tapestry of life...............

as we are on the countdown for the last few weeks of service at shorestreet..we are beginning to realise that there are lots of very special people we are going to miss having in our lives on a regular basis......it is always exciting to move into a new season..with endless possibilities and new experiences...but this morning as i looked around...i must admit to feeling a little lump in my throat....as following Jesus and moving when the pillar of fire moves....is not only challenging for us....but also for those who are left behind.............but i know there are those who are part of the tapestry of our lives..who God has placed in our hearts for a season and then those who we will live this adventure alongside us at different stages yet to come..........'all things work together....'.........yes i love change........but its not always easy in the transition..........

change is here.......part 1

well it has finally arrived...we are moving into a new season.............see stuarts blog for the first installment...........life is never boring chasing the Wild Goose................

learn the unforced rhythms of grace......

i read this on a blog i follow a couple of days ago..and it has stayed with me..i particularly love it in the message....


The words of Jesus from Matthew 11

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

and the same passage in The Message version of the bible

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.


i really love the line.......i will show you how to take a real rest....and .......learn the unforced rhythms of grace...............

it is possible.......

was just noticing a sticker stuart has stuck on the back of his work laptop which says


another world is possible


i love this - and was just thinking afresh what that would look like....if i lived the life i talk about.........

i just don't......

we live in an interesting world.........and again we are rapidly moving into the 'silly season' for those of you that know me well you will know i don't celebrate Christmas.....for many reasons.......this is not a new decision but one i have gladly stood by for more than ten years...i can hear some of you gasp....thinking to yourself..i thought she was a committed christian...how could she possibly not celebrate Christmas of all things.........easy.....i just don't...........the 25th December comes and goes in my house like any other...and it is liberating.........more so than ever before.....when people ask me have i started my Christmas shopping yet....and i say no..we don't buy xmas gifts in my family...but bless each other throughout the year with treats .....instead of going in to debt and stress to buy things not wanted or needed just because it happens to be the 25th December.......instead of the strange looks and disdain i have often been met by..... i am now met with longing eyes and the remark..i wish i could do that.....you can..........we do so many things because of tradition..some good..some not so good....or because it has always been done.......or everyone else seems to be doing it.......without really asking .....why am i doing this...and what is it all rooted in?....well i asked that question years ago.. God clearly answered.... here i stand........standing out.........

i love days off......................

i had a lovely day off toady....started slowly...always good on a day off......then talked hubby into joining me for an hour or two shopping in town..it was time for a cosy winter coat purchase, to fend of the biting wind...its so cosy.....then we got lunch at Nando's ...which certainly helped us see better (lots of chili and spices)......then home again..........and evening coffee with my brother and his family......i love days off.....back to work tomorrow..........

he began to make it beautiful.......

last night as i was talking at one of our youth groups..God reminded me of a moment in my life..when He broke through the silence...and changed my life forever........people can try to use intellectual arguments to try proving God does not exist....some even spend their whole lives trying .......but no one .....no matter who they are can ever rob me of my personal experience with a living God who heard my cry many years ago and broke into my mess and began to make it beautiful..........i got quite emotional as i recounted that moment..cause it is as real to me today as it was then..........that was the first of many....i worship and serve a God who hears me and ...........responds........

favourite things *2

i love days when the sky is bright blue....but its cold enough to see your breath.....

water of a ducks back........

today i feel the need to sit still and exhale....i definitely am aware of being in the refiners fire the last week or so..its like suddenly the thermostat has been turned up a few notches...and all the little things that really get on my nerves..are suddenly rolled into a relentless onslaught....Lord help me stay sweet...and also learn to count to ten....and also.... to let things go...like water of a ducks back......its the reminder that i am a work in progress........

happy birhday lynnie.......

today was fun...we headed up the north coast to spend the day with my sister and her family for her birthday.....happy birthday Lynnie.......we spent some quality time shopping..as only two sisters can...with our hubbies nervously receiving random phone calls to hear about our purchases...and then coming to collect us wondering how many bags we would each be carrying.........followed by dinner out at our favourite restaurant..and a few rounds of happy birthday thrown in for good measure......


PS Stuart collected his new camera he ordered and lets just say Jude and i are seeing lots of white spots as we are being 'shot' from every angle.......its like we are famous for a day :-)...i am sure the novelty with wear off soon enough......i hope...

autumn days....

i love being out for walks on crisp bright autumn days....it clears away the cobwebs...










our local duck pond.......one of our fav spots to walk.....

favourite things # 1

sitting in front of my open fire...while its cold and wet outside......and knowing i can stay in for the night...........so cosy.....

who are our friends....................

'The problem isn’t that Christians don’t care about the poor, it’s that they don’t know the poor.'
shane claiborne

since i heard this a few weeks ago, it keeps coming back to me as a regular challenge...these days it seems to me that it has almost become a fashion accessory to care about the poor or should i say to be seen to care...sometimes i ask myself am i part of this cause i really care.... or because i should care ...or because it looks good to care.....how many of the poor are my friends and know me by name and where i live?.............. maybe in this question lies my answer...

i want to be sure i don't want to only follow the latest trend but follow Him in action instead.........

“See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern” (Micah 6:8)