We sold our renovators delight and were looking for a sanctuary, somewhere quiet and space to refresh from hustle and bustle of the world. We bought land in the hope to build but faced a lot of challenges with bushfire and landslip overlays. The final straw was Violet relapsed for the first time. We gave up on the dream to build and sold our land for a loss. It was a tough time, but we still believed in faith, prayed for a home, and planted more seed in the church building fund. ...
There’s a couple of prayers I say each day. They are simple for a few reasons: So I can remember them when I’m tired and my brain is fried So they kids can remember them They maybe simple, but there’s depth to them. For grace: Lord God I thank you for this awesome meal and pray you bless it to our bodies to make us Big, Strong, Happy and Healthy. The first part is fine, is the reason we're saying grace, thanking God for providing us a meal to enjoy. The rest has a little more reasoning... Big - a big person is humble, doesn't try to "one up" Strong - not physically, but emotionally Happy - mentally content Healthy - physically well Every now and again I discuss with the kids what the prayer means so they have a deeper acceptance of it. ...
A lot of people commented on how strong we are through Violets cancer journey; one of our friends early on created this artwork which encompasses one of the main feelings we had. We are carried by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I had read about footsteps in the sand and seen verses about being carried, but never experienced it until now. I don’t believe God causes the trials/challenges in our lives but he carries us through and promises greater glory on the other side. I’ve previously posted a tongue in cheek look at the many verses about this. ...
It’s no secret we’ve spent a lot of time in the Bible during Violets treatment. Many Bible studies, devotionals and Pintrest sessions lead to the list below. You may notice some duplicates below as Bible versions bring out different emphasis. I’m sure I’ve missed some verses but I hope you find some inspiration in His word, just as we have. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 (NLT) - http://bible.com/116/jas.1.2-4.NLT ...
James 1:2 has it seriously wrong… when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Troubles are an opportunity for great joy!! I'll give you troubles! My child has cancer, where is the joy in that? - Watching her much loved hair fall out.... Joy! Err no. - Catching vomit... No joy there - Preparing her for yet another procedure... what can bribe, err reward her with? Joy? no. - Dealing with the constipation/diarrhea pendulum... Umm maybe the joy of hidden in one of her nappies. - Sleepless nights.. Joy joy joy Let me read on (in James 1:3-4), maybe James was joking… They do that in the bible!… ...