Rulan's Heart For God

Many blessings for this season.

2011-11-23T07:33:00.001+13:00

This girl is only seven years old. What an incredible singer.

God bless you all this Christmas and always.

Veined Octopus

2009-12-20T14:24:00.003+13:00

When I heard about the Veined Octopus, I drew a cartoon of it and added it to my zazzle store.

I have been creating

2009-10-05T11:09:00.003+13:00

Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I last posted, so I thought I'd show you what I have been up to lately. I started two online stores, one at CafePress and one at zazzle.

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Black sands of Kawhia

2009-02-25T19:38:00.000+13:00

Update about house fire

2009-01-27T06:18:00.003+13:00

David Meigs (aka curmudgeon's rant)has posted an update here about their house fire and the blessings that God is pouring out to him and his family through people. It is a wonderful testimony of the Lord's love and provision. We have an awesome God.

New update re David Meigs' house fire

2009-01-17T11:22:00.003+13:00

I found this article about the fundraiser that is planned for David and his family. It gives details. Please pray the Lord blesses the auction. Thanks.

Fundraiser Planned for Family Displaced in Seabeck Fire

Update re David Meigs' house fire

2009-01-02T08:38:00.001+13:00

David and his family are still busy trying to sort things out and it could be awhile before David gets back to catch up online. They all sound in good spirits and God has been blessing them through people. God is awesome and people have been so wonderful.

There are some big things still to resolve, but the small things like where they are going after they leave the motel are coming into focus. They are looking for a couple of used travel trailers or old motor homes to put back on the property until they can rebuild. In the meantime they are planning to stay at the church.

I don't want to see them in old trailers or motor homes. I want to see them in a real home of their own and I'm praying that the Lord will somehow provide them with the means to get a house built.

Please join in prayer for a house for them to make into a real home. Thank you all for your prayers and blessings for David and his family, they are greatly appreciated. God bless you all.

David Meigs' home burned down.

2008-12-26T10:42:00.005+13:00

On Monday this week, December 22, just three days before Christmas, David Meigs’ of Curmudgeon’s Rant home burned down. They lost practically everything, but they all got out safely. Praise God!

David and his three sons were home at the time, and his wife Darla, was at work. Their youngest son has one large blister on his foot and the hospital treated David for smoke inhalation, but other than that, they are all okay. They are staying in a motel while they try to figure things out.

They had no time to dress or even put on their shoes. In freezing conditions, they got out of their home wearing only their pajamas. Barefooted, they had to dig their car out of very dig deep snow so they could drive 3/4 mile to a neighbor's house and dial 911. I bet that was so cold. Brrrrrrrrrr

The fire destroyed everything in their home including all their computers and all David’s work is gone. Fortunately, I had been doing some editing for David and therefore had copies of two of the novels he has written. His novels need a publishing home, just as David and his family need a home themselves.

Please pray the Lord blesses them in all areas of their needs.

Here is a link to the story with more details of the fire.

Praise God, David and his family are all safe. What a mighty God we serve.

I have been asked where help can be sent to and seeing as I have been told where, I shall add it here.

Two organizations that David belongs to, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) and the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) are collecting donations for the family through PayPal. The NorthWest Zone Director for ACFW, Annie McDonald is coordinating the fund.

If you'd like to contribute to the Meigs Family fund go to Paypal.com and send your donation to dancingword@gmail.com (put "For the Meigs Family" under the comments).

Annie McDonald
ACFW Northwest Zone Director
Greater Puget Sound Area Coordinator

Bonnie Calhoun
Dir.- CFBA
Founder/Owner - CFOM

Hi there. Long time no see.

2008-05-02T08:32:00.001+12:00

The sky is electric yellow this morning; rain is teeming down and the sun, only risen an hour ago, glistens in a vale of tumbling diamonds. Rain splashes the ground outside, hissing and dancing in the autumn chill.

Just before the sun rose this dawn, cloud stacks of brilliant pink had towered above the land, foretelling of rain to come.

As I write this, the sun has lost its battle with the clouds and the rain has vanished in a sodden ground. All is now still, except for the birds with their early morning trill.

I love the rain with the sights, smells and sounds that it brings. God has been watering His garden.

I felt down this morning. I wanted to curl up and vanish from the world, but God's glorious morning broke through and touched my heart.

Like colors of the rainbow, there are seasons in our lives. If we dwell on the Father and the wonders of His Son, we can surely know, His work in us is not yet done. Mighty is our God!

Have a blessed day, my friends.

P.S. The sun has just broken through and jewels sparkle in its light.

My art for you to see.

2007-11-26T09:01:00.001+13:00

Hi everyone. Sorry I’ve not been around lately. I am almost finished my course so here’s hoping I get back into the swing of things soon.

David Meigs of curmudgeon’s rant has very kindly posted some of my artwork on his website. Thank you so much, my friend.

So, please all my friends out there, feel free to take a look and let us know what you think.

There are three pages full of my art. If you click my name on David’s main page, it will take you to some of the drawings I did specially for David’s book. From that page, there is a link to my nature paintings and a link to my horse and dogs drawings.

You will also find more of my story art on the page with David’s sample chapters of his wonderful novel. I love his writing; it is full of adventure, excitement, humor and the power of God. It also has a tale of love woven through it. It's well worth a read.

Happy birthday to me

2007-07-04T05:23:00.000+12:00

Today is July 4 here in New Zealand.
It's also my birthday. yay
Happy birthday, me.

Riders of the storm.

2007-05-23T08:42:00.000+12:00

I can see riders of the storm.
Can you see them?

Town on the East Coast

2007-04-26T09:24:00.000+12:00

Open our eyes, Lord

2007-04-22T06:24:00.000+12:00

There are times in life when we may feel we are on our own. But wherever we are, whatever the circumstance, we are NEVER alone.

Whether we are on the highest mountain or in the darkest valley; whether we are on a deserted beach or scorching desert, we are NEVER alone.

Angels surround us and the Lord is with us. The Holy Spirit is in us. The Father on high watches over us and loves us.

So then, if God be for us, who can be against us?

Breathe in the beauty of the Lord. Revel in the glory of His presence.

Praise Him, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

We are NEVER alone.

Silence

2007-04-13T05:49:00.000+12:00

Beyond our understanding

Winkie Pratney in desperate need of healing

2007-04-04T18:36:00.000+12:00

Winkie Pratney desperately needs your prayers. He is in hospital and in a very bad way.

Please go to winkie's blog and read the correct information on his condition. Then please pray for his healing and for his family.

God bless you all for your faithfulness.

God is awesome and hears our prayers. Praise be to our God.

We rushed outside

2007-03-10T13:07:00.000+13:00

Yet another fire breather in the early morning sky. The man up there saw us watching and he called down to us...

"Sorry for disturbing you."

I chuckled. No way did he disturb us. We love watching the balloons and hearing them roar.

Oh, I would love to fly.

I got my ears on for that final trumpet. Oh what a day that will be.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-23T15:16:00.000+13:00

This is a photo taken by my youngest child.

Our friend, Curmudgeon

2006-12-06T12:49:00.000+13:00

Hi everyone. I trust that you are all well and doing just great without my help.

You remember the wonderful stories our dear friend David of Curmudgeon's Rant used to post on his blog? Well, today (right now) and tomorrow, his ‘Wilbur Hucks’ posts will be up for reading at Scenes & Beans

Need balance

2006-11-28T09:15:00.000+13:00

It's been too long since I've posted or visited. I feel bad about that. Please forgive me. I miss you all.

I'm working at sorting things out. I tend to focus on one thing at a time and I'm badly in need of balance in my life. Hopefully I'll get that balance right some day.

Sorry for neglecting you all. I've been caught up in my studies and dreaming up a novel.

I hope you are all well.

Here is a photo from http://www.drdale.com/cam/

Wish I could have a white Christmas.

What a day.

2006-11-13T09:52:00.000+13:00

A friend took this photo awhile back.

Snowy Tops

2006-11-12T10:54:00.000+13:00

Hi everyone. I have been given permission by Dale Ireland to post the occasional picture from their Live Cam located in Silverdale, 20 miles west of Seattle.

The Cam faces west across Hood Canal towards the Olympic Mountains, Washington State, USA.

This shot was captured today. I would love to wake up each morning to see such beauty. The small size of this picture doesn't do the scene justice, but if you left click on the photo you can see a larger version.

Undecided

2006-11-09T07:04:00.000+13:00

Playing with my photos

2006-10-29T07:15:00.002+13:00

Morning song

2006-10-27T06:19:00.000+13:00

The sun isn't up yet and the gray half-light covers the land. Hardly a car to be heard. Heavy clouds speak of rain.

The birds here this morning are singing with a newness of joy like they do following a long awaited shower.

I can hear finches, larks, blackbirds, starlings, sparrows, song thrush and many more.

What birds do you hear in the mornings? Are you surrounded by trees full of morning and evening song? Do you listen to their different voices and marvel at the sound?

Oh Lord, the birds sing their praises to You each morning. How wise we would be, if we did the same.

Neighbor's dog

2006-10-20T07:41:00.000+13:00

I set my friend an email this morning and told him this little story about last night. Seeing as I’ve been a bit scarce lately, I thought I’d shared it with my blogging friends as well.

The neighbor's dog woke me up the other morning around 1:30 with its continual yapping and it kept me awake for two hours or so. It yaps all day as well.

The neighbors either don't know what to do to stop it or they just don't care.

Anyway, as my daughter was getting ready for bed last night, that dog was yap, yap, yapping. It's some kind of terrier. (The little terror)

Well, I'd about had enough and wanted a good night's sleep so, I opened the kitchen window and yelled "Q-U-I-E-T..!" Emphasis on the “T”.

Instant silence!

I quickly and quietly shut the window and went down to my daughter’s room to get her into bed. She had a big, knowing grin on her face so we both had a little chuckle.

Anyway, for a good 15 minutes that dog was too stunned to bark. He must've wondered what on earth had happened. My daughter was still grinning after we said our prayers and then kissed good night.

I went out of her room and started getting ready for bed. The dog gave a few questioning yaps testing to see if I really meant what I had said.

If I had of ignored it, the dog would have seen it as license to continue. Well, I knew my girl hadn't had time to fall asleep, so I opened the window and yelled...

"Q-U-I-E-T..!"

Instant silence!

I reckon all the neighbors got a good night's sleep last night, just like we did and just like that dog did too.

Fair enough if a dog barks for a reason, but not just for boredom. And, it doesn't pay to talk back to this kiwi who likes to go to bed early and rise at 4:00am.

Hot water beach

2006-10-18T18:45:00.000+13:00

Well done David

2006-10-17T08:11:00.000+13:00

Our very own David of Curmudgeon's Rant has had one of his contributions as "Wilbur" used by best selling author, Brandilyn Collins at Scenes & Beans: Celery and the Wasp

Well done David. I really enjoyed reading your story. It made me laugh and brightened my day.

Life is good

2006-10-10T09:21:00.000+13:00

I walked my child to school in the sunshine this morning. I had this thought pop into my head before we left the house..."take the umbrellas" so we did.

There was sunshine at our backs all the way up to the school. But you should have seen the sky ahead of us. It loomed blacker and blacker as we walked.

We got to the school just as the first couple of raindrops fell. We said goodbye and I turned for home. The raindrops fell a little quicker and the wind stirred in the trees.

I opened my umbrella as the rain began to fall. I had only walked a hundred yards from the school when the hail started.

I passed an elderly gentleman sheltering under a tree with his umbrella. We grinned at each other, chuckled about the hail then I continued toward home.

Hail danced around me, rain splattered the path and puddles grew. With all its might, the wind fought to kill my umbrella.

Wind, hail and rain saw this kiwi get wet. lol

Now the sun is shining again and the sky is blue.

Spring is wonderful; so unpredictable it's almost predictable. I love the spring.

Thank you, oh my Father. I worship at your feet. Blessed by your Holy Name.

Life

2006-10-04T08:39:00.000+13:00

Yesterday’s poem was for fun. It was a poem to express the joy of spring, the power of life.

Spring is gifted with newness. Flowers full of energy burst loose from the soil. Reaching for the sun, they explode with glorious beauty.

The womb gets too crowded and life springs forth. Young lambs frolic and play. New foals wobble on shaky pins.

Warm air mixes with cold and thunderous clouds billow and roll.

I love the spring.

Spring is a joy, The Father’s delight.

Restless like the weather

2006-10-03T17:21:00.000+13:00

Spring is here.
The winds bluster and rain floods down in squalls.
Clouds scurry across the sky.
The beaches and fields call me, yet I have no car.
Like a caged tiger, I have no way to escape.

Free me Lord

2006-09-19T18:01:00.000+12:00

Part the clouds, oh wondrous Lord
and let me see thy Face
Touch my soul and heal this child
please let me know thy grace

Upon the Rock I stand
lift up mine eyes to thee
let me sing eternal praise
and worship at thy feet

Guide my heart to You oh Lord
and bring me to my knees
shatter all my childish fears
and fill me with Your peace

My heart does cry to You my God
please fill me with Your life
grow me in Your presence
and help me in my strife

© 19-9-2006 Rulan Capper-Starr
- Rulan's Heart For God

Beyond the waves

2006-09-15T05:21:00.000+12:00

I would love to cross the waters,
Oh Lord, is there a way?

Imprint from past

2006-09-09T07:57:00.000+12:00

I love the bagpipes. An Uncle of mine used to play in a band and, on Christmas Eve, they used to march in and out of all the shops and us little kids would joyfully scramble along behind. It was a thrilling experience.

Unfortunately, those times past.

Anyway, a few years later and many miles away, I was standing outside at dusk, in our backyard in the bush surrounded suburban gully where we lived.

The sun had just dipped below the hills leaving a yellow wash against the darkening blue.

All went silent, and then from somewhere, way up the valley, a lone piper played "Amazing Grace."

I will never forget that night. I don't remember how young I was, and I was far from being a Christian, but it was like God imprinted that evening into my spirit.

I'm back, I think

2006-09-04T07:23:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone, how are you all? I see that I have been missed and that touches me deeply. Sorry I have neglected you. For a start, I was busy working on an outline for a novel, then I had a sore back for a week, but that’s better now. Praise the Lord.

I am now just over halfway finished editing David’s book. I hadn’t realized just how much fun editing is. Muahahaha Perhaps, with training, it could become a home based job? That would be cool.

Anyway, I shall try to be more social.

Scenic interlude

2006-08-14T15:03:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't been around visiting lately. Anyway, I hope to be back again soon.

A son's prayer

2006-08-08T12:00:00.000+12:00

Please pray for David’s mom who is in hospital. You will find the details over at Curmudgeon's Rant
Let’s expect a mighty move of God!

Longing for distant shores

2006-08-07T09:49:00.000+12:00

Winter cold

2006-07-31T05:17:00.000+12:00

Yesterday morning, it was 0 Celsius or 32 Fahrenheit. It would have been nice to have had a logfire to snuggle up to.

This road has four lanes and is usually busy. Guess I must have been the only idiot silly enough to go out in the cold so early on a Saturday morning.

Anyway, I was just studying this photo and it somehow reminded me of life. Our sight is often limited by the seasons we're going through. Some days our way is clear and we can see what's on the horizon.

Other days, the dark, cold mists shut us in and our vision is short. Our course isn't always clear, but as we walk in faith, the Lord guides our way. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

Trust in the Lord and He will make your path straight.

Alone with my thoughts

2006-07-27T06:24:00.000+12:00

Christian Writers

2006-07-25T17:04:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone. Today I learned that not all my blogging friends know of ChristianWriters.com so I thought I’d take this opportunity to tell you a little about my favorite web site.

ChristianWriters.com is a community where writers gather for fellowship and to polish their craft. There are even forums where you can place your poetry, fiction, nonfiction and screenplays for critique.

Come on over, sign up for a free membership and join the family. Be sure to introduce yourself and tell them that Hawkie sent you!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

2006-07-20T10:26:00.000+12:00

I visited Cowboy Sunsets this morning and he had a post there about a thunderstorm. As he listened to the storm, his thoughts strayed to Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I was moved to pray and so I felt to post my edited comment here as encouragement to us all to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Oh Lord, raise up Your army to protect Your chosen ones. Let all the earth see Your glory. May the enemy tremble at the mention of Your Holy Name.

The battle belongs to You; Oh Lord Who rides the Heavens.

Come in power and majesty, oh Mighty Father. Raise up a standard. Let only Your will be done.

May every knee bow before You in worship.

In Jesus' Mighty name.

Amen.

No greater love

2006-07-15T18:05:00.000+12:00

“Friend, this I do for you.” The stranger reached out and touched my hand.

“But sir,” I protested. “I don’t even know you. How can you think of taking my place?”

The stranger smiled the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. “Trust me,” He said. “All will be well.”

Suddenly the guards were there. They seized the stranger and pulled Him away.

“No...!” I cried as His hand slipped from my grasp.

In horror, I watched as they beat Him to the ground. He didn’t even struggle or try to protect Himself.

They bound His wrists then kicked Him and spat on Him..

“Stop it!” I yelled. “Stop it! Can’t you see He is innocent? I am the guilty one.”

I shook the bars of my prison door, but the guards ignored me.

“Please,” I begged. “Tell them you’re innocent. Tell them I’m the one they’re after, not you.”

The stranger looked up with eyes full of love and compassion and my heart broke in two.

What could I do? What could I say?

I could think of nothing as the guards pulled Him to His feet and dragged Him away.

In a daze, I staggered away from the prison door. Tears flooded my eyes and I fell to my knees.

I was the cause of the stranger’s suffering. I buried my face in my hands, but could not escape the look of compassion I had seen in His eyes.

Darkness closed in and nothing broke through the gloom.

Then I heard a sound and looked up as the prison door swung open. Brilliant sunlight flooded in and shadows rushed away.

There stood the Son of God; the One Who had taken my place.

In fear, I fell at His feet.

He reached down and lifted me up. “Do not be afraid, I have come not to judge, but to save. I have come to give you life.”

“But it was because of what I have done, that you died. It should have been me.”

“Yes,” said the Lord. “But I chose to do it. I gave my life, so that you could be free.” He smiled down at me. “No one took my life. I gave it as a gift.”

Please continue to pray

2006-07-14T13:33:00.001+12:00

Hi all. Thank you so much for your prayers for Kay.
She has bone marrow cancer.

David has posted an update. Curmudgeon's Rant
Please continue to pray.

Prayer request

2006-07-13T07:35:00.000+12:00

Please pray for David’s friend, Kay. She needs
a miracle and we know the miracle worker.

Please visit David's blog Curmudgeon's Rantto learn more. And remember, our God delights to do the impossible!

He reigns from heaven on high and He loves us all.All praise, honor and glory be unto our God forever and ever, AMEN!

Obedience

2006-07-10T16:19:00.000+12:00

This was my dog Tessa.
Her mum was a German shepherd;
her dad was most likely a Labrador retriever.

She was my baby before I had any children
and she has long since gone. What a dog
she was. She learned so fast and was so keen
to please. Every time I picked up the lead,
she’d rush to my side, waiting for her
mistress’s commands. She would bark and
growl on command or be silent.

Tessa had a heart. She would face down
anything I set her to. Whether it was a bull or
crazed cow with a calf, Tessa would be
there if I needed her. She would have given
her life to protect me, yet when my children
came along, she was gentle as a lamb.

If I was down the farm and Tessa was a long
way from me, as long as she could see me,
I could raise my arm in the air and then bring
it down with my hand out flat and she
would drop to the ground. She would stay there,
on that spot, until I gave another signal.

I could say, “Over” and Tessa would go in
whatever direction I pointed. She wasn’t
trained to work stock, but I had taught
her many verbal and nonverbal commands
that proved invaluable on the farm.

One day, we were walking around the farm
with our boss and I put Tessa in a down stay.
We kept walking and talking while watching
the hay being bailed. Then the tractor entered
the paddock where Tessa was.

As the bailer worked around the paddock,
it got closer and closer to her. Finally, the bailer
was heading straight for Tessa.

I thought Tessa would move, but she didn’t.
I yelled, but she couldn’t hear me above the
noise of the machinery.

Tessa looked at me, looked at the bailer then
looked back at me. She wasn’t going to budge
unless I gave her the command. The tractor
driver had to stand on the brakes and wait.

I raised my arm then slapped my leg and
Tessa flew to me like a bullet from a gun.

I can't help but wonder what God could do with
that kind of trust and obedience.

July 5

2006-07-04T16:54:00.000+12:00

Here is something really different. But really cool.

Author (and blogger) Brandilyn Collins has written a novel that comes out in August called Violet Dawn. It is part of a new series she has started called the Kanner Lake Series. She sent out Advance Reader Copies to those who requested them and asked them to choose a character that they liked. Then she asked the readers to send her a make believe post from the character for a make believe blog by the 'Kanner Lake' make believe residents. This is going to be an actual blog full of ficticious bloggers written by real bloggers who liked Violet Dawn. Confusing? Well, it begins today, July 5th! Go check it out by pressing the button for Java Joint!

4th July

2006-07-04T12:37:00.001+12:00

Here in New Zealand, it's already
4th July.
Would it be vain to wish myself
a happy birthday?
Anyone for tea or coffee
and a slice of banana cake?

2006-07-01T18:16:00.000+12:00

It is July 1st, time for the FIRST Day Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and their latest book's FIRST chapter!

This month's feature author is:

Marilynn Griffith.

Marilynn Griffith is a freelance writer and conference speaker whose online columns reach over 20,000 women each month. Her recent writing credits include Pink(Shades of Style #1), Made of Honor, Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul, Proverbs for the People, and For Better or for Worse. She is also a blogger! Visit her Rhythms of Grace blog and learn ever so much! Marilynn lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with her husband and children.

Her latest book, Jade (Shades of Style #2), just came out and she has agreed to be our July feature author for the FIRST Day Blog tour.

Having the perfect life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Designer Lily Chau doesn't know if she's finally got it together or if life is starting to unravel. With a successful boyfriend and a great job at up-and-coming fashion house Garments of Praise, it seems she has the perfect pattern for success. But her mother's health is failing, her boyfriend just won't pop the question, and being a pattern maker is a far cry from having a clothing line of her own. Lily is sure her hands are just too full to draw her deepest dreams.

Raya and Chenille, Lily's pals at Garments of Praise offer plenty of advice and sympathy. Jean, Lily's co-worker and second Mom even goes behind Lily's back to boost her chances of success. When she's chosen for the reality show The Next Design Diva, it seems like the chance of a lifetime for Lily. But the mysterious designer chosen to mentor her sends her spinning. He's fresh, fine—and way off limits. Suddenly Lily's life goes from carefully patterned to nothing but a tangle of threads.

Praise for the Shades of Style series:

"Griffith's ...Shades of Style series features four women in the fashion industry: Raya, Chenille, Lily, and Jean. The women fight to save their struggling business and learn some important lessons about people, life, and faith."— Library Journal

“The …Shades of Style series combines multicultural characters with heartache, drama, humor, and romance.”—Charisma Magazine

Read the FIRST chapter!

PROLOGUE

The envelope held Lily Chau’s future. She held a letter opener, stabbing under her nails for the remnants of her past. Skimming under the nail of her ring finger, she snagged what she’d been going for, a hunk of prunes caught under her nail last week during the chop and puree fest once known as her mother’s breakfast. A breakfast that her mother had returned as quickly as Lily had spooned it all in, leaving Lily standing in a puddle in her best shoes.

“Jump in the shower. Grab the black pants. Your wrap blouse is clean. I saw it the other day,” her neighbor Pinkie had said, arms going in every direction. “You don’t know how to feed her, Lily. You should have waited for me.”

Lily had tried to wait, but her mother wasn’t in a waiting mood today. The guilt over leaving her mother hungry with their neighbor had sent her into a chopping blending frenzy that ended as such things usually did, seeping into her shoes and staining her best skirt. But that was okay. She’d put a barrette in her mother’s hair and fed her breakfast. Where God chose to store that breakfast was up to Him.

Though Lily was known around the office for her eclectic and exciting personal style, the pants she wore now were turning into her work uniform. But her mother was still alive, her boyfriend was still dropping hints about their inevitable wedding and she grew closer to God each day. Things were good, with hopes of getting better. Becoming stable.

So why was she holding the letter opener in both hands? Lily poked the point of it into the envelope, tracing the letters in the return address: The Next Design Diva Show, Nia Network. Lily slipped the blade into the envelope’s back flap then slid her finger against the instrument’s edge. She pulled upward slightly, ripping the corner and . . .

“Are you sleeping in here?” A husky voice laced with laughter echoed in the hall before its speaker reached Lily’s office. Jean believed in giving people warnings of her impending arrival, even her friends. For everyone but Lily, the announcement was usually warranted since people tended to find Jean a little intimidating. Lily saw through Jean’s fast moves and loud talk . . . to her heart. She hoped her friend wouldn’t see her through her just as quickly today.

“Can’t you ever stay in your office during the creative hour? We’ve got thirty more minutes. Take a nap why don’t you? Or color in a coloring book like that guy over in production.” Though Lily chided her loving workaholic friend for coming to visit when they were all supposed to be spending time alone to refuel their creativity, the interruption was a gift. For a moment she’d let herself consider something impossible. Something still forked on her letter opener.

Jean whisked into the office just as Lily swept the letter into her desk drawer, where it would accompany her secret copy of Modern Bride and a cigarette she’d found after quitting and hadn’t thrown away.

Lily squirmed under her friend’s withering glance as Jean pushed Lily’s huge fossil doorstep into place. Jean shook her head. “Oh my. Now she’s cramming things into that drawer again. Don’t tell me. You’re peeking at those silly ten dollar wedding books? Or were you dreaming of that picket fence on Long Island with your doctor friend?”

Warmth rushed to Lily’s face. “Neither. You need to stay out of my desk, you nosy thing.”

Jean approached Lily like a lioness in a good suit. A hearty laugh bubbled up from her throat. “Listen, honey, nobody needs to be nosy to know anything around here, especially when you stuff that drawer so full it can’t shut. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to come in here and pick all that mess off the floor since you ran the custodian away from here.”

“Here you go with that again. I told you. I did not run the custodian away. He can still clean in here . . . when I’m around.”

“Uh huh,” Jean shook her head in pity.

“He was stealing my rocks!” Lily banged the letter opener on her desk, wanting to shove it into the drawer too, but now to afraid at what might come flying out if she did.

“Listen to what you just said. Stealing rocks. Now I admit you’ve got some of the best pebble and bauble collections I’ve ever seen, but you’ve got to let it go.” She reached around Lily and yanked out the drawer. The magazine unfurled as if she’d pulled the string on a parachute. Fabric swatches, neon note squares and office supplies spilled over the sides and onto the floor.

Jean stuck her hand toward the back and came out with a pitiful excuse for a Virginia Slim. “You’ve got to let this go too. You haven’t smoked in almost two years. What are you doing, planning a slow suicide some time in the future?”

“I-I-just give me that, okay?” Lily reached for the cigarette and peeled back its skin, emptied the tobacco guts into the trash while trying not get too much of the smell on her fingers. As she considered what she’d really saved up for later, disobeying the voice of God, Lily became much less concerned with Jean and more concerned with her own heart. Sometimes it seemed like she’d come so far, but there still those little secrets she tried to keep, parts of her life she tried to stuff in a drawer. And God kept having to come and pick up the pieces when it spilled over the side.

She grabbed a wet wipe from her purse and scrubbed her hands, only to realize what dangled from Jean’s fingers.

The envelope.

The rumpled magazine had covered it, but as usual Jean had left no stone, or mangled bridal book unturned. She looked as though she’d caught a tiger by the tail.

“So they did pick you! I knew they would. They had to. I told Raya I was going to call her father myself if they didn’t.”

Lily froze. She’d carried the envelope around in her purse for two days wondering why the show had written her. She considered submitting sketches several times, but each time something happened with her mother’s health to make her forget it. There was also the quiet that had come over her every time she’d prayed about it. She felt as though she was suppose to wait and see the salvation of the Lord, that what God had would come to her through another way. Now it seemed that her other way might be from the office down the hall. “What did you do?”

Beads from Jean’s bracelets jangled as she shook her wrists. “Nothing much. I took a few sketches from your book and scanned them. Sent that robe you designed for that stupid boyfriend of yours—”

Lily clenched her fists. “The kimono? That was Ken’s Christmas present. I’ve been looking everywhere for it. How could you?”

Her friend smiled. “Easy. Now hush and open the letter. At least I don’t try and match you up with men. Not that you couldn’t use some help there too . . . Don’t look at me like that. I care about you.”

If this was caring, Lily didn’t want to think of what not caring might feel like. She pried the letter from Jean’s fingers and placed it into the drawer, now empty except for a star-shaped paper clip in neon pink and a pencil with no eraser. Lily’s sketching pencil. She stared up at the ceiling. “Why couldn’t I have regular friends who don’t care about me so much. Goodness, Jean, how could you? I mean sure I’d love to have my own line, my own show, but I can’t—”

“Here we go again. You really should have been a Catholic you, know. You’re a natural at the guilty martyr thing.” Jean dropped into the chair a few inches away. “We’ve been over this a gazillion times. You can do this. None of your excuses hold water, especially your first one, that you’re not good enough. You’re good enough and you have the sense to still question your talent. Good enough for me. As for your mother, she can go wherever you go.”

It was Lily’s turn to laugh this time, though there was little humor in it. “Like the way your grandkids could go wherever you go, Jean?”

Her stoic friend grabbed the desk with a white-knuckled grip. “Okay, you got me. I still think you should open it. Just to know.”

“No thanks,” Lily said, taking the letter from the drawer and ripping it to shreds. “Some things are best left unknown. The things that count though, that people care about you and want the best for you, those are the prizes of life.”

Jean’s jaw tightened as she swept the torn bits of paper into the trash with her cupped hand. “Oh, please. Friendship is great and everything, but this is it! Your shot. And you ripped it up. How could you?”

Lily covered her friend’s hand with her own. “I don’t know, but I did. If it’s mine, God will bring it back . . . at a time when my hands are free enough to hold it.”

From JADE, by Marilynn Griffith, Revell Books

ISBN 0800730410, June 2006, Copyright © 2006. All rights

reserved.

TO ORDER JADE (SHADES OF STYLE) PRESS HERE!

A trembling volcano

2006-06-26T16:41:00.000+12:00

This view of Tongariro National Park is taken from the Tongariro
Crossing walk and looks toward the Red Crater with
Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu in the background.

Image belongs to Virtual New Zealand
http://www.virtualoceania.net/nz

Mt Ngauruhoe is also Mt Doom in the movie
Lord of the Rings.
Image belongs to Virtual New Zealand
http://www.virtualoceania.net/nz

Image belongs to Virtual New Zealand
http://www.virtualoceania.net/nz

Needed a change

2006-06-25T13:36:00.000+12:00

I needed a new look for my blog and when I saw what David had done over at The curmudgeon's rant I got excited. I wanted to steal what he did, but I didn't want to take away his thunder.

Well, I've been having great fun playing around with templates all morning. Now it's 1:47 in the afternoon and I'm starving. Catch you all later, cause I'm meaner than a rattler without my food.

True colors

2006-06-21T05:54:00.000+12:00

Here it is, folks. This is how the photo below, should look.

This was taken at Mount Maunganui on the east coast in The Bay of Plenty, North Island and that is Whale Island in the background.

One of my mother's cousins used to own Whale Island, but they sold it a few years ago.

The day this photo was taken, the storm swept in across the sea and when it hit there was thunder and lightning. The rain poured down in buckets. It was wonderful to see.

The beauty of God's creation. What a gift.

Gone for the weird view today

2006-06-18T10:50:00.000+12:00

As you can see, I had a bit of fun with this photo when I scanned it onto my PC.

Can you tell me what you see?

What's on the far side of the river?

I wonder who lives up in those distant hills?

Go on, give us some ideas as to what's in the photo and in a few days time, I will post the real one for you.

Until then, have fun and God bless.

Tame the paper beast

2006-06-13T13:04:00.000+12:00

Do you suffer from author's mess or is it just me?

When I’m researching a novel I end up with paperwork and clippings and photos etc all over the place. Add to that the fact that I also have artist's mess and well, I’m sure you get the picture.

It’s not that I don’t try to be organized, it’s just that I don’t have much room and when I need something, I need it NOW. lol

Today, I needed to find some info that I had collected to help with keeping my facts straight for my novel and it took 15 minutes and a few clumps of hair before I found the papers I wanted.

I need a filing system, some way of bringing order to the chaos and keeping track of all my research notes and story ideas. I have folders, but they are now full and overflowing.

Are there any fellow writers and or artists out there with great ideas for overcoming the chaos?

What method do you use to tame the paper beast?

Can you see what I see?

2006-06-11T04:34:00.000+12:00

My imagination runs wild sometimes, which comes in handy for writing novels and doing my art. Anyway, I see something in this photo and I wonder, do you see it too?

An update

2006-06-10T09:09:00.000+12:00

Another photo by my daughter.

Hi everyone, it’s great to have you drop by my humble little blog.
Just thought I’d let you know that David, aka “curmudgeon” has posted a Thank you... on his blog to all who have prayed for him and wished him well.

It is so cool to know that so many have been praying and believing for David’s healing and recovery. Thank you all so much. I look forward to meeting you all one day, whether that be on this earth or up in heaven, only the Father knows.

Don't forget to check out David's pun picture for the week.

Please pray for the family who have lost their 11 year old son. Details are at M.C. Pearson's blog. You will find the link there on the right. Thank you.

We serve a wonderful, loving God. All praises to Him Who sits on the throne.

Please pray

2006-06-06T07:47:00.000+12:00

David of The Curmudgeon's Rant has posted on his blog, that he had a heart attack last Wednesday. Please pray a complete recovery and healing for our dear friend and fellow blogger. Visit David’s blog to learn more.

Remember, God is mighty and inhabits the praises of His people. Praise, honor and glory be unto God our Father.

This photo was taken by my oldest daughter.

A fellow kiwi

2006-06-04T10:22:00.000+12:00

Hey everyone, I’ve found a blog by a fellow kiwi.
Please go and say hi to her at Acoustics4me
She has taken some awesome photos of New Zealand.
Wow. They make me want to paint.

Painted Sky

2006-06-03T13:16:00.000+12:00

Bold colors against the dark. What an awesome sky.

Who said there has to be bright colors to paint something beautiful?
What a masterpiece this is.
Look at how the Creator carefully painted every whisp of cloud, every shadow of tree.
See the colors He chose.

Wow. Isn't it amazing? Isn't our God wonderful!

Father, You have me in awe of You.

Warm autumn

2006-05-27T06:07:00.000+12:00

It’s early morning here and black as night outside. The autumn air is so warm, 18C or around 65F and its 90% humidity.

God is watering His creation. The music of the rain filters through the darkness like tiny liquid diamonds tinkling in a crystal glass. So pretty, so sweet, so needed and welcome.

Our God amazes me. He could have created things not to need the rain, yet He chose it to be this way. He chose for us to see His provision, His love.

He created some plants to need the frost. Some fruit need a frost to make them sweet for the picking.

Seeds and bulbs need winters chill in order to flourish in the spring.

Gum trees need fire for their seeds to open and sprout.

Life needs death in order to grow.

Nature mirrors our needs.

When we die in Christ, we live for Him.

May God's love fill our hearts and our praise fill the throne room.

What do you see?

2006-05-25T17:40:00.000+12:00

We were driving to the beach one day and I looked up at the clouds, as I am prone to do, and this is what I saw.

What do you see?

I see a bride with a hat on, dancing with her long vail sweeping out behind her.

The clouds can be so beautiful at times. They remind me of the Father as He spoke creation into being.

Mad Max

2006-05-24T09:47:00.000+12:00

You are of value

2006-05-21T06:07:00.000+12:00

Okay, the bird in the photo is a Fantail, not a sparrow. It is so small against the bush, the land, the sky, the world and the pond. Yet, it has value to the Father. It reminded me of Matthew 10:29-31.

29... “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

30... “But the very hairs of your head are numbered.

31... “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Earthquake

2006-05-17T14:32:00.000+12:00

The earth groans as it awaits the Day of the Lord.

I slept very well last night. Never even knew there was a quake. Mind you, the house I rent shakes each time a truck goes by so a quake would have to be huge before I’d even notice. As is, it probably rocked me off to sleep. lol

Janice emailed me this morning and asked if I’d felt the earth shake. Nup, that was the first I’d heard of it.

I did a search on the web and was delighted to find this news report.

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 · Last updated 11:42 a.m. PT
Earthquake strikes near New Zealand

By RAY LILLEYASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- A powerful earthquake hit deep under the South Pacific late Tuesday north of New Zealand, and it rocked a wide area of the country, but no damage or injuries were reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a bulletin saying the magnitude 7.4 quake had not generate a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami but warned it could spawn a small tsunami within 60 miles of its epicenter.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at 10:39 p.m. (6:39 a.m. EDT) about 90 miles below the seabed, and was centered about 180 miles south-southwest of Raoul Island in the Kermadec island chain, which is 712 miles northeast of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland.
It came hours before countries around the Pacific rim were to test a tsunami warning system spanning the world's largest ocean.

Later Tuesday night, an earthquake measuring magnitude 6.8 struck western Indonesia, but no damage or casualties were reported and the quake did not appear to have triggered a tsunami.
The quake struck at 10:28 p.m. (11:28 a.m. EDT) off the coast of Nias island, just over 600 miles northwest of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta. Indoesian meteorologist Agung Sunaryadi said "some cracks were reported on land, but that's all we've heard."

The powerful quake north of New Zealand, which seismologists said registered at magnitude 7.5, rocked a wide area of the country - but was unlikely to have caused damage, seismologist Ken Gledhill told The Associated Press.

"It has been felt very widely but is unlikely to have caused any damage in New Zealand," he said, adding that within half an hour more than 500 people had reported the quake's impact.

"It was too deep to have ruptured the sea floor," Gledhill said, adding a tsunami was unlikely "if that depth is correct."

A policeman in the east coast North Island town of Whakatane said he was sitting on a chair talking to the police communications center in the northern city of Auckland when it struck.

"Things started moving and I thought, 'this is a goodie,'" said Sgt. Andrew O'Reilly.
Wellington police inspector Peter Stokes said there were no immediate reports of injury or damage.

"We sure did feel it. Our building swayed a bit," he said.
Raoul Island was the center of a series of earthquakes during a volcanic eruption in March that killed a New Zealand Department of Conservation worker and forced the evacuation of the island.

Several conservation workers returned to the island last month to perform tasks like eradicating weeds, monitoring birds and preventing the arrival of unwanted pests such as rats.
There was no immediate word on whether they were affected by the quake.

The quake was felt as far south as Christchurch on South Island.
New Zealand is among more than two dozen countries taking part in the drill to test the Pacific warning system that has been in place since 1965.

During the exercise early Wednesday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii will send out warnings about mock earthquakes off the Chilean coast and Luzon island in the northern Philippines that are powerful enough to set off a tsunami across the vast ocean.

Governments will test if and how fast they receive the warnings and how rapidly they are relayed through domestic emergency alert systems.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1106AP_New_Zealand_Earthquake.html

Winter is coming to New Zealand

2006-05-15T09:47:00.000+12:00

This is Mount Te Aroha. Well, technically, it’s not really a mountain, but hey who’s counting those last few inches? Lol

This photo was taken a trillion years ago, back when I didn’t know hubby. He’s the one hiding behind the camera.

Anyway, I remember the day well. I was at a friends place and it had been a beautiful warm day. Then suddenly, about 3:00 in the afternoon, some strange looking clouds swept across the sky like a shroud and the day turned dark and cold.

The clouds only stayed for about 20 to 30 minutes, but when they cleared, snow blanketed the “mountain” and hills beside it.

I had never seen snow in Te Aroha before and was stunned by the beauty. It is such a rare event, that even after 25 or so trillion years, I have not seen it again. Sure, we get the odd sprinkle of white dust occasionally, but nothing like that day.

Here is another photo of the “mountain” which I took about 10 or 15 years ago.

Anyway, today is sunny here in Hamilton City. Though the sky is clear and blue, the wind is strong and c-c-c-cold. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Unexpected sight

2006-05-10T16:53:00.000+12:00

I climbed to the top of a very tall sand dune one day and was amazed by what I found.

Angels all around

2006-05-09T11:54:00.000+12:00

The Lord reminded me of something He showed me a couple of years ago. I was sitting in my living room, fellowshipping with three Christian friends. Suddenly, I saw into the spiritual realm.

I had my eyes open to both worlds. I was looking at my friends with my natural eyes, but my spirits eyes could see all around me. I could see passed the walls of my house and even see behind me without turning my head.

On the hills all around my house, I saw a legion of angels. They appeared to be resting between battles. Some were sitting, some were standing and some were talking quietly amongst themselves.

In the natural, the countryside around me was green and lush, but in the spirit, I saw it as a desert. The grass was gone so there was only dust and the trees were without leaves.

I don’t know why the Lord opened my eyes that day, but it gave me great encouragement.

We are NOT alone. Praise God.

On higher ground

2006-05-05T17:58:00.000+12:00

This was taken at the top of New Zealand. If I remember correctly, this is the very tip of the North Island where the rock stretches out into the sea.

The Beach

2006-05-04T07:13:00.000+12:00

We might be going to the beach this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. I love the ocean, the sound of the sea, the rumble of waves and cry of gulls.

My oldest daughter wants to go sand boarding (All she needs is a board). Me, I'd rather race a horse at the water's edge, as I did when I was young.

I used to break and train horse’s way up north at Mangawhai beach. We exercised them daily, riding in all kinds of weather, through the pines and over tall white dunes out onto the beach. I’d ride like the wind, horse’s hooves clattering on wet sand, water spraying in the air and my spirit soaring.

Back then, I wasn’t a Christian, but praise God, He found me. Now, when I visit with the Lord, it’s as if He and I are beside the sea. I've even had visions of Him and me walking together on the beach.

Lord, please take me to the beach.

Golden Hills

2006-04-29T17:13:00.000+12:00

There's gold in them there hills.

These hills are near Mt. Te Aroha in the North Island of New Zealand. They are normally green, but on the evening I took this, it was summer and the grass was brown and dry.

The sunset colors were awesome and turned the hills to gold. To me, they looked like velvet.

I have ridden horses many times up those very hills. Those were the days...

Hi there I am back

2006-04-26T11:15:00.000+12:00

Short timeout I know, but hey, I missed all you guys and gals. And, let’s face it, what would the Internet be without this here kiwi stirrer to keep you all out of mischief, eh?

I know you’re all queuing up waiting for me to come mosey on by your blogs, but don’t rush out the door and flee for the hills too fast. lol

I’ve been having a great time with the Lord. Had to start sorting myself out. See, I can be pretty darn hard on myself and the Lord, through a very dear friend, showed me the error of my ways. Thank you my friend, you are a true blessing.

This morning I found out that on April 22nd, Tim from Cowboy Sunsets received his pastoral license. Way cool, brother. Congratulations, may the Lord bless you and Vicky wherever He leads you.

Timeout

2006-04-24T08:47:00.000+12:00

Hey friends, just letting you know I'm taking some time out. See you in a little while and don't worry, I'll be back.

God bless.

By special request

2006-04-23T05:31:00.000+12:00

Here is another drawing of mine. I am posting this one, because my dear friend David of The Curmudgeon's Rant requested it.

Yesterday was yesterday

2006-04-22T07:51:00.000+12:00

Peace upon the rock

No amount of worry or regret will change what’s been and done. Dragging our yesterdays around will only weigh us down.

Yesterday was yesterday. Can’t change the past, can’t bring it back. Neither can we delete it.

Life isn’t a computer keyboard. I can’t find any keys that say... shift, backspace, insert, page up or page down, undo or delete. There’s not even a copy and paste. Can you believe it?

But, life does have one thing a computer has. It’s called “view.” We can choose to change the way we view things. How cool is that?!

Instead of the cup being half-empty, we can see it as half full.

Let go the load that only Jesus can bear. That’s where freedom lives, that’s where grace abounds.

Isaiah 26:3; 30:15 “O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.”

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Horse mad as a child

2006-04-20T12:45:00.000+12:00

Just thought I'd show you one of my pencil drawings.

God is so good

2006-04-18T09:55:00.000+12:00

Hi folks. I’m in a rip roaring good mood this morning. I don’t know why exactly, I just am.

God is awesome, isn’t He?! He rides the heavens. He created heaven and earth. He is our God and I love Him to pieces.

The best day of my life, was the day I asked Him into my heart. Oh, how I wish I had written that day down somewhere. I would love to celebrate it. Still, I can celebrate it whenever I think of it. How cool is that?

Smile, Jesus loves you. You are what He came here for. God bless you.

He died that we might live

2006-04-15T09:22:00.000+12:00

Praise God.
Through the sacrifice of His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, we have hope of eternal life with Him.

By asking Jesus to forgive our sins and welcoming Him into our hearts, we are born again. Death and hell no longer have power over us.

May your Easter by blessed with the nearness of God the Father.
May your hearts be warmed by the truth that set you free.

We have an AWESOME GOD. Praise be His name.

Where is your focus?

2006-04-12T11:38:00.000+12:00

What do you see?

Do you see the fingers of the enemy or a hand of light?
Is your eye focused on the storm or the faithfulness of God?

When troubles come, it is easy to fear.
Is the storm so close that you cannot see the light?

Fear not, for the Lord is with you. He will never let you go.
He holds you in the palm of His outstretched hand.
He loves you.

Dwell in the truths of God’s word and trust in His unfailing love.

Well, I'll be

2006-04-06T09:43:00.000+12:00

How's this for some fancy foot work?

Have you ever heard of "Break-dancing" with a partner?

It takes teamwork I'm sure and with a little more practice, this fine young couple would have it just about right. Wouldn't ya say?

Why?

2006-04-06T06:12:00.000+12:00

When do we stop asking why?

I ask "why" all the time.

Why does this happen?

What makes things tick?

Why do I see things this way?

Why does my past color my today?

Why do I act this way and not that way?

Why do clouds form in the sky?

Why do hearts sometimes turn dry?

Why do I make the same mistakes?

Why do I ask so many questions?

Why are friends so wonderful?

Why is love so powerful?

Why does the ocean swell never cease?

Why does hot air rise?

Why do I blog?

Why do we sometimes ask questions when we know the answer?

Why do people feel "blue" when they are sad?

Why does God love us?

Why did I post all these questions?

Have I provoked you into asking why?

Why...?

And why is it that when I post two or three posts in one day, most people only see one of them?

God bless you, my friends.

Is it a bird?

2006-04-06T05:53:00.000+12:00

These photos are just some from the ones we took looking out from our front door. There were heaps of other balloons, but this one was our favorite so far.

Breathing giants in the sky

2006-04-05T10:34:00.000+12:00

There is excitement in Hamilton city, New Zealand. Many roaring beasts lift towards the heavens in the early morning light.

Their shadows cross the sun and they glow in its halo.

We can hear them as they drift through the air above our house. They breathe like dragons and spit flames into the sky.

We can’t help ourselves. We rush for the door and charge outside. We have seen them many times before, but still it is thrilling to watch the mass migration.

This week is the Balloon Festival and the sky breathes with the roar of hot air balloons.

http://hamilton.co.nz/photogallery.aspx?category=159

http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/

My old friend Dusty

2006-03-29T07:44:00.000+12:00

I managed to load the photo I mentioned the other day. This is Dusty, she was Quarterhorse crossed with an Arabian.

Couldn't ask for a kinder natured animal. Mind you though, she bucked me off once. She sure chose a good time to do it too. Right in the middle of a western riding show ring.

The man who was buying her watched as my faithful horse flung me in the dust. I must've looked a right sight to.

I was 4 months pregnant at the time. Just as well I landed on my rump.

Guess Dusty didn't like the feel of the curb bit in her mouth.
mmm? I wonder if she knew she was being sold?

Nah, she couldn't have... could she?

Hi friends

2006-03-28T16:34:00.000+12:00

Hi friends, sorry I’ve not been around so much lately. I’ve had family staying and we’ve been busy catching up. I’m sure you know what it’s like.

I wanted to post a photo of one of the horses I used to own, but after an hour of failed attempts at uploading, I finally gave in. Guess I'll have to post a picture for you next time.

It is so good to see our friend from The Curmudgeon's Rant back again. Welcome back curm, we sure missed you.

Now, if you like horses and the country lifestyle, as I do, please go and look at Cowboy Sunsets blog. It's so cool to see how many Christians are out there blogging.

God bless you all.

God loves us.

2006-03-18T21:33:00.000+13:00

God loves us. We are His children and as we travel down the road of life, He is with us. When we stumble, He picks us up, dusts us off and tells us all will be well.

He loves us.

Heads or Tails?

2006-03-14T11:01:00.000+13:00

Which way is up and which way is down?

Am I looking at you funny or is your head upon the ground?

Are your legs too short or your head too heavy?

Is the world all topsy-turvy, or am I upside-down?

Hi everyone

2006-03-09T12:10:00.000+13:00

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. Don’t get too close to me, I’ve got a bug or virus and I keep sneezing. Six or seven sneezes in a row gets beyond a joke.

I had hoped to finish a drawing I’m working on for someone today, but then I get to sneezing and sneezing. I can’t look at the drawing when I sneeze or it would make a mess. I can’t draw while I’m looking away, or that would be even worse and I can’t keep the pencil on the paper when I sneeze either or...

Well, I’m sure you get the picture. Lol

Anyway, I looked at this photo of Huka falls in New Zealand. It's basicly the run-off from a hydro dam. Well, I got to wondering how much power is in a sneeze. Could a sneeze be harnessed and used to produce elecitricity?

If so, how many sneezes would be needed to run a light? Imagine trying to harness enough sneezes to power a whole city or even an electric train? And what would they have to do to keep people sneezing? eek.

Another thing I thought of as I looked at this photo, was the awesome power of God's love. There is nothing to compare with the love of our Lord. Water can seep through a tiny gap, it can mold and shape the earth, but it can't mold and soften a heart of stone. Only the love of God can do that.

Excuse me, I got to go and sne... sne... sneeze.

Change of thought

2006-03-03T10:40:00.000+13:00

I was weary this morning and began to feel down-in-the-dumps.

Bills piling up with no money to pay, lawns to mow, but they’re too wet and I didn’t feel like doing them anyway. I just felt like I wanted to be pampered for a change and it got me down.

The enemy knew how to get me. He knew I was tired and he knew what buttons to push. There are few people I talk to and the one I wanted to talk with today was unavailable. I felt isolated and very much alone.

Then I remembered a dream I had a few days ago. I had told my friend about it and they had given me some great advice.

“Positive thoughts need to fill the times that old thoughts used to rule. It's like exercise... like pumping iron. It's about choosing the right thing, thinking the right way and seeing others and circumstances through the eyes of Christ.”

My friend had said more, but that was what stood out to me today. So, I did as my friend had suggested. I decided not to dwell on the things that got me down. I resisted those down-in-the-dump feelings and set my mind on good things. I refused to let my old thinking patterns take hold.

Wow, it really worked. In very little time, I felt so much better, so much more positive than I had earlier. Praise God. I have a smile on my face.

Hills of iron

2006-02-24T07:24:00.000+13:00

If one grain of sand counted for 100 years, then one cupful of sand out numbers our time on this earth.

Imagine all the grains of sand in the world. Their vast number cannot even begin to match the years of eternity. Eternity can't be counted in years, because it will be timeless, but oh, what a thought.

Sound familiar? The stallion

2006-02-14T23:07:00.000+13:00

Animals aren’t quite as dumb as we may think them to be. No sir. Take for instance, the fine Arabian stallion that my first boss owned.

Why, that horse thought he was the prettiest darn critter that ever lived. I watched him one day when he thought no one was around.

He was showing off to all the fine “lady” horses in the surrounding paddocks. He was prancing and dancing like some lovesick girl. What a showoff.

He got so enthusiastic, that he started galloping round and round his paddock. What a sight. Rich bay coat glistening in the sunshine. Black mane and tail whipped in the wind created by his speed.

Every so often, he would slide to a stop, spin around and with a squeal, he’d race off in the opposite direction.

On one of those fast laps, he lost his footing and all four legs shot out from under him. With a thump, he landed flat on his side and slid across the grass.

You should have seen the look on that horse’s face. I nearly cracked up with laughter.

What did that horse do?

Well, he sat up and looked around. The mares were watching him and I think he also saw me.

That stallion shook himself, then lay down and rolled around in the dirt. After a few moments, he got up, looked around again then lay down for another few rolls.

When he got to his feet, he shook himself and walked off to the far end of the paddock to eat grass like nothing had happened.

I shook my head. A cover up? Men, they are all alike!

Happy Valentines Day.

Walk on water

2006-02-13T16:54:00.000+13:00

I look at the ocean and think about when Jesus walked upon the water.

The Lord held out His hand and Peter went to Him.

Then Peter took his eyes off the Lord and saw the wind tossed waves. Fear crept in and Peter began to sink.

Peter cried out to the Lord and in an instant, the Lord was there to save him.

Peter is not alone. Fear takes my eyes off Jesus too. At least Peter got to walk on water.

How cool is that?

Within the stream's flow

2006-02-03T09:26:00.000+13:00

One night in church, I had a vision of stones in a stream. At first, I saw small pebbles that lay on the bottom with the water flowing gently over and around them. They looked so beautiful and smooth.

Then I looked upstream where the current was a little faster and I saw other small stones with sharp edges bouncing and tumbling along.

Some distance away, a waterfall tumbled from a high cliff, its turbulent force smashing large rocks against huge boulders until they shattered into smaller rocks.

As the current swept them along, the rocks collided again and again. The more they collided, the smoother they became and the faster they traveled.

Sharp pieces fell away and some broke in half, revealing beautiful glistening gems. Slowly the friction and assaults produced a fine, polished effect.

But, the rocks that sat away from the stream’s main flow, hadn’t yet lost their sharp, jagged edges. They sat in the dirt, unable to move, with their inner beauty still hidden from view.

Trust in Him

2006-01-23T10:50:00.000+13:00

About twelve years ago, we were watching a movie on TV in which some people were climbing a rugged, snow covered mountain. They had to scale dangerous rocky cliffs and huge walls of ice. Some of the people lost their footing and fell to their deaths, while others had narrow escapes.

When the movie paused for advertisements, I shuddered and said to my family that I would never dare to go climbing like that. Having declared this, I went to the kitchen to make everyone a hot drink.

As I started to make the drinks, the Lord gave me a vision. I can see it clearly, even after all these years.

In the vision, I saw the Lord standing in midair near the face of a huge, rocky cliff. The cliff towered far above Him, and dropped so far below Him that I could scarcely see the bottom.

I was standing on a steep grassy slope, clinging desperately to a small tree just inches from the cliff. I was level with Him, but He was ten or twenty feet away from me.

The Lord held His hand out, beckoning me to let go of the tree. He wanted me to step out into nothingness and climb out along that cliff to Him.

He said, “Will you trust Me?”

Then the vision ended, but His words were imbedded into my heart.

“Will you trust Me?”

For a start, I was too fearful to let go of the things that made me feel safe, but He has never left me and as I go through life, I am learning more and more to trust Him. Each day, I take a step closer to Him.

Peace to you all

2006-01-17T09:08:00.000+13:00

Hi my friends, how are you all today? I pray that you are well and that you are walking the path that God has called you to. Know that Jesus loves you and that He gave up His life just for you. He is the Rock upon which we stand. Praise be to His name.

Remember this; the enemy cannot drag you from the hand of our Father. Our Father in heaven is far mightier than anything that the enemy can throw at us.

Raise up your hands in praise and surrender your troubles unto our God. He loves you beyond all measure. He is the One Who rides the heavens. He is our God.

I hope you have all been reading curm’s testimony at Curmudgeon's Rant If not then you are missing an amazing account of God’s glory and grace.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, my friends.

Silence

2006-01-13T16:08:00.000+13:00

Sit with Me

2006-01-12T17:38:00.000+13:00

Come with Me to the water's edge

come sit with Me awhile

Don't you know I love you

and that you are My child.

A sunny day

2006-01-11T06:37:00.000+13:00

To all who are trapped in winter's land, this is a reminder that summer will soon return.

May the Lord bless you with His presence
and comfort you with grace.
May His glory fill your lives
and lift your hearts with praise.
May His joy abound to you,
His peace with it to bring
and may His arms enfold you,
His comfort seeping in.

Peace to you, my friends. The Lord will NEVER leave you.

A New Name

2006-01-06T12:03:00.000+13:00

I pray this isn’t too confusing, but as you can see, I have changed the name of my blog. Why?

Well, it is simple really. For years, my childhood hurts have kept me locked into my pain and insecurities. But, with the encouragement and help of a dear friend, the Lord has healed me and I am now looking toward the future. The kid belongs in the past.

Praise the Lord. His mercies go on forever. In Him, we are a new creation. In Him, we walk the road toward our final goal; life in His eternal Kingdom.

Do you have past hurts that hold you back? Do they stop you from being all you were created to be? I pray the Lord will bring you healing, as He has done for me.

Curse of The Nephilim by D.A. Meigs

2005-12-30T11:45:00.000+13:00

This book is the first in a series and a must read if you enjoy adventure and the thrill of seeing God’s power at work.

It is a spiritual warfare novel packed full of fun and adventure. The Blade boys get up to some amazing antics and see some awesome things.

I love the way the character's come to life. They seemingly leap off the pages.

David Blade, the main character, follows God's calling even though he knows it leads right into danger and the gravest test of his life.

Talk about keeping me on the edge of my seat. My heart was in my throat.

I wanted to keep the main character at home safe and sound, but he insisted on following the Lord no matter what, even if it meant death or worse.

D.A. Meigs sure knows how to tell a story and I could see the grace of God all the way through his book. What a way to show people the benefits of following the Lord and the possible consequences if they don’t.

Awesome!

Mr. Meigs began writing the books when he learned that he had a terminal illness. As a leaving gift to his family, he set about writing a book for each of his children.

In “Curse of The Nephilim,” the main character is named after his oldest son, David and so it works on through for each of his children with each new book.

At present, the book is off the market as Mr. Meigs is updating it.

Soon it will be available again and will even have a brand new cover. I am looking forward to getting a copy of the new version once it is in print. When it comes out, I will be sure to announce it's arrival.

Now, here is something awesome.

Mr. Meigs gave Pa Blade the same terminal illness that threatened his own life. He had planned to have Pa die, but felt the Lord say that Pa was to be healed ninety percent after a seven-year curse was broken. So, Mr. Meigs wrote it in as he felt led.

Then God did an amazing thing. He healed Mr. Meigs ninety percent after seven years, just as had been written for Pa Blade. Mr Meigs is our curm of Curmudgeon's Rant.

God is awesome and His mercies never end. All praise be to Him Who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb. Glory to God.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T06:10:00.000+13:00

Merry Christmas

May you be well for the Lord’s
birthday and may you know
the heart of the Father.

It is Christmas day here in
New Zealand and my ten
year old wants to open
gifts so this is a short post.

God bless you as you
draw near to Him.