I really am blessed by those of you who visit *me* and so would like to say to you, do pray for us as we venture off this coming week for a weeks break. we are going with a christian family we have known for over 10 years but have only just been really getting to know one another well this past year and so we we are joining them at a caravan site …I really can’t wait for this MUCH NEEDED break.
See you on my return
OO The dilemma of having pets!
We own or owned 2 King Charles Cavaliers and they have been part of our family for over 10 years…We have so enjoyed them. They brought a lot of love and affection within the family, as they are completely lovable dogs.
Bethwyn (the brown one) developed the expected heart disease a few months back, (this is common with the breed) and was on a couple of medicines for it. Up until the weekend she was fairly well.
Suddenly, on Tuesday she had become visibly ill, with no appetite or desire for her treats. we knew she was ill-er than we thought Her tummy had been swelling up over the weekend too. She was looking at me with those big saucer eyes and I knew in my heart she was asking me to let her go….
I called out to my God, who is an ever present help in these times, and He answered me, He used friends who love Him too who have insight and wisdom and on feeling satisfied I took her to the vets.
My daughter, 16yrs, also came along.
I don’t think either of us expected what was to come but probably thought a change of tablets was in order or that kind of thing.
Sadly the vet announced Bethwyn was dying and it would be kinder to put her to sleep…at which point I burst into big uncontrollable sobs!
So, we said our sorrowful goodbyes, reluctantly, the surgery was miraculously empty! something I had not witnessed before, and we left her there …I couldn’t stay and watch my *baby* go to sleep and not wake up…
I don’t know that she knew what lay ahead for her but I thank God He cared enough to make the whole experience for us as painless as was possible with as much dignity.
I know He loves animals and cares for them too.
This is a day to remember how much more my heavenly Father has been good to me , to us, and to rejoice that He has everything under control!!
Life over here at 543 has been a buzz of cooking activity to the extreme this past week or so….
My daughter A has been accepted by her small christian school to go along with a few others on a Mission Trip to Uganda!!!
Such an awesome opportunity for her to indulge her life in but not only that to see her faith rise when she had been praying and believing she would go without a doubt was a tremendous time for us as her parents here on earth!
She has to raise funds to get her there and we have around 5 months to raise £800/£900..
She decided to bake cakes and sell them and we have been so blessed by the repsonse of others. Some one we don’t even know sent her cash and this went towards her deposit!
Another at church gave her £20 for a particular cake to be made *Bless you! you know who u r*
Yet another donated £20 because it touched his heart she was eager to go…
So, we now have been baking for a week or more and selling them too at a good rate and I am so grateful God has equipped us and strengthened us to go for it.
As she ventures out into this country she will witness first hand the poverty, the sadness of lives BUT she will also witness the Hand of God, the way the children she goes to serve respond to her and the others and I know this will have a great impact on her small life.
Several months back when our own church school closed I was expecting it in a way but when it happened it threw us as a family because this was all we knew…Homeschooling had dominated my life from 1985 and I had been used of God to establish it within our community..so when it ended as it was I was OO what now Lord? But you know we KNEW A was meant to go to this local christian school and God has shown us over and over why…and then Uganda….Thank God we are in the centre of His will…not on the outside looking in!!
Weekend is here , my husband is at work and I am taking 5 mins to rest my legs as I have been baking since early hours!!
Sometimes life can just flow from one day into another without us really paying too much attention to what is actually happening within that day at all…..
I sort of realised this recently, mainly because I was exhausted after some things I needed to do in my life and home to catch up after some time of neglect. It dawned on me that even when I have been *hit* with some problem I have not given thought to its timing. It made me think how many times I go from Monday to Friday so quickly and have’nt been stopping in that day long enough to soak up the wonderful blessings God has blessed me with.
I am so grateful to God that His Holy Spirit will begin to nudge my heart and cause me to stop and think…and that is so important, after all….I don’t want to be caught sleeping now do I!!
Life is so full of wonderful everyday happenings, if only I would slow down some and allow them to have the impact on me intended.I don’t mean the negative stuff but the smaller things, like my daughter sharing her homework and as I listened to the story read aloud or the way she worked out her maths problems I suddenly realised what a beautiful clever darling I have and began to praise her efforts and encourage her and then she was walking on cloud 9!! Didn’t take too much effort, just my time…and that is awesome.
I know that God has called me to serve others whether that be in my home my church or my community…that is what life is about, knowing what God has given us. I must remember that today is a GIFT, one that will happen whether or not I am aware of it. he has promised to be with me through it and in it and will never leave me so what am I waiting for..roll on day!!!!
Came across this HERE and thought this would so bless someone reading my blog..
Hey! If you take time to read mine then do take a moment to add a comment and let me know you passed by!! God Bless you.
The Lord has been speaking to a lot about knowing and truly believing that He is good. It is easy to know He is good when things are going well, but it is much harder to know deep down with total certainty that God is good when things are not going the way we think they should go. God wants us to stand in faith in Who He is, to believe His goodness and to know for with a certainly that rises up from our innermost being that He loves us and that He is dependable.
There are times when the enemy tries to beat us down and to make us believe that God is mad at us, or that He is disappointed with us. The devil does that because he wants to prevent us from running back into God’s presence, so we can be restored. Our enemy wants to sabotage our faith.
There are going to be times when we get empty and drained. We begin to minister and to function from our own limited resources instead of from God’s vast resources. We continue doing our best to please God, but the emptier we get, the more we feel that God must either be mad at us or disgusted with us for allowing ourselves to get into this state. Then the enemy begins to play “mind games” with us to make us feel even worse about ourselves and our walk with God. He tries to tell us that God won’t help us when we cry out to Him because He is so disappointed in us, and we have failed Him or let Him down. Eventually we find it difficult to believe that God wants to restore and refresh us. We are not aware of it, but what is happening is that out faith in God’s goodness is being systematically attacked and damaged.
I went through that for a couple of months. The emptier I got, the harder it was to do the things that strengthen my spirit: to pray and
read my bible every day. I felt guilty about my struggle to do those basic things and I began to feel so desperate for God that I arranged
to go on a five-day prayer retreat at a mentor’s house to seek God in hopes of being restored and refreshed.
As I began to draw into God’s presence, I realized that I was afraid of coming to Him. My head “knew” I had to draw into God, but my heart feared that He would be angry with me or not want me to come to Him. Part of me was so hungry to be restored to intimacy with God that I was willing to meet His terms and conditions–whatever they were. But another part of me was afraid that God would not want to meet me.
I set all else aside and started to press into Him, and His sweetness began to settle over me. I expected Him to rebuke me, and I kept waiting for that rebuke–but it never came. I expected Him to tell me that He was displeased with me, but all He did was love on Me and let me see glimpses of His glory. Two days into the prayer retreat, I finally asked Him about it. I asked Him if He was angry or disappointed in me for letting myself get into that state. His reply surprised me.
“It hurts My feelings that you think I would be like that. I am not hard to please for those who’s hearts are committed to obey Me. I am a loving Father, and I love My children. When they get empty or drained, I don’t get mad at them for it and I don’t punish them for it. Instead, I fill them back up; I refresh and restore them, just like I am doing for you right now. When hope is drained and My children feel they have disqualified themselves, I don’t disqualify them. I restore their hope and I remind them of their destiny, and then set them back into it. I don’t rebuke My servants when they are weary, I revive them and I refresh them.”
Then He want on to say, “When you are feeling empty or dry or when hope begins to fade away, I want you to exercise your faith. I want you to remind yourself of Who I am, of what I am like–remember what My true nature is. I am your loving Father and I am committed to take care of you. I want you to choose to believe in My goodness instead of choosing to believe the devil’s lies about Me. Have faith in Me–not in your spiritual disciplines or in your ability to sense My nearness, or even in your ability to “please” Me. Know that I am love and I cannot stop loving you. Believe that I am good and choose to stand in faith when the enemy whispers his lies into your ears.”
“I have revealed Myself to you, and I don’t change. So don’t think of Me don’t attribute pettiness to Me. Trust Me, I really am Who I have showed you that I am, and I am truly good. Yes, I have good plans for you and I will accomplish them in your life.”
One of the new families in our church has a 8 week old baby boy in hospital ( has been since birth) and he has heart failure. He is wired up to all kinds of machines and a ventilator is breathing for him.
His parents are amazing! their faith is so awesome …we are praying with them and believing God with them but we need YOUR help too.
They are facing the authorities soon who want the machines switched off.
Of course they are looking at the situation from a medical point of view BUT we are looking at it from God’s !!
Please pray for the baby, the parents and those who are caring for them all at this moment. many many thanks
Phillips,Craig,Dean, You Are God Alone
God is ever so kind ever so good and I love Him to pieces.
I had a major *fall out* and honestly thought no way could I begin again but you know what? That is not the case. With God He waits for us with open arms as we repent and respond to His love.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
I have been informed that my favourite site is back up and running , it is a totally Christian program to help those like me get rid of those extra pounds or in my case stones!! with God’s help. Take a look at Thin Within
I have also created a new blog in addition to this one to help me journal my journey…Visit me at Thin4Him
Well, do havea blessed day and enjoy the goodness of God…
Made me Glad - Hillsong
Hi
Feel like I have been seriously neglecting blogging recently…no real reason other than so busy with other projects.
I am so thankful to the Lord tho because He has given me some real friends who all of my family have come to love and appreciate.
we have known these folk for about 10 years and it only this year that the friendship has really begun to blossom and be appreciated by one another. Our girls get on so well with their 3 and another friend included and altogther the 3 families have been solidified through the common grace of Jesus.
Life here at home remains pretty much the same, girls get back into schooling as of next Tuesday and then hey ho it all starts again until the October hols….
We pray for you today
That God will touch your life
That you would know His love
Permeating deep inside
We pray that you may know
More and more each day
How much you are valued, friend
In every little way
© By M.S.Lowndes
Actually it is already there but we are HOSTING an all day seminar for it at my church.
Some of you may be aware that I have been part of this fantastic 12 step Christian Program for 3 years and have seen my life totally transformed. Read my testimony on here of what God has been doing…
As you may be aware, I have been involved in this 12 step Christian program, (which runs over 12 months) Celebrate Recovery for 3 years and my life has been totally transformed. If you have not had chance to hear or read my testimony Please go read it on here, my blog.
More info on This program can be found HERE and HERE
If you KNOW me or how to get in touch with me, and would like to attend, please do so and I will let you know the details. However should you be interested but do not know me and need to go along please get details off me by leaving me your contact details.Thanks
I have had a fantastic weekend, well 4 days really. God has orchestrated this from day one I believe! From the moment our friend S and his wife K suggested we get together at a mutual friends Christian house we agreed we all felt God was doing something…
A Bit Of Background
Over 10 years ago, we were introduced to a few men in the trucking industry. My husband, J, was a trucker at the time and we had just started our own business. Anyhow at the time these men had set up a ministry, then called, *Truckers for Jesus*, who’s vision it was to touch the lives of many many men on the road ,see lives transformed, because many truckers over here in the UK have nowhere to go night after night. They spend several if not all, nights away from their loved ones and families and believe me they get to park up in the most unsavoury of places.
So J and our son P drove 3 hours away and meet up with this original group of men and their families to see what it was all about.
J came back excited and thrilled because these men truly had vision. Within a short time more and more men and their families were being added to the ministry and contact was made regularly to their wives via other wives..(as they get lonely too.) Men were evangelising on the roads and we have heard testimony after testimony of how a man was about to give into temptation only to be given a tract about Jesus and then get saved!! whoo hoo.
well, after a time, the ministry changed names, men were involved who perhaps didn’t always heed the voice of God but did things their way and after a time it disbanded leaving a few who’s hearts were so involved they couldn’t give up…
Now, one of these men was S and I must tell you they are a wonderfully family, a tremendous couple who children are a credit to them and who have had so many trials and yet they are still serving God and are touching the lives of so many people. S is in constant contact with truckers and people not just in the UK but also in in America, wow I could go on all day!!
Anyway the ministry continued but has now changed names and those overseeing it.It is this ministry me and my family support and are involved in.
There is a financial backer who lives down south, called who owns a massive truck company and who is such a wonderful man of God doing awesome things in his community…well he had a vision 4 years ago to build on his land a christian conference center, which is completed near enough now and that is where we got to stay!!
I must mention here too that this man (are pastors) and his family have been used of God working with the homeless and they are tending to them, looking after them in mobile homes on thier land and giving them dignity! We witnessed first hand this awesoem project.
S had arranged with him for a group of us from the truck ministry who we had not met before as we live so far apart but are part of , to go down there and fellowship. We met up with 2 other families who we had never spoke to b4 !
We met some wonderful people. There was 18 of us altogether staying in this gorgeous bungalow, large and well provided for, and in beautiful grounds. The peace and tranquility of God was awesome.
K my daughter got to sing for the ladies meeting we had on the Saturday evening, and she was so annointed, …in fact she had such an impact on them they want to spend time with her and use her to minister in their big church ( well we are praying, as it needs to God not man that raises up!! )
God has really challenged my life, my expectations and my desires. I want to see more of my life being used in outreaching to those who are hurting.I believe we are entering into a time in our lives as a family where God is going to use us as a family and it is exciting and scary at the same time!!
Nothing is impossible with God and nothing is too small either.
He is so interested in every detail of our lives.
I can honestly say I have truly had an encounter this weekend, one that will remain with me always, touched by the power of the spirit of God and one that will flow and touch others as we go thru life…
I am indeed! while back some mutual friends of ours who live 300 miles away invited us to spend a weekend away with them at another mutual friends Christian Conference Center
We are going HERE…….
Actually that is the nearest seaside town but we will stay at Walberton, a beautiful area and one we visited once before.
I know this weekend is all GOD! You just know don’t you when things start to happen to confirm. We have also added friends on to this weekend, quite unexpectedly so I know we are in for a real blast.
My daughter will be singing both at the center and at the church the couple Pastor in Arundel. This is awesome indeed.
I have had such a busy week too, and am so blessed , I really thank God for His friendship, His love, His Fatherly love for me.
The weeks and time are flying past so quickly, gosh it is amazing!
My time in Celebrate Recovery has been so beneficial. I have the awesome priviledge to be able to share with others my testimony , not only of salvation but of what God has healed in me and continues to do so.
I have been asked to prepare myself to give a testimony at the Large Group meeting in a couple weeks and am so excited.
It is a humbling experience and one I enter into with total humilty and reliance on God. he alone is deserving of all the glory and Praise for my life. I am a work in progress.
After years of feeling hurts and rejections and massives of low self esteem..I am in a place of acceptance now. I no longer doubt myself or God’s genuine love for me. I do occasionally go through changes, am sure this won’t pass as quickly otherwise I won’t stay on knees perhaps but I look forward to that day when I can truly stand and say I no longer feel as I once did.
I came across these tips on my way round the web and think they are useful to add to my marriage challenge indeed! Marriage Helps
I pretty much thinks this list sums up the whole status of marriage doesn’t it!
I have had a most trying week…everything I have tried to do the enemy has definately had a go at un-doing…however, I completely ignored this scheme and God turned it round….phew…( not easy tho)
Anyone need a shoe shine?
Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
I came across this very powerful story about one of the most influential men of God in my life, D.L.Moody, in a book named A Call to Excellence by Gary Inrig.
A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course this was America and there were no hall servants.
Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and determined not to embarrass his brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but met with only silence or pious excuses. Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the world’s only famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.
When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never knew by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret.
Wow. I’m humbled, how about you? Many of us want to be great ministers for the Lord. We want our names and our works to be remembered. But let’s never forget the true ministry of the Lord. Not only would have Jesus shined those shoes in secret, He would have returned to wash their feet too!
Have you been asking the Lord to use you? Here you have it! Shine some one’s dingy shoes, give a gift to someone in need, love on someone hard to love — but don’t tell the world — do it in secret! You can be sure that the Lord sees these things! And He will open up more opportunities for you to do even greater things for Him! Guess what — there’s so much work to be done!
This is a daily devotion I receive and really spoke to me about humility and servanthood. whoa!! if many of us christians would adopt this same attitude we would make a huge difference in this world in which we reside!
Let’s make a difference TODAY in someones life….
I love this verse of scripture and I am using it to worship my God tonight.
I had a great weekend in some ways and a struggle in others. Am afraid this is how it gets when you are working through the steps of recovery.
I held onto the victory tho which is found only in Christ Jesus, Glory to God. The Lord promises a peace that passes all understanding as we stay focused on Him, He declares
“I will keep him in perfect peace who’s mind is steadfast on thee”! Isaiah 26:3
We can only expect good things from God, and anything we go through is to help us become more like Him, so I take comfort in that, God is not a man that he should lie nor the son of man that He should change his mind…
Am so looking forward to tomorrow..
Whoo Hoo…I am so excited, don’t ask me why coz am another year older LOL
But I am… 
So here we go on forward for another year of following God’s plan for my life..
Thank you to all of those who have wished me a Happy Birthday and I know you know I love yer…
I got these today and was so surprised when I had a knock at the door…TWICE!
