CHRISTMAS DAY

What a day? I can't believe it is Christmas already. We are without a `base', so we have travelled to Sydney to spend Christmas with Aaron & Emily (our son and new daughter in law), and her family.

The trip has gone really well, except for one little nitch - we blew 2 tyres on the caravan. The first - at Raymond Terrace - was easy to fix; but the other, on the highway coming into to Sydney was not so easy. Not only was the tyre a mess, but as it was Christmas Eve, communication was not as good - the NRMA got a little confused, and we sat by the side of the road, with the 2 dogs for 3 hours.

Funny enough, Mark didn't get as stressed as I thought, as he TRUSTED the NRMA. Our prayers weren't answered as early as we thought, but they were answered.

Then something really funny - well, I think it was, and it reminded me so much of our Christian life. Mark has this great little machine, called a GPS, and he usually takes real notice of it - he trusts it with his life; a little like I do with my Bible. But when we got into Sydney, the GPS took us a different way than we'd gone before. Well, was Mark confused - do I follow the GPS or go my own way. Fortunately, he decided to follow the GPS, because as much as I love my husband, in this case, I think if we'd gone his way, we would have got lost.

Seriously - as Christians we have made a decision to TRUST THE LORD and HIS WORD. I guess because I've been doing it longer it is easier for me; but sometimes we still want to do things our OWN WAY. I am trying to help Mark see that he has made this decision to follow Christ, and He can trust Him with every detail of His life - `cause' ultimately, HE DOES CARE.

"Am I a God near at hand", says the Lord, "and not a God afar off".
JEREMIAH 23:23

"Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid.... and don't be frightened,
because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave
you or forget you." DEUTERONOMY 31:6

"Where can I flee from Your Presence? If I take the wings of the
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there
Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me."
PSALM 139:7-9

Moving Day

Well, school is finished for 2009! Our Bundaberg life of service is about to end! Feeling nervous? Well I have to confess, up until a few weeks ago when our furniture was being placed into the truck - it wasn't real; but now - yes - I guess I am a little nervous. But it must be something about my personality, because actually I am more excited than nervous - I love moving on!!

It is my husband I am worried about. Although he keeps telling everyone how wonderfully everything is falling into place - he is a little worried about what the future holds. Will my new job work out? Will he be able to get work at all? Will we find a place we can afford to rent?

I don't have all the answers; but one thing I do know - GOD DOES!! I can't help it - I just have to TRUST HIM!!!

On December 16th, as they were packing away our luggage, I opened up my `Word for Today' devotional booklet and this is what I read:

"God can move so quickly that one day it feels like all hell has broken loose in your life.......... The Bible uses words like straightway, immediately, and suddenly, to remind us that when God moves we must be ready to move too........ Don't let discouragement dull your faith or procrastination steal your opportunity....... You've got to decide whether you're going to accept what God has for you and move forward, or return to your house......Nothing is more important than what God is saying and doing in your life NOW; not what's going on in your house, not the actions or opinions of others. What matters is being READY!!" WORD FOR TODAY (Dec 16th)

Of course the writer was talking about preparing for the second coming of Christ, but it seemed appropriate for Mark and I, as we prepare for what God has in store for us on the Gold Coast.

In the last few weeks Mark and I have been reading 1 & 2 Timothy, and as Paul continues to encourage Timothy in his ministry, I too have felt encouraged to take the next steps in our ministry.

Finally, from my old mate Max - these words of encouragement:

"Mark it down. YOU WILL NEVER GO WHERE GOD IS NOT. You may be transferred, enlisted, commissioned, reassigned or hospitilized, but - brand this TRUTH on your heart - YOU CAN NEVER GO WHERE GOD IS NOT." EVERY DAY DESERVES A CHANCE (Max Lucado)

I understand my husband's concerns, and having not taught a Year 1 class before - I am going into the unknown. But I have learnt from experience, and I know Mark has too - that GOD IS IN THE UNKNOWN!!

Please pray for us - for Mark's faith, and God's guidance as we start this new venture!!

God's Promises of Late.

When I am a little nervous about something I usually tend to do a lot more reading and writing - and funny God seems to speak to me a lot more through His word.

This morning Mark and I were reading, as we have been, the book of Jeremiah. It's been a little slow going, but in the last couple of weeks we have got into the `meat' and encouragement, as we read about the Potter. Today, we were in chapter 27, beginning at verse 7. It's entitled `Jeremiah's complaint'. It may have just been paranoia (a symptom of depression), but Jeremiah was feeling weary, ridiculed and overpowered by evil; exactly how I have been feeling lately.

But Jeremiah also said, (a little paraphrased), that even will all this negativity, he couldn't stop himself from talking about the Lord.

"His word is in my heart like a fire; a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in, indeed I cannot." Verse 9b

All his friends were waiting for him to slip, but the victory he felt in the Lord was overwhelming.

"The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior. My persecutors
will stumble and not prevail." Verse 11.

Finally, he is ready to sing praises to the Lord.

"Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life
of the needy from the hands of the wicked." Verse 13.

Jeremiah was feeling down, but he knew there was one person who would listen to him. He was struggling with decisions , he felt God had let him down a little - yet, he also knew that God was a great LISTENER!!

Through this communication between Jeremiah and God, Jeremiah received new strength to go forth and serve the Lord.

Charlie also had some encouraging words for me today:

"As difficult as it may be for you to believe this today, the Master
knows what He's doing. Your Saviour knows your breaking point.
The bruising, crushing and melting process is designed to reshape
you, not ruin you........ Aching friend, STAND FAST. Just like David
(and Jeremiah), God's hand is in your heartache. If you weren't
important do you think He would take this long and work this hard
on your life. Those whom God uses most effectively have been
hammered, filed and tempered in the furnace of trials and heartache."

Yet, in this place of exhaustion and spiritual fatigue, He will give us
rest. All we need to do is come to Him - talk to Him, listen to Him in
silence and thoroughly lose yourself in the HIDING PLACE of His
presence." Charles R SWINDOLL ("Encourage Me", 1982, Zondervan
Publishing House.)

ART THOU WEARY, ART THOU LANGUID,
ART THOU SORE DISTRESSED?
"COME TO ME", SAITH ONE,
"AND COMING, BE AT REST.

HATH HE MARKS TO LEAD ME TO HIM
IF HE BE MY GUIDE?
IN HIS FEET AND HANDS ARE
WOUND PRINTS, AND HIS SIDE.

FINDING, FOLLOWING, KEEPING, STRUGGLING
IS HE SURE TO BLESS?
SAINTS, APOSTLES, PROPHETS, MARTYRS,
ANSWER, "YES".
Henry W BAKER (17th Century)

Faith & Promises!!

I'm back!! It's been a long time, I know; but since returning from holidays (8 weeks ago), I just haven't taken the time to do much `free' writing. There's been lots of school work, visitors and housework - but not a lot of writing.

But, I won't complain, time with Mum and Dad has been good for us all. Mum and I have done a lot of talking about God and our faith - in fact, for the first time since we've known each other, Mum prayed with me. (Bit of explanation - Mum and Dad are our adopted parents, special friends we've known for many years, and have been very good to us since we've both now lost our own parents).

Mum loves nature and she sees God's wonders in every tree, sunset or little flower. I do too, but for me my relationship with a personal God is what has kept my faith strong. Over the holidays we have shared our faith with each other, discovering that we may worship differently, but we are both LOVED by a merciful and faithful God. I have always seen God as the `reachable' Father and Friend. Mum has seen Him as the great and fearful Creator. I introduced Mum to my Father and Friend, and she has introduced me to her Creator.

Recently, I've discovered I just love RAINBOWS. It hadn't been raining; but as I looked out of the car window (I wasn't driving), I saw a beautiful rainbow. Mark didn't see it, and Mum and Dad thought I'd had too many of my `happy' pills. But I'd had a bit of bad day and was feeling a little low, so God sent me his PROMISE, that He was with me.

Yesterday evening, I looked out the window - and there it was again - that RAINBOW. No rain, no clouds - just that RAINBOW. It had been a pretty good day, but still I needed that reminder of God's PROMISE.

He's a CREATOR, A FATHER and a FRIEND. He is LOVING, MERCIFUL, CARING and FAITHFUL. He's OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT and OMNIPRESENT. He's our God, and the essence of our FAITH. Why? Because HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES!!

WEDDINGS

Wedding fever is nearly over. Aaron and Emily have finished their honeymoon and are heading back to Sydney and the `real world'. Mark and I are still on the road enjoying our holiday. But as I prepare the wedding photos for my next scrapbook, it made me start to think of what a beautiful wedding our son and his lovely new wife had.

Emily looked like an angel, and Aaron was really `cute' too.

Their wedding, at the Hillsong Wedding Chapel, was a lot more high tec, than Mark and I had 25 years ago in our small family Church in Red Hill, Victoria. But one thing that was the same - their was a lot of love. The reception similar too, especially the nervous speech makers. But I was very proud of both my `boys'.



God was very much a part of this wedding, and in Mark's speech he gave some really encouraging words, including the passage from our wedding:

"It is not good that man should be alone. I will make
a partner suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18)

God introduced Eve, not made from Adam's head to TOP HIM; or his feet to be TRAMPLED ON by him. She was made from Adam's side, to be EQUAL WITH HIM, from under his arm to be PROTECTED by him, and near his heart, to be LOVED BY HIM. (Bob Gass)

I had hoped to share with you more of Mark's speech; but it got washed in his `wedding shirt' and is in pieces. But the part I loved most, was when he encouraged Emily and Aaron to begin each day with God's Word, Prayer; and talking and listening to one another. He admitted this is something it has taken him a long time to learn.

God truly has his hands on this marriage. Aaron and Emily, are not only very much in love, but are committed to serving the Lord in their marriage. This is the same committment Mark and I made 25 years ago. Things haven't always been perfect, as Emily and Aaron will find when they go back to the `real world'; but our committment to God and his service has not wavered.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Holidays!!

I didn't think I'd have a chance to do any blogging this trip; but here I am on my son's computer (he's at Uni, so he doesn't know). Our trip to Sydney was very relaxing - we took our time, met up with some friends at a caravan stop, and have spent the last few days trying to find time to spend with our son.

Mark has been a little stressed out and grumpy for most of the trip - just nervous about the caravan and the wedding; but after the wedding I'm sure he'll settle down a bit. Money is his main concern! I don't know why, God always blesses us with what we need. As my old mate, Bob Gass says:

"It takes maturity to understand that if God doesn't supply it,
you don't need it. If you needed it, he'd give it to you."



I don't know if I'm mature, Mark would call me `uncaring'. My theory is - if we run out of money, we stay put until pay day. That's what Mum and Dad do!! So far, we haven't stayed in any caravan parks - our biggest expense up to date has been washing. Aaron doesn't have a washing machine yet, and the Laundrys here charge you by the `kilo', rather than the wash. Yesterday our washing costs $17 - it was to be $25, but we took out the heavier stuff. Today Mark took Aaron's clothes down to wash (he said he was running out), and it cost $35. Unbelievable!

One thing that is believable is our PRAYER and READING THE WORD has helped us on our trip. I am a great believer that starting the day in the word is the the only way to get your day started. I even made up a little song about it, but I forgot to write it down. This is something I hope I can pass on to my son and his new lovely wife. (Mark hasn't written his wedding speech yet, maybe I can add that in).

The other day Emily's Mum Ros, who is very outgoing, said that she and I should do the speeches: 1) Because our husbands are both really shy.
2) She hates Mark's jokes. Hah!! Hah!!

At the moment I am reading a great little book on PRAYER by Bob Gass. What I love about his writings are that he always follows up what he says with Scripture.

"Without time spent in prayer what do we have to draw on? You'll work harder and accomplish less because you're operating in your own strength. But after you've prayed, you'll struggle less and accomplish more because you're operating in His strength." Bob Gass

Paul had a lot to say about this, particularly in his letter to the Philippians. I wonder if this was an area they struggled in. I love Paul's encouraging words in this letter, but of course the best words are:

"I can do anything through Christ who gives me
strength." Philippians 4:13

"

I can't stop sharing!!

I know I promised that I would move on and you wouldn't have to listen to my journalling anymore. But I just have to share about the wonderful way God is working in my life at the moment. Like my father (see earlier blog) I have faced a lot of grief in my life, and have lived with depression for many years.

Recently I was reading a book with a friend, and in it was one of those `grief timelines' - you know the denial, the anger, the depression - which is always where I have seemed to stop. I have never been able to get past that `level'.

As you know, recently I changed workplaces - and CHANGE can sometimes be a type of grief, depending on whether it is a positive or negative change. I started off with the denial, the anger - then there was the trying to change the situation myself, rather than leaning on God - and of course the depression.

In this book we are reading, I discovered too more levels, after the depression - 1) Trials and 2) Victory (or words to that effect). In the last few weeks, I have felt that I am moving out of the depression stage, for the first time, since being diagnosed in 1998. I am not ready to go off the medication (I've tried that before, but with clinical depression, it doesn't work); I still have my bad days. But now I see them as trials. Trials, that with the help of the Lord, my family and friends, can lead to victory.

I still go to school every Wednesday and Friday, and without fail will get into `trouble' - in some jobs you just can't make anybody happy. But instead of the tears, and the `giving up' mentality - I now have the `you can get through this, because the Lord wants you here.' I now don't wake up every morning, dreading going to work. I don't come home at the end of each day depressed, and ready to quit. I wake up ready to face what the Lord has in store for me, to give myself in service to others, and to come home excited about how God has used me that day.

I may not be in the total VICTORY stage, and may never get there. But I am learning how to have victory in those `small things' each day, victory you can only have through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, we, who have fled to him for refuge,
can take new courage, for we can hold on to his
promises with CONFIDENCE. This CONFIDENCE is like
a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls."
HEBREWS 6:18&19

At my old Church I used to be one of the WORSHIP LEADERS. I would always choose a song that summed up how I was feeling that week, and it usually related really well to the `theme' of the rest of the service. If I was worship leading this week my song would be `VICTORY IN JESUS" (yes, I am a hymn person.)

In 1939, the author of this hymn Eugene M Bartlett had a serious stroke and was partially paralyzed. He used to travel around with his music ministry, but now he was confined to his bed. But, as he said, `I can still study the Bible'. he struggled to put down words on paper, and this is one of the songs he wrote.

"I heard and old, old story, how a Saviour came in glory
How He gave His life on calvary to save a wretch like me.
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O VICTORY IN JESUS, MY SAVIOUR FOREVER,
HE SOUGHT ME AND BOUGHT ME, WITH HIS REDEEMING BLOOD.
HE LOVED ME ERE I KNEW HIM, AND ALL MY LOVE IS DUE HIM,
HE PLUNGED ME INTO VICTORY BENEATH THE CLEANSING FLOOD.

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing
How He mad the lame to walk again, and caused the blind to see.
And then I cried, `Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit'
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea.
About the angels singing, and the old redemption story
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Eugene M Bartlett, 1939. (The Complete Book of Hymns: William & Ardythe Peterson)