Mumma's Sweetheart x2

And the younger fellow is just

down right cute!!!!

Love you, guys XOXO

Mumma's Big Eyed Boy

My older grandson has the most gorgeous eyes.........

XOXO

Fascinating

My friend and sister in the Lord JJ lost her husband to cancer nearly five years ago. She herself is a survivor of cancer, chemo and radium treatment. Today she hosted a lovely morning tea as part of the Breast Cancer fund raising appeal.

I have written before about JJ here.

She had gone to so much detail to make it a really special day out for the ladies. It was a traditional "hens" type party, with games and prizes and lots of laughs and girlish cackling! The serious issues were also addressed and JJ was able to share some of how the Lord had used her illness in refining her, and how she knew and trusted that he had and would never leave or forsake her. She also used the time to give special thanks to those who had supported her, especially her children, in laws and grandchildren. Also, the Queensland Cancer Council who are so supportive both practically and support wise - even having wigs ready before Chemo even started!

Our invitations asked us to come dressed in pink... of course.

On arrival we each received a packet with trimmings to design our own Fascinators.
Prizes were awarded for most original, most unusual etc.

Then we each had to wear our creation for the duration of the day!


These are some of the ladies trying to attach the little head pieces.
We played various other quiz and memory games.
JJ had gone to a lot of trouble to make little gifts for the winners herself.
I came home with a sweet hand towel. Some won baked goodies and
some plants in pretty decorated pots.

Then of course, we partook of the sumptuous feast!
This dear sister is a wonderful cook and crafter and she obviously
delighted in preparing all of this...
And we certainly enjoyed sharing it.

Sigh......

A restful corner of JJ's lovely garden. In keeping with the pink theme.

Paying it Forward...

One of the amazing blessings I have observed over the years is the way the Lord provides for his people.... sometimes in the most unexpected ways! We've all heard stories of money/ food /clothing, desperately needed, turning up, seemingly out of the blue. "Our God shall supply all our needs..."

This week, we had one such chain of events, though minor, which reminded us of God's gracious provision for us and the way he attends to even the least of our needs. And how our good deeds and blessings are "paid forward", so to speak.

A friendly neighbour, who often drops in home grown produce, sent a pile of pineapples over early in the day, which we really appreciated and we decided to pass them around.

Now some elderly friends have been really struggling with poor health, adult children and grandchildren problems and generally coping with everything. When hubby returned from a visit there in the morning he suggested I go over to help in the afternoon. I took our (already prepared) chicken casserole dinner over, both of us feeling we could manage without it that night and have a "scratch" tea. I spent a lovely few hours both doing chores and visiting. What a blessing these aged saints are and have been to us. I came home refreshed, though concerned for their plight.

We ate our basic evening meal and I was surprised as I did the dishes to receive a call from a dear friend. Could they call round briefly? Of course, that would be lovely! (But secretly I'm thinking - this is unusual?) Now these friends have had a very difficult year. Hubby, who is self employed, has been off work for 4 months, had an operation, and will be off a few months yet. I was wondering, are they okay?

When they arrived they came bearing several kilos of steak, sausages and mince!!

During their period of hardship many have given "care packages" to their large family and this day they had been generously given a large meat order. They in turn felt led to share some of this bounty with us!!
Marvellous provision indeed!
And we've all really enjoyed the pineapples!

My Cheeky Boys!

After our morning break, I called the boys from the back yard. There was a mulcher working in one of the neighbours' yards so they called back, "What's that, Mum? We can't hear you." Again I called it was time to come in. Again, "Sorry, can't hear you Mum!" So I called again a little more quietly, "I have ice cream and chocolate up here!" Thundering feet up the stairs!

Cheeky boys!

Tackling the Touchy Topics

"To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice , and judgement and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion .

Proverbs 1 : 2-4

Our daily morning readings have come around to Genesis again. My sons, who are 10 and 11 years old must have been quite young when last we trod here, though many of the narratives are familiar to them, we have not needed to discuss these passages in depth for a while.

So, last week we came to Genesis 38 and 39, recounting the stories of Judah and Tamar, and Joseph and the wife of Potiphar. And earlier, the defilement of Dinah, chapter 34. I am thinking about God's wisdom, how everything in scripture is given by inspiration of God and profits us. I am thinking how delicate some of the topics raised in Scripture are, yet God has placed these passages there and we are to read and teach our children thoroughly from his Word.

In our modern society, and closer to home, we have to deal with de facto relationships, births out of wedlock, separations and divorces and many other difficult issues. I have always taken the approach to answer honestly questions put to me without elaborating past what the child is actually asking. Still, our natural inclination is to protect them from such immorality. By choice we might not raise them unless they arose in real life, but we know that the scriptures are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). We have to teach "thou shalt" and also "thou shalt not " but we must also teach and emulate the spirit of the law along with the letter(training the heart and attitude). I found my daughters much less difficult in some ways. Perhaps it's because I was once a girl myself :o), but raising sons presents many new challenges. Well, just my ramblings brought about by some recent, interesting, conversations. If anyone reading this has thoughts I'd appreciate hearing them.

It reminds me once again, that the heart is desperately wicked and inclined to evil, as per my thoughts last week. It was great to read of Joseph and to use him as a godly example to flee youthful lusts. It is a great and fearful responsibility to train and nuture our children.

May God grant wisdom in teaching and training our children to love his Word and follow him. The verses from Psalm 119 I posted this morning were along the same thoughts.

Psalm 119 : Beth

By what means shall a young man learn

his way to purify?

If he according to thy word

thereto attentive be.

Unfeignedly thee have I sought

with all my soul and heart:

O let me not from the right path

of thy commands depart.

.....

Thy word I in my heart have hid,

that I offend not thee.

O Lord, thou ever blessed art,

thy statutes teach thou me.

The judgements of thy mouth each one

my lips declared have:

More joy thy testimonies' way
than riches all me gave.

.....

I will thy holy precepts make

my meditation;

And carefully I'll have respect

unto thy ways each one.

Upon thy statutes my delight

shall constantly be set:

And, by thy grace, I never will

thy holy word forget.

........

Scottish Metrical Version

My Golden Childhood II

Memories of a Callide Valley Childhood...

I am very thankful to the Lord for the family, upbringing and environment in which I was born and raised. I call these days golden because that is the way I remember them. I can look back now with the hindsight of my years and know that things were probably never so rosy as this little country girl perceived them. I can look back as an adult and a parent and realise the great hardships and emotional challenges my own parents faced. I thank them that they were mature and committed and did not over burden us either in physical things, which we had plenty of on the farm, or emotional tensions. We learned to "put our shoulder to the wheel", whether it was through flood, drought, crop loss or family loss. We learned the value of a disciplined life, a good work ethic, a frugal lifestyle, putting God first, accepting his ways though we didn't always understand them, loving each other and our neighbour.

Above is a picture (taken in the early 70s) of one side of street in the "One Horse Town" which was about 10km from our place and the hub of our universe! There were actually two streets, the name changed as you crossed the railway line! In those days it had two general stores, a butcher, a hotel, a post office, a bakery, a hardware store, garage, cafe, town hall, CWA hall, railway siding with several linesmen's houses, one man police station, (with lock up) two churches - ours (Roman Catholic) and theirs (Presbyterian), a 2/3 teacher primary school, sports oval and maybe twenty houses. Phew, that makes it sound like a metropolis!

As a small child in the early '60s, in a large family, we didn't get out much so a trip into town was a big deal. My parents faithfully attended mass every Sunday, and having no electricity at home for a freezer, Dad would sometimes buy us a cone at the cafe after mass as a treat. I was friendly with one or two of the policemen's daughters (only one there at any given time) so knew the jail precinct quite well! I only ever remember hearing of one drunk actually put in the lock up for crimainal activity. Of course everyone knows everyone else in a little country town, and most functions eg. Dances, School fund raisers, the annual Easter Monday sports were well attended by one and all.

These are the uncomplicated and comparatively naive times in which I was privileged to grow up.

If you know me personally, or have read my blog, you will know that I am a christian, who considers myself graciously saved out of the Roman Catholic system in my early 20s. Praise God! But believing in his providence as I do, I see how his hand was on me even from childhood and although I no longer follow the religion of my upbringing I value the moral virtues I learned to uphold and the devoted and loyal example I was set.

I cherish and admire the hardworking, English/ Irish pioneering stock from which I come and want to honour both parents and grandparents in my writing about these happy, golden days.....


.

More strange disappearences~

The plot thickens......

Thanks Mum-me.

I think you were right it was a blogger problem . I am part of a team family blog and it was not posting there either. But.... when it righted itself I deleted my post "More strange disappearences" and only later discovered that you had already commented! So your comment is in the sidebar but not on any post. I will never keep up with techology!

FUN at the WORKshop

Home's Cool but we love to work together!

We have an active home school community and do lots of activities together (mainly sport) but today we enjoyed a Craft/ Science Day. This was co-ordinated by the Christian School of Distance Education which some of us are registered with.

" Duck, Duck Goose" is a long time favourite of the littlies.

The children aged between about 8 - 12 were set a team challenge. They had to devise a nest which would protect their (raw) eggs when dropped!
These guys came up with some great ideas, though they broke quite a few before getting it right.

This was the winning entry!
This crazy little nest spared their eggs first and every try.
(The boys in this group were the older ones.)
--O--

Learning team working skills and gleaning ideas from the other children is great for my boys. Having some learning difficulties makes them a little apprehensive to "do school" with other children and "real" teachers around, but they generally had a lot of fun and it was a good learning experience. Life will not always centre around Mum and Dad and they gain confidence and skills in having to try things in front of others.

A very enjoyable and profitable day was had by all!!

Drawing those vague thoughts together!

Last night's ramble was like a test to see who was on the ball - obviously not me!
So just to draw those thoughts together......
I was pondering how wonderful and busy life is, thanking God for that, and acknowledging the fact that I often feel rather brain dead. Hence, the challenge to do a Sudoku. I did one... and managed to get it out without ending up with two 4s in one row at the end...... bliss!

ooOoo

Sudoku and other brain food

I often marvel at this wonderful season of life!
The days are jam packed with families, schooling activities, and challenges further afield. Some days, I feel so brim full, I can't imagine what might be happening in the world further afield - and it seems to get along just fine without me!
Even with out babies of my own in the house :-( , no toddlers underfoot :-(, only a couple of half grown boys to keep me hopping :o) I seldom find a moment in the day in which to contemplate. The bathroom is still constantly in demand, the fridge is opened at frequent intervals, the wash basket still overflows regularly.
I steal my quite reading/ prayer time in the morning before the house wakes, but then it is go, go, go the rest of the day.
I'm loving this season of life.
I am thinking a lot lately of priorities.
I am thinking a lot of family.
I live in an old house, but it's a home. It needs some fixing, but we afford it. It needs some cleaning but there is no shortage of love and friendship here. The yard is overgrown, but my limited energy is consumed elsewhere and the boys still have a ton of fun there. And DH keeps a few projects going here too.
I thank God for a time of life when I can look back and see his good hand upon me even in times of great trial. When I can look forward with anticipation to what he has in store for me. And I can live day by day in a "middle aged" peace and contentment which only God can bestow.

Soooooo... today I came across a book of Sudoku. I love these puzzles but have not had the opportunity to tackle one for some time. Can I rouse my mind from such rambling thoughts long enough to try one tonight?
I think I just might!

Of Total Depravity.....

Being a Christian, trusting in our gracious and perfect saviour and believing the Word of God to be our rule of faith and life, comforts and encourages me in times of trial and sorrow.

I see it clearly around me in a current situation where many are saying, "How can this be?" "I can not believe they could/would do such a thing." "That is so unlike them."

We initially feel this way as well, but the truth and reality portrayed in scripture of the wicked and depraved heart, enables us to accept that all, even those we know and love, even ourselves, can and do the worst of wickednesses, BUT for the grace of God.

"The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"....There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Romans 3:10 - 12

Praise God! He has redeemed us and is sanctifying a people unto himself.

But also, for his own glory and the good of his people he has placed his restraining hand upon the world, else would it be destroyed and overtaken with wickedness. When we think that everything about is evil, and perhaps Satan is having a victory, it is good to remember that it is the same God who made the Heaven and the Earth, who never slumbers nor sleeps, HE REIGNS!

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. "

Ephesians 2 :1-10

My Golden Childhood I

One Hundred Years of Family Heritage....

For some time I have been jotting down memoirs, mostly from my childhood and school days as well as about the family members and characters of those days. In 2012 my family celebrates 100 years of settlement on the home block which my (paternal) grandfather drew in the Callide Valley region of Central Queensland. We are hoping to compile a book to mark this historic milestone.

Prior to 1912 my grandfather had left a clerk's position in the Queensland Railway based with his family in Brisbane, and made his way to Central Qld doing whatever work he was able to come by. He was quite well educated, always loved to read and obviously had a great spirit of adventure. On drawing the home block when the area was balloted out he was contracted to pay a certain amount per acre and meet basic development standards. These original blocks were surveyed at 640 acres which was considered a living area! Anyone familiar with the area, though beautiful, knows it takes a great many more hectares to actually live off. My brothers and cousins still working the land each hold around 5,000 acres and some need to work off farm.

The First World War interrupted what little progress Grandad made on the block. When he returned after the war, he faced brigalow scrub to be cleared by hand, a great need to find water, and the introduction, from Mexico I believe, of the prickly pear, drought, flood and loneliness........

Grandad and Grandma married in 1921. She was a born and bred girl of the Australian bush and because of her knowledge, hard work and determination, they were able to eek out an existence.

They bore ten children (one still born). Dairied in most unsuitable conditions, walking the cows nearly 8 kilometers to the river for water during drought. Grew cotton, painstakingly hoed on small patches of cleared brigalow. Lived and raised their family through the great depression. Always, always fighting to eradicate the prickly pear which thrived and encroached on every available space. My dad remembers in the 30s pinning the bug, cactablastus, imported to kill these dreadful plants. It was the beginning of modern farming for the settlers of this district.

Then of course, a school was built, the children grew, two went to the Second World War. Two died as young men a few years later. Toil and heartbreak. My own dad, the third child and son, grew to love this land and lived his first seventy four years within a mile of his childhood home. He and Mum married in the 50s and in turn raised their eight children.

Though my heavenly home is now my great hope and heart's desire, I am truly blessed to have grown up in this place, surrounded by many relatives and enjoying the carefree life of children in the Australian bush during the 1960s.

From time to time I am going to post little memories from my Golden Childhood.

"Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because

his mercy endureth for ever."

Psalm 115:1

Early Pics

The photograph at the top of the post is of the original slab cottage

that my Grandfather built and brought his bride to!

Above is the hut with extensions. This hut housed all eleven of the

family until the 1940s when the two eldest went to war.

Grandad, Grandma and aunty heading to town. Notice the

little fellows in the dicky seat!

A rare early photograph taken by a visiting relative and entitled

"Waiting for the bacon and eggs."

My Dad in front.

This is the original building with the "kitchen" a lean-to on the side. Wood stove, earthern floor, and note the shiny milk buckets no doubt scoured for the dairy.

This is the back view of the very top photo and taken on the same day.

Our Own Bermuda Triangle

Today, somehow, who knows how...or why? my dear husband managed to delete my entire email section. OUR emails :o) Any one who has a large family and circle of friends, and enters into a lot of correspondence may empathise. They are no doubt somewhere with the swallowed socks, working pens and our reading glasses!

So, it's back to the Pollyanna game............

(It has taken me several hours to come to this point of clear headedness!)

I'm glad....that it was not my pictures which disappeared. Though I do copy to disc it is a while since I have done so and I have quite a lot of family history stuff in the pipe line.

I'm glad........ to be reminded that my emails and (very precious) communications, are not so valuable in the scheme of things. People (husbands) always come first.

I'm glad..... my youngest came and cuddled me and asked for a bed time story, just when I gave up on trying to retrieve them. XOXO

I'm glad..... tomorrow the home schoolers are attending a sports day with some christian school kids. I can go and cheer and socialise and generally forget my disaster.

I'm glad...... I am coming to a realisation that I am much more attached to the computer than I should be. I keep thinking I am dealing with it but..........

Lord's Day/ Mothers' Day

I've just been reading some posts about the observing of Mothers' Day over on The Puritan Board.

I didn't give it much thought when I posted on Monday about our Mothers' Day, though I did mention that it was over the weekend. This is our position on observing "cultural" celebrations ie. legitimate causes for celebration which are not to do with the worship of God. If they fall on the Lord's Day, whether Mothers' or Fathers' Day or birthdays, we celebrate on the Saturday mostly and occasionally on the Monday. This is to keep the Lords' Day holy, so far as we are able. I don't make a big thing of it if someone phones for a birthday or gives wishes but avoid it where possible . My extended family have accepted this over the years and we just take it for granted. I do appreciate that we have no observance of these days in our public worship services.

This is not a big issue, probably doesn't warrant a post, but perhaps gives some pause for thought if one is trying to sort through what is glorifying to God in this situation.

"I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory I will not give to another......"

Isaiah 42 : 8

Of Providence

Providence..... Knowing that all things happen according to God's Will, is such a comfort to our often anxious and struggling hearts and minds. When we see no rhyme or reason to things, we can leave them in His capable hands, knowing that He does all things well. This knowledge has been sustaining me in the past week as I've struggled to come to terms with evolving family drama.

In God's Providence our Lord's Day morning sermons through Matthew chapter 5 have reached verses 17 - 18.

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets, I am not come to destroy, but fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall not pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

I say it was providential, in that although I knew these verses were coming up to be preached upon, I have been thinking some on the law and its application in our Christian lives today. This section will go over several weeks and I hope to be able to clarify my own thoughts a little over this time. A good bit of challenging brain food!

In the evening we continued with 1 John 3 verses 16 - 18

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whosoever hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

These passages have been a really confronting and convicting challenge concerning our walk as ones who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Do I see past my own wants to the genuine needs of my brethren? Am I prepared to lay down my life, to give myself as a living sacrifice for the sake of Christ. I have pondered many times the softness of our lives in this modern society and how little we seem to be asked of for the sake of the Lord. A good bit of challenging heart food!

I am truly thankful for the teaching and admonitions regularly set before me as I know how slothful one can grow with out it.

Mum's the Word.....

Happy Mother's Day!!!

This is me as a 4 year old with my mother.
When looking for a photo I realised I have very few of us together.
It has been such a blessing to spend time over the weekend with my own mum, to speak to my distant mother-in-law and to see my own children and grandchildren.

What a blessing and privilege is motherhood!
I am doubly blessed to have 4 generations of my family all living within a few kilometers. Family celebrations are great!

Beef Expo 2009

KNOWLEDGE-A-BULL

ADOR -A-BULL


REMARK- A-BULL

Rockhampton is dubbed the Beef Capital of Australia

and every three years it hosts

The Beef Expo.

The population of Rockhampton is approximately 65,000

but it is the hub of a large agricultural and mining population.

This week close to 60,ooo local, Australian and international visitors

are in Rockhampton for the Beef Expo.

Rocky, as she is affectionately known, has the unusual feature of large

bull statues around town, mainly at each major entry road.

Because of the Beef Capital tag many businesses also have bulls

as mascots and promotions.

But during the Beef Expo Bull making goes into overdrive.

They hold a competition to judge the best business bull,

best private home etc.

It is quite amazing to drive around and see them.

At the Expo site, which we visited yesterday, there were just cattle

and cattle related paraphernalia everywhere.

It is an amazing organisational feat and a really great event.

Also being a country girl at heart I've been able to catch up

with quite a few friends and relatives

which is always a bonus.

A few months ago organisers were concerned that the downturn in the economy

would greatly affect the numbers both exhibiting and attending at the Expo.

But it seems the people from the bush have come out in force -

and no doubt it is a much needed break and refresher for many.

Old Time Values in a Modern World

"One of the greatest things a man can do for his children,

is to love their mother."

I read that quote many years ago so I am unable to give credit to the author. However, I have been pondering it today. Of course, a father who loves the Lord is a greater blessing to children.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it."

Ephesians 5:25

The above photograph is probably not the most appropriate to the thoughts of marriage, husbands and happy families, but I love to use photos from my own family albums. The young woman on the left is my paternal grandmother in her teens, and is the only known picture of all eleven children together. Taken around 1908.

These pioneering ancestors remind me of the sacrifices, hard work, faith and commitment it takes to have a happy, successful and productive marriage and family. In our day and social climate, marriage and family are throw away, and sometimes valueless things. So many have lost the moral values of their parents and grandparents and adopted this worldly way of thinking. Serving self, ignoring God.

It is heartening to ponder, first, that God never changes, and his way is perfect. And secondly that there is a remnant even in this day, who are seeking to live for Christ.

"He setteth the solitary in families."

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13 (King James Version)

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

This passage is so well known it is hardly necessary to post it for readers. But I am taking comfort in great sadness from this passage. I am experiencing great sadness for my loved one who, not knowing the love of Christ, is not able see the beauty of this love (charity) but is living in a selfish, self-centred world, unable to see beyond the pleasures of this life.

Oh Lord, for every good and perfect gift I give you praise and thanks.

(Spell Check absolutely hateth auld English :o)

PSALM 72

His name for ever shall endure;

last like the sun it shall:

Men shall be blessed in him, and blessed

all nations shall him call.

Now blessed be the Lord our God,

the God of Israel,

For he alone doth wondrous works,

in glory that excel.

And blessed be his glorious name

to all eternity:

The whole earth let his glory fill.

Amen, so let it be.

(Verses 17 - 19)

Scottish Metrical Version

Head Covering and a Submissive Attitude

After a week long hiatus from the internet and prior to that a self imposed limitation on blog surfing, I gave myself quite a long time to look around today. (Drafted yesterday) Many "deeper" posts get churned around in my mind but time and my own reserve about touching on some things have often stopped me. I have never done a post on what I believe about ..........

I think through my Sabbath Thoughts my reformed views of doctrine come through. I think my love of family, church and friends is obvious as most of my posts centre on them. I do not feel the need to elaborate on every small detail but I hope my love for my Lord, heart to learn, and my charity to those of differing ideas is also seen.The blogs I have added to my reader are intentionally those I find edifying, often like minded but not necessarily on every point. I am drawn towards women who display a gentle spirit and humility before the Lord, who challenge with their posts rather than "teach" as an authority. It is a fine line between expressing ones views and being a good Titus 2/ Proverbs 31 example and becoming a guru, whose word must be obeyed. My post The Tangled Web expresses my thoughts about the responsibility we have in this area.

Last time I went blog surfing I was appalled by the nastiness I encountered, this time it is something much more subtle which is bothering me. As I said, I read some very beautiful and encouraging sites so it is not a sweeping observation. Today I looked at a number of sites on the head covering issue. ( I am of the cover for public worship variety but have been praying about this and am interested in others thoughts and views.) What I found as a common thread or feeling with most of the places I looked was quite a lot of writing on submission and the connections between the covering and submission, both to God and husbands. I believe both are biblical. Alas, I am very human and struggle to uphold the high standard set there in.

But the tone to me seemed very condescending. Even when speaking of a great "spiritual awakening" one seemed to be glorifying self and several of the women, while claiming submission to husbands, appeared to have very little respect for other God given authority and men in general. Some seemed to be naming their husband as head of their home yet claiming all sorts of superior spiritual insights.

I sincerely hope I have a wrong impression. It is soo hard to really hear someone when you are not talking face to face and do not see their daily walk and relationships. Knowing real life women who are like this colours my opinions. You probably know some too. She crams the hat on for worship, she home schools her many children and all the rest. But she rules her household with an iron rod, hubby defers any decision to her and checks sometimes even for confirmation before announcing the family policy on anything. A covered head does not a meek and gentle spirit make!

I'm sorry, I sound jaded. It is not my wish to sound that way but I really was disturbed by some of the stuff I read. I don't have many readers so may I suggest this to the ones I do have. Let us check that our words reflect our love for Christ and a good attitude toward our husbands, church leaders and other brethren.

I will close on a positive. One honest and humble lady had a number of posts on her journey after being convicted to wear headcovering and how, in submission to her husband she has refrained from that, even while believing it to be right. Such a difficult one for us women, as what is not of faith is sin. Yet I do think her husband's headship is the priority and she will be blessed in her faith to trust his judgement.

BTW my own husband does not believe head covering is commanded and never demanded the girls and I wear them. He does, however, allow me to wear mine as my conscience dictates.

May God grant me much more wisdom in this and every other area!

He Healeth the Broken in Heart...

Like most older Christians I have seen my share of trials and heart ache over the years. Praise God for his refining work in our lives. But you know, tonight as I digest some very troubling news from a close family member, I feel almost overwhelmed with grief. What a blessing it is that even at our lowest moment our God upholds us, and sometimes it is a long time before we can thank the Lord for the trial. But one who does not trust in God's Son, his sovereignty, his doing all things for our good.... what hope have they? To whom will they turn in their darkest hour.
There are times when I regret that I have not said more, been a better witness, lived a more exemplary life. This is a time when I long to reach out with comfort for the heavy laden, but, for now at least that door is shut.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3