I Want To Glow!

I am the gate, the only way to have life. You will be saved, only because you came through me. You may come and go freely into my presence, and will find your spirit satisfied and at peace.  The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give you an abundant and satisfying life.  A life so filled with purpose and wonder that you praise me in great joy! (Spoken to Nicole from John 10:9-10)

When I say I love to be in the presence of God, it is a vast understatement.  I treasure, I long, I hunger... being in His presence.  As you spend more time with God, the more you want to be near him. 

A few years ago now, I didn't understand what it meant to be in God's presence.  There was a woman in our church that emanated God's glory, from the very soles of her feet to the silver gray hair on her head.  I used to physically love being next to her, talk to her , be with her.  When I looked into her eyes as we spoke she had a visible excitement and joy.  A glint in her eye, that seems to reflect from deep down in her heart.  I wanted what she had, and so I used to sit next to her and pray that I could have what she had.  I knew it was God's glory in her that I wanted.  I was frustrated that my own Christian walk did not reflect the glory of God.  So I began to look at what I did reflect.
My hearts reflection was not ugly, but it did contain many blemishes (and it still does), and the enemy wasted no time in pointing them out to me.  He came to steal my joy by tearing at what I did have, whispering words of negativity.  He came to kill any spark and desire to seek God's glory.  And he came to destroy the work God was doing in my heart.  I found shelter in the Word of God.  I devoured the Word of God.  I mean I drank of it, until I drowned out the enemies lies.
When I lifted my eyes to God and focused all of my attention on Him, the more I learned about being a new creation, a daughter of God, his little girl.  I used to spend many hours at night (and still do) curled up on his lap, listening to his words, filling my heart with his light.  The more time I spend with God the more I realise that I now no longer want to be like that woman at church, instead I rejoice with her.  We are one in heart, one in spirit, one with God.  Until this day, she is one of my closest sisters in God. 

When was the last time your curled up on your Heavenly Daddy's lap and let him stroke your hair, while you shared your heart?  Did He whisper 'I love you' and 'I am so glad you are mine'?  Did he take all of the hurt from your heart and the worries from your mind?  Did he replace them with his peace and a warm glow from the fire of his love? 

He is waiting, watching, adoring, beckoning...

Come and bask in the glow of his radiance...

Come and dance in the splendour of his royal courts...

Come and be drenched with perfect love...

Come and let peace flow unhindered through your bones...

Come and be free to worship him in spirit and truth...

Then...

Go and walk in obedience to His word...

Go and share the overflowing love...

Go and touch the heart of a hungry soul...

Go and reflect the wonder of his radiance...

Go and bring joy to the life of others.

A Father's Love

There is something truly beautiful about a Father's love for his children.  It is a quiet and deep seated adoration.  A love that shouts 'you are so precious' and 'I  would lay down my life for you'.  I watch this love grow and prosper between our children and my husband and I watch how they show their love.  It is different to how I show love.  It is more rugged, often unspoken, but so tangible and real that it fills the air like the aroma of a Summer barbecue. Love that is offered and affirmed many times over in a day.  Well watered and thriving.  Step by step raising boys to be men, that will hold love as their greatest priority.

I think of my heavenly Father and his unmatched love for us his children.  How his heart broke to be separated from his children and how he knew there was only one way to save them from death and bring them back into his arms.  He knew the cost was more than he could bare, but he knew he would lose them forever if he wavered.  And God doesn't waver, he always keeps his promises.  So as he promised all of those years before- he gave up his son.  He knew he had given him up, from the moment that he was born into flesh.

Imagine how his heart ached with both joy and profound sorrow as he watched his son grow and obey him out of love.  Like a Father teaching his son right and wrong and watching him learn.

Imagine his excitement as he watched Jesus perform miracles and teach his word to the people. Like a proud Dad watching his son's Saturday soccer match.  Go son, go!  I am so proud of you.  I love you son.

Imagine his love and heartbreak as he watched the very children he was trying to save arrest and torture his  son.  The one that was sent to save them.  Like a Father watching his son struggle with illness, or even a rare heart condition.  Holding him close...whispering his love... feeling his pain.

Imagine watching his son die, in the most hideous and hateful way, knowing it was only through his death that he could save all of his other children.  Like a Father that has lost a child in a burning house while saving the others.

Imagine his immeasurable joy in watching his son, restored to new glory. A new creation, the first of many new sons and daughters who would be saved by his sacrifice. Like a Father watching his son go through pain and trials all the days of his life and then meeting him in Heaven, where all things are new-forever.

Oh yes...there is something that is infinitely unique about a Father's love, it is beautiful.  Unbridled and yet perfectly planned, hard and full of vigour yet gentle and unwavering.  To think that Father God has this love for me, makes my heart and soul soar.  How does it make your heart feel?

Sam is Eating Weetbix!

Each day this week, Sam has been steadily increasing his morning intake of Weetbix.  Monday morning he ate about half, gradually increasing to one whole one. Then this morning he shocked me into next week, by eating almost two!
These are no normal Weetbix either.  This serving is laced with full cream milk, powdered milk sprinkled on top (lots of it, because he loves it) and sugar too!

And yes his weight is steadily increasing.  He now weighs 11.4kg!

Will you shout HALLELUJAH with me!

And of course there are photos:

(For those who have recently joined us in our adventures.  Sam's heart condition also means that he often has difficulty gaining weight and has a less than great appetite.  This is a huge step in the right direction for him!  Thank you God!  You see there is little you can do to stimulate appetite, it has to be God's work.)

Why is Jesus So Special?

Easter is fast approaching.  Did you know that the arrival of Jesus, and the finest details of his life, death, and resurrection were all spoken of, hundreds of years before he was born into the world.  Do you know how special that is? 

Here are 8 of the hundreds of prophecies that were spoken of, and fulfilled by Jesus, written in the books of the Bible, noted hundreds of years before his birth.

Be born in Bethlehem -Fulfilled (Matthew 2:1-6)
(Micah 5:2)

Be preceded by a messenger -Fulfilled (Matthew 3:1-3)
(Isaiah 40:3-5)

Ride on a donkey -Fulfilled (Matthew 21:6-11)
(Zechariah 9:9)

Be betrayed by a friend -Fulfilled (Matthew 26:20-25)
(Psalms- 41:9)

Be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver -Fulfilled (Matthew 26:14)
(Zechariah 11:12-13)

Be silent as a lamb-Fulfilled (Matthew 27:12-14)
(Isaiah 53:7)

Have his hands and feet pierced -Fulfilled (Luke 24:39)
(Psalm 22:16)

Rise from the dead - Fulfilled Matthew 28:5-6)
(Psalm 16:10)

There are hundreds of prophecies just like this in the Bible, many of which have already been fulfilled by Jesus, and a few which are still to be fulfilled when he returns. 

Just so you know, the odds of one man fitting just eight of these prophecies, such as the eight of these listed above, is 10 to the 18th power.  That is

1 000 000 000 000 000 000

(Reference to Inside the Mysteries of the Bible, American Bible Society Ministry, 2010)

This is some of what I know about Jesus in my head.  But I can tell you that I know him a whole lot better with my heart and spirit.  I have seen him at work in our life and in the lives of others again and again.  And when we celebrate Easter, we celebrate it full of joy because we know the Creator and Author of life and what he did that is remembered at Easter.  We celebrate having a brand new life in Him. 

So give your chocolate eggs and bunnies at Easter.  And as you do, remember who created new life and who wants to give you new life, if only you would ask.

Jack's Excitement

Only two minutes after I posted on Facebook that Jack had his first wobbly tooth, he has pulled it out. 

"It's out!  My tooth is come out!  Yahhooooo! Look Mum, look Mum, look!"

"I was brave like David, I pulled it and it didn't hurt."

I don't think you could get a bigger grin!

Holidays and Healing

Life is a little more relaxed for us on the school holidays.  Although we home school, routines are relaxed and much of what we do is unplanned and spontaneous.  Today we did some cooking and Jack got to use a sharp knife for the first time.  He was very careful and I was very proud of him.  He is certainly growing up quickly.  He will be 5 in just a few short weeks. 

The quiche turned out very well and both of the boys enjoyed eating knowing that they helped in preparing it.

During prayer time at church yesterday both Jack and Sam went up the front for prayer. Jack went by himself because he had a sore finger that needed to be fixed, and I carried Sam to pray for his new heart.  As we all gathered around and prayed together the boys joined in, and then at the end they let out a big 'Yeah Jesus, AMEN!"  It was awesome!  Then they were so involved, that they stayed up the front and prayed for all of the other people that needed healing too.  Close you eyes, and imagine Sam with his hand as high as he can go up someones leg, with his eyes closed praying for older men and women.  At the end the boys would clap and cheer, saying "Thank you Jesus."  I had returned to our seat, but they stayed.  As I sat there God spoke to me, "See how I live in their hearts.  They hear my voice and do what I say.  Look at the joy on their faces.  Look at the joy on my face."   

God does not look at age, experience or ability.  He looks deep into your heart and what he finds there he grows and nutures so that he can bring glory to himself. 

Just in case you are wondering.  Jack's finger is better, it no longer hurts.  And as for Sam's heart, I can trust and believe for that.  Can you?

Toddler Talk - Love and Snuggles

As I lay next to Sam tonight, he was all cuddly and excited as we snuggled in together.  Then he turned to me and said in a quiet whisper voice "You pretty, hey. Lush (love) you Mum"

Awww..as I lay there in my fluffy Winter dressing gown with unkempt hair.  Oh, the love in a little boys heart.

And today as I snuggled my big boy Jack, "Your so warm and so snuggly.  You're  my teddy Mum."

Little treasures of blessing today scattered on my rested path.  Love you, little ones. xx