Sunday, May 21, 2006

Think Big but do Bigger!

A Vision of Victory

Today's Scripture: "Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria:

Are you a dreamer?
We are, but we are also "doers."
If we are to accomplish God's best in our life, we have to be both. You need to dream big dreams and have what we call a vision of victory for your life, but you also have to put your faith into action. The Bible tells us "faith without works is dead."
If you are believing for a promotion at work, then you need to be the hardest most diligent worker there. If your dream is to be debt-free, then you are going to have to be careful how you spend and manage your money. If you are believing for a better marriage relationship, then sometimes you will have to give up your need to be right.
In whatever area of life you need an extra helping of God's blessings, continue to sow those seeds of encouragement, hope, faithfulness and live a disciplined life.
When you are faithful in doing what you know to be right, God will reward your diligence and you will reap a harvest of victory.

A Prayer for Today:
God, I am faithful in prayer and continue to strive to be a proactive Christian! Thank you for giving me the courage and the will to make the necessary changes that will help my dreams come true. In Jesus'
name, Amen.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Let Go and Let God

One by one God took them from me,
All the things i valued most,
Till i was empty-handed,
Every glittering toy was lost.

And i walked earth's highways grieving
In my rags and poverty
Till i heard His voice inviting
"Lift those empty hands to Me."

So i turned my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendant riches
Till they could contain no more.

And at last i comprehended,
With my stupid mind and dull
That God could not pour His riches
Into hands already full.

Anon

Margaret River: The Beauty of God Displayed for ALL to see...



Sunday, May 07, 2006

Relationships

TRUST

TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships.
When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship.

Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.
A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call.
She answered, "Public Utilities Board."
There was silence.
She repeated, "PUB."
There was still no answer.
When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady's voice,
"Oh, so this is PUB.
Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is."
Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB".

NO POINTING FINGERS
A man asked his father-in-law,
"Many people praised you for a successful marriage.
Could you please share with me your secret?"
The father-in-law answered in a smile,
"Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you."

We all look forward to being loved and respected.
Many people are afraid of losing face.
Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at.
This is the start of a war.
We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.
If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.

CREATING PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS?
A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested "I am looking for a spouse.
Please help me to find a suitable one."
The SDU officer said, "Your requirements, please."
"Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest."

The officer listened carefully and replied,
"I understand you need television."

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband ,because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife.

Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship.
Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses.
The nightmare begins.

NO OVERPOWERING
Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another,or demands too much.
People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage.
Actually, this is not the case.
There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that
"It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character."
It is not easy to change.
Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.
It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..

RIGHT SPEECH
There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that
"A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation."

Many relationships break off because of wrong speech.

When a couple is too close with each other,we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site.
A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted,
"Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school."
On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her,
"Luckily you married me.Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker."
She answered ,
"You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you.
" Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.

PERSONAL PERCEPTION
Different people have different perception.
One man's meat could be another man's poison.
A couple bought a donkey from the market.
On the way home,a boy commented,
"Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?"
Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey.
He walked besides them.
Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?"
Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey. Further on the way home, they met an old Lady.
She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman."
The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey.
Then, they met a young man.
He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you.
" Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left.

Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled.
They lost their balance and fell into the river.

You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you.

Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..

BE PATIENT
This is a true story which happened in the States.

A man came out of his home to admire his new truck.
To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck.
The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment.
When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.
Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands.
When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, " Daddy,I'm sorry about your truck."
Then he asked,
"but when are my fingers going to grow back?"
The father went home & committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge.
Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love.

Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't.

Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance.
We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.
People make mistakes.
We are allowed to make mistakes.
But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

Be Ready by Max Lucado

"No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not eventhe Son. Only the Father knows." - Matthew 24:36 -

His message is unmistakable: He will return, but no one knows when.

So, be ready.

I was reminded of this not long ago when I boarded a plane.
I walked down the aisle, found my seat, and sat down next to a strange sight.
The man seated next to me was in a robe and slippers.
He was dressed for theliving room, not for a journey.
His seat was odd, too.
Whereas my seat was the cloth type you normally see, his was fine leather.

"Imported," he said, when he noticed I was looking.
"Bought it in Argentina and put it on myself.
"That was only the beginning.
His fold-down table was of mahogany.
There was aportable TV installed next to the window.
A tiny ceiling fan and globed ligh thung above us.
I had never seen anything like it.
My question was the obvious one, "Why did you spend so much time and expense on an airline seat?"

"I live here," he explained.
"I make my home on the plane.

"Incredible.
The man made a home out of a mode of transportation.
He made a residence out of a journey.

Hard to believe?

You think I'm stretching the truth?

Well, maybe I haven't seen such foolishness in a plane, but I have in life.
And so have you.
You've seen people treat this world like it was a permanent home.

It's not.

You've seen people pour time and energy into life like it will last forever.

It won't.

You've seen people so proud of what they have done, that they hope they will never have to leave-

they will.

We all will.

We are in transit.

Someday the plane will stop and the deboarding will begin.
Wise are those who are ready when the pilot says to get off.
I don't know much, but I do know how to travel.

Carry little.

Eat light.

Take a nap.

And get off when you reach the city.

PMS

The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a
Man
has to do is open his mouth and he takes his very
life
into his OwnHands!

This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license In The wallet of
every
husband, boyfriend, or significant other!!

DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.

13 things PMS stands for:

1. Pass My Shotgun
2. Psychotic Mood Shift
3. Perpetual Munching Spree
4. Puffy Mid-Section
5. People make me Sick
6. Provide Me with Sweets
7. Pardon My Sobbing
8. Pimples May Surface
9. Pass My Sweatpants
10. Potential Mood swing Syndrome
11. Plainly; Men Suck
12. Pack My Stuff

And my favorite one...

13. Potential Murder Suspect

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Come one COME all!

The next eighteen+ social gathering is happening in 3 weeks!!!!

When: Saturday 27 May 7.30pm
Where: We're meeting upstairs at Kaio Cafe 62 Roe Street, Northbridge.


Come along for coffee, chats and to get to know other young adults...

Spread the word....invite your friends ...catch up with people you met on the retreat!

See you there!!


and for young adults across Perth there's the UNITED BALL....

*young adults UNITEDBALL *

The party of autumn is going to be NEXT SATURDAY 13th May 2006!
8-12 PM in the Sunset Room : Ocean Beach Hotel Cottesloe.

tickets only $60.

AVAILABLE NOW FROM KAIO it will be flippn sweet! spread the word! proceeds to Compassion.

Contacts : Dave Hack 0401005996 [northshore church]
Davis 0409995001 [claremont baptist]
Steve Scrimgeour 0433174543 [grace church applecross]

Meditate on these words of Wisdom

The most destructive habit......................Worry

The greatest Joy...............................Giving

The greatest loss................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work...............Helping others

The ugliest personality trait.............Selfishness

The most endangered species.........Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource...............Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm"..........Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome.................Fear

The most effective sleeping pill........Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease............Excuses

The most powerful force in life..................Love

The most dangerous pariah..................A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer........The brain

The worst thing to be without................... Hope

The deadliest weapon.......................The tongue

The two most power-filled words..............."I Can"

The greatest asset..............................Faith

The most worthless emotion..................Self-pity

The most beautiful attire......................SMILE!

The most prized possession................Integrity

The most contagious spirit.................Enthusiasm

Friday, May 05, 2006

Brekky BBQ for College, YUMMY! Whoo HOOOO!! :-)

Im Happy Happy Happy! :-) What are you???

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing.
You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes.
And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad.
You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Books, relaxing and enjoying my own company

I remember when i used to love being alone, just chilling in my own company and enjoying every last moment of it!

That was nearly about 11 years ago now...

Sad really when i come to think about it, because the more time i set aside for my relaxation and filling up my energy stations, the better and more effective person i will be able to be for others.

I wanna be the best i can be!

In all the time i spend a pondering
The time it passes by
In all the time i spend a wondering
The time it passes by
In all the time i spend a worrying
The time it passes by
In all the time i spend a crying
The time it passes by

It passes by
And mostly it flies
It slows down for no one
So i need to grow some

In growing ill learn to use my time well
To use it so laugh, to share and to smell
Ill use it to read, to run and to love
Ill use it to ponder my Father above

Time will pass quickly without my say so
But i have the means to make my time growth...

So here's to another moment of growth!

Sometimes painful
Sometimes joyful
Sometimes hurtful
Sometimes wonderful

Cheers! To growing pains :-)

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Psalm 31

Lord, I trust in you alone.
Don't let my enemies defeat me.
Rescue me because you are the God who always does what is right.
Answer quickly when i cry to you;
Bend low and hear my whispered plea.
Be for me a great rock of safetly from my foes.

Yes, you are my rock and my fortress;
Honour your name by leading me out of this peril.
Pull me from this trap my enemies have set for me.

For you alone are strong enough.

Into your hand i comit my spirit.

You have rescued me, oh God who keeps his promises.
I worship only you;
I have hated those who regard useless idols;
But i trust in the Lord.
I am radient with joy because of your mercy,
for you have listened to my troubles and have seen the crisis in my soul.
You have not handed me over to my enemy,
But have given me open ground in which to maneuver.

O Lord, have mercy on me in my anguish.
My eyes are red from weeping;
My health is broken from sorrow.
I am pining away with grief;
my years are shortened,
drained away because of sadness.

My sins have sapped my strength;
I stoop with sorrow and with shame.
I am scorned by all my enemies and even more by my neighbours and friends.
They dread meeting me and look the other way when i go by.

I am forgotten like a dead man,
like a broken and discarded pot.
I heard the lies about me,
the slanders of my enemies.

Everywhere i looked i was afraid,
for they were plotting against my life.

But i was trusting you, O Lord.

I said, "You alone are my God;
my times are in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Let your favour shine again upon your servant;
Save me just because you are so kind!
Don't disgrace me, Lord, by not replying when i call to you for aid.
But let the wicked be shamed by what they trust in;
Let them lie silently in their graves,
Their lying lips quiet at last-
the lips of these arrogant men who are accusing honest men of evil deeds."

Oh, how great is your goodness to those who publically declare that you will rescue them.

For you have stored up great blessings for those who trust and reverance you.

Hide your loved ones in the shelter of your presence,
Safe beneath your hand,
Safe from all conspiring men.

Blessed is the Lord,
For he has shown me that his never-failing love protects me like the walls of a fort!

I spoke to hastily when i said,
"The Lord has deserted me,"
For you listened to my plea and answered me.

Oh, Love the Lord, all of you who are His people;
for the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him,

but harshly punishes all who haughtily reject him.

So cheer up!

Take courage if you are depending on the Lord.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Quirkiness, acceptance and Gods Wonderful Love

Thank you Lord for being so patient,

Thank you Lord for waiting in the wings when i pay you no mind, and for spreading your arms wide and flashing me that accepting smile when i realise that i cannot do life on my own anymore and come running back to you for love, support and acceptance.

Thank you Lord that no matter how random, no matter how quirky, no matter how mis-matched or clashing i am, or anyone ese for that matter, that you still choose to LOVE me and us regardless...

Thank you Lord that i know you more than just knowing you, and that you have allowed the eyes of my spirit to be open to you from as far as my memory takes me.

Lord there is so much more i can thank you for, but as i lay me down to sleep i pray for your forgivenes for taking this blog so far from what i began it for and that was you.
I pray that as i rededicate it to you that you will bless it and that it may bring honour and Glory back to who you are in me.

Lord you are just so , so , so wonderful and i long to know you more deeper all the days of my life.

I Love you Jesus

Love Des

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Marji's BRILLIANT Rottnest Trip!

I had the utter privaledge of being invited away to Rottnest Island with Marjeanne for her birthday and we were graced with the presence of six other beautiful women, beautiful both in spirit as well as the obvious.

There were so many amazing experiences and here are but a few:

Well doing some exercise for a change was a very invigorating and inspiring experience. We were up every morning with a garunteed 1.2km ride and we ended up doing at least 8 or more km's a day so i was feeling rather lovely by the end of the trip and it has left me with the inspiration to want to continue my fittness kick long term!
And i am pleased to say that yesterday i did a vigorous walk as well as a bike ride and today i am looking forward to doing a very long walk around the river so YIPEEEE!

I also snorkeled for the very first time! It was SO BEAUTIFUL and i just LOVED every minute of it, i am going to Jiruan (i think that is the wrong spelling) Bay next weeekend and look forward to snorkelling with my best friend who knows lots and lots and lots about that sort of thing so that will be THE COOLEST!!

I also got to spend time getting to know Sarah the swiss girl and Alisa (sorry i think that is the wrong spelling too...) and that was so great, what an inspiring duo, thanks girls :-)

And i got a photo with a quokka they are the Cutest things, why would people want to bash them?!?!

I just wanna thank each and every girl there because you all inspired me in one way or another and here is just one of the many ways how:

Marjie- You always teach me how to be Fun loving, that smile and vibrant personality is infectious so keep it up :-)

Sandy- Your soft and gentle ways inspire me to be calmer and the fact that you can be counted on is always a wonderful quality in a friend. Thank you.

Leanne- You are just so funny and it was great to have you there because you know how to lighten the mood :-)

Jenny- You are so confident and you know what you want and that inspired me to be sure of myself.

Emma- You are a real sweetie and being in your company is such an uplifting and warm place to be so thank you for making the trip so comfortable.

Sarah- WOW you are so FULL on for GOD and your passion just oozes out of you, and i am just so glad to have had the time to be inspired by you to live my life for God with more zest and oomph and PASSION, and the most important of all dedication. So thank you.

Alisa- Thank you for helping me to navigate the waters of love with more clarity, thank you for reminding me to value my life before marriage and thank you for shining light on where my focus should be and that is on Jesus...

So thank you all and i hope to do that again sometime :-)

All in all the trip was life changing and SO much FUN!

Here are some pics for you all to enjoy :-)

Love Des








Loving the beard!

Hey everyone Greg has a beard! And it is Soooooooooooo cute dont you think ;-) Now he has a goatee and that is pretty cute too!




Monday, February 06, 2006