The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here. Solomon 2:12 TLB

We have new babies! Two little Noisy Miner chicks are presently enjoying the seclusion of our paper bark tree.

Thanks for stopping by my blog from the Quiet Side of the Great Lake, coming from Downunder in Aus! (Australia)

People often confuse the native little Noisy Miner bird with the brown and yellow Indian Myna bird which is considered a pest in New South Wales gardens.

This little guy is a honey eater and is a native bird of Australia. See how downy he is! So cute. We have a family of them around our garden and they can be quite entertaining at times. They are also really good parents in raising their babies.

Also this week the Bar-tailed Godwits arrived from Alaska. They make this trip every year arriving at a staging area in northern Australia, then departing to their selected vacation area. The don’t breed here, they seem to come for the summer holidays!

You would hardly believe they have not long ago flown a non-stop flight from Alaska to Australia. They are indeed one of God’s amazing creations. I get quite excited when they arrive. They are a little earlier this year.

“O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you have made them all! The earth is full of your riches. There before me lies the mighty ocean, teeming with life of every kind, both great and small.” Psalm 104:24-25 TLB

Blessings,

Marilyn

“Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him.” Ps 42:5

It is interesting that the words, hope, trust and faith are all synonyms for each other, but there is a marked difference.

I found this definition on the web: “Hope” bears with it an emotional sense of “Joyful Expectation” ; whereas, “Trust/Faith” bears with it the rational sense of Certain Expectation”.

I thought it was a good differentiation.

The book of Hebrews shows the relationship between hope and faith:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Sometimes the world throws things at us we are never prepared for. A threat to our health is one of them, I have found of late when traveling this path. It is especially at these times we need to lean into God’s strength “for He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

We know we can trust in His promises for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Amplified Bible in James 1:17 tells us…“He is perfect and never changes.“

In Hebrews 13:8 NKJV) we read:^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Knowing God never changes gives us confidence. It’s a little like when I look out my kitchen window across the lake early in the morning, I am reassured to see nothing has changed. All things are in their place.

I can see in the darkness the light shining from the towns across the lake. I can watch as the darkness fades and the sky floods with colour just before the dawn to reveal God’s loving hug. I feel that hug! It is one of His many blessings, telling me, “I am watching over you. My promises are true and unchanging, for I never change.”

THE SKY FLOODS WITH COLOUR BEFORE THE DAWN.

Blessings,

Marilyn

     The Passion Translation puts it this way: “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Sometimes amidst the hustle and bustle of life it is hard to hear from God.

Life can become endlessly filled with noise and distractions. Work and family commitments are bread and butter something we must do. Hanging out with friends is something we enjoy, and we must find the time, as it’s good and right to support and encourage others and enjoy their company.

As a result, free time, or more so, ‘quiet time’, unless we guard it diligently, can dry up. It can be encroached upon by our infatuation with electronic media such as mobile phones, tablets and computers, texting, face book, email, video games, watching television to mention a few.

Mothers with young ones find their times of peace, few and far between.

So she has time for herself. I’m sure even wildlife commune with their Creator.

The truth of the matter is, life itself can drown out God’s still small voice. He likes to have relationship with us. The Bible tells us “He delights in us!” (Zephaniah 3:17). We are His children. But we need to make time to seek Him. Scripture tells us “You will seek me first and find Me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

Believe me, that quiet time with God at the beginning of your day is invaluable.

As we invite God into our lives, we build relationship with Him (the intimate connection between God and His child).  At the start of our day we can bring before Him our plans, where we may seek His blessing and  ask for His direction.

As we study His Word, we learn to discern His will and what is right in His sight. We learn to live in a way that honours and pleases Him.  We live more fulfilling lives as the Holy Spirit, directs, guides, comforts, and influences us, as it produces in us the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). And spending time with God brings forth countless opportunities and good things, a flourishing career, answers to prayer, healing and even miracles no matter how small. Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)

Stop striving alone. Press into God today and find your rest in Him. Listen quietly for that still small voice.

Blessings,

Marilyn