Friday's Five - Happiness

That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great. - Willa Cather

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. - ― Mother Teresa

Just because you are happy it does not mean that the day is perfect but that you have looked beyond its imperfections - ― Bob Marley

Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here. - ― Leo Tolstoy

“Remember laughing? Laughter enhances the blood flow to the body’s extremities and improves cardiovascular function. Laughter releases endorphins and other natural mood elevating and pain-killing chemicals, improves the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to internal organs.
Laughter boosts the immune system and helps the body fight off disease, cancer cells as well as viral, bacterial and other infections. Being happy is the best cure of all diseases!”  - ― Patch Adams

Happiness

Happiness is a wondrous dance

Like

A road home embraces a joyous liberty

A falling snow-flake cascades a mighty avalanche

A hope discovered starts a glorious song

A sweet refrain dispels a hovering cloud

A word of forgiveness releases the chains of condemnation

A touch of love heals the pain of sin

Happiness is a sweet season

Happiness is constant love

Happiness is a soul of joy

Happiness is overflowing grace.

Forgotten Heroes - Sergeant Lewis McGee V.C.

Sergeant Lewis McGee, 40th Battalion, Victoria Cross action near Ypres, Belgium. It was a posthumous award.

Lewis McGee was born in Ross, Tasmania. He was 27, married and working as an engine-driver when he enlisted in Tasmania in early 1916. Although the 40th Battalion, did not see any big battles until 1917, it did particularly good work in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. Leading a depleted platoon near Zonnebeke, McGee made a single-handed attack on a concrete blockhouse while armed with only a revolver. He then had an active part in consolidating the captured position.

Resuming the advance a week later, McGee was killed in the futile attack on Passchendaele. 

His Wonderful Grace

My advocate with words clear and true

No condemnation, he said, no condemnation

No matter how often, no matter how many times

With grace, failure doesn't make any difference

When I fail, He comforts and heals

The work of the Son on my behalf

Eternally righteous, sin taken away

God is satisfied with Jesus work.

He took my old sinful nature, shame, guilt, pain,

He nailed it to the cross, forever,

Now I am accepted, loved, held, kept,

Beloved in the fullness of the son.

New life, righteous, healed, holy, complete,

Christ now lives inside of me.

I found love, forever, free in His embrace

No condemnation, looking into His wonderful grace.

Matthew 11

Heavens Mirror

Starlit night

Unparalleled splendour

Magnificent greatness

Heavens mirror

Inexhaustible beauty

Unimaginable vastness

Untracked stars

Sing your praises

Here I stand

Infinitesimally small

Consumed by awe

Beholding you

Take my ache

This heart felt wonder

Let me see

Who I really am

Flaming grace

Restoring power

Deep inside

One with Christ

Friday's Five - Mercy

“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
― Abraham Lincoln

“His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners after great lengths of time and then gives great favors and great privileges and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God!”
― Charles H. Spurgeon

“The most frightful of all spectacles is the strength of the civilization without its mercy.”
― Winston Churchill

“My past life is abundantly full of God’s mercy, and, above all sin, stands the forgiving love of the Crucified.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died. No. Jesus died because God is showing mercy.”
― A.W. Tozer

Mercy

Mercy is a fragrant aroma

Like

A kissed cheek comforts the lonely heart

A secret smile perfumes a hidden glance

A given flower refreshes a cluster of cares

A cherished touch heals a furrow of grief

A word glimpsed smiles with sweet glory

A morning garland sings freedom’s promise

Mercy is abiding

Mercy is spiritual delight

Mercy is unfailing

Mercy is grace’s attire.

Forgotten Heroes - Lance Corporal Walter Peeler. V.C.

Lance Corporal Walter Peeler, 3rd Pioneer Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Broodseinde Ridge, during the battle of Ypres, Belgium.

Walter Peeler was born near Castlemaine, Victoria. He enlisted in February 1916 in time to join the 3rd Pioneer Battalion. He was slightly wounded during the battle of Messines in June 1917.

On 4 October 1917 Peeler was one of several Lewis gunners attached to the 37th Battalion for the attack on Broodseinde Ridge. In the forefront, he led attacks against a series of enemy posts, eventually accounting for over 30 of the enemy. A few days later Peeler was wounded and while recuperating received the Victoria Cross from the King.

During the Second World War, Peeler understated his age and enlisted in the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion. After serving in Syria, he was captured with his unit in Java during 1942 and spent three and a half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. He was a Custodian of Victoria's Shrine of Remembrance between 1934 and 1940 and from 1945 until 1964. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1961.

Peeler was awarded the Victoria Cross, British Empire Medal, service medals for the First and Second World Wars, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Living Within

Once I thought of God

Far away

High above

I felt so small

Detached

Alone.

It was easy to cry out

Shout

Scream

To a God so far away.

Then I discovered God inside

Close

Entwined

I felt so alive

Complete

Whole.

It was easy to talk

Ask

Whisper

To a God living within.

Unending Love by Bill Thomas

Will the rivers ever cease to flow?

Can the waterfall run dry?

Will the stars ever cease to glow?

Can the sun leave the sky?

Will the East winds cease to bring the rain?

Will creation cease to thrive?

Can I ever lose His love again

As long as I'm alive?

Unending love holds the stars in place,

Unending grace fills my heart,

In perpetuity with love's embrace,

I can never depart

From this love that will hold me firm,

That will prevail till the last;

I may struggle and I may squirm,

But His love holds me fast.

Will the mountains ever cease to tower?

Will the oceans still their rage?

Will the storms ever lose their power?

Will Nature turn another page?

Can I ever lose this awesome love?

Will I ever lose His grace?

Endless love flowing from above,

From the Saviour's face.

Valentine Heart

This lovely heart was left with a variety of Love Heart sweets in our staff kitchen.

 A little present for all staff from our Catering Manager.

Happy Valentines Day.

Call On Him

In Christ

There is no ethnic culture

There is no distinction

There is no tribal separation

That divides

In the act of bestowing his riches

On all who call to him

Hear His shout

Join the redeemed

With one voice

Call on Him

Call on Him

Forgotten Heroes - Corporal Walter Brown. V.C.

Corporal Walter Ernest Brown, 20th Battalion, Victoria Cross action at Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Born in Tasmania, Wally Brown was a grocer in Sydney when he enlisted in 1915. He was in the light horse and the camel corps before transferring to the infantry. A brave soldier, he gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917.

On 6 July 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux, Brown's party had taken over some newly captured trenches. When told that an enemy sniper was causing trouble, Brown discarded his rifle and picked up two Mills bombs. Running towards the post, he threw one bomb, which fell short, but on reaching the position he attacked a German with his fists and threatened the others with his remaining grenade. They all promptly surrendered.

During the war Brown was twice wounded, and promoted to sergeant. Although married and over-age, he served again in the Second World War. He went missing after the fall of Singapore in February 1942; he was last sighted declaring, "no surrender for me".

Brown was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, service medals for the First and Second World Wars, and the King George VI Coronation Medal.

Acceptance

I don’t have to accept:-

My identity in Adam

The report of the Doctors

The letter in the post

The lies of the Devil

The bad news of the reporter

The remnants of my old life

The negative thoughts in my mind

The negative words of my friends

The unbelief that assails me.

I can accept:-

My identity in Christ

The grace of God

The finished work of the cross

Christ righteousness and now my righteousness

My holiness in Christ

My healing

The work of Christ in my life

The power of the Spirit in my life

The love of Christ in my life

The glory of Christ in my life

All I am In Christ.