HANDY HINTS

Loneliness is not a Sin

Did you know that being lonely is not a sin? You will go through seasons of loneliness. Everyone does. When you start isolating yourself then it becomes and issue.

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement.

Proverbs 18:1

If you find yourself in this season for whatever reason seek God and encourage yourself in the Lord. David did this! How? I’ll tell you how in a minute. First, I want to share this excerpt with you.

God brings moments into our lives when we have to stand alone in difficulty and testing. God will even blind the eyes and deafen the ears of our closest friends in moments so we can learn to minister to ourselves. Bil Johnson

There have been many times I’ve relied on my husband, friends family for my emotional needs and if they weren’t around I would be hurt. Learning tominister and encourage myself was  a challenge. It’s just you and God! It wasn’t until I realized that I had nothing, no one else but God that I could count on. You don’t realize God is all you need until you see that He is all you have.

Strengthening yourself in the Lord

I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you  -  I meditate on the WORD of God day and night. I speak them aloud so it gets into my SOUL. Here are a few that I use.

The Lord’s eye is upon me because I fear Him, I wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving kindness. Psalm 33:18

Hope deferred makes my heart sick, but when my desire is fulfilled, it is the tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me that through endurance and the encouragement of Scriptures I might have hope. Romans 15:4

But his delight in in the law of the Lord. And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. That brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:2

So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of GOD

I always have cd’s/dvd’s nearby. In the car and at home. It is on constantly running in the background. While busy tending to other things, my mind is constantly getting fed as well as my inner man without being aware of it!

Meet with friends, family, mentors, pastors

Talk, hang our, tell them what you're going through and would like prayers, this way they know how to pray for you. Don’t isolate

And let us consider how to stir up on another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

Prayer

Connect to God through prayer. As I reached out to Him, He supplied to me joy overflowing. He nurtured me and loved me all the way through that lonely season. Staying connected with God is vital. You can’t afford to be without Him. It’s too big of a risk.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I pray that in this season you will reach out to God allow His love to permeate you. He wil do a mighty work in you. Enjoy it for it is a season. It may be a long seadon or a short one, depending on our attitudes. Know that you are never alone. I’ve been on this hourney before and spoken to many friends who knew what I was feeling. In some weird odd way it gave me a sense of comfort and some reassurance. The enemy wants to make us feel alone, insecure and ashamed, don’t give in!

God’s love to all

Anonymous

Maple Pumpkin & Chicken Warm Pasta Salad

Serves 4

I have some lovely sweets lined up to share, but each month the cold winter inspires me to share something hot and filling. This is a dish that I mixed up from a salad and a pasta, to make a warm pasta salad! It was perfect on a cold winter’s night.

Step One:

¼ Pumpkin, skinned and cut into small cubes

3 tbsps maple syrup

½ cup olive oil

Salt

Heat oven to 220 degrees. Spread all ingredients into a large baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes or until pumpkin has browned.

Step Two:

2 Chicken breasts, skinned and sliced in half to make thinner pieces

Flavouring

Salt and pepper

Coat chicken in your favourite flavouring, ie; pesto, coriander herb paste, Cajun spice, salt and pepper, curry etc. Place on a baking tray lined with a baking sheet and bake at 220 °C for 15 minutes, until cooked through. Putting it in the oven while the pumpkin is cooking is fine. Remove from the oven and chop into cubes.

Step Three:

400g twist pasta

Place pasta in a large pot of boiling water with a little salt and olive oil. Boil for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain.

Step Four:

 2 Zucchini

Olive oil

1 clove crushed Garlic

Salt and pepper

Slice zucchini thinly lengthwise. Fry in a small amount of olive oil with the garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

Final Step:

2 cups Baby spinach

1 x 250g pkt Ricotta cheese

3 tbsps Parmesan cheese

Cooked pasta (above)

Chicken (above)

Zucchini (above)

Salt and pepper

Pumpkin (above)

Grated cheddar/mozzarella  cheese

In a bowl place the first 7 ingredients and mix well. Lastly add the pumpkin and gently fold into the mixture. Serve immediately. 

Option: sprinkle with cheese and grill for 4-5 mins on high until cheese has browned on top. 

From the Editor's desk

Greetings

Well I am still enjoying putting together this small magazine!! I have been challenged by why conXion? What is it’s purpose? Who enjoys receiving and reading it? 

 My conclusion is this conXion is all about ordinary women writing for ordinary women serving an extraordinary God, this is the heart of conXion.

How long it’s been running I really don’t know, all I know it started from humble beginnings, it was a newsletter keeping the women of Queensland in touch with each other. In those days computers didn’t exist and as for the internet I imagine it was someone’s pipe dream, we have come far.

I am delighted that we have Karen Kirby back again writing for us, her stories from Dubai in the past have held great interest and following. I am always looking for new writers to share their story, you don't need a degree just the passion for women and writing into their lives. When I first became a member of WMT and Jeannie Rosendale was the editor I used to think well conXion that’s not for me, reading it no problem, writing forget it. Well God has other ideas didn’t He . I don’t believe I am the best of writers but He gives me all I need, an extraordinary God. During the next few months we will be introducing those who are giving us such amazing articles.

  

July is becoming a busy month so how about becoming  part of Women’s Ministry Month by supporting the various events that are happening throughout our State such as a Women’s Conference to High Tea I encourage each of you if you can to attend one of these events to do so, remember each of them is being held especially for those of you who attend and as I personally know, when others from other Churches come to an event my Church holds, my heart sings.

I leave you with these words:

“May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”
~ Teresa of Avila

In His love

Andi Owen

God Moments

 Thinking on ‘God Moments’ I thought of the choices of change in one’s life.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.

                                            Isaiah 40 : 31 

I have at times had certain moments I wished I could have changed… Change is a natural part of life.  At times we may be prisoners of old habits – good and bad. When it comes to change we have a decision to make… just like the Eagle…

I recently read how the eagle has the longest life span among birds.  It can live up to 70yrs, but to reach this age, the eagle has to make a hard decision.  In it’s 40’s the eagle’s long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey, which serves as food.  It’s long and sharp beak becomes bent and it’s old and heavy wings covered with feathers that have grown thick over the years, become thick and stuck to it’s chest, making it difficult to fly.

The eagle is then left with two options, die or go through a painful process of change, which lasts 150 days.  The difficult process requires the eagle to fly to a mountain top and sit on it’s nest.  There the eagle knocks it’s beak against a rock until the beak falls off.  The eagle will then wait for the new beak to grow back and use the new beak to pluck out it’s talons.  When the new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking out all the old feathers.  After 5 months the eagle takes a famous flight of rebirth and lives another 30yrs.

But for us humans,  changes that we may make aren’t as painful and  may come in “God Moments” with God asking us to step out in faith and make  changes in your day to day life.

Perhaps making room to try something new.

This year, in a God Moment,  I have stepped outside my comfort zone to write for Conxion each month, and as each month goes by and with God’s help I found  I can do this…

We don’t have to be afraid of the unknown…. God waits for us to take that first step.

Faith is a step by step process  just like it was for the eagle step by step.

Writing on “Patterns of life” I thought at the time was a huge step for me to take let alone writing on “God Moments” when it was my turn  and I thought at the time “God how can I do this?” but faith in God has shown me anything is possible through Him… Then opening my Bible this week another “God Moment” this verse stared up at me!!

Live one day at a time, our lives can sometimes be filled with fear. We worry about the future and lose confidence. Jesus says to take one day at a time.

Matthew 6 :33 – 34

Our God is an awesome God! Listen for “God Moments”

Incidentally, “One day at a time” had already been chosen for our Luther Heights Camp

later this year some months ago!!! How amazing is that!!!

Elaine Hales