A good friend told me she was concerned about all her children when they were small asking God for a tip because her husband was working very long hours. The tip was that at the dinner table kiss them on the back of the neck. It was like a blessing from God to them. She would also have to be quite strict with one of them. She would speak into his little life. ‘You will be like that tall straight tree,’ she would say as they both stared out the window. The boy grew up well and is now a neuro surgeon in the USA.
When asking God the same thing, I got the tip to smile at my little boy. Creating this approval to get down on the inside of him has revolutionalised my efforts to discipline and actually there is a melting down of the situation. So I smile at the appropriate times. (not after bad behaviour)
Another good friend, discovered that her daughter’s love language is in physical touch. So she will stroke the child’s face and this ministers to her little soul.
As Victoria Osteen says, it’s not what’s on the outside that matters. God doesn’t look at the outside. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, referring to children.
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Monday, 1 October 2007
When you Smile that Smile
Put a smile on your dial they say. When I was 17 I was flattered by my friend Fiona who had been through primary and secondary school with me when she said, ‘You’re always happy.’ The same girl called a local boy, ‘Neville Smiles’ because he looked unhappy. She was a wit. I was a little surprised by what she said to me because I know I’d go home from school grumpy and ravenous.
Something not so specific, just a series of life changes wiped that smile off my face. It as though from that moment on I wanted to be more true to myself and eventually my countenance fell, like Cain’s with time as my humanity dawned on me. Even though I lean towards hope and optimism and a fighting spirit, it’s an effort to smile.
Whatever it is that wipes the smile off your face, can be changed. I remember, ‘I’ll never smile again until I smile at you,’ by Ross Wilson (lovers lament) and the reverse ‘City girls just seem to find out early how to open doors with just a smile,’ by the Eagles. A smile will open doors and give people a bit of love. Joel Osteen said he really had to work on this. He tries to smile all the time, that is even when preaching.
A smile is something we are able to give even if we have little to give. Once I gave a big smile to an old lady and she said, ‘oh,’ taken aback she said, ‘All you have to do is smile that smile.’ That was encouraging so you do smile for a season then you forget. It really has to come from the inside out but you can fake it till you make it even if it doesn’t come naturally at first.
Phil Pringle said once why not 'smile across people's lives'. I'm sure God does that. What a good thought.
Something not so specific, just a series of life changes wiped that smile off my face. It as though from that moment on I wanted to be more true to myself and eventually my countenance fell, like Cain’s with time as my humanity dawned on me. Even though I lean towards hope and optimism and a fighting spirit, it’s an effort to smile.
Whatever it is that wipes the smile off your face, can be changed. I remember, ‘I’ll never smile again until I smile at you,’ by Ross Wilson (lovers lament) and the reverse ‘City girls just seem to find out early how to open doors with just a smile,’ by the Eagles. A smile will open doors and give people a bit of love. Joel Osteen said he really had to work on this. He tries to smile all the time, that is even when preaching.
A smile is something we are able to give even if we have little to give. Once I gave a big smile to an old lady and she said, ‘oh,’ taken aback she said, ‘All you have to do is smile that smile.’ That was encouraging so you do smile for a season then you forget. It really has to come from the inside out but you can fake it till you make it even if it doesn’t come naturally at first.
Phil Pringle said once why not 'smile across people's lives'. I'm sure God does that. What a good thought.
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Do you love the Morning?
‘Waking up strong in the morning.
Walking in a straight line’ lyrics by Silver Chair
Are you a morning person?
Joy comes in the morning… and
His mercies are new every morning
'Morning has broken like the first morning' Cat Stevens
Walking in a straight line’ lyrics by Silver Chair
Are you a morning person?
Joy comes in the morning… and
His mercies are new every morning
'Morning has broken like the first morning' Cat Stevens
Thursday, 27 September 2007
क्नोव Your Enemy…
Who is our enemy and what does he want? John 10:10 says ‘He came to steal, kill and destroy. ‘ It seems he wants our lives.
And the book says ‘He is a liar from the beginning. He comes as an angel of light to deceive. And sometimes… he goes about like a roaring lion, ready to devour. He came to God with an idea to test Job. See Job Chapter 1… (But Job was a blameless man, and he wasn’t about to blaspheme. Job won and was restored after losing everything.)
The prophet Isaiah (Chap. 13) gives us some insight into the story of Satan or Lucifer as he was originally called. It seems he was a muso who got jealous of the boss (God) and wanted to be like him. He was top dog in the Angelic realm see this… something like Ziggy Stardust I imagine. When he fell, he took a bunch of fallen angels with him. ( I saw a car sticker today which read ‘Fallen’ I wonder where that word came from.
When Peter, was thinking of himself and wanted to argue about the fate of Jesus on the cross, Jesus replied,’Get behind me Satan.’ So from this, it appears the enemy can use our best friends sometimes in their ideas and speech. But it's not a war between flesh and blood but between spiritual powers of darkness.'
Jesus once said to Peter, ‘The devil wanted to sift you like wheat.’
Another time Jesus said to this apostles, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning.’ I will investigate this further.
Satan got to Judas, the betrayer of Jesus who went on to hang himself. And there’s other references to our enemy, not mentioned here.
When I first saw the light when I was 20, it was news to me that I had an enemy of my soul. But Jesus stays closer than a brother and God says ‘It is well with my soul.’ Whosoever calls on the name of Jesus shall be saved.
And the book says ‘He is a liar from the beginning. He comes as an angel of light to deceive. And sometimes… he goes about like a roaring lion, ready to devour. He came to God with an idea to test Job. See Job Chapter 1… (But Job was a blameless man, and he wasn’t about to blaspheme. Job won and was restored after losing everything.)
The prophet Isaiah (Chap. 13) gives us some insight into the story of Satan or Lucifer as he was originally called. It seems he was a muso who got jealous of the boss (God) and wanted to be like him. He was top dog in the Angelic realm see this… something like Ziggy Stardust I imagine. When he fell, he took a bunch of fallen angels with him. ( I saw a car sticker today which read ‘Fallen’ I wonder where that word came from.
When Peter, was thinking of himself and wanted to argue about the fate of Jesus on the cross, Jesus replied,’Get behind me Satan.’ So from this, it appears the enemy can use our best friends sometimes in their ideas and speech. But it's not a war between flesh and blood but between spiritual powers of darkness.'
Jesus once said to Peter, ‘The devil wanted to sift you like wheat.’
Another time Jesus said to this apostles, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning.’ I will investigate this further.
Satan got to Judas, the betrayer of Jesus who went on to hang himself. And there’s other references to our enemy, not mentioned here.
When I first saw the light when I was 20, it was news to me that I had an enemy of my soul. But Jesus stays closer than a brother and God says ‘It is well with my soul.’ Whosoever calls on the name of Jesus shall be saved.
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
A Day in the Life…
Monday. Beautiful sunny day on the coast. It’s a typical day here, about 23 with a south easterly blowing. Today I went to Currumbin sanctuary as we have a yearly pass. Saw a couple of friends there by coincidence. It’s a small place here. Caught little train to a new playground. One high roped climbing thingo had Sam nearly fall (3 metres) but fortunately his arms were strong enough to hold him and I could catch him with another lady helping me. Inge tells me a child broke his arm there.
Then we went to new library and got some good books, and lo and behold I found one of Leone Peguero’s books! a friend of mine who started Bluecat publishing for children’s books, also my past teacher. So I look forward to reading that this week.
The sun is pouring down on my verandah from the west and I’m very happy. Some people spend time with God by song, some by nature. (Psalm 19) I just have to look out the window. And I thank God the trees of the hill on the other side of the street were saved. We won the battle. And I think of my sister in Tassie trying to save trees there.
Then we went to new library and got some good books, and lo and behold I found one of Leone Peguero’s books! a friend of mine who started Bluecat publishing for children’s books, also my past teacher. So I look forward to reading that this week.
The sun is pouring down on my verandah from the west and I’m very happy. Some people spend time with God by song, some by nature. (Psalm 19) I just have to look out the window. And I thank God the trees of the hill on the other side of the street were saved. We won the battle. And I think of my sister in Tassie trying to save trees there.
Friday, 21 September 2007
Craving Simplicity
I wrote Craving Simplicity when I was working in the city before I moved to the small coastal town of Tugun, Queensland. How life has changed for me with the advent of motherhood.
So here's how I used to be...
I don’t know about you but I’m craving a simple life. When my husband wanted to go surfing and take me also, he convinced me to take a lap top so I could proceed with my manuscript. While he was out braving surf rage, ( I concede the earth is shrinking with the population and less waves available to generations of new surfers) the tide came in and as it dawned on me I walked ½ a km then called on someone to lift me back up to the steps lugging this $4000 dollar item on my shoulder as the waves lapped up the rocks. And this is how it is, technology and nature and us sandwiched in the middle.
And back to work - I’m sick of meaningless emails. We have thousands at home that are yet to be deleted making the computer ‘dangerously low in resources.’ 40 emails a day was enough to make me allergic to it in my next job. Mobile phones ringing with all sorts of tunes, that demand a reaction eg. The Adams Family theme invading my thoughts on the train, yuk, people talking seemingly to themselves with a cord running to their ear in the streets, ‘Ill be there in a couple of minutes,’ they say and wonder why their phone bill needs studying and interpretation. One guy tonight after five crossing Collins St was giving instructions of how to overcome some major technical disaster in someone’s computer program and I was party to it. Do I want to be – no. Home phones like ours which have call waiting, message bank, star 10 hash. Telephone banking, information services that make you mad. Memories of America. This is where I think it’s vital to have a physical exercise program in place. One day I’ll do it I promise. No more laughing at power walkers.
Pornography through internet, television and cable bombarding us breaking down boundaries in the home, even setting the standards. What about queuing in banks even a bank as beautiful as the ANZ on the corner of Queen and Collins is nightmarish, the poor tellers, haven’t they clicked yet, the new world order is upon us with the cashless society and Bible prophecy warns people will eventually be stamped to buy and sell.666 is not the Omen, it’s conceivable. I’ve found a great time to go to the Post Office is 10 to 12, just before lunch (in the city that is) Road rage is the fruit of ‘no time’ and more and more cars on the road, old people with no reflexes, invincible P Platers. Priorities have changed, gotta support this lifestyle, the bills pour in relentlessly. Changing is hard. I work in advertising with deadlines to meet and Spring coming, ads, more ads, how do you stop time from ticking. How do you put people before the task?
Football season, clubs dying through expense, complicated politics. Hospitals, - don’t go there, literally. Trains with automated messages. Satellites crash landing, cams planted everywhere.
America, our cultural daddy shows no mercy or consolation, queues 1 ½hrs long in Disneyland, oh well I was able to get to know the Aussies next to me in the queue. Processed food, we’ve got it good here compared BUT... GST – gotta learn Myob or Quickbooks now whether I like it or not. Creative people all doing admin, tutors all telling you different things. And at home more headaches with mortgage, rates, credit, more credit, tax. I know a reaction to the debauchery in Rome in the early centuries AD was the creation of the monastery starting with one man retreating to a cave and gathering 12 converts. I crave to keep it simple but not sure how to. The clutter has to go. I acknowledge there’s been highs as well as lows in technology, science, etc and that we live in the best and most advanced country in the world. But we’re also slack.
But we’ve got to guard our hearts, redeem the time somehow for the days are so short, keep them stress free somehow, spend some time alone to maintain sanity, appreciate nature, breathe fresh morning air, listen to the birds, invest in a pet, spend time in the garden, play music that calms and delights us, and probably most of all make time to see our loved ones. As I listen to Don Henly The End of Innocence on Foxtel it sums up something I’m trying to convey. I remember the days when we got milk delivered, the small grocery store on the corner, a simple lifestyle with little paperwork, the 3 channels on TV if you were lucky enough to have one. The writing of letters as a way of communicating, Orchards, creeks, muddy unmade roads with only a few cars occasionally to be seen. My mother would make sure Sundays were a peaceful family time. There were eight of us. ‘The Wonder Years’ has a point. I only wish the rest of the world would agree. I don’t want to be intolerant. I love my pen in hand with my journal which consists of paper on my lap so there’s some hypocrisy involved. I guess I better go live in the country.
So here's how I used to be...
I don’t know about you but I’m craving a simple life. When my husband wanted to go surfing and take me also, he convinced me to take a lap top so I could proceed with my manuscript. While he was out braving surf rage, ( I concede the earth is shrinking with the population and less waves available to generations of new surfers) the tide came in and as it dawned on me I walked ½ a km then called on someone to lift me back up to the steps lugging this $4000 dollar item on my shoulder as the waves lapped up the rocks. And this is how it is, technology and nature and us sandwiched in the middle.
And back to work - I’m sick of meaningless emails. We have thousands at home that are yet to be deleted making the computer ‘dangerously low in resources.’ 40 emails a day was enough to make me allergic to it in my next job. Mobile phones ringing with all sorts of tunes, that demand a reaction eg. The Adams Family theme invading my thoughts on the train, yuk, people talking seemingly to themselves with a cord running to their ear in the streets, ‘Ill be there in a couple of minutes,’ they say and wonder why their phone bill needs studying and interpretation. One guy tonight after five crossing Collins St was giving instructions of how to overcome some major technical disaster in someone’s computer program and I was party to it. Do I want to be – no. Home phones like ours which have call waiting, message bank, star 10 hash. Telephone banking, information services that make you mad. Memories of America. This is where I think it’s vital to have a physical exercise program in place. One day I’ll do it I promise. No more laughing at power walkers.
Pornography through internet, television and cable bombarding us breaking down boundaries in the home, even setting the standards. What about queuing in banks even a bank as beautiful as the ANZ on the corner of Queen and Collins is nightmarish, the poor tellers, haven’t they clicked yet, the new world order is upon us with the cashless society and Bible prophecy warns people will eventually be stamped to buy and sell.666 is not the Omen, it’s conceivable. I’ve found a great time to go to the Post Office is 10 to 12, just before lunch (in the city that is) Road rage is the fruit of ‘no time’ and more and more cars on the road, old people with no reflexes, invincible P Platers. Priorities have changed, gotta support this lifestyle, the bills pour in relentlessly. Changing is hard. I work in advertising with deadlines to meet and Spring coming, ads, more ads, how do you stop time from ticking. How do you put people before the task?
Football season, clubs dying through expense, complicated politics. Hospitals, - don’t go there, literally. Trains with automated messages. Satellites crash landing, cams planted everywhere.
America, our cultural daddy shows no mercy or consolation, queues 1 ½hrs long in Disneyland, oh well I was able to get to know the Aussies next to me in the queue. Processed food, we’ve got it good here compared BUT... GST – gotta learn Myob or Quickbooks now whether I like it or not. Creative people all doing admin, tutors all telling you different things. And at home more headaches with mortgage, rates, credit, more credit, tax. I know a reaction to the debauchery in Rome in the early centuries AD was the creation of the monastery starting with one man retreating to a cave and gathering 12 converts. I crave to keep it simple but not sure how to. The clutter has to go. I acknowledge there’s been highs as well as lows in technology, science, etc and that we live in the best and most advanced country in the world. But we’re also slack.
But we’ve got to guard our hearts, redeem the time somehow for the days are so short, keep them stress free somehow, spend some time alone to maintain sanity, appreciate nature, breathe fresh morning air, listen to the birds, invest in a pet, spend time in the garden, play music that calms and delights us, and probably most of all make time to see our loved ones. As I listen to Don Henly The End of Innocence on Foxtel it sums up something I’m trying to convey. I remember the days when we got milk delivered, the small grocery store on the corner, a simple lifestyle with little paperwork, the 3 channels on TV if you were lucky enough to have one. The writing of letters as a way of communicating, Orchards, creeks, muddy unmade roads with only a few cars occasionally to be seen. My mother would make sure Sundays were a peaceful family time. There were eight of us. ‘The Wonder Years’ has a point. I only wish the rest of the world would agree. I don’t want to be intolerant. I love my pen in hand with my journal which consists of paper on my lap so there’s some hypocrisy involved. I guess I better go live in the country.
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
As a Parent I wish I would have…
Got down on the ground with him/them
Taught him/them ‘no’ early
That way they wouldn’t argue and negotiate
Done daycare once a week. It will ‘tame’ the child
And they would learn sharing
Tried all foods all the time. They go off and on food
Not had a biscuit in the house
Done less TV, more outdoors activity
Hey but thankfully it’s never too late, according to the British ‘Nanny’
See abc.net.au for more advice and tips for certain age groups from newborn to schoolage
Taught him/them ‘no’ early
That way they wouldn’t argue and negotiate
Done daycare once a week. It will ‘tame’ the child
And they would learn sharing
Tried all foods all the time. They go off and on food
Not had a biscuit in the house
Done less TV, more outdoors activity
Hey but thankfully it’s never too late, according to the British ‘Nanny’
See abc.net.au for more advice and tips for certain age groups from newborn to schoolage
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Play it again Sam
Tomorrow we celebrate Sam's 4th birthday. It seems a little while ago he was just a faint red line on a strip of paper. He's brought great joy to our lives. It's a learning curve being a parent and hopefully keeps us young.
I had given up on the idea of being a mother but gave up a few days work down to 2 to relieve some stress. I was 45. We went to Tasmania and were travelling down the East coast toward Hobart when we stumbled across a lovely old Christian couple who ran a resort. The lady told me of all sorts of miracles. She was really quite an amazing woman. When we left there after a bite to eat she offered to pray for us and prayed for conception and for travelling safety. We left there at night and just missed a kangaroo as it hopped past.
The next day we were in Scamander. My sister, a Tasmanian, later told me a backpacker was murdered there and another tourist. An unsolved mystery. Doug went out for an early surf and then we went onto Hobart for New Year's Eve. Turned out I had become pregnant in Tasmania!
A few months ago he said, 'When I turn 4 I want jelly, cake, fireworks and a cup of tea.'
I had given up on the idea of being a mother but gave up a few days work down to 2 to relieve some stress. I was 45. We went to Tasmania and were travelling down the East coast toward Hobart when we stumbled across a lovely old Christian couple who ran a resort. The lady told me of all sorts of miracles. She was really quite an amazing woman. When we left there after a bite to eat she offered to pray for us and prayed for conception and for travelling safety. We left there at night and just missed a kangaroo as it hopped past.
The next day we were in Scamander. My sister, a Tasmanian, later told me a backpacker was murdered there and another tourist. An unsolved mystery. Doug went out for an early surf and then we went onto Hobart for New Year's Eve. Turned out I had become pregnant in Tasmania!
A few months ago he said, 'When I turn 4 I want jelly, cake, fireworks and a cup of tea.'
Friday, 7 September 2007
Secret to: Long Life Guaranteed
It’s in the book both old and New Testaments and it’s as relevant today
There’s one thing we can do to obtain long life (and success also)
HONOUR your father and mother. So tell it to your children…
‘Honour your father and your mother that you may live long on the earth and have good success.’
Forgive your parents if you need to. When you’ve done all that from the heart you can take the promise. Long life and success.
There’s one thing we can do to obtain long life (and success also)
HONOUR your father and mother. So tell it to your children…
‘Honour your father and your mother that you may live long on the earth and have good success.’
Forgive your parents if you need to. When you’ve done all that from the heart you can take the promise. Long life and success.
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Money is a Tool…
Some truths about money from the Bible and other observations
Love of money is the root of all evil…
Break through the poverty mentality by giving till it hurts
Scrooges are not rich. Even if they are they hang onto it like Easter eggs
Money is a tool to get what you want and give what you want
Make a budget. Be faithful in the little things and you will be given more.
Make money decisions using peace as your umpire
Trust not in uncertain riches
Lend freely
Give to the poor See the results (Psalm 112)
Give and it shall be given to you
Look out for simple savings
Love of money is the root of all evil…
Break through the poverty mentality by giving till it hurts
Scrooges are not rich. Even if they are they hang onto it like Easter eggs
Money is a tool to get what you want and give what you want
Make a budget. Be faithful in the little things and you will be given more.
Make money decisions using peace as your umpire
Trust not in uncertain riches
Lend freely
Give to the poor See the results (Psalm 112)
Give and it shall be given to you
Look out for simple savings
Saturday, 18 August 2007
History of the World - simplified
Handel’s ‘Young Messiah’ holds a great Scripture from Isaiah, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of God’ This has not happened but is identified in a strange powerful dream by an ungodly king of Babylon BC. It was a history of the world.
Daniel a young Hebrew was able not only to describe the dream without a clue in the natural but to interpret it also by the wisdom of God.
There was a huge, brilliant statue standing before Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This statue had a head made of fine gold, a chest and arms of silver, a belly of brass, legs of iron, and feet made partly of iron and partly of clay.
In the dream, the king sees a stone, cut out WITHOUT THE USE OF HANDS. It appears and strikes the feet of iron and clay, smashing the statue to pieces until it is dust. Then the wind blows the dust away, while the stone becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth.
Daniel’s Interpretation
After telling the king what his dream was, Daniel then tells him what it means. Nebuchadnezzar himself, king of Babylonia, is the gold head of the statue. After Babylonia will come another empire that is of inferior quality to his, represented by the chest and arms of silver. After that empire will come a third one of brass, followed by the fourth empire of crushing iron, that crushes all others. However, this fourth empire will later be divided, and end up as the feet and toes that are partly clay and partly iron.
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, King James Version).
(This is explained as the meaning of the stone cut from the mountain without hands, that smashes the idol to pieces.)
The kingdom of iron and baked clay "feet and toes" will be divided. It will have some of the strength of iron, (partly strong and partly brittle). The toes that are a mixture of iron and clay seems to represent a mixture of peoples that will not be united.
WHILE these kingdoms exist, God will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. It will crush all the other kingdoms and bring them to an end, but 'not by human hands.'
Scholars have proposed two alternative views regarding the identification of the four kingdoms in Daniel 2.
One view has traditionally been more prevalent among Christian scholars, The sequence is as follows:
1. Babylon
2. Medo-Persia
3. Greece
4. Rome
Another view has been more popular among Jewish scholars, and a few Christian scholars
1. Babylon
2. Media
3. Persia
4. Greece
He knows the end from the beginning. He is alpha and omega.
Daniel a young Hebrew was able not only to describe the dream without a clue in the natural but to interpret it also by the wisdom of God.
There was a huge, brilliant statue standing before Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This statue had a head made of fine gold, a chest and arms of silver, a belly of brass, legs of iron, and feet made partly of iron and partly of clay.
In the dream, the king sees a stone, cut out WITHOUT THE USE OF HANDS. It appears and strikes the feet of iron and clay, smashing the statue to pieces until it is dust. Then the wind blows the dust away, while the stone becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth.
Daniel’s Interpretation
After telling the king what his dream was, Daniel then tells him what it means. Nebuchadnezzar himself, king of Babylonia, is the gold head of the statue. After Babylonia will come another empire that is of inferior quality to his, represented by the chest and arms of silver. After that empire will come a third one of brass, followed by the fourth empire of crushing iron, that crushes all others. However, this fourth empire will later be divided, and end up as the feet and toes that are partly clay and partly iron.
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, King James Version).
(This is explained as the meaning of the stone cut from the mountain without hands, that smashes the idol to pieces.)
The kingdom of iron and baked clay "feet and toes" will be divided. It will have some of the strength of iron, (partly strong and partly brittle). The toes that are a mixture of iron and clay seems to represent a mixture of peoples that will not be united.
WHILE these kingdoms exist, God will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. It will crush all the other kingdoms and bring them to an end, but 'not by human hands.'
Scholars have proposed two alternative views regarding the identification of the four kingdoms in Daniel 2.
One view has traditionally been more prevalent among Christian scholars, The sequence is as follows:
1. Babylon
2. Medo-Persia
3. Greece
4. Rome
Another view has been more popular among Jewish scholars, and a few Christian scholars
1. Babylon
2. Media
3. Persia
4. Greece
He knows the end from the beginning. He is alpha and omega.
Monday, 13 August 2007
Summer Winter
In the natural we’ve had a long winter. On the Gold Coast it is a magnificent season – no bugs or snakes and the weather is beautiful. You can enjoy outdoors for six months without worrying about cold or heat. This winter, however, has been uncharacteristically cold by comparison to its wonderful history.
When people complained of a cold breeze when I first moved here it was a laugh compared to the real cold coming off the south pole.
In a single day you can feel the season change. There’s always this excitement about a new season. I remember ringing my step mother once and we agreed though it was raining all day it was the demarcation of coming winter and we both reveled in it staying home, loving it.
Yesterday for me was a glorious day though August, on the Gold Coast, it was 28 degrees and it was as though you could hear the words, ‘It’s almost summer.’ Wow.
And in God there are seasons too. Our pastor talked about winter today – not much happens in winter. It is a time of ‘storing nutrients.’ We can’t have spring everyday.
When people complained of a cold breeze when I first moved here it was a laugh compared to the real cold coming off the south pole.
In a single day you can feel the season change. There’s always this excitement about a new season. I remember ringing my step mother once and we agreed though it was raining all day it was the demarcation of coming winter and we both reveled in it staying home, loving it.
Yesterday for me was a glorious day though August, on the Gold Coast, it was 28 degrees and it was as though you could hear the words, ‘It’s almost summer.’ Wow.
And in God there are seasons too. Our pastor talked about winter today – not much happens in winter. It is a time of ‘storing nutrients.’ We can’t have spring everyday.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Sister Golden Hair
Maybe someone reading has met Elizabeth when she was in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia all those years. She said the city had the best transport in the world. She’d know because she was always on trains, buses, trams.
She would spend all her time convincing people of a possible salvation. With her excellent grooming and blonde bob of hair, she once recommended scrubbing your tongue when you had the most important job in the world - speaking one on one.
On this occasion she dropped off some boxes at my place. I’d asked Elizabeth to train me in the art of street evangelism and we’d go down to the highrise and meet Gisella and pray and then arm ourselves with tracts. Her boxes were full of tracts (and Bibles).She had spent all her savings on foreign language tracts. She had all from Ukrainian to Vietnamese and everything in between and she had the Scriptures to argue any case. The tracts were carefully labeled as noone would know the languages. (The Vietnamese community in the Highrises were then making way for the Ethiopians).
The single, sporty woman was off to her home town of Fallbrook California. Concerned about her boxes being stolen, I said just write Christian materials on them and a thief will leave them alone. She laughed in surprise. Why wouldn’t anyone want her precious materials. In her small room in Richmond she had only a bed, a suitcase, some bags for carrying what was in those boxes. She had to go home she felt but intended coming back to Melbourne - a melting pot of cultures where the people were polite enough. They were not put off or offended by Elizabeth because she was so sincere.
In 1995 I decided to visit Elizabeth.
Here I was at Los Angeles Grand station in the morning with some time up my sleeve. I felt safe cos I knew Elizabeth had prayed for my journey to Santiago. I was devastated when my ticket which I’d held upright with some personals had vanished. A woman had approached me earlier with some questions, maybe I was pickpocketed. I lined up for another ticket. I was in the wrong queue and was told in a robotic way, ‘I’m sorry M’am you’ll have to go to that ticket box over there.’ The ticket was not cheap either – I think $26. Phew just made the train. I was waiting for the scenery to get pretty but sadly it didn’t. The few hours were quite ‘industrial.’
When I arrived, Elizabeth gave me the option of the Santiago Zoo or Seaworld. I chose the zoo. She approached a man sitting on a bench. He was wearing sunglasses but when she said just one sentence, a tear fell from his glasses. She had touched his thirsty soul.
She went on to bring the gospel or good news here and there as I observed on this occasion. She told me Americans were harder to reach than Aussies because they considered themselves Christians already, but most had no real relationship with Jesus. Australians on the other hand were honest and in lacking were easier to win over. You knew where you stood.
We had a great day. I went to her church, Fallbrook AOG, her departed parents home, a beautiful old worldy home set on a farm of orchards of citrus fruit – oranges etc. She had a sister there - one of a few. It was a gorgeous warm day. The zoo was wonderful. Herds of wildebeests running wild on the large plains etc.
I wasn’t looking forward to the trip home. I would arrive in LA after 8 pm and get a taxi to Burbank where I was staying with a friend. I don’t know whether it was God or Elizabeth or someone else but I distinctly heard this statement, ‘Don’t go in any other taxi other than yellow.’ I arrived finally at the station and went out to the main road under the archway there. A man with a psychotic look – a mixture of excitement, shame and stuff, approached me from a large old dented blue car with a taxi top. Maybe I would’ve been silly enough to go with him as he beckoned me but I was intercepted by a large older man who barely said a word. I was hid by this man as he ushered me around the corner. There I saw rows of yellow cabs waiting. With a sigh of relief I hopped in one and was on my way home.
Sadly Elizabeth died of cancer a couple years later. Her sisters said ‘she fought the good fight of faith.’ We knew from her letters she knew the warfare but didn’t elaborate too much on the negatives as all soldiers do. I gave her special boxes to Stitches, an outreach to the Highrise in Melbourne, as Elizabeth would have thought that was a good idea.
Though we were opposites, Elizabeth was my chosen mentor and her life and lifestyle were a glorious message of hope, not being spent in vanity but in satisfying service. She always brought people to church and their souls were saved. I’d never seen such dedication, holiness and desire to please God. She had the church’s full support.
She was God’s golden girl.
She would spend all her time convincing people of a possible salvation. With her excellent grooming and blonde bob of hair, she once recommended scrubbing your tongue when you had the most important job in the world - speaking one on one.
On this occasion she dropped off some boxes at my place. I’d asked Elizabeth to train me in the art of street evangelism and we’d go down to the highrise and meet Gisella and pray and then arm ourselves with tracts. Her boxes were full of tracts (and Bibles).She had spent all her savings on foreign language tracts. She had all from Ukrainian to Vietnamese and everything in between and she had the Scriptures to argue any case. The tracts were carefully labeled as noone would know the languages. (The Vietnamese community in the Highrises were then making way for the Ethiopians).
The single, sporty woman was off to her home town of Fallbrook California. Concerned about her boxes being stolen, I said just write Christian materials on them and a thief will leave them alone. She laughed in surprise. Why wouldn’t anyone want her precious materials. In her small room in Richmond she had only a bed, a suitcase, some bags for carrying what was in those boxes. She had to go home she felt but intended coming back to Melbourne - a melting pot of cultures where the people were polite enough. They were not put off or offended by Elizabeth because she was so sincere.
In 1995 I decided to visit Elizabeth.
Here I was at Los Angeles Grand station in the morning with some time up my sleeve. I felt safe cos I knew Elizabeth had prayed for my journey to Santiago. I was devastated when my ticket which I’d held upright with some personals had vanished. A woman had approached me earlier with some questions, maybe I was pickpocketed. I lined up for another ticket. I was in the wrong queue and was told in a robotic way, ‘I’m sorry M’am you’ll have to go to that ticket box over there.’ The ticket was not cheap either – I think $26. Phew just made the train. I was waiting for the scenery to get pretty but sadly it didn’t. The few hours were quite ‘industrial.’
When I arrived, Elizabeth gave me the option of the Santiago Zoo or Seaworld. I chose the zoo. She approached a man sitting on a bench. He was wearing sunglasses but when she said just one sentence, a tear fell from his glasses. She had touched his thirsty soul.
She went on to bring the gospel or good news here and there as I observed on this occasion. She told me Americans were harder to reach than Aussies because they considered themselves Christians already, but most had no real relationship with Jesus. Australians on the other hand were honest and in lacking were easier to win over. You knew where you stood.
We had a great day. I went to her church, Fallbrook AOG, her departed parents home, a beautiful old worldy home set on a farm of orchards of citrus fruit – oranges etc. She had a sister there - one of a few. It was a gorgeous warm day. The zoo was wonderful. Herds of wildebeests running wild on the large plains etc.
I wasn’t looking forward to the trip home. I would arrive in LA after 8 pm and get a taxi to Burbank where I was staying with a friend. I don’t know whether it was God or Elizabeth or someone else but I distinctly heard this statement, ‘Don’t go in any other taxi other than yellow.’ I arrived finally at the station and went out to the main road under the archway there. A man with a psychotic look – a mixture of excitement, shame and stuff, approached me from a large old dented blue car with a taxi top. Maybe I would’ve been silly enough to go with him as he beckoned me but I was intercepted by a large older man who barely said a word. I was hid by this man as he ushered me around the corner. There I saw rows of yellow cabs waiting. With a sigh of relief I hopped in one and was on my way home.
Sadly Elizabeth died of cancer a couple years later. Her sisters said ‘she fought the good fight of faith.’ We knew from her letters she knew the warfare but didn’t elaborate too much on the negatives as all soldiers do. I gave her special boxes to Stitches, an outreach to the Highrise in Melbourne, as Elizabeth would have thought that was a good idea.
Though we were opposites, Elizabeth was my chosen mentor and her life and lifestyle were a glorious message of hope, not being spent in vanity but in satisfying service. She always brought people to church and their souls were saved. I’d never seen such dedication, holiness and desire to please God. She had the church’s full support.
She was God’s golden girl.
Friday, 3 August 2007
On a Scale of 1 to 10 how do you rate?
Women, on a scale of 1 to 10 how did you rate on respecting your husband(remember that word) today?
Men on a scale of 1 to 10 how did you rate on loving your wife (remember that word) today? I’ll skip you guys.
Ouch that hurts. The intention is not to beat ourselves up or discourage but to take on the challenge fearlessly as this is a big fat issue in people’s lives. With all its complications marriage is a like a garden and we’re not all good gardeners. I speak for myself. Families are where our core values come from and all-important to God.
We can blame our childhood but once we’re a new creation in Christ, the Holy Spirit puts his finger on a blindspot and off you go together to correct it. It then becomes a fun exercise (gulp).
A friend described her partner as a comfy armchair but sometimes recliners can become a bed of nails. Marriages do require good maintenancerather than a backyard blitz.
My husband and I were put together by God however, marriage has been relatively tough for both of us. He lost his father in a plane crash when he was 8. My mother was paranoid schizophrenic. We were both robbed. Our parents were robbed also as you can see.
Now you can get out your violins. Discipline, security, boundary problems, a lost childhood, no mentors.
The hardwiring in our minds when traumas took place at various times, now needs to be replaced. Where one might say, ‘Life’s not fair,’ God can come in like a standard against the flood and put a line like, ‘I have a plan for you, you wouldn’t believe even if I told you.’ And if we hold fast to that belief and vision there wouldn’t be that pressure, a morbid expectation, a lie to hold us from blessing.
How does that relate to marriage you say? Well, the whole atmosphere will change with a new thought planted in the heart. The home becomes happy with a purpose, focus on a partner turns northward and things fall into proper place. Attitudes are corrected.
No our partners are not the be all and end all. Write a list of positive incentives if respect/love are implemented. Reward yourself when you can put a tick next to your list. One day the responses will become natural.
Men on a scale of 1 to 10 how did you rate on loving your wife (remember that word) today? I’ll skip you guys.
Ouch that hurts. The intention is not to beat ourselves up or discourage but to take on the challenge fearlessly as this is a big fat issue in people’s lives. With all its complications marriage is a like a garden and we’re not all good gardeners. I speak for myself. Families are where our core values come from and all-important to God.
We can blame our childhood but once we’re a new creation in Christ, the Holy Spirit puts his finger on a blindspot and off you go together to correct it. It then becomes a fun exercise (gulp).
A friend described her partner as a comfy armchair but sometimes recliners can become a bed of nails. Marriages do require good maintenancerather than a backyard blitz.
My husband and I were put together by God however, marriage has been relatively tough for both of us. He lost his father in a plane crash when he was 8. My mother was paranoid schizophrenic. We were both robbed. Our parents were robbed also as you can see.
Now you can get out your violins. Discipline, security, boundary problems, a lost childhood, no mentors.
The hardwiring in our minds when traumas took place at various times, now needs to be replaced. Where one might say, ‘Life’s not fair,’ God can come in like a standard against the flood and put a line like, ‘I have a plan for you, you wouldn’t believe even if I told you.’ And if we hold fast to that belief and vision there wouldn’t be that pressure, a morbid expectation, a lie to hold us from blessing.
How does that relate to marriage you say? Well, the whole atmosphere will change with a new thought planted in the heart. The home becomes happy with a purpose, focus on a partner turns northward and things fall into proper place. Attitudes are corrected.
No our partners are not the be all and end all. Write a list of positive incentives if respect/love are implemented. Reward yourself when you can put a tick next to your list. One day the responses will become natural.
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Shaun the Sheep
Shaun the Sheep is a gorgeous little show on ABC kids at the moment. Shaun is a cut above the rest – proactive and a leader with some silly antics.
Unfortunately we are referred to as sheep by our maker. We all like sheep have gone astray.
In a way it’s comforting to know from Psalm 23 that the Lord is our shepherd and he understands our waywardness and frailty. He makes us to lie in green pastures. He restores our soul… His rod and staff comfort us. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. ‘My cup runs over’… God is a good shepherd.
I think of a lamb when I read that the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour. When a sheep is all alone, or on the outer, the lion or the enemy can attack with little resistance. There’s protection in staying in the flock.
I’m happy with the sheep thing.
Unfortunately we are referred to as sheep by our maker. We all like sheep have gone astray.
In a way it’s comforting to know from Psalm 23 that the Lord is our shepherd and he understands our waywardness and frailty. He makes us to lie in green pastures. He restores our soul… His rod and staff comfort us. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. ‘My cup runs over’… God is a good shepherd.
I think of a lamb when I read that the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour. When a sheep is all alone, or on the outer, the lion or the enemy can attack with little resistance. There’s protection in staying in the flock.
I’m happy with the sheep thing.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Who do you Trust?
I remember it was a very quick work the day my father and my brother fell off their pedestals in my life. They were no longer the gods I made them to be. It was not so much by their action or my attitude but just a dawning that, yes, they were indeed human with some failings and the only one to be worshipped is God. Other various family members were also up there and had to be brought down. God is a ‘jealous God’ by his own admission.
Jeremiah 17 has a wonderful key to life. Here goes..
‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man…
he will be like a bush in the wastelands…
…dwell in the parched places of the desert
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
Whose confidence is in Him
He will be like a tree planted by the water…
It does not fear when heat comes
Its leaves are always green
It has no worries in a year of drought
And never fails to bear fruit.’
Jeremiah 17 has a wonderful key to life. Here goes..
‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man…
he will be like a bush in the wastelands…
…dwell in the parched places of the desert
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
Whose confidence is in Him
He will be like a tree planted by the water…
It does not fear when heat comes
Its leaves are always green
It has no worries in a year of drought
And never fails to bear fruit.’
Friday, 13 July 2007
What's happening in France
The 700 Club from the ACC channel last night tells us France has set up a new law recently which could affect evangelism in that country. In an effort to crack down on cults it has brought in stiff new legislation and as much as a five year jail sentence to deal with those who try to force or coerce people into their beliefs. As a result one of the biggest churches of believers in the South are under surveillance. An Australian missionary over there has changed the name of his church from Christian Life Centre. Many churches are changing their names eg. Evangelical. Even the Catholic charismatics are under suspicion. It looks like the gospel message may have to go as it did in the days of early Apostles, underground. (See Foxes Book of Martyrs).
On another note, The 700 Club went onto show the amazing conversion of a top male model from Belgium. Jules was a young man when he went to France. He began modeling and was the face of many products and on the front of vogue and so on. In his loneliness however Jules began to drink and then got onto cocaine, then prostitutes. He really came to the end of himself far from home in every way. A woman in France gave him a book by Billy Graham. While on a plane ride he read just a few lines and then something bizarre happened thousands of feet up. The presence of God enveloped him. He responded to a question he heard while in this euphoric state. The trip was a blurr as he encountered God for the first time. His life was totally transformed. He ended up marrying the girl who led him to Christ and they have a beautiful son. It was lovely to hear him tell his sincere and open story.
On another note, The 700 Club went onto show the amazing conversion of a top male model from Belgium. Jules was a young man when he went to France. He began modeling and was the face of many products and on the front of vogue and so on. In his loneliness however Jules began to drink and then got onto cocaine, then prostitutes. He really came to the end of himself far from home in every way. A woman in France gave him a book by Billy Graham. While on a plane ride he read just a few lines and then something bizarre happened thousands of feet up. The presence of God enveloped him. He responded to a question he heard while in this euphoric state. The trip was a blurr as he encountered God for the first time. His life was totally transformed. He ended up marrying the girl who led him to Christ and they have a beautiful son. It was lovely to hear him tell his sincere and open story.
Who is the One Person who Christians Rely on for Their Journey
No it’s not Jesus.
No, the one person Christians rely on for decision making, counsel, comfort and advocacy is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He was promised by Jesus before Jesus was about to ascend into heaven. ‘If I go away…I will send the Comforter… etc. He will remind you of everything I’ve said…’
The Holy Spirit was sent as a deposit for things to come. He is gentle. He convicts of sin. Without Him nothing could be changed in a person’s life because when he puts his finger on an area of your life which needs changing all you want to do is yield… it’s easier than a merry-go-round of conviction.
We can grieve Him with wrong attitudes, wrong behaviour etc. We don’t want to do that because like a dove he may take leave. We can quench him by not obeying his wooing for certain action. Every born again Spirit filled Christian loves the precious Holy Spirit.
No, the one person Christians rely on for decision making, counsel, comfort and advocacy is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He was promised by Jesus before Jesus was about to ascend into heaven. ‘If I go away…I will send the Comforter… etc. He will remind you of everything I’ve said…’
The Holy Spirit was sent as a deposit for things to come. He is gentle. He convicts of sin. Without Him nothing could be changed in a person’s life because when he puts his finger on an area of your life which needs changing all you want to do is yield… it’s easier than a merry-go-round of conviction.
We can grieve Him with wrong attitudes, wrong behaviour etc. We don’t want to do that because like a dove he may take leave. We can quench him by not obeying his wooing for certain action. Every born again Spirit filled Christian loves the precious Holy Spirit.
Friday, 6 July 2007
It's my Party
Nellie Furtado writes a great song, 'why must all good things come to an end' - for me it's the forties... and then she says 'I'm whistling a new tune.' This is what I want for the start of my jubilee year today 7th 7th 2007. In the Bible, the 50th year meant freedom from all debt - wow what a grace concept. I want this vision for my year ahead. Build the Kingdom of God, seek him first and all things will be added to me - freedom from debt too would be a nice side product. I thank God today for restoring to me everything that was lost, (through dysfunction to stupidity), when I invited him to take me under His wing.
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