I Am in Him!
This is a picture of a group of people that I am having the pleasure of paticipating in an Alpha course with.

We have just enjoyed the 'weekend away' part of the course, and what an awesome time we had. What wonderful people, and what a great reason to be together, to learn about who, what and why God is.

The one thing I am learning, especially after our weekend away, is how to feel free in the character God made me, in Him. There are times in my life when I have felt embarrassed of my outgoing, sometimes wild personality, which has reduced me to behave like the mouse I am not. When this happens, I feel wrongfully dubbed, and can easily come across as a miserable piece of boring person. All because I see 'The Look' or even hear 'The Look', which I believe often causes my low self esteem.

However, it would seem that God is placing me in situations and with people who give me the ease to feel free about who I am in Him, like our awesome Alpha group. I believe God needs us to behave as He made us because how else can He enjoy what He created. I feel this is a problem with society on a whole because so many, like me, feel the need to impress man as opposed to the God who created us. We are not here for mans enjoyment, but rather for the enjoyment of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love bright happy colours, I love my family, I love people, I love expressing joyful expressions both physical and verbal, I love all nature, the animals, flowers, sunshine, raindrops, and most of all, I love my Lord Jesus Christ. I enjoy sharing the continuous happy bubbles that patiently float inside my spirit before they exit and burst and spread their full glorious joyful, and often loud contents. I feel I have a playful but harmless mischevious spirit from God, which some label as childish, but I claim as funloving.

The point I'm trying to make is that God wants us to be in Him what He desires, He wants us to express who we are in Him. He made some quite which is great, some loud which is also great, some come across as boring, but they too are great to Him. So whatever you may be, don't worry about the opinion of man, rather be who you feel you need to be in Jesus, and give Him all the glory for making you perfectly for His own desires. You are perfect in God, just as I am in Him too.

SAME!
Just imagine if we were all the same
If we all answered to a common name
What kind of world would this be
If I looked at you and saw me
How would we look and talk
If we all had the same kind of walk
Just think it would drive us mad
If one were we would all be sad
So lets be thankful we’re not the same
Cause if we were it would be such a shame

....

Lord, we thank you that You made us all different, for Your specific purpose. Those You made serious for maybe logical behaviour, and those whom you made playful to brighten dull days. Lord, whoever we are and whatever our character, we pray that we would forever strive to be what and who we are in You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Their loss..., not mine!

I write a weekly devotional and send it to all friends, and others in my email address book. On initiation of these, I suggested that anyone not desiring to receive this literature should reply with a 'no thanks'. One person did, my pastor from home. Nobody else did so I presumed that everyone else would be happy to receive a little inspiration from God each week.

Then as time has moved on, every now and then I get a hint from one of my friends that they are nice but!!!

I start getting agitated excuses like, "I know God but don't have to go to church to prove it", and, "God knows me and knows that I am a good person", and, "my mother is a Christian and I find her so annoying", and, "thanks but have not had time to read because I am so busy", and, the latest was, "please stop sending your 'church' mail because it clogs up my inbox".

The reality is, I don't need to hear any excuses because I am in no way offended if one does not want to receive my devotionals. Also I am not God and not open to judge. It is no loss to me if they reject messages given to me from God. I am only employed by God and am quite happy with my payroll. The person however who might be upset, is God Himself, because He loves the good news about Him being shared.

So, today as I sent out my weekly devotional, I gave an option again to unsubscribe. It will be interesting to see how many unsubscribe, and if some do then it will be more work for me as all who do will give me more prayer issues. Just means that I have to spend more time in prayer, praise God for that.

I kinda feel sorry for people who know God but don't spend time with Him. And I feel absolute remorse for those that have no interest in knowing Him, what a loss in their lives and how miserable and dark they must feel inside. Oh how we need to pray for them so that they may see God's awesome light instead of their dismal dark!

Lets pray,
Father God, I pray for those in this world that choose not to acknowledge you or spend time with You. Lord, I pray that You would fertilise the soil in their hearts and prepare for Your seed that needs to be planted there. For those receiving my devotional, Lord Jesus I pray that they would receive nothing but Your truths and love as they read them. I pray that the Holy Spirit would penetrate their hearts and keep the soil fertile as the seed grows into everlasting love and commitment for You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

So Much!

Wow, long time no visit. Great to be back blogging.

So much has happened. Sadly, my cocker spaniel had to be put down. She had gone completely deaf, was partially blind, incontinent and the deciding factor was when her back legs collapsed.

When I look back I feel kinda selfish, where was her quality of life in the last days. However, in saying that, the worse she got the closer her and I grew. I just wanted to sit with her all the time to let her know how much I loved her, so much. Anyway, she must now be in heaven with all the rest of my pet family.

I reckon God must behave in more or less the same way when He sees us down. I would imagine He sits closer and holds on tighter just to let us know how much He loves us.

So, when you're feeling at the end of your tither, just know that God is closer to you at times like that because He needs you to feel safe in Him.

He loves us So Much.

Road rage!

Once again I was in the line of aggravated hooting this morning.

When I sit in bumper to bumper traffic, I normally keep about two car spaces behind the car in front and I make sure to keep all intersections clear for turning or verging traffic. I consider myself a courteous driver.

This morning was no exception to drivers who have no concern on the roads for anyone but themselves. Drivers who believe that the roads were made for them only and that anyone else using them are total destruction's who should be made aware of their intrusion.

It was a little red truck with a woman driver, actually a pool company vehicle with all the details splashed over the back and sides. Anyway, she became very frustrated with the spacing I keep and with the vehicles I was allowing through. We came to a straight and she decided to accelerate. With her truck revving, very highly, she started to pass me. I took this as exciting and I raced alongside her and then let her through.

I could just about see the smoke coming out her ears and she was swearing at me very badly with her fingers. This caused me to laugh and I started waving and blowing kisses to her. Wow, this made her more angry which I found even more amusing. We arrived at an intersection where I was turning and on passing her I hooted and waved, she again used hand signals to express how she was feeling. Her face was wrinkled and distorted as she frowned upon my attitude.

This seems to be a regular event in early morning rush and I find myself amused with the ability to smile but more importantly, I feel that prayers to convict them and deliver them out of their bondage of anger more appropriate.

They need prayers and blessings because drivers with such tempers have been known to take matters into their own hands and some may get hurt.

I know laughing is probably wrong as it triggers more anger but it is something I often can't help and I put it down to a nervous reaction. However, in saying that its wrong, I am so very happy that I am able to use the emotion that helps me to enjoy my day in a healthier and less stressed manner, unlike those drivers that for no reasonable reason, get so agitated with me. They should actually laugh with me, it would certainly help them and cause them a lot less stress.

A message to all of them from me, "chill out and rather use your wasted angry energy on much needed prayers for yourselves , your families, nations of the world and more so for other drivers that suffer with the same road rage that you do."

I pray for all road rage sufferers, that God would help you to settle down in traffic and use the time spent in bumper to bumper situations as special prayer and meditation time for Him. I pray that God would loose on you bags and bags of smiles that will cover your faces and invade your hearts. I pray for your health and happiness. Please forgive me for making a joke of your anger and I pray that God would help me to rather just smile and wave my hand in acknowledgement and allow you to take over what you believe is yours. I pray that God would help me then to pray for you as you drive ahead of me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Time!

Time is moving so fast with weeks seeming like they have very short days. Months are flying by too with each month feeling like they have been cut short.

Its already Valentines tomorrow and we just got over Christmas, wow.

Anyway,as long as we ensure to keep our time for Jesus, the rest of the time is not a problem. After speaking to God and asking Him to guide our day, we should just move with Him and trust in Him that our time will be significantly sorted, His way.

May God bless your time as He controls your every step, every breath and every minute of your day.

Stop it!

How often do you find yourself saying that, 'stop it?

When someone is doing something that really irritates you, you ask them to stop it, sometimes they will but on other occasions they will not. It becomes so irritating that you may even walk away or even raise you voice at them.

Then in reverse, you may be doing something that really irritates someone and they ask you to stop, do you, or do you ignore their pleas and carry on?

How often do you pray the same prayers, asking God the same old same old, as if He forgot about you asking already. Do you think He gets irritated and asks you to stop?

I don't think so because otherwise He would walk away from us and we would definitely feel the effects of that. He would never tell us to stop asking if we ask within His will and He understands that sometimes we have issues that we so badly need sorted, that we can't help but to keep asking for His help. He loves us and does not get irritated when we pray and ask within His will.

So the next time you ask someone to 'stop it' when they are in need, do as Jesus would and reassure them that you heard and will try to help, instead of walking away or raising your voice.

However, if there is someone poking you in the side, not stopping when you ask them to 'stop it', and irritating you beyond irritations, its OK to raise your voice a bit as you tell them to, 'stop it', and to walk away is exactly what I would do.

God Knows!

There are so many Christians who walk this earth with their own perceptions and beliefs of how we should act and behave as followers of Jesus Christ.

Some believe that marriage is an absolute no no which is wonderful for them because there are many sinful ways that they will naturally avoid. This helps their minds to be clearer and more focused on God.

Some believe that its about the clothes you wear that makes you a true follower.

Some believe going to church 2 or more times on a Sunday, attending every church meeting during the week, going to more than one bible study group a week and so on, that they are doing it right.

Some believe that reading their bible every day without fail will be their ticket into heaven.

Oh, and the list could go on forever, because there are so many different perceptions.

Sure enough, I agree that our dress code should be appropriate but not ridiculous, and that going to church is very important for growth and fellowship. I think a bible group is awesome and that reading God's word is imperative.

However, I truly believe that it is most importantly, above everything, about the state of our heart, about the love we have for Jesus Christ, about our admiration and joy of His presence in our lives. I believe that when we accept Him as our first and foremost in everything, that everything else just falls into perspective. When you love Jesus and read and understand His laws, its easy to fall in line with His expectations of our lives.

So, if others try to smother you with their beliefs and their ways, ask God to intervene and reveal the truths to you because.........., God knows!

Adequacy!

What a wonderful feeling when we achieve a goal, when we reach the end of a project, when we grasp the concept of a learning curve, etc!

It's a feeling of adequacy and fulfillment. Its a feeling that you will definitely strive to feel again and again because of the sheer pleasure it derives.

Now in saying all that, I would imagine that its the same feeling God has when we reach out and accept Him as our Father and Lord. He must feel joyful adequacy too as He brings more and more of us into His wonderful hope of eternal life.

So, as you feel the enjoyment of adequacy, also strive to give your creator, God our Father, the same experience by giving yourself to Him in totality. He too will then enjoy the awesome sensation of adequacy.

Lets pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for opening your arms to receive us, as we stretch out and allow you the rightful feeling of adequacy, as we surrender ourselves to you. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Vipers & Venom!

We are living is such a viper invested venomous world and I'm not talking about reptiles either.

Just sit back sometime, in a place where you can shut down and give a listening ear. Five times out of ten, you will hear how people are hurting because of others selfish, cruel, vindictive and careless behaviour.

Sometimes it can actually feel like you're sitting in a nest full of venomous vipers with the victims all around you.

Even in our own families, there is sometimes such unnecessary disputes, upsets, and feuds which only end in bitterness and sometimes even hatred. So much so that families disperse away from each other with no more contact whilst here on earth, how very sad.

However, after you have listened to all that, find a quiet place, bow you head, hands together and ask God to touch you, to hold you, to fill your mind with His love. Ask Him to be with you and to cover you with the blood of Jesus and He will reveal to you the reality of REAL unconditional, untainted pure love.

So, although there may be venomous vipers lurking all around, just know that Jesus is bigger and stronger than any ugly evil force that tries to interfere with our lives. And if your family on earth abandons you, don't worry because your Heavenly Father will never abandon you for as long as you live according to His will which is all about love, kindness, honesty and tranquility.

Butterflies!

Have you ever felt butterflies after doing something new.

Like say for example you're an artist who does portraits, and have done many upon request without any inhibitions. You feel confident in doing that because its what you're used to. However, you do it for basically nothing and for people you know, like a hobby almost.

Then you decide that you want to further yourself with this awesome gift that God has given you and make a career out of it. So you arrange for a public viewing and you send invitations to acquaintances and some you know. You do that with a note attached saying " no obligation but please let me know if you are not interested".

All of a sudden you feel butterflies because this is new to you and maybe there will be many that say, "not interested". Its a horrible feeling.

Well, I did just that today. I sent out my first weekly devotional to many in my address book with a note saying, "if you are not interested then please just send a 'no thanks' because there is no obligation". Wow, the butterflies have been there all day because suddenly I feel that I am doing something that is actually not good enough to share.

But you know what, I have overcome that feeling because God reminded me that it is not a 'self' thing that I am involved in. It is a gift from Him and He is my author so what are the butterflies for? He would never allow me to send out work and embarrass myself. I trust in His comfort and will not be bothered if 90% of my recipients say "no thanks', because its their loss, not mine. Its inspirational words from God which He has given me the honor to share.

So, the way I look at it now is, the butterflies don't belong to me, they belong to anyone that will deny themselves a little spiritual uplifting and a weekly bible reading. I did not write the bible and its not about me either, its about God, His Son and Holy Spirit. Anyone who does not feel the need to delve into His word is missing out on their hope in Him!

Thanks Lord!

All I want to say tonight is thank you Lord Jesus, for answered prayer,
for showing how much you actually care!

I love you Lord and will forever follow your will for my life to the best of my ability. I will do this because I love your blessings and I just love the way in which you acknowledge and answer prayer, You are such an awesome God so great, I will always and forever praise you.

Focal Point!

I sometimes watch the Home Channel where they show renovators, designers, makeover artists, builders, DIY projects, gardening and much more.

Today I watched a slot which was all about interior design. The host talked about 'focal' points in homes, features that enhance the room in question, features that bring the room to life. She stated that without these, rooms are bare and dead. Her emphasis on 'focal' was very strong, as she instructed home owners, to take heed of this very important issue in interior decorating.

For example, she pointed out a living room with a fireplace and stated that in most homes, the fireplace becomes the 'focal' point, and this is the part that is focused on more than any other. She stressed how dressing this area would cause anyone entering to focus immediately on the fireplace and the decor surrounding it. The rest of the room would be a secondary feature.

Now my feelings are on the same theme, but I want to focus on life rather than home decor. Do you ever consider who the 'focal' point in your life is, or who it should be?

Of course, you answer should be Jesus Christ. He should be the focal point in your life, the centre attraction to whomever looks into your character. You should shine with the light of Jesus beaming out of you. You should make sure that the decor of your heart is signed by the creator and decorator of your life, our Lord Jesus Christ. Make Him the focal point of your life, you will never want or need to redecorate ever again.

Frayed or Not?

How has life treated you, have you been used and abused, to the point of being thread bare and frayed?

Or have you been looked after like a priceless piece of art, covered from dust and grime, handled with the utmost care, admired and loved with no fraying edges?

Whichever category you might fit into, God still needs to be the centre of your life. He can hold your frayed edges and offer you comfort in Him, with the promise of no more damage. Or he can even take you as the well looked after piece you are, and hold you in the highest esteem and love and admire you more than ever.

Just know that without Him, you will either fray away to nothing or be left covered and forgotten forever. Give yourself to Him, regardless of how you have been treated in life.

He is your creator and knows how to look after you better than any ever has, trust in Him!

Different Roads!

I have not been a Christian all my life and because I lived of the world, I had no problem understanding ways of the world. I just used to fit in with my social crowd with ease.

We were all smokers, used to have a couple of drinks on weekends, if there were problems within relationships divorce was a high topic of interest, we never considered going to church, prayers were a task undertaken only in a crisis and were obviously very self centered, we used to tell what we called white lies, we would take stationary from work without asking as we felt our employers owed it to us and the list goes on. It was a way of life and the only life I knew.

We did not consider ourselves bad people. We did not hurt anyone verbally or physically or damage property or swear or indulge in meaningless intimate moments. So why was there always restless feelings, dark places, fears and insecurities?

Why, because Jesus was not included, Jesus was absent from all and every moment and situation. How could there ever be light and peace without Him in the centre.

Now I live a life filled with endless peace as the Holy Spirit lives within me. I feel secure in Him, prayers are a wonderful needful part of my day, church an extremely desireable event, honesty a joy, addictions a past, all crisis handed over with ease and so on.

I have a new family in Christ whom I understand and love more than any family I ever had, and as I move closer to God, my understanding and tolerance of those still living in and of the world becomes more and more difficult. In fact, they hate what I am about and continuously slander my ways.

We're on different roads but this time I have to study the track a lot more carefully because to be obedient takes more control than being carelessly disobedient. The rewards are fruitful and there are no more dark places. In fact, living for God causes me to want to go the right way, its wonderful.

I feel happy and joyful and loved like never before. A love that only derives from our loving Father God, Jesus Christ.

Come try my road so that you too can be on track, you will never turn back, I promise!

How do you deal with anger, do you cause unnecessary grief?

GRIEF
A moment of uncontrolled anger
Can cause immense pain and grief
It can put so many in danger
All for carelessly selfish relief
But theres no need for such rage
If you ask God to take control
He will lock your anger in a cage
And put angels on constant patrol
So go on give all to God today
You will never regret this move
As you will learn in faith to pray
And want for your behaviour to improve

PROV 17:25
“A foolish son is a grief to his father”

Trust in the Lord to take your anger and bury it in the burning pits of hell, so far away from you that it can never return.

Lets pray!

Father God, thank you for this beautiful earth that you created for us to enjoy. For the green grass, the trees, the gorgeous array of flowers, the amazing wildlife of the earth and waters, the deep blue seas, the mammoth mountains and for every bit of detail that you put into everything. Thank you Lord Jesus for the love in our hearts, love that we learnt from you, love for all the beauty around us. Lord, I pray that as we awake every day, we would acknowledge the beauty around us and give thanks and praise for your wondrous works. Thank you Father for your awesome creativity and your desire to fill our view with its beauty. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

No Pain, just Fruits!

Have you ever fasted and if so did you complete the time set out for that fast?

What sort of fast did you do, did you go the whole hog and just drink water or did you just leave something out of your diet that you would definitely miss?How long did you fast for?

Okay, enough questions and now for some answers from me.

I remember the first time I tried to fast, I failed badly with hunger pangs coming on long before necessary, I believe because my stomach knew my intentions and had to fight back. The only reason I failed though, is because I did not understand the way or benefits of fasting, how to eat without indulging in food.

Then I tired again but this time a fellow Christian had explained how it works and trust me, this particular time I did not fail, I passed.

So, if you need to know the hard and fast rules on fasting, here goes, its as easy as pie. (like the puns, ha ha.)

Firstly you set out a time and reason for the fast. Obviously it has to do with prayer so you would pray about something in your life that needs attention, or someone elses life, or your church or your country and so on.

You decide how you are going to fast, the whole way or just cut something out. Then you start and every time you feel hungry or a desire for that something you left out, you just start praying. You will be amazed how God will fill you up and take away those hunger pangs. Its as if He feeds you with His manna as you pray.

So, fasting is not painful, only fruitful.

Father God, thank you for making it possible for us to fast as we pray to you. Thank you Lord for the food you feed us as we obey you and seek your Kingdom. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

WILLING BUT WEARY!

Have you ever met a mixed up person seeking help and asking for yours, or received a call from an aquaintance saying, " Hey, I have a friend in trouble and because you have experience in prayers, I was wondering if you could help."

You answer immediately, offer compassion to that person in need or answer the aquaintance, "sure, would love to help someone in need, just give them my number, get them to call me and we will go from there."

You start helping with prayers and get your pastors and group leaders involved, give compassionate calls and visits, or you get the call and help with prayers as much as you can with a prayer chain going. Then wham, the person turns on you like a blazing fire that's been hit with gallons of petrol. You are verbally attacked and get continuous calls from this person threatening to commit suicide and other crazy things if you don't get them the help they need. Phew, its a tough one and I've been there.

However, I say phew but at the end of the day, we need not worry if we ask Jesus into our space every day. If we pray to Him and ask for the covering of His blood, He will protect us for as long as we obey His will and thank Him for being with us.

So do not fear with your loving God so near and if you feel weary, call on Him.

Honoured!

Have you ever been told that you look like someone famous, or you smile like that celebrity, or you have the same walk as that singer, and so on.

I have and what an honour when its someone that you have actually admired for many years.

I was at a writing workshop and I had some of my work with me to show the workshop host. We had to pair up with the person sitting next to us, and when the lady I sat next to read my work, she made the most awesome comment, a comment that I will never forget and one I will forever cherish. She said that my poetry reminded her of Helen Steiner Rice's work, what an amazing honour. I say that because all my life I have read and been in awe with her words. I just love her work and when I read her words, I can almost feel the love she had for God, the warmth in her as she radiated His love from within her. Her words were heaven sent as she obviously worked for the greatest boss ever, Jesus Christ.

I am overwhelmed that I too now am employed by the same boss as Helen had. Jesus Christ is my author, just as He was hers. So, as much as an honour as it was to have my work put in the same category as hers, it is beyond the highest honour to be employed by the same employer, my creator and heavenly Father God.

What an awesome honour!

Father God, thank you that you have included me on your payroll, for giving me the best job I could ever dream of having. Thank you Lord for the passion that you instill within me to write for you, amen.

Who do you call?
......When you're feeling like the world is closing in on you.

Who do you call?
......When things are turning upside down all around you.

Who do you call?
......When you feel that their is no more air to breathe.

Who do you call?
......When it feels like there is no turning back.

Who do you call?
......When life is just too much to bear.

Who you gonna call?

Our Master.....
.....Jesus Christ!

Call on Him and know that all your troubles He will take, whenever you call on Him!

Compliments of the season!

Wow, seems that I have not been on this site for so long. Reason being, life has been hectic during the holiday season. My husband and I used the time to add value to our home, what a worthwhile project.

However, we never forgot why we had the holiday and I have given God all the glory for our achievements and abilities. If it were not for Him we would not be able to fulfil our desires.

So, as you start your day, never forget to pray. You will realise just how important it is to give Him your day to control and at the end give Him thanks for all, good and bad because everything that goes up or down is a learning curve.

By the way, trust you had enjoyable God blessed holidays too.