Patience

Romans 5:3-5 tell us – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Waiting is always difficult and so often we feel it’s wasted time. Patience can be difficult to find in many situations.

Some waiting pet hates:

* Waiting in a doctor’s surgeries, especially when the doctor is getting close to being an hour late.

* Being stuck in traffic.

* Waiting in a queue at the supermarket.

* Waiting for that important phone call or email.

And my favourite:
* Being kept ‘on hold’ on a phone call so you can speak to the right person/department after pressing numbers in reply to mechanical voices.

Maybe you can add more of your own pet hates that take all the patience you can muster.

There is the struggle of waiting patiently on the Lord’s timing too. We need to be aware that our waiting is a human factor that can be both aggravating and disappointing.

Someone told me once that “wait” is God’s middle name. Is God always the instigator of waiting? Does he use these waiting times for His glory and purpose? Answers to these questions can cause further frustration in the waiting game, but God can use all these kinds of waiting to build patience for His Glory.

Galatians 6:9 says: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Father, teach me patience through your Word. Help my experiences teach me patience. I can’t always see You working in the times of waiting. Help me take a look back after situations to see that You were there all the time and that your timing is always perfect.

© Chrissy Siggee 2018

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Frog Hotel Open for Business.

Norm is slowly using the creative side of his brain and coming up with some interesting ideas. This week it’s a frog hotel for the back corner garden.

A few pipes and pots from Bunnings, sand, and a few river rocks.

I dug up a small Mondo Grass and divided it into 3 pieces. As you can see below, he did quite a nice job. Next week’s project is a tadpole pond – seen partly installed to the right of our water feature.

Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden

DAWN – Awaken the Senses

Dawn illuminates the sky

                  caressing the trees

Songs of the birds fill my ears

                  and slumber from my eyes

The crispness in the air

                 awakens the senses.

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: Poetry Mix

Author and Designer

Oh the beauty of the valley,
Swept with the new day’s mist—
Timeless splendour through rolling hills
Capture the essence of creation.

Mountains rise above the plains,
Casting shadows like a caressing hug—
Calmness enfolds the perilous terrains
Mirror the heart of their designer.

Distant thunder announces the rain,
Freshness rises to the clouds—
Soundless rhythm of the breeze
Captivate the plan of each formation.

I can almost hear the angels sing,
Hundreds praise the name of the Lord—
An endless chorus fills the air
Praise to God, the founding author.

© Chrissy Siggee

From my book – Glimpses of His Glory

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

From my book Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Whisper in the Night

The night is dark. There is no moon. A distant night-bird sings its song. Gentle breaths of wind quiver leaves against a window. Fighting cats hiss and spit, assaulting the quietness and then… abruptly ceases. Barking from some neighbour’s dog echoes away the intruding felines.

Silence returns momentarily before the faint sound of a baby’s cry lingers for just a little while. The dim of the night remains undisturbed.

I close my eyes in expectation for sleep to come. Only silence.

A suppressed whisper infiltrates the peace of the surrounding blackness. My eyes spring open. Alertness returns. ‘What was that’? Again, there is silence. Tied eyes begin to close but it transpires again. ‘That murmur, where’s it coming from?’

This time I lay awake picturing the room around me. Faint outlines of a chair appear as my eyes adjust to the gloom. The whisper returns.

My voice is barely audible. ‘Who’s there?’

I feel strange but I’m not afraid. It’s soothing and not at all alarming. Though faint as it is, I sense an inner stirring. I slide from my bed and feel my way to the window. As I part the curtains I gaze out to the unnatural darkness. Not even a pale glow of a street light can be seen. The world is completely dark and silent. ‘What is this?”

Again, the whisper comes, this time from within my soul.  ‘Pray for those who do not know me for darkness will fall upon those who do not heed my call. The day will soon be here and time is running out. I need my children to plead for the lost so they will find the light. Don’t wait my child because lives are being lost to darkness every single moment. I have made you for a purpose. Through prayer you will know my will. I have given you a gift that can only be used to reveal my glory.’

The whisper fades to a hush and the world outside comes faintly into focus. I look up to the heavens where stars begin to shimmer. The sounds of the night return to my ears. Leaves rustle with the wind re-stirring. I turn and fall on my knees and weep for a world of lost sinners to see His light.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Believe

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

I grew up in a Christian home and witnessed many answered prayers and God-orchestrated incidents regularly so perhaps believing was easy for me. I accepted Christ as my own personal Saviour and Lord at the age of six. I’ve been told it would be impossible for me to remember, but I do. I don’t remember every word spoken by the preacher, but I remember the powerful impact they had on me. I also remember the hymn that was sung by the choir. It still echoes in my head, even as I type this memory.

In my early teens, I couldn’t understand why my friends wouldn’t believe there was a God who created all things. The beauty of nature has always left me breathless and I suppose that’s why so many of my poems reflect my love for creation. I couldn’t understand why they laughed at me when I told them about Jesus.

Later, in my older teens years and early twenties, I worked with younger teens and again, I was mystified by the lack of faith I witnessed. I once invited a guest youth pastor to a weekly youth meeting.  He was very wise for his age and I was pleased he was because a small street gang came to that meeting. They were a little disruptive but mostly they were just being who they were and behaving the only way they knew how. When the speaker gave the invitation to seek Christ as their Lord, the smirks started. The response by this young pastor has stayed with me all these years and I’ve used his words once or twice in similar situations.

He said: “Consider for just a moment where you would spend eternity if you were to leave here tonight and be hit by a car or bus, or if another gang attacked and killed you on your way home. If you’re not a believer, allow yourself to ponder for a few minutes that if it was true, then what? And if you still don’t believe, I’ll accept it.”

Three of those gang members accepted Jesus that night.

I leave you with the words of that young pastor. “If you’re not a believer, allow yourself to ponder for a few minutes that if it was true, then what?”

Where will you spend eternity?

John 12:46 says: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

 

An Hour Well Spent.

An early morning hour in the front garden stimulates the imagination – and is a whole lot of fun.

A tidy up here and a touch of paint there.

If you don’t have water, create it. I tossed a few packets of lobelia seeds in for good measure.

We bought these two delightful blue mushroom solar lights today at Bunnings and added a little more creativity.

Not fully charged yet, but still looks pretty.

Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden

Keeper of My Lighthouse

Keeper of my lighthouse, please
Shine in me today.
Standing firm on God, my Rock,
May I never stray.

I Am the solid Rock on which you stand.

Clouds of fear impair my sight,
Doubt upon the source—
Trying hard to do what’s right,
Help me stay on course.

I will always be there to light your way.

Keeper of my lighthouse, know
You are in control;
Lead me from this gloom of night—
Compass for my soul.

I will steer thee beyond your darkest night.

Like ships off course, I wander
Onto darkened reef;
Lord, steer me safely yonder—
Bring me back from grief.

I will lead if you will only follow.

Keeper of my lighthouse, you
Bathe me in your light;
Radiance makes straight my path—
Shine with all your might.

I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

Through this storm of dreadful pain,
Waves consume my life;
Bring me through my tempest strain—
Lead me from this strife.

I will guide thee through every storm of life.

Keeper of my lighthouse, come!
Let your bright light shine,
Casting doubts and fears away—
Save this life of mine.

Child, I Am the Keeper of your lighthouse

 
© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Praise

A remembered this one while beachcombing recently.

Psalm 103:1 tells us that “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

A recent visit by the coast had me reminiscing about the days spent writing my first book. As I breathed in the seaside freshness, it stimulated the desires that once beckoned me to explore the dream. Pale pink clouds caressed the sunrise like a morning hug. Birds sang praises to welcome the dawn.

My thoughts reached out as in a dream, capturing a peace within my soul. While the sun elevated slowly into a glowing sky, words surged forth like a shifting stream. My fingers moved quickly to keep up with the flow of thoughts. My heart was overwhelmed by the outpouring of phrases previously unknown. There’s something about the break of day that gives freshness to the mind and releases expression onto a page.

Immersed in my writing, I was still aware of the increasing brightness filling the sky beyond the open window, but I was also conscious of the glow within my inner being. If there is ever a place I feel in harmony with God, it’s when I’m absorbed in writing. To not write would create an empty cavern in my life.

My desire is to praise Him through words inspired by creation. My hopes and dreams rest in knowing that He is the only one I need to bring joy and delight.

Father, let Your Word penetrate my soul. You are the author of my faith. Allow me, Lord, to bring joy and delight to your heart in return. May the words I write be inspired by your love and grace. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee 2012

Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

A Splendour to Behold

Below the frozen ground he waits,
In restless sleep he lies,
Protected from the wind and rain
That flow from steely skies.

Cold winter snows begin to melt
Revealing nature’s best—
Unknown strength begins to rise
Boldness to pass the test.

Day by day he stretches forth
With courage new life brings—
Timeless changes make him soar
On flights of eagle’s wings.

Freshness comes with gentle rains,
Relieves the summer’s heat;
Power bleeds through woody veins—
A vigor to explore.

Daringly he salutes a cloudless sky,
Graceful and upright, bold.
Visions to capture for his own—
A splendour to behold.

Autumn leaves fall all around
Like graceful butterflies;
Limbs grow stronger every year
And reaches to the skies.

He stretches out to fill the air,
Stands bold beside his peers;
With his solid strength and power,
He’ll stand for many years.

Seasons come and seasons go,
Grand valour takes its place,
No longer swayed by winds of time—
Grown to majestic grace.

Daring to pass the test of time,
He gazes down to see
God’s design of might and courage—
Boldness in a cedar tree.

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Sunset Hues

my soul awaits the  sunset hues…

                  dawn, so long ago—

troubles of the day, be gone

                  and let me feel God’s peace,

permit the setting sun to give this body rest.

© Chrissy Siggee
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book:     Glimpses of His Glory – (the book)

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Mercy

Mercy can be a difficult topic to tackle; yet I find it’s one of the most desirable gifts Christians seek. To show mercy is an awesome experience but to receive mercy is not always easy. Sometimes people misunderstand those who show mercy. Those who show mercy often don’t even realise that’s what they are demonstrating.

To show mercy is to show forgiveness, compassion, kindness, pity or understanding… even leniency. When explained this way, I can see how people have shown mercy toward me and how I have shown mercy to others. I also understand how we can misinterpret another’s acts of mercy. Have we become unaccepting of another’s gifts? Do we feel complacent with our circumstances or those of others?

Jesus showed mercy/ compassion and He has instructed us to show mercy. Shouldn’t we also accept mercy from those He has instructed to show mercy?

Exodus 33:19 says: “And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”

Isaiah 30:18 says: “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

Where and when was mercy shown to you in the past month?

When was the last time you showed mercy to another?

Father, help us to show mercy to others no matter the situation. Teach us to be compassionate and live our lives as you would. Also, help us to remember that when others show mercy to us that we do not reject them, because the mercy they show is the mercy you would have them give as you would have us to give. Amen

 
© Chrissy Siggee 2012

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Evening Sky

 colours of the evening sky

                  reveal the setting sun—

aromas of the sleepy garden

                  refresh my musty senses.

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Poetry Mix

My Eternal Home

To seek His face and sing to Him—
Oh! What joy to me it will bring.
Even when my eyes are dim,
I will always be there, with my King.

To sit at His feet or dance for Him—
Oh! What music, oh what hymns;
Angels all around the throne will sing
With joyful sounds, on might wings.

To tend His garden and meet with Him—
Oh! What happiness this will bring;
Just to know I’ll walk with Him
Forever, my eternal home to win.

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Surprise Visit & Birthday Cake

Yesterday, May 9th here in Australia, we had a “surprise” visit from our eldest daughter Cyline, eldest grandson Evan and one of Norm’s nieces and her husband Andrew. They all live over 2 hours away so it was an unexpected visit by Norm who turned 70. I knew about it but not the details. It was difficult to keep Norm at home and away from his BBQ kitchen without explaining why. He had even suggest we went to Bunnings. When I declined he said he could go alone. Bunnings would have been a dead giveaway because they had all met up in the Bunnings car-park just 2 minutes away before all driving in together. Oh yes, and they brought all the food and the caramel birthday cake – Norm’s favourite kind of cake.

Archived in: 🦋 Travel & Retirement

Driveway Repairs Done.

Last week I promised to explain why the outdoor kitchen divider was in front of the clothes line. The past 10 days have been rather busy and messy around here. These photos will show the work we have had done on our long undercover driveway and the footpath on the other side of the house.

First was the repair and grind.

Then a sand. The foot path on the other side was also repaired grind and sanded too.

The prep and first coat of cement rendering took quite a while to dry and giving a few days to blend.

The second cement render took another day and a half before Jake the tradesman could walk on it to roll the first sealing coat. We decided on the roll-on instead of spray because of the close proximity of neighbours and also it would be 3 years before a reseal instead of 1 year with the spray.

The final coat of the sealer went on 3 days ago. 1 more day before the sealant will have had time to cure. Once it’s cured we can start washing the dust off the walls and side gardens. It will be another 3 weeks before we can start placing things like the divider and herb pots back in place. Then it will be ready to bring the car back in. Climbing over the gnomes in the front or out the backdoor, past the clothesline into next door to use the neighbours footpath is not fun but it will be all worth it.

Archived in: 🦋 Retirement & Travel

Me and My Writing….

I don’t care what people say
It’s time to look the other way.
If I want to write – I will
with or without a copyright.

Poems, fiction and mysteries,
for children and adults.
Whatever takes my fancy – oh yeah…
It’s what I like to do.

My grammar may not be perfect
and rhyme is not my forte
But whatever I write –
I write with all my heart.

Grandchildren love my nonsense,
Friends enjoy a jingle.
I only write for them and those
Who enjoy my writing most.

© Chrissy Siggee – 2018

Archived in: 🦋 Poetry Mix

Promises in the Rainbow

Rainbow colours, glorious,
melt into scenic views –
Radiant through softened glow,
creating all things new.

Freshness lingers past the rain,
embracing nature’s charm –
God’s vibrant promises still proclaimed
with tender hues of calm.

Sunbeams gently stroke my face,
and Heaven’s warmth abides –
My spirit yearns for His embrace
and peace His touch provides.

He gently soothes a hurting heart,
and wipes away each tear –
With healing words, my grief departs
and sorrows disappear.

Assurance fills my life again –
beyond the clouds I see
Dreams and visions to explore
with a joyful heart that’s free.

Humbly now I worship my King,
fresh tears of joy I own.
With new words I begin to sing,
giving Him my life to hone.

© Chrissy Siggee
From my book Glimpses of His Glory    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Joy

Isaiah 55:12 says: “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

I love this verse. It’s full of hope. The delight I feel when I’m in His presence bathes my soul with the joy of the Lord and brings an overwhelming transformation to my spirit. To worship the Father takes me into another realm of emotional joy and into His throne room of prayer. Even when sadness touches my life, when pain is always near, or when a friend or family member is hurting, His presence always brings joy back into my spirit.

Isaiah 51:11 says: “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Praise God, I often feel like singing and I can’t get enough of His presence that comes with the joy that He gives me. But, even when I don’t feel like singing or praising God, He can give me back that joy. When sadness threatens to overtake me, I can still go out in joy and be led forth in peace, giving thanks in all circumstances; he does replace my sadness and grief with the joy of the Lord.

Let your week be filled with the joy of the Lord.

Father, we thank you for the joy that only you can give us. Help us to praise you in the good times and the bad so we may know your joy in all things. We may not feel like singing but help us give thanks in all circumstances. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee

First Published 2009

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible
Archived in:  🦋 Christian Reads

Looking Up

Autumn is still beautiful on the mid-north coast.

Rear corner of back verandah.

From the garden.

and again from the garden.

Another view of the back corner.

Looks like there will be dozens of blooms this year.

This last photo shows the outdoor kitchen divider in front of the clothes line. Next week, I’ll reveal why.

Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden

Fire in the Sky

The heavens are ablaze with orange embers
Splinters of steel-grey clouds pierce the radiance
Wisps of haze emerge like smoky smudges
Summer’s twilight heat affects the changing light
Fiery reflections shimmer against the fading hues
Like a fire in the sky, the sun melts into the horizon.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived in: 🦋 Poetry Mix

Beautiful Jesus

Beautiful Jesus, to you I sing,
My life and plans are yours
Let this life of mine
Be filled with gladness and joy
I sing praises and songs to you.

Wonderful Jesus, to you I pray,
My heart and my gifts are yours
Let this heart of mine
Be filled with love and kindness
I pray praises and songs to you.

Loving Father, to you I give,
My soul and my will are yours
Let this heart of mine
Be filled with images of your love
I give praises and songs to you.

© Chrissy Siggee

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
From my book: Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Comfort

Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

These are without a doubt, some of the most comforting words from Scripture I know by heart. Through all situations I have only to rest on in God for my strength.

With my husband’s employment we moved frequently. When our children were little, I dreaded those times. We often spent weeks in temporary accommodation and waiting for our personal belongings to arrive. During those transition times it was characteristic of the Department of Defence to send him away on a course.

During one of these relocations, which was a few hundred miles from our nearest extended family, our son became constantly ill with serious allergies. Three weeks into the hotel stay I had to ask the cleaning staff not to use chemicals in our rooms unless I could plan time be out of the room and have it aired before we returned.  Our son was just over eighteen-months-old at the time and his sister was three and a half. Their ages alone meant around the clock care, but the youngest slept very little. He had about two hours after his midday meal which gave me some grace and much need rest. His sister was usually dozing too or looking through a favourite picture book.

New states, new towns and new experiences were always daunting and to settle into a new normal day to day life in these situations proved to be often stressful and lonely. But I remember these verses from Psalm 46 as my source of comfort. I don’t believe it was coincidence that these verses appeared so often during my daily devotions. They became my key verses and since that particular relocation they have become part of me through many other situations over the years.

We all need words of comfort at one time or other and we can be assured that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Thank you, Lord, for your comfort in every situation. Help us to know that you are our refuge and strength and guide us through difficult times, fear and loneliness. Whatever we face in our day to day lives, teach us to lean on you for all our needs. Amen

 
© Chrissy Siggee 2012

Scripture Verses used are from the New King James Version of the Bible

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Rainbow Smile

I asked an old lady in the park if she had seen my little boy.

‘What does he look like?’ she replied.

‘Well,’ I answered, quite sincere—

‘He has brown eyes
and hair to match;
Too many curls for a little boy,
combed to perfection every day;
His teeth are white as white can be—
A very tidy little man is he!
He wears a smartly pressed sailor suit
with little white shoes to match.’

— A perfect darling is my boy.’

‘No child like this I have seen,’ the lady did respond,
‘but a treasure you will find, just around that path.’

Around the garden path I went
and before me, a treasure my eyes beheld—

He had brown eyes
and hair to match.
A shock of curls in disarray,
band-aid knees and soiled clothes—
What happened to my little boy?
At front, he had a missing tooth;
he was eating ice-cream from a cone,
his face aglow with a rainbow smile.

—’A perfect darling is my boy.’

© Chrissy Siggee

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED From my book:  Glimpses of His Glory

Archived in: 🦋 Poetry Mix