Finding joy in the everyday

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2  Timothy 3:16-17) I recently studied the Gospel of John and found it fascinating and learned many things I was unaware of or unclear about and in the process, bringing me closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. I used Ray C. Stedman's book "Exploring the Gospel of John: God's Loving Word" which I found very good.  We all study the bible in different ways—each of us have found ways that work for us and its important to note that our leaning is likely to vary to other ladies. What works for me, may not work for someone else.   Some women attend bible study groups and find them very useful. Other women find them less so. Some women undertaken online study groups or courses. Some women study along with their husband.  Some women study ...

The Book of Job is full of wonderfully vivid descriptions of the planet we live on. In Job 38 and 39 God talks about the many animals he created, from the lion, the mountain goats, to the donkey, the ox, the rather silly ostrich, the beautiful majestic horse to the hawk that spread its wings across the sky. I just love how each creature is described in such detail and the words are so beautifully crafted. If you close your eyes you can imagine each of these animals so vividly.  God created all these wondrous creatures, giving each one abilities to cope in nature, from the deserts to the mountain tops. Each animal has a purpose, none are place on earth for random reasons, each carefully created by God and not through some spontaneous action — what an extraordinary world God has created in which we are part of.   Which is why we need to take care of it “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, When they crouch in...

I gave my mum a book written by a young christian man and after she had finished reading it I asked her if she enjoyed it. Her response was " it made me feel very sad as I didn't think he was a very good Christian at all ". This got me thinking, what is a Christian? If one walks into a room, what does he or she look like, what do they sound like, what comes out of their mouth, what does their behaviour look like. Because how we present ourselves to the world is how non-Christians " see " us and from this they base their views on Christianity. Some even want to know more based on our behaviour. All I can say, many non-Christians must be very confused, as I am at times. Over the years I have read many blogs by Christians (mostly by women) and the one thing that strikes me is the diversity of belief. Whilst we all believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that He died on the cross for our sins, our lives varies so much, it is hard to know what " living ...

A hotel in the Lake District, England has replaced the Bible that usually appears in all hotel room with the very popular soft porn novel, Fifty Shades of Grey . Why, because it is more interesting and a best seller!  I'm sure some visitors will get quite a surprise when they open their bedside drawer to find this erotic book to read.  Unfortunately a child could come across this book quite unexpected as it is simply in the drawer next to the bed and I know a number of parents who really wouldn't want their young ones to flick through the book. As would be expected, it caused quite an outrage, including from the local parish priest.  The owner of the hotel felt the Bible was no longer relevant in our secular society. But if anyone wants a copy of the Bible, they will need to ask for it at reception.  I suppose it isn't much different to the range of movies that are on offer in many hotels, even including X-rated films. Its just the way it all appear...

Apple Blossom by Martin Johnson Heade Rest in the Lord,  and wait patiently for Him Trust in the Lord, and do good;
 Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord,
 Trust also in Him,
 And He shall bring it to pass.
 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
 Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; 
Do not fret—it only causes harm. Psalm 37:1-8

I will never leave you nor forsake you Hebrews 13:5 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 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above James 1:17 May you take these verses with you this week and know that God is with you. For those unwell or struggling, tired or weary or your brain is feeling all foggy, you are in my prayers.  For those of you who are doing something new and you are feeling nervous, God is with you.  For those who feel they are all in a muddle . . . don't panic, the LORD is your strength. Likewise those with sick children or grandchildren, the LORD is your rock. Don't give up . . . just LOOK UP Hugs *** Autumn has arrived in my garden and the Maple Tree is changing into these most beautiful golden colours. Hope you enjoyed this burst of orange, red and yellow - I took thes...

As I write this, 2011 is drawing to a close. By midnight tonight the new year would have arrived. This is the time of year when people dream up New Years resolutions - the most popular resolutions being: spending more time with family and friends getting fit/loose weight quite smoking/drinking enjoy life more get out of debt learn something new get organised However, most people either forget or cannot maintain their New Year resolutions so with a short span of time they are long forgotten. Last year I thought I would "learn something new" and crocheting was going to be my thing. It never happened.  I did try but it was just "too hard".  However I did do a few other things that were not on my list, such as learn how to make jam and chutneys, make bread, improve my sewing, start embroidering and produce vegetables for my family.  These I have done all year and will continue into the new year.  I have also lost weight . . and will continue into 2012 (just need ...

When in sorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . call John 14 When men fail you . . . . . . . . . . . . . call Psalm 27 When you have sinned . . . . . . . . . . . . . call Psalm 51 When you worry . . . . . . . . . . . call Matthew 6:19-34 When you are in danger . . . . . . . . . . . .  call Psalm 91 When God seems far away . . . . . . . . . . call Psalm 139 When your faith needs stirring . . .  . . .  call Hebrews 11 When you are lonely and fearful . . . . . . call Psalm 23 When you grow bitter and critical . . . . call I Corinthians 13 When you feel down and out . . . . . . . . . call Romans 8:31 When you want peace and rest . . .  call Matthew 11:25-30 When the world seems bigger than God . . . . . call Psalm 90 When you want Christian assurance . . . call Romans 8:1-30 When you leave home for labor or travel .  . call Psalm 121 When your prayers grow narrow or selfish . . call Psalm 67 When you want courage for a task . . . . . . call Joshua 1 If you...

I was writing in my journal yesterday evening and the news came on - I heard the newsreader announcing that the Australian people would be going to a Federal Election in 5 weeks (21st of August) to select a new government to lead this nation.  Both leaders of our major parties were then interviewed and they used the words " trust me ".  I chuckled to myself as at that very moment I was writing the following verses into my journal.  “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” Isaiah 26:4 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” Psalms 118:8 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 Sorry politicians - my trust is not with man, but with the Lord Jesus Christ - my heavenly father. It doesn't take very long to find the words " Trust in the Lord ", they are repeated time and time again in the Bible.  When a politician says "trust me"...

Time To Be Ready (by Bernice Ward) Oh its time, yes its time Jesus will return for His Church,
 He has prepared a mansion for us in the sky,
 Just be ready for He will return by and by.

 He promised, He would come again And take us home with Him,
 How we long for Him and feel His embrace,
 But most of all to look upon His lovely face.

 We dont know when He is coming,
 The time is getting nearer,
 Do keep pressing on and trust in Jesus,
 So we'll be ready when He appears.

 He wants all His children ready
 When the trumpet call will sound, Just a little longer, "My children"
 Hold on, we will soon be glory bound! "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am , there ye may be also. "   (John 14:2-3) (source link) No picture could ever illustrate how magnificent...

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Colossians 3:2 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth Colossians 3:8 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye Colossians 3:13 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong ...

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strenght; Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the Lord our God. Psalm 105: 1-7 (NKJ) (Daintree, Queensland - Australia)

Now, you must be wondering what this blog entry will be about - what can a girl write about bus tickets!! For 30 years from the 1960's to the 1980's in the City of Adelaide (in the state of South Australia, Australia) all bus, tram and train tickets carried a slogan (through/verse) with between 920,00 and 990,00 travellers reading these every day. These were not any sort of slogan - they were compiled by Kenneth Leal, a retired Christian business man. Mr Leal had an idea - place a thought or slogan on the back of each ticket to cheer people up as they travelled their life's journey.   Many carried a Christian message of hope and encouragement and travellers would write to Mr Leal expressing their gratitude for his comforting words.  Some found inspiration at a dark moment, others were challenged by the words and some made people laugh.   Isn't this a great story of one mans idea to spread happiness and the word of God. Sadly by the 1980's this came to an en...

What to Forget & What to Remember Forget each kindness that you do As soon as you have done it; Forget the praise that falls to you The moment you have won it; Forget the slanders that you have hear Before you can repeat it; Forget each slight, each spite, each sneer, Wherever you may meet it. * * * Remember every kindness done To you whate're its measure; Remember praise by other won And pass it on with pleasure; Remember every promise made And keep it to the letter; Remember those who lend you aid, And be a grateful debtor. * * * Remember all the happiness That comes your way in living; Forget each worry and distress, Be hopeful and forgiving. Remember good, remember truth Remember heaven’s above you; And you will find through ages and youth True joys, and heart to love you. * * * "We will remember Thy love” (Song of Sol 1:4) " Forgetting those things which are behind" (Phil 3:13) "We will remember ...

~ Psalm 23 ~ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; h eleadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk though the valley of the sadow of death,  I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.   http://godislove.deviantart.com/art/Green-pastures-54468289 ~ Luke 15: 4 - 7 ~  What man of you, having an hundred sheep,  if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth toge...

http://bokor.deviantart.com/art/Storm-23183696 "Through waves, and clouds, and storms He gently clears the way"

I have been reading Ruth Graham’s book “ Fear Not Tomorrow, God is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times ”.  Yesterdays’ chapter was “Embrace His Forgiveness” and tells the story of the Prodigal Son. The son who leaves his fathers home after demanding his inheritance and cutting himself off from his family.  Things don't go well for him, he lives irresponsibly, runs out of money, creates enemies.  He has hit rock bottom, things can't get worse. Have you been there?  He decided to return home and ask for forgiveness.  His father had been watching the road, and sees his son and runs to him. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son. Luke 15:20-21 As Graham says “What an incredible picture of forgiveness, as the father embraces the son, there is n...

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; Is is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving. And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100 (NKJ) Source: http://rotyoung.deviantart.com/art/Down-the-path-26755184 “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” --  Corrie Ten Boom --