Finding joy in the everyday

Most of us have a best friend we walk to honesty and openly - and frequently. Would any of us be satisfied speaking with a close friend once every few years. God wants to communicate with us ALL the time. First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to " P ray without ceasing. . . for is the this will of God in Christ Jesus. " The more time we spend praying, the more we can relate to God in every moment of time.   Graig Groechel author of the " The Christian Atheist " God answers all prayers, however they are not always the answers we want to hear.   God doesn't say "Yes" to everything we ask for, sometimes He makes us wait (how many years did we wait for a break in the drought - 10 years) and sometimes His response isn't what we want to hear. (they can be quite the opposite). Prayers aren't for requesting a winning lottery ticket (or an expensive Christmas present), we maybe very surprised at the response to these!   Unanswered prayers can be frustrati...

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
 What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Refrain:
 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way 
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away;
 Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
 But our toil He doth richly repay;
 Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
 But is blessed if we trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay;
 For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
 Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
 What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
 Never fear, only trust and obey. By John H. Sammis ...

According to a local newspaper (14.12.10) last Christmas 6 million Australians received one or more presents they never used or later gave away, a new survey by the Australia Institute reveals. . . . unwanted presents represented a staggering $798 million waste of money, time and resources. The reason why I am mentioning this is all due to DH.  At Christmas and birthdays I provide DH with a list of things I would like (options he can consider or disregard).  However DH refuses to give me any ideas of what he would like, instead he would like me to be adventurous and surprise him.  Now my DH is not into: sport (playing or watching) cars spirits or expensive alcohol clothes (he can be quite picky) reading (he likes to read, however 1 book can last all year, he hasn't read last years book!) jewellery (he doesn't wear any) As for gadgets - he loves them, however he has bought all those he wanted - leaving me with no other gadgets he would like. So . . .  w...

The 16th of December is Jane Austen's birthday Perfect timing to share some of my favourite quotes. Good opinion once lost, is lost forever. (from P&P) The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it. (from P&P) Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life. (from P&P) Young ladies are delicate plants. They should take care of their health and their complexion. (from Emma)   A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals. (from Emma)   One hal...

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.   2 Timothy 3:16 Who reads the Bible?  Would you be surprised that most people do not read the Bible. Sadly no.  If you do read the Bible, how often do you read it?  More than once a day, once a day, weekly, occasionally? A survey conducted last year (in Australia) asked young people (13 to 24 year olds) about their Bible reading habits.  Conservatively interpreted, the results showed that around: 4% of young people read the Bible daily 8% read it weekly 15% per read it very occasionally 24% never read the Bible but "believed" in God 49% did not believe in God and therefore never read the Bible Those that read the Bible daily or weekly also attended church services and youth activities, most also had parents and friends who also attended church frequently.  Certainly when I was attending scho...

SUMMER This selection of paintings depict how I see summer. I haven't selected famous paintings, most of these are contemporary with unknown artists. " Wildflowers and summer " by Stephen Darbishire  " Summer wind " by Mark Shasha "Mount Maceden" by Peter Gerasmon If someone asked me to describe summer in Australia - this is what I would describe, the painting says it all.  I can even smell that dry grass and eucalyptus trees. " Summer in Masuren " by Fasani "Surfing before a storm" by Elizabeth Moore Golding painting by Roberta Baer As children, we often ate fresh strawberries, picked from the garden in summer - they smelt divine!!  And occasionally as topping on Pavlova. ~oOo~

My children are grown up.  Looking after them is easy.  I fill up the pantry and they eat their way through it.  If they need new clothes I send them shopping.  If they want to go to sleep, I kiss them goodnight and off they go - if they don't go to sleep I am not very concerned.  I have free time to relax, not only for a few minutes, it could be hours.  I can go out and leave them behind, alone.  We can have long and meaningful conversations - on the phone - texting.    Of course having older children has other issues, but they are not (generally) issues that last 24/7. Last week I spent a few days with a young new mum and I realised how simple, relaxing and peaceful my life is compared to a new mum with a bub (or two).  I had forgot the complete dependency a baby has on their mum, the fact that every job you do (while they are awake) you need to consider the baby, you can't sit and enjoy your dinner as you are very busy looking after ...