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)

Happy *PEACE filled New Year

With the torrential non stop rain comes the frogs....
And their continuous song. 

The children love them especially these green tree ones.

Happiness is, caring and sharing.
Grandchildren, Shiarn to Izaiah.

This Mr Froggy is displaying the Sign of PEACE..

The world does not have peace, although it's what EVERY person desires.

But knowing Jesus can give peace to the heart in troubled times as we place our faith and trust in Him.


Jesus tells us in His Word:
"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)

To keep immersed in Gods Word, feeds and water's the parched soul.

There should be no divisions between different Christian faiths.
No Hostility...
There should be Peace!!


"For Christ himself has brought peace to us.
He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when,
In his own body on the cross,
He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us."
Ephesians 2:14
 
PEACE... what a beautiful word...
 
Jesus died to unite us in Himself...
And yet He still knew the wicked heart of man..
 
Jesus Said....
“Brother will betray brother to death,
and a father his child;
children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 
You will be hated by everyone because of me,
but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." 
Matthew 10:21-22
 
Peace, keep the Peace!!
Don't argue,.. Pray!
Forgive and Love.
 
PEACE BE STILL....

Frazer Island....Giving Thanks

Psalm 104:5-9

Listen to this passage

"He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.

You (God) covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled,
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
they flowed over the mountains,

they went down into the valleys,
to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross;
never again will they cover the earth.


Today I rejoice in God my Savour.
I give thanks for all He is and all He has given."

A day out on Frazer Island.

Crossing the sand at Rainbow Beach to the Barge.

Carries approximately 15 vehicles.

Hubby Ray

Off the Barge and onto Frazer.

75 miles of beach sea, sun and sand to explore.

Ahhh the serenity.

Give way to aircraft landing.

Ship wreck of the S.S. Maheno 1935.

Drive down the sandy bush tracks and hope no one comes from the opposite direction. Listen to the birds. Look at the many fresh water lakes.

Spot a Dingo (Australian wild dog).

He was so pretty.

Stop at the tropical shops for refreshments.

It's nice to go out for the day, but of so nice to get home again.

*Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart... 

A Crocodile in your Life

One animal or reptile I have never liked, is the crocodile.

I have never trusted them, until...

We are up at Kakado National Park, in the Northern Territory and went out in a 'safe' boat to view the salt water croc's.

Our guide was paranoid about our safety. "Keep seated at all times," he instructed.

"Yes I agree with that," I thought!

The first one sighted came swimming over...

"Why he looks harmless enough,

rather like a big floating log, no noise, nothing." 

And this is where people go wrong......

BY Trusting!!!

When a bait is hung over the water. THAT LOG, suddenly becomes alive and jumps high up out of the water, to appease his greed.

No wonder so many people get taken and eaten by Croc's every year.

This reminds me of a scripture about Satan the devil..

The Bible INFORMS US:

  

"Be self-controlled and alert.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (eat-up, destroy)  1 Peter 5:8

Ahhhh, so we'll be safe. Because if we see a roaring lion, we'll know it's the devil and stay away...LOL... NOT SO!! 

He actually counterfeits himself. 
The Bible INFORMS AGAIN..


For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 5:8)
He wants you, and plans to get you, however he can.
And, he is very subtle in the process.  

* Doubt: Makes you question God???
* Discouragement: Makes you look at your problems instead of to God.
* Diversion: Say's wrong,  look's more attractive than right.
* Defeat: Screams that you're a failure, so you give up.
* Delay: Sneaks up and says, "do it later."  And, it never gets done.

INSTEAD

Look to the Morning Star, Jesus Christ.

Read His Word and believe His promise.

And He will help you to climb your Mountain,

One step at a time.

Then, your scar's will turn to Stars...

And You will Shine!!

*******************

Rev 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Bless the Lord

Psalm 103

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
I love you Lord, and I thank and praise you for all our many blessings.

White cheeked honey eater on a eucalyptus tree

I am reminded how God gives us everything and much of that, we take for granted.

Galah

The wide variety of birds and their different coloured plumage.

Are a joy to the eye and ear.

King parrot.

They help keep the insects under control.

Blue winged kookaburra

Known as the bush clock, you can reply on them to awaken you with their laughter at the same time every morning.

They are one bird welcome in the garden as they eat the snakes.

If they laugh in the middle of the day it means a change in the weather. 

 Ring neck parrot

A Sweet intruder, and a joy to behold. 

Water hen

Walks daintily across the lillypads seeking a feed.

The wedged tail eagle.

Stands three feet tall and has a wing span of up to eight feet wide.

This all seeing majestic wonder reminds me of our God.

He defends his territory by soaring high above the earth.

And keeps an ever vigilant watch. 

"But those who wait upon the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

Bless the Lord, oh my soul for thou art mighty in all the earth.

Meditate

Scripture is God talking to us.
So its not to be taken lightly...
Read it slowly, contemplate on the Words.
Visualise in your mind the meaning of what is expressed.
Know, that this is truth...
Then chose your path.

Blessed is the man/woman
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm1:1-6

INNER TURMOIL

Only a parent can imagine the inner turmoil and anguish experience when their child suffers hurt, setbacks, grief, illness or any kind of life's dispair.

At that time you would gladly trade places with them just to see them happy once more.

Where do you go at times like this, who do you ask for help, what do you do??

Sometimes it seems there is nowhere to turn. you are encased in a fragement of time, where even breathing becomes a chore.  

A war rages within, a searing pain as though your very heart is torn apart trampled on and thrown away..

No-one cares, everyone has their own situations.

People are never totally infalable. No matter how willing they are to assist, you are sure nothing will or can change the circumstances.....

The storm brews until you feel it will explode, surely you cannot take anymore...

Oh Lord, Help Me.....You cry out!
Will He Hear??? Is he listening.

This is His promise to us,

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

"Because he loves me," says the LORD,
"I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation." (Psalms 91)

Be still my heart and know, that God is always here.
He loves me and leaves me with this promise...

"I will NEVER leave thee nor FORSAKE thee.!!"
Hebrews 13:5
Praise His Holy Name.

Listen to the Kookaburra laugh, to brighten your day.  

A Great Miracle

An Incredible Story

Map of Australia

Last year Alaskan fireman Robert Bogucki aged thirty three, set out on a mission.

He wanted to cross the Great Sandy Dessert in Western Australia.
Measuring 163900 sq miles, this dessert is the second largest and one of the most remote in Australia. 
Since the age of fifteen, Robert had become obsessed with the idea of one day surviving in the wilderness for 40 days and nights like Jesus.            Then while on a bike riding trip across Australia the idea became a reality with him ditching his bike and taking off on foot to test his faith and find answers to questions???

Robert had read about how the Australian indigenous people could find water in their arid land. On the occasional sightings of dessert animals and often when he was on the verge of dehydration he was led to water. 

How many of us would test our faith to the limit like this? 

It's not recommended!!! But then, Robert was a remarkable man.

When Roberts discarded bike with clothing and food supplies were found a search was immediately formed. Aboriginal trackers were brought in yet after following his tracks for days they eventually gave up.                    Roberts parents hired a specialist team from the USA and together with Broome police the search was resumed. No one expected to find him alive.

                                   He made the ultimate sacrifice and survived forty three days alone with his God. Although without food for six weeks and water for 12 days, he was still able to walk to the search helicopter. He had lost thirty kilo's or sixty six pounds in weight. It was a life changing experience and he found his answers.... 

Psalms 139:7-12
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, 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.


If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"


Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.....


This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God...

  

Spiritual Sundays, Out back.

Our sunflowers about a month ago before dying off and leaving the seed for the birds to feed on.

This is a female king parrot.

           

One of my favourites is the Bird O Paradise. It grows in my side yard.

                                                                     

The taller plant is a Kangaroo paw, we have them in three different colours.

They grow up to approx four feet tall. The dark pink is a Lilly.

                                                             

                                                             

There are always visitors close by.

                                              

In the Palm tree.

                                                              


And White Cockatoo's on the overhead wires.

                                                          


Frangapani in the back yard.

With the yummy Paw Paw tree.

Its been growing about a year. This is our first crop of fruit. 

Look at the size! They turn a yellow orange colour when ripe.

 

And a little bit of America to help my hubby feel at home.

Where we lived in Tennessee was Cherokee country.

So a chief smokes his peace pipe in our garden.

                                                              

JESUS SAID.....
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 14:27