Tag Archives: blogging

You Shall Wear Them All as Jewels.

Posted in Canada, Family Friday, Ireland, Motherhood, My thoughts, Nations, Restoration, Travel by

I picked up this ring today from the jewellers.  I had left it there some time ago to get enlarged to fit my finger.

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My son Isaac was home from Canada last month for a visit.  He left Ireland in July 2014 to work in Canada.  He not only found work there but also romance.

Earlier this year Isaac travelled with Sam Emerson on a mission to Kenya.  My husband connected Cloverdale Church with a pastor in Kenya that educates and cares for orphans.  The church continue to support this work.  So my son from Ireland goes to Kenya via Canada to meet a pastor his dad met many years ago.

Isaac and Sam had some time to kill while they waited for their flight out of Kenya.  They went downtown Nairobi.  They enjoyed the colourful culture of this country so far away from Canada or Ireland.  Isaac’s dad travels to the nations, so Isaac was comfortable seeing a new nation.
Isaac found a silver ring with jewels on it, in a shop or market place, I don’t know which.  He counted the number of jewels.  There were sixteen, the number of children in his family plus dad and mum.  It reminded him of his family.  He purchased the ring and kept it safe.
Isaac presented it to me when he returned home for a visit.  I was touched when he told me how he came by the ring.
Brendan often says, “God knows where I live.”
That day God knew where Isaac was.  He picked up a piece of jewellry in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a street in Kenya.  It reminded him of home.  He is one of those sixteen stones on the ring.  I will wear this ring.

“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!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Your children hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you.
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 jewels;
you will put them on, like a bride. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭15-18‬ NIV)

Return from Slovakia

Posted in My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Slovakia, Travel by

Brendan and I have returned to Ireland after a very blessed trip to Slovakia.  We got to see Aaron and his family.  Our grandchildren wanted plenty of cuddles from Granddad and Granny.

We had oppportunity to minister to many, including men and women diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Praise Almighty God for his touch.
Thank you for praying for us.  Those who stay at home share with those who go.

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We had a pleasant journey home from Dublin airport on Aircoach.  The trees along the motorway to Newry looked glorious in their autumn leaves.  Thanks to family who welcomed us back.
I took a walk out this morning to get some fresh air.  It is good to be back along the seashore.  A Baby Seal was born nearby three weeks ago.  It is still there.  The mother was swimming nearby, keeping watch.  I had researched to find that the mother has to feed the young one until it is six weeks.  The baby is lying sleeping in the rocks.  This pair have become an attraction to the people who go for walks along this road.  No one is disturbing them.

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Every time I go for a walk I see something new in nature.  Today I saw something very special.
“He leads me beside still waters to restore my soul.”

There is Life after Cancer!

Posted in Birds, Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Prayer, Restoration by

People coming to my blog site for the first time may wonder why I am telling stories about my family, food, garden, my holidays, birds, scenery, and not All about cancer.  I looked at my list of topics I write about and cancer isn’t even in the top ten.

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I thank God that he is faithful to help me as I have faith that he exists.  I do not have cancer in my body.  He is a living God who answers my prayers.  The power of the death grip that cancer had on my body has been broken by the power of the blood of Jesus.  Jesus died 2000 years ago but his sacrifice is effective today to heal me.  Jesus, when he was on earth healed ALL who came to him for healing, no matter what their condition.

There is no other person or spirit that can claim to heal or deliver and give abundant life.  Other spirits can heal but give you some other curse.  There is no other God that can forgive, love, bless, heal and deliver and give a new start in life and do all this for free.  Many people seek other remedies or therapies for healing of mind and body.  They will be out a lot of money, like the woman who came to Jesus.  She had spent all her resources to get healed to no avail.  One touch of Jesus garment brought her complete healing from an issue of blood for twelve years.

I now tell stories about how my life is being restored.  I am not just healed of cancer, I have new life experiences happening all around me.  My eyes are opened to see all the life around me, in my garden, in nature, in new grandchildren and in restored relationships.  If I was in the grave I could not write or tell of the wonderful things that are happening to me.  The grave cannot praise God.  I am alive to give thanksgiving and glory to God.  I now live for God.  The old Angela is dead but my new life is hid with Christ in God.  I no longer live but Christ lives in me.

English was not my favourite subject at school.  I had no desire to read books.  I know others who love books and can’t get enough time to read them.  My husband and I wrote a book about being healed from Cancer, Staying Alive.  Brendan has been writing for many years.  My book was the fourth book he has published.  I have learnt much from his wisdom.  I gleen from his hard earned experience.

I am surprising myself when I write a blog on the internet that is going out to the nations.  Psalm 71 says,

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. (‭Psalms‬ ‭71‬:‭15‬ NLT)

The Word of God gives us a wonderful promise.  Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly.  He says,

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ NLT).

The work of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy in people’s life.  He comes to steal our health through sickness and tragedy.  He is the thief Jesus speaks about.  Jesus defeated Satan when He shed his Blood on the Cross.

Jesus promise is true for me.  I am living a rich and satisfying life.  I do not have much money.  But who could pay a mother pheasant and her five chicks to walk across my lawn?  Can I pay for the sun to rise every day and give me light and warmth?  Can I pay for forgiveness of my sins and healing for my disease?  Can I pay for my son to catch fish for supper?  Do I pay for the produce that grows in my garden?

When I believe in God the Creator, and his son Jesus he gives me so much in return.  As I have faith in God he is faithful to help me when I need him.  He promises to be with me in trouble and deliver me out of it.  He will not forsake me now when I have grey hair.  I can highly recommend you my reader, no matter what age you are, to have faith in God Almighty, creator of the heaven and the earth.

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and grey, 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 ‭71‬:‭17-18‬ NLT)

Young people may wonder “What is the point in my believing in God and obeying his commands?  I am young, healthy, strong, I have money, a good job, everything looks rosy.”  The prodigal son went off to see the world.  After many years when things didn’t work out he needed help.  I was like that.  I turned to God for help in my distress when I was twenty eight.  I tried to follow his ways since then.  When I was nearing death God was faithful to help me.  So the years of following God have not been in vain.  It is true God has not abandoned me now I am old and grey.

I am alive to enjoy the goodness of God in the land of the living.  Bring on the coffee and cake!

From Intense Heat to Gentle Rain

Posted in My thoughts by

I return to Northern Ireland.  I  carry the benefits of the holiday in Greece on my skin, in my mind,  and in my body.  I have my beauty treatment for the winter and the few extra pounds will sustain me in the colder days ahead.  My mind and body are rested.

Our son Isaac welcomed us with a meal of cooked fish.  He had fished it from the sea just an hour earlier.  He had  caught it when I rang to let him know we had landed into Belfast and were on our way home.

I am reminded of the story in the bible about Jesus preparing a meal of fish for his disciples.

“As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid there on,and bread.”  KJV John 21 v 9.

Back in Ireland, warmth and freshness are in the air.  Flowers in the garden are flourishing in the extra September sunshine.  Purple Lupins give a welcome display at my back door.  A light shower of rain fell.  The beads of water glisten like diamonds.  Nasturtium planted late must think it is spring.  I love the deep green of the leaves and the orange, brown flowers.

I spent a while in the green house.  Tomato plants that didn’t need must attention all summer, have become fruitful vines.  I pruned back leaves to expose the fruit to the sun.  The main stem can now send its energy to the ripening fruit.

imageimageApples in the orchard are being painted red with the evening September sun.  The fruit that has fallen to the ground has been chewed on by rabbits and pecked at by birds.

What a picture of God’s beauty and goodness.

You take care of the land and water it.  You make it very fertile.  The rivers of God are full of water. You soften the ground with rain and then you give it a good crop.  You give the year a good harvest.  Psalm 65 v 9-11

It’s Harvest Time

Posted in My thoughts, Nature, Provision, Restoration by

imageimageimageTo every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.  A time to plant and a time to reap.  Ecclesiastes 3 v 1 and 2
What a joy to see the results of sowing seeds, seedlings, corms or bulbs in the soil.
The farmer planted seeds of wheat nearly a year ago and he now harvested the golden crop that has grown up.
My husband enjoys flowers.  He planted one of my favourite flowers in early spring, Gladiolii.  Green shoots have been growing all summer until now when we have a array of Beauty reaching up to the sky.
I planted a courgette seedling.  Look what it produced.
My son went fishing last evening.  Here is the harvest of his labour.
We are eating the harvest of fish from the sea and plants from my garden.  We delight in the richness of colour in our garden.
God has made everything beautiful for its own time.  Ecclesiastes 3 v 11

VIDEO: Young Swans Meeting

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature, Travel by

I often get inspiration from bird watching.  Jesus told us to “Look at the birds of the air.”

I was pleasantly surprised on Sunday evening near dusk.  I was returning home along the River Quoile when I noticed a gathering of swans in a bend of the river.  I stopped the car and scrambled out to investigate.  I had never seen such a large flock of swans there before.

Young adult swans were having a evening together.  Circling, resting, washing, dipping, sailing, hissing, eating, cleaning, chirping, doing things swans do.  Apparently at these get togethers the young adults chose life partners and start a family together the next spring.

The male and female swans mate for life.  About eight eggs are laid and hatched.  In the Downpatrick area I have seen families of swans up to seven fully reared young.  At about a year the cygnets leave the parents and join the flock of other single swans.  When the swans are four years old they are mature to pair off and make a nest of their own.  They have to find a new territory to rear their young in safety.

It was timely for me to come upon this scene.  My daughter is leaving home to travel to Canada this week.  Another son will leave soon.

Seeing the young swans together reminded me that it is the natural process of life for young to leave their parents and meet other young people of their age.  My grown children will start out in their lives and meet his or her life partner and start a family of their own.

Family Memories Created.

Posted in My thoughts, Nature, Restoration by

 

Psalm 145
Let each generation tell its children of his mighty acts.  Everyone will share the story of your mighty acts, wonderful miracles and your wonderful goodness.   Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  You rule generation after generation.

Last weekend I invited family to visit.  It was an opportunity at the end of the summer and before children go back to school to spend time with one another.  It was also our son John’s birthday.  We remembered other family members’ birthdays that are in August and September.

Isaac is home on a visit from Canada and Angela is leaving to study in Queen’s university.  No, not in Belfast but in Kingston, Ontario far acros the Atlantic in Canada.
The weekend was a great success.  God blessed us with good weather.  We had clear skies in the day and night.  The sun shone and the full moon shone brightly over the bay in front of our home.

I wanted to show my family a National Trust Property at the end of the Ards Peninsula, where there are open spaces of fields and beaches.  Cousins went off together to climb down to the waters edge.  The grandchildren threw stones in the water and our children chatted with each other, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.  One of my grandchildren joined me to collect sea glass and pottery.  I was amazed to find some there on top of the stones high above the shoreline.  Over the weekend I was given gifts of finds from the beach the grandchildren had picked for me.  I will make a collage to remind us of the event.

Brendan is excellent at creating memories.  He brought a kite which he launched and flew overheard for the time we were at the beach.  I am reminded of the song,
“His banner of us is love.”

Brendan lit a fire.  Everyone, young and old gathered sticks and debris that kept the fire burning.  Someone found a Wellington boot.  A competition to see who could throw the welly the furthest happened.  Grandchildren, children and grandparents took part.  Everyone was included.  Brendan can create fun without expense.  Memories were created.

When we parked the cars, dark clouds in the distance threated a downpour.  We contined anyway.  The clouds did not get to us.  Instead a beautiful rainbow appeared overhead.

We returned home tired and thirsty.  Everyone slept  well that night.

The weekend was an opportunity to share with my family all the “wonderful goodness” God has given to us this last year, new homes, jobs, grandchildren, continued good health and travel.  God is faithful.

I am inspired by the festivals Moses commanded the people of Israel to have when families gathered for a week to spend time together.  I think it is a good idea for family to get together for a day or weekend at least.

I am alive to see the next generation and tell them about God’s mighty acts in my life.

Do You Need A Physician ?

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer by

Perhaps you have come to my blog because you have just been diagnosed with cancer or you have a family member or a friend who has cancer.  I want to tell first of all do not be afraid.  I had fourth stage bowel cancer and I am healed.  You too can be healed by believing that Jesus can heal you.

When it was confirmed I had cancer I was in a daze.  I didn’t know what fourth stage cancer was.  In the quiet hours of the night when my family was asleep I would look on the internet to research the cancer I had.  After finding out the facts I then searched to see if there was any report on the internet of anyone that was completely healed of cancer. I found stories about how people changed their diet and how it helped them fight the disease. But I did find stories of individuals who were healed by the power of God.

Most of the testimonies were of people far away in America.  They were so far removed from me in Ireland.  Would God be interested to touch me in Ireland?

God reached down and healed me.  I am completely free from cancer now five years and I do not have to take medication. I chose to believe that there is a God who can heal all diseases.  I read about this God in the scriptures. If you are reading this, then please find a bible somewhere and begin to read it.  It will be medicine to your body, soul and spirit.  Try out this medicine. You take the advice of the doctor.  Don’t you.  Why not try God’s medicine.  Take it daily.

You can read about The God who promises to heal.  Jesus paid the price by dying on the cross and shedding his blood.  My advice to you is to believe in God and ask him to heal you.  He loves you and wants you to know that he can heal you.  If you have faith that God will heal you, then receive your healing.  It is a personal decision you make. You don’t have to be a religious, holy, or good person to be healed.  There are no conditions except to  believe that God will heal.  We have special doctors who help the sick but Jesus is the Great Physician and he is looking for you.  Be strengthened for the journey ahead of you.  Like me you may go through the fire but you will not smell of smoke.

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: . (‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ KJV)

Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love.

Posted in Dreams, My thoughts, Nature, Travel by

Romans 8 v 38
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep Gods love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Man has always been exploring the earth.  When people thought the earth was flat, Columbus set out west on the ocean to explore.  He believed the earth not to be flat.  He reckoned if the earth was round he would end up in India.  That is why he called the natives of North America, Indians.
Captain Cook explored the south East oceans to discovery more islands, Australia and New Zealand.  These were fearless men who weren’t afraid of stormy oceans and the discomfort of sailing ships.

Scriptures tells us the earth is a circle.
God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭22‬ NLT)

In these last weeks I have been finding out from the media new discoveries that man is making.  Pluto has been photographed, men are flying around the earth in a spacecraft, “high above in the sky” and man had has gone down “to the deepest ocean” in a specially made vehicle to look for a creature not before seen by human eyes, the Giant Squid.  God’s love went with all these explorers to the farthest ocean, up in the sky or in the deepest ocean.

I was fascinated to watch a programme about a live Giant Squid being filmed for the first time in its habitat 700 metres below in the ocean.  For forty years a scientist has been searching to see a live Squid.  He was rewarded after forty years!   Sometimes a dream we have takes a long time to be fulfilled.  This man was rewarded to see his desire come true.  He didn’t give up.  There was great rejoicing among his colleagues who were working together when their discovery was made.  It was breaking news.  You can watch this footage on U Tube.  Type in Giant Squid.  This creature lives in the depths.  God created it.  He knows the depths of the ocean.

Psalm 148. Praise The Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths.

The earth is displaying all its beauty morning by morning as the sun rises till the evening when it sets. It shows us God’s power and his divine nature for us who don’t go exploring,  like others.  Gods love reaches down to us wherever we are.  “You know when I sit down and when I stand up.”  Psalm 139.

Last evening when we were out for a drive we saw a double rainbow and a beautiful sunset.  There were signs in the sky.   How great is the love of God for us indeed.  It reaches down to man whether he is at home or in the highest heights or the deepest ocean.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Posted in Family Friday, Motherhood, My thoughts, Restoration by

imageWhile visiting Glasgow recently I went to see the Transport Museum.  It proved to be a great day out and  I would recommend a visit there if you are in Glasgow. There is such a variety of vehicles displayed there, from children’s bicycles to double decker buses and trams.  One item that caught my eye was a pram that was in a recreated shop window. It brought me back forty three years.

My husband bought me a similar pram for our first child.  It had plenty of room, could be pushed over all sorts of surfaces without discomfort to the baby because of the large wheels and springs.  There was room for the baby to lie down stretched out.  Baby would quickly settle if she was rocked to sleep in this pram. The large hood protected baby from cold, sea winds that blew in the town in which we lived at that time.   I enjoyed many walks proudly pushing my pram.

When we returned from Scotland Brendan gave me this photograph he had taken forty three years ago of me pushing my pram with baby Shann inside.  Brendan has always had an interest in photography and has collected many beautiful memories.  See how he framed the photo to show my reflection.  He was being prophetic showing me going through water.  We did not know then what lay ahead in our lives but love has conquered.  I have been through many deep waters since but God had not let the waters come over me.

One disadvantage, it occupied the hallway of the next house in which we lived.  I often parked the pram outside the front door.  A young girl knocked my door and asked if she could help me look after my baby for a while.  I was happy to let her push the baby in the pram to get her over to sleep.  This young lady has been a friend ever since.

Six years later I bought another spring pram.  There was one similar to it in the museum shop. My family was increasing.  I remember pushing that pram with two children in it, baby Aaron lying sleeping and Nora sitting at one end.  It was the only vehicle we owned at that time.  I went shopping with two children and was able to put the groceries underneath in a tray.  I didn’t need a licence to drive that vehicle.  Many were the walks I had pushing my precious children in this pram.  I would arrive home from a visit with a friend with two content children sleeping.  We had a good day out. image I walked down memory lane as I looked in that shop window in the Glasgow Museum.