Flying by ...

Now that I'm back teaching full-time - life has taken a new sense of normal.  I haven't blogged for ages (well, about five months?); Facebook doesn't see me during the week, and my daily phone calls to amazing friends are limited to weekends - and if that sometimes :-(

BUT ... I love being back at work.  It is working amazingly well for our family.  DH is an absolute star, juggling home and the business.  The kids have settled into a wonderful day-care centre with staff who are caring, attentive and just brilliant. 

I'm starting to feel a bit of a writing mojo coming on - so at the moment it is just simmering away in the background.  Lots has happened in the past two years since our last baby was born.  Lots spiritually - I am in such a different space than then (in a good way!); family wise, job wise ... learning to just settle back, take stock, talk less, think more and then move forward again :-)

Off now to finish my prep for the week - see you on the flipside - hopefully sooner rather than later.

Early

In a past life, before kids, I used to be an early bird.  I grew up in a family where 7am was a sleep in.  Everyone was pretty much in bed fast asleep by 9pm - I think I could have counted the times I stayed up till mid-night before I was 18 on both hands (and they were probably sleep-overs at friends). 

I'm sitting here wondering why I am struggling (more frustration and grumpy feelings) with getting up with my children.  They go to bed at what I deem a reasonable time (between 6.30-7.30pm, depending on the littles ones last naps).  That happening - any-time from 5.30 is an eleven hour sleep - which is very reasonable.  They don't last much past that bed-time, with Mr.4 often putting himself to bed if we don't.  He's a very light sleeper; some days I think he's often awake from the baby's 4am feed.

I think (ok, I know) it is my attitude rather than them.  If I find a magic cure to help them all sleep through (last night was one of those nights where I was up with a scratchy, itchy baby girl) I'll let you know ... but until then .... I need to rest in God's strength that He will help me re-adjust my attitude and enjoy these early mornings.  One bright spot for today - the bread is raising, the fires both started first pop (somehow I forgot to load them when I crashed into bed last night, so they were out when I first got up) and apparently it's not meant to rain - so maybe a beach trip.

Blessing for Sunday!!

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Sunday thoughts

Yip ... on a little roll

This is probably one of my favorite songs.  Listen and may you be blessed this Sunday - where ever and however you worship today, in a church, in your home, at your workplace - may the AMAZING GRACE of God wash over you and through you today - and flow into mighty rivers that touch others.

New Creation Church worship song

Sunday Thoughts

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Something I read this morning left an interesting thought in my mind.  We have a choice in our lives, we can choose to focus on all the failures in our lives and how we may not be the perfect witness of a walk with God, and how our actions and choices may 'grieve' God OR we can turn that around and claim the promises of God in our lives and live out of that faith and knowledge.  To be honest I think I would rather focus on the second part because when I focus on myself and my shortcomings (which I am in no way dismissing completely) , I miss the wondrous glory and complete sacrifice of Jesus for me on the Cross.    

One of the questions I read was 'what is it to walk with God?' - I would respond by using the words of another author "Trust in Jesus. Bet your life on Him. Take the crown off your head and lay it at His feet. Choose to believe what the Bible says about Him, that He died for the sins of the world – including yours – and rose victorious from the dead. Let others know that He is your Redeemer and King. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit that you might know Him more." This author lists some key promises and blessings that we can claim ... and claim them I am!!!  When I am walking in faith, I am not having to " work hard to rescue myself.   The good news is that God himself has rescued me and qualified meand brought me nto the kingdom of the Son he loves (Col 1:12). God looks at you clothed with Christ and says, “you are worthy and your deeds are perfectly complete!” (Paul Ellis 11/4/2010)

 Here are some verses that I have been led to today regarding our righteousness only coming from Christ Jesus and being fully imparted to us ...

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

 Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 “The Holy Spirit never convicts (Christians) of your sins. He never comes to point out your faults…. It does not take a revelation from the Holy Spirit to see that you have failed. However, when you know that you’ve failed what you do need is for the Holy Spirit to convict you of your righteousness.” (p.135 -  Destined to Reign, Joseph Prince)

While the kids were up with the birds, they have played reasonably happily for the last hour, I'm about to go and suss out breakfast.  But just wanted to share a verse that a friend shared with us which greatly encouraged us this week: 

Ephesians 3
¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

He has the power ... looking forward to seeing how my God will supply this week!!

Sunday thoughts

Well, this morning has dawned.  Not sure how much typing time I will get, but I did want to share with you something my  husband shared with me last night, and some thoughts about it. .... take the time (if you have it) to read the beginning of Genesis 26 in your bible, or you can read it below.  I've taken it from the NLT translation, it's one I'm looking into at the moment for a personal bible.  Red highlights are from me, so take note of those  words and phrases ....

Genesis 26

New Living Translation (NLT)

Genesis 26

Isaac Deceives Abimelech

 ¹ A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.  ² The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. ³ Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants,^[a] just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father. ⁴ I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. ⁵ I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions.” ⁶ So Isaac stayed in Gerar.
 ⁷ When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.” ⁸ But some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out his window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah.
 ⁹ Immediately, Abimelech called for Isaac and exclaimed, “She is obviously your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?”
   “Because I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me,” Isaac replied.
 ¹⁰ “How could you do this to us?” Abimelech exclaimed. “One of my people might easily have taken your wife and slept with her, and you would have made us guilty of great sin.”
 ¹¹ Then Abimelech issued a public proclamation: “Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death!”

Conflict over Water Rights

 ¹² When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. ¹³ He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. ¹⁴ He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. ¹⁵ So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham.  ¹⁶ Finally, Abimelech ordered Isaac to leave the country. “Go somewhere else,” he said, “for you have become too powerful for us.”


Thoughts ....

There was a famine in the land where Isaac was.  In our lives we can go through periods of famine.  It might be a famine literally - where we are struggling to make ends meet, struggling to feed our families.  It might be a famine emotionally - a struggle to feel anything, love, hurt, anger, forgiveness.  It might be a personal struggle, a drought in feeling like God isn't talking to you.  A drought when you read His word - as though it isn't for you personally.  The drought may come in the form of having no family around who understand you, or literally and physically having no family around.  Drought's can some in all shapes, forms and sizes, and at various times in our lives they will come.

Next step ... fast forward till after Isaac has had to admit, actually Rebekah is his wife (oops, caught in a public display of affection).  He PLANTED HIS GRAIN IN THAT YEAR.  What year?  The year of the famine.  In all likelihood, he was planting seed in dusty, dry, parched ground.  His servants probably looked at each other and went, ok, this boss of ours is a few fries short of a happy meal.  Yet, Isaac showed his trust in the LORD and planted out his usual amount of grain.  The famine continued that year.  And yet, what do we read? That he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted for the LORD blessed him.  What an amazing God we see here.  In a year of famine, the grain produced a hundredfold, he was blest of the LORD - and that despite his shortcomings.  

We see in this passage both sides of Isaac - his human frailty (not trusting God to keep him and his family safe, so therefore lying about his relationship with Rebekah) and on the opposite side, his trust in God, that even during a famine year, the planted grain would sprout, grow and bring forth fruit.  And how did God bless that faith!  A hundred fold.  We too, can often swing from side to side, our human frailty reminding us just how much we are 'under the law', that we have sinned, that we don't deserve any blessing.  YET let us remember to sow in faith and know confidently that the LORD will bless our faith.  So we may not have family around BUT the LORD will (and does) provide firm friends who are closer than a brother.  We may feel emotionally cleaned out, but the LORD can provide a word in season via a book, DVD, friend or other means.  We may be struggling with a certain issue but He will give us first the faith to sow, and then will bless that sowing to us.

Mark 10: 29,30
²⁹ “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, ³⁰ will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 


Isaac's blessing didn't come without a cost - first all his well's were filled up with dirt and then he was ordered to leave the land where he lived.  We too may find that struggles come along our way.  Others may not understand us, may accuse us of all sorts of things, put obstacles in our way, BUT we know who we have on our side.  He is strong to hold us, to give us His strength, to empower us with the faith and knowledge that the accuser (Satan) is crushed, that Jesus has died for us so that we may nevermore die!!  He is there is strengthen our faith, he is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 2:2)

He is faithful to bless us in this life and the next!!  AMEN - blessed be His holy name!  Let us rejoice then in what seems to be a year of famine and rejoice that He will open our eyes to behold HIS glory in those circumstances.  This is when we will see the LORD at work, see His strength and behold His beauty.

Sunday Thoughts

^{Matthew 28}

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 Ok, so this verse has been running about in my head for the last 24hrs, which I'm going to take as the Holy Spirit leading me to it.  I've been involved in some discussions about faith and assurance and fear - and it's gotten me thinking ... what does our LORD Himself say about coming to Him and being with Him ...

First he says COME - this is an action word, along with TAKE and LEARN.  There is no reason given here for us not to fully embrace the Savior with both hands.  If I tell my kids to take a jelly bean - they are not going to look at me twice and ask me if I'm serious, do you really mean I can have a jelly bean?  They are going to trust I really want them to have a jelly bean and if they can get away with it, and I haven't specified just one, they're going to grab a whole handful.   God is so full of amazing grace and love that we can take from Him.  Jesus Christ died on the cross, meaning all His righteousness became ours for the taking ... AMAZING GRACE!!!   

The next word that struck me is the word ALL YOU.   Not you who have read your Bible this morning, not you who have been sitting in the pew for at least X number of years, not you who pray or you who fast.  No, all you who are weary and heavy laden.  We often put so many conditions on ourselves that just wear us plain out.  I can't be a true Christian because I don't feel my sin enough.  Christ mustn't be in my heart properly because I haven't read my bible in the last day/week/month.  No, that isn't for me, I don't know Jesus well enough.  My friend - stop looking at the law and keeping rules to make you holy enough for Christ.  He died on the cross fulfilling the entire law for you.  Be encouraged and thankful if you feel you are failing because then you can embrace and appreciate His AMAZING GRACE all the more.

The word REST appears also.  What does rest mean to you?  Does it mean running about trying to get things done, or is it a quiet, peaceful space where you can be calm in your body and soul?  For me, rest in Jesus is knowing His supply of grace is abundant (Romans 5:17b they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. ) and when I am given grace to live in that supply and know of that free gift I am enabled to reign in life.  Habits, issues, giants, depressions, people and fears no longer have a strangle hold on me.  I am free through JESUS CHRIST - AMEN!!!

FOR MY YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT -   Christ didn't promise that no troubles would ever come our way but he did promise that his yoke is easy and the burden is light.  He didn't design His wondrous salvation for us to be bowed down under worries about assurance or worries about whether we are holy enough or good enough.  He didn't design the law to pull us under in a blanket of shame at how much we fall short of His glory.  He GAVE His only begotten Son, perfect man, understanding us completely and yet perfectly God to die on the cross so that all His righteousness became ours.  In our own frailty we may not feel the courage or assurance to say yes Christ is mine - but let us not rest on our own frailty but instead claim the promise in Matthew 18:10 that Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

You may be little or feel yourself lacking in any or much faith, but remember and know there are people that are praying for you as a little one! 

Sunday Thoughts

It's early morning here again.  The three boys have been awake since 5am (not sure what got into them) although the bubba was only fed a bit later.  The light is slowly starting to filter through the windows.  Not sure who the big boys are managing to play with their duplo since they have no light in their room (in theory meant to stop Mr.3 turning it on at 3am and waking up everyone) and it isn't that light outside. Never mind - they sound happy for the most part. 

I haven't got a particular scripture in mind for today (unless it has to do with extra rest :-) ) ... we have be doing reading in the evenings about Hannah and her prayers - and I have been struck by the fact Hannah prayed specifically (for a man-child), she prayed in her heart and with her mouth, and she also BELIEVED it would be done as she prayed (she went away, ate and her mood/countenance lifted).  A lesson for me!!

Sunday Thoughts

Life.  While it rushes past we sometimes just get caught up with simply surviving the day, or the hour or the next five minutes.  Things happen and it is a struggle to remember that God is in control and all things do and will work together for the good.

 Faith at times is a tinsy tiny thing.  Someone reminded me that God is always with us - He reminds us of that in His word.  He wouldn't remind us if He didn't know that at times we would feel alone, lost and confused.  THANK you LORD for your words and the blessings it holds within it for us, the promises, the reminders and the encouragements.

Source: google images

Matthew 6:

 ²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
 ²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 ³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 ³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
 ³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
 ³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 ³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.


 So, today we're having church here at our home.  The kids all have colds and conjunctivitis - but that's ok.  The wind is still howling about - but according to the forecast may ease.  Enjoy your Sunday peoples, and enjoy the LORD of the Sabbath and all He has planned for you.