Last night I went to Perth Christian Life Centre (at 3 Rangeview Place, Canningvale) to see Dr Bernard Blessing, a guy with an amazing testimony who God is now using in a very powerful way. He was born in Africa to a prostitute mother, who he was forced to part with to live on the streets. He begged to survive, then was taken into the homes of various people, who h cleaned houses for and in return, lived in their garages. He was mistreated, beaten and abused beyond all understanding by many people and eventually locked in a garage and left to die with an open bleeding wound, when God had mercy on him and miraculously healed him and delivered him from his unjust circumstances. God brought him a wife, who had no womb, but then was miraculously healed to bear a child (who he named “Miracle”), but then, was taken from him in a fatal car accident. The depth of his suffering is beyond comprehension, but God has taken his tragic life and turned him into a powerful tool, who ministers to many. Glory be to God.
As soon as I walked into the church, I could feel the anointing in the atmosphere. It was so uplifting and I felt a real peace about the place. The worship time was powerful and the message was great, but what really amazed me is that God gave Bernard the names and details of many people in the room and as he called them up one by one, they came up to the stage and confirmed the accuracy of his words. Many were miraculously healed. I listened as an old guy told about how his knees were so injured he had previously not being able to walk up steps, like the ones he had just climbed to get on the stage. Another guy said he had had chronic back pains and so it was pretty touching to see him bending over and stretching in ways that a person with back problems could never stretch. Every person testified that they just knew they had been touched, with many saying they had felt a warm touch in their injured limbs or backs or hearts or lungs, etc… I had tears running down my face as I listened. I was just so deeply encouraged.
Bernard is on again at 7.30pm tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday all at the same venue. The place was absolutely packed with people standing in the foyer at the back, so it’s worth getting there early! Praise God.
28 October 2007
26 October 2007
Farewell to two office chicks
Went to Rigby's today to farewell two beautiful girls that i have worked with this year. Jo started shortly after me and is headed to a Project Officer job at Rockingham hospital. Eloise has only been with us for about fourth months and doesn't yet have another job. Pretty sad to see two young ones going, but hey, not long before i leave too. 
21 October 2007
New Mayors, Presidents and Councillors
Had a really long night of work last night, which extended into the wee small hours of this morning cos I was doing a bit of work for the Electoral Commission. We had a mighty task of processing all the results from the recent local government elections, which took place across the State. My job was to process emails from the returning officers who had used a program called “Count WA” and then to enter them into the Electoral Management System so our IT gurus could then upload them onto the website.
We processed about 60 local government authorities’ results, which involved filling about 210 vacancies for councilors, mayors and presidents. It was actually a lot of fun. I was put into the boys team – working with three young blokes – two of whom were the sons of managers in the office. We had a really great time, joking around a lot and making the most of our very long shift together. I think the biggest council was the City of Perth. I had to do a ring around close to midnight to find out where some 20 or so councils were at because we hadn’t heard from them. A few of them said they were no where near finished with counting ballot papers. I think the last person left at about 4.00 am. I wasn’t keen on hanging around. I think a lot of the people just wanted the overtime pay, but I figured my sleep was more valuable. Money isn’t everything.
We processed about 60 local government authorities’ results, which involved filling about 210 vacancies for councilors, mayors and presidents. It was actually a lot of fun. I was put into the boys team – working with three young blokes – two of whom were the sons of managers in the office. We had a really great time, joking around a lot and making the most of our very long shift together. I think the biggest council was the City of Perth. I had to do a ring around close to midnight to find out where some 20 or so councils were at because we hadn’t heard from them. A few of them said they were no where near finished with counting ballot papers. I think the last person left at about 4.00 am. I wasn’t keen on hanging around. I think a lot of the people just wanted the overtime pay, but I figured my sleep was more valuable. Money isn’t everything.
Anyway, here are some shots from the night, starting with the three blokes I worked with.
17 October 2007
Tribute
This post is a tribute to the ex's in my life who helped to shape me and make me the way i am today (not sure that's such a good thing!) :-) It is very weird thinking that i could be married now, maybe with kids, but definitely in a very different life to the one i have now. I had the opportunity to marry four of them. 
04 October 2007
When insults had class
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
-- Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."
-- Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
-- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
-- Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
-- Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend... If you have one."
-- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill... followed by Churchill's response:
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one."
-- Winston Churchill
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."
-- Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."
-- John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."
-- Irvin S. Cobb
"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."
-- Samuel Johnson
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
-- Paul Keating
"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr
"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"
-- Mark Twain
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."
-- Mae West
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
-- Oscar Wilde
Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a Dinner Party, "Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!" Winston replied, "Madam if I were your husband I would drink it!"
-- Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."
-- Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
-- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
-- Mark Twain
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."
-- Oscar Wilde
"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend... If you have one."
-- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill... followed by Churchill's response:
"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second, if there is one."
-- Winston Churchill
"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."
-- Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."
-- John Bright
"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."
-- Irvin S. Cobb
"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."
-- Samuel Johnson
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
-- Paul Keating
"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr
"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?"
-- Mark Twain
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork."
-- Mae West
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
-- Oscar Wilde
Lady Astor once remarked to Winston Churchill at a Dinner Party, "Winston, if you were my husband, I would poison your coffee!" Winston replied, "Madam if I were your husband I would drink it!"
30 September 2007
WAR zone
Yesterday, i spent the entire day at The New Esplanade Hotel, attending a Women @ the River (WAR) conference. It was the first WAR conference i've been to and it was pretty full-on. I mean just being in the presence of so many women! I felt a heavy oppression when i walked in late. It was like there was this tension about the place, however, by the end of the session, after our amazing worship times, the thick tension in the air had gone and there was this deep peace - a holy presence.
It was funny that the people who invited me ended up attending a prayer conference elsewhere, so i went on my own. I could have gone down south with them, but i felt like God wanted me to go to the women's event instead and i am so grateful i went. It was awesome.
We started with some worship. Then numerous women got up and gave prophetic messages to the audience, including visions and scriptures and words of knowledge. It was really encouraging. I sat next to a beautiful lady called May Kew, who told me she was a grandmother with kids between 27 and 34. We prayed together a few times and when she prayed for me, the Lord gave her a vision, which really encouraged me.
She said she could see a young deer that was gracefully moving around in a winter scene. The atmosphere was cold and dark, yet the deer was bringing tremendous joy to people all around it. She said it had white spots to identify with the cold, but it was radiant and full of warmth. Then she said she could see lots of parcels and presents. The deer was bringing them to people who had experienced a lot of pain and suffering and who had cold and darkness in their lives. When she had finished saying that, i looked up at her and she had tears in her eyes. She said the vision touched her heart and it was for me. She said that usually when she prays for people, she sees pictures for them. Sweet.
I also met a few other people over lunch, but i wasn't really feeling very sociable, so i didn't really make much effort to get to know many people. I just talked to whoever came and sat with me. It was a very nice venue overlooking the Swan River. I was watching people jogging, rowing, cycling and having fun outside in the sun. What a blessed and beautiful city we live in.
At the end of the session, some older ladies prayed for every one who wanted to be prayed for and they annointed our hands with shimmering oil, to empower us to go out into our communities and workplaces and shine the love of God on other peoples' lives.
"They will sparkle in His land, like jewels in a crown" [Zec 9:16]
It was funny that the people who invited me ended up attending a prayer conference elsewhere, so i went on my own. I could have gone down south with them, but i felt like God wanted me to go to the women's event instead and i am so grateful i went. It was awesome.
We started with some worship. Then numerous women got up and gave prophetic messages to the audience, including visions and scriptures and words of knowledge. It was really encouraging. I sat next to a beautiful lady called May Kew, who told me she was a grandmother with kids between 27 and 34. We prayed together a few times and when she prayed for me, the Lord gave her a vision, which really encouraged me.
She said she could see a young deer that was gracefully moving around in a winter scene. The atmosphere was cold and dark, yet the deer was bringing tremendous joy to people all around it. She said it had white spots to identify with the cold, but it was radiant and full of warmth. Then she said she could see lots of parcels and presents. The deer was bringing them to people who had experienced a lot of pain and suffering and who had cold and darkness in their lives. When she had finished saying that, i looked up at her and she had tears in her eyes. She said the vision touched her heart and it was for me. She said that usually when she prays for people, she sees pictures for them. Sweet.
I also met a few other people over lunch, but i wasn't really feeling very sociable, so i didn't really make much effort to get to know many people. I just talked to whoever came and sat with me. It was a very nice venue overlooking the Swan River. I was watching people jogging, rowing, cycling and having fun outside in the sun. What a blessed and beautiful city we live in.
At the end of the session, some older ladies prayed for every one who wanted to be prayed for and they annointed our hands with shimmering oil, to empower us to go out into our communities and workplaces and shine the love of God on other peoples' lives.
"They will sparkle in His land, like jewels in a crown" [Zec 9:16]
African Shangwe
I went to an African Shangwe on Friday night, which was pretty kewl. It was a fundraiser dinner dance to raise money for people living in the slums in Kenya. The event was organised by the Esther Foundation, which is a Christian organisation that was set up to help women who have been victims of physical violence, prostitution and drug and alcohol abuse, to get back on their feet. The girls (dressed in white shirts and black pants below) all have very sad stories, but they have found hope through the Esther Foundation and it's amazing staff. It always overwhelms me when i see these girls, because they are all so young and beautiful. They look so innocent and yet their lives have been tainted by hardship. It really breaks my heart to know that. However, I believe God will restore what the enemy has stolen from their lives. He makes all things new.
Anyway, the night was MC'd by staff from the Foundation and comprised of an African meal with some African style performances. There were some African-clothed drummers and dancers, some Esther Foundation girls doing some African singing and dancing, and then an African couple who got up and sang in front of a video clip they had made, which showed people from an African tribe dancing. The lady sang in Swahili (no idea how to spell that), which was beautiful.
I actually think the prayer tongue that God has given me is African, because as she was singing, i was quietly singing in tongues and it goes with her singing ;-) haha, well i think so.
27 September 2007
How to shake the spirit realm
These are some awesome prayer points taken from a book by Dutch Sheets called "Intercessory Prayer". If prayed regularly, they are very powerful at breaking through the enemy's strongholds and enabling prisoners of this world to see the truth. What happens is the devil places a veil over their eyes so they don't understand or see the truth in God.
Pray the following things over your unsaved connections:
Pray the following things over your unsaved connections:
- that God will lift the veil over them so they have a revelation of Him;
- that the Holy Spirit will hover over them and protect them;
- that Godly people will be in their pathway every day;
- cast down anything that would exalt itself against the knowledge of God, e.g. pride and rebellion, in their lives;
- take down all strongholds in their lives in Jesus name - thought patterns, opinions on religion, materialism and fear;
- bind satan from taking them captive;
- bind all wicked thoughts and lies that satan would try to place in their minds; and
- pray that the armor of God would be placed on them.
23 September 2007
Angellic visitors at Forerunner
An angel came to visit our church tonight!!!! It was like those described in Revelations 4, the ones who constantly say "holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come". Dave, Cate and Christie were running around trying to figure out what to do in response to it deciding to rock up. How totally awesome. We could all feel the shift in the spiritual atmosphere in the church, like this incredibly deep peace just came over us all.
Recently, there has been a bit of movement in the people attending our church, but the remaining people are like-minded – we are all prayer warriors, we all have dreams and visions and the prophetic anointing is starting to thrive. I can’t believe it took me so long to find these people.
Tonight two staff members, Candy and Olga, from Esther house came along – they are also prophetic people. Olga had a vision of treasure chests over Dave and Cate’s heads with pieces of gold pouring out of them. Cate also shared a dream she had had recently, which seemed to be in line with Olga’s vision. She said she had a dream that she was standing in church and there were quite a few middle-aged women in the congregation. She said she looked down at her hands and there was gold dust on them and when she looked up, all the women had it on their hands. She said she was then sitting at the back of the church on a pew with Ewen and Simon and they suddenly felt led to start singing and the song that came out was absolutely glorious and amazing, unlike anything they have sung before and she can’t remember the words, but it aroused a holy presence that permeated the church. Cate said she was deeply encouraged by the dream and felt that maybe it was something to look forward to.
When Olga prayed for me, she said she could see a vision of a train. It was a freight train carrying a big load. She said it was travelling along a long track. She said the weight on it was not a bad weight, but rather symbollic of what it had to offer. It had collected a lot of things (skills, knowledge, etcc), which it would offer to its destination. Pretty amazing, seeing I had a dream ages ago of trains and I had never met this chick before, so she didn’t know my situation. She said that she felt that the train I was waiting for might take a while to come – so possibly my transition into the new job might be longer than expected, but to not be discouraged because God was confirming there was another direction for me. She also said she felt God was saying that my labour had not been in vain. All the jobs i have had in the past have equiped me for my next job. How interesting.
She also said she sensed there was an issue with my family relationships and that there was some inhibition in relationships. Spot on. Over the weekend, I have felt a really burden and sadness for my sister. Some awful experiences in the past have propelled her into a destructive cycle of relationships with many men and it just crushes me so much because I feel so powerless to help, yet I understand why she does it all. When I take time off work in November, I am going to fast for longer periods of time for her. I just can’t fast very much when I work full-time and have an active exercise routine, which helps me work better. When you do high energy cardiovascular work-outs, you need to eat a lot, or you feel like passing out. I consume a huge amount of food after I exercise. Anyway, this chick prayed over my family. Bless her Lord God. She must be an asset to the Esther House girls.
Recently, there has been a bit of movement in the people attending our church, but the remaining people are like-minded – we are all prayer warriors, we all have dreams and visions and the prophetic anointing is starting to thrive. I can’t believe it took me so long to find these people.
Tonight two staff members, Candy and Olga, from Esther house came along – they are also prophetic people. Olga had a vision of treasure chests over Dave and Cate’s heads with pieces of gold pouring out of them. Cate also shared a dream she had had recently, which seemed to be in line with Olga’s vision. She said she had a dream that she was standing in church and there were quite a few middle-aged women in the congregation. She said she looked down at her hands and there was gold dust on them and when she looked up, all the women had it on their hands. She said she was then sitting at the back of the church on a pew with Ewen and Simon and they suddenly felt led to start singing and the song that came out was absolutely glorious and amazing, unlike anything they have sung before and she can’t remember the words, but it aroused a holy presence that permeated the church. Cate said she was deeply encouraged by the dream and felt that maybe it was something to look forward to.
When Olga prayed for me, she said she could see a vision of a train. It was a freight train carrying a big load. She said it was travelling along a long track. She said the weight on it was not a bad weight, but rather symbollic of what it had to offer. It had collected a lot of things (skills, knowledge, etcc), which it would offer to its destination. Pretty amazing, seeing I had a dream ages ago of trains and I had never met this chick before, so she didn’t know my situation. She said that she felt that the train I was waiting for might take a while to come – so possibly my transition into the new job might be longer than expected, but to not be discouraged because God was confirming there was another direction for me. She also said she felt God was saying that my labour had not been in vain. All the jobs i have had in the past have equiped me for my next job. How interesting.
She also said she sensed there was an issue with my family relationships and that there was some inhibition in relationships. Spot on. Over the weekend, I have felt a really burden and sadness for my sister. Some awful experiences in the past have propelled her into a destructive cycle of relationships with many men and it just crushes me so much because I feel so powerless to help, yet I understand why she does it all. When I take time off work in November, I am going to fast for longer periods of time for her. I just can’t fast very much when I work full-time and have an active exercise routine, which helps me work better. When you do high energy cardiovascular work-outs, you need to eat a lot, or you feel like passing out. I consume a huge amount of food after I exercise. Anyway, this chick prayed over my family. Bless her Lord God. She must be an asset to the Esther House girls.
Living a victorious life
This morning when I went to Victory Life Church, the preacher called a young man up to the front and prophesied over him. He was 20 years old and someone, who he said will be used powerfully by God. He said that the company he kept would be absolutely critical to determining the success of his ministry and he prayed that the Lord would give him a pure heart and a pure mind and that he would find the strength to resist all temptations to retain his physical purity no matter what the cost or what sacrifices were involved. He reminded the young man about two men in the Bible – Joseph and Samson. Both had beautiful women placed before them, but only Joseph was able to resist the temptation and flee from sin. Consequently, Joseph achieved amazing things for God and fulfilled his destiny.
I was deeply encouraged by the preacher’s message and the young man’s willingness to serve God with all his heart.
I want to be like that. I want every aspect of my life to be pleasing to God. I want to live a holy and pure life where I don’t compromise my moral standards for anyone. I think it’s a key ingredient to becoming a successful intercessor. It also made me think about the company I have been keeping. Over the next few months I want to go through a bit of a filtering system with the friendships I have and weed out all the ones that aren’t helping me know God more intimately. I know we’re called to be like salt, bringing flavor to other peoples’ lives who are void of the truth, and like light, showing people the right path to take, but I guess there’s a place and a time for that. Close friendships need to be honoring to God because “bad company corrupts good character”. So true.
God has recently brought some more awesome prayer warrior brothers and sisters into my life. God Bless them all.
I was deeply encouraged by the preacher’s message and the young man’s willingness to serve God with all his heart.
I want to be like that. I want every aspect of my life to be pleasing to God. I want to live a holy and pure life where I don’t compromise my moral standards for anyone. I think it’s a key ingredient to becoming a successful intercessor. It also made me think about the company I have been keeping. Over the next few months I want to go through a bit of a filtering system with the friendships I have and weed out all the ones that aren’t helping me know God more intimately. I know we’re called to be like salt, bringing flavor to other peoples’ lives who are void of the truth, and like light, showing people the right path to take, but I guess there’s a place and a time for that. Close friendships need to be honoring to God because “bad company corrupts good character”. So true.
God has recently brought some more awesome prayer warrior brothers and sisters into my life. God Bless them all.
22 September 2007
'Climb to the Top' Heart Foundation Challenge
Just for the record, my team at work climbed a mighty total of 6,868 floors in August, which equates to climbing Mount Everest three times! I am so impressed by them and also, by the fact that some of them have adopted a healthier lifestyle as a result of the challenge. On Friday, Lyn managed to jog most of the distance to Jacobs Ladder and back, which is a huge achievement for her. The whole time i was yelling out words of encouragement, while she was moaning and groaning. It certainly attracted quite a bit of attention, but it was fun. I also managed to jog all the way up the incredibly steep (45 degree angle) Mount Street. Woo hooo. Praise God
18 September 2007
Patch Adams
Last Sunday, i went to the Observation City Hotel in Scarborough to attend a 9am to 5pm seminar in which i met the real Dr Patch Adams, i.e. the one who the movie starring Robin Williams was made about. My sister got four Premier seat tickets, so we sat in the front row under his nose.I didn't realise the film was based on a true story. Patch Adams was such a crack-up. He arrived wearing a very colourful floral shirt with a crazy tie and just as crazy pants. He had waist-long hair, half of which was white, the other half blue. His 62 year old 6" (plus) frame towered over us as he told us how much he loved us all and poured out his life story. I noticed today that his web page tells the story and has all the photos and details you could possibly want, so i wont say anymore...other than WHAT AN AMAZING MAN. He is such an inspiration.
Afterwards, Justin (my awesome prayer warrior friend from Riverview) went home and mum, Juliet and i went and had dinner with Juliet's new boyfriend. Wolfgang, as the name implies, is German. He is 38 and works as an anaesthetist for the Royal Flying Doctor service. I have no idea what happened to the other guy she was seeing. It was interesting talking to him because he does a lot of things which i like to do, like blading and running. However, the more i talked to him, the more it became apparent that he really has little in common with my sister, well other than being medically qualified. He also mentioned that he practises Bhuddism. I guess the peaceful elements of this religion are plausible, but Christianity and Bhuddism are worlds apart...
15 September 2007
My new hub cap
This is my brand new 14" hub cap - worth $72.50. Although it is possible my previous one fell off my car (from hitting a curb or something), the guy at the spare parts place reckons it is more likely that someone actually stole my previous hub cap, either when i was at Dave & Cate's house on Tuesday night or at Ewen & Christie's house on Wednesday night. I can't believe someone would do such an awful thing.
The reason the guy reckons someone stole it is because he said that if i had hit a curb and broken the hub cap, causing it to fall off, it is also likely that i would have damaged my tyre. There was no damage to the tyre whatsoever. He said it is common for people to steal hub caps, because of how much they cost. I actually saw a brand new set of four Toyota hub caps on ebay, selling for $50 (plus $20 postage), but they were the wrong size. Bummer! I really didn't like looking at the empty space, so i just ducked into the place this morning and bought one. I could've got a cheap set from Super Cheap autos - four for $17, but my car is pretty new (2005 model) and it would have looked pretty crappy if i had one odd one.... or if i had taken off the three other originals and replaced them all.
The second piccy is of my happy car, after the missing cap was replaced ;-)
The reason the guy reckons someone stole it is because he said that if i had hit a curb and broken the hub cap, causing it to fall off, it is also likely that i would have damaged my tyre. There was no damage to the tyre whatsoever. He said it is common for people to steal hub caps, because of how much they cost. I actually saw a brand new set of four Toyota hub caps on ebay, selling for $50 (plus $20 postage), but they were the wrong size. Bummer! I really didn't like looking at the empty space, so i just ducked into the place this morning and bought one. I could've got a cheap set from Super Cheap autos - four for $17, but my car is pretty new (2005 model) and it would have looked pretty crappy if i had one odd one.... or if i had taken off the three other originals and replaced them all.
The second piccy is of my happy car, after the missing cap was replaced ;-)
09 September 2007
Another one...
This is the executive from work who i do Jacobs Ladder with the most. She's second in charge at my workplace and doing a marvellous job, having done the ladder for about four or five weeks in a row now - about two or three times a week. I just can't wait until she's starts to increase her speed, to at least get to a jog, because i am finding that walking with her doesn't push me much. Consequently, i go running on my own every second day!I think it should be mandatory for bosses to be involved in regular exercise. I have seen way too many overweight, unfit and unhealthy leaders in Government. They don't function at their full capacity when they are in this physical state.
08 September 2007
Resigning
Last Wednesday I made a huge decision - to resign from working for the Government! I will use up all my annual leave first, then hand in a letter in early December to my sustantive agency, giving four weeks notice of my intention. Then I intend to take some time off, before seeking employment in the Private Sector.
I actually sat down with our Human Resources lady and we worked out that unless I suddenly have an unexpected illness, someone dies in the family, have carer's duties to fulfill, or a need to take maternity leave as the primary parent, I will lose 75 days worth of personal leave! This leave has accrued over 7+ years of working in the Public Sector and unlike annual leave and long service leave, it is not paid out when a person resigns. What a bummer!!! I guess I should be grateful though, that my substantive agency agreed to pay me out my long service leave. They could have witheld it from me.
I prayed about this decision at home group on Wednesday night and everyone felt it was the right decision - why hold on to worldly securities when God is calling us to trust in Him for everything? Especially when it hinders me from doing other things for God. I couldn't have made this decision earlier in my life. I was too set on clinging on to permanency and so set on buying a house. Working for the Government is safe - good hours, good pay, no risk of exploitation, policies to protect you, a guaranteed salary of taxpayers' money, etc... However, I realise now, with no debts or financial committments and a great lot of savings in the bank - now is a good time to take a risk.
I have lots of friends who merely sent in their CVs to private companies and were snapped up within a short time, some by big mining companies. It sounds a lot easier to get into the Private Sector - no big lengthy job interviews or recruitment panels to convince. I am young, well skilled and very employable, so why not?
Anyway, on Wedneday night, Ali had three visions for me - one was of a rower gliding across the river, another was of a little country cottage with trees out the back - both symbolic of time alone, spending quiet times with God and developing my relationship with Him. The third was of a person - well just their feet wearing a pair of high heels, and part of the person's work skirt - walking up stairs - symbolic of climbing higher in my career, maybe. Christie said she felt that I would be going into a much higher paid position with more responsibility, but she didn't think it was in Government. Ewen said he felt that God was saying He wanted me to know intimacy with Him, to prosper my relationship with Him and to learn to trust Him for all things. He said I have a list of things I want from God and God has a list of things He wants from me and only by spending time with God will these needs be met.
Funny, cos Andrew burnt me a copy of some PodCasts from Todd Bentley's website and I happened to listen to one on Thursday night that was all about different seasons we go through in life and about building, that is, in a spiritual way. Todd talked about a CEO who had given up their job to answer the call of God to work in a developing country with kids -rescuing them from all kinds of nasty situations - prostitution, exploitation, abuse and poverty. He said no one with a worldly mindset could understand why a Christian would give up the comforts of a high paid job to respond to the call of God. Hey, if a CEO can do that for a more noble cause, then so can I. It's a tough ask to let go of worldly securities and trust God to provide for you. I am ready for the challenge. I guess it'll be a while longer of living at home (big sigh). Oh well, could be worse.
I can't wait for some time off work. I can't take time off until second week of November. Then i have two weeks, return to work for four weeks, then leave for greener pasture.
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Incidentally, my sister started dating a new guy last night - a Canadian man called David. I am pretty sick of listening to all her stories. One day God will set her free from this cycle.
I actually sat down with our Human Resources lady and we worked out that unless I suddenly have an unexpected illness, someone dies in the family, have carer's duties to fulfill, or a need to take maternity leave as the primary parent, I will lose 75 days worth of personal leave! This leave has accrued over 7+ years of working in the Public Sector and unlike annual leave and long service leave, it is not paid out when a person resigns. What a bummer!!! I guess I should be grateful though, that my substantive agency agreed to pay me out my long service leave. They could have witheld it from me.
I prayed about this decision at home group on Wednesday night and everyone felt it was the right decision - why hold on to worldly securities when God is calling us to trust in Him for everything? Especially when it hinders me from doing other things for God. I couldn't have made this decision earlier in my life. I was too set on clinging on to permanency and so set on buying a house. Working for the Government is safe - good hours, good pay, no risk of exploitation, policies to protect you, a guaranteed salary of taxpayers' money, etc... However, I realise now, with no debts or financial committments and a great lot of savings in the bank - now is a good time to take a risk.
I have lots of friends who merely sent in their CVs to private companies and were snapped up within a short time, some by big mining companies. It sounds a lot easier to get into the Private Sector - no big lengthy job interviews or recruitment panels to convince. I am young, well skilled and very employable, so why not?
Anyway, on Wedneday night, Ali had three visions for me - one was of a rower gliding across the river, another was of a little country cottage with trees out the back - both symbolic of time alone, spending quiet times with God and developing my relationship with Him. The third was of a person - well just their feet wearing a pair of high heels, and part of the person's work skirt - walking up stairs - symbolic of climbing higher in my career, maybe. Christie said she felt that I would be going into a much higher paid position with more responsibility, but she didn't think it was in Government. Ewen said he felt that God was saying He wanted me to know intimacy with Him, to prosper my relationship with Him and to learn to trust Him for all things. He said I have a list of things I want from God and God has a list of things He wants from me and only by spending time with God will these needs be met.
Funny, cos Andrew burnt me a copy of some PodCasts from Todd Bentley's website and I happened to listen to one on Thursday night that was all about different seasons we go through in life and about building, that is, in a spiritual way. Todd talked about a CEO who had given up their job to answer the call of God to work in a developing country with kids -rescuing them from all kinds of nasty situations - prostitution, exploitation, abuse and poverty. He said no one with a worldly mindset could understand why a Christian would give up the comforts of a high paid job to respond to the call of God. Hey, if a CEO can do that for a more noble cause, then so can I. It's a tough ask to let go of worldly securities and trust God to provide for you. I am ready for the challenge. I guess it'll be a while longer of living at home (big sigh). Oh well, could be worse.
I can't wait for some time off work. I can't take time off until second week of November. Then i have two weeks, return to work for four weeks, then leave for greener pasture.
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Incidentally, my sister started dating a new guy last night - a Canadian man called David. I am pretty sick of listening to all her stories. One day God will set her free from this cycle.
01 September 2007
An awesome man of God
Todd Bentley is one of my heroes at the moment. Albeit a very strange-looking man, he is just one of the most amazing teachers i've heard and his website has a lot of free downloads.This is taken from his website -
"Fresh Fire Ministries is an international ministry called to global harvest. Todd Bentley and his team take God's saving, healing and delivering power to the nations. Todd travels throughout North America , sparking revival fire and equipping the body in power evangelism and healing Ministry. As well, Todd and his team conduct many healing crusades throughout Africa , India , South America , Europe and beyond. Thousands have been saved, healed and delivered.
Todd Bentley, his wife Shonnah and three children, Lauralee, Esther and Elijah live in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.
In his late teens, Todd had a dramatic encounter with the saving and delivering power of God. This experience brought Todd out of a lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction without cravings or withdrawal symptoms. He was also delivered from a lifestyle involving criminal activity, youth prisons, drugs, sex, satanic music and bondage. Todd's miraculous conversion to Jesus was much like the Apostle Paul's on the Damascus road. Todd was instantly transformed into a radical disciple and soul winning evangelist for Jesus.
God has drawn Todd into deep and intimate places of prayer. These extended times in God's presence has released a fresh prophetic and miracle-healing anointing. Recently God has used Todd to spark many revivals where meetings have been extended to last from one to two months, continuing on even after he has left.
The passion of Todd's life and ministry: is to see others set free through the anointing of the Holy Spirit and to see others come into the reality of intimate relationship with Jesus. He also desires to see Christ's body healed, equipped and rising up in the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the great commission.
Todd believes the body of Christ needs to be strengthened and encouraged. He ministers prophetically, corporately and personally as well as brings forth the word of God with the power and demonstration of the Spirit -- God confirming His word with signs and wonders following. God has released an increase of the healing anointing into Todd's life to the point where the blind see, the deaf hear & growths dissolve as Jesus still heals every sickness and disease".
Oh why doesn't Australia have amazing people like this!
A prophet in town
Last night, my mum, brother and i went to listen to Kerry Kirkwood, who is a prophet from America.
This is from his webpage -
"Kerry Kirwood, along with his wife Diane, are the founding pastors of the Trinity Fellowship Church in Tyler, Texas. The church was started in July of 1987. Pastor Kerry carries a strong prophetic anointing and speaks into the lives of individuals, churches, and regions. He is also a dynamic teacher and looked to by many as a pastor to pastors. As a man after God’s heart, he recognizes the absolute necessity of heartfelt and prophetic worship in the corporate setting and the life of the individual. In the last two decades, Pastor Kerry has journeyed simultaneously as senior pastor, worshipper, and prophetic voice and brings a wealth of wisdom and experience to the body of Christ".
Anyway, i was pretty impacted because i was one of the lucky people that he received a prophetic message for and boy was it spot on. I was just telling the guys at home group last week how i am often woken in the middle of the night with a huge burden to pray for people. Despite being so tired, i just feel this sense of urgency that gives me strength to do it and the Lord lays different things on my heart. For example, a few nights ago, i saw my sister in a really nasty situation in a dream and then i woke up at 3.00 am and i lay in bed with tears pouring down my cheeks praying for her for about 40 minutes. I was so tired, yet i just had to do it.
Kerry said that God had given me the gift of intercession - i.e. standing in the gap for people and fighting spiritual battles for them. He also said that i have been watching people all around me and seeing them grow and develop in different ways (e.g. in their careers, homes, marriages, parenthood, etc.. ) and inside me, feeling like i've missed out, like things have passed me by, yet God was saying that all this stuff is just in a different season for me. That those things are coming, but in His timing. That was really encouraging.
What was amazing about this guy is he went around the room prophesying over people and he was so specific and so spot on in discerning their situations. I knew some of the people he prophesied over and he described their situations so accurately, despite only just meeting them for the first time. It was just so awesome.
He's the key feature at two churches tomorrow and i can't wait to get to them. It's amazing my mum and brother want to go. I wish i could get my sister along.
This is from his webpage -
"Kerry Kirwood, along with his wife Diane, are the founding pastors of the Trinity Fellowship Church in Tyler, Texas. The church was started in July of 1987. Pastor Kerry carries a strong prophetic anointing and speaks into the lives of individuals, churches, and regions. He is also a dynamic teacher and looked to by many as a pastor to pastors. As a man after God’s heart, he recognizes the absolute necessity of heartfelt and prophetic worship in the corporate setting and the life of the individual. In the last two decades, Pastor Kerry has journeyed simultaneously as senior pastor, worshipper, and prophetic voice and brings a wealth of wisdom and experience to the body of Christ".Anyway, i was pretty impacted because i was one of the lucky people that he received a prophetic message for and boy was it spot on. I was just telling the guys at home group last week how i am often woken in the middle of the night with a huge burden to pray for people. Despite being so tired, i just feel this sense of urgency that gives me strength to do it and the Lord lays different things on my heart. For example, a few nights ago, i saw my sister in a really nasty situation in a dream and then i woke up at 3.00 am and i lay in bed with tears pouring down my cheeks praying for her for about 40 minutes. I was so tired, yet i just had to do it.
Kerry said that God had given me the gift of intercession - i.e. standing in the gap for people and fighting spiritual battles for them. He also said that i have been watching people all around me and seeing them grow and develop in different ways (e.g. in their careers, homes, marriages, parenthood, etc.. ) and inside me, feeling like i've missed out, like things have passed me by, yet God was saying that all this stuff is just in a different season for me. That those things are coming, but in His timing. That was really encouraging.
What was amazing about this guy is he went around the room prophesying over people and he was so specific and so spot on in discerning their situations. I knew some of the people he prophesied over and he described their situations so accurately, despite only just meeting them for the first time. It was just so awesome.
He's the key feature at two churches tomorrow and i can't wait to get to them. It's amazing my mum and brother want to go. I wish i could get my sister along.
Jacobs Ladder
Have had a lot of fun over the month of August 07 doing the Heart Foundation challenge with some work colleagues. I have been so encouraged by my team of 11 staff. It was meant to be teams of ten, but we weren't in the business of excluding anyone! Yesterday, for the final day, i gathered a few of my team members for a quick photo, before heading out to Jacobs Ladder. Unfortunately, i could only get five of us together for a photo. I am going to try and snap the rest of our team next week.
In the first photo, the two blokes are managers (the one on the right is my Manager), the blonde haired lady behind me is our Office Manager and the black haired chick does IT support.
In the second photo, you can see the view from the top of the ladder. The third photo shows the extent of the ladder, looking down. The fourth photo shows us coming down!
In the first photo, the two blokes are managers (the one on the right is my Manager), the blonde haired lady behind me is our Office Manager and the black haired chick does IT support.
In the second photo, you can see the view from the top of the ladder. The third photo shows the extent of the ladder, looking down. The fourth photo shows us coming down!
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