Josh and Shell

We have had a wonderful Christmas and the new year is just around the corner…though some will enjoy it more than others.  I, myself, will be sleeping when the clock ticks over to 2010 (I’m working a late-early new years eve to new years day…thanks whoever did the roster).  Oh well, it’s always a bit of an anticlimax anyway. I think we’ve missed the countdown the last two years, swimming in the pool with the radio not turned up loud enough. Bah, oh well.

Anyway, Josh, Aurora and I are on another family holiday.  This time we’re at the Gold Coast, Robina, rather than the rainforest of Springbrook.  We are happily house-sitting for Aunty Vallie and Uncle Len as they are away in America for 3weeks.  If you could see what I’m looking at through my bedroom window you’d also be thinking that life is pretty good right now…and, no, it’s not Josh in a pair of boardies relaxing in the spa (yes, there is a spa).  Yes, a waterfront view is very relaxing and pleasing to the eye it’s a nice change of pace to being at home with so many people coming and going.

Since June we’ve been living with my Mum and Dad.  It’s been good, we’re saving heaps, plenty of babysitters, easy for Josh to travel to work, but being here, it’s really nice to have so much space!  We can just spread out and I only have to do two loads of washing and it’s done (rather than 5)!  It’s a shame it has to end soon.  We’ll have to go back to the three of us sharing a room.

I know so many people have gone back to living with their parents to save money after getting married, but that didn’t make me feel any better about it.  I used to get really down about it, feeling like we were letting Aurora down because we couldn’t give her enough stuff.  But when I was reading the Christmas story to her I realised something - Jesus was born in a manger in a stable!  I know, you’re thinking, ‘Der! You only just realised that?!’  I mean, I knew it before but I’ve only just realised that it was good enough for the Son of God to be born into such a humble environment, so it is good enough for Aurora to be (temporarily) sharing a room with her parents, etc.  That’s just what I got out of the Chistmas story this year. Still, we are so blessed to be able to have a holiday by ourselves and then we get to go water ski-ing at Grafton for two weeks as well!!! Thank you Lord.

written by Shell

Well, its been a year. Not to shabby year too. We’ve come along way really.

• Getting Married
• First time being on plane (Josh)
• Went to Whit Sundays
• Preparing for baby
• Went south to Nowra, through Sydney
• 21st Birthday’s, which we still need to have parties for!
• Having baby
• Fainting while having baby
• 1st Christmas
• 1st New Year
• 1st Camping trip
• 1st Mothers day
• 1st Anniversary!

Theres stacks of stuff we did. And I probly didnt list half the stuff. So where are we at now? Well I (Josh), have taken Aurora and Rachelle on a surprise week away to Springbook at The Mouses House. Its pretty nice, we’re in Bashful of the Seven D’awfs.

This place features afair bit, check there website… but I’d highly recommend at least a couple of nights here!

Rachelle had no idea, that was the best part of coming here… She suspected maybe this place, but just to trick her more I drove straight past here. The only unfortunanate part of this whole week away is that Aurora is sick. She’s pretty miserable actually, she has a cold. So we’re finding it pretty hard to get her to sleep as her boggers are overtaking her! Poor thing - she just needs lots of love and prayer.

Besides from that, when we get back from our little holiday we have 4 days to move out. Still no certainty to where we are going.

Well, tomorrow is another day.

Josh

written by Josh

Study Guide;
Read the scripture
Discuss meaning
Relate to now

Jesus Begins to Preach

MATT 4:12-17

“Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near”

Started with the ‘spiritually hungry’ – Galileans of Galilee (v15)

Jesus is culturally sensitive (v17) - specifically uses phrase ‘Kingdom of heaven’ rather than ‘Kingdom of God’ because, out of respect and reverence, Jews do not pronounce God’s name.

Matthew’s audience: the Jews.

MARK 1:14-15

“The time has come” (v15) God is acting in a ‘now’ context. The Kingdom of God/Heaven is near, it’s urgent.

Marks audience: the Christians in Rome.

LUKE 4:14-15

Holy Spirit was with Jesus (v14) when he returned to preach.

Sought out synagogues, sought out opportunities for fellowship and gained integrity (v15).

Luke’s audience: the Gentiles

JOHN 4:43-45

Shows perseverance, for returning to Galilee as a prophet has no honor in his country. (v44) Be a good example before witnessing, or even after being convicted of wrong doings. Don’t be discouraged to share what is truth.

John’s audience: new Christians and spiritually seeking persons.

The Wrap Up

What we learn from this starting point of Jesus’s ministry is to seek out the spiritually hungry. Be friends with non-Christians, look for opportunities to share. Be consistent with the message of other prophets (e.g. John the Baptist - “Repent”). Be culturally sensitive by respecting what the people consider to be sacred. Have a non-judgemental attitude. Also, to share the Gospel effectively we must pray and be empowered by the Holy Spirit; for without God we are useless in any ministry, particularly one that saves. Finally, actions speak louder than words so be a good example in your daily living before witnessing. If you’ve done wrong things before, don’t be discouraged to share what is truth and how God has changed you.

written by Josh

Happiness is a strange thing, well, to some.  Happiness, some say, is defined by how you feel, what others say, what you have and, some may say, by what you take or read. When were you at your happiest? What do you strive for to be happy?When you were born, you came into this world full of joy and happiness. You were at your peak - this peak may very well define for the rest of your life that something you strive for. From here on you learn love, pain, wrong and right, all these things now come into play. Through these life long lessons you come to an understanding of happiness at many times through your life, for some it’s daily.There are countless magazines telling you “how to be happy”, “things that make you feel good”, “happiness is found in (our products)”, “5 things to make you happy” and the list goes on and on. Are we so sad that we need other people to tell us how to be happy? We were born happy, really happy people. Filled with innocence, filled with joy, filled with love - because we didn’t know any better?

Adam and Eve were two very happy people. One day walking through the garden they find themselves talking with a devious snake that told them how to ‘be happy,’ have God-like understanding, simply by eating some fruit. This fruit they ate from was certainly not to be eaten! God himself told them, “you will surely die if you eat from that tree!”

These two people were not unhappy people, but, for some reason, they listened to the ungodly and believed that they needed to be better than what they were. Do you think there are similarities in what we read, talk, listen, take today? Is it possible that by growing up you’ve realised that you need to be better then what you are, your happy self. All of sudden most of us find ourselves running in circles - we think these promises said by others to help us be better, be happier are worth giving up what you already had to start with. Then you lose both.  You lose the happiness that you were created with, you think your new found happiness is better, but it too goes away… leaving you empty inside. So we look to the next thing and the next thing until we find ourselves taking pills, drugs or doing things that we thought were so disgusting when we were younger.

With these new feelings inside we find ourselves justifying our actions… actions that we said we would never do. Somehow they feel so right for that very short amount of time. We won’t turn away from these impurities because they have grabbed what is left of our hearts and we find temporary comfort in it.  What do we do!? How do we fix it!? Getting pulled from side to side sucks. One part of you is saying, “Yes more,” the other “I want out.” It’s a sad thing, so sad you find yourself crying once, twice, maybe everyday.

Christians are the worst for it. Those who are brought up with good solid morals, brought up with happiness and joy in there lives let it go, sadly when they let it go, guilt comes upon them more harshly than those who don’t believe.  “I know the story, I know what Jesus did, I know, I know, I know. But I can’t help it.” Famous words.

Are you so blind? Do you not see where happiness comes from! Do you not see where it all starts? I guess some of us choose to shove it to the side in disbelief, but I tell you now! Happiness comes from Love, Unconditional Love. This is a love that God founded, a love that God shows through Jesus’ death and resurrection. You think it’s all about eternal life? It’s way more than that, way more! Unconditional love brings happiness, but you won’t find it here, not now. The only way to experience unconditional love, that is once you have chosen to shove it off, and reject, disobey God is to come back to Him! Simply asking Him to forgive you of your sins isn’t enough because you will do it again, feel it! Show it through your actions, prove to God your needing His love, you want His love. Through this… Happiness is found. Happiness is achieved.

written by Josh

Hebrews 11

Wow! Doesn’t the ‘honor roll of faith’ give your faith a kick in the pants! I read these stories individually and tell myself, wow, Moses had so much faith to do what he did. Noah built an ARK for 100 years and everyone laughed at him, this guy must have A LOT of faith. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown into the furnace and live because of their faith!

When I read Hebrews 11 it really strikes me, not with one or two stories of faith, but shows only a few of the many stories of the past and how faithful they were. These guys are the example of what faith is, being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Everyone of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 are commended for their faith, and by faith God rewarded them. After thinking about this, God doesn’t or didn’t promise much, but commends us for our faith. When God commends us it’s obvious that he rewards us, especially by His grace. The ultimate promise that He gave was Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice so together everything would be perfect.

What does faith mean to me? I think faith goes deeper then believing what you cannot see. To me it’s also obedience! Through obedience God rewarded these people in every way they hoped. They were certain, with that certainty they carried out what they must, they obeyed what they believed God told them to do – Faith.

Am I faithful? I’d defiantly like to think so, but am I really? Am I obeying what God commands me to do? Am I being commended by God for the things I do?

LORD, you know my heart and where I stand with you. You know and others witness I’m not always obedient. If I’m truly faithful would I not carry out or commands. You show me great examples throughout the bible and then in clumps! I get it, faith is more than just believing in you and what you did on the cross, we’re called to obey, I don’t think I’m faithful if I do not obey what is said right before me. Thank you for showing me grace when you do commend me, thank you for showing others grace when they most need it most, as we know even without faithfulness you still show your love. By your word, help me to be better. Amen

written by Josh

Slow Fade (song by Casting Crowns)

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Every time I hear this song I get tingles.  The words go straight to my heart.  Not only because of the sins of my past and the impact they have had on my life; but also because of the impact they have had on my friends lives and, no doubt, how they may affect my daughter’s life.

As a Christian, you have to be so mindful of your actions, in public and in private.  You never know who might be watching.  Actions speak louder than words.  If people know what you believe and then see that your actions don’t match up to what you say, they are going to start to doubt your faith.  Then they start to think that all Christians are like you.  “They’re all hypocrites.  Why would I want to become a Christian?”

There are some people that see what you’ve done and realise, “hey, they may be Christian but they are also human.  I don’t like what they did but they are sorry for it.  God has forgiven them and so should I.”  Our families and most of the people at our church are like this (as all Christians should be).

Finally, there are some people who remember the wrongs you have committed and use them against you at every opportunity.  Worse still they use them to justify their own wrongdoings saying, “but they did it!”  That is my biggest fear: somone will say, “it doesn’t matter, Rachelle did it.”

I’m not an excuse!  Use my mistakes to learn how to overcome temptation.  Learn how to stand firm in Christ.  When you lose yourself, it doesn’t happen in one big hit.  It happens bit by bit. Compromise by compromise.  Not overnight.  Don’t let your vision get blurry.  If it’s wrong the first time; it’s wrong the second time… and the third.  Don’t let your black and whites become gray.  Stick to the Word and don’t compromise on God’s standards.

As a Christian, you have to be so mindful of your actions, in public and in private.  You never know who might be watching.  You know God is always watching (Joshua 1:6-9).  He sees the good and the bad things you do.  If you ask Him, He will forgive you of your sins as He has done for me.  He ‘blots out our transgressions and remembers our sins no more (Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34b).  He ‘hurls all our iniquities into the depths of the sea’ with a great big sign that says “NO FISHING” (Micah 7:19).   We can’t get them back.  Leave them there.  They are gone.

written by Shell

Well it was a pretty sweet holiday.

I decided to practice alot more of the ol wakeboarding skills. In the end I got upto clearing the wake (heel side) and doing a switch (toe side). Not to shabby.

I didn’t really practise barefooting or anything this year but Katie and Jess got into it! - They had fun… I only got up once behind the boat and that was it for me.

I must say though Aurora grew a little in that time. She learnt to squeel consistantly and thought it was the best thing ever! I thought this would get anoying quick, but you can’t help but just laugh hehe. She also had a swim in the river on the second last day for like an hour - she loved it.

I found it really good to get out away from the hassles of work (mostly computer work) and the non-stop busyness of todays society and enjoy some family times, particulary in the morning. The weather was pretty good this year too, a hot and cloudy first day but that soon cleared up into some nice breeze’s and a couple of storms later through the week.

Isaac’s Ho Joker was a hit, a $800 competition level kneeboard made landing softer than water. The padding is honestly awesome, if you ever consider buying one do it! Its got great angled cuts right around the board making it easy to cut hard and sharp, and take little effort to “pop” off the wake.  Waz tried a few 360’s landing with out the rope.

All in all was a good holiday. Looking forward to the next one.

written by Josh

I just heard on 96.5, someone say, ‘the reality of God is everywhere’. What a great statement!

Though of course as soon as you hear or read the words ‘the reality of God is everywhere’, you start to ponder. What does that mean to you? Coming up to Christmas people start seeing or being reminded of something from the past. For most you would see two persons - Jesus Christ and Santa.

I would like to challenge whoever might read these blogs to take a good think on what these few words mean to them.

I would like to think that the world doesn’t rotate around Coca Cola’s Santa at this special time. But more the fact that the greatest miracle God could give, His Son, had come to save us.  For most its probably something that you’ve heard a billion times before, but when you weigh up the facts, its the most important news of your life and mine!

With a Xmas right here, there’s always tv shows and books about Christ not being who He actually was. I want to ask just two things;

1) If you were given the chance in conversation to disprove all that Christ has done or that He ever existed, could you back it up? And if you couldn’t why not?

2) Because you have no logical evidence, whats stopping you from devoting your life to Christ? He only wants you in His Kingdom forever. Seems like a pretty sweet deal if you ask me~

Have a watch of this.

Godbless and have a very Happy Christmas.
Josh.

written by Josh

It’s funny, when you have a baby all of a sudden people are drawn to talk to you.  It happens all the time especially at the shops.  Most times they are complete strangers!  It’s like: if you have a baby you must want to have a chat.  They, “just want to say that you’re baby is absolutely beautiful! She truly is a beautiful baby.”  Then they want to know how old she is, “oh really, she looks younger [maybe she takes after her father!]. Is she small?” I always say, “she’s average, but perhaps on the lower side of average.”  Thankfully I don’t mind… except when she’s crying!

People suggest so many funny things to make a baby stop crying.  To be honest, Aurora’s crying  really doesn’t bother me.  It’s just her way of telling me that she wants something or something’s wrong.  Most times she only cries when she wakes up suddenly and she’s hungry, when she’s going to sleep and she really wants to suck something or when she gets a fright (then it’s daddy who gets in trouble).  It’s fine when she cries for these reasons; I can fix them easily.  Feed her, give her a dummy, tell daddy to play nicely.  But, occasionally she cries because she has a tummy ache from wind in her belly… this is not good.  She screams and screams and I can’t do anything except pat her back, rub her tummy, cuddle and reassure her.

Like I said before it doesn’t bother me when Aurora cries.  It’s especially fine when we’re at home but when we’re out it’s a bit harder.  I know it bothers other people so I get embaressed imagining they will think that I’m a bad mother.  I also feel very protective of Aurora because I know they’ll be getting annoyed at her for crying and she really is a lovely girl!  She’s very friendly and well-behaved, really.

It is at these times that the ‘helpful’ suggestions come hard and fast.  “Put her over you’re shoulder,” “lie her down flat,” “put her on her tummy,” “swing her,” “pat her,” “rock her,” “sing to her,” “turn her upside down,” “give her a dummy,” “is she hungry?”  “Is her nappy wet?” “did something bite her?” “are you pinching her?” (that’s a really common one, though usually in jest) “why don’t you give her a bottle?” “why don’t you just leave her with your mum next time?” “why don’t you just leave her with Josh?” “tie the dummy in her mouth,” “have you tried putting some brandy in her milk?”

Some (definitely NOT all) of these are good suggestions but they have their time and place. Can I just say: when Aurora has wind (I know because she’s burping and ‘passing wind’ like she’s eaten garlic, baked beans and onion all together) about all I can do is give her a dummy (if she’ll take it) and wait until the wind is gone.  No amount of brandy or other liquor in her milk will help!

… Just something to think about.

written by Shell

Jonny Eggins check this! I GOT MY PS3!

My lovely wife, yes you all know who comprimised with me… after like a year of asking for a playstation. If I was to get the Singstar pack with the ps3 - id be allowed to buy it! So today I went and got it.

Yay! Time to set it up and start streaming!

For those who know me well, you know ive been waiting for this!

written by Josh