Tag Archives: Creator

Effective Prayer

Posted in My thoughts, Prayer by

Mark 11 v 22
Jesus said to his disciples have faith in God. Listen to me. You can pray for anything and if you believe you can have it. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart. But when you are praying first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.

Let me pray for you.


Dear Heavenly Father, creator of the universe thank you for sending your son Jesus on the earth . In John 6 v 44 Jesus says no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them them up at the last day. Please draw whoever reads this post to Jesus. Give each one a revelation of Christ your son. Give them the gift of faith. And help them to pray to you, especially when there is no one to help them. Amen

Good Tidings

Posted in Healing, Holiday, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

View from our home in Portaferry, Ireland.

Greetings to all of you.

Thank you for your interest in my blogs in 2020.

Look for the goodness of God in the land of the living. This promise kept me going on many difficult days.

My grandson Benjamin asked me the other morning, “When is the sun going to waken up”.

This morning the sun is arisen and beauty is multiplied all over the sky. Enjoy it from where you live.

Malachi says “May the son of righteousness rise with healing in his wings”

May God, the creator of the earth , sea and sky bless you and keep you and make His face to shine on you and grant you peace.

A Place to Rear your Young

Posted in My thoughts by

I live on the shores of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. It is a nature reserve for wildlife. Many species of birds migrate here.

The Brent geese come here from Northern Canada in September every year. They come in thousands. I heard their call in the distance on the sixth of September while I was out for a walk. I looked up and saw a chevron of Brent Geese making their way towards the Lough. The birds have flown thousands of miles from distance shores to get to these feeding grounds on Strangford Lough.

They look like ducks when they arrive. After feeding all winter on eelgrass they become fat. By May they look like geese as they waddle on the banks of a drinking stream . They have strengthened themselves for the return journey to have their young in Canada. I am filled with wonder as I consider the rhythm of their lives. They stay together feeding and flying. There is safety in numbers. They go for miles to find safe places to feed and return to Canada where there are no enemies, to rear their young.

Swallows arrive here in May. They return to nests they have occupied year after year in our barn. They spend the next months feeding their young, flying back and forth from the nest ten thousand times catching insects. Sometimes I have to frighten away starlings that sit on the top of the barn waiting to rob the swallow’s young from the nest below. After one batch of young are reared the adult birds start over again and rear another nest of young. They keep feeding young till September comes. They gather on the local electric wires with their young and fly off to Africa to spend the winter.

Terns arrive in April to a small island off Strangford. Hundreds of them nest and rear their young. Their familiar noisy screeching call welcomes the visitor to the Strangford ferry, which connects with Portaferry on the other side of the Lough. Even though the island is only a few yards from the shore the terns are safe. No one is allowed to go to the island to disturb the nesting birds.

The words of God tells me from Jeremiah to look for the ancient pathways to find rest for my soul and to learn from the birds of the air.

“This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know the Lord’s laws.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said to look a the birds. I am learning from the birds. These small creatures do gigantic feats; they travel thousands of miles from here to another continent on the wing. They arrive at he right time and leave at the right time. It is so important to them to be in a safe place and where there is provision to rear their young. I look at just a few of the species of birds in my area that follow ancient pathways for generations.

God our Father who is the Lord of all creation, who made the heavens and the earth has given us guidelines though His Word how to live. Through reading His Word for many years God has guided me in my life. If one is willing to seek first the Kingdom of God, to seek God, submit to God, you will find rest for your soul. I have looked for the ancient pathways to find rest for my soul.

God has been faithful to lead me to a town during the war in Northern Ireland where it was safe to rear my children. After the troubles He led our family to another town where there were schools and clubs suitable for my growing teenage family. He has led my husband and I to a quiet place beside still waters after all our children have flown the nest. We have found rest for our souls here.

The shores of Strangford Lough are dotted with ancient ruins of monasteries and Christian settlements. St Patrick is believed to have come by boat to this area and sailed up The River Quoile. It is said a local landowner gave him a barn to start his Christian work among the people of Ireland. The rivers and Lough would have been full of fish giving provision to the visitors. Perhaps we are living on the land where some of these ancient settlers lived.

It certainly is a spectacular area to live. The full harvest moon rose high in the sky soon after the sun set in the west, a few nights ago. A vista of pale orange, yellow, grey and blue outlined the hills and valleys of Co Down. Our soul is continuing to be healed.

I thoroughly recommend you dear reader to seek God with all your heart and you will find him. I sought the Lord and he answered me and has been faithful to guide me all these forty odd years. I have just finished a book about how God has helped me in my life. It will be published soon. Please contact me if you would like a copy. 





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Jehovah Rapha your Healer
						

							
			Posted in My thoughts, Nations		
			
	
		by 	
				

						


		

		
There has been much concern throughout the nations since the discovery of the Corona Virus in China some weeks ago. China authorities are stopping the movement of people in areas where Corona Virus has hit. This means much hardship for the people of China. And no one knows how long this will last.


Not only has the Virus caused health problems for the nations to prepare for, but there is an economic effect too.  Some factories in China have shut down. Goods that are produced in China for cars and large machinery are not available, and this will affect factories in the west.  Even in Northern Ireland our Hotel industry has been hit because of cancellations of Chinese customers. When the Chinese tourists come here they are big spenders and like to visit all our tourist sites.


The news of the spread of the Corona Virus can instill much fear in people’s lives throughout the nations.  Will there be medication to help overcome?


I am not a medic but I have good news for anyone who is fearful of this virus or any other disease. God who created the heavens and the earth revealed himself as Jehovah Rapha, the healer to Moses in Exodus 15 v 26.   Again in Psalm 103 God tells us he is the one who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.


I have experienced the power of God to forgive all my sins and heal me from my diseases. I believe in God our Father who made the heavens and the earth. He was revealed to mankind through his son Jesus who lived in Israel 2000 years ago. Jesus had compassion on the crowds who came to him and he was known for healing all the people who came to him.


Isiah 53 foretells the coming of Jesus and what he would do. “He was bruised for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquity and by his stripes we are healed.” Jesus died on the cross and shed his blood for our healing. Believe and receive from Jesus, like I did.


I decided to trust God as my healer when I was young girl of nine years old. I had Rheumatic fever, a rare disease nowadays. But it left me with a damaged heart. The doctors said I would only be strong enough to have one child. God gave me the strength to have fourteen children.


I had fourth stage cancer in 2010. God totally healed me and it has not returned. Today is the day to trust God Rapha, your healer. Ask the Father God in Jesus name to heal you of any disease, brokenness or trouble. Jesus is alive by his Spirit to answer your prayers today.


You may have tried many other remedies to heal you and have spent much money to do so. There is a story in the bible of a woman who had an issue of blood. He had spent all her money on physicians but was not healed. She joined a crowd that was following Jesus. He pushed through the people to get to touch even his garment. When she did so she was healed. She had faith that Jesus would heal her.


Have you went through treatments, remedies, and taken people’s advice but are still not healed? I want to introduce you to Jesus who takes away your sin and sicknesses. Please ask him to reveal himself to you and ask him to heal you. I know God is Jehovah Rapha, my healer. He is there to heal you too. He does not charge you money either.


Sent from my iPad

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
Promise of Healing
						

							
			Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Nature		
			
	
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Only ten days to Christmas the lady on the Radio said this morning. Does she mean to warn us we still have those days to spend our money on parties, food, drink and presents.


Or is she warning us to prepare our hearts to remember Jesus coming as a baby to earth. I prefer to remember the coming of our Saviour to set up the kingdom of heaven on the earth. He came to end Satan’s rule over the world, the kingdom of darkness. He came as a lion to defeat the wicked witch who kept the world in coldness as depicted in the Narnia tales.


I praise and thank God at the end of 2019 for his goodness and kindness to me this past year. I am still alive and I believe his promises to me that are not yet fulfilled. I was hopeless when I was dying of cancer. I thought God wasn’t answering my prayers or was going to fulfill his promises to me. My hope in God was restored when I was healed of cancer and delivered from death.


I was reminded of God’s promises to me this morning as I looked out at the sunrise around nine am British time. We are in December, having long dark nights. When the sun rises in the morning it brings warmth and light and hope to me. God our creator is faithful.  Psalm 50 describes


The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises and heals the wounds of his people.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:19-21, 26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
UNCERTAINTY
						

							
			Posted in My thoughts, Nations, Provision		
			
	
		by 	
				

						


		

		
There is much uncertainty in our nations, whether we live in the west, east, north or south of the world in these days. We are remembering fifty years ago man went to the moon. Nothing seems impossible for man then. The sky wasn’t the limit any more. They showed a view of the earth from space. One could see the circle of the earth, blue seas and white clouds.

Many nations have prospered since then and this has brought much benefit to mankind.

But sadly despite prosperity, more food, more health care and more money available, mankind has passed laws to kill their young. It is inconvenient to have a child. “It will interfere with my joy, my work, my lifestyle. I don’t want any trouble” say those who abort their offspring.


Will we have Brexit or not? Can I sell my goods at a good price? The rich are pressing on leaving the poor behind.

But with God who created the heavens and the earth, the astronauts saw, there is certainty. In the following Psalm we are given hope. He is with us in time of trouble when you trust him. He sends the river of God, the Holy Spirit who will lead us into life and truth. For those who believe in God and his Son Jesus there is a future. We are not to worry. God will care for us.


“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.””

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:1, 4-7, 10‬ ‭NIV‬‬


If you are distressed or despairing please read this aloud. Declare the truth and don’t be shaken by the nations in uproar.

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
Living in Harmony
						

							
			Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Provision, Testimony Tuesday		
			
	
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Watching a wildlife program about Japan has inspired me.


The most northerly island, Hokkaido has the harshest climate of all the islands of Japan. The people who have settled there are farmers who grow cereals and flowers in the short summer. Fishermen harvest the rich sea before the cold of winter freezes it over.


In September the Pacific salmon begin to return to the rivers of Hokkaido to spawn. Black bears gather at the coast to feast on the fish that team in the river mouths. Fishermen who also collect the bounty of salmon, sit mending their nets. These men and bears live in harmony with each other. There is plenty of food for both. Often a mother bear is fiercely protective of her cubs, but there is no need to fear in Hokkaido.




The farmers have reclaimed marshland on the coastlands. They were once the feeding grounds of large, tall, white birds called the Red Crowned Cranes. To the Japanese they are symbols of beauty and long life. A century ago their numbers were reduced to thirty pairs. They were in danger of extinction. The farmers, who drained the cranes’s feeding areas, rescued the cranes by giving them grain through the winter when the ground is frozen. Their numbers have now grown to 1000. Here is another example of men and wildlife living in harmony. They co-exist in the harsh conditions.


These cranes are known most of all for their singing and dancing. When they gather in large numbers they put on a show. The enormous birds lift up their heads and raise a deep call from their throats. They pirouette, jump and flap their large wings. They don’t crash on the icy ground. Their performance reminded me of the ballet dancers I saw recently in “Giselle.” The male star leapt across the stage. The many ballerinas created an enchanting atmosphere with their movements in the second act.


The Red Crested Cranes are an example to us. They live in a cold, harsh environment. They could chose a more comfortable climate. Instead they flourish, dance and sing where they are meant to be. Their beauty, strength and endurance are to be admired. I am encouraged to lift up my voice and dance, like the cranes before the One who created me, even in the most difficult of situations. The psalmist calls us to praise Him. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150 like King David danced with all his might before the Lord when he brought back the Ark of the Lord.

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
I am Celebrating Easter
						

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

						


		

		
I was looking back at photographs on my iPhone taken in the last six months.  Some photos capture the beauty and colors of the sky and sea from where I live on Strangford Lough in Ireland.  The beauty all around me revives my body and soul.  I am being restored.


image imageimage


The heavens declare the Glory of God.

The skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech,

Night after night they reveal knowledge.  Psalm 19 v 1


I am happy to enjoy the changes in the heavens all around, knowing the Creator holds me in his arms.


Tonight the time changes in Ireland.  The clocks move forward one hour.  It is Eastertime 2016.  I am thankful to God to be alive, six years on from being diagnosed with fourth stage colon cancer.


This Easter weekend we celebrate a world changing event that happened about 2000 years ago.  Jesus died a cruel death and was buried in the grave.  But he didn’t stay there.  He arose from the grave.  He now lives at the Father’s right hand interceding for us.


By his death he conquered the power of sin and death, and power of the devil over mankind and made a way for us to go to heaven.  He is the way, the truth and the life.


I know the power of his death on the cross.  Isaiah 53 says “By his stripes we are healed.”  I received my healing six years ago.


Are you weighed down by misfortune, misery and ill health? Look up. Ask the Creator of the universe for help. His son Jesus paid for your freedom from oppression and sickness by the shedding of his Blood. Have faith in God.

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
The Strangford / Portaferry Ferry Choir
						

							
			Posted in Canada, Dreams, Family, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Restoration, Slovakia, Travel		
			
	
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Tonight the Strangford/ Portaferry Ferry is lit up and the deck is a stage for choirs singing Carols.  Praise songs ring out over the Lough in the chilly, evening air.  School children and adults take part.  Drivers are entertained as they make their way home.


image


At the ferry exit on each side of the Lough there is a mini Christmas Market.  I am at the Craft Fair with my Seaglass Mosaics.   John, my son is exhibiting his Bog Oak and Bronze.  We are hopeful for a successful evening.  It is a good opportunity to meet families from our community.


My mosaic collection began in May this year, after I picked up some green pieces of glass from the local beach.  I was inspired to make a picture of Ireland with a piece of Seaglass for each of the thirty two counties.  More inspiration has followed.  I enjoy the peace and results as I work.  I never dreamed I would be making mosaics, never mind selling some at a Craft Fair.  I believe The Holy Spirit gives me the inspiration.  He is the Creator.


I have visited the Christmas market in Bratislava.  It is full of Craft Stalls selling Christmas Fare.  It is a event where friends and families meet to have time together, sharing mulled wine and kebabs.  Eight of my family are there in Slovakia tonight!  From one Christmas Market to another, Ahoi!


I was excited to learn that the idea of Carol singing on the Ferry came from Vancouver, Canada.  I have been to the ferry terminal at Nanaimo and have travelled on the ferries to Seashelt and Vancouver Island.  My son Isaac is in Vancouver at the moment.


It all began fifty years ago with one boat decorated with Christmas lights.  Now fifty boats take part in the Carol Ships Parade of Lights.  It is a great attraction for visitors during the Christmas season in Vancouver.


The Ferry Crossing between Strangford and Portaferry is the oldest continuous ferry crossing in the world!  I can imagine Patrick and the early Christian settlers making the crossing back centuries ago in a wooden craft.  Our Ferry ship today is humble in comparison to the big ferries that dock in Nanaimo.


It is a wonderful experience to have a Christmas market and Choir Ferry so close to my home.  May this festival grow as the years pass and become a successful tourist event and attraction for Portaferry and Strangford.


Some information taken from an article in the Down Recorder, published on 2nd December.

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
Family Friday.  Sea Birds Thirst for Fresh Water
						

							
			Posted in Birds, Canada, My thoughts, Nature, Restoration		
			
	
		by 	
				

						


		

		
A few weeks ago I awoke to the call of Canadian Brent Geese that were along the water’s edge below our home.  I looked out to see half a dozen pairs swimming in the shallow water.    They love to eat Eel Grass.  It grows along the shoreline where fresh water flows into the sea.  There is a small stream that enters the sea below.  


I fetched a pair of binoculars to take a closer look.  The brown colour of their body feathers are a good camouflage against the brown, grey, seaweed covered stones. They have a white feathers on their lower bodies. They swim about on the edge of the water avoiding other gulls that are there.  


image


When the gulls fly off, the geese come up out of the sea and begin to drink from a small stream that flows across the stones.  They come to get a drink of fresh water!  They wait for each other to get their thirst quenched.  Then the whole group fly off, their outstretched wings, with white V markings on the tail, blend with the colour of the moving water and disappear into the distance.  


A couple of Great Black Backed Gulls come for a drink later.  There are a few pairs of them along this part of the bay.  A couple of Herring gulls rest nearby.


It never occurred to me that these birds needed fresh water.  I would have thought they would have got water from the food they ate in the sea.  When we went for walks along Tyrella beach I remember flocks of different sea birds gathered at the end of the beach.  A river flowed into the sea there.  The wildlife rested there in the sunshine for a while.


I believe God our creator wants us to drink from the flowing river of the Holy Spirit and rest a while.   Jesus told us to look to the birds of the air.  They don’t sow nor reap, yet their Heavenly Father cares for them.  I am taking a lesson from the birds of the air this morning.


As I watched the wildlife from my window, I was reminded of the Holy Spirit.  Very often life makes us weary, tired, dry and barren.   Our lives seem staved of life with nothing new happening.   But God invites us to come to him to get a drink of refreshing water to nourish our thirsty souls.


Jesus said to the woman at the well he would give her water and she would not thirst again.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 


The Holy Spirit is the Living water that Jesus promised.  He is described as the river that flows from the throne of God.  We are invited in Isaiah to come to the water.


“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.  (‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1, 3‬ NIV)

As we drink in the Holy Spirit life flows again.


As I spend time praying in the Holy Spirit I get refreshed and have new strength.  No matter what age we are, we still run out of strength if we are too busy.  We need life from God to renew our energy.