Spiritual Visits

I have changed the Sign above my Birds heading to read.
Beauty is in the Eyes of the Beholder and Jesus is in the Heart of Whoever invites him in.

  

My belief is real and my belief is Stong!

I have experienced many spiritual experiences in my life and because of these, my faith has grown to be invincible.

Let me share just one of those experiences with you. 

It was evening and I was not long home from the birth of my last son. 

It was a difficult labour and delivery, my son uttered one slight cry and then cried without sound for days. His larynx had been damaged (it did heal).

I had suffered some swelling prior the delivery then after, my body exploded.

I went into HELLP !!

HELLP syndrome is the medical name given to a serious (and rare) complication of pre-eclampsia involving a combination of liver and blood disorders.

HELLP stands for:
• H (haemolysis - red blood cell damage);
• EL (elevated liver enzymes - indicating liver damage);
• LP (low platelets in the blood leading to a bleeding tendency)

On top of this on the second day after the delivery a thrombosis developed in my inner thigh.

With not much understanding thirty years ago about blood clotting, I was fed continual doses of aspirin. After being kept in the hospital over the required time, I was finally sent home to receive daily post natal home nursing care. 
We lived in an old house on a small farm with a few scant neighbours and a dirt road out front. My (then) husband went to play tennis leaving me in bed with the babe in his crib beside me and our other three children sitting watching television.
I was ill and afraid. My heart pained, beating out of rhythm. Weakly I lay back against the bed pillows and prayed. 

"Lord Jesus, please come and stand beside me." 

With my eyes closed I felt the presence of someone standing next to me, waiting. Thinking one of the children had come into the room I opened my eyes.  Standing,  looking down was a tall man. He was dressed as a shepperd, like pictures I'd seen in my Bible.
I knew it was a shepperd because of the crook held in His hand. 
I had prayed and asked Him to come.....and He came!

For what seemed like the longest time he remained looking down at me.

Then slowly he walked towards my bedroom door and out into the hall.

Struck dumb it took a while before I was able to call my eldest daughter.

What a wondrous experience! My daughter and I prayed our thanks and rejoiced in my ethereal visitation.

Many months later Femia (daughter) came running to show me what she read in her bible. It said that in times of need, He comes as a Shepperd.

In John 10:11, we are told: 

"I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Yet  sadly, many deny Him. 
As in John 1:10-18:
"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Praise His Holy Name!!!

                            

Values and Beliefs

Study in a University to become a Registered Nurse in Australia is Three years of full time learning. Following this you are often placed with a facilitator for your first year out working in a hospital. 
During this learning time other subjects are part of the curriculum.
One of mine was philosophy. And I loved it. 
My primary Alma Mater was The Australian Catholic University.
I wanted to take a minor in theology, however when I discovered I would be told what meant what in the Bible, I opted out. The reason for this being...I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Because of this I also believe God's Word as truth. We are informed in the Bible that Jesus left the Holy Spirit as our teacher, and as such, He has never let me down.
He is a patient teacher also, because, I am still a student to Him, and still learning. I expect to keep on doing this until the day He takes me home.  
When we love someone dearly we want to learn everything possible about them. We are not happy to only listen to someone else tell us about them, if we can get the chance to know for ourselves first hand. 
How many of you would pick up a diary of your beloved and read it to learn all their secrets....if you had the chance.
A New Testament, the diary telling all about Jesus Christ is readily available everywhere, yet how many who actually profess to know and love him, desire to read it???
Mostly they are happy to sit in church and listen to another's rendition. 
I cannot understand this!! 
In fact, many don't even know what they think they do, they just believe what they hear without the EVIDENCE....
  
And the first Christian faith followed by the disciple's was
The Sect of the Nazarene... Paul, who was once a Pharisee, became one of these himself. 

Three verses in total are written on Paul as being a part of

the Sect of the Nazarene.

Three of the main Jewish Sects (Religions) of Jesus time were. Sadducee's, Pharisees and Essenes.

These religions had different belief's and fought over what they believed. Paul was a strict Pharisee who experienced a life changing event which caused him to become a follower of Jesus. He then converted and became a member of the 'Sect of the Nazarene.' 

Paul is brought before the governor Felix charged by the Jews as a trouble maker because he followed Jesus....

To follow Jesus means to know him in a personal relationship..

                                               

                                                    

                                                           
                                                             

Music therapy and cancer diagnosis

Outside my Window

The Corella, known as the Bare-eyed Cockatoo is a white cockatoo native to Australia and New Guinea. They resemble their larger white counterpart except they are smaller in size and omit the yellow head crest. The colder weather in Queensland sends the Corella off to central Australia during the winter months.

                                                     
When loud screeching erupted on the roadside electrical wires outside my bedroom I rejoiced as this inform's me of warmer weather on the way. These cheeky birds walk up and down the wiring telling each other off while keeping a strict eye open for danger. They often sit in pairs to prune one another.
Humans could learn from their loving natures.

They grow from 36 to 39 cm (13 to 15 inches) in length and congregate in flocks of up to several thousand birds, which often include many galahs.



 

galah

                                                             
The birds generally roost in trees overnight, and fly off to feed in the early morning with an almost deafening screech. They mostly feed on the ground, eating seeds which include wheat and barley crops. The bird is so common that it has become a pest throughout much of Australia. It can be destructive to the trees in which it perches, by chewing the bark off smaller twigs.
Some become household pets,  learning to talk.

In Luke 12:34
Jesus said, “And how much more valuable you are than birds!
Who of you by worrying, can add a single hour to his life?
Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

Sepia Family

I am the baby in my mothers arms and this photo was taken after the war in the late 1940's.

At this time we lived in a housing commission (government) home in Canley Vale NSW.

My father was a return soldier from the second world war and it had taken a toll, something he never got over. He'd served in the Middle East and on the Kokoda Trial in Papua New Guinea. He never lost his English accent and I can still hear the way he asked if a "pot o tea" was ready. He'd laugh and say, everything good in life was Buckshee (free).  

When I was five the family purchased and moved to a small acreage at Horsley Park.

My father built on to the four roomed house adding two extra rooms.

My mother cooked on a fuel stove which also served to heat the home (poorly).

Me.

Mum sewed all our clothes on her treadle sewing machine.

That's another good memory.

It hummed along and she sang...Toora Loora loora...or some other song.

She was always singing in those years. Later she played the church organ until her finger became too stiff. Now it's the harmonica.

Mum is 92yrs old now.

Pictured here with my granddaughter Shiarn.

Luke 12:22

Then Jesus said to his disciples:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them."

Yes we made it! and the best heritage my mother imparted was a love and desire to follow Jesus,

Civil War

We all know a Civil War is when a battle is fought within a country.
Such a war, splits and divides, placing a nationality against itself.

Much the same is a Civil War within oneself.
Do you have a war raging within yourself?
If so, it will hinder your walk with your Savour.

Matthew 12:25, tells us.
  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation;
and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

Let's look at this in a personal aspect. 
Are you side tracked from who you should be in Jesus Christ?
Do you allow yourself to be sabotaged by outside influences?
Are you easily led by your evil desires.
Anything that directs you away from living a life pleasing to him will destroy you in the end.....
The thing you love the most in your life is what will come first in your thoughts and actions.

If you love God and also love something else beyond reason, then a war will rage within you. 

Are you confused?
Lets simplify this.
I love food, but if I over eat I am a glutton.  Then food will become my God..
and.....my health will fail. 
Likewise gossip is the same. It may seem harmless at the time, until we are caught up in it's ugly cycle. Then it damages everyone!!!

Jesus said,  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27


 

                                                             

Award

This is hard for me as I am not one for the spotlight.

Sheri from http://livingitupinky.blogspot.com/
has given me this 'Lovely Blog' award....
I thank you dear sister with all my heart...

There are so many lovely Blogs on here and mine, is by no means, one of the best.
But, I'd be very rude not to respond with a thankful heart.
On the other hand, Sheri does have a very endearing site, so please take time to stop by.

The 'Lovely Blog' Rules:
1. Link back to the person who nominates you for this award (above)
2. Pass it along to 7 other 'Inspiring Bloggers.'
3. Share 7 things about yourself. 

Passing this award along is not easy as some won't want to participate.
I have chosen women as I cannot see the men wanting to take part even though there are a couple I would love to nominate.... 

My selection in no particular order: (how do you choose when all are great)..

My happy lady:  USA
http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/

A heart of Gold: Phillipines
http://mla-crownofglory.blogspot.com/

A sweet Tennessee mama: USA
http://mefindingmichelle.blogspot.com/

A caring wife: USA
http://surrenderalltoyou.blogspot.com/

Another Ozzie chooky: Australia
http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com/

A gentle spirit: United Kingdom
http://junibearsjottings.blogspot.com/

A wise spirit: United Kingdom
http://unexpectedgems.blogspot.com/

*Click on to the above and share some inspiration. 

About myself:
1. I love a deep bubble bath with glowing candles all around...
2. Fruit is the best food on earth, I eat pineapple until my tongue hurts.
3. I'm too soft hearted.
4. If I could play an instrument it would be the violin.
5. I wish I could run like I used to (need a new knee).
6. My mother is my greatest inspiration.
7. I believe its better to be humble than proud.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. (from Philippians 4:8 of God's Word)

                                                                       

Heaven Sent.

In the middle of New Zealand's south island, stands this beautiful old stone church built in 1935, as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie County.
The area was named after James Mackenzie a sheep farmer and thief who derived from Scottish ancestry.
The church adorns the shore of Lake Tekapo amidst farming outlets and unused land.
Walking within the walls your eyes are pulled to the huge Altar window displaying a picturesque view of water, mountains and sky. 
Spell-bounding.... this is Gods headpiece of living art
Congregations of the three main faiths worship here regularly.
It is the most photographed church in New Zealand. 

So is the church itself the important place of worship?

In John 4:19-24 we read about the woman who met Jesus at the well..

"Sir,"  the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.

Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

God our Refuge

This photo is of my husband Ray, pictured here in 1965.

He grew up in east Tennessee..... a keen sportsman and well liked at school.

His father passed on to Glory when he was thirteen years old, leaving him as head of the home.

His mother depended on him and he never let her down.

At eighteen Ray joined the Marine Corps and headed out to boot camp in California.

 He served and was wounded in Vietnam and still carries many of his emotional and physical scars.

He served his country and always defended what was right.

Ray's mother was very proud of him, and deserved to be.

As a mother her morals reflected in the conduct of her son. 

Ray believes in God and His promises to him. 

My prayer today is, that everyone who reads this realises how special they are to their Father in Heaven...

Don't give up, keep going, do the right thing in life, and God will reward you if you belong to Him.

   

 

                                                                        

                                                                                        

                                                                                     

DEPRESSION, the dreaded Blackness

When I returned to nursing in 1994 I never expected to specialise in the field of Mental Health.

It was the furthest place I wanted to be. Life was difficult enough without the added trauma of dealing with difficult people.

Yet my placement demanded I be rotated in different sections of the hospital.  

From day one I formed a love for these hurting human beings.

In all my time working in psychiatry I was never threatened hurt or harmed, yet many nurses are. I believe the reason why was because I always showed a genuine respect and care. In return I received the same. There is much I could write about, however I would simply like to hit on one area…….. Depression.

During my research and studies I learned that by the year 2021 the largest debilitating contributor to disease would be depression……

and I believe this to be so.

Depression and the road out…

One of America’s greatest Presidents suffered from all consuming depression. Born into a poor family he felt life was against him.
His one true love died an untimely death and he failed at work prospects.
In one of his darkest hours he wrote the following.
“I am now the most miserable man living.
If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would be not one cheerful face on earth.
Whether I shall be better, I cannot tell.
I awfully, forebode I shall not.
I must die, or be better it appears to me.”

Well we all know this man survived and went on to greatness.
His name was Abraham Lincoln.

For everyone who has suffered from or still suffering depression you will know how seemingly hopeless this subject can appear.

For that reason I am recommending a book that is the best I have ever read.
Written by a medical doctor, Neil Nedley M.D, who uses a different approach, and successfully treats many patients!  I cannot recommend it enough.
He does NOT apply a band-aid effect....of "here take this medication" solution..
But gets down to the root issues of how and why.
Diets and light is used to nourish and stimulate the brain to wellness......

Read it for yourself!  and be encouraged! There is help!
 AND please give me your honest opinion after your finished.



 Psalms 55:17
"Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice."

** PLEASE CLICK ON THE AMAZON LINK
     BELOW TO VIEW THIS BOOK
     NO PRESSURE TO PURCHASE.                                     

DEPRESSION
the way out.


by


Dr Neil Nedley MD

A Great Miracle

An Incredible Story

Map of Australia

Last year Alaskan fireman Robert Bogucki aged thirty three, set out on a mission.

He wanted to cross the Great Sandy Dessert in Western Australia.
Measuring 163900 sq miles, this dessert is the second largest and one of the most remote in Australia. 
Since the age of fifteen, Robert had become obsessed with the idea of one day surviving in the wilderness for 40 days and nights like Jesus.            Then while on a bike riding trip across Australia the idea became a reality with him ditching his bike and taking off on foot to test his faith and find answers to questions???

Robert had read about how the Australian indigenous people could find water in their arid land. On the occasional sightings of dessert animals and often when he was on the verge of dehydration he was led to water. 

How many of us would test our faith to the limit like this? 

It's not recommended!!! But then, Robert was a remarkable man.

When Roberts discarded bike with clothing and food supplies were found a search was immediately formed. Aboriginal trackers were brought in yet after following his tracks for days they eventually gave up.                    Roberts parents hired a specialist team from the USA and together with Broome police the search was resumed. No one expected to find him alive.

                                   He made the ultimate sacrifice and survived forty three days alone with his God. Although without food for six weeks and water for 12 days, he was still able to walk to the search helicopter. He had lost thirty kilo's or sixty six pounds in weight. It was a life changing experience and he found his answers.... 

Psalms 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?


 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.


If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,


even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.


If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"


Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.....


This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God...

  

Where To Now Lord??

FROM: PSALM 139
O Lord, you have searched me

and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.

Crystal and Friend

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,a you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

We were two young women on the brink of life.
Work mates both in our early twenties..
Neither knew where life was going to take us.
Yet we both trusted in our Lord for direction.
The road wasn't easy, we both had much to learn.
But we survived, because our guide led the way.
We survived because we trusted in Him.
And after almost 40yrs, we both still do.
The secret is believing in His Word...
And remaining strong in Him....
Our Savour, Christ Jesus.

PARADISE

The beauties of this earth are immense....
Yet NOTHING can compare with Paradise.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined! 
What God has prepared for those who love Him."
Corinthians 2:9

From the Book of Revelation in the Bible.
A descripion is given of Our Home In Heaven.
 And the building of the wall of it was jasper: and the city pure gold, like unto clear glass.

 And the foundations of the wall of the city garnished with all manner of precious stones.
The first foundation jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
 And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Are you prepared to meet God?

Death has no boundaries.

SEE GOD !!!

"My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savour."
Luke 1:46-47

Where? Oh Where, do you see the hand of God.....???
I see Him everywhere.

                                                                 A Friend and I
                                  In Fellowship, Prayer and Communion with other believers.
  

In the Joy of Nature.

The Olga's Northern Territory.

In the beautiful landscapes.

                                                                      My Garden
In the Flowering Plants, with diverse varieties shapes and colours.


 

The Created Universe.

I see God in Everything.

Praise His Holy Name.

                                                                            

                                                                                              

I'm Australia(We are one, but we are many)

Turn Your Eyes to Jesus

WHO shed His life for us??  JESUS

Who lived in Heaven (perfect harmony) and didn't have to come to earth (disharmony)???   JESUS

Who is a very part of our creator God???  JESUS

Who told us, we come to the Father, by NONE ELSE but Himself??  JESUS

Yet what do we do in return????

We label ourselves with certain denominations!

We place walls between ourselves and others!

We believe that the denomination we serve is the One True Faith!!

Did Jesus teach that???  NO!

Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived!!
Who are we, to think, we are greater than He???
Who are we to think, we are wiser than Him???
YET...many of us believe, we are walking in His ways....
When we do it our way instead of His.
Lets read God's WORDS ON THIS!!  
It is NOT a story, It is His word! and His teaching!


FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL

 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 Divisions in the Church


I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this:
One of you says, “I follow Paul”;(I am ? Faith)
another,
“I follow Apollos” (I am ? Faith);
another,
“I follow Cephas” (I am ? Faith);
still another,
“I follow Christ. ( AMEN)”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name.
So then, no more boasting about men!!!!!!
 All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
and you are of Christ,
and Christ is of God.  (1Corintians 1 :10-12)
We are not to BOAST about our denomination. Read it yourself!

We Are To Be One In HIM Alone....

I was stunned to read, not so long ago, that the First Christian Denomination to be Founded with Christ, and followed AFTER his death.
Was "The Sect of The Nazarene"
Acts 24:5... The Bible.


 

                                            
We are to stand together in Him, as part of His body.
Not alienated apart from Him, a broken body.