A Cup of Fresh Water

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(Romans 12:2)

It's a simple truth isn't it?  One that we have heard many times.

Recently my five year old son Jack and I have had many discussions around this truth.  Let me give you an example.  There was a movie that Jack really wanted to watch.  The conversation went like this

But I really want to watch _______. 

Why do you want to watch it?

Everyone else at school is allowed to watch it.  Why can't I?

I'm sure you've all heard this one before.  I have even tried it myself with God a few times. 

This is how our discussion ended

Do you think Holy Spirit would be happy if you watched it?  Have you asked God?

No, He wouldn't like it. 

Why do you think He wouldn't like it?

It would give me bad dreams.  Like that other one did.

So it's not that I won't let you watch it, but that you need to make the right choice to show God how wise you are.  In the bible He tells us that we need to guard what we see, hear and think.  Other wise we take things in that might hurt us. So really when you think about it, those other boys at school are the silly ones for watching things that might give them bad dreams.  I guess it's up to you to choose whether you really want to watch those things or not.

Silence

Yeah, I don't want to.  There's heaps of other things to watch.  I feel better now. 

I think you've made a clever choice, you must be growing up.  Let's think about what else you can watch.

So much of what we allow into our hearts and minds hinders the work that God is doing in our lives.  In going through things like this with my family, it reminds me to be vigilant with my own mind and heart.    I am not talking about cutting myself off from the world and entertainment, but being wise in my choices.  We are given Holy Spirit as a guide, and we must if we profess to know Jesus, take his advice in all we do- in the bookstore, in the video shop, surfing the net, watching TV, in our conversations. 

Think of it like a drinking fountain.  If you want to drink of clean fresh water, you don't pollute up the water do you?  I want my life to be a tap for God's living water.  When someone comes to me thirsty I don't want to hand them a cup of mud, but a refreshing drink that will leave them feeling loved and revitalised. 
. 

This week has been a reminder to me to clean out the filter on my rainwater tank.  When was the last time you checked yours?

The Fog

Fog is all encompassing isn't it?  The last two mornings we have had very thick fog while driving Don out to the airport.  Fog so thick, that we can not see the rear lights of the car in front of us.  There is beauty in the fog and the way it lies across the terrain, but today I don't want to tell you about it's beauty as much as it's danger. 

When driving there were some cars that had not turned on their headlights.  We could not physically see them until we were face to face.  And what struck me the most is that our headlights were not so much for ourselves, they barely help in the fog, they were to warn others where we are there so that they too can keep safe.  By having our headlights on, we were a beacon of warning providing a sign to show how we travelled.

So it is when we are filled with Holy Spirit.

When God reigns in our lives, we are lights in the darkness, a beacon in the fog.  Sometimes the fog will be so thick that the light will do little to help you see where you are going. You may feel like you are wandering and cannot see far in order to know your path.  Still we keep moving, bit by bit revealing the next part of the road ahead.  And in the meantime our light shines to warn others that we are on the move, that we travel a safe path, and we provide a guiding light so that others can travel safely as well.  It allows the other drivers of this life to make choices about their own journeys.  And one day who knows they too may even choose to switch on their own lights and provide a bit of light for others as well.  Our little light shining in the fog may bring others to realise that they are traveling in the dark.

Today Don is flying his Commercial Pilot's Licence Test again.  We are having a farewell morning Tea at ACMA and Sam and I will continue to pack at home.  We can see the next little part of our path and we are going in with our lights blaring.  Let it be a warning to all who see, that we are not lost in the fog.

Life In Abundance

God has given us a promise for Sam and his life. The first part of that promise is John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   

His words to us were 'Sam will live and have life in abundance.  He will tell the nations about my healing power.'

In the last few days I have been prompted to study these words more closely and God has been speaking to me about what it means to have life in abundance.  The rich vibrancy of the original Greek language brings a whole new understanding of the words, and clarifies God's promise to us. 

I came that they may have life (egw hlqon ina zwhn ecwsin).

Imagine a thread that is woven throughout the fabric of time,  one that has no beginning and no end.  The thread has always been and always will be.  For a time we were/are separated from the thread of life because we have changed colour and have chosen to move in a different direction.  Sadly our thread will end while the thread of life continues on.  Then by grace alone we are invited back to the the thread of life, just when our end is in sight.  We are invited to be grafted back into the thread of life, to continue to weave a picture that is wrought by the hand of the Creator himself.

'ecwsin' is a present and active word, speaking of the life that Jesus gives.  It is not that Jesus came to give life for a season, He came to bring life that is eternal and perpetual, it will never end.  This passage not only brought hope to those whom heard the words with their own ears, but to every other soul who will accept the words and receive them.  How truly marvelous is the truth that is not bound by time.

And may have it abundantly (kai perisson ecwsin).
Water is a life giver.  I love to bask in the water and feel it swirl and refresh my body and soul.  I wonder if you have ever tried to hold water in your hands.  To bring your hands up through the water and watch as it slips through your fingers.  Our hands cannot possible contain all of the water that surrounds us. 

This is the picture God gives me of the word 'persisson', which means to have surplus and overflow.  The word that follows is 'ecwsin' which  reminds us again that the overflow is continual and will never end.

Life that God pours out into us cannot be contained in our hands but is held in our spirits and overflows to impact and touch the people around us.  God has told us that he has hidden eternity in the Human heart.
...He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end (Ecc 3:11).  This eternity is found in knowing Jesus and the more we know Him, the more abundant that life is. 

I watch my son Sam, and I see God's word fulfilled in his life and ours as well. It is my hearts desire that we would continue to live in the promise that God has given us. 

God spoke to me of this abundance of life when Sam was in ICU with his chest still open, I could clearly see his heart beat.  He reminded me that he chose to use the Doctors hands to work on his heart, but it was his spark of life that sustained Sam's heart and makes it beat.  It is his breath of life that ensures that Sam's days will go on, and it is His son Jesus that guarantees that our lives are eternal and full of abundance.

God continues to speak to me almost daily of his abundance.  To be overflowing with life we must spend time dwelling with the Life Giver.  There is no place that I would rather be. 

Reference: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/robertsons-word-pictures/john/john-10-10.html

Christmas Anticipation

We love to celebrate Christmas in our home.  Our Christmas tree goes up sometime in November and gifts begin appearing under the tree soon after.  We delight in remembering Jesus in this way, and the excitement that comes with the celebration.  I am aware that people celebrate Christmas in many different ways but this is a valued part of our family's celebration. It's not that the gifts are extravagant but it is the expectation that builds while waiting, that quickens the heart and sharpens the spirit, while warming the soul.

I love the excitement and anticipation that comes in the lead up to giving and opening those blessings.  For weeks before our children long to receive and open their gifts.  Over time they learn to be patient and wait, even though it is difficult to contain their excitement.  And the surprise on Christmas Day is always worth the wait. 

Our society does not like to wait for anything. We have a become a people who watch on demand, and look for instant gratification of our desires.  I love that this little part of our Christmas tradition calls on us to have patience and wait.  Because there is much in the life of faith that is all about waiting.
We wait in anticipation for the return of our King Jesus.  We wait for Him with great excitement building in our hearts.  The bible counsels us to not grow weary in waiting but look forward to the day of our great reunion.  Oh, what delight awaits us all on that day!  The day that we get to look upon the face of the one who saved us.

And what is anticipation?

HOPE

When I gaze upon the star that adorns our tree, I behold in my minds eye Jesus returning triumphant and bright in splendor.

When I see the presents under the tree, I remember that God's presence is with us always. Emmanuel 'God with us'.

The glitter of lights and twinkle of glistening decorations reminds me of God's glory that rests upon us, by the power of Holy Spirit.

Yes, HOPE is renewed at Christmas. The flame of of my steadfast faith is fanned at Christmas and I feel my spirit not only remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus, but also His imminent return to embrace His people.

May each one of you be at peace this Christmas and make many new memories to take with you into the New Year.

A Crab Dinner

Yesterday I traveled to Lilydale in search of two crabs for our anniversary dinner this evening.  Crab is one of the things that Don and I love to taste and never have. Crab is just not available in Yarra Glen, there is no such luxury.  I returned home yesterday empty handed but ended up doing something else in town that is also a God story, which I shall keep for another day.I  have to tell you that we had a bit of a full on day today, I ended up at the doctor with a mild case of conjunctivitis (which I have not had since I was a child), Jack's kindy break up was on and Don had a big clean up day at ACMA.  He arrived home this afternoon after 5pm and we had nothing planned to celebrate our 11 years together.  So off to our local supermarket we went in search of something special for dinner.  As we wandered in, a gift was waiting for us...............................................................................you guessed it there in the deli department sat two blue swimmer crabs.  I almost danced with joy.  This is a deli that only ever has frozen seafood, a handful of prawns and a few fillets of fish, and today they had for sale two crabs.  Heaven heard the prayers of my heart and God provided for us a little taste of paradise.

God honoured the desires of my heart with a crab dinner.

Tonight we honoured Him as we delighted in each other.  We shared a meal with our children and all had communion together.  Jack even made sure we had a chair for Jesus. 

Simple, full of love and sprinkled with blessing from our God. 

Thank you God for the 11 years that I have shared with my husband.  He is truly a blessing to me in every way.

Forgive Yourself

Most of us have learned the lesson of forgiving others.  There are times we have been hurt, offended, let down and condemned and we have had to be able to forgive those who have wronged us, and give them back to God.  It is clear in the bible that if we do not forgive others, then neither will be be forgiven by God.

What I want to speak about today is much more sinister.  It stops us from spending time with God, and it is the devils number one tool against mothers.  It is called guilt.

You know of what I speak. I hear the nagging whispers condemning me, they tell me,

'You don't spend enough time with your husband, you don't spend enough time with God, you need to do more for your children, you are not as appealing since you have had children, you don't exercise enough, you don't spend your time wisely, you don't write as well as your peers, you don't pray enough, you can't rest your home isn't clean.'

I want to remind you today that if the whispers you hear are putting you down and condemning you, they are not the whispers of your Saviour.  God will not condemn you.  God will speak and ask you to change parts of your life.  He may say,

'Your husband desires you so much and he needs you, I would love to talk with you I am here anytime, look at the smile on your son's face as you play with him, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, exercise will help you clear your mind and strengthen your body, invest you time in Me and I will use it for my glory, your writing glorifies me and I am pleased with you, I long to hear your voice in prayer, work a little but then rest and listen to me'.

Firstly we must stop listening to the lies of the enemy.  Secondly we need to forgive ourselves before we can go to God and ask for forgiveness.  We need to let go of the guilt we carry around in our spirits.  It is a roadblock that stops us form being intimate with God.  It also allows the enemy to have a foothold in our hearts.  We must forgive ourselves, ask for God's forgiveness and then live life guilt free, in truth and love.  For we must remember:

Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.(1 John 3:20)

As God told me today, I encourage you:

You will never be any more beautiful to me than you are at this moment.  This moment when you come before me guilt free, washed clean by the blood of my Son.  Do not conform your mind to the lies of this world, listen for my voice as it beckons and calls with great love and affirmation.  I am a  God of love words.  Even when I correct I do it in love.  Be at peace and come sit by me, I have much to share with you.  There must be nothing between us, guilt cannot stand in the presence of my perfect love.

Something Amazing to Share

Last weekend I had a dream.  One that I have not shared on the blog, as I was waiting on God to reveal the truth behind it.  I would like to share it with you now, if you will spend a moment with me.

I was walking down to the beach, holding hands with Jesus.  It was on dusk, and the sky was a myriad of colour.  The breeze was warm and the sea was calm.  We sat near the waters edge, next to one another, our legs curled up onto our chests, looking out to the vast ocean.  Occasionally I would glance over at Him and admire his features, and how his hair blew in the breeze, and then I would look away quickly.  He would do the same, as we delighted in each others company.  It was like we were on a first date, and enjoying just being together.  It was such a  special time.  When our gaze met finally, he smiled (oh that smile can light up a thousand worlds), and motioned with his eyes and hand, to look down at our feet on the sand.  The waves had been lapping at the sand exposing large pebbles by our feet. The pebbles were brilliant and golden, still partially embedded in the sand.  As I picked up a pebble, it's highly polished surface reflected the face of a woman getting out of her car.  The picture was not still but moved like in a film.  I was watching someones life.  I looked back at him amazed,  he threw back his head, and laughed and asked me to pick up another.  As I looked down, and then along the beach I noticed that these were hundreds of these stones that had been exposed all along the sand.  As I looked at the ones at my feet, I saw more faces, a women in her kitchen in a robe, and a man asleep on his bed.  I looked to Jesus and  he answered my questions without opening his mouth, 'You must go and talk to all of these people.' He knew my mind and we seemed to be able to communicate without speech.  I felt such peace at his command, but was very curious as to how this would eventuate. When I awoke, I thought to myself 'How could I possibly reach that many people?' God spoke and told me to 'Wait and see.' 

I share this with you not to exalt myself, but to exalt God that can do anything. We serve such a creative and limitless God.

Well this time I did not have to wait for long, for God's plan to unfold.

God has opened an exciting door in the last few days.  I was contacted by Wesley Mission to appear on their television program called 'Wesley Impact!', to share by interview our story with Sam and God.  The program is prerecorded and will go to air on Mother's Day in 2012.  How amazing is God!  This is how I will speak to many people.

Next Saturday I will fly to Sydney to the Foxtel Studios to record the interview.  Wesley Mission is even paying for my flights.  I will get to share our God story and encourage others, and I give all glory to God for the honour.

I ask for your prayers, that God would give me the words to speak. Just as he promised the apostles that they need not worry about what they will say, but that  Holy Spirit will give them the words.  Please pray that the recording will go well and that the travel to and from Sydney will be blessed.  And most of all pray that hearts will be touched, and lives transformed by God's workings in our own lives.

When I think of his delight in surprising me, and the curiousness of his request, I sit in wonder.  When I think of all of the faces I saw,  and how he loves each one of them, it overwhelms me.  When I think that he has chosen me for such a task is unends me.  I am nothing, He is everything and that is enough for me.
Hallelujah!!

PS.  Sam's heart review at the Children's Hospital is the day before I leave to record this interview.  God's timing is perfect for all things.  

Riches Untold

I am abundantly overflowing with treasures.  This weekend I had the delight of spending time with God's girls at a retreat, a place where we just gather to be with God.  It is a rare treat for me.  I let alone have times alone in the shower, never mind a whole day.  It was a day that I just got to 'be' with my Jesus.  In the time we stole away together I have returned with a bounty of heavenly treasures, that I did no know existed until I received them.  I spent time enjoying the presence of my Lord, and my heart soared when he expressed His love for me.  It was a time of great intimacy with God, and also a time of great encouragement and uplifting for the women of God.

The last few months have been very busy for me, I have not lingered in the arms of Jesus, in the way that I desire. God knows.  He knows that I was longing for more time with Him, and this weekend He swept me off of my feet.

I would encourage you to find time, to seek Him out.   To let Him confirm and fill your heart to overflowing with his unending and abundant treasures.

One of the royal treasures He gave me, was to remind me of who I am in His Kingdom.  I say this here not to boast about myself, but to boast about what He had done for me.  Seek Jesus and ask him to reveal who you are to Him.  (I must point out that many of us shared our Kingdom identities over the weekend and not one of them was the same.)  We have a remarkably creative and wonderful God.

My name is Nicole Watson. I am a beautiful and vibrant light in the darkness, welcoming in the spirit, drawing others to God.  I am a solid fortress, a rock, with strong foundations, established in the Word of God.  I am calm in spirit and abounding in faith, teaching and ministering to others, bringing honour to His name. I am His precious one.

As we all shared our true selves, it was as if we were finally seeing each other for who we truly are, it was breathtaking, inspiring, and we gave all glory to God. 

Would you dare to seek Him, and share with me your royal indentity?  I would be pleased to meet you.

My Hero

My boys love their Dad.  On our way to pick up Don yesterday afternoon, we were excited and talked about how we were going to collect my husband, and their Daddy. Jack piped up with, 'He's not my just Daddy Mum, he's my best friend.  He adores his Dad, and desires to grow just like him.  I remember doing the same thing with my Dad and Mum.

I am blessed to learn from my children.  Our children know how to mirror behaviour, and change their character to what they believe is the behavior of their hero or role model.  The photo above is a classic example.  It is Jack's way of drawing close to his Dad.  It is his way of saying,

'I'm watching you, and I am becoming like you. See me Dad.  Do you see me?'

Oh, how we as Christians need to be more like that!

We need to draw close to God by learning from Him, watching Him, experiencing Him every day of our lives.  We need to change our behaviour to reflect His, and we need to look adoringly at him and say, 

'I'm watching you, and I am becoming like you. See me Dad.  Do you see me?'

It is only by God's grace, and Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, that we can be changed.  I don't know about you, but I want to copy my heavenly Dad.  I want to be changed day by day to reflect Him, so that when I get to see Him face to face, He can look at me and see His likeness.

God is wonderful and glorious.  I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith... (Ephesians 3:16-17)

Vibrant Untainted Light

There is something alluring about oil lamps.  The gentle glow they provide is inviting, warm, and comforting, and yet their light is bright enough to spill into each corner of the room.  Oil lamps have been around for many centuries.  The pictures below show how they have changed over time. 

The lamps change much; their styles and materials vary, according to cultural change.  There is one things that remains constant throughout their time journey - the oil.

There are many passages in the bible that speak of lamps, most of them in relation to God's people.  People are constantly changing, just like the lamps have over the years.  They look differently, speak differently and live differently, but one things remains unchanged; they are still fueled by the same oil, Holy Spirit.

To this day, you must use clean, fresh oil in your lamp.  Using clean fresh oil ensures that the light is strong and constant.  Using unclean, or old oil in your lamp has dual affects.

1. Firstly, there will be an odour.  If you continue to use old oil in your lamp, there is every chance the vapour it is emitting will cause everyone to vacate the room.  We must keep a fresh infilling of God's Holy Spirit if others are to be drawn to His light.  We cannot live on someone elses annointing, a past annointing in or even yesterday's a annointing.  The fresh oil comes from spending time daily in the presence of God.

2. Secondly, the flame will smoke and soot.  If you continue to use old oil in your lamp, the soot and impurities from the flame will dull the light being omitted by the flame.  On newer lamps, it will even soot up the glass completely.  Clean oil is essential to burning a clean bright flame.  

When was the last time you allowed God to renew the oil in your lamp?

Something is Missing

Each one of us has a deep seated need to be happy.  It is not a want, but a need.  People wish us a 'Happy Birthday', 'Happy New Year', 'Happy Christmas', and 'Happy Easter'.  We smile at each other to 'cheer each other up', we tell jokes to make others laugh and we give gifts to see joy in the face of another.  Each of these gestures bring a small glimpse of joy, happiness and peace, and they are wonderful things to do for another. We seek joy in movies, music, relationships, sex, food, and dare I say it even work, our car, and our home.
The problem with seeking joy in this way, is that it lasts only a short time and then it is gone.  So we seek it out more and more to maintain our state of happiness, we work more,  we play more, we spend more, all in the hope of filling the gaping hole that is in each of us, a hole that is bottomless, and can only be filled by one thing.

God created us to be filled with himself.  He created us with a God shaped hole in our hearts, that can only be filled by him.  He is the only one equipped to meet our need to be happy.  When I speak of happiness, I don't mean a constantly laughing, hilarious kind of happy.  I mean a well known sense of completeness, joy in any circumstance and a peace that cannot be felt any other way.  His joy remains even in the darkest of places, in your day to day life, and in the mountain top experiences too.  The gaping hole left in each of us when we were separated from God in the Garden of Eden, must be filled by God, so that all of the other things we do in this life, the things we enjoy, do not consume us.  Otherwise we become addicted to to our hobbies, activities and experiences, as we try in our own strength to fill the bottomless pit of happiness. 

I liken this to when you go and do your grocery shopping.  I always make sure I eat something before I go grocery shopping, otherwise I buy what I don't need, and what I would like to eat at that moment.  I end up spending much more than I anticipated because I am hungry.  So it is with happiness...

If you live life without filling the God shaped hole in your heart, you will find the cost will be more than you can afford.

Pick Up Your Sword!

Now that we have put on our tiara's/crowns(read here), God is calling us to a higher purpose.  God has told us that the difficulties and challenges that we face each day, are not fought with our hands and feet, but with the spirit (Ephesians 6:12).  I believe it is high time we stop complaining about our situations and circumstances, and standing in our royal garb, take up the sword.  I see a stirring in the people of God after many years of defeat, a stirring that is awakening the warrior within.  No longer are his people content to whinge about the weather, their latest ailment or their financial situation.  There is a change happening deep within the human spirit, that has been emerged through the signs of the times.  I think we have finally come to realise that we are a catalyst for change.  We have been given power from on high to affect change on the earth.  We are able to do nothing without God in us, but by Him we can do all things(Phil 4:13).  He is empowering us by Holy Spirit.

In this last week we have had a tumultuous time of waiting. We are waiting to see if our home will sell, if we are moving interstate, we are waiting on Sam to be healed, we are waiting to hear if Don passes his medical, and we are waiting to see if the college will take Don mid year.  So much waiting and trusting and hoping.  And while all of this goes on, the enemy of discouragement comes.  This last week has seen us in the emergency department with Sam with suspected concussion.  An ambulance ride at 11.30pm, only to arrive home and well by 3.30am.  The enemy's pathetic attempt to keep us distracted and defeated.  We have had difficulties with home buyers, our finances, and a number of other problems.   It is these times on the front lines that our character is tested. 
With God's help we have learned again and again that this is not the time to accept the lies, become distracted and put your head under a pillow and scream.  This is the time when you take up your sword!  This is the time when you deal the enemy his biggest blow.  When you are on the back foot, the last thing he expects is for you to run and charge with sword drawn.
Shout God's promises, read them, meditate upon them.  Train your mind to block out all negative thoughts and desires.  Sing your heart out, even while the tears pour down.  I have people say to me, 'That all sounds very spiritual, but this is a real problem'. 

What we see before us is not the reality of what we fight.  The reality of the fight is in the spirit, and when we stand our ground there, we see the problems before our eyes and in our heart, transformed into blessing. 

Image source

Will you draw you sword brother and sister?  Will you stand with me on the battle ground?  Will you bring the Kingdom of Heaven down to Earth to prepare the way for the King?

Bible Stories Unleashed

As a child I remember being read exciting and dashing tales from the bible. Stories about life and death, sacrifice and slavery, and power and glory.  The truth was not held back from me.  The pictures in the bible story books were realistic and did not cover up vital elements of the story.  I remember asking many questions as the stories shocked me and penetrated deep down in my heart.  It was the truth of these stories that would later pave my own path on my way to the foot of the cross.  I vividly remember seeing children as a part of the crowd drowning in the Biblical flood and having to work through that with my Grandma and with God too.  It challenged me but made the story real to me too.

(Image source:The Bible for Children-Retold by Bridget Hadaway & Jean Atcheson, Cathay Books 1973)

  

Children’s bible stories today have been watered down and placated at the risk of exceeding a 'G rating'.  The characters in the pictures are often over animated and the words so dull, it is no wonder that our children go searching for more exciting, more adventurous, more dangerous entertainment.  I remember reading to my 3 year old son the biblical account of the battle of David and Goliath from my own bible.  As I read, I came to parts of the story I could have skipped or glossed over, the insults that were hurled at David, the retort from David’s own lips, the fact that David decapitates Goliath with his own sword.  However I chose to leave those details in.  I chose to give the real the account portrayed in the bible and see what God would do.  I saw my son’s eyes come alive! I saw him gasp in excitement and ask a multitude of questions.  I was amazed.  He was not terrified; he was enthralled, to the point that he could repeat the words said by both characters.  The next day was filled with playing out the story.  The Bible was alive to Him.  God was speaking to his young heart and leaving an imprint there.

It is no wonder that children are enamoured with Ben 10, Spiderman and every other action hero.  Children crave adventure and excitement.  The Bible is jam packed with vivid tales and truth from beginning to end.   We dearly need to embrace this and share it with our children, so that there is nothing more exciting than God and his adventures with his people.  When our children can learn to value and love the past, they can readily and enthusiastically embrace their future with God too.

Lets look at a quick example from the Gospels.

Jesus wakes up one morning and as he and the disciples push the boat out onto the lake, they asked where they are going that day.  Jesus tells them they are going across the lake to Gedara.  The disciples recoil in terror.  Hushed whispers come over them as they pile into the boat.  Gedara was the residing place a crazy demon possessed man.  They had heard the rumours of this man that was unable to be bound by rope or shackles that had superhuman strength and power and beat and hurt whoever came near.  He cut himself with sharp rocks and was covered in blood and caked dirt.  He lived in the tombs outside of the town and at night, the townspeople could hear him howl and moan in the darkness.   Why would Jesus want to go there? As the boat drew close to the edge of the beach at Gedara, the disciples began to shake with fear as they heard the howls of the mad man.  Jesus was steadfast and undeterred, focused and calm.  He had come to pick a fight.   They all disembarked the boat and started through the tombs and hills toward the town.  At once the demon possessed man ran at Jesus………and bowed low at his feet.  The disciples looked at each other in confusion.  The madman shrieked in a high pitched tone “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  In the name of God I beg you, don’t torture me!” Jesus replied firmly,” Come out of the man, you evil spirit. What is your name?”

And so you know how the story ends, a man is delivered. The town lost their supply of pork and the Kingdom of God prevailed over the kingdom of darkness.  What an exciting and dramatic account!  (Story compiled from Mark 5:1-18)

(Amazing storytelling credited to Nicole Conner)

I am not suggesting that we terrorise our young children so they can’t sleep at night, only that we are honest in our portrayal of the bible.  We want our children excited to embrace the bible, the good the bad and the ugly.  We want them to be inspired to share it with their friends.  We want the Spirit of God to work in their hearts from a young age.

We work so hard at trying to protect our children from many things in this fallen world.   The bible is a wonderful teaching tool to challenge our children’s thinking and guide them along the right path, all while engaging their imaginations and heart.  God’s Word truly is a treasure for every family.

A Day of Abundant Love and Renewed Vows

I guess when you read the title to this post you may have thought we had attended a wedding.  Although weddings are very beautiful, what I wish to share with you now is just as beautiful in it's splendor.

Yesterday we had the most amazing church meeting.  As my dear friend Jess and I led the worship, God broke through to our hearts, his glory came and tears flowed thick and fast while we praised his holy name.  Holy Spirit was so beautiful, so close, all I could do was weep and tell him how much  I love him.

Throughout the whole service God was so present that we felt like we were seated in heaven, such a  peace filled the room, our hearts, our minds. 

After the meeting a dear man in our church came to me and hugged me tight.  He had tears in his eyes when he released me.  I have great respect for this man because he has a servants heart and is gentle and kind.  Looking into my eyes, his own welling with tears, his voice came strained and emotion filled,

 "Your little boy is going to be healed.  God spoke and said to me that he is going to heal him and it will begin very soon. It will be gradual, not overnight.  He showed me a graph with a straight line rising smoothly on the graph, there were no bumps.  He will be healed and there will be no more obstacles."

I started to cry, with great joy and relief.  I hugged this man to within an inch of his life.  God shared this with him two weeks ago in our church prayer meeting.    I shared with him how in the last two weeks I have been under the most tremendous attack from the lies of the enemy (read here), and now I understood why.  God was moving and the devil was stepping up the game.  Praise God I held fast. Praise God he gives us the strength to endure.  Praise God that he is healing our little Sam!
I can't tell you how much this Word from God meant to me.  He knew the condition of my heart, and he has told us what he is going to do.  We wait in great anticipation for his words to be fulfilled.  God's vow to heal Sam has been renewed in my heart.  I feel like I have a fresh portion of faith instilled deep within my soul and it is dancing with great excitement. We have entered a new season.

Since Easter we have noticed a huge improvement in Sam's appetite and he is gaining weight which is a great sign.  I wonder what we will see next? 

And while we wait...

I will praise him loud and clear.  Because I can't help it!  Because I will burst out of my skin if I can't share the love that is burning like a roaring fire in my spirit. 

Place me like a seal over your heart,like a seal on your arm.For love is as strong as death,its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire,the brightest kind of flame. (Song of Solomon 8:6)

Trio (Part 2)

(To better understand this post please read the one before it :)  Thanks )
The fear and doubt that has been plaguing me came in the form of unrelenting whispers such as;

Sam will not ever be healed. 
You have written a book professing that he will be healed, and he won't.  What a joke!
No one is going to be changed by reading your story, it isn't really that special.
The world will laugh at you for your beliefs, God doesn't always want to heal.

Ahhhhhhh!
Shut up, shut up, shut up, In the name of precious Jesus get out!

This fear was dealt a massive blow last night when God turned up in my bedroom and enveloped me in his strong warm warms and I felt his peace flood my mind and body.  I slept like a baby in my Father's arms last night.  I know it won't be the end of the fight, but God won this battle.  You see when you do something big for God, like share your heart, your family and you obey him with blind obedience, the enemy will come in like a flood.

We have a God that is bigger than the flood and the fire! 

When the enemy comes with his lies, don't entertain them in your mind, as I did this week.  Be prepared with the Word of God in your heart and stand firm.  Speak out his Word and his promises and God will do the rest. 

Sam will be healed.  It is by Jesus' stripes we are healed.  Jesus came so that we could have life and life more abundantly.  He heals the sick and the lame, the heartbroken and the lost.  He will restore my son and we will praise God now in the midst of it!

The book will be read because God ordained it written.  It will speak to hearts and transform lives by the power of Holy Spirit.

People may choose to laugh at my faith in God (even those closest to me), but I will stand firm through the fire and pray and bless them.  Bless them and pray for them to know God who saved me and gives me life everlasting. 

And now for this minute, I dwell in God's perfect peace. 

Trio

I was listening to a message today, and as I did God began to speak to me about faith.  Faith is the appearance and reality of God's Word in our own Spirit.  Faith grows through trusting God and seeing his goodness and faithfulness unfold in your everday life.  The only way to grow your faith is by the Word of God and Holy Spirits guidance. It is a spiritual experience, not something that is a product of our hands and feet. 

In the midst of this God began to show me a field of clover.  The clover was thick in parts and in other parts, beautiful green lawn was apparent.  He showed me how the clover was strangling the grass.  How the lawn needed light to thrive and grow, and how the clover was slowly spreading over the top of the grass, blocking out the light.  As the grass was covered in darkness, it died leaving only the clover.


I then looked carefully at the clover and I noticed it had three distinct leaves. 

God then spoke to my heart:

Faith is just like this field of vibrant green lawn.  It relies on the light (My Word) to grow and flourish, it is watered by the morning dew (My Spirit).  The clover is sin.  It is a viscious unrelenting weed suffocating the life out our you faith. The leaves of the clover are three in number-fear, doubt and unbelief.  Fear doubt and unbelief rob you of your faith.  The enemy uses them without mercy to plant seeds in your mind and when you believe them, the clover grows, destroying the growth of your faith.  My Word is trustworthy and true.  I am faithful and my promises are always fulfilled.  Do not allow the enemy to plant these seeds in your spirit.  The unholy trio of fear, doubt and unbelief must be dealt with strongly and quickly.  Clover is a seasonal plant, it dies when the Summer comes.  So let the Word of God shine brightly and let my Spirit water you daily and soon the season will pass and the weed will be no more.

Recently I have been battling fear head on, and when I let the fear in, doubt quickly followed.  Thankfully I have a loving and faithful God who speaks to me and saves me when I call out to him.  I wonder if you will pray for me to overcome this season, with his strength.  I wonder if you too go through seasons such as this?  Sharing my weakness is not an easy thing to do, but I will do it for his glory. And perhaps God's words and my honesty will somehow help you, in your own walk with him.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1)

A New Take on Footprints

On our recent trip to the coast God has been speaking to me about footprints.  The picture below represents my life before I knew God.  There were many different paths, some long, some short, some went in circles and most had no sure ending.  The footprints were confusing and choices were based on my previous understandings and experiences.  Following that maze of footprints was a game of chance, which always led me away from my true purpose.  And although it seemed fun at the time, I was worn out, tired and just wanted to find the right path; the footsteps that were tried and true.  The ones that would lead me on with certainty.

When I gave my life to God, all of the other footsteps dissolved away like the ebb and tide of the sea had smoothed them away.  One set of solid footsteps remained.  They were tested, true and strong in their conviction.  They were a narrow set of footprints, unlike the maze I was used to following.  They were ordered by the Word of God, my map of sorts, so I know that they are not based soley on my previous expeirences.  They are the footprints of many before me.  The footpints of a loving and merciful God, who did not leave us to meander through the wilderness, but gave us a path and map.  He also gave us the Holy Spirit who helps us to read and understand the map and guide us when the tide threatens to pull us off the path.  I know I am not alone on this path, God is with me, in me, each and every step of the way.

 Our paths may vary in their terrain but the footprints remain the same.  All God asks of us, is to love him and others around us and obey his words.  Each day, one foot after the other is what he is looking for.  My path is not mundane by any account, in fact it is action packed.  There is no boredom and lack of freedom in loving God.  He is the One who made freedom possible. 

You see when I used to follow the footprints in the first photo I had no idea where I was going.  Now I do.  And my path doesn't end with death but life everlasting. 

Which footprints do you follow?  Who made the footprints you follow?  Do you trust them with your life?

This is the House that God Built

I have been reflecting on friendship recently. The word 'friend' has become a very flippant and overused term.  To be a friend is a blessing and an honour, one not taken on lightly, but nurtured through love and care.  The fruits of friendship are beautiful and are reflected in the fruits of the spirit, that I speak of so often (Galatians 5).

A friend does not run when trouble comes knocking...

A friend does not intentionally hurt or condemn...

A friend both laughs and cries with you...

A true friend is forever...

This last weekend God has been speaking to me much about friendship.

The first was at the ANZAC Day parade.

Holy Spirit whispered "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."(John 15:12)

 Look at these men.  Remember I look upon those that have died and are not with them.  They layed down their lives for their friends.  They layed down  their lives so that you may live today.  In the same way you must love your friends.  In this same way you must love me.

We then had the privilege of spending time with old friends.  Some of which we had not seen for over 4 years.  We have friends such as these, that we may see for short amounts of time, but they remain close to the heart.  When we meet together we are joined by one spirit; Holy Spirit.  When we spend time together it is akin to coming home to a safe, nurturing, loving environment.  Like when you go away on holiday and arrive back in your own home, a sense of belonging and warmth fills your heart.  Many soft words are spoken, ingrained on the canvas of your soul.  Many loud belly laughs are shared.  Many new memories are forged.

Down at the cotton farm with our friends

Our third experience this week was with relatively new friends.  Friends we have known for just over a year now, with whom we share a special connection.  We share new adventures, new conversations, learn about each other, pray for one and other and enjoy each other's company.  We are buiding with new bricks, a friendship wall that will stand the test of time.

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. (Ephesians 2:20)

I believe this was partly what God was talking about with the passage above.  As we love one another, as Jesus loves us, God is building his church.  We are his house.  And that is why when you gather together with longtime friends it feels just like you are coming home; home to the house that God built.

This is the home that God built.

This is the woman who danced in the home that God built.

This is the man that married the woman that danced in the home that God built.

These are the boys who play and grow strong, born to the man that married the woman, that danced in the home that God built...

Will you be a part of God's Home?

Living in the Light, Living in the Dark

Make sure your words and your actions line up with the Word of God. 

For false saviours and false teachers will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. (Matthew 24:24)

Let Holy Spirit be your teacher.  Do not judge yourself by the world's standards, but by the Word of God. 

When we live and walk according to God's word, as his children, signs and wonders follow us.  They become evident in our everyday lives as we allow Holy Spirit to work more openly in our lives. When he guides our decisions, guards our health, provides our needs and desires, he also changes us to be more like Christ, and the result is the good fruit talked about in Galatians 5:22, But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  He changes us this impacts the people around us.

The same is also true for the enemy.  He also uses false signs and wonders to shock and awe people who are searching for truth.  You just have too look around at the huge number of tarot, mystic bookshops, palm readers, astrologists, crystal and aura peddlers, and the ever present vampire fascination, that are no longer in the back lots but popping up in your friendly neighbourhood shopping centre.  As people search for truth, they look for easy answers, a quick fix, a little look into the future, an affirmation for their circumstances, a little magic to brighten their days.  They then feel empowered and more confident at having been 'spiritual'.  Any one of us can be spiritual. We are all spiritual beings.  But the realm of spirits is very much two sided.  There is the Holy Spirit and God's angels, that come from being in close relationship with Jesus and then there is the enemies spirits who will even masquerade as angels of light to deceive.  You see the fruit of the enemy is the complete opposite to the fruit of Holy Spirit.
Instead of love there will be anger and frustration.
Instead of joy there will be depression.
Instead of peace and patience there will be fear and nervousness.
Instead of kindness there is malice and spite.
Instead of goodness there is decay and bitterness.
Instead of faithfulness, there is dishonesty.
Instead of gentleness, there will be harsh words and actions.
Instead of self control there is greed and self indulgence.

I am not judging anyone but myself by sharing these things.  The passage above is warning God's children that they too will be deceived if they are not careful.  You just have to look at the huge amount of so called 'Christian' teaching around that has absolutely nothing to do with God's Word.  Not wonder the rest of the world is confused!  Are you living in the light or the dark?

If you don't yet know Jesus, ask yourself why?  Is is because of something that someone has said?  Is it because you haven't really given it that much thought?  Is is because you have been there and tried that?  The bible says that if you truly seek God he will not hide from you.  He wants to know you.  If you have truly met him, you will never be the same again.

If you have a story to share about God, yourself or the spiritual realm, feel free to share it in the comments below.  I would love to hear from you.  You can even be anonymous if you like. 

Stay in Me

The wind blows wherever it wants.  Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

We had a fabulous time flying Jack's new kite  in the strong Autumn breezes that are blowing.  Sam and I watched as the kite would find the wind and then ride high in the air, darting and weaving every which way, as long as it stayed in the draft.  As soon as the kite moved out of the direction of the wind, down it would plummet, crashing to the ground.  At first Jack was frustrated because he hadn't learned how to keep the kite in the air, but with practice he was soon able to keep it flying high for longer periods of time. 

As I observed all that was happening with joy in my heart, Holy Spirit spoke to me:

This is what it means to live in the will of God.  I am like the wind and I go only where God directs.  If you are to remain in the will of God, you must remain in me and I in you, only then will you rise high on wings like eagles. You will soar and not grow weary because you are filled with the Spirit of the Living God and he does all things through you, by His power.
If you continually step out of God and into the world, you will plummet to the ground just like that kite.  You will become frustrated and tire easily from all of your effort.  You will be toiling in vain, because what you are doing is not in God's plan for your life. 
God's plan is not always tranquil.  At times there will be  great turbulence, ducking and weaving, diving and swooping, just like this kite.  And yet at other times, you will soar majestically, like this kite in full flight. 
There is only one way that you will know that you are in God's will-you will have his perfect peace.  Peace in rest, work, play, turmoil and laughter.  It will surpass all human understanding because it is supernatural and only comes from dwelling in God.
You will mesmerise others with your life if you remain in my will for you, because you catch the eye, you defy gravity by soaring when you should fall, just like this simple kite.
Soar daughter, soar like never before.  Let me fill you and direct your path.