Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Feb 2, 2010
On the flip side of my previous post “My Struggle”
There are some home truths that keep ringing in my ears………
As much as I was changed, impacted, taught and directed by my experiences in Manila, I cannot live in that experience and set up camp there. It would be an injustice and travesty to the present.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Living in the past is a dangerous place to be
Yesterday’s victories
Yesterday’s failures
Yesterday’s powerful experience
Yesterday’s destructive memories
Yesterday is NOT now……it is TODAY that matters, not yesterday
Am I making a difference today?
Am I touching people today?
Have I impacted a person for their better today?
Have I changed personally today?
Have I done anything to improve my future today?
Have I taken steps to reach out today?
Have I loved people today?
Have I been more like Jesus today?
It is not yesterday that is important, yes Baseco has changed me, has focused me, has renewed me, has developed me………
But if I LIVE in that YESTERDAY experience I have failed TODAY.
Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let each day’s work absorb your entire energies, and satisfy your widest ambition.
Sir William Osler, to his students British (Canadian-born) physician (1849 – 1919)
God help me be effective in the here and now!
God help me not make excuses!
God help me be content where you have me!
Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisel
y improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear.
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Jan 26, 2010
I have just read this article on CurricClick and Evonne kindly allowed me to repost it on my blog……if you need a laugh and an insight into the CYCLES OF HOMESCHOOL…have a read!!!
Homeschool Makeover
Does your homeschool need a “Makeover?” Are you like me in need of an “Intervention?” Can you relate to my experience?
In Preschool the “world was our oyster.” We would homeschool when we wanted to and where we wanted. We even homeschooled at Starbuck’s over a 2 shot soy latte, and a child’s Frappucino. Life was good!
Then age 4 came around with a cold chill; and we decided it was time to bunker down. Expensive DVDs were ordered; and Mom’s frown became her accessory of choice- because it was time to get serious! And serious he got. No playgroup in the morning any more. Baby sister had to be kept away for serious kindergarten work was occurring. The musty storage room was turned into a school with creaky desk and all.
It went on like this for a year, until I realized “this was no fun!” The breaking point for me was when my child said to me, “you’re not my teacher, Mrs. _____ (the Video Teacher) is my teacher.” No more! I was going to be the creative Supermommy Homeschool Star that I knew was buried inside of me. We were going to have a HOMESCHOOL MAKEOVER!
Out went the creaky desk, and in came the butterflies. Out went the workbooks, and in came the “Magic School Bus.” If it wasn’t hands-on, I was hands-off. If it didn’t require a field trip, I left it out in left field. However, in our homeschool bliss one major problem occurred. That same child that could sit for 4 hours through a school completely on DVD, was now climbing on the walls and thought he was a butterfly when it was needed to sit and learn. There is only so many field trips one can take to teach a kid to write his name! And this creative Homeschool Diva was ready to hang up her boa, and call the Insane Asylum. I was so sure there was a special unit for homeschool moms who thought they could do it all!
Well, after being told I could not afford the padded walls on one income, I had to find another solution. I needed to give our family another “Homeschool Makeover!” It was time to make a change- but how- I wanted structure back.. but I wanted creativity too. Aha! My grand solution- structure for the core classes- and creativity in all the electives.
Ah! My golden moment of clarity! All it took was a little soul searching, and my Makeover Moment happened. Yours Can Too! It is never too late to have a Homeschool Makeover! And hey, maybe I’ll see you over a latte with your new homeschool accessory- a smile on your lips!
Evonne Mandella is the author of the “Read Hebrew Today” Series which teaches families to read the Biblical Languages in Minutes. She is also the author of the the Hands-on Bible Curriculum “Wholesome Learning”- a Multi-Level Bible Curriculum with a Biblical Language Focus.
Her series of Curriculum are available for instant download at currclick.com
She also can be found at www.wholesomelearning.com
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Monday Jan 18, 2010
To my dear friends who have followed my trip to the Philippines, on Saturday night Baseco was ravaged by fire in an area called Gasangan, this may be a familiar because I had Birthing Classes there, I knew many mothers, babies and children, John 14:12 had a Church, shelter, precious leaders, church members, pedicab drivers there too, now the pedicabs are burnt ruins, the area once packed with people and houses is a burning flattened smouldering mess. At the height of the fire there looked like 20-40 foot flames!
The reports are sketchy but we believe that 800 families have lost their homes and lives were lost……what a tradgedy!
Another disaster and setback for these struggling people, please pray, pray for individual mothers and their children now homeless…….their homes were humble and simple usually made from Bamboo, coconut wood, plastic and some tin…….but they were “home” to the family…………
The housing materials were simple however made a flammable fire trap also, open fires and candles are a constant risk………dry hot weather was another factor. I am devastated that we are not there to help and comfort…….
To my faithful followers, please pray especially for these precious mothers just like you and I who live, have a family, cook clean and strive to better their families, those who once had a little “something” now have nothing…..God help them!
PS I have just heard that the fire stopped 3 houses from the church, thank you God!!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Thursday Jan 14, 2010
I wanted to share some sermons that God laid on my heart when I was in Baseco………..that way I can remember them and record them, not that they are really profound or deep, they are really one older mum sharing and speaking to other women and like….but they may hit a cord in some one else…..God is like that
My heart often cries out for people who feel UNEQUIPPED or IMMATURE or UNSKILLED as Christians. In the world we often find that age, sex, health, education or even personality type work against us achieving goals and aspirations….but in The Kingdom things are very different………..God does not look at these kind of externals in fact He prefers not to, in some way confounding the senses of man, and using the unusable despite their abilities or lack of.
There is one example in scripture that JUMPED out and caught my attention whilst I was away it was found in 1 Chron 18:14
1 Chronicles 18:14-17 (New King James Version)
David’s Administration
14 So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people. 15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Shavsha[a]was the scribe; 17 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers at the king’s side.
The great King David was establishing his anointed rule and reign over his people, he had a team of men he appointed to help him administer judgement and justice…they included trusted friends and advisers from his years of struggles and hiding from Saul people who had showed commitment and loyalty and most importantly love to him. These men included Joab, Jehosophat and Abimalech just to name a few………….names we have read about as they battled by David’s side.
BUT
There is an addition to these men, in verse 17 it clearly says that……DAVID’S SONS WERE CHIEF MINISTERS AT THE SIDE OF DAVID…………
The Son’s of David were elevated above the mighty men from David’s past, the men who earnt David’s trust over the years and served him faithfully. These sons became CHIEF MINISTERS, meaning simply they were the 2IC (Second in Charge) they had the highest positions in the Kingdom under David, they had authority, power and position
We can also see from this scripture that David made ALL of his sons ministers, there was no evidence that he hand picked one or overlooked another but ALL of his sons were chief ministers at the kings side.
We also see another profound picture here, his sons had access to David at all times, THEY WERE AT THE KINGS SIDE………they were granted a privilege that perhaps the other leaders did not have, they were always at the King’s side, interacting and sharing his daily issues and routine.
SO WHAT DID THESE MEN DO TO EARN THEIR POSITION AT DAVID’S SIDE?
There is no doubt that some (if not all) of these men/sons were warriors and soldiers with David in his long battle with Saul,
No doubt that they were being trained and groomed in some ways, as son’s of David
But none of them made “names” for themselves, however in contrast Joab the mighty warrior made quite a name for himself with many mighty feats and deeds.
So what qualified these young men to serve as Chief Ministers at the hand and side of King David?
Their qualification was simply this
THAT THEY WERE SONS OF THE KING!
Interestingly enough there was NO mention of the son’s
* AGE
* ABILITY
* SKILLS
* SPIRITUAL EXPERTISE
* LEADERSHIP ABILITY
* PHYSICAL ABILITY
* PERSONALITY TYPE
They earnt their position and place from their RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING, they were his sons!
This is the key to leadership and usefulness in the Kingdom
We too minister at our Father’s side like the son’s of David, we rule a Kingdom and have authority over this world…….we are His Chief Ministers, but the key to this awesome elevation of our status is that we are son’s and daughters of the King………..but the interesting thing is that God is our FATHER/KING without each facet we would not be SONS/JOINT RULER……..each facet must “marry” to have authority and power……….Leaders such as Joab had authority and power but lacked the intimacy with the king, he was not granted to “minister at the King’s side” maybe, just maybe, he would not have made such stupid mistakes later if he was intimate with David and knew his heart!!!
This intimacy with the Father (or any parental model) is obvious when you think of your own relationship with your parents…..if you have had a healthy relationship with your parents you would have had full access to the things that belong to the parents, I do not know what happens in your family but when I go to my Mum and Dad’s house I just walk in…..I may not even knock (hey they gave me the key!!) I just walk in and go to the pantry and help myself to food, I do not even think about it!! I just do it coz I know that they are my parents and they would not deprive me if I needed it! I have open access to them and what is theirs, I have intimacy with them, if they are sick/sad or mad they tell me, we are family, that is how it is!! Also if they asked me to do something for them if it was in my power I would do it, I would listen to them if they had something to say, or advise………I would do anything to make them happy……isn’t that how family is supposed to work???????
The picture of David gives us great hope, we are given full position and authority just like his sons as we enter into his SONSHIP, it is ours through our BIRTHRIGHT, we are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus the Son of God (Romans 8:17). This gives us access to the KING, God Almighty…….but not as a hired hand or servant…..as a SON!!!
Interestingly enough God makes NO mention of our
* AGE
* ABILITY
* SKILLS
* SPIRITUAL EXPERTISE
* LEADERSHIP ABILITY
* PHYSICAL ABILITY
* PERSONALITY TYPE
He gives us everything including intimacy with Him and power to be who we are meant to be on the earth!
In fact I reckon that without the intimacy (without that Father/Son daughter relationship) we really have no real and lasting power or authority…………
Just some thoughts, let God be Dad and out of that relationship real power and authority will stem, life changing, impacting, soul saving power!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Jan 12, 2010
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When I was in Baseco God began to speak to me about this beautiful reality from Malachi 3:3-4
Malachi 3:2-4 (New King James Version)
2 “ But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness. 4 “ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem
Will be pleasant to the LORD,
As in the days of old,
As in former years.
What an amazing reality that our God WILL do these things to us in His infinite love and gentleness
God IS
1. Like a Refiners Fire, making us beautiful like a golden ring or diamond
2. Like a Fullers Soap (or a launderers soap) I do not know about you but when you scrub clothes by hand they become magnificently clean!We too are made magnificently clean.
3. A Purifier of Silver, he promises to purify us!
4. A Purger of Gold and Silver, not only cleaned but purged with impurities rooted out and cast into the sea
Why would He do that???
It tells us in Verse 4……that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness……we offer back to Him the thing He created in us “Righteousness”…what a marvellous transaction, what a deal, what a joy
Just a little thought that I wanted to share with you….
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Tuesday Jan 5, 2010
I have been encouraged to write out a recent comment I shared with Susan, on my own blog so here it is…….but it will not make sense unless you hear her quote that she blogged about by JC Ryle…….so thanks Susan for inspiration!
http://kerugma.net/blog
Begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing is to do it, and the way to read the Bible is actually to read it. It is not meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it; that will not advance you one step. You must positively read. There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read to you. But one way or another, through eyes or ears, the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.”
~ J.C. Ryle
This was my response and testimony
Years ago (when I was about 30 years old) when I had 3 or 4 children I had this insatiable urge to have read EVERY word in the Bible…….
I remember being in a meeting and seeing a preacher’s bible so marked/ noted/ underlined and USED……I was convicted but challenged……
I wanted to literally touch every page and write on it……I wanted a DIRTY (like well read) lively Bible, like a friend I write letters to, jotting thoughts ideas and even sermons……it sparked a challenge in my life
TO READ THE WHOLE BIBLE IN A YEAR, EVERY YEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER……
I even wrote the date I started on the first page of the Old and New Testament each time….I became accountable to myself
I refuse to be legalistic and pedantic, but I really LOVE my challenge…….I am aware we serve a graceful God…….but there is something EMPOWERING when you can say you have read His Word numerous times cover to cover……….
I bought a wide margin bible so I could write my notes next to the verses. I also write sermon notes with the dates and name of the preacher in my margins……..so amazing to look back on…….
Do not get me wrong I have “failed” over the years (especially when a new baby was born-huh reading was hard through bleary eyes)- but I refused to give up nor come under condemnation….God knew my circumstances, but I was still burning to be a woman of the word…..so I plodded on……
12 years later I can look back and see how many times I have read my God’s love letter to me…….and realise I HAVE GROWN and with some satisfaction I HAVE DONE IT…Ryle was right you JUST GOTTA DO IT……….The Nike Revelation…heee heee………JUST DO IT!!!
There is power and life in the word, even when it is dry bickkies there are pockets of life and amazing insight ESPECIALLY when you see the BIG picture of the WHOLE bible, even bible geography and timelines marriages, generational problems begin to make sense…….
Please note dear ones I am telling you this not to brag or boast but to urge you to read, praying for hours was not an option for me not with kids hanging off me 24/7, I became the queen of the arrow prayers……….but I could read….. here is my reading plan
Each Day
3 of the Old
2 of the New
You’ll read the Bible the whole way through
(A Marilyn Hickey saying and oldy but a goody)
In 12 years I have read the Old Testament 7 times and the New Testament 8 times, this does not include extra study and reading a chapter each day to my children, ………..so I have aimed for the stars and hit the mountain top…BUT I JUST DID IT……
I did it whilst Homeschooling, I did it with 3-6 children, I did it whilst being a wife, I did it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, I did it in hard times, I did it in good times………
Now looking back it was the BEST decision I ever made, I am who I am today because I JUST acted
You can “use” or “be used” by this busy time around babies kids and wifehood…….time will just fly by you especially while you are in the baby bearing season…so use this time to sow the Word into your life, there is lots we cannot do in the baby bearing season, but there are some things we can do. I pray we see the season and USE it wisely!
If you can read the Word during these days it will be like a seed……….. and this tiny seed the will burst into life 10 years down the track…….I am seeing this now in reality, and of course it helps your daily transformation too!!!!
So come on let’s get some Nike Revelation people……
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Monday Dec 21, 2009
We are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found amoung us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.
AW Tozer
I found this quote on my friend’s site by Tozer, it in part articulates some of my feelings since leaving Baseco……….over there everything was so simple, you just did God stuff all the time, no constraints no timetable no committees……….
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