Tag Archives: Jesus

How Weeds, Slugs and Caterpillars disappear!

imageBrendan enjoys flowers. He worked with his pots,  filling with compost, planting, watering, feeding and refreshing.
When we lived in a town house our window boxes were overflowing with lobelia and petunia, thanks to my husband’s expertise.
People passing admired the display of dangling colours.
We collected various shapes and sizes of pots over the years.
Their numbers would be added to as presents on birthdays.
When we moved house the pots came with us.
Brendan’s garden of pots increased.  Daffodils and tulips and primroses sprouted each spring.
Window box displays continued each summer.
Roses did well without much attention.
There was always some flower growing as the seasons changed.
Even in winter there was colour from primula and pansies that danced in the breeze.
Over the last two years, as our children left home, Brendan and I came to realise our home and garden were too big for us.
The birds had flown the nest.
It took time for us to let go and move on.
We had many happy times and memories raising our children in our home in Downpatrick.
Brendan and I now have a new start, a new beginning.
We moved house this spring.
A house that is easy to maintain, no more ashes, just the flick of a switch for heat.
Out plants are having a new beginning as well.
We brought our plants in pots with us.  The yard out back looked like a garden centre.
Over the last few weeks Brendan and I have been sorting them out.
It is sunny where we now live and if my pot plants do not get watered often they will quickly deteriorate.
I was sorting out pots that did not seem to have any life in them and I was pleasantly surprised to find a harvest of bulbs.
I won’t know what they are until next spring.  I suspect most of them are daffodils.  Anyway our pots needed fresh soil so contents of all pots had to be inspected and sorted.  We found little tree shoots growing in some.  Seeds from trees in our last garden took root.  I have ash, sycamore and lime saplings potted out separately. Dead roots and weeds were disguarded to the dump.  The other contents of the pots were choking out the flowers intended to be growing taking away the nutrients and water.

A new beginning for bulbs next year.

I do not need to use slug pellets or roundup.  Other pests of our pot plants at our last house was snails.  They loved the trees, walls and hid under the rim of the pots.  They came out at night to eat.   Caterpillars just loved nastursums.  They munched at the tasty leaves.  The butterflies have not arrived yet so I don’t know if I will have caterpillars.

One way of getting rid of weeds, caterpillars and slugs is to turn up the heat.
The heat and the sunshine just causes them to wither up.
So our pot plants have a new start with weeds and slugs gone.
All is needed is watering regularly with the odd boost of Miracle Gro.
Flowers are blooming and a little pruning here or there is keeping things going well.
I am getting plenty of exercise, fresh air and sunshine as I water my plants.
Perhaps my new situation is telling me God is just dealing with my enemies in the spirit.
Like the slugs and weeds they cannot live in the new conditions.
The heat was turned up in our situation with having cancer and children leaving home.

Job in the bible went through suffering and did not know why.

But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.
“God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. (Job 36:15, 16 NLT)

God has brought us to a broad place, free from distress.
I can testify that God is good and faithful to keep his promise.  Believe and hope in God.
Brendan and I can flourish and grow without hindrance in our new territory.
God is faithful.  He said in His Word he will deliver us from our enemies.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.  (Psalms 107:1, 2 KJV)

How the Humble Lily is a Sign of My Healing

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I have some lilies blooming in my garden.  They are flourishing.  There are six lilies growing in a pot and they are so unusually big.  They have never bloomed like this before for me.  

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I am reminded of a picture of a lily a young man sent me, when I believed I was healed of cancer, and others, including the doctors, did not.
 
Back in 2010 I had fourth stage bowel cancer.  The doctors advised fives weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to reduce the tumour, in preparation to operate to remove the tumour and part of my bowel.  I believe that God heals diseases today as we pray in Jesus name.
Many people were praying for me.  I believed I was healed three months after I was diagnosed.

It was hard to convince others that I was healed.  I caused a furore amongst the doctors in charge.  A senior doctor was cross with me.   He said this has never happened in my thirty years of working with cancer patients.  Another young doctor said he would be the first to give me a big hug if I was healed.  
Others, especially my family and friends were encouraging me and supporting me in my faith.

One particular friend painted a picture for me.  It was a picture of a white lily.  I asked him what was the meaning of the picture.  He believed God inspired him to do the painting.  He said a lily is a symbol of completion.
The lily is mentioned in the bible when Solomon was building the temple.  The pillars that supported the roof had lilies carved on the top.
“The capitals on top were in the shape of lilies. And so the work on the pillars was completed.” (1 Kings 7:22 NIV)

This young man’s visit was a great encouragement.  I believe God was confirming that my healing was complete even though the doctors had not done any tests on me.
Two months later the doctor called me to the hospital.

They wanted to arrange to do surgery to remove the tumour as was planned.  He was dismayed when I said I believed I was healed.  My husband agreed with me.  He went for a second opinion and came back to insist we arrange a date for an operation.  I said I did not need one.  He let us leave.

I was called by the head doctor’s secretary the next day and asked to attend a quickly arranged appointment to check to see if the tumour was gone.  I had a colonoscopy.  I talked to the nurses as I went into the testing room that I was healed.  They just smiled.  

The doctor could not find the tumour.  I saw for myself on the monitor screen that my colon walls were like a baby’s skin.  Alleluia.
I remain healed four years on through faith in God.
That is why the lilies in my garden bring me joy today.

People are Like Flowers, they will Blossom in the Right Conditions

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My husband and I love working in the garden.

We often pick up bargains of plants at markets at the end of the growing season. 
We look out for exotic plants at the local supermarket.
It is exciting when spring comes round, to see what appears in the pots from bulbs and dried up roots we planted in the late autumn.
Our last home had a big garden with hedges, walls and trees.
I could position plants that suited the different conditions.
When we moved house recently we could only bring our pot plants with us.
We now live near the sea, no trees for shade but it is warm and sunny.
Our new climate has advantages and disadvantages.
Strong, salty winds blow in the winter and hinder tree growth and plant life.
A neighbour said he spent a fortune on plants for his new house and they all died in the winter.
He warned me that “Nothing will grow here,” as I planted out my window boxes in spring after I moved here.

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Okay, I have not lived through a winter yet, but I am determined to make the most of the hot, sunny, long days of spring, summer and autumn.
 Lilies have blossomed a month early in the same pot, but in their new setting.  They never flourished like this before!

My roses are doing well in the sunshine and free flow of air. 
Before they were shadowed by trees.
Plants need good soil, water and light to grow.
Jesus told the parable of the farmer and the seed.
Where the seed fell on good soil the plants grew up and produced thirty, sixty and a hundred fold.
On the rocky stony soil the seed died soon after planting because of dryness and lack of nutrients for growth.
We can flourish in the right conditions to remain healthy, and grow.
Jesus is the Light of the world. 
When he shines on us he brings healing.
The Holy Spirit is symbolised as water.
The Word of God is symbolised as Bread.
Plants need light, water and good soil with nutrients to grow.
If we are nourished by the spiritual symbols light, water and nutrients, we will flourish body, soul and spirit.
Jesus is the Good Sheperd. Psalm 23 promises The Lord will lead us beside still waters and green pastures to restore our souls. 
I am being refreshed in body, soul and spirit in this new land.

A Horse needs a Bridle and Bit to Keep it under Control.

Posted in My thoughts, Nature by

 

I was talking to my neighbour recently.

He was telling me about his favourite hobby, horses.

John loves horses.
He learnt about horses from his father and other relatives who had been successful in breeding race horses that have won important events in world of horse racing.
He can tell me who was the mother and father of the recent winner of the Derby, “Australia.”
He is knowledgable about many horses that are winners.
He is hoping to have that big winner some day.
He owns five horses that graze in the field behind our home.
He rescued two of them from the “Knacker’s yard”.
That is where horses go that are no use any more.
They are rejects, too old, not profitable for their owners, or their owners cannot afford them in this climate of recession.

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The horses belonging to my neighbour are sleek, tall, colourful, bright eyed and beautiful.

John hopes to train his best horse which will cost him some money.

The horse will live in a stable, eat food that will strengthen him, let someone ride on his back, and will have to suffer a few lashes of a whip in the process.  Pain.
It will have to run miles every day to get used to running fast.
Not so pleasant as running free in a field, grazing grass.
It can no longer do its own will or want its own way.
It has to learn to obey its trainer and perhaps be successful in a race.
It can be of use to its master and win a race.

God likens one who is rebellious to an untrained horse, stubborn, self willed, running free, not under authority, not obedient, not knowing how to be useful or profitable.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalms 32:8 NLT)
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” (Psalms 32:9 NLT)
“But no, my people wouldn’t listen. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes! (Psalms 81:11-14 NLT)

God in his mercy longs for us to seek him.

We may not suffer the consequences of our wrong doing in our lifetime, but it will manifest in our children after us.
Discipline or pain is not a popular word in our culture.
The doctor prescribes tablets to ease pain of mind and body.
A child left up to its own devises will be unruly and unpleasant to be around.
How much more so a grown up person who is not self controlled and chooses to do whatever one feels like.
Such a person will not be useful.
God our creator has made us and knows what is good for us and how best we can live.
The self has to die and that is painful.

I have learnt obedience through the things in my life that caused pain; heartache, sickness, and mental anguish.

I don’t want to be self willed or rebellious.  I defer to others when making decisions.  To live with others I seek to live in peace and listen.  I have to put down that power in me that wants my own way.

Jesus was crucified.  We have to crucify our selfish nature and live according to God’s word.
Like the trained horse, we often suffer pain in our lives to help us to choose the right way to go.

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We all need a Rescuer, Protector, Deliverer, Saviour, or Helper at Some Time.

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Statistics tell us there are 27 million people displaced in the world today.
These people through circumstances not of there own making, have to leave their family, culture and language to live somewhere else.
They are seeking help.
They need a leader, saviour, protector, deliverer, rescuer, liberator, helper, healer and provider.
Different factors cause this.
People from poor countries seek to move to a country where there is a better standard of living.
Internal wars, disasters,or famine cause people to flee their own country.
Forced exile through persecution often happens.
Many Jews fled from Hitler, but many did not get away.
Many Irish had to leave because of famine in the nineteenth century.
They had to leave by boat on a long journey by sea.
Some did not make it.
They found refuge in America.  They were welcomed.
In Europe there is much movement of peoples within the EEC countries with borders opening.
Poor people from the East are coming into Europe through Greece.
Sadly they are not welcomed.  The Western nations see them as a burden on their own economies.
Movement of nations is nothing new.
I read of examples from the bible of people leaving their own countries.
Abraham left his home in the land of the Chaldeans and went where God told him to go.
Joseph was persecuted and rejected by his brothers because they were jealous of him.
Jacob and his family moved to Egypt when there was a famine in Israel.
His son Joseph became a saviour for his family.
The Jewish people were exiled from their land to Babylon because of their disobedience to God.
Naomi and her family left Bethlehem because of famine in the land.
The early Christians were scattered throughout the nations because of persecution.
In all these circumstances people needed and still need a leader, a deliverer, a helper or a liberator.
The defination of Messiah is deliverer, liberator, leader or anointed one.

Acts  5 v 42 says
The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.

New Living Translation

How I got a Better Phone after Mine was Smashed.

Posted in My thoughts, Prayer, Provision, Travel by

 

On Tuesday my husband and I left our daughter and son to the airport.   They were travelling to The United States for work experience in a retreat centre.
The journey went smoothly with no traffic delays.  We arrived on time.

Brendan left us off in the carpark while he went to find a parking space.  I thought to myself “I will not need my handbag” so I left it safely in the van.  My mobile phone was inside.

The children pulled their big cases to the check in desk and went through all the paper work necessary to fly to The United States.
They were nearly finished when my husband arrived with a mobile phone which looked like mine, in his hand.
I did not take any notice as I knew my phone was safe in my bag back in the van.
My husband said he found this phone in the car park.  The glass front was smashed and only half of the screen worked.
I suggested to my husband that he could look up some number on it and ring in order to get in touch with the owner.  People have been kind to us when we have lost mobiles before.
He said to me “This looks like your phone.”  I said “No way, my phone is in the van.”  I did not like the idea of my phone being smashed up.
“Ring my number to see if it is mine.”  I knew this would satisfy my husband, confirming that it was not mine.
He dialled my number and immediately I recognised my dial tone.  What a shock.  How did my phone end up in the carpark and how did Brendan happen to be walking past where it was dropped.  This was a bit too weird for me.
We pray before we travel asking God to protect our vehicles and journey.
I thought to myself, “Everything went so well today getting to the airport, and our children being blessed going to America.”  Often some difficulty arises.  Perhaps a traffic holdup, or forgetting something or running late.  But not today.
I knew this was an enemy attacking me to rob my joy at my children’s opportunity to get blessed. How on earth did the phone fall out of my bag and out of the van?  I did not expect this to happen.
I did not get upset.  I said the enemy has to restore what he has stolen, just like our car.
The devil comes to rob, steal and destroy.  Jesus comes to restore, to give life and life abundantly.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV)
I use my phone mainly for texting and receiving calls.  I like to be in touch with family.  I enquired in the O 2 shop how to get it repaired.  It would have to be sent away for a week.  They gave me an estimate of 150 pounds to replace it.
I did not want to pay that.
My husband offered to help.  He confirmed it would cost the amount quoted.  He suggested I should go for an upgrade to an iPhone if I was going to pay out that amount.  He priced some on line.

My son, Jacob is home from  university.  He suggested we go for a cycle.

When we returned, my husband surprised me with a new iPhone.  He had spent hours sorting my problem out.  He made sure my contacts were transferred and he showed me how to use it.  He ordered a cover to make sure the phone is protected from breaking again.  My communication is restored, thanks to My husband taking the time and sourcing a new phone for me.  He is so thoughtful helping me, knowing I would miss having a phone.

This afternoon I am the proud and happy owner of an iPhone!!!

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 NIV)
The enemy tried to strike my heel after our children’s success in going to America.  But Jesus restored a better phone to me after mine was smashed.  My phone is restored!

This is the my year of Jubilee.  In the Jubilee year the Israel people got back what was stolen, land, houses, property or family.  Whatever they lost by misfortune or robbery was to be restored to them.

 

 

When I had Children of my Own I searched for a Reason to Believe

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My generation grew up through the sixties with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Top of the Pops, and make Love not War.  
I found myself going to university at the end of the sixties.
There was war in Northern Ireland.  
So called Protestants and Catholics were at war with one another!
This was a long way from “Going to California with flowers in your hair,” and living at peace with one another.
I lived in a town where there was not bombs or bullets yet.
I was unaware of what the fighting was about.
I wanted to keep on the theme of Love and not War.
I got married in 1971 and had two children soon afterwards.
It was when I became a mother and wanted to do the best for my children that I began to search for a reason to believe.
That started me on a journey of seeking the truth, love and peace.
What was love?  John Lennon showed the world that Love was leaving his wife and lying in bed with Yoko.

It was too cold in Northern Ireland to go to the beach with flowers in your hair.  

I tried my best to love my family but other non love attitudes came up in my heart.
Woe is me. 
I had gone to parties and  hung out in the pub at weekends. 
I had no desire to continue to do this when I had two children.
I befriended another mother with two children.
She did not go to the pubs.  She had peace and love in her home.
I wanted what she had.
She was a believer in God. 
I began to read the bible where I read that Jesus said he was the way, the truth and life. John14 v 6
He was Love.  He loved me even before I knew anything about him.
I found love, truth and life.
Jesus promised to give me life abundantly.  John 10 v 10
I wanted to show my children this love and life.
This is my reason to believe.

 

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Have your ever Thought that Fields and Crops Burst out with Joy?

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I was reading these verses in Psalm 96 today.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! 
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Image
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!  (Psalms 96:11, 12 NLT)

The sky above changes from clouds to the sun’s rays breaking through.

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 I now live near the sea.  I hear the sound of the waves in the distance.

The sky above changes.  

From grey to clear blue.  

From the ball of hot sun by day to the white moon at night.

There are fields of rapeseed oil nearby in their full glory, ripe for harvest.

Isn’t it amazing to think that the crops of rapeseed are bursting with joy!

That the waves crashing on the shore are praising God!

All creation is praising God.

Didn’t Jesus say “Even the very stones will cry out” when the Pharisees complained about Jesus disciples praising Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

I thank God I am alive to praise him. 

One of the psalms says “The dead cannot praise God.”

Let us open our mouths to Praise God.

 

Why do Thorns, Thistles and Weeds take over Good Soil?

Posted in Healing, Ireland, My thoughts by

When I moved to our last house we had a garden at the front of the house.  It was south facing.  When spring came we sat outside in the sunshine.  It was private.  I invested in sun loungers and my children would compete who could get sitting on them when I was not around.

I sat outside relaxing.  I looked around my garden.  I planned what I would do to improve it.

I grew up on a farm.  I remember helping my father gather potatoes.  I was not afraid to get my hands dirty.  I helped mum with her work collecting eggs.   Dad kept a milking herd of cows.  It was an early start each morning for my father, every day of the year.  My mother and father worked to rear their family of ten children.

I would watch as my father trimmed the hedgerows or mended gaps to keep animals from getting out of the field.

I inspected the holly hedge at the front of the garden and the two walls at either side. The hedge needed trimmed and encouraged to grow higher.  The walls had become overgrown with ivy.  The previous owner had cut the grass but the thorns and weeds were taking over on both sides.

I decided to reclaim some land!  I was able to use my experience from growing up on the farm.  I got on my working boots and clothes.  I began to tackle the thorns with sharp hooks.  My children watched and joined in to help.

In early spring the thorns and weeds are the first plants to emerge.  The thorns send out their shoots sideways.  Very soon they can cover a piece of ground.   I was determined to deal with them.  I was going to reclaim two stripes of ground at the side of my garden.

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My boys helped me.  In no time we discovered rich composted soil under the surface of matted briars.  We trimmed the ivy that had hidden the stone walls.  I burned up all the thorns and ivy.

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One does not have to plant weeds or thistles.  They just appear.  It is true what the God said to Adam.  Thorns and thistles will grow.
To Adam he said,  “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food. (Genesis 3:17-19 NIV)

It is a constant battle for the farmer to get rid of weeds and allow the wheat to grow to produce food.

As I cleared the weeds and thorns that was covering the good soil, I thought about how bad things come into people’s lives to stop the good in their lives coming forth.  I thought how Jesus came and moved among people and delivered them from the things that prevented them living normal lives.  Sickness, infirmity, epilepsy, leprosy and depression were cured by Jesus.  These things are like weeds and thorns in peoples lives.

Jesus told his disciples to do what he did.  He  gave them authority to use his Name.  After Jesus died and shed his blood on the cross he defeated the power of the devil.  By calling on the name of Jesus and claiming the power of His blood all “weeds and thorns” in our lives can be removed.  Then we can live fruitful lives.

 

Why is Good Friday called Good.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer by

 

Today is Friday of Holy Week when we remember the last days of Jesus on the earth.  It is called Good Friday.

Is it not a bad day when someone dies?

Jesus died a horrible death.  He was crucified.  His back was cut open from the a whip.  His face was covered in blood from a crown of thorns that pierced his head.  Nails were hammered into his hands and feet.  He was cursed, because anyone who hung on a tree was cursed.  He was covered in blood.  His side was opened up with a sword.  He was naked.  He was hungry.  He was thirsty.  He was separated from God.

Men mocked him.  He suffered.  He was in pain.  He did no wrong.  He did not sin.  He helped people while he lived.  He was full of love.  He forgave those who killed him.  He obeyed his Father.  He did not call on angels for help.  He was the perfect sacrifice.

His close friends deserted him.  He was spat upon.  He was punished.  He was rejected and betrayed.  He was despised.  He had done no violence.  He did not open his mouth.  He did not want his own will.  He gave up his Spirit.

Adam disobeyed God and was put out of the garden and separated from God.  Someone had to bring mankind back into God’s presence.  God told Moses to sacrifice bulls as offerings.  Aaron had to sprinkle the blood over the people to bring them close to God.

Jesus became a sacrifice to God to bring mankind into God’s presence again.  He died to self.  His blood was shed for us though he had not sinned.  Through his sacrifice we can be forgiven our wrongdoings, curses, and healed of sicknesses.  He understands our pain.  He took our pain so we can be healed.  As we believe and accept his sacrifice and forgiveness we can be free.  We are reconciled to God and can be with him on earth and in heaven.

We do not have to wait to die before we experience heaven.  Jesus taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is Good News.

That is why the day we remember Jesus’ death is called Good.