Covered in Yuck

A couple of the little people in my life had lots of fun playing with shaving foam recently. It got everywhere....despite the fact that I only put it on 3 trays. But man! The fun they had!!!

But it got me thinking about how I get myself covered in 'yuck' ...and it's not a fun yuck.

When I deliberately avoid eye contact with someone so I don't have to talk to them....when someone tells me a story and I have to top their's with my own rather than just listening and letting them have the limelight...when I lose my temper over something very trivial....when I judge someone before I have even heard their story...when I am fearful....when I speak before thinking.....when I make a snide remark - and that's just this week's YUCK!

How easily we weigh ourselves down with YUCK....with sin.

But how thankful I am that I can go to God and seek forgiveness and ask for His help to do better. And how gracious He is to answer that prayer with love and patience and His divine power.

As the week heads to a close and a new month starts, I pray there will be less YUCK covering me.

T-H-A-N-K-S

I am thinking and writing about thanking people this week....and have appreciated the kind feedback from a few of you about the posts. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment - it is an encouragement -  and for reading the blog.

Being the creative writer I am (not!) I came up with an acronym to help us do thanking better.... 

Thank God....each morning and night and anytime in between. He is the One to whom we have the most to be thankful for, so don't allow Him to be the One who misses out on well-deserved thanks. He's also the One who can help us pay more attention to 'thanks opportunities' throughout the day, so ask Him for help to do that too.

Have a goal of 5 "thank you"s a day. Ann Voskamp from A Holy Experience talks about thanking your husband 4 times a day, so those of us who are married only have to look for 1 other 'thanks' to utter each day...right? I say 'wrong' and reckon 4 'thank-yous' to our husband = 1 out of the 5 (but then I have never been good at maths!) Anyway, get creative with the thanks. It could be face-to-face, or via phone or a text or an email or a card or aerial sign writing or....

Attitude of gratitude - develop one. When we are wide-eyed with wonder at the good stuff in our lives, it makes saying thanks easier.

Notice what people are doing and acknowledge it. We get so busy...so self-focussed...so tired...that we sometimes miss the gifts we are given throughout the day. So make the effort to see the small stuff too. Things like....

• a friend who calls to say hello ('Hey...thanks for the call. Good to hear your voice.') 
• your son taking out the bin ('I appreciate your help honey...thanks.')
• the parcel delivery man ('This is hard work in the heat...thanks!')

Kind words are not easily forgotten but sadly, they are not often used. Be different in this world that says 'Get what you can, your way and too bad about the rest.'

Set the example for others, especially your kids. I am really conscious with this in raising Little j and so I say to him as we leave the grocery shop, "Say good bye to the lady and 'thanks for helping us'." Yesterday I thanked the video shop lady like this too....and she looked at me funny, but I don't care. The library lady liked it! And so did the postman.

Feel free to develop your own acronym....and if you do...let me know what it is...thanks!

Do Everything

Yesterday I posted on the little things my life consists of and how so much goes unnoticed....by humans. I fully believe that God sees it all:) Oh my, that is a scary thought!

My sister sent me a link to Steven Curtis Chapman's new song Do Everything.

How timely that this song fell in my lap to remind me that there is purpose in all that I do and the result is so worth the effort.....I can make Him smile.

Have a listen (click the link in the song title above)....read the lyrics...and be encouraged today that what you do matters...all of it!

And if you want to hear where the idea of the song came from, have a listen to SCC himself! he reminds us that there is no separation between secular and sacred.


When we walk with God He makes it ALL matter.


So today, as you wash and cuddle and cook and post and catch-up and read and help and rest and drive and clean and.......do it with eyes and heart open to hear God speak and see Him smile:)

Borrowed Post...Living for Others

Joshua says it so well, much better than I could after a week of brain-frying fun.

May his post be a reminder today that it is not all about US.

That thought, which I was first flattened by in the form of "It's not about you" (Rick Warren - Chpt 1 The Purpose Driven Life) a number of years ago, led to all sorts of decisions and adventures...including living in Africa for a whole year.

So please, read Joshua's post here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/ today and be encouraged to walk in the footsteps of the One who came and showed us firsthand that a life lived for others is a challenging, painful, happy, blessed life.


It's the best life.

A thought....

Here's something I heard on a teaching CD recently and have been pondering over the past couple of days. What's your answer?
"If you removed heaven and hell from the equation, would you still choose be a Jesus follower?"

What a Woman #Seven

The end of the series is nigh...in fact, here's my final thoughts.

The woman of excellence in Proverbs 31.......What a Woman! She's a little like a mythical creature....can she really be real? She's a little too challenging at times....can anyone really be that perfect? She's clever and capable, practical and thoughtful, generous and energetic, wise and well dressed......so many things I am not. And yet, I don't resent her for that. I am just asking God to help me be more of those things, not so my head gets any bigger....just so I can be the blessing He wants me to be to others.

So I'll finish with a quick flick through the original list I wrote when I first looked through Proverbs 31 at the end of last year. These are things that stood out to me and challenged me most about how I was living...or not living as the case may be.

She.....(and therefore I need to....)

• laughs at the days to come....I can smile at the unknown future because I have blessed assurance - Jesus is mine and He walks with me through all things
• speaks with wisdom....Lord may my words be few and when I do utter them, may they be so very wise
• is not idle.....I'm looking for balance here - to not just be busy for busy's sake, but to know when and how to rest as well
• brings her husband good.....through prayer and then very practical means
• starts the day early....thanks baby boy - you make that so much easier:)
• helps the poor and needy......ahhhh! my never-ending challenge
• has value....thanks God that WHO I am and what I do matters
• is enthusiastic.....yay for life!
• is ready...no matter the season of life. As I said last post, if times are good....prepare now. And if times are tough....hold on my friend.
• dresses well......clothing herself in strength and dignity
• will be rewarded...bring it on!
• is praised, not because she is and does all these amazing things, but simply because she fears the LORD. May that be you and I too.....that we are women who consider the good He has done and the awesomeness He is and we revere, worship and honour Him.

Ahh yes....a woman of excellence...who can find?

I can....she is reading this line right now!

What a Woman #Five

I like descriptive words. Adjectives and adverbs. They add colour and detail. They help me 'see' what has been written or is being described. They tell me the 'how', not just the what.


So 'how' is the woman of excellence in Proverbs 31 described? What can we learn about her from the adjectives in verse 17?


She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks. (NIV)


First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. (The Message)


She dresses herself with strength
   and makes her arms strong. (ESV)


She is energetic and strong,
      a hard worker. (NLT)


She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. (Amplified)


Hmmmmm....maybe I'm not a fan of describing words any more. Doesn't this all sound a little too much...for a Monday morning...and to one with arms that wobble?


Perhaps on our own it is a little too much, but with the help of the One who IS all these things and more and promises to GIVE us all these things and more, we can be the enthusiastic, energetic, extraordinary women that God has called us to be. 


And it doesn't matter what our day looks like. Whether we have in fact dressed in work clothes and headed out the door to teach or cut hair or fix teeth or counsel or type or drive a truck or heal or...... OR whether we are still in our pyjamas at 10am looking after little ones at home. Like I wrote in previous post Eye Witness, God SEES it all. And He's the One who said He would be with us always and be our helper.

I am convinced, that every little task we do today would be better if we did it keeping in mind that God is with us....He has given us this task to do....He has promised to empower us to do it and do it well. We just need to remember He's there and ask for His help.


So as you start today...or head into the afternoon....or finish the day, would you join me in this prayer?


'God we are privileged to be Yours. To know that we matter to the One who made all things, including us, and set in motion plans and purposes for our lives fill us with awe and wonder. May we see beyond the routine and the mundane and the work and challenges of life and catch a glimpse of amazing You. And Lord, would You fill us with the energy and enthusiasm and strength and joy that we need to do all of life well?'


WOW! We can speak to Almighty God...He hears and listens...then He acts powerfully and swiftly. Now that's something to get truly, deeply, wonderfully, crazily excited about!

From Exodus 13-16

Free at last! The Israelites were released from Egypt and on the road to the Promised Land...how exciting!


Yes, that does sound like a dream come true, considering where they'd come from and the conditions they had been living and working in as slaves of the Egyptians. But the Israelites seemed to think it was a nightmare.


Well certainly the amount of complaining they did suggested they were not thrilled to be free and on their way. We have no food...no water. Did you bring us here to die? It would have been better for us to stay in Egypt! Whaaa!!!


But the reality was.....they were on their way to a place so much better than where they had been. And they were going there with God. 


Exodus 13 tells us: By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (v21-22)


Astounding! God's presence WITH them...in such an obvious way. They could see Him...night and day. He went ahead of them....leading, guiding and showing the way. And as He did, He provided all they would need...food from heaven morning and night, protection from enemies, victory in battle, water from rocks.

What's YOUR reality today? Have you taken a moment to acknowledge God's presence WITH YOU today? Will you continue to look to Him throughout your busy day? You may not see Him in a cloud or fire ball hovering over your house, but He IS with you. 


So talk to Him.....ask Him for what you need....follow His prompting and leading and enjoy His provisions for you today. He has ALL you need and will give it to you as you need it. He is the same loving and powerful God who rescued His people from Egypt and His plan today....to help you walk this road of life. 


What a great reality...I get to do my day with awesome God. How exciting!

What a Woman #Three

Have you felt a little like me these past, oh I don't know, 22 years?


You look at the world, watch the news, hear stories, travel overseas and feel a little overwhelmed by the needs that are out there. You desperately want to do something to help and praying just doesn't seem like enough. 


So you....sponsor a child, give to mission offerings at church, fill a Christmas shoebox, volunteer at your local op shop, do a 'Walk for......', run a jewellery sale, support individual families who are working overseas for God, sign up as a member at your local Christian radio station, buy school supplies for children in Africa, collect underwear to donate to needy families overseas, get sponsors for the 40 hour famine, run kids' holiday cooking classes to raise money to rescue children in Asia from the sex trade, patch a quilt to give to someone who has just lost everything, donate your old towels to the SES for flood clean-up use, teach your children the importance of giving to and caring for others, make a meal for someone in need, mow the lawn for an elderly neighbour, give a day's wages every month to a mission organisation, make and sell biscuits to raise a bit of extra money to give, purchase rabbits and chickens for people overseas at Christmas time, do a mission trip to PNG, Vanuatu, Africa, Thailand, Chile, collect the silver coins in your home to give to a favourite cause, write a letter to someone in prison.....etc.......


Hey...if you've ever done anything like those things just mentioned...you are being the woman of excellence described in Proverbs 31...She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (v20) Well done you! But let's keep going....


Right now, with a recent flood and cyclone causing mass damage just down the road, there's never been a better opportunity to give and to help....to open arms and extend hands. But I get a bit stuck on how best to do that.....so please, comment or email me with great ideas.


So girls, women, let's keep on keeping on with looking for opportunities to be generous and kind. They certainly aren't hiding themselves right now. And let's be creative, dig deep and help others, as God's ambassadors. 


We bless others when we help them. We bless ourselves when we give and we share. We bless God too. Now that's a great feeling!

What a Woman #One

Mask worn to protect the identity of the innocent:)

I am a woman....hope that statement doesn't come as a shock to anyone.
I am a woman desiring to live life the way God wants me to live it. A worthy life goal if I may say so myself.
I am a woman who fails frequently in achieving said goal. Hmmmmm...obviously I am a work in progress, so in 2011....let's keep the building project moving.
I especially feel like I fall short when I read about the 'woman of excellence' in Proverbs 31. 'What a woman' that one is.

So in the hope of inspiring myself on in this goal of living a God-pleasing life, I thought I'd tackle blogging a series of posts on some of the different facets of this woman in Proverbs 31. Perhaps I will see areas where I need to lift my game....perhaps there will be some where I am succeeeding....perhaps.... Won't you join me?

A theme I have mentioned of late in other posts, is the role of a wife. Created by God to be a helper (one who 'complements') for Adam, Eve had a special God-given role.

So do I. I am to 'bring my husband good.' (Proverbs 31:12) I do that by....speaking highly of him to others.....showing him respect in my words, tone, actions....allowing him to lead.....encouraging him......being a willing lover.....doing the washing, cooking, cleaning, ironing, etc (with a smile:)).....giving him a head rub or back massage.....being his TA when he is replacing termite eaten skirting boards ......watching an action movie with him (even though I prefer comedies)......going willingly into his arms when he asks for a hug, even though I was in the middle of something.....making his lunch.....finding the icepack out for the green ant bite.....booking the holiday accommodation....staying within the budget he's organised when I go shopping........preparing a cold drink for him after he's mowed the lawn......praying for him every day.....thanking him for all he does to protect, provide and love our family.....

The other kind of wife is the one mentioned elsewhere in Proverbs. She is the one who makes life difficult and painful. Proverbs 12:4 - ....a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 19:13 - a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. Proverbs 21:19 - Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. Hmmmm....NOT the kind of wife I want to be. Nor the kind of wife my husband deserves.

For our wedding, we wrote our own vows and J said in his that I was his crown. At first I didn't really know what that meant. But as I read Proverbs 12:4 - An excellent wife is the crown of her husband..... and thought about it, I realized the immense value and the incredible importance I have as my husband's wife. When I do him good, I am like a crown. I am a treasure. I make him feel important....like royalty. I help him to live well and bring him honour and pride.

But when I am selfish and look only to meet my own needs, I am more like a ball and chain. Hmmm.... wonder which one I'd prefer to wear?

A no-brainer question there. So that should make the decisions I make every day regarding my attitudes, words and actions towards my husband that much clearer and easier.

Simply put....Today (and every day), I need to do him good.

Ahhhhh....LIFE!!!

The best things in life are the nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you." (Robert Louis Stevenson)

Thanks God for breath.....it is the fuel of my physical life. I am blessed to live in a country with clean and fresh air....ask our friends D and E about the lack of that in Vietnam and you'll soon appreciate what we have. I can breathe freely on my own and my body does all it should to turn that oxygen into what I need.

Thanks God for hope and delight....they are the light in my eyes. Love shines there too. And may what lights my eyes, bring a gleam of gratitude to my heart. And a ray of hope to others.

Thanks God for flowers.....for your magnificent creation made just for us. Thank-you for the full moon and for the light refreshing rain. Thank-you for the passionfruit growing on the vine and the frangipani's fragrance. Thanks for my darling little boy's blue eyes. And for the rolling green waves at the beach. Thanks for seahorses and fluffy chickens. And for snowy peaked mountains and crystal clear streams bubbling over smooth stones. Thanks for cascading waterfalls and wispy clouds. I could go on and on and on...but you get the idea I'm sure.

Thanks God for duties at my hand....I have work to do and the ability to do it. Thanks for the work I have to do at home to look after my husband and my son. To care for our home. Thank-you for the opportunity to minister in a school. To spend time with vibrant teenagers and encouraging colleagues and get paid for it! Thanks for a job that offers variety and challenge and allows me to be creative and have fun. And thank-you for the joy of working so closely with people and having opportunity to make a difference in their lives, every day.

Thanks God for walking with me.....for guiding, directing, purposing and planning my path. Thanks for your Word and the advice it offers in living life well. Thank-you for family and friends to walk the path with. Thanks for the Holy Spirit's joy, comfort, strength and counsel to make the walk do-able and more than that, exciting! And thank-you for caring about me so much that you would bother with all of this.

Will you take a moment RIGHT NOW to pause and to say 'thanks' to God? Thank Him for the 'best things in life' and then....comment below, telling me 3 of your 'bests.' Thanks and God bless you!

From Genesis 5

How timely that I read about Noah and the flood just days before the Qld flood disasters last week. In the midst of the mess, I had firmly in my head the picture of the rainbow and God's covenant with us....He will never again send a flood that will wipe out all living things. So even in the midst of sadness and loss, there was still hope. Hope in a good God who always keeps His promises.

And another thought from Genesis 5 is about the life of Noah himself and the example he is to us. We are told that Noah was a 'righteous and blameless man who walked with God.' He 'did everything just as God commanded him.' How hard that must have been for Noah. In many ways.

The work he was called to do was physically demanding. Long days...heavy work....splinters. You can imagine the sweat, the aching muscles and weariness at the end of the day. Yet he kept on going....there was a job to do.

It was emotionally demanding work. Noah was facing the unknown. Having never even seen rain, he was being asked by God to prepare for a 40 day and night downpour. He was facing a future that seemed clouded and unclear. And he was leading his family into the unknown. Yet he kept on going....all the while trusting in God and living in obedience to the call God was making.

It was socially demanding. Noah was questioned and ridiculed by his friends and strangers. He faced isolation and ignorance. He was not popular and his work, his values and his life were not admired or accepted. He was misunderstood and he was alone, apart from his immediate family and of course....God. Yet he kept on going.....realising that 'God + me = a majority.'

Trust and obedience. They are to be the obvious hallmarks of anyone who calls themselves a 'Jesus follower'. And while for you, they may not look anything like they did for Noah (I assume none of you has an ark taking shape in the backyard!) the command of God is nevertheless on our lives. Today He is calling us to be His earthly ambassadors. He wants us to love others...unconditionally. He desires for us to care for the poor. He needs us to help our husbands....cherish our wives......teach our children. His commands challenge us to be wise stewards of our finances and our time. He wants us to make wise choices about what we eat....watch...read....say. And He has specific jobs and ministries for us to be involved in.

Sometimes, He ups the ante with His call on our life. He may be asking us to care for an elderly parent.....walk through the trial of sickness or injury.....raise a child with a disability.....clean-up after a flood.....live with the grief of loss......endure the ill treatment of a work colleague.....keep on loving an unlovely spouse.....

No matter the circumstances or situation, God desires our trust and our obedience....but He never suggested that either would be easy. Some of what He asks of you may be physically demanding. Some may be socially or emotionally demanding. But like Noah, we can keep on keeping on. Because the reward will be great. Like Noah, I want it said of me....s/he 'found favour in God's eyes.' Don't you?

The New Diary

I was so excited last week as I wrote in my new diary. Not a diary/journal, more a planner. So as I planned and put in all sorts of dates like birthdays and to do lists and dinner ideas and my weekly prayer for J, I was filled with a real sense of anticipation and excitement for the new year.
This is a special diary too, in that it has Bible verses and quotes for each week to inspire and encourage. Last week's quote was from Joseph Barnby: "When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries; May Jesus Christ be praised." How appropriate, I thought. As a new day starts, my thoughts should turn to Jesus. As a new year starts, my focus should be on Him. Each new day brings opportunities to spend in His presence - learning, growing, changing, being refreshed. And He is so worthy to be praised...no matter what! No situation or circumstance changes His goodness. All those great thoughts filled my heart and made me feel lighter.


Then....reality struck! Since reading that quote and having all those marvellous thoughts, my circumstances have changed. Almost overnight baby j morphed from an angelic little baby boy, into a screaming, sleepless terror. And sadly, the circumstances got to me. I too, became a terror....a sleep deprived, frustrated, sobbing, short tempered terror. I became a me I do not want to be. A me that my husband is not blessed by. A me that is not the best parent for my little boy. A me who does not reflect God's goodness and grace.
But the incredible Jesus Christ IS to be praised. It is because of His grace that I can hope that things will change....and they have. j has settled somewhat, that's true. But I have changed. As I crawled back into bed after sleep interruption #3 early this morning I hid myself under the sheet and I prayed. As I climbed out of bed this morning I thought about Jesus and I prayed. As I write this now, I am praying. And my prayer is not for smooth sailing and for j to be perfect and to sleep....it is for me to more like this Jesus Christ.

Last Words

They are not just idle words for you--they are your life. (Deut. 32:47)

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses presents his final thoughts to the people of Israel before he goes up the mountain to die. Final words....if I knew I was about to die, what would I want to say? I am sure I wouldn't be telling a 'knock knock' joke.....or singing a Top 20 hit.....or running through a list of all that I don't like about myself.


I hope I would be surrounded by those I love and have words of encouragement and thankfulness pouring from my mouth. I hope words of anticipation of eternity in heaven would be spoken as well.


Needless to say, we'd all - if we knew it was to be our last conversation - make those words count. We'd say what was true and real and important.


As Deuteronomy 32 draws to a close, Moses has just finished a long song about the story of God and His people. He has reminded the Israelites of God's greatness and His goodness to them. He has reminded Israel that their response to God's faithfulness has not been good enough. And he has reminded them of what is the most important....


God's word(s). Not a work of fiction or a fairytale. Not idle words said for the sake of Him hearing His own voice. Not words to be ignored. Or forgotten. 


No! God's words are words of life. And if we are a follower of Jesus, God's words ARE our life. They are what we must know and live. What we must meditate on and follow. They are the foundation of our beliefs and values and they drive our thoughts, behaviours, attitudes. They are what challenge us and bring us hope. They guide and direct and they bring wisdom. They comfort and inspire. They strengthen and fill us with joy and peace.


Please, after reading this post....open your Bible (or use an online version @ BibleGateway or Blue Letter Bible) and read His word for yourself. Perhaps you'd like to read Deuteronomy 32 and see for yourself why Moses called his song 'your life'.

You are just making it up

I laughed when I read my 4 chapters of Nehemiah this morning.
You may find that surprising, considering the subject matter of that OT book.
But check out ch 6 v 8 in the NIV.....I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."
The context is Nehemiah replying to accusations his enemies had written to him.
I laughed because the wording sounds pretty funny and I can just imagine an old man in a long robe with a flowing beard saying these words with the shake of a finger.
But then I thought more about Nehemiah's words and got the feeling that you and I could probably have those same words said to us many times in a week. Not that people actually say them out loud to us, but perhaps it's what they and God would like to say.


And we give them reason to....Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
There's just too much to do today. I won't be able to do it all.
I can't believe they said that about me.
I'm terrified of letting my kids out of my sight...they won't be safe.
I'll never be as good as her.
The doctor will have bad news for us.
Ahhhh! Christmas with his family...it'll be chaos!
Why bother applying for that job...I won't get it.
My husband just doesn't love me, otherwise he would do/say......
They all must think I'm an idiot now...
I always worry/fail/put my foot in my mouth/go off the deep end/get sick/etc...that's just what I do.
Teach RE / Sunday School God? But I'm not good with kids.
I have nothing interesting to say.
God could never forgive me for that.
And there's no doubt 13 or 57 or 189 more thoughts we have in a week that come from a similar place.


Isn't it tragic that we give so much of our thought-life to things that a) will never happen or b) simply aren't true? We worry and we fret and we get frustrated and in reality "we are just making it up out of our head." Silly us!


How about being really conscious of what you're thinking today and asking God to help you get a good dose of reality regarding those thoughts. Pray that your thoughts would be His...life-affirming and positive....joyful and true. 

Maybe then you'll be able to laugh often, love more and live long!

Celebrate Faith

Over the past couple of weeks you may have heard me rant and rave about it being too early for Christmas. I mean come on! Decorations in the shops in October??? People dressing up their gardens and houses in early November?? Christmas carols on the radio already? As much as I love Christmas I was thinking it was all coming that bit too early this year.

Then I stopped muttering and started thinking. Hmmmm....why not start celebrating early? In fact, why not have that Christmas joy and anticipation all year??

And as a Christian, shouldn't that really be my default demeanour and MO every month of the year....not just in December?

I have read 1 and 2 Peter lately and have once again been reminded of how much I have to celebrate, thanks to God's great love and grace. 1 Peter 1 reminds us that our faith is 'of greater worth than gold.' (v 7) Considering how much gold (and plastic) will be burned this Christmas season it is astounding to think about our faith being worth more than that. It is priceless....invaluable. It is an extravagant gift from God, bought at an unimaginable price.....the gift of Jesus (God with us) to live here on earth, die for our salvation and be resurrected, showing us that death and sin have been defeated....and guaranteeing us LIFE! Now that is something to celebrate!

Two more little thoughts from that same chapter.....
'Salvation of your souls' is the goal of our faith (v 9). Again...celebrate-worthy! Without faith we cannot please God and we cannot be saved. And salvation can only be ours because Jesus came....lived....died...rose again. So as we head into this year's festive season, let's get excited about more than gift giving and receiving, time with family and holidays. Let's ask God to help us connect our faith with this celebration of His goodness to us in a deeper way. And let the joy and peace of this season refresh our faith.

Finally, v 21 reminds us that faith and hope are inseparable. HOPE...I so love that word and what it means. It is a "confident expectation." Hope is a firm assurance that God is who He says He is and will do all He has promised to do. And His promises are for our blessing......eternal life, the presence of His Spirit, a faithful friend in Jesus, love, provision, protection, salvation and so many more precious gifts (to be enjoyed year round!) As we get ever-closer to December 25th, let's live with both a growing, deepening faith and an unshakeable, exciting hope that we have been given the greatest gift of all- time...Jesus!


So today, November 29th might not be the traditional Christmas Day. But as I play my carols CD and dust off the tree and decorations and continue to on-line shop for Christmas presents, I am determined to consider this special season and the first Christmas in a new way and let it refresh my faith, build my hope and fuel my thanks to God.

The TO-DO List

I bet your TO-DO List is l-o-n-g!
If you're a woman...it definitely is. If you're a Mum....it most certainly is.
So long in fact, I bet it sometimes feels overwhelming to think about, let alone write down. And if you do put pen to paper, you probably feel like a roll of tp isn't even long enough for all you have to do. Particularly as we enter December and realise that Christmas is just a month away. How did that happen?

So let, me guess what's on your TO-DO List. Any of these sound familiar?

• washing - linen, kids' clothes, grown-up's clothes, towels, tea-towels and rags (and of course hanging it all out, folding it and putting it away is extra on top of loading the machine)
• cleaning - every room...surface....floor...etc....wiping, dusting, vacumming, etc...
• cooking - including meal prep and cleaning up for 3 meals a day...7 days a week 
• shopping....not the 'for pleasure' variety but just the essentials
• your call list....mailing list...'thank-you for the birthday present' list...return the missed call...etc....
• playing with baby/children...ooppps...that's the fun stuff that comes after the feeding, changing, bathing, soothing, rocking, etc....
• read that book before you get another over-due notice from the library
• organise those art/drama/cooking classes you decided to run over the holidays
• Christmas present list....who are we buying for again?
• pack for the weekend away
• bake for the final Mums and Bubs morning
• attend the work break-up party
• do the end-of-year marking and report writing
• send Nanna a letter and card for her birthday
• drop a meal round to a friend with a new baby
• decorate the Christmas tree
• comment on your friend's blog
• put a bag of clothes and toys together for the op shop
• iron your husband's uniform
• put those 87 photos you recently had printed into the right albums
• bid on the ebay purchase you've been watching
• pay that long list of bills
• sign the loan contract at the bank
• organise money for the special offering at church this week
• attend awards night
• do the bookwork for hubby's business
• exercise....don't just talk about it
• and no doubt the list continues on and on and on.........

Girl...you are amazing! You have so much to do and you do it with a smile. You serve your family and friends willingly. You give cheerfully. You are industrious, conscientious and generous. Your kindness is noticed. Your joy is contagious. Your caring is appreciated. Your encouragement makes a difference...every time.

But please, just remember....don't attempt to do anything on this list without first spending time in the presence of the One who empowers you to achieve all that's on it. Soak in His word....meditate on it...pray...sing praises...seek forgiveness....have faith....obey.


Hmmmmmm....another l-o-n-g list but you know something? It's one that's even more essential you DO than the first one. 

I heard God speak

Last week I heard from God. Not in an audible voice. But I had such a strong impression that it was Him speaking to my heart and the words were loud and clear and delivered a much needed reprimand.

Over the past couple of weeks this has been my morning routine....
Wake up when baby j does. Feed him...change him...put him in his cot to watch his mobile....make a coffee then sit in front of the computer to blog and Facebook for the duration of the mobile's songs. Doesn't sound too bad, does it? Except what I was finding was that I was getting stressed as the day progressed. I would get frustrated when I had to stop working on the computer to deal with j. I was upset when he didn't sleep as long as I wanted him too. I didn't seem to have enough hours in the day to do all that I wanted too.

So last week, on Wednesday morning, I head God clearly say..."K! How dare you think your blog readers and fb friends need to hear from you before you've heard from me." *GULP!* How true!

Yes..somehow...far too easily really....I had gotten my priorities mixed up. And gotten them sooooo very wrong. Instead of spending time with God - being fed and setting the tone for the day, I was soaking in the unreality of my on-line life...attempting to give out when I hadn't been filled. Silly me!

So what did I do? I listened. And I made the change. I went back to the routine I had been following just a few weeks ago. The one that worked. It looks like this....
Wake up when baby j does. Feed him...change him...put him in his cot to watch his mobile....make a coffee then go back to my room to read the Bible and pray. It's only about a 15-20 minute activity but WHAT A DIFFERENCE it makes to my day to start with time with my heavenly Father.

In His presence I am filled. I learn and grow. I am encouraged and challenged. I feel peaceful, hopeful and joyful. I get the right perspective on life. I set a positive tone for the day. I am fed and changed...for the better.

And it's only when that happens, I am able to experience blessing. And then as the day progresses, be a blessing.

So God help me this week to continue to make good choices....to put You first....to love time in your word and talking to you. To live like it. To get my priorities and perspective right. And to continue to hear your voice throughout the day.

Just Breathe

Yesterday I posted about the gifts we have been given by God, highlighting creation...commands....peace...the Holy Spirit.

Today I wanted to flash back to my uni days (oh...so long ago) to revisit a key teaching I had on the Holy Spirit. A key teaching that revolutionises lives.

Having grown up in a fairly conservative church tradition, I don't recall many sermons on the Holy Spirit. In fact, I mostly referred to Him as an 'it.'

But when I went to uni I got involved with Christian group Student Life and there, I was taught about the HS and how He was the key to living the Christian life - empowered and successfully.

Simply put, living with the Spirit is like spiritual breathing. Here's how it works.....

When we physically breathe, we exhale carbon dioxide. It's potentially dangerous stuff. When we spiritually breathe, we confess our sin. Sin IS dangerous stuff. We tell God where we've gone wrong and we ask for His forgiveness.

When we physically breathe, we inhale oxygen. O2 is life! When we breathe spiritually, we ask the Holy Spirit to fill us. He is LIFE! We ask Him to empower us to live as God wants us too. We ask Him to guide our thinking and influence our attitudes. We ask Him to direct our behaviour and reveal to us God's will in all things.

Easy hey? He becomes our power source and our personal counsellor...the One who enables us to live the best life we can.

So today...BREATHE!! Breathe deeply and breathe often!

Perfect? Not me!

I had a great chat with a friend recently....about her failings!

So refreshing to hear that I am not the only one who gets it wrong....often.

Like this week when I came home hot, bothered, frustrated, tired and sore from delivering the local paper. Sure the hills were steep...the pram was heavy...the mozzies were biting....the sweat pouring and the letter boxes MILES from the road! But did I really have to be so short tempered with my wonderful husband when I got home? And worse...a husband who was mowing and whipper snipping our lawn? Yuck Kirsty!

Or what about that night feed that hurt...a lot. Instead of praying about it, what did I open my mouth to do? Ummmm...sad to say....I swore. Yuck Kirsty!

Then there was the other incident in the car where I was bad mouthing the driver ahead of us. Someone I don't even know was copping a heap of judgement and criticism from me for what terrible deed?? Driving at 68km in an 80km zone of course. Yuck Kirsty!

So as I listened to this friend, I was pleased to hear she messes up too. But what I was even more delighted to hear was how she went about fixing the messes.

Without going into too much detail...because I want to preserve her annonimity....she mended the fences with her husband through a letter and a conversation with an apology. She was also 'woman' enough to apologise to the group of people she had whinged and complained around. And she asked God to forgive her too and help her do it better next time.


THAT'S the good stuff in life....and the tough stuff! It is realising when we have done the wrong thing and having the maturity and character to apologise. And the wisdom to realise God does not expect perfection from us...He knows we aren't capable of it....but oh how He delights in His kids seeking forgiveness and stepping out again in His power.