SWEET CELEBRATIONS!

Well the day that seemed a distant - very distant day, has finally come and gone.

The last of our offspring has finished high school.

What a great day, not only because she successfully graduated, not only because she was beautiful on the night, not only because it all went so well for her.

But because it feels like we are enjoying sweet fruit for our labour.

Yes having children is a joy. There is nothing more fulfilling than producing and raising other human beings. But there is nothing more draining, more challenging, more scary, more frustrating, more heart wrenching than being responsible for this precious cargo!

I remember feeling so helpless & saying many times,

"I can't resign and no one will sack me!"

They challenge your relationship, they challenge your resources, they challenge your patience, they challenge your strength, they challenge your capacity, they challenge your ingenuity. There is nothing left of you that is not challenged.

BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT!! Would we do it all again........WITHOUT A DOUBT!!

Now we enjoy these young adults, they are all so different. We feel so rich.

How can that be??

Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. if it does die, then it produces many grains." John 12:24(GNB)

"Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it" Matt 10:39 (GNB)

Paul said, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." Galatians 6:9 (GNB)

Well there's the answer!!

So to everyone who is peering down the passage of time, wondering how you can 'hang on', and wondering if you are doing OK..... I want to say, yes you can hang on, and yes you are doing OK.

Of all the parents in the world (and He could have picked anyone ....YOU ARE THE ONE THE LORD HAS PICKED FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

So don't give up... it will be worth it!

THERE'S ONLY ONE CORRECT ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION!

Matthew 27:35-66 gives the account of Jesus' death on the cross. It paints a vivid picture of the environment and people that witnessed this horrific event. It is really enlightening to see the different responses to Jesus. Let me list them.

V35 - The soldiers carried on as usual

V39 - The people passing by and mocking

V40 - The people being cynical

V47 - Some misinterpreted His words

V48 - Some could only see the natural need of Jesus

V57-60 - Some responded with respect

V62-66 - Some responded with a need to control what was happening

Only one we know of responded in repentance and faith, a thief on the cross. (Luke 23:40-42) The result for that man was salvation that very day! Which category do you and I fit in?

"My prayer is that I really know when You are at work Lord and then having seen, help me to respond appropriately, in reverence and faith. Help me to know my day of visitation. Help me not to....

• carry on as usual


• by cynical


• be dishonouring

....but help me to have an open heart to You and to reach out in faith."

LITTLE STEPS & SMALL BEGINNINGS....

I am learning something.... little steps are better than no steps. Sometimes we feel inadequate and silly because the steps we take don't seem enough.... BUT THEY ARE BETTER THAN NO STEPS! As we keep making whatever steps we can, we get better & stronger. The secret is to keep walking, keep pushing against the comfort zone, keep doing it afraid and keep learning.

Sometimes it seems that the small seed we are sowing is insignificant, but the reality is, if there is life in it IT WILL GROW, and there are people that need what that plant will produce. So keep sowing those seeds, there are people on the other side of your battle who need you to win!

Lots of love & God bless!

Lynda ;)

Doesn't make sense to me.....

I want to throw a question out..... why is it illegal to drive without a seat belt, ride a bike without a helmet - both will only hurt the person driving or riding.... and yet it's a personal choice to have an abortion, which is ending another person's life before they even have a chance to speak for themselves?

Why do I have to sign permission notes for my daughter to go on a local school excursion, but she could legally go and see a doctor for an abortion, go on the pill or make other major decisions about her personal health - and I am unable to be involved in that decision without her permission??

Can those who make these laws please have a sit down and THINK?! These are deeply moral issues, but is anyone missing the lack of logic here... morals aside?

Thanks for reading....
Lynda

NO NEED TO FIGHT ANYMORE...

This morning I was replacing the toilet roll and remembering how when first married we used to disagree on which way the paper should roll, from the back or over the front.... now I know you've heard the old toilet roll argument story before but just bear with me for a minute....

I don't argue about it any more and I don't particularly care which way it rolls, partly because I've 'grown up' a bit since then (amazing what you let go of after 25 years of marriage!) but I don't argue anymore because I know I'm right!! (Now I'm really begging you to bear with me a bit longer!) I'm quite sure I'm right because the prints that are on the paper are only the right way up when the paper rolls the right way down! ..... Go figure ;)

Knowing who we are, and who we belong to really ends our need to prove a point and sets us free to serve.

John 13:3-6 "Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with a towel He had around Him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to Him, "Lord are you going to wash my feet?"

My point? Jesus knew who He was, He knew what authority He had with the Father, and He knew His home was Heaven. He had nothing to prove and so was free to assume this very humble position of "foot washer", even though He was, is, and always be the King of kings and Lord of lords.

When we KNOW WHO WE ARE, WHO WE BELONG TO AND WHERE OUR HOME IS we don't need to fight for our rights, reputations or prove our point any more. We are truly free to love and to serve, wherever our sphere might be; home, work or mission field.

Ephesians 1:3-5 "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure."

There we go.... you and I were chosen by God in love before He even began on creation, and no one twisted His arm... it says it gives Him GREAT PLEASURE. If God Almighty finds pleasure in having you as His own, why worry about the rest?

Go on, you're free to let go and free to love, because you are so deeply loved! - Enjoy.

Blessings :)
Lynda

This is me

Hi to you....

This is my very first blog entry and it feels strange to be trying something brand spanking new and unfamiliar! I need to introduce myself to you and explain a little of what this will be; so here goes... A DEEP BREATH!!!.....

I am a Christian woman who has been married to a wonderful man, Jeff Hammond for over 25 years. We have four children, a great son-in-law and one grandchild. (Another on the way). I live in country Queensland and work in the Dalby Assembly of God, in the office and on the pastoral team.

In that very brief summary there is a whole history of experiences, good, bad & downright ugly, lessons learned; passions and convictions developed, honed and strengthened. It is out of these that I intend to blog.

I also intend to share magical moments along the way, fresh ideas and discoveries and my prayer is that these will bring pleasure, laughter, joy, hope and encouragement to you.

My chief 'passion' is that people know that there is a God (a wonderful fully trustworthy and loving God) who is deeply interested and committed to us. That every person is significant no matter what their circumstances; that He has a great purpose and destiny for all; and that it all gets 'unwrapped' for us as we put our trust in Jesus Christ.

Until next time,

Blessings :)

Lynda