Deleted Items

As it currently stands, there are 5868 emails in the 'deleted items' section of my email software. No wonder the program was running a bit slow! Now I'd just like to say, I didn't intend to keep all those files, I just didn't realise they accumulate so fast.

It did get me thinking about how much of life's unwanted or unnecessary information I keep without realising and I wondered how we go about getting rid of those things that pile up, slow us down and hold us up. Apparently there is an option in the program that can prompt me to permanently delete the emails in that folder each time I exit, allowing me to start each day with only the necessary files.

I believe prayer has the same function in our lives. We are bombarded in life by lots of information, opinions, expectations, circumstances, and relationships and we need a place where we can sort through all those. We need to keep the important and uplifting things, attend to issues that need to be dealt with, and let go of those things that do not belong in our life. But just forgetting about those 'deleted items' doesn't get rid of the stress, guilt and pressure.

When God forgives our sin, He removes it as far as the east is from the west, and he remembers it no more. That means he chooses not to recall it. Permanently deleted. (Jer 31:34)

So, if you are holding on to memories of your own sin, believe that God has removed that sin through Jesus Christ so you can let it go too. And if it is from others, recognise when it is slowing you down or holding you back and choose to permanently delete that too.

How do you do that? With the Holy Spirit within you and the Bible before you:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."Philippians 4:6-8

There are two things we need to apply. Prayer is our heavenly filter which shows up things that aren't in their proper place as we submit to Christ Jesus. And then wisdom is our earthly filter which helps us recognise those things as they come across our paths.

Once we use this application, we are able to truly and freely send and receive both with God and with others.

Precious Moms - Works For Me!

Ever been stuck for ideas for a child's birthday party? Do you have a Baby Shower to organise? Any anniversaries coming up?

Well, I definitely have a website that you have just GOT to take a look at!

PreciousMoms.com has EVERYTHING you need for party ideas for

• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Graduations
• Holidays
• Baby Showers
• Weddings

For FREE!!!

And they have absolutely gorgeous figurines you can purchase as presents for those occasions so you'll be throwing the best party AND have the best gift!

Have you ever put up with bored children on a long journey in the car? Do you know what to put in your emergency car kit? PreciousMoms.com even helps you with day-to-day tips and treasures to make your life easier!

This site comes highly recommended from one mom who'll take all the tips she can get! And if you'd like more tips, head over to Rocks In My Dryer to see what others have shared.

Expired

My Dad believes in keeping things beyond their ‘use by’ date if he feels they still have some use or effectiveness. When staying with him last week I was looking for some mentholated chest rub and grabbed a small jar from the bathroom cupboard. It was quickly returned however, when I read that the contents had reached their ‘use by’ date in 1996 – that’s 12 years ago!

Companies decide how long their product will be useful for and they set the expiry date accordingly. It’s very refreshing to know that our Heavenly Father doesn’t set any ‘use by’ dates on our effectiveness. No matter how young or how old you are, whether you are sick or tired, burnt out or worn out, single or married, have teenagers, toddlers or are unable to have children, He can and will work through you and accomplish His purposes through you.

Paul sought to encourage Timothy with these words:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12)
Our ‘brand’ as Christians is sure because we have the Holy Spirit as our seal, but our usefulness depends on our submission to Jesus Christ, our being continually renewed by the Spirit, and then living out our faith for others to see.

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim 4:7-8)

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4:15-16)

Read through 1 Timothy Chapter 4, remember God doesn’t have ‘use by’ dates, and as you submit to Him, wait and see how He will use you in your life and community.

This piece was posted at Faith Lifts! You'll find me writing there every fortnight :)




By the way... here is my latest installment in my quest for the ultimate soaring eagle shot (scroll right to the bottom of the webpage to see more). This one is a wedge tailed eagle. He was too far away to get great detail, but now I know where he lives! ;)

Love Languages - Works For Me!

Today is our 8th Wedding Anniversary, so I thought it fitting to make this WFMW about marriage.


"What would he really like?" is a question that often goes through my mind when searching for a birthday, christmas or anniversary gift, and because I like giving gifts, I spend a lot of time on this.


First of all today, I made this as his breakfast in bed.

And for the present? Bryce got a coffee grinder to go with the fan dangled coffee machine I bought him six months ago for no reason, just cause I wanted to give him a gift. At Christmas time, Bryce has been known to have up to 12 presents under the tree because I keep buying him little presents and wrap them up so excitedly and hide them beneath other presents.


I am a gift giver, so the way I show my love to Bryce is by giving him gifts. But if I really asked the question "What would he really like?", the answer would be time. Bryce feels loved and shows his love by spending quality time with me. Im sure he doesnt mind all the presents I buy him, but what would really fill his love tank quickly is if I suggested we go out somewhere. So that is what we are doing tonight.


Do you know what it is that makes you feel loved the most? What about your spouse or someone special in your family?

It could be:

1. Gift Giving

2. Words of Affirmation

3. Quality Time

4. Physical Touch and Closeness or

5. Acts of Service

Have you worked it out? Why not try to do something for someone special, in their love language, to say 'I Love You'.

See you later, I'm going to make dinner reservations :)

This information comes from the book "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Well worth a read if you'd like to know more!

Click HERE to read my last post "Has Anyone Seen My Teeth?"

Has Anyone Seen My Teeth?

Todays post has been kindly authorised by Nanny who, for the prosperity and encouragement of my readers, has allowed this unfortunate story to be told.

I was woken at 6am this morning with a phone call.

Nanny, who is staying with us, has been going to work quite early each morning before sunrise, so in my half asleep state I assumed it was something to do with work. Poppa answered the phone and then a few seconds later I heard the front door open and a car take off down the street.

Nanny had forgotten her teeth!

You know that feeling you get sometimes, that you have forgotten something but you're not sure what it is? I am sure Nanny wished she listened closer to that little voice as she arrived at work and soon realised she had forgotten the plate which contained her two front teeth. A somewhat distressed Nanny promptly called Poppa and asked him to deliver her teeth as soon as possible.

When the sun finally rose and the teeth story was told there were a few chuckles around the breakfast table and everyone went about their daily tasks. But it was not Nanny who had forgotten the most important thing today.

I forgot to say Good Morning to my creator.
I neglected to thank him for the sunrise and the birds singing.
I ignored his promptings to read his word.
I was too busy to sit with him by the window.
I failed to stop and listen to him speak.
I cared not to ask him what he would like us to do today.

And for that oversight, there was something bigger missing from my day than a denture. And it wasnt put right till I called DAD to come help.

Next time you get that feeling that you have forgotten something,

Remember Him.
He is waiting.
Every Morning.

I Lost My Son - Again!

Yes, for the second time in just a few months, I lost my son! How could this happen, I hear you ask.. Well, let me tell you, I am NEVER taking him bowling again.

You might remember the last time I lost him... at the bowling centre... he had gone to the computer game section and I was looking for many minutes which seemed like hours. Well today when he went missing I went straight there ... but he was nowhere to be found!

I didnt have any other options, there was nowhere else to look. I did manage to mention to my daughter that he was going to be in so much trouble when I found him. That was just after she asked "Mum, shall we tell the lady that we have lost him?". No way. I'm not doing that again!

He turned up just after that - he had taken himself to the toilet. He's 3. How does he even know where the toilet is?! Never again I tell you. He's banned. No more games of bowling with mummy! (Not without any other adults present)

Luckily, God is not so harsh with me. I mess up all the time. Go places he doesn't want me to go. Do things he doesn't want me to do. Say things he doesn't want me to say. Most of the time for the same reason - 'cause I thought I could do it on my own. But he doesn't say "Right, I've had it with you. I'm never taking you out again". He just waits patiently for me to come back and then starts again.

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched woman I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:21-25

God doesnt ban me from the good he has planned because I mess up. He works IN me transforming me from the inside out. Praise God!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Cor 4:16-17

So I'll thank God that he is working in me,

I'll stop stressing about my present trouble and
trust it has some eternal benefit,

but I am still not taking him bowling again!

The Hunt cont.

This is a Kite, not an Eagle, but I'm nearly there!
(If you'd like to see a larger version - scroll way down to the bottom of the page!)