A Thanksgiving Prayer for 2011

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day here in the U.S. I love this opportunity to gather with friends and family and give thanks. We are so generously blessed yet rarely take time to thank the God who provides so abundantly. The following prayer I wrote this morning as I reflected on the many blessings of my life. [...]

Whatever Happened to Our Backbones?

Yesterday I arrived in Australia to spend some time with my Mum who has just had back surgery for a collapsed spine. She now has new steel in her back, pins and nails that have strengthened the existing structure and returned some of its youthful vitality. She looks years younger, her face looks less strained [...]

Reading the Scriptures – Where Does Our Strength Come From?

I have just heard that my mother, who recently turned 88 has successfully negotiated a lengthy surgery on her back.  it is hard to be half a world away at a time like this.  In the last couple of days I have spent much time praying, reading the scriptures and reaching out to God for [...]

The Making of Memories – A Glimpse of God’s Kingdom Coming

Sunday is Penecost when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the formation of the church.  It is always for me a special of day of remembering friends and family who provide a glimpse of what God’s wonderful kingdom family will look like. This year I feel I have had a special preview [...]

Celebrating the Big 60th

Today is my 60th birthday.  Hard to believe that I have been on God’s good earth for such a span of time.  And it has been a wonderful time so far.  I am humbled by the numbers that have contacted me in the last couple of days to share ways in which my life and [...]

What is the Future of the Family?

The MSA September Seed Sampler is out.  This month’s title is The Future of the Family. There are some great articles which you can link to directly below Related FAMILIES FOR OTHERS Bedtime Prayer Time for a Tech Sabbath? Resources - Family What Will Shape the Family in Your Context? Families: 2010-2020 Relational Tithe August Seed Sampler Micah Challenge UK Laundry Love

Stop, Revive, Survive

I have just returned from my trip to Australia where I virtually disconnected from blogs, email and facebook for 2 weeks.  It is the first time that I have done this for a long time.  At first it seemed weird and I did attempt to stay in touch posting the occasional random blog post, but [...]

God You Call Us Your Friends

This week will be a busy week – not only are we heading towards Pentecost and the wonderful celebration of God’s richly diverse multicultural future family, but we are also still in the midst of the busiest garden season of the year and I am getting ready for more upcoming garden seminars.  The next seminar [...]

Celebrating Advent with Kids

The first Sunday of Advent is almost here.  Some of us have dusted off our Advent wreaths, bought new candles and prepared to begin the celebration.  Many of us however are new to this celebration and arn’t sure what to do.  Especially if you are celebrating with children you may be a little uncertain what [...]

Last Day in Australia – My Concerns About How We Care for the Elderly

Tom & I are in the midst of our last day in Sydney.  Tonight we will have dinner with Matt Stone and some of his cronies.  Then tomorrow last trip up to the local shops for a cappuccino or mocha with Mum – hate to admit it but cappuccinos here are much better than in [...]