7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

Sometimes I have two very different voices I hear in my head whenever I have trials and tribulations going on in my life.

The first one is the voice of truth; it tells me that God loves me, wants the best for me, and wants to take care of me. It tells me that regardless of how I feel about a situation, I can know — because of promises that God makes over and over again in scripture — that if I just invite God into a situation, God will give me whatever I need to take care of whatever is going on. This voice is the voice of my faith, the voice of truth, and it is where I want to stay all of the time.

BUT

The other voice is the voice of my fear, doubt, and depression. It tells me that nothing good can come from my bad situation, that everything isn’t going to be okay, or that while God could definitely change things if God wanted to, I often doubt that God will.

I am learning, when these voices compete for my attention, that I can change which one I decide to listen to; notice I said “decide”. It becomes an act of will, regardless of feelings, to believe God’s word. I’ve heard that feelings aren’t facts, and in truth, this has been my experience. I have to pray “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”

The part of my faith that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life: Comforter, Counselor, Friend. Jesus told us before he left that he would send us a Helper. As I grown in my faith, I’m learning that the Holy Spirit is the voice of truth that I’m hearing. That other voice is just me, in the flesh. Even when I don’t know how to pray, or what to pray for, I can know that the Holy Spirit is helping me more than I can know.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Which takes me to something else I’ve heard before;

I can’t, God can… I think I’ll let God…

This is Casting Crowns singing Voice of Truth:

My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period… I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her ‘How could God let something like this happen?’ (regarding Hurricane Katrina).. Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, ‘I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?’

In light of recent events… terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said okay.

Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it…. no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Am no expert on the Word of God by any account but I love how the Holy Spirit directs my thinking and draws my attention to those nuggets in His Word that I need to know…and always at the right time.

JOY is not a feeling or sensational emotion, it is the deepest inner most strength we find we have when in the perfect will of God.

Knowing we are in Gods plan, gives us great strength. Knowing He has ordered our steps gives us great JOY.

In these past few weeks, I have needed so much of Gods wonderful Joy and He has been faithful to provide it.

It is not by might nor by power but my spirit says the Lord…

We can do anything when we know it is Gods will.

My prayer this week is “Lord fill me with your Joy as I have needs and things to do that in my own strength I am bound to fail…

Have a blessed week…

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy… “

Jude 24

     …as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 62:5b

I find it tremendously humbling to realise that it is not by anything or anyone else that I can be presented to my Heavenly Father without spot or blemish because of Jesus , and his shedding of blood for my sins…

My whole eternity depends on my recognising the truth that I am a sinner and have sinned against God and yet as long as I ask His forgivness and am cleansed and forgiven He promises me that I will be presented to Him Pure and Blameless.

I am looking forward to that DAY on which I can see my Lord and Saviour , I can gaze upon His wonderful face and know that because of JESUS I am redeemed!!

I will spend eternity with Him.

As long as I walk daily with Him, forgetting not His benefits, I will look forward to knowing that nothing will please Jesus more than to see His bride presented to Him pure and blameless.

Dear Lord, I love you so much, more so, I’m glad that you love me. With all my heart, Thank You.

But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head (Psalm 3:3).

When problems arise and the cares of this life surround us remember that God is in control. We can stand tall, throw our shoulders back, and hold our heads up in confidence knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Very often, a song rings in my heart. It is a part of Psalm 3:3. “Thou O lord, art a shield about me, you’re my glory and the lifter of my head hallelujah you’re my glory and the lifter of my head.”
It ministers to me at the time I need it most. That is how God works. He meets us where we are. He loves us so much, that He gives us a song or a scripture to encourage us along life’s way.

He truly is the glory and the lifter of our heads!

Right now life is so very good….Lots of things have been happening since I last posted on here but the main thing is: I am falling so much in love with the ONE who has granted me much grace and favour…It really is wonderful. Thank You Jesus

Go into your day and be Blessed !!

I recall as a young christian, crying out my heart, genuine heartfelt tears before Him, not sure of my future or my hope but He gave me this verse and even today as I write, it still comforts me immensley, knowing He has everything under His control.

He has my:

•  prodigal children
•  future ministry (s)
•  marriage
•  gifts
•  everything

All I need to do is pray and trust Him. The rest is already taken care of….

I see God gently moving my life in the direction He knows best and as long as I hold onto every promise He has made concerning all of my concerns, and His word, it will come to pass.

In recent times, I , along with many of my congregation, have seen changes take place, quite painful changes but ones that have made a huge difference in many of our lives. It has made the words of this Psalm so prevalent for today:

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. Psalm 146:3 

At the end of the day, there is only one God we can trust and he is not man that He should lie….

And so I press on, trusting in Him for all my concerns. Believing Him when all around me seems utter chaos, and hoping in Him when all I see is nothingness…..

The coolness in the air and the turning of the leaves reminds us of a new season. God, we ask you to renew our spirit. Let our family actions speak the truth of your love. Let those who see us know you a little better. This we ask through your Son, Amen.

So remember, don’t miss out on a blessing because it
isn’t packaged the way that you expect.
Take notice of the blessings around you.

Life in our house has been super busy this week…so much happening and so little time for it all to be fulfilled.

I am blessed by the changes though. My youngest daughter continues to grow and thrive in her Christian school, she is in year 10 which means shes doing her preparations for GCSE’s. My other daughter, is in College now after completeing her General Certificate, Level 1 in the A.C.E program we did since my elder 2 children were small!!

My health is a small cause for concern at the moment but I wait patiently on the Lord for His healing touch.

Today is a new day and new things are in line to happen. God has my days ordered and I await patiently for them to enfold…..

Where to begin?

Well, I have a new grandaughter, born 8 weeks ago and who is the best gift in a long time for us. She is a Princess.

My life got hit pretty hard, spiritually, and I am slowly recovering from that…I have not hurt that bad in such a while ,it shook my foundations..truly.

I am wanting to get back on track in so many areas and writing on here is one of my goals…

Thus says the Lord Who made a way through the sea, A path through the mighty waters.
Remember not the former things,
Neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing,
Even now it is springing to light.
Do you not perceive it?
A way will I make in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert!

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19.

Allow me to tell you all about my new friend…

A couple months back we lost our other dog , Amelia, to heart disease and it devastated the whole family as that made it we had lost both the dogs in a fairly short time really.

Anyhow, my older daughter heard of a greyhound supporter who rescued them from all kinds of peril and looked to re home them.

We made contact with Julie and almost immediately went along to see her dogs.

We fell for Misty…

We brought her home and after a while she settled in well. She has her *own* routine lol…

You have no idea how much fun this big dog is!!

She has a character of all her own.

The best part is , we go for walks 2 – 3 times a day and every time we get to talk to someone who I may never have spoken to before…neighbours along our road, new people in the area, foreigners who are working here, temporarily, and am tripping out over how God is not only presenting me with a community to reach out with His love to, but am building up a rapore with them so that I get to mention, or talk about Jesus and it may be their very first time ever to have heard of the love of God.

Not only that, God has a true sense of humor . Generally, I hate walking as a rule, but since Misty arrived I have no choice in the matter!! She needs a walk, I need the exercise and all in all its happening without my thinking too much on it!

Here Misty enjoys her bed…a huge duvet with cover, just so soft and homely!!

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

For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4: 15

Anyhow, today I thought I would update it and bring any readers who visit me my latest pondering s.

Somehow, God is holding me through what has actually been a difficult time for me. I have struggled with some issues that held me back from running the race in full view of everyone.

I became discouraged and despondent with some areas in my life that I knew needed altering and changing but just could not do it.

Then God challenged me.

He confirmed plans He has for me up ahead and I KNEW that today I need to apply the principles of God’s Word to my life and see to it that no longer do I live to please me or men but for Him who has done so much in my life already.

I have found I have gifts and abilities from God, and He is using me in the capacity of administration.

I LOVE what I do for Him and I cannot boast in anything except Christ Jesus.

It is HIS Grace which has kept me from stepping back and being in a place I never want to be found in again.

Click the link and listen to an inspirational music piece from Mercy Me

Bring The Rain

I sure do…doesn’t seem to be enough hours in my days at times to do all I need to .

My older daughter commented on my goings and to ings last night, she said ” mum, you need to slow down, you do loads, ” to which I replied, “well not sue what I can down size” but God knows me dosn’t He…so I think I will have a chat with Him today.

In saying that, I also feel that we will have eternity in which to slow down….maybe we won’t in the way we think of time here on earth huh…I truly love all I am doing and cannt see me ever resenting it.

My List of Do’s!

I do what a mother and wife needs to do, daily.

I do a newsletter for our P.U.S.H prayer meetings every month (lots of prayer and research at times goes into this)

I do the dog walking

I do manage my website

I do run my girls around here and ther and where ever is neccessary

I do things in secret for the Lord (sorry , can’t even write them here)

So , all in all, others may think I do too much but I think I do not do enough!!

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Psalm 37:5 (NLT)

What does that supposed to mean? It refers to our practice of linking all our works and desires to the glory of God. In other words, we do everything for the glory to God.

We commit the things that we do to his glory so that the results of our works are the reflection on his glory.
Once we are in this mindset, we will be destined to triumph over every challenge that comes our way. The second part of Psalm 37:5 tells us to trust him and he will help us. We have to trust him first before he will help us. Why is that so? Why must we make the first move in trusting him? Why can’t God help us first? He respects us. He will not force himself into our lives and insists on helping us regardless of our feelings just as he does not force every human being to be saved.

So, in conclusion, I think once we have God as our helper, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Amen!!

On Saturday we visited with a Polish couple from our church. Such wonderful lovely people too! As my dh father waspolish , and sadly had died by the time dh was 3, he felt connected to them,  and in fact it was both ways.

We also have a new member to our household, by the name of Misty. She is a rescued Greyhound, an absolutely adorable blue brindle color female!

I will post pictures once I load them on pc, but for now believe me she ahs brought some fun into our lives….

Church was great yesterday, I feel challenged to take on board a ministry …whoo hoo….nothing big or in the front but one that will help others.

But for now, my week has begun and I feel invigorated by the Holy Spirit to press on and go forward….

Her trip to Uganda was awesome….she is still in the afterglow of it all.

Also, she has been blessed to get into a Christian school, as her present one is closing…

I really feel God has HIS hand on her life and am so blessed to be her Mother.

here are aome pics from her trip:

She is on the front in white

Meeting new faces in one of the poorer schools

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Amelia December 1998 – March 2008

Today we had to make a brave decision to allow our beloved pet die with dignity.

She took so ill over the weekend, that the kindest thing for her was to allow her to be at peace.

Prayers for all our family are appreciated as we go through this sad time, thanks