A warm and heartfelt welcome to Victor, our new member. It's an honour to have you on board, and I pray you are blessed in your day and your life.
- Toni
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Monday, 6 August 2012
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
I stopped in at the Doctor's Surgery this morning to run an errand for mum, and was greeted very pleasantly with "Good morning Francis, how are you?" Now, you'll all see that my Christian name isn't Francis - Francis is my surname, though this confusion has come about many times before. It's one of the outcomes of having a first name for a surname. Then of course I am known by most as Toni - a boy's name (though NOT boys spelling), and I can't tell you how many people on Twitter have thought I was a man!
I have many names, in fact...
A Christian name - -
A second name - -
A nickname - -
A married name - -
And two...yes TWO maiden names - - trust me on that because it's way too complicated to explain!
My initials read like an eye chart!!
And then there are those who see the spelling of JEANNE (pronounced like Genie in a bottle) and can't wrap their minds around that, so I have been referred to by names such as Janine, Dianne, and Leanne. It doesn't bother me - not anymore. I confess it used to, but it actually makes for a good conversation opener.
And in the end, the ONLY name that matters is the Name of God!
Edward Hindson, D.Phil. and Edward Dobson, Ed.D. write;
Jesus personifies the Living Word from God Himself. He is the Word made flesh, the Name above all names. For many the Name of Jesus brings extraordinary comfort and hope. But others use His Name to express anger, amazement or disgust; to them it is no more than a convenient expletive. The Name that is like no other stirs conflicting emotions in those who hear it, because Jesus is more than just a religious leader and teacher. He is more than simply a figure in history. He is more than merely a moral influence. Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
I am learning to think on the Lord's Name with more respect and honour than ever before, rather than using it as even a seemingly harmless exclamation. I read once that in Biblical days a person's name held a deep meaning and revealed so much about who they were. Names were chosen based on their meaning and what they would go on to say about the person it was bestowed upon. Many times in the Bible God changed a person's name according to a crucial change in their life; like Paul who was renamed from Saul after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).
Even today, choosing a name for a new baby is a big deal. My eldest son has the names of 3 Saints. My second son is named after his father. My daughter has an unusual second name that I fell in love with 7yrs before she was even born. The right name for my youngest son wasn't settled upon until he was half an hour old.
Now think of this, what if, instead of crying out the Lord's name when we kick our toe - rather than using a swear word - someone cried out the name of one of our children? "Oh John Smith, damn and blast, that hurt!"
I don't think I'd like that very much....would you?
Does God - when His Son's Name is blasphemed?
When it comes to the Names of God we need to be more aware of our use of them, and seek deeper understanding and respect for the Names of our God and Creator. Most people were raised knowing it's discourteous to use the Lord's Names as curse words, but the use of His Name as an exclamation of any sort is disrespectful, including those of joy. This came as an awakening for me. More reverence and honour needs to be given to the Name of God, at all times! It cannot be a case of respect and honour one day, and complacency and casualness the next. God is deserving of honour at all times. We don't want to be so caught up in being friendly with God that we overlook worshipping Him and bowing before Him in complete surrender and obedience to His will.
There is a young man I know who is certainly on fire for God - no doubt about that, but he continually refers to God as "The Big G", or "The Man Upstairs", and he speaks of Jesus as "The J-Man". I saw on Twitter recently someone referring to Jesus as "My Homie".
We need to be cautious, attuned to what's in a name, especially when that Name is that of our Saviour, our Creator, our King, our God. As Christians even more so, we need to be the examples in every area of our walk, including in our words and how we speak them.
In Jesus' Name - what power those three words hold. John 16:24, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:13, Colossians 3:17...just some of the passages declaring the reverence of the Name of Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11 says; Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
PRAYER;
Loving Father, Mighty King,
We praise Your Name! None will know the true majesty of Your Name until we stand before You in glory. Father, place a burden on our hearts to come more and more before You in praise and worship, honour and reverence...to come into Your throne room and bow before You as You deserve. You are our Loving Father, our Gentle and Tender King, but You are also our Creator, the Beginning and the End, and we worship You. In Jesus' Precious Name, amen.
I have many names, in fact...
A Christian name - -
A second name - -
A nickname - -
A married name - -
And two...yes TWO maiden names - - trust me on that because it's way too complicated to explain!
My initials read like an eye chart!!
And then there are those who see the spelling of JEANNE (pronounced like Genie in a bottle) and can't wrap their minds around that, so I have been referred to by names such as Janine, Dianne, and Leanne. It doesn't bother me - not anymore. I confess it used to, but it actually makes for a good conversation opener.
And in the end, the ONLY name that matters is the Name of God!
Edward Hindson, D.Phil. and Edward Dobson, Ed.D. write;
Jesus personifies the Living Word from God Himself. He is the Word made flesh, the Name above all names. For many the Name of Jesus brings extraordinary comfort and hope. But others use His Name to express anger, amazement or disgust; to them it is no more than a convenient expletive. The Name that is like no other stirs conflicting emotions in those who hear it, because Jesus is more than just a religious leader and teacher. He is more than simply a figure in history. He is more than merely a moral influence. Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
I am learning to think on the Lord's Name with more respect and honour than ever before, rather than using it as even a seemingly harmless exclamation. I read once that in Biblical days a person's name held a deep meaning and revealed so much about who they were. Names were chosen based on their meaning and what they would go on to say about the person it was bestowed upon. Many times in the Bible God changed a person's name according to a crucial change in their life; like Paul who was renamed from Saul after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).
Even today, choosing a name for a new baby is a big deal. My eldest son has the names of 3 Saints. My second son is named after his father. My daughter has an unusual second name that I fell in love with 7yrs before she was even born. The right name for my youngest son wasn't settled upon until he was half an hour old.
Now think of this, what if, instead of crying out the Lord's name when we kick our toe - rather than using a swear word - someone cried out the name of one of our children? "Oh John Smith, damn and blast, that hurt!"
I don't think I'd like that very much....would you?
Does God - when His Son's Name is blasphemed?
When it comes to the Names of God we need to be more aware of our use of them, and seek deeper understanding and respect for the Names of our God and Creator. Most people were raised knowing it's discourteous to use the Lord's Names as curse words, but the use of His Name as an exclamation of any sort is disrespectful, including those of joy. This came as an awakening for me. More reverence and honour needs to be given to the Name of God, at all times! It cannot be a case of respect and honour one day, and complacency and casualness the next. God is deserving of honour at all times. We don't want to be so caught up in being friendly with God that we overlook worshipping Him and bowing before Him in complete surrender and obedience to His will.
There is a young man I know who is certainly on fire for God - no doubt about that, but he continually refers to God as "The Big G", or "The Man Upstairs", and he speaks of Jesus as "The J-Man". I saw on Twitter recently someone referring to Jesus as "My Homie".
We need to be cautious, attuned to what's in a name, especially when that Name is that of our Saviour, our Creator, our King, our God. As Christians even more so, we need to be the examples in every area of our walk, including in our words and how we speak them.
In Jesus' Name - what power those three words hold. John 16:24, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:13, Colossians 3:17...just some of the passages declaring the reverence of the Name of Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11 says; Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
PRAYER;
Loving Father, Mighty King,
We praise Your Name! None will know the true majesty of Your Name until we stand before You in glory. Father, place a burden on our hearts to come more and more before You in praise and worship, honour and reverence...to come into Your throne room and bow before You as You deserve. You are our Loving Father, our Gentle and Tender King, but You are also our Creator, the Beginning and the End, and we worship You. In Jesus' Precious Name, amen.
NEW MEMBER - Meet 'n' Greet...
A big hello and welcome to a new member, Bonnie.
Bonnie, thanks for coming on board - it's lovely to meet you and I hope you enjoy the journey. God bless - Toni xxx
Bonnie, thanks for coming on board - it's lovely to meet you and I hope you enjoy the journey. God bless - Toni xxx
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Subtle Idolatry - Idolatry non-the-less
With the Olympics currently dominating most TV households, and hearing how ensconced some are becoming, even to the cost of their Christian commitments, my heart is troubled. In the past (and sometimes even still) I have been just as consumed by my favourite sport - Tennis. And for some people (again, me included) this obsession is not just limited to sport.
At Bible study last night our Minister pointed out that hobbies, while all fine and good to pursue in moderation, are detrimental if they take over your time and life above God. See the very first line of the Ten Commandments - this must be a pretty important issue if God puts it first in His Commandments to us....
What a wake up call I've received. (I'll write about the topic of my obsession one day...but not yet!)
In the meantime;
Let's pray...
Loving Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for making gods of sport, entertainment, pleasure, eating, toys, and technology. We have lost our way, and our focus on You. Have mercy on our foolishness. I pray that this world will move from spiritual darkness and allow ourselves to be saved before it is too late. Deliver us, in Jesus' Name, from idolatry and be our Lord. We pray to give You more of our attention. Father, help us recognise the difference between Your words of wisdom and the deceit of Satan. Watch over us, keep us safe and guide all the decisions we will make today and everyday, to be honouring and glorifying to You. In Jesus' precious and mighty Name I ask these things, amen.
At Bible study last night our Minister pointed out that hobbies, while all fine and good to pursue in moderation, are detrimental if they take over your time and life above God. See the very first line of the Ten Commandments - this must be a pretty important issue if God puts it first in His Commandments to us....
What a wake up call I've received. (I'll write about the topic of my obsession one day...but not yet!)
In the meantime;
Let's pray...
Loving Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for making gods of sport, entertainment, pleasure, eating, toys, and technology. We have lost our way, and our focus on You. Have mercy on our foolishness. I pray that this world will move from spiritual darkness and allow ourselves to be saved before it is too late. Deliver us, in Jesus' Name, from idolatry and be our Lord. We pray to give You more of our attention. Father, help us recognise the difference between Your words of wisdom and the deceit of Satan. Watch over us, keep us safe and guide all the decisions we will make today and everyday, to be honouring and glorifying to You. In Jesus' precious and mighty Name I ask these things, amen.
Monday, 30 July 2012
New Member
Good morning,
I'm delighted to see there is a new member to my blog. Rev. Pedro Okoro...thank you sir very much for taking an interest. It is lovely to have you on board. I would also like to long-distance-heart-hug all the other members who have hung in there even though I was gone for so long. God bless you all, and I pray your day is wonderfully blessed and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
Love, Jeanne (Toni) xxxx
I'm delighted to see there is a new member to my blog. Rev. Pedro Okoro...thank you sir very much for taking an interest. It is lovely to have you on board. I would also like to long-distance-heart-hug all the other members who have hung in there even though I was gone for so long. God bless you all, and I pray your day is wonderfully blessed and fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
Love, Jeanne (Toni) xxxx
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Which Direction is Your Faith Heading?
The other night mum and I were watching The Hunt For Red October. There was a scene toward the climatic end where an American naval crew had boarded the Russian submarine (Red October) in order to secure the safe defection of the Russian Captain, Marko Ramius (portrayed very distinguishably by Sean Connery). Whilst trust was being tiptoed upon, because neither side knew really what to expect from the other, the Russian sub was suddenly fired upon by a torpedo, wielded by their own countrymen, and everyone instantly fell into a frantic rush of crisis procedures. Through it all Ramius, as the Captain and leader, was firing off instructions right and left, all which were being adhered to immediately and without question. Until...
...suddenly the instructions start to NOT make sense. They still come but now seem contrary to everything his crew, and the recently boarded US crew, were taught and knew to be right. Next come questions from his crew - some voiced tentatively out of respect for the Captain, some demanding out of fear for their very lives. But Captain Ramius sticks to his decisions, and the crew members - even those who are slowly being convinced he is mad - obey his commands.
It was very exciting, edge of your seat, knitting needle suspended in mid-stitch kind of stuff. Of course, it all worked out in the end. And that's all well and good when you're the viewer, the one sitting in the comfy lounge chair holding the remote, and able to hit pause when you need to take a nature break!
But what if you were actually in that situation, or one with the same degree of adrenalin provoking rush? What if you were one of the crewmen hearing your 'leader' directing you to turn around, knowing that turning around meant you were now facing the rapidly approaching danger - an armed torpedo with a targeting system? There's nowhere to go but run, and yet you are being asked to turn around and face it! Really??
Would you question? Would you consider the sanity of your instruction giver??
Really though, haven't we all, at some point, experienced moments in our lives (some of them long, LONG moments), where God is telling us to turn around! We can see the danger that we were moments before running from, but which God is now asking us to face head on. We can hear it...maybe even smell it. In the movie, the crew, even against everything they believed to be the right course of action, followed the judgement call of their Captain...though some quite reluctantly.
Do we? Do we trust God, Who knows the end and outcome we cannot see? And Who, the Bible tells us, purposes everything for His glory and our betterment? - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). ALL THINGS! Not some things. Not just the sensible sounding things. Do we step out in faith...sometimes blind faith, and follow those seemingly preposterous and impossible instructions?
Or do we do what we think is best?? Come on, honesty time now...we've all tried it, haven't we? And what was the outcome? Amongst varying degrees of dismal failure, I'm sure we were brusquely awakened by this questions; How many of us are even Captain material, anyway? - able to think on our feet like Captain Ramius did? I know this...I'M NOT!!! Ha-ha, not that I don't still try, fool that I am!
In church yesterday our Minister preached on John 6:1-14; the feeding of the 5 thousand. He spoke on the contrast between human-thinking and God-thinking. How many of us would see a situation, like feeding that many people, or a submarine going head to head with an active torpedo, and think this is impossible, or this can't be done, and then pack up and go home? How many of us take God out of the equation?
The Bible says; "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26). So, what does this mean? LET GO AND LET GOD!Deuteronomy 31:6 says this; "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Now, if we believe every word of the Bible is true, and every promise of God (and we SHOULD!), then there it is...in plain English. WHY do we still question? WHY are we still afraid? WHY do we fight God when the Bible is telling us He is with us, and He is saying to us DO NOT BE AFRAID!?
Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us push forward in the strength of Christ, even when it makes no sense or seems to be opposing everything we think we know. Let us go onward and upward, knowing He has already sealed the VICTORY.
Prayer;
Might Father God, Protector and Encourager of Your people,
Be with each of us as we face our daily torpedoes, whatever they may be. Don't allow us to be overcome with worldly thinking, or our own inability. Remind us that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Warrior against Satan and his evil. Remind us that through Christ we are the victors, able to move on boldly in His Name and through His strength. Praise be to You, Dear Father, and may the glory always be Yours. In Jesus' Name, amen.
...suddenly the instructions start to NOT make sense. They still come but now seem contrary to everything his crew, and the recently boarded US crew, were taught and knew to be right. Next come questions from his crew - some voiced tentatively out of respect for the Captain, some demanding out of fear for their very lives. But Captain Ramius sticks to his decisions, and the crew members - even those who are slowly being convinced he is mad - obey his commands.
It was very exciting, edge of your seat, knitting needle suspended in mid-stitch kind of stuff. Of course, it all worked out in the end. And that's all well and good when you're the viewer, the one sitting in the comfy lounge chair holding the remote, and able to hit pause when you need to take a nature break!
But what if you were actually in that situation, or one with the same degree of adrenalin provoking rush? What if you were one of the crewmen hearing your 'leader' directing you to turn around, knowing that turning around meant you were now facing the rapidly approaching danger - an armed torpedo with a targeting system? There's nowhere to go but run, and yet you are being asked to turn around and face it! Really??
Would you question? Would you consider the sanity of your instruction giver??
Really though, haven't we all, at some point, experienced moments in our lives (some of them long, LONG moments), where God is telling us to turn around! We can see the danger that we were moments before running from, but which God is now asking us to face head on. We can hear it...maybe even smell it. In the movie, the crew, even against everything they believed to be the right course of action, followed the judgement call of their Captain...though some quite reluctantly.
Do we? Do we trust God, Who knows the end and outcome we cannot see? And Who, the Bible tells us, purposes everything for His glory and our betterment? - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). ALL THINGS! Not some things. Not just the sensible sounding things. Do we step out in faith...sometimes blind faith, and follow those seemingly preposterous and impossible instructions?
Or do we do what we think is best?? Come on, honesty time now...we've all tried it, haven't we? And what was the outcome? Amongst varying degrees of dismal failure, I'm sure we were brusquely awakened by this questions; How many of us are even Captain material, anyway? - able to think on our feet like Captain Ramius did? I know this...I'M NOT!!! Ha-ha, not that I don't still try, fool that I am!
In church yesterday our Minister preached on John 6:1-14; the feeding of the 5 thousand. He spoke on the contrast between human-thinking and God-thinking. How many of us would see a situation, like feeding that many people, or a submarine going head to head with an active torpedo, and think this is impossible, or this can't be done, and then pack up and go home? How many of us take God out of the equation?
The Bible says; "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:26). So, what does this mean? LET GO AND LET GOD!Deuteronomy 31:6 says this; "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Now, if we believe every word of the Bible is true, and every promise of God (and we SHOULD!), then there it is...in plain English. WHY do we still question? WHY are we still afraid? WHY do we fight God when the Bible is telling us He is with us, and He is saying to us DO NOT BE AFRAID!?
Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us push forward in the strength of Christ, even when it makes no sense or seems to be opposing everything we think we know. Let us go onward and upward, knowing He has already sealed the VICTORY.
Prayer;
Might Father God, Protector and Encourager of Your people,
Be with each of us as we face our daily torpedoes, whatever they may be. Don't allow us to be overcome with worldly thinking, or our own inability. Remind us that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Warrior against Satan and his evil. Remind us that through Christ we are the victors, able to move on boldly in His Name and through His strength. Praise be to You, Dear Father, and may the glory always be Yours. In Jesus' Name, amen.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Hello,
I know...I know....
It's been forever! But you know what they say - "The best layed intentions..." etc, etc. I guess this past few months have proven two things for me. Firstly GOD IS IN CONTROL and His plans and purposes are ALWAYS better than mine! And secondly, He can see an outcome I can't! Oh, and perhaps there is a third thing...THROUGH HIM I - (we all do) - HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE WHATEVER HE PLACES BEFORE US ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. Praise be to our Mighty God, our Loving Father!!!
This first 7months of 2012 have been intense with health issues. Oh, not for me - the worst I've had is maybe three migraines! I can deal with that. But two of my brothers have had open heart surgery - one week apart! You know, I think that's taking sibling rivalry a little too far, don't you?? :-) Another brother (yeah, I have a lot of them!) has heart and lung problems stemming from an inoperable spur located near his Achilles tendon making it extremely difficult to walk, and therefore to exercise. My uncle endured, and fully recovered with a clean bill of health, a tumour on the bladder.
It's been a bit of overkill, really!
But.....
All of the health stuff and the travelling back and forth has been overshadowed by this - MY SON GOT MARRIED in June! I was reminded of something as I reflected back on all our family has been through, and the trip to Sydney for the wedding - GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVERYTHING! The two heart-patient-brothers were unable to make the wedding due to recovery - how rude....(kidding, of course!) But their thoughts and love were there. And for me personally, seeing my son...my bear...my beautiful man get married, still brings tears to my eyes even as I write this. My new daughter-in-law is a beautiful girl and I love her immensely. She loves my son!!! What more could a mother want?! :-)
So, on that, and in regards to this blog...I make no plans or promises, other than this - GOD'S WILL BE DONE! I prayed as I walked down the street to my local library to do this, asking God that if it is His will that I pick up again, then I surrendered to Him to make it happen! I am merely His inferior and broken instrument, weilded by His power alone. This will be about Him. My life is about Him. I AM ABOUT HIM!!! Without God, I am NOTHING.
Love and hugs, and God's blessings over all of you...
Jeanne (Toni) xxx
I know...I know....
It's been forever! But you know what they say - "The best layed intentions..." etc, etc. I guess this past few months have proven two things for me. Firstly GOD IS IN CONTROL and His plans and purposes are ALWAYS better than mine! And secondly, He can see an outcome I can't! Oh, and perhaps there is a third thing...THROUGH HIM I - (we all do) - HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE WHATEVER HE PLACES BEFORE US ACCORDING TO HIS WILL. Praise be to our Mighty God, our Loving Father!!!
This first 7months of 2012 have been intense with health issues. Oh, not for me - the worst I've had is maybe three migraines! I can deal with that. But two of my brothers have had open heart surgery - one week apart! You know, I think that's taking sibling rivalry a little too far, don't you?? :-) Another brother (yeah, I have a lot of them!) has heart and lung problems stemming from an inoperable spur located near his Achilles tendon making it extremely difficult to walk, and therefore to exercise. My uncle endured, and fully recovered with a clean bill of health, a tumour on the bladder.
It's been a bit of overkill, really!
But.....
All of the health stuff and the travelling back and forth has been overshadowed by this - MY SON GOT MARRIED in June! I was reminded of something as I reflected back on all our family has been through, and the trip to Sydney for the wedding - GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVERYTHING! The two heart-patient-brothers were unable to make the wedding due to recovery - how rude....(kidding, of course!) But their thoughts and love were there. And for me personally, seeing my son...my bear...my beautiful man get married, still brings tears to my eyes even as I write this. My new daughter-in-law is a beautiful girl and I love her immensely. She loves my son!!! What more could a mother want?! :-)
So, on that, and in regards to this blog...I make no plans or promises, other than this - GOD'S WILL BE DONE! I prayed as I walked down the street to my local library to do this, asking God that if it is His will that I pick up again, then I surrendered to Him to make it happen! I am merely His inferior and broken instrument, weilded by His power alone. This will be about Him. My life is about Him. I AM ABOUT HIM!!! Without God, I am NOTHING.
Love and hugs, and God's blessings over all of you...
Jeanne (Toni) xxx
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