The first morning in 2018 to sit out on the patio and enjoy the sunshine and view. We had an extra treat today, freshly baked Victoria Sandwich cake. My daughter is experimenting with Mary Berry Aga Cook book. I’m in for more treats this year.
Author Archives: Prayingangela
The Sunshine has Returned
It is a fact that man is sure to have trouble in this world.
Yet man is born to trouble, as sure as sparks fly upward. Job 5 v 7
When I was living in my father’s home I was sheltered and protected from life’s storms.
I was hopeful and joyful for my future when I left home. My sunny expectations have carried me through many ups and downs in life. Yes we will have troubles but God in Psalm 91 promises to be with us in trouble and deliver us out of it.
Psalm 50 v 13 to 15 v 23
I don’t need your sacrifices.
What I want instead is your true thanks to God.
Trust me in times of trouble and I will rescue you and you will give me glory.
But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
The sun is shining again bringing light and warmth. Alleluia. It is so welcome after grey snow laden clouds and chilly biting winds here in Ireland. Humans, animals and birds were forced to shelter till the storm passed. Was that the last cold blast before spring? Can the daffodils blossom and lift their sunshine petal trumpets now?
How did I survive the cold spell? I needed the help of others. Brendan made sure there was oil in the tank, coal and wood at hand to light a fire in the evenings. The warmth from hot water bottles helped us get to sleep. My daughter made warm dinners.
I had a lingering cold for a few days. I had started listening to the radio in the mornings and when I was driving. My ears were buzzing with fears about results of Brexit, local tragedies and news of bad weather. My mood took a dip and I developed a fever as the cough developed. I hid under the duvet. I felt a dark shadow over me bringing gloom. My husband and daughter prayed and attended to me.
I realised what had happened to me. I was allowing all the bad news to affect my mind. I was not thanking God for his many blessings to help me through the dark days. I needed to get back to reading the good news. The Word of God is truth and up lifting and healing.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice, Paul encourages us. We may not feel like rejoicing when your car won’t start, you can’t get to work and the baby won’t stop crying. Thanking and praising God changes the atmosphere. Your mood changes and it lets God move to help. He comes to the rescue.
Often I would come before God crying and telling him all my woes. It doesn’t help. My prayers don’t get any higher than the ceiling. His word tells me to come before him with thanksgiving and praise. That is the best sacrifice that pleases God. Then he will move to change the woes. They will disappear like wax before heat and smoke before the wind.
Psalm 91 reminds us if we trust God he will be with us in trouble. In this world we will have trouble. Jesus said be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Our best security for the future is to thank God now, each day and he promises to be with us in the bad times and even deliver us out of them. Alleluia.
Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. The birds are singing, The sun is reflecting off the water again. The sky is blue. The dark clouds have gone. My car will get fixed. That which is broken will be restored.
We may do all we can in life to avoid trouble. But it is a fact that trouble will come.
Red Berries for the Thrush
A Robin jumped from branch to branch in the hedgerow to welcome us home recently. Brendan leaves food out every morning for the birds. The Robin is a regular visitor.
Last week, cold winds blew in over The British Isles bringing snow overwhelming homes and roads. Red alert warnings have been given to warn people to stay at home.
Someone told me that a Tesco Extra near where she lives was sold out of food before the freeze. People were making sure they had food to keep them over the cold spell. Birds need extra food too during cold weather. New birds came to our bird table recently, blackbirds, wagtails, chaffinch and sparrow. There is a wildlife display as we have our breakfast inside.
A tree down the garden had many red berries on it. I noticed a flurry of activity around it. I looked closer. A number of song thrushes were feeding greedily on the berries. They flew back and forth from the forest nearby. One bird sat on a branch and kept watch. If any other birds come to the tree it drove them away. Some blackbirds tried to get the bounty. A fight broke out till the intruders flew off.
The snow has melted. The thrush are staying in the forest. The shelves in Tesco will be filled again. Life will return to normal. The danger has past. Our regular visitor, the Robin will sit on a branch in the hedgerow waiting for the door to open.
God Carries You in His Arms
Yes what you are reading in my title is not your imagination.
I was blown away by this simple verse this morning that I read from the Psalms.
Praise The Lord, praise God our Saviour!
For each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68 v 19 NLT
Meditate on these words.
Although my God is all powerful, Almighty, the who created the heavens and the earth, he is as gentle as a father or mother to carry one in his arms. Jesus taught us how to pray saying Our Father, who are in heaven. The Hebrew word for father is Abba. When in Israel I heard little children run after their father calling Abba! Abba! until he gave them his attention. Feel free to call out Abba! Abba!
We are created in his image. We have his nature. That is why a father or mother is touched by the vulnerability of their new born baby. This is love. The baby feels secure in his parents’ love. So it is when I am in God’s arms. I’m secure in his love.
Even though I am an adult, even a pensioner, he is holding me today in his arms, like a mother cradles a baby. I’m letting his warm hands hold me, comfort me, smooth my brow and brush away my concerns. He wipes away my tears and stays with me till I feel better, as a father comforts his child after he falls and bumps his head.
Let the Lord carry you in his arms today and hold you close to his cheek.
I was touched by another scripture recently from Hosea 11 v 3 4 8+9
Often we recoil away from God because of fear, guilt or shame. That is the devil’s lie telling us God is angry or will not forgive our sins. The devil tempts us to sin in the first place and when we have sinned he keeps us in the dark and stops us from calling Abba for his love, forgiveness and care. The devil is a trickster and our enemy.
God’s love for us. Not only does he hold us in his arms he holds us up to his cheek and heals us.
11 ‘When Israel was a child, I loved him. Instead of Israel or Ephraim put in your name.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realise
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.
I don’t want to give you up. I want to protect you
I won’t be angry with you.
My heart recoils within me,
My compassion grows warm and tender,
For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst.
God is real and is with you today. Believe what I’m saying. Let him hold you and heal you today. It’s not your imagination.
An Invitation to be Still
Come stop.
Do you hear the click, click, click?
A flurry of Turnstones,
Along the shoreline,
Looking for insects,
Tasty, moist morsels,
On up-turned pebbles.
Ignore your ringing phone.
Do you see their darting bodies,
Brown and white, camouflaged.
Their beaks turn over stones
Among the seaweed
That glistens in the sun.
I cannot see God
But I see his Glory
In these little creatures.
Forget about shopping.
Don’t worry,
Dinner can wait.
Come stay a while.
Present Time Still Standing
The present cold, dull day makes one want to stay close to home comforts. My AGA cooker is one of my home comforts. For the last few days it was not working properly and I was feeling the cold. The engineer checked it over on Friday night. The problem was a blocked filter stopping the oil flowing to power the cooker.
I had been meditating on the scripture about five wise virgins who had their lamps filled with oil. I wrote a blog on the subject. I was experiencing at first hand what it was like not to have the oil flowing. I was very cold as a result. I was waiting patiently to see if the Aga was working again. I was overjoyed to see it was working better than it had been for a long time and my kitchen was warm again. I cooked pancakes for breakfast, made wheaten bread in the oven and cooked soup, all before ten am.
In the early morning the sun light up the sky and sea to a pale blue. Light and warmth were returning. Is the winter over?
My husband and I went for a walk along the shore. We walked through the variety of boats safe on dry land for the winter. A rich man’s yacht, a black upturned curragh, an unfinished wooden skiff and some fiber glass small boats sheltered there. We went to our favorite spot to collect sea glass. Oh, the welcome warmth on our backs as we bent down searching.
Later we sat at the quay sharing some fish and chips. Other creatures were enjoying the welcome sunny morning. Brent geese fed in the water and gulls soared overhead. Two gulls landed on the pier a little distance off. I took a photo of them. A friend distracted me for a while. She was out enjoying the morning as well.
When I looked at the gulls again, I noticed the bigger one was standing on one leg. I commented to my husband. A moment later the gull stretched the missing leg out behind. He limped a few steps forward and sat down. His partner looked on attentively. He must have been in pain. We prayed that the gull’s leg would be healed and restored.
Yesterday was a joyful day. I wanted to fit in so much while the sun shone. The joy of yesterday overflowed into today. The cold and dullness at the present time has not dented my sense of wellbeing.
Lamps filled with Oil.
Two days before Jesus was arrested and brought to be crucified, he spoke to his disciples. One of the last parables he spoke to them about was the story of the ten virgins.
““At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”
Matthew 25:1-5 NIV
When Jesus was with his disciples he spoke to them about many things which they did not have had clear understanding about. It was after he died and rose again that they began to think about what he had told them.
The disciples received the Holy Spirit when they were waiting and praying together in the upper room. Jesus told them to wait till they received power from on high. After they received the Holy Spirit they were bold and proclaimed about Jesus without fear.
In the scriptures we are told that the Holy Spirit has many attributes. Here are some or them; like a dove, Luke 3 v 22; quencher of thirst, Isaiah 55 ; the comforter, John 14 v 26; teacher of truth, John 16 v 13, giver of power, Acts 1 v 8; giver of joy, Romans 14 v 17. giver of love, Romans 5 v 5; giver of eternal life, John 4 v 14; oil, Mark 6v 13; prayer, Jude 1 v 20.
Do you need love, joy, heaven, truth or comfort? Are you thirsty? Are these not attributes all our hearts desire? I have good news for you. The Holy Spirit wants to give these without measure. Receive him.
The five wise virgins with their lamps and oil are symbolic of people who receive the Jesus (lamp) and keep the Holy Spirit (oil) flowing in their lives. They are prepared for any good work and will not be ashamed when Jesus returns. The foolish virgins are symbolic of those of us who receive Jesus but don’t keep the oil of the Holy Spirit flowing in their lives. They will be unprepared for Jesus return.
Many people start off excited about the Holy Spirit but do not continue praying in the Spirit. Persecutions or lack of perseverance discourage one. So we give up. Let today be a new day for you. It is the beginning of Lent. A new beginning to turn again to God. A flickering flame he will not put out. Instead God can cause that flame to be stirred up into a fire! Be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit.
i can testify to the Holy Spirit being my Comforter. Many times when I’ve been distressed I’ve been comforted. The Holy Spirit has led me into truth and led me in life’s paths that are good for me. He has given me joy instead of despair. His power strengthened to rear fourteen children and be healed of cancer. When I have no love left, he fills me with love again. He will keep me and give me eternal life in heaven. Praise God.
The Heron
Cyclists sprint past,
Cars hurry to the ferry,
Lovers chat,
Strong youths hike along the shore road
Unaware of the heron
Standing nearby
Long legs stiff
Beside the still water
Dignified with
Long, whispy feathers
Dangling from his chest.
Slender neck outstretched
Head tilted
Eyes staring, glaring.
Yellow beak darts and stabs.
A small fish is swallowed.
Rewarded.
Head wound into his shoulders
Rest for a while
Satisfied, savouring success
He waits into the night, fishing.
He knows that tomorrow
There will be choppy waters.
He shrieks, spreads his feathers,
Like a skirt hanging from his wings,
And rises to the hills beyond,
To wait, high in a tree,
Till the storm passes.
A Thin Place in Ireland
Beni Johnson wife of Bill Johnson, head pastor of Bethel in Redding in the USA, has written a book on intercession. It is her story of how God led her to be an intercessor. She has taken many groups all over the USA and the world to pray.
I am very excited after reading this paragraph in her book.
“A thin place is where heaven and earth are close. It is easier to experience the spiritual realm in these places. A lot of times you can tell if you are in a thin place, because there are a lot of spiritual and creative people who are gathered there. Examples of this include many parts of Ireland, which is known for its thin places.”
An example of a thin place is at Bethel in Israel where Jacob had a dream and he saw angels ascending and descending to heaven. Here is the reference from Genesis.
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house.
Genesis 28:12-13, 16-19, 22 NIV
In 2015 Brendan and I visited Israel. I had a desire to visit Bethel, the place where Jacob had a dream. It was not on the usual visitor’s sites in Israel. We had to get a local taxi driver to take us there. He brought us to a viewing point at Bethel where Abraham once stood and God showed him all the land before him and promised to give it to him.
Genesis 12 v 7.
7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
It was a privilege to stand on that viewing point, where Abraham once stood, and look out to the north, the south, the east and the west and see the land of Israel stretching before me. God’s promise to Abraham is being fulfilled today as God is bringing the people of Israel back to their homeland.
Quite near by was a small building. “There is where It is traditionally thought that Jacob had his dream,” the taxi man advised us. When we went over to the building we entered into a small room. The picture included in this blog shows a view to the east from the landmark. In the middle distance is the house where Jacob is said to have had a dream. We prayed and remembered Jacob’s dream. Again I felt blessed to be where Jacob of old rested. We took some photographs. A picture of my husband revealed just his turso. His legs and arms did not show up in the picture. Something supernatural happened in that place. It is still a place where the Angels ascend and descend, I believe, a thin place.
I’m privileged to live on the Ards Peninsula in Ireland. The local council haves named it the Ceeative Peninsula. All along the shores of Strangford Lough are the ruins of Christian settlements. Many people lived in the thriving communities living off the produce of the land and sea. Prayers and praise to God would have been offered in these places. They are Thin Places, I believe. Ireland is known as the Land of saints and scholars. Many missionaries have gone out from Ireland to other nations, and still do today. There is a book written telling How the Irish Saved Civilization, By Thomas Cahill. We have a wonderful inheritance in Ireland, yet to be mined.
Sickness in Winter
When I was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer in 2010 a friend prophesied to my husband “Do whatever it takes to get healed.” I had the help of the medical profession and people who knew how to pray, I was anointed with oil and ate good food and herbs. After four months I was healed completely.
This is a more difficult winter for us in Northern Ireland this year. We have had longer periods of zero temperatures, snow, wind and rain. The conditions are testing on families and the elderly. Many have the flu. It is time to endure and believe this sickness will pass and do whatever is necessary to get better. Sliced onions beside the bed of the sick person is know to absorb viruses and infections.
The promises in Psalm 91 have been a comfort to me down through the years, if I was in trouble whether with difficult conditions or sickness.
Here are truths that God promises for you as you trust him.
““If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says GOD, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!””
Psalm 91:14-16 MSG
Psalm 103 has been another promise that I hold onto for healing.
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,”
Psalm 103:2-3 NIV
When we reared our children they enjoyed good health. Brendan and I would pray for them and believed for walking in good health. Our children seldom missed school. God’s word is powerful and is true if you believe it. Have faith for healing and don’t be afraid.
You may not be feeling well yourself or have someone who has the flu or is in some other difficulty. Stand up and fight and believe God for his healing. It is a battle to believe God will heal if some one still has the symptoms of sickness. Don t look at the circumstances. Pray over your loved one until the sickness leaves. It’s time to fight and endure.
When an army goes out to war it needs the proper equipment to defeat the enemy. Our enemy puts sickness on people. I win by declaring that Jesus took all my diseases and sicknesses and I don’t have to be under the power of sickness no matter what it’s form.
The blood of Jesus heals me.
My war equipment is the Word of God and faith in the living God, Jesus. I speak out loud the Word of God over the sickness and command it to go. Jesus gives me power over all the power of the devil. He puts sickness on people. I take authority over sickness and tell it to go in Jesus name. I say for example, “By the stripes of Jesus be healed. Jesus in your Word I read that you took our diseases and lifted off all sicknesses. Lift off this sickness from my friend tonight. Believe and receive.”
When Jesus was on Earth he healed many people and cast out demons. He chose twelve disciples and gave them authority to do the same.
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.
Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.””
Mark 3:13-15, 20-21 NIV
People were annoyed with Jesus because he did unusual things. Even his own family were annoyed with him.
This may sound new or strange to you, but I know for sure Jesus heals today.
Healed of Cancer. Angela McCauley 