FRIENDS

I love this scripture. It is a lesson on how to treat and keep friends. 

Be merciful as you endeavour to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. ¹³ Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. Colossians 3:12-14 TpT

So often, rifts occur with friends. We take them for granted. We may over think things that have been said and take offense. Our spirit becomes overwhelmed with unforgiveness. We become sad and depressed as the poison of unforgiveness eats us up inside.

We can learn so much from Birds!

 You never see a depressed, miserable bird unless they are ill. Mostly they spend their time looking for food, hanging out with each other having fun, participating in the occasional territorial skirmish with another species who dare to enter their territory, finding a partner and having babies.

Our garden and bird bath attracts many species of birds. They are forever bringing us joy just watching their antics and interaction.

We have five species of the parrot family who pay us regular visits. They are exceptionally uplifting and full of fun. They are all different to look at, and have their own personalities and habits.

The Australian Corellas arrive in flocks or small groups. It’s all about fun, crowding each other, pushing each other out of the way – no manners here! But none of them appear to go off and sulk or withdraw.

They may go looking for seed until their turn comes to drink or do a trick on the clothesline or a branch. Nice one! Don’t try this at home!

Pink and Grey Galahs are very similar to the Corellas in size and features, bar their colouring and sometimes travel with them.

This one below was patient, as he was on the birdbath first, but happy to share with some lorikeets. Not sure the lorikeets would have been happy to share with him by their expressions.

Rainbow Lorikeets do not like interlopers. Noisy Miners (below) is just a baby. Noisy Miners are native birds who enjoy nectar from the red buds that ripen on the umbrella tree. The lorikeets love them too and there is much squabbling over them.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos

This is my favourite, I call him Mr Cocky. He very manly and announces himself with a loud squawk  on arrival. He is a poser (very obliging with photos). He normally comes alone, although he does have a partner and two young ones he brought along at one time. Great comb!

 The last is the Australian Rosella who arrive in pairs. (Photo on previous blog).

God made us a little different, we have the ability to reason and have a free will. Because of this we are free to take offense over any slight, something that was said or happened. As a result friendships can become very volatile and when a friend moves on without explanaion it may result in much pain.

I found this on Bible Study Tools website.

It tells us:

• “Scripture offers much guidance when it comes to choosing friends.
• God knows our desire to be known and to be loved! He made us for companionship.
• If chosen right, our friends can be the greatest source of love, healing, joy, and encouragement.
• It also gives advice on how to forgive others when you are hurt and how to handle difficult situations within friendship.”

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/friendship-bible-verses/

I suggest you take a look some time.

Sometimes we can have too many ‘friends’.  It’s nice to feel popular, but many so-called ‘friends’ are fickle and don’t stick around long. These fair-weather friends may vaporise when they chips are down and you never hear from them.

The Bible brings encouragement when this happens to you.

By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round-up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 The Message (MSG)

Even  better when that third strand is Jesus standing in the midst!

I love this:

Some friendships don’t last for long,
    but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart
    closer than any other!

Proverbs 18:24  The Passion Translation (TPT)

That’s what I call a friend! When Jesus is in your life, the Holy Spirit will always be with you bringing love and comfort.

Have a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,

Marilyn

and meet Millie our precous little rescue dog

 

 

 

This is my first post for a long time. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer which necessitated three surgeries in just over three weeks. Then there was a settling in with a drug which hopefully prevents the cancer returning. It all took time, but am back on track to share with you the beautiful creation which inspire me each and every day.

Looking out on the works of God’s hands every day and night is indeed a blessing. I feel forever in His presence.

Read the words of King David who describes it more beautifully than I ever could, followed by the words of Paul.

“God’s splendor is a tale that is told; his testament is written in the stars
Space itself speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens.
His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s     craftsmanship.
Each day gushes out its message to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all.
Without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, Yet all the world can see its story. Everywhere its gospel is clearly read so all may know.” Psalm 19:1-4 (TpT)

“….from the creation of the world, the invisible qualities of God’s nature have been made visible, such as his eternal power and transcendence. He has made his wonderful attributes easily perceived, for seeing the visible makes us understand the invisible.” Romans 1:20(TpT)

Every day I find inspiration in this beautiful place. The birds provide entertainment, the landscape an incredible canvas covered with amazing hues.

I find it interesting, how we as mere mortals follow the design of our Creator in the things we invent and build.

God created flying things. Beautiful birds, not so beautiful flying insects, although I do love the many colorful butterflies. Then there are bats and flying foxes  – although very fascinating and ‘cute’ in their singular form, not so in their colonies, as they turn the sky black, leave a terrible mess whilst feeding off the fruit on trees and do carry deadly viruses.

Living beside a lake I see many man-made flying things.

Aeroplanes – this one is a sea plane, landing far on the other side of the lake.

We also have ultralight aircraft with their colourful wings, soaring high above.

We’ve even had a drone on one occasion.

All these creationa have a functional and necessary purpose, but what I love the most is what God has made. The beauty and purity of His feathered creatures. So many varieties, so many colors, their uniqueness and grace. Below is a corella – so pristine. I think how much finer and graceful can the wings of angels possibly be?

The vivid colours of this swimming rainbow lorikeet, so rich! Colours man has struggled to duplicate.

An Egret, pristine and alert with a neck that unfolds and a long bill to fish with. He is rather ungainly with the long legs, he needs to paddle out into the lake. I’ve even seen these remarkable birds perched in the tops of sixty feet trees swinging in the wind!

And we have many, many black swans, amongst all the water birds and garden varietys who grace our outlook. On occasions we have been able to get a glimpse of the tiny cygnets closely guarded by Mum and Dad.

The phrase exists, ‘smell the roses’. I say ‘look closely at our feathered friends and be entertained by their behaviour and beauty, and see God’s creation, proof of His existence.

Enjoy the sunshine,

Blessings Marilyn xx