A Lightened Load 

'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others'
Philippians 2:4

I have been guilty of the former, particularly of recent date.
I got so wrapped up in my wants, my needs, and my pain that I could not emerge from them.
Absorbed by my own interests, I could no longer look to those of others,
feeling and showing concern for them.

Now, once again, I awoke deeply concerned, and tried to untangle myself.
Yet I could not do this.
So I turned to my saviour and my God.
I pleaded with him to free me from my apathy.
He showed me grace and taught me to trust him, and to feel again.

A weight fell off me and I was reminded of the story of Eustace from 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.
Of when he needed  Aslan to remove the scales from him
to become human again, for he could not do this for himself.
As each layer came off I felt my muscles relax, and my breathing return to normal.

I thank you, my Father, for freeing me from my sin, and keeping me safe.
I will rejoice in you -
Always.

After returning from a three week trip to London I wrote this poem...

London

Crowds, smoke, historic buildings.

This is London.

People, places,  picturesque parks.

This is London

Dull- coloured buildings, 

bright flowers and greenery.  

This is London.

Echoes from long- ago, calling

from elderly books in their cozy shops,

and antiquities in Museums. 

This is London.

Sharing and experiencing new things;

old pubs, markets, and parks.

And doing this with those you love.

This is London.

Flying home, the world below.

Touching down, see the world around.

Gum trees, friends and family, long walks,

sunsets, work, and clear air.

Hello Sydney.

A Daughter of God

I was born into a dim place.

I didn't know where I fitted.

I looked to others to show me how to live.

When I was a teenageer I found a reason to live.

I stopped living my own way.

I started loving God and began to look to him for guidance.

I was reborn and accepted into a bright community. 

A family with the same father who teachers us how to love one another.

Today life makes sense. 

I am a child of God, and he teaches me to learn and grow and love as his daughter.

1 Peter 1:23

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 

Note: This is a poem written on behalf of Christians that have died and gone to be with God the Father.

Remember me 

When I go remember me.

For you are left and I can no longer be on your right. 

Remember me, for I am gone.

Grief is strong and hard to bear.

Yet all of us have dealings with it.

May our Heavenly Father aid you from here on in, for I cannot.

Continue life's journey with your load,

of photographs and places we can no longer go.

Remember me, for I am gone.

There are traces of me, in faces and hearts
of  people you know. They are living and whole.

As I pray you will grow to be once again.

Please keep your merry laugh, as the days move past.

Emerge from the fog of grief, with God in your heart.  

Remember me, for I am gone. 

Choose

Men or God?

Galatians 1:10 ' Am I now trying to please men or God? 

Or am I trying to please men? 

If I were trying to please men I would not be a servant of Christ.'

Over 2000 years ago God made it 

possible for me to have a relationship with him. 

When his gift of the holy spirit 

came it made it possible 

for me to be moulded into the 

woman that he wants me to be.

But sometimes I don't let him.

I listen to my sinful nature.

What it wants, not what he wants.

I stand there stiff as a board,

like a stubborn child, not moving 

forward, not truly living.   

The devil does not have the power to do anything.

God gives us the power to choose.

Yesterday, I chose to be wrapped up in my selfishness.

Today, I choose to be  to live life how he wants.

Every day there is a choice.

It's not always easily.

But it is always worth it.

God allows this freedom.

To live for man... or for God. 

Which will you choose?

Joy Defined

"An emotion of keen or lively pleasure, great gladness or delight"

(The Macquarie Dictionary) 

Joy is an emotion that differs from one person to another. 

It is a gift that know one can measure or manufacturer,

but most can recognise the sensation.

When considering this phenomenon I thought it worth asking others 

what they considered joy to be...

"Joy comes from the depth of emotion, it's happier than just 'happy'.

When a heart is filled with joy, it's blissful." 

"Joy is a couple of hours spent with friends, 

a keyboard, and a virtual rocket launcher." 

"Reading and writing is my joy"

"God. Friends. Pets.Smiles. Laughter.

But also being able to trust God in every situation"

"To me, Joy is a deep trust that whatever circumstances 

you find yourself in, God is there."

So, what is joy to me?

My answer is that my joy is found in my ever growing 

relationship with my heavenly father. 

I rejoice in his love for me. 

For his love and compassion is so incomprehensible 

that he sent his son to die a painful death, bringing me back 

to his father and sending the holy spirit to live within us. 

He did it all...  I did nothing. 

All he asks is for me to live for him... 

and I have accepted this privilege.

This is my joy. 

In despair and delight. 

This is my joy. 

What is your joy? 

Does it encompass your life?

Is yours like mine?

When the bible mentions joy it says...

"This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

(Psalm 118)

"Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again rejoice!"

(Philippians 4:4)

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, 

and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; 

for this day is holy to our Lord. 

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

(Nehemiah 8:10)

Having just returned from a Christian camp called Dare To Be Different these are my reflections...

A Slice of Heaven

Life in this shattered world (shattered by sin) is like living in a mirror that has started to be repaired yet you can still see the super glue.

Jesus has repaired the mirror of this world of sin. Him being the only one who could concur sin defeat death, and bring us back to God. For Jesus is the perfect priest, king and prophet this world has ever and will ever know.

Its' amazing how many ways God uses us. He uses us! Sinful people in this world to make him known. He moulds us into new people in Jesus and gives us his holy spirit to guide us through this new life with Jesus as Lord.

He loves us and gives us spiritual gifts and advantages. So use them. He'll surprise you how many ways the person you are can bring others to him and help them in their journey.

Introverts, extroverts, cultural background, musical abilities, singleness, marriage, male,female, the list of things that we can use for Gods' glory goes on.

We are his people. All different parts of Christ's' body. One huge family.

Speeding quality time with Gods' people over the course of five days, reflecting on his word and how he works in this world and our lives is truly a slice of heaven. A glimpse of what is to come. A new heaven and a new earth.

Revelation 21:Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 


This poem is dedicated to the leaders campers from 'dare 2 be different'. Thanks for making camp like you guys... pronominal!