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Life of an Ordinary Aussie Woman

Wednesday 24 February 2016

FOUR.

A RE-WRITE OF PSALM 4: Marking my four year anniversary of singleness.


Four ~


Jesus hear me now as I call to You, for I am at the end of myself, There is no more I can do, only place my continuing hurt and loss into Your hands, Oh God of all righteousness! You relieve my distress and hear my prayer.

Oh people of this world, how long will you hate my godly morals and what is just and right? How long will you continue to love what is vain and live in deception?

But I know The Lord has set His children apart for Himself; and I am His daughter whom He hears; He hears my cry, holds my heart, and gathers my tears.

I may at times tremble, but I am refusing to sin. I am choosing to die to my flesh, in love for my King. I will sit upon my bed and meditate in my heart upon His glorious ways; 

I offer my life as a sacrifice, for I trust Him, and therefore offer all of myself to Him for His eternal care.

Many are saying, “How is your god any different? You do not love, only judge!” Shine Your light Oh Lord, upon their darkened minds!

For You alone have put gladness in my heart, more than any of their worldly possessions provide.

For thanks to You, I am walking in Your Will and therefore lie down in peace and safety, that You alone provide.


Thank-you, forever Yours, Melanie.


Here is the original psalm: Psalm 4 (NASB).


Sunday 14 February 2016

To the One I love this Valentines...

To the One I love this Valentines...

Just a little note to say how much I love you and how glad I am to be spending this Valentine's Day with You!

I love how Your presence calms me.

I love how I can see Your smile, in the face of small child.

I love how I can feel You, like tingles on my skin, or warmth upon my face.

I love how You make a way for me, when the door seems shut.

I love how You care for not only me, but my boys too.

I love how You meet every need, and not every desire.

I love how You go everywhere with me, and how I am never alone.

I love how You make me a better person, less selfish, and more able to love others.

I love how You give me a heart to love You, and a voice to sing Your praise.

I love how You give me laughter and dry my tears.

I love how Your love is perfect, You never demand.

I love how You forgive, encourage and equip me.

I love how You make me Your child, daughter and sister who is resilient.

I love how You've given me good works to do for You.

I love how You are enough...Your LOVE is deeper than Valentine's Day and wider than a romantic date.


I am Yours, my Lord, my God, my everything, Melanie.


Friday 12 February 2016

Maturity as a Christian: 12 Marks

We know maturity is not something that always comes with age...
I'm sure you're thinking of someone right now!

And if we're honest with ourselves, we will admit that at times we struggle to respond appropriately in all situations, and that we're an ongoing work in progress.

But if I'm really honest, I will admit that I can struggle and get frustrated with people who think of themselves as better than everyone else. You know, the people who stink of arrogance...

Yet we know we're not perfect, and that Jesus who is tells us to pray for our enemies for love overcomes evil!

Sometimes I am exhausted. Exhausted and frustrated, so much that I want to curl up in my house and hide.

I can feel worn down. I can feel at a loss when I encounter such difficult things like; disrespect, neglect, abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, broken relationships, abortion, grief and loss, death, suicide, apathy, drugs, mental illness, sexual disorders, narcissism, abandonment...

Yet by staying close to Jesus, I wait for His renewing strength and refreshment to come, and it does, every time.

He keeps me close and secure and again I arise to go out into the world with Him – I am never alone, for He lives in me constantly.

So maturity...I think it looks a bit like this.


1. Spending time with Jesus daily – Prayer and reading your Bible, daily essentials for life. Worship music is great too.

2. Dying to self – Our own plans and desires, given up, to live according to His plan for our life.

3. Working hard – Understanding the benefits of working hard and having a decent, clean home.

4. Giving up the pursuit of wealth – Living knowing you receive in order to give.

5. Being responsible – Taking care of your own family first.

6. Holding things lightly – Not letting any possession or person take God's rightful place.

7. Self-Control – Being able to hold your tongue and saying no to self-gratification like masturbation, getting drunk etc.

8. Doing what you say – Not being a hypocrite, rather an example of one who lives the advice they give.

9. Long suffering – Living contentedly while patiently waiting for The Lord's provision and timing.

10. Having discernment – Being able to read people and situations well, so to respond appropriately. Knowing when to speak and when to say nothing, taking no offence. Knowing whom to trust, or whom to have firm boundaries with – to read what actions are from malice or brokenness or an ulterior motive.

11. Having wisdom – Knowing your limitations and taking steps to having your needs met so you don't burn out.

12. Stopping striving – Knowing we don't have to earn God's approval that we're loved as His children through Jesus and resting in that fact; so what we do do comes from the love and intimacy we have with God, not our need for others to accept and validate us. It is accepting and loving ourselves as He does.

To conclude, if you've read something that you know you desire to mature in, I really encourage you to begin praying about it and taking the necessary steps towards achieving it! Try not to feel down, pray and arise in His strength to achieve – each new day is an opportunity to keep maturing in Him!


Melanie.

Let me leave you with this challenging and encouraging song: 'Keep Making Me' By Sidewalk Prophets.