Hi, everyone -- no, I hadn't forgotten you! I guess the last month or so has been about the busiest that I have had for quite a time, and included a dose of the 'flu -- first time for years! I have dropped in to C/A a few times, but had not been able to spend more than a very short time glancing through. Anyway, here I am again.

The trip to Wiluna was an interesting one, and there are new avenues opening up there. I am already looking forward to the next one in October.

This week just passed we sent a day at a Health Expo in a Senior Campus (providing especially for "new Australians" who still have to learn our language, and for people who, for one reason or other, did not complete their education, and are now trying to do so -- regardless of age). The Health Expo also had so many of the "alternative therapies" that it is a bit scary when you think of the alternatives around that are being promoted as "health". We should be just so thankful that God has given to us so much information on how to care for our bodies in the right way.

The last 3 days have been spent in one of our larger suburban shopping centres in a relatively low socio-economic area. We met just so many people who need Christ in their lives. We are endeavouring to plant a new church in this area, and already the hall that is being used is getting to be very full. We had so many people who saw our sign identifying ourselves as the Adventist Health Association, and that we were providing "A Community Service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church". I lost count of the number of people who asked me where our nearest church was because they would like to know more about us. An evangelistic program is planned for this area in about a month's time. Your prayers would be appreciated.

Now, back to "Steps to Christ". I have been given an edition of this book that has been simplified for evangelistic purposes, and for those who are new to Christianity. I have enjoyed its simplicity, and decided that for the remainder of this forum, I will use this particular edition. I hope that you will enjoy it, and that it will bring some new thoughts to you.

God bless,

Beryl

Why do you think that Jesus used nature to teach so many lessons?

In what ways do you find nature turning your minds to God and His love?

God bless,

Beryl

Which nature lessons taught by Jesus have you found to have a real influence in your life?

One of my favourites is Matthew 6:25-34. When things are not going as they should, and a few bills come in that are not welcome at that stage, I often think of Jesus' admonition about not worrying, but to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first -- and these temporal things will be taken care of as well. And, it always seems to come out OK!!

Do you have a story that you can share?

God bless,

Beryl

Have you ever stopped to look at the absolute beauty of a simple camelia? Or a beautiful Arum lily? Or even a simple daisy? Take a look! And He is waiting to change each of us to be true representatives of His on this earth for now and eternity.

God bless,

Beryl

Beryl, you said "simple" camelia... The closer I look at the things of nature the more I realise just how complex they are! But the whole of a flower has a simplicity to it that is delightful

It is a marvel to admire the works of God's hand. It helps us to know that God Himself is marvellous!

Yes, Gail, it is so true that nature, even the "plain" plants, are just so full of wonders! And today we look at something that is even more wonderful.



When I hear people expounding evolution I find it difficult to contain my inner anger -- to think that they can actually believe that these things "just happened"! Even after 6000+ years after sin entered this world, the evidences of a divine mind and hand in creation is just so evident.

God bless,

Beryl

Yes, I believe that last paragraph hold the key to happy, contented living. "If we believe" -- really, truly BELIEVE -- We would not have the worries that we so often carry on our shoulders -- and everywhere else! Is it that we wait until something is in a mess before we even think of calling the Divine problem-solver? I find myself so often doing this. How about you? Or am I different?

I remember when my children were small, and they were trying to do things by themselves. Attempts to help were fobbed off! It was only when things got into an almost irrepairable mess that they tearfully called for help!

But, then, how different are things now? Not too much! Yes, I KNOW, beyond all doubt, the God is there to help in all of my decisions, but so often I use my earthly brains to tell me what to do instead of "taking everything to God in prayer."

What hope is there for me? Ah, yes! As Paul said (2 Timothy 1:12) "...I know Whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." I know that God loves me, and, despite all my failures, He knows that I love Him, and He still loves me -- and one day soon, all these failures will be over, and heaven will be here.

And, yes, if you are feeling now like I sometimes (often) feel -- God loves you, too.

God bless,

Beryl

Hi Beryl. Nice to see you around. Still hot and dry down under?

Regards,

olger

Hi, Olger,

No, it is winter here now. Not REAL winter, unfortunately. We are getting some rain here in Perth, but some of our farmers are still in drought conditions. Unfortunately there was a VERY strong wind a couple of days ago, and farms near the coast at Geraldton (about 350km north of Perth) had all the topsoil blown off their paddocks. This is about the 4th or 5th year in succession that there have been drought conditions in these areas.

God bless,

Beryl

Wow! Let your imagination run wild! Will we really have houses -- as we know them -- or will our "house" be like the magnificent Garden of Eden? Why would we need a house? Adam and Eve didn't! They trained the vines to make beautiful "bowers". And God has kept that garden in perfect condition for them.

What will the roses be like? And the beautiful camelias? My roses have just finished, and my 2 camelia bushes are a mass of beautiful soft pink flowers. Next the azalias will begin flowering. But these are only tiny glimpses of the the beauties of heaven and the new earth.

Add to that the joy of meeting those whom I have come to "know" here at Club Adventist! WOW! Won't we have a gathering on that day! Those we have come to know because we read what they have written, plus those who come to visit us, and quietly leave without a sound! Yes, we will have a GREAT BIG PARTY! And we will know everyone -- and not forget their names!

See you all there!

God bless,

Beryl