Lost but not forsaken.

I ask all my friends to forgive me at the moment, because I feel so lost.
I seem to forget much of what I am suppose to do.

My daughter Daniella and her daughter Shiarn have been staying over and keeping me company.

In Daniella's Bible she carries photos of her children.
It made me feel so sad to see a picture of her third son Matteo, who only lived nine days.
He died on  Christmas eve, 1998.
What a hard time, on a holiday season,  to say goodbye to a little one.
Today as we sat and talked I asked her what became of his ashes??
"They are in the top of my wardrobe mum," she told me.
"One day they'll be buried with me."

She spoke so naturally.... Oh how my heart went out to her.
As a mother, I want to protect her from hurts.
I think of the many times she has moved house, and how often she must lovingly secured those remains..
She always remembers him and keeps him close.
Just as our Heaven Father does with all of us.

^"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 us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38-39

Romancing Christmas

Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas, is my grandson Luke.

We have romanced Christmas with our western culture.

We think of it with beautiful Carols, the Nativity Scene and gaily wrapped presents.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

                though you are small among the clans of Judah,

                          out of you will come for me one who will be 
                     ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,
                         from ancient times." (Micah 5:2)


It is no accident that the man chosen to be Jesus father on earth, Joseph,  was "of the house and lineage of David"
(Luke 2:4) and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.


 "Joseph went to Bethlehem to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born."
(Luke 2:5-6)

I cannot imagine the young Mary walking all that way from
Nazareth to Bethlehem while heavily pregnant.
It was a three to four day trip, and as a woman I can empathise with her. I understand how she gave birth, after that long and tedious journey. How difficult!
We are not told she rode on a donkey??
We are not told her age?
But this was her first baby, and there were no luxuries.
No doctors or nurses to assist with the birth.
No pretty clothes or crib.
Only drudgery and hardship.

How different for us who worship Him, the King of Glory.
We don't suffer to celebrate our Savours birth.

We eat to bursting.
We relax in the comforts of our homes.
We are entertained by lovely Christmas Carols.
We romance the birth of Christ. 

Do we fully understand? Do we fully appreciate???

God's son was born in hardship.

We need to contemplate on these things..

Who AM I ?

God tells me and you..

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart."

Some of where I come from was Wales, UK.

(Left) great grandmother Charles (maternal) with her daughter and new husband, plus other family members.

I was the fourth child of five born to my Australian mother and English father.

My mother with her five children. I am in front on the right.

Looking at this photo today I realised all of our body language is tilted towards our mother. We were all very close to her.

Mum taught us a faith by example.

Our life revolved around God.

The country home we grew up in south western New South Wales.

My sister stands outside and I took this photo with her brownie camera.

This sister has always been my best encourager in my faith, she has never wavered.

 Our background can form us for better or worse.

I came from a strong Christian background and for this I am thankful.

However, ultimately it is up to us and our choices as to where we go in life.

Today it is popular to pass the blame for doing the wrong thing onto someone else.

When I grew up we made the best of our lives and if  it went wrong we shouldered our own responsibility.

There was no passing the buck.

I have made good choices and bad ones, the same as you.

Learning lessons is what has been important.

Growing in wisdom and maturity, knowing when you are wrong and admitting it, and asking and accepting forgiveness, makes for a healthy life. 

No one is perfect.. I certainly am not!!!

I get distressed sometimes when people judge.

They think I have the perfect life and it is all together,

 just because I laugh much of the time. 

Not So....!!

What I do have is a strong unwavering faith.

A faith instilled in me from a child.

Some children choose to turn away. I choose to stay.

Genesis 8:1, And God Remembered.................(Us)!!

From eight to eighteen years of age. I grew up without a father.

This was no excuse for me to do the wrong thing.

I was not forgotten. Because God remembered.

You are not forgotten either.

God Always Remembers!!!

Peter Anthony ... Blessings.

My little car struggled up the steep incline only to be stopped on the crest by red signal light's. Glancing downwards for a moment my eyes then averted once more towards the road.
Transfixed I stared as a huge coach, maneuvering around the tight corner looming towards me and almost hitting my car by mere inches.

My mind wandered to think of my eldest son Peter.
He drives monster's such as this for a living.
It's his birthday on Saturday (30th) and he is hundreds of miles from family.
Now residing in north west Queensland, he drives a variety of different coaches, catering for the mines.
I pray his day is bright and that the coming year is full of the goodness of the Lord shining with Joy upon him.
I commemorate my son and all he means to those of us who love him.

His name means:
Peter:  The Rock
Anthony:  Worthy of Praise
God loves Him.

He was one of those perfect babies who kept to a timed routine.

Always a sunny child, he looked at life though rose coloured glasses of love.

  Nehemiah 8: 19

                            "For the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Even as a toddler, he reached out to take his big sister's hand.
Family have always been priority to Peter.



Femia and Peter

John 3:18

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth."
Quick witted, he always has something funny to say
He has the ability for turning sadness into joy.

Picture here on the right of his sister Femia, with her husband David, two of his cousins, Vanessa and Brad and his younger sister Daniella. 

At ten years of age he plagued me for a little brother. 

God granted him the desire of his heart.

Pictured proudly here with Lee-Joel, brother and gift from God. 

So my son.

My prayer for you today is.

"A wife of noble character YOU can find.

                                She is worth far more than rubies.
                                You have full confidence in her
                                and lack nothing of value.
                                She brings You good, not harm,
                                 all the days of her life...
                                 (and you Bless each other)" AMEN
Proverbs 31:10-12
May the Lord Bless thee and keep thee..
safe,
happy,
and strong
in Him always

OVERWHELMED

OVERWHELMED.....That's where I was this morning.

Something was told to me yesterday, something going back many years.

Something which has hurt another person.

Something they still hang onto.....

This made me fret.

It caused me heartache!

And now it was my choice, what was I to do????

I decided to get up and make myself a cup of tea.

Hot tea with milk is regenerating, especially first thing in the morning.

For some reason? Instead of picking up my bible, I picked up a wonderful book that I had read long ago by Jeanne Guyon.

Jeanne was a French woman from the1700's, and remarkably ahead of her time. 

This lady specifies how to read God's Word slowly, ingesting every morsel.

Immediately a scripture verse popped into my mind.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."

(Luke 1:46-47)

Yes, like the mother of Jesus, I can also say this. 

My soul does rejoice in God, because yes, I too, am a sinner.

I began to meditate on this Word, as Jeanne describes. 

 I pictured that Word, held as if food in my mouth. 

Now as I savour the flavour, and as I allow fulfillment before the swallow,

 my nourishment is completed and I recieve the nurturing.

His Word, becomes live food within me...

 I am stimulated to become more like Him.

The apostle Paul once said.

"To be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord."

(2 Corinthians 5:8) 

I used to think this meant, at death.

Then this morning a different revelation!

I now believe, when we read the Word with total conviction,

we are transported to the throne room, and into His presence.

Rejoice in the Lord, for He is, our Salvation.

  

Embrassed in The Word

This picture by Laurie Thompson has been wonderfully portrayed.
I imagine my own self being embrassed here.
Jesus IS the Word of God... who reaches out to each one of us, to wrap us in His tender love.
How can that be? Some may ask.....what of all the horror in the world?
Why do we have illness and disappointments, war and calamity?

THANK GOD!!! He didn't make robots, but gave us all, a free will.
In that free will we walk our own walk and make our own choices...
ACCEPT, when we constantly place ourselves before him, and ask Him to take over.
Some of OUR wrong choices.
Choices of what to eat, even though it may make us ill.
Choices of driving recklessly. even though we kill.
Choices to be selfish or condemn others, so we have no friends.
Choices to lie, steal, rape, molest, cheat and destroy ourselves.  

When working as a professional health carer I always began each day on my way to work, using a prayer from His Word.

You may well ask why I chose this particular verse.
So lets look at what it says.....

"Let the WORDS of my mouth."
Our words effect others, for good or bad.
We hold a powerful tool in the shape of our tongue.
This tool can have a will of its own and speak out of reason...it can speak with pomp, it can speak in spite and pride, OR it can speak in humility...
There is life and death to the listener, in the power of the tongue.
So, it is best to keep it under control at all times.
It is best to THINK before you speak...
To encourage and lift up the listener, instead of caste down.
And if someone is rude to you...
Nothing said in return, speaks a thousand words.

"And the Meditation of my heart."
My words may say one thing, while my face reflects another....
Imagine me saying to a patient, " You are looking so much better today."
While my face looks on in horror,  mirroring.... I don't believe my own words.

"Be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord."
If Jesus was standing right beside me when I opened my mouth, would He be glad, or would I make Him sad? 
I desire that what proceeds out of my mouth, brings a reflection of who I am in Him...."My Rock and My Redeemer."

For without Him,
I mess up,
and I am nothing.......

Strongholds of the Mind

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;  casting down imaginations,  and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

The mind is a powerful tool.
We can concentrate on the good around us and keep our mind positive!
Or, we can dwell on the negative and let the Devil feed us nasty thoughts, that poisons our souls. 'Stinkin Thinkin.'

If we allow STRONG HOLDS from the enemy to take over our mind, they begin to poison every word we are given.

For example: A young man angrily told me the other day, that every woman he meets takes advantage of him and does the wrong thing by him.

And yet, he seeks to  find the right one. He is lonely!

To reassure, I told him that somewhere out there is a lonely lady waiting, just for him

Did he accept these words as a kindness? No!!!

He turned on me saying neither I nor anyone else was going to FORCE him to go looking for anyone.......

Everything I said to him was turned back in anger towards me.

He has allowed strongholds to have occupancy. 

You cannot reason with someone like this, you can only pray for them.

So what do you do with constant thoughts that seek to consume and defile?

You use the weapons of your warfare....

You do as Jesus did when tempted by Satan in the dessert.

You quote the word of God, over and over and over in your mind.

Until, the word takes root and produces seed, good seed.

You drive out the (SPIRIT) of fear and replace it with the(SPIRITUAL) power.

Saying aloud....It is written!!!

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 timothy 1:7)  X3

LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE

Like a little girl named Pollyanna.

For those of you who don't know the story, Pollyanna was an orphan. 

She was brought up by poor Christian parents. Her mother died and later her Pastor father followed.  Pollyanna was sent to live with her mothers sister, her Aunt Polly, who was very wealth and upholds a superior RELIGIOUS attitude to all.

Pollyanna has been taught a CHRISTIAN attitude, of being GLAD about everything. She is generous, kind and loving to all. As the characters traits unfold we see a whole town that a SPIRIT of negativity has encompassed.  

We see the example in this story of how the devil succeeds in causing havoc in the minds by imaginations. People didn't address their problems! They don't display Christian compassion and love to one another,  instead they allow wounds of hurt to fester, erupt and influence with negativity. 

Pollyanna soon teaches the whole town how to play her GLAD game.....

In other words, she helps everyone bring their thoughts and minds into harmony with the mind of Christ. She teaches them, how to be, Christ-like.

2 Timothy 2:21

Allow Christ to shape your mind. 

Father's Day

My son Lee-Joel with his son Izaiah(left).                

We celebrated Fathers Day in Australia today.
I really think this name should be broadened to be.
Father, Stepfather, Grandfather's Day.

I was eight when my father left our home.
I found him again when I was eighteen.
It is lonely growing up without a father.
It is sad when you have no memories of a hug or a kiss from your father.
When he never played with you, took you on a picnic or said, "I love you."

For many, a stepfather or grandfather is the substitute.
Unfortunately, after eight, I missed out on these also.
Now I am not complaining, this is simply a fact....
And, the fact of many.

The good part was my early teaching about my beginning.
My knowing, I had a Heavenly Father who was always there.
A Father who loved me with an unconditional love,
And one who promised me, "He would never leave me nor forsake me."

He is the God who created me in His spiritual image.
My God who created the whole world and universe with His Word.
My God who is mightier than any imaginable divinity my mind could conjure.
My God who made a way of escape for me when I sin.
My God who forgives my sins when I confess with honest repentance.
My Father God, who loves me with an UNCONDITIONAL TOTAL LOVE...

His love is the Agape Love:
The Selfless Love with All Spiritual Power. Beyond Everything!!

"Our Father which art in heaven,  Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
Matthew 6:9-13

I believe in this prayer. I do not recite the words without thought.
My very Heart,  is in the beautiful love,
The Father has for Me.
In this prayer, that He Gave.....

 

BIBLE NUMEROLOGY

Lady Slipper

Number's mean a lot to me because, they mean much to God.
I live at No 18, 1+8= 9......
Nine stands for Judgement and the many gifts of the SPIRIT....
So for me this is very special.

1 THE NUMBER OF UNITY. Father. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Ephesians 4:5 "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."


2 THE NUMBER OF DIVISION. The Son who has two natures: human and divine. There are 2 Testaments: the Old and New. Man is Male and Female. Rom. 9 speaks of two vessels: one for honorable use and the other for dishonorable use. Two types of people: Sheep and Goats. There are two ages, this age and the age to come: Matt. 12:32; 13:39,40,49; Mark 10:30.

3 THE NUMBER OF DIVINE PERFECTION. The Trinity consists of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are three qualities of the universe: Time, Space, and Matter. To exist (except for God), all three are required. Each quality consists of three elements. Therefore, we live in a trinity of trinities.

 The three qualities of universe are each three:

Time is one yet three Space is one yet three Matter is one yet three

Past

Present

Future Height

Width

Depth Solid

Liquid

Gas

We live in a Trinity of Trinities: Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made..."

If you are a trichotomist then man is made of three parts:

Body Soul Spirit

Human abilities are three

Thought Word Deed

The divine attributes are three fold:

God is:

Omniscient

Omnipresent

Omnipotent Love

Light

Spirit Holy

Righteous

Just

Three bear witness (1 John 5:8):

Spirit Water Blood

Christ is Three Shepherds

The Good Shepherd (John 10:14-15) - speaking of His death

The Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) - speaking of His resurrection

The Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) - speaking of His glory

The Three appearances of Christ:

Past:

Present:

Future:

Has appeared (Heb. 9:26) to put away sin

Is appearing (Heb. 9:24) in the presence of God

Will appear (Heb. 9:28) to those who await Him

The Father spoke from Heaven three times:

- Matt. 3:17, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

- Matt. 17:5, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him."

- John 12:28, "I have both glorified it [the Father's name], and will glorify it again."

Both the Tabernacle and the Temple consisted of three parts:

The Court The Holy place The Sanctuary

Regarding the Tabernacle:

The Holy of Holies was a cube (10 cubits x 10 cubits x 10 cubits)

Regarding the Temple:

The Holy of Holies was a cube (20 cubits x 20 cubits x 20 cubits)

4 THE NUMBER OF CREATION - North, South, East, West; 4 Seasons. The 4th commandment is the first that refers to the earth. The 4th clause of the Lord's Prayer is the first that mentions the earth. The materials of the tabernacle were four and so were the coverings and the ornamentation's.

5 THE NUMBER OF GRACE. Redemption. Israel came out of Egypt 5 in rank (Ex 13:18). David picked up 5 smooth stones to fight Goliath (1 Sam. 17:40). The Holy Anointing Oil was pure and composed of 5 parts (Ex. 30:23-25).

6 THE NUMBER OF MAN: Man was created on the 6th day. Man labors 6 days only. The Serpent was created on the 6th day. The 6th commandment is "Thou shalt not murder." Six words are used for man: Adam, ish, Enosh, gehver, anthropos, anar. Also, 6 x 6 = 36. 36 + 35 + 34 + 33 + 32 . . . 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 666. 666 is the number of the antichrist. This means that the name of the antichrist in Greek adds up to 666. This is a mockery of the Trinity.

7 THE NUMBER OF SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. Seven days in a week. Seven colors in the spectrum. Seven of the 10 commandments begin with the word "not." There are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 parables in Matthew, and 7 promises to the churches. There are 7 "eternals" in Hebrews which are: A priest for ever (1:6); Eternal salvation (1:9); Eternal judgment (6:2); eternal redemption (9:12); eternal spirit (9:14); eternal inheritance (9:15); and everlasting covenant (13:20). Jesus said 7 things on the cross: 1) Luke 23:34 "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots; 2) Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise"; 3) Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"; 4) John 19:26 "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son"; 5) John 19:28 "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 6) John 19:30 "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit"; and 7) Luke 23:46 "Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." "Hallelujah" occurs 28 times or 4 x 7. "Hosanna" occurs 7 times. "Milk" occurs 49 times or 7 x 7. "Abaddon" occurs 7 times. "After the order of Melchizedek" occurs 7 times.

8 THE NUMBER OF NEW BEGINNINGS. 8 people on Noah's Ark (2 Pet. 2:5); circumcision on 8th day (Gen. 17:12); God made 8 covenants with Abraham

9 THE NUMBER OF JUDGMENT. There are 9 greek words derived from the root word meaning judgment = dikay. The following words each occur 9 times in the Bible: abussos (bottomless pit); asebee (ungodly); aselgeia (lasciviousness); and astrapee (lightning). The gifts of the spirit are 9 in number (1 Cor. 12:8-10): the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

10 THE NUMBER OF DIVINE PERFECTION. There are 10 commandments (Ex. 20); 1/10 of your income is a tithe; the were 10 plagues on Egypt (Ex. 9:14ff); 10 x 10 silver sockets formed the foundation of the Tabernacle (Ex 38:27); There are 10 "I AM"'s spoken by Jesus in John: 1) I am the Bread of Life (6:35); 2) I am the Bread of Life which came down from heaven (6:41); 3) I am the Living Bread (6:51); 4) I am the Light of the world (8:12); 5) I am One that bears witness of Myself (8:18); 6) I am the Door of the sheep (10:7,9); 7) I am the Good Shepherd (10:14); 8) I am the Resurrection and the Life (14:6); 9) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (11:25); and 10) I am the True Vine (15:1,5).

Reference: http://www.cam.org/

Regrets

Regrets, we all have them don't we.

If only....I hadn't said what I did, I wish I could turn back time.

I could have been kinder to that person, why didn't I think?

If I had my life to live over again, with hindsight, I would never make the
same mistakes twice (God willing).

Yet life is full of doing what we'd rather not.

The Apostle Paul spoke it well when he declared in Romans 7:15-20

"I do not understand what I do.
For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So sad!  While we reside in the earthly tent, no matter how hard we try, no matter how good we try to be, we will at times, do what we hate.

 

But we cannot allow our minds to be taken over by these regrets.
If we do, they will rule our lives and tell us, we will never, ever, be good enough.

The truth is, we never will be good enough.....
But Jesus, Gods son, is!
We are made righteous ONLY through believing in what He has done for us. 

The Apostle Paul said!
"Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law." (Galatians 3:23-25)

SO the Good News Is......from the mouth of St Luke.
He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—
You and your household." Acts 16:30-31...

Praise God....SO, don't hold onto those regrets....
But....
Always do your best, asking forgiveness with repentance.
And thank God, with a grateful heart.

                              

Flower Wonders

Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the LORD,
 for he is good;
his love endures forever.

The gazania.

August our last month of winter, and the flowers still bloom.
When God created the earth, He thought of everything. 
Right down to the beautiful design and formation of flowers.

In the garden of miracles we take our delight .......
In the different colours, shapes, perfumes and sizes...

Fashioned to bedazzle our heart and re freshen our soul.  

The Lord will guide you always,

He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land,

And strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well watered garden,

Like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

And...a Great Carpenter Bee,

all from my front garden.

Christian Actions

I am so glad I am a Christian and have the teachings of Christ, my head.

When I read of another religious group and their violence towards women,

I give thanks to God for my freedom and love in Him.

I do not take this for granted but rather I accept it with gratitude.

Reading from Colossians 3:12-14.
We are instructed.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved.
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Freedom....In Christ we are free.

Listen to His beautiful words...............

 "If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" John 8:31,32.

Christians are not to demand their own way!
They are not to coerce!
They are not to bully.
They are to...LOVE!!!

Values and Beliefs

Study in a University to become a Registered Nurse in Australia is Three years of full time learning. Following this you are often placed with a facilitator for your first year out working in a hospital. 
During this learning time other subjects are part of the curriculum.
One of mine was philosophy. And I loved it. 
My primary Alma Mater was The Australian Catholic University.
I wanted to take a minor in theology, however when I discovered I would be told what meant what in the Bible, I opted out. The reason for this being...I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Because of this I also believe God's Word as truth. We are informed in the Bible that Jesus left the Holy Spirit as our teacher, and as such, He has never let me down.
He is a patient teacher also, because, I am still a student to Him, and still learning. I expect to keep on doing this until the day He takes me home.  
When we love someone dearly we want to learn everything possible about them. We are not happy to only listen to someone else tell us about them, if we can get the chance to know for ourselves first hand. 
How many of you would pick up a diary of your beloved and read it to learn all their secrets....if you had the chance.
A New Testament, the diary telling all about Jesus Christ is readily available everywhere, yet how many who actually profess to know and love him, desire to read it???
Mostly they are happy to sit in church and listen to another's rendition. 
I cannot understand this!! 
In fact, many don't even know what they think they do, they just believe what they hear without the EVIDENCE....
  
And the first Christian faith followed by the disciple's was
The Sect of the Nazarene... Paul, who was once a Pharisee, became one of these himself. 

Three verses in total are written on Paul as being a part of

the Sect of the Nazarene.

Three of the main Jewish Sects (Religions) of Jesus time were. Sadducee's, Pharisees and Essenes.

These religions had different belief's and fought over what they believed. Paul was a strict Pharisee who experienced a life changing event which caused him to become a follower of Jesus. He then converted and became a member of the 'Sect of the Nazarene.' 

Paul is brought before the governor Felix charged by the Jews as a trouble maker because he followed Jesus....

To follow Jesus means to know him in a personal relationship..

                                               

                                                    

                                                           
                                                             

Civil War

We all know a Civil War is when a battle is fought within a country.
Such a war, splits and divides, placing a nationality against itself.

Much the same is a Civil War within oneself.
Do you have a war raging within yourself?
If so, it will hinder your walk with your Savour.

Matthew 12:25, tells us.
  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation;
and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

Let's look at this in a personal aspect. 
Are you side tracked from who you should be in Jesus Christ?
Do you allow yourself to be sabotaged by outside influences?
Are you easily led by your evil desires.
Anything that directs you away from living a life pleasing to him will destroy you in the end.....
The thing you love the most in your life is what will come first in your thoughts and actions.

If you love God and also love something else beyond reason, then a war will rage within you. 

Are you confused?
Lets simplify this.
I love food, but if I over eat I am a glutton.  Then food will become my God..
and.....my health will fail. 
Likewise gossip is the same. It may seem harmless at the time, until we are caught up in it's ugly cycle. Then it damages everyone!!!

Jesus said,  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27


 

                                                             

Where To Now Lord??

FROM: PSALM 139
O Lord, you have searched me

and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.

Crystal and Friend

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,a you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

We were two young women on the brink of life.
Work mates both in our early twenties..
Neither knew where life was going to take us.
Yet we both trusted in our Lord for direction.
The road wasn't easy, we both had much to learn.
But we survived, because our guide led the way.
We survived because we trusted in Him.
And after almost 40yrs, we both still do.
The secret is believing in His Word...
And remaining strong in Him....
Our Savour, Christ Jesus.

SEE GOD !!!

"My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savour."
Luke 1:46-47

Where? Oh Where, do you see the hand of God.....???
I see Him everywhere.

Lady Cassie and my son, Lee-Joel

In the Love between Two people.

                                                A Friend and I
In Fellowship, Prayer and Communion with other believers.
  

In the Joy of Nature.

The Olga's Northern Territory.

In the beautiful landscapes.

                                                                      My Garden
In the Flowering Plants, with diverse varieties shapes and colours.


 

The Created Universe.

I see God in Everything.

Praise His Holy Name.