Sharing testimonies

I have been involved recently with a group, and we have been sharing our testimonies. It has been so encouraging to hear each person's story, of how they became a Christian, of how God has personally, specifically, radically worked in each person's life. I love it!

It was my turn this past Tuesday. I hadn't really thought about what I would share- it's your story of how you became a Christian, right? So it doesn't change, but grows!

So, it was immensely encouraging to me, to share it again, but so much has happened since the last time I thought about, or shared my testimony. It was also really encouraging to me, because someone left a voicemail message on my phone that I didn't get till just after I had shared my testimony, so it was awesome to hear it, in the light of having just been reminded of my what God has done, so amazingly, not only in my life, byt in the lives of so many others!

God is GOOD!

Some joy

I have spent quite a bit of time recently, thinking about Love in its various forms. But this post isn't about love. I have since gone on to reading an awesome book, called The Happy Intercessor, by Beni Johnson- it was brilliant, and while I have just finished it, I would love to read it again! It is about joy, and the power of joy in our lives, so, while I haven't quite left love behind(!), I have been thinking about joy more recently. I came across this poem a couple of nights ago, and how special it is. Enjoy!

LAUGHTER CAME FROM EVERY BRICK


Just these two words He spoke
changed my life,
"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry -
a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me, "I know a song,
would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street
and from every pore
in the sky.

After a night of prayer, He
changed my life when
He sang,

"Enjoy Me."

- Teresa of Avila

Life is....

A few weeks ago, an article was left in our pigeon hole at college. The topic being “Who’s life is it anyway?” It was referring to Paul’s comment- For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain(Philippians 1:21).

The question posed to each of us though, was what would we say?
“To live is ___ and to die is ____”.
It’s been an interesting question to think through over the last few weeks, through the ups, down’s interesting twists and turns in each day…….! What would I put, what I like to put? What is there now, based on how I live my life now…..???

So, with Mother Theresa’s words…


Life is too precious

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.


I am not sure if I entirely agree with all of it, but it is a great start, would be interesting to add to the list of what life is…. And if so… what would I add?!?!

Not closing down after all!

In a radical turn of events, the organisation I mentioned in the previous post looks like it won't be closing down after all. The person running it has seen hope, and the possibilities for it to continue to run. People are coming alongside them to support them, and help in whatever way they can to continue to run, there's hope!

Thanks for praying- it's been amazing to see it unfolding, and connections being made at exactly the right time!

Organisation closing down

I wrote this article a few weeks ago... and today we found out that it's likely they will have to shut down!!!!

Please be praying for them, and for amazing miracles as they find the best answers to their situation. It's an awesome group that does amazing work with the people in the area, and it would be really sad if they did shut down!! Not only does it help people who are living in poverty, many have become Christians, and... they make the most beautiful things!

Thanks heaps!!

Easter Greetings

I don’t normally write cards for people at Easter, but this year, I did- well, one anyway. But the verse that came to mind for it was…..James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I love that picture of God, and the amazingness of the gifts he gives! Anyway, it came back around to bite me, rather this evening… I was getting really discouraged by things where some might see the events as great, and others see them as anything but- and being in the middle trying to bridge the gap- then remembered this verse! And, remembered that if it is indeed a good and perfect gift, it does come own from the Father of Heavenly lights- and no, he doesn’t change!!

The other verse that came to mind really clearly, that blessed me immensely on Good Friday, was the phrase… for the joy set before him endured the cross…

From Hebrews 12: 2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What an incredibly awesomely, amazingly wonderful God we have!!!

Feet like the deer...

I came across the following verse on Monday morning when I got to work, and it's been such an encouraging, sustaining verse!!

So, Habbakuk 3:19.....

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

But... check out the whole chapter! Pretty awesome stuff!! Also, super wonderful, yet super challenging too... Revelation 21: 1-8. Oh, for that wonderful water of life!:)

On integrity

I was doing some reading for college this evening, and this was in one of my textbooks, so thought I would share..!

Myself

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able, as days go by
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don’t wan to stand, with the setting sun,
And hate myself for the things I have done.

I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of a man I really am;
I don’t want to dress up myself in a sham.

I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to look at myself and know
That I’m bluster and bluff and empty show

Can never hide myself from me;
I can see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know.I never can for myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.

Edgar Guest

5 smooth stones

When I came back to Sydney, I felt like there were five big areas of my life that needed to be sorted out. Four now have been done, but the fifth... I feel like I keep digging down to the bottom of the bag to get it out, and each time I do, it has someone else's name on it, so I need to give it to them.... well, in actual fact, looking back, I feel like I have had this bag far longer than I realised, and I have been pulling out this stone and passing it on to other people all this time.

Fortunately, it's a beautiful stone, so it's a joy to be able to pass it on, but...one day, it would be lovely to get the stone out with my name on it...:)