Category Archives: Dreams

Preparing For Darker Days

Posted in Dreams, Family Friday, My thoughts by

On Sunday night the fourth of October, there were gales and heavy rain in my part of the world, Northern Ireland.  As we travelled home late at night, leaves were falling against the windscreen like a snow storm.  Next morning electricity was out and branches of trees, twigs and leaves littered the roadsides.  I thought winter had arrived suddenly.
Swallows have left and farmers have their crops harvested.  I was not ready for the season change.
There had been warm sunny days during September so I was unprepared for colder, windier and wetter days.  The forecast told me the weather would remain unsettled.  I felt like the animals that hibernate, I wanted to scurry for cover.
I remembered a dream I had many years ago.  I saw a stack of logs and a stack of coal beside my house.  I would have provision for cold days. This dream encouraged me to believe Proverbs 30 for myself and not fear the cold weather.

She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭21, 25‬ NLT)

Thankfully one of my sons was visiting. Patrick is home all the way from Australia. One of my children turns up when I have a need.  I needed his help.   He made a shelter near my back door to store logs.  He secured the covering on my shed so rain would not seep in.  He cleared the guttering of any buildup of leaves.  We emptied pot plants of fading summer plants.  We moved potted trees and shrubs to a sheltered part of the garden away from scorching salty winds.  Brendan secured a store of oil and coal. Thank God for my husband and son. I feel more prepared for the season ahead now.
This week has been a glorious week.  The forecasters were wrong.  We had sunny days to finish the work outside.  At night the full moon shone overhead.  Amazingly we had a glimpse of a red moon as it rose in the sky on Friday night.
Another sign as the Word of God tells us
I will show wonders in the heavens. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. (‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭30-31‬ NIV)
God is speaking through his Creation.
This Sunday night I am enjoying the glow and heat from my log fire in the hearth.  I will enjoy the rest and warmth indoors through the dark nights ahead.
Are you prepared for darker days?  The weather and news headlines forecast storms ahead.  The media instill fear for the future.  Do not be afraid.  Look up at the sun, moon and stars.  Look up to the One who created them and have faith in God. Call upon his name and you will be safe.  You will find shelter under his wings.

Enjoying the Waves on the Irish Shoreline

Posted in Dreams, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

I went down to the sea this week. There is a full moon in the sky. The tide is higher than normal. The sea is covering the beach where we usually walk.

The Irish people who have settled in other parts of the world always dream of coming back home. We have had visitors who just love the simplicity of our land. I hope you enjoy this scene and taste the seaweed and the salt on your lips.

I have often dreamt of walking along the sea shore on my own away from everyone and the hustle and bustle of life.  I now am able to enter into my dream.

image

The picture reminds me of this verse,
Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ NIV)

Http:// daily post. wordpress.com/dp-photo-challenge/dreamy/

 

I Crossed over My Jordon

Posted in Dreams, Family Friday, Ireland, My thoughts by

Today it is my son’s birthday.  This day sixteen years ago I crossed over the Jordan into my promised land.
I had been pregnant with the desire to move house for five years.  My family was growing and my house was getting smaller.  I believed that God would give me land according to the size of my tribe, just like God did for the tribe of Judah.  I needed a big house for my big family.
I had been praying and I had dreams to keep me hoping.  I had a dream where the big river in the town where I lived was held back like the River Jordan.  There was grass growing on the bed of the river.  That tells me the river was held back for some time, but not for much longer.  This encouraged me.  I believed I would be moving soon.
We moved eighty miles away.  We stepped back in time.  God provided a seven bedroom house in a small town.  We were like the people in the south of England.  We had a big house and two cars in the driveway.  God fulfilled his word to give me a house according to the size of my family.  We were not put to shame.  
Our Heavenly Father, who cares for me, and you, saw my distress. Brendan and I had a big family and we needed more space.

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭63‬:‭7, 9‬ NIV). The angel of The Lord went ahead of us brought our tribe into a broad place. The same God who helped the people of Israel across the Jordon helped our family cross the river in our town and settle 80 miles away. My family prospered and grew tall in the new space we had.
Isaiah 65. 
If the Lord delights in us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. (‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬ NIV)

In Transit. My Desire Fulfilled.

Posted in Canada, Dreams, Family Friday, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer, Travel by

Yesterday’s suggested Daily Post was titled “In Transit”.
I am inspired by this heading to write, even though it is a day late.
For the last seven years Brendan and I have travelled to Canada in the Fall. I thought this year would be no exception.  I looked forward to our visits when we renewed friendships, ate out at Vancouver Golf Club and took some meetings to pray and encourage others in their faith.
Brendan got in touch with our host about our plans but the time did not suit him.  A Spring visit would suit much better.  Brendan agreed because he had much work that needed his attention here.
I was disappointed and perplexed.  I am alive. I have recovered from Cancer and want to see new things. I had two dreams about being in Canada earlier in July.  I let the idea of going to Canada pass.
I was getting ready for some visitors last week.  I found this pendant as I was cleaning.  

image

Am I being prompted to think about Canada again?  Proverbs 10 v 24. “The desire of the righteous shall be granted.”   We were planning a round trip taking in Toronto to see my son David, Jacquelyn and attend their baby’s christening.  They invited us to stop with them.  We told him we would not be coming.  He was disappointed.
This morning I went back to bed.  I felt in my spirit a prompting to get up and not get depressed.  I looked at flights to Canada again.  I found a good deal flying with Aer Lingus from Dublin to Toronto.  I could afford it.  Perhaps I could visit my son while Brendan stayed to get work done he was committed to.  I asked Brendan and he agreed for me to go.
I went to book the flight but the internet was down.  I tried to book it over the phone but no one was answering.  I went into town and was about to book the flight when it would not accept my card.  There was money in my account.  What was wrong?
Home again. “Perhaps the address I gave for my bank details were wrong”, my husband suggested.  I called the bank and sure enough my new address was not registered.  I went back into town with renewed hope and went to book again.  Still no success.  I thought to myself, “Let me check if I have money in my account”
There were not enough funds in my account.  Not to be deterred I went to the bank and  transferred money from one account to the other.  Surely I will have success now.   Back to booking the good deal flight.  Too late they were sold out!
I took a deep breath.  I was getting hot under the collar.  I took off my coat and cardigan.  Will I give up.  Maybe I shouldn’t bother.  Doubts filled my mind.  I decided to try again.  I found another airline called Air Transit.  I looked up their prices.  I found flights that suited the times I was planning to travel and my purse.  I went to fill in my Visa card details but I misplaced it.  I’m  glad no one else was with me.  They might say”Stupid woman”.
I searched my coat, bag, books, under and in the car!  Not to be found.  Again I steadied myself.  I was at the last hurdle.  Will I persevere?  I prayed.  Thank you Lord.  I found the card down the side of the seat.  I filled in the details and with the click of a button my flight was confirmed.  
What a relief.  What a joy, my hope was not deferred and my desire to go to Canada is being fulfilled.  And I have a happy son and family waiting to see me.  I am going to see my latest grandchild.  I will see my children’s children as Psalm 127 says.
Do you have a desire to do something or go somewhere?  Press in to see it fulfilled.  I had twelve difficulties to overcome. Try and try again.  A desire can be like a flickering flame but God by his Spirit can fan it into flame and bring the desire about.  Alleluia.  God is good.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/in-transit/

I Agree With The Statement “No Pain, No Gain.”

Posted in Dreams, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts by

I agree with the statement “No pain no gain.”
Human beings are born with the desire to find out about the world around them.
A child is born to be inquisitive.
He comes from the womb crying, wanting to live.
From an early age children are adventurous.  
They want to climb trees as mum watches with her heart in her mouth.
He wants to reach his arms out.
Mum underestimates the reach of little Jimmy.
She leaves him in the cot in the hotel bedroom adjoining hers, puts the telephone well out of the way and leaves him to sleep.
The hotel receptionist knocks on the door the next morning and asks “Did anyone dial 999.  The police have called and said they got a call from this building and a child’s voice was heard in the back ground.”  
Big shock for Jimmy’s mum.  He had reached over to the telephone and had pressed some numbers.  
Hey presto, police and childline are notified.  
This happened this weekend at a weekend Gathering.
Teenagers want to drive fast cars not knowing the dangers thereof.
A few road accidents trains them to be more careful.  A little pain helps him to drive safely.
Later on they want to read and find out more about the world around.
We will always be learning till we die if we don’t give up that desire.
God gives us dreams.  Each of needs to follow his dream.
We are given the dream in the first place to give us the passion to overcome difficulties to achieve  a dream
We need to follow our dreams.
But to get into our dreams one has to deny oneself the comforts of life.
For example the athelite has to train, exercise, get up early, eat the proper foods, get enough sleep.  He suffers pain in the training.
Staying up late, hanging out with friends, drinking, taking drugs, eating comfort foods does not need any self denial or pain.
So one does not gain any reward.
For a student to get the degree he has to deny himself to take time to study, and attend lectures.
He has left home and has to be self disciplined to cook his own foods to survive.
If no pain he will not achieve the reward of a degree.
A friend of mine has a son who trained to be an airforce pilot.  He always had a dream of becoming a pilot.
He had to go through rigorous training and plenty of pain through hours of flying, his plane being tumbled about in the air in a thunderstorm, and other trials to become a fully qualified rescue pilot. 
My daughter is a qualified surgeon.  She had a dream of becoming a doctor.  I did not realise the discipline that was needed to accomplish her goal.  She had to deny herself friendships, outings, having fun with friends to spend time studying to qualify as a doctor.  He has to work unsociable hours to do her work helping others.  No pain, no gain.
Why all the pain? Why bother?  
Jesus is our ultimate example of pain.
He was whipped on his back, pierced with thorns on his head, his side opened up, shed his blood, was crucified and died.
Why all that suffering?
Jesus, for the joy set before him endured the Cross.  
He looked forward to the joy of returning to heaven and making way for humankind to get to heaven.  He provided forgiveness of sin, healing of diseases and destroying the works of the devil to set humankind free.
He helped mankind.
If we want to help ourselves and our fellow man we need to follow Jesus’ example of being willing to suffer pain, to help others.
A father and mother suffer pain in raising children.  If there is no pain they do not have the joy or gain of seeing their children raised as responsible citizens.
Jesus said you must take up your cross and follow me.  He is our example. We are to deny ourselves.  Jesus gives us the strength to go through the pain because he is our example. No pain no gain.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/pains-and-gains/

Holy Week and the Signs in the Moon

Posted in Dreams, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Prayer by

 

We remember the last few days of Jesus life on earth this week Holy Week.  He was talking to his disciples about the future.  They were very nervous because he was telling them he was going to die.  They asked him about what was going to happen in the future.

He mentioned about his return and said “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:25, 31 NIV)   There will be earthquakes. V 11

When Jesus died on the cross there were signs and wonders in nature.  There was an earthquake and there was darkness for three hours.
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. (Luke 23:44, 45 NIV)
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (Matthew 27:51 NIV)

Surely this would have shaken the people and caused them to consider what had just happened to Jesus.  They must have been perplexed.

What is happening in our times?  This very week the moon changed colour.  In some places it appeared red.  It could be seen all over the world!  Surely this will cause all of the peoples of the earth to think?

The prophet Joel foretold many years ago,
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”  (Joel 2:28-31 KJV)

Jesus promised his disciples before he died that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would lead them into all truth.  God wants to pour his Spirit out again.  People will have dreams.  People will have visions.

It is time to seek The Lord.

There is no need to be afraid.  God promises in Malachi,
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2 KJV)

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:17, 36 NIV)

We are Moving House. Do it Again, Lord.

Posted in Dreams, Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer, Provision by

 

 

“Be very careful never to forget what you have seen The Lord do for you.  Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live!  And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”  Deuteronomy 25 v 9

After rearing our children in the big house God provided for us, Brendan and I realised over the past few years that it is taking a lot of our energy to maintain it.  Lighting the fires in the morning to keep warm, cleaning and doing household chores made me weary.

Our children advised us to downsize to a more modern house that would be easy to keep warm.  It is not easy to be released from the home we reared our children for the last fifteen years.  Our children have memories of  growing up here.  There is space for us to have family get togethers, and the grandchildren come to visit.  There is room for them to stay over.

It is not easy to start looking again.  Back in September I read from God’s Word I will provide a home for the poor.  Brendan and I were going to trust God, as before, to provide a home for us.  “Lord you did it before, do it again,” I prayed.  “You will not forsake me now when I have gray hair,” according to Psalm 71.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psalms 71:18 NLT)

I did not want to move away from the area where we now live.  I would be happy to move to the country nearby.  We began to look at possibilities.  I did not have the energy to look at potential houses and then be disappointed if we were rejected.  We did try once, found a lovely house to rent, but the owner was not willing to rent to us.  I didn’t try any more.

Brendan and I visited Jerusalem earlier in the year.  I believe God’s Word that says he will bless us in Jerusalem.
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek The Lord of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing. (Zechariah 8:22 NLT)
I went to the ancient site of the Wailing Wall and prayed there about many things.

When we arrived back home I got a call from my hairdresser.  She said I had a dream about you last night and I need to tell you about it.  The dream indicated we would be leaving this house.  She did not know our situation about wanting to move from here. This dream helped Brendan and I decide to move from here.  We were in agreement.  Before I was undecided.

We looked at Property Pal, an Internet site for house rentals.  I searched for houses in our local area.  There were a few houses to let in the country nearby.  I called the agent of one I liked.  He arranged a viewing that evening.

It turned out to be a house next door to our friend who had the dream.  Her brother owned the house.  It proved ideal for our needs and applied to rent it.  The owner agreed and we move there next week.

The house is called “Bright House.”  In case we had any doubts about our move God has showed us signs three times.   I was reading in the scriptures,

“It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. (Colossians 1:9-12 MSG)”

Tea bags and cologne.

Image

 

A song on the radio called “Bright Eyes”.

Image

We are in the middle of our house move.  Energy is low but morale high because of the Bright future God has promised for us.

God speaks today.  Listen for His still small voice if you are needing to make a Big move.

Do you Believe you will ever write a Book

Some years ago I was travelling home from America.  My family had send me on a holiday for my birthday.  I was sitting beside a lady who was writing on a small computer.  She was making notes for a book she was writing.  I was returning home to a houseful of children to be reared and there would certainly be no time for writing.  Have you watched the film “Cheaper by the dozen?”  The mother of the children wrote a book!  I wondered if I would ever write a book.  The only writing I was doing was jotting down notes about my daily readings from the bible.  My husband called them “My Rewrites.”  He teased me saying “Are you going to rewrite the bible.”
Ten years on, I was on my way home from Canada to Ireland.  What was I doing?  I was writing notes for my blog.  I would never have dreamed that I would be doing this.  With the quick advancement of technology over these last years one does not have to make reams of notes in books with a pen.  I can do much writing on my i Pad.  One can e mail, send pictures, take pictures, blog, all with the press of a button.  Brendan bought it for me on my last birthday.  As I sit to write, memories come flooding back to me.  The Holy Spirit brings things to mind.
I have resisted writing before.  I resisted thinking back to the past.  I did not have good memories.  I resisted writing letters to anyone because I wanted only to write if I had some good news to tell.  I did not have the peace, confidence or courage before.  God promises he will make a way when there is no way.
 I have resisted anyone loving me.  I have resisted showing love.  I was embarrassed at first when I visited Canada.  Waitresses in the cafes were friendly and smiling.  People talked about having fun.  A husband would call his wife honey.  A wife would call her husband sweetie.  I was embarrassed.  I have never called my husband sweetie in my life.
Maybe the Irish are too numb from pain to express genuine love.  It can be embarrassing to hug someone you don’t know.  We can be sharp to tear someone down with our tongues.  I want to speak kindly and be pleasant to others.  Very often we don’t say anything and retreat into silence because of fear of being rediculled or someone retorting in anger because they don’t agree with your opinion.
There is a saying that goes if you can’t say anything good don’t say anything at all.  Perhaps trust is broken and one cannot be open again.  One puts up the defences to protect ones heart from wounding.
But God has healed my heart and mind of past traumas.  “Perfect love casts out fear.”  I can now look back and remember the good.  A friend has come back into my life this last week.  As we talked she remembered good times when we met together with our children.  More restoration and healing for me.
There is a Psalm that describes how I feel.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:1-6 NIV)

How to Heat a Two Hundred Year old House.

Posted in Dreams, My thoughts, Nature, Provision by
This week I got a harvest of wood.  Last summer a friend asked me if I had a wood burning stove.  I told her I had four.  I bought two of the burners very cheaply.  Many people nowadays prefer gas or oil for their heating.  Cutting wood is hard work and wood is in short supply.  I had the workers, all I needed was the wood.
Image
She told me her neighbour had left stacks of broken logs in her part of the grounds where a few trees had been cleared.  I was delighted with her offer.  My stack of logs needed replenished.  In the autumn I went out to see this new source of wood.  My boys did not have to do the heavy work of cutting down the trees or chainsawing thick trunks.  They pulled out logs from the stack in sizes manageable to carry to the van.  Two days work supplied us with wood we are still using.  The boys chop the wood back in our garden and store it.

Image
I visited my friend this week to thank her and she said we are welcome anytime.  Brendan and the boys decided to gather in some wood before they returned to university.  It started to rain the day work was to start.  But undeterred Brendan and the boys headed off. The rain stopped.
We had storms recently.  In the middle a Eileen’s garden was a tree that had fallen in the storm.  Brendan and the boys cut it up and now all the tree is in my back garden.
When I moved to our present home which has seven bedrooms, fourteen years ago I was wondering how were we going to heat it.  It is two hundred years old and had some fire places and some oil heating.  To keep us comfortable may be costly.
I had a dream.  In it I saw a stack of wood, a stack of coal and a stack of turf.  I believe God was showing me he would supply the fuel for my big house.  To the back of our home was a small wood that needed cleared for houses to be built.  That was our supply of wood for a few years.
One spring, trees were washed up on a local beach in a big storm.  I discovered it and alerted Brendan.  In no time, with the boys help, we had the van full of wood.
Another friend, who lived in a big estate offered us any fallen trees.  So God supplied the stack of wood, and the turf and coal.  From time to time we bring home turf from Kerry when we return from holiday.  I burn coal only on the cold days.  So I have not had a big bill for fuel in the years we have lived here.
When I had the dream I was reminded of the poem by Padraic Colum.

Old Woman of the Roads

O, to have a little house!
To own the hearth and stool and all!
The heaped up sods against the fire,
The pile of turf against the wall!
To have a clock with weights and chains
And pendulum swinging up and down!
A dresser filled with shining delph,
Speckled and white and blue and brown!
I could be busy all the day
Clearing and sweeping hearth and floor,
And fixing on their shelf again
My white and blue and speckled store!
I could be quiet there at night
Beside the fire and by myself,
Sure of a bed and loth to leave
The ticking clock and the shining delph!
Och! but I’m weary of mist and dark,
And roads where there’s never a house nor bush,
And tired I am of bog and road,
And the crying wind and the lonesome hush!
And I am praying to God on high,
And I am praying Him night and day,
For a little house – a house of my own
Out of the wind’s and the rain’s way.

Image

When the chilly winds and rain of winter blow, we are cosy in our big house with the home fires burning.  My son said he misses the warm fires when he is away.  I even have a dresser of my own with the Delph.

David’s Birthday

Posted in Dreams, Family Friday by

On the  eighth of January my son David will be twenty five.  He is my tenth child and fifth son.  That made my family up to five boys and five girls, a nice round figure and an equal number of boys and girls.

When I was expecting  David we had the opportunity to get some renovations done in our home.  We were blessed to move to a house big enough for all of us while the work was going on.  Aine was our live in Nannie at the time.  She was with us for two years and was a great blessing, helping with my work of rearing children.

Different events happened to us in that year. Brendan had a smart little black sports car.  He was driving past a building in Coleraine when a bomb went off.  The car windows smashed, debris reigned down on the car and Brendan was pretty shaken.  I think the loud blast affected his ears.  But Praise God Brendan was able to drive home.  The car was restored.  Life went on as if nothing happened in the Mc Cauley household.  Brendan did not have time to think he was injured.

I was learning to drive.  I was enjoying my new freedom driving out in the country with the driving instructor.  No children to look after for a while.  One day Brendan suggested I apply to do my test.  The instructor was happy to drive me around as long as I was paying.  So a driving test was arranged.

I had a dream while I was expecting David, that I will never forget.  I saw these scorpion / horse like demons.  They were coming to get me.  I was frightened of them but I remember saying to them “I am going to tell Brendan on you.”  They all ran away.  What the dream was telling me, if I come under attack from any demons, all I have to do is tell Brendan and he will deal with them.  My husband has the authority to protect me.  When I had cancer Brendan was able to take his authority over me and drive away the demons that were trying to kill me.

We spent Christmas in our temporary home and got ready for David’s arrival in the New Year.  A friend sent us a Christmas card with a family of rabbits on the front.  Ha Ha. It did not bother me what friends thought about me having a big family.

Brendan had booked to go to England for a conference in January.  We thought our baby would have been born before Brendan was due to leave.  My babies tended to come late and David was no exception.  I was happy Brendan went ahead to the conference in England.  I hoped our baby would wait a little longer.

We all waved to Brendan as he headed off to the the airport with his friends.  I reassured him I would be okay.  About an hour later my waters broke, which is the beginning of being in labour.  I sent one of the children across the road to my friend, who sent me the card with the rabbits, to ring the airport to try and contact Brendan.  We did not have mobile phones or i Pads then!

Brendan had been to the birth of all my children.  He was always a great support to me at the births, comforting and praying for me.  Would we be able to get in touch with Brendan before his flight left, and return to be with me for the arrival of our son?

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/weekly-writing-challenge-cliffhanger/