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.

Our Inspiring English Unit!

"Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, 
you can live your dreams".

For this term in English, my two eldest children (year 10 and year 7) are studying the novel 'Gifted Hands' by Ben Carson, M.D.

So that I could effectively help my kids with answering some of the questions if needed, I decided to read the novel for myself. I devoured it in two days, it was such an inspiring read!
His life story and the dedication of his mother, who was determined to have her sons believe the best in themselves, is powerful.

Ben Carson becomes a world-class pediatric neurosurgeon at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Growing up in poverty-stricken Detroit with his mother and elder brother, Curtis, Ben could have never dreamed of the future that lay ahead for him. When 9-year-old Ben's father abandons his family, his heart is broken with the hurt lasting a life-time... (read the rest here)

“By reading so much, my vocabulary automatically improved along with my comprehension.” 

I learnt a lot through this book, as a Christian, as an individual, but most of all, as a mother. I'm encouraged by the strong will and the sacrifices of Sonya Carson, and I could only pray that my influence on my childrens hearts, minds and lives will be anything close to hers on her boys! 

"My favorite subject was recess. Fortunately for me, I had a mother who believed I was smart."

If you've not read this book, I really encourage you to. 
It makes a great English unit for our children to learn the requirements of the English language, but even more than that, it implants a contagious zeal into their hearts to be the best they can be in whichever area they choose; to put God first, to treat others with respect, to use the gifts and talents God gave them for the benefit of others, and to keep on keeping on when things seem to be impossible.

“No knowledge is ever wasted.” 

I've found some links for you, in case you're wanting to use this book as a resource for your childrens learning, or just to read for yourself! For study guides, click here, here and here. You can purchase the book for yourself here, here, or here! Also, here is a link to FREE Ben Carson note booking pages and handwriting... love free stuff!

“God has an overall plan for people’s lives and the details get worked out along the way, even though we usually have no idea what’s going on.” 

I hope you and your children enjoy this biography as much as we have! 

What an inspiration Ben Carson is to so many! 
Praise God for his wonderful, life-saving, gifted hands!




(Linking up with this blog here!)

But Hope ...

This time of year fills my heart with hope. The sweet atmosphere that lingers in the home, candles lit and dancing their glow around the walls. Beautiful decorations chosen and hung with love and care to adorn the tree, making their own stunning statement. The spicy aroma of gingerbread men cooking in the oven. Turkish delight being simmered with rose-scented air filling the kitchen. Lights that twinkle and shine out making the whole scene magical. Children with eyes full of wonder and excitement at the entire jolly ordeal. 

But, hope.

Hope of salvation, hope of an eternity to come that truly will be magical. 

Hope that all that is wrong and evil and desperate in the world could possibly pause, and in it's place be poured out peace, love, joy and thankfulness. 

Generosity, giving. 

The hope that all is not lost.

The display my 13 year old son made for his bedroom.

The display my eleven year old daughter made for her bedroom.

All hope is found in that little tiny innocent baby that rested on the hay; fully God-child.

In Him, and only Him, comes all the hope that we'll ever need, 

now, and all through the year.

Merry Christmas, may your hearts be full of hope in Christ.

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!

Endless ...

This homeschooling thing is hard. 

Very hard.

I never thought it would be a walk in the park, that's for sure; but I still had no idea how hard it would be. I suppose that's how life works really; not having a full comprehension of a situation until you find yourself in the middle of it. 

I WISH I HAD A MAGIC WAND.

This morning I woke to no milk at all and the DESPERATE need for a strong, strong hot coffee. 

I find it amusing how the difficult days seem to be the ones that are always in slow motion. Fizzing out brain cells one repeat at time. For example, I've lost count of how many times I've repeated the instructions, "do your school work", "sit still", "listen to what I'm saying", "stop starring up at the spider in his web who's going about his day, when you're supposed to be DOING YOUR SCHOOLWORK!". 

At least the spider's being productive.

I've entered the world of 'endless'. 

Endless questions, endless cleaning, endless instructions, endless interruptions, endless noise, endless fights to settle, endless unfinished thoughts, endless errands, endless washing ... and then ...

... then, my thirteen year old son comes and wraps me in a long embrace. Exhale.

My eight year old daughter comes and happily announces, "You're the best mummy in the world!".

Even with all my mess and my stuff ups, that's how they see me. That's how my God sees me. Exhale.

NOTHING will ever be perfect,  but even in my world of 'endless' ... I'm perfectly blessed.

Intimacy With God - A Different Bible Study Method

Digging deeper into God's Word is something that I really want to do more of on a daily basis. My pastors wife and I were discussing this one day and she gave me a great idea of how to draw more out of verses that I love!

We all know about 'thought bubbles' when it comes to writing, but she suggested using this same method for learning more about scripture too! I immediately loved the idea, because, as you know, I love anything and everything to do with writing (even using a dictionary and thesaurus!)

It may seem like a less personal way to study the precious word of God, but I've found that it adds more depth of meaning to the verses and more of a handle on how to apply it to my life. Which is what we all need to do more of, I'm sure!

So, here's the process ...

• find a favourite Bible verse that you want to memorise and dig deeper into
• write this verse in the middle of your page with a circle around it
• circle/highlight/underline the most significant words of the verse for you
• using a dictionary and thesaurus find meanings of selected words and write them branching off each word
• find other Bible verses that are about chosen words and write them branching off definitions

Easy to understand? I'll show you ...

 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

2 Timothy 1:7

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.

Philippians 4:8

This is definitely something that I will continue to do as a part of how I study God's Word. I desire to be a women who pours out the word of God; living words that refresh, guide, encourage, correct. I know that I can't live this life and fulfil all that God has given me to do at each stage, without the guidance that comes from His Word. God's Word is life to us; it should be our priority. 

Our most valuable possession in this life is our intimacy with God. 

We have to determine how intimate we are going to be with Him. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Enjoy being intimate with God this week!

Pondering Hope

The last couple of days I've been pondering hope. 

Particularly the hope that we have of heaven. 

We allow ourselves to become so blinded into thinking that this life here on earth is reality. I've mainly been doing this pondering while driving in the car, and I don't really know why this particular stream of thought has been working it's way into my conscious while behind the steering wheel, maybe it's because I'm more focused and it's quieter. Whatever the reason, I like to take notice when these thoughts keep showing up.

I really love how God is not limited in where and when He speaks to us; it can sometimes be in the most oddest place we receive the greatest revelation. And so, while driving lately I've been struck deeply and reminded of the truth that this earth is not reality. It's only just the beginning. Did you hear that? It's only just the beginning. 

We have the hope of heaven! The hope of Glory. It is undeniable, unchangeable,  irremovable, unending .... and it can't ever be erased!  Heaven is real and it is where we are headed; it is home!

This is the eternal mindset that we must cling to everyday. We are not here to bring earth to earth, but heaven to earth. We are here to show the world a glimpse of what it is that is irreversibly ours through Christ! What they can also have!

Throughout the coming week I hope to find myself pondering more of Who God is, more of His promises to me, more of what I need to do for Him ... and praising Him. Praising Him for the incredibly beautiful God that He is. 

We have the hope of heaven; the overwhelming hope of glory.

Let it sink in this week.

Image from AVirtuousWoman.org, from Pinterest.

My Favourite Quotes on Home and Motherhood

"You create the atmosphere in the home with your attitudes"  - Elisabeth Elliot.

"How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him".

"Unthinkably good things can happen in the home. Ridiculously rich and loving are children who are safe and secure".

"A Christian home should be a place of peace, and there can be no peace where there is no self-denial" - Elisabeth Elliot

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts" - C.H. Spurgeon

"I can interact with the members of my family in a constant state of dependence and prayer, asking God to work in me and through me, and resting in the fact that He will accomplish His will in-spite of me".

"Aim high, sweet mama. And when mistakes come, know they are covered by the One who holds all in His hands, and whose mercies are 'new every morning'"! - Sally Clarkson

"A mother can make a veritable heaven of any home, simply by the choice of her words. For a few short years, what she says IS! She shapes reality for the entire family via her tongue" - Renee Ellison

"Nothing can compare in beauty, and wonder, and admirableness, and divinity itself, to the silent work in obscure dwellings of faithful women bringing their children to honor and virtue and piety".    - Henry Ward Beecher

Have a beautiful week!

(Take me back to the Introduction Page)

(A Write 31 Days Post)

Blessings

This is not the post that I had planned to write for today's 31 Days of Everything Home, but while I was browsing Instagram and other blogs this morning, this quote below from 'Incourage' stood out to me. It's been playing on my mind for the whole day.  

As Christian wives, Mothers and Homemakers, we truly desire to live lives of genuine gratitude to God; setting the example for all those who look to us for guidance and encouragement. But it's not always easy.

Stresses of the day; external circumstances beyond our control; eyes that sometimes covet the next persons lifestyle; lack of sleep; sickness; lack of finances; marital conflict; greed and selfishness; continual children's squabbling. I could go on. So many distractions to rob our souls of the peace and contentment that is ours in Christ. 

Perspective. The words above, to me, remind me about the importance of perspective. How I see my life. How I see myself, my marriage, my children, my home, my Church family, my ministry - everything in my life. Do I begrudgingly give of myself to these relationships and opportunities, feeling robbed of 'me'? Or, do I see it all as so many beautiful blessings that I 'get to' enjoy each and every day? Some as answers to prayers; most as the outpouring of His undeserved love and grace in my life. Oh how He loves us.

As I pondered the words 'get to', I began seeing all these things that are in my life as a privilege. 

I am a privileged child of God; 

you are a privileged child of God!

I thought about all the things that I 'get to' do that many others would only dream of ...

I get to ...

• tuck four children in to bed at night, safe and sound
• clean a beautiful home that provides shelter, comfort and fun for us all
• clean and bath two cats and one dog who have brought us much joy
• learn from my many mistakes
• prepare yummy and healthy meals each night for my family out of the pantry, not the rubbish bin
• clean a bathroom that has a shower and a bathtub and products to keep us clean
• do weekly shopping just down the road and bring it home to a cold fridge and freezer
• have enough provision to need to work out a budget each week
• make this house a home
• wash clothes in a machine and hang them out in a clean space, and put more than one set away in clean cupboards
• serve, love and support a man who loves me beautifully
• teach, train and equip my children in the ways of the Lord
• spend many hours helping kids with homework for their future opportunities
• use my voice to sing to God and be a part of our Church Music team
• spend many hours studying to be able to work at a later stage in life

There are so many blessings He gives me, gives us, gives you. I pray that I always have an attitude of gratefulness and 'getting to' do these things. 

Have a beautiful weekend praising God for all His blessings!

If you've missed out on the previous 31 Days of Everything Home posts, then here they are for you to read with your favourite hot drink in hand, enjoy! ...

... take me back to the Introduction Page.

(A Write 31 Days Post)

What On Earth Am I Here For? - Part Two & Three

I'm a little behind, I know, but here are the lessons that I've learnt in weeks two and three of 'What on Earth Am I Here For?' It's been a great few weeks of learning together as a Church family, as husband and wife and individually. 

Week two we learnt ...

... that we are called to be loved.

• The first purpose of our life is to be loved by God! Jude 1:1
• Our first calling is to enjoy a relationship with God. Rom 1:7
• That relationship is to be His son or daughter. Eph 3:17-19
• His love is wide enough to be everywhere, long enough to last forever, deep enough to handle anything, high enough to overlook our mistakes.

God's love is based on who HE is. His love for us is extravagant and lavish. God wants us to feel His love. He wants a family to love and He wants you and me in it!

What changes happen if we stay aware of God's constant love for us?

• We feel accepted rather than ashamed. Rom 5:1
• We can be bold in bringing our needs to God. Rom 8:14-15, 17. Heb 4:16
• We have peace in pain that we don't understand. Rom 8:28
• We gain courage to take risks. 1 John 4:18

Week three we learnt ...

... we are called to belong.

• The second purpose for our life is that God formed us for His family. Eph 1:5
• God's family is called His Church. 1 Tim 3: 14-15
• We are called to belong to His Church. Eph 2:19

The benefits of belonging ...

(Five Bible metaphors)

• In God's family we learn our identity. Eph 2:19, Heb 2:11
• In God's temple we are supported by others. Eph 2:21-22, Rom 1:12
• In Christ's body we discover our unique value. Rom 12:4-5, 1 Cor 12:15-16
• In God's flock we are protected and cared for. 1 Peter 5:2, Gal 6:2
• In God's garden our lives become productive. John 15:4-5

*********

Also, a reminder that it's definitely not too late to join in Sufficient Grace's first ever Instagram Photo Challenge for the month of August! To find all the information click here, I'd absolutely love to have you join in and spread the word! 

I'll be posting a week's worth of my Instagram pics on a post soon! 

I hope you're having a beautiful week!

What On Earth Am I Here For? - Part One

Our Church has just begun an exciting study together called "What on earth am I here for' by Rick Warren. I thought that I'd write a quick post each week to share with you what has been the main points that I've learnt that Sunday so that this way, you can be encouraged and also know a bit about the study for yourself in case you're wanting to work through it too!

So, these are the main points that I've learnt from the study so far, feel free to read the scriptures added as a part of your quiet time ...

• My calling is a gift from God - it's free. It's a flat out gift. Gal 1:6
• I am called for God's purpose - God did not make me for me. Eph 2:10
• God chose may calling before I was born - Gal 1:15 & Isaiah 44:2
• My sins and mistakes do not change my call - God has no plan B for me. 1 Tim 1:12-13
• My calling is permanent - Rom 11:29
• My calling is connected to others - I can't enjoy my destiny on my own - Eph 4:4
• God empowers what He calls me to do - 2 Thes 1:11
• There is a prize for living out my calling - Phil 3:14 & 1 Thes 2:12

Listen to God's Word everyday

Enlist friends who challenge you

Ask questions and accept correction

Remember and reinforce what I learn

Now DO it!

See you later this week! Have a beautiful day!

His Beauty

As promised, here are my photos that I took with my daughter Little Miss P. 

I used manual focus on these photos. I've only just started to experiment with manual photography, and I'm really enjoying it!

"I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it." - William Shakespeare

And why do you worry about clothes? 

See how the flowers of the field grow.

They do not labour or spin. 

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his

splendor was dressed like one of these.

- Matthew 6: 28-29

When I consider your heavens, 

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim in the path of the sea.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8: 3-9.

It never ceases to amaze me how every time I take photographs, I'm awakened again and again to the absolute beauty that God has so perfectly created. I end a photo session with such a full heart and such an overwhelming awe of Who God is, the Master Artist. 

Photography encourages my worship of our great God; it insists upon making me thankful; how could I not be for all He has created and done in my life? I love Him so much.

I hope you have a worshipful week, seeing His beauty everywhere.