Wednesday, August 31, 2011
You'll Win!!
from UCB WORD FOR TODAY
'To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me...' Psalm 3:4 NIV
Regardless of when or why you stumbled, God wants to pick you up and put you back on your feet. People who have never experienced failure usually don't accomplish much. There's a certain security in playing it safe. Nothing's lost, but nothing's won. They never get out of the boat and walk on the water. Wouldn't it be better to almost drown and have to be saved, than never to experience God's power working through you? Adversity is like yeast; when the heat is turned up, it rises. And the hotter it gets, the more it rises. The truth is that every opportunity God gives you will come with obstacles, and you'll have to rise above them. Look at the children of Israel in Egypt: '...the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew...' (Exodus 1:12 NKJV) Often the bad times do more to strengthen your faith than the good ones. You say, 'But I blew it!' God says, 'My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness...' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV) You say, 'But the people I trusted let me down, and those I thought were for me were really against me.' The Psalmist said, 'Many are saying... God will not deliver him. But...to the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me...' (Psalm 3:2-4 NIV) It's hard to accept that some people don't want you to succeed. But many people 'saying' it doesn't make it so! The most secure place in the world is in the will of God. If you align your plan with His purpose, ultimately you'll win, and there's nothing they can do to stop you!
from UCB WORD FOR TODAY
'To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me...' Psalm 3:4 NIV
Regardless of when or why you stumbled, God wants to pick you up and put you back on your feet. People who have never experienced failure usually don't accomplish much. There's a certain security in playing it safe. Nothing's lost, but nothing's won. They never get out of the boat and walk on the water. Wouldn't it be better to almost drown and have to be saved, than never to experience God's power working through you? Adversity is like yeast; when the heat is turned up, it rises. And the hotter it gets, the more it rises. The truth is that every opportunity God gives you will come with obstacles, and you'll have to rise above them. Look at the children of Israel in Egypt: '...the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew...' (Exodus 1:12 NKJV) Often the bad times do more to strengthen your faith than the good ones. You say, 'But I blew it!' God says, 'My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness...' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV) You say, 'But the people I trusted let me down, and those I thought were for me were really against me.' The Psalmist said, 'Many are saying... God will not deliver him. But...to the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me...' (Psalm 3:2-4 NIV) It's hard to accept that some people don't want you to succeed. But many people 'saying' it doesn't make it so! The most secure place in the world is in the will of God. If you align your plan with His purpose, ultimately you'll win, and there's nothing they can do to stop you!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Verse For Today
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done."
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done."
An Unspoken Bible
Author Unknown
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behaviour at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in his eighties, has silver-grey hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying To themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the Elder does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
Author Unknown
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behaviour at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in his eighties, has silver-grey hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying To themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the Elder does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A Thought for Today
from Desiderata
Written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s —
My Blessing Today....
A surprise visit from my son Chris this weekend! So lovely to see him, and his dog, they came to visit a friend of his who has had a stroke and is in hospital. We will be praying for a speedy recovery for Sam, and prayers for his lovely wife Jenny.
Chris has been living in country NSW for over a year, and is loving it!
Looking at Chris, it warms my heart to know that we have such a good relationship, he is so mature now, and is such a loyal friend to have!
Good Bless you Chris!!
Your son at five is your master, at ten your slave, at fifteen your double, and after that, your friend or your foe, depending on his bringing up. ~Author Unknown
A surprise visit from my son Chris this weekend! So lovely to see him, and his dog, they came to visit a friend of his who has had a stroke and is in hospital. We will be praying for a speedy recovery for Sam, and prayers for his lovely wife Jenny.
Chris has been living in country NSW for over a year, and is loving it!
Looking at Chris, it warms my heart to know that we have such a good relationship, he is so mature now, and is such a loyal friend to have!
Good Bless you Chris!!
Your son at five is your master, at ten your slave, at fifteen your double, and after that, your friend or your foe, depending on his bringing up. ~Author Unknown
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Verse For Today
Psalm 116:1-2
“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Verse For Today
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?
The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Jon English - Six Ribbons
Wonderful wonderful song, I heard it on the radio today, I had not heard it for years, just had to share!!
Not every good idea is a God idea.
(from Weekly Wisdom - Christ Notes)
What God may tell your friend to do might be a terrible thing for you to do. For example, say you start doing something because someone else says it is a good idea, but you find it a struggle. In that case, you may be struggling because God hasn't given you the grace to do what your friend told you to do. In other words, just because other people tell you to do "good" things, doesn't necessarily mean you should.
Furthermore, if God instructs you to do something, be assured that His plan is better than any other plan you could have. For example, God's plan for Jonah was for him to "go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it" (Jonah 1:2). However, Jonah didn't like that, and so he came up with his own idea: Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). To Jonah, running away to Tarshish seemed like a much better plan than traveling to Nineveh. But it wasn't God's plan. And so Jonah's plan failed miserably as will any plan that is against God's plan. Jonah ended up in so much trouble as a result of his plan that he realized he should have followed God's plan in the first place (Jonah 3:1-3). In short, Jonah's "good" idea was anything but a God idea.
In your life today, don't do what sounds "good" to you; instead, do what God tells you to do. Stop following "good" plans and start following God's plans.
(from Weekly Wisdom - Christ Notes)
What God may tell your friend to do might be a terrible thing for you to do. For example, say you start doing something because someone else says it is a good idea, but you find it a struggle. In that case, you may be struggling because God hasn't given you the grace to do what your friend told you to do. In other words, just because other people tell you to do "good" things, doesn't necessarily mean you should.
Furthermore, if God instructs you to do something, be assured that His plan is better than any other plan you could have. For example, God's plan for Jonah was for him to "go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it" (Jonah 1:2). However, Jonah didn't like that, and so he came up with his own idea: Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). To Jonah, running away to Tarshish seemed like a much better plan than traveling to Nineveh. But it wasn't God's plan. And so Jonah's plan failed miserably as will any plan that is against God's plan. Jonah ended up in so much trouble as a result of his plan that he realized he should have followed God's plan in the first place (Jonah 3:1-3). In short, Jonah's "good" idea was anything but a God idea.
In your life today, don't do what sounds "good" to you; instead, do what God tells you to do. Stop following "good" plans and start following God's plans.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
My Weekend
Hello again! Yes, the weekend nearly over, but how nice and relaxing!! Watched two movies yesterday, 'The King's Speech', (fantastic movie), and the 1971 movie 'Duel' with Dennis Weaver, (a real 'blast from the past'........ and this afternoon, the original 1944 'Jane Eyre', (I love the old classic's)!!
Church was great this morning, always very inspiring, lovely to see everyone, and share in God's Word!!
I wish you a great God filled week, Kerry :-)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
1 John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Good Morning friends, it's a cool windy day here, but I am glad to have the weekend off work, so nice not to have to rush and get ready for work! It made me think about how we do rush through our lives, sometimes saying "I wish this day, or week, was over". In our busy lives, we should take a little time each day to give thanks for what we have. I wish you all the blessings of the day, Kerry :-)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Good Morning friends, it's a cool windy day here, but I am glad to have the weekend off work, so nice not to have to rush and get ready for work! It made me think about how we do rush through our lives, sometimes saying "I wish this day, or week, was over". In our busy lives, we should take a little time each day to give thanks for what we have. I wish you all the blessings of the day, Kerry :-)
Friday, August 19, 2011
A Verse For Today
Psalm 34: 1-4
I will bless the Lord at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord and He heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears!!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Little Humour for Today
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED...
Can you cry under water?
If bread is square, why sandwich meat is round?
Why do you have to put "your two cents in..." but its only "a penny for your thoughts"? Where is that extra penny going to???
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What do you call a male ladybug?
When dog food tastes new and improved, who tested it?
How is it that we put a man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
If you drink Pepsi at work in a Coke factory, do you get fired?
If corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, where does baby oil come from?
Do the alphabet song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
I can't give away what I don't have: If I can't love others, it's because I don't know that God loves me.
It is obvious that in order to give away money, you must have money to give away, and in order to give away a car, you must have a car to give away. Likewise, in order to give away love, you must have love to give away.
That love -- true love -- can come only from God, for he is the only source of unconditional love. As followers of Christ, we are instructed to let God's love flow through us to the world: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).
You are to love others as God loves you. However, if you don't know how much God loves you, then you can't love one another.
Leviticus 19:18 says, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Again, if you don't have love in you (for yourself and for God), then you can't love others.
So, if you're having trouble loving others, it's probably because you don't know how much God loves you.
from: Weekly Wisdom - Christ Notes
It is obvious that in order to give away money, you must have money to give away, and in order to give away a car, you must have a car to give away. Likewise, in order to give away love, you must have love to give away.
That love -- true love -- can come only from God, for he is the only source of unconditional love. As followers of Christ, we are instructed to let God's love flow through us to the world: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).
You are to love others as God loves you. However, if you don't know how much God loves you, then you can't love one another.
Leviticus 19:18 says, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Again, if you don't have love in you (for yourself and for God), then you can't love others.
So, if you're having trouble loving others, it's probably because you don't know how much God loves you.
from: Weekly Wisdom - Christ Notes
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Verse For Today
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
For Things to Go Well
'...that it might go well with [you]...' Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV
When God tells you to do something that seems difficult or unpleasant, He's not trying to make your life hard or put you in a straitjacket. Often He's just getting you to a place where He can bless you. 'Oh, that...[they]...would...fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them.' Anything God asks you to do carries this thought with it: 'That it might go well with [you].' Hopefully, that will help you to start looking at things differently. Living in peace, instead of always going to pieces, is easier when you learn to respond to God immediately. Don't hesitate. Don't negotiate. Don't rationalise. And whatever you do, don't run. The only thing that's worse than running away from God is living with the painful aftermath. Your disobedience can take you all the way to the bottom. If you doubt that, stop and read the story of Jonah. The prophet Samuel said, 'To obey is better than sacrifice...' (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV) The truth is, sometimes you'll have to sacrifice certain things in order to obey God. But it's better to do that than to ignore His voice, live stressed out, forfeit His blessing, and end up getting nowhere. Sometimes God will require things of you that He doesn't seem to require of others, that He won't explain and you can't understand, and that when you've obeyed them, you won't immediately see the benefits. But if you're convinced that He loves you and has a plan for your life, you'll surrender to Him in trust, knowing that in the end it will 'go well with [you]'.
SoulFood: Josh 2:1-24, Acts 9:20-30
'...that it might go well with [you]...' Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV
When God tells you to do something that seems difficult or unpleasant, He's not trying to make your life hard or put you in a straitjacket. Often He's just getting you to a place where He can bless you. 'Oh, that...[they]...would...fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them.' Anything God asks you to do carries this thought with it: 'That it might go well with [you].' Hopefully, that will help you to start looking at things differently. Living in peace, instead of always going to pieces, is easier when you learn to respond to God immediately. Don't hesitate. Don't negotiate. Don't rationalise. And whatever you do, don't run. The only thing that's worse than running away from God is living with the painful aftermath. Your disobedience can take you all the way to the bottom. If you doubt that, stop and read the story of Jonah. The prophet Samuel said, 'To obey is better than sacrifice...' (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV) The truth is, sometimes you'll have to sacrifice certain things in order to obey God. But it's better to do that than to ignore His voice, live stressed out, forfeit His blessing, and end up getting nowhere. Sometimes God will require things of you that He doesn't seem to require of others, that He won't explain and you can't understand, and that when you've obeyed them, you won't immediately see the benefits. But if you're convinced that He loves you and has a plan for your life, you'll surrender to Him in trust, knowing that in the end it will 'go well with [you]'.
SoulFood: Josh 2:1-24, Acts 9:20-30
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Verse for Today
Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Take Time To Think
Take time to think...
it is the source of power
Take time to play...
it is the secret of perpetual youth
Take time to read...
it is the fountain of wisdom
Take time to pray...
it is the greatest power on earth
Take time to laugh...
it is the music of the soul
Take time to give...
it is too short a day to be selfish
Hello friends,
Another week flies by, and with August nearly half over, we look forward to Spring weather here in Australia soon. I have spoken to many people this week, and there seemed to be a common thread in conversations about being 'time poor'! Never enough hours in the day!!
So even though I have to work this weekend, I will make sure I take some time to 'take in the day', 'smell the flowers', chill out, go for a walk, really think about how blessed I am!! Enjoy your weekend whatever you do, and remember, take a minute to 'enjoy the day'!
God Bless
Kerry :-)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A Quote For Today
When you come to the edge of all the light you have known, and are about to step out into darkness, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen; There will be something to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Verse For Today
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Cronulla Beach, Sydney South, New South Wales, Australia
Hello friends,
I had a drive out to Cronulla today, I miss living near the water, so it was nice to get over there and see the ocean, and take my new Nikon camera. The surf was not very big, but there was quite a few guys out trying to catch a wave, I tried to capture a little of it!!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
A Thought for Today
With one small gesture, you can change a persons life forever. God put us all in each others lives to make a difference. Look for God in each other.
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Little Humour for Today (and verse)
Job 8:21
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Quote For Today
"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."
Monday, August 1, 2011
A Thought (and verse) for Today
Hello, I was sent this photo in an email, how gorgeous, what a loving mother!!
Do you look at the nature around you, and think how amazing it all is, I know I do! Thank you Lord for all the beauty you give us!!
Deuteronomy 5:16
Hounor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
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