Stand Up!

Sometimes I feel as though our, my, witness to the world is less than a little dull flickering glow :-(  We are called to be like a city set on a hill which cannot be hidden.  Often times I hear and watch the situation in the world and tremble.  The nation that does not honour God he will reject.  We are, as a nation, deserving of his wrath.  But like Lot and his family, He has graciously spared some.  Will we STAND UP in these desperate times, for that which God has clearly shown us to be right, to please and glorify Him?

Stand up for life

I was heartened by the quite good attendance at a Stand Up for Life Rally here on the weekend.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made from conception to the grave.  It is not enough for us to say Abortion is wrong.  Euthanasia is wrong. We need to be sharing the gospel and praying for changed hearts and lives.  We need to be actively supported those who find themselves in such desperate situations as to take a life ~ theirs or another's.

Meanwhile

Life is chugging along.  I have had some small improvements in my health which has been a wonderful answer to prayers.  If you are among those remembering me in prayer ~ thank you ♥
The boys have a few bits and pieces to finish up before Wednesday when I am declaring Term 3 over.
As always, some slow progress, but reasonably happy with the amount we have covered.  I love September and we have a lot on in these holidays to look forward to.  However, the Summer terms as always a struggle against heat and fatigue.  Most likely we will go back to the Library routine which is more comfortable here in Summer.

The Capricornia Homeschoolers acquitted themselves well once again, at the Sports Day.  I have mentioned before, but we are very fortunate to have a couple of small Christian schools in the district who include us in there Sports Day and sometimes other combined activities.

 

Looking Forward

Less than two weeks until our 100year celebrations.  I have been busily making name tags, completing pages in my Family History Albums and trying to write and illustrate (in pics) a poem.  Well the words are done but the book is not finished so I am very pleased to be having a break from school as it is time consuming.  Mind you, I can't even think about getting scrapping gear out while the littlies are awake.  That cuts down the opportunities a little :-)

Joshua 10: 25

And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

The Getting of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

My heart breaks for kids tonight, when I see on the news that schools are  banning  them from cartwheeling, doing the splits, high fiving and "human contact".

 HUMAN CONTACT!!!!!!   Pllllleeeeeeeeeeze.  What is this world coming to.  When I worked in a Kindy (in the olden days :-)  most of the children came from happy two parent homes and those 3 & 4 year olds still loved a cuddle from the teachers.  One of my cousins who started teaching in a 1/2 class room spent a lot of the day listening and comforting small children.  Many had not had breakfast, many were dealing with domestic stress and just needed adult reassurence. She still teaches and finds it incredible that there is a no-contact rule even if it is good contact. 
I am finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that my two eldest grandsons are heading to Kindy in the New Year.  They will be four years old and are really excited.  Mumma cannot get her head around these small boys beginning their out-of-home education so young.  The more I am hearing of the new National Curriculum the more I fear for these little guys.  Apparently Queensland has been behind the other states and now they are making high demands from children right from Prep.

If you have had experience in the public schools, perhaps you can comment on this trend which is designed to increase the literacy rate in Australia.  Most home schoolers would agree that ramming stuff into small heads which are not ready for it can be disastrous.  Though we might follow curricula  and do formal work quite early, most of us are encouraging lots of outside play.  Yes, cartwheels!  Walking the fence and climbing trees. We also dish out hugs when necessary and often when it is not!

In a generation where some children seem to fail to mature or ever grow up, it seems very sad to take real childhood and all its golden memories  and learning experiences away from our youngsters, while they really are just children.

I love that my daughters are actively encouraging their children to play with risks allowed.  They are allowing them to make judgements and weigh up the consequences.  That means they also witness them falling, scraping knees and having their pride wounded.  The built- in life lessons gained from being allowed to play.  They get a good dose of dirt too, which is helping I am sure to build up their immune systems.

 I pray they will both be fine out in the big bad   scary exciting world of learning but as a mother who did not send any of them off anywhere until they were in their teens, it holds many dangers and snares to me.  Oh, don't even let me get started about bullying!

Lord protect them.





GS 2 gave me this beautiful letter today!
xoxox



Two Shall be One

Three years ago I blogged about my broken heartedness over the break up in a marriage of a couple very close to me.  In that time that marriage has been dissolved and the two parties have gone their separate ways, living lives which only overlap because there are children involved.

I also posted about values and the commitment needed to make a lasting, loving and successful marriage here. I was overwhelmed then by the seeming loss of old fashioned (biblical) values in our modern world where every one seems to think it is all about "ME".

During those years my own daughters have had de facto relationships.  One is planning to marry, the other has left a very tense and hurtful situation.  Other couples not so close to us have also parted.  Friends and relatives my own age, brought up with good Christian principles and solid parental examples. What is happening in our world?  The basic unit of society, the family is being steadily, but surely eroded.

The lobby for same sex marriage to become legal is so active that we cannot watch news items or advertisements without abominable images flashed before us.  This generation is being brain washed to think that self and happiness and individual needs are the most important and fulfilling goals to strive for. Putting aside  the biblical detestation of man/man, woman/ woman  sexual relationships , I do not understand why the term marriage, defined in the Westminster Confession of Faith as one man and one woman, is being high jacked.  Call it what you like.....we know it as sin.

Like many families we have our share of relationships and lifestyles which fall out of the pattern of the two parent family.  We don't hate these family members or avoid them, nor do we agree with their life style.  These marriage break ups, painful as they are and usually not the fault of any one person, put us in awkward positions.  How do we now treat the person who is not your relative/ friend before their union.  I have remained close to my sister-in-law and given as much love and encouragement to her and the children as possible under the circumstances .   My brother has a new partner.  She is a lovely woman and brings two children of her own to the relationship.  It's a tangled web!

Every marriage encounters trials, difficulties, strains.  My own has experienced many.  What is the key to holding it together?  Why did so many less couples part in our parents era, despite equally trying  circumstances.  My parents have been married for 61 years.  They have had enormous trials and griefs during that long marriage.  Today they are blessed to share the twilight years in one small room together in mostly contented unison. 

In my wedding vows I said the words "until God shall separate us by death."  That is a serious vow to make. It was sworn before God and before the congregation and has helped to keep my eyes focused when I have been tempted to escape.  Commitment is one huge thing and for Christians, the fact that there are three in our marriages ~ God, our husband and ourselves. 

Forgiveness is the heart of the gospel and should be our heart attitude at all times.  Forgive those small and annoying things and don't let them grow into big issues.

I know there are genuine cases where a marriage has been dissolved.  Our Confession lists adultery and utterly forsaking as valid reasons for divorce.  Other believes hold differing views.  Even in legitimate circumstances if a guilty party is truly repentant the offended one must forgive and then perhaps is able to continue in the marriage also.  This takes a lot of selflessness but by God's grace is possible.

This is all going through my head at present with the very sad and startling news this week of another couple, also fairly close to me, parting ways.  Beautiful young people, seemingly happy, five gorgeous children.  I was so grieved on hearing this I wept.  For the couple, their parents (my sister) and especially the children. I am praying now that God will do a mighty work of reconciliation for these two.  What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

So, if you have one, hug your hubby today and show him you love him.  This is often really difficult to do, I know.  We must try to not let the sun go down on any differences we have.  Our children are counting on us to lead by example.  If professing Christians do not love,  as Christ and the Church, what hope for the world?.

Thy God is a Jealous God

Psalm 22

 
⁶But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
 ⁷All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
 ⁸He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
 
 ¹³They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
 ¹⁴I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
 ¹⁵My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
 ¹⁶For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
 ¹⁷I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
 ¹⁸They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
 
 ²⁷All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

This past weekend, when Easter  was celebrated by many Christians, one of Queensland's largest news paper, The Courier Mail,  ran a cartoon which not only angered but also saddened my heart.
In my "righteous anger" I tossed it away which I regret now as I can not quote directly from the words.  The principle is the same never the less.

The cartoon showed Jesus, with the two thieves beside him, hanging from the cross.  In front stood a Roman soldier telling the on lookers to clear out, in another week or two this will all be forgotten.
Silly cartoonist.  Whether he was expressing contempt at the insignificance of Jesus death or the opposite, saying here we are 2.000 years later still remembering it, I find it deeply hurtful and dishonouring to our Lord and Saviour who humbled himself to come into this world as a man, who lived among us, his lowly creation, who endured the miseries of this life and death itself for the sake of his people. to be caricatured and mocked in this so-called Christian country.

No one who stood around the cross that day, nor indeed in the whole of Jerusalem would have ever forgotten that amazing afternoon when the sky was darkened, the graves of the dead were opened and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  It is finished.....

He is risen!  and he is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  Then will every knee bow and he shall be recognised and acknowledged by all.  What a dreadful day for those who mock and despise Him still.

In our country we enjoy Freedom of Religion.  We support this because, even though we believe that all other religions and gods are false we respect a person's right to worship as they choose.  Where is this respect for the believers in Christ?  If the symbols and gods of Islam, Hindu, Buddhism are insulted their vocal, devout followers raise strong objections.

 We are Christians.  We turn the other cheek,  We forgive.  But the Lord our God is a jealous God. He will have no other gods before Him.  He is righteous, just and holy.  We must protect our right to worship the one true God and we must be zealous for His Name,  his Word,  His worship.  God is not mocked , he is a consuming fire!

To add to my angst, a few pages over the Cross, that Christian symbol so well recognised, once again featured in a comic strip.  This time Julia Gillard was hanging on it.  Lord forgive them for they know not what they do.  It was some political satire which again I am not sure of the wording.  What does it suggest?  Julia, saviour? or Julia, sacrificed at the hands of brutal men? 

We discussed this here over the weekend.  One thing is for sure I am once again convicted that we are too reticent in voicing our "intolerance" for the rubbishing of our faith and our God.

My daughter was telling us that a friend of ours (about 20) had said in his Face Book status, "Come along to ......................Church and find out about the real meaning of Easter/"  She was upset at the rude and derogatory remarks this young man received from some so-called" friends".   She also said she should have commented instead of just liking his post.  This led us to conclude that we all need to speak out more ourselves and be more supportive of steadfast believers who are being persecuted, even in small ways.  I am proud of that youth standing and speaking for the Lord.
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*Julia Gillard is the Prime Minister of Australia.

* Our family does not celebrate Easter, although we do remember Jesus death and rejoice in His resurrection every Lord's Day.  Neither do we use representations of Christ in keeping with the second commandment, which adds to my extreme agitation at these poor attempts at humour.

By God's grace, let us attempt to live out our Christian walk with all fear and reverence due to God alone.

God Bless Australia

When Deborah judged in Israel, it was a reflection of the low spiritual and moral state of that nation that a woman should have rule over the men of Israel. God has, and does raise up women in desperate times. But what has happened to our country, once thought to be a christian nation? Where are the men of substance? Where are the leaders? These are indeed desperate time.

Lord, be merciful on our land and raise up Godly men that we might once again be a people which seeks after Thee. The nation that honours God, he will honour. Lord, do not forsake us.
We get the government we deserve. God help us.

Quentin Bryce, Anna Bligh, Julia Gillard.

History is made but at what cost?

Gossip

What is required in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,and of our own and our neighbour's good name especially in witness bearing.

(Westminster Confession of Faith Shorter Catechism Q77)

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I don't often watch the News in the evening and the so called current affairs shows which follow. Tonight the boys were at basketball and as hubby and I ate tea we thought to go casual and sit in front of the TV with our dinner. Bad move

..

A well know Australian celebrity couple are apparently breaking up. I still don't know the details, nor wish to but it is hard to get the images out of my head.

Current Affairs?? It used to mean political comment and general interest stories.

This was cheap, nasty, grotty journalism at it's worst.

It is bad enough that the immoral life styles of the rich and famous are splashed all over the TV and magazines, but the total invasion of their privacy and their homes is revolting and uncalled for.

.

It is very easy for us to become interested in this gossip under the guise of being a public interest story but hey, I had to check myself. Yes, I was curious..

....

We are called to promote the good name of others, I wonder how some of those journos sleep at night. I have no doubt some celebs love the media attention but no one wants that sort of invasion at a crisis time. Give people a little space and dignity.

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Shades of the hounding of Princess Diana

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Gossip.

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"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
"

Ahoy, Captain Bligh!

Good news, folks! The Federal Treasurer assured us earlier in the week that we are not in Recession! (Whodda thunk it!) 0.4 0/0 I think the growth rate was, which I guess is better than the negative figures coming from some other countries.

The Governor of the Reserve Bank says the economy will remain slow for some time. (Duh..)

Then,our Anna, the Premier of Queensland Mrs Anna Bligh, announced the sell off of a few of the states major assets, including possibly the freight section of Qld Rail and Ports, to raise capital to to reduce our huge debt. These places employ large numbers of Queenslanders and even Labor supporters are up in arms. And last but not least.... her government has decided to remove our fuel rebate levy! There may yet be mutiny on the Bounty, Captain Bligh!

The farmers of Queensland are already battling the moratorium on land clearing which could in a very short period of time, put a lot of currently productive farmers out of business. This means a scarcity of locally grown produce and higher costs to consumers. Add to this the rise in fuel cost from 1 July and you have farm production costs rising enormously, truck drivers battling to make ends meet and both having to raise their prices to keep their business afloat.The end result.. we are going to be paying a great deal more for our groceries here in Queensland... And there will be a great deal more unemployment.

Listen, Mrs Bligh, a lot of Queenslanders are already struggling. Give us a break. We need some good leadership here before the ship goes down.

Get Behind the Boys in the Bush!

Here in Queensland laws are being discussed which are going to really affect the farming/ grazing community if they are passed. I find it hard to believe that our government is so short sighted and so undervalues the primary producers. They are the back bone of our country. Already so many industries are crumbling under the stresses of a diving economy and the powers that be have foolishly opened our country to produce from other countries which is crippling us.

Get behind our farmers and graziers. Listen to them! These men have been working and loving and being stewards of this great land for many years. Give them a break!

Most of my relatives on both sides are on the land. I was born and raised on a Central Queensland property. I am proud to see some of my younger relations still working the land, taking up the push for a "fair go in the bush!" A new site is just launched today as part of the ongoing protest against these laws. Life Source Queensland. We need the urban based population to get informed and support your rural brothers and sisters and Australian produce.

Despite these concerns and the economy and the threat of Swine Flu, the big event of the Central Queensland calendar starts on Monday, Beef Expo 2009! See you in the city of bulls.

Soapbox

I am not really a politically minded body. I like to think I am intelligent (please let me think that!) and can keep up with what's going on in the world but a lot of days I crash into bed at night knowing nothing of world events, or national for that matter, of the day. Since most of the sites I frequent and blogs I read are USA based I probably read more about Barack Obama than I do our own PM, Kevin Rudd. (Yes, I know his name!)

Yesterday I heard two items which tickled me.

Julia Gillard (our deputy PM) makes an all time classic understatement. "It appears from these latest figures that the Stimulation Packages have not had the anticipated effect on our economy."

Duh! $42 billion debt to be carried not only by our tax payers but our children and perhaps their children. INCREDIBLE!!!

Ironically we heard today that the government is considering further Economic Stimulus Packages if they are required.:o(

Later, driving in the car I caught the end of an interview. The radio host was questioning an activist campaigning for six months paid parental leave for either the new mum or dad. She argued that it was vitally important for the child to have one parent care for them in the first six months of life and that the government should fund these families to enable working women and men to stay home after the baby's birth and return to work after six months.

The host questioned whether stay-at-home-mums would also receive six months pay, as they had all the same pressures financially, if not more so since their families work on one income all the time. Ms Campaigner mumbled something about her role only being on behalf of working parents.

The host thanked her and said good night but in signing off to the audience he remarked that it gave some food for thought who was deciding which group is more worthy. Radio hosts are often brash and opinionated but sometimes they hit on a good point.

For non Aussie readers: Australia has an amazing welfare system. One which surely can not be sustained through and after the current economic crisis. Old aged pensions have sadly barely enough to live on, but many other recipients do very well. I must say, we have benefited quite a lot over the years, as low income families with children are catered for well. Applicable to this tidbit though is that the New Baby bonus has risen to $5,000 per child. So unless one is on a very high annual income new parents already get a certain amount. Dependence on the government for survival has been the fruit of this over indulgent welfare system.

"....that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

2 Thessalonians 3:10