God stuff | 1000 Fields of Roses

Walking Forward

I’m feeling terrible – I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.

Psalm 119:25-32 (Message)

We’re a couple of weeks into the new year, although in some ways it seems longer… nearly time to settle into the school schedule, when everything will have a bit more structure.
I came across the scripture above in my readings recently, and it resonated with me – I’ve read it over a fair few times in the last couple of weeks. Last year had its share of ill health – nothing too drastic, but wearing all the same. When you don’t know if you’ll be feeling good, bad or just so-so from one day to the next, it’s easy to start feeling like a “falling down barn”. 😉 So far this year it’s still up and down, but it’s comforting to be reminded that I’m not on my own, and there’s still a road to Somewhere to follow.
The sermon today was on “Seizing the Moment – Through Uncertainty” – another signpost on this year’s road.

God is good.
Life is good.
…even when it’s not.

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on January 12, 2014 at 11:55 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Psalm 119

With Us

We’ve had this clip during church services the last couple of weeks – a reminder of what we’re celebrating tomorrow..

..and this is a reworking of an old favourite..

He has come for us, this Jesus –
He is the hope for all mankind..

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on December 24, 2013 at 10:00 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Christmas, Emmanuel, Meredith Andrews, Spurgeon

Carols Under The Tree

My first carol service of the season!
I’ve heard about the carols under the big tree for years, but I’ve never been able to go. This year, we finally got there, although had to leave early because of other commitments. I love singing carols! There was choir singing, and toddlers singing – lovely, although one enterprising little boy worked out how to hog the microphone for a while.. A family band did a beautiful country/folksy rendition of “O Holy Night”, one of my favourite carols. Next year we’ll have to try to stay the whole evening..

Sorry about the poor quality – my twilight photography is not amazing..
The second photo was to show the bright star at the top of the tree.
There were also reindeer..

There’ll be more carols to come –
Enjoy your next carol service! 😀

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on December 1, 2013 at 8:38 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: carol service, Christmas

Finding The Thin Places

Today, we looked at prayer..
This was the clip used to illustrate it..

It’s funny to watch.. a bit sad too. I think I’ve heard each of these, and probably prayed most. Possibly not in the lotus position, though 😉
As the final bit shows, prayer is as simple (and as difficult) as being open and authentic with God. It’s something we can all do, but which requires us to look at who we really are.. which means we can often tend to shy away..

On a (slightly) related note, I’ve just downloaded an album of instrumental music (which can be found here) It’s rambling, folksy type stuff, and was specifically recorded to use while praying. I’m enjoying what I’ve heard so far.
The title “The Thin Place” is likely a reference to a phrase used in Celtic spirituality, referring to places where it was believed that heaven came close to earth, and there was only a thin curtain between the two. There are many of these places in the world – a large number in the British Isles, but the concept seems to be fairly global.
I’m not sure that there are physical places that are “closer to God” than others, in the same way that I don’t think you have to listen to “prayer music” to be able to pray. I have come across places that do seem to be full of God’s glory, but those have invariably been places with a history of constant and fervent prayer.. which suggests to me that we don’t need to go to a church or other spiritual place to find a thin place.. we just need to keep praying – whether that’s in a large church or a lounge chair 🙂

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on November 17, 2013 at 9:50 pm Comments (1)

Warriors And Ice-cream

Went to a women’s event last night… Warrior Chicks. After a wonderful morning, it was an amazing evening… a mixture of competition, beauty and challenge..
The competition was in the form of an inflatable “warrior ring” – I wasn’t planning to go in, but I did in the end..

Lots of fun – and a reminder that I’m not as fit as I once was!

The challenge came in the form of a reminder, as well – that we are women of God, called to shine His light into the world. That we can all go out into that world in some capacity, whether it’s big or small, and make a difference. That we are not alone – we have a Father to follow and trust in, and brothers and sisters to walk with on the journey. It’s a world filled with injustice and pain… but all things are possible!

A challenge, and a thought to mull and pray over… and sweetened with ice-cream and a variety of sweets to sprinkle over 🙂

I had planned to take a photo before I ate it, but I forgot in the excitement of ice-cream and chocolate…

Mini M&Ms and mini-musks! 🙂

Spent time with lovely people, and caught up with some I haven’t had a chance to talk with for a while…
..and finished up with some craft, most of which I haven’t finished..

I have done the bookmark… and I made the necklace with a “warrior ring”…unfortunately it was too small to get over my head..

Fortunately, I worked out another use for it 😀

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on October 5, 2013 at 9:03 pm Comments (4)

Black Forest And Tea

Such a wonderful morning I’ve had…
Met up with friends, some I haven’t seen in a while. We had black forest scones (chocolate with cherries)..

..made even better with jam and cream..

Yum! 🙂

All was eaten and enjoyed.

We talked, we shared, we prayed..

It was a seriously good morning.

..possibly not quite so serious, at times.. 🙂

It’s amazing what a cup of tea and a scone can lead to..

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God stuff

on October 4, 2013 at 2:54 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: black forest scone, Prayer

A Man And His Day

It’s been a lovely Father’s Day – family spending time together, good food, laughter and love..
..things that are present throughout the year, but it’s good to stop sometimes… take stock… acknowledge the good.

Sometimes our church has an “obSERVEd” section in the service, where people who serve behind the scenes, or in other capacities, and may not necessarily be seen, are recognised for what they contribute. They get to cuddle a plush lollipop during the service, and take a real lollipop home…

Today was hubby’s turn. 😀

…totally unexpected – no hints beforehand…
I am so proud of him, and pleased that others recognise the good stuff –
A happy Father’s Day indeed..

Hubby’s favourite verse –
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

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God stuff

on September 1, 2013 at 8:19 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Father's Day

Even In The Deep…

…with the waves breaking over you –
Your feet need never falter..

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on August 26, 2013 at 10:44 pm Leave a Comment

Retreat

I went away on the weekend, on a Women’s Retreat with the church. We were up at Mt Tamborine, and stayed overnight at Cedar Creek Lodges. Started with a morning tea at the Botanic Gardens..

A bridge to possibility?

Gateway to hope?

Had a quick gallop along Gallery Walk..

This was beautiful… something that “fills me up” is just browsing amongst gorgeous, creative, sparkly bits and bobs – things others have crafted to show beauty in the world..

Fairy mushrooms 🙂

Then we went for lunch at the place where we stayed. Meals were a selection of buffets – more food than I’ve eaten for a while at each meal, and very enjoyable 😀

It was wet and gloomy when we first got there..

It cleared up eventually, though.. a bit muddy on the Saturday, but a clear, crisp, blue-sky day on Sunday.

The cottages were small but lovely – just the place to sit by the fire and chat..

One of the main joys of going away with a group is that you get to know people a bit better than you can otherwise – youcan sit by a fire, with no other obligations for a short space of time, and just talk. It’s good to get to know people a bit more than the “Hi how are you” sort of thing. The afternoon was spent getting to know a bunch of beautiful women a bit better…

There were games later, and more chatting. And chocolate fondue.
There was a creek flowing right outside the cottage..

The view from the verandah.

It was a constant sound, like rain, but not quite. Soothing, gentle, whispering, relaxing. I came back after the evening activities, exhausted, and was lulled to sleep by the creek flowing past. I have not slept so soundly and completely for a long time – there was chatting and other sounds during the night, but I only vaguely remember.

This is where we had the church service in the morning – out in the open, surrounded by nature. It was the perfect end to the weekend’s activities. Talked some more… went off for more shopping… went home..

I did have a restful retreat. The shopping was fun, but also a chance to remember the “me” of twenty years ago, and how I would have seen things then, as compared to the “me” of now, and how far I’ve come in my perceptions and beliefs 🙂 The sleep was wonderful – I hadn’t realised how overtired I was. I have been randomly snoozing all week, so it was obviously a need that I hadn’t taken the time to consider – the break from the everyday meant I had to look at it. This week has been a week of sleep and refocusing. Terribly indulgent, really, but I feel that I at last have a handle on some changes that need to be made. Sometimes stepping out of the everyday makes some things clearer.