Called Aside

Into a desert place apart (Matt 14:13)

There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it. In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by "rests", and we foolishly think we've come to the end of the tune. God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness, disappointed plans, frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives; and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator. How does the musician read the "rest"? See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking place had come between.

Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests". They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the key note. If we look up, God himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves," there is no music in a 'rest'", let us not forget, "there is the making of music in it". The  making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently God works to teach us! How long He takes for us to learn the lesson!  - Ruskin

Called aside -

From the glad working of thy busy life,

From the world's ceaseless stir of care and strife,

Into the shade and stillness by thy Heavenly Guide

For a brief space thou hast been called aside.

Called aside -

Perhaps into a desert garden dim;

And yet not alone, when thou hast been with Him,

And heard His voice in sweetest accents say:

"Child, wilt thou not with Me this still hour stay?"

Called aside -

In hidden paths with Christ thy Lord to tread,

Deeper to drink at the sweet Fountainhead,

Closer in fellowship with Him to roam,

Nearer, perchance, to feel thy Heavenly Home.

Called aside -

Oh, knowledge deeper grows with Him alone;

In secret oft His deeper love is shown,

And learnt in many an hour of dark distress

Some rare, sweet lessons of His tenderness.

Called aside -

We thank Thee for the stillness and the shade;

We thank Thee for the hidden paths Thy love hath made,

And, so that we have wept and watched with Thee,

We thank Thee for our dark Gethsemane.

Called aside -

Oh, restful thought - He doth all things well;

Oh, blessed sense, with Christ alone to dwell;

So in the shadow of Thy cross to hide,

We thank Thee, Lord, to have been called aside.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts to overflowing this day and forevermore.

(Devotional writing and poem from 'Streams in the Desert, Vol 1', written by Mrs Charles E Cowman, published 1925. Glorious artworks by the amazing Morgan Weistling)

The Strangle.

 

There’s a strangle that takes hold of our hearts. A pressure that with each tightening squeeze causes all hope to diminish. A throttle that restricts life; stops the flow of all that is good and right and true.

 

And this world is the beast controlling the grip, the one applying the pressure. As if the grip takes on an audible voice that accuses, "you're not good enough", "you're an absolute mess", "just give up". The pressure, it restricts, it binds, it causes deep internal harm.

 

And we try to operate with our full agenda's, with our hearts in a vice and barely functioning. Each step we take, each task we strive to complete is met with exhaustion and no release of the clamp on our four-chambered soul.

 

And this half-dead functioning is not what our hearts were designed for. It's not it's default operating system. And we know this, but we're still strangled. And so we continue on and on, loosing our breath, just seconds away from cardiac arrest, until we draw in enough oxygen to cry out for help.

 

And then He comes. He comes charging, rushing forth in full battle mode with our hearts in His view. He reaches in and He releases the death-grip, He alleviates the worlds crush. With His nail scarred hands He massages the very life blood back into our vessels. With each beat it strengthens, it crimson glows, it courses and swells with life and health and truth. Our beat becomes His beat; we live and breath in one rhythm.

 

His voice whispers to us, "I am enough", "I'm making you beautiful", "Just let me".

 

And the strangle is gone.

A New Un-Named Space!

Over the last two days I have been setting up my new art room. I'm not certain that that is what I am definitely going to call it, 'art room', or whether it's going to be 'craft room', 'relax room' ... whatever! All I do know is that I have this absurd compulsion to name things, and this room is no exception.

How getting my own room came about is a very long story that I won't bore you with. I'm just happy to have one, and I'm really excited to be using it through the year!

I have op-shopped pottery over the years, as it's normally so cheap, and all hand made too. I like having my most frequently used items within easy reach, and these pottery jars are perfect for keeping them out, yet organised.

This long table is predominantly for my sewing (which I am still definitely a beginner with!) and so it also has my sewing box and basket (with crotchet and embroidery work in it) close by.

I added my favourite books to my shelf and some pottery that was my late Nana's. 

The white chest of drawers is where I put my Quite Time Basket so I can grab it when I'm relaxing on the lounge.

You all know I love comfort. So this room has crotchet blankets, cushions, candles, and lamp light. And yes, that is a hat box turned into a little kitten bed for Aslan, he needs a comfy spot too!

My walls are decorated with op-shop art, so each piece cost no more than $10. The pink and purple flowers in the vase painting was also my late Nana's artwork that I remember hanging up in her home. It's extra special.

Last night I spent time in here praying, adding to my bullet journal, reading and relaxing. It was such a nice way to end a long day.

Do you have any suggestions for names? It has to be named something, and I need your help! Thanks everyone!

Morning Praises

The other Sunday morning I was up early preparing for music practise at church, as I was worship leading. I had been up most of the night unwell, and so my mind was very foggy and I was not in the mood (to be very honest) to go and lead the Church in praise. 

I knew I had to try and get out of this frame of mind before I left for Church. So, camera in hand, I headed outside. I was greeted with the most beautiful foggy morning we've had in a while. The air was fresh and clean, the birds were raising their morning songs to His glory, and I found Him in the quietness of a new day. 

Everywhere I looked were signposts to His splendour, majesty, provision and care. Even the spiders have a thin, yet strong place to call their dwelling. As the fog around me lifted, so did the fog in my mind and my heart. 

With the rising of the sun, came a new rising and stirring within my soul. He is good. He is faithful. He is worthy of every single speck of praise that we can draw out of our hearts. 

I opened my mouth to praise Him in song. 

And I was blessed.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

    for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8

Splendid Majesty

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:1

I praise you Father. You are so beautiful, so powerful. 

My hearts swells with thankfulness when I think of Who You are. 

You are sovereign, faithful to keep your promises, never ending, never failing love. 

Creator of everything, Father you are splendid Majesty. 

I love you. 

What Will You Choose?

My heart is heavy. It's sorrowful. And I think God's heart might be that way too. When He sees His people living lives that aren't His best for them. Sees them making choices that have eternal consequences and it's as if they don't even care. Don't care about the destination of their souls. Don't care that they are shutting out His goodness, His love. Choosing to put the things of this world above the things of Heaven. I'm guilty of all of this. Guilty of wanting my own way, of being relentlessly selfish and worldly. Of thinking I know best. How His heart must break. 

His people choosing to ignore His Word, not even feed on the Words of life that He so freely and perfectly gave us. To let them soak into the core of who we are, so this world and all of it's filth just ricochets off of us. Seeing His people needlessly suffer and stress and worry and live in turmoil, when we're the ones who stand in our own fickle pride and act as though we can make it on our own. Are we serious? Do we really think that we can survive this life without drawing from the Author of Life? 

He puts before us life and death; His plea? 

Choose life! Choose Me! Forget this world with it's quickly passing standards, with it's quick fixes and worthless solutions and just CHOOSE ME! I'm everything. I hold everything. I've made everything. I know everything. I know you. Children of mine, be mine. Live as mine. Breathe as mine. Stand out, stand up, speak out. Let your life be a mirror image of me. 

And it's not about methods, or routines, or formula's, or schedules. It's not about any of this. It's about whether we want it enough. All the methods in the world won't change a thing if you simply don't want to. If you simply don't want to pray, don't want to pour over His word, don't want to thank Him for every blessing, don't want to take every horrible, hard, seemingly impossible situation to Him and leave it there for Him to work out in His perfect way. It's about choices. 

He's given us every answer to every dilemma. He's suffered through every single thing known to man when He hung on that Cross. And yet the walls of the box go up and He is placed so safely and comfortably inside of it, having access to only what we let Him. It's not about anything other than our choices. Are we going to choose Him or not? Choose Him fully or not? Are we going to listen to the world or not? Follow the way of death, or life? It's not complicated. His ways are easy. His ways are perfect. His ways are more than enough.

(Photo Credit)

The Quiet Time Basket

So many things have been changing and happening around here lately, that I haven't found the time to be able to sit down and write a single thing! I've missed you all and missed writing here in this little space! With that being said, I would like to share with you a little something practical that has given me a 'boost' in my times with the Lord. 

My husband and I enjoyed a lengthy conversation the other night about habits. We talked about healthy ones, unhealthy ones and new ones that we would like to create. We realised that we're all creating habits each and every day, whether we notice them or not, and whether we intentionally choose to or not.

So, if habits are formed regardless, isn't is much wiser to choose healthy ones in the first place? 

To focus on what we spend our time on, what we read, listen to etc, and make sure that we are choosing that which is good? Time is being spent every second of every day; time that is irreplaceable. Habits are formed each day, and unhealthy ones are hard to break.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Duet 30:19

I want to choose life. We must choose life!

In my day to day life I want to deliberately choose the healthy habit of spending time with the Lord. Of praying, giving thanks, reading His word, journaling, keeping a thankful list and so on. Putting all the materials together for these activities makes it so much easier for me to keep this healthy habit. Anything to make habit forming easier, right?

Enter the Quiet Time Basket.

What is that you ask? It's very simple. It's a basket that I picked up from a local garage sale (for 50c) that I have filled with all my essential quiet time materials so that it's really easy to grab it in the morning (with my cup of coffee of course) and head outside for some time with my precious Saviour.

Here's what's in my Quiet Time Basket ...

• My Bible
• Highlighters
• Pens
• Lead Pencils and colouring pencils
• My journal
• My thankful journal
• a small tin of solid watercolour paints and brushes
• rubber and sharpener
• fine tip coloured felt pens
• the book that I'm currently reading

What I really enjoy about this is that it's something that's so simple, but it's effects are so good for the soul! And if I have a spare few minutes throughout the day, I can just grab it again and off I go! How easy is that?!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Phil 4:8.

I pray you all have a beautiful week choosing to spend time with the Lord!

12 Truths To Help With Depression

I'm a person who's been through depression, quite a few times now. Has it changed me? Absolutely. Has it made me feel completely out of control, hopeless, suicidal and full of fear? Yes. But, has it ruined me? Absolutely not. Has it made me a person of less value and worth? Without a doubt the answer is no. 

And the answer is no for you too.

I've not really touched on this subject a great deal within the space of this little blog, but today I am going to. I remember feeling so alone, feeling like no one would understand. Feeling like I was totally useless. Having an unexplainable urge to end my life. 

I need to tell you some truth today. I can't have this blog as a world wide resource and not share this hope, this truth and some relief for you. Please hear me today, hear my heart. I know this is a controversial issue, but I simply don't care. I want you to hear the truth, why? Because God loves you and so I will love you here in this space too. When you love, you speak truth in love.

I want to share with you some practical things that really made a difference in my life while going through this season, and I hope that they give you some relief, some comfort and some help.

1. Draw closer to God - make it happen. Make yourself pray, make yourself thank Him for the ways He helps you each day. Make yourself read the Word, make yourself sing praise. Why am I saying 'make yourself'? Because I know that most times you just don't 'feel' like it, but believe me, those are the times you need to the most. James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
2. Seek medical advice - whether it be a Doctor, a Naturopath or a Homoeopath, that choice is completely yours. Just make sure you find the right help for you. If you're not sure if you are suffering from depression, maybe it's a good idea to get checked anyway and go from there. The important thing is that you know there is lots of professional help available no matter which avenue you choose.                                                                               
3. Look after yourself - sounds simple enough but most of us (especially if we're mothers) don't take regular time to give our bodies what we're needing to stay healthy. Good sleep, regular exercise, healthy eating, times to relax, lots of water. These things are necessary.                                                                                                                                                          
4. Talking it out - I've gone for visits with a Psychiatrist and I found this so incredibly helpful to be able to verbalise everything that was going on to someone who was 'neutral'. Meaning, someone that didn't know me and wasn't going to just tell me what I wanted to hear. This was a very important part of the healing process for me.                                                
5. Positive self-talk - Now I'm not getting all 'freaky' here! You have to be speaking to yourself kindly. Instead of 'I'm useless', 'I can't get through this', 'This is never going to end', 'I'm just so stupid', 'Everything is hopeless', try saying, 'I'm going to be OK', 'I am going to win this', 'I'm so valuable', 'I can do this'. It may sound too basic to help, but it really really does.                                                                                                                                                   
6. Slow down - Don't put unrealistic expectations on yourself. If you have to cut back your workload a bit to get more rest, then that's OK. It's only a season. If you only get the basics of the house work done, or not even that, then don't be tempted to feel like a failure. On days when you are feeling a bit better in yourself, catch up slowly, it will all be OK.                                                                                                                                                                          
7. Remember you are not alone - I was relieved to find out just how many people I know who have been through very similar situations to myself. It gave me a glimpse of hope in knowing that they got through it and are leading wonderful lives, and so can I. You can too. Just be careful with the balance of how many people you share your struggle with, some people unfortunately can be cruel.                                                                        
8. Finding the positives in every day - There really is so many things in each day that we can thank God for. So many of His blessings are everywhere, big and small. Maybe writing in a gratitude journal could be a visual reminder of the things that are good in your life. This practise helped me, and still does.                                                                                    
9. Speaking out Gods Word -  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4.                     No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.  So do not fear, for I am with you;    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10. Find yourself some verses to speak out over your life, this is so powerful.       
   
10. Focus on the truth - You do have people in your life who love you, who need you. You've been made with a purpose, you are loved beyond measure. You will get through this. You will be made stronger through this. You're not alone. You're beautiful. There is help. There are people who understand.                                                                                                      
11. Establish a support network - I had a few people around me who would just pop in and check on me and ask if they could do anything. We had cuppas, sometimes they were just an amazing shoulder. I had some people who were holding me up in prayer, and still do, and I am so grateful for their faithful love and support of me in this way. Generally the people who really love you will help you any way they can, if you're not staying silent. You must tell people who are very trustworthy that you are struggling.                                                                                                                                                                                                        
12. Don't give up! - This is the most important point. Don't give up on God, on your medications, on your support network, on the power of prayer, on the power of God's word, on your psychiatrist appointments, on claiming and speaking out the truth. But most importantly, incredibly precious soul who my heart is breaking for because I know where you are ... most importantly, don't give up on yourself. It's not the answer, it's not the solution. You will get through this, I know you will. Please believe me. Your life is worth so much to so many. 

Depression is a part of living in a sin-sick world. It's like any other physical or psychological condition. The only reason people don't understand is because they've not experienced it firsthand. Those of us who have experienced it need to realise that if people don't understand it, it's through no fault of their own. It's impossible for someone to comprehend depression fully without experiencing it. It still effects these people though (in more ways than I have time to list), they're seeing the person they love suffer and they're not sure how to help. (This has been my experience anyway) They want to help, they just can't relate well. Let them help you in the ways they can, it is all out of love for you. 

I'm so relieved to know that there is so much reliable help out there for people suffering with depression. I'm so relieved to know that the medical world is slowly removing the stigma that was related to depression and people are seeing that it's not something that make people 'different' to them, they just go through seasons of serious struggle. 

I'm so relieved to know that our God is greater than all of these sicknesses that the enemy loves to throw into our path; that Jesus conquered over all of it on the cross, that He keeps His unchanging promises, that we have our hope in Him, that He is the anchor for our soul, that He is faithful to carry us when we can't take another step, that He never ceases to pour out His love on us, that He is our over comer in everything. God loves you you know, he really really loves you down to the very core of your inner most being. He's crazy about the person that you are, the person that He delighted in making. I'm so relieved to know that He didn't give up on me, and He won't give up on you either. 

There is always growth after pain and suffering.

A Prayer

Father God, I praise Your name. You alone are powerful, You are faithful, You are the One true living God. I praise You for Your faithfulness, I praise You for Your goodness, I praise You for Your grace. Forgive me of the many times that I sin and fall. Forgive me when my eyes are distracted off of You and following Your ways. I know that I can't be a wife and a mother without You. Without You teaching me, correcting me, forgiving me, giving me Your wisdom. I just can't do this without You. 

You know my many weaknesses, You see the stress that overwhelms our family at times. You see the hurt and the pain. You see the unforgiveness, help me to forgive. You see the good times, the joyous times, the times that I want to last forever. Lord, I need you more and more everyday. I love you so much more than I can say. 

I know your plans for me, my husband and my four children are for our good. I claim that today. I know when I'm weak, You are strong. More than anything I desire Your name to be glorified in my life and in the lives of my husband and children. For You to be glorified in our home. My heart beats for this. It is You and Your ways, Your plans that I long for. Strengthen me please Lord, cause me to rely on You. You are everything to me.  I love being Yours.

In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Five 'Things' That Make My House A Home

Pre-loved items, I love them. The story they tell, the lives who used them, the memories they stir. It's only been in the last few years that I've really grasped my love of all things vintage. I knew as a teenager that I was drawn to 'old-style' things, but now as an adult I realise that it's a part of who I am. 

While visiting family last week I was given some vintage treasures from my in laws. They are not 'stuff' people, that's just not who they are, and in all honesty I don't think I am either. I just can't resist something that once belonged to people that I love. I've found myself becoming very picky with what I decorate my home with, and vintage, pre-loved, but practical items are most important. We scoured second-hand book shops and op-shops too, where I found some book bargains that I'm excited about!

Making a house a home has always been something that is very important to me. Not for appearance sake, but as a way to create memories, warmth, comfort, peace and love within these walls for the people that I love. 

There are five things that I've discovered, for me, that go along way in making my house a home. If these things are pre-loved, then it's even better!

1. Photographs and art
2. Books, books and more books
3. Candles
4. Cushions and blankets (especially crotchet or patch work blankets!)
5. Old furniture

This gorgeous old timber box was my father in laws. It has his name on the top and so I'm hesitating to refurbish it. I do like blue. What do you think? Should I restore it or not? I think it's going to be my second 'family memories box' when my first one's full!

The books to the left are sweet little stories that have old-fashioned values and gorgeous illustrations! My Little Miss P is really enjoying Enid Blyton books, so when we found some at a great price, we grabbed them for her school holiday enjoyment! Hopefully Little Miss J will enjoy them as she gets older too!

My girls love poetry and this hard-cover book was a bargain at only $5.00! It's in beautiful condition and the illustrations are, again, so sweet. We'll be enjoying many winter nights snuggled in our beds reading this together!

Our family loves reading together and I'm looking forward to reading through the 'Little House' series by Laura Ingalls Wilder after we've finished reading the 'Chronicles of Narnia'. I was very happy to find some of the series cheaply to add to the ones we already own. Has anyone read 'All in the blue unclouded weather' by Robin Klein? I've not seen it before and it looks like such a sweet girls story, I'm looking forward to reading it with my daughters!

This volume of Narnia has all seven stories in it, it's also our third copy of the Narnia series. This copy was $12.00 and I'm going to be using it to highlight favourite quotes and scribble notes in, the others are not to be drawn in! It was cheaper to purchase the one volume rather than individual copies, as they were $4 - $5 per book, so that would've made it much more than $12.00 and much more than I was wanting to spend!

The Treasury of Narnia was just irresistible! It's full of Narnia goodness and I really look forward to enjoying this one by firelight! 

Our sweet kitty Ollie enjoys the new perch! I brought two journals that were discounted, honestly, just because I'm addicted to journals! The blue one was a beautiful gift from my brother in law and his girlfriend, very lovely! 

My other brother in law gave me this copy of 'My Utmost For His Highest', the incredible devotional by Oswald Chambers, I now enjoy my quiet times with it and the 'Living Light' devotional that I snapped up for $3.00. 'Christ in Isaiah' looks like a very interesting read.

Does anyone else think that 'if I'm going to need practical storage then it may as well be pretty?'  Well I couldn't pass up the gorgeous red tin from Dad and the long metal ones, they're perfect for holding pens and craft pieces. The candle holders fit my love of birds, my second favourite colour, green, the vintage look and the candle criteria! I look forward to lighting them! The bottles I grabbed as they were only $2.50 each and well, I'll find a practical use for them somewhere!

This teacup and saucer belonged to my husbands Grandmother. She was an incredible woman and Mum gave this set to me as she doesn't want 'stuff', but this is the kind of stuff that I love! I think of Grandma each time I look at it's pretty yellow blooms!

I collect teapots and some teacups and so these have been added to my collection. I don't see this collection as being essential to my home-making, it's just something that I enjoy, especially when my girls and I have tea parties together!

My sister in law took me to a new Costco store that's opened here in Australia ... big mistake! You should see the books there! I snapped up this complete audio CD set of Beatrix Potter stories (below), I thought the girls could listen to them as they go to sleep some nights!

I love learning about writing and these books were bargains! The 'Spiritual Writing' looks particularly good, has anyone read these before?

I went through the phase of having my dinner ware matching, and I have recently started collecting miss-matched vintage pieces, as they're more 'me'. These were gifted to me by my brother in laws girlfriend too ... they are beautiful! I brought the pink flowery one for $1.

I smile when I see our table set with old-fashioned beauty.

It gets so cold here in winter, and my children like to snuggle up as they feel the cold. Little Miss J especially as she's so tiny and thin. I brought this patchwork single bed blanket for only $5.00, it's in perfect condition and very warm!

The photo above is of my gorgeous husband (the cute little one on the right with the cheeky grin!) and his older brother. Mum gave this photo in the frame to me as she said she has plenty of photos of her boys, I'm so grateful to have it! It sits on top of Dads blue timber box.

I saved my favourites till last. These chairs were hand-made by my husbands Grandfather when he first married. They used them in their first family home, that was seventy-five years ago. I've placed them on our front veranda so we can enjoy cuppas out there. I'm really not sure if I want to refurbish these or not, I love them as they are all chipped and showing their history, but I can also see them restored. Help! What's your opinion?!

How do you enjoy decorating your home? Are you true to you and your style? What's important to you in your decorating?

I love these quotes by Edith Shaeffer ...

“I am sure that there is no place in the world where your message would not be enhanced by your making the place (whether tiny or large, a hut or a palace) orderly, artistic and beautiful with some form of creativity, some form of ‘art’ .

“It is true that all men are created in the image of God, but Christians are supposed to be conscious of that fact, and being conscious of it should recognise the importance of living artistically, aesthetically, and creatively, as creative creatures of the Creator. If we have been created in the image of an Artist, then we should look for expressions of artistry, and be sensitive to beauty, responsive to what has been created for us” .

Making my house a home is something that I'll never grow tired of ... will you?

(Linking up with the beautiful Homespun Oasis)