God or The devil

I have had much trouble posting this, which tells me, satan, the great deciever, does not want it known.

A beautiful young girl, perhaps about fourteen years of age, had a visitation from an Angel.
She was special, and she proves this by her great faith.
When the Angels tells her, she is to be mother of the Savour of the world there is no hesitation.

Many of us would have been horrified!
Who wants their own family to possibly disown them?
Who cherishes the thought of being taken to the town square and stoned to death?

But Mary spoke these words:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my soul rejoices in God my Savour."
Mary herself, subjects herself, and proclaims herself, a sinner.
She rejoices in God as her Savour.
She was not a bad person.
But just as all humanity is born into sin, so was Mary.
And she proclaimed this.

Jesus said, "I am the truth the life and the way, no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 Do you believe this?

Does the Word of God change?
"Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:17



“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.
Serve the LORD!
And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:14-15 (N K J Version)

Friends

I have always said, Friends are like Flowers, they are a sweet perfume in our life...   
My friend Starry Dawn has Blogged a poem about this.
I don't know how to link up, accept to put her address on here.
http://journeysandjournalsfromourgalaxy.blogspot.com/

One of my Ozzie friends is moving away to the Outback...
Far away to a mining town in remote north Queensland.
So this morning we got together with her, for the last time.

Our destination was a place back through time.
Gunabul Homestead was built in 1855 by a local lawyer.

Parking the car, you walk through shady century old tree's..

 The ladies opted to sit outdoors on the open veranda and enjoy the tranquility.
 

The ceilings must be 20ft high, which helps with the tropical heat.

We were welcomed by our Hostess, Nola.

Looking around inside is a photo of the Homestead in its heyday.

Together with the first owners, Francis and Elizabeth Power.

I am sure they'd never imagine their home would become a treasured meeting place in the future.

Friendship as part of the Body of Christ has drawn us together from different denominations.  

                    We had a wonderful time sharing and laughing together.

Our photos will keep the time alive forever.

Sharon and I.

Proverbs 27:9 

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,

                              and the pleasantness of a friend
                              springs from their heartfelt advice."

Sharon, I love you!
As the older woman of our little band, I give you the Hebrew blessing.

"May The Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.  Always. Amen." xxxx

God Bless all friends.

The sunburned country that Sharon will make her home.

 

Crying over yesterday

Depression.....

Can result from Grief and Loss

And yet often, as depicted in this song and animation, the very thing we dream about, the thing we grieve over, the thing we sorrow for, in reality, is not real!!

Are you stagnant?? Do you mourn over something in your life that is no longer there?

Move on...

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."


Psalm 51:10

New Years Day In The Sun

After all the rain it is a thrill to have the sun back and shining.
Too much of any particular weather pattern can be too much.

We took our time driving back to Queensland from New South Wales.
Along the way we stopped off at Corinda for a break and a stroll.

                    I love the blueness of the Pacific Ocean. (Facing south)

The children are on their Christmas vacation.
So famillies camp on the hilltop.
Everyone enjoys a relaxed happy time.
(Facing East)

One holiday maker informed me of a family of dolphins which reside here and swim with those they trust.
He had the pleasure of a baby dolphin accompany him that morning.
(Facing North)

A seagull looks for tit bits and keeps a close eye on me.

What a beatiful world we live in. 

 Psalms 1–1-3

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.


That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season

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....

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..

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... 

Faith as a Mustard Seed

He replied, "Because you have so little faith.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20

We are all given a measure of Faith.

I believe that measure is the same for all,
because we are not told that it isn’t.

Some use their whole measure to believe, while others don’t.
I imagine the Bible hero’s of old, used a whole measure also.

Can you imagine Noah using half his measure?
He never would have built the ark!
It took many years and had never rained.

Or Ruth choosing to return with Naomi back to her home land.
Both poor widow's, both with nothing.
Yet both possessing a faith.

What a joke these people must have looked.

I choose Faith any time. I use my full measure.
And I believe God reads the child-like belief of my heart.
It matters to me what God thinks, and that’s all!

Today I am believing for a miracle in my family.
I have already thanked God for that miracle.
Nothing, is impossible with Him.
He is my God and thats the end of the story.

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."    Romans 12:3

The power of Gods Love

We can never underestimate the power of Gods love and protection.
How many times do you want to go somewhere only to have your plans cancelled at the last moment?
How often do you feel sad about missing out on an occasion not realising there may be a very good reason for it?

Next time you miss out, praise God. You are in His care and His love surrounds and protects.

I have seen into the supernatural realm on occasion.
I am very aware that life is not always as we see it in the natural.

"If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91: 9-11

   

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

Amazing Grace

My eldest child, daughter Femia, (named after her Italian Nona) pictured here in the middle rear line of her school class.

She was a very shy child who lacked confidence. Yet with the encouragement of a wonderful teacher, Mr Maxwell, she soon realised a talent for athletics. I believe she still holds the school record for long jump, thirty three years later. She went on to become the school athletic champion, competing at state level.

On her first evening at a new church she was watched by the young man playing the piano. They went on outings with the church youth and soon became an item.

In 1985 Femia and David married in a huge Italian wedding.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

(1 John 4:7-8)

Standing on a platform, they cut the wedding cake together.

 “Love is not self seeking, it’s not easily angered,
 it keeps no record of wrong.”  
 (1 Corinthians 13:5 )

Time Goes By and they build a Firm Foundation in Jesus Christ. 

 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
(Hebrews 10:24)

Next month they celebrate twenty five years of marriage

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:"
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

The family that prays together stays together.

With their three children and a new son-in-law, this year.

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.

  

Colour Your World

COLOUR  your World- Its a gift from GOD *

Hi....Lovely to see you here again.... (I'm an Emu by the way.)
I am thinking about colours, where would we be without them?
Life would be so drab and depressing.

Colours lift your mood and make you feel happy.
Many creative artists have taken an old grey wall and face-lifted it with colour.

My hubby Ray standing in front of Steve Irwin's wall at Australia Zoo near where we live.
Sadly Steve went home to the Father in 2007 after receiving a stringray barb to the heart.
Steve was a happy hearted man, one that loved his family and devoted his life to animal conservation.

Aboriginal art on the side of a giant earth worm model in Victoria, Australia.

I would rather look at a picture than a wall....

Memories of the past depicted on a library wall.

So colour your world with happiness..

The Lords Word from Me to You..

"May the Lord bless thee and keep thee:

May the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,

And, give thee, peace."Amen.