Love without Strings (by Graham Cooke)

Sometimes, when we think we love someone, actually what we love most is what he or she gives us. If for any reason that changes, then our relationship could be adjusted to reflect our disappointment or even bewilderment. We are always changed by our experiences of being loved. What makes us mature in loving is when we see our contribution to others as the bigger part of love. We love because we want to be an expression of who Jesus is for us. We love without strings or thought of reward.

Love gives permission to change and support the process. It does not wait on the sidelines until change is complete before it rejoins the relationship. Love is a willingness to share the journey and be part of the story. Life can be a comedy, a tragedy, usually a drama, always an adventure, and unfortunately, occasionally a soap opera. Real love always plays a leading role never a bit part.

We want excitement, not boring predictability, yet we often fail to understand that real love is mostly about how we overcome circumstances, not how we avoid them. Life is unforeseen, unpredictable, and made up of pleasure and pain. To navigate the twists and turns of our journey without using love as a compass and guide, means we will neither discover nor become the relational equivalent of True North. This is the most genuinely true alignment that can exist in the harmony between people.

Love does not accept a negative. It will challenge fear in an appropriate manner. Love stands up for love. The evidence of our lack of love is that we are afraid to be hurt or rejected. That can mean that we relate to people in the present so as to prevent ourselves from being hurt, as we once were in the past. That is dysfunctional and sad. We are governed by a present/past mindset that is protective in a completely wrong way. Perfect love casts out fear. The antidote to fear is to fully understand the power of love.

Love is not about opening yourself up to another. It is choosing to be your real self no matter what occurs. Love is about how we love, not who loves us. “I am what I love, not what loves me.” This has become one of the most powerful identity statements that I have ever made. It has produced a freedom that has revolutionized my relationships. Real love cannot be rejected, because it never seeks a return. Love is not an investment. It is the right thing to do. It is a part of our righteousness. That is, it is not just about doing the right thing, but more about being the right person. Be true to yourself and love others.

When the relationship of one person to another becomes toxic, love is still possible even if trust is negotiable. In real love, we always believe the best of someone. If their pattern of behavior does not change, eventually the lack of trust will bring us to a crossroads. It is no longer possible to believe the best, but we can believe that they have the potential to become better. Love relates to people’s potential rather than their actual nature.

Love overcomes our own hurts and wounds. How do we love someone when love is not returned? In exactly the same way as if it were! We love for the joy of loving. Love means that we don’t have to “fix” people. We simply resource them with how we see them, think about them, and value them. Doing something for someone else without the need for recognition or gratitude will benefit the giver as much as it will the recipient. Love expressed, increases.

Love does not control another’s destiny nor stifle their identity. We are learning to love openly and generously. Love that is founded on dependency can become toxic. We can suffocate people with our expectations and demands. We can over-protect like a security blanket that smothers people and allows them no freedom to discover life. Love releases people. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. It is not our responsibility to change people but to give love freely and without strings. We earn the right to give advice. Loving-kindness opens up the door of trust.

We are accepted in the Beloved. The Father has put us into the place of His truest love and utmost affection. He put us into Jesus. He loves us exactly as He loves Jesus, even though we are at this time very different in lots of ways. We are learning to be made in His image. In the process of learning, we are loved as though we have made it! Being in Christ is a paradox. We are in Jesus with all the benefits of being like Him while we are learning to become as He is.

With true love, the process is as good as the end result! God gives love not by measure, but in fullness. Therefore, if we are worthy of love to begin the process, the same love that empowered us to start will compel us to finish. There are no degrees in the love of Heaven. Love is love, God is love, and so are we.

God as my source.

This year has been one of those interesting and challenging years in the area of money and the source from where my needs are met. 

Throughout the years, I have worked in long term contract or permanent full-time employment, always being able to pay for things in one go, go to any concert I wanted, ability to save, go on shopping sprees, buy the latest fashions, money being availble and always on hand for anything, always having enough to do what I wanted and when I wanted to do it.   Most of the time, I really enjoyed saving the money for that large purchase I was able pay in one go and feeling a sense of accomplishment in this.  I also loved watching the interest of my mortgage decrease as  I made extra payments and the ability to just save and watch it grow and have that safety net for when that rainy day came.  Well, that rainy day did come and for a lot longer than I anticipated.  So far, it has been 17 months.

Over this time, I have worked in short term contracts and temporary job assignments.  I had more time out of work than in work.  This took me on a new journey and level of trust in God, that I thought I already had.    I thought my trust was in the Lord, but my trust was in the savings in my bank account.  As started to see this money decrease, I needed to make a decision of whether I was going to be anxious about this or choose to trust God to meet my needs. 

At the start of this year, I prayed a prayer that only the brave should pray.  My prayer went something like this:
'Lord, increase my level of trust in You so that I may know you more and bring me to a place where I am totally dependant on You.' 

If you don't think He answers prayer, try this one out and I guarantee He will answer it.   I came to a cross road in my life where I needed Him to be so real to me and everything else just didn't satisfy me anymore.  I knew I needed to reach a new level in Him (a deeper level).   I knew that this prayer would cost me. I didn't realise the full impact until later this year, but I am learning fast now. LOL 

One of the major lessons I am learning is that my focus needed to change to see God as  my only source who could meet my every need in life, not my employment whether it be current or future, nor my fortnightly Centrelink (government) allowance or the money I saved in the bank for a rainy day.   I started to see that these provisions were only temporal, they had limitations as my savings was depleting and a job could be taken from me at any time.  God's resources were so much more varied and unlimited and I only had  the Lord to hold onto.  My dependance on Him was and is becoming greater.

It's interesting, although I am still on this journey (and this I am sure will be a continual process), the Lord is showing me that He knows what all my needs are and will not leave me with nothing, even though sometimes it seems like I am living so close to the edge of this.  He is showing me and opening my eyes to the blessings of every day and His provision that's available through His many different ways and avenues.

Through this time, He is challenging me to continue to tithe out of obedience and give in other areas while I have this large financial need in my life.   His desire is to bless me more than I desire to be blessed.   I know I can't afford not to tithe, because it's better to obey and trust than depend on my own means and ways of doing things.

As the bills come in, this is where I am challenged the most, but God has provided work when required.  During this season, I haven't always been able to buy or pay off most things in one go as before and I have had to go without some expenses, which I found I haven't really needed to purchase afterall and at times God has provided this need in other ways.  When I start to get anxious, I am constantly reminding myself and putting into perspective that He is trustworthy and faithful.  He sticks to His promises and promised in His word that He will supply all my needs according to his riches in glory and He has done that so far and I know there is so much more to come. 

So far,  I have had two interstate holidays in Adelaide and Queensland.    I have attended three major conferences (Graham Cooke and James Goll, Dan McCallum and Brenton Brown and a international CRC conference in Adelaide).  I have been to a Guy Sebastian concert.   I have all my survival needs met: food on the table, a roof over my head, all my utility bills paid before the due date, clothes on my back, petrol in the car as well as a vehicle to go places and  family and friends who love me and all the talents, gifts and abilities He has created within me plus much more.  The most important for me is having the Lord in my life, who is continually directing and guiding me, because without Him I don't know where I would be.

I have noticed that when I am working in any organisation, I am not tied to the job or position anymore or the management in charge of me.  My focus is becoming more on the Lord.  He is in charge of my needs and is teaching me to relax (learning not to be anxious about how long the contract will go), and there is favour with the Lord while trusting in Him with all present and future needs and finances or resources become available when I need it. This, of course, is a process and it's a journey but God has never let me down, when I do my part and that's trust and obey.

For example, when I came back from Adelaide in October this year, I had electricity, gas, water, telephone, rates and my mortgage all come in at once.  I had spent more money in Adelaide than budgeted, I didn't have a lot of money left and the only income was through Centrelink (Australian Government allowance).  God knew I needed assistance and supplied me with part-time work for six weeks.  I have paid all the bills before their due date and paid half of those bills that are not yet due.

God has made a promise to take care of me and all I need is to trust and learn to take care of what He cares about.  He is so true to His promises and because I am learning to trust Him for my needs, and not what work brings in, He is showing me time and time again that He is so faithful.

God is allowing this season in my life to happen, so He can reveal a greater measure of Himself to me and to trust the only One (my Lord) who is faithful and trustworthy.  What He can do for me, He can do for you.  I am a tesimony to this and my testimony continues.

Life is so good... God is so good.  As I look back and review what has happened so far... I am truly BLESSED and I know there are more exciting things to come.

Mallacoota

In February of this year, I visited friends at their B & B in Mallacoota. Time just flew. The weather has been just perfect and I enjoyed just doing absolutely nothing.  I do enough in my everyday life and really enjoyed being looked after and blessed with a bed, great company, meals and even space.

Life is interesting when you go away, it gives one the opportunity to chill and disconnect from the day to day responsibilities of everyday life.

Here are a couple of pictures of Mallacoota (Enjoy!).  I didn't take any photos because I was enjoying myself too much and just didn't think to take any photos, which is so unlike me. :)

I just want to give opportunity once again to thank Sarah and DJ and their family for letting me stay.  I was meant to post this a while ago.  I figure better late than never.  Love you guys. :)

Since then I have visited Cairns QLD in May 2010 and Adelaide in September 2010 and will share of these holidays in near future posts.   I am so blessed!!!

Father's Love Letter

An intimate message from God to you

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.  Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.  John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.  1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.  1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child  and I am your Father.  1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.  Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.  Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.  James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.  Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.  Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I lovedthat I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Getting the Creative Juices flowing...

Tonight I had an opportunity to be creative.  If there is any opportunity to be creative, you can count me in.  I thoroughly enjoy creating things.   Would you like to know what my creations are?  How about I just show you!!  Keep scrolling... and enjoy!

My First Card Attempt

This is a little difficult to capture through scanning... the butterfly's wings fold up, to give the card a 3D effect and there are three sets of wings... green and deep red follow.  This is one of my favourites.

Each circle has raised stickers underneath, giving once again this card that 3D effect.

This is another favourite one of mine.  Each layer on the flower has stickers underneath to again give that 3D effect.  The writing below says 'adorable'.  My sister is getting this one, once her baby is born.

These cards are 4 x 4 inches.  As a group of friends, we all sat around a table creating cards, chatting and admiring each other's creations.  It was a good night and I had so much fun.  I was so impressed with what was created tonight. Imaginations went wild, creative juices were flowing... and there are still endless ideas, just waiting to be created.    I am definitely going back to create more cards. 

Now, I need to decide who to give the rest of these cards to? hmmmm....

Finding God's Perspective

I can't take the credit for the following post... I found this on the Bill Johnson website.  This really put things in perspective for me.  I have read this a few times as there is a lot to take in.  Please share your thoughts after you read this post, I would love to hear them.

Most of us are acutely aware that we live in a world at war. But the war is not over power, land or money, or even good and evil. It is over something even more basic. The war is over truth, and the battlefield is the mind of every person. This war began in heaven, when Satan was cast down, but we were implicated in it by Adam and Eve--not merely when they ate the forbidden fruit, but when they decided to trust in a lie over God's truth. Eating the fruit was merely evidence that they had believed the enemy's lie. When you believe a lie, you empower the liar - agreeing with the devil empowers him. This becomes his license to kill, steal, and destroy. When Adam and Eve did so they denied God's truth, which amounted to cutting off the branch on which there were sitting. Adam and Eve literally fell, but it happened when they decided to abandon God's perspective for a distortion. Romans 1:18-21 describes the fall of man explicitly as a fall from the truth:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Paul says that the reality of God's eternal power and nature are "clearly seen" in the visible realm. That phrase literally means "seen from above." When Adam and Eve fell, they fell from God's perspective on reality. Before they "suppressed the truth", they had unbroken access to the truth of God's nature and His intentions for history. Paul also says that "what may be known of God [was] manifest in them." This implies that, because they were made in the image of God, they could look at each other and see what God was like. But when they suppressed the truth of who God was, their own image was distorted, separating them from their identity and purpose.  From this point on, the human race inherited a distorted perspective on reality and history. 

Now that the breach of sin has been healed by the Cross, we as believers must allow the testimonies of God to teach us the truth that was lost to Adam and Eve--both His plan for history, and our identity and role in His-story. God's plan for mankind has never changed, because He has not changed.

Fun in The Sun

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

It was like any other Saturday, friends and family spending time at a local lake, having some fun in the sun, swimming and water tubing.  When I was younger, I had always wanted to water tube.  So to me, the thought of it sounded thrilling and frightening all at once.  All sorts of worse case scenerios played in my mind now that this opportunity presented itself years later.  What if something precious got hurt?  Me!!!  I convinced myself that I will be quite happy watching from the sidelines and chatting with those on the bank. Although my friend was so keen to go tubing from the start and I was quite happy to wave her off or so I thought?

First of all I watched from the shore and chatted for a while, but the sun was gettting hotter and hotter and that water looked so inviting.  My friend asked again, would I like to go tubing?  I couldn't answer with  any real certainity and replied that the boat sounds inviting and I was willing to watch in the boat.  

Finally my boat came around and the ride was thrilling and awesome.  I could do this again. This is enough.  I am quite happy with the boat, or was I really?  I just need a little more confidence before I go tubing.  Maybe next time, I will do it then.  Another boat ride, please.  I even told my friend, I will watch her from the boat. This seemed like a pretty good deal.   I was trying so hard to convince myself that this was the best option for me.

And then my friend did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the incomprehendable.  'Bronny and I want to go watertubing... our turn!!'  'Really?' I replied.  My thoughts were racing - Oh my!  what do I do now? She said this in front of everyone.  By this time, a couple of hours had  already passed and almost everyone had a turn by now.  Nerves started to rise within me.  I had seen people fall off not so long ago and they seemed alright, but I was different, it might hurt me.  I could not bring myself to say no.  I did want to go, but it was just... well you know what I mean.  Many excuses came to mind, but nothing escaped my lips.

 

I tried on nearly every life jacket.  Oh that's got me off the hook... I will go next time, I will lose a little more weight and then I will be ready.  They finally found a lifejacket that fitted me, really fitted me.  I waddled over to the boat and before I got on the tube, spoke with the driver about how tender and precious I am, please be gentle and take it slow. I repeated this a few times, just in case he didn't hear me the first time.  

So brace yourselves because a picture speaks a 1000 words and four pictures speak 4000... (LOL)

   

Well, that's what I did on Saturday, I stepped outside the box and faced a fear right in the face, with a little convincing from my friend.  I had the best time ever... can you tell?  I am definitely doing that again.  How can I go wrong?  with a life jacket on. One challenge would be to get back into the tube (LOL) but I didn't even fall out.


'How often do we miss out on great opportunities in life, all because we were afraid and could only think the worst!?!'  I nearly did.   I encourage you to take those opportunites that may seem impossible and step out of your box into what could actually be possible.

By the way, I am the one on the left.

Dance, Love, Sing, Live

John - An Inspirational Gentleman

Isn't it awesome how God brings across your path, interesting people who leave you feeling refreshed, inspired and encouraged!  Well today, on my way home from Mallacoota, I met a gentleman called John and he did, just that, for me.

Let me tell you a little about him first.  The story starts like any other.  John displayed a real passion for life, which was wonderful to hear.    John loves to sail and owns a sail boat.  He enjoys travelling and travels to Mallacoota on average once a month as well as taking two trips a year to different places around Australia with the odd trip overseas.  John enjoys his garden and attends a three-day gardening history conference at different places around Australian and New Zealand annually.  

Sounds like your average person.  Well there is something different about John.  Can you guess what it is?    Would you like to know why I found John so inspirational?

John is 93 years of age.  Daily, John walks his dogs one to two kilometres and says his dogs need the walk more than he does.  He drives his car everywhere and said he will only drive 100 kms away on his own from his hometown.  John lives alone and since his wife died four years ago, decided to put on a part-time housekeeper to tend to the housework and cook his meals.  He is bright, mentally alert, loves to read and has many friends around Australia.  This sounds a little like his resume.  Will you hire him?  :)

He doesn't let his age hold him back nor anyone else for that matter.  He is a little wobbly on his legs and has a cain to support him, but this doesn't stop him from living what he loves to do.  He is such a delight.  I believe I have discovered a real treasure. 

Research has shown that the brain should be getting better with age.  John is a great example of this.  We should be getting smarter as we get older.  So the next time you hear someone say, 'You're getting older', reply to them by saying 'Yes and isn't that great!!'


The following two YouTube videos are funny and inspiring.  These two elderly people are living life and not letting anyone hold them back!  ENJOY!!!

Welcome! I am excited!!!

My friend Sarah has inspired me to create my own blog. I think this is so exciting. It's like I have discovered a whole new world. I have seen the light and my eyes have been open like a new born baby. Well, maybe a slight exaggeration.

I see this as a great opportunity to be creative, express my thoughts, share my cherished moments and discover hidden gems about myself, my passions and life.

So welcome to my world of blogging. I am so looking forward in seeing where this goes and taking this journey of blogging to new heights. The sky is the limit. WooHoo!!

Let me introduce myself. My name is Bronwyn. I am currently working at a health centre as an admin support officer. This job opportunity has been such a blessing from God. God definitely has provided in so many ways throughout my life. I will tell more in a later post. I don't want to give too much away.

I live with my two cats, Jaspur and Cleo. I am in my 30s (no I am not telling my actual age, although you may start to work it out as I continue to blog). I have re-discovered my passion for cooking. I have always sang since the age of 14 and love a variety of music genres. I started writing my own songs in the late 90s and have recorded these two songs onto a CD with a band called Zimran and would like to continue this. Song writing, I mean. I also love art and will be experimenting with a variety of medians. Who knows I may post my artwork on this site?!?

I love to travel and I am currently staying with my friend Sarah and her family in Mallacoota and they have been such a blessing.

Well, that is just a taste about me. Thanks for reading. Keep posted.

Cheers Bronny.