Sunday Random Sunday

I've decided to attempt something new. .  .I was thinking about how people capture random moments in a day and make a social media video of it. . . and thought, "wonder if that's something I would do."

Instead of doing a video, though, have decided to do a blog with some photos or videos or links or quotes of things that struck me during the week. Kind of like a fun reflection, and a bit of insight into my life. . . it might be random....it might be inspirational...who knows....I decided Sunday was a good day for a bit of Randomness....so here it comes... [PS click on the photo to see the bigger image]

Tuesday night art lessons [ above] . . . the start of something new. actually so far I haven't finished a picture that I've started . . . maybe this time I will.

This quote hit me like a curve-ball . . . it is super profound . . . how often do we get stuck in our heads, our memories or our past? stuck in a moment, it prevents us from moving forward . . . I heard a preacher say this morning that if we aren't advancing...then we are digressing . . . sad but true.
Also, due to pondering this quote... have had a U2 song stuck in my head all week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emFUtuotHL4

Mulberrys! Mullberys! YUMMY Mullburrys! New accommodation has a Mulberry tree that hangs over into our garden, and they are super sweet, super yummy and in abundance...reminds me of a time in my childhood when we were in Johannesburg [well just outside] and we had a Mulberry tree in the middle of our front garden.....did I mention that they are YUMMY?!?!?

One of my favorite songs, but one of my favorite band has a song with these lyrics [above]. The privilege of grace and redemption....Too often I am aware of my failings, weaknesses and mistakes. Thank God for His redemption love. Go ahead and refresh your soul and take a listen to the song...let yourself be reminding of His forgiveness and refreshed by His love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I2HQGWlf2Q

Sometimes a girl's just got to buy herself some flowers. #TakeTimeToAppreciateBeauty.

Lazy Sunday afternoons, chilling with a friend, playing a game. . . new memories and fond reminders of times gone by.

I might not be completely unpacked nor settled, but I have invested time in decorating and creating beautiful spaces.

Speaking of creating.... I created a mini water feature, all by myself... so rewarding. just a small one to create some atmosphere. Previous home had fire....this one has water. 

I leave you with words of wisdom from the water bottle I found. Take heart, and remember that there is always a reason to smile. 

Little Pig, Little Pig, Let Me In...

Sometimes obvious truth is also simple truth. . . and its not usually new truth either. . . but for some reason it suddenly resurfaces in your brain and hits home.

Today I was thinking about life and everything else in general . . . I have a very busy brain. One of the thoughts I had was this,

"If you let it in . . . it will win."

It's simple but always very true.  One of the scriptures I have had shadow me in the last year or so is from Proverbs 4 :23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

So I have to stop and ask myself, "what am I letting in?" because truth is truth. . . If I let it in, it has won and will continue to win. It might come in subtly, a slight look, a laugh at something inappropriate. It might be justified, bitterness, offence, reaction to rejection, self-pity. They put on the puppy eyes, and the mournful look and we let our guard down and open the door.

Or it might be something seductive and obvious like blatant sin born from the seed of rebellion that we let in the back door. Rebellion never comes through the front door, no it doesn't, not in Christian circles anyway. The front door carries the facade of acting right, and saying the right thing....but we leave the back door open and let it come in. The thing is rebellion, like a lot of other sins, always brings friends.

In Genesis 4:7  we see God warning Cain that sin was crouching at the door, but encouraging Cain to master it. When you open the door to it, it will master you. You need to put it in its place, and keep it out the door. it's a bit like the story of the 3 little pigs and the wolf. The wolf was persistent and kept trying. He kept knocking and huffing and puffing and eventually even tried to climb down the chimney.

The thing is, if the pig had let the wolf in, the wolf would have master him. A lot like red riding hood. . . don't make friends with the wolf. Dont invite it in. He will be at the door. He will beg and plead and howl and huff and puff. Don't open that door.

We are able to resist. God is faithful to provide a way out and He has also given us free will to stand our ground. We stand in his authority. And this doesn't just apply to sin. So many things try to come in to master our lives. There is only one safe bet, only one "thing" that deserves to be allowed access. . . Only one who if He is allowed in, will master but in a good way that will bring about the best in your life and that "person" is Jesus Christ. . . keep your door open to him.

Don't keep him sitting on the porch and act like you know him because he is on your premises and you have heard his voice. . . take the risk and let him in....go ahead, open that door....regardless of what kind of mess is inside. Regardless of what other "things" you have let in and the houseguests they brought with them....let Him in, and Jesus will serve the rest their eviction notice and help you clean it all up....don't be scared....today's here, He's here, ready and waiting for you to open the door.