Yay...

I keep thinking lately that I am so happy at the moment. Not the kind of happiness that relies on circumstances being right, but the kind of happiness that is deep within me and comes from just loving God and being with Him every day. So thanks God for this awesome joy!

I also thank God because I got a promotion at work... which means I'll be a lot busier, but I really love my job and am so pleased I get to do it all the time. I just can't stand sitting at home anyway - it feels great to work and contribute to society.

I also am going to some great groups: I go to a young adults Bible study - that has been a great way to meet people. I am also still going to the Christian group out at the Uni when I can.

So even though life is busy - I am SO happy and content! In my friendship with Jesus, I have everything I need. Yay!

Enough

More than ever, God is showing me that He is all I need. There are areas of my life that could be described as lacking, or barren. But it is causing me to draw closer to Him more and more.

"Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing." - Psalm 34:9 TNIV

God's love is a river that never runs out; the deeper my needs go, the more I realise he is deeper still.

Thank you God, for being all I need.

And so this is Christmas...

Well, it's Christmas. And over the last couple of weeks I have been reflecting on the year that has passed, and on the year that will come.

One thing I have realised is that although there are some difficult circumstances happening here, I must not allow these things and people to stop me from fulfilling what God has called me to do. No-one can take away what God has called me to do. I can't go beyond it; and the only one who can make me fall short of it is me.

And so, although there are some things that concern me about next year, and even though I couldn't exactly say I'm filled with passion for next year's tasks, I will keep pushing through to see my dreams come to pass. And when the task seems too big for me to do, I must remember that God himself is with me and will supply what I need both within and out of myself to do it.

The Light Dawns

I'm glad I haven't written here for a while; it probably would have been too depressing for you to read. So be thankful I spared you. :)

Well it wasn't quite that bad, but the last couple of months have been really challenging. Often I have felt like giving up; and even more times I have questioned my calling and my decision to come here.

Nevertheless, I hung on to the thread of hope I had left; that being my belief in the faithfulness of God. And God understood where I was at through it all. He knew when I was finding it difficult even to pray; when I found it hard to turn to him he was still there. He never changed.

Last night we had an awesome combined youth groups event - and for me it was like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel beginning to appear. The hard work we have been doing (I believe) is beginning to gather momentum. Thanks to God!

This community we are serving is growing in its significance to Victoria. I also believe that the Holy Spirit will do something awesome here that many have been praying for, for a long time.

Not Forgotten

"But Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.'

'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...'"

Isaiah 49:14-16

A woman who is expecting a baby lives nine months in eager anticipation. When the baby arrives, most of what she does revolves around it - caring for it, sustaining it, protecting it, loving it.

What a beautiful picture of God's love. Even though a mother may even forget her own child (as unlikely as that would be), God will not forget his children. He loves us so dearly, we are always on his mind.

Just like a little child, we can rest in his care; safe, secure and at peace because he is always near us.

Never is... Never

I've just started a new Bible study on what it means to live in Jesus. How seriously do we take Jesus' words when he said "I will never leave you"? In reality, most of us spend our days questioning that Jesus really is with us at all. I'm working through some scriptures on this topic, and will let you know what I find out.

The Last Woman Standing

Last Sunday, as I headed down to PlanetShakers church for a relaxing and inspiring afternoon, I prayed. Lord, please give us a message that will encourage us today. And encourage us he did. The speaker was Pastor Brian Houston from Hillsong church, and he spoke about taking new ground and the challenges we face in the process.

The message meant a lot to us because although we are making progress, we are facing (and have faced) some pretty difficult challenges - some of these hitting very close to home. But it was confirmed to me through that message that I should just keep pushing on (to be the last woman standing, if you like), because great things are ahead. In the meantime God will help us as we grapple with some of these issues and to grow as a result.