Any ideas?

I'm reading a great book at the moment and here are a few things I need to remember:

Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God.

Peace is not a trouble-free life; it is a sense of calm in the midst of life's storms.

A little poem I came across this morning.

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But Only God Keeps You Going!

Halleluia!

Well, with hubby in France for a couple of days, I set myself two tasks for this weekend just gone. The first, to tidy the loft and the second to conquer the seriously high mountain of paperwork and filing on our desk. Needless to say neither have been accomplished. There's always something far more important or appealing to do isn't there? Although I did venture into the loft and did find the two pairs of walking boots and waterproof coats that the girls had said they'd lost (they don't like them and were hoping for new ones!) in readiness for our forthcoming trip to Kosova. So instead, Saturday was spent washing (as usual), a trip to Town to purchase some bits for John's Christmas stocking, an enjoyable time browsing in the Christian bookshop and the successful purchase of a couple of new books and a trip to the chemist to stock up on cold remedies, cough medicines, lemsips etc for Daughter no 2 who has been struggling for the last few days and been in bed most of the day! Daughter no 1 is away for the weekend visiting friends in Suffolk - so it's been very quiet. The evening was spent watching X-Factor, a nice soak in the bath and an early night with the bonus of a most welcome extra hour!

Maybe next weekend I'll tackle the outstanding jobs!! 
So much for that extra hour - I think it's an early night tonight.

Last night I went to see the new movie Rendition, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep. I wasn't really sure what to expect, I knew it was a political type thiller but that's really it. As a rule, I don't usually do thrillers, horror movies or 18's - I get scared too easily and don't like all the unnecessary violence, swearing etc that comes with such films.

Rendition had several scenes of torture in it - but I guess they were necessary to get the whole point of the film across. It was generally a good and emotive film, that really does make you think about whether such things as the film portrays really do happen in the here and now. Unfortunately, I think they do.

This is a picture of two trees in my back garden. they were bought from the same place as little saplings, planted on the same day a metre apart, so therefore, in the same type of soil and rained on equally! Look at the difference between the two, now that autumn has arrived.

Ummmm....... Interesting!

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix

Life is a challenge - Meet it
Life is a gift - Accept it

Anon

My hubby made this film on YouTube. A film of the MR2 world record attempt(most of a single marque moving in an unbroken line) April 29th 07.

As it was such a lovely morning yesterday I decided to go to St James' Park in London with my camera and take some autumnal photos. I really enjoyed wandering around and seeing lots of wildlife and evidence of the seasons changing when I came across this!

Needless to say, there were lots of people crowding round but no-one dared take a seat next to this chap. He then proceeded to take a walk and return to the lake.

I had a great time just strolling around, take a look in my St James' Park Album........
http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_items.php?album_ID=257693

Well, after a trip to Miso's with hubby and daughters we decided to battle it out at the game of Risk. Our two friends joined us and we set it all up and got underway. Now, this is a game we as adults have played for many years, and it has always been a pastime for long evenings whilst on holiday together. So, how do you think we felt when one daughter won the first game within 20 minutes and then the other won won the next game later on?!!!  Ouch!

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of it strength." - Corrie Ten Boom

Had a good evening with my brother and sister in law tonight - we haven't got together for a couple of months so it was nice to catch up and spend some time together. Had a lovely dinner of lamb shanks and dauphinoise potatoes which went down just nicely. We then played scrabble and yes, I came last. Oh well, it's the taking part that counts! You can't win 'em all, can you?

This is just the best!

Just a little rhyme I came up with last night after reflecting on the day.

What an awesome God I have
Who loves and cares for ME.
Before I even acknowledged Him
He suffered on the tree.

Please Lord, help me live each day
In thankfullness to you,
That all my actions may convey
Your Gospel message true.

Well, this week I had the opportunity to share something that has been concerning me with a good friend of mine. Boy, does it feel good to have got that off my chest. To know that someone else knows the situation and will share the burden with me is a great and liberating thought, a sense of relief has overwelmed me. I know that that someone will pray for me and the situation and help me out as much as they can. It won't be solved immediately but we can now work on it together!

So, don't forget, a problem shared is a problem halved!

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." C S Lewis

A bit of a bottom shredder!!     

How cruel!!

Yesterday morning in Church the subject was JOY, being joyful, rejoicing, enjoying, etc etc. This whole emotion of joy being a manifestion of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and one of the fruits of the spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control" Galatians 5 v 22&23.

Here's another song, the words of which sum up how I feel towards MY God, who has given me everything I need to live a satisfied, contented and joyful life.  Sadly, I'm not the most joyful person - I feel joy deep inside but don't feel that I show it enough but I'm working on it!
However, I do feel content, and I praise God for all the earthly blessings He has provided me with, all that He has given me to do for Him, for my salvation in Him and the secure knowledge of a Heavenly home one day.

IN EVERY DAY THAT DAWNS,
I see the light of Your splendour around me;
And everywhere I turn,
I know the gift of Your favour upon me.
What can I do but give You glory, Lord?
Everything good has come from You.

I’m grateful for the air I breathe,
I’m so thankful for this life I live,
For the mercies that You pour on me,
And the blessings that meet every need.
And the grace that is changing me
From a hopeless case to a child that’s free,
Free to give You praise,
For in everything
I know You love me.
I know You love me.

Through all that I have known,
I have been held in the shelter of Your hand;
And as my life unfolds,
You are revealing the wisdom
Of Your sovereign plan.
There are no shadows in Your faithfulness,
There are no limits to Your love.

Kate Simmonds & Stuart Townend