Hello there! It's been a while, and I've been a busy bee! Last Monday my husband took me on a tour of Callander which was dee-lightful! Filled with sunny, leafy streets, colourful charity shop bargains, lunch by the meadows, visiting Hamish the Highland cow, the yummiest bakery outside of Sydney and a lovely cafe by a beautiful loch, it was wonderful! We also spent a good few minutes sniffing the air which smelt of shortbread - yummo!

Yesterday we went on a hunt for furniture without any luck, and currently I'm sitting amidst approximately a bajillion boxes all ready to be moved into our new flat on the river this weekend, which I am very excited about.

As I've been cleaning and packing (there is SO much cleaning and packing), I have come to the realisation that I should clean more often. Clever? I think so! But it also made me think of my Dad telling me that maintenance is better and much more efficient than the alternative. Christine Caine put on facebook this week, 'It's often the stuff you leave out that matters', and yet it seems that no matter how often we're told what's good for us, the easy habits are so easily abandoned. Do you pray? Do you read the bible? Do you make time in your day to spend time with God? I struggle a lot with these simple things, and yet I know that if I got them right, SO much would fall into place. I would begin to place my self worth in God and His view of me, I would grow into a deeper relationship with God, my confidence would no longer be placed in things of this world, but God, and I would be released to be free in the love of God.

Sometimes, I need a good shake, and a good question asked.
What is stopping you?! Because whatever it is, do you realise what it is you're sacrificing?

are you free?

What will your response be?

I wish I could make this all stop RIGHT now. If we all did, I think we'd stand a pretty good chance...

No one is free when others are oppressed.
www.thea21campaign.org

Peace I leave with you...

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' John 14:27

Peace is something that I don't think I realised I had, until it left. But amongst much soul searching, I have come to the realisation this peace was my own peace, my own confidence, my own understanding.

My body is often unwell, there are days when I miss home more than others, and there are times when loneliness is pretty hard to handle. And yet I am slowly beginning to recognise the peace of God that transcends all understanding. I am starting to realise that this peace is something that we as Christians do all have...but have you accessed it? Are you willing to let go of your own peace which will change with the seasons, in exchange for a peace that will NEVER leave you, and NEVER forsake you?

There was a moment at Colour London 2012 in which I knew God was asking me to let go of what I wanted, and trust Him. This was a real struggle, and be assured I only promised God I would try (the best you can do sometimes!), but He took me on, and immediately I was flooded with peace.
In my sickness, my heart stays calm. In my homesickness, my head trusts God has good things planned for me. And in times of loneliness, I know that spiritually I am never alone.

My prayer for you today is that any anxiety, agitation, worry, fear, stress, anything that keeps you from seeing the true splendour of God, will leave in a moment, and that the peace of God will overwhelm you, body, heart and soul.

'...Take my life
Take all that I am
With all that I am I will love You
Take my heart
Take all that I have
Jesus how I adore You...'

'Like an Avalanche - Hillsong'

feeling vs knowing

Every now and then I have a day where everything is going swimmingly! Well, that happens more than every now and then. But sometimes, when I'm having a day that is going swimmingly, something unexpected can come along and take the wind from my sails (we're going with water-y metaphors this evening...stick with me!). And the silliest thing is, since moving to Scotland, it's usually the nice things that leave me feeling a bit...lets say, overwhelmed. When I receive a package in the mail, or am having a lovely chat to a loved one far across the seas, it can be as planned and thought out and as expected as the Scottish rain. Or it can be as unexpected as a couple from Australia walking into my work and saying,'G'day!'. Turns out, this lovely couple today reminded me very much of my family back home. Originating from the suburb my Nanna and Pop lived in, knowing the places I grew up in, welling up with tears when thoughts of their children moving away occurred to them. They were lovely. And they were a touch of home.
I don't think many things compare to another human being understanding what you are feeling. And I am reassured by the fact that even when I'm at my pity party feeling as though I am alone in these moments, my heavenly Father understands how I am feeling. He does not dismiss it, He does not try to cure it with insensitive solutions or inept words, He does not accuse me of being weak. What He does do, and will always do (thank goodness), is point me to what I DO know. And this is what I do know:

* I am loved. John 3:16
* Every need of mine is taken care of. Matthew 6:26
* God has good plans for me. Jeremiah 29:11
* Everything is viewed in comparison to eternity. Isaiah 60
* The God of the universe hears, understands and feels my pain, and will comfort me in my need. Psalm 34:18
* God is almighty, His glory shines brighter than the sun, His mercy and grace are abundant and good, He is a refuge, a strong tower, a rock, a deliverer, our protection, our strength. Psalms
* He walks with me, guiding me along the way. Psalm 23:4

For if I live based on what I know, rather than how I feel, perhaps the wind wouldn't be taken out of my sails quite so dramatically. I will still feel homesick, yes. And I will still feel the myriad of emotions that partner in my day to day life. But perhaps the waves won't feel quite so big if I keep my eyes focussed on what I know to be the truth.

What do you know?