We had a guest preacher in church this morning as our officers are on furlough, and he brought us a message on praise and worship.
The reading for today's message is from Psalm 34.
A praise mentality is where you can praise the Lord even in the most trying of circumstances.
There are times when it is very difficult to praise the Lord and a lot of people will ask the question "Where is God in this situation". Right now, with people recovering from floods and others protesting against tyrannical governments, there are probably lots of people asking that question, but God is there and I believe that He grieves to see us in such distress. I also believe that he allows these things to happen to see how we react and to test our faith.
If we want the devil to flee from us we need to adopt an attitude of praise and worship, we shouldn't wait for circumstances to improve as we may forget.
Many times in the Bible praise and worship was used as preparation for battle. Whenever the Israelites gave glory to God they were victorious but whenever they disobeyed or failed to give glory to God they were defeated.
My own circumstance have been very trying of late (since March when I was retrenched) and I have needed to lean on God for help, but I'm sure that, with God's help, I will get through this rough patch.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The week that was 29-01-11
This week started off just like every other week, gym on Monday and chiro for Sue on Tuesday, but then things got a bit different. It being a public holiday here in Aus on Wednesday, Sue couldn't go to her regular Aqua class so I skipped the gym and joined her for a swim in the pool before spending a relaxing afternoon at home.
At 10:30 on Wednesday night we got into a taxi which took us to the railway station and we spent 22 hours out of the next 29 riding in public transport. We took the train from Albury to Moss Vale, a bus to Albion Park, another train to Kiama then a third train took us to Bomaderry. We were then picked up by one of my brothers-in-law and taken to my father's house where we showered and changed ready for lunch. We had lunch with my father and stepmother, 2 sisters and their husbands and my youngest niece. It's not often that we get together like this as my youngest sister and her family live in Mildura and it is so far for them to travel to get together with the rest of the family. This particular gathering was to celebrate my father's 80th birthday (which was almost 2 weeks ago).
After lunch, we returned to dad's place for some birthday cake before returning to the railway station for the trip home.
We didn't fully retrace our steps as that would mean a 3 hour wait in Moss Vale. Instead we skipped the bus trip by taking the train all the way to Sydney Central and catching the Melbourne bound train from there. We only had a hour layover in Sydney which was plenty of time to get dinner. We got back home at about 4:30 on Friday morning having had very little sleep during the preceding 29 hours. While it is very difficult for me to sleep on the train I can't say that I didn't as I'm know I missed seeing at least one station on the north and a few more on the return trip.
I think next time (when dad turns 90 maybe) we will take the car and arrange some accommodation for a couple of nights. While it is cheaper to take the train (us pensioners get a couple of free train trips a year), it's much more comfortable to take the car.
As you might guess, I didn't get to the gym on Friday.
Today has been another busy day finishing with dinner with friends at the club to celebrate my birthday (which is today). I over-ate as I usually do at all-you-can-eat buffets, so I'm going to have to work extra hard at the gym next week.
See you tomorrow for my usual sermon notes.
Richard.
At 10:30 on Wednesday night we got into a taxi which took us to the railway station and we spent 22 hours out of the next 29 riding in public transport. We took the train from Albury to Moss Vale, a bus to Albion Park, another train to Kiama then a third train took us to Bomaderry. We were then picked up by one of my brothers-in-law and taken to my father's house where we showered and changed ready for lunch. We had lunch with my father and stepmother, 2 sisters and their husbands and my youngest niece. It's not often that we get together like this as my youngest sister and her family live in Mildura and it is so far for them to travel to get together with the rest of the family. This particular gathering was to celebrate my father's 80th birthday (which was almost 2 weeks ago).
After lunch, we returned to dad's place for some birthday cake before returning to the railway station for the trip home.
We didn't fully retrace our steps as that would mean a 3 hour wait in Moss Vale. Instead we skipped the bus trip by taking the train all the way to Sydney Central and catching the Melbourne bound train from there. We only had a hour layover in Sydney which was plenty of time to get dinner. We got back home at about 4:30 on Friday morning having had very little sleep during the preceding 29 hours. While it is very difficult for me to sleep on the train I can't say that I didn't as I'm know I missed seeing at least one station on the north and a few more on the return trip.
I think next time (when dad turns 90 maybe) we will take the car and arrange some accommodation for a couple of nights. While it is cheaper to take the train (us pensioners get a couple of free train trips a year), it's much more comfortable to take the car.
As you might guess, I didn't get to the gym on Friday.
Today has been another busy day finishing with dinner with friends at the club to celebrate my birthday (which is today). I over-ate as I usually do at all-you-can-eat buffets, so I'm going to have to work extra hard at the gym next week.
See you tomorrow for my usual sermon notes.
Richard.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
WIP Wednesday 26/01/11
Another week has passed and I still making very slow progress.
I managed to finish the Baby's sunhat.
I still need a suitable sized head to model these for me but I'm not sure where to find one. A baby sized doll would be just about perfect as I could also use it to model other clothing.
I also managed to make up a few towels but didn't bother taking photos as I have already posted plenty of photos of towels in previous blogs.
On the "Work in Progress", I managed to add a couple of rows to the water bottle cosy but didn't bother with photos as it doesn't look that much different to what I posted last time.
The next couple of days we're going to be spending a bit of time on trains and buses so I may get a chance to do a little more although most of that time is going to be over-night and crocheting makes me tired at the best of times.
Til next time, ttfn.
Richard.
I managed to finish the Baby's sunhat.
I still need a suitable sized head to model these for me but I'm not sure where to find one. A baby sized doll would be just about perfect as I could also use it to model other clothing.
I also managed to make up a few towels but didn't bother taking photos as I have already posted plenty of photos of towels in previous blogs.
On the "Work in Progress", I managed to add a couple of rows to the water bottle cosy but didn't bother with photos as it doesn't look that much different to what I posted last time.
The next couple of days we're going to be spending a bit of time on trains and buses so I may get a chance to do a little more although most of that time is going to be over-night and crocheting makes me tired at the best of times.
Til next time, ttfn.
Richard.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Prophet Jonah: AWOL
The reading this morning was taken from the 1st chapter of Jonah verses 1-16.
The Apollo 13 space mission was considered a successful failure. They failed to land on the moon but they succeeded in getting the astronauts back after their ship had a catastrophic failure.
Jonah was a failure but eventually succeeded. His name means "dove", the symbol of peace, and of restoration and hope.
Most people know the story of Jonah, how he was commanded by God to go to Nineveh and tell them to repent or perish, but, since Jonah hated the Ninevites and wanted to see them perish he ran the other way.
Jonah was the only prophet to ever run away from God.
In Isaiah 6:8 Isaiah was asked "Who will I send" and he responded "Here am I, send me". Moses was asked a similar question and his response was something like "Here am I, send Aaron". Jonah's response was "Here am I, but I'm headed the other way".
Jonah forgot that you can't escape from Gog because He is omnipresent.
Richard.
The Apollo 13 space mission was considered a successful failure. They failed to land on the moon but they succeeded in getting the astronauts back after their ship had a catastrophic failure.
Jonah was a failure but eventually succeeded. His name means "dove", the symbol of peace, and of restoration and hope.
Most people know the story of Jonah, how he was commanded by God to go to Nineveh and tell them to repent or perish, but, since Jonah hated the Ninevites and wanted to see them perish he ran the other way.
Jonah was the only prophet to ever run away from God.
In Isaiah 6:8 Isaiah was asked "Who will I send" and he responded "Here am I, send me". Moses was asked a similar question and his response was something like "Here am I, send Aaron". Jonah's response was "Here am I, but I'm headed the other way".
Jonah forgot that you can't escape from Gog because He is omnipresent.
Richard.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The week that was 22-01-11
Another very hot week here in Lavington and not much happening.
After missing the Gym on Monday (we were traveling back from Melbourne), getting called down to the pool to help Sue before I finished on Wednesday (her ankle has been giving her trouble, we think it's because she is trying to favour both knees), I didn't manage a full round of exercises yesterday because some of the equipment had been pulled apart to be re-upholstered. Maybe I'll have a better run next week, although we're planning on a trip to Nowra to help celebrate my fathers 80th.
The crochet has been a bit slow this week because of the heat. I managed to get a couple of rows done on the drink bottle holder while in the doctor's waiting room the other day. We were there to get a diagnosis on Sue's ankle. I also managed to finish the sunhat this evening (pictures on Wednesday as usual). I'll probably work on a few towels now as there quite light and quick to get done.
With the completion of the second sunhat my to-do list is looking a little shorter. It is still quite long though, so I will be busy for some time yet. I also need to make a few phone calls to see if I can find a few more markets at which to sell my wares, and I do plan on opening an Artfire store shortly (for some definition of "shortly").
That's it for this week, see you on Wednesday unless something real exciting happens in the meantime.
Richard.
After missing the Gym on Monday (we were traveling back from Melbourne), getting called down to the pool to help Sue before I finished on Wednesday (her ankle has been giving her trouble, we think it's because she is trying to favour both knees), I didn't manage a full round of exercises yesterday because some of the equipment had been pulled apart to be re-upholstered. Maybe I'll have a better run next week, although we're planning on a trip to Nowra to help celebrate my fathers 80th.
The crochet has been a bit slow this week because of the heat. I managed to get a couple of rows done on the drink bottle holder while in the doctor's waiting room the other day. We were there to get a diagnosis on Sue's ankle. I also managed to finish the sunhat this evening (pictures on Wednesday as usual). I'll probably work on a few towels now as there quite light and quick to get done.
With the completion of the second sunhat my to-do list is looking a little shorter. It is still quite long though, so I will be busy for some time yet. I also need to make a few phone calls to see if I can find a few more markets at which to sell my wares, and I do plan on opening an Artfire store shortly (for some definition of "shortly").
That's it for this week, see you on Wednesday unless something real exciting happens in the meantime.
Richard.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
WIP Wednesday 19/01/11
No finished articles this week but I was silly enough to start a new one while away in Melbourne.
I'm still working on the Baby's Sunhat.
And the new WIP is a drink bottle holder.
The stripes are supposed to be vertical. Maybe I should have offset each other row.
I'm still working on the Baby's Sunhat.
And the new WIP is a drink bottle holder.
The stripes are supposed to be vertical. Maybe I should have offset each other row.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A day on Puffing Billy
I didn't feel much like doing anything when we got home from Melbourne yesterday so I've managed to go through the photos today and have selected some for you to look at.
The trip south started a little damp but the weather cleared by the time we got to Melbourne.
We met a couple of soapie (Home and Away) stars while down there. I didn't know who they were because I don't watch the show, but Sue is an avid watcher.
We went a watched a basketball game (WNBL Dandenong v Canberra) on the saturday night. It was a good game to watch but we weren't pleased with the result as Dandenong won.
And on to Puffing Billy.
We also saw some yarn on the hoof but the picture didn't come our real well.
The return trip was quite uneventful but tiring and now we're trying to see if we can get down to my father's place for a family get together as one of my sisters is traveling all the way from Midura. My other sister lives quite close to dad so I expect she'll make the effort.
See you tomorrow for WIP Wednesday.
Richard.
The trip south started a little damp but the weather cleared by the time we got to Melbourne.
We went a watched a basketball game (WNBL Dandenong v Canberra) on the saturday night. It was a good game to watch but we weren't pleased with the result as Dandenong won.
And on to Puffing Billy.
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| Ready for boarding. |
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| Some information on the train |
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| The train winds through the hills and crosses the road several times |
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| One of the stations along the way |
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| This is one of two bridges that you can actually get a photo of from the train |
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| Very picturesque country |
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| I think there's a creek down there |
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| The engine that pulled us from Belgrave to Gembrook |
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| Hamburgers for lunch cooked by me |
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| Ready for the return trip |
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| Potatoes |
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| The last bridge before Belgrave |
The return trip was quite uneventful but tiring and now we're trying to see if we can get down to my father's place for a family get together as one of my sisters is traveling all the way from Midura. My other sister lives quite close to dad so I expect she'll make the effort.
See you tomorrow for WIP Wednesday.
Richard.
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