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Attention Melbournians!
(Or anyone else who knows the place well enough) I'll be paying a sweet visit in July for just under a week. I'm über excited too, believe you me! So, as I have never been to this supposed amazing place, I would like to hear your ideas on where to go, what to do, what good little cafes there are to scout, nice scenery.. I'm interested in the nature side of it more so too as well as the city side. I'm a little nervous, as I was supposed to be going with my sister, who has been there previously. But now something's happened and I'm going by my self! Luckily though, I know a few people there so I'm actually pretty excited to be going on my own. Then I can do all the things that I want to do. Anyway, if you got any great ideas, drop me a comment and let me know! I'd very much love and appreciate your ideas. Hope everyone had a good week, and an amazing long weekend to follow :) xx
Harbouring doubt
I am sleepy. Today (or yesterday, I should say now it being after midnight) was a big day. Both at work and at home. I feel like I accomplished a lot, in the process of giving my room a massive clean up. Including pulling everything out of my cupboard and scrubbing the surfaces and getting rid of stuff I've been hoarding.. I'm such a hoarder. But there's just some things that I definitely want. Even though possessions really aren't what is important. I just want stuff to give to my children, and my children's children, etc. I was away for Easter, in Toowoomba actually, for Easterfest. It was really good, until the second night of it flooding and resulting in the festival being cancelled. But it was a good experience. There was maybe about 40 or so of us staying at the Baptist church down there, and it was an adventure indeed. It was so good though, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And now I'm home, working, trying to slave away to save my hard-earned cash to pay for I-wish-we-didn't-need-cars expenses and my July holiday in Melbourne!
Let me just say, if you want a snack. Try this: get a slice of multigrain bread, spread wholegrain mustard all over, and place little slices of avocado. There you have it! I absolutely love it, and just happened to think of it, because I do love wholegrain mustard and avocado. Now I am addicted.
Oh, a band I really enjoyed seeing at Easterfest was Article One. They have a violinist, and he goes off. A really good band, I recommend hearing some of their stuff. Also really enjoyed watching Michael Paynter, check him out too if you already haven't.
I'm still vegan. Going on 2 weeks now. I am really actually enjoying it. I've seen such a difference in my energy and my physical appearance. I recommend doing it, just for a week or so even. It's a good change.
Anywho. I am exhausted. Off to beddy byes I go. Goodnight, hope everyone enjoys the rest of their week! :)
To-Do Today
Today.
Be the kind of person you want to be around.
Protect the names of others in the same way you would hope that they would protect your own.
Choose only to participate in conversation that uplifts, edifies and makes the world a better place.
Consciously turn down the volume on negative influences in your life. STOP WILLINGLY GIVING THEM POWER OVER YOU.
Focus on ways you can contribute to the wold in lasting and meaningful ways.
Concentrate on your unique gifts and talents and how you can use them to make real waves for good.
Forgive with your whole heart, even as you would seek forgiveness for your own mistakes. You need never be poisoned by the feelings of hate and revenge that come from an unforgiving heart and mind.
Love. Love yourself. Love others. Completely and without ulterior motive, fear or judgment.
Today.
Taken from http://mth2011.tumblr.com/
Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
I agree, and really like those particular verses.
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| I must have this for when I travel!! Cute as a BUTTON. |
There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy.
So since last Tuesday, I've decided to go vegan. Whoa. Yeah, but not a strict one as many would be. I'm not too entirely sure if the products I use for my skin or hair are animal cruelty-free, I'm quite frankly not too fussed about that. But I haven't been having any dairy products or chocolate - which is an amazing achievement for me because I used to eat so much chocolate, and I love cheese and milk so much too. Swapping my usual full cream milk for my chai tea with soy milk. And I really don't mind it either, it's pretty tasty actually. It's just a thing I'm going with because I am happy with changing my diet around, beneficially though. And I've already noticed a difference with my body, it's amazing how when you have the right mindset, thinking positively, you can acquire self-restraint and maintain a healthy diet. I'm not even sure how long this vegan run is going to last, I'm not going to set a date and stop doing it. I'll just keep doing it for as long as I feel like/want. It's crazy too, I realised that I used to just eat because I felt like it or was bored or even just a little bit peckish, but still ate more than what I needed. That's the big thing. People tend to just keep eating just because the food is there, rather than listening to their body telling them that it's no longer necessary, because you are in fact satisfied. Also I prefer eating things in their most natural form, like fruit and vegetables etc. and I haven't been drinking any other beverages other than water, juice or tea. Still not drinking alcohol, I just don't have the desire to drink it anymore. It doesn't taste nice. Just empty calories. And, makes you sick or feel like crap. Does to me anyway, I'm going to admit.
Everyone should read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (it's definitely a recommendation), he's not there to try and convert you. Just tell you how it is.
This Friday I'm heading over to Toowoomba for the annual festival Easterfest. It's going to be amazing and I cannot wait. Probably will be the best festival I ever go to. Check it out here!
Everything seems to be going darn fine. And with prayer and worship, I know things will get even better. Our God is amazing. Hope you all had a super weekend! xx
This is Your Anthem
GOD. The Father of Creation. Giver of life. Restorer of life. The beginning, the end, the middle. The whole shebang. (As apposed to Carl Sagan's Big Bang).
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children." Revelation 21: 1-7
Oh, the folly and arrogance of man, to believe there is no God; to occupy himself with disproving his existence; to seek to create his own God, in himself, his idols, his obsessions, his self sufficiency, his science, his technology, his partner, his parents, his job... And pity the poor man who doesn't know him, who has never heard his name, who has never needed him.
Reading the Bible, the official Word of God, we get a clear picture of God's character, though can one ever truly know the full extent of his doings, his wonders, his being? I think not.
Given that we messed up his GOOD AND PERFECT PLAN for the world (see Genesis; and thanks, Adam, thanks Eve), it's little wonder our natural inclination is to keep a safe distance from God (wrath, fear, doom!) and go about our merry way. That's a trap. Heard of Hell*? Yep, it's there. And it exists on earth (as in having one hell of an existence) and in eternity (damnation – eek, alright!).
BUT...
Thank GOD, thank GOD! for his grace and forgiveness and mercy, which he bestows on even those who choose to defy him and defile his name and deliberately disobey his good and perfect laws, exchanging a GOOD life for a FORSAKEN existence. His ultimate GIFT of grace? His Son Jesus Christ, through whom – and only whom, not by one's own power or might or good deeds; even Pollyanna needed Jesus – we are put right before God.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8)
God works in mysterious ways beyond our comprehension. BUT he also works through his Word (the Bible), the Lord Jesus' teachings, his Holy Spirit (which comes on those who accept him by faith), his church, and his people, so that we may, despite our fallible human-ness, know his wishes and his plan for us, his LOVE, his mercy, his grace, and, ultimately a better life here on earth – an awe-inspiring wonder in itself – and the comfort of knowing what's ahead when we, inevitably, die (Heaven – woo!).
We are all a part of his picture. He's in the driving seat. But we have to choose to take our hands off the wheel and let him lead us down the road to righteousness, atonement, salvation and a full and fruitful existence through his road rules. HE GAVE US CHOICE. HE GAVE US FREE WILL(Y).
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:17
Many of us never give God a second thought because, frankly, life is happy-la-de-da, thank you very much, until something untoward happens and we're, like, 'What the?'. Others go through life collecting junk – bad relationships, crappy choices, accolades, addictions, weird ideas about how to do life (and who God is or isn't) – and come to a point where life is soooo very messy that they must unload or lose the plot and give up.
Others, still, are born into sucky circumstances through the fault of man (terrible parents, poverty, war times), or are dealt the kind of blows in childhood that creates a shield of steel, guarding them from anyone's love, let alone a God who would allow such things to happen, and/or walk around with seeping wounds so exposed as to make them unable to enjoy their life (restore them to dignity, He can!).
God has answers for everyone. He abandons no one. No matter how bad you've been; no matter how many hurts you harbour; no matter how many times you've heard him knock at the door and pretended no one was home.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
The question is, are you prepared to leave behind what the world has made you, what you want to be, what the world tells you you should be – casting off the hurts that fuel your fire, the ambitions that drive your day, the habits that control your life – in order to make good on the awesome plan God has laid out for your life (which is better than you could imagine, though not without its own challenges)? That's a BIGGIE. That means losing control!!!!!
Not easy.
Again, that's why God has given you a bunch of tools to help you along your way, including the stories in the Bible that illustrate our Israelite and Christian forebears' experiences of God. But, more particularly, that's why he gave us Jesus Christ, who calls on us to pick up our cross and follow him.
He is the TRUTH, the WAY, the LIGHT to GOD. THE ONLY WAY TO GOD.
(Sorry to be all shouty, but this point cannot be stressed enough). BECAUSE... we are all sinners in God's eyes until we commit to follow Christ. Even those shiny-shiny wonderful people who are so good they emit flower-like scents from their pores. Without Jesus we are smelly/stinky/poopy to God.
"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:20,23
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." John 5:22,23
The hardest part to get an intellectual grip on is the death of Jesus Christ. Like, why would God KILL his only Son; the most perfect man that ever walked the earth? The answer is within the Old Testament – check out how repulsive humankind can be and how far we all fall short of his laws! Jesus' death, scary and horrible as that was for him to bear, was the level of atonement God required for our sins.
"Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:5
God is patient, kind, compassionate... if we choose in our hearts to seek him, he will hear the call. He takes everyone's calls. God ain't no snob.
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:12
Not all of us will pass the test; Jesus – more so his resurrection, in which lies hope – won't be a revelation to all of us, nor the one we choose to follow. But when your eyes are opened, when you see Jesus for what and who he is and when you commit to following him – despite life's crappy seasons and crappy situations and the flack you will cop because of it – Jesus becomes your salve, your goal, your EVERYTHING; daily he washes away the selfishness that inhibits your relationship with your creator GOD, the source of true joy and peace, and strengthens you for righteous, joyful, confident living among man. You will want to please him above all, and in the process gain a perspective that without God you are so very, very small.
The purpose and meaning of life, Brian? Jesus lays it out straight:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27
How do you do that? This love thing. It's a toughie if your ideas of love have been warped by the world, but it's easy if you first understand that God loves you sooooo much that he laid out his very life on earth for you; with that thought embedded in your noggin and your heart, you will want to honour him with every fibre of your being and bring glory to him through your work, your life, your thoughts, your body, your obedience and your gifts, talents, money and blessings.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Paul to the Ephesians 2:10
"Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him." Moses to the Israelites, Deuteronomy 11:22
This generosity of heart and of spirit, of willing service to God and one's fellow man, in turn, makes life so very sweet; you become less stinky, more perfume-y. That can take time, depending on your level of obedience and willingness to give up what he tells you to it could take years/decades (the Israelites were 40 years in the desert!). But you can't out-plan God. And if you stumble and fall along the way?
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation." James 1:12
God is still there, in his infinite grace, and is willing to accept your transgressions in Jesus' name (you can't out-do Jesus), but Jesus himself calls on us to turn from sin and follow him in his ways, trusting that he will be blessed. God, should you choose to accept Jesus, will remake your life from the inside out. And you can enjoy a relationship with him in all your days.
"Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:12
THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE? You bet.
Not buying it? Your choice. No judgement here. But you are selling yourself short. Just sayin'.
*What of his children, you ask. Do the ones taken from us very young wind up in Hell if they do not know Jesus? I don't think so. Jesus loved the kiddies. He wanted us all to be like children – nimble of mind and open of heart and clear of conscience. Said Jesus: "I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven... Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." God is fair and just, judging each of us according to our moral understanding. You can read more on Apologetics elsewhere.
Yes
I absolutely love the pictures from Vogue of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. J'adore MK. Now, here's a survey. Haven't done one of these in ages. They always remind me of MySpace.. those days were so long ago.
-What is your current obsession?
Garden salads with French dressing, straight hair, mixed forest berries jam on toast.
-If you could raid the closet of any celebrity, who would it be?
Mary-Kate Olsen or Alexa Chung.
-What do you see outside your window?
A rain water tank.
-What is your favorite color?
Black, red, pink, yellow.
-Your weakness?
Magazines and books.
-Which animal would you be?
A bird.. a robin possibly.
-What's for dinner?
No idea yet, probably have to find my own thing.
-What's your favorite weather?
Winter!
-What's on your bedside table?
I don't have a table by bed. But I do have other surfaces that have heaps of junk on them.
-If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere, where would it be?
In London or somewhere nice and serene in Italy.
-What's your favorite children's book?
I really liked that book about the fish with sparkly/pretty scales.. I forget the name and too lazy to look it up.
-What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Bike rides, playing in the sprinkler, swimming.
-What would you like to have in your hands right now?
A piece of toast.
-What is your favorite tea flavor?
Chai! Then it'd have to be peppermint.
-What is your favorite article of clothing?
I like. Dresses.
-What would you like to get rid of?
My messy room, and make it tidy.
-If you could go any where in the world for an hour where would you go?
France, Paris.
-What did you want to be as a child?
A fairy or a princess.
-What posters pictures do you have on your bedroom wall?
Magazine clothes article things, and I have photographs I took on the wall too.
-What's your plan for tomorrow?
Work. Hopefully do something productive.
-What is your favorite word?
Nostalgia.
-What jewelry do you wear?
I don't really ever wear any more jewellery other than my plain sleepers (earrings).
Self
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| Beanie: Sportsgirl Top: Topshop |
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| Hat: Sportsgirl Shirt: (Flanny) Dimmey's |
I got really bored and wanted to take photos. The first picture is from yesterday, and the second one just a moment ago. I have an obsession with head accessories, namely beanies and hats. But I never find a good time to wear my hats. Anywho, both the photos were taken when I had just pretty much woken up, no makeup, tired look on my face and you can see my pig-sty of a room in the background. I love it how I wake up at least an hour before my alarm clock goes off, it's a really good feeling for me. Oh, and my latest music obsession is Blue Roses, check them out. Genuine music, genuine recommendation.
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| My recent love. |
Today is my Thursday, mumma comes home today and sister is visiting. Going to the City on Tuesday to do some much-needed shopping.. much-needed to my wardrobe and makeup bag anyway. Hey! Happy Saturday folks! Have a grand weekend whatever you do. Leave me a note, what are YOU up to this weekend? I'm curiouser and curiouser.. ♥
I still have your old shirt, you know the one I said I had thrown away; I put it on when I went to bed last night.
I've (somehow, unashamedly too) been listening to The Veronicas' Hook Me Up album today. I used to love that album. I used to love them.
On another note, I'm pretty stoked to be able to see my breath in front of my at night outside. I love love love winter. I got my Miss Dior Cherie perfume finally, and it smells oh-so-sweet. Maybe my new signature scent, although I still am a loyal lover of Coco Mademoiselle (my most favourite perfume). I now have a new favourite drink! It's grapefruit and tangerine iced tea, it's a swell hot day's treat for me. Albeit, it's now getting into winter. I'll still get it any chance I get hah. I'm actually now home from a trip to the far north-west part of QLD, to The Isa for a funeral (for my grandad). It involved a lot of people crying, food, laughter, catching up with relatives and of course, driving. 14 hours of it to be precise. Me and my sister discovered a cute-as-pie little gift shop though, Bella Duck, and I could literally live there. I bought a forest berry fruit spread from there, a babushka-printed tea towel (for my sister, as a sorry gesture) and a rose flavoured turkish delight (for the mother, because I love her lots). All came to the price of how much the tea towel was marked as ($18.95!!) because it was actually reduced to $7.95. So I was super stoked with that buy. Must have meant to be. I actually really don't mind that town, I probably wouldn't like the summer heat so much. But the winter there is intense (that I wouldn't mind), all in all I don't mind it at all. Especially to visit my grandmother.
Anywho, this is my update. Love it or leave it, I just like to post pretty pictures.
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