OCEAN 7's

light filled life

2011-06-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

What I'm interested in seeing you do is:

sharing your food with the hungry,

inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on,

and your lives will turn around at once.

If you are generous with the hungry

and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,

Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,

your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.

I will always show you where to go.

I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—

isaiah 58 excerpts

The evidence in the life of a true believer is narrated many times over in the Bible... but I like this description in Isaiah. I think the qualities and actions in the verses which describes the person of faith isn't just a list of 'acts of Charity' - but outlines a heart truly in SYNC with mimicking God's own character. The very things God looks for in his children - deeds that are in His own nature.

I think about my lifestyle and the tendency to please myself. Pretty much every day I battle between living the life Christ calls me to... and serving my own interests. Sometimes they are one and the same... but overall, I know Jesus has called me lay down my own agenda.

Long before the Gospels were written the prophet Isaiah spoke the word of God to a people who acted like they were believers... but God really saw their hearts - These people made a show of religion.... but their real lives didn't display the kind of evidence of faith-life which counts.
I know we are saved by Grace, our righteousness is from Christ and his sacrifice on the cross - but we are called to a life of service and we don't always know how to interpret that.

The context I love to about Isaiah 58 is that people are wondering how to get answered prayer - how to open up closed lives and turn things around. God is so explicit... he gives an outline, a list almost to open blind eyes. A kind of rebuke mixed with a point by point...cause and effects.

"If you get rid of unfair practices,

quit blaming victims,

quit gossiping about other people's sins,

If you are generous with the hungry

and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,

Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,

your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.

I will always show you where to go.

I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—

firm muscles, strong bones.

You'll be like a well-watered garden,

a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

I've searched these verses many times ...mentally checking off my own life and actions.

I wonder to myself... how I can fullfill all of these actions ?? Some seem easier than others. Quit gossiping... as opposed to inviting in the homeless. Thats a tough one...

I've come to the point of just asking God to just - show me how - I can serve in any of these ways. To open doors.... I think of creative ways to express his heart. What I have to give... supporting others who may feed the poor or homeless if I cannot do it personally. (Programs like Compassion , World Vision, Red Cross etc ) To be there for my own family.. I love how this is important to God. That just makes me glad!

I know this isn't a set of laws I have to live up to... this is God trying to switch on a light in us... to show people what following and loving him results in.

If it's in your heart to take that in.. then this chapter is quite a springboard to living a full life bathed in his light.

Aunt as a girl

2011-06-05T04:17:00.000-07:00

The original photo was taken in about 1978 of my twin sister. The illustration above was done by my neice (also my twin sister's neice) just recently 33years later.!!

I'm loving this. It means so much to me, not just because it's my family - but because all the girls in our family are so artistic.

My twin sister (above) is a designer and my neice has done a degree in Art.. and her mother (my other sister) is a graphic artist, her dad a painter and

graphic designer, and as well, my twin sister

... her husband paints and her daughter (another neice of mine)

a fashion designer.

Pretty cool eh ?

I heard ....

2011-05-15T03:30:00.000-07:00

I have hidden your word in my heart

psalm 119:11a

Today I was listening to Mark Kelsey (C3 Oxford Falls) teaching on "Staying the course"... and he read out a line of psalm 119 - Do you know what it's like when you hear a verse you probably have heard before, but.. then when you hear it again something inside you ignites emotions and reverberates your soul... ?

One sentence, 8 words and I have for some reason, tears in my eyes.

A sense of how precious how dearly we must hold God's word. And that prompting to live life out in such a way that I am like the psalmist. A person whom tenderly gathers the word of God away in my heart...as one would a treasure, most valued and yet accessible.

It might be in some ways... hidden from others...

but it is our cherished resource.

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart

message version

Thy word have I hid in mine heart

nkjv

I have treasured your promise in my heart

In my heart I have hid Thy saying

youngs

Thy word have I laid up in my heart

american standard

I hope it means something to you - this laying up of treasure, this banking of God's promises and words in our hearts...

have your treasure hunt daily ...

Blogger & Painter

2011-05-15T02:15:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share a couple of pics of some of the other stuff I do besides create blogs ....

I started this painting before I moved several weeks ago and this past week or so have decided I must try to finish it while I have some days off work.

Started out underpainting the prime in black to bring out the color factor - which totally took off I couldn't keep the color down, it just had a life of it's own and was practically begging for fluro of which I had none - That's what I love about painting... it takes you where it wants to go if you let it. If you aren't afraid to just keep layering and mess up.

Luckily my naive distorted style lends itself to alot of reworking.

It's very therapeutical....

I listened to alot of teaching DvD's and Mp3s while I worked. By the likes of Paul Dejong, Vicki Simpson, & Mark Kelsey.... All awesome .. not to mention the cool Rick Shelton - passion!

I realised something about my new glasses this week too .... I kept thinking, they reminded me of someone or some other glasses but it eventually dawned on me once I saw this photo of myself my son took today ...

Yep... !!

Same style but different color.... "Brains" you must be my secret muse.

And I thought Eugene P was my only crush !

my cup and portion

2011-05-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

psalm 16:5-16

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;

you make my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the

realm of the dead,

nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand

5The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup;

You hold and maintain my lot.

6The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

godyouaretheloveofmylife

thoughts on TV

2011-05-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

"This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and even it can inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is nothing but wires and lights in a box."

Edward R. Murrow, speech to the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Oct. 15, 1958

"Creativity, human worth, the arts, cultural endeavor, the media, communication, enjoyment of beauty, creativity in others, enjoyment of our own creativity, enjoyment of God's creativity--all of these need no justification. They are good and gracious gifts from the Heavenly Father above" (39).

Francis Schaeffer's book "Addicted to Mediocrity"

I've got a like/hate relationship with TV. Over the years I've enjoyed alot of good shows, relaxed with it, been entertained and even (!!) educated at times by this little electric box which dwelleth in the lounge-room surrounded by thou comfy recliners.

I loved cartoons as a kid.... and was fortunate to see the transition of black & white to color when I was about 10yr old and found this most exciting.

...The thing is about the Telly... is that what could be (and sometimes is)... a great invention for bringing into our homes - quality entertainment, exposure of art, music & nature - world news, sports, local culture and even education is also a vehicle for delivering alot of poor entertainment, violence, over sexualised programs, advertising and shoddy reality shows which in my opinion, bring down a person, a community and culture by the values they endorse... seemingly subversively at times.

TV has changed alot over the years.. and before you dismiss me as an oldy who only likes SBS, nature docco's and the ABC news.. I have to say that I'm someone who enjoys shows like "Flight of the Conchords", "Survivor", "Seinfeld" & "Global Village" to name a few -and especially like shows that are about real (inspiring) people on "Australian Story" or "RPA". I love movies and shows about Art, Fashion and Music. I must admit I hate sports, and any thing to do with murder or mystery. But that's just personal taste... certainly not a big No No to me.

(hmm ...come to think of it though, I do have very nerdy television tastes)

I don't watch alot of Telly, working long hours and being a shift worker, and I'd probably rather blog or play music - but I've had a bit of time off lately and been able to browse around and watch a few shows. It's got me thinking all over again just how much POWER television has our worlds. And all the messages it sends 24/7 year in, year out.

TV rarely sends a voice out for God. Of course because it's "secular" as the christian world defines. Or rather, I see most of what TV portrays as "devoid of God". Seemingly not purposefully. It's just re-iterating the values of most of the developed world. Life in general... humankind having drama's, playing sports, making love, making music and generally having a good time if at all possible. The so-called "stars" on TV are most often attractive, thin, wealthy, charismatic and at the cutting edge of fashion and fads. Whats wrong with that?

Over the years we have this little electric box running in the hub of the home... It's power to influence and educate both overt and subtle. It's not evil in itself .... but it's tendency to infiltrate our perception and create it's culture in our minds is in my opinion... powerful indeed.

TV shows depicting morality in loose terms, relationship values, life goals as shallow aspirations... as adults we decide whether or not we can take it or leave it..but outside any moral boundaries or discernment our TV culture is teaching teaching teaching. And re-inforcing a system devoid of God. And that's not a good thing. If you're a christian. Or you want to raise your family that way.

I know all this has been said before, I know it's nothing new under the sun ... that good parents are discernment for their children... How important it is for us to filter our viewing both for kids and ourselves... and I'm not saying you have to burn your Telly... that's extreme.

All I'm saying, and I say it to myself really - ... is to be concious of what you have on in your home. Day in day out. Evaluate shows in terms of what your feeding into your own personal values, your family, and in light of your faith. This isn't about being black and white... good versus evil and making a person feel condemned about watching a re-run of Adams family. We live in a real world and one filled with grace and mercy.

But in light of what philosophies can dilute into your mind and heart via a very powerful little box - I think I want to keep these scriptures in mind when viewing...

romans 12:1-3

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

2 Corinthians 10:2-4

The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

a l s o...

Another aspect of TV which I've found challenging as a christian is how very time consuming and distracting this little box can be. It seems to GRAB me and keep me hostage at times. And I'm thinking... often against my will !!! :)

interesting quote

An old theological principle applies: The immanent drives out the transcendent. By offering us so many matters to contemplate, television makes it hard, or profitless, to find the connective tissues. Television makes us atheoretical, just as it makes us a historical. It invites us to dwell in the moment and nowhere else. And that is where cynicism resides as well."

Roderick P. Hart, Seducing America: How Television Charms the Modern Voter p. 86

yeah.....

We can get lost in mindless watching. I know this because I've done it... and still do occasionally. Just while away the time. The show's not even good. The ad's more than irritating. Yet a couple of hours have been vaccumed out of my life and never to return. I think this is kind of tragic. When I was younger time didn't seem to be a commodity of real worth. But I know now it's kinda precious. Again... I say this to myself. If it means something to you... awesome.

I need to watch this aspect of telly

in the meantime ...

h a p p y viewing

Church....not going?

2011-05-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

"You don't need to go to Church to be a Christian ...... it's not necessary."

I've heard this kind of thing said at various times in life,
and have at one time even said it myself.
I had been in church since I was a teenager when, in my mid 30's... I had a personal crisis, left my church and, after a period of time decided that even though I was still a believer.. Church wasn't strictly necessary.

but this idea didn't last long.... Why?

Some people see Church as just a building.... a structure where a bunch of people meet each week to practice rituals, sing dorky songs and

have to listen to someone preach dull sermons.

The beach is much more inviting... and God made it, so why not

commune each Sunday with God there??

I do think the beach is an awesome place to connect with God... but there seems to be a theme running through the Bible, that over the years has prodded my understanding of church vs no church.

The Psalms have been likened to conversations between people and God, and exemplify the spectrum of the life of a believer. As I absorb and read them over the years I see that the believer is someone who has a relationship with God, partly expressed in the

place designated for worship.

Psalm 150:1

Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship,

praise him under the open skies;

psalm 12:6-7

I scrub my hands with purest soap,

then join hands with the others in the great circle,

dancing around your altar, God,

God holds me head and shoulders

above all who try to pull me down.

Psalm 149:1

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song,

praise him in the company of all who love him

It seems to me these psalms portray an outworking of life in worship both in a temple/altar and amongst the company of other believers...

This theme carries on over into the New Testament. Not only in the book of Acts which displays the "church" in action.. believers meeting together, praying, singing, sharing food as a template for us, but also in verses scattered throughout the books of the New testament with obvious references to getting yourself involved with a group of believers

and making a habit of it ....

Hebrews 10:24-26

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

When believers meet together... we ignite each other. I notice that just by looking around in my church, in my connect group - I am face to face with others who Love Jesus like I do... what I see in them, this faith, this life inspires me. I get this sense of it being so right...
that we are connected to inspire and ignite each others faith

1 Corinthians 14:25-27

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Why is it so important to connect with other believers... why can't we just follow God on our own?

Ephesians 1:22-23

The church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.

Romans 12:4

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body,

So ... in the short time I stopped going to church, stopped meeting up with other Christians in the community of believers I did read my Bible.
And I read these verses and I couldn't rationalise them away. They all pointed toward being a part of the family of believers... contributing, being unique with what I had to bring and being a part of what others had to give.

That whatever group of Christ followers I belonged to, it was Christs Body. And it wasn't wise to separate myself.

This whole idea of worshipping alongside and with others really seemed essential...
and onething I do know...is the power when worshipping
together feels amazing.

we aren't designed to worship alone

There is unique presence which arrives when a whole bunch of people sing, play music, and honor God. Nothing beats it.

I was glad to get back to church... I'm not kidding it took a while to find my place and it's not instant to feel a part of it. But now I ever wondered how I walked away.

friendships.. support... security... learning... discipline... service... these are the tips of the icebergs of church life
....and so glad to be .....just as the psalmist says ....

psalm 27:6

I'm headed for his place to offer anthems

that will raise the roof!

Already I'm singing God-songs;

I'm making music to God.

Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,

telling God-stories.

I know some would debate just how we meet, where and which way we conduct a meeting...music type, order of service, informal, formal, denomination etc etc.... these details can detract a person from the central theme of just being a PART of the body.

We are all different both culturally and individually... my personal advice is >>>>

find a place you feel generally comfortable. And commit yourself to that group of people. Go for God, not for the volume of music or brand of communion wine. Go and stay... a long time and build relationships. Even if it takes a few years. God will bless you and soon you will find yourself part of the body and the inspiration of
being in relationship with God's family.

finding our place ... being unique but a part of the body

I say all this from personal experience of leaving church, staying away, and then ..... going from one church to another for a short while, until I settled back in my home church. I'm no expert, just a typical person who grappled with this question.
Church vs no Church...

I'm sticking with the Word.

and I can still have a little bit of
church here too

security

2011-04-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Acts 2:25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest in hope,

Paul is quoting in the book of Acts chapter 22, a portion of David's psalm 16 as he is teaching them about God. He quotes from the Psalm - and one particular line which ignites my imagination today... (and I hope yours...) is the line from verse 2 vs26 in Acts.. reflecting the line from chapter 16 vs 9 from Psalms...

Like all books and times of the Bible, languages are varied due to nationalities, & translations differ in slight tones... its so exciting and interesting !!! Can't wait to show you - I love what the Message brought from Acts... how it's so captured the sentence.

here it is

Acts 2 vs 26

....I've pitched my tent in the land of hope

other versions capture the theme... but for me, not as picturesque,

however just as hope -inspiring and inviting.

(new american standard)

Psalm 16 vs 9

.... My flesh also will dwell securely.

(niv)

psalm 16 vs 9 .....my body also will rest secure

and again..

Acts 22 vs 26

(New American Standard)

moreover my flesh also will live in hope

what does this mean to you?

Do you feel that sense of safety? Of dwelling in a place where you know for sure the peace of God is

your protection and security...

do you have a sense of hope which undergirds your life...

"I've pitched my tent in the land of hope"

...this is a beautiful way to describe living in relationship with Christ.

Sea-call

2011-04-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

a poem inspired by psalm 42.

Deep calls to deep

hark - can you hear him?

shepards cry

to mine

Deep calls to deep

O' poet king

and warrior

entwined

for all the kingdoms come and go,

the rise and falling long

your ocean waves revolving

as in lovers circling song

Deep calls to deep

O' tune of moon-sea

tidal rise and fall

Deep calls to deep

And fiercest fire

O' lantern to my shore

hark- can you hear him?

poet king

this restless at my feet,

am drowning in awaiting

O' love's
deep who calls to deep.

the kids R alright

2011-04-30T04:38:00.000-07:00

Another gallery... this time some retro & vintage family snaps.

Diversity too... families come in all forms.

this one above - reminds me of ME as a kid!

b r o t h e r s !

the size of God

2011-04-30T02:41:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 46:5-7

"So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?

Can you picture me without reducing me?

isaiah 66:1

Heaven's my throne, earth is my footstool....

I was thinking today about our human experience - our lives so caught up in our activities... problems and circumstances which so often seem involved, complex and, at times insurmountable.

Our world weighs us down.

We may carry the weight of it on our shoulders.

There is God. Who may,or may not have a slice of our world...(perhaps a part of it ?..) But for some..

not bigger than. Not larger than the pressing details of our life's convoluted sphere.

But these verses tell me more about God in my world. In our world.

He isn't, by sheer size, if we judge in these terms alone... meant to be a "bit player".

Or to be an accessory.

We can't, by default of these words designate God as a part of our world. When even geographically, our physical world is but (even metaphorically)a footstool in His.

We don't call Him to participate into our intellectual parameters. We don't define what would be his action amongst our own causes. For He is unable to be reduced. He has no parallel.

isa 46:5 “With whom will you compare me or count me equal?

To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

But the beauty is that he is intimate to us... in relationship involved in the nuts and bolts of our daily lives and

so loves us. That he comes in our worlds...

We are like the earth - in the revolution around his sun... yet his warmth and light reaches into every nook and cranny. Warming hearts to faith. There is nowhere we go he isn't.

Psalm 36:4-6

God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic.

Yet in his largeness

nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.

h o w BIG is God in your world ?

let him be your W H O L E

sticks n stones

2011-04-25T03:09:00.000-07:00

It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."

Matthew 12:33-35

This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

James 3:6-8

There is he that speaketh like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is healing.

Proverbs 12:17-19

Nobody can claim to ever have complete control over what he/she says. We all have been on the giving and recieving end of a tongue lashing, a cursing, a criticism & hurtful words which have wounded us and others.

Some of my most painful moments in life were after exchanges of words - hearing them or reading them. Words which have cut me to the core and changed the course of my history.

Words we form with air passing through our vocal chords and pressed in certain angles by our soft palate become the vehicle for directing our emotions, thoughts and feeling toward each other. Or away from each other

words which welcome... words which close doors

The older I get, or rather... the more I grow into a life in Christ this sense of what I speak - the words I choose has become truly important to me. What was once in the midde ground or generic in my priorites is now at the forefront....

is now in sharp focus and what I am carefully concious of.

My speaking habits have (needed) to change over the years. The knee-jerk reactions to lessen. A sharp retort abiding on the backburner till it fades .. A purpose to quell sentences which aren't profitable for the listener.

Of course I'm not 100 % succesful in this.

Naturally I still fail.

But I'm much better than I used to be. And I take a sense of satisfaction when I choose to withold unprofitable words... and instead bring out words that build up.

Prayer and the Bible are the tools of this endeavour

I've seen relationships shipwrecked over words spoken - and I've seen relationships strengthened and mended over words.

By words we draw each other into our worlds.... we welcome one another and find safe haven.

That's not to say we can never have conflict... but to do so with grace and fairness is an art which I believe comes from a heart lodged deeply into God's ways. To have a heart that leans more towards anothers feelings than our own sense of justice/anger/self is a person to aspire to

That brings out words which are helpful... healing... and bring goodness.

1Thess 5:9

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.

Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be of right things;

Proverbs 8:5-7

The lips of the godly speak helpful words,but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

Proverbs 10:31-32

a n y w a y

I write this entry because this week I've had an exchange of words with a couple of people I love... and it's made me so sad. And so mad.... and this needless sense of seeing words flying around.That should have stayed under wraps.

then with one.. good words of healing. And the welcome sense of restoration. makes me so much more mindful...

cos it doesn't happen much these days. Thank goodness.

deep to deep

2011-04-24T05:15:00.000-07:00

well....I was reading about Abigail, from 1 Samuel 25, who was an amazing G0dly woman and met with King David in a moment of impending conflict. Abigail's wisdom, her good understanding of God and insight into communicating with David [on the basis of faith] created a scenario in which both she and David formed a real connection - and resolution of the conflict.

This encounter of David and Abigail really fascinates me, and one particular Commentary about their passage is this seemingly obscure reference to psalm 42 which is brought into the fray - in light of Abigail and Davids unique exchange. How random...(or is it?)

psalm 42

7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

8 The LORD will command His loving kindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the God of my life

The reference was made in light of Abigail and David... both God loving, both God serving... in unison with individual Faith in God - in the midst of the verbal exchange, one to another find recognition in each other ... as deep calls to deep.

The story is 1 Samuel 25 narrates the exchange between Abigail to David.. and his response. She is pleading with him to pause from his determination to repay her husbands foolish behaviour.. but more than that... she is talking to him as one believer to another - her language, her expression relays an insight into her character, a person evolved in faith and rich in wisdom... which David recognizes easily... as one himself who walks in Gods ways and who's passion is the Lord.

this recognition to me is the most beautiful exchange and when I read psalm 42:7 my heart leaped. I understand that sense of recognition and in my own life... deep calls to deep for me..... is such a longing at times...

I went on to read a beautifully rich sermon which Spurgeon preached on this very verse... below is a small partial segment in which so much more is brought to light.

(partial) Charles Spurgeon Sermon

DELIVERED ON LORD’S-DAY MORNING, APRIL 11, 1869,

BY C. H. SPURGEON,

AT THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE, NEWINGTON.

psalm 42:7

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

IN the grandeur of Nature there are awful harmonies. When the storm agitates the ocean below, the heavens above hear the tumult and answer to the clamor. Down comes a deluge of sonorous hail or swift-descending rain, attended with peals of thunder and flashes of flame.

Frequently the waterspout, of which David speaks in the next sentence, evidences the sympathy of the two great waters above and beneath the firmament—the great deep above stretches out its hands to the great deep below and in voice of thunder their old relationship is recognized.

It is almost as if the twin seas remembered how once they lay together in the same cradle of confusion till the decree of the Eternal appointed each his bounds and place.

“Deep calls unto deep”—one splendor of creation holds fellowship with another.

I can only picture the most beautiful and interesting intertwining of two (people or forces of nature) in this imagination rich context. David the forever poet and revealer of God's creative secrets opens up a picture to us of unique fellowship echoed from nature to us... that pulls at our souls like a tidal magnet towards the opposite and the same all at once... this crazy kind of recognition.

I don't know about you... but I am quietly feeling the joy of this profound idea. And love the way Abigail and David have somehow by someone, been captured into this idea of deep calling deep. Especially in light of how David eventually... asked (the widowed) Abigail to be his wife. A glorious conclusion to the drawing together of these two.

I know not everyone will be into this particular post... but ahhh.... this is just a kind of thing that ignite my imagination anyway...

keep checkin' in and have a wonderful easter break

easter means

2011-04-21T22:46:00.000-07:00

One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.

2 Corinthians 5:13-15

For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;

Romans 6:4-6

home sweet

2011-04-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Still a little way to go but starting to settle into our new place... My style of decorating isn't really mainstream... but an eclectic collection of bits & peices found all over. The main living areas are basic bright colors with a dash of boho, mexican and junk-art.

If I had my own place the walls would be bright red or yellow ...and the floors 1950's linoleum or blonde timber. In the meantime I've always had to make do with cream walls.

My oldest son created this peice of Art work for me when he was about 3yrs old. He's now 25 ... it's called "Mummy & Jesus".. I decided to bring it out for the fridge.

my b e d r o o m

quite different colors for this area... all peaches, pinks and creams...still... the usual boho and junk. I so love my chest of drawers. hmmmm I've still got more to do in this room.

I've got to paint my dream sign peaches and cream

I love living on the Ocean here too... we have a nice pool and I can walk around the estuary and onto the beach so easily. It's kind of an older style unit and certainly not really stylish or slick...

but it's great for what we need right now and I feel totally blessed at home.

Four mysteries

2011-04-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

You might have guessed two of my fave books in the Old Testament are Psalms and Proverbs.. Why? The speak so much of life and humanity and cover the whole sphere of nature, both human nature and this glorious natural world. Never shying from emotions.. we see Gods thoughts, our conversations and the interaction between both.... in a richness which just grows
as I continue to journey in the Word.

Here's a delightful sample ... very thought provoking. And if I'm not mistaken.... a twinkle in the eye of a humorous creator who turns our attention to join the pondering of some amazing puzzles of life.

Proverbs 30:18-19

Three things amaze me,

no, four things I'll never understand—

how an eagle flies so high in the sky,

how a snake glides over a rock,

how a ship navigates the ocean,

why adolescents act the way they do.

Proverbs 30:18- 19 (Young's Literal Translation)

Three things have been too wonderful for me, Yea, four that I have not known:

The way of the eagle in the heavens,

The way of a serpent on a rock,

The way of a ship in the heart of the sea,

And the way of a man in youth.

“There are three things that are too amazing for me,

four that I do not understand:

the way of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship on the high seas,

and the way of a man with a young woman.

( hee .... t e e n a g e r s!)

ps..I also would like to pose a similar question to the mechanical world, I have NO idea how aeroplanes stay up in the air..... and yet part of me doesn't want to know.

Beach-baby

2011-04-19T04:58:00.000-07:00

Growing up Coastal... These images bring vivid reminders

of my childhood and early teens.

Such a specific subculture that blend of beach and late 1970's . . .

with a little dash of boho

The graphics from this era are so un-slick

they always make me reminiscent.

when I was a kid ,

all the boys in my street looked exactly like this

t h i s particular invention is EVEN before my time...

but HOW cool is it

Verbs & Nouns

2011-04-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

^{Jesus was given a hard time when he was here in the flesh over 2000 years ago. His arrival in our world created something of a stir, alot of it negative.}

^{Even now, there continues to be an indifference, or derisive attitude from the world at large to JESUS.}

^{But in John 8, in the Bible I see certain phrases and words when Jesus is talking about his coming into our world... and I notice the language theme. The lovely nouns & verbs.}

^{john 8:49-50}Jesus said, "I'm not crazy. I simply honor my Father, while you dishonor me. I am not trying to get anything for myself. God intends something gloriously grand here and is making the decisions that will bring it about.

^{john 8:54}Jesus said, "If I turned the spotlight on myself, it wouldn't amount to anything. But my Father, the same One you say is your Father , put me here at this time and place of splendor

john 8:56
Abraham—your 'father'—with jubilant faith looked down the corridors of history and saw my day coming. He saw it and cheered."

Splendour, jubilant, glorious, grand & cheer. Such words we w e l c o m e

Every angle we look to see - that God's intentions for the event of Jesus coming into this world to offer us LIFE is so Celebration worthy...

As Easter is upon our doorstep.. We too can begin to contemplate the Amazing Gift and Sacrifice brought to us in JESUS, yes... in Holy reverence..& also with hearts of JOY and appreciation of the Splendour of him.

The Joy of his life live in YOU today

Galleria

2011-04-16T02:23:00.000-07:00

Again... a selection of photo's

it seems in shades of mint & peaches

skies , buildings and interesting folks.

the subject of LIFE

2011-04-15T05:05:00.000-07:00

Say the word "L I F E " and everyone has an opinion about it.

A cliched "life is" saying. A catch phrase or soothing homespun philosophy about it, how to live it and what it's all about.

Like LOVE... Life is a broad subject. It's huge umbrella covers all of us in one way or another. And we grappple to percive it's meaning, from the mundane day to day living of it... to the other worldly ideas of origin, beauty and God.

The Bible has alot to say on this subject of life.
On more levels than I seek to find...
However in the book of Proverbs,

some things God thinks about L I F E are very plain and plainly said.

Many sayings of the long book of Proverbs make a multitude of statements about life. I have picked out only 2 for this entry.

They seem very straight forward. Yet there is... as the Bible is so renound for, a few things to digest & read into in learning about life. If you're up for it.

prov 15:9

A life frittered away disgusts God;

he loves those who run straight for the finish line.

and the second....

prov15:21

The empty-headed treat life as a plaything;

the perceptive grasp its meaning
and make a go of it.

I believe first of all there is a premise that a person needs to 'grasp' the value of life, of being given a life to live. That although we don't ask to be born, nor choose our parents, or geography we nevertheless are given life which is encased in flesh and bone body & we arrive into a period in history to live it out - for however many years, months or days are alotted to us.

... this thing called human life, is named by God as a gift, and one of immense value... I think as people we are expected to appreciate this (unasked for) gift of being alive - and in welcoming life...
to "grasp it's meaning" as the proverb says
and make a go of it.

We aren't given the breath of life it appears in Proverbs... to waste.

....as if it's something cheap and replaceable.

As if it's just any old thing. Being alive. For years.

In fact God, it says in Proverbs, find's a life frittered away as disgusting.

I think of what frittering is ....

I use my imagination and picture - Of giving a penniless person a million one dollar notes - And that person getting a box of matches and one by one, over a period of days and months setting fire to each one dollar, just for fun- to watch the excitement of the flame burning the paper note..(never really giving thought to what the note represents...) only seeing how interesting the fire is, the way it burns, how alight and entertaining it is...!!!

Maybe that's an idea of what frittering can kind of be.

But this is extreme. Surely most people understand that life is to be valued. Our time here in this world has meaning.?

When I read these Proverbs, I get a picture of a God who wants us to comprehend - Something "more" or "other" than merely expending life, however many years we have,

in only exsisting... or just entertaining ourselves.

A good part of the world will say that life is about "Having Fun" and the elusive "Just be Happy" .....do your own thing whatever makes you happy ...

I'm for having fun. I'm for being happy.

Who isn't? But underlying these philosophies of life is that in achieving these things called "fun" and "happy" ...a person usually focuses on gratifying his or her own desires regardless of God...

I know that could be a never ending pursuit for many

who find this quest of self happiness as the meaning of life... and endless game of chasey.

I'm really challenged by these 2 proverbs...

I love how they highlight that life isn't just some plaything.. a game as so many like to think of the world as personal playground...

some see the red smartie is really a ruby .

I know most people do try and make life worthwhile. They go after LOVE.. they find meaning in expressing their talents in careers and create families, cherish friends. Good as this is .... It still isn't the full grasp of what God would portray as the abundance of what life's about...

" G R A S P it's M E A N I N G"

....and to "make a go of it. "

(to run to finish line....)

(jesus)...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:9-11

...Life finds it meaning in God.

There is something to pursue here

my ocean home

2011-04-08T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have a fascination with the Ocean - I've grown up in walking distance to the beach - and right now live in a building only metres from the waves.

It's a place I find a sense of peace and rest....

...The salty air brings with it a feeling of "home"... and I'm amazed how, with light, seasons, time of day it changes in such subtle and amazing ways.

The Bible has loads of references to the OCEAN in varying contexts. These verses always jump out at me because of my passion... thought I'd share a few

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

Psalm 148:6-8

I Love the imagry of this following verse...

the immensity of God' having a jug creates a picture in my mind

which is very delightful...

literal or figurativley .. it's just way cool

The skies were made by God's command; he breathed the word and the stars popped out.

He scooped Sea into his jug,

put Ocean in his keg.

Psalm 33:5-7

God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!" It was evening, it was morning— Day Five.

Genesis 1:19-21

I l o v e the beauty of sea life ... wish I could live under the sea for a while

....On a completley different sea-perspective ...

My sins will be stuffed in a sack and thrown into the sea—sunk in deep ocean.

Job 14:1-3

ummm... then some parts of the Ocean,

I'm not sure are safe to swim

It's God raising his voice! By his power he stills sea storms, by his wisdom he tames sea monsters. With one breath he clears the sky, with one finger he crushes the sea serpent

job 26:5

...and yet another Ocean-tale

Jonahs Journey in the deep SEA

He prayed: "In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!' You heard my cry. You threw me into ocean's depths, into a watery grave, With ocean waves, ocean breakers crashing over me. I said, 'I've been thrown away, thrown out, out of your sight. I'll never again lay eyes on your Holy Temple.' Ocean gripped me by the throat. The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight. My head was all tangled in seaweed at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root. I was as far down as a body can go, and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever— Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive, O God, my God! When my life was slipping away, I remembered God, And my prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your Holy Temple. Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love. But I'm worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I'll do what I promised I'd do! Salvation belongs to God!"

Jonah 2:1-3

It seems like the very Deep Ocean has it terrors

and yet.... psalm 104 says in parts

You built your palace on the ocean deeps

You blanketed earth with ocean, covered the mountains with deep waters;

Then you roared and the water ran away— your thunder crash put it to flight.

The Ocean is God's creation of beauty and mystery and danger... a place in which his art and science are reflected

& where mystery abounds

I stand at the edge of but only to ignite my imagination

prov 8

...When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean, built the vast vault of Heaven, and installed the fountains that fed Ocean, When he drew a boundary for Sea, posted a sign that said no trespassing....

love * O C E A N *

Endure and Enjoy

2011-04-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Last few weeks have been kinda intense.... Packing up my house - having a virus - the actual move sandwiched in between long work hours - a tough personal situation... I've felt hard pressed.

I often think of this verse in Ecclesiastes

and it always reminded me of the bigger picture

On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won't take anything for granted.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-15

There's the word that we will, in this life have good days and bad.

But sometimes also difficult months - or years ..

But as Christians, we take more than a dim resignation of our trials.... we have a hope, and we also have perspective from God's word....

2 Cor 1:7

When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

endure

enjoy

2 cor 1:7

And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

Romans 8:14-16

The christian's life journey isn't a sweet stroll in the park -There's no getting around it. But we navigate with a hope... and a determination of endurance which Jesus has set for us the perfect example...

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

2 Corinthians 6:3-5

I know endurance isn't the soft option - its the pathway of a christians journey. If I could tattoo a word on my wrist when life gets tough it would be "endure" and on the other hand "enjoy" because both, as God's word tells us, are required.

and... undergirding this roller coaster ride of life,

is the foundational word

FAITH.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

if you've had a tough time latley, or are in the middle of one... h a n g in there. God is with you.

...navigate with endurance and faith... and enjoy the good times
as they present in your journey

Catching thoughts

2011-04-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

a poem

If one single gesture,

tinted in color could tell you about

my eccentric portion.

a lust for pattern... a hungering for expression of same

but not without control and order,

mixed with unconvention

I'm C a t c h i n g thoughts...

and is all the valid peices

We think

& thinking thoughts and holding on to sights

But I always w o r s h i p up

not still - desiring these shifting shadows and glowing lights

Yet the cornered is caught herself.

Blog lag

2011-03-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted this last several days ...The reason?

I'm moving house...

we are in our new place but give me a day or two to set up

And I'll be back blogging!

w h e n I'm all Set Up !!

Another pic gallery

2011-03-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

I R O N Y

and ....

if some one could please make me this exact cupboard which I adore beyond words. I will be most grateful

this giving kind

2011-03-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Generous hands are blessed hands

because they give bread to the poor.

Prov 22:9

If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,

your cries will go unheard, unanswered.

prov 21:13

It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor—what a blessing!

Proverbs 14:20-22

...when you're kind to the poor, you honor God.

Proverbs 14:32

He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.

Proverbs 19:16-18

He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

Proverbs 28:26-28

She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:19-21

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

Prov 11:24

The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:24-26

These are sayings which I have read over the years and as I go on in life decide they really are quite literal... and speaking directly to me. I used to think years ago, as a single parent providing for 3 kids on my own I was somehow a little exempt. My portion could be smaller... yet my heart has grown into this view that I am no less required to give as any other. I have challenged myself at times and found surprising delight in this area... and decided to be consistent is also key.

With everything happening in Japan and the world right now.. I see that these challenges arise again. How do we respond?

e v e r y b i t c o u n t s

...and if it's a direct loan to God. There is assurity our treasures are well invested.

Love Japan part 2

2011-03-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

J A P A N OUR BEAUTIFUL PACIFIC NEIGHBOR

s t e e p ed in Culture so richly exquisite in it's beauty. Ancient art & traditions.

Japan ... there is so much I love about you.

Your beautiful G a r d e n s

Tea Ceremonies

Kimino's

Architecture

H i s t o r y

Lanterns and paper Art

Food

technology

quirky pop art and karaoke

I can only imagine your suffering right now.

I don't know why. I have no answers

But God is right there...

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

psalm 91

14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,

"I'll get you out of any trouble.

I'll give you the best of care

if you'll only get to know and trust me.

Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;

I heart Japan

2011-03-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Like everyone else... I'm reeling with the News coming out of Japan right now.. I've had a few days off work with a virus and subsequently have been laying on the couch and able to watch the live stream TV coverage of the earthquake, Tsunami and now the Nuclear threat.

Day by day over the last week... We see world events which shake us. I know some can't even watch it.. for various reasons.. it's upsetting, they don't want to have to consider the unpleasant nature of it or the ramifications ... and also these events stir up that sense of peace that our safe world isn't so safe after all.

But I don't want to just ignore this... Yet what can I do ? Apart from sending money (which I have via red cross online) -
All I can do, as a Christian is PRAY.

How can I know this helps?

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

James 5:15-17

Everything we say to God carry's weight... He is listening for our conversations.. He cares. The easy option is to think.. out of sight, out of mind.. but ...... Faith speaks a language of God intervening..and those words shouldn't be shut away. Yes, it's scary outside.. the world is rocking in ways we aren't sure of ... but we are called to LOVE in this world. So I encourage - if your a believer, join in - Pray for Japan.

1 peter 4:6

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.

I think our prayers are the main gift we can give right now... so we need to be generous in this way. and I so speak to myself when I say that....

J a p a n WE l o v e YOU

click this link to Aust red cross to donate online

another world

2011-03-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, then we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world.

C. S. Lewis