In Times of Trouble

                            Fear,  Anxiety,  Worry

There is always something that can cause worry and take our eyes off our faith and trust in God. Yesterday in church our Pastor spoke on the parable of the sower                                                                                                    

Then He (Jesus)spoke many things to them in parables, saying:                                     

“Behold, a sower went out to sow.                                                                             

And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside;                                                      

and the birds came and devoured them."

Matthew 13:3-4

Our Pastor said something I had never thought of before. He called the birds, satan. He told us that satan comes along in different ways, and takes away the good God gives us. The wayside Gods seeds fall on, is the hardness of our hearts.

Do we put other things, work, sport, entertainment before God? 

I don't want to be one of those people!

I want to have God seed planted deeply within my heart.

I want it to grow and thrive so that I can give out to others.

"My love is for God, who knows me                                                                         

and hears my voice when I cry out.

When the grip of fears and anxieties                                                                         

take hold of me, when I come to grief and sorrow                                                         

I call on God and find relief." Psalms 116

I don't want to allow satan to gain control. 

I want to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the lover of my soul.

From the small to the large, God loves us.

  

Green tree frog Robert da Bruce with my daughters dog Samson.

So... smile, safe in the knowledge of where you belong...and let God's seed grow.

  

Our Monty smiling. 

I am so please to tell you, it has been five days since I have had to take pain relief.                                                         Many have prayed for me and I have also prayed, God Is Good!! 

RESTORATION

There is no one alive who hasn't suffered Hurt, Pain, Humiliation and
Frustration.  
I don't know why I am writing about this today? Or maybe I do...
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of being visited by three special ladies.
First came my daughter Daniella, bouncing into the house with her usual vibrant self, coming to share with mum.

 Then I received a phone call from Lynn, 'would I like a visit?' She came bearing a meal and prayers.
Finally Dawn, another sweet lady came.... another two meals, and much sharing.

I can look back over the years and remember times of need when no one came.
When I felt alone and deserted.

As people read what I am writing, many could never imagine, what my past has been, or what I have come through... Much I have blanked out because of the pain.

We all have a story to tell. 
All of us walk through life hopefully learning lessons and gaining wisdom.
Becoming Better and not Bitter.
Wisdom only comes by realisation and understanding. 

Many feel in times of desolation that God is punishing, or that He is not there, He simply doesn't exist.
Yet if God did not allow us to have a free will of discovery we would never experience the trails we do..
We would never learn to pray or come before him..

"For when we are weak, He is strong."  2 Corinthians 12 :10.

We would never understand the joy of having restored, all the devil has taken from us.


"And I will restore to you, the years the locust hath eaten."
Joel 2:25

  Granddaughter Shiarn (Daniella's) running free with her chooks.


                                                       

PEACE AND CONTENTMENT

My son Pasquale Joel, who I call Lee-Joel turned Thirty two last Sunday.

                                                   Photo by daughter Femia.

I wasn't sure if he would come to visit or have a family day out with his wife and son.
And, it wasn't easy for me to cook up a great feast and I didn't..
But one thing my children love is mum's Italian pasta.
So thats what they got.. and I got them all here with the promise, not to disappoint..
They all helped and cleaned up after and I enjoyed them and the rest.

As a grandparent its great to sit back and watch the antics of my two youngest, Izaiah and Shiarn.
They are more like siblings than cousins, and Shiarn always reminds Zai that he needs to have manners.


"If you don't say please Zai, I won't share with you.." she prattles on....
"Pweeze Shiarnie"... he pleads adoringly.

Here they are with a green tree frog....

 

Isn't it marvelous!

  

 

and....Two fingers display the Sign of Peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

In these times of uncertainy and world dilemma, its not easy to feel peaceful or unafraid.
Yet when we believe in a Creator God who promises Peace, we know He has all in control.

Angry

I wonder if you, like I, get angry with people who exploit others??
I know I shouldn't, and I don't want too....BUT, I fail and I do.

One particular person who I have always trusted and admired, lied to me.
I couldn't believe it!
Then I discovered more lies...
And, it hurt.
NO! Its not my husband...

Then I did the unthinkable.
I talked about it with my children.
I was livid mad... especially as it had to do with my mother.
No one, but no one, was going to harm my mother.

Well God had dealt with me again....
Yesterday I got up and opened my Bible to read the following verse.


"Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord.
 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:17-21

So because I totally believe Gods Word...

And because I know He knows best.

I am doing what He tells me...

I hang my head with shame and ask His forgiveness.

(Yet Again)

Praise His holy name.

Blogger and U.S.A. Tornado Problems

Please leave a comment if you are having problems leaving comments on other sites??
I have written loooong ones to Joey and Geoff and no matter how many times I try to post, I kept being asked to sign in....and it never works???
My comments will not go through?
Very frustrating..

A good excuse to add this famous painting. "The scream."

I love my Blogger friends..
As Gorges Smythe once commented, they become like family.
(And if you love wonderful yarns, Gorges tells them well.)
http://gorges-smythe.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Starry Dawn...please don't think I am neglecting you.
Or, anyone else for that matter.

As I can get through...I certainly shall, (as our Queen would say.)
Until then, I'm off for a cuppa......
And to read my wonderful word of God.
I wonder what He will tell me today??

My daughter Daniella tells you one thing as she writes it on our beach wall.

I am going to open at random...

Just love doing that, He never ceases to amaze me with His great wisdom.

I am going to share with you, what I received.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Watchfulness


 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
But understand this:
If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into."

Luke 12:34-39

Well! This certainly spoke to me today.
I wonder, given all the events unfolding, how many of you got a message....
Let's all remember our neighbours in times of trouble.

Central U.S.A. hit by Tornado's ....
Devastating effects for all concerned!
Our Prayers are with you.
From The Body of Christ in Australia..

"May the Lord Bless and Keep you Safe..."

  

Who Am I ?

Do you ever wonder this?
Have you ever felt lost and think, what does my life mean?
If you knew the story of your life in advance, would you
 rush ahead or give up before you began?

Think about this, just for a moment.....

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord,
Plans to prosper,
Not to harm you,
Plans to give you a hope and a future. "
Jeremiah 29:11

Now that's encouraging...
And yet, you may say while reading this, I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.... its all just too hard..

Me at 3.

We were not a rich family, my father returned from the war, shell shocked.  I was born the second youngest of five children. My father became incapacitated when I was eight, my grandfather died not long after....
My mother went to work, and we learned from a young age, that life was tough.  The best part of all our hardships was belonging to a church family. The old tin Lizzie, driven by our minister, came regularly to pick up my younger brother and I each week for Sunday School.... 
What a joy that was. Riding down those dusty country roads singing chorus's at the top of our lungs, and learning the accepting love of Jesus Christ. 
I met and married my first husband when I was very young.
My mother was against it. We were unevenly yoken, she said...
And through much hurt and pain, I learnt she was right.

Pictured with my first child, daughter Femia.

When you are young you think you know it all.

I was no different.

I married into a different culture and to a man who I loved dearly, yet one who denied the Lord.

When I walked away over thirty years later, I was a broken mess.

Yet today in wisdom, I thank the Lord.

I know if my marriage had been different God would never have come first.

And in time, I was to come to realise how...

"He turned my mourning into dancing,

and my sorrow into joy."  Psalm 30:11

My younger daughter Daniella, with five of my grandchildren when small.

From left, Antonio, Luke, Kirra, Elyshah and Joel. 

 Today, Joel, Luke and Elyshah at Nanna's.

Because of what I have come through, and what I have come from,

I know first hand that God's promise above is true.

Today all of my children have a faith in God, and all of my grandchildren have grown up in Him.

My eldest granddaughter has married a Christian man.

They are both at Uni studying teaching and plan to be Missionaries.

My youngest granddaughter Shiarn.

My youngest grandson Izaiah with cousin Shiarn.

Their road to travel has just begun.

There will be good times and not so good. 

But if they acknowledge the Lord in all they do, the blessings will flow.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,

And lean not on thine own understanding.

But in all thy ways acknowledge me.

And I will make straight, thy paths."

Proverbs 3: 5-6

                                                 SO TRUE !!!








 

Reflecting

I am currently away from my home and not on the computer as often.
So much has been happening, trials which have had me pressing strongly into Gods Word.

I love the book of Isaiah. Opening my bible this morning I read the following.

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me

To bring the Good News to the poor.......

He will give beauty for ashes,

A joyous blessing instead of mourning.

Festive praise instead of despair.

Chap:61:1
(Such encouragement)

I had just dreamed a distressing dream.
And jumped out of bed wanting to cry out!
But I recognise... Satan is at it again, trying to upset the day.

So instead I wish to share some happy times with you from my memory of the U.S.A.

When I first went to live in Rogersville Tennessee, I thought I was in Heaven.
People were so kind.
I walked into Wal Mart wanting to purchase underwear.
The sizes were different to back in Oz, and in my confusion I stood and stared.
A sweet sales lady by the name of Cathy came beaming kindness, asking if she could help?
Well, she looked at me and picked out my size. All was resolved.
Months later, the tables turned as I nursed Cathy's mother, and helped Cathy with her care.
Both of us were given, Beauty for Ashes.

These may be small incidences, yet when we are open to see Gods love and kindness,
we will find much to be thankful for.

Our home was situated on the side of a hill, in the woods...

Each day I had the joy of watching the squirrels and birds.
Ray had numerous bird feeders to entice cardinals and gold finch..
And those cheeky squirrels helped themselves also...
I had a special prayer room where I could sit and watch the antics.

There is so much good in our lives, yet sometimes we allow the clouds to get in the way.
We allow the storms of life to take over.
Yes, we allow...we choose to let....
Bad, hurtful, or past memories to take away the gift of the day.

I adore a song I learned as a child.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
NAME THEM ONE BY ONE
AND IT WILL SURPRISE YOU.

WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE.

So if something in your life is hurting and taking away your joy.
Sit down with a piece of paper and begin to list all the good things.
Someones kind word to you.
A smile from a stranger.
The sunshine peeking through your window.
Having the eyes, to read these words..

What a joy life is, just open your eyes and see.

 

My amazed grandson Izaiah, looking at Jesus with Peter the fisherman. 

BE AS A LITTLE CHILD.

 

No Acting God

I am not God and neither are you.
Only God is God, and yet....

Many people expect others to have, all the answers??
They place their problem onto someone else and expect them to make it right!
It is not nice when you are put in this situation, neither is it fair.

When others do this, it is very selfish..
After all no-one in the world has it perfect!!

Everyone has problems!!
And...praise God that it is so.
Trouble and strife keeps us humble.

The good news is:
All we can do,  is put our faith in God.

All we can do is, become as a little child...

Our Heavenly Father tells us.
"My child, pay attention to what I say.

Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body."
Proverbs 4:20-22

Gods Word is Truth!!
Read this over and over..
And believe.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, 
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate ME from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39

Rejoice in your heart!!
Allow yourself to let this sink deep within your soul.
God has all in hand..

God says this, I believe it, and that's the end of it!

Grandchildren Shiarn of Daniella and Izaiah of Lee-Joel

Children have NO hang-ups.
Think back, remember that time..
And trust in God.

TRAUMA- GRIEF and LOSS

2 Corinthians 4:16-18



" Therefore we do not lose heart!!


Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.


So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen.... is eternal."


I guess when you come through much trauma and hurt in your life, there comes a time when you can't bear any more.


This could be termed denial.


It's where I stand in regard to the devastation in New Zealand.


Tonight I allowed myself to watch the evening news..
Only to hear of a man caught under rubble whose life depended on amputation.


The doctor interviewed described how this man would have died in approximately 15 minutes as his legs were crushed.
Using tools from nearby workmen, his legs were cut off.
He is now recovering in hospital.
Grief..... at the loss of his limbs...

And what of those doctors who performed the rough operation?
Grief...... at the effect of what needed to be done.
Grief...... at the lack of hygienic conditions.
Grief...... there was no other choice!


There are many reasons for grief, and this week in N.Z. some of those reasons will become apparent.


Loss of a loved one.
Loss of a body part.
Loss of health.
Loss of a home.
Loss of income.
Loss of work.
Loss of a city.
It takes a while for reality to hit, and it hasn't yet.


The trauma builds up.
And although people put on a brave face.                                                    
No-one knows except themselves, how their heart aches.


This diagram shows the emotional walk through grief and loss.

It's something we all, at some time, walk alone.
No words can mend the pain, only time eventually heals.


How can we help when someone is grieving??
By simply holding a hand and listening...
By just being there.


One thing they don't need to hear is, "get over it," or "time heals."


It's a hard place to be in.
And yet there is good in everthing.

When we mourn, we are comforted.
When we sorrow, we understand anothers..
When we overcome, we grow.  



Then He (Jesus) said to them:
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven."
Luke 21:10
(And then the end will come)...