On the home front...

I hope you all had a nice Christmas!  I know some areas of the US and Canada are experiencing a severe cold snap at the moment (while we swelter in the heat), so stay safe and warm.

My 'plan' was to go to Marnie and Denver for Christmas lunch, but that abruptly changed when Marnie tested positive for Covid on Christmas Eve!  And since then, Denver and Sophie have also come down with it.  Thankfully they all seem to be improving now.

So Freya and I enjoyed our Christmas at home. I had a headache anyway (due to the hot weather), so wasn't even sure if I would have made it to them.  Thankfully the headache cleared around midday and as I had already cooked the turkey roast (and made the cheesecake), I added some roast vegies and greens and enjoyed Christmas lunch for one...

Marnie had the ham and pavlova, so they didn't go hungry either.  We'll catch up when they are better.

Consequently, no Christmas day photos!  I'm still waiting for the rest of the family to send me some, so hopefully by next post.  Marnie and I did take her neighbor out for lunch a couple of weeks ago, so this will have to suffice for now...

Jill, me, and Marnie

Have been doing some charity knitting over the last couple of months and have a scarf and 5 beanies to send off to Knit4Charities ...

Knitting a new blanket for Freya's bed now.  

And while we're on the 'Freya' subject...

She loves to be out and about during the day, and here she is in her bird hide...

waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting bird (or lizard)

On the odd occasion she is inside during the day (for her 'cat nap') she also likes to sleep in this random box (as cats do), that I had left on the spare bed, and (even more randomly) rip little pieces of cardboard off the edges... 

Also, finally sewing these 28 blanket squares together...

for Wrap with Love charity

A couple of weeks before Christmas I harvested my excess rhubarb...

And my excess of lemons...

and took them to the food bank at our local Neighborhood House

My reading has been a bit hit and miss.  Started quite a few books but was not inclined to finish them.  But I am reading these at the moment...

This year I've read quite a few of the Miss Read books, but thought for 2023 I would work my way through the Minack Chronicle books I have...

some bought new and some picked up at op shops over the years 

 

They are a lovely series.  Have you read any of them?

I'm going to start with A Gull on the Roof, because it is the first

I started my summer walk routine a couple of weeks ago.  Walking early, before breakfast, and before it gets too hot.  Here are a couple of early morning photos...

Well, that was a bit of a marathon post!  One of my new year resolutions is to try and get a home post up once a week. Then it won't take you three days to read it :)

Will leave you with this thought...

But I've generally found that if you plant kindness, that is what you reap.

So, get planting!!

xx

Weekend Words (Christmas)

From Seeds of the Kingdom...

Today's The Day

"Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:11-12

Isaiah had prophesied that when the Messiah came His arm would rule for Him, but that He would also tend His flock like a shepherd.  In this prophecy (Isaiah 40:10-11) we see two different aspects of the character of Jesus - Jesus the King who will rule and Jesus the Shepherd who will care for the sheep.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Scripture tells us that there were two sets of unusual visitors - the first were the shepherds, who had both heard the angels telling of the birth of Christ and seen the host of angels praising God in thanksgiving.  Then there were the kings who brought their rich gifts and bowed before the baby who was also a King, but whose authority far outweighed that of any earthly king.  In a remarkable way, these two visitors to the baby Jesus reflected the prophecy of Isaiah; both the shepherds and the kings came and acknowledged that they were bowing before a far superior shepherd and a far greater King.

As we celebrate, with thanksgiving, the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, let us never forget that this baby grew to become that great 'Shepherd of the sheep' who cares deeply for every one of His lambs, even you and me.  But that He is also reigning as King of kings and that ultimately all authority rests in His hands.

So whatever the situation the world is in, He is ultimately in control.  And whatever situation you may be in personally, He is still the Good Shepherd.  Try and spend a few minutes this Christmas thinking about your life and choosing to let Him reign in your life as King and bringing to Him, as your Shepherd, all the concerns that are pressing down upon you.  He is sufficient for all these things.

Prayer: Thank you, Father God, for Jesus, the most amazing Christmas gift anyone could ever receive.  Help me to mark this Christmas season with a new understanding of how precious Jesus is.  In His name, Amen.

- Peter Horrobin

A Christmas Prayer for You! 

Bless us Lord, this Christmas with quietness of mind,

Teach us to be patient, and always to be kind.

Show us that in quietness, we can feel your presence near,

Filling us with joy and peace, throughout the coming year.

Weekend Words (Advent)

 Weekend Words on Tuesday, because my computer has been offline all week.  Finally, up and running again, so... better late than never!

From Be Still and Know…

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” - 2 Corinthians 8:9)

Another Christmas is almost here. Although we are caught up in the multitudinous preparations for the gala season, we need to take time to meditate on the real meaning of Christmas – remembering the birth of Jesus.

Once there was a king who wanted to really know his people. He wanted to know the conditions under which they lived, that he might better understand their problems. So he removed his kingly robes and crown and put on the dress of his people. He left the magnificence and splendour of his palace, travelling incognito across his kingdom. Although he had laid aside his riches, assuming the poverty of his people, this did not change his position as king.

This is a picture of what the Lord Jesus did for us. He had lived with His Father in heaven. All the glory of heaven was His, and all the riches of heaven at His disposal. He, the Son of God, was willing to leave it to come to earth as a human being that He might identify with us and experience life as we do. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15). Yet His real purpose was to become our Saviour, making possible eternal life for us, and making available all the riches of heaven.

He became poor, that we might become rich.  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Through our relationship with Him, all the riches of heaven are available for our use. May we not live in spiritual poverty today because we have failed to claim all He has provided for us!

From Christmas: Quiet Moments for the Season…

The Real Christmas

Read: Luke 2:25-35

A quotation in our church’s Advent devotional guide caused me to rethink my approach to Christmas:

“Let us at all costs avoid the temptation to make our Christmas worship a withdrawal from the stress and sorrow of life into a realm of unreal beauty. It was into the real world that Christ came, into the city where there was no room for Him, and into a country where Herod, the murderer of innocents, was king.

He came to us, not to shield us from the harshness of the world but to give us the courage and strength to bear it; not to snatch us away by some miracle from the conflict of life, but to give us peace – His peace – in our hearts, by which we may be calmly steadfast while the conflict rages, and be able to bring to the torn world the healing that is peace.”

When Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus to the Lord, Simeon said to them: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35).

Christmas is not a retreat from reality but an advance into it alongside the Prince of Peace.

- David McCasland

Weekend Words (Advent)

 From Seeds of the Kingdom...

Happy or Joyful Christmas?

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people." - Luke 2:10

I love Christmas!  I love everything about it.  I love the decorations, the gifts, the food, the fun, the time with family, the laughter, the cooking.  I love it all!!  For me, Christmas is a precious time of year.  Yet it occurs to me that Christmas is not a happy time for everyone.  Many are alone, having to do without necessities (let alone luxuries), missing a loved one for the first time, or not in a place within themselves to celebrate anything.  For some, Christmas is a struggle.

I know that my enjoyment is temporal.  It doesn't last forever.  A time will come when the festivities will come to an end, the decorations will be put away, the food will eventually diminish, and we will return home from spending precious time with our families.  My happiness will dwindle with the ending of the festivities.

Yet, the joy of Christmas is free for us all and is eternal.  It's the joy of the knowledge that God himself entered our world to meet with us and to save us.  He came to us as a baby - vulnerable, shamed by gossip surrounding His very existence, His life under threat from those who feared for their position in life.  Our God came down to this and was born into the dirt and squalor of a stable.  He wasn't born into a clean, safe environment.  His first hours were hours of dirt, mess and fear.  He entered our dirty, messy, fearful world to save us from the grip of the enemy.  He came because he loves us and wants to draw us back to Himself.

This is the Christmas joy we can all celebrate.  This isn't temporal; it's eternal.  It will last forever.  My prayer this Christmas time is that we all find that joy - a joy that deepens as we look at our Saviour and celebrate all that He has done for us.  If you're struggling with Christmas this year, I pray this unfathomable joy will be your strength.  For those of us who have much to enjoy, I pray that we won't lose sight of the deep joy that surpasses our understanding.

Prayer: What can we say to our Saviour who came to this earth to save us?  'Thank You' doesn't seem enough but it's all we have.  Help us, Lord, to know the joy that is ours for free and is eternal, and help us not to lose sight of this truth as we celebrate Your birth.  We especially pray for those who are struggling this Christmas time.  May You give each one of us the only gift that matters this year: may Your love penetrate our hearts in a deep and precious way.  Amen.

From Christmas: Quiet Moments for the Season...

Born to Die

Read: Matthew 1:18-25

Although millions celebrate Jesus' birthday, few seem to be aware of its real significance.

We recognize that His birth was unusual because He was born of a virgin.  His life was unique too, for He was the only one who lived without sinning.  His death was also unusual.  Jesus was not a martyr.  He was not the victim of unfortunate circumstances, dying for a worthy cause.  Nor did He lay down His life just to set a good example.  There's much more to it than that.  The Lord Jesus came into this world to be our Saviour!

Jesus Himself said that He came "to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10).  Who are the lost?  The Bible tells us that "all have sinned" and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23; 6:23).  In order to save the world, Jesus had to die for it.  He came and lived the perfect life and then died the death we should have died.  The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was born to die.  Because He was crucified and then rose again from the dead, forgiveness of sin and assurance of heaven is now offered to all who believe (John 1:12)

Have you accepted God's gift of salvation?  If not, do so today, and this will be your most meaningful Christmas ever.

- Richard DeHaan

Weekend Words (Advent)

From Christmas: Quiet Moments for the Season...

The Main Event

Read Luke 1:30-38

During the Great Depression that hit the United States in the 1930s, a family in the Midwest struggled to put food on their table.  They had no money for luxuries.

One day, posters all over town announced that a circus was coming.  Admission would be $1.  A boy in the family wanted to see the show, but his father told him that he would have to earn the money on his own.  The youngster had never seen a circus before, so he worked feverishly and was able to buy a ticket.

On the day the circus arrived, he went to see the performers and the animals parade through town.  As he watched, a clown came dancing over to him, and the boy put his ticket in the clown's hand.  Then he stood on the curb and cheered as the rest of the parade moved by.

The youngster rushed home to tell his parents what he had seen and how exciting the circus was.  His father listened, then took his son in his arms and said, "Son, you didn't see the circus.  All you saw was the parade."

That story is a parable of Christmas.  Many people get excited about the festivities but miss the main event.  During this season, let's remember what happened in a humble stable and what Jesus' birth means to us.

- Haddon Robinson

Artwork by John Sloane

From Seeds of the Kingdom...

Immanuel - God with Us

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means 'God with us'. - Matthew 1:23

In the small lounge at Ellel Grange we have a beautiful Christmas decoration.  It is very simple, but also profound in the message it speaks.  It consists of a row of red candles spread across the width of the mantlepiece with beautiful carved letters spelling Immanuel, spanning the candles.  It is a vivid reminder that Jesus, the light of the world, comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness of life and hope and that His name speaks of His character.

For many people Christmas is a happy time, but for others it can be one of the hardest times of the year.  It may remind them of a loved one who has died, or some other sad loss that they have been through which has accentuated their sense of loneliness.  But what is the essential message of Christmas?  It is that Immanuel has come, and God is with us.  Christmas is about undoing loneliness.  The message of Christmas is that none of us is alone.

The birth of Jesus is set in history.  They will call him Immanuel.  To be called, according to Hebraic understanding, means that the person spoken of will in reality be what he is called and actually fulfill that title.  Thus the name Immanuel points to the nature of the One who bears the name.  He is God incarnate - God coming into human flesh - and dwells by His Spirit in the hearts of His people.

Jesus Christ - God's Son - God with us.  What a comfort, what a joy to know He will never leave His own.  The wonder of the incarnation is that the baby in Bethlehem grew to be the man who died on Calvary, taking our punishment, our guilt, and our blame, that His life might be ours.  

Reflect today on how God is with you, and let the wonderful word 'Immanuel' come alive in your spirit as you contemplate the true meaning of Christmas.

- Margaret Silvester

On the home front...

I've been working on this post all week (due to a number of headache days), and finally got it finished today.  Enjoy!

You might remember that I mentioned Natasha took three of my blankets back to the USA when she visited in July, but I forgot to take photos.  Well, she's sent me photos of them in their new home, and it seems Ghost, their cat, is more than happy with them...

I need to get busy now and build up supplies for the next family visits :)

Finally finished Hazel's cardigan...

A trip up to Latrobe on Monday, and I was able to pick up a couple more balls of yarn to finish this blanket for Wrap With Love...

need to do 5 more squares

Back in the kitchen, and I baked more bread...

And also a fruit cake...

I've been doing a bit of Christmas shopping, mostly online.  I try and support small businesses and charities, and this is what I've come up with so far.  (Have one more 'gift' on the way) ...

Aussie themed Christmas Cards from Hayley's Averilda Haze Etsy store

Botanical soy candles from Bee Native products

Felt Christmas angels and 'gifts of love' from The Leprosy Mission

'Gifts of love' Christmas packs from Voice of the Martyrs

And in case you don't know what 'gifts of love' are, it's where you purchase a particular product (chickens, school supplies, a goat, etc.) from the charity and that particular purchase is then gifted to the recipient in the various countries. You can also choose to receive a card to send on to someone stating you have bought a gift on their behalf.  I usually do this with my family, but so they don't feel left out, I also buy them a small gift too :)

This is what is in the Voice of the Martyrs 'gift' card...

Picked up this book from the library this week...

it's very interesting!

They finally reopened one of the bridges over the river this week, which had been closed since the big flood back in October...

the other bridge is still being inspected for structural damage

Here are some photos from this morning's walk...

And these lovely red roses that are growing by the walk path...

there are white ones too, but they are not flowering yet

This week I read...

Are You Blessed?

If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed.  One third of all the world does not have access to one.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are more blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you prayed yesterday and today, you are in the minority because you believe God does hear and answer prayer.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

- Selected

So, if you are one of the blessed...

Pass it on!

xx

Weekend Words (Advent)

At this time of Advent, leading up to Christmas, I will include a post from my Our Daily Bread booklet: Christmas - Quiet Moments for the Season...

The Gift of Joy 

Read Luke 2:8-12, 16-20

During the Christmas season it's easy to be swept along by the flood of frenzied gift-buying.  Our motive may be commendable - we want to show our love for family and friends.  We may even argue that the exchange of expensive presents reflects God's gift to us of His Son and is a way to spread yuletide joy.

According to author Bill McKibben, though, we may be robbing ourselves and others of deeper and longer-lasting joy.  When the giving is over, we find that the gifts didn't bring the sought-after satisfaction.

McKibben and some of his friends began to encourage others to limit their total holiday spending to a fraction of what they had spent in previous years.  By taking the emphasis off gift-giving, they believe they will be able to concentrate more on the real reason for Christmas and to enjoy the season.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, he told them, "I bring you good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10).  The news that brings "great joy" even today is that the Savior has been born (v.11).

Have we lost sight of what's really at the heart of Christmas?  Let's take time this season to focus on God's gift to us, and to share that joy-producing news with others.

- Vernon Grounds

From Be Still and Know...

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)

The Thanksgiving season is a special time of giving praise and thanksgiving to God.  Once a year, a day is set aside for expressing thankfulness, but for the children of God each day is a day of thanksgiving.  The basis of our thanksgiving comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

As we enter into His presence we are to "be thankful" and "bless His name."  We are to come before Him with thank-filled and praise-filled hearts.  God's mercies are new every morning but it is easy to forget to thank Him.  A thankful heart is not dependent on the material things we possess but on the blessings that come from the Lord.

As we pause to thank Him for the blessings of the past year, we must not forget to thank Him for the lessons we have learned through our difficult times.  We are not to be thankful for just the pleasant, easy things, but ALL things.  "IN EVERY THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Our thanksgiving is to be continual, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but each day through the year.  "Giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).

Thanksgiving expresses gratitude for what God does for us.  Praise is our attitude towards God because of who and what He is.

 It has been said, "We're so concerned about tomorrow that we fail to be thankful for today."  As we praise and thank Him at all times and in everything, the minor notes of trouble in our lives become major chords of triumphant victory.  May our lives be such a hymn of triumphant praise to HIM today. 

This video never ceases to bring a smile to my face :)

Weekend Words

 From A Year's Journey with God...

Enjoying a Worry Session

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.  The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace." - Psalm 37:7,11

Moses and Jesus were both described as 'meek' but they were anything but wimps!  They were strong and courageous, yet totally submitted to God the Father in everything.  When Jesus said the meek are blessed (Matthew 5:5), He was referring to a quality that is totally opposite to arrogance, pride and self-assertion.  In the language of His hearers, meek would describe a powerful war horse that was totally under the control of its rider.  These days we prize self-confidence, but its roots are in pride, which says, 'I can manage my own life; I don't need God's help.'  Pride like that is a dangerous illusion: God did not design us to be self-sufficient.  Yet there are areas in all our lives were we secretly want to take control.  In this psalm David urges us to trust God to provide everything we need, and then to sit waiting for Him to act on our behalf.  That is extremely difficult, especially if you are a born worrier and a bit of a control freak.  The very best antidote to worry is to allow God to take control of every place in us where we are not being meek.  Then we'll 'enjoy great peace', which is far more pleasant than 'enjoying' a prolonged worry session!

Some people bear three kinds of trouble - the ones they've had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have. - Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)

From Be Still and Know...

"For God has said, I will never, never fail you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5 LB).

The foundation of our faith is the Word of God.  In this Scripture verse God Himself speaks, "For God has said."  It is not what "they say," nor what "we say," but what "God says" that is important.

What did God say?  He promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  God always keeps His Word.  He can be trusted.

The word "leave" usually means "to depart."  In this verse it has a deeper meaning of "I will not let you go."

He is always near to come to our aid when we are in trouble.  His promise gives us confidence.  "That we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper."

Has there been a time in your life when you were overworked, when you had more to do than you could do?  You were weary and discouraged almost to the breaking point.  You were ready to give up.  Suddenly a friend came, saying, "I have come to HELP you."  How your spirits were lifted and the burden was eased.

The LORD is such a helper, One who is always near to give needed help.  The Lord IS our helper.  He is a present helper, even for today.  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

His help is for us personally.  The Lord is MY helper.  "MY help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2).

There are times when friends cannot help, but the Lord can; when money cannot help, but the Lord can; when social position cannot help, but the Lord can.

We can depend on His help, for we have His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

David Livingstone, when sailing for Africa the first time, was accompanied to the dock by some close friends.  Concerned for his safety, they reminded him of the dangers, hoping he would yet turn back.

Livingstone quickly opened his Bible and read, "Lo, I am with you always."  Then he said, "That is the word of a Gentleman.  Let us be going."

On the home front...

Recently I heard an older man say that the reason he is so busy is because it now takes him four hours to do what he use to do in two!!

I guess that's my excuse too :)

But her I am, finally sitting down for a catch up...

The annual Tasmanian Craft Fair was on recently.  I met up with Marnie and Tom and we did the rounds of the various venues...

she actually made a little video of us at the lunch venue, but I can't get it to load here, so you will have to be satisfied with a photo

I bought a couple of things (not the seashells) ...

some lovely wool/alpaca yarn from Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill and a scented soy candle from Bee Native 

I've done a bit of online Christmas gift shopping from Bee Native, and also ordered a couple of packs of Hayley's cute Christmas cards from her Averilda Haze Etsy store...

Picked up some pretty buttons to finally finish Hazel's yellow cardigan...

I'm on to the sewing up and front bands, the (not) fun part

Knitting a scarf for charity...

it's actually finished now

Dipping into this interesting book (Writing Wild) from the library...

Baking date and sultana scones...

And sprouting seeds...

Still getting out for my walks most days despite quite a bit of rain...

And I'm so excited that the first issue of my subscription to Taproot Magazine arrived a couple of days ago...

Here's a peek inside...

Lots of crafts, recipes, and lovely words and illustrations/photos

Read this quote recently...

"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.  Travel too fast and you miss all you are travelling for." - Louis L'Amour

And remember this quote (attributed to various sources) ...

"Every ending is a new beginning..."

xx