Proud and Pride

Proud and Pride, is there a difference.
The dictionary list both with similar meanings..  Oh No!

I get very proud when I do well.
I always try to do my best, and I believe that is a good thing.
I get excited for others when they do well also..
I believe in being positive and to always encourage.
There can be a problem with being like this.
Not everyone knows where or what you have come from.
Not everyone can understand ..... Your past shapes your future.
They see the now, they don't know the before..

In EVERYTHING:   Give God The Glory.

Lets not judge others..
"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use,

it will be measured back to you."

Matthew 7:2

I am proud to have a daughter who loves and serves the Lord...

And she is proud to declare her witness on the beach wall.

PERRRRFECT is what You are..

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you.

 Song of Solomon 4:7     "The Bible"

This photo was taken at an outback store in central Australia

You know,  no matter how we see ourselves...

Our Heavenly Father sees us as perfect and beautiful..

Doesn't that make you feel good....

 

I dedicate this to my beautiful daughter Femia-Hope.

Who joys in her Heavenly Father..

Peter's Paradise Pad

I returned from spending a few days, some 800 kilometres north of where I live.
MacKay, far North Queensland was my destination.
My son Peter is now living at Kolunna Resort, 150 metres walk to the ocean.

 I had to be careful parking underneath the coconut palms..
I don't need dents in my car body from falling fruit.

                                A swimming pool welcomes before Peter's front door.

                                No 34= 7     Welcome in the name of the Lord.

                                A ceiling fan whirls to supply all three rooms.

 

Cool comfortable and just the right size.

 

Wild Whistling ducks come begging for breakfast.

Sun sails protect the cars at the shopping centre.

We met a special little boy named HAYDEN.

All dressed in a cow suit. 

For those who don't know. Peter is my second eldest. He had been off work unwell. 

Thank you to the many who prayed for him. I am so grateful!

He is back to his old self and rejoicing....Praise God. 

God Bless you all. 

"He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destruction's." 

(Psalm 107:20)

"Be Happy"

Beyond Imagination

As a teenager I had four passions.

ART
         BALLET
                
                        SINGING

                                        HISTORY
                         

I was a very shy young girl and spent my time after a day at high school, in the local library..

Books can take you into another world. In fact, the great part is, they take you away to places you only dream of.

I love the Old Masters, Rembrandt, Rubens, Da Vinci and Constable.
I can gaze at these works of art for hours.
They hold so many hidden treasures.
Their talent is beyond my understanding.

I try to paint, but I am no real artist, only a novice.
One lady Blogger on here I admire, is Clint's beautiful wife Cindy.
Her site is: http://cindyellison.blogspot.com/
You can even join her on Facebook where you'll see more of her work.

While looking through a book on French Art, BACK THEN.....
I turned the page to get the shock of my life..

                                    http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/

There I was!!

The hair colour was darker, and the style different, yet otherwise it was me!

This painting was of a famous woman named Madame Juliet Recamier`
(and not a very desirable type) dated 1800.
The artist, Jacques Louis David.

My ancestry is French on my mothers side, and if there is one place in the world I would like to visit, it is Versailles.... (dream on...!)

Isn't it magnificent?? I believe the art work inside is out of this world.
I'd have to leave Ray at home.. he takes a quick look and runs on to the next adventure.
Maybe Cindy and Sandie would like to go with me...??
(I'm still dreaming..)

I wonder??
Have you ever seen your double?
If so, tell us all about it?

 "And God saw every thing that he had made,
and, behold,
It was very good."

Genesis 1:31

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.

 

In Rememberance of ANZAC Day

I cry unashamedly hard as I listen and watch this song.
On the 25th of April each year, Australia remembers the fallen.
Those men and women who march proudly off to war to fight for their country.
And Why??

I don't like war!! and I don't like what it does to those who fight.
Many loose their lives, many return so broken in spirit...
And in the very old wars, many were simply lost and their family could not even claim and bury them??
My grandfather Samuel fought in the First World War.

My father Arthur fought in the Second World War.

My husband Ray fought in the Vietnam War.

Ray's Purple Heart.

He bears the scar's on his arm and chest.

They wanted to amputate.

His mind bears much more.

Ray remembers his comrades.

Ray suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
No one knows how hard this is for him.
Or for myself as his wife...
After four years, the U.S. government is still considering his case??

You wonder?
Only those who suffer really understand the hardship.
When will it end?


Our Jesus said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

SERVICE AND SACRIFICE

John wrote the last of the four gospels, and was the favoured disciple.
Why was he the favoured??
Well, likely he and his cousin Jesus, played together as children.
Probably, their relationship was very close.

Imagine it, two little boys in different households living close to each other.
Cousins  and best friends.
John's mother Salome was Mary's sister.
Salome was the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John.
In all the Bible accounts of the life of Jesus, I have always prefered John's.

He had a knowing of the spirit of God within Jesus...
And His very first statement was....
"In the beginning was the WORD.
And the WORD was with God.
And the WORD was God."
John 1:1

John was the only person to relate how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.

Why would he do this??

Washing His Disciples' Feet

"Just before the Passover Feast, (my cousin) Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world and go back to the Father.
Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end.
It was suppertime.
The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.


Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything.
He knew he came from God and was on his way back to God.
So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron.
Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.

When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?"
Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."
John 13

So why did John relate this happening??
I would love to hear your thoughts on this??
Mine is, he was in awe, that his cousin showed such humility!
Most kings sit on a throne and are served.
Jesus, prostrated himself in a lowly position.

Who are we to ever consider ourselves as better than someone else??  The example of Jesus was the opposite.



When someone is in need we are to help them.
When someone is hungry we are to feed them.
Or thirsty, give them something to drink..

Share with others.
Laugh with them.
Cry with them...
And, carry them.
Service and Sacrifice is the story of Easter.

Believe and share in ETERNAL LIFE.

An Easter Parallel

I think this video says it all....

A modern day version of a father who sacrifices his only Son.

'For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten son."
John 3:16

Wave the Palms

In ancient times, Palm Branches symbolized Goodness and Victory.
They were often depicted on coins and important buildings.
Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the temple.

 (1 Kings 6:29).
"And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without."

So it was only right that when Jesus entered Jerusalem he was honoured with Palms waved in His honour.

Yet think about this, the people had no idea at that time, he would be, the sacrificial lamb of God.

AND, of all the Faiths in the world...

He would be the only leader to lay down His life.

"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him,
and cried, Hosanna:
Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."
John 12:12-13

At the end of Gods Word (Bible), we are told.
People from every nation will raise palm branches to honor Jesus.

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and Palms in their hands."
Revelation 7:9

Why was he likened unto a lamb?
Because, He submissively gave of Himself...

As strong as a Lion.

YET

As weak as a Sacrificial Lamb.

ONLY  OUR JESUS

Queensland Wooo Hooo !!!

There is no place like home, we all love where we live.
Part of my heart is still in Rogersville, Tennessee, I love it there also.

But in Queensland I want to share our news.
We are (mostly) over the floods..

This is a sunburned country, and a land of diversity.
If its not floods then its bushfire's..
But life goes on and when everyone pulls together.
We share the load, and help carry each others burdens.

My beautiful friend Carol, from http://naturallycarol.blogspot.com/
has so kindly been making and sending cushions to everyone to cheer them up.

What a beautiful heart.

Carol is an encouragement to all.

And most often, to me!!!

Our motto in Queensland is:

Beautiful one day and  perfect the next.

We are now into autumn yet many people wear summer clothes almost all year around.
Not me, I feel the cold, and like my jumper and hot water bottle..
This gives Ray a good laugh.

Some of the highlights of this beautiful state are:

We have hundreds of kilometres of mainland beaches..
Ours is Rainbow, on the Sunshine Coast.
Ray loves to drive along close to the rising tide.

                        I used to live, at Dickie beach.
                        Every day I'd walk or jog along the sand.
                        I love the smell of ocean air, and the sound of the waves crashing.
                        This is one beach where dogs are permitted.
               They have a wonderful time, meeting and greeting each other.

                     
                      The bird life is phenomenal.
                      Rainbow Lorakeets fly in the dozens.
                      Although..the cheeky things also eat our fruit.

This female King Parrot is spoilt.

Ray plants sunflowers especially for them to enjoy. 

My friend Sharon snapped these yellow Crested White Cockatoo,

on her fence eating a meal. 

Tropical fruit abounds.

We have mango, mandarin, and avocado trees.

This is our Paw Paw Tree...

Pineapple plantations grow close by.

I adore pineapple, and they help in weight loss.

Ray and I on a visit to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo.

This was the truck he took on all of his outback treks.

(We all miss that good natured man) 

The famous crazy Ettamogah Pub.

Seeing is believing..

This is the maddest building.

A day out at the camel races is a great laugh.

You can never predict what they will do.

The Great Barrier Reef goes for hundreds of kilometres.

You can snorkel or sight the pretty coral and hundreds of fish varieties from glass bottomed boats.

Come and visit.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they (people)are  without excuse."
Romans 1:20 (New King James Version)

Love Is A Friend

Coming from church we often go past and stop at, a produce market.
Where a variety of lovely fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased.
I can't walk very far, so I sit and wait while Ray does the shopping.
Finished we walk back to the parked car.

A man sitting near the exit gate, had something for sale in the boot of his Ute.
Ray went over to see what it was so I followed.

Gorgeous little puppies perfectly kept, roamed playfully around in the confined space.
We had no intention of buying a dog, it was the last thing we were thinking of.
Ray and I looked at each other, they were so sweet, especially one.

I fell, hook line and sinker.
Ray paid the money and I carried her to our car.
We talked of names on the way home.
I have always wanted Daisey for a girl dog or Harley for a boy.
This was a girl, but she didn't suit Daisey.

Mille` popped into my head, so that was it..
She now had a name.
When we arrived home I looked up the meaning?
It means 'Helper to the priest."
WOW!!!!

Taking her outside with Monty, he is not sure what to make of her.

Monty is small but she is only about a quarter of his size.

She is Adorable..

                        Welcome to our home Mille` .... (pronounced Mill-e)

 
                       (Galatians 5:22)"But the fruit of the Spirit is:
                                                                                  Love,
                                                                                  Joy,
                                                                                  Peace,
                                                                                  Patience,   
                                                                                  Kindness,                  
                                                                                  Goodness,
                                                                                  Faith."

Coming from! Going to??

Some people don't have the blessing of knowing their family roots.
And the reason why, seem's unimaginable!

My daughter and I attended a Film Festival on the week-end where one short story depicted this.

It spoke of and showed adults who as children, were placed in orphanages,  because their families had no provision for them.
When they reached eighteen years of age, the streets became their home.

Rather than complain, or harbour a chip on their shoulders, they worked together with Habitat for Humanity, helping others gain a home.
They rejoiced to be a part of a helping team.
They work so hard,... and with cheerful hearts.

One woman helped for ten years, and then finally,
she was one of the recipients.

I cannot imagine living under the above conditions.
I had hardship when I was growing up, but nothing compared to this!

When we complain because we can't find the exact shoes we want?

Or afford a holiday, car, boat, or similar.

Let's remember those who are happy with nothing.

Those who smile and laugh at the simple pleasures of life.

Who appreciate giving without expecting.

And rejoice in the good fortune of others.

Check out the website below and search your heart about giving.

http://www.habitat.org/

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."



Matthew 6:3-4

Be Transformed

Nature is so natural....

                                                 Yellow crested cockatoo..

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--
His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans" 12:2

I awoke this morning with the above verse.
And wondered why??
Am I too worldly?
I suppose in many ways, we all are to some extent.

Reading this verse through and contemplating further,
I can't help but realise, that even two thousand years ago,
this was an issue!!!

Man has never been content!
There is always a seeking for what is considered the best.
Or..
The most authentic!

I am no different to anyone else.
Last night I went to bed desiring certain changes in my life.
How selfish is that???
After all, if I trust in the Lord with all my heart, then I know, my life is how God Will's it to be.
If I want to complain in my heart,
then I am saying to God,
"I don't like the way you do things."

When I look deeply within myself,
 Am I wanting to conform to the ways of the world???
 Always have a tidy home and everything perfect.
OR
Can I allow myself to be transformed to the Perfect Will of God??

What is that Will??

2 Peter 3, says "God desires that none should perish."

He also desires we "build up treasure in Heaven, not on earth."

On our news last night they showed the fashions of the women attending the Oscar's.
The emphasis was on walking the red carpet, posing, camera's flashing, and who looked the best.
Such a lot of pomp and glamour.
And, just for one night?

What are your priorities?
Are you a God pleaser or a man pleaser??
I believe we all need to search our heart on this.

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)...