Home Amongst the Gum Trees...

Here I sit by candlelight using my laptop, hoping the battery doesn’t run out before I finish this post!

We’ve had an electrical storm here this afternoon and we are still without power in our new little place…however I am pleased to report that we are very comfortable in, and appreciative of our new home…

Our humble country home really is everything that I could have asked for…if I had asked God for it…you see the move was unexpected and unwanted in ways.  Moving again after only six months, I don’t imagine is something most people would choose to do…well as a single parent with three kids, another move was the last thing on my mind, I was actually thinking more along the lines of a holiday!

But yet once again I praise The Lord and thank Him for His awesome provision and protection!

We’ve had a relatively easy move.  Once again I was blessed to have my family’s amazing assistance and we’re already settled in nicely…God is so Good and the love of His people surrounding me also is.  The children are really happy, now being nearer their school and in a friendly town.

I don’t know if you know the famous Australian song ‘Give me a home among the gum trees’…well living in rural Victoria near the Murray River promises Gum tress…however I truly do have the Aussie ideal of the verandah out the front, with an old rocking chair :D

You may not understand this Aussie ideal…but when you’re raised here in Aus you do…you see this land becomes a part of you…Sitting on the verandah, looking out, in the fresh air just revitalises you…similar to when you sit outside around a camp fire…just makes you feel really good and of course when accompanied by the people you love makes it all the better.

So I exhale a breath of both appreciation and tiredness…thankful that I am able to live freely loving my Lord, Saviour and Friend, while raising my children in safety.

My heart aches for women around the world who are persecuted by male tyrants and not extended the rights and freedom I am…we all are sisters!

Life as a woman is not always easy…but I do know that even as an Ordinary Aussie Woman I am very blessed by my government…even if at times I don’t agree with all their decisions…however I also know that I have an obligation as a Christian woman to love other women and work where possible for their rights…

All women deserve freedom from violence and persecution, prostitution and attacks, derogation and humiliation…All women deserve the right to freedom, safety, equality and education…Gender is no grounds for superiority or abuse.

Why are women still being stolen, traded, degraded, prostituted, abused, threatened, raped, bashed, circumcised, being married to strangers at 10 years of age, being ‘punished’ publically with acid, being denied education and health care??? I could go on and on...

When God created man he made him a wise, skilled and beautiful accomplice…

In ‘Why not Women’ by Loren Cunningham and David Hamilton on page 96…Genesis ‘creation’ is discussed with the term often translated as helper.  It is asserted that the Hebrew word –ezer means a more capable, more powerful, more intelligent ally, not a subservient person and is also used in relation to God.  The second word of the phrase k^eneged, means equal!

I say to you that God does not put His daughters down EVER!

I was reminded in ‘Lioness Arising’ by Lisa Bevere last night that satan hates God’s daughters…

God is love, He is Good and liberates…He loves His daughters and I am blessed to be called one of them!

So from my home amongst the Gum Trees to yours wherever that may be, God bless you!

Your sister, Melanie.

A letter to my friends...

Sometimes I want to express more than I am comfortable in sharing via a Facebook status update and so this morning I sit down and write to you my friends via my blog…you know who you are…you’re a special person who not only takes the time to read my blog posts but messages, chats, visits and cares for me and my boys…I love you.

This week has been trying.

Yet even when struggles and stress seem overwhelming there is my constant One.

You will know that we have only been in this house for six months, yet come tomorrow I will need to sign new papers, pick up new keys for yet another ‘new’ house, pack and unpack all our belongings and clean and finish up this place…

So of course there have been many phone calls, to organise the move and utilities.

I have had a virus of sorts and have been feeling quite sick…life can get you down when even simple, reliable pleasures like coffee don’t work.

My youngest son is also unwell with a cold.

I have a massive amount of school work still to do.

I have handbags that need to be made for people.

The garden has been overgrown and needing attention.

Some of my friends are also struggling with personal stuff.

There are some people in my life who are unavailable.

Housework and parenting the boys remains constant.

I have needed more rest than usual and even that can add to stress, simply because there is less time to complete all that needs to be done.

Yet for those of you who do know me, you will know that my strength comes from The Lord.

I love the lyrics by Jesus Culture, based on Psalm 30:5...

‘You stay the same through the ages, your love NEVER changes…There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning…And when the oceans rage I don’t have to be afraid, because I know that you love me…Your love NEVER fails!’

Later the lyrics speak of the scripture Romans 8:28...

‘You make, all things work together for my good.’

I am blessed to see God’s providence…I see the glass half full!

I praise Him that we now have an 18 month lease to sign which will see us secure in this one house until the end of 2015, when God willing my eldest son will have finished primary school, and I my ministry degree.

I praise Him for medication, as I am feeling much better and for my health to care for my children and keep our home.

I praise Him that I am able to keep my children home from school when they are unwell and care for them as their mother.

I praise Him for the resources and money He has made available for me to move once again.

I praise Him for study extensions available.

I praise Him for the genuine people I know who want to be involved in my life, and help me endure trials by being vessels of God’s practical love.

I praise Him for rest.

I praise Him for forgiving me and restoring me to Him through Jesus.

The enemy will try to tear us all down and keep us from Jesus…but my God is bigger and more powerful than any obstacle and carries me through, so I decide to keep strong by sticking close to Him!  I wasted too much energy in the past trying to do life all on my own, and just got sicker, and sicker with anxiety.  I never want to return to that empty life.  Someone biologically related to me, for many years would say something like; ‘People use God like a crutch’, in a superior way…but I have discovered that God offers so much more!  I am not ashamed to say that yes, He carries me…He carries me and gives me a peace and fulfilment with Him, that no-one, or any situation can take away.

I love you my precious friend. 

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you, and for journeying through life with me.

God is good.

Melanie J

Anxiety...

Sometimes I get overwhelmed…

Sometimes the panic rises from within and I feel myself nearing an edge…

Sometimes I am exhausted from pacing and thinking all I can do is lay down and rest…

Anxiety…I have suffered with it all my adult life, I had my first panic attack in my early twenties.

Obsessive Compulsive Thinking…I know it well.

For many years I would wake during the night in panic…you see I’d plough on through the day and not deal with my stress but it would catch up with me during the night when I couldn’t escape.

After I had given my life to Christ in 2005 it wasn’t until time had passed that I realised I no longer woke during the night in panic…I was healed – praise God!

I still have a natural tendency towards anxiety…it’s genetic…but I’m not medicated or have ever been.

Now days I understand I have triggers that my body will respond to with anxiety.

My main triggers are; extreme stress, excessive body heat and hormones.

When I find myself anxious these days I focus my mind upon scriptural truths.

At the moment I need to get ready for another big move…

I have both academic and manual work to complete…

I am entering into a new season of life…

Life is not stopping or slowing down…

I found myself getting anxious today, so I decided to lie down and rest focusing upon The Truth.

I think of Jesus being anxious in the garden before His impending trial and crucifixion…He knows extreme stress and what it is like to endure…there is nothing that we go through that He cannot help us with.

HE UNDERSTANDS…

He tells me to rest in Him for He is GOOD and gives me His PEACE!

I need His rest and peace, I cannot function without it.

My life does have so much joy and love in it…but sometimes I still get overwhelmed and I know He understands…

In love, Melanie.

Vulnerability...

I believe that we need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in a wise way.

Yes vulnerable…Now I’m NOT saying that we should take stupid risks, but rather be willing to take steps towards openness and transparency in our relationships with others, to truly love and be loved.

Jesus loved and was vulnerable.

Relationships are risky...In ANY relationship you risk being hurt...Relationships at work, with family members, new friends…

They all take an investment of yourself.  An investment of your time and effort and no rewards are promised.

Hurt, disappointment, rejection, betrayal, taken advantage of, used, abused, lied to, mocked, scorned…I’ve known these things…but haven’t we all or won’t we all at one time or another?  You see, I don’t think any of us in our human condition are immune from pain.  It is our baggage, our junk that wants to cling to us…it’s what we long to be free from.

Some of us put up walls…

Some of us never fully trust again…

Some of us don’t learn and find ourselves trapped…

However I believe there is true healing with Jesus for a new beginning with Him.

He who knew no sin, was hurt, disappointed, rejected, betrayed, taken advantage of, used, abused, lied to, mocked, scorned, beaten, abandoned and put to death…He remained vulnerable and truly loved!

I spoke to a wise friend today about ‘triggers’ – you know those private ‘land mines’…that invisible baggage I carry around…when something happens or someone acts in a certain way that starts my internal alarm bell ringing when perhaps it doesn’t need to be…

I’m NOT saying that internal alarm bells aren’t good – for indeed we need to heal from hurts and learn not to put ourselves in un-wise situations!  However sometimes those triggers can be tripped and the reason isn’t valid…

She told me I had a choice…to just react (like an impulsive knee-jerk reaction) or to respond maturely, taking time to think logically about the situation and deciding the best response once I’d given thought to my possible triggers and the other person’s also.

This decision can be applied to all of our relationships…even the one with our children!

I thought this was wise, mature, practical advice that would help me to grow while remaining vulnerable and open to loving relationships in a wise way.

Some food for thought,

Love Mel J

Failure...

I’ve disappointed someone again…

Why can’t I do it all…fit it all in…be totally in control and disciplined and live a carefree life?

Why am I so tired, why does my body have to struggle?

Have you ever felt like this, or do you think these things when your life seems so busy that you are struggling for air?  I have…

I read a funny meme today which had the following quote on it… “I went to the doctor for fatigue, forgetfulness and inability to concentrate and I was diagnosed with Motherhood!”  I don’t know who wrote this funny quote but I do know that I totally relate…I think we all could, even dads!

I had someone say to me that they were disappointed with our relationship; they were releasing me in this conversation from our arrangement and I was actually relieved to walk away from it as it was exhausting me…I had been feeling like I was drowning in my responsibilities and had actually become less productive in my life due to the accumulating stress.  Do you know what that is like?

You see I am actually quite a productive person when my life is balanced…I need a balance of work, creativity and rest.  We all are different but when I am overburdened I actually become less organised and productive.  At times I know my close loved ones have heard me say; ‘I am just exhausted!’  I know now when I hear myself say this too often that I am nearing the point where I will soon have to prioritise and readjust my life schedule…that I am out of balance.

My first responsibility that God has given me is my children and when their care begins to suffer due to ‘life responsibilities’ this weighs heavy on my heart…It is difficult being a single mother but I know that my children are my first priority above anything else. Sometimes we may have to go without some things just so we function in a healthy way…me killing myself by straining to provide EVERYTHING we desire, not need, is futile because we all will suffer in the end.

I feel comfortable in sharing this with you, whomever you are reading this post, because I know that this is a reality of life for us all.  I know many people who feel like this and feel trapped unable to make a change…Yet I also have read many encouraging stories where people have realised their dilemma and made life changes for the betterment of their health and family J

What is the point of this post?

Well perhaps there isn’t one other than to express my heart and let you know that you are not alone.  Yet I will leave you with one thought to ponder which is what helps me through…

IT IS THIS:  When I feel like I am struggling or have failed and need to re-adjust / prioritise, I draw close to God and remember the truths that He has told me which are unchanging…That I am His beloved child and my self-worth comes from Him, not from other people’s opinions or how much work I accomplish or my self-opinionated negative thoughts!  My life will never be perfect until Jesus returns, so I think of the long term goals He has given me, to raise my children His way and to be active in the works He’s prepared for me...not what my anxious mind thinks I need to be doing.  I take rest in His opinion and love which is more than enough!

Sometimes less is actually more...sometimes it’s time to let go and not beat yourself up over it.

In love, Melanie J

Being Obedient...to put yourself out there!

You’ve probably heard the parable Jesus told about the talents and servants…

You know the one where 2 people invest the talents given to them and the other person hides theirs in the ground from fear…if not you can read it here on Bible Gateway: Matt 25:14-30.

To be honest I have heard many sermons encouraging me not to hide my talent/s and I have gotten a lot out of them…But also as a sensitive, creative person who can suffer from anxiety it is actually quite challenging for me to ‘put myself out there’…Then there is the part of me that desires to remain humble and to not be self-promoting, rather Christ promoting…

I have been on a journey of growth with Jesus since 2005 and it still continues…being a creative person The Lord has taken me slowly with music and writing to the point where I began this blog and also leading worship in church, along with other ministries.

I have felt for a while now that I need to share my heart for The Lord with others publically by singing as well as via this blog.  This has been a progressive journey which led me last night to record myself singing.  I just played an instrumental on my laptop and recorded myself singing along.

I don’t know what The Lord will do with this video other than encourage others in their life with Jesus, as this has already happened.

Like the scripture Ecc 11:6 which says:

‘In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.’

As I am a multi-faceted person (or a person with more than one talent) I will sew here and there seeds of God’s Kingdom, and let Him do what He chooses with them, for all I hear is the call not the whole plan, and that’s okay J

Be encouraged to be obedient to His call on your life to use your talents for His glory.

In love, Melanie.

Be A Miracle!

Have you heard the phrase from Nick Vujicic which goes something like, ‘Don’t wait for a miracle…be one’?

If anyone is qualified to state this, it is definitely Mr. V, the Aussie man who as a child was born without limbs and proclaims the Gospel worldwide.  If you don’t know about Nick here is a link to his site which is well worth checking out:  http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

To be honest when I think of miracles I think of God – Jesus…and then when I think of living a life as a miracle my mind thinks of amazing people such as Mother Theresa and Nick Vujicic!

However the truth is these humble Saints (Christians) in living their life for Jesus have become known for their love…a high profile has eventually followed however this is not the main factor to them being a miracle in other people’s lives and I would like to say to you today that we too can be miracles!

How did Jesus summarise God commands?

Basic answer: To LOVE God 1^st and to LOVE others as yourself!

LOVE is the key to being a miracle…you see God is LOVE and He is the God of miracles.

When you love God and others you are one of His miracles!

I understand that sometimes life battles can get us down and that sometimes we think miracles are not possible…

But maybe if we changed our perspective a bit…honed it in closer, making it smaller, more personal the idea of the miraculous and being a miracle may not seem so far beyond reach.

How’s this for inspiration…

Did you know an Aussie mother held her pronounced clinically dead baby for 2 hours and the baby miraculously came back to life…check it out here:

http://blog.petflow.com/medical-miracle-a-mother-hugs-her-dead-son-for-2-hours-and-brings-him-back-to-life/

LOVE in action is powerful…

I would like to encourage us today to take five minutes and think about ways that we could love more in our lives and be miracles to those who we have the privilege to do life with.  Just imagine if we all made an effort each day to be a miracle and made an intentional effort to love someone with NO EXPECTATION of getting something back!  What a different place our neighbourhoods could be.

Here are some simple yet real examples, I believe are love in action:

• Be pleasant – make the effort to be pleasant to someone even if you don’t necessarily feel like it.  You don’t know what a difference you may make to that person’s life.  I have heard an amazing story of someone who was near suicide who did not go through with it due to a kind person who had no idea.  Smile, open a door for someone, look up and say hi to that person in the supermarket you know, yet would rather ignore.  Let someone in when the traffic is merging or send a brief friendly text.

• Be connected – Take time out each day to connect with your nearest and dearest and if you have extra time other friend/s too. Take that half hour to cuddle your kids or phone your relative. Seriously, try missing a soap opera here and there and see what a difference it can make to your relationships.

• R.A.K – Try doing a random act of kindness in secret for someone.  Drop off a parcel, bring someone’s bins in or send an encouraging anonymous card.  There are many different acts…try google searching you’ll be surprised.

• Volunteer – Volunteering in your community is an awesome blessing for all parties.  You get to make your neighbourhood a better place and also benefit from how good you will feel.

• Encourage – If there is someone in your life who is stressed or over worked or something, take a moment of your time to encourage them…let them know that you know what an awesome person they are.

• Surprise someone or some people – Surprises are great they add spice to our lives and they don’t always need to be expensive gifts.  Today I spent a short time and videoed myself on my laptop saying “Hi” to my Facebook friends – some I haven’t ‘seen’ since school – the response was awesome!

• Care – genuinely care for someone.  Is someone unwell?  Try to go and see them if possible or make some contact if possible.

• Communicate – Don’t be silent make the effort to ask your loved ones how they are and if there is something specific you could do to show them you love them…then do it then and there, not next month.  They may just faint in shock…but wouldn’t that be great!

• Be less self-seeking – sometimes today we can be very self-centred to the point of narcissistic, this is not love.  Yes we do need to take time out and care for ourselves but let’s also serve other people’s needs not just our own.

These are all just basic ideas…but the main point here is that you and I can be miracles to others we are in contact with – we can LOVE people and make a difference to both theirs and our lives.  You don’t need to be famous to live an exceptional life…you can be an ordinary person just like me, but when you LOVE exceptional things happen…for God is LOVE and He is a God of miracles.

But remember…do it your own way!  Don’t force yourself to do things to show love to others which aren’t your style…I mean there are so many examples I could have given I could have wrote for hours but that wasn’t the point.  Love people honestly in your style.  Just LOVE and then watch for the miracles...

Don’t love to get accolades…cause that’s not probably gonna happen and really that’s not a loving humble place to start from.  People know when you’re genuine and when you truly care.  They can see when you are a blessing from God for them and that’s a wonderful miracle.

Rather than letting the selfish tyrants of this world get us down, why don’t we making an effort to transform the lives of those around us, for LOVE conquers evil, and who knows what miracles God will bring about from your love. 

One of the best things I have found out about LOVE is that it’s contagious – the more I have God’s LOVE for others the more LOVE I receive, for we can never out give God.  Don’t get me wrong I still come up against some very grumpy people, but that’s no longer my style and they need LOVE just as much as I do.

Be encouraged to be a miracle wherever you are in God’s world!

Love Melanie J

I will praise The Lord...

Are you struggling?
Are you faced with a serious temptation?
Where is your heart…is your first love Jesus?

Tough questions, I know, but real ones to be sure…as we ALL go through difficult times and face temptations.  I want to encourage you today however by proposing that it is our response which makes all the difference.

You see I believe we all have a free will and we are all accountable for our own choices…I believe we all can choose to obey The Lord or not to.

None of us are immune…we all undergo difficulties and face temptations that can try to pull us away from Jesus being number one in our lives.

What are you facing right now?

Can I suggest that a very real option is to give praise to The Lord?

Bear with me a moment and see where I go with this…because I actually do know how awful and gut wrenching some struggles and temptations can be.

Just this week I have needed to stand firm in my resolve to have Christ as number one, as I was faced with a very real and alluring temptation and pain from loss…yes I have experienced this.

This week I thought I may lose someone in my life that I love, if I wasn’t easy going with their view on a matter that I know actually is not scriptural.

I had someone say to me… “Well I don’t know ANY Christians who actually do that…you may lose them.”

However I know what The Word says on this issue and actually how serious an issue it is.  So I resolved that I would put Jesus first, and risk losing this person I love…

To some I may seem like an overzealous Jesus girl or my own worst enemy…however my relationship with Jesus is my first priority and I cannot take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted and sin against my conscience.

I knew that I could not listen to the voice of un-truth in my mind that was feeding my anxiety.

I went to church and sang praise to The Lord and afterwards continued to do so at home for most of the afternoon…I praised The Lord even though my gut was wrenching!  When fear rose inside me I needed to keep my mind focused upon scriptural truths and upon the eternal relationship that I have with The Lord which is worth more than any temporal human one here and now.  I understand that can sound harsh…but I’m just being honest.

I think of the disciples when they were told to be silent about Jesus and the Gospel – they stood firm and said that they must obey God above all others – see Acts 5:17-42.  They continued to sing God’s praise through spreading the Gospel message and what was The Lord’s response?

I believe that He strengthened them in their relationship with Him and this is what I say to you He will also do for you.

No temptation you face is ever from God – see James 1:13.

When faced with temptations and struggles draw nearer to God and satan will flee – see James 4:7-8.

God will step in and strengthen you – He will not let you endure more than you can handle – see 1 Cor 10:13.

When struggling, stand firm in what you know is true – do not think “Oh it will be okay, God will understand…” For that can be putting The Lord to the test and we are not to do that – See Luke 4:12.

I had an interesting conversation recently with a person who said that the advice…”Give it to The Lord” was never helpful because they didn’t understand what this ‘churchy’ phrase meant.

I propose that this ‘churchy’ phrase is indeed helpful, when we understand how to do it, and actually put it into practice.  I believe that it does not mean to simply pray then do nothing, expecting God to pop you into a protective bubble and control everything around you…for how will you grow stronger this way?   I think it can look like this:

1.      Pray and ask God to help you overcome this issue– but really mean it!  Don’t pray and ask if you don’t have the resolve in your mind to take the fight on with God alongside – James 1:6-7.

2.      Draw near to God after praying by asking The Lord to speak to you through His Word, then READ IT!

3.      Draw nearer to God’s people for strength – go to church sing, cry, talk, laugh…do whatever is necessary and let God’s people minister to you during this time – we are made to be a community of believers, don’t lock yourself away…remember iron sharpens iron…book in for an appointment for a chat with your pastor.

4.      Pump up the music – put that biblical praise music on and let it soak into you.

5.      And finally try to understand that you are not facing anything that others have not had to endure and that you CAN be joyful during this difficult situation because you are enduring it BECAUSE you are a Christian which IS something to praise God for regardless!   Read this powerful section of scripture 1 Peter 4:12-19 (NRSV):

12  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. ¹⁶ Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”  ¹⁹ Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

Scripture says that we are NOT to be mismatched with unbelievers – Read this:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NRSV)

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? ¹⁵ What agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will live in them and walk among them,
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
¹⁷ Therefore come out from them,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
    then I will welcome you,
¹⁸ and I will be your father,
    and you shall be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.

We are supposed to be lights in this dark world…and I ask you how can we be if we live like everyone else?  Jesus spoke about us being light and salt…then proposed that if salt loses its saltiness that it is no good for anything and needs to be thrown out – see Matt 5:13.  He also said that if we love Him we will obey Him – See John 14.

If your problem seems overbearing do ‘give it to The Lord’ – be active and keep firm in your resolve to obey The Lord and have Him as number one – do not give in because you actually will suffer more, rather than grow and become stronger in your relationship with Him!

Finally as I know this is a long post – we are not Christians when it suits us – our lives are hidden in Christ, being a Christian is 24/7 stuff – Read this:

Colossians 3 (NRSV)

The New Life in Christ

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, ³ for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. ⁷ These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. ⁸ But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. ¹¹ In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

¹² As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In these last days some people will tell you what you want to hear – see 2 Tim 4:3 – however I say to you that drawing nearer to God through biblical truth is the way for peace in your life – love Melanie.

As for me and my house...we will only serve The Lord: