Tracks in the sand

Tracks in the sand beside the sea
Little creatures running around with you and me
Car tyres leaving their deep unique marks
My little feet in between the straight lines
Ah the traffic that can be seen
Amid this inhospitable, rugged terrain
Dog's paw prints beside his master's running shoes
Horses trotting along the soft white sand
Everything blown over way too soon
You'd never know who's come and gone
Just before you arrived on the scene...

I feel your pain my child

You are so beautiful to me
You share the love in my life
My child I hurt with you 
When you are feeling down
I breathe with you 
When you are scared
My heart beats in unison 
With your precious heart
I feel the pain you suffer
When we are far apart
I know just when you do
How difficult it is to be...
A simple human being 
Just like me...
Walking out upon this long
Uncertain; life's journey...
I understand; simply because
I am just like you are
I too am sometimes feeling lost
I too suffer from this sadness
That, from inside; simply bursts
I too have wandered long
Have been sleepless; left tired
Wishing somehow to change my spots
Praying somehow to escape
These tiresome ups and downs
But in understanding another's suffering
I pray that the new day 
Will some happiness to you bring
I pray that you feel my love
Welling up here inside
I pray that you know just how much 
I love you each and every day
Yes, my dearest child 
I love you with all my heart
And I pray that you feel better
Simply knowing that you are 
Of my life an integral part...

Bible Basher

Apparently I'm a Bible Basher...

One of those people who speak their minds

About how Jesus came to save

About the love of God for all mankind

Yes: I openly state my views

I will not deny its true...

But I only say what I know and feel

In my own conscientious mind

If it offends you, turn away! 

I do not force my views

Into ears that will not hear

I do not expect hearts to feel

What is impossible for them to understand!

I am a simple human being

Travelling upon my own journey

Sharing my thoughts: my testimony

I am sharing my experiences

With those who are seeking 

Their own life to understand...

So please read my words

If it is your wish

It is your choice my friends

I cannot force them into your ears

I cannot insist that you enlist

All I can do is offer up this heart

Offer up my prayers too

The rest is all up to you...

The Blessed Hope

What a privilege
To every soul
To be a living channel
Through which God
Communicates to the world
The treasures of His grace
The unsearchable riches of Christ...
Christ desires us to be
His agents: representing to the world
His spirit and character...
There is nothing the world needs so much
As the manifestation through humanity
Of the saviour's love...
All heaven is waiting...
For channels through which
Can be poured the Holy oil...
To be a joy and blessing
To all human hearts...

Be zealous and repent

The angels of the Lord
Go from church to church
Doing their duty...
Jesus is knocking
At the doors of our hearts
Asking for entrance
Awaken: hear the voice of true witness...
The word of reproof: so long ignored
Has not been obeyed...
Men follow their own way
Instead of God's way...
Self is not crucified in them
The light has had little effect
Upon their hearts and minds...

Review and Herald
December 18 1888

Dry bones

Are we but dry bones?
Empty of God's love
Are we like the skeletons?
Of the valley
Having the form of men
The framework of the body
But empty of spiritual life?
Where is the breath of life?
Where the upright stance?
The spring of activity
The bones may represent the church of God
And the hope of the church: the Holy Spirit!
But without the breath of the Lord
Dry bones they will remain...

The S.D.A Bible Commentary 
Volume 4 pp 1165, 1166

Not a moment to lose

There is no time to waste
Not a moment to lose...
Will you be found sleeping on guard?
Let no one say in his heart
"My Lord delays His coming"
Repent and flee from the wrath to come
Prepare ye the way...
Now...
For none can know the day when
He will be seen coming in the clouds
Returning in glory amid the angelic host...

Testimonies Vol 8 pp 252, 253

Remedy for hopelessness

With purity of heart
With purity of motive
Buy the gold of faith and love
Take up the white robe
Of Christ's righteousness
Serve God not Mammon
Cover the shame of thy nakedness
Allow the blood of the Lamb
To wash your robes of character
As clean and white as snow

 SDA Bible Commentary 
Vol 7 P 966

Enemy at the gates

My heart is the citadel of
My very being: my centre
I bar the gates; hold strong
Fortify the walls all along
I must remain steadfast
In all good things
Remember God's promises
His praises sing...
God promised to stamp
The truth upon my beating heart
Only I can let Him in...
Only I am thus enabled...
When it is to Him that I cling...

The voice inside

Picked up that same book "Divine Intuition"
Just as I did a few years ago
I turned to a page without meaning to...
Page 101; "Letting go of what holds you back"
"Synchronistic events occur when you are committed 
to taking extremely good care of yourself...
A divine force rallies behind you to support your decisions"
Cheryl Richardson

Many times I have been led 
To people and places as I said
Just when I have been needed
I have turned up to offer support
Have known: heard that inner voice
Felt that intuition: that inate sense
Take hold of me: fill me with it's power
I have been led to do things...
Go places: meet people: find things
Buy something that makes no sense
Until I get to where I am meant to be
I have taken roads and found myself
Exactly where I was meant to be...
By a higher power that I cannot see
But that I feel guiding me...
I hear voices urgently telling me
I follow their guidance: implicitly
I am blessed by these coincidences
I thank the Lord for His blessed angels
For I  know that they are with me
Leading me: helping me: guiding me
Amen

A walk beside the seaside

Took a walk along the seaside
Just to see what I could see
Cool breezes blowing: waves 
Pounding the rocks beside me
Overcast; cloudy; still beautiful 
For it was the sounds; drew me 
Another walker with her dog 
Took the trail beside me; but she
Ears covered; heard not the sea 
I wondered at this mystery
For I need no distraction here 
It is the peace of the waves
And their sounds that enthral me

I am made of glass

Don't touch me
Don't touch me
I am made of glass
Don't touch me
Don't touch me
Said the King of France

He ruled all of France
Until his death
But in between
By a life of chance
All things held such fear
Another's touch
He could not bear  

Don't touch me
Don't touch me
I am made of glass
Don't touch me
Don't touch me
Said the King of France

Charles VI of France
Of the House of Valois
The beloved and the Mad

The road to Mt Magnificent

We drove along the dusty road

Expecting adventure; truth be told

Let's just follow it along and see

Where it leads; we are free...

So slowly as we drove along

Windows open wide; taking it in

Fresh mountain air; tranquillity

Dramatic views whichever way

We chose to look upon that day

Time stood still upon the hills

Stunning vistas; majestic; lush

How I love this Australian bush

Though it is now Autumn dear

Everything is a glorious green

Skies such startling blue; clear

Most glorious sight; lately I've seen

Kangaroos grazing in their mobs

Amid dappled shadows; scrubby bush

Keeping watch; doing their jobs

On the lookout; for any threat; hushed

Thought about the photo opportunity

What exactly did I wish to see?

Water in a dam below; pine forest far away

Stunning vistas; misty distance between Eucalypts

Spiky Black boy leaves; a young pine tree...

All these; my Lord has given me

Many blessings to share with thee...

Along; the dusty road to Mt Magnificent...

High above the far away Southern Seas...

Kuitpo eucalypt forest Chookarloo

Native bees and butterflies
Little wrens and big magpies
Silent swaying eucalypts
Dappled sunlight, bluest skies
Stringy barks in mottled hues
Lush greens, browns and blues
Chirping birds; fluttering wings
Ah the pleasure walking brings
Here below sunkissed trees
Feels like I want to sink to my knees
Thank the Lord for all of these
Embrace the living evergreens
Feel the power, nature heals
Here am I; among the blessed
All these feelings I've confessed
Shared the power of nature; peace...
Strolling back towards the car
We know exactly who we are
Visitors only; welcome guests
Accepted by these peaceful trees
Our hearts beating; minds at rest
Here rewarded; made to smile
A dark crow caws; draws our eyes
A thought voiced; reconciled
"A Koala would be nice to see"
Ah there it sits; up in that tree
Laughter escapes along with smiles
Just the thing to end our spree
Many blessings follow those
Who simply; out in nature; love to be...

You see me

I finally found you
You see me as I am
I finally found my mirror
I can go on as planned
Though you know me
Inside out...
You accept me
Just as I really am
You have shown me
So many different things
About myself
That I had forgotten
Existed since time began
You reflect back at me
Those scars that are
Locked away
So deep inside
It is in my reflection
That I finally see
I am who I am
And it is ok
To simply be me

Please listen to my plea

I will say this only once
Please listen to my plea
I am fed up with all those people
Who show little sincerity: empathy...
I am on here to share my journey
I am here to be a guiding light
If in any way I am able
I will gladly share my might
In prayer I will support you
In thought, word and also deed
But please respect my feelings
Please understand my plight...
I am sharing all that God has given
I am doing my very best...in this life
Sympathy, empathy, understanding
These things I have in spades
Though I would love to give to you 
Everything that I have...
It is not possible to surrender
Those things I have need of myself...
Time is precious to us all
There are not enough hours in each day
To be wasted in casual conversation
Over little things: come what may
As my friendship list grows daily
As my time is spent with my Lord
It is He who must come first
My family second: myself last of course
Though I would love to "chat" all day
It is impossible to fulfil my duties
By being lax in this very way...
So please be thankful you are in my circle
Please read these words that I share
Please understand me...
I really do care...
But as I am merely one person
As I am a simple human being
I cannot be everything to everybody
All I have are my prayers
All I have are two small hands
What I give to those who ask it of me
Is a seat upon this earthly train
All passengers are welcome...
Please get on: take a seat; inhale
The breath of life is refreshing 
The words of our Lord more so
Come along upon this: my journey
Any more I cannot supply...

A matter of self worth

Never felt like I was worthy 
Never ever saw my need
I put others before me 
Always: what I did was for another
Always: it was my heart that
was left to bleed
How long must one suffer?
How long the journey?
Till someone shows you?
Intercedes...
It is only through searching
Deep within my tortured soul
To find help to ease the pain of others
That I have finally been able
To feel the pain within me
To understand the scars I find
It is to myself that I have been blind
So as I open up my eyes to investigation
As I am finally made aware
There inside I find my little child
There inside it is my pain laid bare

A state of being

Love...
Is a state of "being"
Together
In harmony
Sharing
Gentleness
Calmness
Warmth
Contentment
Comfort
Acceptance
No judgement
Easily in "flow"
With each other

Into my shell

It would be so very easy
To retreat if things went wrong
So very easy to return to 
Feeling hurt, weak: not strong
If we were to end this
If our connection were to sour
How would I cope?
How: deal with separation: hour by hour?
Would I retreat? Return: revert...
Pull my neck in: yes; back into my shell?
Revert back into seclusion
Retreat back into my usual hell...

The thirty second rule

We take in our surroundings

We look at another human

We make up our minds...

All it really takes is

Thirty seconds of our time...

But can we truly see clearly?

Just exactly who and what

Stands before us...

In a moment; can we discover?

The essence of a woman, a man

The answer is very clearly

A great big "NO" 

And yet it is this subconscious

This automatic; sense that we use

We look for any clues...

To give us understanding

To give us some insight

Anything that will allow us...

To determine how we should act...

Whether it is to be fight or flight...

Mesmerized

I am mesmerized by the mighty river
It ever draws me to her side...
This feeling of peace overwhelms me
I need to go back there to understand...
I could sit here beside the mighty Murray
Could stare at her as by me; she glides
Yes it is true: her winding deep
Has me truly mesmerized...

4/1/2016

Seeking understanding

In seeking to understand another

I am looking deep inside...
It is amazing how life takes us
Along the great divide...
Sudden realisation has hit me
With this amazing clarity...
As I am looking deep inside myself
To understand my sister: my brother
It is myself that is being set free...

True value

All through our lives
We feel the need 
To seek validation 
To find some peace
In knowing we are okay
We need to hear words
Of love and comfort
We need to feel arms
Holding us close...
We need to feel accepted 
Feel part of a loving family...

Words of praise we need
To fill that void: that feed
Our ego in a way...
Suffice to say: we all have needs
Some need a helping hand
To lift them out of despair
Some need a human touch
To show that life is fair
Some crave a simple look
Of admiration: a gleam in the eye
To say: you're looking good 
You are okay...
No matter the circumstance 
We all need to hear those 
Simple words that say
I love you; I understand 
It is going to be okay

Walking with the blue crab

The ocean drew me into her waters
It was necessary for me to seek
The coolness and the shelter of
That beautiful refreshing beach
I swam out into her clear waters
Sun shining blissfully down upon me
I was surrounded and enveloped
As the pleasure took my breath away
I was lifted up and cocooned within
Cool caressing precious waves
And I swam to the outer reaches
Of those rocks that followed round
I saw many fish and sea creatures
Various sizes, colourful, many shapes too
Yes it was such a pleasure to swim
Out into that beautiful blue...
The white sands moved below me
Like whirling desert winds it seemed
Yes the sea was full of life: it teemed
I saw a blue crab walking: sideways
Just as sea crabs do: its tiny eyes
Looking upward: as I floated above it: true
I found someone's abandoned yellow goggles
And a purple snorkel further along the way...
I swam out onto Christie's Reef...
Yes I swam further out into the bay...
I looked around as I surfaced...
It was such a pretty sight 
I could even see Noarlunga Jetty
Though it was quite far away...
I was gong to keep on going 
But danger made me take a second look
There before me were quite as many 
Tiny pink-tinged jelly fish...
As I remembered another evening
From many long months ago
When surrounded by pink jelly fish
I was stung repeatedly...
So I turned around and had to go...

Are we programmed to be unhappy?

Can we be constantly unhappy?
Is it possible to be so 'programmed'?
That no matter what life throws at us
Nothing can make us happy...

In "addictive programming"
Our emotional response produced
In the limbic areas of our brains
Makes us experience varying degrees
Of emotional tension
Regarding our fears and desires...
We process incoming sensory information
Finding it threatens the fulfilment
Of any one of our addictive programs
Our consciousness will be dominated
By feelings such as fear, anger, 
Resentment, jealousy and anxiety...
Then the more deeply we are enmeshed
In an endless network of 
Emotion-backed demands that yield
Continuous threat, tension and unhappiness
Happiness varies inversely with addictions...

The definition of unhappiness:
A psychological state arising from the
More or less continuous disappointment
Frustration and emotional tension...
We experience when life repeatedly 
Gives us what we do not want to accept... 

The handbook to higher consciousness
Ken Keyes Junior

Happiness is now

I buried my past today
I let it go: no longer will I
Allow it to rule
My whole life...

I look forward now
I seek and I will find
That peace
That only 'now' provides...

I crave happiness
I want it in my life
I will allow only good things
To enter into this mind...

"The past is dead
The future is imaginary
Happiness can only be
The eternal 'now' moment"

Handbook to higher consciousness
Ken Keyes Jnr

Where eagles dare

Two eagles flying overhead
Through dappled shade I saw
Their wings opened wide
Beautifully spread
Majestic; in that filtered sunlight 
And again over the Myponga reservoir 
Ah if only I could thusly soar...

They circled as they glided
Aerial Acrobatics galore 
They were joined by two smaller 
At first I thought: maybe Hawks?
But then as they continued
I witnessed a miracle for sure
Two young eaglets joined their parents
Flying high above the Myponga reservoir
Yes I witnessed such a blessing 
Two youngsters with Father; Dame
Riding upon those air currents 
Such a majestic sight for me
For though it was mid afternoon
I knew it early that morning 
That it was Eagles I would see...

What is on the other side?

A tiny little bridge beckoned me 
I had to take a look inside
Where did that tunnel lead?
What was on the other side?
We stopped the car; clambered out
Walked up to that tiny little bridge
Walked underneath the railway bridge
That the Cockle train; moves along
Heard birds cheeping: close to the seas
Watched; the wind rustling the trees
A little piece of heaven we discovered
Right in the middle of Middleton...

It is a mother's heart that bleeds

You called me up to tell me
Of your broken heart: dear mum
You have suffered yet walked 
This trail that hurts only some
Though you tried to hide your scars 
Though you tried to carry on
Many days became long years 
Now you can no longer go alone

Now your tears they are flowing 
Now that deep sadness comes
You cannot take it any longer 
So you spill your pain anon
Though you've walked along the high ways 
Though you've crawled along the low
Still it hurts you beyond measure 
This pain that just will not go

I listened to your story 
I heard your voice filled with pain
And as I try to help you make sense
Of this deep sadness once again
Though I hear and feel it deeply 
Though I empathise with your pain
I understand yet I cannot really fathom
Though it hurts you once again

Dear mother how you loved her
How you kept her safe from harm
Doing all within your loving power
You fought with tooth and arm
Though she has left you for another 
Though she no longer has a need 
It is you who always suffers 
It is a mother's heart that bleeds

Ah dear mother: what can I say?
That will help you understand 
How can I a mere human; change the saddest day?
All I can do is really listen; pray 
Though we are separated by distance 
Yet; our hearts they beat as one 
Dear mother; please feel my arms around you
Know that our lord truly understands your pain

The best for last

We go through our steady lives
Living from day to day: never stray
We think we have it made but in reality
Sometimes we barely make the grade
We: humans; think we are so cool
But actually we often play the fool
We settle down and act happy too
But are we actually: fooling me and you
We think we are happy
We think we are the be all...the end all
Such a shame we often fall...
But as we continue on...
Praying for that day
Praying for that peace we seek
Is it really possible you ask?
To finally find that one thing...
That blessed connection we seek
Do we ever get to meet our mirror?
Our soul mate?
Our beginning and end?
Does God or the universe ever send us
That one person who makes us...
Feel complete...
Feel at home...
Feel fulfilled?
Does saving the best for last
Make up for all the pain and suffering?

Why?

Why do good people get hurt?

Why does life become such a chore?
Why do we feel so useless at times?
Why is there no good reason for crimes?
Does evil succeed where good does not?
How come they say...
Only the good die young...
Why does life go on when we are hurt?
Why do some survive and others succumb?
How do we learn resilience in life?
Can we do it all alone?
Do we just get on with our lives...
No matter what happens...
How come some make it while others...
Simply fall by the wayside...
What makes one person strong?
What makes another weak?
Does genetics affect our survival?
Where does the strength to resist sin originate?
Can we do any of this by ourselves?
It is written..."the sins of the fathers
Will be visited upon the children
unto the 3rd and 4th generation"
Does this mean that...
What our fathers did will affect us?
Yes indeed it does...
For example...
Alcoholism...how difficult is it for us to not drink?
When our father might have drank to excess...
Another example...
Post traumatic Stress Disorder
What our parents went through...
When they carried us within their womb...
Within their genes...
Before we were even born...

We may teach our children well
Yet at times they do things that we cannot explain
Actions that reflect back to our parents...
Grandparents...
Even further back through family history...

So many things are against us
And yet we have such a powerful promise...

We are made in His image
We are fearfully and wonderfully made
This imperfect perfection that we "are"
Human beings...
Can we even begin to understand how we are made?
Imperfect minds...
Within...
Perfect bodies...
God made us all...

The language of love

Speak to me in the universal language of love
Show me of your splendours granted from above
Touch my very soul with your thoughts; I beg of you
I entrust my very soul into your hands: it is true
I sense that peace I only ever read about before
I feel that closeness I ever only dreamt about...
Let me shout out: my soul soars into those azure skies
Inside my belly are millions of tiny, coloured butterflies
This blood that flows throughout my veins
Is warm and thrumming: my soul is singing: humming
Your open arms accept me: warm me: embrace me
I feel there is no longer any trace of
The sad, lonely, bruised soul that formerly resided
Here within: this outer skin: this frame of bones
Now a new being is rising; a phoenix of sorts
Reborn in peace and love: reborn and in love...

Language of the reef

I swam straight out to the reef tonight
Exercise was foremost in my mind
For you see I am drawn to that reef
Drawn towards that peace: therein I find
There is something magical to me
About swimming out in the deepest sea
I feel the power of the ocean deep
I sense great peace along her shores
Those massive rocks that draw me close
Sending serene signals beyond human belief
The reef talks to me: tiny clicking sounds: I hear
It's like some amazing language: in my mind 
Deciphered through my very skin: deep within
I understand her: I feel enchanted as: closer I swim
The fish welcomed me tonight: allowed me close
No stranger am I to them now as I swim by
Some even seem to look me in the eye: would I lie?
Bright orange starfish clinging to the rocks
Fish of all shapes and sizes: so many surprises
Crabs hiding in the dark crevasses: barely moving
Tiny purple shells in masses amid black and green
The seaweed pastures atop the reef: full of grazers
Striped fish, pale shiny fish, blues and greens
All enjoying the serenity: the beauty: the peace
A massive chain tangled around a huge rock
Stolen from some ship as she wandered too close
The anchor settled in deep: there to forever sleep
Estranged: alone: far from home: stranded
An alien beast in a beautiful, wondrous underwater land

Christies Beach tonight

Christies Beach 

Ocean breeze
Gentle waves...
Sunshine bright 
Great swim tonight
Peaceful; serene
Ah...life's a dream

Break of day

Peace abounds at break of day 
No sounds there to steal away
Silence greets the newest dawn
Even as birds begin to sing: play
Sun rises over the dark horizon 
Moonbeams slowly fade to grey
Gentle breezes: trees begin to sway
My eyes open up; unaccustomed
My brain is wired again; I pray
Thank you dearest Lord
For allowing me to see
Another beautiful blessed day

My mother's hands

My mother's hands are old, tired 
They used to hold me tight 
They used to cuddle me 
And keep me safe at night

My mother's hands are weak; infirm
No longer are they strong 
No longer do they comfort me
She has suffered very long

Sweet potato cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
1/2 cup nut butter (i use peanut butter but almond butter or sunflower seed butter would be great)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2-3 Tbsp maple syrup (depending on desired level of sweetness)
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup Craisins (i use reduced-sugar)
1/4 cup oat flour (make your own by throwing some oats in a food processor)
1 tsp baking soda
Instructions

Combine sweet potato, peanut butter and eggs in a large bowl and mix well.
Add vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and Craisins and stir to combine.
Add oat flour and baking soda and stir.
Scoop onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (8-12 cookies).
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes

It's a long way home

It's a long way home 

Tiresome at best 
But; in the end 
There'll be rest

Seeds of discontent

How many of us realise
That we battle daily within
We fight against temptation
We fight against our needs
If only we could realise that
We fight against those seeds
Yes: seeds planted in our minds
Seeds of anger: seeds of discontent
Those very thoughts we entertain
Deep within our minds become
The words that we then vent...
Hurtful words when spewed forth
Become like poison to another's soul
Love falls beneath your vengeance
Peace shatters and breaks apart
Hurtful words like ice within your veins
They are like daggers through the heart
Harsh words cannot be recalled
You cannot take them back...
They are like those nails in the fence
Though you sincerely apologise...
Though you remove those nails
The holes remain forever visible
No soft words can remove their sting
For only unconditional love will ever win...

Starry night After twilight

Starry starry night
Blessed end of another day
The scorching sun has left us
Thankful for darkness today
Finally it is a little cooler
Thank God for the peace of grey
Twilight allows the heat to leave us
Allowing escape from burning Rays
A tiny breeze surrounds our dwellings
Ah the breath of life returns anon
Too long has sunshine burnt my brothers
Now at last the stars come out to play