Roll on Summer!

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Pondering the Second

While I believe that all of the Ceremonial Laws of the Old Testament, all of the types and shadows used in those days by the people of God, are fulfilled in Christ, and no longer required to be performed by his people,  I also believe that the Moral Law, summarized in the Ten commandments is binding on the people of God to this day.

Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

We are not saved by it nor can we even fulfil it but Christ has done that perfect work for the salvation of his people. He fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law and God leaves his people with his moral laws which stand forever as our guide to faith and practice.
Some in our day believe that this has no use for the redeemed people of God, but how shall we know we are sinners and in need of a Saviour unless we know that God's holy Law is broken? Although the Law is written on our hearts we are slow and stubborn and God is merciful to set it before us from old.
Some say, that not all of this  moral law is binding on the people of God in the Gospel age. For example, that we no longer should keep a day entirely set aside to the worship of God. (4th commandment) But the command that I am pondering is the second:

Exodus 20:4

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Many say that this command is no longer a requirement of believers in the one true God. As I come from a religious background which uses many icons and images, this is a commandment which I see being broken constantly. People will argue that they do not worship statues and holy pictures etc. but the truth is that they are used as aids to worship and are idolatrous, often they are not even depictions of any of the persons of the Godhead .  Either way, they are not  acceptable to God.
God wants, yea commands, the broken spirit and contrite heart and is jealous for his worship. His Word and Spirit create in us the worshipful attitude. We are to worship in Spirit and in truth and not by the imaginations of men.



Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 50. What is required in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his word.

Q. 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment forbids the worshiping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his word.

Q. 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

Here's something to think about.

What of pictures depicting our Lord, Jesus Christ?

The Beautiful Woman Behind the Veil

Once upon a time there was a sweet blue eyed, blond girl ~ I'll call her Gemma. She was obedient and placid, with a pleasant nature. Truly kind and loving and loved by all who knew her. Gemma was the doted upon only girl in a fine, upstanding Christian family and the apple of her parents' eyes.

Twenty five years ago, as a four year old,  she sat beside me as flower girl on my wedding day. She behaved impeccably through the hour long service, the formal photographs and the wedding reception.

Gemma grew into a beautiful young woman. She professed her faith in Christ at about fourteen years of age. She spent a lot of time at our house and we at hers and we were all family friends. Gemma's mum was and is one of the most precious "Titus 2" women in my life and Gemma was like a big sister and mentor to my girls when they were small. She was the type of girl you trusted and loved to spend time with your children.

When Gemma was around nineteen she began to struggle in her faith. Her parents, family, christian friends and pastors all tried to help and encourage her. Myself included. We had no idea the depth of pain she was going through, but as Christians we knew the answer lay in the peace and forgiveness found only in the Lord Jesus. But Gemma broke her parents heart. She shocked all who knew her.

Gemma told us she had converted to the Muslim faith.

Today we visited with Gemma, her husband and children along with that very dear family as they gathered for a special family milestone celebration. Eight years ago, as a fresh convert to Islam, she visited wearing a light head covering around her face. Today, in full burka and only the slits of her once beautiful eyes showing we felt it was a distant visit. Much less showing than the picture above. We did not see her at all. We waved to the children and shook her husband's hand.  I hugged her goodbye and when my hubby went to shake her hand she held it up and said, "No, I can't." She has known him since baby-hood but could not so much as touch his hand.

Our hearts break for our dear friends. Outwardly they cope so well and yet they find it all so hard. And for the precious, sweet children, so like Gemma as a little girl. Our hearts break that she who was taught so well and professed to know the Saviour   has turned her back on him and claims she needs no mediator. That Allah is her god and that her works will one day earn her salvation.

I am grieving tonight, dear readers. May our great God be merciful!

Encouragement for the Larger Ladies!

An email forwarded by a friend recently.





What does a 145 kilo woman look like?

Now, before you scroll down to look at her pictures, get a mental image of what you think a woman who weighs 145kg looks like...

GOT IT?

The tallest and best proportioned woman in the world lives in Holland .

She is 7'4" and weighs 145kg

What a relief! Now we ALL know we aren't overweight;

we're just too short !)

I think this woman is gorgeous.

I am not only short, I have small bones but you can't see that!

Have A Great Day

Where 'ya bin?

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Dealing with Addiction

Ron, at The Old Geezer Blog, had an interesting post recently answering a question on how he had accumulated so many Followers. It got me thinking about my own motivations and goals in having a blog, visiting blogs and my commenting behaviour.

Right back when I began my blog I posted this entitled Thoughts on Life, Goals and Blogging. Interestingly, though I think I have been through periods where my thoughts have become diverted, I think that I am fairly much still in agreement with this post. Since I started out just wanting a blog identity to comment elsewhere I never dreamed about having a blog which a lot of other people would read. A strange thing happened along the way! As I began to write posts myself, comment on many more blogs and receive comments ~ I got hooked. Addicted to blogging and to commenting. (Confessions of a closet blogger!)

In this post, eight months into blogging, Time Management and the Blog, I mention some of the changes in my attitude and routines. The post is fairly bland, but I remember that I was really struggling at that time to get a balance. I was noticing that checking for comments and dreaming up post ideas was dominating my thoughts way too much. I was posting at this time about five times a week but often just twaddly pieces or links to things I found interesting in other places.

In January, to mark one year of blogging I posted Mumma's Journal. In it I recorded some of my blog stats for the year. I recall at the time that I was both thrilled to have reached these milestones and shocked at the number of posts (equating to many hours) which I had published. It was over that long holiday break from school that I had a good hard look at my "routine". I prayed about it and was very convicted by the way my daily schedule had changed since I began blogging. Because of my not-so-good health and my very poor eye sight at the time I was finding it hard to do many of the activities I might have done in the past. I never put the computer over family activities and time with friends, church, parents etc but I did use it where I once might have read or caught up on chores.  Was blog reading as edifying as a good, solid christian biography? Was my bible reading and quiet prayer time suffering? What about school? What about ironing?

This year, with I hope new perspectives, I have tried to blog only about three times a week. I have tried to eliminate drivel. Okay, you may not have noticed that so much :-)  I have concentrated on being careful with my deeper spiritual posts, being acutely conscious of  responsibility of handling the Word of God and being a good and faithful witness to my Lord. I have continued to share about my family, homeschool trials and triumphs, but have tried to eliminate the day to day waffle that can sometimes make a blog become stale and uninteresting.

So....how am I doing so far :-)

Ron's post which I mentioned at the beginning of this one, was mainly about building up a following. Now, as mentioned, this was not one of my early goals in blogging but became more important to me as my "addiction" worsened about twelve months ago. I am pleased to say  that now I am really excited to have a new follower, especially one who likes to leave comments, but it no longer bothers me how many I have. It is always nice to know that some are reading your posts regularly. I have mainly found that the blogs which I enjoy and comment on are the more like minded folk and more likely to respond in kind. I talk about the joys of comments and commenting in the Blogger's Love Language.

Not all of the blogs I read are of homeschoolers or even of mothers but these common interests and the Christian walk are two of the main reasons why I might follow on a blog myself. I usually like to check out the posts over a week or two (follow anonymously) rather than click on as a follower right away. Being in total agreement is not a criteria for readership but I do find that some bloggers do not like, perhaps even delete, comments if they disagree with them. My readership is so small that this has not been a real problem for me, although I have been deleted at other sites. I say in my comment box that it is okay to disagree but do it graciously. I am just not a debater so I am not interested in heated and wordy discussions. I do however, appreciate having an error pointed out to me or an idea mooted, in a gentle and thoughtful way. I usually link the blogs I really like or have become "friends" with on my blog also. I don't know whether people use that much but I like to check these out on my favourite blogs when I have time for a good look around.



Well, if you have bothered to read to the end of this, you are a loyal follower indeed!!!

What is your blogging criteria? what are your goals? Do you follow on any old site or are you selective? or perhaps only those which follow you?

And how much time do you devote to your blog each week?
Do you schedule time for this or just visit blogs randomly?

Man, my life is so busy at present I really haven't got the time for blogging. But a busy life makes for a more interesting blog ~ right???

Things We Say Wrong...er...incorrectly!

Kute Kitchen Kitsch

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

When I was Two

When I was two
I was hardly new.

You might comprehend how busy and tiring this last week has been by the fact that I have not posted all week. Even, or perhaps especially, great talkers like myself burn out at times. I know we have many months of Summer ahead but the heating up of the weather here contributes to the tiredness at day's end.

We had a lovely family day last Saturday to celebrate our oldest grandson and nephew's second birthday.
He has had his curly locks trimmed and looks quite the little grown up boy now. He had a wonderful time with a few very nice gifts. He took a great liking to this little golf club. He and his cousin, my second grandson, spent hours just wielding those sticks and occasionally making contact with the balls. (More often making contact elsewhere :-)

Little brother is just plain tuckered out!

Me and my cuz!

Auditioning for Braveheart!
(My boys ~ Supporting their basketball club at the finals)

Week's End

Family News

Today is my oldest grandson's second birthday! Happy Birthday, my darling ♥

I trust I will have some pics to show after our get together tomorrow.







The State of the Nation

After more than two weeks waiting to hear the outcome of  our election it was all a bit of a fizzer. :-(
We shall see how the new "paradigm" actually works in practice. Although I am not deeply into politics I am very conservative in my views. I am not at all happy to see an atheist leading our country and have grave doubts and fears for the stability of our nation. As christians we should continue to pray for those in authority and that God would be pleased to turn many hearts in this nation towards himself. Simple minded as it may sound, I feel able to leave the fate of this government and nation in God's capable hands and continue to pray "Come quickly, Lord Jesus".

I've actually chosen this as my "Word of the Week" as I have heard it over and over on radio and televison in the last few days:
par·a·digm (pr-dm, -dm)
n.
1. One that serves as a pattern or model.
2. A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories: the paradigm of an irregular verb.
3. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.

It's actually a pretty cool word if you are into the look and sound of words, and into crosswords perhaps! (Just gets a little wearing hearing it over and over and over again ~ clutching at straws me thinks!)







School

Officially we have one week left in Term 3. All our work returns are in and things are winding up for a two week break. My plan is to have a low key week concentrating on reading aloud and catching up some art and other projects rather than much in the way of book work.
Our wonderful "Rae" expects her baby over the holiday break so those very special and productive weekly sessions will come to an end, at least for the moment.
My sister has so enjoyed our weekly reading sessions and time with the boys (and a cuppa together) that she is continuing her visits even now that I am seeing quite well. She always visited regularly anyway, but this has also been very beneficial for all.
Any one have good read aloud suggestions for my 11 to 13 year old boys?

Loving your Neighbour

We've lived in this house for twelve years and have enjoyed great neighbours on all sides over those years. Often neighbours will ask us to look out for their places when they are away since we are a stay at home family with plenty of coming and going here all year round. Sadly, we had an "incident" this week. I am praying and pondering how best to deal with it and be a good witness to our neighbours at the same time. As with family conflict, it is sometimes harder to speak and resolve things with those near by than with those we meet only rarely. Trying hard to apply the biblical principles and be a peacemaker.

It is glorious weather here in CQ

 with a forecast for rain.

Have a good weekend!

Being the Country Cousin

Do you ever say or blog something really goofy?

Could it only be me?

Ruby meets Jeanne

I'm just a quiet country girl, minding my own business and trying to act intelligent.

I don't think it is working??!!

Most of you will find this post mysterious ~ but some will get it!

Have a wonderful trip my (synonyms for intelligent)  very smart , able, acute, alert, alive, all there, apt, astute, brainy, bright, brilliant, calculating, capable, clever, comprehending, creative, deep*, discerning, enlightened, exceptional, highbrow, imaginative, ingenious, instructed, inventive, keen, knowing, knowledgeable, original, penetrating, perceptive, perspicacious, profound, quick, quick-witted, rational, ready, reasonable, resourceful, responsible, sage, sharp, smart, thinking, together*, understanding, well-informed, whiz*, wise, witty  friend!

My Dad's a Mechanic, What's Yours?

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

A Simple Philosophy

Do What You Do Do Well
 by Sonny James

He couldn't move a mountain
Or pull down a big oak tree
But my daddy became a mighty big man
With a simply philosophy

 chorus
Do what you do do well boy
Do what you do do well
Give your love and all your of heart
And do what you do do well

Now sometimes he'd kissed my mama
and hold her so tenderly
When he'd look across the top of her head
Then he'd wink and say to me

 chorus

Now he was a man of laughter
But if tragedy came by
The tears ran free and he'd say to me

 Never be afraid to cry .
chorus

Today I still remember
Just like it was yesterday
About a mighty big man
with a mighty big heart
And a mighty few words to say

repeat chorus

What are little boys made of?

Snips 'n' snails 'n' puppy dogs' tails ~
That's what little boys are made of! 


What better way to enjoy the Spring weather than a play with your cousin? These are happy golden days! The sun is shining, the grass is growing, the birds are singing. And little men are busy with all the stuff that little men do.....

GS 1.

He will be two next week!

GS3

9 months. The baby of the family but growing fast.

 GS 2

22.5 months. What a larrikin!

Amidst all the busyness of this week we celebrated my Dad's 86th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dad, Grandad, Great Grandad!

Dad and I in 1964

xoxo

Enjoy your weekend!

Tied up with Ganeida's Knot!

Up, up and Away

Tuesday dawned bright and clear. I had a 7 am flight to catch to Brisbane so it was an early start to what turned out to be a big day! It was a glorious morning for flying. Clear and crisp and fresh.
After several flights back and forward for Eye Clinic appointments it was really exciting to be able to look down and see the fluffy clouds below us, to be able to read the seat numbers and the emergency instructions!

I managed to negotiate the airport, the express train, the transit centre and the bus to reach the Royal Brisbane. Again, it felt good to be able to see, read all the signs and get myself about freely. My appointment  not being until 1.30pm I was anticipating the BIG MEETING at 10.30. My blogging friend Ganeida and her daughter were to meet me. Wow!

Have you ever made acquaintance with one of your online blogging friends? Oh, we warn our children about the dangers of meeting strangers ! What was in store?

It is a strange and wonderful world, this Blogland! We can either have a blog which is very business like and does not share much about our real selves and our lives and thoughts ~ or like, Ganeida and I, have blogs which actually lay bare a great deal about our lives. Our homes, our families, our spiritual walk and struggles, our homeschooling adventures. Though we both have on line pen names, it is the real us out there and it comes from the heart. For this reason, I was nervous to meet someone who had read so much of my life. I wondered how we would get along. Apparently Geneida felt the same way! (Read her version here)

Royal Brisbane Hospital

As I arrived at the Cafe a little before the agreed time, I took up my Sudoku and scanned the incoming people for my friend. I knew that Ganeida would bring her daughter and that she wears her covering all the time. That would make her easy to pick. But you know, the RBH  has a cancer wing. There were a surprising number of variously covered heads coming through that doorway!! Of course, when they arrived I recognized them immediately!

From then, and for the next almost three hours, we hardly drew breath! I would say, two very good talkers with an enormous amount to say, met that morning. Be warned all ye blogging friends who hope to meet either of us one day. I am so thankful for the familiarity we had of one anothers lives, families and beliefs. It was not at all like two strangers meeting. More like two old friends (Hey, not so much of the old either!) Ganeida is warm and expressive and though she says she is a little shy, she speaks with great passion about the things which are near and dear to her.

Thanks for your patience, Star!

We discussed everything from our births and homeschool experiences to spiritual thoughts and beliefs. And you know, I was pondering on the flight home, once again, the beauty of the fellowship that believers enjoy. Ganeida and I have some very varying views on some things, but two who love the Lord and seek to glorify Him, can not help but find friendship with one another. I thank God for this special day and the privilege of meeting my sister in the Lord. Star is a delightful young lady and extremely patient. Her head must have been reeling with the cyclonic speed at which we dove from one topic to another!

My specialist was very happy with the progress of my eye and I am now on a waiting list to have the left eye done. There is no great hurry for that but it will be unbelievably wonderful to have fully restored sight! It was over 3 hours wait, unfortunately :-( then the bus, train, plane and finally home.

Thank you, Lord for a wonderful, safe and friendship making/ building day!

Any other details you need, Jeanne??!!

It's a Pleasure to Meet You!

WORDLESS  WEDNESDAY

Tuesday, however, was full of words!