Love in Action Journey

Sitting in bed, about to have an early night (rare occasion!) ... my heart is overflowing with love for my wonderful Jesus. This is just a simple note to say that He is ALWAYS faithful ... His love is ALWAYS consistent ... His mercy and grace are ALWAYS sufficient and His strength is ALWAYS enough! How wonderful is the Saviours love for each of us. "I love you my Jesus ... always and forever" xoxox 

I am busy reading such a beautiful book called "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. I had heard that it is a beautiful book worth reading and the other day when I popped into the bookshop I saw that it was on sale. Wow!! If you have not read it, try and find a copy. It tells the story of The Great Shepherds great and wonderful love for us and His desire to lead us to new heights of love, joy and victory. It is written as a story which is so simple to relate to. I can't wait to start reading it to my girls. Since reading this book, I am seeing Jesus so much clearer as the Shepherd of my heart. His love is so victorious ... so strong ... so consistent ... so full of hope. I am always amazed at how He continually sees the best in each of us. Why is it that we focus so much more on our faults? Are we afraid that if we look too closely at what He sees as beautiful, we might become proud? What a false truth!! Mature love is able to rest confidently in who its bee...

Today I was thinking about how much we need God to help us keep things in perspective. We all have things that get us down. Lately, so many that I know and love have been severely under attack - from the battle against terminal illness, financial loss, hurts and disappointment ... my heart gets so heavy when I try make sense of it all. AND YET ... God has a beautiful plan and purpose for us being alive and present here on earth right now. It is NOT for us to get swallowed up in all the fear, dread and disappointment that is always available at every turn .... NO! It is for us to live through Him and IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL- to live life ... and to live it abundantly.  May we guard our hearts against discouragement and weariness. Life is too precious to get caught up in being down and focusing on the negatives. The wealth of His inheritance given so lavishly to each of us is to be taken hold of here on earth. It is so rich and vast and it is within us to release His goodness wherever we ...

I got tagged to write some arb stuff about my life this week, so here goes ... 8 things I look forward to ... ~o~ Cuddles from my man in the evening when the house is quiet :-) ~o~ Kisses in the mornings from my girls when they wake up and run through to my room - even if I am still fast asleep!! ~o~ My upcoming visit with my sis to spend time with my mom in the US. I just can't wait!!! We are going to have some serious girl time ;-) ~o~  Tea with some really special girl-friends next Wednesday at 10am. I CANT wait to catch up with you Adeye. ~o~ I always look forward to a cup of something hot when I wake up in the mornings. Brett makes me a "surprise" each morning. I never know if it's going to be tea or coffee ... ~o~ I ALWAYS look forward to God's surprises, because whatever comes from Him is GOOD!! ~o~ A Starbucks latte!!! When is South Africa going to see the light!!!!! ~o~ Wearing my red Jimmy Choo's that I was blessed with 2 years ago. Whoever ...

I am marvelling at the hugeness of our awesome God and just how real He is in our every-day lives. If we are honest, there are times when we question just how real or personal God really is. Lately, I am seeing His desire for intimacy (up-close-and-personal) wherever I turn.  A few weeks ago, while I was in a rush to get to church, I was trying to put on a special necklace from a friend and in my crazy rush, the cross dropped off the chain and I couldn't find it. I looked around and just could not see it anywhere. I raced out the door determined to find it on my return. Well ... after a full evening at church, when I got home, I forgot all about my cross. The next day, our precious domestic cleaner (Cynthia - oh how I love her!!!) was on duty and she vacuumed nice and thoroughly and only at the very end of the day I remembered the cross that had dropped on the floor! With a sinking feeling I knew what had happened ... the little cross had been vacuumed and the dirty water thrown do...

My precious mom e-mailed me this poem that somebody wrote. I just loved it. Be encouraged today as you are waiting on Him ... the Great I AM!! Love Janine xoxox WAIT Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried. Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,  And the Master so gently said, “Child, you must wait.” “Wait?” You say, “wait!” my indignant reply, “Lord I need answers, I need to know why! Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard? By faith, I have asked, and am claiming Your Word. My future and all to which I can relate Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT? I’m needing a ‘yes’ a go-ahead sign, Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign. And, Lord, You promised that if we believe We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this in my cry: I’m weary of asking! I need a reply! Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.” So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and ...

Raising my 2 little girls, I am always scrounging around for some great parenting tips. Here are 4 tips I read this morning that make so much sense!! "Parenting is not a call to be perfect - just to be real." 1) Learn together : intentionally look for things you can do together - read the books they love, watch movies you can both enjoy ... in essence, take notice of the things that interest them and find ways to share their interests. 2) Listen, listen ... LISTEN : Before you tell your child what to do or get angry with him/her, ask them to help you understand what makes them behave that way. 3) Live out your values : Modelling is the best teacher of all. You opinion about your child does matter to him/her.  4) Love unconditionally and tell your child so, even if you don't like the way your child is acting or the choices he's making. Make your home - and you - a safe place.  (taken from the book "Questions kids ask about sex: honest answers for every age")...