Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Blown by the Wind...

John 6:18
A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.
Acts 27:15
The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
James 1:6
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
How strong is your faith?

At my place today, it's fairly breezy. As I look outside my window, the plants and trees are waving their branches as the wind blows past. It got me thinking...

Remember the story of Jesus and his disciples travelling in the boat? Jesus had had a busy day - he was tired, and resting in the hull of the boat. All of a sudden, a HUGE storm blows up - and the disciples freak out. Keep in mind that these guys were probably seasoned seamen, and would have likely faced many other storms before. However, this storm was so big that even these serious seamen were scared - they thought they were going to drown. Worrying for their lives, the disciples ran to Jesus and cried out for Him to save them. Jesus awoke and replied "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" and with that, He got up, rebuked the wind and the waves and the sea was calm.

Doesn't that sound like our lives? We are travelling along, in our little 'boat', when all of a sudden a huge storm appears - perhaps it's a family issue, bullies at school, a mammoth end of year exam, choosing a college or some other major decision. The clouds roll in, the thunder begins to crash and we scream! Looking out onto the vast ocean, we freak out and wonder, 'How am I going to cope? Can I do this? I don't think I can.' Like the disciples, we become overwhelmed by the appearance of the wind and waves.

When we do this, we take our eyes off what our focus should be on - Christ. We have forgotten that, with Christ next to us, in the boat with us, we can do anything - even quiet that storm.

How strong is your faith? Are you firmly planted in the knowledge that, no matter what comes, you can face it because the Saviour of the world is beside you in your boat? Or are you like a blade of grass, which can be blown and tossed around by every little breeze that blows? Is your faith strong enough to stand tall in the midst of the craziness of life, or do you think your faith's backbone needs a little building?

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New Followers...
Shannon
SayRah
Amy

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If you would like to comment and leave your thoughts, please feel free to do so. 
If you comment, post your thoughts and, if you would like, share something about how to build faith in our lives - from something you've read or your own experiences. 
Thank you!

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

For there is only One Hope

 “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”- Isaiah 26:4
Trust the Lord... it's not a suggestion, or a good idea, or something to do when you are scared. It's a command. God has said DO IT. Trust in Him.
In this world, we often place our trust in things that do not last. We have faith in our favourite football team... in our teachers, in our friends, in the leaders of our country. We look to them when times get tough or we need help or inspiration. But, truly...
Job 15:31 Let [them] not deceive [themselves] by trusting what is worthless, for [they]will get nothing in return.
What good is it to trust in humans? Will that really help you or get you anywhere in the long run?
Let us not be people who place our trust in the falliable human race or the crerations of man's hands. Let us be known for our steadfast trust in the Creator of it all... the God of the Universe...
John 12:36
Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.

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To answer some recent questions... 
Can anyone do [Multitude Monday]? from Libby
Sure! The idea is a fabulous one... and Ann from A Holy Experience came up with it. Head over to her blog to find out more. 
I was wondering... who made your amazing blogger template? from Emily Shae
My 'amazing blogger template' was created by none other than the fabulous Thais from Olivina Design House.  It's a custom design which she made just for me! She is amazing...
and... for those who were wondering, these sorts of things do cost money, but I won mine in a giveaway...

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Monday, October 5, 2009

Multitude Monday - One Thousand Gifts List

holy experience


no. 1-229; no 230-250; no. 251-280...

281. Writing songs
282. 2 year old sisters who ask for a purple apple
283. Wedding dresses
284. Looking at rings on eBay
285. Freshly mown grass
286. Good photos
287. Friends who know what I'm saying before I really even say it
288. Old books
289. Brushing my hair... or someone else's
290. Quotes from Christians who  have been there... done that.
291. Honesty
291. Emails to friends at just the right time that they needed it
292. Emails from friends at just the right time when I needed it
293. Conversations that go deeper than superficial stuff
294. Good food and good friends
295. Surprise visitors
296. Unexpected compliments
297. Secrets
298. Uncovering secrets
299. Being able to keep secrets
300. Patience

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

What I learnt today...

Today I learnt that, no matter what, God is in control.
That obedience feels good.

That new beginnings bring joy.
But it's okay to shed tears over the things left behind.
I learnt that it is cool to share thoughts - even if you think they are stupid.
I learnt that good friends who love you won't think those thoughts are stupid - they will actually understand what you are saying.
Good music is songs sung by people that you like. A lot. Music by people you don't really like just isn't the same.

Falling in love is dangerous. It can cause you to say and do things a little out of the ordinary that cause people to stare, and make best friends roll their eyes, laugh and slap you.
Today, I learnt that it is good to be reminded that I am living for God.

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Friday, October 2, 2009

Feelin' Feminine - Challenging Femininity





Feelin' Feminine has just launched their first issue of 'Challenging Femininity'.
from the Feelin' Feminine site... 
Welcome to Feelin’ Feminine’s first issue of Challenging Femininity. Join us each month for a new issue of articles from various writers, including the official Feminas, on all topics relating to femininity. This will be posted at the end of the month, and we hope you will join us by reading through the articles, announcing it on your sites, and perhaps even contributing for some issues.
If you haven’t already had the chance please read out Mission Page as well as Welcome Page, which contain info about the site and the columns. If you are interested in joining our blogroll or in becoming a partner please contact us via our contact page. We hope to be reviewing and hosting some giveaways in the upcoming issues so if you would be interested in investing your business in this way feel free to contact us as well!
Over the past few months the site has been so blessed by new writers, new visitors and readers, and emails of encouragement that come in every day! Yahweh is using this site in ways I never imagined when I began it over a year ago just to chronicle participants for the challenge, and I can’t wait to see where He takes it even from here!
Click here to go to their home page! I hope you enjoy reading 'Challenging Femininity'!

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Walk With Him Wednesday... The Priority of Christ

holy experience

He did not live for parties and people.
He did not live for school, work or chores.
He did not live for new trends or new shoes.
He lived for His Father.

My aim:
Not to live for parties or people.
Not to live for school, work or chores.
Not to live for new trends or new shoes.
I aim to live for my Father.

How do I do this?
Pray.
Constant communion with the Creator.
Spending more time in His Word than in the latest romance novel.
Telling my friends that I can't sleepover tonight... I need to get with God.
Sharing the Love with others...
Taking my eyes off myself and putting them on those who need, want and hunger.

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New Followers...

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Multitude Monday - One Thousand Gifts List

holy experience

no. 1-229; no 230-250...

251. curly hair
252. joy
253. sleepovers
254. new friends
255. old friends
256. memories
257. reminders
258. love songs
259. crying
260. calm
261. peace
262. candles
263. knowing that You are there...
264. flickering lights...
265. honesty
266. love
267. wishing you loved me...
268. knowing that someday is soon enough
269. friends who giggle with you over cute guys
270. writing new songs of worship to my King
271. opportunity to share those songs with others
272. band practices
273. leaving the past behind
274. fairy parties
275. being allowed to make mistakes
276. knowing The Truth
277. singing all day... and well into the night
278. running water
279. shampoo
280. ballet shoes

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Consider Others Better... - Thought for the Day

I started this a few days ago, so I'm just hitting post... :)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”- Philippians 2:3-4
 I think that this is a pretty strong verse. Paul is not just saying, 'oh, you know, sometimes it would be a good idea to let someone else go first...'. I think he is saying... 'wherever you go, in whatever you do, put others first'. Those are pretty strong words, hey? I mean, we are all human, and of course our first priority is naturally ourselves. It's how we work - me first, you second.
But that is not the way Jesus lived. That's not the way God works. Imagine if God was like that? Do you think He would have given up everything - even His own Son - so that we could live with Him forever?
The challenge to us - put others first. Consider others better and more talented than ourselves. Take our eyes off us and put them on God, so that others will see Him glorified through us.

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New Followers
castingcrownsgirl33

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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Well.
I kinda have something that I should say.
I'm not sure if I'm going to have great chances to post over the next little while... I'll do my best but a few things are 'in the way'... one being that I'm on school hols, so family stuff is happening and that is awesome, but the other thing is that there is just this huge relationship that I'm working on at the moment, and it's taking time and energy... :) and of course there is God. :)
But I'm going to try to post soon, with something worthwhile...
Okay? Thank you all so much! You are fabulous!
God bless you!

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Honest Scrap... awards

Honest Scrap Award:
I have been awarded the...


award from Hannah! (Thanks!) 
The rules with this award are...
1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2) Share "ten honest things" about myself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

So, I've done number one. Now... number two...
1. I'd rather have a few friends who last forever and ever than always have a lot of friends, none of whom I'm really close to.
2. I read a ridiculous amount of books in a week. Like, maybe 6 or 7 at the least. But I should read my Bible more. 
3. If I could do anything in the world, I would go to Ellerslie, School of Honor, and be a missionary. 
4. I would love to have, like, 20 kids. I'm happy to adopt the majority of them.
5. I collect antique books, memory verses and hugs.
6. I love eating mango, and chocolate, and cheesecake. And I'll eat them all together too.
7. Everything I do, I do to glorify God.
8. I believe that my life is supposed to be victorious and full to overflowing with the blessings of Christ.
 9. I believe that faith is the core of my existence, and hope is what drives me onwards.
10. I love God. That's the long and short of it.
Number three... pass the award on...
I'm going to award this to...
Kelsey, at Chapstick, Cameras and Crowns
Jessica, at Faith for Girls
Leah, at Surrendered Life
Kendra, at Carpe Diem
Jacqueline, at By Grace Alone
Chelsea, at becoming a lily among the thorns
Esther, at Unknown Artist


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 New Followers...
  Miley

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