Tag Archives: war

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

Posted in My thoughts by

 

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

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

Posted in My thoughts by

 

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.

 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/reason-to-believe/

 

 

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

 HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY
 Did you know that St Patrick’s Day, is the second biggest festival celebrated in the world after Christmas?  Why?  Ireland, this small island on the edge of Europe has many diaspora all over the world.  And where ever the Irish are they remember the Irish Patron Saint, Patrick.  It is a day for the wearing of the green.
St Patrick’s Centre lit up with green lights.  St Patrick’s grave is situated in the graveyard of the Church behind this centre.
Image
Wherever you live in the world I am sure you have heard of St Patrick.  Maybe you have Irish ancestors.  We travel to Canada and we meet people there who love Ireland even though they have never been here.  Some of our friends there have some relative in their  family line that came from Ireland.
Many people come to visit Ireland wanting to see where their ancestors come from.  Even some presidents of America claim to have Irish ancestors.  Information on the Internet has helped people with their searches.  We have had American students visit Ireland and they break into tears when they see the homeland where their forebears lived.
The Irish are in different parts of the world for various reasons.  In the 1800s there was a terrible famine in Ireland.  The population dropped to 4 million, because of death and exile.  In the 1600s some Irish were sent into Europe and the East Indies as slaves by Cromwell.
Down through the years the young people left Ireland for work in England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America.
Patrick came and lived among the Irish and through his love, and example he brought the love of God to the people.  It is said he used the Shamrock a small plant with three small leaves to explain the Trinity, three persons in the Godhead.  The Irish wear the Shamrock on St Patrick’s day.
Early Christians travelled to Scotland and down into Europe as far as Slovakia.  Brendan was in  Switzerland in 2012 to celebrate six hundred years since St Gallian went there from Ireland.
With living on an Island the Irish became sea faring people.  They built small wooden curraghs. The Irish monks travelled by small curraghs up the rivers of Europe.  St Brendan travelled with others to the land we now know as Canada on a boat made of wood and sealskins.
At one time in the nineteenth century there were eight million people living here.  Many lived in small holdings but were able to grow oats and potatoes, kept a few chickens.  A cow would have been kept for milk. They were able to live off their produce.  Porridge was made from the oats and the women made their own bread.  Soda bread and potato bread can only be bought in Ireland.
I grew up on a farm.  My mother baked bread, we had chickens, we had milk from the cows.  We did not go hungry.  Only on a Sunday did we have a chicken, a stew or soup. We lived well and dad and mum reared ten children.  We did not go hungry.  We were content.
We have a Christian heritage that has come down the generations from the days of St Patrick.  In the twentieth century many missionarys went from Ireland again to the nations, especially into India and Africa and set up schools and hospitals.   My mother’s sister worked in Nigeria around the 1960s.
Ireland had become infamous in the 1970s because of the war in Northern Ireland.  Injustice, bitterness, hatred, division and poverty erupted into war between people from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds.  What a shame it has brought to the name of Jesus.  Nations have looked at us and said God is love.  How come Christians are fighting one another.   In Russia and India people heard of the bombs and bullets.
In Chronicles the Word of God says “If my people will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways I will heal their land.”  People began to pray.  I attended a woman’s prayer group.  We represented the different denominations in our country.  As we prayed we found the only One who brings forgiveness and reconciliation, Jesus.  Before he died on the cross he said about those who crucified him,  “Forgive them because they know not what they do”.  After thirty years the war ceased.  Thanks God for his mercy.
Ex President Clinton visited Derry recently and encouraged us that he is travelling all over the world to negotiate peace between warring groups.  He uses the example of the Northern Ireland as a place that lives in peace after thirty years of war.
May we travel again as missionaries of the Gospel, like St Patrick and bring the love of God, forgiveness  and reconciliation to the nations.

The Practicalities of Living in The Real World

Posted in My thoughts by

 

What is life about.”  “Is my life worth living?”  “Who am I in the midst of millions of people on the earth?” I asked myself these questions.
 
When I had two children I began to think more seriously about how I would guide them in life.  Children are not just for Christmas.  They are for life.
 
The family unit is the environment a child is born into.  In that place, depending on the parents, the child can feel secure, loved and learn to trust.  If the home is not a secure place, if the parents are not loving, then the child will not have a good start in live.
 
If he does not receive love along the way in his formative years, in the extended family, at school, from the community, then the child will not have a good experience in life.  He will be disadvantaged in overcoming difficulties this world throws at him.
 
I decided I would have to make some sacrifices to think of my children before myself.  I wanted them to grow up in a loving home.  I knew I would have to make changes in my relationship with my husband.
Was there any help out there?  I searched, asked questions, I was looking for truth.  I looked at other people that were rearing their children.  Did I want the way they lived?  Were others successful?  How did their children turn out?
 
My husband and I travelled with our two children to Findhorn, a community in the north of Scotland.  Did they have the answer for community living?  We wanted to find a community of people that demonstrated love.  
 
At the time in Northern Ireland the Christian communities were at war.  There was hatred in the atmosphere and we were all under that cloud.
 
We returned home.  We knew Findhorn was not for us.  
 
I was given a bible and I began to read it.  Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth and the life.  Now I was getting somewhere.  I was looking for truth.
 
I read on.  Jesus said God gave Moses the commandment to love one another, and to love your neighbour as yourself.  Okay here I find someone talking about loving one another.  But there was war in Northern Ireland.  I was confused.  I decided to find out more what Jesus said and take my eyes off man.
 
Jesus prayed “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”  I thought I will have to look to God in Heaven.  Life on earth revolves around God not me.  
 
I began to follow Jesus’ guidance about prayer.  I went into my room and prayed to God in Heaven.  I learnt to forgive others anything they did against me.  I had joy when God answered my prayers.
 
I read, “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40, 41 NIV)
 
Image
 The Garden Of Gethsemene where the disciples were found sleeping.
 
I decided to spend fifteen minutes praying and fifteen minutes reading the bible.  Sometimes I  may have  prayed for an hour.  It was a start.  I decided to do what Jesus said “Abide in me.”  I wanted to be fruitful for God.
 
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;

apart from me you can do nothing.  If my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”(John 15:5, 7, 8 NIV)

 
What a statement Jesus made!   I can do nothing without him.  I believed!
 
He began to change me.  He brought new friends into my life.  He gave me patience.  My money went further.  I was getting on with my husband.  We did things together.  The Truth began to teach me.
 
I grew in wisdom.  God gave me wisdom. Wisdom has to do with becoming skilful in honouring others, loving, raising my children, handling money, morality, working, treating others kindly, not arguing, living in an attitude of peace and not war.
 
Heaven was coming on earth in my life.  I had love, peace and joy.  I was finding meaning to life on earth.  I wanted to continue on this journey.
 
Why not go into your room and pray to the Father in heaven.  He is listening and will answer.
 

 

Appreciating my Parents after Rearing my own Children, DPchallenge

Posted in My thoughts by

 

I had two children of my own.  I was twenty four years old, and lived far away from immediate family.
My life experiences were living on a farm in a big family, going to an all girls school, and attending a new university in a small town in Northern Ireland.
 
Things were about to change.  There was turmoil in our country with bombings and shootings.  People were killed, buildings reduced to rubble.  The dark clouds gathered.  Even the weather portrayed the gloom and fear over the land.
 
I must have been affected by that fear in the atmosphere even though the town where we lived was a safe place.  I began to wonder how can I keep my two children safe?  What example can I give them?  Who is right in the middle of the war?  What values can I pass on to them.
 
I remembered back to my own upbringing by my parents.  Mum and Dad worked hard on a farm to raise  us ten children, eight girls and two boys.  They did not have much money.  They sacrificed their own comfort and luxuries to look after us.  Dad was a pioneer.  He educated all of us.  He believed girls should get the same opportunities as the boys.  They had quiet faith in God.  By their actions I know they were Christians, as the old chorus goes “They will know we are Christians by their love.”
 
I knew nothing about sectarianism and wondered why Catholics were fighting Protestants.  I began to seek God.  I began a journey of faith.
 
As my family and my faith in God grew I was able to appreciate the values my parents held and their willingness to lay down their lives to rear their children and overcome hard times, trials and disappointments.  Brendan and I did not want our children to grow up to be bitter and have hatred in their hearts for their neighbours.  We worship with and love Catholics and Protestants.  Our children have married into both groups.  
 
I did not appreciate my parents when I was growing up.  I did not thank them.  I did not honor them. I wanted to leave home and see what the world had to offer.  Now, as I have gone through the work of raising children I appreciate what my parents did for me.  I have a good heritage.  I honor them.
 
My mum died at sixty four.  She did not get to see all her grandchildren.  I could have died three years ago, but Praise God he healed me and I am alive to tell other mothers there is hope and life.  May you live to see your children’s children.
 
 
 

 

PRAYING FOR A CHILD

Posted in Healing, Prayer by

Three weeks ago, I fell and broke my wrist.  I praise God that I do not have more serious injuries because my head hit a wall and then my body slumped onto my left arm.  My friend, who saw me fall, was in shock.  There were some angels about that day.

Brendan took me to the Accident and Emergency.  A young man who seemed quite shy, walked in and sat down beside me.  He spoke over to my husband and it turned out they knew each other.  He had a frozen shoulder and was in pain.  Jesus said, “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16 v 18.   I offered to pray for his arm to be healed.  He was happy and accepted my offer as he knew I had been healed of cancer.  He realised there was a long waiting time so he opted to come back in the morning.  A few minutes later he came back into the waiting room waving his arms and saying, “The pain has gone,” and told the other patients, “Let this woman pray for you “.  No one else took up the offer.

I had been waiting in casualty for some time so I was relieved to be called behind the magical doors where one will get the attention of the overworked doctor.  He looked at my arm and saw it was broken and sent me for an x ray.  While waiting there, a kind nurse named Angela, reassured me everything was going to be all right.  Her care and words were bringing healing to me already.  I am grateful to doctors and nurses for the courageous work they do.

I had my left lower arm in plaster and experienced some pain.  The doctor prescribed  pain killers which leave me drowsy.  Undeterred I will continue to write with one hand.  As the song goes “I get knocked down but I get up again”.

Three weeks on I attended the fracture clinic.  The doctor checked my x rays taken today and she said your bone is healing.  It looks perfect. She caught herself on and said “Perhaps I should not say that”.  But it was good for me to hear her say it because I believe that God is healing my wrist.  Sometimes people get healed quickly, other times slower. I have a lighter cast on for the next three weeks.

One morning my friend rang to sympathise with me on hearing of my broken wrist.  She was telling me about two young beautiful mothers she knew, who were abandoned by their husbands. They did not want the responsibility of being fathers.  I can understand how difficult it is to rear children with the two parents, how much more so with one parent.  I feel for these young women having to endure the rejection and abandonment and try to face the future on their own. Can these young mothers have hope?

It was when I was a young mother that I began to seek for meaning to life.  What had I got to offer my two young children for their future?  What example was I giving them?

My husband and I were young and rebellious.  We feared neither God nor man.  Those were the days of the Beatles, “All you need is love”, peace marches, riots, protests, internment, war on our doorsteps.  How could I find a pathway through all this?

Could I find a road to give to my children, to show them a way through the maze of life?

I was given a New Testament at that time.  I began to read it.  I was excited about what I read and thought, “Can this be true?”  I read that Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life”. John 14 v 6.  Is this man a head case to make these claims?  Could he show me the way to life.  I thought I would find out more about Jesus.

About that time I read in the bible that children are a gift from God. Psalm 127 v 3.  I decided to pray and ask God for the gift of a child.  God answered and I became pregnant with my third child Nora!

I began to walk along the path of life!

References are from New International Version bible.