all to remember and emulate this courageous,
compassionate, and selfless women.
With love we commend our wonderful sister into your care.
Our sister, who is, well and truly, your daughter.
This we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

A Lightened Load 

'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others'
Philippians 2:4

I have been guilty of the former, particularly of recent date.
I got so wrapped up in my wants, my needs, and my pain that I could not emerge from them.
Absorbed by my own interests, I could no longer look to those of others,
feeling and showing concern for them.

Now, once again, I awoke deeply concerned, and tried to untangle myself.
Yet I could not do this.
So I turned to my saviour and my God.
I pleaded with him to free me from my apathy.
He showed me grace and taught me to trust him, and to feel again.

A weight fell off me and I was reminded of the story of Eustace from 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.
Of when he needed  Aslan to remove the scales from him
to become human again, for he could not do this for himself.
As each layer came off I felt my muscles relax, and my breathing return to normal.

I thank you, my Father, for freeing me from my sin, and keeping me safe.
I will rejoice in you -
Always.