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Life of an Ordinary Aussie Woman

Monday 27 February 2017

It is RIGHT to give our thanks & Praise:

One of the liturgical responses in the Anglican tradition of worship is, “It is RIGHT to give our thanks and praise”.

What I so love about this response is threefold: It can be said regardless of one’s emotions at the time because it is TRUTH that praise and thanks is always the right response; It is SIMPLE as it moves our focus from self to the eternally, unchanging One; Yet POWERFUL as we can then escape our present state and move into a peaceful, eternity-focused one.

As I was driving to work this morning I saw a dead, unidentifiable, animal carcass on the side of the road. My heart became heavy as I drove through what is such beautiful country-side, thinking of what a wonderful gift this land is from God, but also of how this place is also one where many are spiritually dead, or are dying from their continued rebellion…I began to grieve over the hardness of heart and of the desire to be self-sufficient…Over inter-generational brokenness so blatantly in the face of people, while they still cry out, “No God! I don’t want or need You!”

It was then I made a conscious decision to praise my God regardless…

I began to meditate as I drove on Him.

Upon Him who is LOVE.

Upon Him who is unchanging.

Upon Him who set ME apart and made me His Own, long before I did anything to serve Him.

Upon Him who saw me inside my mother’s whom and still chose to save me, even knowing all the rebellion and sin I would commit.

Upon Him who saw me, just as He sees all, lost and in desperate need.

Upon Him who is the beginning and the end, seeing so much more than I.

It was a split-second decision but one that was RIGHT…I began to sing thanks and praise to Him, praying for Him to make a way in this place and meditating upon His faithfulness as I drove. These are the lyrics that came and I simply sang over and over and over:

I want to praise you, with all of my heart,
I want to praise you, for I’ve been set apart,
You are mine, You’ve made me Your own,
Abba, Father on Your throne, I want to praise You.

You see, I know I don’t have the answers. I am NOT the saviour and my vision is limited. But what I do know is that I am His daughter, He is with me, and it is always RIGHT to give my thanks and praise.

I believe with all of my heart and mind that thanks and praise is POWERFUL. That prayer and praise invites our Father into the lives of others we interact with. I believe prayer and praise is the catalyst for Christians bearing fruit because it is RELATIONAL and it is the relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins and spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ that we must offer. 

May we never forget that is RIGHT to give our thanks and praise and to practice it.


Love Melanie.



Tuesday 14 February 2017

Your LOVE Never Fails: Valentine's Day 2017

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me...
Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me!
(Lyrics by Jesus Culture).

Valentine's Day has rolled around once again, and for many it's a day best slept away. You see, for most people it's not romance, chocolate and flowers they desire; it's the committed love from a spouse they crave for validation.

It's hard being single in what feels like a world of couples...I know, from experience. This year is actually the first for me here on the blog where I have a 'valentine'...yet I appreciate my years of singleness which I haven't forgotten.

I know what it's like to desire a partner.

When I was single I knew that I had a choice. I could choose to be happy for others and content while waiting myself...or I could be like many others and settle for the wrong person. I admit my discernment was not always accurate and I made some mistakes along the way...but thank The Lord, I did learn from them!

I remember The Lord saying to me, 'Let go...Do you trust me? Let go', when I was clinging to something which was not His will for me and I knew, even as a Christian, I still had a choice to obey or not. So whenever something got too close which wasn't right for me, I knew I needed to let go...I got better and better at this with each success I had.

Yes, relationships or the desire for one can be an idol.

Each time I chose Jesus over a wrong relationship I could have possibly entered into I became stronger in Him, and better at hearing His voice...But I won't lie, it also hurt. I'd feel disappointed and lonely. It was then I'd push into Him and remember His LOVE never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me, and that there was nothing that could compare to His plan and will for my life.

His will was definitely worth waiting for.

When I announced my new relationship on social media there were some people who did not take the news so well and 'unfriended' me...I understood however, as it can be difficult for some to celebrate with someone else.

For those of you who may be waiting, I know it is hard!

Continue pressing into Jesus, and strengthen your Number One relationship so that you'll be a better person. Don't settle for being unyoked, or even for a Christian who treats you poorly.

It's natural for someone to desire committed love from a spouse, but it shouldn't be for validation.

Our value and worth should come from being a child of God through Jesus Christ. The desire for committed love from a spouse should be so that we can love them back as God does, everyday of our life within marriage. If you've had many failed relationships, I pray you know His love that never fails, never gives up and never runs out!


Love, Melanie.

Let me leave you with Jesus Culture:


Sunday 5 February 2017

I Have Waited.

I have waited all my life for you,
Yes, I have waited all my life for you.
To come along, to come along and make me feel the way you do...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

When you hold me in your arms the way that you do,
And kiss my head so soft, the way that you do.
I'm filled with peace, I'm filled with peace from the love you give me...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

Everyday I spend with you my love,
Each moment, I spend with you my love.
I see more, I see more of your heart that cares for me...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

I have placed my heart into your hands,
Yes, I have placed my heart into your hands.
For I trust you, I trust you and no longer do I walk alone....
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

Joy has come into my life afresh again,
Yes, joy has come into my life afresh again.
I praise God, I praise God, for His love that you bring me...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

Our two hearts now beat as one my love,
Yes, our love indeed is strong my love.
No better match, no better match, for me could I comprehend...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.

You are a promise God once gave to me,
A promise come to life, in perfect timing.
New life springs, new life springs, a family whole in Christ we are...
Oh I, I have waited, I have waited for you.



All my love to you Richard, yours in Christ, Melanie.