Mountains and Inches

I recently watched a movie about the 1996 Everest tragedy where a climber who survived said that you don't need to go to Mt Everest to climb mountains. So true I thought. Most of the biggest mountains we face are inside us. Some appear out of no where.

In life though mountains are climbed every single day by each of us. Sometimes they are little mountains other times they are massive mountains, Everests as it were. But all mountians regardless of the size are climbed by inches.

I love hearing the testimony of people about the power of God in their lives because often they talk about how God made it possible for them to overcome their mountains, inch by inch. I am sure many of you reading this know Luke 1:37 off by heart: "For with God nothing will be impossible".

It doesn't say though that things will be easy, that we will be able to fly up and over mountains. No, we must climb these mountains inch by inch. It is one lesson that I am learning. Because the journey up the mountain helps make us understand His suffering better. He carried a cross for us, inch by inch, up to the top of Calvary. He set an example that no matter how great we think the pain is, how terrible the journey, how hard it feels, we can make it to the top of the mountain. Every inch matters in the journey.

But we know we are not alone when we climb our mountains. Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 19:26: "But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". When we climb our mountains with God beside us, not only do the inches become easier, but we are also less likely to lose any that we have gained for we have His strength and spirit to make us fight for those inches.

God also puts others in our life who we can look into the eyes of and know that they too will help us fight for those inches. I know that the mountains I have climbed since finding God have been made easier by the help, support and encouragement of many of you. And inspiration? I never have to look far to find examples of many who have climbed mountains far bigger and harder than mine, and who now reach out to others to show them how they can climb their own mountains with the help and love of Jesus.

So if you are facing a mountain, or maybe know someone else who is, help them fight for those inches, tell them to reach out to God for he will run towards them and embrace them and be beside them as those inches are climbed and those mountains overcome.

As Psalm 27:1 says: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

In 2009 we will all climb mountains. Some will be tough and hard, at times exasperating. But with God beside us none of them will be impossible.

God Bless.

Lemonade Award TIme!

Danielle (http://daniellesrealm.blogspot.com/) has awarded me with the "Lemonade Award".

This award is passed to bloggers for showing great Attitude and/or Gratitude. Thank you Danielle!!!

The rules of this award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Okay, I'm going to struggle with finding 10 new blogs that have not already been included by Danielle but here goes my addition to the list:


1. Leon http://the-changing-point-777.blogspot.com/
2. Jono http://fiveminutesofyourtime.blogspot.com/
3. Nicole http://nicstarz.blogspot.com/
4. Kylee http://socompletelyblessed.blogspot.com/

Conference Time

As many of you know I just went to my first UPCA Conference. And was it ever awesome!!!! I loved it. All of it. Just fantastic.

I found all the preaching to be fantastic, especially the last night of Bro Stan. Wow. I started off the conference trying to take notes of each and every session but soon gave up as I just loved listening to the message being delivered. It was amazing to feel God's Spirit so strongly each and every sermon. Very strongly. And this was because every single message was great in meaning and delivery. Bro Varnell was great throughout the conference, I especially liked his message on Psalm 100 and Praise. That really touched me inside quite deeply.

I liked sitting in different spots at the Conference too, just meeting different people who loved God as much as I do. Like the Islanders, who sat behind me one session and just sung so beautifully that for a few songs I just closed my eyes and let their passion for Jesus wash over me like a mighty wave and I could feel God moving so much. That is one memory I will have for a while. Not to mention I knew a few of them from men's camp and I got some massive Islander hugs - my ribs will recover soon :D

Oh and if anyone can tell me where I can find that train song sung on Wednesday morning then please let me know, if that makes any sense. That was one cool song.

It was also fantastic to learn about all the great work that our church does. We have so many committed and hard working people who just love using their talents to help God with His work. And so many people in our church here in Canberra are so involved in so many different ministries which is unreal considering the amount of work they do locally. Such a blessing. And it was great to help out in a small way too.

Fellowship? I had lots of fellowship at the conference. Although I didn't know many people from outside Canberra, that didn't matter as I it was great to just share my bubbliness for God with others. I soaked it up like a giant sponge. I could feel God smiling so much watching me enjoying my time at Conference. And thank you to so many of you for helping me have a great time at Conference.

Next year? I'll get through 09 first but of course I want to go again. I just love celebrating the glory of Jesus so I hope to be there in Melbourne in early 2010.

God Bless.

08 & 09; with Thanks :D

2008 was a massive year for me. So much happened that I could be writing this post all afternoon and you would be reading it all evening. The single biggest and best thing to happen in 08, in fact ever, was to be saved by Jesus and be born again.

Jesus led me out of the darkness in May, showed me the Light, cleaned me and filled me with His Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Psalm 27:1 is one verse I want to learn off by heart because of how much it means to me in relation to that wonderful day: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

After that day in May everything changed. And everything started to make sense. Every thing. And did I ever feel bubbly in so many ways!!! Still do, will always do :D

Since then my relationship with God grows stronger every day but I feel at times like a new born babe. Some days are a challenge and I pray many times in these days for His grace and strength to help me through them. Every time my prayers have been answered.

I have experienced so many blessings since being born again and I realised too that He had already blessed me by giving me a talent that allows me to do my job well every single day. A job where I can reach out to those who are lost in the darkness but who are reaching out for the Light.

Another big blessing in 08 that I received, that I know will be there in 09, is the support of so many in my walk with God. That's you. Yes you, the people who read this, who I share my love with God with, to share the love of the life He has created for me and allowed me to live. You. You, a person filled with His gracious spirit, who have shown me things I never knew existed, allowed me to have experiences and memories that I will have forever and who have laughed as I stumble with my memory verses.

To you, each of you, I say thank you.

Danielle thank you especially. You are one amazing person and I thank you for everything that you did for me in 2008. You are an inspiration to me in so many ways.

In 2009 I have one simple prayer. To grow closer to God. Because by growing closer to God I know everything I was blessed with in 08 will be there in 09. I will love and nurture family, faith and friends.

Phillipians 4:8 sums up best all that I will work for in 09: Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

To all of you, I hope that God blesses you richly in 2009 and beyond.

God Bless.