... Christmas memories ...

" Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Matthew  2 : 11

... Christmas archeology ...

Dear God, 

... oh how fast a week goes by ... especially a Christmas week ... but it is good to hang with family ... it always takes a while to settle back into Sydney life after going home for a visit ... somehow the sand shifts a little when I am away ... especially so at Christmas ... I come back different ... searching for something tangible ... 

... what a life Mary had ... mother of Jesus ... receiver of angels ... the faith of a mountaineer ... I wonder if  she felt the complexity of family dynamics ... pondering life ...

Love ya always 

Teena

... just as they had been told ...

" The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

Luke 2 : 20

... reminiscences ...

Dear God,

... memories of a Christmas past came flooding back last night ... I was thinking about  how as a teenager I went caroling at Christmas time ... we used to sit on the back of a big open tray truck and drive around the local streets ... it was a really fun activity ... I am a bad singer but very apt at smiling and waving ... thanks for memories ...

Love ya always 

Teena

... creation ...

" So God created human beings in his own image, 

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them."

Genesis 1 : 27

... gratitude 101 ...

Hey God, 

... the first thing that I am most grateful for is being created ... thanks God for taking 6 days and resting on the 7th ... thanks for being inspired to create us girls and boys ... thanks for the time to think and be me ... thanks for the opportunities and thanks for the ability to make choices ... especially thanks for my new NIV study bible (I love it) ... thanks for all these and many more ...

Love ya always 

Teena

... blessings all around ...

... thanks and adoration ...

Dear God, 

... I seem so focused on finding ways for other people to be thankful  that I have neglected my own thankful heart ... so today has made me think of writing a gratitude journal again ... the time is now ... this is my pushing through attitude ... Thanks God for growing a gratitude in me that truly is a garden ... You inspire me every day to me more like you ... Love and adoration abounds today ... 

Love ya always

Teena

... lean not on your own understanding ...

" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3 : 5 - 6

... trust ...

Dear God, 

... today I have been thinking about my creativity ... especially when it comes to my new business ... can I sustain long term creativity ... always coming up with new and exciting ideas ... and on writing this I know, I should know you will sustain me ... but I am such a doubting Thomas ... where is my trust ... especially since the basis of my new business is you ... lesson for me is practice what you preach ... Help me to work on my Trust God ... Thanks ... couldn't do this without ya ...

Love ya always 

Teena

... but be excessive with God's Love ...

" Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Hebrews 13 : 1 - 2

... all things in moderation ...

Dear God, 

...  my mind has been drifting around a lot lately ... pondering on life and all it's complexities ... just finished watching a cooking show ... the cook was making pancakes ... in went in all these ingredients that seemed excessive (and that was before cooking them) ... what ever happened to 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 1 egg ... the old fashioned way ... then you add all the sugary topping after when you eat them ... that's the best part for me ...  my absolute favorite is lemon and sugar on my pancakes  ... what happened to a simple life ... all that is needed is the basics ... Help me not to excess in anything ... remind me to live a sustainable life ... and help me to be generous in all that I have ... Thanks mate

Love ya always 

Teena

... stamped by Jesus ...

" Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2 : 2

... Christmas Fever ...

Dear God, 

... Christmas fever is upon us ... tonight I have started making my Christmas cards ... I know it is late ... so please help to hustle my hands and feet ... this is such a great way to start me thinking about how to celebrate you this season ... to remind me what's important ... and help me to open my ears to what you are saying  ... what is you message this season ... am I moving closer to you or am I stagnate ... Thanks mate for being King of Kings and Lord of Lords ...

Love ya always

Teena

... God gets my Love ...

" To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength ..."

Mark 12 : 33

... keeping up the momentum ...

Dear God,

 ... I am very needy at this busy time of the year ... I keep asking for a top up ... hope my focus changes soon ... my plans to start being community orientated will start in the new year and I have a few project ideas ... I started all my blog business planning with such gusto ... and now I am tired and my body needs some help to keep going ... please can you sort out what you want with this community project ... I need your hand on this for it to happen Your Way... Thanks

Love ya always 

Teena

... cupcakes and freckles ...

... 40 fun ...

Dear God, 

... I think I am going to need a lot of help this week ... I am so tired from the big 40th party on the weekend ... my bones are yawning ... help me get through all the work I need to get done for my business ... thanks a million ... 

... 'twas such a good time ... it is a joy to see someone else be blessed by their family ... the love is so so very evident in their eyes ... 

... and I enjoyed being needed ...

Love ya always 

Teena

... James 4 ...

" Do you know where your fights and arguments come from?  They come from the selfish desires that war within you.  You want things, but you do not have them."

James 4 : 1 - 2

... the selfish me ...

Dear God, 

... one constant struggle I have is with me, myself and I ... sometimes I can be my own worst enemy ... listening to the discouraging voices and forgetting so quickly your promised plan for me ... not that I exactly know what the plan is exactly but I do know the big picture idea ... You want the very Best for me ... so why then am I so easily discouraged ... where is my "faith like a mustard seed" ... 

... then I read James 4 and had an insight into myself ... my selfish desires want worldly recognition ... I need to keep laying that one at your feet to heal ... Thanks mate ...

Love ya always 

Teena