God’s Signet Ring

I started to write this morning after reading this scripture.

I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger, says The Lord, for I have especially chosen you. I, The Lord Almighty, have spoken. Haggai 2 v 23

People think God is far removed from our daily lives. They think he is busy up in heaven thinking up some punishment for us. Or that we have to offer him some sacrifice to appease him. No no, God cares for us. He sees everyone and is acquainted with their grief. It is the devil who brings oppression and sorrow. But he is defeated by Jesus death on the Cross. He shed his Blood. His sacrifice is enough to please the Father. We believe and receive his blessings.

I am reminded of Robin Mark’s song, Revival in Belfast. This song was written about Belfast when there was war on the streets of this city.  Despite the war Robin Mark declared “You love this city and you love these streets.”   We now have peace on the streets of Belfast.

Here are some of the words that remind us God sees and loves us in our situation.

Every child out playing by their own front door
Every baby laying on the bedroom floor.
Every dreamer dreaming in her dead-end job
Every driver driving through the rush hour mob
From the young man working through his hopes and fears
To the widow walking through the veil of tears
Every man and woman, every old and young
Every fathers daughter, every mothers son.
One may feel their life is hum drum, or does my life really count.

But God has chosen you and me to be His very own…to be His priceless possession. To be His signet ring means we are under a covenant with Him..an everlasting relationship that extends to eternity. Do you hear Him telling you, “Everything that I possess belongs to you…Its like a package…When you have me…you have everything”. When God says that you are His signet ring, it means that He has given you the power and authority of the King of Kings…and whatever you claim in His name is given to you and nothing can prevent you from receiving it. You are given the power to break the yokes of the devil, you are given the authority to claim victory, you are given the rights to change the decrees written against you..because you represent the King of Kings.

I used the authority of the name of Jesus, the King of Kings, to rebuke all cancer in my body, that I will not die but I will live to tell others what God has done for me.  God responded to what I said and he healed me.  I remain healed.  I do not have cancer in my body.  I do not take medication to stop cancer returning.  God has done a good and complete job.

Like in a marriage the bride wears a ring,  as the song goes “to show the world that she belongs to the me.”

Do you realize your noble status? You are not an ordinary person..You belong to a royal family. We were not worthy to be called His own, yet He chose us to be one. So let us consider ourselves ,honored and privileged to be called His own and use the power and authority of our Father, the King of Kings.

God loves you and is betrothed to you. He wears a ring on his finger to remind him of you. Do you feel rejected? That no one has chosen you? That no one has bought a ring for you? God cares and loves you. Receive his love and use his name to pray for your needs.

 

See also Revival in Belfast by Robin Mark on U tube.

 

 

Inspiration as I Look at The Moon

I awoke early.  I looked up in the sky.  There was a sliver of the moon shining brightly.  The dark arc shaped outline across the moon is the shadow of the earth.

“Have you not known? have you not heard? has it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches  out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:”  ( Isaiah 40 v 21 22 KJV)

In warmer countries people sit outdoors in the cool of the evening.  They would be aware of the changes in the moon each month.  The moon is visible to all nations all over the world.  Looking at creation has inspired scientists and writers to do their work.  They would have wondered why is there changes in the moon?

There was debate among Christian scientists in earlier centuries.  Some thought the earth was flat.  But this line in the bible “He sits on the circle of the earth” gives us a clue that the earth is round.  Columbus set sail on the sea.  If the earth was round he expected to come back to where he set off.

The moon is made up of material that reflects light.  The sun shining on the moon gives it light. The earth blocks some of this light when it is positioned between the sun and the moon.  This happens during each month.  We can see the arc of the edge of the earth on the moon another sign that the earth is a circle.

As I looked at the sky I began to worship God who created the sun, the moon and the stars when I remembered these scriptures.  This morning I can see part of the circle of the earth on the moon.

I was reading the story of Jonah this week.  He disobeyed God and got on a boat.
A storm hit the boat.  Here is what it says.

“Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.
But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”
Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.
“Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?”
Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.  Then he told them he was running away from The Lord..”   (‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭5-9‬ NLT)

Jonah identified himself as one who worships the God of heaven.

I am so encouraged that people from many nations read my blog.  The moon that is shining on you, shines on me here in Ireland.  I encourage you to look up at the moon and watch the changes each month.  Look beyond the moon to The Lord who made the it.  He knows all about you.  You cannot hide from him like Jonah tried to do.
Call out to the God of heaven and his son Jesus and he will deliver you.

An Inherited Brooch Brings Back Memories.

I was wearing a brooch on my coat lapel today.  It belonged to my husband’s mother.  I liked it because it was in the shape of a tree.  It caught my son’s eye as we were out for a walk.  He said “Is that the olive tree with all the branches around your table.”  He was referring to a scripture that described our young children sitting around our table.
Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; that walks in his ways.
For you will eat the labour of thine hands: happy will you be, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine within your house: your children like olive plants round about thy table.
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed imagethat feareth the Lord. (‭Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭1-4‬ KJV)

We used to sing this Psalm often.  Abraham said “Let me count the number of leaves on it.”  He counted fourteen, the number of children we have.  I was excited and could not wait to tell Brendan.  I showed the brooch to him and he was pleasantly surprised as well.  He counted the number of leaves.  Yes there were fourteen.  But he looked again and counted six white leaves and eight green leaves.  We have six girls and eight boys in our family.

The brooch is inexpensive but it is priceless now.  It is prophetic.  Nannie had this brooch for many years.  I bet she never expected her son would have fourteen children.  I am wearing it in memory of her and all our children The Lord gave us.

Children are a blessing from The Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127

We moved house recently.  Brendan has been working to get our home ready for visiting family and grandchildren.  We push ourselves to get one more job done, even though our bodies ache.  We take a break and start again.  We have a big house and it is a bit  lonely with just the two of us, after years of activity and bustle.  Our hearts ache as well when we remember our loved ones far away.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget I will not forget you.”  (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭15‬ NIV)

Abraham returned from university yesterday; the first of the birds flying home to Ireland for Christmas.  Three more arrive on Friday.   I am blessed today as God reminds us of all our children we reared down through the years, in this little brooch.  They are returning home.  He has not forgotten us.

Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭18‬ NIV)

I will wear my brooch and think of God’s love and faithfulness to us.  Yes his promise to me will come true.  My children will return.

I received an e mail from a friend in Canada. She reminded me of Proverbs 13 v 12,

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ NIV)

When I was suffering from cancer I had lost all hope in the future or my dreams and prophesies coming true. But God intervened. He had mercy on me and for his Name’s sake he healed me. Today my hopes and dreams are coming true. The brooch resembling a tree is an encouragement to me that my longings are being fulfilled, and that God is restoring my life.

There is life after cancer. I am staying alive.

A Night at the Theatre to hear Handel’s Messiah

We were given complimentary tickets to Handel’s Messiah, performed in the Belfast Waterfront by the Ulster Orchestra and the Belfast Philharmonic.  We were joined by two friends who arranged supper and a lift to the theatre.

In the Program Notes it says that Handel’s first performance of Messiah was in Dublin rather than in London.  The Messiah was written around the 1740 s during the period of Enlightenment and scientific questioning, and the of message of Jesus Christ was unpopular.  There is nothing new under the sun.

In our secular, humanistic society there is not much mention of God.  Santa Claus is glorified at Christmas time rather than Our Father in heaven who sent his son Jesus on earth to redeem mankind.  The gospel is not popular where man is in control.

People would be entertained at the theatre or opera houses in Handel’s day.  The equivalent media today is television.  Not everyone liked the idea of the gospel message being played in the opera house.

The words of Handel’s Messiah are all biblical texts proclaiming Jesus birth, death and ressurection, written by Charles Jennens.  There was opposition to his work and the word Messiah was omitted for its first performance in London.  However I believe this work was inspired by God.

I particularly liked the Chorus. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.  The chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed.”

It is because I believe in the truth of these words that I am healed from fourth stage cancer.  Jesus was wounded so I can be healed.   

When Handel’s Messiah was performed in the nations down through the centuries people have heard the words of the gospel. The message of Jesus’ promise of forgiveness, healing, restoration and victory through his death on the cross has been sung in the great theatres of the world.  Who knows how God works.  He sends his word throughout the earth.  It will not return void.

Give thanks to The Lord, call upon his name.  Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.  1 Chron 16 v 8

When one speaks the truth of the word of God, Satan flees and people’s ears are opened.  Words are creative.  We are not limited to speak about God in churches.  Different songs are written and played through the media for people to hear.  One simple example comes to mind.  “Go tell it on the mountain.”  In the movie Sister Act there is a song the nuns sing called “I will follow him.”  Gods word says “Open your mouth and I will fill it.”  Johnny Cash went into prisons and sung the gospel message to the prisoners.

It was very powerful moment last night when the Ulster Orchestra played the Alleluia Chorus.  The drums beat and the trumpeters blasted.  The 160 strong choir stood up followed by the audience of two thousand people and sang out to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The angels would have joined us.

“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.
They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. (‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭11-14‬ NLT)

Satan does not want the words of the Gospel proclaimed.  When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus responded by saying it is written and quoted the scriptures.  When we speak in line with the scriptures we defeat Satan and God moves according to our words.  Mary said to the angel “Be it done unto me according to your word.”  She humbly accepted the words of the angel that she would become the mother of Jesus.

All creation gives Glory to God.  It was good to sing out with two thousand other people to give Glory to God.

The Smoke Filled the Room instead of the Chimney!

Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful things anyone can experience in life. All our belongings are removed from the previous house. There are boxes still to be opened and sorted. I think what drains my energy is deciding what to keep, what needs passed on, or where is the new place for each item. I was exhausted and we decided to take a day off from work.

There are different jobs that need sorted. Thankfully different workmen have helped us beyond the call of duty. There are two window blinds that need new chains for them to be used. In town we saw a van with the words “Genesis Blinds”. I said perhaps he could call over and replace a chain for us. The owner of the van was working in a house nearby. I popped my head round the door and said “Is the blind man here?” The workmen all looked at me. I laughed. I looked over to a man who was working at the window. I said “Are you the blind man. I need someone to put a chain on my blind.” He wasn’t amused. He said “You need to make an appointment for someone to call out.” Some day we will get the blind fixed.

image

The most recent snag was a chimney that needed cleaned. There had previously been a gas fire in the living room. It was removed to leave an open fire that will burn wood and coal. I like direct heat and a blazing fire is welcoming on a cold night. I couldn’t wait to get a fire lit in my new house, and take a rest from unpacking.

I tried a firelighter and a few sticks to start off. After a few minutes smoke started to fill the room instead of going up the chimney. Thoughts of “Why didn’t we leave the gas fire in” came to mind. We wouldn’t have all this bother. The fire alarm went off and there was upset and frustration for a while. There must be some blockage up the chimney. When one is trying to restore something there are always a few obstacles to overcome. This fireplace may not have been used for twenty years! We left the idea of a fire for another day.

A father has many coats to put on. Yesterday my husband became a chimney sweep. He cleared away the debris of a nest that crows had built at the top. There was no soot, just twigs and straw.

This evening we are going to sit by the fire and put our feet up and de stress. Wish you were here.
We will have real Christmas logs burning on the fire. We are starting to enter into the Festive season. As the song says, “Tis a season to be Jolly.”

A Bird Built His Nest

 

Recently I was thinking of the blackbirds in the garden of the our Saul St home. There were so many blackbirds that I wanted to call it “Blackbird Garden”.  Every spring they would be competing for the best territory to build a nest. The hedge rows, the ivy covering the walls, the holy bushes, the undergrowth of briars, all offered a safe place to build a nest. In the big garden the birds could forage for food to feed their hungry chicks.

The male blackbird has black feathers and a bight orange beak.  He was distinctive with his shiny coat as he sat on a branch surveying the area he was planning to build his nest and singing to attract his female.  She was close by, proud of her mate who was going to prepare a home for her and her young.

The birds began to build the nest.  They flew in through a hole in the hedge with beaks full of small twigs, moss or wool.  They built their nest with the twigs and used the moss or wool for the cosy lining to keep mother and chicks warm.  When the young were hatched father blackbird was even busier collecting food and feeding the young.  He was working all the hours of sunlight.

As I watched the early morning activity of the birds, my thoughts went to my husband.  He was like the blackbird.  He was busy being responsible for me and his family and property.  He made sure his home for his family was warm and there was enough food.  He had a house full of hungry young as well.  He kept the home fires burning in the cold months.  He paid the bills.

Our Heavenly Father has put it into the heart of the bird and the father to have young and care for them.  God cares for all he has created.

We have moved house recently.  It has plenty of space for our children and grandchildren to visit.
I see this aspect of a caring father in my husband at the moment, even though our chicks have all flown the nest.  He is like the blackbird going to and fro putting things in place, hanging pictures of the children, making up beds, preparing his workplace, carrying chairs and tables.  He will sit at the head of the table as we share food and family times again.  He will sit around a camp fire out on the veranda and tell stories to his grandchildren that he told to his own children.  Brendan is preparing a home for his own children to return to and bring their little ones.

We are not retiring as parents.  Our work will continue as God gives us strength.  No pensioners bungalow for us.  Our children still need us.

Gods word encourages us to look at the birds.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭26-27‬ NIV)

People have often asked us “How can you afford such a big family?”  We have faith in God like the birds he will care for us.  We are more important than them.  God promises to care for us.  He is worthy to be trusted.

In one of the psalms it says,
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! (‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭3‬ NLT)

Brendan was working with the children in our garden once before.  A blackbird came and built a nest very close to where they were working.  It busied itself with its young while Brendan was busy with his young digging the garden.  The birds like to be around life.  As our spirits reach out to God the birds respond.  They sing for us on the branches.  We will always remember that family of blackbirds.

The first of our children and grandchildren came to visit at the weekend.  I turned on the heating to warm up all the rooms.  I reminded my husband that the blackbird lines the nest with wool to keep the young warm.  He swallowed hard.

It is the middle of an Irish winter.  Whoever thinks of a house move at this time!  Our new home is bigger.  Our last house was a modern bungalow with good insulation.  It was like a hot house.  I was using the same bed covering here that I used in the bungalow.  I was feeling the chill last night.  I gave in to changing the bed covering to a duvet Brendan bought two years ago.  I tried it out before but found it too warm.  It was just what was needed in our new nest.  The feathered filled duvet kept us cosy through the cold night.  My husband had already provided for the colder days!

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Can’t Beat Home Made Bread

We took a break from unpacking, washing and cleaning.

The sun was shining and reflecting off the water in front of our new home in the country.  We don’t just have a pond at the bottom of our garden, we have Strangford Lough!  I decided to make some Irish wheaten bread which cooks beautifully in the Aga.  Brendan wanted to go for a walk.  I asked him to wait till the bread was cooked before we left.  A friend said he would go for a walk and leave the food in the oven but too often they were away longer than they intended and the food was burnt.  I didn’t imagewant that to happen.

Brendan and I went for a walk along the bay.  The water lapped against the sea weed covered rocks.  I forgot my binoculars to do some bird watching.  I didn’t need them today as some birds were close by, gulls, sandpipers and many more were feeding on the shore. We walked around a little peninsula which becomes an island when the tide is high.  We sat down in the sunshine had coffee from my flask and enjoyed the view, Bella Vista.

The Lord is my shepherd; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. (‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1-2‬ KJV)

When my children were young I always wanted to move to the country to live.  I thought they could work off a lot of energy playing in the open spaces, like I did as a child.  It was not practical to live in the country for my family.  Living near schools, shops, friends, health centre and dentists in the town was more suitable.  The children could attend after school activities and sports events without me taking them by car.  They could walk home.  We weighed up the benefits of living in the country or the town.  Living in the town suited our young family better.

I haven’t made bread for twenty years.  When the children were young I made a batch of wheaten loaves every week.  Our children loved the hot bread with butter and jam running over the sides.  It was very satisfying. Baking bread was gone for a season but not forgotten.

When I was in Canada recently my host, Maureen, relaxes on the week end and makes a wheaten cake of bread for her family.  Her mum, who was from Belfast, taught her how to make it.  She keeps an Irish tradition going.  Perhaps she inspired me to get going again making bread.

I remember my mother made griddle soda bread for us.  It is made with flour, baking soda and buttermilk mixed together.  The dough was turned out onto a floured baking board, shaped into a circle an inch deep and cut into four parts.  The dough was placed on a hot griddle on top of the cooker.  When one side was cooked it was turned over to finish it off on the other side.  The smell of the cooking bread brings memories of provision, warmth and comfort.  If I was about when the bread was ready I loved to have a piece with butter melting on the fresh slice.   Homemade soda was fat free, nutritious and inexpensive.  Those were the days before supermarkets and mass produced food.

My first loaf of wheaten bread on my new Aga turned out tasty.   Brendan enjoyed it for lunch after our walk.  The smell of the freshly baked bread filled the room.  We will have daily bread from now on.

Jesus told us to pray, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9-11‬ KJV)

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Signs and Wonders in Slovakia.

Slovakia is in Central Europe.  It’s people are peaceful but have suffered from other empires in Europe that have ruled over them.  Hungarians, Austrians, Turks, Germans and Russians have ruled over them through the centuries.  Recently the Slovaks celebrated the twenty fifth anniversary of their liberation from communism.
We stayed in a hotel on the last two nights of our stay in Bratislava.  The dining room was like a museum.   I was amazed at the animals that are displayed there.  On one wall were the hides of a bear, two leopards and two wolves.
I thought of the scriptures from proverbs,

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭15‬ NIV)

The Slovak people have had their share of others ruling over them.  The symbols of the dead animals remind me that those oppressors are not ruling over the Slovak people any more.  There is a new generation of people who are recovering from the former oppression and with God’s help are being set free and are prospering.  
Pope John Paul 11 said that Slovakia will help the rest of Europe.  How can a humble people influence the rest of the nations around about.  By their example of love, humility and forgiveness.  As they know God’s love they reach out to others.
Branio is a Worship leader who plays the guitar and sings in Slovakia.  He was having a week of meetings throughout the country while we were there.  On the Thursday night he fell and broke his wrist.  That would have meant he could not have continued the scheduled meetings.   Fifteen people gathered around him and prayed for him.  He could feel cracking in his wrist and the pain ease.  He composed himself and tried to play his guitar.  His wrist worked as normal.   He did not have to go to hospital.  He continued with his appointments for the rest of the week.
The prayers of many brought him healing.   God healed his arm.  There are signs and wonders happening in Slovakia. There is joy and freedom instead of oppression over the people. The lion and the bear are defeated.

Have You Had a Bad Hair Day?

When travelling I often run out of the shampoo and conditioner that suits me best when at home.  When I travel with Easyjet or Ryanair I am limited to the small amount of liquid that is allowed on carry on luggage.  I am at the mercy of the gifts of shampoo in the hotel room or the shampoo belonging to my hosts or the type of water, whether hard or soft.   I never know what my hair will turn out like.  My hair could turn out curly, wavy, smooth or standing out or up.

I was feeling a bit frustrated last Saturday morning before an event in which Brendan and I were taking part.  Tempers flare easily when one is tired.  My hair looked dull and I was feeling dull.  It was our last meeting after a busy schedule in Slovakia.  I had to encourage myself in The Lord to finish the race.

Afterwards I read this scripture.  

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

I quieted myself, picked myself up, gathered my bag and coat and waited for our lift.  No more worry about how I looked.  After hours of praying for people, I looked radiant.  The important thing was that Brendan and I worked in unity.  The Lord gave Brendan and me the strength to finish well.

Suicide is Not Painless

I was on the last leg of our journey home from Bratislava yesterday evening.  We picked up our car from my daughter’s apartment.  I was driving from Belfast.  I was driving along Shaws bridge and pulled up at traffic lights.  
Brendan turned on the CD player.  A CD called Visions from K-tel, a compilation of movie songs was playing.  A song called Suicide is Painless started.  It was the sound track from a movie called MASH written in 1969.
I couldn’t believe my ears.  The words said 

That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please

The game of life is hard to play
I’m gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say

Words have power.  These words have power.
Just then I turned left after the traffic lights into a busy dual carriageway of traffic that was coming straight for me.  I took a wrong turn.  Thankfully some angels were protecting us from disaster.  The traffic slowed and gave me space to make a quick  U turn and escape.  I avoided suicide! 
I wonder what has been the fruit of the words of this song down through the years since it was written and played?  Has many people have come under the power of these words and committed suicide thinking it is painless? The writer, who was a fourteen year old boy, did not know what he was doing. Words have power.
Pain surrounds suicide.
My husband was alerted to pray for a friend many years back.  He felt the spirit of suicide come into his car as he drove home.  He rebuked the spirit of suicide in Jesus name.  He prayed against the spirit of suicide having any influence over his friend.
We later learned that our friend had tried to committed suicide that night by walking into a river.
Next day Brendan went to see him.  He has just taken some Gramoxine, a weed killer.  A second time he attempted suicide.  His daddy was dying in hospital and he was distraught.  He was taken to A and E where all the alarm bells went off.  The doctors said he would be dead in nine days.
We alerted others to pray for him.  God heard our prayers and healed him totally without any side effects.  Praise God.
Instead of being passive be careful what you listen to.  Words have power for good or evil.
Brendan turned off the CD!