The day with dianne Louise

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. Proverbs 23:24 NLT Joy at seeing children raise their own children in ways you believe in is paramount. Joy at seeing grandchildren worshipping Jesus is overwhelming. Joy at hearing them live godly lives is satisfying. The opposite is also a reality, sometimes for a time and sometimes for more than a time. It is heartbreaking to see children lost in their way. As parents and grandparents it is important that we take an active part in their lives. I am sure all my grandchildren remember a song I have sung to them all since birth: have patience, have patience don't be in such a hurry when you get impatient you only start to worry. Remember, remember that God is patient too, think of all the times that He's been patient with you. Every time I sang it and sing it they say: "Oh Nan!" It is said in a frustrating tone. However, they know it! Be involved! Amen!

The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. Proverbs 23:24 NLT Godliness is beautiful! It blesses, it lifts up, it is full of grace. It is the opposite to the flesh. The flesh works for its father,  the devil. It criticises, pulls down and condemns. Yesterday I saw this in action. We received news (from the ABC) that Hillsong Church was again in the spotlight for financial mismanagement. People who were already hurt by Brian's indiscretion were throwing stones. I was reminded that there but for the grace of God went me. My husband and I pastored a church.  Looking back it was during a time of bold expansion and unfortunate arrogance.  If we had maintained that trajectory we would also be accused of bullying and mismanagement. Praise God we were spared such a fate. However, we all have the same propensity stretch things, mixing pseudo-faith with arrogance. (This is what I saw in us). Today the Lord is taking the church to ...

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT If we have forgotten how sinful we were before we came to Christ then we are prone to be judgemental towards others. This ties together with spiritual blindness. If insight and understanding have not be precious to us, we will not see the true state of our heart and mind, and make an assumption that we are righteous because we have not sinned. However, this is a sin in itself. Pride is  disgusting, and the Lord hates it. He prefers a humble and contrite heart. Therefore, having insight and understanding helps us be gracious to our church family and friends. We tend to be tougher on family than on the lost, well I do. I expect lost people to misbehave, as they do not have the power of the Holy Spirit. May the grace of the Lord keep us and guide us. Amen!

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT We each have our quirks and foibles. Some are endearing, some get up our noses. We see a lot of boasting on social media: look at what I have done, look what I bought, look where I am and look what I am eating. For those who cannot do, go, eat or buy this can be a hardship at best and offensive at most. So, what do we do? We can abstain from engaging or we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). Forgiving others their strange ways, mindsets that are not our own is important. Otherwise we carry around soil of offence that our enemy the devil will gladly use.  We all have those who especially rub us the wrong way. These people need extra grace. Therefore, we need to be working on grace in our lives. Grace is readily available if we bother to seek it. Our God is full of it. Amen!

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalms 34:8 NLT Today it has rained all day. I decided to make soup. I have a sick neice so I made fresh bread for her. Detemined to not study today I sewed, being a bit creative. I cut up some of my last tomatoes off the vine and lo and behold seeding were sprouting inside the tomatoes. I have never seen this before. I dug them out, and put them on a dish with water to allow them to grow further. How good is God! What a mind to create fruit to reproduce after their kind, just like we do. My son called this afternoon. His youngest has been taken to hospital after a fall at the skate park. I offered to pray. He told me his wife is also unwell with either MS or cancer. I reject both,  and command healing. She had been in hospital two weeks ago for tests.  The diagnosis is still forthcoming. I think healing is in order. I am glad he called. I asked if he was anxious and he said, "No!" At least I d...

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalms 34:8 NLT From our youngest ages we learn what tastes good and what tastes bad to us. As an Australian I love Vegemite.  When I am unwell it is particularly attractive to me. I love it with butter on fresh bread, or on toasted bread. Now, if you are not an Australian the odds are you would detest the stuff. It is black, salty and strong,  it is made from fermented yeast. Does not sound attractive does it? That is perhaps because you were not raised on it. However, this is no guarantee you would like it, but it sure gives it an even chance you would. Being raised familiar to something like God and church also gives us more of a notion as to whether or not we will participate in later life. It really depends on our experience. I grew up going to church, but am the only one of my siblings who found it attractive, and the only one, thus far, to ask Jesus into my heart to be Lord and Saviour. I...

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25 NLT Following a leader who is good at what they do is heartening, inspiring and satisfying. The Holy Spirit is such a leader. His ways are sure, dependable, steadfast, reliable and true. Why would we want to be our own leader when we have never been this way before. Why not follow a leader who knows the ropes? To be able to.relinquish the reins we must trust, determine to get to know Him, and spend time watching His ways. Watching an artist is so gratifying! Let go, and let God! Amen!