perspective.

It's everything.


How we view all the junk which happens in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

It's huge.

"Why do I suffer?"

"Why does this happen to me?"

We could ask these questions times a million because there is always something happening in our lives which makes us wonder.

I was reading Philippians this morning and came to verse 29 which says,

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake".


furthur down in Philippians 3:8-10 the apostle Paul goes on to add...

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, (why?)... that I may win Christ...


...and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God through faith: That I may KNOW Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death."



it's clear throughout scripture that the apostle Paul suffered a great deal as a Christian.


Life's tough.



Last night I went out with a bunch of friends to see a movie.


When I came home, I walked through the front door and upon closing it I thought to myself, I wish Mum and Dad were here.

It's not often I think like this, but sometimes you just wish you could have your family around.


Quickly I was reminded that God is more than enough and things are ok.


If I really wanted to, I could hype myself up and dwell on all the bad things in my life... but I made a choice to not do that, because

a) it's not profitable

b) it's sin.

"whatever is not of faith is sin".




God is so good.


It's just gotta be my perspective.


When things are bad, "man this situation sucks, but God is good"


Romans 8:28-> "ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose..."


xx

to take or not to take?

that is the question.



the thought of spending a Friday evening in Paris, rollerblading for 30 kilometres with some 20,000+ people seems kinda wild.

tiredness.

I am so tired.

My mind is so active at the moment, I've got a million thoughts racing through my head. (it's always like this)

Three weeks to go until the big Eurotrip, I'm finalising bookings and transport passes etc this week and hopefully *crosses fingers*, that will be the major things sorted out.

You wouldn't think booking a trip would be so full on, but it seriously is so time consuming and involves so much planning.

I just can't wait to get off that plane in London and begin a fabulous adventure in a new shiny city.

It's gonna be awesome.



My weekend was pretty huge.

Went to Cairns with a couple friends.



^ Green Island, where we went snorklerizing.



^ Mel and I



^ Looking for crocodillos.


The weather was so hot, got majorly sunburnt, went snorkelling and saw sting rays... and just enjoyed the heat.

so good.

"hot people breed with hot people, and have like.. mmm hot kids"

ahh words of wisdom from Ja'mie.


funny stuff.


ha.




Jonah.

ha.


"i like what you're wearing Miss.... is that from Sussan's?"


Summer Heights High is so funny.


i love Mr G's Celine...




seriously, Chris Lilley = funny man.


reminds me of high school.


it was exactly like this.

pics of my workmate's new baby...

meet Stanley.



sooo cuuute.




i miss the franswiz.

:'-(

i am in love.

...



















hehe.


check this link: !!!!!!


i am so glad that God saw fit to create these little comical creatures.


they bring this kid much joy.

ahhh.


soooo cuuuute!


xx

the Spirit of God.

I love it when I hear a passage from scripture and it's like a light bulb turns on in my little Lizzie head.

Today I was listening as a friend shared from the Gospel of John how the Lord Jesus used the wind to illustrate the Spirit of God.

I wanted to cry.

(don't worry, i'm one of those people who cry in the Lion King and Pride & Prejudice so it's totally fine)

I have read John chapter 3 over and over and over and never really stopped to consider this illustration.

it's amazing.

and whilst walking home after the bible study I remembered the illustration when I heard some leaves being moved by the wind on a nearby tree.

i took the opportunity to film it on my very cheap and nasty $90 Kodak digicam and wish to share it with you all.




The scripture I am referring to is...

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
- John 3:8


I find that so often when I am questioning things, the Lord will make a way to give an answer to my question... and usually they're questions I don't verbalise to him... I just ponder and He knows what I'm thinking and graciously decides to let me in on the secret.

hehe.

So this week I had been thinking alot about how the Lord teaches me in my day to day experience.

Whenever I get convicted by the Spirit I have these, "aww sorry God" moments.

This happens frequently, and I think this is a good thing.

One minute I am doing something, anything... then the next it's like a sign is flashing in my head saying "you shouldn't have done this Lizzie because (insert reason here with example of failing from the day)".

and all week for some reason I was scratching my head (not literally) thinking, God... how do you do it?.

How does he make me see the error of my ways?

It's not like I am some super moral being who has figured out the world and doesn't need any guidance.

nono.

I just often wonder how the Spirit of God operates in my life... and as I was watching the leaves flail around because of the wind this afternoon, I thought about myself as this one frail little leaf attached to the branch being moved as the wind moves me.

Lizzie the Leaf.

hehe.

ahhhh.



it truly is the simple things that do it...



God is so good.