Tag Archives: post a day

Following by example; How I Started Breast Feeding

Posted in Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer by

 

I had my first child when I was twenty. I did not live near family.  I was still a student.  I had to attend lectures.  In those days there was no crèche for students’ children.  Few students were having children then.  I bottle fed my new baby.
I finished university.  We shared a house with another couple who had a new born baby.  The mum was breast feeding.  Brid took her baby into bed beside her at night.  The baby was snug and cosy.  After feeding, her mum put her back in the cot.  She was sound asleep.
There was none of the gadgets then to make up lots of bottles and save them in the fridge.  Brid did not have to get up in the middle of the night in the cold and make a bottle of milk.  She did not lose much sleep.
I thought to myself if I have another child I would like to breast feed him.
I did so and went on to breastfeed each of the rest of my thirteen children.
Each of them I fed for up to a year.  I was blessed to be able to feed my children without any trouble.
My grandchildren have all been breast fed.
Often this is how we learn about faith.  If we see someone doing what they believe is possible then one can learn and step out to try for oneself.
A little child steps out to walk because he is encouraged by his parents.  He sees them walk so he can do it too.
He trusts his parents.
This is how I grew in faith in many areas.
I saw how others prayed to God.  I tried it and God heard and answered my prayers.
Our children heard us pray so our children found it easy to pray without fear.
I desire to be an example so others.  What God has done for me He can do for you.

The Scriptures Describe Exactly What Happened to Me

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I was reading from Psalm 116 today from the New Living Translation.

The words describe exactly what happened to me when I was suffering from malignant cancer.

I love The Lord because he hears and answers my prayers.
Because he bends down and listens, 
I will pray as long as I have breath.
Death had its hands around my throat
The terrors of the grave overtook me.
I saw only sorrow and trouble.
I called on the name of The Lord, 
Please Lord save me.
How kind The Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful this God of ours! 
I was facing death, and then he saved me.
Now I can rest for The Lord has been so good to me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.
So I can walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!

It is good to believe in God. 

 

Photograph of Sea and Sky on the Move

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I was on the move recently flying at 500 miles through the sky.

Here is a photo taken from 37,000 feet up in the air.

The view is of Islands off the Greece Coast.

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http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/on-the-move/

 

 

A little bit of heaven on a Greek Island

Posted in Holiday, My thoughts, Nature by

In heaven “the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” (Revelation 21:21 KJV)

In the flight magazine I read that this is the Golden Age of travel.  I enjoyed a holiday and noticed so many things that I can describe as golden.

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Golden sunrise
Golden daisies

Golden bread

Golden cheese

Golden oranges
Golden honey
Golden oil
Golden wine
Golden chips
Golden fish
Golden cream
Golden rings
Golden shells
Golden sand
Golden sunshine
Golden words

Golden sound of the sea

Golden years

Golden perfume
Golden skin
Golden sound of silence
Golden memories
Golden hair
Golden stones
Golden reeds
Golden cliffs
Golden friends
Golden candles
Golden laughter
Golden shoreline
Golden sunset
Golden Glory

A little bit of heaven on earth.

When I had Children of my Own I searched for a Reason to Believe

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My generation grew up through the sixties with the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Top of the Pops, and make Love not War.  
I found myself going to university at the end of the sixties.
There was war in Northern Ireland.  
So called Protestants and Catholics were at war with one another!
This was a long way from “Going to California with flowers in your hair,” and living at peace with one another.
I lived in a town where there was not bombs or bullets yet.
I was unaware of what the fighting was about.
I wanted to keep on the theme of Love and not War.
I got married in 1971 and had two children soon afterwards.
It was when I became a mother and wanted to do the best for my children that I began to search for a reason to believe.
That started me on a journey of seeking the truth, love and peace.
What was love?  John Lennon showed the world that Love was leaving his wife and lying in bed with Yoko.

It was too cold in Northern Ireland to go to the beach with flowers in your hair.  

I tried my best to love my family but other non love attitudes came up in my heart.
Woe is me. 
I had gone to parties and  hung out in the pub at weekends. 
I had no desire to continue to do this when I had two children.
I befriended another mother with two children.
She did not go to the pubs.  She had peace and love in her home.
I wanted what she had.
She was a believer in God. 
I began to read the bible where I read that Jesus said he was the way, the truth and life. John14 v 6
He was Love.  He loved me even before I knew anything about him.
I found love, truth and life.
Jesus promised to give me life abundantly.  John 10 v 10
I wanted to show my children this love and life.
This is my reason to believe.

 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/reason-to-believe/

 

 

Pride and Joy: What are your Greatest Possessions

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My husband and children have given me gifts of jewellery, which are prized possessions.

I value them and remember when I was given them.

But my pride and joy are my husband and children and children’s children.  They are the greatest possessions of all.

They are gifts from God.

Scripture says, Look around you and see, for all your children will come back to you. As surely as I live,” says The Lord , “they will be like jewels or bridal ornaments for you to display. (Isaiah 49:18 NLT)

I will not leave them behind like gold and silver, but they will be with me in heaven and we can enjoy being together for eternity.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/pride-and-joy/

 

 

 

 

 

Have your ever Thought that Fields and Crops Burst out with Joy?

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I was reading these verses in Psalm 96 today.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! 
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Image
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!  (Psalms 96:11, 12 NLT)

The sky above changes from clouds to the sun’s rays breaking through.

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 I now live near the sea.  I hear the sound of the waves in the distance.

The sky above changes.  

From grey to clear blue.  

From the ball of hot sun by day to the white moon at night.

There are fields of rapeseed oil nearby in their full glory, ripe for harvest.

Isn’t it amazing to think that the crops of rapeseed are bursting with joy!

That the waves crashing on the shore are praising God!

All creation is praising God.

Didn’t Jesus say “Even the very stones will cry out” when the Pharisees complained about Jesus disciples praising Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.

I thank God I am alive to praise him. 

One of the psalms says “The dead cannot praise God.”

Let us open our mouths to Praise God.

 

Because The Night: Daily Prompt

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Because the night comes,

I unwind after the day’s activities.

I love the quiet of the night.

Everyone is asleep.

No noise.

No TV programmes to distract.

No one needing my attention.

No cooking to be done.

It is the end of the day.

I reflect on the day that is past.

I prepare for the day ahead.

I rest.

I awake while it is dark to read.

I get inspiration.

It is the time I write.

Jeremiah 36 v 2 says take a book and write down on it all I tell you.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/because-the-night/

The Swallow has Arrived to Rear her Young.

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The swallow has arrived from South Africa.

Yesterday I noticed a pair of swallows swirling overhead.  They are harbingers of spring in the Northern countries of the world. They have arrived to rear their young.

Swallows spend most of their days flying through the air catching insects.  Wherever there are insects you will find swallows.  They are to be found all over the world except near the Artic and Antarctica.

They build their nests near where humans live.  Their nests are found in barns of farmers.  They return each year to the same nesting place.  I remember when I lived at home on my father’s farm each year swallows would arrive.  They flitted in and out of their nests bringing food for their young.

I have been encouraged from the scriptures when I have prayed in the past about a house for my family.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. (Psalm 84:3 NIV)

It is amazing that this small bird travels from Africa, thousands of miles, to nest and rear offspring.  I watched a nature programme about the swallows.  They arrive at certain places on their journey north where swarms of insects have just hatched.  A feast is prepared for the migrating birds.  It was wonderful to watch.  God even cares for the birds of the air.

Scriptures encourage us to not worry.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? (Matthew 6:25-27 NIV)

So this small bird flying overhead has reminded me of Gods care and provision of a home for me.

 

Leaping with Joy like Calves let Out to Pasture

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In Northern Ireland from spring to autumn we have long days of sunlight.  The sun does not get too hot here but the brighter days make one want to make up for the dark days of winter.

“Behold the winter is past the time for singing of birds has come.”  Song of Solomon.

I awake early with the sunrise.  Overhead I see at least twenty trails of aeroplanes returning to Europe from North America.  Life is going on all around.

As it is getting warmer, birds and animals are revived as well.  The local farmer moved his cows with young to greener pastures from their winter feeding area.  They were released from the stall.  They will give birth there.
Lambs are born and birds are building their nests for their young.  The cycle of new birth turns again.

I have been released as well into green pastures.  I can truly say with Psalm 23  “The Lord is my shepherd.  There is nothing I shall want.   Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.  He guides me beside still waters to restore my soul.”

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I am receiving new strength with the joy of having my new home.  I want to do so many things.  Multitasking!  I get ideas as I sit.  I make a note of groceries to be got for this Easter weekend.

I send greetings for Easter via email and text.  I get an idea for a blog.  I want to plant some flowers that will bloom in the window boxes.  I want to pray.  I want to worship God.  It is not a chore because thanksgiving and praise rise because God has been so good to me.  I want to live and shout and sing and dance!

As the sun rises in the East may the Sun of righteousness rise with healing in his wings for you this  Spring and Easter season.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.  And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. (Malachi 4:2 NLT)