The day with dianne Louise

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content- whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship. Philippians 4:10-14 Two things are prominent to me here: 1)the fact that the Philippians were supporters of Paul and how they blessed him. 2)The fact that Paul had come to trust the Lord for all his needs and learned to be content. This one is one I have now come to terms with. I had all previous standards that I judged provision under. I can see that I have been wasteful over the years. Now a bowl of rice and a tin of tuna is ade...

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8,9 Honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, moral excellence and praise are all higher qualities. spending time here is important and worthwhile. Today I had lunch with a group of people around my age and we discussed current events in the light of scripture. A few voiced disappointment in not having an important topic dealt with seriously. I said, "pray for the leaders." I know it is easy to complain but praying about weaknesses will bring strength, complaining will destroy. We are having serious problems in our world and whilst we need to be aware we need to pray and seek God about our role. The end is approaching and I do not w...

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 Here are the tools of our trade, Christianity. Rejoice, firstly, rejoice when things are good and when things are bad, because He, our God, is good, and for that reason alone. He uses all things for His purposes. If He is able to create us out of dirt and bring the universe into being just by a word, I think He can hold it all together. Next, a result of rejoicing is graciousness. If we are full of His grace then it flows out like a river, pouring all over out world. Why? The Lord is near! He is returning to rule and reign and even if He does it when I am gone, He will return for me when my time comes. What joy! ...

So then my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for- my joy and my crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:1-3 This church had a special place in Paul's heart. Some of them had worked alongside him in the ministry. They were his joy and his crown. So not only did they bring him joy but they were one of Paul's successes. What joy a group of people bring to your heart when they take a message, own it and grow with it. Paul is not needing to continually correct them and watch over them. However, two women, Euodia and Syntyche seemed to be having difficulty, perhaps a clash of personality, who knows. Perhaps one was a Martha and the other a Mary. What a joy it would be to go away and know that not only did...

He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself. Philippians 3:21 I believe I have just had a transformation! For the longest time I have treated FB and the people I connect with on it with a professional conduct but today, after the development in Austrslia and the media around same-sex marriage I went to prayer, serious prayer and came out. Just as a gay person 'came out' and declared themselves as gay, I have come out and declared my love for Jesus and what He means to me. I feel so liberated. Yesterday I had the revelation that the true debate was between humanism and Christianity. Simple! I love my God and love my fellow man but I had to stand for my Lord and I have done. Now I am free! I cannot think of a life without Christ. He is transforming my humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body. He is all powerful, I am not. This morning I wrote to my gay frie...

For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their God is their stomach; their glory is their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:18-20 I don't know whether it is the fact that my eyes are being opened or that our society is rushing, he'll-bent, on its own path away from Christ. I have been pondering the same sex debate in my country Australia. There is hatred for the sacred and when we Christians make glib, not well thought through remarks or traditionally held beliefs are sprayed out upon the populous we are called bigots, perhaps blind guides would be better. What is the real issue? It is not about same sex marriage, last time it was about unmarrieds living together before that it was abortion. These are symptoms of a new faith in our country called Humanism. Humani...

In any case we should all live up to whatever truth we have attained. Philippians 3:16 In fitness we see this, we can buffet our bodies and whip them into shape and be rippling in muscle but stop going to the gym and start eating cake and the slide will happen. In Christianity we must press on continually! I still remember a song I used to sing, way back in my 20s. It said: keep on walking, you don't know how far you've come, keep on walking.... Take a look at all the pleasant looking places where you might stop and take a rest, take a look at all the faces there, their sadness will tell you that it's best, keep on walking. I see the sad faces and the pain I experience in keeping on going is greater at times than I can bear but I don't like the sad faces, so I keep on going. I cannot stop until he takes me home. How do I press on? Spend time with the Lord, lots of time; read the right books; watch the things that will build and not destroy; watch my talk, keep it sweet....