I've been thinking about my goals for 2011 and have come to the conclusion that they will simply be:
To trust and obey...the Lord.
The old hymn sums it up pretty well:
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What glory He sheds on our way
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
chorus:
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
(chorus)
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
(chorus)
Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear only trust and obey.
(chorus)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What are your goals for 2011?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Behold your God (Isaiah 40:9)
He became the son of Man that we might become the sons of God.
If though seek Him, he will be found of thee (1 Chronicles 28:9)
FIND HIM!
If though seek Him, he will be found of thee (1 Chronicles 28:9)
FIND HIM!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Contented Living
Nine Requisites for Contented Living
*Health enough to make work a pleasure.
*Wealth enough to support your needs.
*Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
*Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
*Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.
*Charity enough to see some good in your neighbour.
*Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
*Faith enough to make real the things of God.
*Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.
------- Goethe (1749 - 1832)
*Health enough to make work a pleasure.
*Wealth enough to support your needs.
*Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
*Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
*Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.
*Charity enough to see some good in your neighbour.
*Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
*Faith enough to make real the things of God.
*Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.
------- Goethe (1749 - 1832)
Beach walk
Sometimes the tide is very high when I go for my morning walk. This is about where I start, and walk around to the end of the land on the left. 
Some days the beach is clear (depending on the winds), some days it is littered with branches and rubbish that has been washed up by the waves
I usually meet some birdlife...either in the water or on the sand
By the time I'm walking back the tide has gone out a little. Sometimes I collect shells on the way down the beach, and I always carry a plastic bag to collect rubbish (glass,plastic,cans, etc) on the way back. Unfortunately, most days I fill the bag!
Some days the beach is clear (depending on the winds), some days it is littered with branches and rubbish that has been washed up by the waves
I usually meet some birdlife...either in the water or on the sand
By the time I'm walking back the tide has gone out a little. Sometimes I collect shells on the way down the beach, and I always carry a plastic bag to collect rubbish (glass,plastic,cans, etc) on the way back. Unfortunately, most days I fill the bag!
Finally finished!
This is the crocheted blanket I started a year ago in Brisbane. I finally finished it today. It didn't take me the whole year to do...I was working on other projects in between. It was originally going to be a lap blanket, then I decided to make it single bed size...and it kept growing!!
It actually almost covers the top of a queen size bed now :o)
It actually almost covers the top of a queen size bed now :o)
Irish Soda Bread
The following recipe is as it was given to me. I will add my bit at the end as to what I do differently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Irish Soda Bread
3 cups flour (I prefer whole wheat but white is great too)
1 cup rolled oats (like Quaker Oats)
1 cup dried non-fat milk
1 teaspoon sugar (honey)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350, Grease a large cookie sheet with sides (jellyroll pan).
Mix dry ingredients well, add water and lemon juice, stir until just mixed, don't over stir, if needed add extra water 2 tablespoons at a time (some flours are really thirsty and soak up the water)...you will now have a batter that may be very "firm" like yeasted bread or it may be a little thinner than you are used to with making bread...not to worry, it cooks up very well..."dump" the batter in the middle of the cookie sheet...slightly shape with dampened hands and cut an X in the top to let the gasses escape.
Put in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve hot...it is very good...it is not a traditional loaf of bread but it is great with meals...it is also nice for breakfast the next day with either cheese or peanut butter.
Variations: Instead of using non-fat dried milk in the mix you can substitute sweet milk with the lemon juice for the water or you can use buttermilk without the lemon juice. I had non-fat dried milk in the kitchen so I used what I had. You can add caraway seeds, raisins or ground flax seed to add variety. If you are using white flour and want to add fiber you can stir in bran or wheat germ. Soy flour or powder increases the protein content. Lightly toasted sunflower seeds are a nice addition. This loaf is very flexible -- variations are endless...one day for a dessert loaf of bread I added chopped dried fruit that had been soaked in orange juice. I also added some Pumpkin Pie spice and a little extra sugar...about a half a cup. This was very tasty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lynda comments: I use a variety of flours to make up the 3 cups. This time I used 1 cup wholemeal wheat, 1 cup wholemeal spelt, 1/2 cup besan (chickpea) flour, 1/2 cup white wheat flour. I like to use some rye flour, but didn't have any. You can use any flours you like to make up the 3 cups. I also add some ground linseed and sesame and sunflower seeds.
I like to use molasses instead of sugar or honey.
I only added 1 1/4 cups of water this time and I found the dough was very sticky...almost like cake batter when I 'dumped' it onto the oven tray, so add the water gradually. I think that is why it didn't rise as much this time. The dough is usually a bit stiffer, but always stickier than yeasted bread. But even when it doesn't rise as much...it still tastes good :o)
I also find I need to cook it about an hour. Just stick a skewer or knife into the middle to see if it is cooked. If it's not, give it a bit longer. It will also sound hollow when you knock on the base of the loaf when it is cooked. If you've made bread before, you'll know what I mean.
I use to double the quantities and make 2 loaves, but as it's just for me now and I don't have a very big freezer, I just make the one loaf.
It's nice warm from the oven, but I actually prefer it toasted, so I slice it when it's cold and store in the freezer and just take a slice out as I need it.
If you have a family, it probably won't make it to the freezer :o)
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Irish Soda Bread
3 cups flour (I prefer whole wheat but white is great too)
1 cup rolled oats (like Quaker Oats)
1 cup dried non-fat milk
1 teaspoon sugar (honey)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350, Grease a large cookie sheet with sides (jellyroll pan).
Mix dry ingredients well, add water and lemon juice, stir until just mixed, don't over stir, if needed add extra water 2 tablespoons at a time (some flours are really thirsty and soak up the water)...you will now have a batter that may be very "firm" like yeasted bread or it may be a little thinner than you are used to with making bread...not to worry, it cooks up very well..."dump" the batter in the middle of the cookie sheet...slightly shape with dampened hands and cut an X in the top to let the gasses escape.
Put in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve hot...it is very good...it is not a traditional loaf of bread but it is great with meals...it is also nice for breakfast the next day with either cheese or peanut butter.
Variations: Instead of using non-fat dried milk in the mix you can substitute sweet milk with the lemon juice for the water or you can use buttermilk without the lemon juice. I had non-fat dried milk in the kitchen so I used what I had. You can add caraway seeds, raisins or ground flax seed to add variety. If you are using white flour and want to add fiber you can stir in bran or wheat germ. Soy flour or powder increases the protein content. Lightly toasted sunflower seeds are a nice addition. This loaf is very flexible -- variations are endless...one day for a dessert loaf of bread I added chopped dried fruit that had been soaked in orange juice. I also added some Pumpkin Pie spice and a little extra sugar...about a half a cup. This was very tasty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lynda comments: I use a variety of flours to make up the 3 cups. This time I used 1 cup wholemeal wheat, 1 cup wholemeal spelt, 1/2 cup besan (chickpea) flour, 1/2 cup white wheat flour. I like to use some rye flour, but didn't have any. You can use any flours you like to make up the 3 cups. I also add some ground linseed and sesame and sunflower seeds.
I like to use molasses instead of sugar or honey.
I only added 1 1/4 cups of water this time and I found the dough was very sticky...almost like cake batter when I 'dumped' it onto the oven tray, so add the water gradually. I think that is why it didn't rise as much this time. The dough is usually a bit stiffer, but always stickier than yeasted bread. But even when it doesn't rise as much...it still tastes good :o)
I also find I need to cook it about an hour. Just stick a skewer or knife into the middle to see if it is cooked. If it's not, give it a bit longer. It will also sound hollow when you knock on the base of the loaf when it is cooked. If you've made bread before, you'll know what I mean.
I use to double the quantities and make 2 loaves, but as it's just for me now and I don't have a very big freezer, I just make the one loaf.
It's nice warm from the oven, but I actually prefer it toasted, so I slice it when it's cold and store in the freezer and just take a slice out as I need it.
If you have a family, it probably won't make it to the freezer :o)
I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you have any problems.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Bread
this morning I got back into my bread making. Not your typical loaf of bread, but Irish Soda bread. Here are some of the ingredients I used:
and here is the bread. It usually rises more than this, but the mixture was a bit wetter this time. It's a very heavy, dense loaf...just the way I like it! I had some warm from the oven, spread with butter and honey, and a cup of tea :o)
If anyone is interested I can post the recipe.
and here is the bread. It usually rises more than this, but the mixture was a bit wetter this time. It's a very heavy, dense loaf...just the way I like it! I had some warm from the oven, spread with butter and honey, and a cup of tea :o)
If anyone is interested I can post the recipe.
Sprouting Seeds
the smaller seeds on the left are alfalfa and the larger ones on the right are fenugreek
I sprout them in my Biosnacky jar that Jefferson gave me. Soak about 1 1/2 tablespoons of seeds (I'm doing fenugreek this time) in water in the jar overnight or for about 8 hours
then drain them through the special sieve lid and leave to stand on the sink giving them 2 rinses (run the water in through the holes in the lid) morning and night and leaving to drain in between rinses.
this is day one:
this is day 3:
and this is day 4...and they are ready. Put in a covered container and store in fridge. I find they keep for at least a week
They are good on sandwiches, in salads, with scrambled eggs...I tend to put a handful on most things I eat...they are really good for you and the fenugreek have a sort of curry flavour. I'm going to do some alfalfa seeds next.
If you don't have a special sprouting jar, you can use a large, wide mouth jar and cover it with a piece of stocking/pantyhose secured with an elastic band. That is how I use to do it, but you have to leave it upturned to drain...that is why I like my BioSnacky, because I don't have to try and balance it on something to drain...it has it's own little stand :o)
It is really only big enough for one, so if you have a family you would probably need a bigger jar.
Happy sprouting!!
I sprout them in my Biosnacky jar that Jefferson gave me. Soak about 1 1/2 tablespoons of seeds (I'm doing fenugreek this time) in water in the jar overnight or for about 8 hours
then drain them through the special sieve lid and leave to stand on the sink giving them 2 rinses (run the water in through the holes in the lid) morning and night and leaving to drain in between rinses.
this is day one:
this is day 3:
and this is day 4...and they are ready. Put in a covered container and store in fridge. I find they keep for at least a week
They are good on sandwiches, in salads, with scrambled eggs...I tend to put a handful on most things I eat...they are really good for you and the fenugreek have a sort of curry flavour. I'm going to do some alfalfa seeds next.
If you don't have a special sprouting jar, you can use a large, wide mouth jar and cover it with a piece of stocking/pantyhose secured with an elastic band. That is how I use to do it, but you have to leave it upturned to drain...that is why I like my BioSnacky, because I don't have to try and balance it on something to drain...it has it's own little stand :o)
It is really only big enough for one, so if you have a family you would probably need a bigger jar.
Happy sprouting!!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
It's finished
finished Oliver's lap blanket today and mailed it off for his birthday on Sunday. The colours don't show up very well in the photo. The 2 that look like similar blues are actually blue and purple and they are quite different when you see them in 'real life'.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Amish Grace
Last night, instead of our usual mid week prayer meeting, some of the folk from our church watched the movie Amish Grace. The movie, based on the book, tells about the Nickel Mines School shooting in Lancaster Pennsylvania in 2006 when a gunman shot and killed 5 young Amish schoolgirls.
I have the book:
and started reading it today. I will be interested to see how it compares with the movie.
The theme is on forgiveness and how society in general where astounded at how the Amish could forgive, so quickly, the gunman who killed their daughters.
But what stands out to me is that even christians are astounded and can't believe this response, and many have said they could not forgive. I find this hard to comprehend! Don't they read their Bibles?
Forgiveness doesn't mean we forget or condone what has been done, but it is something the Bible says we must do.
Here are a few quotes from the book:
'The acid of hate destroys the container'
'If we don't forgive, we won't be forgiven'
'True forgiveness deals with the past, all of the past, to make the future possible.'
'"Do your people ever ask, why did God let this happen?"
Yes, probably a million times!'
I'll let you know how the book goes.
I have the book:
and started reading it today. I will be interested to see how it compares with the movie.
The theme is on forgiveness and how society in general where astounded at how the Amish could forgive, so quickly, the gunman who killed their daughters.
But what stands out to me is that even christians are astounded and can't believe this response, and many have said they could not forgive. I find this hard to comprehend! Don't they read their Bibles?
Forgiveness doesn't mean we forget or condone what has been done, but it is something the Bible says we must do.
Here are a few quotes from the book:
'The acid of hate destroys the container'
'If we don't forgive, we won't be forgiven'
'True forgiveness deals with the past, all of the past, to make the future possible.'
'"Do your people ever ask, why did God let this happen?"
Yes, probably a million times!'
I'll let you know how the book goes.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Shifting Sand
I love my early morning, hour long walk on the beach. I go whatever the weather (except in heavy rain) and I think the times I like best are when the sky is grey and overcast and the sea is rough.
Normally I walk on firm sand, but this morning, the tide was very high and I had to walk on the soft sand.
It was hard going.
Every so often I would hit a firmer patch and I could stride out again, only to suddenly put my foot down into a soft patch of sand and it was back to plodding and struggling along. I only had a narrow strip of sand to walk on, and tree branches, that had been washed up by the sea, to step over. High sand dunes on one side of me and the crashing waves on the other.
And as I plodded along I got to thinking about life.
We all have a road to walk - sometimes it is littered with obstacles (like the tree branches), sometimes we feel like we are sinking (like walking on soft, shifting sand) and then at other times we are able to walk unhindered and enjoy the journey (the firm sand).
I thought about the narrow strip of sand I had to walk on (the narrow road?), and those things and situations that come alongside us on our walk - the crashing sea (those difficult people perhaps?), and the high sandhills (problems looming?) and we feel we are getting squeezed in on all sides.
Sometimes the walk gets too hard and I think I'll turn back. Then I look out to sea, and on the horizon see a gap in the grey clouds, and the silver rays of sunlight beaming through onto the grey sea. My feet hit some firm sand, the sandhills are opening out to grass areas, and the tide is going out.
So I keep walking, thinking, I'll never take that firm sand I usually walk on for granted again. I get to my turning point and head back along the beach (by this time the tide has receeded enough that I can walk the whole way on firm sand). I look up and see big patches of blue sky, the sun streaming down, and the sea sparkling and dancing in the sunlight.
Life gets hard sometimes. We feel like giving up the struggle...turning back. It all just gets too hard.
But God is there with us. He gives us the firm sand and the rays of sunshine. Do you see them? Or are you focused on the obstacles?
God and His Word is our firm foundation (2 Timothy 2:19), underneath our soft, shifting sand (Matthew 7:26). He will not let our foot slip (Psalm 121:3). And underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
green fix
I can't have a garden here, so last week I went and bought 2 indoor ferns so I could still get my green fix.
crocheted birthday blankets
This is the lap blanket I crocheted for grandson Dylan in June
And this is the one I crocheted for grandson Zak in September
And this is the one I am working on now for grandson Oliver for his birthday next month. It will be like Dylan's only edged in brown.
And this is the one I crocheted for grandson Zak in September
And this is the one I am working on now for grandson Oliver for his birthday next month. It will be like Dylan's only edged in brown.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Choices
“It doesn’t really matter
One way or the other—
The hairstyle I have chosen, or
The one that’s on my brother.
It doesn’t really make a difference
If cars are black or white,
Or if I wear a color shade
That you would think too bright.
Salvation, holiness, and love
Are heart and spirit things;
They don’t consist in what I drive
Or what my brother sings.
Why this fuss of right or wrong,
Bickering all the while?
My brother’s not like me. So what?
Embrace him with a smile.”
Is this the truth—the whole truth—
Or is it only half?
Is God the Author of these thoughts,
Or does the devil laugh …
To see so many Christians
Behind this thinking hide,
And taking refuge in these “truths,”
Indulge in self and pride?
It doesn’t really matter?
But God says that it does;
And furthermore He teaches that
It’s not an idle fuss.
If details do not matter,
Why didn’t our Father say
So simply to each child of His,
“Be holy. Go thy way?”
Instead He gives instruction
On what to do or say;
On how to treat our elders,
And when, and what to pray.
Of worship and its details;
Alms, and how much to bring;
Of who should be a leader;
How, when, and what to sing.
He tells us when to laugh or weep,
And what to eat or drink;
How much to talk and work and sleep,
And even what to think.
He cares about our business,
If we are rich or poor.
Our clothes, our love, our feelings, plans,
Relationships and more.
“Angel of light,” the devil is—
A wolf with clothing fair,
Who cuts the truth in half, and spreads
Confusion everywhere.
“Do these things really matter?”
He says to you and me.
“You have the right to choose your way
And thus in Christ you’re free!”
“You choose,” ah, there’s the secret
Of Satan’s lie, half-told;
These choices are the building
Of either straw or gold.
No, outward things don’t save us
This fact is true, so true!
But it’s the choice behind them
That saves or ruins you.
The clothes you wear, your hairstyle,
Each word you think or say,
The car you drive, the books you read,
The work you do each day;
The way you dress your children,
The songs you want to sing,
The preacher that you listen to,
The way your phone may ring;
Are all because of choices
God sees and understands;
He weighs each choice and its reward
In His all-knowing hands.
Say not, “It doesn’t matter,”
This is the devil’s snare.
The dress or car or shoe reveals
The choice that put it there.
When we are making choices,
Which question is our test?
“I wonder just what’s wrong with it?”
Or, “Which way is the best?”
What is our deepest longing?
To glorify God’s Name?
To build and edify His church—
A worker free of blame?
Or is our heart the garden spot
Where grow the subtle weeds
Of flesh and self uncrucified,
That trouble and mislead?
If we are making choices,
With heart and soul and mind
Completely given up to God,
His blessing we will find.
—Author unknown
One way or the other—
The hairstyle I have chosen, or
The one that’s on my brother.
It doesn’t really make a difference
If cars are black or white,
Or if I wear a color shade
That you would think too bright.
Salvation, holiness, and love
Are heart and spirit things;
They don’t consist in what I drive
Or what my brother sings.
Why this fuss of right or wrong,
Bickering all the while?
My brother’s not like me. So what?
Embrace him with a smile.”
Is this the truth—the whole truth—
Or is it only half?
Is God the Author of these thoughts,
Or does the devil laugh …
To see so many Christians
Behind this thinking hide,
And taking refuge in these “truths,”
Indulge in self and pride?
It doesn’t really matter?
But God says that it does;
And furthermore He teaches that
It’s not an idle fuss.
If details do not matter,
Why didn’t our Father say
So simply to each child of His,
“Be holy. Go thy way?”
Instead He gives instruction
On what to do or say;
On how to treat our elders,
And when, and what to pray.
Of worship and its details;
Alms, and how much to bring;
Of who should be a leader;
How, when, and what to sing.
He tells us when to laugh or weep,
And what to eat or drink;
How much to talk and work and sleep,
And even what to think.
He cares about our business,
If we are rich or poor.
Our clothes, our love, our feelings, plans,
Relationships and more.
“Angel of light,” the devil is—
A wolf with clothing fair,
Who cuts the truth in half, and spreads
Confusion everywhere.
“Do these things really matter?”
He says to you and me.
“You have the right to choose your way
And thus in Christ you’re free!”
“You choose,” ah, there’s the secret
Of Satan’s lie, half-told;
These choices are the building
Of either straw or gold.
No, outward things don’t save us
This fact is true, so true!
But it’s the choice behind them
That saves or ruins you.
The clothes you wear, your hairstyle,
Each word you think or say,
The car you drive, the books you read,
The work you do each day;
The way you dress your children,
The songs you want to sing,
The preacher that you listen to,
The way your phone may ring;
Are all because of choices
God sees and understands;
He weighs each choice and its reward
In His all-knowing hands.
Say not, “It doesn’t matter,”
This is the devil’s snare.
The dress or car or shoe reveals
The choice that put it there.
When we are making choices,
Which question is our test?
“I wonder just what’s wrong with it?”
Or, “Which way is the best?”
What is our deepest longing?
To glorify God’s Name?
To build and edify His church—
A worker free of blame?
Or is our heart the garden spot
Where grow the subtle weeds
Of flesh and self uncrucified,
That trouble and mislead?
If we are making choices,
With heart and soul and mind
Completely given up to God,
His blessing we will find.
—Author unknown
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
A walk in the fog
Yesterday morning was my first walk in the fog...I LOVE IT!!!!
By the time I was coming back, the township was just emerging from the fog. The Nut that is towering above it was still shrouded.
By the time I was coming back, the township was just emerging from the fog. The Nut that is towering above it was still shrouded.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Another poem...
MOVING FORWARD
Is God calling you to move forward
To walk in His strength today?
Are you straining to turn back
And in your safe place stay?
He calls us out to stretch us,
To teach us in His ways.
To help us see how we respond
Is based upon that special bond
We have with Jesus.
Are we leaning on His love
And walking in His strength?
Or are we clinging to the past
Afraid to move in God's new path.
He does not take us where
He has not walked the way before us.
Not only does He walk before,
But behind, beside and in us!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Is God calling you to move forward
To walk in His strength today?
Are you straining to turn back
And in your safe place stay?
He calls us out to stretch us,
To teach us in His ways.
To help us see how we respond
Is based upon that special bond
We have with Jesus.
Are we leaning on His love
And walking in His strength?
Or are we clinging to the past
Afraid to move in God's new path.
He does not take us where
He has not walked the way before us.
Not only does He walk before,
But behind, beside and in us!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Eat That Frog!
I came across this thought on another blog. Apparently the concept comes from this quote by Mark Twain:
"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
— Mark Twain
Meaning, if you do the worst thing first, and stop procrastinating, then the day can only get better. Hmmm!
So, I thought I'd try the idea (glad it's only a concept and not literal), and get on with some of those things I've been putting off: emails I need to send, letters I need to write, phone calls I need to make....
But first I think I need a cup of tea...and I'll look at my Victoria magazine I got yesterday while I drink it...and maybe do a few rows of knitting...ho hum!
Maybe I'll start on the frog tomorrow!!
"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."
— Mark Twain
Meaning, if you do the worst thing first, and stop procrastinating, then the day can only get better. Hmmm!
So, I thought I'd try the idea (glad it's only a concept and not literal), and get on with some of those things I've been putting off: emails I need to send, letters I need to write, phone calls I need to make....
But first I think I need a cup of tea...and I'll look at my Victoria magazine I got yesterday while I drink it...and maybe do a few rows of knitting...ho hum!
Maybe I'll start on the frog tomorrow!!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Knitting
This is the start of a scarf I am knitting for myself. After a bit of experimenting with different size needles, I decided to go with 10mm to knit up into a soft loose stitch. The yarn I am using is probably about 8-10 ply (Noro silk/kid mohair/lambs wool). I cast on 32 stitches (you can use any multiple of 4 stitches for the pattern) and each row is just: Knit 3 Purl 1 - can't get much easier than that!
It is much longer now, but I have put it aside to finish off another hat for our charity knitting day tomorrow.
The hat is the same as the other 2 in this picture. I've also done the little jacket, but need to get 2 buttons for it - I am hiding the buttonholes minus the buttons with the hat :o)
And the bear was actually a hand puppet pattern but I made it into a teddybear..clever aren't I!!
It is much longer now, but I have put it aside to finish off another hat for our charity knitting day tomorrow.
The hat is the same as the other 2 in this picture. I've also done the little jacket, but need to get 2 buttons for it - I am hiding the buttonholes minus the buttons with the hat :o)
And the bear was actually a hand puppet pattern but I made it into a teddybear..clever aren't I!!
Friday, October 22, 2010
A walk on the beach
It's very windy here today, so I thought I'd take my morning walk on the beach on the other side of The Nut (Godfrey's Beach), unfortunately it was just as windy (if not more so) than on 'my' side (Tatlow's Beach).
It was still lovely to be out walking by the sea :o)
Here are some pictures:
Looking from one end of the beach...
To the other...
It was still lovely to be out walking by the sea :o)
Here are some pictures:
Looking from one end of the beach...
To the other...
banana choc chip muffins.....
.....that almost weren't!
This morning I thought I would make some banana choc chip muffins to use up the 3 over ripe bananas that I had. This little story is about how NOT to make the muffins:
I have a large kitchen in my new place here and I love it...but I can now see the benefits of having a kitchen with a small workspace.
I prepared my ingredients...dry in one bowl, wet in another and bananas mashed on a plate.
I mixed them together and put them in the pre heated oven. I started to clean up the main work area I had used and wash the equipment and utensils...turned to the side work bench area...and there were the mashed bananas still sitting on the plate!!...hmmmm...what to do!!!
I could just throw the bananas out, and make them choc chip muffins instead, but I don't like to waste food. So I quickly removed the muffins from the oven (they had already started to cook and rise by this time), spooned them out of the muffin pans and back into the bowl, added the mashed bananas and did a quick stir around (by this time the choc chips had heated up, so when I stirred them they melted through the mixture and I ended up with chocolate muffins instead), put them back in the oven and hoped they would still be OK.
Well they turned out good...although I don't recommend this method of making them...here's a picture of them...and they tasted just as good too! I ate one just to make sure :o)
This morning I thought I would make some banana choc chip muffins to use up the 3 over ripe bananas that I had. This little story is about how NOT to make the muffins:
I have a large kitchen in my new place here and I love it...but I can now see the benefits of having a kitchen with a small workspace.
I prepared my ingredients...dry in one bowl, wet in another and bananas mashed on a plate.
I mixed them together and put them in the pre heated oven. I started to clean up the main work area I had used and wash the equipment and utensils...turned to the side work bench area...and there were the mashed bananas still sitting on the plate!!...hmmmm...what to do!!!
I could just throw the bananas out, and make them choc chip muffins instead, but I don't like to waste food. So I quickly removed the muffins from the oven (they had already started to cook and rise by this time), spooned them out of the muffin pans and back into the bowl, added the mashed bananas and did a quick stir around (by this time the choc chips had heated up, so when I stirred them they melted through the mixture and I ended up with chocolate muffins instead), put them back in the oven and hoped they would still be OK.
Well they turned out good...although I don't recommend this method of making them...here's a picture of them...and they tasted just as good too! I ate one just to make sure :o)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Seeds of the Kingdom devotional
Camp Hope
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14, NIV
Along with millions of others around the world I have been glued to the television screen as I watched the first of the Chilean miners emerging from the darkness of their prison, 700 metres below the ground. The sight of these men, for whom there seemed to have been no hope of rescue, has had the world fighting back the tears of emotion and joy, as these remarkable scenes unfolded before our very eyes. These were moments of extraordinary drama, as their families greeted the men who had been totally incapable of rescuing themselves. As they emerged from their rescue capsule, into the glaring floodlights of media publicity, they were hugged by the President of Chile.
These were amazing pictures which will become part of unforgettable world history. Never before have so many men been rescued from being so long underground. These were men who, after 69 days in their prison of rock, had been rescued from certain death and given another chance of life. It was as if they had been born again. As I watched these dramatic scenes developing through the Chilean night, I was deeply impacted by the living parable that was unfolding before my very eyes.
Man’s condition was so like that of the trapped Chilean miners. Since the fall of man, the whole of the human race has lived out its spiritual existence in the darkness of a prison, from which there was no possibility of escape. There was nothing the miners could do to effect their own rescue. All they could do was wait – first to be found alive, and then to be rescued. Those dramatic pictures that eventually emerged, of men surviving in the blackest of black holes, perfectly illustrated the condition of fallen man, existing, but without hope.
The miners were totally dependent on rescue from above. It took over two months to drill a hole wide enough for a rescue capsule to descend through the rock to the darkness of their prison. Then we saw the first miners enter the rescue capsule, one at a time, and be lifted from ‘the dominion of darkness’ into the light of freedom at the top of the San Jose (Saint Joseph) mine, now renamed by the Chilean authorities, and the world’s media, as Camp Hope.
Joseph was the man whom God chose to rescue the Children of Israel from death by famine. His brothers condemned him to death, but God raised him up to the highest position in the land, and through him Israel and his family were saved. Joseph became the picture of ‘Hope’ for God’s people, and Jesus became the picture of ‘Hope’ for the whole of humanity.
Isaiah prophesied that ‘the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’ (Matthew 4:16). Man was incapable of rescuing himself from his self-imposed darkness. Like the miners, he had to wait for rescue from above. And when that moment came, it wasn’t the world’s media who were watching in awe, but the angelic host who gave ‘glory to God in the highest’ as they sang their praises and gave the good news to the Shepherds of Bethlehem.
The President of Chile waited at the surface for the first rescued miners to step out of the capsule. But the President of Heaven, Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, ‘manned the rescue capsule’ Himself and stepped down to earth to show man the way of escape.
Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him and mankind did kill Jesus. But the cross of despair was renamed Camp Hope when God raised Him up on resurrection morning! The rescue capsule to take man from the realm of darkness to the Kingdom of Light can, like it was for the miners, only be entered one at a time. To choose to be rescued is a personal decision, but, as the writer of the Hebrews so accurately expressed it, ‘How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?’(Hebrews 2:3)
The miners were ‘living in darkness, in the land of the shadow of death’. Today they have been given a chance to live a new life, freed from their underground prison. One of them expressed it so powerfully when he said, ‘We were with God and the devil underground – and God won!’ All of humanity outside of Christ is ‘living in darkness, in the land of the shadow of death’. God gave man a way of escape, so ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’ (Hebrews 4:7). Just as there was great joy on the surface of the mine with the rescue of each and every miner, Jesus said ‘there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents’ (Luke 15:10). What an amazing rescue! What a Saviour! Hallelujah!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the amazing rescue of the Chilean miners and for the new life they now have to look forward to. But thank you even more, for your amazing rescue of mankind and that there is a way back to God from the darkness of sin. Help me never to forget what Jesus did for me on the cross, when the hill of Calvary became Camp Hope for lost humanity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14, NIV
Along with millions of others around the world I have been glued to the television screen as I watched the first of the Chilean miners emerging from the darkness of their prison, 700 metres below the ground. The sight of these men, for whom there seemed to have been no hope of rescue, has had the world fighting back the tears of emotion and joy, as these remarkable scenes unfolded before our very eyes. These were moments of extraordinary drama, as their families greeted the men who had been totally incapable of rescuing themselves. As they emerged from their rescue capsule, into the glaring floodlights of media publicity, they were hugged by the President of Chile.
These were amazing pictures which will become part of unforgettable world history. Never before have so many men been rescued from being so long underground. These were men who, after 69 days in their prison of rock, had been rescued from certain death and given another chance of life. It was as if they had been born again. As I watched these dramatic scenes developing through the Chilean night, I was deeply impacted by the living parable that was unfolding before my very eyes.
Man’s condition was so like that of the trapped Chilean miners. Since the fall of man, the whole of the human race has lived out its spiritual existence in the darkness of a prison, from which there was no possibility of escape. There was nothing the miners could do to effect their own rescue. All they could do was wait – first to be found alive, and then to be rescued. Those dramatic pictures that eventually emerged, of men surviving in the blackest of black holes, perfectly illustrated the condition of fallen man, existing, but without hope.
The miners were totally dependent on rescue from above. It took over two months to drill a hole wide enough for a rescue capsule to descend through the rock to the darkness of their prison. Then we saw the first miners enter the rescue capsule, one at a time, and be lifted from ‘the dominion of darkness’ into the light of freedom at the top of the San Jose (Saint Joseph) mine, now renamed by the Chilean authorities, and the world’s media, as Camp Hope.
Joseph was the man whom God chose to rescue the Children of Israel from death by famine. His brothers condemned him to death, but God raised him up to the highest position in the land, and through him Israel and his family were saved. Joseph became the picture of ‘Hope’ for God’s people, and Jesus became the picture of ‘Hope’ for the whole of humanity.
Isaiah prophesied that ‘the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’ (Matthew 4:16). Man was incapable of rescuing himself from his self-imposed darkness. Like the miners, he had to wait for rescue from above. And when that moment came, it wasn’t the world’s media who were watching in awe, but the angelic host who gave ‘glory to God in the highest’ as they sang their praises and gave the good news to the Shepherds of Bethlehem.
The President of Chile waited at the surface for the first rescued miners to step out of the capsule. But the President of Heaven, Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, ‘manned the rescue capsule’ Himself and stepped down to earth to show man the way of escape.
Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him and mankind did kill Jesus. But the cross of despair was renamed Camp Hope when God raised Him up on resurrection morning! The rescue capsule to take man from the realm of darkness to the Kingdom of Light can, like it was for the miners, only be entered one at a time. To choose to be rescued is a personal decision, but, as the writer of the Hebrews so accurately expressed it, ‘How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?’(Hebrews 2:3)
The miners were ‘living in darkness, in the land of the shadow of death’. Today they have been given a chance to live a new life, freed from their underground prison. One of them expressed it so powerfully when he said, ‘We were with God and the devil underground – and God won!’ All of humanity outside of Christ is ‘living in darkness, in the land of the shadow of death’. God gave man a way of escape, so ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’ (Hebrews 4:7). Just as there was great joy on the surface of the mine with the rescue of each and every miner, Jesus said ‘there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents’ (Luke 15:10). What an amazing rescue! What a Saviour! Hallelujah!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the amazing rescue of the Chilean miners and for the new life they now have to look forward to. But thank you even more, for your amazing rescue of mankind and that there is a way back to God from the darkness of sin. Help me never to forget what Jesus did for me on the cross, when the hill of Calvary became Camp Hope for lost humanity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Seeds of the Kingdom devotional
Out of the Pit!
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Psalm 40:2 , NIV
As Peter said in yesterday’s Seed, we all take great delight in watching the rescue of the Chilean miners and are amazed at the miracle of lives saved.
As I watched the footage of the miners being brought to the surface I considered their journey to freedom. It certainly wasn’t a pleasant one! Locked into a capsule the width of a bicycle wheel, they were transported through fifteen to twenty minutes of utter darkness and solitude with no certainty of reaching the surface. Each man before entering the capsule had to make a choice to do so. Yet, it is such a simple choice! Why on earth would you not choose to be rescued from darkness and fear to a place of light and freedom? Surely an uncomfortable transition is well worth it!
This Scripture reminds us that God longs to rescue us out of our slimy pits; pits of fear, rebellion, self-pity, controlling behaviour and more! Yet for some of us we refuse to be rescued. Maybe this is because we feel it will cost us too much or it is a fearful thing to do. Maybe we think we should be able to dig out of the pit alone and want to be independent of God in certain areas of our lives. The reasons for refusal can be many, yet it is this refusal that prevents us from finding freedom.
As we remember the amazing events of “Camp Hope” we should all remember that there is hope for each and every one of us until the end of time. For God will never stop wanting to rescue us. However, hope becomes reality through action, so let us actually start to make the journeys we need to make in our own lives and allow God to rescue us, no matter how uncomfortable that journey may be.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for safe rescue of the miners in Chile and pray that you will bring healing to each one as they come to terms with what they have endured. Help us not to refuse the rescuing you wish to fulfil in our lives. We want to be rescued from our pits and are willing to make the journey with you, safe in the knowledge of your unfailing love. Amen.
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Psalm 40:2 , NIV
As Peter said in yesterday’s Seed, we all take great delight in watching the rescue of the Chilean miners and are amazed at the miracle of lives saved.
As I watched the footage of the miners being brought to the surface I considered their journey to freedom. It certainly wasn’t a pleasant one! Locked into a capsule the width of a bicycle wheel, they were transported through fifteen to twenty minutes of utter darkness and solitude with no certainty of reaching the surface. Each man before entering the capsule had to make a choice to do so. Yet, it is such a simple choice! Why on earth would you not choose to be rescued from darkness and fear to a place of light and freedom? Surely an uncomfortable transition is well worth it!
This Scripture reminds us that God longs to rescue us out of our slimy pits; pits of fear, rebellion, self-pity, controlling behaviour and more! Yet for some of us we refuse to be rescued. Maybe this is because we feel it will cost us too much or it is a fearful thing to do. Maybe we think we should be able to dig out of the pit alone and want to be independent of God in certain areas of our lives. The reasons for refusal can be many, yet it is this refusal that prevents us from finding freedom.
As we remember the amazing events of “Camp Hope” we should all remember that there is hope for each and every one of us until the end of time. For God will never stop wanting to rescue us. However, hope becomes reality through action, so let us actually start to make the journeys we need to make in our own lives and allow God to rescue us, no matter how uncomfortable that journey may be.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for safe rescue of the miners in Chile and pray that you will bring healing to each one as they come to terms with what they have endured. Help us not to refuse the rescuing you wish to fulfil in our lives. We want to be rescued from our pits and are willing to make the journey with you, safe in the knowledge of your unfailing love. Amen.
He's Waiting!
The Lord gave me this poem the other morning while I was eating breakfast:
He's Waiting!
Sometimes we cannot see the end
Of trials and troubles that He sends.
But does He?
Or is it our free will,
That causes us to struggle still?
If we would quiet our troubled hearts,
And listen to what He imparts;
Would our trials and struggles last,
Continue on and hold us fast?
Or would we know He's in control,
And rest in Him and quiet our soul.
He longs to bless our troubled way.
Give Him control of each new day!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
He's Waiting!
Sometimes we cannot see the end
Of trials and troubles that He sends.
But does He?
Or is it our free will,
That causes us to struggle still?
If we would quiet our troubled hearts,
And listen to what He imparts;
Would our trials and struggles last,
Continue on and hold us fast?
Or would we know He's in control,
And rest in Him and quiet our soul.
He longs to bless our troubled way.
Give Him control of each new day!
(Lynda Helen Kay 2010)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Photos
Because you all seem to like pictures...here are a few...
Shells I collected on my last beach walk
High tide in the bay
Over the rooftops to the hills
Sunset over Stanley
Stormy weather in the bay
Shells I collected on my last beach walk
High tide in the bay
Over the rooftops to the hills
Sunset over Stanley
Stormy weather in the bay
simple things
Today for lunch I had a fried egg (from my friend Narelle's chickens), with tomato, and alfalfa and fenugreek sprouts (made in the sprout maker my son Jefferson gave me) on sourdough rye bread (baked fresh each day at the local Providore 24 village store).
I have some beetroot/redbeet cooking that came from my friend Ursula's garden (I love the smell of beetroot cooking...so fresh and earthy), and this afternoon I am going to make a coconut slice (the recipe from my sister in law Lyn) with lemon icing (using the lemons from my friend Fay's tree)!!
Just simple things, but so much to be thankful for....family, friends and good food!
I have some beetroot/redbeet cooking that came from my friend Ursula's garden (I love the smell of beetroot cooking...so fresh and earthy), and this afternoon I am going to make a coconut slice (the recipe from my sister in law Lyn) with lemon icing (using the lemons from my friend Fay's tree)!!
Just simple things, but so much to be thankful for....family, friends and good food!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Devotional from Dr Stanley's In Touch Ministries
October 8, 2010
Looking for Fruit
GALATIANS 5:16-26
As believers, we all want the fruit of the Spirit, but how can we know if we truly have it? Even unbelievers can display these qualities when conditions are positive. This nine-fold fruit of the Spirit is not what we do, but who we are, and it is primarily on display in Christians when circumstances are unfavorable. Two characteristics help us recognize these traits in our lives.
Fruitful believers are not controlled by their environment. Everyone experiences trials and pain, but those who are filled with the Spirit do not lose His fruit because of their situations. They keep their joy even when difficulties overwhelm. If someone speaks harshly, they respond with kindness. Because the Holy Spirit is in control, He is free to produce His fruit no matter what the circumstances are. Even though such believers may feel pain, anger, or a desire for revenge, they choose to trust the Lord to protect them and direct the outcome.
Fruitful Christians recover quickly after a fall. These believers are not perfect, but they are sensitive to the Spirit's conviction and are quick to return to the Lord in repentance. In fact, they are actually grateful for the correction and praise God, not only for revealing their weakness but also for drawing them back to obedience.
No one produces these amazing qualities in himself. Trying harder to be godly will never work. Character transformation occurs when we submit to God, giving Him complete control of our lives. Only then will the Spirit be free to produce fruit that remains even in the deepest, darkest storms.
Looking for Fruit
GALATIANS 5:16-26
As believers, we all want the fruit of the Spirit, but how can we know if we truly have it? Even unbelievers can display these qualities when conditions are positive. This nine-fold fruit of the Spirit is not what we do, but who we are, and it is primarily on display in Christians when circumstances are unfavorable. Two characteristics help us recognize these traits in our lives.
Fruitful believers are not controlled by their environment. Everyone experiences trials and pain, but those who are filled with the Spirit do not lose His fruit because of their situations. They keep their joy even when difficulties overwhelm. If someone speaks harshly, they respond with kindness. Because the Holy Spirit is in control, He is free to produce His fruit no matter what the circumstances are. Even though such believers may feel pain, anger, or a desire for revenge, they choose to trust the Lord to protect them and direct the outcome.
Fruitful Christians recover quickly after a fall. These believers are not perfect, but they are sensitive to the Spirit's conviction and are quick to return to the Lord in repentance. In fact, they are actually grateful for the correction and praise God, not only for revealing their weakness but also for drawing them back to obedience.
No one produces these amazing qualities in himself. Trying harder to be godly will never work. Character transformation occurs when we submit to God, giving Him complete control of our lives. Only then will the Spirit be free to produce fruit that remains even in the deepest, darkest storms.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
A walk on the beach
This morning I went for my first walk along the beach. I started from my place at the base of The Nut
I had the whole beach to myself except for a lady I passed walking her dog...and these 2 birds.
When I had walked for half an hour (and still not come to the end of the beach), I turned around and walked back home again. It was so lovely and peaceful :o)
I had the whole beach to myself except for a lady I passed walking her dog...and these 2 birds.
When I had walked for half an hour (and still not come to the end of the beach), I turned around and walked back home again. It was so lovely and peaceful :o)
Friday, October 8, 2010
I'm home!
Well, my country roads have taken me home to the little seaside town of Stanley on the northwest coast of Tasmania. Here are some photos of the view from my balcony :o)
Pretty good eh!!!!!
Pretty good eh!!!!!
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