Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

I stand in awe of your majestic peace;
Let your forgiveness give me release
Teach me Lord, the way I should go—
I want to be an instrument of your peace.

Never will I leave thee;
My child, you are mine.

I’ve knelt before an empty cross to pray,
But for human weakness, I’d stay all day;
How do I live in strength I do not have?
I want to be released to understand.

It was for you I lived and died;
My child, you are set free.

I’m lost in worship within your presence;
The room is filled with your fragrance,
Your Word is open upon my knee—
I want to grow in the knowledge of you.

Take my hand so I can lead;
My child, I love you.

I’ve surrendered my life into your hands!
Show me, Jesus, how to take a stand
And tell the world that you are mine—
I want to be an instrument of your peace.

Let your light shine;
My child, I will lead.

© Chrissy Siggee

Under Copyright: https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4537869

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

How should we view the trials that we go through?  First, we should reflect on the reasons why we are facing them. Unfortunately, for most of us, our questioning comes from our human form of questioning of the— ‘why me?’ aspect.  This is of course just questioning God. Often this type of thinking easily moves into anger. This is the exact opposite of how we are directed to respond.

We are told to “consider it pure joy.” Now that seems a strange statement. If someone were to teach me to do that when facing trials, I would be tempted to call him an idiot. This would of course reveal only an immaturity and the unbiblical nature of my biblical and spiritual thinking.

We should view our trials with joyfulness, knowing what is really happening. That is, when we are being tried, our faith is being tested. What does that mean? When we face a challenge, do we respond by what we see and feel—or by what we believe to be true? If we are being tested it should increase our stability, our steadfastness, and our faith.

Father, help me to count all things as pure joy, whatever we face today. Give me the faith that is unwavering in all trials and let me found tested and true. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee  2019

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Sweet golden locks frame her face
where tears flow onto frills and lace—
Fingers clutch a teddy bear
and baby blues reflect despair.
It makes her daddy’s heart break…
My sweet girl, why are you still awake?

Dark shadows dance throughout the night
a trembling voice reveals her fright.
Nightly dreams become a nightmare;
too much for this child to bear.
Invading ogres make her tearful—
Pretty one, please don’t be fearful.

Darkened hours can be quite scary
and sounds of the night make one wary.
Try not to cry my little one,
to be fearful is not fun—
Loneliness makes the hours long.
Prayers to Jesus will make you strong.

Gentle Jesus meek and mild,
please watch over this precious child—
Place loving arms around her Lord.
Our hearts beat with one accord,
give peace, and music to her ears…
Jesus, take away her fears.

Calmness enters, God’s love displayed;
rest in Jesus, all fear will fade.
His love brings peace to your soul—
Know our Father’s in control,
all fear is gone, sleep to restore…
My little princess weeps no more.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Psalm 22:1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

I believe God is big enough to carry our doubts, criticisms, anger, confusion, and frustration, but there often seems to be no explanation as to why things happen. Yes, we are free to question God, but we need to develop patience for God will reveal the answers only when we are ready to hear them.

Our world is not at all perfect, and neither are we. God is perfect. He wants us to continue to read His Word so our faith may be strengthened for He sent Christ to show us the way. Don’t look to find meaning to the suffering, but let the suffering add meaning to our lives. If we have never suffered, how can we empathize with others who suffer? If we never fail, we can’t lift up those who also fail. Our suffering adds meaning to our lives. Our pain adds to our love for others who also suffer, as we suffer, as Christ suffered.

Hebrews 4:16 says: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We need to ask God to help us to become more patient and more like what he wants us to be. Thank Him for the good things, and seek the resilience to endure the bad. To live, not in the shadow of fear and despair, but in the light of God’s love.

Perhaps one day, God will answer our questions of ‘why?’ Perhaps we are just impatient, and want to know the answers before we are ready to understand or accept them. Whatever the reason, trust Him and know it’s all right to ask Him questions. Allow God to develop patience and trust.

Father, as we call on you in our times of need, help us to grow in patience and understanding as we learn to trust you in all things, bad and good, in our lives. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee 2019

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

One day I gave my life to Jesus,
I was only six years old you know—
My soul I knew, was not my own.

To church we went but once a week,
It was like that every Sunday—
My soul went with me, like always.

The church we went to was so big,
All the people and the noise they made,
Within my soul, I was afraid.

I didn’t know the preacher that day,
He talked about lilies and sparrow birds—
My soul was alert, to these words.

My soul is worth far more than these,
Jesus died for me; why that’s absurd!
What is this, my soul has heard?

Then finally some words I understood,
This man was talking right to me—
Yes, into my soul, he could see.

I heard the choir sing “Just as I am,”
They sang those words so bold—
And to my soul, they were like gold.

Wake up my child, this is for you,
A family ticket I cannot give—
For this your soul, it needs to live.’

An altar call the preacher made,
What will you do with Jesus today?
As for my soul and I, we did obey.

I walked on by my mum and dad,
My brothers and my sister too;
I think my soul it knew, just what to do.

I prayed a prayer I won’t forget,
I have remembered it to this day—
My life and soul, to God I gave.

Now one day I will live with Him,
And no matter how long I will be known—
This soul of mine, it’s not my own.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived in:   🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

The night is dark. There is no moon. A distant nightbird 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 returned 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

Crickets chant and shadows dance…
Moonbeams peek through distant trees,
Where birds sing in hypnotic trance
That seems to echo beyond the seas.

Clouds drift by, and stars shine…
Leaves rustle with the evening breeze,
Bringing peaceful charm to God’s design,
And tames the night owl with new ease.

Creation sleeps and nature rests…
Summer’s fragrance fills the air,
In His presence, I am blessed
To end the day with evening prayer.

© Chrissy Siggee

Under Copyright: https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4537869

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him – Psalm 37:7

When an answer to prayer is not quick in coming we often find ourselves focusing on the prayer itself and on the answer we desire to that prayer. While we know it’s good to be positive, and we know God will answer in His time, we need to wait on Him, the one who meets all our needs—and He’s never late.

It’s while we wait that we need to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, study His Word, and find instruction, comfort, and encouragement. We need to trust Him and know that He can and will do what He considers best for His children.

There’s one thing I have learned through waiting; it gives me the opportunity to give God the glory for an unwavering assurance that He has all things under control. Everything is in His hands and there is a time for everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: to everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Verse 11 – He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also, he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Wait in hope, perseverance, patience, and joy because His grace is sufficient for me.

Father, help us to be patient with answers to prayer. Keep our eyes fixed on You knowing all things will come to pass in Your perfect timing. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee 2019

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Ah yes… it’s one of those “let go and let God” verses. It takes on a new meaning when we learn to rest and let Him work on our behalf. We need to trust God in all our circumstances and wait expectantly for the peace that follows.

I think sometimes we pray for God to help us, to lead us, and then we walk away trying to do things on our own just as we did before we went to the Father. We need to rest in knowing He is in control even if it’s not an instant answer.

I read once in a daily devotional book by Susie Larson that God doesn’t make things nice, He makes things new. How right she is. Thank you, Susie, I needed to read that.

Resting in God is the key to letting Him do what He has planned. Don’t take the burden back up and carry it around with you when you have left it with the Father.

Father, thank you that when I’m weary and burdened down with circumstances in life I can come to you in prayer and lean on you. Help me to rest in you knowing you will make all things new. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee  2019

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

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 terrain
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

Under Copyright: https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4537869

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Do you know where I left my humour? It must be around here somewhere. I had it yesterday. I’m sure I did. How could I have lost my humour?

It’s always been a part of me. I’ve never gone anywhere without it. I have used it every day. Humour is one of those possessions I thought I would always have. How could I have lost it?

I could have left it in the fridge like I misplaced my cup of coffee yesterday. Perhaps it’s in the laundry cupboard or in the ironing basket. Surely, I wouldn’t have left it lying around for the dog to chew. Perhaps I left it under the bed. I haven’t looked there for days. Where could my humour be?

Probably it’s gone forever, like the coins that slipped through the hole in my purse. Maybe it’s gone down the kitchen sink, just like my favourite ring. I don’t know why I’d put it down—not even for a moment. Maybe it’s in the garden. I could have left it there when I found that poor dead bird. Or, did I leave it someplace else?

Perhaps I left my humour in my journal. I’d been trying to hide my pain and cope alone. I didn’t want to burden anyone with my misery, so I poured it out to God. It might be in my Bible, somewhere in the Psalms, possibly in chapter 23—between the shadows of death and fearing no evil. But, why would I have left it there?

I checked my emails before I went to bed hoping I would find my humour there.

A stranger said I’d made them laugh with a story I had written.

Wendy said she was missing me and I had always made her day.

A cute little puppy greeted me. He was on an eCard sent by Val. It made me grin but it was the words that got to me: shoulders to lean on and hands to hold, hugs to comfort too.

Do you think my humour is closer than I think?

Wait one minute! It must be around here somewhere. Last night that movie made me laugh and I saw the funny side when hubby dropped his cookie into his cup of tea. My son gave me a picture book of elephants at the beach. It’s amazing how some silly photos encourage you to smile. How could I have missed it?

Suddenly I realized I hadn’t lost it. I had it all along. I guess it’s like a simple smile—I just had to put it on.

© Chrissy Siggee

– a long time ago.

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Whispers of the Dawn

Gentle raindrops drizzle down,
Splashing into ponds and streams.
Morning freshness all around
Spirit, wake from earthly dreams.

Robins greet the tranquil dawn
Sun-kissed roses drip with dew
Crickets sing and daisies yawn
Light reveals this daily view.

Morning comes with restful calm
Gentle whispers of the dawn
Touch me with His healing balm,
Former days and troubles – gone.

Stillness comes from deep within,
Peace and wonder fill this hour;
Praise and glory to begin,
Lord, fill me with your power.

Breathe new life into my soul
Fill my needs with your embrace.
Every day you make me whole,
In the knowledge of your grace.

Peaceful moments with my Lord,
Calmness flows within my veins,
Nature sings in sweet accord,
While His presence still remains.

Sunrays change to pastel hues,
Breathing in your gentle peace
Stillness of the dawn infuse,
Your great power to release.

Solace comes in daily prayer
Quiet dawn, my favourite hour
Wonders of His love declare
Daily blessings to empower.

© Chrissy Siggee

From my book:   Glimpses of His Glory

Under Copyright: https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4537869

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

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, 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 so 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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Romans 5:3-5 tells 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 surgery, 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. – Amen

© Chrissy Siggee 2018

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

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

under copyright: https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/4537869

Archived in: Christian Reads

Photo by Chrissy Siggee

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NIV)

Ephesians 3:16-19 says: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (KJV)

Without faith, I’m nothing.  Faith is a part of me, the hope of my salvation, and all that I live for and all that I do. Life is not an easy road and it’s not a perfect one.

Life can be the pits – Life can be lonely – Life can be full of pain.

But, life without faith is no life at all.

When news spread that Jesus had risen from the grave, Thomas wanted to see Jesus before he would believe it. Faith believes in something before it’s seen. Not the other way around.

2 Corinthians 5:7 clearly says: For we walk by faith, not by sight.

We all need Faith even just a little.

Matthew 17:20 – “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (KJV)

When I was confined to bed in 2018, I struggled with a lot of things, but faith in the Father, I never doubted. Days of pain drove me to tears and misery. Sometimes I couldn’t even pray for myself. I didn’t have to. I knew that the Great Physician would bring me through.

Simple? No. It was probably the worst year of my entire life.

My favourite Bible verses during those bleakest days and sleepless nights were from:

Matthew 9:21-22 – For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Living by faith is a way of life – Life is living by faith – Faith is believing

Father, we sometimes feel in times of pain and loneliness that our faith is weak. Teach us, help us, to keep believing even when we don’t see answers. Show us how to walk by faith and not by sight. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee First published in 2012 Revised in 2019
Scripture Verses used are from the New International Version of the Bible

Archived in 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

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

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Jeremiah 1:20 – Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. (KJV)

A 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, is 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 First Published in 2009

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

Archived in:  Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

O taste and see all things He has done—
there’s naught but good in our LORD,
His gentleness touches every life
and took our place on the cross for us.

He takes the shame when we yield to Him
all sin and grief are buried from sight…
He speaks to hearts and calms all fear,
and stood in our stead and bore our sin.

Do not grieve nor hold to your guilt and sin,
but leave it all at the cross of the Father’s Son—
Jesus gave His life, His all, for you and me
and lives forever and reigns on high.

You can take joy in what I tell you here,
for the LORD will hear your every plea…
His sons and daughters, yes, we are His heirs
, and takes us by His hand to lead us home.

Trust in this LORD, our God, and King,
for no one, can match His worthiness
Take Him for what He says He is
and know He is the LORD of lords.

© Chrissy Siggee – 2010

Inspired by Psalm 34:8 – O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

O taste and see all things He has done.
There’s naught but good in our LORD,
His gentleness touches every life
and took our place on the cross for us.

He takes the shame when we yield to Him
all sin and grief are buried from sight…
He speaks to hearts and calms all fear,
and stood in our stead and bore our sin.

Do not grieve nor hold to your guilt and sin,
but leave it all at the cross of the Father’s Son—
Jesus gave His life, His all, for you and me
and lives forever and reigns on high

You can take joy in what I tell you here,
for the LORD will hear your every plea—
His sons and daughters, yes, we are His heirs
and takes us by His hand to lead us home.

Trust in this LORD, our God, and King,
for no one can match His worthiness —
Take Him for what He says He is
and know He is the LORD of lords.

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)

© Chrissy Siggee January 10^th 2010

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

This poem was written in October 2022 by my friend Hannah after the death of a nine-month-old boy who, with his family attended the congregation Hannah attends. With the permission from Hannah, and Aguin’s family, I’m honoured to share the poem on Riverside Peace.

The Loss of Aguin

Please don’t say, “It can’t hurt that bad,”
When I speak of Joy in pain.

Nor, “She can’t have loved him much,”
When I speak of Peace the same.

No. The grief, it burns like fire:
Searing my heart.
              Numbing my mind.
                        Dulling my senses.

Dead.
My son is dead.
His body in the ground.

And off with him go fifty years
Of watching him grow,
          Making him laugh,
                 Holding his child…

Fifty years I’ll never see,
For nine months in, he went to be
With the One who made him –
Far from me…

Oh, help! The grief! It burns like fire,
 Searing the heart,
              Numbing the mind,
                     Dulling the senses.
                             … Dead…

Peace. Quiet, gentle Peace,
With powerful force I can’t comprehend,
Trickles through the smokey blackness
And holds me.

I hurt.

I’m numb.
I hurt.

By turns –
Around and around, it goes.

But, never shaking,
Never changing,
Always remaining a wall around me,
His Peace never lets me go.

And Joy?
How can I think of joy,
Much less claim it to be mine?

Ach, this Joy – it almost aches;
And I am sure it cries.
It’s as close a cousin to ‘sad’ as ‘happy’,
For it knows depth,
         It knows meaning,
                    It knows hurt…
                                  And it knows hope, of the confident kind.

Ah, the grief… it burns like fire.
Searing my heart.
     Numbing my mind.
            Dulling my senses…

Yes. It burns.
But it won’t consume.
For, wrapped in His Peace
      Touched by His Joy,
          Sustained by His Love,

We know what He has promised…

     “And He who promised is faithful.”
                              Amen

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads

My heart is overwhelmed
with a desire I will try to describe.
Within me now, there’s a higher realm;
a realm of glory that will abide.

It’s like a volcano
that trembles below.

It’s roaring up
about to erupt.

It’s a mighty glow
like lava it flows.

It’s a heart on fire;
my great desire.

My heart is overflowing
with a joy I cannot really explain.
Within me now, there’s a joyful praising;
a praising of my Saviours name.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived now in: 🦋 Christian Reads | Riverside Peace

My heart reaches out
with a passion for your peace.
Your love flows through me
like a river going home.
I stand in awe
at your loveliness.
I lift my hands
to praise your name.

…and I have a passion for my Lord.
I want to serve him more
in everything I do as…

My soul reaches out
with a passion for your love.
Your arms surrounds me
as a mother holds her child.
I kneel here now
in your presence Lord.
I lift my eyes
to see your face.

…and I have a passion for my Lord.
I want to serve him more
in everything I do as…

My mind reaches out
with a passion for your Word.
Your presence overwhelms
as I sit here at your feet.
I lift my heart
in obedience.
I bow my head
to worship you.

…and I have passion for my Lord.
I want to serve him more
in everything I do.

© Chrissy Siggee – 2006
Archived now in: 🦋 Christian Reads | Riverside Peace

‘Simon!’ Dad called from the back of the house. ‘Come and fix this mess!’

‘Uh-oh…’

Simon stopped at the door of the laundry and watched as bright red foamy bubbles spewed from the family’s washing machine. ‘Oops.’

‘Oops is right and you’d better clean it up before your mother returns with the groceries. Then, you had better deal with that car of yours. The windscreen looks like the aftermath of a locust plague.’

The unusually quiet son entered the kitchen later that day and watched his parents move about to prepare for the evening meal. Steak, onions and potatoes sat ready for preparing. He sat in a chair to watch. Simon was always fascinated and somewhat proud of how they worked together. Being the youngest of five, and at almost twenty-three, Simon knew it was time to give his parents a break and move out on his own but…

‘Hey, Simon’, his mother interrupted his thoughts. ‘Are you going to the young adults Bible Study tonight?’

‘Yeah… I’ve even completed this week’s study questions,’ he grinned.

Dad looked up from chopping onions. Tears ran down his cheeks. ‘Really?’

Simon grinned at the voice that didn’t match the tears, which were thankfully not related to this latest bit of news. ‘Um…yeah. We’re studying Hebrews chapter five. I’m…um…finding it quite interesting.’

His mother wiped her hands and approached the table. ‘May I ask why?’

Dad continued to chop and sniff.

‘I’ll show you.’ Simon left the room and returned a few minutes later with his New International Version of the Bible. He opened it to where it was bookmarked.

‘You see,’ he began, ‘last week’s topic was about “Warnings Against Falling Away”. Verses 11 to 15 says: “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”’

Dad wiped his eyes before joining them at the table. ‘What do you think these verses are saying?’

‘Well,’ he began thoughtfully. ‘It’s like eating.’

His parents laughed in unison.

‘Yeah, I know. Everything with me is related to food,’ he grinned. ‘But it’s like the verse says, we have to stop just drinking milk and get in to the steak and potatoes of life…and onions,’ he finished with a chuckle.

Dad reached across, pulled the Bible to him and turned it around. ‘Yes, you’re right. We need to grow and mature in His grace.’ He paused and turned over a few pages. ‘Hebrews 10:25-27 also says: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”’

‘Pretty heavy stuff’, Simon sighed. ‘But I think I’m beginning to understand this whole adulthood stuff. I mean, I’m no longer a child, or a teenager anymore. I’m supposed to be an adult. Right? Not just as a person, but as a Christian. I can’t rely on you and Mum all my life to feed me or clean up after me. In the same way, I need to get into the Word and grow up.’

His mother smiled. ‘Even us older Christians need to grow. We can never outgrow the need to grow. But, you’re right, Simon. You do need to do this for yourself.’ She reached out and touched his hand. ‘Is there more to this conversation than impressing us?’

Simon took a deep breath. ‘Well, I like my job and doing church stuff, but…’

‘But what?’ There was a hint of worry in his father’s tone.

‘This week’s Bible study has had me seriously praying about a few things. I’m ready to put away childish things. I’ve decided to start adulthood properly. I’m going to attend Bible College. I believe that’s where God wants me to be.’

© Chrissy Siggee

 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads 

John 15:8-10
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

The Word of God breathes the spirit of love. God is love. There are over 450 references to love in the Bible. Our Christian faith is based on love: a love that sacrificed His life so we could live.

In 1 John 3:23 we read that there is a new commandment from God, that we should believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.

It’s not always easy to love and sometimes it’s easier not to love. Or is it? Often the consequences of not loving others as we should can be destructive to ourselves and those we do love.

How often do we choose not to love someone because of their behavior, lifestyle or simply being afraid to love them? I have a couple of friends who fear being hurt. They have chosen not to love, and in doing so have cut themselves off from so many who love them. They believe they are happy and don’t need love from others. I find their choice to be a very sad and lonely one.

If God is love and we are to live in love, we need to rethink His commandments.

If there’s someone in your life you are struggling to show love to, ask God to reveal how you can. Seek His wisdom in dealing with those who hurt you or agitate you and show them His love today.

Be encouraged… 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Father, in your great mercy, help me to show your love to those whom I find hard to love. Help me forgive those who have not shown love and grace to me so they may see Jesus in my life. Amen.

© Chrissy Siggee

Archived now in: 🦋 Christian Reads | Riverside Peace

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (King James Version)

This is one of our favourite verses in the entire Bible. You may have noticed we have used the KJV of this verse above and although Norm and I use the New International Version for our every day use, this verse doesn’t work for us in the NIV.

This is how it’s written in the NIV: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Do you see the difference? Does it contradict? Does it make you feel better as a person reading the NIV version of this verse? Does it make you think you’ll be wealthy?

After discussing this, we decided that it’s more likely that the author of Jeremiah meant this for the Jewish nation as a whole; to grow stronger or to flourish. We read in the Bible that this promise was fulfilled. That is: those in exile returned, and the nation of Israel was restored for a time. God made a promise through the prophets, and that promise came true.

Our God is the God of salvation. He wants to redeem people and put them on a path of wholeness, just as He wanted the nation of Israel to be redeemed and to be whole again. He really wanted them to thrive and flourish.

As any fan of Star Trek knows, to “live long and prosper” is good advice.

Have a very happy and prosperous New Year.

© Chrissy & Norm Siggee

Resources:

Origin: 1425–75; late Middle English prosperen < Latin prosperāre to make happy, derivative of prosperus translated as prosperous

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/live-long-and-prosper.html

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/prosper

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Christian Reads by Chrissy at Riverside Peace