Category Archives: Testimony Tuesday

Healed of Cancer 15 years

Posted in Birds, Cancer, Healing, Holiday, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Restoration, Testimony Tuesday, Travel by

I’m sitting on the veranda of my daughter’s Mary’s home in Blantyre, Malawi. The trees over the house keep it cool in the heat of the day. The birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. It is a little oasis in the city.

I was so happy to get here to be with Mary and enjoy the warmth after a cold winter back in Ireland. Looking at the garden I’m reminded of my two books about God telling us not to worry, Look at the Birds and Look at the Wildflowers.

This last year I have faced challenges in health and family difficulties. My natural tendency is to worry , get disappointed, tired and depressed. I had forgotten God’s exhortation not to worry which brings anxiety.

Being here away from immediate demands back home I have time to reflect on how God has been faithful to Brendan and I down through the years. in Malawi God is reviving my body and spirit. I read in Psalm 73 v 26
My health may fail and my spirit grow weak
But God remains the strength of my heart.

Today is the fifteenth anniversary of me being diagnosed with fourth stage cancer. Three months later I was totally healed by God. He hasn’t stopped moving mountains and with His power I can do it too. He has helped Brendan and I before and He will do it again.

Psalm 91 encouraged us. I will be with you in trouble, because he acknowledges my name. With long life I will satisfy him. I had forgotten we have an adversary, the devil who is out to kill, rob, steal and destroy. Jesus overcame him on the cross and sent him running. I now resist him and he is fleeing from us.

God is good. He is restoring our fortunes like the water courses in the Negev. The battle belongs to the Lord and he is fighting for me as I trust him and not worry.

Gull Builds its Nest in our Chimney

Posted in Birds, Motherhood, My thoughts, Nature, Testimony Tuesday by

As I write I hear the whistling of birds from a nest in my chimney. The sound is from young gulls. These birds normally build their nests on cliff edges safe from intruders.

I have just published a book called, Look at the Birds. Today I have the opportunity to observe the life of a seagull close by. There are no cliffs. Instead this bird has built a nest in our chimney and at least two eggs have hatched.

I was working outside in the alleyway enjoying the warm weather. A gull was upset with me and dived overhead in my direction calling as it flew overhead. Whenever Brendan or I go outside this gull gets upset and flys around us. Why was it attacking us. Haven’t I written a book about how I enjoy bird watching?

I did some research about gulls. A mother sea gull fiercely defends its young. There must be young in the nest above our house!

The gull gets more aggressive every day. As Brendan was getting something from his car it dive bombed him and deposited mess all over his tee shirt.

All has been revealed. Two young birds can be seen moving near the nest on my chimney. One of the chicks moves across the roof. This mother has been defending her brood.

My neighbour who has lived in Haypark all her life has never heard of gulls nesting here before.

I encouraged Brendan. Let us not be annoyed. We are blessed that the gull has chosen our chimney to nest in. Doesn’t the scripture say the birds find a nest near your altar where they can read their young. Psalm 84 v 3.

See mother and chick in the photo.

God’s Medicine

Posted in Cancer, My thoughts, Prayer, Restoration, Testimony Tuesday by

How are you all today?

Is anyone sick among you or do you know someone who is sick? Then read on.

When you go to the doctor he gives you medicine for your sickness. ( that is if you can get to see him) You trust him, you take the medicine he prescribes.

Here is some good news for your healing. It is free. Jesus healed you when he shed his blood on the cross over 2000 years ago. Believe me and trust me and trust God. He is the truth and he will not let you down.

The word of God is medicine. Take it daily like the doctor tells you to take your medicine daily. Be patient. He healed me from 4 th stage cancer in four months. The tumour disappeared. I did not have an operation.

Easter is the time we remember that Jesus died on the cross. His tomb is empty, he rose from the dead. He is alive.
Talk to Him. He is not deaf, he is not blind to your distress, he is not dumb. He speaks.

By the stripes of Jesus you are healed.
I’m telling you for your healing say “By the stripes of Jesus I am healed.” You may not see or feel any change but as you keep saying these words daily the power of God is activated to perform your healing. The signs of your healing will follow. It is by faith in Jesus you are healed. Let me know how you are.

Pray and say

Acts 4:30
Father, stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Healing is the Children’s Bread

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Testimony Tuesday by

Jackie Mc Arthur has written a song called “Healing is the Children’s bread.”
Matthew 15 v 9. Jesus fed the five thousand from some loaves of bread and a few fish.

If you believe in Jesus you are a child of God. It’s God’s will that you receive healing because Jesus paid for it by shedding his Blood on the cross when he died. It is a free gift.

Brendan and I gave out EEC meat and butter many years ago. Crowds came to receive it. The government wanted it distributed to the people and we helped get it out. Like the crowds that Jesus fed, people came for the food.

Jesus is offering food to us that is s gift. If we eat it we will have healing and eternal life. If someone gives you a gift it would offend the giver if you didn’t receive the gift. Jesus offers us the free gift of healing. Believe and receive His healing. By the Stripes of Jesus you are healed. Don’t let unbelief, fear and doubt stop you from receiving.

Bread is a basic food. We need it to survive. Healing from Jesus is basic food for your soul and body. Jesus said He was the bread of life. If we come to him we will not hunger.

The Word of God is bread. If you take a little portion every day you will be fed, body soul and spirit. If a doctor prescribes medicine for you to take for a week to make you better you will believe him and take your medicine.

I recommend reading the scriptures every day. I try to read the scriptures daily . It was medicine to me for healing from cancer and continues to help me stay alive.

Bird Watching in Northern Ireland. Guillemots

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature, Testimony Tuesday by

Jesus said to look at the birds. They don’t sow nor reap yet their Heavenly Father looks after them. I love bird watching. I had plenty of opportunity to study different birds when I lived along the shores of Strangford Lough. Near where we lived in Portaferry was a favoured nesting place for three couples of Guillemots. These are small sea birds that spend their time at sea until spring. They build their nests in crevices above the water line on the stone wall. The south facing wall received the full warmth of the sun, a comfortable place to get the maximum heat for their vulnerable young. The chicks were hidden from the blast of chilly winds and out of reach from predators. This particular group of Guillemots became quite tame. They would sit on the wall above their nests unafraid of walkers passing by. They are a feature every spring. One is sure to see these little black birds flying or swimming near their nests. I was able to photograph one couple last year close up from my car. They didn’t fly away even though I was very near them. Their black feathers flow smoothly back from their pointed black beak. They have bright red legs and a patch of white on each wing. Their feathers look as of they are smoothed with oil. This gives the bird effective movement down underwater to feed on food at the bottom of the Lough. During the strong winds and storms of February 2020 the shore wall a further few miles along from Portaferry was broken. The road remained closed for several months. The reason for the delay in the repair was because it is a nesting site for a colony of Guillemots. Many pairs make their nests and rear their young safely. There was even less disruption to their nesting and feeding because the road above was closed. Well done to the council who waited till the birds had reared their young before repairing the road. Last week on a drive north along the Antrim coast we stopped at Glenarm. This village has a small, picturesque harbour with white limestone walls rising from the deep blue water. We walked close and to our delight little black birds flew out from the walls and skimmed along the water away from us. Guillemots were nesting here. It is an ideal nesting site, with crevices between the stones on the south facing walls and small fish swimming below in the water for them to feed on. We watched the birds. It was lovely to see the black and white birds below us before they ventured back to their nests. This harbour is an ideal place for the Guillemots to rear their young. Seeing the Guillemots reminded me of God’s faithfulness to me when he tells me not to worry.
Matthew 6 v 25 to 27
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

The Old Heron Waiting

Posted in Birds, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature, poetry, Testimony Tuesday, The Poetry by


The tide is high
In Strangford Lough

No room to wade on the shoreline
The water is lapping against the wall
I’m safe here on the ledge
My favourite spot
Jutting out of the water
I’ll wait
And keep warm
With my neck
Sunk between my shoulder blades
I’ll wait
Till the water recedes
I’ll wait
To dart at some tiny fish
Lingering in the shallows
I know their hiding places
I’m too old
To fly from my perch
To find another spot
I’ll leave
Those fishing grounds
To the younger ones.
I’ll wait

Water in the Dry Valley

Posted in My thoughts, Nations, Testimony Tuesday by

“The Holy Spirit is often referred to as water in the scriptures. Jesus told his disciples before he was going to his death that he needed to go so he could send the comforter, the Holy Spirit to them. The Holy Spirit gave them power to be witnesses for the Saviour and to work miracles, signs and wonders like Jesus did when he was on earth.

I was excited to read the story in 2 Kings 3 about the King of Israel, the King of Judah and the King of Edom going to war against the King of Moab. The three kings and their armies had travelled through the wilderness for seven days. They were in big trouble because they had no water for their men, horses and cattle. They were afraid the King of Moab would defeat them.

King Jehosophat called for the prophet Elisha a man of God. He asked God to help.

Elisha said, “Now bring me someone who can play the harp.” While the harp was being played, the power of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: Make this dry valley full of ditches. You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. “

But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! You will conquer the best of their towns, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their good trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones.” ‭‭‬‬

The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭3:9, 15-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God worked a miracle by providing water for so many people.
Can the same God not send his Holy Spirit to the dry valleys of our lives? Yes he can.
I pray that God will pour out his Spirit on anyone who is dry and thirsty today in Jesus name. Amen.

Sent from my iPhone

A Bird’s Eye View

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature, Testimony Tuesday, Travel by

I’m looking out from an apartment on the third level of an hotel in Greece. I have a bird’s eye view of the sea in the distance, trees, mountains, clouds, tourists and birds. Just above me two sparrows are making a home under the roof tiles. I look down the row of apartments and notice other sparrows flitting in and out from under roof tiles. In this hotel, not only do you get an apartment to stay in, you also get the company of a couple of sparrows rearing their young above your balcony.

It is May in Greece. The weather hasn’t settled yet to be sure of uninterrupted sunshine for the tourist. One takes a risk to take a holiday at this time. We have had rain, sunshine, west winds and east winds blowing. I have my winter coat with me just to be sure to be warm if the temperatures drop.

The swallows are making their nests as well. They build where a wall meets an overhanging roof. They can be a bit messy and visiting tourists may not take kindly to a bird making his nest on their balcony. As a couple of swallows start to build the owners come along and remove the offending mud shelter. The next day the swallows start over again. So it goes till the birds are defeated and it’s too late to have their young.

Today I was able to continue my bird watching when we were out for a meal. I saw how one man has come to terms with the visiting swallows and his visiting tourists. He has built boxes around the nests and a platform below to catch any bird droppings. So no mess for the tourists to see. There is a welcome for the tourists and the swallows. Some swallows have come back to the same nest for years. They flew in and out while we had our meal . This owner has learned to be eco friendly. I looked up as one of the swallows sat proudly on the nest to hatch her young knowing she was secure in the shelter provided by the human owner. Man and birds are living in harmony.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭84:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God knows the sparrow and the swallow. I am blessed when they are around.

A Turbulent Flight Home

Posted in Holiday, My thoughts, Nations, Testimony Tuesday, Travel by

Yesterday my husband and I were enjoying chatting and having lunch with friends, our last meal together before we left Israel. We sat on the balcony enjoying the sunshine and warmth which had returned after much rain. Our hosts had made a Greek salad with bread and Calamari Pasta. I savoured and had plenty of the delicious food. The meal strengthened us for the journey ahead. We had just finished when the taxi man called to say he was waiting outside. After quick farewells we got the taxi to the TelAviv airport.

We checked the times of flights at Ben Guirion airport. Ours was the only one that showed the flight was delayed. When it came time to board old and young, babies in arms, Arabs, Jews and returning tourists gathered at the Gate for departures. An infant cried the whole time. There were Orthodox Jews on board, some old, feeble, humble men with long white beards and black hats. The attendants welcomed us on board and helped settle mothers with young and the old.

We were allocated our seats at the very back of the EasyJet aeroplane. This economic airline has no frills or extra comforts, but gets you places one could not otherwise afford to go. We didn’t mind because we had an unoccupied seat on the inside giving us space to stretch and have a sleep if need be. We were thankful.

The pilot spoke before our departure and apologised for the delay due to baggage handling back in the UK. He announced the flight time would be five and a half hours, which seemed a lot longer than our flight there. He didn’t tell us about the turbulence on the way over. The pilot has to slow down through turbulence. There were no frills but plenty of spills and thrills ahead of us.

We were strapped in our seats for the first two and a half hours of the trip home! The plane shook and jerked. Mothers and babies were sick. The flight attendants were going up and down the aisle giving out orange plastic bags and cups of water to help the sick.
I was praying as I do when turbulence hits on a journey. But never has it lasted so long.

I thought of the scripture when Jesus was asleep on a pillow at the back of the boat in the storm! Brendan and I were at the back of the aeroplane in a storm. He rebuked the disciples for being fearful and having little faith. Mark 4 v 38 to 40 KJV

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

I decided not to be fearful and trust in God. I prayed for many others who were vulnerable. Brendan sang in my ear a song “I feel pretty”. We heard it in the movie we watched one night on Netfix. It’s called Anger Management staring Jack Nicolson. He got his clients to sing a song if they were in a difficult situation. Not only was Brendan singing but he ordered some snacks and a drink from the attendant. He was not fearful but enjoyed a few treats in the storm.