God, Honey and the Burning Bush

It is a fact that honeybees are an integral part of the spirituality of the Torah, the Old Testament and the New Testament. When God spoke to Moses from the depths of the burning bush, He spoke of the work of honeybees, the little workers He had created to bring forth healing, food and light for humanity. God missioned Moses to take His people from Egypt and to bring them into a good and spacious land,  a land flowing  with milk and honey (The Torah, the Old Testament, the Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, verses 1 to 8). What God has blessed with life in our planet, let us treasure and care for. From love, reverence and obedience to God flows love, reverence and obedience for His creation.

Honey is spoken of many times in the Bible. The New Testament, Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 3 verse 4 speaks of the great John the Baptist's love for honey. Bees kept John alive with the fruit of their work in the desert.  Honey was given to King David and his people as a gift of nourishment by Shobi son of Nahash, and Makir son of Ammiel. Honey from honeybees was a gift fit for royalty (the Torah, Old Testament, the Second book of the Prophet Samuel, Chapter 17, verses 27 to 29.)

Israel, the great father of Joseph in Egypt, sent honey to his son as gift (the Torah, Old Testament, the Book of Genesis Chapter 43, verse 11). Moses spoke of the honey from the work of the honeybees which nourished the people.  He also spoke  to the people of Israel about God's work in ensuring that the people were fed the fruit of the fields - many of which are fruits of pollination by honeybees (Old Testament, the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 32, verse 13).

A land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey was described by the Commander from Assyria (the Torah, Old Testament, the Second Book of Kings Chapter 18 verse 32). Honey was used as an item of trade by Judah and Israel as described in the Torah, Old Testament, the Prophet Ezekiel Chapter 27, verse 17.

Honey was deposited by wild bees in holes in the ground. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, found the honey in the woods (the Torah, Old Testament, the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 14, verse 25). The Israelites gave honey from honeybees as a tithe, written of in the Torah, Old Testament, the Second Book of Chronicles Chapter 31, verse 5.

The Lord's ordinances are sweeter than honey, as described in Psalms Chapter 19, verse 10.
'they are sweeter than honey,
 than honey from the comb.'

In our time
In our time we still depend on the little creatures, honeybees, for light, life, nourishment, healing and happiness. From the work of the honeybees come beeswax, pollen, honey, royal jelly and propolis. We enjoy the health benefits of honey containing vitamins. Manuka honey from New Zealand is used by many who feel it benefits their health.

Honey and royal jelly is often used in preparations to soothe and beautify sensitive skin. Honey soothes a sore throat. Singers use honey to aid their singing, soothing and lubricating their throat, thus protecting their voice and beautifying their singing. Propolis made by bees is used in ointments for healing cuts and wounds, and as medication. The honey wine mead is enjoyed by many. There are many other uses for the products the honeybees make.

Light and fire for cooking fires is given by beeswax candles. Worship services regularly use the beauty of lit beeswax candles as a symbol of God's lighting our lives with blessing. The fragrance of beeswax from burning candles is due to the presence of pollen and propolis within the beeswax. Handmade beeswax candles provide employment and commerce.


Bees pollinate almond trees; apple trees, pear trees; and so many more. They pollinate flowers, which form an industry providing employment and income. Flowers are used in healing flower essences. Flowers also brighten altars of worship, and are extensively used in religious services everywhere.  Bees pollinate herbs, used in cooking, tinctures, ointments and herbal medications for healing. Herbs for cooking often used include garlic, parsley, onions, bay leaves, turmeric, ginger. Herbs for healing include comfrey, lavender, rosemary.  Bees pollinate crops of vegetables, and cotton. 

Reports tell us that the honeybee is endangered. If there are no bees, there are no crops. If there are no crops, there is no food. Without food, we cannot sustain life. Let us then join hands together, affirming our spirituality of responsibility for the creation God has given us, and protect the little honeybee and her honey of which the God of Creation Himself spoke to the great Moses from the burning bush.

Interested in reading of crops pollinated by bees? There are so many of them... read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crop_plants_pollinated_by_bees

Interested in reading of herbs pollinated by bees? There are so many of them...read
http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/herb-planting-for-bees.html

*Photograph taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose

A Sinner's Prayer for God's Mercy

A SINNER'S PRAYER FOR GOD'S MERCY

In the spirit of St Francis and St Dominic

May God our King deign to grant us his mercy

Behind our bluster may he perceive our pain

Behind our shouting our weeping

Behind our guilt our innocence

Behind our ignorance our ache for wisdom

Behind our drunkenness our thirst for forgiveness

Behind our lovelessness our craving for affection

Behind our impurity our pained self-reproach

Behind our complacency the pangs of uncertainty

Behind our pretence the sincerity we fear to show

Behind our rejection our yearning for eternal redemption.

Behind our defiance the regret for our disobedience to our Redeemer

May God compassionately console all those we have disappointed and

heal all hearts we have broken

May God graciously forgive us our every sin and transgression

May God mercifully allow all of us together in heaven one day to sing his

praises in his glorious presence

May God's divine and infinite ocean of mercy for sinners be glorified

forever.

                                                                                                                               Amen

Luky Whittle

Palm Sunday 2012

*Photograph taken by Catherine Nicolette

Feet walking the path of life

A witness walks to bring good news

'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him

who brings good news,

who proclaims peace,

who brings good tidings,

who proclaims salvation,

and says to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"

Listen! Your watchmen lift up

their voices,

together they shout for joy.'

The great Jewish Prophet Isaiah

Chapter 52, verses 7 to 8,

The Bible, the Old Testament

Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah in these words; Whose

Feet would touch the mountains of our earth, blessing them with His

great and gracious presence. God incarnated in the form of a human

would show us the truth, unvarnished, of Who He really was, and what He really wanted us to do.

He blessed love, conception and childbirth with His incarnation and Birth.

He blessed loving families by inspiring Mary and Joseph to mother and father Him in His human incarnation.

Jesus blessed animals, his innocent creations meant to be tenderly cared for by humanity. This He did when He was born, witnessed to first by Mary, Joseph and the animals in the stable. Of all the earth, the animal kingdom were first to be witnesses to the coming of the great Messiah.

Jesus blessed healing by curing the blind; restoring health; healing the bleed of the woman; curing the leprosy of the man.

Jesus blessed children, by encouraging them to come and be touched by the benison of His Hands.

Jesus blessed water, by being baptised in it, and drinking it.

He blessed food and wine, by eating and drinking with joy. He blessed them by fasting from them in order to strengthen His spiritual powers. He blessed bread and the fruit of the grape by using them as earthly symbols through which He pours His Divine Life into us at communion.

Above all, Jesus blessed us; his human family; because

He came to us as Isaiah said He would;

He walked the hills, valleys and mountains of our lives as Isaiah prophesied He would;

And He came to tell us the news which watchmen would give great shouts of joy to hear;

that Good will win over evil, because truly

Our God Reigns!

*Photograph by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose.

Trees with leaves whispering in the wind

The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His Hands on him, Jesus asked; "Do you see anything?"
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
Once more Jesus put His Hands on the man's eyes.  Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

From The Bible, New Testament, Gospel of Mark, Chapter 8, verses 22 to 26.

*Photograph by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose.

'On the last and the greatest day of the Feast,

Jesus stood and cried out in a loud voice,

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said,

streams of living water will flow from within him."

By this He meant the Spirit...'

The Bible, New Testament, the Gospel of John,

Chapter 7, verses 37 to 39. 

*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free

for any educational or spiritual purpose.



Beloved

'I am a rose of Sharon,

a lily of the valleys.'

from the Bible, Old Testament,

Song of Songs Chapter 2, verse 1.

This beautiful phrase is often

used in connection with Jesus

of Nazareth, Son of God,

Who is

the Rose that bloomed on the thorns of the Cross

and the beauty of the Valleys through which

He walked during His forty days' fast

in the desert, praying for our salvation.

*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free
to use copyright free for any educational or
spiritual purpose.

Beauteous green pastures

Psalm 23

A psalm of David

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in the path of righteousness,

 for His own name's sake.

Even though I walk

Through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me.

Your rod and Your staff

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my foes.

You anoint my head with oil,

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever and ever,

Amen.

*Photograph taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any spiritual or educational purpose.

Morning has Broken

The perfection of this flower

calls to mind the first morning

created by the Creator God

in the beautiful Garden of Eden.

For our enjoyment.

Just so beautiful

is the garden of the world today.

Thanks be to God for eyes to see

Thanks be to God for ears to hear

Thanks be to God for feet that walk

Thanks be to God for mouth that can speak

Praise for the hands to hold

Praise for the mind to think

Praise for the heart to feel

Praise for the health to work.

And if, dear Lord, we lack any of these,

Know that even if our earthly body is not perfect

Our soul, longing for You, is as radiant

and whole, and loving

as this beautiful lily from India.

Surrounded with glowing leaves

And a golden stamened heart within

This lily is perfect; as perfect as the first morning

Dear Reader, For your enjoyment, why not celebrate the beauty of a new day

and rejoice in the singing talent of this wonderful singer.

Let the following song be a meditation of happiness

celebrating the gift of God to us of the earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKoRp05L95c&feature=related

*Photograph taken by Rev. Catherine

Please feel free to use copyright free for any

educational or spiritual purpose

The darkest hour comes before the Dawn

The darkest hour comes before the Dawn

As I walk along the shore, my heart

is riven in two, weeping as

the sky begins to weep from the

grey stormclouds gathering.

Oh, why is this happening to me?

Where are you, God? You have

left me desolate, on this dark

shore, seemingly uncaring to the

tears of grief I weep, the

pain that rends my soul in two.

Where are you, God?

"I too, walked your way.

I too, wept within as I struggled to carry the cross

which was the only way I knew to

inspire all of you to follow Me.

I know your every tear,

I know your every pain.

I suffered them all as I walked

Galilee's dusty roads, travelled

looking for my destiny as the Anointed Christ

and met my fate on a dark and weeping day

on a rock called Calvary.

I am with you. Seek me in your dreams,

in your prayers, your inspiration from

the Bible. See me in the kiss of the flower as

you walk past its little face

see my love touching you in the sunbeam

breaking through the clouds to bless your loved face.

Hear my love calling to you in the

trill of the little bird waking the morning.

I, your God, love you.

And remember,

dearest one;

the darkest hour

always comes before the Dawn."

Are there clouds gathering in your life at the moment? Do you feel alone? Are there difficulties facing you?

See this beautiful picture. In its darkness, there is light. Within the water the reflection of the stormy clouds cannot disguise the light just behind, waiting for the right moment to break through. Just so is God there, perhaps not just in sight, but waiting all the same. Truly, it is sometimes in the dark moments of our lives that we most reach out to God. Because really, that is when we most need Him.

So if you are in grief ... pain... difficulty... bewilderment... loss... trauma... and in stormy clouds and a dark day in your life, remember you can turn to God.

Sometimes the darkest hour truly comes just before the Dawn.

May God bless each and every one of you reading these words. A candle has been lit tonight in prayer for you for the strength and blessing to come through your stormy night of the soul out to the other side, helped by the light of God which is just behind the dark clouds...

*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose.

Happy Easter to all

May the blessings of the Risen

Easter Christ be yours. A candle

has been lit for all

Lumiere Charity readers

at this time of

hope & renewal

*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine. Please
feel free to use copyright free for any
educational or spiritual purpose