Good afternoon ladies. Our own Jenny B should have arrived in Bali by now for approx 5 weeks working with Nationals over there. Please be praying for her safety, health & wise words as she’s there.
Apr 11
Book Review – Humility by C.J. Mahaney
Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney is a short, practical book with large print and wide margins. The hard part is the topic. This book challenged me to value and pursue humility but my pride meant that, at times, it was an uphill battle to keep reading!
Each chapter was solidly based in a passage of Scripture. The book starts by defining humility as “honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness”. It goes on to look at the dangers of pride. It provides a Biblical perspective on “true greatness” as servanthood and how Jesus gives the ultimate demonstration of humble greatness on the cross. From there the book gets practical – how we can challenge our self-reliance, arrogance and pride each day in prayer, through Scripture, in sufferings and as we relate to each other.
This book has helped me to start seeing my own pride more clearly, and to see how at odds it is with God’s holiness. One area where I now recognise pride is in the way that I often care more about what other people think of me than what God thinks. But this book is also very helpful in providing practical ideas for how we can start (prayerfully) challenging pride in our lives and this has been very encouraging.
Think this is a great book for any Christian to read! On some level we all struggle with pride, although it takes many different forms. I found this short, practical, Biblical book a great help in beginning to address my particular brand of pride.
This book review was written by Jenny B who is one of our Ministry Trainees and attends Night Church. Have you read a good book lately that you think would be a great encouragement to the ladies of DPC? Email us at women@dpc.org.au and let us know!
Apr 08
Daily Easter Reading day 8
Risen!
How could the disciples forget! In the middle of all the horror and pain of seeing the one they loved hung on a cross to die- why didn’t they remember he had told them it was all part of the plan!
What excitement! When they returned to Jerusalem and found the rest of the disciples buzzing with the news. At least they believed and their sorrow was turned to joy.
Today is Easter Day! Jesus has overcome death for us and made it possible for us to be part of his everlasting kingdom.
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
Apr 07
Daily Easter Reading day 7
Mourning and waiting
The worst had happened – Jesus was dead. When my husband was in hospital for a prolonged period of time around Christmas and everyone was excited and enjoying the festive season. I wanted to scream at them to stop! Was it like that for Jesus’ friends, not quite believing that those around them could carry on with normal customs of a Jewish Sabbath – when for them their world had fallen apart.
Maybe they were able to recall what Jesus had taught them. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4).
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
Apr 06
Daily Easter Reading day 6
Good Friday
When was the last time that you really read those words
“He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities….”
He died for my sins. His pain should have been my pain and my punishment.
Can I encourage you to take time to be on your knees today. Read this passage from Isaiah and then Matthew 26:36-27:61
It was my sin that held him there...
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
Apr 05
Keeping your Children busy during holidays
Well, today was the last day of school for the Term! Holidays are here again! (Do I hear an AMEN?)
Holidays are the time for fun and family, but it is also the time when sibling rivalry, power struggles and the like surface, creating tension for both parents and children. The root cause of negative vibes during holidays is boredom.
So, how can you keep your children engaged throughout the holidays and, therefore, hopefully eliminating some of those issues?
- Encourage your children to mingle with their peers at home or out & about.
- Take your children on outings. Have them make a list of things they would like to see or do and commit to doing at least one thing from each child’s lists.
- Several museums and galleries have programs specially designed for children. Check out the Western Plains Cultural Centre or the Dubbo Regional Theatre
- Choose an area in which your child displays interest and aptitude. If your child seems interested, don’t hesitate to sign them up for lessons relating to their interests.
- Several organisations like churches and clubs offer holiday camps for children. Crusaders and Scripture Union also run fantastic camps.
- Holidays are a great time for children to meet and spend quality time with grandparents, aunts and uncles, so take your children to meet family and friends over the holidays.
- If your children are interested, let them join you in cooking or gardening at home.
Assign tasks as per your child’s age and choose recipes accordingly. - If both parents are working, you may have to arrange day care for your children. If you do need child care during the holidays, maybe talk to some other mums in your congregation and arrange a babysitting swap.
Children are full of energy and curiosity. When children learn, make friends and do things they enjoy, they automatically become amicable and holidays become a fun time instead of one wrought with tension.
Maybe you have some more ideas? Please comment below to share ideas with other parents, grandparents, Aunts (blood or not) or friends of DPC.
Here's a photo of some holiday fun!
This post was written by Anne McLeod - adapted from Landock. J., http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/10309/1/Keeping-Your-Children-Busy-During-Holidays.html retrieved 29th March 2012
Apr 05
Daily Easter Reading day 5
A new commandment
Time was running out and Jesus urgently wanted to give his disciples this new commandment. Something they would remember forever when he was no longer walking alongside the; something to make them clearly stand out as his disciples.
The love that Jesus is talking about is unconditional, and when we love others as Jesus loves us, then people will know we are Christians.
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me just as I am. Help me today to love others even when they don’t live up to my expectations, help me to love them as you love them.
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
Apr 04
Daily Easter Reading day 4
Choosing darkness
Betrayal – by someone Jesus had chosen, loved and trusted. This is a part of the gospel that in many respects I wish was not there as it shocks us into the reality of what actually happened- the raw emotion.
And it was night. There is so much significance in this phrase, Judas deliberately chose to turn his back on the love and forgiveness that Jesus offered – he walked into the darkest of nights.
As children who have been chosen by God, we hope to never be like Judas and turn our back on Jesus- however we are too often deceiving someone we say we love and in doing so we are turning our backs on the good deeds that God designed us for! Remember today that we walk in the light! Remember that walking faithfully with Jesus daily is a continuous struggle and isn’t something we should take for granted or get too comfortable with. What things are you implementing in your life to ensure that you would never be like Judas and turn your back on Jesus?
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
Apr 03
Ten Top Tips for Tuesday – Promoting Good Sleep!
Well, it’s the first Tuesday of the month, it’s time for some top tips!
This months tips have been lovingly thought about and written by Nancy Kelly of Morning Church.
I, Nat, am particularly interested in this one as I’m often challenged by the need to make sure that I have the energy to do the things that God has called me to do! I hope they are beneficial and encouraging for you too!
Ten good habits to promote good sleep.
1. Have a regular sleep routine.
2. Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day.
3. If you are struggling with getting enough sleep then work out what time you need to be awake in the morning and wake up at that time each day.
4. If you are sleepy when you wake up at your allotted time, then go to bed fifteen minutes earlier the next night.
5. Caffeine is not ever sleep’s friend. When your body is tired you will sleep better, so try and get some physical activity into your day to wear your body out.
6. Lots of people find it hard to sleep right after vigorous exercise so it doesn’t usually help if you work hard just before you expect to sleep.
7. Keep your bedroom for sleeping (etc). If you use it for study or sewing etc try and separate your bedroom into zones so there is a clear zone for sleeping. This tells your subconscious that its sleep time.
8. Make your bed pretty and comfortable looking.
9. Nap hints. Try power napping.
10. Learn to relax: our busy minds both stop us going to sleep and keep us awake when we wake in the middle of the night.
Thanks for the tips Nancy! Do any of you have any particular bedtime routines that help you?
Apr 03
Daily Easter Reading day 3
Introductions
When some Greeks approach Philip one day to speak to Jesus I can just imagine the discussion between Andrew and the other disciples as to whether or not to let them see him. To top this of when Jesus spoke they were even more confused by what he said talking about that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified and then in the same breath talking about death.
Today there are still people, young and old looking for meaning in life- often in all the wrong directions. Some are like the Greek travellers, they want to see Jesus – do you know anyone in this situation now?
This post was written by Anne McLeod inspired by Day by Day with God – Bible Readings for Women written by Mary Reid (2000).
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