July 2018

The ups, the downs and inbetweens of month 7 of 12!

3^rd - Well, today was exam day! All I can say is thank goodness I went in with a subject pass as I sure as heck know that today’s grade won't be anywhere near even what I consider "good". Gotta be honest, it sucks as ofcourse I wanted the HD, D or even the C...BUT I am going to have to settle for "good enough" and get used to the P (4). Despite a myriad of reasons as to why I struggled with study this semester bottom line is that it just wasn't a priority and my grades reflect that. Anyway, results not released until the 20th of this month so time to let it go, rest, reset and refocus on kicking butt next semester!  SO…it turns out that I did actually get a Distinction!

4^th – Mr. 13 made me a cuppa for the very first time today BUT didn’t boil the kettle in case he burnt himself and only added the teabag for half a second. Drink it down and smile Mumma bear, drink it down.

July 5th - Up at 5am, at car depot by 6am, on the plane at 7.30am. Tassie here we come!  Up up and away!

Day 1 - Hung out  at Mum and Dads exploring their yard. Very thankful for the huge woodpile – its bloody freezing!

6^th – 7^th – Day 2/3 - Dark and cold outside so relaxation mode well and truly set in.

8^th - Day 4 - While the rest of the family went off to church and then out to visit friends, I spent the day in bed unwell.

9^th - Day 5 - While I spent the day in bed my sweet man went into town with his Mum and the boys hung out at home.

10^th - Day 6 - A quick trip into town to the docs and chemist with Mum and then back home to rest.

11^th - Day 7 - While the girls spent the day lazing around at home watching movies, the boys went off digging for hidden treasures.

12^th - Day 8th - After a freezing cold night we woke to so many beautiful sights and the boys had fun smashing ice. I spent the day rugged up in a blanket resting.

13^th - Day 9 - While Mum and I made the long journey into the Launceston Hospital for the day, the boys went on a fishing trip to Scamander.

14^th - Day 10 - Lazy day at home in front of the fire.

15^th - Day 11 - Church followed by a lunch gathering. Whilst I don't believe that attending church makes you any more Christian than sitting in a garage makes someone a car, it was a lovely experience. I love listening to my husband read scripture and talk about his faith - four years of Bible College has certainly impacted his life and I feel a strong desire to embrace and support that side of him more. What I love most is that despite our differences of belief which often result in debate like conversations, our love still grows strong. 

16^th - Day 12 - We didn't do much today other than enjoy each others company.

17^th - Day 13 – HOME!  Its a bittersweet feeling to be home. Despite me being unwell for most of it (Docs tomorrow) we all really enjoyed our time away. Whilst we didn't get out and about much, our time with Mum and Dad (Nana and Grandad & ofcourse Livi the pooch) was very precious. We are so very blessed to have a home away from home and especially to have a wonderful home to return to.

18^th - After attending my doctors appointment, having an emergency chest xray and emptying the chemist of umteen pharmalogical products in order to help with a severe respiratory infection which the doctor suspects to be pneumonia...I have spent my day in bed. I am so blessed to have netflix and am halfway through season 2 of Anne with and E - oh gosh it brings back many memories - I would love to watch the original again though.  Anyway only a quick update...may you all have a restful night.  P.S.  On top of all this now Mark is under the weather too OMG …SCARY SHIT!

24^th – Jazz has a dislocated finger, which is a possible break…xray tomorrow – bloody scooters!  Of course it goes without saying that we are ultra grateful for it only being a finger *phew*. So with that now being 3 out of the 4 of us needing medical intervention of one sort or another this week, if you see Ace wrapped in cotton wool and bubble wrap you will understand why LOL!

28^th - In honour of our glorious full moon on this magical night. May the light that shines within be focused upon our dreams and not our fears, shedding the veils, dispersing the shadows and manifesting a reality that sees us rise and glow in your wonder.

Todays Gratitude focus is upon the blessing of friendships; knowing that despite each of us navigating our own storms, we are still there for each other shining our lights and holding each other up even from a distance. Pretty darn spesh I think and I love yas all.

"Sometimes one must physically lose sight to know that they can still see in the dark" - Natasha.

30^th - Today we open the gateway and learn to navigate new territory, new terrain, new paths. Whilst fear of the unknown is admittedly a little daunting, there is also an element of excitement and hope that this gateway will provide a deep and enriching lifestyle change that will be most beneficial to our entire family. But first...to ask the questions and learn the answers so that we may put it all into action and gain wisdom. Everything happens for a reason, whatever that may be....have faith that all will be revealed!

Read more "July 2018"

End of Scripture Writing Plan for September...

And just like that a month has passed...

I have to say that I did actually enjoy the readings that I did this month.  I also found them a little confusing and frustrating at times, but I think that is OK as it made me question things more.

Have I completely changed my beliefs? No...I think that will take a bit more than a few chapters and psalms.  However, I am more open to the concept of God (as written in the bible) than I was before and I have been able to relate quite a few things to my own life. I do however still think that a lot of what was covered was very similar to the beliefs I already held, just worded differently.

I have decided that I am not going to do a dedicated plan for October BUT I have inspired Mark to do one, so I will be getting him to read to me each day and we will no doubt have a discussion about it, just like we did with the ones this past month!  I might even blog about it if I get the time to do so, or if its something that I feel worthy of sharing.

I have noticed that I have become more verbal in my communication with God, although lately it has been to tell him that I really do not understand why things are happening the way they are happening and that I would really appreciate being able to see what it is I am supposed to be seeing.  I don't know whether its been my communication or the fact that I have been doing some 'self' help stuff with my quote reflection but I have found my 'attitude' has shifted somewhat...not completely but things aren't getting to me the way they did.  I still don't understand why things have happened the way they have though LOL.

I have also been more vigilant in being thankful for all the positives in my life, truly acknowledging and appreciating them.

Well, that's it for now.  Thanks heaps for following this blog and for taking the time to read my ramblings, for that I am truly thankful ;) xo

Read more "End of Scripture Writing Plan for September..."

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 30

Day 30 - 1 Thessalonians 5: 19 - 24

19.  Quench not the Spirit.

20.  Despise not prophesyings.

21.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22.  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23.  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

My Interpretation...

So this is basically saying not to ignore the Holy Spirit.

To not disregard that which is written in the bible and therefore to use the bible as a guide for things that are good.

To keep yourself above reproach from all that goes against that 'good'.

Living by God's words will set you apart from others.

God will be with you through life as long as you are faithful to him.  

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 30"

Scripture Writing Plan - Days 24 to 29

Day 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 - Matthew 7: 1 - 29

1.  Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4.  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5.  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6.  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7.  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9.  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10.  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11.  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12.  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13.  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14.  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17.  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23.  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24.  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28.  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29.  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

My Interpretation...

This chapter is a sermon from Jesus. This teaching was astonishing to those who did not see him as a man of authority.

I don't think it is saying that we should never judge, but more that we should not judge based upon prejudiced information which is unfavorable or condemnatory. Also, we should not use ourselves as a 'standard' upon which to base our judgement as the ultimate judgement of all comes from God.

Do not give attention to those who do not walk the talk or follow Gods work but be loyal to God through prayer. 

God promises to answer all genuine prayer. Everything we need for spiritual success has been promised to us. God leaves us no excuse for failure.

The Golden Rule of Christianity is 'to do unto others as you wish done to you', so in other words treat people the way you wish to be treated. 

Stay true on your path of Christianity as it is easy to be swayed by the wide array of religious practices and those who proclaim to be of God but are not. You will recognize those who are not loyal to God by the impurity of their actions.

Not everyone who says they are a follower of God will enter Heaven, even though they may have done what they believe to be a good deed. It is a matter of devotion, of truly loving and living in Gods name - having a firm foundation, a relationship with God.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Days 24 to 29"

Scripture Writing Plan - Days 18 to 23

Day 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 - Colossians 3: 1 - 25

1.  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5.  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6.  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7.  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8.  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10.  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11.  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12.  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13.  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19.  Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20.  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21.  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22.  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

23.  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24.  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25.  But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

My Interpretation

If we choose to release our old unfaithful sinner selves and be born again as Jesus was, who is now God's 'right hand man', we should put our affections in God and not in trivial meaningless pursuits.  

To be Godly in our behaviours and not act as we may have done in the past as that life is now dead to us.  

That if we surrender to God, when the day comes that Jesus once again walks among us we too will be reborn to walk alongside him - Like a Christian Zombie Apocolypse!

To not associate with those who live against God's laws (as you too lived before); for they will face the wrath of God and not be recognized when time comes for them to stand before him.  

To completely surrender yourself to God, living and abiding by the rules that pleases God.

To surround ourselves with those who have faith in God without discrimination and to form a mass consciousness of belief through song, prayer, thought and deed.

To forgive those who have also been born again of their past mistakes, as God has forgiven them.

To give thanks and praise to God in all that we do, loving ourselves as he loves us.

To be a family on a united front being loving and faithful to each other.

Obviously this was written in a time when slaves where common and it was telling them to obey their master in the same way as if they do God.  If we think of it as us working, basically it is about working to please God and not our boss, that our reward for hard work will be acknowledged and rewarded by God.

The last line is a reminder that there is no discrimination when it comes to Gods judgment.  If you do wrong and break laws then there will be consequences for actions regardless of your societal stature.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Days 18 to 23"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 15, 16, 17

I'm a little behind in posting but I have actually been reading the verses each day...

Day 15 - 2 Timothy 1: 6 - 8

6. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Day 16 - 2 Timothy 1: 9 - 11

9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11. Where unto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Day 17 - 2 Timothy 1: 12 - 14

12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

My Interpretation 

So again I needed to read the previous verses and do a little research to know what this chapter was all about.

This is the second letter written by Paul (an apostle of Jesus Christ, a messenger of God) to his dear friend and helper Timothy. Timothy, his mother and also his grandmother believed in the gospel of Christ and became Christians upon meeting Paul. After hearing good things about Timothy, Paul asked him to join his team, which Timothy did and he was appointed to lead a church of his own.

At the time of writing this letter Paul was imprisoned for his beliefs.

Anyway that's enough of a history lesson...here's my interpretation.

Paul is telling Timothy not to give up on his Christian life.  He is urging him to be strong in what he believes in and to continue to preach the Gospel, as like a harvest that is planted his hard work will pay off and he shall be rewarded. He is seeking him to ask for Gods guidance so he can understand what must be done.

Paul is reminding him of his saviour Jesus and his suffering to pay for his sins. He is telling Timothy he too may need to suffer for Christ as he himself is, but that his faith will not be taken away. 

God will be his salvation and those who remain loyal will rule with him.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 15, 16, 17"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 14

Day 14 - Psalm 32: 4-6

4.  For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5.  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6.  For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

My Interpretation...

Firstly, there is some debate over the meaning of Selah pronounced 'see-la' .  It seems that there are 3 different meanings; 'praise', 'lift up', 'pause' - so basically it could simply mean to take a moment to look towards God and give thanks.

I believe that these verses are talking about feeling heavy with the guilt of our sins, immoral behaviour, law breaking and that by repenting, confessing to God and asking for his forgiveness, that the weight will be removed from us so that we no longer feel as though we will be drowned by the raging sea of our emotions.

God will forgive our sins as he loves us and because Jesus was the one already punished on our behalf.

The rest of the psalm speaks of trusting and allowing God to guide us on our path so that we do not get lost on our way.

It kind of seems that we can make the worst mistakes imaginable, confess those sins to God and we will automatically be forgiven, but this isn't entirely the case.   From the previous readings I have read it isn't quite so cut and dry.  The best way I can explain it is that we still need to prove that we are truly remorseful, to live each day above reproach of those sins we asked forgiveness for and to also accept that we may need to live with a consequence of our actions.  The true test of Gods forgiveness however comes when we reach the end of the road and stand before him at the 'pearly gates'.

So I guess it comes back to something I strongly believe in and that is that sorry is just a word unless you truly mean it and are willing to prove that in action, by not repeating the same thing you were sorry for in the first place.  And, if you are truly sorry that you will be willing to cop whatever comes of your doing wrong in the first place on the chin (within certain limits of course).

Actions speak louder than words!

If you do the crime, you do the time!

Set your standards high and reach above them!

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 14"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 11, 12 & 13

Day 11 - Isaiah 53: 1 - 4

1.  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2.  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3.  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Day 12 - Isaiah 53: 5 - 8

5.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

8   He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Day 13 - Isaiah 53: 9 - 12

9.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10.  Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

My Interpretation 

OK so I had to do a little research and an important note to add here is that this chapter of the bible was written B.C - before the birth of Christ (Jesus).  

Isaiah was a prophet; a see'er of the future - a clairvoyant (so to speak), God's messenger (kind of like Neale Donald Walsch - the Author of Conversations With God...a book that I will be re-reading soon with Mark).  Anyway, this chapter is introducing Jesus and speaking of his fate.  

Isaiah is asking who believes in God as it is them that he wishes to read these words.

Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph through immaculate conception and was deemed to be the son of God - a direct descendant of the Lord Father, God.  

Although a man born to a family not noble in blood or looking any different to other men among them, Jesus was born with a gift, he was a healer (a light worker) and could perform "miracles", that he believed were the work of God. 

Jesus tried to change the world; tried to create world peace by getting the masses to open their minds and hearts to God.  However there were those that saw this as work of the devil or as him being blasphemous towards the God they believed in.  Jesus faced much adversity, ridicule and rejection from people who could not get their head around the fact that this simple man born to lower class people and looked just like a normal man, was who he believed himself to be - Gods Son!

Jesus was judged harshly and died from a horrid torture - crucifixion, as those who did not have faith in him believed that his death would resolve them of their sin.  Although Jesus did no wrong he did not speak out against this cruel injustice as he knew that it was Gods will, that this was his fate.

Jesus was buried in a cave and emerged three days later, saying that God had brought him back to life.  He visited those that believed in him (his disciples) to show them this ultimate miracle so that their faith, that was shattered when he was sentenced to death could be restored.  He wanted to show them that he was willing to pay the ultimate price for them but that him being brought back to life showed that God had forgiven them and all he asked in return was to be acknowledged, for them to have faith that God had a higher plan.

Jesus then disappeared and it is believed that he transcended to heaven.

My thoughts...

What an amazing thing to be born, to live and then to die for your life's purpose;  to know without any shadow of a doubt what the meaning of your life on earth is.  I know that he was treated in the most appalling of ways but he had a goal and he achieved it - that is what we all hope for in our lives, isn't it?

I had always had the idea that perhaps Jesus didn't actually die on the cross but instead went into a comatosed state induced by his trauma.  But, whilst working on this blog another thought that came to my mind, rings more true to me.  I think that what the disciples saw was an apparition of Jesus, his spirit, an Angel and once his work was done, his purpose to restore faith was complete he did in fact leave this earthly plane. 

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 11, 12 & 13"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 9 & Day 10

OK, I am kind of cheating a little and doing two days in one. I am finding that when the days relate to consecutive chapters I need to do it in one so that it flows and makes more sense to me. I am also finding that if one of the days relates to only a section of a chapter, I am needing to read the entire chapter to get to know what they are talking about at that specific point anyway. So in essence, I am reading more of the bible than this 'plan' calls for. I've noticed I'm also thinking about it throughout my day and trying to relate it to my life; whether in the past or the now. I've also been trying to figure out how what is in the bible relates to my beliefs on the spiritual level and so far it's not that far off. Anyway enough of me babbling...

Day 9 - Matthew 11: 25 - 27

25.  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26.  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27.  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

My Interpretation

So this is one of those examples of me having to read more into the chapter to know what it is all about.

In the previous verses Jesus was telling off the people from various cities that he had performed miracles in, for shunning him.  He was telling them that their judgment from God, his father would be harsh.  

In these verses, I think Jesus is thanking God for hiding his miracles from those who are not worthy, those too proud to believe that he could be chosen to be the son of God. and only allowing those willing to follow him (his disciples) to see them.  He is affirming to God that despite being rejected by these people, that Gods plan is the right one and only those that acknowledgement him as the son of God are worthy of following him.

Day 10 - Matthew 11: 28 - 30

28.  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

My Interpretation

Jesus is telling those struggling with life's burdens that he will help them carry their load by sharing it with them and giving them strength.  In sharing the burdens their souls will feel lighter thus giving them peace within.  Jesus despite going through his rejection has the strength and power to get through with only a light burden and so he is sharing this to show others that they can feel the same way despite that which is weighing them down.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 9 & Day 10"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 8

Day 8 - Matthew 22: 34 - 40

The Great Commandment

34.  But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35.  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36.  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37.  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38.  This is the first and great commandment.

39.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

My Interpretation

Jesus had put the Sadducees into their place by proving his knowledge and giving the right interpretation of the scriptures they were trying to preach to him.

The lawyer despite already 'knowing' the law was also testing Jesus. But Jesus replies by referring to the commandments of God, to the law.

The First Commandment of God being to love him, believe in him, have faith in him with every ounce of your being.

The second commandment to show the same love, compassion, to others as you would show love to yourself.  For the belief is that we were made in Gods image.

Jesus ends by saying that all of the law, all of the teachings rely upon these two commandments.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 8"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 7

Day 7 - Psalm 93: 1 - 5

1. The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

2. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

3. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

4. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

5. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.

My Interpretation 

1 & 2 - For me are basically God proclaiming that HE is the Everlasting King, his power, his strength is eternal and reigns over all and has done since the beginning of time as it was him who created the world. 

3 & 4 - I think this is God saying that he is more powerful than a stormy ocean and the crashing waves, for he created the waves, he created the sounds that they make. 

5 - I think the writer is saying that God is speaking truth and that his actions match his words.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 7"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 6

Day 6 - Amos 4:13

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

My Interpretation

In order to understand this a little more, I read the full Chapter 4 of Amos and it seems to me as if God was pissed off that people (woman especially) were using their wealth to enrich themselves rather than showing compassion and helping the needy, God thought they were a disgrace to womanhood.

Later in this chapter God was also warning all those who were rebelling against him that he had the power to bring judgment upon them and that he could curse them just as easily as bless them if they continued worshiping a false god. 

So verse 13 was God basically reminding them that HE was the ruler of the universe. Perhaps he was a little tired of people not acknowledging him so he wanted to reestablish the authority.

God created the mountains and the wind. He lets humans know what he is thinking. He brings the darkness at dawn and reaches the highest places on earth. He is Lord God, all powerful.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 6"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 5

Day 5 - Psalm 62: 9 - 12

9.  Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

10.  Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

11.  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

12.  Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

My Interpretation

1.  Yesterday the writer was reminding themselves that God was the one who was all powerful, whose opinion is the only one which matters.  In this section they are stating it again by saying that those who are not God; common or higher powered people:  will all be judged equally in the eyes of God.

2.  I think that this is saying that it is not that which we posses that makes us wealthy but our belief in God because at the end of our lives we cannot take it with us.  Material wealth will not save our souls, God will.  Money comes and goes - God is ever present.

3.  Spoken once, but heard twice.  So, it seems as though the writer went off the path but them remembered his faith.

4.  Despite how many times we have colossal fuck ups in life, God will forgive us regardless of what paths we have paved BUT we will be held accountable for our actions.

It is kind of comforting to know that wrong doings whilst forgiven by God aren't 'forgotten' so to speak.  That he actually does hold one accountable for their actions provided the ask for that forgiveness - they are merciful.  

For me personally I don't believe its God forgiveness I need to seek, but my own.  The wrong doings of my past I have to carry with me on this earth every day.  Yes, I can acknowledge my fuck ups and I can make sure that I never repeat those same actions again, but I can never take them back nor the hurt, pain, suffering that they caused to others, nor to myself and I am genuinely remorseful for those things. 

SO I ask God to help me to find a way to release myself from those burdens, to teach me how to show mercy to myself.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 5"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 4

Day 4 - Psalm 62: 5 - 8 (KJV)

5.  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

6.  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

7.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

8.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

My Interpretation

So at the end of yesterday's psalm it was about the writer feeling bullied and calling people out on their bullshit AND so this is him / her reaffirming their belief that God will save them, will protect them from all that bullshit and that the opinion and actions of others really do not matter.  They are also telling the others to open their hearts and let God in so that they too can be saved, thus ending the bullshit.

Can you tell that I think bulling is an absolutely unacceptable form of behaviour? 

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 4"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 3

Day 3 - Psalm 62: 1 - 4

God Alone a Refuge from Treachery and Oppression.

1. My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.

2. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3. How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

4. They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse.

My Interpretation

1.  So for me this is about accepting that God is the one and only God, the Father of all other Gods / Goddesses.  It is him who will save me, save my soul regardless of whether I pray to Ranginui (Sky Father) or Papatūānuku (Earth Mother).  But it is not enough for me to pray to the other Gods/Goddesses - I too need to acknowledge their creator.

2.  This is stating that God is the firm foundation and if I believe that, I know I will not be shaken as I have a solid base.

3.  The writer feels bullied by people and so asks how long before they stop trying to knock him down.

4.  The good ole rumor mill even existed way back when...as did it seems being two faced.  Looks like the writer had the balls to actually stand up and call them out on the bullshit behaviour he could see happening.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 3"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 2

Day 2 - Psalm 121: 5 - 8

5. The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6. The sun shall not smite thee by day; nor the moon by night.

7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul.

8. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

My Interpretation

5. God is my keeper, the one who owns me? God is protecting me like a right hand man does.

6. I shall not be harmed day or night.

7. OK so when I think of preserve I think of Jam as in bottling fruit....so Gods bottling me LOL. Maybe lets looks a little more deeper on that thought. God is keeping me from evil and keeping my soul pure - imperishable, like jam.

8. So hes like stalking me, watching me 24/7 (creepy I hope he turns away when I poop) - in order to protect me and keep me from evil and keep my soul pure. SO really point 8 is just an reiteration of 5, 6, and 7.

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 2"

Scripture Writing Plan - Day 1...Let the mind open!

Scripture Writing Plan - Let the mind open (and the heart too)!

OK I'm going to do this and I'm going to blog about it.

I very much feel like a fish out of water and the wording is very Shakespearean which I actually don't mind. What I'm finding the hardest is reading the text in my bible as its so bloody small that I think I may need a magnifying glass lol. Because of this I may end up googling a modernized scripture.

Psalm 121 - A song of degrees 

I actually had to ask Mark to teach me how to pronounce Psalm properly...the P is silent, just in case you don't know either.

Day 1 - Psalm 121: 1 - 4

1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepth thee will not slumber. 

4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 

Before I write anymore I am going to apologise in advance if the words I say cause offence to anyone, please know it is not my intention. Something I believe that I need to do when giving my interpretation of what the scriptures mean to me is just say what comes into my mind without filtering it - which for those who know me on a personal level, know that can be a very scary and dangerous thing for me to do.

OK here goes...

My Interpretation

1. I will look towards the horizon - towards the place where the hills stop and the sky starts and ask Where does my help come from?

2. My help comes from God the creator of heaven and earth.

3. I will be steady on my feet and God will not sleep, rest.

4. I think this one is just repeating No. 3 except personalising it towards the dwellers of Israel

Read more "Scripture Writing Plan - Day 1...Let the mind open!"

Opening my mind, my heart, to something new....

Opening my mind

Opening my heart

To something new

Now before I continue I should probably say that the concept of GOD is not totally new to me, I have in the past had several in depth conversations with theology teachers (my ex husband is one of them) about the topic, I believe that Jesus was the very first light worker / healer, I've even attended church and Sunday school, although that was mostly because I loved school and wanted to go every day and well if it was on a Sunday even if it was about religion, I wasn't missing out. In saying all that I also nearly became a Hare Krishna too, Oh the memories - I love it when my Mum tells the stories.

I did however, have more faith in God up until meeting a person who claims to be a Christian and preaches words from the bible and attends church and has so many people believing lies but she is so hypercritical in her actions that my faith has been diminished. I have more of a higher standard of morals in my little toe than she has in her entire so called Christian body and yet I am apparently ungodly because I do not go to church and pretend to be someone I am not. Then again I also don't allow my child to be repeatedly traumatized in the most despicable of ways and yet turns a blind eye to it all - GRRRRR she makes me so mad, it is any wonder I question if the GOD they speak of truly exists?  I guess the fact that I am unforgiving towards her and the ones who hurt a person I love deeply makes me unchristian but that I can deal with.

Anyway, despite that little spat, I do actually hold a belief of my own, although I would describe my belief in God/Goddess as more of a 'Spiritual' belief, drawing bits from my Maori culture, Shamanism, Paganism, Buddhism and other 'new age' areas; for a lack of a much better word as I really do not like the stereo typical stigma connected with it. I also think that if we were to strip back all the dogma associated with religion that we may actually believe in the same thing, although in a different concept of it.

Recently I told my partner that I believed him to be very 'close minded' with regards to delving deeper into what I believe and making a judgment based upon a preconceived notion. This I think is in part due his beliefs being something he grew up with so is an ingrained part of him, also because he studied it at university (in order to question and reaffirm what he believes) but mostly because of his past manipulative and narcissistic partners doing. Actually, when we first starting 'hanging out' together he believed that our difference of opinion in 'our faith' would be a point of no return AND yet here we are, crazily in love and very honest and open with each other and both with differing and yet somewhat the sames views on God. 

As fate (synchronicity) would have it, I stumbled across an awesomely colourful site (HERE is the link for you to check it out yourself) that just so happened to have uploaded a 'Scripture Writing Plan'.

What is a Scripture Writing Plan? Well from what I can gather its a guide to reading passages of the bible - which surprisingly I do actually own as I was given it as a gift from my Dad's neighbor when I was 10 and never felt that I could/should get rid of it; despite only really flicking through the pages and not really being open to reading it....because let's face it, really good stories can be written by anyone right? It's just a glorified fiction novel? Hmmm, Maybe, Maybe not - I am about to find out and put my cynicism to the test - ooh I ran off track again ummm what was I saying? Oh yeah reading passages from the bible, writing them out and reflecting on what they mean to you and in doing so it helps understand and gain a better knowledge and connection / relationship with..., yes you guessed it GOD!

As I called my partner out on his 'close mindedness' I thought hmmm, perhaps he is reflecting something within myself and so in order not to be hypercritical, I have decided to give this scripture thing a go (with his loving support) in order to allow myself to be open to what he believes God to be? In return, he is going to be open to my 'spiritual' interpretation.

I don't know yet whether I will be sharing it here or not, I most probably will though as blogging seems to be keeping me sane and gives me something to do when I have a million thoughts running around in my head. Who knows maybe you will find it interesting, maybe you wont and really it doesn't matter because this is my journey towards knowing God - well the one that is spoken about in the bible anyway.

One of my fav songs - I thought it was appropriate!

Read more "Opening my mind, my heart, to something new...."