Poppies

Jim Smith

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Poppies

Jim Smith

© Jim Smith May 2017

jimsmithghana@yahoo.co.uk This material may be downloaded and copied for individual, group or church use. It may be reproduced in news sheets, magazines, PowerPoint or social media.

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Crashing down like thunder my life has turned to dust Is there any hope for me a poppy in the rust? Can there be just one last flowering in a heart of burnt out soil Where nothing’s grown for ages and everything is spoilt Is there any sower whose hands are scarred by trust who wants to put a seed in me grow poppies in my rust? Jesus came from heaven and shrivelled on a tree Broken and deserted that we might be set free He has the living water to wash away your dust Sow flowers for his glory pick poppies in your rust

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Poppies!

It had been a long long journey, and I still wasn’t home. For the third time on that day I had been picked out of the queue for a security check. I was fed up! The security Officer looked at my passport, and then looked again. “Your birthday - 24th October is it?” “Yes” I replied, wearily. “But that’s today!” “Yes.” Pause, and then from a man whose job hardly ever allows him to respond, a big smile and “Happy birthday Mr Smith. Here’s your passport. Safe homeward journey to your family.” I walked away from him, feeling very important! It’s the little things that delight me.

Every day The Christian who walks with Jesus has opportunities every day to be amazed, surprised and delighted. In every circumstance, poppies are growing, if only we can see them. But so many Christians just don’t see what is going on around them, which is sad. In “Poppies”, I take a look at some of the occasions in my life where I have been amazed, surprised and delighted, in the hope that others will learn to see and experience the same simple joys of faith. Some of the stories involve angels and I hope readers will enjoy meeting them, because they are fun! Almost all the stories involve travel in some way, because that has been my life for the last thirty years. They are all true, because I was there! After the stories come the poems. I have been writing poetry since I was a child. I find them a great way to express my feelings and often this helps me in hard and lonely times. The material ends with some of our Facebook postings. I hope readers will find something in them to encourage.

Lord I looked for a gift to bring you, One which would honour a king. But I had nothing. Now I come, empty handed bringing you the only thing I own - my heart. It’s a small offering. “My beloved, that is all I ever wanted.”

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Never alone I remember this incident very well. I had been away from home for long time. When I got to the airport, I was tired, and I felt the absence of home very strongly. It was night, and airports can be intimidating at night, especially if you are on your own. Here’s what happened. It’s late at night, and I was in the departure lounge of some far off country, waiting for my night flight back to the U.K. I was tired after a long trip, the airport was hot and uncomfortable, the plane was late boarding and everyone was getting irritated. I was travelling on my own, and felt it. The plane was lightly loaded that night, and I found myself sitting in an almost empty part of the cabin. It can be very strange at night in an aircraft. After the meals and drinks, the lights were dimmed, and there seemed to be no one on board. The engines droned away, and we bumped around. I felt very alone. But what is this? I look around and I felt that all the seats in my part of the Cabin were occupied. They were not when we took off, but now they are. Puzzled, I said “What is this Lord?” “Oh didn’t I tell you?” he replied. “I know you miss your wife when you are travelling, so I filled the seats around you with angels, so that you would not feel alone. Nice isn’t it!” A great peace swept into me, and in the company of angels, I fell asleep. I found myself wondering, as I drifted away, if angels had to have boarding cards!

“Lord, when I am on my own, I do get so stressed and wound up. Let me feel the presence of your angels around me.” “No problem. I have got plenty to spare!”

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When things get difficult Isn’t it mazing how the most unexpected thing can pop up and upset our lives? Mary and I were a few days away from flying to Ghana. I left her in a shop to get some things while I went elsewhere. Then my phone rang. “Can you come quick – I think I have broken my wrist.” This is what happened next:- Answering the phone summons, I found Mary sitting in a chair, with a very broken wrist. She had bumped into something and fallen over. Trying to check her fall had broken the bone. So off to hospital, where we were quickly treated in Casualty. The follow up clinic a month later, however, was a very different story. There were so many people waiting that many of us ended up standing in the corridors. There was only one nurse and the Receptionist had no ides what was happening. We sat for an hour. Our name was called, we moved somewhere else and sat for an hour. Then our name was called, we moved somewhere else and sat there for an hour. Then our name was called, we moved somewhere else and we sat there for an hour. Then - yes you guessed- our name was called, we went somewhere else and sat for an hour. But there was one difference with the last call. This “somewhere” was the original place from which we had started our scenic tour so many hours ago! We had been on the tour for so long that I began to wonder if Elizabeth was still queen! Now it was afternoon, and all the afternoon patients were in the clinic. It was more crowded than ever. We sat down in frustration. I was getting very agitated and then the Lord spoke to me. “Did you see them?” he asked. “See who?” I replied in a grumpy voice. “All those angels I sent into the hospital this morning. I had them at reception, in the clinics you went to, in the corridors and all around this waiting room. I sent many of them to keep you safe. Didn’t you see them streaming in ahead of you? You are both surrounded by them, so why are you getting so upset?” I hadn’t seen them because I was too busy worrying! I looked around. The clinic all looked the same to me - yet different. There did seem to be something in the air. I began to calm down. All would be well. We sat down, quiet and protected. Mary’s name was called and within no time we were on our way out. I heard the Lord once more as we got back to the car. “Told you!” he said. Yes he did - and if I had listened and seen I would have found things easier. I will learn for the next time.

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We have to make a choice about angels. It’s not a question of believing in them or not. They are there, and have been there since the beginning of creation. The decision we have to make is this - will we use them, enjoy them and allow them to do their job – which is to watch over us as Father tells them. I didn’t and just got into a muddle in my head. Why not let them do their work? Send them ahead in all situations. It makes life just that bit more exciting and secure.

“Lord, I don’t really understand angels, but I need all the help I can get.” “Don’t worry - I do understand them and will make sure you get all the help you need. You only have to ask.”

Angels get everywhere! I just can’t seem to get away from angels! When I began to walk with Jesus, I never saw them. Then I remember, during one prayer time asking to see them. Now I seem surrounded by them. Can they take a physical form? Readers must judge the next story for themselves. I arrived in an Eastern country, and came to the immigration queue. Did I have the right papers? Would the officials be in a helpful or grumpy mood? How would they feel about a visiting Pastor? There were now three queues, and it was getting chaotic and tense. I have been in too many of these situations, and I quickly got anxious. Then a man dressed in the hotel uniform of the hotel where I was to stay came up to me. “Hello Sir” he said. “Just to say that I am parked out the front of this Terminal with the hotel car when you are through here.” Wow – that’s a huge relief. What’s more I think he was known because the immigration officials, seeing me talking to him, ushered me through very quickly with scarcely a glance at my documents. True to his word, he was there with the car, and in no time he dropped me at the hotel door. I started checking in, and while completing the formalities said “It was great to be picked up by your car. Do you always do that?” The Receptionist looked at me strangely. “What do you mean?” he asked. “Well, it helped me get here quickly. Your driver was very friendly – but I can’t see him around to thank him.” After a short pause the Receptionist replied - “We do not have any hotel cars. We don’t do pick-ups from the airport.” “Well then” I replied, “I guess I was just met by an angel. Didn’t know they could drive!”

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Help is always at hand

Many people have told me that I have too vivid an imagination, and that this “Angel stuff” comes from my imagination. The proof is in the experience. Each time I meet these heavenly beings I am not afraid, I do feel safer and stronger, and I do not feel alone. Surely if the Lord was going to create such beings, this is just the kind of feelings they would bring? No. I see them. They are great fun, and I always thank the Lord for sending them.

“Lord I am seeing the angels, and they are wonderful!” “I know. I made them!”

Always watching

Sometimes we are just left speechless by the Lord’s care. I will let this story speak for itself, but I have always found the end the most beautiful part of the whole experience. The M5, like most motorways in the U.K. is dangerous in fog, and it was very foggy the night I drove along it. I had just finished meetings in the North East, and I was on my way to Bristol. I usually try to avoid these late night drives, but on this occasion, I had no choice. The fog came down, as predicted by the weather reports and I drove with great care. But when I saw that the traffic in front of me had stopped, I began to slow down. Traffic behind began to slow as well, when suddenly, in my mirror I saw a lorry come thundering over the hill, totally unaware of the stationary queue. Too late, the driver saw the slowing cars, and slammed on his brakes, but his vehicle skidded out of control, and crashed into car after car. I sat there, gripping the steering wheel, knowing that something really bad was going to happen to me. I heard metal crunching, and in my mirror saw cars turning over. Closer and closer the shockwave of damage rushed towards me. I saw the car behind shudder - and then nothing. I was completely untouched. I got out, and saw that the cars behind me, for as far as my eyes could see, were wrecked. People were crying, and smoke was everywhere. The car behind mine was a wreck, but when I looked at my car, there was a tiny gap between me and the car behind. My vehicle was completely untouched. I could not believe it. Police Officers came along, and shouted “If you can drive off, please drive off now!”

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I started my car and followed those in front. No one behind me moved. Not knowing what to do, I drove to a friend’s house, and asked to stay the night with them. I shared a room with their new-born baby. The child slept but I didn’t - I was still shaking! But I was unhurt. I heard the baby breathing- light, calm and secure. If only I could sleep like that. Then, in the middle of the night, the Lord spoke to me. “Son” he said “there are two babies in this room, and I love both of them, and I would like to see both of them sleeping!” In that security, I slept – like a baby!

You just can’t get enough of them!

Some people find it hard to believe in angels. But standing in the middle of a dark wet motorway, with broken and twisted cars all around, shaking like a leaf but being unhurt or untouched myself – belief was easy. For it was obvious to me that something had intervened between me and the wreckage. That it was angels will do very nicely thank you! Give me more!

Lord, did angels really stand between me and all that wreckage?” Big smile. “I’ll take that as a ‘Yes’ then?” Bigger smile.

Sometimes its people Sometimes it’s angels, and sometimes it’s the right person in the right place, as I discovered in the middle of a raging Icelandic river. I had come to Iceland for a time of prayer and sharing. One day my Icelandic friends suggested that we go across the island to pray in the high hills, where God had once shown great power in protecting his people. So off we went. It was a long drive, and the weather got worse and worse - high wind and heavy rain. But Icelandic people are made of tough stuff, and there was no suggestion of turning back.

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We finally arrived at the path up into the hills, and on rounding a bend, we came across what should have been a shallow ford. But the rain had turned it into a ferocious torrent. “That’s that then” I said with great disappointment. Then one of the Icelandic men - a small man – said to me “No trouble. I will carry you across!” I laughed. I’m over 6 feet tall, and hardly a lightweight. But before I could say anything, he had thrown me up onto his shoulders, and waded into the river. It was very scary! The water tore at us, but he seemed totally unconcerned, making his way determinedly across to the other bank. He dumped me, rather unceremoniously on the ground, and went back three more times to get the others. We continued our journey, and had our time of prayer high up in the mountain. On the return - he did the same again! It seemed no effort for him. “How could you do that?” I asked. “For me this is easy” he said “ I used to be the middle weight-lifting champion of Iceland. You are quite light compared with what I usually lift!” I didn’t know angels went in for weight lifting – now I do! Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

Nothing is impossible

When I was in the middle of the river, I don’t mind admitting I was afraid. But then the Angel said to Mary “Nothing is impossible with God” he really meant nothing - including being carried across a raging torrent by a man half my size. That’s the joy of seeing angels and God’s human helpers. They give us confidence to believe more in the God who does impossible things.

“So you got across the river then?” “Yes.” “So does that mean I won’t hear so much complaining in the future.” “I’ll try.” “Good.”

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God knows

Sometimes the Lord protects us despite ourselves. We cannot always see it before the event, and can get quite grumpy – at least I can! But afterwards it’s a different story, as we will see… Holiday time, and we were planning to visit our friends who lived in the country. We would have a chance to rest and be away from our work for a while. But there was a problem. Being the Minister of two churches, I had to make sure someone could do the Sunday Services while we were away. I tried all my usual contacts, but they were either busy or already booked. Every day I tried another contact, but it was no good. In the end I said to my wife “We will just have to come back early.” This didn’t delight us. The work was hard enough as it was, and it didn’t seem fair that we could not have a rest from it. I told the Lord in no uncertain terms how I felt! So we had a nice 6 days, and on the last Saturday, I found that my friend had planned a night out for me. But I had to refuse, and make my way rather grumpily back home. I hardly shone on the following Sunday. My heart was still on holiday! Late Sunday night the phone rang. It was my friend. “Jim, I went out by myself on Saturday – to the place I was going to take you. A car came very fast round a bend and smashed into me, throwing my car into the ditch. I got out unharmed, but the passenger side was crushed completely flat by the impact. You would have been sitting there!” I heard a heavenly cough, and quickly made my apologies! Sometimes things don’t work out for a reason.

Think about it

I suppose the lesson here - and it has taken me a long time to get it – is that the Lord really does know every hair of our heads! Sometimes, for our protection, things don’t seem to work out. The secret is not to get in a rage - as I still do sometimes - but to ask “Why is this not working out? Is here something here I do not know about?

“Good job you weren’t there wasn’t it.” “Oh yes - brilliant. Thanks.” “You didn’t say that at the outset.” “Sorry - I’ll try to do better.” “Good.”

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God will make a way

I always find faith easy until things get impossible – at least from my point of view. But from my experience, that’s when the Lord shows his love most. It was very early in the morning, and I rolled out of bed again for yet another early flight to Africa. “Why do planes fly so early” I moaned, as I struggled to make coffee. This trip had been particularly troublesome to set up, and we had changed the dates so many times that I wondered if we would ever get there. Anyway, departure day had finally arrived. As I sorted out our bags, the line of a song came into my mind - “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.” I ignored it. I’m not brilliant at singing at 3.00 a.m. in the morning! I carried on doing things, when back into my mind, louder this time, it came again. “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.” I refuse to sing before coffee! But to my amazement, back it came again. “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.” I finally woke up to the thought that heaven was on the phone, so I told my wife what was happening. “Perhaps the taxi won’t come and we need to ring a friend?” she said. Toot toot! Taxi outside. “Perhaps the airport is closed?” Our taxi driver had come from there and everything is normal. “Problems with our airline?” “No” said the taxi driver, “It’s KLM you fly isn’t it? I’ve just seen their staff arriving, and your plane is there from last night.” I decided to check our documents. “All’s well” I said.”5.30 on the 2nd of March.” Mary looked at me. She said “Today is the 3rd of March!” In all the chopping and changing of dates, I had managed to get into a muddle. Our plane for Africa left yesterday. Again into my head - “God will make a way where there seems to be no way.” Off we went to the airport in deep gloom. Mary, who is very good at this, managed to find a KLM ticket desk, and said “We are missionaries. We travel a lot, and we have got in a big muddle. Can you help us?” Which being translated means “Angels- help!!” There was a pause, as the ticket Agent looked at the two bedraggled and tired people in front of her. Suddenly she looked up. “Oh these things happen” she said. “Let’s take a look – click click – oh the plane is not full today. I’m sure we can fix this – click click – there you are. New tickets. Enjoy your flight.” We stepped away from the desk. Mary looked at me. “What do we do now?” she asked. “Better join the angels” I said. “Now how does it go –‘God will make a way…!”

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And I have had other occasion to sing this song:- It’s not always easy to get into some countries, and as I stood in yet another immigration queue, I could see that this was definitely not going to be easy! This was a country where being a Christian minister was going to cause problems. I watched people in front going through, and then it came to my turn. “Good evening sir. I see from your landing card that it says ‘Pastor.’ What does that mean?” Now what to say? Lots of people advise waffling at this point, but I have always found that the truth, however hard, is the truth. “It means that I am a Minister of a Church - Christian church.” Silence. ”And how long do you want to stay?” “Five days.” Down comes the stamp, and I was in. I was picked up by Christian friends, and they were relieved that I had got in. “I suppose you only have 24 hours?” they said. “That’s all they give our Pastor, and then only once a month.” I looked at my Passport. “It says 5 days here” I said. Their mouths fell open. ”Five days? FIVE DAYS! How did you manage that?” “Easy” I replied. “How does it go again – “God will make a way…!”

Too many coincidences?

As readers can see, I have had a lot of these “angelic” experiences. At first I was critical, but there have just been too many of them to be coincidence. It’s just so much easier to believe that angels are helping. It is simply delightful – and it’s a lot of fun!

“So am I to assume that now, when I send angels in answer to your request, you will finally believe in them, and stop doubting?” “Yes Lord.” “About time too!”

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Little things mean a lot It’s so easy to believe that the Lord is so spiritual that he doesn’t interfere with the very hard nosed practicalities of life. He can raise the dead, but getting me a seat on the 9.07 to London from Tunbridge Wells - that’s anther thing altogether! But he can do both… Yet again another plane, and waiting in the gate, I can see it is very full. This means the usual scramble for luggage space, and as we are sitting in 1A and 1C that means very little overhead space, as the crew share that locker. I know it looks trivial, but I am tired, I have been working too many hours, and we are going to a place we haven’t been before, which means finding our way around. Then a quiet voice from heaven. “Don’t I always look after you?” The flight is called, and Mary and I are first down the walkway, into the plane - 1A an 1C and what is this? This is a new A320, and 1A and 1C no longer shares space with the crew. It has a small locker all to itself! Our bags are in, and as I sit down peace comes. He has done it again.

Little things Faith for me is built on these tiny things. God can save a world, but somehow he finds time to find me a luggage locker - a special God that!

“Nice place the A320. Lots of luggage space, especially in 1A and 1C!” “O.K. don’t rub it in! So you can raise the dead and do luggage lockers as well!” “I can.”

And while we are on small things..

It’s the middle of the night and I am in a room in hospital with malaria – again! Hospitals can be very lonely places at 2.00 a.m. and I am feeling very lonely. The fan is blasting away at me, but my temperature refuses to budge – I am hot enough to cook a dinner on! I ache in places I did not know I had, and the place is as silent as the tomb! Fear creeps up on me. I wrestle with it, but everything seems out of hand. I don’t want to trouble the hard pressed staff. Can’t be helped and I press the buzzer. A nurse appears, and prepares to ask me what’s wrong. But she is an old fashioned nurse. She doesn’t need to ask. She takes one look and says “I’m just going to make a cup of tea and I think you could do with one.”

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She returns with the tea, sits on my bed, and begins to chatter away about her son’s wedding. Next thing I know it is morning, and I wake up! Temperature down, aches receding, and I know that today I can pop down to the hospital café to read the paper and have a coffee – in my dressing gown! And my angel? I never saw her again. But what a difference she made.. It’s the little things isn’t it.

And another little thing Mary and I are in Fatima, the Sanctuary of prayer in Portugal where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared a hundred years ago. We have come to pray, and as it has been an expensive trip, we want to get on with it. But it is January and very cold. Being a diabetic, this cold really bites into my fingers. Too bad. Let’s get praying. Then the Lord speaks to me. “Son” he said “There is a very nice café over there in the town.” “Lord” I said, rather shocked “I have come here to pray. Coffee can wait.” “Son” he replied “ I see that your fingers are getting very cold. I need you to go to that café, where they can warm up. Then we can pray.” I was somewhat shocked by this conversation. I had hoped the Lord would speak to me, but about cafes? “Son” he said “I care about you. I am perfectly able to speak to you about many things, but first I need to take care of you. So off you go!” I went, and the coffee was lovely – a reflection of a lovely natured Lord. It’s the little things that matter isn’t it.

Friends in high places Plane again! But my life is a travelling one, and it is in my travels that I keep meeting the unexpected acts of kindness which the Lord loves to do for me. I arrived at the airport in Rio de Janiero, to pick up my Air France flight to Paris and then on to the U.K. When I arrived I was told “Due to industrial action we are only able to fly to Paris tonight. We will provide hotel accommodation overnight in Paris.” This really frustrated me. I had been away for a month, and I just wanted to get home to Mary and the family. Then I heard the Lord. “I will get you home.” The flight to Paris was uneventful, but overshadowed by the non flight to London. We deplaned along an air bridge, and at the end a staff member was saying “London that way. Everyone else this way.” Puzzled I went the London way, with one other passenger. We looked out onto the airport, and every gate was empty - with one exception.

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We walked together through the totally deserted terminal, and looked at the departure board. Just one flight - to London. We walked along endless empty corridors and through the deserted customs hall. Round a bend and there was the departure gate. Check-in staff asked “London?” Rather sheepishly we said “Yes” and entered the lounge, with a few other bemused travellers. There was the plane! We boarded and the Pilot announced “We are ready to leave for London. I think today we will be number one on the runway – in fact we are the only one on the runway!” On arriving at Heathrow, I checked in to my next flight. I was asked “Where have you flown from?” “Paris” I said. “No” came back the reply. “Paris is closed today. Where have you come from?” “Paris” I said. “I’m sorry sir. I need something to enter onto my computer, and there are no fights from Paris today.” “There was one, and I was on it.” Startled he looked at me. “How did you manage that’?” he asked. I leant over the desk, and said in a quiet voice “I will tell you if you keep it a secret.” He looked expectantly at me, and I whispered “I have friends in very high places!” I really do - and so do you! I hope, as you have read my travelling experiences, that you have been encouraged. Being in the Lord’s service can be tough, as we all know. But let’s not allow the hardness and struggle blind us to another truth – there are poppies everywhere. We have to learn to pick them.

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Poems to encourage We all need encouraging. Life can be challenging, and however strong we are, sometimes we need to be lifted up a little, so that we can rediscover the joy of living. Poems have a knack of doing this.

Tough place I had been invited into one of the toughest American prisons, to speak about faith. I had visited many prisons before, but never in America. I decided to speak about the toughness of following the Lord, but as I prepared, the Lord spoke to me. “You speaking in the prison tonight?” “Yep.” “I see you are planning to speak about how tough you have to be to follow me.” “Yep.” “No!” “No? So what am I going to speak about?” “Love – and you are going to use some of your poems about love.” “You must be joking! They will laugh me off the stage.” “We’ll see.” There were about 200 prisoners at the meeting –I’m sure they must have selected the toughest inmates! The other four on the team spoke from the Bible. I must say a general mood of boredom soon settled into in the hall. Then I stood up. “Gentlemen” I began, “I am going to read you a poem about love.” As quick as I could I started. At the end I waited for the howls of derision, but there was a complete silence. Encouraged, I read the next one. Still silence. I read the last one, and sat down. I must admit I could not understand the reaction. Afterwards one of the guards came up to me. “Very brave” he said, “But absolutely right. Men have to shut down their emotions in prison. You gave them a few moments when they could feel again. That’ a good thing to do.” Voice from heaven – “Told you!!” So with that confidence, here are a few poems which might encourage and help.

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Softly

Softly you come to me, falling on me like snowflakes, drifting into my soul, healing my wounds with love. Softly I reach out for you, longing with all my heart to know your touch. Softly, I fall asleep into your arms Softly forever

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Under the stars

We walked out under the stars. Just you and me, Your hand in mine. We didn’t speak. What was there to say? I drew you close, and moonbeams glistened in your eyes. I held you close. The night sounds settled on us like a mist. We kissed, And in that moment I asked “God, can you love me more than this? In the warmth of your tenderness Echoed back the answer “Yes”

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Carried

“Lord, sometimes it gets very hard to walk in your footsteps. They seem so deep and I have such little strength." "Do not be afraid. Press on with me. When it gets too tough I will carry you."

More beautiful than diamonds

Resting in the garden of your delights, I take your beauty into my hands And I am full. But when I leave, I cannot take your beauty with me For it is yours. I mourn my loss.

Then the Lord spoke to me. “Beauty of my beauty, Why do you cry?”

Because of what I am, And the waste of my life. Then he came and held me,

and I was whole.

Beautiful!

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Like a feather

Like a feather on the wind I drift in the breeze of your beauty. I rise into the radiance Glory transfigured into love caresses, heals, values, cherishes Stillness beyond words Home at last

Secure

The clouds sail by on their blue ocean. Hour after hour uninterrupted majesty. Who am I? So small, troubled, a tiny grain on a mighty beach, exposed, alone. His hand caresses me. “You are mine. Nothing else matters.” Secure

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Love too deep for words Knowing the pain of rejection He does not reject. Unworthiness demands a crown of shame yet he only wants to love. He wears the thorns so that I need not. In the presence of such love what can I say? I see the broken man I have become and grieve for the waste of my life. He touches me. Love too deep for words. I live again

Let’s move on

“The Daughters of Mary” have been following the life of Jesus for many years on the Mission Facebook page. Here are a few of the things we have earnt – I hope they encourage you.

Facebook To join us on Facebook, click the Facebook icon on the front page of the Mission site:-

www.servingafrica-mission.org

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Learning from the Lord

At the end of the day, a woman came to care for her garden. Everywhere there were beautiful flowers - blue, green, yellow, red – all shining in the evening light. As she worked, she became aware of a figure moving in another part of the garden. She stood up and was puzzled. No one ever came here. This was her private place. She should have been afraid, but the figure seemed vaguely familiar, and it was moving so gently towards her that it hardly disturbed the most tender grasses. As the figure came closer she saw it was a man - so lovey that she wanted to cry. He came to her and asked “What are you doing?”. “I am caring for my garden” she replied. “Every day I come here to weed and to water.” “Your flowers are beautiful” he said. “Give me some.” Hardly knowing what she was doing she picked the most beautiful and laid them in his hands. He held them and they seemed brighter and more lovely than ever. They almost shone. “How do you do that” she whispered, overwhelmed by the beauty which was shining from the flowers. “Easy” he said. “I loved them when I made them, and I see you love them too. Two loves shine brighter than one. Now let me give you a bouquet - one as beautiful and much more long lasting.” He sat down in the meadow, and began to speak.

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Follow me!

Lord, sometimes it gets very hard to walk in your footsteps. They seem so deep and I have such little strength. "Do not be afraid. Press on with me. When it gets too tough I will carry you."

Mark 2:13-16: Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Levi – what happened? Levi must have been mad! He was making plenty of money - often charging people four times as much tax as they should have been paying. Yet when he was confronted by Jesus - a nobody from Nazareth, he abandoned up his job and followed Jesus. What happened? Simple. Jesus happened. Jesus wasn’t interested in the things that mattered to Levi - money, possessions, success, a promising future and a comfortable old age. If Levi had offered him a cut in the taxes, Jesus would have thrown his head back and roared with laughter. What Jesus wanted was Levi – the real man buried under years of cheating, deceiving, guilt and distrust. He saw through all that to a man who could make a difference, who could count for something, who could live the new life and be a blessing to others. He saw the real man under the mess and loved him.

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Levi wanted what Jesus was offering And here is a strange thing. Levi saw it too. Suddenly he felt dirty in the presence of this teacher from Nazareth. He saw the emptiness of his life, and where it was going. But at the same time he felt a longing for something better - a call to be the man that this travelling preacher had seem in him. He wanted it. He wanted it like he had never wanted anything before in his life. Then it happened. The teacher said “Follow me.” Levi made no answer. None was needed. He went. This is what Jesus does to people. No one is beyond his love, and everyone can hear his call. Anyone can respond - just follow, and keep on following forever. Do you want to be wrapped up in his bouquet - a poppy picked from the rust. He is waiting!

Mary! Sunrise! and in the dawn hope, cherished in the Father’s heart steps out to bear its first fruit. “Mary!” Friends, like flowers in the springtime blossom Soft faces reflecting glory. God gathers His flowers. Jesus, triumphant rejoices

John 20:11-16: Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

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They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

“Rabboni!” Poor Mary! Everything had looked so good, and now it had all gone wrong. Jesus had cured her of a terrible illness, and in return she had followed him and cared for him. She had pinned all her faith on him and now he was dead. All that was left was to sit in the wreckage of her life outside of his tomb, and cry herself to pieces. Through her tears, she saw someone, and thought it must be he Gardener. Now she at last has the chance to ask where the body of Jesus was – surely he would know. But then he spoke her name. “Mary!” In that one word she caught a familiar voice. Could it be? Through hew tears she looks up - it is! It’s him! It’s all true! He had risen, and there he was, with that old familiar smile, that warm love, that beautiful radiance of hope and life. His love swept into her, breaking down every dam of doubt, washing away every wall of fear, rushing into her soul with light and hope beyond words. She stood up, lifted her hands in praise and cried from her heart “Master.” What else could ever matter? Are you a wilting poppy, desperate for water, sunlight, care, hope? The Lord is waiting to gather you in and give you all the love you need to flower again. Why are you waiting?

Your faith has healed you

Coming close to my Love I saw how sad was my offering. The pain, the sorrow, the failure weighed me down until my love broke and lay shattered on the floor.

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I cried at the folly of my life, the shallow things, the waste. “It’s O.K.” said my Love, “ I have dealt with that.” and he showed me his hands Such love

Mk. 5:24-34: A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

Be free! But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” This woman’s life had been a sad experience. She had suffered from heavy bleeding, which had broken her health, robbed of her beauty and destroyed all her hopes. Time after time she tried to get help from Doctors, but nothing worked. She was a hopeless case. In the end, she would try anything. So she took a massive risk. Her bleeding made her, in the eyes of the people of her day unclean, so she was not allowed to go into any crowds. But somehow she felt that Jesus might have the answer. So with a huge act of faith, she entered the crowd around him. The years had destroyed her, and it was amazing that she had any hope left at all. But she did!

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Daughter your faith has healed you She crept up to Jesus, afraid that at any moment someone who would point her out. Then what would happen? Mobs have no conscience. Her life would not have been worth a breath. But she kept creeping up, touched Jesus and was healed - although at first only she knew it. But Jesus knew it, and calling her out, rejoiced that her faith in him had brought her healing and a new life. And the message? It’s simple, beautiful, fabulous and eternal. There is no such thing as a hopeless case when Jesus is involved. His heart is moved with compassion for our struggle. He has the power to help us, and he has the love to help us. Mending the broken is the desire and longing of his heart. If our poppy is broken and damaged, he can mend it, and wants to. Why hesitate?

“Be still!”

Deep in me burns such a tiny light. When I am afraid it flickers. Will it go out? Then I will be in the dark and so alone. I will be strong! But I am not. I am frail and fragile and afraid. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I am comforted

Mark 4:35-41: That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.

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There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Don’t you care? This is an exciting story and it has a fantastic hope in it. Jesus set out to cross the lake. A storm came up and waves began to crash into the boat, but Jesus, unconcerned, slept in the stern. Some of the disciples were fishermen, so they didn’t panic straight away. They thought they could manage. They couldn’t! When things got really bad, in great fear they shook Jesus awake, and against the storm yelled “Don’t you care if we drown?”

Nothing troubles him Nothing seemed to trouble Jesus. He stood up in the boat, quite an achievement as it was being thrown violently around, rebuked the wind and waves, saying “Quiet! Be still?” Result - a complete calm. And the hope? It’s in the word “Be still!” This word is used to describe the muzzle, used to stop a rabid dog biting. It is a very strong word. Jesus takes hold of the storm and jams a muzzle on it. The results are:- * All the violence, agitation and trouble stopped. * The storm could do no more damage. It was unable to bark or bite. Its day was done. Storms often break over us don’t they. Storms of fear, of despair, of hopelessness and desperation. But if we will let him, Jesus will jam a muzzle on them. After that they can wriggle all they like, but they are under his control, and their day is done. It might take a few years for it all to work out, but the moment Jesus muzzles the storms in us, they are finished. Are our poppies beaten down and in danger of being lost forever? They don’t need to be – Jesus can muzzle any storm around us or in us, and make us safe. This is what he can do for any of us and all of us. His broken hands can save our poppies from any storm, if we will let him. Or we can stay in the storm and drown. Seems an easy choice to me.

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A lost sheep Luke 15:1-7: Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and lose one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent

Easy to get it wrong It’s so easy to get it wrong as a Christian. We don’t mean to, but sometime it just happens. We say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or take a wrong turning. Sometimes we do it deliberately. The world dangles nice shiny baubles in front of us, and we see them, want them and take them. Only afterwards do we realise that they are lies, but then it is too late. The tax Collectors of Jesus day felt the same. They had messed their lives up big time. They had collaborated with the occupying power - the Romans – to collect Roman taxes. They were hated by the people, and despised by the Romans. Their lives just fell deeper and deeper into corruption. And as for the sinners - well the name says it all.

99 is not enough! How will the great teacher from Nazareth react? He told them a parable about a Shepherd who had a hundred sheep. In the day they were spread out over the hills, but at night they had to be gathered back into the sheep fold to protect them from the wolves who would kill them. This Shepherd had care of 100 sheep. One night he counted them – ninety six, ninety seven, ninety eight, ninety nine ninety - wait - one was missing. What did he say ? “Oh well, 99 is enough. I’ll look for the other tomorrow?” No - he locked the sheepfold, and went out into the night to find the wayward sheep and bring it safely home. And did he give this foolish sheep a lecture – “You stupid animal! You deserve to be in the pot!!” No - he rejoiced at finding the one who was lost.

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Welcome home We know we have to try and lead lives which honour the Lord. We know the standard - love, forgive, endure. Occasionally we all come unstuck. Then, to our delight, when we are adrift in the darkness, we will see his familiar face looking down at us. “Hooray” he’ll say “I have found you. Now come on home. I have missed you.” We want to explain, but he doesn’t care. As far as he is concerned, we were lost and now we are found. All poppies get lost from time to time, But they are never thrown on the fire. The Lord loves us and comes looking for us. He wants us back. 99 poppies might be good but it is not good enough for him. He wants the lot, and he will stop at nothing until he has got the complete bunch. So let’s stop beating ourselves for our failures. Let the Shepherd find us and take us home. Let the poppy in the rust be picked and welcomed back into the bouquet.

Worry is a waste of energy! Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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Deal with worry I used to have a friend who worried about everything. Whenever I visited her she had always found a new worry! But on one visit she exceeded all her previous worries. “Jim” she said “I am really worried today.” “What’s worrying you?” I asked “I’m worried because I have nothing to worry about!” It is part of our humanity to have to face troubling situations, and we do tend to worry and get anxious. Jesus knows this, and he isn’t blaming us for it, but he is asking us to deal with our fears and anxieties his way. What is that? It’s pointless! We can worry our heads off, but we cannot add a single hour to our life by doing it - in fact we will probably shorten our hours. There is a better way. Trust him. We are precious to him. Anxiety makes us feel alone and worthless. But if he cares for the birds, how much more will he care for us. Fill your mind with him. This is the heart of his way. We must seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. We must fill our minds and hearts with him. When Mary had her knee op, the hospital suggested that she play music on her MP3 to distract her. She chose a long CD of Christian music, and allowed the Lord to fill her mind. This pushed out all anxiety. If we fix our eyes on him and fill our hearts with him, he will provide the answer to everything which is worrying us and making us anxious. We have to make a choice - to be anxious or to trust. We can’t do both.

Unconditional love Matthew 5:43-47 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Surely we are safe in hating our enemies? Unfortunately not! Our radical Lord tells us to love our enemies. And it’s worse than we think. The word for “love” is “Agape.” This is the word Jesus uses to describe his love for us – Calvary love, forgiving love, suffering love, sacrificial love, eternal love. I have to have that for my enemies? It’s just not fair! But wait a minute. Hatred only breeds hatred. We only have to look to the events in Syria to see that. One side carries out a bombing because they hate the other side. The other side carries out a bigger bombing, and the first side carries out an even bigger one. There is no end to the cycle of hate. But there is a better way.

Hate or love? The bomb that devastated Omagh town centre in August 1998 the biggest single atrocity in the history of the troubles in Northern Ireland. Twenty-nine people were killed in the attack, which came less than three months after the people of Northern Ireland had voted 'Yes' to the Good Friday Agreement. One of the victims was a teenage boy. His father, a Christian, went on T.V. and said “I forgive the men that did this.” How much easier it would have been for him to say “I want the men who did this arrested and I personally want to kill them.” How much harder to love and forgive. But which is best - hate or love? Jesus is right as usual. It’s just that his way is so hard. But we have no choice. Poppies can only flower in such a forgiving soil.

Lord sometimes it gets very hard to walk in your footsteps. They seem so deep and I have such little strength. “Do not be afraid. Press on with me. When it gets too tough I will carry you.”

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Treasure Matthew 6: 19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. On the surface, this looks easy. Things – possessions, wealth, position - all pass away. We can store up millions of pounds, but when we are dead, they are no longer accessible to us. Many put their trust in possessions. But the Lord is very dismissive of such people. There was a Farmer who had a very prosperous harvest. He stored everything in his barns, knowing that he could make a huge profit from such a harvest. He laid back with a big cigar and said ““You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ But Jesus replied to him “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Only fools store up treasure on earth.

Heavenly treasure So we should be storing up heavenly treasure. What might that be? Loads of good deeds? Generous giving? Church seven times a week and all day Sunday? This is as foolish as the Farmer. Jesus has all these things already. No. He wants a heart which loves him. This means:- A servant heart. We should be looking to serve rather than be served – all the time. A giving heart. We should be full of compassion for God’s people, and give all of our love and emotions to others who so desperately need them - all the time. A forgiving heart. A heart which does not forgive “seven time seven” but totally, with no strings attached. A loving heart. A heart which matches his great loving heart for us. Ouch! I will never achieve this kind of heart. I try to love. I try to forgive. I try to serve. But I never make it. And here is the secret to this verse – we never will!!

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The only treasure we can store up in heaven is to throw ourselves into the loving arms of Jesus every day, and cry out “Lord I believe. Help me in my weakness.” This is the treasure Jesus is looking for. To him, nothing else matters. What a relief!

Good seed

Resting in the garden of your delights I take your beauty into my hands And I am full. But when I leave, I cannot take your beauty with me For it is yours. I mourn my loss. Then the Lord spoke to me. “Beauty of my beauty, Why do you cry?” Because of what I am, And the waste of my life. The he came and held me, and I was whole. Beautiful

Mark 4:3-8 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil.

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It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” A farmer goes out to sow seed. He didn’t have a plough - just a basket from which he threw the seeds on the ground. Of course some of the seed landed in strange places, but most fell on the good ground, and from the good ground the seed produced beautiful golden wheat - some a little, some a lot and some huge amounts. The Farmer looked at his harvest field and was happy.

It’s good seed The seed is good! What Jesus offers us is very very good. We can be forgiven, rescued from our glooms and despairs, healed of our sicknesses, and given a fabulous new hope – to walk with him every day and be loved by him forever. Every morning when we wake up, he can say to us “I’m so glad you are awake again. Now we can share our lives together. I was lonely when you were asleep!” No one is missed out! Some lives are in good shape and some in bad shape. The Lord doesn’t care. He just throws his seed of love and welcome everywhere. We may be lost, desperate, broken, wasted. It makes no difference. The seed just drops all around us – whatever state we are in. The Lord is passionate about every one of his children, and throws seeds of hope for all of them. These seeds are very determined. They seek out the lost and are not easily put off. The call to follow him is for everyone, reaching out from his heart with deep longing.

We are all welcome. It doesn’t mater how much we have messed up, or how far we have fallen. It doesn’t matter how bad things have got, or how bad we feel about ourselves. The seed is there for all of us. Jesus is there for all of us. A warm and loving welcome is waiting for all of us - for the first time or the millionth time. Poppies are always welcome in his bouquet.

Meanwhile, back in the garden.. Back in the garden the woman was crying now. She saw herself in everything he was saying. She was the lost poppy, the broken poppy, the damaged poppy, the hopeless poppy. She saw that her life was a withered bouquet - and she could not offer it.

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“Do not beat yourself” he said. “I love you, and want to pick you for my bouquet. Then I can rejoice over you with praises every day. You are my hope and my love. I came to find you and bring you home.” Deep in her heart a new poppy began to grow – a poppy of everlasting belonging. But could this be true? Could his love for her be that deep? Words just tumbled out of her. “I want to grow” she said. “I want to be a big bright glorious abundant poppy,!” He laughed, and that laugh was such a warm uplifting sound. “You can be” he said, “but it’s hard work growing. The seed has to fight its way up, and then be changed from a seed to a flower. This is a good process, but not an easy one. If you really want to grow…” “I don’t think I can manage it” she said. “I want to be a beautiful poppy - I really do. But how can I? The path seems so hard.” “Together” he said, taking her had in his “we can.”

We walked out under the stars Just you and me. Your hand in mine We didn’t speak what was there to say?

I drew you close and moonbeams I held you close The night sounds settled on us like a mist. We kissed And in that moment I asked “Can you love me more than this? In the warmth of your tenderness Echoed back the answer – “yes.”

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The Daughters of Mary This material has been produced by the “Daughters of Mary.” Maybe, having read it, you might like to join us? Here is what we are and what we do. Contact details are at the end of the text.

Mary Smith

Mary Smith, head of women's ministry for the Serving Africa Mission has been teaching and encouraging women for over 30 years.

Some of these women have become close to her, and to help them, the Serving Africa Mission formed an informal group, called “The Daughters of Mary.” The Trustees felt that they should take seriously the biblical concept of experienced Christian women helping one another to move forward in their service of the Lord. As this group formed, others asked to join, and so the Mission decided to open the group to any women.

Small groups formed in different parts of the U.K. and in Accra, Ghana.

The daughters help each other in their daily experience of Jesus. That is all there is to it. We are servants. We are not a church or a denomination. The skills and experiences daughters have are for use in their own churches and fellowships. To make this clear, we have constitution, which can be found on our website.

www.daughtersofmaryblessing.org

We use our website for communication, as well as using our local co-ordinators. Mary shares on e-mail every day, but if women are not on e-mail, the local co-ordinator helps distribute the teaching.

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Joining the Daughters of Mary is very simple

To belong, women just have to have the desire to grow, in company with other women, under Mary’s love and care.

Each day Mary posts an e mail to the daughters, and each one receives this e mail and reflects on it. Many comment in return.

There is a website, which will be updated often:-

www.daughtersofmaryblessing.org

There are regional gatherings, which most Daughters will try to attend. There is no financial commitment. Any costs - food, travel, materials - are met by a simple offering, to which no one has to contribute.

To join, just contact us at:

E mail. maryblessing69@yahoo.co.uk

Phone. 07803 617435

The daughters of Mary is part of the work of the Serving Africa Mission. To contact head of Mission:-

e: jimsmithghana@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07803 617435 www.servingafrica-mission.org

Mary Smith has been a teacher for over 40 years. She began in State education, but then became a full time teacher with the Serving Africa Mission. She has taught and encouraged women all over the world.

Jim Smith has been an Anglican Minister for nearly 50 years. He has written for most Christian Publishers, but now writes solely for the Serving Africa Mission. He is Head of Mission for the SAM. He and Mary have been married for 47 years, and have 5 children.

Serving Africa Mission Publications. For more information visit www.servingafrica-mission.org