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On Not Despising Deliverance

By Anita Mathias

jesusheals

“Do not despise prophecy,” the Apostle Paul says, somewhat surprisingly.

Why would we despise it? Because we tend to suspect what we do not understand? Or because prophecy can attract fools, charlatans, the unstable, and conmen seeking to gain power over others—as well as, of course, those who can genuinely tune into God?

I no longer despise prophecy because of personal experiences with those who genuinely had the gift of prophecy.

* * *

What about deliverance ministries? In the first church I attended as a Christian, in a small American town in the South, an individual gained power by labelling everything untoward as a curse or demon-caused–infertility, miscarriages, ear pain, a fear of flying–and exorcizing people. He offered to baptise me to mark my adult commitment to Christ, and when I spontaneously resisted total immersion (I was afraid, having only learnt to swim as an adult) he halted the baptism for an exorcism. (But I remained nervous!)

Eventually that person left the church, taking the best tithers with him, and founded his own church, heavily based around deliverance—a spiritually unbalanced church which, fortunately, did not survive

So I had question marks about deliverance.

* * *

Around that time, however, I picked up a book by Billy Graham, which surprisingly claimed that 90% of Christians are “demonized,” (as opposed to possessed). A dark power, what Paul calls,  “evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places,” controlled aspects of their lives. They were not entirely free when it came to their inability to forgive, perhaps; their out-of-control spending, addiction to sugar, alcohol, porn, anxiety, or negative thoughts.

* * *

What happens in deliverance? Someone with greater faith or spiritual authority uses their faith to expel dark powers from areas of your life. Uses their intimacy with God to implore God’s protection, a hedge, a strong tower in that area of your life.

You find freedom. Your sleep becomes deeper and more restful.

* * *

I have been married for 26 years. Anger used to be an issue in our marriage, and we’d get all histrionic and historical, and have time-wasting fights. And since life was short, I no longer wanted to waste time on stupid fights. I wanted to use wisdom and intelligence, stepping back, thinking rationally about the issues, acting using my mind and spirit, not my agitated emotions.

I eventually decided no more. No more fights. I have had enough. I will act with wisdom. It takes two to fight, and I will not be one of the two.

In the Old Testament, people marked important junctures of their lives— a major decision, an encounter with God–by building stone pillars. I wanted to mark my decision. When I visited a worship festival which had a deliverance ministry, I signed up for one on one prayer. The prayer minister was not slick, or well-educated. He called the little area of my life which was out of self-control and Spirit-control “a critter.” He prayed with me to expel it. I sighed and sighed as I physically felt relief, sensed something leaving, something generational, felt a huge sense of relief, lightness and freedom.

Harriet Lerner calls marriage the dance of intimacy. If one partner had strong emotions they cannot process, they can press their partner’s buttons, and start a fight. So they get to avoid dealing with their own discomfort. Eventually, couples get addicted to the adrenalin of anger.

After prayer, I found less anger in myself. I might yell a little, and then find I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t summon up the anger, the passion. I realised that to act out would be acting like a fool.

It was as if God had erected a hoop, an invisible boundary around me that I could not cross. I was experiencing the paradoxical freedom of being possessed by God’s spirit… I did not have to retaliate, angry word for angry word, historical accusation for accusation, all that foolishness. I could be still and quiet and write. I could go for a run. I could have a nap.

* * *

The other deliverance was equally astonishing. I was having coffee with a Christian friend, a woman a couple of years older than me, whom I respect and like for many things…her love for people, her spiritual wisdom, her warm heart, her bounciness and cheerfulness. And, since as Thoreau says, “Every man is the builder of a temple called his body to the god he worships,” I admire her too for her body; she’s all muscle. She swims, plays tennis, and runs half-marathons, faster than most men. I once did a run with her, and she did 3 miles in the time I did one. Oh well!

My friend asked, “So how are you really?” And I said, “It is well-ish with my soul, but…” (choose the path of humility, Anita, I said to myself) “I have been told to lose weight for my health and immune system, and, well, I haven’t been hugely successful.”

And then she told me a story I would never have guessed at. This slim attractive woman had been a binge-eater in her twenties. She binged, then purged, so that though she had been twenty pounds overweight, nobody guessed at her secret sin. But she knew. And she could not break her addiction to binges. One day, she cried out to the Lord in her distress, and, she said the only way she could describe it was—she was delivered. She no longer binge-ate; she got a job which required physical activity, and for her to be at her goal weight, and, within the year, she was.

I sighed, and knew that this was a moment for humility. This was a moment of destiny. So I said with simple intensity, “Will you pray for me to be delivered?”

She prayed. Listening to someone pray I can often tell whether they have entered the Throne-room, whether they have connected with God, and, often, I can intuitively tell if the prayer will be answered.

I knew I had been delivered from an addiction to food. I had to wait to see whether the deliverance would work out as the blind man was healed, first by seeing men like trees walking, and then seeing them clearly.

* * *

My daughters noticed the change first. We were on holiday in Tuscany, which has some of the best comfort food on the planet, morish food which releases addictive dopamine, and I found myself eating some of my spaghetti alle vongole, spaghetti and clams; linguine gamberetti, zucchini e zafferano, linguine with shrimp, zucchini, and saffron; spaghetti carbonara; or ravioli with spinach and ricotta, noticing that I was full, and then offering tastes to anyone who wanted them. “Mum, whatever diet you are on, we like it,” Zoe said.

But I was not on a diet. I had begun to find it physically difficult to continue eating once I was full! There was a force within me, reminding me to stop once I had had enough.

The Spirit is a remind-er, Jesus says, an internal reminder, bringing things to our remembrance.

* * *

And then I returned home, and would reach for a snack, and Someone, a kindly Someone, asked, “Anita, are you hungry?” And I would say, “No, but I am sad. I am bored. I am agitated. I am stressed; I am feeling hyper. I need a snack to help me settle down before I write. I need a reward after I write. I need a snack to help me transition between two activities.”

And the Spirit would say, “Ask Jesus to fill your Spirit.”

I would remember: I could ask the Holy Spirit to possess my spirit. Or I could eat a bar of chocolate. I prayed; desire for the stress-relieving snack receded. (And sometimes I succumbed. Sometimes, you see men like trees walking before you see clearly.)

It kept happening. Someone would say something sharp or cross or stressful, and my blood sugar would plunge, and I would think, “I need chocolate. I need a slice of fruit cake.” And then I would think, “Anita, you are not hungry. Might the Holy Spirit do it? Invite him in.”

Voila, 100 calories saved.

I realised that I was rarely physically hungry, so much so that I almost wondered if I were getting ill again, but then I truly skipped a meal, and real hunger returned.

When I was hungry, Someone kept reminding me to ask, “Anita, what will bless your body?” And I would basically cook up a skillet of vegetables, toss in some shrimp or fish, and some noodles or brown rice or pasta. Good for my family, good for me.

And freedom too, to eat the odd bit of chocolate, the odd slice of pizza…

Simple changes, prompted by the Spirit’s reminders: Don’t eat when you are not hungry. Stop eating when you are not hungry. Choose what will bless your body.

I stepped on the scale today. A cumulative weight loss of 24 pounds, the easiest ones after that prayer. (I have more to lose, of course, but, by the grace of Jesus, want to keep my eyes on Him through the process).

Filed Under: In which I chase the wild goose of the Holy Spirit, In which I get serious about health and diet and fitness and exercise (really) Tagged With: anger, Billy Graham, deliverance, deliverance from emotional eating, emotional eating, Harriet Lerner, Italian food, marriage, prophecy, The Dance of Intimacy, The Spirit as a reminder, tuscany

On Choosing to Believe in the Divine Inspiration of Scripture

By Anita Mathias

the-starry-night-1889(1).jpg!BlogI keep looking up the number of stars in the galaxies, forgetting, looking them up again. Too many stars to remember how many. 70 thousand million, million, million. 70 sextillion.

So many stars. So many galaxies. Such a big universe.
Anything is possible.

* * *

When I consider the heavens, the work of your hands,

The moon and stars that you have made…

 Those ancient words course through me, almost involuntarily as I gaze the heavens. Words I have always been taught are inspired.

I go through phases of asking, “Are they inspired? Are they not? Are they inspired word of God? Or not?

* * *

The traditional Christian belief is that the Bible is divinely inspired, almost divinely dictated.

How sweet the thought–that God has dictated words to me, through his human instruments.

Sweet, but hard to believe–this whole book divinely inspired?

Hard to believe, but possible, like the creation of galaxies, like the “miraculous” lifting of cancer from a human body, which has been documented again and again, as in Andrew Weil’s Spontaneous Healing or Kelly Turner’s Radical Remission.

Somebody has put this watch together, this complicated jigsaw puzzle of a world, animals, plants, butterflies, sun, moon and stars working together synergistically to support all that is wild and wonderful. This beautiful, brilliant ecosystem in which everything is beautiful and useful.

That this God should dictate thoughts to humans is certainly is not too hard for me to believe as a writer. How many times have I had the experience of writing things very fast, as fast as my fingers could type. Where did these words come from, my unconscious or a kind mind beyond myself? It is actually a common experience of writers.

In the case of the sacred words, they were unanimously accepted as sacred for, well, millennia, perhaps because we instinctively sense something numinous about them. Perhaps because of their impact on our lives when we obey them.

* * *

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The first words of Genesis. 48 words in English, but I read them, and ideas spring forth, illumination, revelation. I could write several blog posts about them… and I have .

I love the words of Shakespeare and Milton, but they don’t fill my soul with energy, with creativity, with new ideas, with energy, make my feet jubilant, so to say.

The words of Scripture are qualitatively different, they speak to spirit as well as mind. They are “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, they penetrate even to soul and spirit, joints and marrow; they judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

* * *

So since we will never know for sure this side of eternity whether God indeed dictated those words, we choose to believe. Or not.

There is a moving story of the moment when, under pressure from his fellow evangelist Charles Templeton Billy Graham almost lost his faith in the sacredness of scripture. He makes a choice by faith to believe and goes on to have an influential, fruitful life. I have met people who have converted, or had parents who converted, at a Graham crusade. Templeton leads an empty life, and eventually says, almost in tears, “I miss Jesus.”

* * *
So on my walk today, I asked myself, “Tell me chile; what will you decide? Inspired: not inspired? Sacred, or human?”

I have heard God “speak” to me, several times, and have obeyed, and the consequences have been challenging but blessed. Definitely blessed.

I have written things as if at dictated to me by a power beyond myself. Several poets, Milton, Blake, Rilke, Julia Ward Howe, have had that experience.

No doubt, the sacred writers did so too. They certainly claimed that the Lord spoke those words to them, a serious claim to make if it were not true, serious in those days, serious now.

Why should I assume that when they wrote, “The word of the Lord came to me” they were lying? Or deluded?

* * *

I thought of Christians I knew well who had their lives moulded and formed by Scripture. And I thought of lives of other good people, Christian and non-Christian, who had no time for Scripture.

The life of a person who takes Scripture seriously and OBEYS it looks one way–see this beautiful profile of John Stott.

The life of a Christian who is not shaped and moulded by that great source of wisdom… well, that too shows.

* * *
So as I walked alone for two hours by the river, I asked myself again.

“So Anita, what are you going to decide today? Is your Bible God’s word to you or not? Inspired or not?”

If you decide Yay, your life will look one way. Like your Christian heroes perhaps. Decide Nay, and it will be an ordinary, pedestrian life. No wings at all. No walking on water.”

* * *
Whenever I accept those words as God’s word to me and act accordingly, I sense a huge infusion of wisdom and peace and guidance into my life.

Accept it as the inspired word of God?

I would be crazy not to.

Filed Under: In which I play in the fields of Scripture Tagged With: Billy Graham, Charles Templeton, Inspiration of scripture, John Stott

A tale of four famous Christian siblings: When Christian children shipwreck, there’s still hope

By Anita Mathias

A tale of four famous Christian siblings.
A) His ex-wife “alleged that her husband not only abused drugs and alcohol and had inappropriate relations with other women, but also that he engaged in domestic violence and used pornography. 
In the meantime, he admitted becoming ever more dependent on alcohol. He was granted “board-approved time away” to deal with his alcohol dependency.  
On his return, tensions in his marriage and at the offices of the ministry he headed escalated when he began spending extended time with a young woman who had recently joined. He also had an ongoing intensive friendship with another female staff member.
Source: Christianity Today
B) The third of the five siblings has dealt with a daughter’s teen pregnancies, another daughter’s bulimia and a son’s drug use.
She struggled with suicidal thoughts herself in the wake of her first husband’s infidelity — a discovery that led to a “rebound marriage” of only five weeks.
Source  Columbus Dispatch
C) Both of C’s brothers rebelled, using drugs and alcohol.
And one of C’s sons grew so uncontrollable as a teen that his parents called the police to their home. He ran away at 16, spending several days and nights on the streets of Fort Lauderdale.
 C. has suffered bouts with depression.
After her divorce and remarriage, she was arrested for domestic abuse of her new husband
Source: Houston Chronicle, USA Today
D. In the news for taking “two full-time salaries and two retirement packages from two Christian family ministries. Last year his total compensation from the two Christian ministries was $1.2 million.”
All these individuals make their living through donor contributions to Christian ministries they run.
* * *
Okay, who are we taking about? A “white trash” family (to use a mean phrase I occasionally heard when I lived in America)? A ethnic minority family on welfare for generations? A feckless illegal immigrant family?
Actually, these are the children of one of the most respected men and Christians on the earth. Billy Graham.
A)   Ned. Christianity Today B) Ruth or Bunny Columbus Dispatch C) Virginia or Gigi , Houston Chronicle. USA Today D) Franklin—Thinking out Loud
·      * * *
As a young Christian, I read biographies of Billy Graham, and his books, including his autobiography, Just as I am. I admired and admire him. I tried to imitate Graham’s spiritual disciplines (unsuccessfully). I was charmed and impressed by Ruth, as she came across in her books. She was indeed an beautiful and remarkable woman.
I read out these news articles of Roy as I googled them and we were chilled.
How did their children shipwreck?
And, if they did, what hope is there for us unprofessional Christian parents, who know our Scripture less well, who do not have the additional safeguard of practising our faith on a world stage to keep us honest?
If that’s the parenting outcome of the undoubtedly godly Grahams, down to the third generation, who can stand?
However, Billy Graham is on record as saying that if he could go back and do anything differently he would “spend more time at home with my family, and I’d study more and preach less.”
   * * *
I think of one of my favourite Psalms, Ps. 130
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
 2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

 3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, 

   Lord, who could stand? 
4 But with you there is mercy, 

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Ah, that’s our hope for ourselves, our parenting, and our children. The mercy of God.

Hesed, the steadfast goodness, mercy and compassion of God which will follow us all our lives.
  * * *
And for each prominent Christian family which shipwrecks–and I can think of several off-hand–there are another 2 or 5 who do not.
I think of my friend Paul who was the son of Jack and Rosemarie Miller who founded World Harvest Mission. All five siblings are faithful Christians. As are Paul’s six children. In A Praying Life, he describes how he brought up his children– (one of whom was severely disabled) amid financial difficulties, great work stresses, working two jobs, and his own breakdown–by quietly, steadily, and specifically praying for each of them and their specific needs—and what amazing answers he saw!
He once told me that he asked his wife Jill what she wanted most, half afraid she would say, “A new kitchen.” And she said, “The mercy of God for our family.”
Ah that is what we all need!
    * * *
So, there is hope for us and our children, in the mercy of God. And, as I feel more convinced, the best thing we can do our children and family is pray for them. At red lights. When walking. During sleepless nights. While doing housework. In lines at grocery stores. Whenever. As much as we can.
And then trust the mercy of God.
Into your hands, oh Lord, I commit my spirit.
Into your hands, oh Lord, I commit my family.
Into your hands, oh Lord, I commit my children.

Filed Under: In which I'm amazed by the goodness of God Tagged With: Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Hesed, Mercy, the goodness of God

“You can tell the depth of a man’s walk with God by looking at the countenance of his wife’s face,” Bill McCartney, Founder of Promise Keepers

By Anita Mathias


You can tell the depth of a man’s walk with God by looking at the countenance of his wife’s face: Bill McCartney, Founder of Promise Keepers.

Bill McCartney was formerly the head football coach at the University of Colorado, and led his team to the national championship in 1990.
He said, “My last year as a coach was in 1994. My team was undefeated and was ranked third in the nation.
And then a visiting preacher said: ‘Do you want to know whether a man has character or not? All you have to do is look at his wife’s countenance, and everything that he’s invested or withheld will be in her face.’”
“I turned and looked at my wife, Lindi,” McCartney said. “I didn’t see splendor. I saw torment. I didn’t see contentment; I saw anguish. And I tried to defend myself, but I couldn’t. That’s really the reason I stepped out of coaching. I realized that before God I was a man without character.”
     * * *
When I attended a Presbyterian(PCA) Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, the men went off to Promise Keepers meetings on Saturdays. I, however, told Roy I would rather he stayed home and invested in the children and housekeeping than went off to a meeting which told him to do just that.
Roy and I were youngish Christians, and accepted a lot of what we heard uncritically. And so, for several years, when we wanted to assess if a man’s walk matched his talk, if private reality was the same as public projected image, if looking good was the same as being good, we looked at his wife’s countenance.
A face in repose, when it is unaware of being looked at, tells the truth. Bitterness, anguish, struggle, meanness, goodwill, prayer, gratitude—these repeated emotions carve expressions on a face as surely as glaciers carve river valleys. The unguarded expressions on a face tells the story of an inner life.
And so we began to notice, laughing at our private joke, many marriages “between the rich and the poor.” Where the man–pastor, apologist, evangelist, pastor, charity head–had the peace, and the wife had the pieces. Where he spoke lyrically, and her unguarded expression suggested she was keeping her act together with difficulty, that if she could do what she really wanted to do, she would place her head on her hands, and weep. Zombie expressions, hunted rabbit eyes, faces with strain carved into them: I saw these expressions on the wives of many men in ministry. Her Story. Meanwhile he spoke of the glories of the Lord.
What’s the old adage? HisStory was him walking on water. Her Story was total submersion, holding him up from beneath.
*  * *
You can tell the depth of a man’s walk with God by looking at the countenance of his wife’s face.
Many truths capable of being summarised in a sentence are, in fact, half-truths.
Women and men are, in fact, responsible for their own spiritual lives. While a loving spouse makes everything easier, as Christians we do get to choose our response.
We get to choose whether we will be thankful in all things, or not. Whether we will grow bitter or kind. Whether we will return good or evil, or not. Whether we will forgive, or not. Whether we will pray for the selfish over-ambitious spouse, or bemoan our lot. Whether we will contemplate Christ, or the unbearable strain of our lot. Whether we ourselves will be truthful and honest or get caught up in the charade of our spouse’s public image, even if it kills us. Whether we will choose pride or humility.
While perhaps our countenance might tell you a lot about our spouse and our marriage, God has given each of us the ability to choose our own holiness, and our own happiness, and the address at which we choose to live. Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, or swayed by the shifting shadows of our day to day lot.
                                                                  * * *
Ruth Bell Graham, married to the most-travelled Christian leader of the century, maintained her own spiritual life, spiritual disciplines, and close relationship with Christ. Here she isruth bell graham

I read a painful biography called Man of Vision, Woman of Prayer by Marilee Dunker, daughter of Bob Pierce who founded World Vision. His single-minded, driven, globe-trotting ways caused the break-up of his marriage, much anguish to his spouse, and, she says, contributed to a daughter’s suicide.Portraits taken in the living room of Lorraine Pierce's home in Carlsbad, California. Photos taken for World Vision Magazine. North America - USA digital color horizontal

Two wives of similarly driven, ambitious Christian leaders. One becomes a happy and fruitful angel; one lands up separated, lonely and miserable.
Our husband cannot determine our countenances. We choose them–and they are the fruit of numerous small decisions. Be thankful. Or not. Be kind. Or not. Pray. Or not. Forgive. Or not. Love and bless and do good where we can. Or not.
                                                       * * *
 Well, when we were at Ffald-y-Brenin last month, Roy took refuge from the rigours of prayer by making home-made bread, and fancy roasts and stews, while praying. He was a bit of a Brother Lawrence. An old man came up to him, caressed him simultaneously on each cheek, and said, “Oh, what a happy face!”
I smiled. Off the hook.
And here am I. How’s Roy doing?
Irene and I. Notice the secret of Irene’s happiness in her fat little paw!

 

Filed Under: In which I explore the Spiritual Life Tagged With: Bill McCartney, Billy Graham, Bob Pierce, Promise Keepers, Ruth Bell Graham

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Recent Posts

  • Change your Life by Changing your Thinking
  • Do Not Be Afraid–But Be as Wise as a Serpent
  • Our Failures are the Cracks through which God’s Light Enters
  • The Whole Earth is Full of God’s Glory
  • Mindfulness is Remembering the Presence of Christ with Us
  • “Rosaries at the Grotto” A Chapter from my newly-published memoir, “Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India.”
  • An Infallible Secret of Joy
  • Thoughts on Writing my Just-published Memoir, & the Prologue to “Rosaries, Reading, Secrets”
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From my meditation on being as wise as a serpent h From my meditation on being as wise as a serpent https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/13/do-not-be-afraid-but-be-wise-as-a-serpent/
What is the wisdom Jesus recommends?
We go out as sheep among wolves,Christ says.
And, he adds, dangerously some wolves are dressed like sheep. 
They seem respectable-busy charity volunteers, Church people.
Oh, the noblest sentiments in the noblest words,
But they drain you of money, energy, time, your lifeblood. 
How then could a sheep, the most defenceless creature on earth,
Possibly be safe, among wolves,
Particularly wolves disguised in sheep’s clothing?
A sheep among wolves can be safe 
If it keeps its eyes on its Shepherd, and listens to him.
Check in with your instincts, and pay attention to them, 
for they can be God’s Spirit within you, warning you. 
Then Jesus warns his disciples, those sheep among wolves.
Be as wise, as phronimos as a serpent. 
The koine Greek word phronimos
means shrewd, sensible, cautious, prudent.
These traits don’t come naturally to me.
But if Christ commands that we be as wise as a serpent,
His Spirit will empower us to be so.
A serpent is a carnivorous reptile, 
But animals, birds and frogs are not easily caught.
So, the snake wastes no energy in bluster or self-promotion.
It does not boast of its plans; it does not show-off.
It is a creature of singular purpose, deliberate, slow-moving
For much of its life, it rests, camouflaged,
soaking in the sun, waiting and planning.
It’s patient, almost invisible, until the time is right
And then, it acts swiftly and decisively.
The wisdom of the snake then is in waiting
For the right time. It conserves energy,
Is warmed by the sun, watches, assesses, 
and when the time is right, it moves swiftly
And very effectively. 
However, as always, Jesus balances his advice:
Be as wise as a serpent, yes, but also as blameless 
akeraios  as a dove. As pure, as guileless, as good. 
Be wise, but not only to provide for yourself and family
But, also, to fulfil your calling in the world,
The one task God has given you, and no one else
Which you alone, and no one else, can do, 
And which God will increasingly reveal to you,
as you wait and ask.
Hi Friends, Here's a meditation is on the differen Hi Friends, Here's a meditation is on the difference between fear and prudence. It looks at Jesus's advice to be as wise as a serpent, but as blameless as dove. Wise as a serpent... because we go out as sheep among wolves... and among wolves disguised in sheep's clothing.
A meditation on what the wisdom of the snake is... wisdom I wish I had learned earlier, though it's never too late.
Subscribe on Apple podcasts, or on my blog, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's widely available. Thanks
https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/13/do-not-be-afraid-but-be-wise-as-a-serpent/
Once she was a baby girl. And now, she has, today, Once she was a baby girl. And now, she has, today, been offered her first job as a junior doctor. Delighted that our daughter, Irene, will be working in Oxford for the next two Foundation years. Oxford University Hospitals include the John Radcliffe Hospital, and the Churchill Hospital, both excellent.
But first she’s leaving to work at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto for two months for her elective. 
Congratulations, Irene! And God bless you!
https:/ Images from a winter in Oxford—my belove https:/ Images from a winter in Oxford—my beloved book group, walks near Christ Church, and Iffley, and a favourite tree, down the country lane, about two minutes from my house. I love photographing it in all weathers. 
And I've written a new meditation--ah, and a deeply personal one. This one is a meditation on how our failures provide a landing spot for God's power and love to find us. They are the cracks through which the light gets in. Without our failures, we wouldn't know we needed God--and so would miss out on something much greater than success!!
It's just 6 minutes, if you'd like to listen...and as always, there's a full transcript if you'd like to read it. Thank you for the kind feedback on the meditations I've shared already.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/03/03/our-failures-are-the-cracks-through-which-gods-light-enters/
So last lot of photos from our break in Majorca. F So last lot of photos from our break in Majorca. First image in a stalagmite and stalactite cave through which an undergroun river wended—but one with no trace of Gollum.
It’s definitely spring here… and our garden is a mixture of daffodils, crocus and hellebores.
And here I’ve recorded a short 5 minute meditation on lifting our spirits and practising gratitude by noticing that the whole world is full of God’s glory. Do listen.
https://anitamathias.com/2023/02/24/the-whole-earth-is-full-of-gods-glory/
Our family was in Majorca for 9 sunny days, and he Our family was in Majorca for 9 sunny days, and here are some pictures.
Also, I have started a meditation podcast, Christian meditation with Anita Mathias. Have a listen. https://anitamathias.com/2023/02/20/mindfulness-is-remembering-the-presence-of-christ-with-us/
Feedback welcome!
If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of th If you'll forgive me for adding to the noise of the world on Black Friday, my memoir ,Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India, is on sale on Kindle all over the world for a few days. 
Carolyn Weber (who has written "Surprised by Oxford," an amazing memoir about coming to faith in Oxford https://amzn.to/3XyIftO )  has written a lovely endorsement of my memoir:
"Joining intelligent winsomeness with an engaging style, Anita Mathias writes with keen observation, lively insight and hard earned wisdom about navigating the life of thoughtful faith in a world of cultural complexities. Her story bears witness to how God wastes nothing and redeems all. Her words sing of a spirit strong in courage, compassion and a pervasive dedication to the adventure of life. As a reader, I have been challenged and changed by her beautifully told and powerful story - so will you."
The memoir is available on sale on Amazon.co.uk at https://amzn.to/3u0Ib8o and on Amazon.com at https://amzn.to/3u0IBvu and is reduced on the other Amazon sites too.
Thank you, and please let me know if you read and enjoy it!! #memoir #indianchildhood #india
Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping! So i Second birthday party. Determinedly escaping!
So it’s a beautiful November here in Oxford, and the trees are blazing. We will soon be celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary…and are hoping for at least 33 more!! 
And here’s a chapter from my memoir of growing up Catholic in India… rosaries at the grotto, potlucks, the Catholic Family Movement, American missionary Jesuits, Mangaloreans, Goans, and food, food food…
https://anitamathias.com/2022/11/07/rosaries-at-the-grotto-a-chapter-from-my-newly-published-memoir-rosaries-reading-steel-a-catholic-childhood-in-india/
Available on Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3Apjt5r and on Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3gcVboa and wherever Amazon sells books, as well as at most online retailers.
#birthdayparty #memoir #jamshedpur #India #rosariesreadingsecrets
Friends, it’s been a while since I blogged, but Friends, it’s been a while since I blogged, but it’s time to resume, and so I have. Here’s a blog on an absolutely infallible secret of joy, https://anitamathias.com/2022/10/28/an-infallible-secret-of-joy/
Jenny Lewis, whose Gilgamesh Retold https://amzn.to/3zsYfCX is an amazing new translation of the epic, has kindly endorsed my memoir. She writes, “With Rosaries, Reading and Secrets, Anita Mathias invites us into a totally absorbing world of past and present marvels. She is a natural and gifted storyteller who weaves history and biography together in a magical mix. Erudite and literary, generously laced with poetic and literary references and Dickensian levels of observation and detail, Rosaries is alive with glowing, vivid details, bringing to life an era and culture that is unforgettable. A beautifully written, important and addictive book.”
I would, of course, be delighted if you read it. Amazon.co.uk https://amzn.to/3gThsr4 and Amazon.com https://amzn.to/3WdCBwk #joy #amwriting #amblogging #icecreamjoy
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