A Good Night Out

My friend Sarah and I discovered last week that you don't have to spend much to have a good night out.

We went and checked out a local school production, which was quite well done actually, and then dropped into Maccas for an ice cream.

I spent a total of $6, and was happily occupied from 7-10pm.

We plan to check out another school play some time - they make for good, cheap, clean entertainment!

Essays, she wrote

... and the amount I have written in my lifetime is just murder. I have just three essays to finish this year. And after eighteen years of non-stop, full-time study, I have just about had it! It's not that what I'm studying is boring (in fact it's awesome, life-changing stuff), it's just the writing of essays that gets tiresome after a while.

Better get back to it... I promise I will blog soon, when I get a life.

Sad to tell you...

I found this Emo generator today. It's a bit of a joke; but in reality I'm very concerned about what the Emo culture is doing to our young people. I understand that many people live in difficult situations. But taking your own life does not solve this problem - in fact you enter a worse reality than you knew before.

I think it's time that adults (and young people too) begin to engage the young people around them. Find out about their dreams, and help them achieve them. Listen to their struggles, and help them walk through them.

There is hope; it's up to us to show them how to find it.

Potato, Bacon and Onion Soup

Winter is long gone here, but I still enjoy a warm bowl of soup. Readers in the Northern Hemisphere will appreciate this recipe that I created today:

Potato, Bacon and Onion Soup

Ingredients:

4-6 large potatoes, quartered
1 large onion, sliced or diced
125g bacon, diced
up to 500mL milk
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

In a large saucepan, boil potatoes in water until tender (about 30mins).

During this time, fry bacon in a small frying pan until cooked through. Fry onion until clear (I used sliced onion to make the soup more interesting; you could dice the onion if desired).

When potatoes are cooked, drain well and return to pot. Mash potatoes thoroughly, or blend in a food processor if you want a smoother consistency.

Gradually add milk until you have the desired consistency. Turn on the heat, add bacon and onion, and stir until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Enjoy!

The Key to Freedom

I know so many people who carry pain in their hearts because they will not let go of past hurts.

Even things that have happened long ago are still alive, and repeat themselves over and over, because the person has not let go nor given them to God.

The trouble with this is that it only hurts yourself. The other person (or group if that's the case) have moved on, but you are stuck in your unforgiveness.

Jesus said:

And when you stand praying,
if you hold anything against anyone,
forgive them,
so that your Father in heaven
may forgive you your sins. (Mark 11:25-26 TNIV).

You know what Jesus talked about before he said this? Moving mountains. And after that? Having your prayers answered.

The reality is, no one will ever move mountains if they can't shift the weight of bitterness off of their own heart.

And unforgiveness is a major barrier to our prayers being answered, not to mention receiving our own forgiveness.

You can be free today. Just let go of the past. Give it to God. Release the people or group that have hurt you. And walk in the freedom and joy that comes with a lifestyle of grace.

Elective Durgery

So, PM John Howard has called the federal election for November 24. That's a good date actually; suits me fine, I have nothing else on.

Problem is working out who to vote for, because the next few months will be crazy. Promises will fly everywhere, as will accusations, facts and figures. When I say I wonder who to vote for, what I mean is who I will put second in my preferences. I always vote for Family First as number one, but if that candidate doesn't get in, I've got to decide whether my preferences will go to Liberal or Labour.

How does one decide? Sammy said today that she thinks Kevin Rudd is the best-looking out of the two; I thought that was funny. Needless to say, looks don't concern me at all! (Sammy was joking, of course). The big issues that concern me are abortion (stopping it, that is), the war in Iraq (stopping that too), health care, and freedom (being free to believe what I want, and being able to share that with others).

In any case, elections are fun. I love watching it live on TV as they count the votes and announce the winner. Get the chips out on November 24 folks, this'll be a good one! :)

The call of nature

I just love nature. I find myself outside more often, or looking out the window, just wondering at the beauty of the trees, the flowers, the clouds, the stars, the sunset.

The creation says so much about the creator. How loving He is, how much He cares for and provides for the animals and people. How powerful He is, to create things like the roaring ocean and smoking volcanoes. The enduring earth is by no means eternal, but it testifies to the unchanging nature of God.

How many sunsets have I missed while I've been inside, consumed in endless work? I wish that I could spend more time away from my computer, sitting outside, admiring God's artwork!

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

Psalm 19:1-4, NLT.

Here's to the Future!

My sister said the most profound thing today:

"Mum, you've gotta come with me when I vote in the election, so I can vote the same as you."

The future of our nation is in safe hands.