Being unlimited

Yesterday, I had an epiphany, I was with my friend, at a park.
And everywhere I went I saw people with special needs.
And as this is the final week of being 27 I want to make the most out of my life.
I was always wanting to grow up, I always wanted o do something, or fit in, and do whatever I could do to be normal.
Normal for me, means, that to take the knocks, the punches, and everything that life is.
You maybe like me, building up such a strong fence, to be strong, to take the knocks.
Then I saw a child no more then 8 years old, pushing his wheel chair around, and laughing, he wasn't in it, he was pushing it, and was having fun.
He wasn't limited by what people thought of him, he was smiling, and saying to his Grandfather, ''Look I can do it.'' no matter if you are in that place, where you're wondering if you can do it, you can.
The boy was happy with his afternoon, sure he has struggles, but he enjoyed it, then I saw his grandfather push him around his wheel chair around the gardens looking at the plants.
Whatever you're thinking, or going through, God is there with you, he is with you in that place, in that dark place, where you may have dark nights, where God might feel a vapour.
God is there, and he makes himself known.
If you're thinking that you're too good for God, come back to him, because his love for you is greater than anything or any other.
Sometimes it feels like I loose my Christianity, sometimes with my friends and at work, we need friends that sharpen us, and shape us, into good people.
The ones that love us, will often hurt us, and it's to Gods glory to over look an offense.
But there are times to speak up, to actually pull people into line.
The young boy in the wheel chair was pushing his chair into line, and sometimes we need to do that in our own lives, because at the end of the day, who are we fooling?
Sometimes we can fool ourselves so much that we believe in anything, we fantasize anything, until we believe it.
We need to come to a place within ourselves to forgive, to forgive ourselves, to what we have done, or what we are doing, that could harm us.
And it's a grief thing, it takes time to see the lies behind the truth, because the lies can be so thick that we believe it is the truth.
Personally at the moment, I'm struggling with my faith, with my thoughts, because often I think it's better to die than to live.
And because I know I have a disability that no one really sees, they don't believe me, they don't understand why I can't drink, not that I would enjoy it.
I just can't harm any more brain cells that are there, because my brain is always damaged, and will be on this earth.
If God said, this year, as I was driving home, if he said that the hopes you've had for this year, look like they've been lost, if he said that my lovely pet died, if I got warned that would be ok.
If I've had to be strong to save myself, at work, no matter how many times I wanted to walk out, no matter the tears, or hiding other things.

Hiding things doesn't really make it better, sometimes you've got to come out with it, sometimes you've got to tell someone that you're hurt or your feelings even if, they don't want to hear them.
My friend, if you're wondering what has life done to you, you're not alone.

It takes a lot of courage, to start to see things in perspective, think of the wheel chair, it is a device to get the little boy places, but it's also pretty restricting, but he had his legs and he saw he had limitations, has he walked around, but he walked.

Sometimes we have to stand back, and to see what sort of ''chair'' do we have in our lives.
and how do we start to push the ''chair around.'' instead of accepting it, we have to accept things, but we can also start to move it as well, we can use our greatest weakness, to glorify God.
And that is what the boy was doing, he was using his weakness, to glorify God, to enjoy it.

God sees our limits our restrictions, but we can get people around us that help us, to move in the areas we need to be healed in.
It may not be physical, but emotional, from the abuse we get, from the lives we've live, from the '' you cant's to the you cans,''

It says in the bible, that a builder that plans to build something do their home work, and the maths to see if it can be done.
To see if it can be completed.
My friend, if that's you if you're wondering if things will ever be made complete, it will.
What happens to building's that aren't completed, some property developer, has a plan, did the home work but ran out of money?
Well it goes into liquidation, to have someone who has the money to buy it, and to complete it.
Think of God, as that person, that he always works what might seem the most awful thing, that you're going through, to completion, because only he can do it.
God isn't a second hand God, he always makes something new, something just for you knowing that only you can have it and will enjoy it.
I had to laugh at my friend, she  brought some people some Christmas presents from the local second hand shop, and she asked me if I needed a new apron, and I said ''Oh yes,'' thinking it would be a nice new shop one, a kitchen one.
But it turned out to be this smiley face, bright apron, and it was very big, to the point I  was wondering if it was used for baby feeding , with button taps, I looked at it, and it had pockets.
and big thick collar straps, something my dear  friend really thought I could and would take to work,  ( my work uniform has a nice chef jacket all complete with the Larnach castle cat crest.) and a nice stiff black apron with the crest on it.
Anyway, my dear friend thought that she found a find, until  I felt something in the pocket.
a scrunched up snotty hankie!
I whipped it out and said, "I guess this came free."
I probably shouldn't have been so mean and appreciated it, but I really had to laugh.
And we did.
So today my friend, I want to encourage you that God is with you, and he is with you in the limitations, in that dark place, in that place where no one believes you, God does, and he does believe in you.
Chloe

Closer to love

Hi there.
How's things?
I hope that you're going well.
Today i want to talk to you about, glowing in the dark.
I thought that I would like to share with you, what's going on my life.
Sometimes it feels like one big struggle.
And today I caught up with my friend, and her kids,  it felt like old times.
You see I used to work for their mother, and I really liked working there.
I loved the kids, and this morning it was just so lovely.
Because I hadn't keen them for a wee while.
I've got a soft spot for them, because a lot of things aren't easy for this family.
Her husband has been in and out of hospital, for 6 weeks on end,  and her little boy is so matter of fact.
I'm not too sure if that's a good one, he's so bluntly honest.
Beautiful.
There's a likeness, I suppose, that I sort of see him in me, I really thought, he'd say something really honest, and then all of sudden sip his drink. and he would hug me.
He's an awesome wee guy, as his mother said, ''he's too young for you'', and she's right.
God wants us to love people, but loving people where they are at.
And none of us are imperfect, all of us have flaws, all of hurt, and what do we do with people who love us, what happens if we don't forgive and move on?
What happens if people warn us of people and there's nothing with them?
What happens if we hold of grudges?
This isn't the easiest of posts to write, because I'm going into some deep things.
Nor am I going to tell you to hide them.
God bless you.
As I listened and we talked about the years of the things we've been doing.
Sometimes it feels like a loosing battle, and God is the winner of battles.
Matt Kearney sings a song, closer to love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMRXXBGotnw&safe=active

When I took the kids out for a coffee, the dear wee boy, said that his dad is dying.
this family was very close to me, it shocked me, to think that ultimately, this 9 year old dear sweet boy, who couldn't let go of me, will not have  dad around.
What will happen to the family?
Will they be closer to love?
Or what about my friend who is having seizures, who has never had them before?
Will she be closer to love?
What about my other friend?
Will he be closer to love?
Trusting in God to come through is, risky, because you have to go all in with trust.
Trusting God seems like a fight, and you get wary, and you get confused, when you get a knock to your faith.
That's why it's important to share with others where you are at, so you can get built up in love, trust and hope.
I know God is there for me, I know God is there for you.
Chloe

I have a reason to worship

Hi there,
Well after a lot of false starts, here is my post.
As we go into the the CHristmas season, and look forward to seeing people and family.
I couldn't stop but wonder, that it probably was an on going story.
If you think of the people, we have the wise magi coming from the east, that would take months, to get to Israel, and the star this thing didn't just happen over night.
Everything in the Christmas story has a plan, Herod tried to kill all the boys in the hope that Jesus was one of them.
Jesus meek and mild?
It sounds like a new ad for  new brand of  cheese.
In the desert song, by Brooke Fraser, she writes

"In every season, in everything, I have a reason to worship." sometimes it might seem out of season, sometimes we might not know what's around the corner, sometimes we might get hurt, burnt, let down, disappointed, with what we thought was God's plan for us, only to know sometimes it wasn't.
We are called to always hold onto hope, always be strong in God, because when we are strong in God, we are strong in ourselves.
If we keep just playing the game, of not really being strong, we aren't strong enough to stand.
It's taken me a while to get used to this.
Because sometimes we think we're strong, circumstances are against us, and we find our strength, but sometimes in that, we can get proud, and we can think we don't need God.
We don't need church, and we don't need friends, and we don't need a  good group to belong to.
These are all lies, and sometimes we tell ourselves these.
God is good all the time
He is just and able to forgive, when we can't forgive or move on, he knows the heart break, of sometime that we hold loosely, but still hoped that it would have worked out.
He knows why, and why there's pain, he knows the disappointment, of something.
Jesus is the only one that really knows, and has the answer.
I know that sounds cliche, or old school but when you finally see the truth behind the lies, you'll be set free.
And in that freedom, you'll  be a new creation, the old one can not be found.
Well that's all I have time for, so my encouragement to you, is, even if this seems like you're out of season, still find a place to worship God.
Chloe

Coming back to Jesus

Hi there,
How's things?
I hope that you're getting on with things.
I want to tell you about what God's been up to me, in my life.
Yesterday we shifted out of our building where Dunedin City baptist church meets.
Into our own purpose built church, and while it's all exciting, walking about of the building is something that will be with me, because we all have stages on moving on.
And it was my second move, because we were part of the church back in Hanover St days, and then at T col, and then moving out of the building in our church, and it just reminded me, that God tells us not to make choices set in concrete, because we will move, so it's important to deal with the things that hold us back. God is there, but sometimes we need some other people in our lives, that are helping us on the right path.
If we're not getting into the word of God, we are treading on dangerous ground, so how can we apply the word of God to ourselves?
By building ourselves up in God's word, and working for him, see when we build something we get a plan, without a plan for something like a house, we are completely lost, we wouldn't know if the bathroom should be the wardrobe, so that's why we need a plan for our lives , my friend if lack a plan for our lives we can just find ourselves drifting through things.
And that's not God's plan for anyone.
Sometimes it feels like we live to work, and work to live, and it's of God who blesses us in our work situations.
Sometimes it feels slightly repetitive, but always worth while, and sometimes we find ourselves getting a bit annoyed that God's promises hasn't come into full view, like we're playing some sort of i spy game in a book, trying to find out things for ourselves.
It never seems to work, we go off in the other direction, and we might be waisting our time.
So my first question is, how do we come back to Christ?
We can't rely on our parents faith, or other friends faith to get us to God, we need to find him for ourselves.
Don't be afraid to do kind things to other people, because we are being the light, we're doing it out of God's riches, blessings.
God's with you in all things, in him there's no fear, or worry.
We are all blameless in his sight, and when we get that into our hearts we will be able to change the world.
Sometimes the things that seem so hard to understand yet are simple.
So don't worry about what your life will look like or where it's going for now, he's planed it from the start, nothing is a surprise to him.
May God bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine down upon you.
Chloe

you raise me up

Hi there,
How's things?
I hope that you're well.
What have you been doing?
Sorry it's been a long time since i last blogged.
I hope that you're going well.
Today I won't  go on about things.
I am going to talk to you about something, in fact what happened last night.
My parents  and I went out for dinner at Dad's old flat, in fact where the table was, it was his bed room.
It got me thinking about how well life is.
Because not only did he only flat with his brother, he hand washed things in a concrete sink, no washing machine, and here at home, we're perched on top of a hill have a half acre garden, and that was before Dad met Mum.

As I sat down and ate our dinner where his bed used to be, I was thinking about how hard our parents worked, and are working still, for those hard times, always there for us, in the storms of life, when lightning flashes and throngs of thunder are around us, our parents are there for us.
You know, in your own life, what happens when you're in the middle of the storm, in the middle of what seems like a dark time, our parents or some other close friend is there.
Some one asked me at work yesterday, why I believe in God, and why do i pray and  why church.
I got a chance to share my faith, and to give the answers to him.
I said that my family and I believe in Christ, not because out of compulsion, or because of up brining I found God for myself,  and when I have a hard day, because my disability is hard to understand at times, I can give my faults over to God and he always makes sense out of it.
So my friends if you're feeling incomplete for some reason, God is the God of completion.
When you believe in God, you believe in something bigger, not just chances, in every day life, you  an authentic joy.
That any question you get asked you can give an answer, because you believe in your heart, that Christ lives in you.
Not because you go to church regularly, but also because Christ died for you, that is why we go to church.
God holds us up with an interceding faith, that he prays for us every day.
We also need to pray,  for ourselves for strength to face the days and the days are long, and dark, and dangerous, but we have no fear in the world because the world is sin.
There's no fear because we know we're not born of this world.
We have another world to look forward to, to heaven, beyond the galaxy.
Just like the wind that comes before the rain, we know that it refreshes the ground, so we must be refreshed in God, and in his word, and stand firm for our faith.
When the storms do come our way, we can be strong and unshaken in our lives, when the world is telling you worry, when we stand firm in our faith we will not be worried.
Our faith should come out of us in every day life, our belief in Christ, with Christ nothing is impossible, everything that your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart.
That's all I have for now.
Chloe

I'm on my way

Hi there.
How's things?
How's your live going?
Are you enjoying your work? Family and other things?
Today is my day off, and I went to the doctors, and all of that, and then went to the beach.
And I had a walk along it, and i have never felt so close to God.
It was just me, and other people enjoying life with their dogs.
And no matter where you are or what you're going through, you're on your way, and you're ok.
No matter if people are telling you to fix things, or work better or faster, and getting frustrated because things are going right in their world, and no matter if that's true, you're on your way.
You're not in control of their lives, and no one can be in control of you.
No matter what happens or what you're going thorugh you can't make them any better.
And here's a news flash, no matter if they are telling you that you're no good, or what, or sworn at or abused, or bullied, no doubt that they are doing that others, no matter how ''popular'' they are, the truth underneath it all is , that they are probably very unpopular.
As I walked along the beach, I saw some dogs, and I love dogs, but this one had particular determination, he was a big boy, a lab cross, and he only had one eye, and he lost his eye quite recently.
And I thought recently, man even if I am bullied and abused at my work place, and I thought of this dog, how had no voice, no complaints, and only had one eye, and if it's a disease he will loose the other eye, and here it was walking up the sand dunes.
And what was this person complaint about me?
And all seemed useless a chasing after the wind, this dog couldn't but only rely on his feet and his one eye to see where he was going.
It told me that some people are pretty short sighted.
It also taught me seeing this dog, it was determined to get up the sand dune, and it felt no pity because of lack of sight, it knew that at the top it will flatten out and it will be ok.
My friend if you're thinking you've got to keep going, and keep going you shall, but the top will flatten out soon.
In the bible, it says, that the apostles worked hard with their hands during the day, and night, living not for themselves.
If you look around you, who do you like working with?
And who likes you?
It's not about sides, I don't take sides, but taking sides only leads to letdown and stressing.
The apostles weren't wealthy, many times they were flung into prison, whipped until bleeding, and then died, but they worked hard with their hands, sharing, what they had.
And that is what God requires of you, to work hard, to not wear the blinkers of lies and hate, but to live in freedom, no matter if they seem ''Christian'' or not.
It doesn't take long for a rose to look lovely during the day, but even the rose starts to fade and eventually die.
So no matter if you're on your way, and you're feeling awful at what has happened, be like the disciples, to work hard, because you're not working for money, you're working for God, and when you work for God you're always going to be blessed, even though it's hard.
Chloe

are you doing too much?

Hi there,
It's been a while since I've been here.
The rain has been coming down, but there's blue sky about, so the thunder will stop soon.

I've been at work, and it's been great being back in my little kitchen.

After work, I caught up with my friend, i haven't seen in 6 weeks, and we were talking about what's been happening, and all the things around.
The people who's left us, and the new people coming in.
But we talked about work loads, and all that entails, my friend what is happening to you?
Are  you finding yourself in a near burnt out stage?
Are you finding that, no one is there for you, in the work that you need to do?
Or perhaps, you're falling on others because they just do it better?
How can we become good leaders?
I can't tell you, but whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
And take note on things that need doing.
There's nothing more frustrating with working with someone who is full of excuses.
Taking responsibility, is a learning, and i'm learning to take responsibility, for my own actions.
And yes there are some lovely things that my parents do, like register my car so I try not to get a fine, or get my library books back on time, so i don't get fines, and yes sometimes I fail, and I fail every day.
I'm probably failing right now.
The sunshine is out, and when we stop trying to be perfect, we find ourselves, the Cross has made you flawless.
However, with God's great love, and acceptance, he also wants us to pull our weight.
And work together as a team, the Paul illustrates this, that in Acts, and all through it, he tells us to believe and to put our trust in Christ, he went into cities, and churches, to talk to them about the freeing love of Christ.
Perhaps, you've been there, done that, know what i'm talking about, but I want to share with you, something.
Because God is a God of freedom, and if you're finding yourself in a trap, of work, or dangerous things, you can get out, you can escape.
We are only human, souls on earth, that are mortal, we won't and can't live forever, no matter if you hide it with work, or wrong relationships, or drink or what ever you find yourself doing.
Don't wash your hands saying that it's not a problem, or it will all go away.
It won't, and we need to talk about it, because a lot of people are in churches getting burnt out.
Or perhaps you're looking around and you don't know your friends anymore.
My friend, God is that light house, in the darkness.
In the storm that seems ever so big and waves are crashing around, light houses, were built to shine, out so that the boats wouldn't crash on the shore.
My firmed if you're wanting peace in your troubled sea, go to God.
You don't have to be strong anymore, walking on your own 2 feet.
God is there with you, and he doesn't use only Christians, either.
We will be more effective, if we do what God says to do, what he says in his word,  walk humbly with your God, and obey him and others.
Well that's all I have today.
Chloe

Motos

Hi there,
 Today on the radio I heard a saying, about coordination.

And it went like this, ''I'm about as uncoordinated as a string puppet in a  fully jetted spa pool.''

And that got me going, on a series of thoughts.
Because, in life we can think we have it so hard, in the way that, the bills have to be paid, ( I know this, because I have yet to pay the vet for the blood test they gave our lovely Tiggi 3 days before he died, and then one fine for driving, my car unlicensed for 6 months , then I drive home on a totally flat tire with out realising, then I get a notice in the library saying that I have to pay the DCC again for $60 worth of library fines.) in the mail this morning.

So added all up it's going to cost me around $500 all up, All because I was slack and tardy with my car, and library fines and secondly, was it time for our cat to die?

I got into the  "Why Me'' stage, of thinking, and it didn't take long.

But looking back, on the day, with the things I have to pay, it's so so bad, it all can be done.

Then God told me I had a prideful spirit, so I apologized to God, and asked for the right mind to go about this.

Instead of keeping this way of thinking it got me about the motto, and sometimes our lives are uncoordinated, sometimes we are the puppet on the string, and sometimes the string is connected to things we can't change.

Is there more to life than to find out what's next to pay in the mail?

Was it an act of God's Grace that I didn't have a crash in my car going down the hill from work today?
When my Dad sends me off to work he always says to me, ''work under and open heaven.'' and I did today, not only did God give me the safety in my car, that I didn't crash, it got me up the hill to our home on a completly flat tire.

Is he by doing this showing me up?
Am I complaining about the things I need to do, or haven't done?
Have I lost the salt in my life to be effective?

It doesn't take long to get into the poor me stage, and that is one thing in life I don't want to get.

Bitterness doesn't only effect you, personally, but it effects others,  see when you use salt you use it as a seasoning, or cure, but if you become bitter you loose your saltyness, your not that useful to others.

Jesus, warned us, in the bible that we should avoid bitterness because it does eat away at us.
He also said about anger, as well.
So my friend if you're facing the day with huge trails or the mentality of ''I wonder what the next bit of bad news is.'' look up, and see God, and know him, because when you talk to him, he will show you the way out of it.
Bitterness, anger and discontentment isn't really going to help you in the long run, it's going to way you down.
If you need to see someone, go and talk to them, get it out in the open, talk face to face and share and communicate, because we are really good at hiding behind the mask we always wear.
And all might seem ok, but we might feel like that puppet on the string, dingling and dangling around letting others make the choices we ourselves could be making, a step forward in the right direction.

Chloe

2nd Acts chapter 2 and 3.

Hi there.
How's things going for you?
Are you feeling a bit stressed and a bit worn out by the things you've got to do?
Well my friend, as much as it sounds cliche, you're not alone.
Because Christ is with you, in your body, and heart.
So what am I going to talk to you today on?
Well this amazing piece of scripture, found in the second book of Acts, chapter 2.

My thoughts are with those who are going through a hard time.

Today I want to talk to you, about the holy spirit.

What is  the holy spirit?

Peter, is the disciple of Christ, in fact he was the one who denied Christ, but then all of sudden out of that, he was made stronger.

Have a look at this passage.

Verse 1
"When the day of Pentecost came they were altogether,  in one place. Suddenly a found like a blowing of a violent wind came, from heaven and filled the whole house, where they were sitting, they saw tongues of fire, and they spoke in other languages  as the Spirit enabled them''

Can you believe it?
We read in Genesis, that the spirit of God hovered over the earth, and we read through Exodus that the Spirit lead the Israelites through the desert, and now in modern day Israel, here was the Spirit of God, giving the gift to them, speaking in different languages.
That everyone knew.

When you have communion with God, you are never the same, and Peter knew this, in fact he addressed the crowd.

After people joked that they were drunk.

He gives this amazing speech, that everyone listens to.

My question is,

Is the holy spirit with you?
Impacting on your life?
Are you changed like Peter, addressing the crowd?

Are we bold enough to step out of the boat, like Peter and follow Christ?

Jesus, saw his faith, he saw how enthusiastic he was for Christ,  and Christ sees that.
He sees how authentic Peter was no matter how foolish his  thoughts might have been.

Peter didn't stop there, because he had the fire of the spirit of God with him, and in him, and the Holy Spirit is in us.
Peter didn't stop there, he spoke to the Jewish people, he  was just the same and out of the Holy Spirit, in Peter, others believed in Christ.

They sold all that they had, and gave the money to the people who needed it.

They lived in faith, knowing God, and he supplied them with all that they needed, and God added to their number daily, those who believed in Christ.

Something in me, feels so excited about this passage, because God meets us right where we are, if we're praying for a good thing to happen, he will answer, if we're praying for strength we will find it.
See, God doesn't need a big bright new church building, he doesn't need our coffee machines to stay away during prayer, he doesn't need our good intentions.

What I'm trying to say, is, God is with you wherever you are.

He is in that exam, in that assignment, in that struggle, in that constantly getting told that you're not good enough, or fast enough, or bossy enough.

And yes we need to stick to our guns, and fight, but if it's just  useless words, just hang in there.
 because while it might seem like you're loosing, your quietly winning the battle.

What the enemy wants us to do, is to get really angry, and then act of out of that anger,  I was angry, silently for along time,  you know that anger that melts away, and you can't be joyful, because the enemy has that grip on you.

Anger also runs in our family, so I had to come up with ways to just vent, it, and I found that in the garden, and in my cat who died recently.

The Holy spirit also drives out anger and fear, because  the spirit of God is Jesus.

And we are blessed in our life because we still believe even though we can't see him.

Peter also knew this, because living in Israel at the time, people were pretty angry, and sometime to the point of being stoned, and put in prison, much like it is, now for the churches around the world getting persecuted.

They can't get in their cars and go to church, people can't pray, in their houses, people can't even pray with friends in public spaces.
And here we are in our new church buildings, and forgetting that Christ is in us, and I wonder how long it will take for a new church building to become dull and boring.
We have a drug problem in our city, we have domestic violence, sometimes in our own churches.

This isn't the time to hide behind closed doors.

Peter, spoke the truth, and out of that truth, people, came to know Christ, he wasn't pushy, he was patient, he only had told them and the holy spirit did the rest.

My friend if you're wondering if the spirit is still around today, it is.

Christ is in you, and he is igniting you, in your dreams, in what you want to do with your life.

My encouragement is keep dreaming don't give up.

The holy spirit, didn't die down, Peter went from strength to strength, and then died, but in that time he healed others, and God lived in others, and they shared what the knew.

Even if it's just a word of encouragement, to  someone who needs to know that they are doing a good job, or help that enemy, or understand something that others are going through.

Whatever your hand finds to do, be it writing, or your job, no matter how mundane it seems, or that care work, that seems just never seems to let up, know that Jesus cares for you.

God is good all the time, and all the time we serve a good God.

May the same Holy Spirit that was with Peter be with you.

Chloe

How do you see yourself?

Hi there,
How's things?
Recently, I've been thinking about self worth, and where we get it from.
How do we live?
Where do you get your worth from?
Do we get it through others and encouragement or discouragement, do we like seeing people successful or not?
How do we communicate to others?
It's sad to think that we are programed to buzz around  in our heads full of things, that can be harmful to how we live.

Do we hold onto unrealistic expectations on our kids and on ourselves, on where or what we should do.

''If you're good you get this, if you study hard, and become dux you will get this Audi.'' there's no problem with rewards, but if we hold rewards above peoples heads, what is that doing to our kids and our generation?

I'm not saying hold back all rewards, but reward when someone is successful in small things, than saying unrealistically  ''I want you to get this.''

Being realistic, is hard, because we live in such a instant generation, because we think we earn it.

Self worth, is something that comes with time, and it also comes with healing.

If you've been constantly put down, or sensitive  to comments, about yourself that you've heard, you can become rejected.
That is what the enemy is wanting, if you're thinking about what you should be doing, and sick of throwing pennies in the well, pray.
Because when we pray, we can talk to God, and always know that he is there, in that rejection, in those times when you think that you're not right, or that you're doing something wrong, my friend if that is you, if you're always thinking about what you're doing or if you're continually wrong.
God is there, God is there when all around you turns to custard.

We were made to get on with people, but sometimes, you can't get on with people, and that's OK, because it takes all different tiles to make a mosaic.

And what are they made out of?
Broken tiles.

And out of your brokenness, no matter if someone is holding something unachievable over you, talk to them, because they need to know.

God is big enough to care for, don't discount that, because it's so easy to treat God like how we treat others, or how others treat ourselves.
God's ways are not our ways.

If you're struggling with that, you can talk to a Christian councillor,  and talk about it, because self worth does effect us.
And it will set you free when you get help.

That is me for today,
Chloe

The super natural

Hi there,
Well it's another week, and I've slowly been thinking about what to write about.
Then by chance, we talked at work yesterday about sprites, because as you know I work at a castle.
I do believe in spirits,  what are demons?
Fallen angels, but do I believe in human spirits?
No, because if you think about it, there is no life in them, Jesus disciples thought that he was a ghost when he walked on the water, the bible refers to the word ''ghosts'' 108 times.

And interestingly enough the spirit of God can be referred to the Holy Ghost.

Upon my research,  ghosts can not come back to haunt their old places, they are demons, but we need to be careful of the demonic side, because they under Satan.
We are called to pray for protection, because there are evil out there, and there are people who speak  to evil spirits.
God is there all the time looking out for us, but it should be us praying to him for protection, because if we don't we open ourselves up to all sorts and kinds of thoughts.

I was always told not to read horoscopes and all that, and I haven't, not because I was told not to do it, it is an entrance to the demonic side.

Demons can be seen in all sorts of forms, and because we are Christians we are protected by the force.

However, when Jesus was delivering people from Demons they knew his name, and what he came to earth to do.
So my friends, do you understand how powerful this evil can be?
That is why we should strengthen ourselves in the bible every day, not just because we go to church, not because we are Christians,  and sometimes we can wear that badge on us, and be as far from Christ.

Being a Christian is praying actual getting down on your knees for them, because intercessory prayer is powerful, where we pray it doesn't matter, but we do need to pray for the people who are weak to understand the demonic side.

How strong can our prayers?
Well my friends friend, was interested in this side, and was telling her that it was no use, her mind was already made up and she was going into a cult, my friend didn't accept that, she went into her room, and prayed, 4 months later she saw this friend, and the friend said that instead of going in with her plan, she was returning to church.

My friend, if you are scared of what is out there, my advice is, be careful what you watch and see, because this another way, that demons can rule over you.

Pray every time you go into a house, or any building,  that you know if and where there has be demonic activity,  don't just brush it off, because Satan does know how weak we are.
And don't go along with the crowd, with the uprising of the programs there are, no matter if they seem harmless, that is another form of Satan.
We are called that the days will be dark, that the desire of sin will be stronger, because we are in the last days.
My friend, this is not to freak you out, but to make you more aware of what is out there.
We are children of the light not children of the dark.
Do not befriend, any thing that would make your mind weak, rather set your mind on things above not on things below.
That is all i have for you today.
Chloe

The fathers Love for us

Hi there.
Well this is it, my 50th post.
I really didn't think it could get past 10.

However today I want to talk to you about, something that can come across a bit cliche, and a bit hard to understand, if you have struggled with love in the past.

And what inspired me was seeing a friend of mine with his kids, and the amount of Awe the kids were inspired by him.
Now that might sound a bit creepy, but if you think about your Dad, or someone you look up to.
What happens?
You want to have their excitement, their inspiration, basically what you want is, good.

You might think that's too simple, you might think, goodness is that the secret of life?
However as the clock strikes 8 am, in town, I wonder what you think about this day in age.
Have a lost your identity, do we know who we are?
Is it OK, just to enjoy the simple times, and that is what my friend was doing.

I'm not a parent, but I have good parents, and they always, always want me to succeed, they are teaching me at the age of 28, and yes i live at home, to be a good team player.

No one can tell you, if you're a good team player and keep in the game when it gets tough, stick at it.
Because you will win the game in the end.
God's love for us, isn't on a conditional contract,  it's not a only as required basis, it's not a ''just enough for today'' contract, it is a lasting sealed signed and written in blood contract.

When we think of church, we sing about how good he is, and hear sermons, but do we really know Jesus in that personal way?
Are we actually talking to him?
Praying interceding, celebrating with him when someone has gone away, left the faith, and come back to it?
You might think he doesn't answer prayers, but I want to share with you, he does, he actually answers prayers to this day, even though it might seem a long way in coming.

Do we put the wrong enthuses on not answered prayers?
I think that perhaps we do.
And we get discouraged because we don't hear the ones that have been answered.

Anna in the bible, was Simeon's friend. she didn't leave the temple day or night, it says that she lived in the temple in her aged years, she had probably seen awful times, times when Herod issued that all the baby boys to be killed, in the hope that Jesus was among them, she probably saw all the wars that went on, still she remained in that temple, praying and interceding, that one day she might see the Son of God.

I and want to encourage you my friend, keep in that temple of God, keep praying for your friends, family, that issue in your life, whatever it is, who ever you work with, because what happens is, that because of your prayers, or the prayers you relied on, is showing the fathers love to them.

Yes, you might be affected in a way, yes that person may not apologize but are we living for our human side or for God's side?

When we're thankful, we actually love God.

So whatever you're up to today, no matter if the clock keeps chiming, and you're wondering what you're doing.

Keep in the temple of God, and when you're in that temple you know the fathers love, you know exactly what you're doing, what you're going to do,because God himself has given you the will power.

Don't be afraid of the dark, keep going.
Shine your light and never give up.
Chloe

Overcoming Pain

Hello.
How's things going?
It's nice to have the sunshine out and everything is brighter.
Today I want to talk about overcoming pain.
And what that means.
We seem to have so many memories, some of them lovely, and memorable.
And others not so.
Over coming pain, there's no real quick fix thing out there to over come it.
We might turn to drugs,  binge drinking, and sex, that's because we have a nature that goes after our own desires.
If  we focus on good things, then our mind will be good.
Good things do take time, and you can't rush the grief, you can't have a wand waved over you and make it go away.
Because we are so dependent on that person, and that's love.
And it's sad because no matter what you can do, that person or thing makes his or her own way, to heaven.

Over coming pain, is incredibly hard, because you can be fine one day, you can even be laughing, then something like a scent or smell, or just that time of day, that you remember you'd do that thing with that person, or thing, and then suddenly that person or pet isn't there.
It's hard to accept sometimes, and when you're effected by grief or pain, it takes some time to label it, to see it for what it is, and to start to move on.

You can become depressed for a time, you can loose the joy of things, if you enjoyed the garden or other things, or catching up with people, and you just want to hide, that's fine, because that part of grief.
Have some people who come around you, to just love you for they are, just take the good times, as good times, you don't have to pay them back they are your true friends.
True friends, care for you, and stand side by side through think and thin, they don't have to be super men or women, they can be just simple humble people, who just love giving you hugs, if you're the huggy sort or just a catch up, when you just are tired of seeing people.
There are people out there who are light houses in the darkest of nights, to be there when the pain is hard.
We're not alone, with this, we have our guide to guide us through the pain, you see, the disciples were around Jesus all the time, they shared wonderful times with him, and probably talked about all sorts of different things, they had him in the flesh.
However Jesus had to die, and they had to go through grief.
Jesus, promised them, that all of them will go through some sort of pain.

So no matter what you're doing today, know that God is the God of pain, rather a healer of pain.

Chloe

Dream

Hi there.
Do you know what?
This is my 48th post, and I am so utterly excited.
To tell you the truth, I really did think I wouldn't get beyond 10 posts.
So how are things going?
Today I want to talk to you about dreams, yes, the ones that you have at night, but most importantly the ones that you tucked away in the back of your head.

The ones that one day you will be able to do.

We all have those "One day'' days don't we?
The only if I get through this work, I'll be able to do that thing, or the days when you just want to pack it all in and go after it.

And some days you are just asking so many questions of yourself, what on earth, are we here for, and what makes us tick?

And some times we have those days when it's sunny out side, but inside its a raging storm.

All it takes is a couple of bad days and you're feeling sad.

Being busy is good, but if you're running around being  busy in small things, what sort of time are you gaining?
Now that might not make sense, for now, but today I had that sort of day.

Lots of small things to do, and it was fustrating, then sometimes you can get over sensitive with comments, and then you get abused on top of that, and you're wondering why you even bother, and you feel like everything you do is done over a microscope.

The first thing to do, is stop proving yourself, in situations.

The more you are with competitive people the higher the bar is raised for you to jump over.

Jesus said, the little things that you do, will become greater.

And write down what went wrong, we learn from our mistakes, if it's the wrong way, and if there's a faster way to accomplish it  better, do it, this also means that you are willing to learn, and you only have to be told once do it, it also pays to have a note book around, so you can write things down, and it will shape you, to the person you will be.

If you're having a bad day,  have space to know that it's just a bad day, don't try to make it better, just let it slide.  And know that it's ok to have a bad day.

Have one accountable person, it might be a good friend, it might be that person, you are close to, say your husband or wife, but don't hide things, if things are just too hard to face.
We are human and we will make mistakes, and we will mess up from time to time.

Have that one close friend you can share life with, you know the type when you get so similar about life.
You know iron sharpening iron, it never get blunt.
Always have a sharp kind edge on lovely friends, what do I mean by this?
I guess it's a bit of a cookery term,
My chef knife is horrible to work with if it's blunt, it cuts poorly, it's harder to work with, and you just don't like doing things if you have a blunt knife.

So i guess I want to talk to you about, life,  if you have a sharp edge on life, you're vibrant and enthusiastic, and you can achieve lots.
But if your'e blunt, you find it harder to get going, to get enthused, generally things are just that much harder to face, to make you tick.

And one thing, is don't be scared.

You might be thinking  "You don't know what I'm facing.'' and that's right, I don't know, but I know this, God hasn't given you or me a spirit of fear.

God is who he said he is, and he encourages us, when we faultier, in our steps.

ANd do you know what?
He makes sure that we don't do it alone,
If you're wondering if you are alone, tell God, my friend, keep him to his word, if everyone else is not treating you right, tell God, tell him everything.

God is a good God.

How do I know that?
Well I do because he is made in my likeness, he has made me, yes incomplete, brain damaged, quirky, some people really don't like me, some people probably can't even work with me, but i'm not working for them, I'm working for God.

Yes God gives and takes away, yes he does give us a time of grieving, and yes it's painful, in the valley of tears, but he also brings joy, a time to love again, a time to say to something, or someone, yes you're special, a time to carry on, but we don't carry ourselves, we carry God in us, the Christ child who died for us.
God didn't have another Jesus, to die for us, he only had the one, he isn't a deposable God, he isn't just a catch me if you can type God.
He is the only true God that knows you so amazingly well, probably better than you know yourself.
He knows why you're crying, when you feel ok, but tears come, he knows the day you've had, the hour of pain, the if only days.
He knows that more than you know yourself.

And last but not all the least.

God doesn't parent his kids like our earthly parents.

He isn't if you're good, you will get this treat or that thing.
He  is the only 3 in one God.
The son of God,
The spirit of God.
The hope of all creation is in us.

And that hope is, made complete when we finally give up proving ourselves, to other people, and made complete in him.
So whatever you're doing, what ever tangle you might be in, Know that God is there in the middle of it.

And that you're not in the tangle alone.

Don't be afraid to dream big, in fact, make room to dream big.
Chloe

Being of Good courage

Hi there,
How's things going?
How are you?
What have you been doing?
Today I want to talk to you about being of good courage, and it came out of my work day yesterday.
I won't name names, but it was a great day, I did some baking, and I felt that's where I belong, intact out of doing the baking for the castle yesterday, I thought that maybe I could work on a plan to get my own bakery, and teach people how to bake,  single mothers, single fathers, flat mates, grannies, and have a community bakery.
That to me, would be awesome, something along the lines of the lovely Jewish mothers who got a group of people and started baking and making Jewish things for their families so that they would not forget their history, or the food values.
Because I work in the food industry, it can become an idol.
But I want to put that all aside for one moment, and talk to you about, being on good courage.
Because we need it all the more in this world.
What does the bible say about being on good courage, and what is good courage?
Does it mean being weak and being a door mat  for other people?
Does it mean to be nasty back when other people are nasty to us?
Does it mean to turn the other cheek?
As the old saying goes W.W.J.D?

It stands for What Would Jesus do?

How we believe in Jesus,  changes our view of things, if we just believe in him that we will go to heaven and what we do here on earth, doesn't matter, it does.
We can't be part time Christians on a part time Sunday contract.

If we need help to over come our addictions, we have to make the right step, in the right direction,  and if you're slipping to make that choice, talk to someone who can help, you, who can offer good Godly advice, so that you're getting the right help, and don't struggle alone, it hurts, it closes off everything, it's telling you that everything will just settle down, and perhaps maybe that could be right, but if you know someone who needs help, go and talk to someone.

Courage, means to be strong, but we can't be strong by ourselves, we need Jesus,  and Moses knew that, he couldn't lead the  Israelites all by himself, he had to believe that God would keep the pillar of cloud during the day, and a pillar of fire by night to be there all the time.
It took his faith, to believe in that.
It took faith to believe that they would get out of the dessert eventually, 40 years they were living in there.
Imagine that, living in the dessert, and all the while believing that they would be in the Promise land.
And Joshua there all by his side encouraging them to be strong.
We all need "Joshua's'' in our life,  and if you're the Moses sort and you always are propping people up, be careful  of Christian burn out.

If you're wondering why you go to church or wondering what the sermon is on, or about,  go back to the drawing board and get some strong encouragement. All to soon we want to catch up with our friends and ask them about their week, arrange to go out for a coffee, but we forget the service, it's like we've been wearing our Christian dressing gowns and changed and left the dressing gown still on the floor.

We still need to wear our Christian dressing gown, always ready to serve.

Moses, knew God so intimately,  in fact that God buried him and no one knows where Moses is buried.
Moses, just didn't believe him from day to day, he believed that all the way.

When God says that he's going to do it, he's going to do it.
And we only need to believe him.

Joshua took up the mantle, to lead the Israelites into the Promise land, and what was God's very  first words to him?

''Do not be  strong and courageous, do not be terrified, be of good courage.''

Why?
This is because they had to cross over into their enemy territory, and many times when they did that when Moses was leading them, they had many of their enemy kings after them.
God hears the cry of the broken, if you're in pain today, if you're saying goodbye to a loved one, God is there.
He's not blind to your plea of help.
Joshuas mission was encouragement,  he knew that he had to encourage them, to keep going.
He knew he had to keep the vision alive.

My friend if you're wondering what you're doing and maybe you've lost a bit of your vision, keep going, get people around you who encourage you.
That is all I want you to do, if you have been thinking about your friends, and how you can enjoy life that much more enjoy, if anything just encourage people, and you might just get some back.

Chloe

embracing a bigger Vission

After the other  days post.
I went to church, I haven't been going to church for a long time.
So I  prayed, what I should do, and I'm still praying, because I believe that I'm on a journey.
The other day I spoke about being overwhelmed, and we can get that feeling into so much of our lives, that we can and have the tendency to believe the trap of it, and letting it take over us, in the way that we get ruled by it.

So I went to a different church because I was wanting to go somewhere that will help my belief again.
If I was totally honest with you, I have struggled this year to believe in God.
I was thinking,  if i was just good at my job and I pray and read the bible, why then do I need to go to church?
I got into this, I was praying, that God will just be enough, for me just that one day.
And my friend if that's all that you have, God will come through, because that is where you are at this moment.
But what about your visions?
Your wonderful aspirations, and goals?
At what point in life do they fit in?
Are they on the benches, just watching you just take another day full of things?
One of those rainy day projects?
Perhaps you don't have that strength to get them going again.
Give God the glory my friend when you're in that space, when you're in that time of your life when you just don't know what to do or go or turn to.
It says in Joshua, Chapter 1, that we learn that Moses has died, so  God rises up another leader for the Israelites, that means, the mantel is passed onto Joshua, now I imagine that Moses was writing down things, for Joshua to learn, and to study, so when his time came, he was more than able to lead them into the promise land, this was a land that was going to be there's, a land where you didn't have to pack up everything, and settle down for a few days, this was a land where they could build houses, plant vineyards and other plantations, and set up a temple, for God.
Because even the Tabernacle was able to be fully packed down and set up again.
God saw the big picture, and he wanted Joshua to see it too.
This was a big thing, a really big thing, that was going on, this was fulfilling the promise that God made to Moses.
And what time frame did God give Joshua to get ready?
3 days, this wasn't years this wasn't weeks, this wasn't months, it wasn't ''Oh it will happen one day, this wasn't a good intentional day.'' this was THE day.
And you know what?
Joshua had to do it, and he did, they packed everything up, and Joshua explained what God was doing so that the new generation of Israelites came to the promise land.
My friend are you in this place?
Where you can't stay, and you have some decisions to make?
You might have heard it once, that if you go shopping on an empty stomach you always buy more.
But today, go after God if that is the promise he made you,  and he will carry it through to completion.
If you're in that place where you are on the line as it were, and you are being watched, reported about, written down  and tested,  know that you'll come through.
God isn't a unpromising God, he always works for your ability.
If you're wondering where, or how, or why?
Go to God, keep him in mind, because after all he did make you, and he knows what you can do and what you can't do, in your own strength.
God is always there, always.
He told Peter in the new testament  to go out fishing and the first fish that you will catch will be the right amount of money in the fishes mouth, to pay for your depts.
The first fish, that he caught.
What's so amazing about that is, it's not the 2nd fish, it's not the 3rd fish, its not the hundredth fish, it's  the first fish, and in that first fish, was the right amount of money.
God is good, and he knows what you need.
He knows that you need a place to stay in, food in the cupboard, fees to pay for the study, the right church at the right time in your life.
Amen?
Amen.
Well my friends, embrace a bigger vision, go after it, not because I told you to, but see what inspirations you get, some old ones will burst into new life.
Chloe

untitled post

Hi there,
How's things?
I haven't really got a subject to talk about today.
So that's why I have posted it untitled.
My friend are you feeling overwhelmed by things?
Are  you in a space right now, that all you want to do is hide and not see anyone?
Are fearing that you are in depression?
I thought about this, sometimes a bit too much.
You might think, that I am happy, and yes most of the time I am.
But I've been thinking about the things, that I've done.
And the friends that I've made, and I do have some pretty special friends, who are there for me.
My friend, said to me, the other day, that she made a list, on the people that are in her life, we all go through stages, and sometimes we might not have very many friends, we might have relied on someone to get us through, then all of sudden we don't hear from them.
Or we might just not like big groups of things, telling the same old things over and over and over.
And it got me thinking.
Why was it, that I liked my church, and the people that were in it, but now, I'm wondering if anyone really cared?
Now, you might think, oh help that's going deep.
But to me, it's a logical question.
Was it just a popular church and yes it is a big church, with large group of people, but now no one really know what I'm doing or how I'm going.
It's like I've never been.
Sometimes in life, we might make a commitment, we might be a member of a church, then suddenly feel like we just don't fit anymore, and I've had to come to the idea of it.
So what am I going to do?
Sometimes, we have to grieve and it's hard, because when you're already grieving for something, or a friend, it's so easy not to go there.
It's so easy to go another day, then the days turn into weeks and you haven't been.
It is also good to make good friends, at a church.
Something that I've learnt, is don't be too hasty to be involved or pushed into something that you might feel OK to do, but then that's all that is required of you, just because you've always done it, and it also guarantees you to do that thing to be involved. to make a commitment.
You end up loosing, the value of going, for your self and spiritual growth.
Know that it's OK to move on, to go somewhere that you feel comfortable in, in your own skin, at your own pace.
While I was at work today, I was annoyed at myself, because I've been there a year, and I should really know the cafe, and take on the cooking, but there's a new girl, and well lets say, that she's more experienced. in short orders,
The chef today, said, be good at your good thing and don't worry about the other person, and don't beat yourself up about it.
Because the more I was thinking about, '' not getting there'' the more I was thinking  ''man alive this is never going to happen.'' but if I do a few short orders and do them well, then I'll be cooking with gas, ( sorry for the pun) instead of stressing about it, long before it happens.
And he was right, i am a different chef, I am a breakfast chef, and people take photos of their breakfast, and I am a function chef, rarely do you get chefs who can do breakfast, cafe, functions and dinners all in one person, you normally  just get one person who is gifted in one particular order.
And I'm finding the more that I write down, the better I will become.
You know that God promises the impossible and turns what you might think of daunting and really really scary into manageable goals.
So my lovely friend, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the Christian life, or wondering if you will ever get there, you will.
Take care
Chloe

Mercy and Wisdom

Hi there,
How's it all going?
It seems like that time of day again.
And it's a pleasure and a treasure to have this time with you.
Today  I want to share with you some thoughts of what my friend Veronica said at our ladies night last night.
She shared about wisdom, and with wisdom, you can't buy it, you have to nurture it.
Solomon was the wisest man on earth.
He prayed, he loved God for the simple things, and out of that God sent other kings and queens to ask for Solomons wisdom.
My friend, if you're feeling tired, or  just plain tired of what's going on in your life.
Perhaps you've been too strong on your own feet, and you just wonder if there's good God.
Perhaps you're believing what others are saying, or that diagnoses of cancer or other painful diagnoses.
My friend if you're plain worn out, and all is too much.
God is there, and he shows mercy, intact so much, that he doesn't leave you to it.
He just surrounds us with so many friends, and I just love mine.
They are just great, they watch out for me, and pray for me, when I feel like I can't pray, and those lovely chats that I have, just catching up.
God loves it when we pray, when we share things, of the heart.
See with God, it's not a one way street, and we need to pray and talk, to him every day, to get into the word, sometimes, we just need to pray for others, and it doesn't matter if we don't have the answers, we just need to be there with our friends and for our friends.
Jesus loved being around his friends, he loved teaching them, he was normal with them.
And he loved everyone, he healed with peace and love, and with that peace and love in our hearts, we can pray, and use mercy and wisdom.
Because if we're gentle with that wisdom, and grace and mercy, we can do heaps for the kingdom of God.
And we know when we're doing that, we are being real Christians.
We just can't be well meaning Christians, because who are we helping?
If we're just going to church just because it's Sunday, but we don't really take in the message, what are we going to church for?
Just because we've always done it.
My friend if you're tired, if you're just wondering what the big picture is, and it might feel, just feel like, God is just giving you jig saw pieces piece by piece and you want to see the big picture, you want it now, and all you get is, tiny small pieces.
My friend if you're wondering why?
Well when you're working on a jig saw, all those tiny pieces,  are beautiful when you've put them all together.
God is love, and he is watching over you, no matter if you're walking through the Vail of tears again, or loneliness, and you're wanting things to work out.
God is there.
God is there.
God is there.
He is there holding you when things are against you, he is there when you've heard sad news.
He is there, when you just want to feel his hand holding yours.
He is there, when things are hard to face, when you're just wondering what you've heard is right.
God loves you, and he hasn't dished out because he's cruel, or wanting you to suffer.
He is mercy, he is strong to take all your needs, he is able to carry them.
God is willing to take them.
For those people, who are lonely be in in your church, or struggling with things,  always look to God and for God to show up.
God loves you just the way you are.
You don't need his seal of approval.
You've got it already.
And my friend, my heart goes out to you, if you're left wondering, with unanswered questions.
Go to God, seek him, keep praying for that thing that is on your life, that thing that for some reason, just keeps coming back to your head, that thing that God has planted there.
You see, when God plants something in your heart, it doesn't go away.
No matter if you're in church, or aren't no matter if you can't make it every Sunday, or you don't have many friends, don't worry, because God will carry it out to completion.
And grieve, because grief is something that is from God.
And grief can come in many things, you can grieve over loved ones, or pets, or perhaps loss of friendship, the ones where you're mentally exhausted,  God offers forgiveness, and forgiveness for yourself.
And the things that have happened to you my friend, aren't yours to carry.
Love with Christ in you, because that love drives out all fear.
God is there.
Well that's all I have for you today, it's been a pleasure to have this time with you today.
Lots of love
Chloe

God comes through for you when you don't have the strength.

Hi there.
How's things?
It was a nice day here,  the sun did come out, but now there's a cold wind and rain frontal system over the town.
Today I want to share with you, something that's been on my mind.
I want to encourage you when things aren't going so well, or perhaps you don't even know where you are, perhaps, you just don't have the strength or the assurance that things are going to work out.
And when you're in the middle of the trial, you have a sinking feeling that things might just turn the other way.
However, take note, that God always comes through for you, no matter how many chances you have with this life.
No matter what sort of thing, you're going through, no matter if you think you're a push over,  or lost confidence, God is there with you.
God is with you through every storm, no matter how many times you think you might not get through it, you will.
I can't really tell you much, but I had this well meaning person ring up, the other day over a work issue, and this person, bless her was trying to help, but instead of helping it was quite insulting.
And my Dad had to say something to this person, and this person dropped the matter completely, when I saw this person the next day, the person made excuses, and passed it off.
To others, I might have seemed a bit of push over, I do sometimes come across that way, but  I take good criticism on and learn from it, this was just out of line.
What would God think of that?
Sure he wants to us to be bold and courageous but how can we fairly say it with out being hard on that person?
We pray, we blamelessly, seek him and see what he wants us to do, it might be that person can't listen to what they're saying or what they are meaning.
if you question it, chances are they will be contradictory, so do we just leave it?
and let it slide over?
How can we show them grace?
We just bless them, that's all that you can do.
We just have to be optimistic, and think of others that like us, not for what they are, face value, but, people who like you are always nice back to you.
And you don't have to get along with everyone in the world or workplace, you have to be nice and live your own life, not live others peoples lives for them.
When you get older my friends, you learn a lot, you learn what and how or who you put your energy from, you learn from your mistakes, you learn a lot.
I'm still learning, and I've learnt from my mistakes it takes time to learn from them.
Have a plan, in life to what you want to accomplish, normally these plans, go hand in hand with your abilities.
God never gives you anything outside of your abilities, to do something so weird, that it doesn't line up with your Christian walk, and values, if it is contrary to the bible, and your life you have to make those decisions to change it.
The Christian life, isn't like a automatic car, you have drive and reverse and neutral, and park, you can't park your christian life forever, in the hope it goes into neutral, then into drive.
You have to go and make those changes, and take those chances.
If I sit in my car, and not do anything, I can't pretend I'm driving, I have to physically do something to make my car work, and that involves a key, and that key is Christ, once we use him in our lives, we can accomplish anything that is in his will.
Well that's all that I have time for,
Chloe

Thoughts

Hi there,
How's things?
How are you going?
If you look deep down inside, how are you going with life?
How's your Christian walk going?
What are you doing?
What changes are you making to make the most of the opportunity?
I realize that I've been everywhere with my blog posts, and sometimes you might think that the subject probably doesn't fit with the content.
But today I want to talk about image.
Because we live our lives sometimes totally controlled body image, character image, we want to look like models, we build our lives around them, we want to have their fame, we want their houses.
We want more money, we want that job, we want to finally ''get there''.
It doesn't take long, to feel discontented, and that's a natural feeling,because that's sin and what is sin?
What is it?
It's not just a word for religious word, it is more than that.
What is sin?
It's a simple question, and that is why I haven't got a subject for my post today.
To answer the question, I went to the dictionary, and this is the definition of sin-, this means.


"Any serious, offense  as against  a religious,  or moral principal.''
So it's quite an easy word to understand.

However, we can't lead a total sinless life, we have a tiny seed implanted in us, because of Adam and Eve, because they were the first to sin.
However, we can turn away from things that can trap us into sin.

But in this world we can't escape it, but we can help others, my friend.
I want you to read this story, because this young guy reached out to someone who is constantly, ignored.

/www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/72944708/man-hailed-a-hero-for-comforting-stranger-with-cerebral-palsy-on-crowded-bus

And I can relate to that story, because I have mild version of his disability, and you can never really know if you're going to be ignored, or make friends, fortunately I have some good friends,  one of things we like is, understanding, and physical touch.

So how can you make a difference in someone ones special day?

Could it be being kind to the person who is out there to get you at your work?
Could you spend a bit of money on this person say buy their lunch for them or their favorite drink?
Perhaps it's just being there for others, sometimes my friends we have to shake the dirt off our feet if we've done all that we can do.
And that's going to grieve us for a time, but sometimes we need to take that to God.

How hard is it to reach out to others?
The ones who love us, will continue to love us and be your friends, but how are we going to make new friends?
By making the most of the opportunity of time and effort.

If we're putting time and effort into the wrong thing, we can see how much progress we've made  if we're feeling tired, and burnt out.
And sometimes we have to say goodbye to those things, please note, there's a fine line, because you've got to pray hard, because God is love and he's all that you need.
And to a wounded person, it's hard to take it.
I know, because that sounds so cliche at time, and it's ok if you stumble and fall.
God reaches out to grasp your hand, and he pulls you to your feet.
So if you're wondering and looking around, to see if there's anyone who cares.
I do, my friend, I care about you, because your journey is hard.
Pray with someone, who can pray boldly, pray for good friends, ones that just don't take you for your face value, but care, and God will bring them to you.
Don't take everything to heart, if you can't take "constructive criticism.'' if you're in a place that is hard for you at at the moment.
And if you're grieving, it's ok to have a day or two of grieving, or take as much as you like, because it's important for you to take it, to grieve and to feel like you can move on.
Moving on, isn't forgetting,  it's a place of acceptance, and you'll always remember that special person, or thing or pet, and that's fine, there will be gap it won't fully close.
But we can accept it, and God knows your pain and other friends as well.
My wonderful friend Mel, sent me a card when I lost Tiggi, and it was such a lovely thing it helped me, when others said ''oh that's sad.''
When you're grieving you have days when you are fine, but then the memories of certain things, trigger that, and brings it back.
That's emotions, and it's how we're wired.
It's ok, to feel sad, or lonely, but if you have other thoughts,  and you know that something isn't right, you might have to see a doctor, and settle matters quickly.
So that you can move on.
Well that's all I have for you today.
I hope that, that's some help and encouragement to you.
May God bless you at this time in your life my friend when you're going through a hard time.
Chloe

communication break down

Wow doesn't the week just fly by?
Today I want to talk to you about, communication, and prayer.
Simply because, we all have this issue, and I thought that I'd do a bit of homework into it.
What makes us not want to pray, that is the first thing, is it just hard to fit in?
Or are you/we, doing fine just by ourselves, and feel too busy to pray.
Are you just feeling like you're existing?
The once was the cool ideas, just seem meh, not that good.
Perhaps you're always propping up, others, but it's taken a lot out of you.
And sometimes we need to hear the truth, and it will set us free.
And sometimes we need to ask for forgiveness, and heal and move on.
Because when we reach out and offer forgiveness, that is healing ourselves, it if the other person moves on or not.
And we have soul ties, and these are ties that we've made to someone, or something and we can't live with out them.
Emotional tolls are massive, you think that one day you'll be fine, but it's when you're left alone, wondering about life. or perhaps you've got that disappointing thing in your life, that you just can't kick the habit.
It's ok, not to be perfect, in fact, there's no one perfect in the bible, there's all sorts of people in the bible, who have unspeakable pain, and silent pain, and differences.
And it's what we're are, that God reaches out to us, I once heard a great little story, about a person wearing dirty trousers in the garden, they were all stained with dirt and motor oil, and had holes.
Now if you think about these jeans, then compare them with a pair of Levi jeans, all new, and costly.
When God came to earth, he was spotless like the Levi jeans, then he swapped them for the dirty jeans, so that we are made spotless.
Just carry on just the way you are.
You're doing a good thing and guess what?
no matter the gossip that's going around about you, no matter about the mounting up questions, about you.
or the communication break downs.
Just do what you can, and God sees you, and just keep going.
Lots of love you're going to be ok.
Chloe

having good character

Hi there.
How's things?
Today, I want to talk to you about character, and what makes you stick through the hard times.
I'm always thinking and at work, I do a lot of thinking, I think about my friends there, I think about my jam, that I hope to make tomorrow, I think about how to bless others, and what I can do.
And it's so easy isn't to look at someone else, to say to yourself. "I'm no where near perfection, not like that person, or that someone who just sees a need and does it.''
You know, God isn't looking for perfection in us, he isn't looking for that right person, because let's face it, we're never going to be perfect, but we know the perfecter of our faith.
I have some very dear friends, who just care so much about me, always sending me cards of encouragement, and just those little times in my life when I was wondering what life is all about, another card or note would come in the mail, or a text, or something to make my day brighter.
And this is God in them, using those opportunities to reach out, to me, and help me, because he helped them, they saw a need and they did it.
Are we missing that need?
Are we just going through the motions, and not seeing it?
Is there unforgiving there that you know you need to put right, but you're too afraid of?
Are you always on the look out for that thing just out of your reach?
Jesus is the answer, my friend, and I don't mean it in a cliche way, but he knows what your going through, when all  you want to do is scream.
And it's how you see yourself as well,  are you critical of yourself?
Or are you contented in yourself?
Are you feeling like you're on the look out for that ''special, if only I got that.'' the world might be a better place type scenario.
Life isn't always going to be sunny, in fact it can be quite stormy at times.
So my encouragement to you, is keep going strong, keep, knocking at heavens door, keep persisting, with your prayers, because they will get answered, in ways that succeed all human understanding.
Chloe

We're not as strong as we think we are

Hi there.
Today I want to talk to you about, something that I've been thinking about.

And that is, our weaknesses, this idea inspired me by that great song writer Rich Mullen's, who wrote,   the wonderful worship song ''Awesome God.'' .

I went to church today, it was a first, because I haven't seen any of my friends for oh quite a long time, in fact, if you asked me when was the last time, I saw them, I honestly couldn't remember.
I was thinking when I came back, that one friend asked me how I am going, and if I've been reading my bible.
I said, that I've been reading the bible and listening to church things, even thought I haven't been going.
You don't need to be popular to have lots of friends, just a few that you really care about.

So this is, post number 40.

And I want to encourage you, that even when we are strong, we still have our weakness, and you probably know me and my weaknesses, and you know I'm missing my friend.
While we might feel broken, we might be on top of the world, we might just need a bit of grace, we might just need a bit of understanding, we might just need to extend the hand of grace.
See, what I've learnt in my Christian walk, isn't just about going to church, it's getting into God that counts.
See, we need him in our lives to make us strong, if we're wondering, why we are here, or if we're struggling with something, perhaps that it's that the church is popular, but perhaps you're just wanting a more simple faith.
Elijah  was a great leader, but it wasn't in the hurricanes , or the earth quakes, that God was in them, it was in his small quiet voice, perhaps you feel like a stranger in your own land.
We might faultier in our steps, but we're never out of reach of God.
If you're mentally exhausted, perhaps you're getting to busy in your own things to make them work on your own accord.
Take a blossom tree, when it reaches it's peak, it blossoms for 2 weeks, then the wind comes and blows all the blossom around, making the flowers fall on the ground like pink setting snow.
A blossom tree is never ugly, it's always productive.
If we're are connected to the source, we are productive, but if we're not, we're not very healthy that goes for our walk with Christ.
We are to be praying constantly, we are to help others, to listen to pray with them.
And we should do it.
Don't dispose small beginnings, because that just might be the thing God wants you to do.
God works with what he's got.
he doesn't require us to do bizarre things, that don't make sense.
So take time, and enjoy the journey, and if you've been working hard, and not getting much in return go back to the drawing board, and see what God wants you to do.
It might just be a time of waiting, a time of praying, a time of un picking,  it might hurt, but his workmanship is amazing and the project when finished will be amazing.
Don't be afraid, go and sing praise God for all he his, even if you don't feel like it, sing praise God, praise God for the things he's done, that he will do, for bringing you through a tough week.
For the grief to pass, because there's no more fighting to stay alive.
God is there in the storm in the pain, in the wind, that rips through.
Take care
Chloe

Is God near when you've lost a friend?

On the 30th of September, our family lost one of our dearest friends, that we could have.
I'm sorry to sound biased, but it was so sudden.
We lost our dear boy Tiggi, to what the vets said is old age.
 And indeed they were right, and Tiggi was 20 years old when he died, in fact he looked very much like the cat in the photo.
It was very hard to accept that our lovely little boy, was slowly giving up, as they put it.
I'm not a one for putting words in peoples mouths, who am I to say, that Tiggi didn't want to live any more, so therefore didn't come through the operation as fast as we would have liked.
It was a first experience for all of us, because he was the first family cat that we had.
You might feel a bit strange, that I'm writing about our cat, as yes, if you don't like animals or cats, please bear with me, one small moment.
Tiggi lost his purr, then his meow, then his use of his back legs, then he slowly became dehydrated, then then on the Wednesday the 30th he slipped into a coma, and died.
So I've been thinking about grief, and yes it's harder if you've lost a human, and not a animal, because you are their flesh and blood.
How many times do we just hide it, and walk away, crying in our spare moments, or not crying at all.
For me personally,  it was shock to come to the realization, that he knew his time had come, and we did not.
With Grief, we often want to fix things, to make the person or thing live longer, to help, knowing that perhaps just this time they know what to do.
The house seems so lonely without, him, no purr around the house,  no blue eyes to look into, no tummy or ear rubs, and yes forgive me if that sounds strange, he knew what people needed.
He comforted our neighbours when they were going through grief, he knew when I was just wacked and needed to go to bed early but jumping up and going inside of it, it was fair to say, that we had a special thing going on, he knew what I needed, and I knew what he needed, he needed to have the fire to be lit to sleep next to it, or if he got lonely, and I was reading a book, he would come and jump and  sleep on my knee, for me he wasn't just a cat.
His actions, spoke louder than our well meaning words.
Everything was alright when I came home in the door after a heavy day at work.
So what does the bible say about grief?
And did Jesus Grieve?
Yes, and he took time out for himself, he took a holiday to a lonely place and prayed when things got to hard, he reclined in people's places and homes to re fuel, and be strong.
We are on the world to live for God, but also be salt in the earth, and to be there when things go wrong, when you're wondering what life has done to you.
Perhaps you've been there for people, and you've found out that they've moved on, and you're left alone, perhaps you're wondering why you haven't found anyone "special, yet.''  perhaps you've made some wrong choices, and you're grieving over them.
Or you've lost a friend, or a familiar face, or you've been taken for granted.
You can grieve over many things my friend.
Let me tell you, that it's good, it's good to see things as they are.
To many times we don't, we feel like we've got to be strong, or perhaps put on the tears, grief is a strange emotional  thing, one moment you're fine, the next it just hits you.
Don't be afraid of the big holes that are there, don't be in a rush to heal, or to wish that you're better, or thinking that you should be.
Everyone has their own gaps, everyone is like a perfect flower, coming to flower at different stages, but they are all part of the bush/ plant.
And that plant is Christ.
Perhaps you're watching your friend go through experiences that you feel strange about dealing with, you want to care, but you just don't know what to do.
Can I just say, just be yourself, you're not there to be their professional counsellor you're there to be their friend.
And yes, there will be a time when you can help, much and perhaps that's left up to the professional team, but you can pray, you can pray when they are tired.
Because grief is, it's very tiring no matter the planning or the amount of times you've said goodbye to them, and they are still there.
So my word for you today is, what ever way you find yourself in, if you're grieving for your friend,  be it your loving kind pet, or a family member, grieve and know that God is there, and he is walking you through the vale of tears and you will come out the other side.
Chloe
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