My 40 Proverbs...

I wonder how long it took the book of Proverbs to become a completed work...all 31 chapters!

The other day it was nearing midnight and I had some things upon my heart so I decided to set them down…and that began what I’m calling my own collection of 40 proverbs.

This list of 40 thoughts from me comes from a therapeutic exercise rather than thinking I am most wise!  I will let you the reader decided the value of this list.

1. Proverbs begins with stating the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom…now this fear means ‘awe’ and ‘reverence’ of our most Holy creator and while I agree with this premise, my premise shall be repentance and love for God is the beginning of a wise life.  For repentance invites God to re-birth us by His blessed Holy Spirit which then enables us to actually love God and have His love for others.  It is only from a place of love can we live a wise life; loving God and others as we should as Jesus’ summarised the Law.  Without the Holy Spirit, in our human fallen state we are unable to begin to comprehend scripture – for it is God who gives the revelation and the change of heart…the desire to obey and continue to repent as we still fall short.  Would one not say that a wise life logically leads to prosperity?  Well what better prosperity than a personal relationship and eternal life with God in a renewed world free from sin?  The Holy Spirit is our ‘seal’ of this promise being fulfilled.

2. People who say the meaning of life is unknown have not read scripture through God’s revelation.

3. The Bible is my benchmark for all matters.  Removing its authority and infallibility or denying its inerrant nature is the beginning of descent into idolatry; such is transferring authority and infallibility to another person.  It makes the way for people to make God into a god of their liking and/or to elevate another person to a status reserved for Jesus Christ alone.

4. There is no other way to God and re-birth but through Jesus Christ.

5. Jesus didn’t die for you to just stay the same.

6. Jesus said we will know His followers by their ‘fruit’.  A transformed life dedicated to serving Jesus by pointing others to Him is such fruit.  Some people (even ones in the church) are like ‘wax’ fruit…they look all glossy and great on the outside but on the inside they are no good for consumption…rather they’ll make you sick.  It sometimes takes a while to spot fruit rotten on the inside.  Wax fruit people look the part but have no seed to reproduce…they will not bear fruit, which is helping others live transformed lives they will say it’s okay to stay in your rotten core ways just like them.  Read scripture to learn more about ‘wax fruit’ people…

7. Getting to know Jesus enables you to fully understand yourself and purpose.  It will make you brave to live out your calling which for born again believers is partaking in the great commission. It will make you unashamed of the Gospel and embrace being different.  You will become free to live a life in which you desire to please God above the desire to ‘fit in’ and please people.

8.  It’s better to walk alone and follow Jesus than to chase the crowd.   For Jesus said “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  (Matthew 7: 13-14, NRSV).

9. God does not change – His character is perfect.

10.  What’s written in Revelation will come to pass – even if you don’t understand it.

11.  How can someone experience forgiveness, grace, re-birth, and then not tell others so that they too can experience the free, life-transforming gift?

12. When you’re in love with someone aren’t they the best topic of conversation…So yes, this is why I post about Jesus.

13. I am not Jesus and He doesn’t expect me to be people’s saviour; just to show them love and point them to Him so they can make their own choice.

14. My body is my own – but it is also a temple for God so I must honour Him with it in all areas of my life.

15. If you’re my friend and there comes a time when we move apart, don’t stress it’s okay, know you're free to walk your own journey…I won’t hold onto you.  But if I love you, well then that’s another story all together…I will hound you if I have to…If you hurt me, I will care enough to tell you, I will forgive you and yes I will expect the same in return.

16. If I love you and you continually hurt me or put me down, I will walk away as this is not how Jesus treats me – He sees the person He knows I can be and encourages me to keep growing and changing.

17. Be the first to make for peace, to say sorry even if it’s not your fault, for this is truly rare these ‘self-centred’ days.  Jesus said blessed are the peace-makers.

18. Company makes a merry heart, but some religious people are lousy friends and alone time draws us closer to God.

19. Your silence can be deafening – we should encourage.

20. Don’t give expecting something in return, for you will lose the joy of giving and may well be left disappointed.

21. Wealth can be so easily lost and takes so long to gather, why bother holding onto it so tightly; for you won’t choke it into submission it’ll actually master you.

22. Your money is not impressive.  Neither is your semi-naked body.

23. No amount of make-up, fine clothes, or cologne can hide jealously; it’s just stinking and ugly.

24. If you actually do something noteworthy someone else will mention it – you won’t have to.

25. There can be more dignity in remaining silent.

26. If you’ve got a problem with me, go to my Father first and ask Him about His daughter before coming to me.

27. Don’t forget your past; you may repeat it or worse still think you’re better than someone else.

28. True love still sees beauty even when the exterior is decaying.

29. Less is definitely more…unless it comes to children.

30. Children are made by God in the womb…they are not less than human before birth.  They are always a blessing no matter how they are conceived. A mother’s womb should be a safe place always.

31. God gives and takes away – let us not play God with life.

32. Man and woman complement each other – they are God’s design for procreation and family.

33. Homosexuality is a sexual sin and is also an abomination; like paedophilia and bestiality.

34. I am not less intelligent because I am a woman and have a different perspective so I will not tolerate your bullying.  God does not call me His daughter to live in fear or walk on eggshells…rather to live knowing my worth and inheritance and to face evil front on with God’s love.

35. Don’t twist someone's words or insult their intelligence it only makes you look bad.

36. The range of one’s vocabulary does not make them wise.

37. If you walk past a person struggling, you’re actually the one who is struggling the most.

38. Blessings are not defined by ours’ or the world’s definition and persecution can build character.

39. It is sometimes only looking back that we can comprehend God’s answer…and He loves us enough to answer at times with no.

40. Don’t ask me for something if you want to demand the terms when you're not my employer.

      'Word of God Speak' By Mercy Me.

I want to tell you a love story...

I want to tell you a love story…

Honestly it’s a story I never thought I’d share as it’s so personal…It had left a scar and was incomplete…that is until now.

It is the true story of my first love.  For such a long time I did not know the WHOLE story (both sides). I only had my one-sided, skewed version which had left me with a bitter taste…not forgetting to mention it’s not the story of me and my ex-husband…

But I believe God had another idea and has brought about a wonderful chance for healing and for a proper ending resulting in peace…Yes, He can work ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD…including our major mistakes and heartaches that He would rather spare us from in the first place.

I think I was fifteen and was helping keep time at a local football game my younger brother was playing in.  This was not a regular occurrence for me as I was usually occupied with dance lessons…I was there with my neighbour and her sons and have no memory of why I wasn’t at dance lessons that day! 

I do remember however there was a young man who caught my eye. He stood out, but that was probably because he was the boundary umpire all in white! But seriously, ALF (Australian Football League) gear does show off the physique of young men…So yes he stood out…in his prime physique of fitness at the age of seventeen. Somehow we chatted that day and yes, he ended up also being quite charming.

Not long later I was travelling home by train from a beautician appointment in Melbourne city when sitting nearby was the young umpire and his friend…How I mustered the courage to say hello back then still surprises me…But I did find him very attractive, so I said hi.  Yes, I had to remind him who I was…We exchanged numbers and that was the beginning of our romance.

Some people don’t believe you can fall in love quickly…but I’d have to disagree because that isn’t what happened for me. He not only wooed me but he loved me…we loved each other.

He was charming and treated me like a young man should.  He walked nearest to the curb, held my hand and was always proud to be by my side.  I always felt safe with him and I felt in his arms was where I was meant to stay.  I simply loved him and encouraged him. He gave me my first ring…a gold ring with a purple amethyst stone in the shape of a heart, because my favourite colour then was purple. He showered me with bouquets of flowers and teddies.

Unfortunately I had been told some bad advice in regards to God’s design for sex and marriage.  I had been told that because God joins two people together in the union of sex, that if you love someone and planned to marry them it’s okay to have sex prior to marriage because you would be joined in God’s eyes…The marriage ceremony then only being a piece of paper.

I thought I'd met 'The one'...So I gave him all of me…

I knew I loved him - I had no desire to ever be with anyone else.  He also was making an effort and was talking about a future together. So I truly believed we’d marry when I was eighteen, and although I did not have total peace with sex before marriage, I believed what I’d been told and thought that things would be okay because I loved him – That God would protect me and my heart in this relationship and that we’d live happily ever after. In my mind he was to be everything to me my dad hadn’t been to my mother or me…

Then came a truly sad day which seemed to come from NOWHERE…

We’d been going along, what seemed so strongly, and then my younger brother over heard him speaking to a mate in a crude way about me…I was hurt, needless to say.  My mum found out and told him that he was never to see me again…and he never did; so I thought that he didn’t really love me or want to be with me anymore.

I was shattered…absolutely heart-broken.

I lost my love…the one I thought I was going to marry…the one I had given my whole self to.

I wasn’t an adult, so I couldn’t track him down of my own accord and talk things through. My mum was determined he wasn’t good enough for me…No-one would speak ill of her daughter...He was not to come near me.

I felt used and rejected and lost.

I carried this baggage into my latter relationships.

Yet, we reconnected today and I was able to hear his side of the story.

I was able to learn that yes, he had made a stupid immature mistake speaking crude; but that he had loved me and was actually heart-broken too at being told never to see me again.  What a light the truth from God sheds…

It is important for young people to know that yes, they can love another person, but it is truly God’s design for them to wait for sex UNTIL marriage to protect their hearts because that official PUBLIC declaration in front of family and friends does matter!

Being spiritually joined to another person through sex and then to have them torn away from you with nothing legal to bind you, causes so much personal damage – I am testimony to this.

People matter…their stories matter…their hearts matter…

God truly cares about our hearts so much…He doesn’t give us rules to obey for no reason, it’s so we stay protected.

I have learnt break-ups are so much easier and less damaging when there is no spiritual tie through sex.

I am so grateful to God that today I can now write and share this story; sitting here knowing I am not only FORGIVEN for my fornication but that I also have peace with my first love – that all these years later, The Lord has brought about a chance for us to speak again…to forgive each other and have peace with each other!

Living life with Jesus is truly awesome, as it is the way for forgiveness, peace and reconciliation with both God and others.  He protects and heals like no other can…

In His love, Melanie :)

#FTT - Part Two

#FTT (Failure To Thrive) – 
Part 2

Yesterday I wrote what was probably the longest post I have published here on the blog because I did not just want to LINK scripture references, knowing people sometimes can’t be bothered following the link and the scriptural references were INTEGRAL to the post.

The post was on ‘Failure to Thrive’…if you haven’t read it, I suggest you do…

#FTT - Part One.

It truly saddens my heart when I look and see people failing to thrive…people whom Christ died for simply EXISTING…living without HOPE & PURPOSE!

I gave two reasons for why I believe FTT is being reported as being ‘on the rise’ and even present within the Church.

The first was a lack of reverence for the Holiness of God and a false gospel proclamation which says it’s okay to STAY AS YOU ARE.  The second was APATHY from individuals, only being fuelled by self-seeking pastors.

Today I want to encourage you…Whomever you are reading this post to…SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…for it is then that your #FFT will be combated…

SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU…

I have experienced as a follower of Christ receiving His JOY and HOPE from my God ordained PURPOSE to work for His glory and Kingdom after I was TRANSFORMED, living sold out for Him…and this truly is the remedy for #FTT!

Seek the TRUTH for yourself from scripture (the Holy Bible)…pray and read it YOURSELF with an open and teachable heart! Don’t listen to me or anyone else…Just PURSUE Christ with ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL, MIND & STRENGTH and watch Him to go work in you…for He is FAITHFUL!

Be wary of ANYONE who degrades scripture in any way…even subtly and who wants you to adhere to THEIR loose teaching…Who will offer you flattery over real, genuine care…Sadly yes they are around, but don’t give up on the Church because Jesus died for her and God is faithful and stronger than any of the wolves. Just stay close to Jesus, His Word and people you’ve witnessed leading faithful, pure lives, while keeping alert…

Jesus said His path is NARROW and few will find it…I urge you…Find it!

If you’re just existing…living without HOPE or PURPOSE…I urge you to STOP waiting for the right time, for what is that? 

NOW  IS  ALWAYS  THE  RIGHT  TIME  WITH  GOD!

Tomorrow may never come.

It is NEVER too late to be sold-out-for-Christ; on fire for Him…giving up EVERYTHING to follow Him and work for His Kingdom…Are you hot, cold or somewhere in the middle?

Somewhere in the middle…Luke warmness is existing not living…it results in #FTT – Failure To Thrive.

Maybe you know Christ but haven’t given Him your whole self ?

Let me leave you with first the lyrics and then the video of Casting Crowns, ‘Somewhere In The Middle’ as I urge you to leave ‘the middle’ and surrender everything to Jesus:

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle?
Are we caught in the middle?

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle…

In the service of Jesus, Melanie.

#FTT

FTT (Failure To Thrive)

Here’s some of what I read this morning thanks to Bob and Debbie Gass; writers of 'The Word For Today', a Christian devotional:

“Psychologists have begun to speak of what is perhaps today’s largest mental health problem. And it’s a rapidly growing problem. They call it ‘FTT’, which means ‘failure to thrive’. When you have it, you’re still able to function, but you’ve lost your sense of hope and meaning. FTT isn’t the presence of mental illness; it’s the absence of mental, spiritual and emotional vitality. In ancient lists of deadly sins it was called ‘acedia’, which means ‘weariness of soul and inability to delight in life’. It’s why Jesus looked at a crowd of people with dead-end jobs and a feeling of inner deadness, and said, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10 NIV)…”  Gass; The Word For Today 2015.  http://thewordfortoday.com.au/

What struck me most about this new term ‘FTT’ is that firstly I’ve witnessed it and secondly that it really isn’t a NEW problem…Even though it now has a new contemporary name and is being acknowledged as ‘on the rise’.

Today I say to you that I have seen FTT within the Church; I have witnessed it firsthand.  Before I go any further I also want to acknowledge I have seen attempts to help people overcome FTT too.

While I accept what I am about to say will cause offence to some, I need for you to understand that I am a servant of Christ and it is my aim to please Him first by being faithful to the Gospel and scripture; it cannot be my aim to please people first and foremost as stated in scripture…

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10; Acts 5:29).
Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15).

From what I have EXPERIENCED and WITNESSED first-hand I believe there are 2 major reasons for FTT today.

1. The first is a lack of reverence for our HOLY God and people making God into a god that suits them (idolatry); people saying that scripture is not infallible or inerrant and is to be interpreted in light of our current culture and understanding…furthermore that God changes and progresses along with His people/creation.

Where is the humility in this?  I choose to believe God who says in His WORD, He does NOT change; that He desires us to live in purity; that all scripture is INSPIRED by Him; that people will desire teachers who tell them what they want to hear, not what they NEED to because they love their sin more than Jesus...Do I need to quote this?

All I will say to those people who would try refute me, is show me your fruit…Show me people TRANSFORMED, freed from sin by your gospel.

I have personally experienced and witnessed first-hand the supernatural power of God to TRANSFORM people.

The One true God; the blessed Father, Son and Holy Spirit who takes lost sinners, forgives them and re-births them to become His children…Transforming them into vessels of purpose for His glory and Kingdom…BROKEN people…lost people, existing not living becoming TRANSFORMED this is the power of the one true Gospel.

People who once lived solely for themselves…ruled by their FLESH become people who LOVE God and are no longer ruled by a desire to continue living in sin (sin defined by scripture, not man). Yes they will continue to sin and make mistakes for ‘SANTIFICATION’ is a process, but they will not desire to abuse God’s grace; they will continue to repent and have their mind renewed, to grow and become more and more like CHRIST!

The problem is there are many who now proclaim a false gospel…a gospel which says not only come as you are to Christ, but which says it’s okay to STAY AS YOU ARE…

How is this the truth of the Gospel…How does this free people from slavery to sin through Christ? Christ wants to set us free; He loves us too much to allow us to stay as we are…

For scripture says:

Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6: 9-11)

And also in Revelation21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

2. The second major reason I believe for FTT today is APATHY; stemming from people in the Church who are self-promoting rather than servant-hearted people who encourage and raise up disciples for the Kingdom of Christ.  Leaders who want to be the only one out the front and are happy to leave people as pew sitters.

I won’t say much about this point because it is all about a personal response…For there is no fault in God…He is more than willing to freely give His children hope and meaning.  Scripture says:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Jesus said things to His followers like:

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? (Matthew 16: 24-26)

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”⁶⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 57-62)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”  He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Matthew 19: 16-22)

Then looked what happened when A WOMAN proclaimed:

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42)

Jesus wants THE TRUTH about Him to be proclaimed to the ends of the Earth by His followers…He said the harvest is ripe…Will you be found serving Him faithfully when He returns?

I believe that as followers of Christ we receive His JOY and HOPE from our God ordained PURPOSE to work for His glory and Kingdom after we are TRANSFORMED, living sold out for Him…This is the remedy for FTT!

In His Service and Love, Melanie :)

Let me leave you with "Thrive" by Casting Crowns:

Whatever you do...

I was reminded today of Colossians 3:17

          “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.”  (NRSV)

WHATEVER you do…this is important because we are not all gifted the same, or have the same plan set out for us by God as others. 

Do EVERYTHING in the name…this second instruction is also VERY important as we are to be lights in the world, shining out the truth of transformation available only through Jesus…we’re not just Christians in Church, are we?

And while this verse seems such a basic premise for mature Christian living, in reality it can be more difficult to live out than we may consciously realise.

You see we’re all human and fallible…and when jealousy rears its ugly head, it’s just that…UGLY!

The earlier section of Colossians now becomes very appropriate so let’s now look wider:

          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.  

(Col 3: 12-17, NRSV)

Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and LOVE…none of this is jealousy!

Yet even in the Church (I am speaking of the body of Christ here, the people) we can be jealous of one another…and people trying to do ALL THINGS, whatever they are, in their life for Christ’s glory can be pulled down by others because without even knowing their passion can challenge some.

Yes, I am writing from lived experience but I love the Church that Christ died for and so I will speak of such things.

I know what it’s like to step out in faith and receive those looks – to receive no affirmation…I’ve experienced my public proclamation challenging others…add to that the fact I am a woman and well…

But I also know Christ understands what it’s like to be rejected…to be considered not good enough or qualified…to keep loving people even though the time would come when they’d crucify or desert Him. 

I then think who am I to complain? I am not Jesus and I do not have to face the cross or eternal death thanks to Him!  And I am grateful for the people He provides me with who DO ENCOURAGE me!

Spiritual maturity involves becoming the person The Lord knows you can be…it’s a journey with Him, one in which He will continually encourage and stretch you in…He will NOT beat you up and tell you are not good enough, or that you are too passionate for Him, others may, but Jesus will not.

True love from Him and His people will be encouraging for you to pursue what He’s calling you to do and allow you to grow and change…LOVE does not stifle and put you in a box, rather looks at your heart and delights in your journey of growth and change!

People wonder why some churches are dying and others are thriving…and while there are different reasons of course, I know that I want to be amongst genuine people who encourage from a place of JOY…Real joy which delights in another person in love with their saviour, Jesus Christ.  No church group is perfect, but one which lives by an idea of, ‘You sit in the pew while I serve out the front and you may only do things which make me comfortable…’ is not one which I believe encourages or breathes life into the Kingdom.

Let’s aim to not tear one another down, life’s hard enough…rather encourage one another and build one another up as Christ does, to strengthen His body for its Kingdom work.

Finally, when we confess our sin in church don’t we pray asking for forgiveness for not only our sinful deeds, thoughts and words, but also for what we’ve failed to do? 

Failing to encourage when affirmation can be given, can be just as hurtful as an unfounded hurtful remark…silence can be deafening. Speaking words to encourage strengthens others…encouragement doesn’t stifle people to remain in a box you’re comfortable with it frees them to love Christ even more passionately.

In His service, Melanie.

Let's be His body in ALL it's beauty and joy!

Study, Songs & Scribing...

Life recently really has been a wonderful mixture…

I cannot say I have been driving myself in any ONE direction rather I have not resisted Him and have been letting God blow me where He wants.

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.  John 3:8

Sometimes I can feel pressured to be the person whom the world (like my family, friends and community) expect me to be…

Yet as a creative person I really struggle fitting in – fulfilling the expectations, others seem to have of me to be like everyone else.

Do you ever feel like you don’t fit it?

I read a fantastic quote today in church from William Wilberforce…The man who gave up his life for leading the movement to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire from the late 1700s to the early 1800s.

“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow creatures is to be a FANATIC, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.”

God blew him where he needed to go to fulfil His God ordained purpose and strengthened him to be DIFFERENT!

I’ve been relaxing and remaining open to where He directs me each moment, day and week…

Some of the areas He has blown me to have been studying…I had an assignment due and He enabled it to all come together perfectly in time for when it was due.

Playing songs and writing new ones for His Kingdom and glory…This has been an amazing joy for me on so many levels.  I have been playing my new guitar and singing/song writing with my sister.

Scribing…well it does startswith ‘S’ and I do like catchy titles…I’ve been blessed to recently begin a new writing relationship with a woman from the US and her FREE online Christian magazine.  My first article, only published in ‘Grace Point’ Magazine was on Home-schooling.  Here’s the link if you’d like to read or and/or subscribe to this free Christian, monthly magazine to which I’ll be contributing now to each month:

http://pubhtml5.com/jjph/xlsz

I also wrote a guest blog post for Mr. Bill Kraski on Romans 9:21.  Published solely on Bill’s Christian Blogsite ‘Bill’s Musings’, it’s called Vessels of Purpose.  Here’s the link should you like to read it:

http://www.bills-musings.com/2015/03/vessels-of-purpose.html

Be encouraged to take the road less travelled, being different, and being blown by His blessed Holy Spirit...It truly is a path of joy and excitement while providing His wonderful peace that only He can give!

In His service, Melanie.

Let me leave you with 'Oceans' from Hillsong...to be encouraged to be brave in Him and follow where He leads you...

           'Spirit lead me where my trust is without boarders...Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour...'