~~ Dancing With God ~~

Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking
along the beach together.
For much of the way the Lord's footprints go along
steadily, consistently, rarely varying in the pace.
But your prints are in a disorganized stream of
zig zags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles,
departures, and returns. For much of the way
it seems to go like this. But gradually, your
footprints come in line with the Lord's,
soon paralleling His consistently.

You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens.
Your footprints that once etched the sand next
to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His large footprints is the smaller "sandprint,"
safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice
another change. The footprints inside the larger footprints
seem to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether.

There is only one set of footprints.
They have become one, again this goes on for a long time.
But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints
is back. This time it seems even worse than before.
Zig zags all over the place. Stop...start... deep gashes
in the sand. A veritable mess of prints.
You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream.

Now you speak:
"Lord, I understand the first scene with the zig zags, fits,
starts, and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning.
But You walked through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."
"That is correct," replied the Lord.
"Then, when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours,
I was actually learning to walk in Your steps.
I followed You very closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."
"Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled
in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing
so much that I was becoming more like You in every way."
"Precisely." replied the Lord.
"But this is my question, Lord. Was there a regression
of something? The footprints went back to two, and
this time it was worse than the first."
The Lord smiles, then laughs. "You didn't know?" He says.
"That was when we danced."

Author Unknown.



To Those I Love & Leave Behind

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love. You can only guess with
how much you gave me in happiness.

But now it's time I travelled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must,
then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part.

So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, and life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me,
I'll be near and if you listen with your heart,
You'll hear all of my love around you,
soft and clear.
When you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home."

Author unknown



THREE TREES

Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods.
They were discussing they're hopes and dreams when the first tree
said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure chest.
I could be filled with gold, silver, and precious gems.
I could be decorated with intricate carvings, and
everyone would see the beauty.

Then the second tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship.
I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners
of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the
strength of my hull.

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest
tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look
up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God, and how
close to them I am reaching.
I will be the greatest tree of all time, and people will always see me.

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true,
a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the
first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think
I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter.
And he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the
carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree I should be able
to sell it to the shipyard. And the second tree was happy, because he knew he was
on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened, because he knew
that if they cut him down, his dream would not come true. One of the woodsman
said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take this one
and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box
for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was
not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a
mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth, and they placed
the baby in the hay, in the feed box that was made from the first tree.
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would
have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event, and knew that
it had held, the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree.
One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water,
a great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe.
The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped.
At this time, the tree knew, that it had carried the King of Kings in it's boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as
the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man
was nailed to the tree, and raised in the air to die, at the top of a hill.
When Sunday came, the tree came to realize, that it was strong enough to stand at the
top of the hill, and be as close to God as was possible, because, Jesus
had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is, that when things don't seem to be going your way,
always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him,
He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted,
just not in the way they had imagined.

Author Unknown



I Said A Prayer

I said a prayer for you today, and know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart, although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't' t mind.
I asked Him to send treasures, of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you, at the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you, in all things great and small,
But it was His loving care, that I prayed for most of all.

Author Unknown



Prayer For Peace

In all corners of our world there is strife and war,
And physical life is being wantonly destroyed.
We ask at this time that The Great Supreme Powers
Will help to lift the minds of man from the hatred
And jealousy that is surrounding our world,
So bringing peace and love to all races of
Mankind within our planet.
We also ask for guidance from the higher spheres
To be shown to the leaders of our world.
Thus giving them wisdom with which to understand
Universal law and Brotherly love.
May peace prevail on earth.

Amen.



The following verses were composed by members of our Church
and dedicated to Rev. Jean Saunders.

An Angel on Earth

May the Lord be with you always, guiding you through each day,
Helping you with the things you do, letting you know He is near;
For you do His work with sincerity, You are kind and helpful and true.
Everyone who seems to have troubles, somehow soon finds their own way to you.

For your kindness and great understanding, always given so freely each day.
Makes those very unhappy people, return home, light hearted and gay.
Nothing is ever trouble to you, You're patient, understanding and kind.
Ready to help and give comfort, to listen and talk for awhile,
To someone who's lost in their sadness, you indeed are a person so fine.

And as God sits in His heaven, seeing all those good things you do,
Spreading His love and His teachings, He must be so proud Jean of you.
For He knows in your heart you are faithful, just to do His work to the end.

So all of His love and His blessings, to you every day He will send.
As He looks down from His heavenly place, to the earth He made below,
To the people he placed thereon, to live quietly, a long time ago.

He is sad in His heart for the chaos that His beautiful world is in
To the fighting and sadness and trouble, a world which is now full of sin.
As He glances so carefully around Him, He finds a few people so true,
True to His cause and His teachings, and amongst them He's looking at you.

For Jean you are one of His angels, with a heart just bulging with love,
There is no doubt at all in His mind, there's a place for you with Him up above.
So whilst you are working His wonders, in your temple which you built for Him,
His presence you'll feel centred around you, His love, and His strength He will give.

Valerie Watson - 1978



The Link of Love

The link of love is forged in fire, the link of love holds time
Life tests the link and tempers love, the parting brings love through.
The end of mortal, tangible life, serves only as the beginning
Of a spirit freed from bodily flesh, and the soul soars upward winging.
The soul mate who stays earthbound still, has something still to do.

But the link of love still holds fast, the soul mate guides them through.
Together still in separate ways, they still share their load
The link of love, the guiding hand, still travelling on one road.
Remember friend, that love won't end when one passes through the veil
The link of love is far too strong and will never fail.

Lesley Mason - 1978



Our Circle

Here we all sit in our circle of love, with God's protection from above
For we always commence with holy prayers, knowing that He is one who cares.
He will give us His blessings, His love that is true, and always help us,
with His work which we do.

For we want to help others, in sickness and pain, hoping from us,
some comfort they'll gain.
With messages passed from our loved ones beyond, strengthening
us all, every day to keep on.
And the peace in this room, as we sit here in prayer making us feel
that we haven't a care.
No trouble, no worries, relaxed and content, thanking the Lord for
this heaven He's sent.
And our dearest Jean so good and so true, our medium she is,
always wanting to do good things for others, giving comfort and peace.

We pray that her work will never cease, give her your Blessings, dear Lord each day
For she's the kindest and no words could say, how much people love her,
And want her to be close to them always, so they can see all the wonders
she works are all sent from Thee

Protect her dear Lord, and give her your love and save her a place in your heaven above
For she is a Reverend in our Holy Church; and when people come, wanting to search
for some deep understanding of a new life beyond, it's all made so clear, as if by a wand.

And they are up-lifted so spiritually true, ready and eager to start serving you.
Dear Lord, we thank you for just being there.....knowing you, above others will always care
Forgiving us our sins, and all that we do, preparing us happily, to live there with you
For that is our wish when this life does end, and a new life we all
in heaven shall spend.



For Our Lord

A thought was born, and a good thought too
That Jean would establish a new Church for you
For we love you dear Lord in every way
And here was a place where we could pray.

Feeling closer to you than ever before
In a room full of love from ceiling to floor
It was not easy, but Jean carried on
Helped all the time by Margaret and Ron.

Lots of people were kind with donations and gifts
Help was given freely, to build a Church like this
Colours were looked at and Jean chose blue
The colour of peace and healing too

It's all finished now and as you step through the door
Your presence is felt, and your love, there for all
Our circle sits here with your work in mind
Please guide us dear Lord to be truthful and kind.

Kind to each other and strangers too
Always remembering that we work for you;
Please take our hands as we heal in Thy name
Helping the sick to feel better again

With you by our side and your presence so near
There is nothing at all in this life to fear.
You comfort us all whenever we ask
Nothing for you is ever a task

For you love us so great, so constant and true
Oh dearest Lord, how could we live without you.

Valerie Watson - 1979



Children's Hymn

When Jesus walked through fields of wheat or by the tranquil lake
He pointed out the lily's sweet and of their beauty spake
And children too, with eager hands have plucked the meadow flower
While older ones in willing bands have decked this floral bower

And with this act they offer praise for water clean and pure
For health and strength, for happy days and blessings which endure
The sacrifice of many hours burns on this alter bright
May perfume from its myriad flowers prove incense in Thy sight

Thou who didst welcome boys and girls to play about the knee
Accept their work and grant them joy in daily serving Thee

This hymn was sung at the first Well Blessing performed in
Western Australia - 26 th January 1985
Sung to the tune - St Peters

Reverend Jean Saunders was the officiating Minister at the Well Blessing service.



Sister Marie

There's silence in the circle, the room is very cold,
And all at once an atmosphere is felt by one and all
Quite suddenly, unexpectantly Sister Marie speaks her mind;
So powerful with meaning true, but always kind.
She tells us that our heavenly Father is always close at hand,
We only have to ask, and He will understand.
He gives us strength when we're in need,
And day by day, us He will lead.

He's proud when we try to live up to His rules
Then He can make us His heavenly tools;
So we can give compassion to all in need
Showing through us, His heavenly deeds.
To heal the sick, and comfort the sad
So that their worries don't seem so bad.

All this Sister Marie to us conveys,
We only wish that longer she would stay.
She tells us God's pleased by the work we do
He knows in our hearts we are genuinely true
For we want to help others all that we can;
So they will know peace and like us understand
That God is our strength each passing day,
Will always be there to show us the way.

Thank you Sister Marie for being with us
Please give our love to friends up above.
Bless our dear Jean in whatever you can
For she radiates love with your helping hand;
Making one feel that they haven't a care,
The world is so much brighter by her just being there.

Until the next time you are with us again
Your presence this evening will strongly remain,
In our hearts, in our minds, in all that we do.
For we love feeling close to someone like you.

Written by ~ Valerie Watson 1980

Sister Marie was one of Reverend Jean's Spirit Guides.
She was softly spoken, always bought messages of hope, inspiration and guidance.