Just like you...

When I used to hold my junior golf coaches accreditation I learned many tricks of the trade. Add to that my upper body strength and I could hit a mean golf ball. Without the pressure of playing a game, it was much easier to show what I could do. In the lessons, my good side was seen. When dealing with juniors and beginner adults I loved being able to teach them and watch them grow week by week. Every now and again I would find what were gifted golfers, those that everything seemed to be picked up easily and with finesse. I would also find those that had to struggle for every little skill and their powers to retain these things seemed limited. The naturally tallented seemed to have no desire to compare themselves to many others, just determined to improve to better themselves each time we met.


The problems arose more in those that struggled, and where I found myself most challenged. They were the ones that were constantly looking at what they were doing and comparing it to what someone else was. Each week they would highlight the inadequacies, the faults and failures with their own game. What it did was brought about a desire to fade into the background and not even try, especially if another might see them. What I heard when they thought no one was listening was 'I will never be as good as, as skilled as they are', 'I will never get this right and certainly wont attaint unto the levels that you can', 'If I cant do it good enough and I wont be perfect like everyone else why bother'. To which I would teach them, 'We all do things the way we do, and we are all unique and have our own gifts as well as our own faults, even if you do see them. Everyone messes up some time. Everyone has a bad shot occasionally. So enjoy where your at, learn, grow and continue. Only then can you be the best you can be.' Many many times it was the strugglers that had the staying power and the breezers that stopped playing.


I see this time and time again, in the churches, the very same mentalities and process. Those that have been there a while, when not in a place of duress. Those that have learned how to get it on when the Holy Ghost is moving. Those that know how to act, and sound and be that they can get the best out of God. And I praise God for them. And then those new babes, the beginers looking at them with awe, and realising their own inadequacies in their walk. Every church knows those that come in, embrace the message, embrace the ways and just seem to fly through. Those that seem to find a niche and take things in their stride, practice at home, and have faith in what they were doing and what they could do.

Every church has the midstream, those that stick it out, but occassionally miss hit, falter and totally mess up. And I believe every church has those that can only see how hopeless it is, and what a waste of time it is for them to even be there. Those that struggle week in and week out. Those that can only see how 'perfect' everyone else is and how useless and pathetic they are. The ones who seem unable to bypass their own negative thinking and embrace the certainty of failure. Those that desire to quit, to give up and to hide, not only from those around them, but from themselves and from God.

I want to encourage you, if you know someone like this that it is possible, if you have the time, patience, heart and prayer time to bring them through and see them achieve depths and consistencies others may never reach. It is possible to embrace them, and teach them a new way to see things and give them a hope, a reason to continue. Each interaction is a chance to search yourself and your ways and attitude, in order that you can offer the best for them. There are so many personalities and so many different skills, gifts as there are perceptions and understandings. There are also some times when you just need to let them go.

I pray God grant you the wisdom to know what to do and say, when to hold fast and when to let go. I pray HE grant you the boldness to do all you need to do and the peace to know when you have, it is ok. I pray God bless you and keep you. That you embrace Jesus to enjoy where your at, learn, grow and continue. That no matter how long you have been seeking God that you find all you need in order to be all you were created and called to be. To the gory of God and to the labour of the harvest.

It could be a booger...

I drove the school bus this morning which I love to do. About 5 minutes into the drive I heard a sniffle, followed by another, and another........... and another and so on. To my enquiry 'who has the sniffles?' I received a resounding 'NO ONE', not once but twice. I KNOW I heard it because my ears heard it, and my agitation meter went up a notch. lol. After another 7 or 8 minutes I asked again, and was told who it was. I said 'Are you ok baby girl?'... 'Yes' sniffle, sniffle, sniffle. So rather than beat round the bush I flat asked 'Do you need a tissue baby girl?' to which I got a resounding, most offended and abrupt 'I DO NOT!'. sniffle, sniffle. Then the gem, starting at the elbow, sluuuuuuuuuurp all the way to the end of the wrist, with a nice shiny trail to see why she no longer has the sniffles.

Many times those around us see or hear things in or from us that we don't always take notice of. You know when the Pastor stands up and says 'If your struggling with your thinking today and finding it hard to focus on the right, the good and the holy things raise your hand unto the Lord, love on Him and get your focus back on track', and you look around to see who has let their walk and their faith slip some. When God shows him who it is and he says again these things, still your looking. So he comes to you and says 'Do you want me to pray for you?' and your like, 'Did he just fall on his head??????' I want to remind you, God gave us a shepherd, a watchman, a person to care and lead and guide for a reason. We have Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers, we also have each other. Sometimes its so others may think, or even be aware what is going on for you in the spiritual, and he wants to keep it there and no further. Sadly many of us dont want to admit to the extent of the struggle until there is a visible streak left behind for all the world to see.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: :24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

Somethings are not for you...

I have a thing about frogs. Some dont like them but I know there are plenty that do. It is incredible to see the magnificent creation which I fear even the greatest imagination could not have dreamed up. Some are the most vivid and magnificent colours, catching the eye easily of those that behold them, and often the imagination of many an artist. Whilst some of the most vibrant in colour are quite small, they are also quite deadly, posessing a poison which means an end to the life of their predators. Only three are known to be deadly to people, however the others will still mess with the health of those that play with them. Just because it appears good, doesnt make it a good thing.

I look around at the magnificent creation God has granted us in our relationship with HIM. Finding in that the most incredible and amazing things that I know not even the greatest imagination and workings of the human hand, mind and resources could have conjoured up. I also look at the things we embrace in the world and from those around us, from our imaginations and desires, from our perceptions and impressions. Many times taking a hold of some of the most careful of saints, of the most guarded hearts, of the most secure of minds. Not everything is a sin or wrong entirely, but may be wrong either for that person, or for that time. It takes wisdom, caution and seeking God.

These things dont need to be big things, quite often the most simple that take root and stay long enough running the corridors of minds until they bear fruit. Until they become the things spoken, that satisfy and that fill us. Until they become the things which bring an increase in our lives. Depending on what they are, as to whether or not they bring forth life or death. They are the things which feed our faith and which become the substance of our hopes and the evidence given to those around us. People hear. There is a reason that the things we speak need to be of God, His word, His ways, His desire for our lives. It is these that feed our faith.

Proverbs 18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. :21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I pray you find those things in your life, for yourself. Day by day, healed a little more, a little more whole, a little more the beauty of God's creation in all your splendour and all your uniqueness. Day by day a little more you, knowing who you are in God, and who He is in you.

Chicken soup...

Being a country girl there are some things I understand. I know when your starvin fresh is best. I know things like milk comes from a cow, you squeeze the teet and whala you have milk. Its a little different to getting eggs. If you take a chook (chicken without an accent), and squeeze it you will not get an egg. If you go every 5 minutes, most chooks will not go to nest to lay. If you stress them it can be days. If you cut open a chook, you will not find an egg. I know which side of the chicken has the most feathers, that would be the outside. If you worry that hen and turn it round about and upside down often enough you may turn it inside out, which would for one be not productive and two not pretty. In the off season you have no idea how long you will have to wait. They are not fickle, just doing what needs done. Just let it be, sit back, relax and know that the egg will come in its time. A chook that lays gives the ability to make so much. One that wont lay is only good to make chicken soup.

So many times our understanding gets a little fuzzy when we are waiting on the promises of God to be made manifest. When we are starving for the move, manifestation, fulfilling that comes from the presence of God. Too often we find ourselves praying with faith believing, only to go back and pray the same request again and again and again. We analyse situations, needs, God, His word, His ways, His promises, His delays. Questioning time and again, getting into doubt and uncertainties, letting worry cause us to continue to worry and disect our faith and our sanity. Too often sabotage Gods productivity in our own lives, and we cause the delays in the delivery of Gods promises to us. Its time to recognise anew the seasonality even in our relationship and things of God, to remember to be still, and know that HE truly is GOD. God is not fickly, nor forgetful, just doing what needs done. I would rather we have blessings and experiences bountiful in so many ways and places on the journey and process of receiving His promise than sacrifice in our impatience.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Bring whatever you find...

I have a little dog, she stands about a foot tall (give or take an inch or two), she is black and faithful and loyal and lovable. This precious dog has become a cleptomaniac. Yup she will find whatever she can, where ever she can and brings it home to give to my nephews 8 month old pup who is now huge (great dane cross staffy) and who is tied up at night. She jumps the side fence, to go and has to drag the 'gifts' over the fence to come home, and sometimes I know it is far from easy for her to do. She manages this some time between when she is fed at night and when its time for bed as she sleeps inside. So far we have received two crocks (rubber shoes), an ug boot, three fluffy toys, a doll, a sword, three balls and today a toy camera. Embarrassing because by the time we find them they usually completely worked over but sometimes we get them in like condition as they were given. It is out of her desire to please I believe she does it, admirable but not condonable. :D I know he enjoys her diligence.

If only we had the same desire, determination and drive to bring to God all that we could find to bring, our problems, our praise, our worship, our thanksgiving, our bodies, our neighbours, friends, family, strangers, our all and let God just work them over, and bless us with the finished product of His hand. If only we would bring them to Him in the dark hours as much as in the light. If we would do all that is necessary, even when it is not easy some times. If we would not hold back and be selfless in our giving unto Him not expecting them to be unchanged. Sometimes we do get things back as we gave, sometimes we dont. Praise God that He is faithful to give us the best as we are faithful to give God our all. How about we wait patiently, seeking God, to see what He might bring to us as we are open to receive from Him. Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Inclusive not exclusive...

I had been seeking a job for years, one where I would be able to help with the needs of the household. Many of you know what it is like when you can barely find an end let alone make two ends meet. By the grace of God for five weeks I had a job, and it was a blessing. I was able to provide for my household in ways I had not done in a long time. Bless God. What I noticed now I am not working, is that things around the home in some areas were neglected. We did not achieve all that was needed done. So now Im washing the extra clothes that were not the 'essentials', and dusting and pulling weeds that have got amazingly big since I last took notice of them. It is amazing what we can overlook and think nothing of it.

In our relationship with God many tend to do the same thing. I know I have. Up most the night and half the day sharing Jesus with people that I stopped, looked around and found that my reading time in God's word had diminished, my devotion time had been overlooked. I praise God that I was able to pray, encourage, share and so on.

James 1:22 'But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only...' Therefore the same can be said of this 'But be ye hearers of the word, and not doers only'. Remember there is a ballance, if your not hearing or reading its easy to loose the ballance/reality and Godly perspective of what your doing.

Enjoy JESUS in ALL He is.

Me

Finally a new beginning

Tonight I have taken the first step in doing what I have been feeling to do for quite a while now. Share the things that come to me from time to time. It took me two days to find a 'title' for the blog, tonight I decided to just get it done. I pray somewhere in the posts that follow on from here that you find a blessing.

I pray to speak the things God blesses me with in Spirit and in Truth. Unto Jesus be all glory, honour and praise.

Thanks be to God.

Me