Christmas Begins With Christ

Christmas Begins With Christ

Don't wait, limited offer
order now the catalogues enticed
as I looked for food bargains
hoping some would be marked down to half price!

During weekly shopping I am confronted
at every turn
with supermarket shelves filled to overflowing
with Christmas confectionery, cakes, biscuits
turkeys and ham
Christmas trees, lights
cards, ribbon and wrap
row upon row of children's toys
where excited little girls and boys
were telling mother what they wanted santa
to bring them for Christmas

Where does it all end I said to a friend
what happened to the true meaning of Christmas
why all the fuss
when families meet only once a year
it's supposed to be a time of joy and happiness
whilst being together and sharing family time
not stress caused by too much food
the wrong gifts
too much wine and beer
mixed with very little cheer!

What happened to the true meaning of Christmas
if a homeless man sits huddled on a street corner
cold, hungry and sad
why not go over and invite him home for Christmas lunch
it would help bring a smile and some cheer
into his life once again
at this special time of year

What happened to the true meaning of christmas
when church bells ring out the good news
in celebration of the birth of our saviour and lord
Jesus Christ?

It is a time for rejoicing
spreading peace and good will
and sharing the good news with all people
searching for more than money can buy
Remember we Christians are God's catalogue
his illustration to the world of what he has to offer
far greater and more precious
than silver and gold!


Christmas blessings to all readers!

AMJB 14 12 2008

Last Escapade Of The Little Black Hen

It was time to be fed
and put to bed
but the little black hen
would not be led
back to share the evening quarters
with a domineering rooster in his pen
as more exploration of her new yard
was required
the little black hen could not be coaxed inside
and seeing an opportunity to elude capture
she flew up high to an overhead tree bough
then dropped down quietly to a neighbouring yard to hide

Early next morning the owner
after searching the grounds
was dismayed to find a pile of shiny black feathers
scattered around
it appeared the poor black hen had been plucked
and was nowhere to be found
alas! a heavy price to have been payed
for her last escapade.

AMJB 27.06.08

Beyond the Gate

At the end of a narrow winding road an old
wooden gate lay broken

and hanging loosely on one rusty hinge,

in the centre of a low stone wall

some unseen force was beckoning me,
drawing me closer and encouraging me

to pass through the narrow opening

What would be revealed beyond the gate?

would I find a beautiful landscaped garden

or would there be an overgrown wilderness

beneath gnarled old trees and tangled undergrowth.

Maybe I might find hidden treasure

and long forgotten secrets

just waiting to be revealed.

Entering through the opening

I was delighted to find a narrow path

which led me along to a peaceful

corner place, where I could rest in a shady space

between two trees, their branches overhead

entwined in embrace!

I sat down and lent back against a rock

quietly observing my surroundings and

heaved a sigh as I once again felt safe!

The gentle warmth of the sun's rays

beamed down highlighting various parts

of the garden bringing untold delight

as I saw roses growing in profusion

on an old wooden archway

their scent wafting through the air

and across to me, intoxicating my senses.

From my shoulder bag

I removed a pen and paper

in readiness to sketch

a brilliant coloured Butterfly

that I saw fluttering above

a clump of bright blue Agapanthus

where it briefly settled.

The sun's warmth enveloped me and I felt myself

drifting slowly to sleep and floating aloft on a fleecy

white cloud, away from the traumas I had faced

a few hours earlier when a little man with a pointy nose

and a soft caressing voice had been trying to lure me

into his arms, a place I did not wish to be!

He had taken hold of me to hug close,

I screamed at him to leave me alone

and tugged and pushed and yelled some more,

eventually freeing myself from his vice-like clutches

enabling me to run away.

I had been so afraid and hadn't stopped running

until I had seen the open gate

ahead and run inside to hide.

I floated peacefully

then suddenly there appeared

before me a beautiful woman

dressed in a long blue gown

her brown hair flowing about her shoulders

as she walked towards me smiling and with her arms

outstretched in greeting in readiness to enfold me.

By her side walked a fluffy white cat,

Snow Queen what are you doing here?

I cried in delight!

Meow, meow called the Queen of Cats

we heard your cries for help

and have come to guide you safely back home!

Oh! thank you Queen I have been so scared!

to be continued AMJB 10- 5 -2008

Just Bubbles

To feel the warmth from jets of water
flowing against tired feet, limbs and body
after a day out exploring in the Australian bush
was a blissful thought.
I dreamed of floating in a bath of soft sensuous
soapy bubbles and tried to entice my friend to join in!


Back once again in our snug secluded cabin
on Misty Mountain
surrounded by the heady smell
of the eucalypts and the call of the many parrots
feeding from bowls of seeds outside under the verandah
I began my preparations!

Letting the water flow and fill the large spa tub
around me I watched as bubbles rose, higher
and higher, unaware of the danger of having
emptied almost a full bottle of soap into the soft
mountain water in my enthusiasm to begin.

Suddenly realising I was about to become
submurged, I called out in fright to my friend
help! help! I'm drowning in bubbles!

I couldn't see as now the room was full of steam
and a rapidly growing mountain of bubbles were
tickling my nose and in my ears and eyes.
Iwatched in horror and fascination as bubbles
rose up the tiled walls, then escaped over the
edges of the bath and down the steps spreading
across the floor.

Quick hand me my towels I cried in distress
my thoughts now centred on how I could escape
from the insidious clutches of those rapidly growing
bubbles that were filling the room.

This is no laughing matter I said with a slight attempt
at haughtiness, although I could really see the humour
of the situation I had landed myself in.

Suddenly the bubbles popped and slowly subsided
as I slipped and slithered across the wet floor.

Champagne glasses lay forgotten on the floor
where they had fallen in my panic to reach safety
there had been no cause for celebration!
After all who would want to celebrate
the great escape from a mountain of only
soapy bubbles?

AMJB 30th April 2008.

Sunrise At Middleton Beach

Sunrise colours Gold, Pink and Blue
reflections of God's everlasting love
for me and you
beaming down upon the earth
touching land and sea
and entering in to the very heart of me

As I gaze in awe upon this scene
across a wide expanse of golden sand
where white lace edged waves
ebb and flow
and silver gulls fly low

No human presence on the beach
to disturb the peace
and serenity of early morn
as another new day dawns

Slowly I descend from the cliff tops
down many steps to the shore
where I begin to explore
finding empty shells littering the water's edge
tossed aside by strong ocean swells
all shapes, sizes and patterns
once the home of tiny sea creatures
now lying abandoned

A colourful fish lay dead
I paused to admire it's shape and body patterns
wondering why it had been cast aside!
Looking across the azure blue sea
I thought how nice it would be
if I could only see
the many secrets hidden from view
deep down on the ocean's floor

I paused to reflect upon all God had revealed to me
at the beginning of this new day
It's beauty, It's splendour
life, death

Taking a deep breath
I gave thanks, my spirit rejoicing
in His reassuring presence
and with these vivid visual reminders of His love
I moved onward and upward
with my strength and faith renewed!

REFLECTIONS FROM A HEART

A heart of stone, visible beneath the gentle flowing waters of a creek
which was surrounded by shady trees at the edge of a forest of Pines where birdsong filled the air. All this I saw as we crossed a small wooden bridge leading to a waterfall.

This heart lay cold and bare until caught in the reflected sunlight, sending a message to me as we passed above.

I retraced my steps for a closer look and noted how the reflections of the wooden hand railing formed a criss-cross pattern in one corner which was then enhanced again by a soft pink flowering creeper along the same edge adding colour and beauty to this small tableau.

I believe many fellow humans hide feelings of rejection and deep hurt and hopelessness behind hearts of stone which they use as a facade when they cannot find a solution to problems.

We Christians must look for opportunities to help bring light and hope, joy and peace to those seeking release from the hopeless situations many find themselves in and what better time than the season of Easter!

With Jesus Christ's victory over death on a cross cancelling out all sin and in his resurrection we have been given a promise of eternal life for all who believe in him.

New life in Christ abundant and free
what glories shine
what joys are
mine
what wondrous blessings I see
My past with it's sin
The searching and strife
Forever gone there's a bright new dawn
For in
Christ I have found new life.

AMJB. March 10th 2008

At The Ocean's Edge

Along the Great Southern Ocean's edge I lingered
absorbing sights, sounds and smell
this has become a daily ritual
and starts my day's off well

The sound of wind across the water
whipping the wide ocean into a swell
of foaming, writhing, breathing energy
tossing tangy sea spray high
against rugged rocks along the shore



Overhead skies are cloudy and dark
With the threat of much needed rain
But they soon pass, leaving skies clear
and blue again

Walking briskly along hand in hand
we enjoy our great southern land
the salt laden winds dampening our clothes and hair
nothing can compare with the gentle whisper of the waves
rolling towards shore, then the hushed tone as it receeds
leaving lacy paterns from frothy bubbles
along the ocean's edge

As I look upon all God has created
in this special corner of of his wonderful world
I am filled with joy and gladness that I am able to share
these moments with others passing by along golden sands
leaving footprints interwoven with seaweed
shells and ocean sounds
Memories to treasure as we return to daily living
reminders to us of his abiding goodness and love
and his promise of life everlasting for all believers.



AMJB Feb 9th 2008

Pathways To Inner Peace

The pathway of our life is not always easy to negotiate and whilst we receive many opportunities to traverse various tracks, the direction we chose is often determined by prior knowledge or intuitive sense.

Sometimes we foolishly start out without checking our route, hurrying along even though our inner voice (spirit) is telling us we may have gone the wrong way!

Do we listen, stop and retrace our steps back to the beginning and try again?
No, we continue on regardless, then when we encounter trouble all we have left is our total reliance on our God, calling desperately to him in prayer!

Will he answer? Yes! always he will come alongside and guide us back to safety, but have we listened and learnt?

In some cases, No! we still blunder on not pausing to re-evaluate or plan ahead with care before venturing out along another unknown highway,

My trust and faith in a loving, caring God has often enabled me to climb a high peak of a range; I move onward and upward with grit and determination asking God
for strength to achieve my goal.

Many of the pathways I have trod have been strewn with rocks, slippery stones, moss, fallen logs and deep water.

By placing my hand in the hand of God in COMPLETE FAITH AND TRUST, he has guided me as far as I am able to go, not always to the summit! but far enough to enjoy a cool breeze in the scorching heat of a summers day.

Mountain Top Encounter, Mt Buller,
Victoria, Australia. December 2007:

During mid-day heat I followed a track through summer pasture, climbing high hoping to reach the summit of Mt Buller and complete the feat.

My reward, cool alpine breezes across mountain slopes from where I would glimpse the awesome beauty and splendour of this section of Australia's Great Dividing Range.

I paused, gasping for breath with pesky summer flies in my eyes sipping water I moved on upward, my breathing laboured.

Unknown to me and coming down the mountain, God had opened the eyes and heart of a special woman who paused and prayed for me and in my distress Alexa's reaching out to me and sharing in prayer, was as refreshing as the cool water flowing from a mountain stream. As the words flowed over and around me, my breathing became easier, becalmed by God's grace and peace.

AMJB.