Finding joy in the everyday

Friendship with God is our most important friendship we can ever have, better than any earthly friend.  God is never too busy for us, He never leaves us to go off to do other things, He will walk through the darkest valleys and hold our hands, He will provide comfort for ANY heartache, we can cry on His shoulder and lean when weary. He never gossips about us and never goes off and becomes better friends with someone else. He never berates us or makes us feel silly or worthless. He never makes fun of us or laughs when we do something embarrassing. He is always available to talk to, no time is inconvenient, He is contactable 24/7. He doesn't go on holidays and forget about us and nor will He ever retire.  His friendship is not based on emotions or favours, rather it is enduring and rock-solid. He will never abandoned us and when life’s circumstances hit us badly, our dearest friend will always be there. No matter the storm, He is always beside us...

Herbs And God said, “See, I have given you every  herb  that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.   (Genesis 1:29) Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden and perfect for children to learn about the love of gardening and food.  Herbs are also wonderful for the senses - touch, smell, seeing and tasting. This is my herb garden and we all get great pleasure from it (even the Charlie cat loves to smell the herbs as she walks past) Herb gardens would have been found in most homes of the past (including in biblical times) as they didn't have a herb section in their local supermarket!! Herbs are great in cooking, for medicinal purposes, keeping pests from the garden or for simply just enjoying, they are a wonderful addition to any garden. Even if you have little space, herbs don't mind being grown in pots on the porch or even inside in ...

When was the last time you ... a) wrote a letter by hand; b) used a street directory or other paper map;  c) multiplied two large numbers in your head;  d) memorised a phone number that wasn't your own. Chances are it's been a while, and there's a simple reason: technology means we hardly ever need to. With nine in 10 Australians carrying a smartphone in their pocket, skills that society once considered essential have become redundant. Prominent British neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, for instance, has long argued that technology is fundamentally altering our brains, and not always for the better. She worries about a world confined to two dimensions, where audiovisual entertainment delivered via screens becomes so prevalent that it leaves no time to develop other senses, and where our attention spans are so shattered by a torrent of information that we can no longer appreciate the beauty of a good story or enjoy a conversation. ( source ) Thi...

Artist:    Louis Treserras Realistic artist (not  photography) French

Carlton Alfred Smith, "Recalling the Past" Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Be anxious for nothing — to be anxious is going against God's Word, therefore we must try very hard to avoid this state of mind. It isn't easy, believe me, it requires a lot of work and prayers at times — I know, some days can a real struggle, but . . . whilst Paul tells us to not worry, he doesn't just leave us hanging, he goes on to say . . . .  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. The things which you learned and received and he...

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. Philippians 4:8 These lovely flowers are from my garden and give such a lovely pink splash among the greenery.  ***** THE BEAUTY OF GOD'S CREATION I look around, and everywhere I can see, The beauty of God's Creation smiling back at me. A precious baby with velvety soft skin, Wiggling its tiny hands and feet, On its face an adorable grin. First morning dew on a pink rose; A beautiful butterfly drawing to it close. The sun's golden rays gently warming the ground; Luscious plants covering the soil abound. Humming birds singing high up in the tree; White sand glistening in the tur...

According to an article titled " Where are the dads? Parental leave for men remains low" (March 4th 2016):  J ust one in fifty Australian men takes parental leave, according to a new research paper from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that looks at the issue across member countries. Australia's result compares with 40 per cent or more of men taking parental leave in some Nordic countries, and also Portugal. It's important to distinguish between father or partner leave - leave a father or same-sex partner takes when a newborn arrives - with parental leave; a longer period of job-protected leave. Fathers, or partners, who care for their kids are more likely to stay engaged in that relationship as their children grow, the OECD research shows.  And children with dads who participate more in family life also have better emotional outcomes and mental health. Dads benefit too: they have greater satisfaction with their lives, and b...