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Nobody worries about Christ as long as he can be kept shut up in
churches. He is quite safe inside. But there is always trouble
if you try and let him out.
-- G. A. Studdert Kennedy
A Christian……..a follower of Christ……how do you follow Christ? How do you love Christ? Whose will………His will? How do you hear Him when He speaks? Do you hear Him? Do you listen?
Which are you…….one like the woman caught in adultery……..or the prideful scorner hurling stones?
Are you like the humble tax collector who comes before God admitting your brokenness……….or are you like the Pharisee…..better than the broken one?
Are you saved? You know the beginning…….you know the ending…….but what comes between?
What does this mean?
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
What does it mean to you?
I have to admit, there is nothing easy in being a follower of Christ. It’s easy being saved, easy reading the Bible, going to church, praying but when it comes to actually living our belief and faith……we fail miserably.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I have taken these two verses to heart in a big way. Because being a follower of Christ is sometimes burdensome. Giving up your desires for His desires, asking for His will in your life as opposed to your own….this is not an easy thing. But He equips us, and gives us the strength we need to walk the walk with Him.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
When you ask God to create in you a clean heart…….it means sometimes He has to break you down, bring you to your knees……..and it hurts! Coming face to face with God with all your brokenness has got to be one of the most painful things you will ever do….but I can tell you from the depth of my heart that it is the most spirit refreshing thing you will ever do!
The closer you draw to God, the lonlier you feel as a Christian. There is nothing sadder than talking with a fellow believer about the wonders of the Holy Spirit, the amazing grace of God, and they look at you with glazed eyes. I know this because I too once stood with glazed eyes, just “not getting it”. When I talk about listening to His Word while I sleep, or listening to His Word on my IPOD as I walk, other Christians look at me as though I am whacko!
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
What does that verse mean to you? It means exactly what it says to me.
And if we are mocked for loving God this way……….who is being mocked……is it me………is it God’s work in me……..is it God Himself?
Mt. 11:15
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More happy snaps.........
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Nov 10, 2008 3:46 pm
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This is a rock formation known as London Bridge. I think part of it has been eroded but as you can see, when the tide is out, it makes for a perfect romantic picnic spot!! I hope these people didn't mind us giving them the hairy eyeball!!
Portsea is one of my favourite places to go to. Apart from some awesome surf beaches, they have a gorgeous and very popular pub. You can sit inside, on the terrace or in the beer garden. Unfortunately in summer the flies can be a pain in the butt...but us Aussies have gotten used to doing the "great Australian salute"...waving flies away from our face!!
Portsea is also right near the entrance to the bay, so you can often watch the ships come in and they are very close to the shore...it's awesome!
I had a yummy lunch at the pub yesterday....roasted vegetables with rice and a carraway seed salad...it was soooooooo good!! Had a nice glass of local white too and oh boy, I wanted to curl up on the grass in the sunshine, and have a nap!
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Happy snaps of my neighbourhood!
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Nov 10, 2008 3:29 pm
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Yesterday I went out with a few friends of mine. We were showing an overseas visitor some of the sights of where we live. It was the most glorious day and I so needed to just get out and bask in God's glorious creation!
We have a lot of beautiful beaches in Australia, a lot of beautiful coastline in general. People always think the best beaches are found up north in Queensland but I think us Victorians can be pretty darn proud of our beaches too!
This pic was taken at the Ocean beach in Sorrento. I am so blessed...I get the full advantage of living minutes away from the peaceful waters of Port Phillip Bay (LOL unless the weather is bad...then it aint so peaceful!) and I also live within half an hour of the best ocean beaches.
Sooooooooooo you wanna move in? 
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Pic of a young thingy...before she became a warrior!
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Nov 10, 2008 12:17 am
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This is a pic of me, somewhere in my twenties....which was actually just a couple of years ago....seeing as I'm only 30!!!
By the way, my birthday is coming up soon....you guesed it....the BIG 30!! 
Well I think a few more of you should be brave and share some pics? hmmmmm?
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HOW MUCH WOMAN DO YOU HAVE TO BE?
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Nov 9, 2008 1:52 pm
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Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
I took time out coz I thought God wanted to perfect me as a woman...yet He has made it glaringly obvious to me that I already am that. I'm already complete as a woman.
I keep asking myself, why did I miss that? what made me think I was not woman enough for Him? I don't have an answer to that. Guess the little girl in me is still there, wanting to be acceptable, wanting to be perfect enough to receive.
But He tells me I am perfect enough to receive. He tells me I don't have to strive so hard, don't have to try to solve the puzzle. He wants to be the one to work out the finer details.
And all He requires of me is to be faithful to Him, be available to His leading. He wants me to have ears that hear and a heart open to accept His blessing....in His time.
And as I sit here this morning, feeling like a fool....He takes my hand again and tells me I'm not a fool at all.
I just have to understand, that as His woman, His queen, I am indeed royalty. And I have to start seeing myself in this way.
As women of this most High God, He likens our worth as being far greater than rubies. So then why do we often see ourselves as just costume jewellery.....and why do we allow men to treat us as though we are?
It's tough being a woman in this day and age. We have a lot of expectations and ideals to live up to. The message we get from men is that they want perfection in every way. But is that realistic? Is there ever a perfect woman or a perfect man? Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be everything to everybody?
Why do we often see ourselves....and this applies to both men and women....as never being good enough?
I know I'm covering old ground in saying all this stuff....but I know I need to have it cemented in my heart....and perhaps some of you do too...
I am going to ask each of you ladies reading this....and I will do the same...to seek God this week...to ask Him to uncover the layers...to give us hearts open to Him alone....to birth in us women, hearts that will radiate both inwards and outwards...to gain an understanding of who we are...our worth...He already knows our worth....but we need to have a clear understanding...we need clarity. And the end result? to be able to go out into the world with full confidence and assurance that we are daughters of the King...and we desire our lives to be a reflection of this. We are pearls of great price....only available to the finest merchant who recognizes that we are prized above any woman in the world.
I felt led by the Holy Spirit to write this. This blog is open to thoughts by both men and women......feel free to share what God is revealing to you. Even if you are a woman who is complete and confident...this is for you too....and perhaps you can share what you know. Too many of us women have believed the lie of the devil.......let's be overcomers now. Let's be a light to a dark and perishing world.....let's be women who will not accept less than what God wants to bless us with.....let's reflect the dazzling glory of the Lord in our lives...this week we are to be His women...we know it somewhere deep in our hearts...this week walk with the full assurance, BELIEVING.
Please share in this blog during the week.....pray and spend time with Him ok? Let's see what God will do here....let's invite Him to do some transforming!
Father, I pray for each one reading this.....both man and woman alike...that through this week we will set aside time for You...that during this time we will discover treasures beyond our wildest dreams....that we will find our true identity in You. And even those who are men and women with confidence and assurance in their identity...that they will discover even more the depth of who You are in them. Birth in us a desire to be all that we can be.....allowing You to do the leading and the guiding.....give us wisdom and clarity....touch each one reading this...so that they too can reach out to another...a chain reaction of your reflecting light....I pray our desire for You is magnified in ways we never knew possible. Amen
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HE HELD OUT HIS HAND...............
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Nov 9, 2008 1:58 am
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Psa 103:15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psa 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
I want to share something very special and precious that happened tonight....
I did church tonight and oh how I needed to stand there and worship and praise this magnificent God. We sang this song tonight and it brought home to me, that no matter where we are and how our life is going, God is still there through it all...He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We really are like flowers in the field, here today and gone tomorrow...just a whisper in the wind...yet He never changes and His love never ends 
THIS IS OUR GOD - Hillsong
VERSE 1:
Your grace is enough
More than I need
At Your word I will believe
I wait for You
Draw near again
Let Your Spirit make me new
CHORUS:
I will fall at Your feet
I will fall at Your feet
And I will worship You here
VERSE 2:
Your presence in me
Jesus light the way
By the power of Your word
I am restored
I am redeemed
By Your Spirit I am free
BRIDGE:
Freely You gave it all for us
Surrendered Your life upon that cross
Great is the love
Poured out for all
This is our God
Lifted on high from death to life
Forever our God is glorified
Servant and King
Rescued the world
This is our God
After church I felt the need for someone to pray and lay hands on me. As we were praying, God wanted me to place all my cares and troubles in a box, close the lid and leave them there for another time....not forgotten, but just put aside for now.
Then as I continued praying, I saw Jesus with His hand held out to me, saying "come"....
Just a simple gesture from the Lord.....come.....
Though the storm rages around me still, where my Lord stands, it's peaceful and calm.......come He says.
Just as He said to some fishermen who were tending their catch...leave it all behind....come He says as He holds His hand out to them.
If you are hurting about something, if there is trouble in your life, if your stomach is churning and your heart is crushed....close your eyes for a minute....can you see Him....coz He is there for you too....with His hand outstretched....saying, "come" 
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HOW FAR IS EAST TO WEST?
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Nov 8, 2008 1:39 pm
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Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
I was reading Psalm 103 today......wow!! Now here's a bit of trivia for you. The farthest, both east and west you can go to in the US is Alaska. Yet no matter how far west you go, you will never go east! West goes on forever and so does east. There is no meeting point.
Now read Ps103:12 again......how mindblowing is that!
Reading this brought to mind the song by Casting Crowns. It's also a reminder that when we repent of something, God removes that sin from his memory...and we should do the same. How often we get wracked with guilt over things we have done wrong....things we have repented of, God has removed from His memory....yet we still hold on to it, and whether we realise it or not, it impedes our walk and spiritual growth. Gives a whole new meaning to the words "forgive and forget" huh!
"East To West"
Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other
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Penny & Benny....a match made in....BC????
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Nov 8, 2008 2:32 am
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Ok I am peeved.....to say the least! I got this incredibly romantic email from a man today (see below) and as you can tell from my thoughts as I read the email, I finally thought oh goody I have finally found a godly man with integrity and Christlikeness...one I could trust implicitly with my heart....one who would no doubt give everything up just to come to me (ok so I would have had to mail the money for the airline ticket!!
Well it was all going swimmingly, I was doodling all over the screen, practicing my equally romantic reply...even got the perfume out to spray on the email...just for good measure!
I hate being called "Penny" but I figured I would make the sacrifice coz "Benny & Penny" sounded sooooooo blinkin romantic! I mean, just imagine the invitations for the wedding..."Penny & Benny are soooo hoping you can make it to our wedding in Briafricain...don't forget your chequebook!"
Then I visit Maryann's blog......and what do I see???? 
Just like any self respecting godly man would do....he's got a few women going at the same time! And here was I thinking...finally a real godly man!  (sorry to any real godly men who read this...you can't blame us girls for getting a little cynical!!)
Well let me tell you, my pooky wooky Benny boo...I'm a gonna shake my ass as I walk away too....and I don't care how much it hurts me!!  Ya (????)two timing skunk!
I am Engr.Benny and i am divorced with 3 kids looking for whom to mingle with.mmmm I love a good mingle I am a British born African presently in Spain would that make him a Britafricish?? on business/church activities. aaaah yes, I love a man who mixes his business with church! I am 39 looking closely at 40 oooh another toyboy! and you might wonder why i got divorced at 39,well i was in a relationship for about 18yrs oh a man with longevity and faithfulness...that's a plus! but my ex refused to go with me to the church because i kept on insisting that she must give her life to Christ. I actually thought one day she would change her mind but she never did until she shook her ass Oh I hope he wont mind but all I can shake is my tail feather! and walked away. she can shake her ass and walk all at the same time???wow what a woman...and a tough act to follow, given I can only do the tail feather thing! Though it was painful yeah well you try walking and shaking your ass at the same time buddy! but it was in that regards that a friend told me about this site and after series of praying and fasting, Oh I like that...a man on a mission! God told me that when i get in the site, I will know my wife when i see her at once and really and truelly, when i saw your profile, I felt like i never felt before *sigh* love at first sight! and i pray that God in his infinite mercies should continue to guide and direct me. oh and I'm sure He will guide and direct me too, sugar!
Waiting to hear from you soonest. couldn't be soonest enough for me darling!
With Love Benny E. oodles of love to you too, Benny...from your Penny 
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PERFECTLY FLAWED
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Nov 8, 2008 12:19 am
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1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Do you have flaws? I sure do!
Have you ever been rejected coz you are seen as "flawed" by someone? Yep been there too!
Yesterday the devil pinpointed my flaw, my thorn in the flesh, and he attacked with the full force of his power. I felt like dirt by the time he was through. I recognized my "full worth" is not worth all that much....I am easily disposable.
We live in a world where flaws are a big deal. Hollywood itself is an example of how much worth a person is by their outer perfection. Your worth is measured by the car you drive, the clothes you wear, the plastic surgeon you visit.
And who sees the beauty within?
GOD DOES!
Last night I cried out to God. I asked Him why it should be that my worth is measured by my flaws, rather than my strengths...
I have never heard more profoundly from Him than I did this morning. Not only that, but He showed me through three different sources, one after the other...and each source was based on His Word!
The one that impacted me most was in my daily devotion this morning. The reading was in 1 Cor 1 and the analogy given by the author of the devotion was this....He spoke of his boyhood hero, Davy Crockett. He was blown away by Davy's courage and exploits. But years later, he read the real life story of Davy Crockett and found him to be a man who made mistakes and had serious personal problems. The book depicted him as being both flawed and frail. He found it disappointing and reassuring at the same time, because the reality made Davy Crockett more accessible to him....and even more of a hero.
He went on to talk about the fact that in the Bible God often used people who were far from perfect, for His glory. He uses those of us who are flawed and frail, so that He can show His strength and grace.
All He asks of us is a willing and available heart.
So take heart, my friends....if you are flawed....you are worth a LOT to God!
The strength of a person's character is clearly seen by the measure of worth they place on the flaws of another.
HERE IN MY LIFE - Hillsong
I have never walked on water
Felt the waves beneath my feet but
At your Word Lord, I’ll receive Your
Faith to walk on oceans deep
And I remember how You found me:
In that very same place
All my failing surely would've drowned me
But You made a way
You are my freedom
Jesus you’re the reason
I’m kneeling again at Your throne
Where would I be without You
Here in my life, here in my life?
You have said that all the heavens
Sing for joy at one who finds
The way to freedom, truth of Jesus
Bought from death into His life
And I remember how You saw me:
Through the eyes of Your grace
And though the cost was Your beloved for me
Still you made a way!
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Back for a bit......anyone got chocolate????
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Nov 3, 2008 5:24 pm
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It's a public holiday here in Melbourne....Cup Day. Yep one of the few countries in the world who get a day off for a horse race!! But hey, I'm not complaining...I'm enjoying my day off work!
Sooooooooo you're probably wondering.....has the warrior thingy turned into a fantastic woman of God??? The answer is.....wait for it....hold your breath for a few seconds longer.....are you ready??? The answer is...........NOPE!! Still the same old donkey...but I have a lot of faith in God, and He will finish this work He started in me! One of these days I will be ALL WOMAN!! Course that might be the day I wake up in heaven....but it will happen!
You know, after I left I realised how much on empty I was running. I was powering along and then suddenly it all just collapsed....I collapsed.
Want to know how bad things got? I was driving down this windy road that had a steep drop on one side......and I thought how easy it would be to just not take the next bend. That was when I realised I was in bad shape.
I've been tormenting myself with stuff from my yesterdays. Stuff about being deceived by people I have loved. I was chatting with a girlfriend last night who has been through the wringer herself and we both came to the conclusion that "trust" is becoming harder and harder.
I wonder how someone could say "I love Jesus" in one breath, while they are deceiving and twisting your heart in the next breath? I don't know....guess I'll never comprehend this and I realised I just didn't want to torment myself with wondering why. But I know that God sees it all and He looks after His children. You reap what you sow, and when you live deceitfully, you will pay a price in some way. God is merciful and loving.....but He is also just, and He does not like to see His children being mangled about by anyone.
As for realising my worth as a woman.....I was in this Christian bookstore and quite by accident came across this awesome little book called "His Princess..Love Letters From Your King". The author is Sheri Rose Shepherd, and if you can find this book....especially if you are going through pain....I totally recommend it! In fact I'm going to do posts on it from time to time coz it has really impacted me. It's stuff we know in our hearts....but need to hear over and over...coz let's face it, we all need affirmation!
Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying...God hears and I am so grateful and blessed as a result. Thank you my friends! 
I have been praying for you too. There are some of you who I have been praying specifically for coz I know your needs, but I've also been praying generally. God knows what you need so I just ask Him to do what He does best where you are concerned.
Well that's it for now....I'll just sit here quietly and wait for the chocolate donations!!! 
LOVE YOU!!
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P.S...............................xoxox
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Oct 19, 2008 2:35 am
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I came in to answer comments on my "gotta leave you" post...and oh wow I didn't realise there would be so many!
I know that if I stick around and answer each comment, it would be easy to then just look at some blogs....and you know how it goes!
Ok I gotta admit......I am also crying. Yup I'm a sentimental sooky la-la! This happens each time I have to take a break...or if one of you takes a break....crikey it's like cutting the umbilical cord!
I have read every comment...figures Corrie is back when I'm going! Missed you, sweetie! And Robin this is for you.... I'm praying for you and Thomas...PJ your words make me cry even more!! All of you a big fat....
I pray I will be back soon....but I'll leave that in God's hands!
Gonna leave you with a song we sang in church tonight....it's my prayer for each and every one of you! Love you and pray God's blessings on each of you...He is why we are friends!
Planet Shakers - Rain down
I am falling to my knees
I need You Lord to breathe in me
My prayer is still the same
My heart is calling out Your name
Sweet anointing fill this place
I am found in Your embrace
Rain down on me
Rain down on me
Here in Your presence I am free
Pour down like rain
Come and touch me again
Lord let Your presence fall on me
I am longing just to see
Your power and Your majesty
Sweet anointing fill this place
I am found in Your embrace
Sweet anointing
Wash me over
Sweet anointing
Wash me over
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
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To link to this blog (ms_warriorthingy) use [blog ms_warriorthingy] in your messages.
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