To you Lord I come.

 

 

I come Lord today, to be still in your presence,

You know every thought, every motive within,

Yet I still need to come, to seek you and ask,

Please forgive me for all my unconscious sins.

 

You replenish my soul as I come in my weakness,

You replace fear and doubt with love, joy and peace,

When I come to the end of my own weak endurance,

Your bountiful grace brings me blessed release.

 

You will help me to conquer every test I will face,

As I come in my weak human self for I know,

Your love everlasting will dwell deep within 

And in love so amazing you will cause me to grow

 

Each day is a gift, every breath that you give me,

Nothing is certain just this moment, this hour,

For life here on earth lasts but a mere moment 

I see just how quickly life fades in each flower.

 

Who else could I go to, save you my dear Jesus,

Where else would I get such a loving embrace,

Your arms ever outstretched to hold me securely

One day my dear Saviour we will meet face to face.

Love and Blessings dear friends

Lou.

ABIDE IN ME.

 

While enjoying a day of visiting childhood places, I found myself strolling through the  Abbey Gardens, in Bury St Edmunds.

I have such lovely memories of playing and exploring the old abbey ruins with my siblings, playing on the swings and just loving the wide-open space of grass to run in, play hide and seek and feed the ducks.

Over the years, trees have been planted, walkways made easier, and numerous wooden benches and picnic tables put in various places, especially overlooking the pristine flower gardens.

On this occasion I was struck by a rather magnificent tree, it was a Deep healthy green, and its branches spread out like a billowing skirt.

As I approached, I found I could walk underneath the canopy of branches, and it was then as I looked above the sturdy trunk of the tree, that I saw all the branches coming from the main trunk and intertwined before spreading outward to make the overhanging canopy of lush green leaves. And flowers hanging down.

 

Immediately, John 15, v5; came to mind, “I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing.

As I looked at this tree, one of God’s many beautiful creations, I could sense him speaking,

 “ As you abide in me, I will hold you, you will grow, and you will abide in me forever”

Love and Blessings Lou.

Interruptions

 

 

 

GODLY INTERRUPTIONS. VERSUS SATANS INTERRUPTIONS!!!

I found my old Autograph book and as I looked through it I came across this cartoon drawn by my late brother 49 years ago!!

It made me smile and brought to mind an occasion that happened many years later.

When I was Daycare Manager, one of my responsibilities was to carry out yearly appraisals on the staff who worked alongside me.

I will never forget a memorable appraisal!

Two of the questions asked on the form were,  What are your strengths? and What are your weaknesses? 

The member of staff I was appraising was a dear friend of mine, she could be very humorous but also serious!

When I asked what she felt her strengths were she answered, without any hesitation “ I am a good listener “

I then asked what she felt her weaknesses were, and she replied perfectly seriously,

“I interrupt too much “!!! 

I have been thinking about INTERRUPTIONS!!    

How often have I been trying to get quiet in prayer, and thoughts suddenly come into my mind that I find hard to get rid of, the phone rings, The doorbell sounds and the quiet time becomes full of interruptions.

 I was also thinking of how Satan tries to stop me by interrupting with a small niggly doubt, he can speak through what we read, and what we listen to, and it’s at these times I need to be ready to say “ Satan, stop right there, who do you think you are to have the audacity to interrupt my time with God?! He is so much greater and more powerful than you! Get behind me and go”!

How often do I wait for the Lord to speak, be it through reading his word, or listening to it being read, and before he has a chance to speak, my thoughts are crowding in, interrupting because I am too impatient just to sit and wait?

However, when God interrupts, it can only mean one thing: I must stop! 

I need To be sensitive to his still small voice, his inner nudge, that little prickle in my conscious, I need to put the brakes on something I might be getting into, that will draw me away from his will, I need to open my heart and say “ Lord, forgive me for being so slow to listen, forgive me for interrupting instead of taking heed to your wise counsel, I will let go of anything that is holding me back from giving you first place in my heart, let your will be done, in Jesus name, Amen.

Love and blessings my friends 

Lou.

USE YOUR TIME ON EARTH WISELY

 

 

LIFE IS SHORT….ETERNITY IS  NEVER ENDING  Are you ready?

    Psalm 39  Show me, OH LORD, my life’s end, and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. “ but now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”

During my nurse training, I worked on a ward for the elderly, at 18, those elderly ladies seemed so old, and I remember holding their wrinkled gnarled hands in mine, looking into their pale watery eyes, combing their white thinning hair, and listening to them reminiscing about their younger days.

I found it hard to imagine them as young girls, newly married, young wives, and young mothers holding their newborn babies.

At the time I had dreams of being a nurse, then marrying and having a family, the future seemed to stretch far into the distance.

Now, suddenly the years have come and gone, my hands are showing signs of aging, my hair is grey my eyes are tired looking, and my dreams have either come to fruition or not happened.

The older one gets; the faster time goes.

Many countless people are willing to go to great lengths to stay young; their faces look young, but their hands give them away!

scientists strive to find that magic elixir, to keep humans from aging, to even try and reverse the aging process, but so far to no avail

At the end of the day Life here on earth is short, when we are young and the years ahead seem to go on indefinitely, we make plans, we live as if we are immortal, and some do not even contemplate death, that’s something that happens when we are old and old age seems many decades ahead.

Yet…… when you get down to the nitty-gritty of how long life can last, it’s not exceptionally long in the great eternal scheme of things.

Some unexpected illnesses, accidents, and mental anguish can rob them of a long life.

When you measure a long life here on earth, be it three score years and ten, or even five score years plus one or two more, those years are a drop in the ocean compared to eternity.

You see, eternity is forever, time ceases to exist, and I find it almost impossible to get my mind around the fact that when my life on this time-oriented earth is over, although my earthly shell of a body will be no more, my soul, will live on forever.

Where will I be for eternity?

How many people ask this question?

For countless millions who have no knowledge or belief in God, they will accept life ends at the grave.

But it doesn’t, there are two places, a place of eternal separation from God, or a place of eternal oneness, love, peace, joy, worship, and the most precious unending relationship with our God, Saviour, King.

I am so grateful that I came to know my Heavenly Father at a youthful age and knowledge of his love and guidance throughout the years

. I look to the future with a sense of expectation, knowing that what lies ahead is beyond my imagination and will never end.

My prayer is that no one will come to the end of this life, and face eternity separated from our great creator God, but will have their eyes open, ears that will hear the beautiful  good news of Christ Jesus, know of being saved by grace, and have their hearts filled with the wonderful love that comes from saying,” Here I am Jesus, Thank you for saving me, I give my self to you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking my place on the cross”

                           Blessings to you all dear friends         Lou.

 

THE DEEP LOVE OF A FATHER

 

THE PRODIGAL SON.

He watched his son as he walked away,

Away from his father’s love,

And the father watched with tears in his eyes,

As he prayed to his God above.

“My son has gone, the world to roam,

Please keep him safe and bring him home.”

That son took his share of his father’s wealth,

And with all that he owned, walked away,

To live a wild life, with fair-weather friends,

Who, when money was spent, didn’t stay.

His father waited every day,

He never ceased to watch and pray.

With his money spent, and friends all gone,

He was destitute, alone,

And as he fed the swine he thought,

Of his father, back at home.

His father every day would pray,

“Lord bring him home, my waif and stray.”

That wayward son came to a place,

 All the food he had, was a crust,

His money all squandered on living a life,

Of pleasure, enjoyment, and lust.

Each night, as he exhausted slept,

His father prayed and watched and wept.

In despair, that son, he headed home,

Ashamed of all he had done,

Willing to serve in his father’s house,

As a  servant, no longer a son.

Unbeknown to him, a prayer was said,

By his father, kneeling by his bed.

A repentant son retraced his steps,

Dejected, and  full of shame,

For all that he had lost, he knew,

He had to take full blame.

With a longing to see his son so dear,

That father saw his son appear!

At last, his home came into view,

What would his father say,

He vowed a servant he would be,

His debt he would repay.

His father called his lost son’s name,

His son came, bowed, and in deep shame.

His father took him in his arms,

Face wet with tears of joy,

“Thanks be to God,” he cried aloud,

“You’re back, my precious boy!”

“This day I longed and prayed would come,

My prayers all heard in love,

In love, your life has been preserved,

By our gracious God above,”

That father’s heart with joy was filled,

From being full of fear,

Of living life without his son,

His precious son so dear.

With sadness, that father looked upon,

The son who’d stayed at home,

This eldest son, not glad at all

For the one who’d dared to roam.

Within his heart such bitterness,

Not pleased to see the one,

Who had returned a wiser boy,

from the things, he’d said and done.

Love and Blessings dear friends

Lou.

EASTER IS A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE, REFLECTION, AND THANKFULNESS

 

 

 

 

Jesus our Saviour, so willing, so loving,

You knew the great pain you were destined to face,

Willingly gave your life in the garden,

Gave of yourself with amazing Grace.

Those who were with you, too tired to keep watching. 

As you knelt there in sorrow They were too tired to pray,

they could not keep watch and pray, as in anguish,

You submitted, accepted, God’s only way.

Three times you went to them, each time they were sleeping,

At last, you said “come, my time it is nigh,”

 Then betrayed by that kiss, deserted, denied,

Taken, accused, as a sinner to die.

Those who were with you all left you, forsook you,

And one who you loved, denied you, in fear,

Surrounded by jeers, mocked, and forsaken,

Silent you stood, your future so clear,

You knew this was why you had come down to live.

Crowned with thorns and nailed on a cross,

Beaten and scourged, bleeding and torn,

To the crowd, you were not a great loss.

The worst part for you as you took on our sins,

Was when in agony, God turned away,

You were totally utterly separate from him,

As you bled on that dark brutal day.

Your poor broken body was tenderly taken,

 laid in a tomb that had never been used,

There you were left, a stone at the entrance,

Wrapped in clean linen, beaten, and bruised.

But Jesus! Our Saviour, our friend, and redeemer,

You conquered, you overcome death and the grave!!

You rose in great triumph, In glory, great splendor,

So, all who believe, can repent and be saved.

You gave of yourself! In love, you surrendered,

Your arms outstretched, wide open for all, 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, our wonderful Saviour,

For giving us life as we heed your dear call.

 

Easter blessings dear friends.

Lou.

“Come, do not fear”

Stepping out of our boat in faith.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water towards the boat he was in he said to Jesus,

“Lord if it’s you, command me to come to you,”

and Jesus said, “come!”

So, Peter stepped out and began to walk towards Jesus,

while he kept looking at Jesus he walked on the water!

It was as soon as he turned his attention to the wind and his surroundings,

and looked down at the water that he immediately began to sink!

I have pondered over this and have come to realise when we are going through the inevitable storms that come in life, however fearful we may be, however anxious, scared even at times stuck in a place we cannot seem to escape, the safest place is in the arms of Jesus, he is there waiting, and even if it means stepping out of “our boat” despite what is going on all around, we will be in the safest and most blessed place.


Mathew 14 v27-32.

When the wind blows fierce in the storms of life,

And the  waves rear up then fall,

With storms so wild I scarcely hear

My Saviour’s gentle call,

“ Come here my child, come unto me”.

I look he says, “come here.”

Amidst the storm, he beckons me,

My heart is full of fear.

To take that step into the deep

Not knowing, yet I must

I need to take that leap of faith.

And in my Saviour trust,

As soon as I am in his arms.

All fear just goes away,

The wind and waves are calm and still.

As I  hear my Saviour say

I AM with you in every storm.

Have faith, I’ll hold you tight!

You will not sink as you take that step.

Be it day or darkest night.

So, when we think we may well sink.

Beneath storm’s fierce and wild,

Our Saviour calls from the eye of the storm

“Come, fear not my precious child.”

Love and blessings dear friends

Lou.

A MOTHER’S LOVE.

I will always be so thankful for having a Mum who prayed, I miss her daily phone calls, and her amazing Love, I miss that I cannot tell her one more time how much I love her, I hope she knew how much she was loved.

On this Mothers day, if you still have your Mum with you, let her know how much you love her, indeed, all those who you love, tell them how special they are, and cherish them in your heart.

Our prayer warrior.

When others slept, in slumber deep

She often woke, and could not sleep,

So, she would let her thoughts go to,

The sad, the lonely, those she knew,

The ones who struggled, young and old,

Those both out, and in Gods fold,

She looked beyond the Hurtful deed,

And saw a hurting soul in need,

She loved those who, were hard to love,

Had such grace from God above,

And loved, not judging what she saw,

Showing Gods wide open door,

I know she used to pray for me,

In dead of night, there she would be,

Praying for me, silent pleading,

Loving, praying, interceding.

I loved her more than words can say,

I miss her warmth and love each day,

And know, for me, there is no other,

Like my praying, dearest mother. 

My prayer warrior. 

 

I wrote this many years ago when my four daughters were young.!!

A MOTHER’S LOVE

A  mother knows when the child she has borne,

is feeling good and contented

or sad and forlorn.

she can sense when they’re happy,

she can sense when they’re sad,

and a mother’s sixth sense

knows when they’ve been bad!!

a mother can tell when her child’s telling a lie,

she can sense when her child’s trying hard not to cry,

a mothers loves such that

after letters are read,

she can sense what is missing

what’s been left…….. unsaid,

the tone of a voice can give away much,

the joy or the sorrow

will a mother’s heart touch.

and even when mother and child are apart,

the love of a mother binds each distant heart.

love and blessings dear friends

Lou.

 

 

IN LOVE GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON.

BRING ME AGAIN TO THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.


The most important decision any of us can make is to follow Jesus, no matter what has gone before, every sin can be forgiven, come to the cross and acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, come in repentance and believe that Jesus rose and conquered death so that all who believe can know of spending eternity with Jesus, this is such a wonderful way to live life, we can even know of having a wonderful relationship here on earth!! How amazing is that!!  but it’s not going to be comfortable, pain-free, or a walk in the park!!!

 In fact, it will be challenging, and every day there will be our own self-will to deny as we seek to look to Jesus for guidance, reassurance, and knowing our heartfelt prayers are being answered.

But be assured this will be given in great love and abundance.

I have been thinking of the love of God, he sent Jesus to this earth to die!!!

So, we might be saved from our sinful nature.

I wrote the following words as I imagined standing at the foot of the cross, looking up, and instead of myself hanging there, Jesus had taken my place!

I often take this for granted, it becomes so familiar there is a danger that it loses some of its power, so every day I need to revisit and take In again the pain and agony that Jesus in love was so willing to go through for me.

Forgive me Lord for wandering far,

In thought, and walk, and deed,

Oh, how quickly Satan tries.

False promises to feed.

How suddenly doubts surface fast,

How quickly faith can dim,

Hold me fast my loving God,

When Satan tries to win.

Bring me again to the foot of the cross

Where in love you bled and died,

Bring me back to the foot of the cross

Where I’m saved and sanctified.

Forgive and cleanse me now I pray,

Refresh, renew me, Lord,

And let your word go deep within,

Like a mighty two-edged sword

I come again to the foot of the cross,

I come to kneel and give,

My heart, my soul my life my all,

with you, forever live.

Bring me again to the foot of the cross

Where in love you bled and died,

I come in awe at the foot of the cross

Where I’m saved and sanctified.

 

Love and Blessings dear friends Lou

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.

 

I have read and heard many times since the beginning of this new year how more than ever before we need to be a light in this damaged, corrupt and hurting world we are living in.

Jesus spoke of being a light, and being in a place where you can be seen!

placed in a position that can send a shaft of light into the deepest darkness.

Even the smallest candle will shine bright when placed in a very dark place.

So many people who have no belief, who have turned away from religion, struggling to get through each day by their own strength, self-will, desires, and finding life is an uphill battle. No joy, anxiety levels at all-time highs, and no one to go to and off load these heavy burdens.

This world is a dark place without Jesus. 

Jesus came to give hope, forgiveness, and redemption through his total willingness to be the one and only sinless man to live who had every sin that has, is, and will be committed, put on his torn and bleeding body, nailed to a cross, so we could go free.

Many people have not heard of Jesus, others shun him as a of no importance, while others don’t believe he was the son of God.

How can I, a reserved, shy, introverted OAP be a light in a world so in need of the good news of Jesus!!!

It requires courage, boldness, compassion, a deep love for every soul that is far from God, and the willingness to stand unashamed to share all that knowing Jesus can do, in an increasingly hostile environment.

My Lord, my Saviour hear my prayer,

A light I long to be,

Yet who am I to venture out,

When so oft I fear and doubt,

Give me courage

Make me bold

To share the greatest story told

Put me where you need me 

Lord, I pray.

Jesus said lights need to be

In a place where all can see

Going where deep darkness dwell,

A light to burn, good news to tell,

Standing alone amongst a throng

A lone voice singing redemptions song

Talking to a stranger who

Has asked the way, and where to go,

Moments when chance meetings make

Indifferent hearts start to awake 

As Sharing how our sins can be

Blotted out, so we are free. 

A light that shines, and won’t go out,

A light that penetrates each doubt 

A light that speaks of love and grace,

A light that shows our Saviours face.

Oh, Father God I want to be,

A light so you can shine through me,

I know I cannot do it well,

Unless within me deep you dwell,

You know the deepest, parts of me,

You know all my inadequacies,

But you can do great things 

I know,

So, I will willingly just go,

And be where you have planned my place.

So, I can share your love and grace.

Every Blessing my dear friends,   Lou.