Reflector Of Your Life

Reflector Of Your Life

A crown of beauty,

A thorn of ashes

I have loved You,

With an everlasting love

A sister of mercy

A daughter of grace

I created you to be

All That I want you to be

A precious jewel

A work of art

All that I give you

Is all that I have

A gentle spirit

A heart so pure

Full of tenderness and

Filled with love

Through times of pain

Loneliness, despair

Your spirit wounded, crushed

Broken beyond repair

I will wipe away your tears

Take away your fears

Pick you up and carry you through

And give you back joy in all that you do

For I am Your Father, Husband & Friend

Who will be with You right to the end

For I created you in my sight

I am the reflector of your life

Copyright Page: Nov 2005

Every Blessing,
Page

Christian Ways to reduce stress

I know I have posted these tips before but I was reminded of them again through another blog I have just read and then lo and behold, I have just received the same email from a friend - so very appropriate to re-post these tips which are brilliant.

An excellent reminder
2 ND. Thes. 3:16  May the Lord who gives peace give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.

"Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS ...

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.    
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus.."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33 Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

 

Every Blessing,
Page

Wordless Wednesday

Every Blessing,
Page

The Issues of Modesty - Part 1

                                                

The Issues of Modesty – Part 1

I know that there have been a few topics on Modesty that have been posted by various people on Homestead Blogger and yes, I am going to add another post here.

This is an issue that I feel is important and just something that is sadly lacking not only amongst non-Christians but also in the churches today too, which I find such a shame. I also find it amazing that there seems to be no or very little teaching on this subject for the women including girls who are about to enter into womanhood in churches today.  This is something that I feel is sadly lacking and my question is why?

Before I go into this subject more, I just want to tell you a little about where I am coming from. 

I guess, I have throughout the years been fairly careful about how I dress especially when going out, but there have been times in my life that I have not taken as much care as I should have done. 

From the time I was a teenager, I have on the whole worn long skirts and/or dresses which I have felt more comfortable wearing. Yes I have also throughout the years worn jeans. But there have also been occasions in the last nine years that I have worn shorter skirts  and one I particular remember ended up being knee length! A dress that an ex boyfriend bought me which was again to my knees and this had very thin straps. The dress was quite expensive but on the couple of occasions I wore this to special functions, I felt uncomfortable, insecure and I felt exposed (which I wasn’t), but this is how I felt and I didn’t wear this because I wanted too! After my boyfriend and I split, I think I vaguely remember taking the scissors to this dress as I couldn’t wait to get rid of it.

Again with the skirt that ended up being knee length, when I purchased this skirt, the length was almost to my ankles and then there was an acquaintance who decided that they had had enough of seeing me going out all the time in long skirts and hence took the scissors to this, sewed a short hem and I was not at all happy. Again, this skirt and I parted company some time later and it was about four – five years ago that this skirt ended up in the trash.

That was the last time that I have worn skirts or dresses that have been practically near enough above ankle length (some dresses/skirts may be an inch or so above my ankles but certainly no more).  I feel more comfortable wearing clothing that is this length and I also feel more feminine.

I have throughout the years, sadly, not given as much consideration to tops and I have worn tops that have had very thin straps etc but otherwise fairly modest but on the whole it is strange that I would be happy enough to go out on a daily basis not worrying too much about the tops etc that I wore but when it came to church I would on the whole cover myself up more – hmmm, something wrong here!

About five years ago I started  to read through modesty issues on Mom of 9s place, I was not happy and wondered where this lady was coming from and then I felt the Lord starting to speak to me in regards to my clothing. I felt Him remind me about the fact that I would be happy enough to wear certain types of clothing in “every day life” but when it came to church, I would wear clothing that basically, would add more cover. I then started going through my wardrobe and threw out various tops, and some skirts that were long but had splits in them, again I didn’t feel comfortable wearing these skirts and anything else that I felt wasn’t right. But I still kept a couple of tops to wear around the home where no-one could see me – hmmm, wrong!

I have used these tops for exercise but you never know when you are going to receive that “unexpected” visitor or the postman who has a parcel for you – and when this has happened, I have put a shawl around my shoulders to make myself more presentable. Guess what, these few tops that I have left are going in the trash.

The Lord is still speaking to me in regards to Jeans (I don’t wear trousers) so this is I guess another subject.  I have purchased quite a few pieces of clothing now that are modest and I feel so much more comfortable and as I mentioned earlier, feminine and this also makes a difference when outside.  People are, I have noticed more courteous, friendly and to the point of opening doors etc for you………

I do feel strongly though, that sadly this is an area again, as I said earlier that is lacking teaching in the churches of today and an area that Pastors, Elders and teachers need to take a serious look at!

Wearing more modest and feminine clothing:

v     Does this make me more “holier than thou” – no of course not

v     Does this make me look better than others – no of course not

v     Am I saying that all young girls and women are to choose to dress the same way I do – no but I do feel that we do need to be an example to others on how we are to present ourselves on the outside (as well as on the inside of course) not only to the Lord, but, to the world too!

I know that I am being obedient to the Lord and I also know that going down this road is His will for me and Yes, he has more changes to make in my life in this area but I am so thankful for the path that He is leading me down now.

Every Blessing,
Page

Menu Plan Monday

Monday = roast chicken, potato salad, rice salad & green salad. Dessert: Apple & Raspberry Crumble

Tuesday = left over chicken, potato salad & green salad. Dessert: Butterscotch Angel Delight

Wednesday = Fish, Chips and peas. Dessert: Apple & Raspberry Crumble with custard

Thursday = Spag Bol. Dessert: Strawberry ice-cream

Friday = Sausages, Mash & Peas. Dessert: ice-cream cones

Saturday - Sabbath = Hot & Spicey chicken, potato salad & Green salad. Dessert: ?

Sunday = pork & apple casserole with rice. Dessert: to be decided

So this is my menu plan for the week beginning 4th July.

Wishing all my American friends a very happy and blessed 4th July celebration :)

Every Blessing,
Page

A work in progress

The above pictures are part of a large collection of paintings & drawings that my father has put together over the years.  The pictures I have added here, are from a couple of villages around the town where I spent my teenage years.  This last picture is of an old school friend's home which is by the canal.  I used to love visiting her home in the summer months.  The house inside is beautiful with old fashioned beams, a large family kitchen, open fire in the lounge - yes, I am sure you get my drift by now - but oh, I did love it.  In her garden there were geese, ducks and a large vegetable garden, plus if I recall correctly, one or two fruit trees.

Anyways, as a family, there were often times we used to go for drives in the country and my father would quite often take his sketching pads & pencils plus on occasion various paints with him.  I used to enjoy just sitting with him and watching him draw and/or paint.  Watching his work start to take shape and be transformed from a few squiggly lines to a country cottage or country church.  There were often times that photos were taken and he would just work from these images. At home, he would set up his easel (which he had made himself) and just quiety work away until he was satisfied with the finished picture.  This would vary from a few hours to, at times days. If he wasn't happy with "that" particular project, then he would continue until he was satisfied that he had achieved the look he wanted and/or needed. 

My father was in a lot of ways, a perfectionist especially in his art.  He was also one whereby drawings/painting he did had to be drawn to scale.  The majority of his work was done in watercolours and in pencil form.  I remember a time during my early teenage years whereby he would use stencils especially on black board (there is a special name for this technique but the name alas, escapes me)!

He specialised in watercolours and as far as I can recall never went down the "oil" route - this he left to my brother. The majority of my father's art was along the lines of country scenes with a few still life pictures added in here and there. 

I also remember a few exhibitions that he used to hold at the local town library- my father would then spend days upon days preparing for those exhibitions.  Everything that needed to be done in readiness for such exhibitions was all done by my father with no help.  Art was my father's passion which brought vast amounts of joy for him especially after he retired.  As you can imagine special occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas and so on were very easy as all I had to do was pop into the local art shop for gifts!

God has begun a good work in us and has by no means finished - oh no! We are being changed and molded unto Him on a daily basis. When we handed our lives over to Him and became "born again", this was a new beginning, a beginning of work on our hearts. He saves us as we are, but hey guess what, he certainly doesn't leave us there.  He changes and molds us step by step, little by little and does so on a daily basis (Phil 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete until the day of Jesus Christ").  He sanctifies us, therefore will contunue to do so until His return - then we will be complete & perfect in HIm. 

Every Blessing,
Page

This and that

Our little family is growing and we now have 9 chicks, one cockerel and 2 ducklings. We have wanted chickens for the last couple of years but it wasn't until 5 weeks ago that we decided (or rather I fell in love with two chicks which we brought home) and hence our little family started extending. We couldn't just stop at two though as Andrew wanted ducks as well and over the next couple of weeks we added more and more to our brood - so we end up with twelve which we are sticking to, well for the time being anyways :)

Only three of them  have names at the moment and Andrew keeps asking when I am going to name them all. Hmm, I will get round to this eventually!

These first four pics are of our youngest chicks (including the cockerel):

The next couple are of the ducklings and our two older chicks:





So there you  have it some photos of our ever extending family. I say ever extending family as DH would like some more ducks at some stage, but we will see!

We  have one chicken coop and two runs or rather one run plus an extended run and this weekend we will be ordering our second coop and another run.  Andrew is also going to put an extra run using up some more of the garden which will give the chicks and ducklings more space to roam around in.

It will be at least another couple of months before any of them start laying especially as they are pure breeds - so that will be fun.  We will be giving eggs away to friends and possibly sell some of the eggs too as well as using them up ourselves - hmm lots of recipe ideas to start searching for :)

Ok, onto Patch and Biz now. Patch did have a swimming pool for a short while but unfortunately he decided to put holes in it which we did patch up (excuse the pun :lol) but then he broke the pool a second and final time. 

This is one of the photos we took of Patch in the pool and he was loving it :)



The next couple of pics were taken at the weekend.





and finally onto Biz, bless her - she is now twelve years old and such a sweetheart.

Here are a couple of really cute photos of her :)





She is just too cute :)

Besides, playing house with our (what is becoming a smallholding) :lol we have not been doing much else and we haven't had much time due to going to different places looking at chicks and coops etc which  has been fun though.

Our fruit trees are doing ok, well at least two of the apple trees are doing better than the other two we have.  Our plum tree has quite a lot of fruit too.

Here is our main apple tree that is bowing over with the weight of the apples



The rest of our garden is just doing ok on its own. We  have a vegetable patch at the top of our garden which has potatoes, carrots, baby sweetcorn, tomatoes, courgettes and potatoes.  We had some potatoes from the garden for supper last night and they were delicious and very yummy :)



So there you have it our life at home at the moment.  We are finally beginning to get some summer weather and it is really hot at the moment which is great, though not for Patch or Biz as the heat is too much for them.

We have had lots of rain over the past couple of weeks which we have so badly needed as we had pracitcally no rain for two months which was not good for the gardens or the farmers.

and finally just below are some photos taken at Hillsong church just recently which I thought I would just throw in. The pics were taken at the church in Leatherhead but these have come out really well.









and that is about it for updates for now. I really hope you have enjoyed being part of what is going on at home and church.

Every Blessing,
Page

Well I have finally decided to blog again :)

It has been a long time coming but I have decided to blog again and I have missed writing hugely.  I had writers block for quite a long time but so much has happened in these last few months which I will share in my next post along with some photos :)

Every Blessing,
Page

Surrendering To You - a short story

The sun was starting to fade as I walked along the path by the river.  I felt like I had been on my feet for hours when it had only been a mere forty minutes or so.  I decided to rest and take a break; the tree ahead seemed like the ideal spot in which to rest.  I walked over and leaning against it, I looked up at the sun which was fast disappearing now behind the clouds.  As I stood there, I could feel the cool evening breeze on my face which was very welcome after the heat of the day.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a squirrel near my feet, as I looked down it suddenly stopped before scurrying away into the distance.  There was complete silence around me except for the rippling sounds coming from the brook near by. Letting out a deep sigh, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander back to the events of the past few days.

Events that I would rather forget and put behind me once and for all.  I knew I had decisions to make, important ones at that.  I was also aware that I could no longer continue in the way I had been going.  The road I was going down was going to be long and hard where challenges and trials were going to come up time and time again.  I had to face them, I knew that! I also knew that now was the time to start letting go of me and allow You to be in total control of my life otherwise I would continue falling.  I could no longer allow this to happen. I had to be strong and accept my identity in You.  This was the time for me to start growing up and to mature. It was time to start standing on Your word, to commit myself and my life totally to You.

As I continued leaning against the tree, I heard this still small voice which seemed to come from nowhere saying “the joy of the Lord is your strength” I wasn’t sure if I was imagining this but it came again, clearer this time and then the words “Don’t let the devil steal your joy”. I let these words wash over me again and again, I couldn’t move and besides which it seemed in appropriate to do anything.

Finally after what seemed an age, I opened my eyes and realised tears were streaming down my face.  I didn’t care and just allowed the tears to fall.  I slid down against the tree and sank down onto the ground.  Burying my head in my hands I just sobbed allowing all the pent up emotions within me to be released.  Tears of pain hurt and anguish that had been locked up inside me for months – it was time to let go and a time of healing to start taking place in my life!

After awhile the sobbing ceased and I sank back against the tree, looking around I noticed the drooping branches and realised I was sat under a weeping willow. Quite appropriate for this moment in time I thought.  I felt as if the branches were protecting me and that this was the place of sanctuary I needed for this time where I could remain oblivious to everything and everyone around me.

I felt this peace wash over me and I just remained there not wanting to move or interrupt what was happening.  I couldn’t bring myself to move so continued sitting there under the weeping willow. I had no idea how long I had been here for but when I finally looked at my watch, I couldn’t believe the time.  Where had the past hour gone?

 
I sighed and finally after a few moments, I eased myself up off the ground and started making my way home with a new purpose and spring in my step. I knew that no matter what lay ahead that I could and would allow You to take control of every area of my life.  I would face whatever challenges came up no matter how hard or difficult.  I would give myself totally over to You.

Every Blessing,
Page