Nature bears winess of Heaven

Many people discount God in the wonders of nature, never realising that nature itself bears clear testimony of God and that if we will look with open eyes nature declares the workings of Heaven.

All things have been given unto man to comfort, support, nourish and strengthen him, but with a responsibility attached. We have been given dominion but we are to use this power wisely, benevolently, and generously.

From the majestic mountains, the rushing rivers, the flowering fruitful tree, the bounty and variety of nature, we see His hand, His laws and commandments and His love.

'she could distinguish the heavenly music of the seraph thrush singing in the copse, and when the blackbirds paused for a moment she could her a lark singing high overhead and the cuckoos calling in the distant woods.
These songs woven together were an almost visible web of music lifting the earth from darkness to light.'

The Scent of Water: Elizabeth Goudge

 

 

 

Gutenberg Press:Free e-books

I love to read a lot of books that are now out of print, but thanks to the efforts of the volunteers at Gutenberg Press, many of my favourites are there for downloading free.

http://www.gutenberg.org/

I am currently reading Charlotte Yonge and also doing research on Wales through the books I find on this site. Please go an use the site and support it by donation if you can. As I find I book that I feel is noteworthy I will post it's link under this posting.

Chariots of Fire

This is the profile picture on my Facebook. I found this many years ago and instantly loved it. It expressed for me how I felt as a lone woman in the world. Even though I am alone, the King of Heaven and His armies are always ready to defend and protect me.

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

2 Kings 6: 16-17

 

The above scripture refers to this belief of mine, and also to 'chariots of fire'. The movie, 'Chariots of Fire' has long been a favourite movie of mine. If you haven't seen it, you have missed something special. The great Eric Liddell is portrayed in the movie and his faith. He ran in the 1924 Paris Olympics but rather than break his faith with God, he refused to run in the heats for the men's 100m because it was scheduled on the  Sabbath day. This was his favoured distance and opted instead to run in the 400m. He not only took the gold medal for this race but he broke the Olympic and World records of the time. What an awesome testimony to the truth.

 

For them that honour me I will honour

1 Sam 2:30

 

He went on to serve as a missionary in China. He could have left China when WWII broke out but chose to stay, sending his wife and children to Canada for safety. In 1943 he was captured and interned at the Weihsien Camp. He died there on 21 February 1945, five months before liberation.  He served as a leader and organiser to the internees and was greatly mourned.

 

Prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008, it was revealed by Chinese authorities that Eric was given an opportunity to leave the camp, and selflessly gave his place to a pregnant woman.  This final and supreme act of sacrifice was not known by even his family members until this announcement was made.

 

A memorial plaque to him has been placed on the site of the former internment camp and inscribed on it are these words:

 

They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary

Isaiah 40: 31

See the life of this extraordinary man on youtube:

http://youtu.be/h-qA6GjRPLg

Also a video by one of his daughters:

http://youtu.be/5inAjERMZ0E

 

 

Mindful Compassion.

We are all on a journey. No one can stand still. We are either moving forward or backwards but not moving is not an option. The journey I am pursuing is one of healing and enlightenment. It is partly to share this journey that I write this blog.

I came across this book, Mindful Compassion by Paul Gilbert and Choden. It is based on Buddhist philosophies and whilst I am not a Buddhist, being most decidedly a Christian, nevertheless I recognise that people of other faiths have things to teach me and that there is great worth in respecting and considering other people's thoughts and beliefs. The book states that it's purpose is to share 'how the science of compassion can help you understand your emotions, live in the present, and connect deeply with others.' That is something I would like to learn.

As I study this book I will share what I read and discover but for a starter here are a couple of websites;

www.compassionatemind.co.uk

www.compassionatewellbeing.com

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and full of mercy
Psalm 145:8

Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, Execute true judgement and show mercy and compassions, every man to his brother.
Zech 7:9

Stand Fast and Keep Praying.

Yet another murder has been committed in a near by city and home to my children. That is several in the past little while. What is happening in the World? Where are we going wrong?

I read the book, Green Dolphin Country by Elizabeth Goudge. In it, one of two sisters becomes a nun and dedicates her life to prayer as well as service. She prayed every day for the world, for those that she felt needed prayer, and for those who came to her mind through inspiration.

This is just a story but really it isn't. I have also in my life prayed for people and seen wonderful things. I know others have prayed for and continue to pray for me. There is great power in prayer. Let me say this again. There is GREAT POWER in PRAYER.

Many good people feel overwhelmed and even wonder if they can continue to live or should live. But I say, for yourself live but even more so, for the World live. Because the World needs prayers like never before.

When you feel oppressed and overwhelmed remember that as long as there is one person praying, darkness can never win. And if there are many praying, then it will be overcome all the quicker.

Stand fast my friends and pray like the World depends on it, because it really does.

The Wonderful Books of Elizabeth Goudge

A lot of people have heard about Elizabeth Goudge because of the mention J K Rowling made to her book, The Little White Horse, as being her favourite book as a child. What people don't always know is the Elizabeth wrote many books for adults as well as several for children. Her books are filled with her Christian faith and also her love of the natural world and her child-like wonder of things that often go unseen. I love her books for all these things.

Elizabeth talks in her autobiographical book, The Joy of the Snow, openly about her lifetime struggle with the blackness, the 'bat-like' thing (she mentions in The Heart of the Family). In other words, with depression and anxiety. I also have had an adult life time struggle with this and it is comforting to me to read Elizabeth's words. She describes a time when she felt oppressed to write and then overcame it and wrote again; and I believe this happened more than once. I am so grateful for her valiant fight. She may not have known those souls her words would reach out to but I am one of them. Often in my own struggles Elizabeth's books have reached out to me and lifted me. She is a warrior against the powers of darkness. I say is, being a Christian and believing that her spirit is present and alive not only in her words but in very truth when I read her books. Did this quiet almost retiring woman ever realise that by sharing the wonders she carried in her heart that she would shine light and hope into the lives of others who equally struggle in their own small corner?

Please consider searching out the books of Elizabeth, some of which are back in print. I believe you will be wonderfully rewarded.

www.elizabethgoudge.org

Also there is an Elizabeth Goudge group on Facebook.

Happy Reading.

Blessings...

Mental and Emotional Health.

I would like to share the impact a micronutrient called Q96 has made on me and my family.  I  was taking an antidepressant called Effexor for 9 years and had suffered all of my adult life with depression and anxiety. I am now down from 300mg to 75mg thanks to Q96 and withdrew without the horrendous withdrawal symptoms that are now well known with these medications. The last time I felt this well mentally and physically was when I was in my late teens.  I still have some healing to go but in this short time, about 6 months, I have covered I believe a good 50% of the distance.

Choices in life are often between weighing options. My first choice would always be to eat well and live well, and let that be the means by which a person heals. But as the quality of life and nutrition to heal and sustain mental and emotional health declines, then other options also have to be considered. These are truly the last days and there is a war being fought for minds and souls. So my second choice is for a man made alternative that helps replenishes the body, alongside the best of food and a life of simple and gentle living.

 

Here's to life, and being well to do all that we came to do and be.

 

God bless.

www.trbqhelps.myqxlife.com