Finding joy in the everyday

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, And Jesus call us to Heaven’s perfect peace. 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) Photos sourced: LINK

Below is part of an  interesting  article from "Focus on Family" by  Joanne  Kraft ( SOURCE ). I have taken the part that looks at all the little things that parents teach their children  i.e.   picking  up toys and why these small steps are so important later in life.  Sometimes being a parent is just so hard — but what you are doing is SO important, perhaps it is hard to see right now, but later on when the fruits of your labour  flourish, it will all make so much more sense.  I hope you enjoy this article.  Small steps, big beginnings One day when my kids were young, I slumped down at my kitchen table and dropped my face into my hands. Tears welled as I prayed silently. Really, Lord, is this my lot in life? Teaching children to put away their toys? Reminding them repeatedly to use kind words and to share with each other? Lord, surely You must have something bigger, more important for my life. After I whined to a friend about yet another frustrating

Part 4: Getting the  balance   right  For any woman who works (whether that be in a home based business or one outside the home), it is so important to recognise that you are doing two jobs — one away from home and one when you get home. This can be very difficult and stressful, especially if you have children, which is why some women move to part-time hours or stop working completely. However, not all women have this option and we need to be sympathetic  and understanding to these women and help in any way we can.   A study* undertaken in Australia (Australian National University) found that working more than 39 hours a week can impact on a person’s mental and physical health. The researchers found that anything longer than 39 hours at work meant workers had less time to eat well and look after themselves properly (i.e. go for walks, get some fresh air, time to shop for healthy options). They were, in fact, putting their health at risk. For women, this is a bigger proble

Each Friday for many years I have been posting different examples of art. It is time for change . From now on, Fridays will vary.  Some weeks it will be Peaceful Friday, Fun Friday, at other times it will be Uplifting Friday (like today) or a dose of art.  I want to use this space to inspire, encourage, bring joy and let us forget the nasties of this world, even if just for a moment.  Lets end of the week on something positive and uplifting.  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4: 8-9 ~

Priscilla Priscilla and her husband Aquila are mentioned six times in the bible. Each time their names are together, sometimes Priscilla's name is first, others is Aquila.  Paul first meets the couple in Corinth. They had recently returned from Italy because all Jews had to depart Rome. Paul stayed with them because they had the same occupation of tent making, and when he travelled on, the couple went with him.  Acts 18:1-3 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.   So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.   Acts 18:18 [Paul Returns to Antioch ] So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila wer

Part 3: Getting organised 😫 I don't know about you, but if I am surrounded by disorder (clutter, mess, chaos) my brain doesn't function that well. In fact it can quickly lead to high blood pressure and increased stress.  For my working day to run smoothly I need order and calm. That means I need to keep on top of the disorder and remain as organised as possible. When I leave in the morning my house is neat and tidy and things like the kitchen are orderly, so when I walk in at 4:30 in the afternoon the house is calm and tidy and I don't  have to stumble over anything.  This is the only way I can function whilst working full-time.  One of the biggest difficulty facing working women is trying to manage their homes whilst working — the secret is being organised. This comes naturally to some but not all and can be quite a struggle to learn and maintain. However it is important to learn otherwise you will find yourself going in circle and struggling endless

Rembrandt, A Woman Weeping, mid to late 1640s Art Friday: Women weeping Let your tears flow and where they go, let your sorrows follow.   ~Dodinsky, The Magdalen Weeping. about 1525 Vincent van Gogh - Weeping Woman Heart's Dearest, Why Do You Cry Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) Jacques-Louis David The weeping woman by  Pablo Picasso  

Contentious : causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial, (of a person) given to provoking argument. The Book of Proverbs paints a graphic picture of a contentious wife and it isn’t pretty. A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. (Proverbs 19:13) A contentious wife is not a person any husband is going to enjoy living with and she is bound to make him very miserable. Can you imagine having to listen continually to a dripping tap — it would send you mad, which is why things like water-boarding are use in torture.  She is argumentative and she is always right so her poor husband never stand a chance.  She argues for the sake of arguing and she uses her arguments to dominate her husband until he is worn down to a thread and she is in control of everything. I am sure you have all met men that appear to be a shell of themselves and cringe with their wives arrive. They are the sort of women that no one re