Finding joy in the everyday

George Marks (1857-1933) - The Rhododendron Walk Art Friday: Flowers in gardens and fields Todays paintings are for anyone needing a quiet and tranquil place to rest awhile.  A place that is calm and peaceful, removing all those sad thoughts, bad news and world events that only bring heartbreak and replaces it with flowers, perfume and beauty.  Lets all escape just for a while.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) Abbott Fuller Graves (1859 - 1936) - Spring Garden Mary Dipnall — High Pastures Kaethe Hoeltzell Arthur Parton Anton Filkuka (1888-1957)  Mary Dipnall — Bluebell Path Daniel Garber (1880-1958) Michael James Smith — Derbyshire in Spring Gerhard Nesvadba - Poppies and Wheatfield Mary Dipnall S.M. Lee, The Last Days of Summer Jean Marc Janiaczyk *****

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:39) Seventy years ago Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated.  Approximately 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, died at Auschwitz and over 6 millions Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime during World War II. We must NEVER forget these horrors, no matter how terrible they are.  We must not hide our children from the truth. They must understand the importance of tolerances towards ALL others as hate and intolerance leads to places like Auschwitz.  We need to LOVE our neighbours regardless of their; colour, their religion, their sexual orientation, their language, their country of birth, their political ideology - if they are completely different to you or me.  This is commanded of us by God.  ~ No pit is so deep that God is not deeper still ~ Corrie ten Boom from T he Hiding Place *****

Last week I wrote about a young woman who wore whatever she pleased as it made her feel happy and sexy and she didn’t care if men looked at her. As far as she was concerned, it was their problem not hers. This week I found a news story where a woman decided to no longer wear leggings as she felt it was making men lust and slide.  What she didn’t expect was the level of backlash from other women who told her that she  was  promoting rape culture, some were saying that it’s not my problem to cover up my body because a man is always going to look . Veronica Partridge wrote a blog post: “Why I chose to no longer wear leggings”: “ Was it possible my wearing leggings could cause a man, other than my husband, to think lustfully about my body? I asked my husband his thoughts on the matter when he got home.  “I appreciated his honesty when he told me, ‘Yeah, when I walk into a place and there are women wearing yoga pants everywhere, it’s hard to not look. I try n...

~ Alice in Wonderland ~ Every adventure requires the first step - The Cheshire Cat. Who read Alice in Wonderland as a child? Was it a favourite? What character did you enjoy the most? I loved this book and have read it many times. So much happens in it, its creative, clever, the language is delightful and parts are just plain silly.  I can even remember where I was when I read it the first time!! I think its the perfect book for older child. *****

"Mother and son" by Robert Duncan Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel , and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.   (1 Peter 3:7) If you want to stir up strife and offend women, Christian and non-Christian alike, share this particular verse.  Why . . .  because women jump to the conclusion that being " the weaker vessel " means that they are: have lesser value in society,  are not as capable as men, less able to do things, less important, and  men see themselves are more superior. If we just look at the word " weaker " in a physical sense only . . . it is true that women are physically weaker than men. I can't lift really heavy objects whereas my husband can, it is a fact that cannot be disputed and has been proven many times.  Of course, if we are home alone, we can improvise and do...

Art Friday: Steve Mills No, theses are not photographs which makes them even more amazing! I love the seaside ones in particular. How has your week been? We only had one problem this week - a storm went over on Thursday evening (the rain was very welcome) and a limb from our very large Gum Tree broke and landed in the garden. Whilst it made a mess, I thank the Lord it didn't touch the car or garage (just missing them) so the cost isn't financial. Our son spent a few days in Melbourne and had a wonderful time - it is now a place he is considering moving to one day. He loved the fact that there were so many vegan restaurants that he didn't need to even look for places to eat as there were so many choices. Work went smoothly, my back is recovering, I have started a jigsaw and working on a number of sewing projects.  Have a wonderful weekend and looking forward to seeing you all in the new week. *****

Something to ponder. . . . Life throws many obstacles in our way, Satan seeks every opportunity to trip us up and own own flesh works against us as we head to the finish line. The challenge is to see all of life pressures -- every obstacle, every trail -- as opportunities to become more like the Lord Jesus. Joy comes from knowing we are God's children and therefore no trial or difficulty is ever wasted. God uses everything in our lives to humble us and to make us more like His son.  Keeping your eyes on Him will make all obstacles seem small in comparison and free you to love your husband, your children, your home etc.. without regard to circumstances.  Whatever the injustice or trial, you can endure because " I can do things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) From: "Love Endures", The Excellent Wife by Karen Eiler  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ...

Guest writer: Bets Death at any time is difficult. My first experience of it was as a 10 year old when my mother was extremely ill in hospital and it was thought she would die. But she didn’t and so death was not really understood. When I was 12 my grandfather died, totally unexpectedly, seemingly healthy one day and gone 2 days later. It was a mystery to me at that time, and I often thought I caught sight of him in the streets over the next few months. During my many years as a nurse, I saw death in many. Mostly it came peacefully, but other times it came “unexpectedly”. It was still a mystery in many ways though. How one could be, and then not be. The real force of death came just a few weeks before my 28 th birthday, when the Lord called my mother home at 51 years of age. It had been an event anticipated, but the reality of it was crushing. Bewildering. Hard to escape – for months. My life just kept on, but seemingly without purpose. How could the...

~ Edwardian woman ~ The Edwardian era is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910. Fashion in European and European-influenced countries continued the long elegant lines of the 1890s. A new, columnar silhouette signaled the approaching abandonment of the corset as an indispensable garment of fashionable women. ( Source ) This is an interesting era in history for women. Women began to throw off the shackles of restrictive  Victorian age and started the movement towards independences. Middle class women (those single) entered the work force in greater numbers, commenced the moment towards demanding the vote and other rights that had excluded women.  However, the poor suffered the most (as they always do) and those women who were widowed or abandoned by their husbands and unable to find work (in serve) were forced in the workhouses in droves. Their lives were one of misery, likewise their children. Many died young.   What non of them ...

Source: Pinterest Below is a letter that I found in "Letters to the Editor" of a local newspaper - I thought was worth sharing. It gives insight into why many younger women dress the way they do.  " Wearing a short skirt makes me happy, excited, sensual and daring.  I don't wear a short skirt to impress you, to attract you, or to arouse you.  It is not about you.  I don't mind if you glance at me. I understand that the sight of an attractive young woman in a short skirt is a source of joy and pleasure for both males and females. If I make you happy, then yeah! But do not ever presume that it is OK to stare, call out, follow or harass me. I repeat, it is not about you. I reserve the right to dress how I choose (within the bounds of decency)."   ( LINK ) Its all about me . I consider myself very important and I don't care about anyone else. I don't care if I upset others, cause them to lust or cause discomfort or di...

Art Friday: Kiyoshi Saitō  April 27, 1907 – November 14, 1997, born in Aizubange, Fukushima, Japan Painter and print maker I know nothing about Japanese art having never studied it. Therefore I really can't provide  any intelligent comment of these prints by Kiyoshi Saito, except that I really like them. I am particularly drawn to their simplicity, of colour, line and topic. What do you think? PS I do love the prints of cats that he does. Any person who likes cats is a friend of mine!! If you want to learn more about Kiyoshi Saito check out this LINK . ******