Tag Archives: God

The Strangford / Portaferry Ferry Choir

Posted in Canada, Dreams, Family, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Restoration, Slovakia, Travel by

 

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.

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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.

Calm After Storm

Posted in Birds, Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

The sun comes up its a new day dawning.

Yesterday Ireland and Great Britain felt the effect of storm Desmond. Winds and rain caused much damage. Many people stayed home due to gale warnings.

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This morning I am watching the sunrise over the hills to my left of the mouth of Strangford Lough. The sea is calm, trees are still and birds are venturing out to feed in the daylight. I love this winter morning.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. (‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ NIV)

 

There is calm after the storm.

Do not Fear Bad News

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Nations, Travel by

1 John 5 v 3
Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really that isn’t difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against this world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the son of God.

I have heard some people say that the commandments were written in the Old Testament. The New Testament only applies to us today, so they ignore the commandments and do not make an effort to obey them. This passage is in the New Testament!

John goes on to emphasise the god of this world is the evil one, Satan. If one loves the world he doesn’t love God.  Many people do not believe there is an evil one and blame God on all the bad things that happen.  I know there is a devil but the good news is Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

Sickness is of the devil. I had cancer. Jesus healed me and destroyed the work of the devil, cancer in my body.  I know Jesus is true and he helps us in our lives on the earth.  He is alive.

Jesus not only is interested what happens in the nations, he is interested in the individual.  He will keep you safe wherever you travel,  as you trust him.

He also wants us to know that he gives us eternal life. There is life after death. Jesus made a way for us to go to heaven. There is hell. It was prepared for the devil and his angels. It wasn’t prepared for mankind. The devil deceives people. He wants to take people to hell with him. Believe in Jesus and you will have life on this earth and life after this life in heaven. God doesn’t want us to die, Jesus died in our place. He wants us to live. Live for God on the earth. Bring God’s kingdom on the earth.

The world around us is under the power and control of the evil one. 1 John 5 v 19.
If we believe in Christ one need not be afraid of the devil.

For God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them. 1 John 5 v 18

I am very encouraged this morning after reading these words. I also read this passage,

I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies. Hosea 1 v 7

I believe these words will encourage you today even though we hear of bad news from afar.  I quote the scriptures in my writing.  If one takes these words and believes them in his heart God will act and bring about what the words say.  The power of heaven is in the words from the scripture as you believe.  For example God will set you free from your enemies as you trust him.   Amen.

Search and Rescue.

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

Last evening I returned on the ferry from Strangford to Portaferry.  It was a dark, cold and blustery night.  I was comfortable in my warm car and looking forward to a glowing coal fire back home.  The men who keep the ferry service going are to be commended for their endurance in these winter months.

Portaferry is usually quiet, but this evening as the boat pulled into port, green and red lights were flashing and sirens were going off at the lifeboat house.  Someone instructed the ferry to wait offshore.  There was an emergency at sea and the lifeboat had to be launched.  More brave men headed off seaward into the dark in answer to some distress call.  The ferry docked safely.  We all secretly hoped others would be safe tonight and prayed.

An hour later I noticed an helicopter overhead and the lifeboat in the lough.  Both has search lights scanning the water below.  A vehicle had blue lights flashing.  Brendan and I went down to the shore.  A police vehicle stopped with us and told us a flair at sea had been reported earlier.  The lifeboat responded as did a rescue helicopter from Dublin, to help search the sea for anyone in danger.

It was dramatic to see the large search light scanning the lough.  A large area of the water lit up in the dark.  Someone in danger would be glad of this light shining on them.  Life or death.  The  helicopter remained for some time.  What a good job the men on the rescue services do. They are willing to give of their time and skills to help others.

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Dramas often happen in our life that cause fear and anxiety.  Sometimes it seems we are on a stormy sea when troubles come.   I needed rescued five years ago.  I had fourth stage cancer.  I was dying.  I went through dark days but God brought me through them.  Jesus shone his light on me and rescued me up out of the sea of despair and death.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He healed me and gave me new life.  He will rescue you.  He is searching for you with his light.

I slept late this morning.  Oh how sweet sleep is when one awakes rested and secure.  My  husband brought me my breakfast in bed!

The room was brighter than normal.  The sunlight was shining on Strangford Lough.  The light from the sun and its reflection on the water brightened up our home and gave added warmth.  We have our own micro climate.  The weather reports on the radio don’t seem to apply to us.

What a good day to wake up to.  The drama of the previous evening was forgotten.  A brighter light shone this morning.  I checked the BBC news.  There was no report of people being rescued or anyone missing.

The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days in one!  So it will be when the LORD begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭26‬ NLT)

There is a saying,”The darkest hour is just before dawn”.   Only believe.  Hang in there.  Light and rescue are on the way.

A Promised land with Fruit Trees.

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

I am in Slovakia today.  I had bread and honey for breakfast.

The harvest is gathered from the plum, grape, apricot and apple trees.  Some trees are already pruned. Overstretched branches are loped off and dressed with white paint to protect from disease.   Winter will begin soon.  The fruitful trees can rest.

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I glimpsed rich, red colours on the fence between my son’s garden and his neighbour.  I ventured outside to take a closer look.   Lovely apples were growing on a tree trained to grow sideways.  They sparkled in the afternoon sunshine.  The nutritious cluster outnumbered the leaves left on the branches.  Healthful fruit left untouched.  No excited child’s hand to grab them.  No careful gardener to proudly harvest and share his fruit.

Perhaps the neighbour is too old or frail.  Maybe no grandchildren squealing with joy as they chase each other between the fruitful boughs.  When I enter my son’s hallway there is a sweet smell.  Boxes of red apples are piled high, the harvest from his garden.  A bag is filled each time he visits relatives or friends.

My son Aaron moved with his family to Slovakia.  He has inherited a house he didn’t build and a garden he didn’t tend.

You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land.  Their children went in and took possession of the land.  They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness. (‭Nehemiah‬ ‭9‬:‭23-25‬ NIV)

So I have come down to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (‭Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ NIV)

God is faithful to keep his promises.  When I first read the story in the bible that God wanted his people to enter the promised land I believed it.  He promised them plenty of bread, honey, fruit and houses.  Now my children are inheriting their promised land.

A Sparrow Falls to the Ground.

Posted in Birds, Canada, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Travel by

When Brendan and I travelled with our family on holiday down through Ireland, we saw that there is plenty of space in the countryside, forests and bogland uninhabited.  When we fly over Canada we see wide open plains below with few towns.  As I travel through Slovakia I see open fields, valleys and plenty of forest lands.

Why do people say there is not enough room on the earth for people to live?   Why do people want to control the population of the world, saying there is not enough food?  Will not God look after mankind, whom he made in his image.

In these open places wild life abound.  No one sees this abundance of life except God.  We have the priveledge of admiring the wild life that turns up near to where we live.  The blackbirds in our garden, the fox that comes to steal the chicken, or the swallows or swans that fly overhead.  Where do they lay their head at night?

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Jesus said,
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭20‬ NIV)
We only get a glimpse of the beauty of living creatures from nature programmes.

In Job the writer says,

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

“Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.

Who gives the ibis wisdom or gives the rooster understanding?

“Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions

Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food? (‭Job‬ ‭38‬:‭4, 16, 18, 36, 39, 41‬ NIV)

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?

Their young thrive and grow strong in the wilds; they leave and do not return. “Who let the wild donkey go free? Who untied its ropes? I gave it the wasteland as its home, the salt flats as its habitat.

“Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night?

“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork. (‭Job‬ ‭39‬:‭1, 4-6, 9, 13‬ NIV)

We only see a small part of what God has created.  He cares for it all.

I saw this photograph today.  It reminded me of the verse when Jesus said,

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭28-29, 31‬) NIV.

God will look after you and provide for you.

Beside A Bubbling Brook.

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

Psalm 110 v 5 – 7 NLT
The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you.
He will strike down many kings in the day of his anger.
He will shatter heads over the whole earth.
But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way.
He will be victorious.

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Out our window today the forest looks golden.

Brendan and I take a walk in the woodsimage in the High Tatras of Slovakia.  The sun is shining giving us a bright new morning.  The ground is covered in a layer of gold, brown and red leaves.  A brook flows below in the valley.  There are houses built there.  They are welcome retreats for summer visitors. The mountains and the trees give shade from the high temperatures of summer for the residents.
For us it is a short visit.  We will be back home in Ireland when the snow arrives and the bubbling brook freezes over.

Inspired by Iceland

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

When I was suffering from cancer back in 2010 a lady had a picture of a volcano when she was praying for me.  During the colonoscopy the monitor showed the tumour of cancer.  It was a bulbous and fiery mass, like a volcano.  Today again someone mentioned a volcano in prayer.

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Back in 2014 I visited Iceland.  When I arrived there I read Psalm 18.  It perfectly describes a volcano.  Iceland has been built up out of the depths of the ocean by eruptions of volcanos down through the years.  Here is what the Psalm says.

The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭5-6‬ NIV)

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook;  Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.  The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭15‬ NIV)

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. (‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭8, 16-17‬ NIV)

Deuteronomy 4 v 24. For our God is a consuming fire.  God’s presence is likened to fire or a volcano.

On my visit to Iceland God showed me that he rescued me from cancer and death.  He was angry at my enemies of death and cancer coming to destroy me.  He burnt up my enemies in the fire from his mouth.

Who is like our God?  He will continue to deal with my enemies with the fire of his breath.

Psalm 107 v 2. Has The Lord redeemed you?  Then speak out!   Tell others he has saved you from your enemies.

Satan Hates Women and Children.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts by

I read an article on Facebook today, about a mother who was in a coma, responded to her newborn baby’s cry.  At another time I read about how a newborn dead baby started to breath as his mother spoke to him how she loved him as she held him close to her heart.  These articles are featured on the internet.

These wonderful stories show the power of the bond between the mother and baby that is established in the womb.  The baby hears his mother’s heart beat and voice for nine months.  Though in a coma the mother’s heart responds to her crying baby.

When a baby is born new life comes into the world.   The infant will grow to be a man or woman.  He or she has the potential to make a big difference to the people or nation where she lives.  A baby is not a mistake, or a blob of cells that can be aborted without consequences.  He is a person lovingly created in his mother’s womb by our Heavenly Father.  A baby is not descended from apes!  He is created in God’s image.  In fact god gives each child angels to watch out for him.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it.  Genesis 1 v 26 – 28.

Satan is jealous and hates humans because we are made in God’s image.  He robbed Adam and Eve of their idealic life in the Garden of Eden.  Satan cannot create life.  God blessed Adam and Eve with children.  Satan hates women and children.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ KJV)

He doesn’t want life coming forth.  He knew that a child would be born that would bring about his downfall and defeat.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.  (‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6-7‬ KJV)

This child is Jesus.  He grew up and died for us on the cross to deliver us from the power of Satan.  We need not fear him any more.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his (Jesus) victory over them on the cross. (‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ NLT)

God blessed Brendan and I with fourteen children.   I believed God’s promise to bless me to the thousandth generation as I obey him.

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬ NLT)

I believe that children are a blessing from The Lord.  God gave Brendan and I the power to have and rear our children.  We could not have accomplished this task in our own strength.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ NLT)

When I was dying from cancer my husband, children and grandchildren prayed for me.  Their prayers and the prayers of many brought about my healing.  My children helped me in my hour of need.  Thay defeated Satan’s plans to kill me.  Each believer has the potential to defeat Satan.  Many do not know that.

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭18-19‬ NIV)

I now take up the authority Jesus has given me over the power of Satan, the power of the Blood of Jesus and the name of Jesus.   My children, offspring or seed too will crush Satan.

God had a plan when he blessed me with fourteen children!

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.”