Tag Archives: praise

My Neighbour Praises God

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Prayer by

It’s Sunday morning again. My neighbour Elizabeth who is eighty two years old, has just finished playing Worship music in her front room. I can listen and join with her in Spirit next door.

She played the organ for many years in a large church down town in Belfast. She lead the congregation in Worship to Our Heavenly Father every Sunday for many years till her retirement.

Her front room is her Cathedral and I am her congregation.

Back in December Elizabeth had a few setbacks. She strained her shoulders as she stretched to do some housework. The doctors diagnosed arthritis. She took prescribed medication.

Her hands and wrists were so sore she stopped playing her music. The piano fell silent. I visited her and encouraged her. She asked me to pray.

To add to her difficulties she fell when out walking. She fractured her left hand finger and was bruised all over. She had a lonely Christmas, without her usual invite out for Christmas Day.

Elizabeth is a fighter. She is an overcomer. She trusts in God who has been her companion all her days. She is healed from all pain. She is playing her piano again. Elizabeth is like the snowdrop that appears again after dark days.

Her praises to God ring out in my street in Belfast. As a Chorus goes “God’s not dead, no He is alive.” The big Churches may be closed down but Praise is still happening in Elizabeth’s front room.

David set up Worship to God

Posted in My thoughts, Restoration by

An Example from the Old Testament.

All scripture is for our upbuilding.

I read about David. He suffered in exile far away from his own family and country, being chased by King Saul who was deeply jealous of him.

After some time King Saul died. The people of Israel invited David back to Israel and they made him their king. It is not easy being a ruler or leader and one doesn’t want to take that position without it being God ordained. Many will resist one’s position. But David was anointed by Samuel many years previous to be king over Israel. God brought David to be king.

When David was made King over Israel he arranged for the priests to worship and thank God with psalms and music all day every day. David knew God’s saving power on his journeys running from Saul. He learnt to fight the enemies of God’s people. He started off by killing the lion and the bear who attacked his father’s sheep. He wanted to honor God.

As worship to God was going on God prospered all David did and God delivered Israel from all her enemies.

God is in heaven where the angels and saints cry Holy, Holy Holy. Should we not do the same on the earth. There is no other God. He is worthy to be praised. Let us magnify His name. He made the heavens and the earth.

Let us not bring God down to our level. The Word of God says if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me. In the past people who attended Church wore their best clothes. They respected God and each other. It was special to go to the house of God.

As I drive around Brlfast there are many large grand churches especially on the Ormeau Rd area and the Shankill Rd. Nearby are large houses which once were full of families. Children played in the street. No more. Many of the Churches are empty or few people attending. Worship has stopped . The Lord is not lifted up in the community. The Lord’s enemies are not resisted.

We worship the same God as David. He is the same God yesterday and forever. Let us return to honouring and thanking God for his greatness with our voices and music. Let us magnify Him and not bring Him down to our level. I pray Let my people go to Worship God. If we do God will deliver us from our enemies and we can live in peace and be unafraid.

Testimoney this Morning of Healing

Posted in Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer by

I live in Belfast next door to a lady who is eighty years young. Before I moved here a stranger prophesied There will be a neighbour who will bless you.

We had to downsize from five bedroom house beside the sea to a smaller house with a back alley view. Brendan and I looked like the birds after they have been through a fight or a storm. We lost some feathers and the rest were tozzled.

Despite our feeling disorientated our neighbours welcomed and encouraged us. One neighbour helped us park our van.

Nearly two years on we are settled and enjoying living in Belfast. Some of our children and grandchildren live nearby. 

My next door neighbour Elizabeth plays her piano every Sunday from 10 to 10 30 am praising God. I join with her in Praise as I hear the melodies through the wall.

She brought my sick grandchild before the Lord every Sunday and believed for her full recovery. Iona is home out of hospital and prospering.

Her piano fell silent in the last three weeks. I was sad that Elizabeth wasn’t feeling well. Her fingers were swellen with arthritis and she couldn’t worship on her piano. I thought she prayed for Iona who has recovered will God not heal Elizabeth? The devil wanted to shut down the Worship to God in our street.

At ten this morning I heard the piano playing worship music to Jesus. I was delighted. Elizabeth is back playing her piano!

When she finished I called with her. She was telling me she was in tears at the godlessness of our society. Once there were 900 people in her church, now there were 9. People have forgotten that Jesus is king. People don’t know God. She drew a line and declared I’m going to lift up the name of Jesus. She touched the keys of her piano and her fingers moved painlessly.

She is an overcomer. She continues to lift up Jesus. The word of God says “If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.” She is making a difference in our street.

Jesus Healed my Broken Heart

Posted in Dreams, Family, Healing, Ireland, Motherhood, My thoughts, Nations, poetry, Restoration by

Good morning friends across the nations.
How are you today?

It’s Valentine weekend. Songs of love are played on the radio. Desire and hope for love are stirred in our hearts. Love is in the air. Will I get a Valentine Card? Does someone secretly admire me?

I did have those teenage dreams. I did get a Valentine Card. My heart was stirred with love. I had met my husband Brendan the previous summer. He is still very romantic, kind, giving and forgiving.

Fifty three years on my heart is stirred with love. Brendan and I were celebrating with some of our family the birth of twin grand daughters to Ruth and Stuart. It’s been a roller coaster week. Thank you Nora and Colin for the lovely meal.

My girls were looking down memory lane. One remembered with tears being bullied by the vice principal of her school. Another was caught by another school’s vice principal smoking at break time. Stresses and joys of living in a big family were recalled with more tears and laughter.

It hasn’t been easy for Brendan and I to rear a big family and still be alive. My heart was broken many times; children leaving home, difficulty in my marriage or sickness. My children asked me “Do you remember that?” as they recall some difficult incident. I was busy rearing the next child or making dinner. I wasn’t aware of things going on behind the scenes.

My husband thought if I had HRT medication it would make it more easier for him to live with me. Despite our love for each other we did have our difficulties in our twenties, thirties and fourties. So HRT was not the solution then or now. Forgiveness and love sets the captive heart free.

No I dont have dementia either because I don’t recall difficult times. I told my daughter a story recently about walking down my street. We moved here one year ago. It was dusk and I glanced through a window where the blinds had not been drawn. It looked homely. I turned back. It was my house! My daughter wanted to bring me to the optician to get my eyes seen to and was worried about my mind.

As I drove back home last night the reality hit me. My heart is not broken any more. Jesus has healed my heart. He was with me in all my troubles and he delivered me out of them all. He has restored my body soul and spirit. He had caused me to live to see my children’s children.

The scripture in Isaiah 61 is true. He healed the broken hearts and binds up their wounds. He gives a garment of praise instead of despair.

For anyone of you today who has a broken heart because of disappointment, loss or sickness don’t despair. Jesus is acquainted with your grief. Bring your troubles to His cross. He will pour in His love and heal you and bless you.

“Keep right on to the end of the road, keep right on to the end. If you are tired and weary still journey on round the bend.” Lyrics by Harry Lauder.

Thankful for Health Services

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

I was listening to a programme on BBC 4 radio this week. It was reporting on events in Ecqador during the Covid 19.

One lady was interviewed. Her husband contacted the virus and died in a few days. She rang the authotrities in her country to come and take away her husband’s body. Only after five days was his decaying body removed. The lady contacted the disease as well but survived. She had two young sons.


Many families suffered like she did. Dead bodies were left lying on the streets for days. The hospitals and normal services were not prepared for the death of so many people.

It is easy to complain about past and present wrongs in our country. I am so thankful after listening to that programme. I am so grateful for the services we are blessed with here in Northern Ireland. These services were put in place by people who believed God in generations past and wanted to help their fellow man. First of all I thank God for the people in our country who believe in God. God has preserved us from sickness and healed many who contacted the disease. Our local minister was told to prepare for many deaths from Covid. There were not any deaths from Covid in our town.

I am thankful for the Health Service, the many men and women who worked in the hospitals. I am thankful for the politicians who had to make difficult decisions in the crisis. I am thankful for the people in our families, villages and towns who supported each other through their fears. I am thankful for the people who know their God and intercede for others.

Let us keep alert and keep praying. God my Heavenly Father delivered me from death from cancer ten years ago through the prayers of many. I believe Jesus heals today. I want to tell others that Jesus will heal our diseases and even prevent us from getting sick. This is good news. Let us pray for workers in the harvest to go to those countries that don’t know of God’s love and care through Jesus sacrifice for us on the cross. The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and sickness.

Promise of Healing

Posted in Cancer, Healing, My thoughts, Nature by

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

The Stairway to Heaven.

Posted in Dreams, Holiday, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Nature, Travel by

Two weeks ago I read this scripture.
“Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. ””
‭‭John‬ ‭1:51‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had never noticed this reading before. I remember another story from the Old Testament where Jacob had a dream.

 

Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac.” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!””‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:11-13, 17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On holiday in Greece recently I visited a Craft shop. The Artists make their pieces from reclaimed items they find on the beach. I too work with stuff from the shore where I live in Northern Ireland. Small sticks, driftwood, pottery, Seaglass and bits of rope are some of things I find. The man of the shop made ships and boats. On each one was a ladder that went from the deck of the ship up the mast. Ladders also figured on the lady’s work. Here is an image of a ladder reaching up from the earth to the clouds above. It is from a piece of art I bought form a craft shop in Greece.

I was excited to see the image of the ladder. I was thinking back to the scripture about Jesus being a stairway or a ladder. I told the couple what the image of the ladder can mean. They were very happy to hear what I had to say.

The theme of the ladder came to me again today. I was reading Merlin Carothers’s book Proson to Praise. In it Merlin recalls a vision he had.

“I saw a bright summer day. Up above was a solid heavy black cloud. A ladder extended from the ground into the dark cloud. At the base of the ladder were lots of people who wanted to get a chance to climb the ladder. They had heard that beyond the cloud was something beautiful. Some people tried to climb. As soon as they got to the dark cloud they came sliding down again. Merlin climbed the ladder. He kept going through the dark cloud even though it was difficult. He came into intense brightness.”

The Lord explained to Merlin that the ladder represents praising God. Some people start out praising God but give up when times get difficult. They lose faith and go sliding back. When one continues to praise God he comes to a place where he can walk on difficulties no matter how dark they seem as long as he keeps his eyes off the problem and looks to the Lord.

I’m encouraged today after reading about Praise. I will believe that God can work all things together for good as we praise him and thank him no matter how difficult the situation gets. He is in control. Keep clinging to the ladder of praise and keep going up. Keep clinging onto Jesus who is the stairway to heaven. He takes us from the earth to heaven, just as Jacob saw in his dream.

 

 

Healing the Wounds

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Restoration by

The season has changed.  This weekend the clocksgo back.  I went outside and looked up at the full moon high in the sky.  It was lighting up the land and sea below. I spent a few moments marvelling at the beauty all around. Praise The Lord maker of heaven and earth.  I didn’t stay too long in the chilly air. I headed off to bed looking forward to the extra hour under the blankets.

Here at my home in Northern Ireland it is a beautiful day. The sky is blue and clear of clouds. The sun is shining brightly, yes more brightly than normal. It shouldn’t be so warm at the end of October! The yachts and boats that were moored in the bay have gone.  The owners brought them to the harbour.  They have been hoisted out by a crane a few days ago.  It’s time to store the craft for the winter.

My grandchildren are visiting. It is warm outside, the air still and the water surface like glass. The conditions tempted the children to go down to the shore. It is a perfect day to go messing about in the water. They persuaded grandad to help them put our boat in the water again. It is a small yellow pedalo. It glides quietly over the water. No need for oars, sails or an engine. Just turn the pedals with your feet. Our grandchildren have such fun in it. No need to own an expensive yacht. The only equipment each one needs is a life jacket. Supervised from the shore by grandad and their mum, the children paddled effortlessly up and down the bay till their hearts were content.

I am reminded of the scripture,

“The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven times brighter, in the day that the Lord binds up the breach of his people, and heals their wounds.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As I am writing this I hears the calls of some birds overhead.  I look up.  It is a chevron of seventeen swans flying south.  They must have taken advantage of the perfect weather conditions, light by day and night to migrate south for the winter.

I am nursing a broken arm. It is very painful. I am feeling helpless and miserable. I fell from a stepladder as it crashed under me. My right arm and bottom took the full impact. Today, three weeks on I am encouraged by God’s word. My wounds will heal.

If you are feeling discouraged, are sick or heavy burdened don’t despair.  Look up.  See creation all around.  Your Heavenly Father who created all this beauty cares for you.  Through believing in his son Jesus you will be healed.   It’s time for your breaks and wounds to heal.

“Be still and know that I am God”

Don’t Be Despondent

Posted in Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer by

Strangford Lough waters were like a mirror early today.  The boats, newly parked in the bay below, are still. This morning I read these words from the Bible.
Proverbs 15 v 15
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

These words shook me out of feeling heavy laden and down. I looked up the meaning of despondent in the dictionary.  Dejected, sad, depressed, disheartened, lacking hope or courage.
One can be despondent because of unhappiness due to difficulties that you think will not be able to overcome.
I was prone to despondency and despair before I had cancer. I definitely got depressed and it deepened. Situations in my life seemed insurmountable. But God saw me and had mercy on me. He healed me from cancer.
I can’t afford to let myself get down or despondent. This word this morning shook me. I want to have a merry heart and a feast instead. I have so much to be thankful for.
Another scripture says ,
“Do not be downcast. Hope in God for I will yet praise him.”  I began to thank God for all his blessings.  I got washed and dressed. I decided to go out in the beautiful morning and let the cobwebs blow away. The warmth of spring is here. I praise God for life.

An Appointment With Nature

Posted in Birds, My thoughts, Nature by

 

Over the summer months I have been focusing on writing a book. I haven’t had much exercise; not even working in the garden or walking. Despite a minimum of attention tomatoes, herbs and flowers have blossomed in the sunny summer we have had. Butterflies flutter and swallows swoop overhead . They are enjoying the end of summer sunshine.

My body was telling me it needed some exercise. I feel a bit stiff after sitting at a desk for hours on end.  I needed to get away from my computer and books.  I needed to get outdoors to see life around me.

Yesterday I awoke early to a warm, bright morning and decided to go for a cycle. I prefer cycling to walking. It is not too taxing pushing my bike along the Loughshore Rd. The seashore was just to my right. I heard the sound of stones hitting one another and stopped to investigate. I counted ten turnstones, tiny seabirds, busily upturning small stones and feeding on the juicy morsels of insects exposed. The birds were well camouflaged against the brown and grey seaweed and stones. One wouldn’t know they were there except for the noise they were making. I was delighted to discover them on my trip outdoors.

Each time Brendan and I go for a walk there is always something going on in nature. On the way home I noticed a dozen teal ducks who had come ashore to drink fresh water from a brook that trickles down to the sea. They were resting and preening their feathers. They were safe, warming themselves in the morning sunshine. How beautiful? What have I been missing?

A speaker once said that Nature is the bible of creation. Jesus said “Look at the birds.” I learn a lot from watching birds.

This morning I was full of aches and pains after cycling. I was feeling sorry for myself and wanted to stay resting under the blankets. I didn’t want more pain from exercising. Brendan encouraged me to come down for breakfast. After a chat and food I was revitalised. I persevered to go cycling again. I decided to keep up the exercise. What has nature in store for me this morning?

I got my bicycle out again. I wasn’t disappointed. I stopped to rest at Ballyhenry Island. It was low tide. A flocks of seagulls were sunbathing. I heard the chugg chugg of a boat in the distance. It was setting out towards the marine station where research is taking place. I watched as it came close.

A tall black bird caught my eye in the distance. It was flapping its wings. Perhaps it was stretching after feeding. It continued to flap and stretch its wings for fifteen minutes. I was amazed at its energy.   It’s not easy to see a cormorant up close.  They keep their distance from danger.  When on the ferry one can catch a glimpse of a cormorant as it surfaces after diving for food.  Their short legs and streamlined body help them easily glid into the water.  They have been likened to penguins. Bird Island off Kircubbin is where they can safely nest and rear their young.

I thought of the following scripture,
“Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭148:7-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I imagined the cormorant was praising The Lord with its outstetched wings for more that fifteen minutes. I could not keep my arms raised for fifteen minutes. I marvelled as I watched the black bird in the distance.

It was time to return home. I look forward to tomorrow morning. What will the birds be doing?