Taggart still cute.

Taggart loves playing with his toys. He checks every shopping bag to see if there is a new toy for him. He can never have too many.

God still reigns!

I just want to encourage everyone. Many of you like me are having are real hard time this year. You can sometimes feel surrounded by all the things that are going wrong in your life. Don't give up! When you are only looking at the things around you, then you can miss God. Scripture tells us in Psalm 121:1 "I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence comes my help." The key is the I will lift up my eyes. We have to choose to look for God. He has not gone away when we can't see Him because of the circumstances of our lives. Often we have good reasons to cry and be upset yet we still need to find God. It is our choice to find the light in the midst of our darkness. We need to get God's view of our circumstances rather than letting our circumstances obscure our view of God. We need to find God in everything. A little boy flying in a commercial airplane was sitting next to a lady who was shredding her tissues, trembling with anxiety and fear. "Little boy," she asked , " How can you be so calm as we travel through this storm? Aren't you terrified? The boy stopped playing with his toy plane and looked her straight in the eye and said, "I'm not worried. You see my Dad is the pilot." God still reigns, He is in control. There is nothing too difficult for Him. Lift up your head. See all the blessing, hope and vision that He has for you. As we lift Him up, we release faith, praise and the power of God.

Update on Taggart

just doing a quick update on Taggart the wonder pup. He continues to delight and annoy my parents with his antics. He steals anything he can to see if he can get someone to chase him. He did steal some conditioner from the grocery shopping which he put puncture marks in making a real mess. You can tell from his photo that he is now a golden colour.

Samantha has had a health scare. Barking at the window one morHi I amning she turned and began yelping. She had no movement in her rear legs. Very worrying, however after lots of rest and great nursing from my parents she is nearly back to normal movement.

I can't believe it is August already. I bought my first thing for Christmas yesterday. I am enjoying the Olympics especally watching Australia do so well.

Coninuing to pray for God's ourpouring on this great city of Melbourne.

It's an exciting time to be a Christian.

God is doing a new significant work in the world. How exciting it is to see His outpouring in Florida. Praise God for what He is doing through Todd Bentley and his ministry Fresh Fire. Amazing healings and many resurrections from the dead. However the most exciting thing is how contagious this anointing of fire is. I have recieved prayer twice from people who have been to Florida and I know I am changed forever.

This is the time for Melbourne to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit. Salvations are going to break out all over the city. Healings everywhere. All of God's people who have been bound be pain, sickness are about to be liberated. His children are to rise up in power with anointing in their hands. Warriors of God stand and proclaim His truth. Redig the wells enter into the fresh stream of His spirit. I proclaim liberty for my city, healing for my city. My we enter into the fullness of our spiritual inheritance.

Good Friday.

Hi all, This is a poem I wrote a few years ago about Good Friday. I hope it speaks to you.

Good Friday.

Looking from the cross

Jesus saw

Not the jeering crowd

Nor the immense

pain

physical

spiritual

He saw man

God's beloved

creation

Alienated

Seperated

from

Their Father

His love

Their future

and hope

He looked and saw

multitudes

in despair

confusion

lost

He saw

and He choose.

It is finished!

Enduring death

That life might

be ours

He loved those

yet unborn.

But forseen in

God's eternal vision

Wanted

Planned

Future's glorious

That Friday

Horrible in it's deeds

Betrayed, rejected

God's own son

Opened heaven's door

for us

Good was that Friday

eternally.

Easter blessings. May you know the truth of God's love for you that He sent his Son that you may recieve forgiveness from you sin and enter into your amazing destiny with God.

General Update.

Life is going really fast at the moment, who can believe Easter is so close. I have had some pain relief from my spinal injection which is good. Church has been busy and we have been having some good times in the Lord. There is a real sense that He is moving us up to another level. God needs all his Christian soldiers ready to go to battle for him.

Dog news. Samantha has had a brush with cancer but the vet thinks he got it all and she is recovering nicely. Taggart got desexed and still remains his usual playful self.

Taggart update and spinal injection.

This was the week I had to go and have a spinal injection. On the way there we noticed the car was not driving well, so we pull over to find that we have a flat tyre. We managed to change the tyre but of course we were running late for the appointment. I tried to ring but my mobile phone kept saying call failed. I am not mentioning a certain phone company but I am not impressed with their coverage. I rang them the next day and they said that part of the mobile network had been down. So I got to my appointment somewhat stressed and covered in grease.

I am not going to go into details re the injection except to say it was horrible and extremely painful. I will have to wait and see for my final verdict, the day after I was moving like a very old lady. Let me not mentioned how much it is going to cost me. Why is it so expensive to be healthy? Really you have to be wealthy to afford some of the treatments, one that was mentioned to me was $1000 a treatment. Who can afford that? I dont think your health should be limited by your bankbook.

Taggart update. He is growing all the time and continues to make life fun for my parents. My dad said he broke out of Stalag 13 an enclosure Dad had built for him in the backyard for the second time. I just wish he didnt bite so much.

Taggart.

taggart comes home
Originally uploaded by christinewhaley

Taggart continues to delight as he grows. He is full of personality. Running, jumping and playing. Poor Samantha is continually having to put him in his place. He loves people but still has a problem with biting. I think he thinks life is one big game, which is not a bad thing.

Getting out of the hole.

Hi all. I had a better week this week, the pain wasn't as bad. I thank God that He enabled me to preach the last two weeks. Last Sunday I preached on getting out of the hole, I was probably preaching to myself more than anyone else. It is hard to preach faith when you have had a week full of despair. Below is part of my sermon.



You know God doesn’t go away when we are in a hole, we just can’t see Him because of all the darkness surrounding us. If we are in a hole and we are just looking down or around us we are not seeing His light. We have to force our heads up to see Him. Do we feel like looking up? NO! Do we need too? Yes. I had good reason to cry and moan this week, but I couldn’t stay in that place. I needed to move away from the despair and find God in the midst of my circumstances. Because it doesn’t matter how hard it gets God is always there for us. Psalm 121:1-8 I look up to the mountains; es my strength come from mountains? [2] No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3] He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. 4] Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5] God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— 6] Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7] God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. 8] He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.

If you are having a tough time I hope this helps you.

Pain.

Pain is a horrible thing. I have had a bad pain week. I hate the way it colours your whole life. You are so tired, normal everyday actions start to look like huge mountains to conquer. Depression comes along for a ride when you have bad pain. It's not surprising really when you are struggling to cope with everything.

It is at times like these I see God like the light down a long tunnel. He never leaves me, His presence enables me when I am weak. But I have to be looking to see Him, otherwise I can drown in my pain.

This week I was encouraged by reading other people's blogs. I saw that there are many others out there who also struggle with pain. Many are worse than me. It helps to get prespective when you are in danger of losing it. So tonight my thoughts are prayers are with you if you too fight the pain battle. Keep your head up, it may be the darkest now but sunrise is on the way. Surround yourselves with those who will lift you up, hold your arm up when you can't yourself. When you are weak it is not a bad thing to get help from others.

New furniture and welcome to Taggart.

I had some new furniture arrive today. I had no idea that it would arrive in pieces and I would be expected to put it together. Immediately I was on the phone to the parents who fortunately saved me by coming up to help me assemble it. I couldn't have done it without them. What is it with men? They like to work things out by themselves without looking at the instructions.

Anyway one of the chairs has a obvious chip in it, so I suppose I will have to complain about it. The easier option is not to, but that doesn't always get us what we need or what we deserve. It is nice to have new furniture, I haven't really bought much. My lounge suite I picked up off the street and it has been a real blessing to have.

I would like to welcome Taggart, a cairn terrier pup to our family. He is the new addition in my parents house and is keeping them on their toes. He is fearless and throws himself into anything especially water. Today he grabbed my small garden spade and was running around my backyard with it. It is nearly bigger than him. I am sure he is going to give my parents much joy.

Have a blessed 2008.

Well, 2007 is just about over, where did it go? As we enter 2008 my prayer is that you will draw closer to God. For the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit I continue to pray for rain, both physical and spiritual.God is calling more and more of his people to prayer. Australia has a unique and special destiny in God, the best is yet to come. It is my dream to see revival sweep our country, that Australian's of all types and backgrounds will come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That our great sporting arena's will be filled with people seeeking and praising God instead of sport. (Not that I don't like sport.} May Jesus be the guiding light that directs your path in 2008.

Christmas blessings.

Well I have done all my shopping and nearly all my baking. I have given out heaps of packages of shortbread and other goodies that I baked. Written all my cards and generally submerged myself in Christmas, which I love. Even though it can be a lot of effort, it is always a joy to bless others.

So as you celebrate this Christmas season with your loved ones I would wish you much happiness and remind you of our greatest gift. Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." A David Meece song expresses my thoughts beautifully.

We Are The Reason
As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

He is my reason to live

It is my prayer this Christmas that Jesus would be your reason to live.

I am a survivor.

Last week was the anniversary of the car accident that has greatly impacted my life. It's funny I can still remember that morning so clearly, my plans for the day. Then I have a gap of time that I have never recovered, till I regained consciousness in casualty. You never believe it is going to happen to you, till it does.It's amazing the thoughts that go through your mind. I remember being glad that I had had a shower that morning. I also thought that I was dying, because of the pain I was in.This is actually a good thing as I remember clearly that I wasn't afraid because I loved God.All my life I had not had one broken one bone, till that day when I had 16 fractures all on my left side.

What I didn't realise then was how greatly my life was changed.I have always felt that the person I was before the accident, died or disappeared on that morning. Because the person that emerged afterwards was distinctly different. How I tried to get my life quickly back to normal. But normal didn't hide those things I was now struggling with. Pain entered my life than and has not left since. Post traumatic stress and interesting term but not an enjoyable process. Car accident victims should all be referred to counselling, which I wasn't.Trying to find my own answers was not easy. If I had not been a Christian I do not think I could have survived those days. So, here I am another year gone, I still stand a survivor. Christine's advice for when you are having a dark day and depression surrounds you. You must keep this one rule at those times. I will not make a decision that impacts my life when I can not trust my emotions to rule my life. My thoughts and prayers are with all those other survivors who deal daily with the consequences of a car accident.

Bowling and where is Jesus?

Hi, I have had a nice week not working.Although there always seems to be so much to do for Christmas. I have done a lot of walking around shopping centres in the last 2 days. A few more presents bought but a I have still have a bit to do. I had my first experience on Ebay the other day and to my surprise I actually won the auction, so I am just waiting to see what the item is like when it turns up. I hope it is ok as it is a Christmas present.

I went bowling the other night for my work Christmas break up. It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately my physio had told me not to bowl one handed, nor was I to bend my knee. Ok you try and bowl with those instructions. So to no ones great surprise I came last however I was awarded the cutest little trophy. Anyway everyone had a good time which was the point of the exercise.

I stopped off at a cake decorating place yesterday to look for something to top my Christmas cake. All I found was Santa's and Merry Christmas.I went and asked the sales assistance if they any Nativity ones only to be told no. Interestingly enough she said that they have commercialised Christmas too much. I said to her there was no point celebrating Christmas if they take Jesus out of it. He is the reason for the season.

Fruit cake.

Well it took me a few hours but I now have a number of containers filled with shortbread. They turned out really well this year, stars, hearts, christmas trees, angels and those with the traditional scotch thistle pattern. Tonight I cut up the fruit for the fruit cake. I have to admit to hating this task, it is sticky, time consuming and plain hard work. Then at the end I add the rum, all this for a cake I will never eat. I hate fruit cake, however I am told I make a good one. I don't drink and have always disliked alcohol. So I am always astonished how much rum costs when I go and buy it for the Christmas cake. People actually choose to pay that much and drink this stuff!

My Christmas tree is up but I imagine I will still be tweaking it for days.I had a drama with the lights this year. For the first time they didn't work when I unpacked them. Trying to find the bulb that does not work amongst 100 bulbs is a challenge. I took my self off to the hardware store only to come back with the wrong bulbs. Yes, I will take one with me next time. So, I was disappointed a Christmas tree really needs it's lights. Then I got innovative the greenery I have hanging above my tree also has lights. On checking they were same size bulbs so I found one then two bulbs to replace. Holding my breath I turned the power on and it still didn't work. Not liking to be stumped I tried again today and found another bulb to replace and yes I have lights!

December already!

Since I have last blogged I recieved good news. I don't have to have the surgery I thought I did. So Praise God all systems go for Christmas preparation. I have already wrapped my first present. I am a little behind with my tree, I like to have it ready for the 1st December at the moment it is a work in progress. My weekend was flat out. I hit a popular market which I go to with a friend every December, it has become a Christmas tradition. Last year it rained, this year it was hot and the Australia's infamous flies were out in force. What is it with them this year? However I had a great time and got a few presents. Bonus!Then I dashed home to write a sermon which I finished at 11:30 pm. Talk about tired, Sunday I preached and then worked in the afternoon. Now I am on holiday for a little while, hooray. Sleep ins here I come. Tomorrow I plan to make a quadraple, it that a word, mix of shortbread. I can't help it I just love everything about Christmas.

Just me now!

So I have finished the course that got me started with my blog. Now I can put what I want on my blog. I have been a little quiet lately as I had some bad news recently. One great thing about being a Christian is that God is absolutely there when you need Him. I never have to go through anything alone. In my life I have had to deal with a lot of physical pain and sometimes that can be draining emotionally and physically. However I have found new depths in God during this time. We all have choices in our lives. We choose everyday to go towards God or away from Him. Choose life and light, choose God, find Jesus. It was the best decision I ever made in my life. Anyway you can pray for me in the next few weeks, I will let you know how I go.

Of course Christmas is coming, so my blog will probably have a strong Christmas theme from now on. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Do you find those who have finished already to be slightly annoying? I love all the rush and bustle to do with Christmas and all the cooking.

Learning 2.0

For someone who was initally reluctant to do this course, (how much time is this going to take?) I really got addicted to working on my blog. There was times I was doing it in my freetime at home. I was keen to see all the features I could add to it and very willing to show it to anyone who would have a look. Just yesterday I recommended Flickr to one of our library users. So what were my favourite things? I enjoyed Flickr, image generators, Youtube and Library Thing. But most of all I enjoyed having the experience of creating my blog. What I hated was everyones pet hate Newsfeeds. So all and all I will have to say I am glad that I have had this experience, it has made me feel a lot better informed and equipped to help our borrowers. Thanks to those administering the course for all the work you put in reading all our blogs. I have decided to keep mine going.