Earth is crammed with heaven

It's just over 6 months since I worked publicly. The depression that knocked me off my feet yet again, is lifting. Some powerful prayer over the last few weeks has reminded me that I am God's princess, and he wants me whole. Some healing has taken place. I've also been trying to take better care of myself. Those who know me well know that I'm more blessed by chocolate than carrots. However eating better, walking a lot, and resting when I need to has helped me in my recovery. The grief at the losses we have suffered over the past 6 months hits us like a freak wave in a calm sea at times, but we go with it, and I'm sensing that's a good thing. At the end of April, I couldn't see that I would ever work again. This life as God's co-worker was too hard. But as I heard His voice responding to my cries say, "I know..." And his answer to my questions was just, "Trust Me..." Somehow we have made it through to today. Today I kn...

This was the view as I perched on our decking yesterday to drink my coffee.  And then I looked closer... I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3

God came close on the M25 yesterday. Not for the usual reasons of oaths sworn by drivers, people going too fast, or even those who think they own the road. Instead, God used a very old CD. It's title of 'New worship songs' is 12 years old, but I put it on because I was on my own in the car and fancied a sing. Some of them were familiar songs, but as I sang I noticed a phrase kept on coming through. "The Father's Embrace." One song particularly gripped me as I sang. Next thing I knew I was smiling, as the God who makes himself real in my circumstances, surprised me yet again. You see, for a girl who's recently lost her Dad, and is missing his big bear hugs, it's great to know that my heavenly father 'embraces' me. He doesn't hug, smooch or cuddle, but He embraces me. He lifts me in His big strong arms, and holds me securely. Here's the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N6tihSBZow It's based on Psalm 27, wh...

I used to think of the term 'Sacrifice of praise' as an offering of praise. Sacrifices on the altar were traditionally gifts, or offerings that someone brought to God. It was often the best they had to bring. But I've recently been thinking of it in terms of praise to God being costly. I've never been a "It's all good!" type of person. Or even a, dare I say it, "God is good all the time" kind of person either. I know He is. Of course He is. But to try to express it at times when my world has been falling apart is unhelpful at best, and impossible at worst. Yesterday, however, I had a message from a lovely Christian gentleman. He's very well known in Salvation Army circles, but we'd only recently had direct contact from him, following our losses. He'd written a poem about grace. It was beautiful. But as I read it, it got harder and harder to read and accept. When I mentioned this to him, he wrote this... "If I don't ...

It's 5 o'clock on a Saturday sang Billy Joel. Well it's actually 5 o'clock on a Thursday but that doesn't have the same ring to it. I'm awake because I have laryngitis and can't stop coughing so I thought I'd do something useful like create this blog. Welcome to my world! At the moment I'm banned from speaking. It's day 5 and my voice hasn't improved. It's frustrating to have to write everything down. I choose my words more carefully though as they take so long. Last night I went to Hastings, and was reminded of the poem that gave me my blog title. "Earth is crammed with heaven And every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off their shoes..." As I spend more time in enforced silence I hope to see.... Shame my husband and boys haven't got it too!

Calling all Salvation Army Singing Company (choir) members from the 70’s and 80’s! Remember this one? “What blest provision of thy grace, that I should find a secret place? Within thy presence there to dwell and silently my need to tell.” New Songs for YP May’74. I was in Liverpool Walton Singing Company, when I sang this for the first time. At the tender age of 9, it captured my imagination, and even more so now. Tell me any busy Mum who doesn’t occasionally long for a secret place of their own! So imagine my joy over the last few years as it dawned on me that a “devotional time” (pious face optional) with God, wasn’t necessarily going to be a set time or place in my schedule. Instead, the ever-present God refused to be compartmentalised, and I could find him wherever I chose to look. When returning home after a busy day, and finding a whole host of mundane tasks still to do, I realized that I could just take off my shoes, and remind myself that I was on ‘holy ground’ (Exodus 3:...

So this is it. My Dad's funeral is today. I can't sleep. So these are my thoughts: I'm glad we've got some good songs planned.. Our family and friends sing well, And as we sing Feed me now and evermore we'll exchange a smile at Dad belting out the bass notes. I'm looking forward to hearing all the tributes. I've been reminded in recent Weeks that Dad was well Loved and had an impact on many people. I'm dreading the final farewell, but will leave Dad in faith that God has wiped every tear from his eye, And he no longer knows suffering or pain (Rev21) So here we go. May today be a fitting tribute to my earthly Dad And bring glory to my heavenly Father. Oh and may I get through my tribute without blubbing!