Gifts to give
1 Peter 4v10
‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”
I shared this verse with my team on Sunday night
We’re all wired up so differently and each have our own gift from God
Using these talents to serve others which in our case Sunday night is children
It’s amazing the different skills and abilities we each bring to the plate,
Together, everyone playing their part the ‘whole’ is SO MUCH better
I’m not a very good small details person, another thrives on them
There’s the creative who sit and make things with the children
The vibrant team member who brings life just being present
Some are nurturing, giving children care when they’re hurt or upset
And so on…together a great team!
Outside Sunday too-remembering to use my gifts, to serve and bless others.
What gifts do you have?
For some it may be the gift of time, another encouraging words...others amazing talent and skill that could potentially knock the socks off someone’s world!!!
‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”
I shared this verse with my team on Sunday night
We’re all wired up so differently and each have our own gift from God
Using these talents to serve others which in our case Sunday night is children
It’s amazing the different skills and abilities we each bring to the plate,
Together, everyone playing their part the ‘whole’ is SO MUCH better
I’m not a very good small details person, another thrives on them
There’s the creative who sit and make things with the children
The vibrant team member who brings life just being present
Some are nurturing, giving children care when they’re hurt or upset
And so on…together a great team!
Outside Sunday too-remembering to use my gifts, to serve and bless others.
What gifts do you have?
For some it may be the gift of time, another encouraging words...others amazing talent and skill that could potentially knock the socks off someone’s world!!!
Labels: good book
My heart, My life.
I have bags full of journals dating back to about 15 years old. BP flicked through them once joking that I sound like ‘Anne of Green Gables’. (He wouldn’t get rid of them though when I suggested doing so during our last move) These ‘book’s have become an extension of times aside where I’ve reflected, prayed and recorded verses and my thoughts surrounding them at that time.
A snippet from pages and pages…
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”-Proverbs 4v23
“Above all else” the importance and priority of guarding the heart
Protecting my heart and determining what i allow in
Everything I do flows from my heart
My life like a river streams from within
Are the waters sparkling clear and alive
Or murky and clouded with pain
What’s in my heart will be seen in the way I live
“As water reflects the face, so ones life reflects the heart”-Proverbs 27v19
What do I want life to look like?
It begins in my heart.
A snippet from pages and pages…
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”-Proverbs 4v23
“Above all else” the importance and priority of guarding the heart
Protecting my heart and determining what i allow in
Everything I do flows from my heart
My life like a river streams from within
Are the waters sparkling clear and alive
Or murky and clouded with pain
What’s in my heart will be seen in the way I live
“As water reflects the face, so ones life reflects the heart”-Proverbs 27v19
What do I want life to look like?
It begins in my heart.
Labels: good book
TrueJoy
Happiness is based on 'Happenings'... joy comes from within"In His presence there is fullness of joy" Psalm 16:11
Even on life's roughest roads joy is found in the knowledge of Him
It kind of wells up and bubbles inside, bursting out as a smile
And nothing; no person or situation can take such joy away!
"Though the fig tree may not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labour of the olive tree may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls-
Yet i will rejoice in the Lord, i will joy in the God of my salvation"
Habakuk 3:17&18
(The canvas above and others like it atVividshop)
Labels: good book
Stealing his heart
Song of Songs 4 v 9: “…you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes…”
This has been my favourite little verse over the last couple of weeks…stealing the heart of God as I direct my gaze toward Him. Sometimes I’ve just stopped and starred heavenward, feeling His delight.
This has been my favourite little verse over the last couple of weeks…stealing the heart of God as I direct my gaze toward Him. Sometimes I’ve just stopped and starred heavenward, feeling His delight.
Labels: good book
A Praying mum
I am super-incredibly blessed to have AMAZING+++++++++ parents. Both mum and dad have prayed (and continue to) for my brothers and I since we were little little. Even now in adulthood (Shux I still feel like a kid!) when hitting the odd rough spot here and there have felt carried in prayer as they’ve stepped in and prayed for me. I only hope I can follow their wonderful example and pray for the 4 little lives that have been placed in our care
I’ve heard stories of mums who have laid prostrate on their rebellious teenager’s bed and cried out on their behalf, of another mum sitting bolt upright in bed compelled to pray for her daughter’s safety, who was involved in a near fatal accident at that exact time. The power of a praying mum…
My mother prayed scripture over our lives:
Isaiah 44 verses 3-4; “I will pour my spirit on your offspring and blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams” saying; “I belong to the Lord”
Isaiah 54 verse 13; “All your children will be taught by the Lord and great will be their peace”
When pregnant with no. 1 and then no.2 I asked God and sought out verses especially to pray for each of them from the womb. Babies 3 and 4… I must have been too tired and forgot!!! Challenged as writing to do the same for them!
I’ve heard stories of mums who have laid prostrate on their rebellious teenager’s bed and cried out on their behalf, of another mum sitting bolt upright in bed compelled to pray for her daughter’s safety, who was involved in a near fatal accident at that exact time. The power of a praying mum…
My mother prayed scripture over our lives:
Isaiah 44 verses 3-4; “I will pour my spirit on your offspring and blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams” saying; “I belong to the Lord”
Isaiah 54 verse 13; “All your children will be taught by the Lord and great will be their peace”
When pregnant with no. 1 and then no.2 I asked God and sought out verses especially to pray for each of them from the womb. Babies 3 and 4… I must have been too tired and forgot!!! Challenged as writing to do the same for them!
Labels: good book
A readiness to give
WOW a friend emailed me with this verse;
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor 9v10)
Which is awesome because at the beginning of the year I asked God to give me a verse for 2007, this the exact one that stood out. The words she highlighted those that have helped frame my thinking and stirred me to action…
Scribbled in my journal- “A God-given ability to be generous on every occasion…in everyday life and situations; “What can I bring to the table? What can I give? How can I be generous?”
AND amazingly as the verse puts, the supply has not run dry. As I’ve given of the little I have, the more I’ve found in my purse (And BPs!!!) to keep giving… and in increasing measure.
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Cor 9v10)
Which is awesome because at the beginning of the year I asked God to give me a verse for 2007, this the exact one that stood out. The words she highlighted those that have helped frame my thinking and stirred me to action…
Scribbled in my journal- “A God-given ability to be generous on every occasion…in everyday life and situations; “What can I bring to the table? What can I give? How can I be generous?”
AND amazingly as the verse puts, the supply has not run dry. As I’ve given of the little I have, the more I’ve found in my purse (And BPs!!!) to keep giving… and in increasing measure.
Labels: good book
Wow God
Psalm 63v5: “…with singing lips my mouth will praise you”
Sunday night at church…
Levi: “Why do you sing lots of songs at big church?”
Me: “Because we're praising God”
Levi: “GOD MUST SAY “WOW”
Zephaniah 3v17: The Lord your God "will take great delight in you" and "rejoice over you with singing"
Sunday night at church…
Levi: “Why do you sing lots of songs at big church?”
Me: “Because we're praising God”
Levi: “GOD MUST SAY “WOW”
Zephaniah 3v17: The Lord your God "will take great delight in you" and "rejoice over you with singing"
Labels: good book
On the 11th…
There are 31 Chapters in Proverbs…meaning one for the reading each day of the month!
Jotted down thoughts from Proverbs 11 TODAY:
Those who are kind and generous will:
Gain honour
Benefit themselves
Reap a sure reward
Gain even more
Prosper
Be refreshed themselves
Thrive!
Jotted down thoughts from Proverbs 11 TODAY:
Those who are kind and generous will:
Gain honour
Benefit themselves
Reap a sure reward
Gain even more
Prosper
Be refreshed themselves
Thrive!
Labels: good book
No need to worry
Psalm 103v2 “ Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases”
6 months prior to seeing the doctor I hadn’t been feeling 100%, not bad, but not completely well either. Tests were coming back abnormal, a lump discovered and symptoms present…The day this all became obvious and the doctor referred me onto a specialist, my mind immediately jumping to the worst case scenario; “I’m dying!’ I EVEN picked BP a new wife who I thought would make a nice mum for our kids (He didn’t agree!) A Friday, that night we went to Connect group, and when i shared in brief the bad report received, the group prayed for me. After over-dramatising the situation earlier, I left that night with total peace. And honestly didn’t worry once between then and the specialist appointment a week and half later.
I stood up at church when they prayed for those who needed healing and was surprised to feel and unreal tightening and something happen internally……
AND the diagnosis when my appointment with the specialist arrived… THIS TIME the tests came back fine, the lump not a worry…and the pronouncement good!
Perhaps a coincidence? Unmistakable to me though, the shift to incredible peace felt, and tightening sensation within. Can’t talk that away.
6 months prior to seeing the doctor I hadn’t been feeling 100%, not bad, but not completely well either. Tests were coming back abnormal, a lump discovered and symptoms present…The day this all became obvious and the doctor referred me onto a specialist, my mind immediately jumping to the worst case scenario; “I’m dying!’ I EVEN picked BP a new wife who I thought would make a nice mum for our kids (He didn’t agree!) A Friday, that night we went to Connect group, and when i shared in brief the bad report received, the group prayed for me. After over-dramatising the situation earlier, I left that night with total peace. And honestly didn’t worry once between then and the specialist appointment a week and half later.
I stood up at church when they prayed for those who needed healing and was surprised to feel and unreal tightening and something happen internally……
AND the diagnosis when my appointment with the specialist arrived… THIS TIME the tests came back fine, the lump not a worry…and the pronouncement good!
Perhaps a coincidence? Unmistakable to me though, the shift to incredible peace felt, and tightening sensation within. Can’t talk that away.
Labels: good book
How great is our God
The following excerpt from Holly Wagner’s Book “When it pours He reigns”:
“So you think your problems are pretty big? How big are they?
Ever seen photos of whales, the really big ones? I once saw a photo of a whale with a human next to it-just to give perspective on the whales actual size If you saw that photo you might think, Those whales are really big
Well they aren’t really that that big when you compare them to the size of a mountain. If you put 100 whales in a large container to make up the size of Mount Everest you would have to fill about one million of those containers. …Wow Mountains are really big aren’t they
Well…they aren’t really that big when you compare them to our planet. When you see a satellite photo of earth taken from outer space, the highest mountains look like a speck of sand. You might think our planet is really big isn’t it
Well…it isn’t if you compare it say to the sun. It would take about one million planet earths to match the size of the sun. That’s amazing. The sun is really big isn’t it
Well…it isn’t that big if you compare it to some of the stars in the galaxy. One of the stars in the galaxy is so enormous that it take fifty million of our sun to match its size. Now that’s a very big star.
Well not really if you consider that this is one star in a galaxy in which there are billions of stars. All righty then. The galaxy is massive, isn’t it
Well…not really, because there are billions of galaxies. There are enough galaxies out there that every human on earth could have at least 4 of them. Whew!
So the universe must be pretty big then. And to think that our God created it with the words “Let there be stars and galaxies”
Okay how big is your problem? Is it really too big for God?”
“So you think your problems are pretty big? How big are they?
Ever seen photos of whales, the really big ones? I once saw a photo of a whale with a human next to it-just to give perspective on the whales actual size If you saw that photo you might think, Those whales are really big
Well they aren’t really that that big when you compare them to the size of a mountain. If you put 100 whales in a large container to make up the size of Mount Everest you would have to fill about one million of those containers. …Wow Mountains are really big aren’t they
Well…they aren’t really that big when you compare them to our planet. When you see a satellite photo of earth taken from outer space, the highest mountains look like a speck of sand. You might think our planet is really big isn’t it
Well…it isn’t if you compare it say to the sun. It would take about one million planet earths to match the size of the sun. That’s amazing. The sun is really big isn’t it
Well…it isn’t that big if you compare it to some of the stars in the galaxy. One of the stars in the galaxy is so enormous that it take fifty million of our sun to match its size. Now that’s a very big star.
Well not really if you consider that this is one star in a galaxy in which there are billions of stars. All righty then. The galaxy is massive, isn’t it
Well…not really, because there are billions of galaxies. There are enough galaxies out there that every human on earth could have at least 4 of them. Whew!
So the universe must be pretty big then. And to think that our God created it with the words “Let there be stars and galaxies”
Okay how big is your problem? Is it really too big for God?”
Labels: good book
Amazing Grace
Come 9:30 tonight BP and I will be on the couch watching Prison Break… its finally up to where we left off when in NZ…Always glad to have a series we eagerly follow.
Last Wednesday’s episode; The grace extended to Sucre by an old man he met on the bus, a spin-off of that shown Valjean by the kindly priest in Les Misérables
In both stories the men are taken in, given a meal and bed to sleep by the kind old man. When evening falls and the man retires, Valjean steeling the silverware from the cupboard,Sucre the man’s Volkswagen car …
Valjean and Sucre both later caught and returned to old man, where the miracle happens:
–In Les Misérables the bishop tells the police to let Valjean go and that he gave him the silver, insisting on giving him the silver candlesticks as well
-Prison Break;The old man tells the police that he is glad they found Sucre, as he forgot to give him gas money. The police let him go, the old man saying to Sucre to "find your girl, then find grace".
Amazing ‘Grace’ and have personally found it in even greater measure
G.R.A.C.E in the form of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
Roman’s 5v2 “…through our Lord Jesus Christ we have gained access by faith into his grace”
ACCESS: Cool, like a years pass to a favourite theme park, we have lifetime+ access to the riches of God because of what Jesus has done for us…Access into his presence, His joy, His love, freedom, help, comfort, peace, hope and a future….and SO much more
Ephesians 2v7 “…the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus, v8 “not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”
A GIFT: Like the grace Val jean and Sucre experienced, totally undeserved, given in kindness to us. Just need receive it!
Last Wednesday’s episode; The grace extended to Sucre by an old man he met on the bus, a spin-off of that shown Valjean by the kindly priest in Les Misérables
In both stories the men are taken in, given a meal and bed to sleep by the kind old man. When evening falls and the man retires, Valjean steeling the silverware from the cupboard,Sucre the man’s Volkswagen car …
Valjean and Sucre both later caught and returned to old man, where the miracle happens:
–In Les Misérables the bishop tells the police to let Valjean go and that he gave him the silver, insisting on giving him the silver candlesticks as well
-Prison Break;The old man tells the police that he is glad they found Sucre, as he forgot to give him gas money. The police let him go, the old man saying to Sucre to "find your girl, then find grace".
Amazing ‘Grace’ and have personally found it in even greater measure
G.R.A.C.E in the form of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
Roman’s 5v2 “…through our Lord Jesus Christ we have gained access by faith into his grace”
ACCESS: Cool, like a years pass to a favourite theme park, we have lifetime+ access to the riches of God because of what Jesus has done for us…Access into his presence, His joy, His love, freedom, help, comfort, peace, hope and a future….and SO much more
Ephesians 2v7 “…the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus, v8 “not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”
A GIFT: Like the grace Val jean and Sucre experienced, totally undeserved, given in kindness to us. Just need receive it!
Labels: good book
Dinner with royality
Psalm 113v7:“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and seats them with princes”
Love that! At ‘Colour’ Marilyn Skinner shared how the orphans they literally picked out of the dust, were invited to dine with royalty in England. All her little Watoto children she said, sitting around the table with Lords and Ladies.
She had trained them after receiving a meal to stand up a sing a blessing over those who had extended hospitality.
When the meal was over these little kids whose lives have been rescued therefore stood and sang;” The Lord bless you, the Lord keep you the Lord make his face shine on you…”
Tears streaming down the faces of those gathered as they did.
Beautiful.
Love that! At ‘Colour’ Marilyn Skinner shared how the orphans they literally picked out of the dust, were invited to dine with royalty in England. All her little Watoto children she said, sitting around the table with Lords and Ladies.
She had trained them after receiving a meal to stand up a sing a blessing over those who had extended hospitality.
When the meal was over these little kids whose lives have been rescued therefore stood and sang;” The Lord bless you, the Lord keep you the Lord make his face shine on you…”
Tears streaming down the faces of those gathered as they did.
Beautiful.
Labels: good book
“…care about justice for the poor”
(Proverbs 29v7)
GIVING TO THE POOR
Honours God; “Whoever is kind to needy honours God” (Proverbs 14v 30)
You will not be in want; “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing”-Proverbs 28v27
Lends to the Lord; “Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord and he will repay them for what they have done”-Proverbs 19v17
Give of your bread; “The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the poor” (Prov 22v9) “Share your food with the hungry” (Isaiah 58 v 7)
Don’t harden your heart; “If anyone is poor…do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need
God will bless what you put your hand to: “…give generously…and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” (Deut 15v10)
Having just watched ‘Invisible Children’ again, (arrived less than a week after ordering it from America), am convinced from where I sit in comfort with all I could want or hope for…that I am blessed to BE a blessing… that as Brooke Fraser
sings in her song Albertine; “Now that I have seen I AM RESPONSIBLE, faith without deeds is dead Now that I have held you In my own arms I cannot let go till you are...”
This week we decided to eat cereal once a week for dinner, giving the money we could have potentially spent on that meal towards the house for orphans we want see built in Uganda. After tucking into our cereal, today we received an unexpected $50 in the mail and a note “Have a family ice-cream and coffee break on me” Such cool proof for our children that you just can’t out give God Thanks Ray!
More on what we’re doing to build the house and how you can help to follow…
GIVING TO THE POOR
Honours God; “Whoever is kind to needy honours God” (Proverbs 14v 30)
You will not be in want; “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing”-Proverbs 28v27
Lends to the Lord; “Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord and he will repay them for what they have done”-Proverbs 19v17
Give of your bread; “The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the poor” (Prov 22v9) “Share your food with the hungry” (Isaiah 58 v 7)
Don’t harden your heart; “If anyone is poor…do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need
God will bless what you put your hand to: “…give generously…and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” (Deut 15v10)
Having just watched ‘Invisible Children’ again, (arrived less than a week after ordering it from America), am convinced from where I sit in comfort with all I could want or hope for…that I am blessed to BE a blessing… that as Brooke Fraser
sings in her song Albertine; “Now that I have seen I AM RESPONSIBLE, faith without deeds is dead Now that I have held you In my own arms I cannot let go till you are...”This week we decided to eat cereal once a week for dinner, giving the money we could have potentially spent on that meal towards the house for orphans we want see built in Uganda. After tucking into our cereal, today we received an unexpected $50 in the mail and a note “Have a family ice-cream and coffee break on me” Such cool proof for our children that you just can’t out give God Thanks Ray!
More on what we’re doing to build the house and how you can help to follow…
Labels: good book
Talk about persistance!
O my! This has been my 3 year old for the past half hour:
“I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea…. X’s a zillion!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s been persisting in his demands like this for over a week now…being no.4 I don’t know if we’ve given in to him too much…or what?!
The other week at Hillsong Women Lucinda Dooley spoke the most inspiring message I’ve heard all year. During which she shared as I have, of how her children will ask repeatedly; “Mum can I’ve a biscuit, can I’ve a biscuit mum, mum can I’ve a biscuit… until exasperated, Lucinda reaches the point where she’s like; “Here have a biscuit, have the whole packet, look here’s another packet, want some lollies too…just to shut them up!
Lucinda related this illustration to a parable Jesus told about the persistent widow who KEPT COMING before a judge, PLEADING with him to give her justice against her adversary. For a time he refused. But finally says to himself ; “Because this widow keeps bothering me I will see she gets justice…”(v4)
Jesus using this parable to show his disciples they should always pray and NOT GIVE UP
I thought of this as he harped on and on next to me, realising yeah there’s things in my life I need keep at….persisting with God for!
(v7)“And will not God bring about justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice and quickly..."
P.S. My little boy eating morning –tea as we speak!
“I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea, I want morning-tea…. X’s a zillion!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s been persisting in his demands like this for over a week now…being no.4 I don’t know if we’ve given in to him too much…or what?!
The other week at Hillsong Women Lucinda Dooley spoke the most inspiring message I’ve heard all year. During which she shared as I have, of how her children will ask repeatedly; “Mum can I’ve a biscuit, can I’ve a biscuit mum, mum can I’ve a biscuit… until exasperated, Lucinda reaches the point where she’s like; “Here have a biscuit, have the whole packet, look here’s another packet, want some lollies too…just to shut them up!
Lucinda related this illustration to a parable Jesus told about the persistent widow who KEPT COMING before a judge, PLEADING with him to give her justice against her adversary. For a time he refused. But finally says to himself ; “Because this widow keeps bothering me I will see she gets justice…”(v4)
Jesus using this parable to show his disciples they should always pray and NOT GIVE UP
I thought of this as he harped on and on next to me, realising yeah there’s things in my life I need keep at….persisting with God for!
(v7)“And will not God bring about justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice and quickly..."
P.S. My little boy eating morning –tea as we speak!
Labels: good book
Look at that which is constant: Gods love for you!
1 John 4 v 16; “We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.
Ephesians 3 v 18 “May you have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to KNOW this love that surpasses knowledge-“
Joseph Prince told of a day in the navy when it got rough at sea and a group of them were keeled over sick. The Captain came over and pointed their gaze to a dry piece of land in the distance and by focusing their eyes on that which was constant they soon all felt better
A constant in my life is God’s love for me.
In the past when life has got rocky and I felt down under it all…I’ve been able to lift my eyes and focus on His love for me, and find my feet again
Ephesians 3 v 18 “May you have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to KNOW this love that surpasses knowledge-“
Joseph Prince told of a day in the navy when it got rough at sea and a group of them were keeled over sick. The Captain came over and pointed their gaze to a dry piece of land in the distance and by focusing their eyes on that which was constant they soon all felt better
A constant in my life is God’s love for me.
In the past when life has got rocky and I felt down under it all…I’ve been able to lift my eyes and focus on His love for me, and find my feet again
Labels: good book
Joshua 24v15:
“Choose you this day who you will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord”
As for me and my house...
BP: After a fairly turbulent upbringing and lots of mischief, BP escaped from Hastings up to Auckland when he was 18. As he was staying free of board at his older sisters house he felt obligated to attend church (my church!) when she asked.
BP continued to go each Sunday and a few months down the track decided the God thing was for him!
Me: I can still remember as a 5 year old girl my father telling me of Jesus and then and there determining I wanted Him in my life. A choice I consider far and away, the best one I have ever made
MissE: September 25th 2002… as a five year old little girl she suddenly leapt from her seat and ran to the front of church as the preacher asked if there was anyone there who wanted to become a Christian (Follower of Christ). Five years on she still so loves and stands up for Him
J: Cruising down the motorway Jamin began asking question after question about Jesus…deciding He was cool and choosing to make Him a real part of his life.
Resolved in the decision he made, most nights sitting in bed reading his bible before he goes off to sleep
Our 4 year old: MissE unable to contain the joy of knowing Jesus implored her little brother that he just had to experience it too! He was in with a grin, now often found playing his guitar and singing his own made up songs to God
Our youngest: Recently turned 3 and absolutely loves going to church; singing the songs he hears there at the top of his lungs. Regularly offers to say grace or pray too with a mumbled “Gabbbllle, gabbbble gabbbler la-la-la”, and enthusiastic; “A- men!”
As for me and my house...
BP: After a fairly turbulent upbringing and lots of mischief, BP escaped from Hastings up to Auckland when he was 18. As he was staying free of board at his older sisters house he felt obligated to attend church (my church!) when she asked.
BP continued to go each Sunday and a few months down the track decided the God thing was for him!
Me: I can still remember as a 5 year old girl my father telling me of Jesus and then and there determining I wanted Him in my life. A choice I consider far and away, the best one I have ever made
MissE: September 25th 2002… as a five year old little girl she suddenly leapt from her seat and ran to the front of church as the preacher asked if there was anyone there who wanted to become a Christian (Follower of Christ). Five years on she still so loves and stands up for Him
J: Cruising down the motorway Jamin began asking question after question about Jesus…deciding He was cool and choosing to make Him a real part of his life.
Resolved in the decision he made, most nights sitting in bed reading his bible before he goes off to sleep
Our 4 year old: MissE unable to contain the joy of knowing Jesus implored her little brother that he just had to experience it too! He was in with a grin, now often found playing his guitar and singing his own made up songs to God
Our youngest: Recently turned 3 and absolutely loves going to church; singing the songs he hears there at the top of his lungs. Regularly offers to say grace or pray too with a mumbled “Gabbbllle, gabbbble gabbbler la-la-la”, and enthusiastic; “A- men!”
Labels: The Good Book
Let's eat
Finished my book yesterday as the boys played at the park
In need of some motivation to get back on track after much holiday feasting, and not a lot of exercise read: ’12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now’ by Joyce Meyer
A Bible teacher she writes;
“After God created Adam and Eve, He gave them some very simple dining instructions.
"You may freely eat of every tree in the garden" (Genesis 2:16)
Did He say “You may eat of every Krispy Kreme on the street…. chip in the bag? No.God told Adam and Eve to eat from the garden, and we’d do well to stick to His advise….
…the very simple truths of healthy eating: eat foods the come from God, in as close a state as possible to how He made them”
Joyce goes on to say:
“That’s why so many diets fail. They are all about restrictions. And the human spirit is designed for freedom….YOU ARE FREE TO EAT!
…joyful,easy guilt-free routine of freely eating the good foods God has put on earth for you”
In need of some motivation to get back on track after much holiday feasting, and not a lot of exercise read: ’12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now’ by Joyce Meyer
A Bible teacher she writes;
“After God created Adam and Eve, He gave them some very simple dining instructions.
"You may freely eat of every tree in the garden" (Genesis 2:16)
Did He say “You may eat of every Krispy Kreme on the street…. chip in the bag? No.God told Adam and Eve to eat from the garden, and we’d do well to stick to His advise….
…the very simple truths of healthy eating: eat foods the come from God, in as close a state as possible to how He made them”
Joyce goes on to say:
“That’s why so many diets fail. They are all about restrictions. And the human spirit is designed for freedom….YOU ARE FREE TO EAT!
…joyful,easy guilt-free routine of freely eating the good foods God has put on earth for you”
Labels: good book
Decisions, decisions...
Psalm 31v14
“But I trust in you Lord
I say; You are my God,
My times are in your hands”
So weird, well not really… being here in NZ feels like home, but so too now Australia!
In the last year i have often had a muddle of thoughts as to the purpose of us now being In Australia??! Its not that I’m unhappy, in fact I love our life in Australia…. suppose more a nesting instinct and desire to put down roots and continue establishing our life, home family… and wanting to know where???!
Harder decision now too for BP, with a successful business he has literally laboured hard to get going… returning meaning starting all over again
Even got as far as thinking, if we don’t decide one way or the other soon, the older our kids get, the harder to leave as they become deeper and deeper entrenched in Australian soil
Over the last weeks or two though, I’ve come to a greater place of peace as I determined to simply trust God with the direction of our future…
Flicked through my notes of church messages, the timely wisdom resounding; “When you draw from God you will end up at the right place at the right time…draw from him and everything will fall in its right place”
That’s it! …Looking to Him, instead of trying to find a way in the confusion of my mind. I know as I make Him my focus giving the weight of it over, He will cause the lines to fall for my family and i in pleasant places
So relax Rebecca (Talking to myself!), and on NEAR entrance to 2007 allow Him to set the scene and path the way… trusting in His goodness and FANTASTIC plan for my life!
“But I trust in you Lord
I say; You are my God,
My times are in your hands”
So weird, well not really… being here in NZ feels like home, but so too now Australia!
In the last year i have often had a muddle of thoughts as to the purpose of us now being In Australia??! Its not that I’m unhappy, in fact I love our life in Australia…. suppose more a nesting instinct and desire to put down roots and continue establishing our life, home family… and wanting to know where???!
Harder decision now too for BP, with a successful business he has literally laboured hard to get going… returning meaning starting all over again
Even got as far as thinking, if we don’t decide one way or the other soon, the older our kids get, the harder to leave as they become deeper and deeper entrenched in Australian soil
Over the last weeks or two though, I’ve come to a greater place of peace as I determined to simply trust God with the direction of our future…
Flicked through my notes of church messages, the timely wisdom resounding; “When you draw from God you will end up at the right place at the right time…draw from him and everything will fall in its right place”
That’s it! …Looking to Him, instead of trying to find a way in the confusion of my mind. I know as I make Him my focus giving the weight of it over, He will cause the lines to fall for my family and i in pleasant places
So relax Rebecca (Talking to myself!), and on NEAR entrance to 2007 allow Him to set the scene and path the way… trusting in His goodness and FANTASTIC plan for my life!
Labels: good book
Dirty heart made clean
Woke and walked into the lounge to discover our 4 year old at the table with a cut out heart and cup full of dirt.
He showed me he had coloured one side red and was now in the process of painting the other with the dirt come mud! Telling me;
The dirty side is all the bad stuff we’ve done,
The red is Jesus’ blood which covers our sin and makes us clean
From the mouth of babes!
And a bible truth too that:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1v9
Labels: good book
Perfect gifts!
James 1 v 17; “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights”
A recent story my friend emailed:
“Alana and I have enjoyed reading "Madeline" (the original story book) at bedtime in recent months and she now knows all the words off by heart.
One night as we reached the end of the story I discovered a list of other "Madeline" stories by the same author. "Wow!” I told Alana, "there are other Madeline stories!”
Wouldn't it be great to have these?!!
Yes indeed - we both agreed - what a delight that would be!
Well about 4 days later, we were looking through the children's book section at our local op shop, completely unplanned and on that day, the furthermost thought from my mind was the Madeline books. We were just browsing, and Alana had "happened" to want to get a book, so I said ok. She kept picking books I didn't like the look of... "nah - not that one", I'd say. Then, quite by accident (so it would seem) I looked up at some books on the next shelf up, (not the children's section) - there were two large children's books stuffed into wrong place. So I picked them off the shelf to move them to the children's shelf and underneath them were four smaller books. As I turned them over I couldn't believe my eyes! (Of course you have guessed!) The entire set of the Madeline series in small, hard cover.
How wonderful! How glorious!!
We hadn't even thought to pray and ask God for these books, but He had planned it anyway!
The timing was no co-incidence, we had only just found out about the other Madeline books and God knew we wanted them. And so He chose to simply bless us with them and in so doing - remind us of how concerned He is with us and how much He loves us!! I was totally
blown away. He truly knows our hearts and our thoughts!
Alana and I are thrilled with our new bedtime stories!!
Alana - pleased as punch with our treasure! (At only 50c a book!!)
A recent story my friend emailed:
“Alana and I have enjoyed reading "Madeline" (the original story book) at bedtime in recent months and she now knows all the words off by heart.
One night as we reached the end of the story I discovered a list of other "Madeline" stories by the same author. "Wow!” I told Alana, "there are other Madeline stories!”
Wouldn't it be great to have these?!!
Yes indeed - we both agreed - what a delight that would be!
Well about 4 days later, we were looking through the children's book section at our local op shop, completely unplanned and on that day, the furthermost thought from my mind was the Madeline books. We were just browsing, and Alana had "happened" to want to get a book, so I said ok. She kept picking books I didn't like the look of... "nah - not that one", I'd say. Then, quite by accident (so it would seem) I looked up at some books on the next shelf up, (not the children's section) - there were two large children's books stuffed into wrong place. So I picked them off the shelf to move them to the children's shelf and underneath them were four smaller books. As I turned them over I couldn't believe my eyes! (Of course you have guessed!) The entire set of the Madeline series in small, hard cover.
How wonderful! How glorious!!
We hadn't even thought to pray and ask God for these books, but He had planned it anyway!
The timing was no co-incidence, we had only just found out about the other Madeline books and God knew we wanted them. And so He chose to simply bless us with them and in so doing - remind us of how concerned He is with us and how much He loves us!! I was totally
blown away. He truly knows our hearts and our thoughts!
Alana and I are thrilled with our new bedtime stories!!
Alana - pleased as punch with our treasure! (At only 50c a book!!)
Labels: good book
Our Father
More on fathers Day and church:
Last night when Christine Cain spoke about how her husband absolutely adores their 2 little girls I was reminded of a verse I’d read in the morning…
Christine shared how her husband will sneak into their girl’s bedroom and cry tears of pure love and adoration while watching them sleep (Done it a few times myself!)
As she talked I drifted back to the verse I’d been captured by that morning:
Psalm 32v8:“I will counsel you WITH MY LOVING EYE ON YOU”…
And it struck me Wow my loving heavenly Father does the same;adoringly watching over my life.
In another verse in Zephaniah it speaks too of how he REJOICES OVER US WITH SINGING
Such a beautiful Father’s Day thought… causing me to pause smitten...overwhelmed at the amazing love and nature of my Father God
Last night when Christine Cain spoke about how her husband absolutely adores their 2 little girls I was reminded of a verse I’d read in the morning…
Christine shared how her husband will sneak into their girl’s bedroom and cry tears of pure love and adoration while watching them sleep (Done it a few times myself!)
As she talked I drifted back to the verse I’d been captured by that morning:
Psalm 32v8:“I will counsel you WITH MY LOVING EYE ON YOU”…
And it struck me Wow my loving heavenly Father does the same;adoringly watching over my life.
In another verse in Zephaniah it speaks too of how he REJOICES OVER US WITH SINGING
Such a beautiful Father’s Day thought… causing me to pause smitten...overwhelmed at the amazing love and nature of my Father God
Labels: good book
A lovely moment:
Tonight putting our 4 year old Elijah to bed, he snuggled up on me as i sang the verse I used to sing to all my babies when laying them down to sleep
Numbers 6 vs. 24-26:
“The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine on you
The Lord be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance
So high upon you and give you peace"
And give you peace
I’ll have to get Ella to sing it into a recorder (I’m not too tuneful) and TRY posting up.I’m clueless as to how… any tips?
Numbers 6 vs. 24-26:
“The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine on you
The Lord be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up His countenance
So high upon you and give you peace"
And give you peace
I’ll have to get Ella to sing it into a recorder (I’m not too tuneful) and TRY posting up.I’m clueless as to how… any tips?
Labels: good book
FOR PEACE SAKE
July 26th 2006
I read this tonight:
“Discipline your children and you will be glad you did-
they’ll turn out delightful to live with.” (The Message)
Another translation: “Discipline your child and they will give you rest” (Proverbs 29v17)
Ever been here:
Son or daughter: “Mum can I’ve a biscuit”
Mum: “No, not now”
Son or daughter: “But I’m hungry”
Mum: “No it’s nearly dinner time and I want you to eat your dinner”
Son or daughter: “I’m hungry, I’m really hungry…Muummmm…..”
After a while… to avoid tears and tantrums and obtain some peace
Mum: “Oh just have one then if you have to”
This scenario has been outplayed in our house when i can’t be bothered with a fuss.
It has the opposite effect however in reinforcing negative behaviour, selfishness and disrespect towards my wishes and wisdom! In the long run becoming more work
What about this:
I remember this one when our older kids were smaller:
At a littlies refusal to come at my repeated request
“You had better be here by the time I count to 3 or you’re in trouble-
1…... 2………2 and a half……………….”
The child winning when I slowed down and started counting in halves!
I’ve pondered the above verse before but have kind of lost my way lately…
Wisdom:
If I keep on top of their behavior along the way…times of peace and rest DO come!!!
Conversely giving into their bad behaviour for a moment’s rest/peace… equates to more chaotic and less than peaceful times in the days to come!
I read this tonight:
“Discipline your children and you will be glad you did-
they’ll turn out delightful to live with.” (The Message)
Another translation: “Discipline your child and they will give you rest” (Proverbs 29v17)
Ever been here:
Son or daughter: “Mum can I’ve a biscuit”
Mum: “No, not now”
Son or daughter: “But I’m hungry”
Mum: “No it’s nearly dinner time and I want you to eat your dinner”
Son or daughter: “I’m hungry, I’m really hungry…Muummmm…..”
After a while… to avoid tears and tantrums and obtain some peace
Mum: “Oh just have one then if you have to”
This scenario has been outplayed in our house when i can’t be bothered with a fuss.
It has the opposite effect however in reinforcing negative behaviour, selfishness and disrespect towards my wishes and wisdom! In the long run becoming more work
What about this:
I remember this one when our older kids were smaller:
At a littlies refusal to come at my repeated request
“You had better be here by the time I count to 3 or you’re in trouble-
1…... 2………2 and a half……………….”
The child winning when I slowed down and started counting in halves!
I’ve pondered the above verse before but have kind of lost my way lately…
Wisdom:
If I keep on top of their behavior along the way…times of peace and rest DO come!!!
Conversely giving into their bad behaviour for a moment’s rest/peace… equates to more chaotic and less than peaceful times in the days to come!
Labels: good book
MIRACLE OFFERING
June 30th 2006
Proverbs 22v9 “ He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.”
Proved true numerous times for me is that you can’t out give God
In the weekend we participated as a family in our churches annual miracle offering where money raised goes especially to helping the poor with a special focus on Rwanda in ‘06’
Churches like ours with funds are often knocked by the media but I personally believe; “We are blessed to be a blessing” and that the more you have the more you can give!
Also that the whole principal of giving when outworked not only benefits the one who receives it, but also the giver.
As kids we were taught the principal of tithing, and that the first 10% of our income belongs to God. Out of our 50 cents pocket money we would set aside the whole 5 cents to put in the offering bag on Sunday…AND then spent the remainder at “Mr. Wickets down the road
Later in my teens I realized too the power of an offering over and above my tithe as I anonymously slipped a ten dollar note under the front door of a person in need…
A week or two later I was dumbfounded to find a cheque for $1000 sent to me in the mail…. It was the most money I’d ever had!
Ever since as I’ve given (Not just financially), God has without doubt blessed and poured back
No the motivation in giving hasn’t been to receive but has always been the result
On Sunday the kids were pumped to take their offering to church, and this week have ALREADY seen it more than come back:
They were unexpectedly given a wad of cash (Much more than their offering) and all totally spoilt by some friends today (Thanks Kevin Sammie and Mon!!!)
Proverbs 22v9 “ He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.”
Proved true numerous times for me is that you can’t out give God
In the weekend we participated as a family in our churches annual miracle offering where money raised goes especially to helping the poor with a special focus on Rwanda in ‘06’
Churches like ours with funds are often knocked by the media but I personally believe; “We are blessed to be a blessing” and that the more you have the more you can give!
Also that the whole principal of giving when outworked not only benefits the one who receives it, but also the giver.
As kids we were taught the principal of tithing, and that the first 10% of our income belongs to God. Out of our 50 cents pocket money we would set aside the whole 5 cents to put in the offering bag on Sunday…AND then spent the remainder at “Mr. Wickets down the road
Later in my teens I realized too the power of an offering over and above my tithe as I anonymously slipped a ten dollar note under the front door of a person in need…
A week or two later I was dumbfounded to find a cheque for $1000 sent to me in the mail…. It was the most money I’d ever had!
Ever since as I’ve given (Not just financially), God has without doubt blessed and poured back
No the motivation in giving hasn’t been to receive but has always been the result
On Sunday the kids were pumped to take their offering to church, and this week have ALREADY seen it more than come back:
They were unexpectedly given a wad of cash (Much more than their offering) and all totally spoilt by some friends today (Thanks Kevin Sammie and Mon!!!)
Labels: good book
OPEN
June 22nd 2006
Last night this verse really stood out to me from ‘The Message’
2 Corinthians 6, Paul to the Corinthians;
“The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can…Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!”
There are no restrictions so why do I restrict myself, guess it comes from within me…defeatist attitudes, small thinking, lost hope,can't be bothered?!
Living my life instead in a wide open place, uncontained by self imposed limitations
Not closed, shut in, thinking that’s where it ends, but ever open to:
Have a go
Try new ideas
Taste exotic spices
Explore other options
Step into the unknown
Make more friends
And...
Live life fully TODAY!
Last night this verse really stood out to me from ‘The Message’
2 Corinthians 6, Paul to the Corinthians;
“The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can…Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!”
There are no restrictions so why do I restrict myself, guess it comes from within me…defeatist attitudes, small thinking, lost hope,can't be bothered?!
Living my life instead in a wide open place, uncontained by self imposed limitations
Not closed, shut in, thinking that’s where it ends, but ever open to:
Have a go
Try new ideas
Taste exotic spices
Explore other options
Step into the unknown
Make more friends
And...
Live life fully TODAY!
Labels: good book
ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TODAY!
“Encourage one another while it is still called TODAY…” Hebrews 3v13
How quick was that!
Just put out the card challenge yesterday morning (See below) and TODAY discovered a bright envelope amongst the dullness of our bills.
Inside a beautifully handmade card from a friend, with so many lovely words written within.
Check out how cool the card is:
Thanks Anya, you brightened my day… and yeah would love to go to the movies one night soon
Yesterday while my youngest played around me I sat and wrote 5/10 cards…was nice too praying for each person as I scribbled away… even getting a tear in my eye here and there!
The delay with me is actually getting them into an envelope and sent off
Am inspired to do so though after receiving one...
How quick was that!
Just put out the card challenge yesterday morning (See below) and TODAY discovered a bright envelope amongst the dullness of our bills.
Inside a beautifully handmade card from a friend, with so many lovely words written within.
Check out how cool the card is:
Thanks Anya, you brightened my day… and yeah would love to go to the movies one night soonYesterday while my youngest played around me I sat and wrote 5/10 cards…was nice too praying for each person as I scribbled away… even getting a tear in my eye here and there!
The delay with me is actually getting them into an envelope and sent off
Am inspired to do so though after receiving one...
Labels: good book
WAITING FOR YOU
May 26th 2006
Read this in ‘the word for today’ TODAY…beautiful.
John 14v3 “I’m on my way to get your room ready…”
“Born in the 1880’s John Todd was 6 when his parents died. His aunt offered him a home, and when her servant went to get him, the conversation went like this:
John:” Will I like living there?”
Caesar: You’ll be in good hands”
John: Will she love me?”
Caser: “Yes she’s got a big heart”…
John:” Will I have my own room and a puppy?”
Caesar: Everything’s all set
John:” Will she go to bed before I arrive?”
Caesar: “No she’ll be waiting for you”
Sure enough as they approached he saw a candle in the window and his aunt standing in the doorway. She kissed and welcomed him….
His aunt was a true mother to him and years later when her own health failed she wrote to John about her impending death wondering what would become of her.
John Todd wrote back saying:
“My dear aunt
Years ago I left a house of death not knowing where I was going, whether anyone cared, or if that was the end of me. The ride was long but your servant encouraged me.
Finally I arrived to your warm embrace and a new home. I was welcomed; I felt safe.
You did all this for me, now it’s your turn to go.
I’m writing to let you know someone will be waiting for you. You rooms ready, the lights on, the doors open, and they’re expecting you.
I know, because once, long ago, I saw God standing in your doorway”
Read this in ‘the word for today’ TODAY…beautiful.
John 14v3 “I’m on my way to get your room ready…”
“Born in the 1880’s John Todd was 6 when his parents died. His aunt offered him a home, and when her servant went to get him, the conversation went like this:
John:” Will I like living there?”
Caesar: You’ll be in good hands”
John: Will she love me?”
Caser: “Yes she’s got a big heart”…
John:” Will I have my own room and a puppy?”
Caesar: Everything’s all set
John:” Will she go to bed before I arrive?”
Caesar: “No she’ll be waiting for you”
Sure enough as they approached he saw a candle in the window and his aunt standing in the doorway. She kissed and welcomed him….
His aunt was a true mother to him and years later when her own health failed she wrote to John about her impending death wondering what would become of her.
John Todd wrote back saying:
“My dear aunt
Years ago I left a house of death not knowing where I was going, whether anyone cared, or if that was the end of me. The ride was long but your servant encouraged me.
Finally I arrived to your warm embrace and a new home. I was welcomed; I felt safe.
You did all this for me, now it’s your turn to go.
I’m writing to let you know someone will be waiting for you. You rooms ready, the lights on, the doors open, and they’re expecting you.
I know, because once, long ago, I saw God standing in your doorway”
Labels: good book
AT THE HEART OF IT
I more than survived…had a wonderful weekend away with the kids!
We went 4 hours north of Sydney… taking a slight detour on the way there-whoops!
Thanks M and M…what legends inviting the whole rugby team and families up to their property. Their attitude to share its beauty and care of the land inspires!
After tucking them in bed on Saturday night a group of us gathered around the table with good wine and the conversation stuck on religion.
Viewpoints and stances differed largely as banter went back and forth across the table… I get astounded at the depth of knowledge some people possess-I’m so not wired up that way!
Although unable to enter the discussion at an intellectual level I did at an experiential-knowing the reality of God in my life.
For me its a matter of the heart...
1 Samuel 16v7 says "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"
At the end of the day i think it's our hearts He looks at and desires...and that He is a JUST God
We went 4 hours north of Sydney… taking a slight detour on the way there-whoops!
Thanks M and M…what legends inviting the whole rugby team and families up to their property. Their attitude to share its beauty and care of the land inspires!
After tucking them in bed on Saturday night a group of us gathered around the table with good wine and the conversation stuck on religion.
Viewpoints and stances differed largely as banter went back and forth across the table… I get astounded at the depth of knowledge some people possess-I’m so not wired up that way!
Although unable to enter the discussion at an intellectual level I did at an experiential-knowing the reality of God in my life.
For me its a matter of the heart...
1 Samuel 16v7 says "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"
At the end of the day i think it's our hearts He looks at and desires...and that He is a JUST God
Labels: good book
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Ecclesiastes 10 v 17: “…eat at the proper time for strength…”
Came across these words last year and thought yeah that needs to be my motto on the fridge!
-“Eat” that bit comes as no problem for me...for others it’s word enough
-“For strength” food that nourishes the body…cake for breakfast (as I shamefully munched on this morning-hey it had bananas in it) is not the way to go.
Thinking instead about what’s truly going to FEED my body and give the strength I NEED (As mums!)…before heading towards empty food with no goodness to gain
-“At the proper time” Starting right (Not with cake) which I sometimes find a mission when rushing to get us all out the door in the morning… only to grab rubbish later on when my tummy rumbles.
As well...do your kids graze after school only to come to the dinner table too full for the good stuff??
It’s a good goal even though we don’t always get it right!!!!!
To be mindful of WHEN and WHAT we’re eating… not fanatical but rather choosing fresh and whole foods that boost energy and are loaded with benefits
“Eat at the proper time for strength”
Think we need to make some kind of plaque(Not plague as i previously wrote!) or picture for the kitchen out of that…
Came across these words last year and thought yeah that needs to be my motto on the fridge!
-“Eat” that bit comes as no problem for me...for others it’s word enough
-“For strength” food that nourishes the body…cake for breakfast (as I shamefully munched on this morning-hey it had bananas in it) is not the way to go.
Thinking instead about what’s truly going to FEED my body and give the strength I NEED (As mums!)…before heading towards empty food with no goodness to gain
-“At the proper time” Starting right (Not with cake) which I sometimes find a mission when rushing to get us all out the door in the morning… only to grab rubbish later on when my tummy rumbles.
As well...do your kids graze after school only to come to the dinner table too full for the good stuff??
It’s a good goal even though we don’t always get it right!!!!!
To be mindful of WHEN and WHAT we’re eating… not fanatical but rather choosing fresh and whole foods that boost energy and are loaded with benefits
“Eat at the proper time for strength”
Think we need to make some kind of plaque(Not plague as i previously wrote!) or picture for the kitchen out of that…
Labels: good book
GOD HELP US
March 6th 2006
One of the names for God in the bible is ‘Jehovah Jireh’: meaning ‘The LORD Will Provide’
Left in bit of a lurch after taking a financial risk late last year we wondered however we would get ahead again when we’d fallen so far behind. “GOD HELP US!!!”… and he did:
*He provided a bus…
Through a client who just wanted to flog it off for ‘x’ amount of dollars and see the back of it
BP offered to sell it on his behalf; his clip being whatever it went for above $x.
Well ‘Doris”; the bus he’d never seen, owned by the man he has never met, sold for considerably more than the $x… and we were in the clear!
*An unexpected cheque from the tax department in the thousands
*Favour and big jobs in BP’s demolition business
*Excess stock from a colleague BP’s been able to sell on eBay for a great profit and at no expense of his own
WOW talk about help us get to the other side!
Heard this story? A man’s tragically falling from a building and crying out; “GOD SAVE ME!” All of a sudden his trousers get caught on a nail and his life is spared. He calls back to God “Don’t worry now God I got saved by a nail”
Like ‘the nail’ I SEE God's intervention and provision in the opportunities and surprises He has bought our way
The Lord HAS provided...I'm so thankful!
One of the names for God in the bible is ‘Jehovah Jireh’: meaning ‘The LORD Will Provide’
Left in bit of a lurch after taking a financial risk late last year we wondered however we would get ahead again when we’d fallen so far behind. “GOD HELP US!!!”… and he did:
*He provided a bus…
Through a client who just wanted to flog it off for ‘x’ amount of dollars and see the back of it
BP offered to sell it on his behalf; his clip being whatever it went for above $x.
Well ‘Doris”; the bus he’d never seen, owned by the man he has never met, sold for considerably more than the $x… and we were in the clear!
*An unexpected cheque from the tax department in the thousands
*Favour and big jobs in BP’s demolition business
*Excess stock from a colleague BP’s been able to sell on eBay for a great profit and at no expense of his own
WOW talk about help us get to the other side!
Heard this story? A man’s tragically falling from a building and crying out; “GOD SAVE ME!” All of a sudden his trousers get caught on a nail and his life is spared. He calls back to God “Don’t worry now God I got saved by a nail”
Like ‘the nail’ I SEE God's intervention and provision in the opportunities and surprises He has bought our way
The Lord HAS provided...I'm so thankful!
Labels: good book
MAYBE IT'S A LITTLE BIT CRAZY
February 18th 2006
You know I planned on just archiving my latest “Good book” entries so as not to scare anyone off; thinking new readers may perhaps wipe out the rest at the sight of it?!
This week however I rethought this notion; wondering why on earth would I want to hide away the most incredible and ABSOLUTELY VITAL part of my life???!!!!!!!!!!
Job 42v5:
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you”
As a student working during the holidays with autistic kids, a fellow workmate stood intrigued at my Christian faith!
One day he pressed for a reason (for my; in his mind stupidity) asking “How can you believe in something you can’t even see?”
I answered “Have you ever seen the wind?-
"No"...
BUT you CAN see evidence of it’s presence in the way trees sway, it's touch on your face, leaves being chased down the street…etc
I can’t physically see God in the here and now but like the wind HAVE seen him move in my life and others,experienced the awesomeness of his touch and AM SURE of His reality”
You know I planned on just archiving my latest “Good book” entries so as not to scare anyone off; thinking new readers may perhaps wipe out the rest at the sight of it?!
This week however I rethought this notion; wondering why on earth would I want to hide away the most incredible and ABSOLUTELY VITAL part of my life???!!!!!!!!!!
Job 42v5:
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you”
As a student working during the holidays with autistic kids, a fellow workmate stood intrigued at my Christian faith!
One day he pressed for a reason (for my; in his mind stupidity) asking “How can you believe in something you can’t even see?”
I answered “Have you ever seen the wind?-
"No"...
BUT you CAN see evidence of it’s presence in the way trees sway, it's touch on your face, leaves being chased down the street…etc
I can’t physically see God in the here and now but like the wind HAVE seen him move in my life and others,experienced the awesomeness of his touch and AM SURE of His reality”
Labels: good book
WITH ALL MY HEART
February 10th 2006
Jeremiah 29V’s 12 & 13
“Then you will call upon me and come pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart I will be found by you, declares the Lord…”
A couple was up front on the bench seat of their car; the husband driving, and his wife on the passenger’s side.
Further along the road the wife pipes up “What’s happened to us Tom? Remember when we were first married, driving along snuggled side by side… you had one hand on the wheel and the other around me…, NOW look at us Tom, there’s a big gap between you and me!”
To which Tom replied “Darling I haven’t moved anywhere”
A month ago I felt more distant from God than I usually do…I was like “what’s up God, where are you,”…until realising God hadn’t gone anywhere …but I had.
I saw a quote by someone called Tozer ?! that said” God waits to be wanted”
God hasn’t made us like robots to automatically love and obey him but has given as a free will to choose whether or not we want him.
My response: “God I want you SO much…” and with all my heart sought him
…and HIM I found!
Jeremiah 29V’s 12 & 13
“Then you will call upon me and come pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart I will be found by you, declares the Lord…”
A couple was up front on the bench seat of their car; the husband driving, and his wife on the passenger’s side.
Further along the road the wife pipes up “What’s happened to us Tom? Remember when we were first married, driving along snuggled side by side… you had one hand on the wheel and the other around me…, NOW look at us Tom, there’s a big gap between you and me!”
To which Tom replied “Darling I haven’t moved anywhere”
A month ago I felt more distant from God than I usually do…I was like “what’s up God, where are you,”…until realising God hadn’t gone anywhere …but I had.
I saw a quote by someone called Tozer ?! that said” God waits to be wanted”
God hasn’t made us like robots to automatically love and obey him but has given as a free will to choose whether or not we want him.
My response: “God I want you SO much…” and with all my heart sought him
…and HIM I found!
Labels: good book
LOVING HIS LOVE
November 2005
Lamentations 3v22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Every time I open my bible lately I’m struck with Gods steadfast love… no matter what page I seem turn, there it is in the middle jumping out at me:
“How precious Lord is your steadfast love, great is your steadfast love towards me, He has wondrously shown me His steadfast love, How precious is your steadfast love,Oh God, You are abounding in steadfast love, His steadfast love is before my eyes, I hope in His steadfast love, in His steadfast love He saves me, God has not forsaken us but has extended His steadfast love…”
There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more or less He simply loves because He is love. His love doesn’t change or falter, but is steady; un-rocked, or quenched by our short-comings… remaining ever constant.
TODAY you can be SURE of Gods unconditional love for you!
Lamentations 3v22-23: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Every time I open my bible lately I’m struck with Gods steadfast love… no matter what page I seem turn, there it is in the middle jumping out at me:
“How precious Lord is your steadfast love, great is your steadfast love towards me, He has wondrously shown me His steadfast love, How precious is your steadfast love,Oh God, You are abounding in steadfast love, His steadfast love is before my eyes, I hope in His steadfast love, in His steadfast love He saves me, God has not forsaken us but has extended His steadfast love…”
There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more or less He simply loves because He is love. His love doesn’t change or falter, but is steady; un-rocked, or quenched by our short-comings… remaining ever constant.
TODAY you can be SURE of Gods unconditional love for you!
Labels: good book
HOPE FOR MY FINAL OUT COME
October 2005
Jeremiah 29: 11 “I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care
of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (The Message
Bible)
How assuring, in Gods care there is hope for our final outcome!
Did you hear the “Hoff” (David Hasselhoff!!) guest-starring on Australian Idol say we need to “Let go and let God”. God knows what He’s doing even though it might not make sense to us; He has our very best in mind.
There’s such security in the knowledge that “My times are in His hands” when currently we’re in the middle of change, that He has “a Beautiful inheritance” for my life when everything seems up in the air…that God is for me and “will work all things out together for good!” WOW such peace there is IN Him!
TODAY rest assured too (Phew!), knowing that “God is FOR you, who therefore can be against you? That NOTHING can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus”
Jeremiah 29: 11 “I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care
of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (The Message
Bible)
How assuring, in Gods care there is hope for our final outcome!
Did you hear the “Hoff” (David Hasselhoff!!) guest-starring on Australian Idol say we need to “Let go and let God”. God knows what He’s doing even though it might not make sense to us; He has our very best in mind.
There’s such security in the knowledge that “My times are in His hands” when currently we’re in the middle of change, that He has “a Beautiful inheritance” for my life when everything seems up in the air…that God is for me and “will work all things out together for good!” WOW such peace there is IN Him!
TODAY rest assured too (Phew!), knowing that “God is FOR you, who therefore can be against you? That NOTHING can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus”
Labels: good book
YELLOW BOWS AND OTHER REMINDERS:
October 2005
REMINDERS:
Ephesians 6v18 “Keep on praying….”
On Sunday I left my Father behind the driver’s wheel in the church driveway (In the city), as I trekked upstairs to unlock the garage for him…. Only problem, once at the top of the stairs I forgot my mission and was floating around chatting……. UNTIL oppps, a replacement garage un-locker emerged at the top of stairs!
How easily we can forget to do what we intended to! Dan (A Swiss friend) shared how he intends to PRAY, so has positioned little mementoes along his daily path so he doesn’t forget. One example: On his bedroom light-switch he’s stuck the logo of a university aged, group he runs called “Switch!”… In the morning he wakes, walks to the switch, sees the sticker and PRAYS for ‘Switch’! Cool idea lets transfer it into my world…
* On my clothes line I now have tied a bright yellow string to remind me to PRAY for my family, as I peg the MOUNTAINS of washing to the line!
* A beaded band encircles the dishwashing liquid; I squeeze it and pray for friends with health concerns as I scrub pots and pans
* The vacuum cleaner too is decorated with our church card as a visual cue for me to pray for my church family as I vacuum…Oh well once a year is better than nothing!
REMINDERS:
Ephesians 6v18 “Keep on praying….”
On Sunday I left my Father behind the driver’s wheel in the church driveway (In the city), as I trekked upstairs to unlock the garage for him…. Only problem, once at the top of the stairs I forgot my mission and was floating around chatting……. UNTIL oppps, a replacement garage un-locker emerged at the top of stairs!
How easily we can forget to do what we intended to! Dan (A Swiss friend) shared how he intends to PRAY, so has positioned little mementoes along his daily path so he doesn’t forget. One example: On his bedroom light-switch he’s stuck the logo of a university aged, group he runs called “Switch!”… In the morning he wakes, walks to the switch, sees the sticker and PRAYS for ‘Switch’! Cool idea lets transfer it into my world…
* On my clothes line I now have tied a bright yellow string to remind me to PRAY for my family, as I peg the MOUNTAINS of washing to the line!
* A beaded band encircles the dishwashing liquid; I squeeze it and pray for friends with health concerns as I scrub pots and pans
* The vacuum cleaner too is decorated with our church card as a visual cue for me to pray for my church family as I vacuum…Oh well once a year is better than nothing!
Labels: good book
GETTING A GRIP:
September 2005
My son dropped my precious bible in the bath…it’s too far gone, last time (!!) I managed to re-dry the pages using a hairdryer…but this time it’s completely waterlogged and the covers detached! The moral of the story: don’t leave your bible in the bathroom!
2 Chronicles 16 v 9:“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him”
This week I picked up a DRY book to read and the scripture above grabbed my attention… the next day the exact same verse hit me between the eyeballs AGAIN in a totally different book!- You know the really cool thing; it came at the aftermath of 2 days from hell with the children-and helped me get-a- grip! The 2 day scenario: Brendan was away, we had a house-guest from London, when all four children synchronized a major in house performance! Normally they manage to tag-team high-pitched, naughty, fit throwing tantrums, but no, no ,no not this time… they were ALL ready to RUMBLE!...By the time they were all in bed (Yet still swinging from the rafters!) I was ready to crumble… dragged my weary self to the phone and did what any 34 year old woman would do: called my mum! She graciously listened to me off-load and then prayed down the telephone lines that I’d find strength! God responded and honestly showed himself “Strong on my behalf” I felt ready for any child rampage, but low and behold they had settled!
My son dropped my precious bible in the bath…it’s too far gone, last time (!!) I managed to re-dry the pages using a hairdryer…but this time it’s completely waterlogged and the covers detached! The moral of the story: don’t leave your bible in the bathroom!
2 Chronicles 16 v 9:“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him”
This week I picked up a DRY book to read and the scripture above grabbed my attention… the next day the exact same verse hit me between the eyeballs AGAIN in a totally different book!- You know the really cool thing; it came at the aftermath of 2 days from hell with the children-and helped me get-a- grip! The 2 day scenario: Brendan was away, we had a house-guest from London, when all four children synchronized a major in house performance! Normally they manage to tag-team high-pitched, naughty, fit throwing tantrums, but no, no ,no not this time… they were ALL ready to RUMBLE!...By the time they were all in bed (Yet still swinging from the rafters!) I was ready to crumble… dragged my weary self to the phone and did what any 34 year old woman would do: called my mum! She graciously listened to me off-load and then prayed down the telephone lines that I’d find strength! God responded and honestly showed himself “Strong on my behalf” I felt ready for any child rampage, but low and behold they had settled!
Labels: good book
ARE YOU GUILTY TOO?:
September 2005
Ecclesiastes 7 v 21 & 22: “Do not pay attention to every word people say or you may hear your servant cursing you-for you know in your heart that many times you have cursed others”
People comment and so have you! Perhaps you are stewing about a comment, someone made about you, yet if you stop and check: you’ll more than likely recall less than complementary things you’ve said about others too!
From the Message bible: Matthew 7 verses 1-3
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.”
Whooooah; that’s straight to the point!
Ecclesiastes 7 v 21 & 22: “Do not pay attention to every word people say or you may hear your servant cursing you-for you know in your heart that many times you have cursed others”
People comment and so have you! Perhaps you are stewing about a comment, someone made about you, yet if you stop and check: you’ll more than likely recall less than complementary things you’ve said about others too!
From the Message bible: Matthew 7 verses 1-3
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.”
Whooooah; that’s straight to the point!
Labels: good book
DON”T DELAY
August 2005
Ecclesiastes 11
V4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap
Early last year I really wanted to go on a family weekend away; I’d found the perfect place on the internet, it was just a matter of booking it! Before ringing though, thought I’d just quickly check the weather pages …Oh no; no blue skies forecast, so decided to postpone the weekend and wait for one with better weather. Well it ended up being the weekend away that never happened!!!…in fact on the Saturday we were supposed to be away I remember standing at the washing line, and thinking wow what a beautiful day!
What we desire may never eventuate too if we keep putting things off until the weathers brighter as perfect conditions may never arrive! In life there will always be obstacles, always a reason why we can’t. I think we need to get out there TODAY storm clouds and all and do something to begin turning our dreams into reality! The chapter goes on…
V6”Sow your seed in the morning and in the evening let not your hands be idle for you do not know which will succeed whether this or that or whether both will do equally well”
Ecclesiastes 11
V4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap
Early last year I really wanted to go on a family weekend away; I’d found the perfect place on the internet, it was just a matter of booking it! Before ringing though, thought I’d just quickly check the weather pages …Oh no; no blue skies forecast, so decided to postpone the weekend and wait for one with better weather. Well it ended up being the weekend away that never happened!!!…in fact on the Saturday we were supposed to be away I remember standing at the washing line, and thinking wow what a beautiful day!
What we desire may never eventuate too if we keep putting things off until the weathers brighter as perfect conditions may never arrive! In life there will always be obstacles, always a reason why we can’t. I think we need to get out there TODAY storm clouds and all and do something to begin turning our dreams into reality! The chapter goes on…
V6”Sow your seed in the morning and in the evening let not your hands be idle for you do not know which will succeed whether this or that or whether both will do equally well”
Labels: good book
WEARING MUMMY SHOES
August 2005
Ecclesiastes 9v11
“…The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, Nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant,Or favour to the learned but TIME and CHANCE happen to them all”
Being an awesome mum is not to the child psychologist, good times and fun is not to those with great careers and no kids yet….financial rewards to only the educated
You have opportunity right in front of you TODAY to do something spectacular with your life.
Take a chance make the most of the time of life you’re now in now… love the shoes you’re wearing, they may be able to take you places you never dreamed possible in your stilettos!
Ecclesiastes 9v11
“…The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, Nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant,Or favour to the learned but TIME and CHANCE happen to them all”
Being an awesome mum is not to the child psychologist, good times and fun is not to those with great careers and no kids yet….financial rewards to only the educated
You have opportunity right in front of you TODAY to do something spectacular with your life.
Take a chance make the most of the time of life you’re now in now… love the shoes you’re wearing, they may be able to take you places you never dreamed possible in your stilettos!
Labels: good book
