Double delight......

One of my chooks is regularly laying double yolkers............

I cracked two eggs for breaky the other morning and just as I cracked them both in I thought to take a photo.........so it's not the best photo but it looked pretty cool having them in the pan..........

Lamby is the fatest most cheeky sheep on the farm...............she has a new party trick as of the last few weeks...........she squeezes out between the double gates out the front.............jumps over the ramp...........hangs out in the outer front yard for a little bit then wanders into the garden.......once shes had a nibble she comes bleating around the doors to let us know she is in the garden and wants to be let out the Chookshed gate to go straight to the silo for some oats.........

a naughty little lamb.........she actually looks a little skinny in the photo above but I wished all our sheep looked like this..........

she's just nibbling on a few of the plants I wished she would leave alone.........

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.......

Keys For Kids Devotional Review

My son has a really awesome Sunday School teacher.  They do a lot of hands on activities.  They even made a topographic map of Paul's missionary journeys out of salt dough!!  Yes, I realize how blessed our family is.  A few years ago she gave my son a mail subscription to Keys for Kids daily devotional because she wanted to make sure he was getting into the Bible every day.  My son loved it and would read all of the stories.  I even had to make sure that he only did that day so that he would have something new to read tomorrow.

Then, he noticed in one mailing that they had an app.  Like most kids, my son loves anything electronic (though we have limits on his electronic time) and was thrilled to try out the app.  He loved reading or listening to the daily devotional on his iPod instead of reading it in the booklet, but the app was a little glitchy, often closing out before he got the chance to finish reading it.  When I contacted Keys for Kids, they said that they already had a new app in the works and it would be a few months before it was available.  So we went back to the mail version until the new app was completed.

However, recently they released their new app available for both Android and Apple.  It is very similar to the old app but without the glitches.  

What We Love About the Keys For Kids App:

• It has a daily devotional each day with a story that kids will enjoy and teaches them a lesson. Each devotional also has a few Bible verse references to look up and read, a key verse that is written out, a key message for the day, and a way for the kids to apply the key message.  You can read it or you can listen to it.  The devotional takes less than five minutes but gives your child something from the Bible to think about every day.

• You can live stream Keys for Kids Radio.  It has lots of great Christian music.  Some of the songs are geared directly towards kids and other Christian songs that everyone will enjoy.  It also has radio programs like Red Rock Mysteries, Down Gilead Lane, The Pond, Jungle Jam, and Adventures in Odyssey.  Check out the program schedule here.

• You can also listen to the current episode of Down Gilead Lane, Red Rock Mysteries, The Pond, Paws & Tales, Kids Corner, We Kids, and Karen & Kids anytime you want.  If you like these programs but the program schedule doesn't fit yours, then this is perfect for your family.

What We Change About the Keys for Kids App:

We LOVE the newly updated app and I LOVE that my son is reading God's Word daily.  It is becoming part of his daily routine.  The only thing I would improve would be making the Bible verse references hyperlinks so that the kids are more likely to actually read them.  Also, having a default setting that would decide what you want the app to do when you open (play the audio daily devotional, just open the daily devotional without playing the audio, or just opening to the main menu...) would be a great option.

Other Ways to Get Keys for Kids:

Plus you can follow Keys for Kids on Facebook or Keys for Kids of Twitter where they share both the kids daily devotional and a parent minute (you can listen or read or listen and read at the same time).  It's a great way for parents to see what their kids are reading.

If you love the idea of a daily devotional for your child but don't have a smartphone or tablet, then you can check them out at their website.  The daily devotionals are available 14 different ways, from mail subscription to email and e-readers to podcasts.

Does it work......well that depends on you.......

Thankyou for all your lovely comments on "the journey" post........ We all need support and need to keep each other on track.......I still have quiet a few to respond to.........just need a few more hours in the day.......

Quiet a few of you mentioned looking into fitbits.......I love mine....I got it before fitness trackers were all the rage....  

A big question I get asked is 

Does it work? 

Of course they work but you need to work with it.  Mine only comes off to charge briefly....... I do take my new one off to shower.......and there is only one model you can swim in...... 

The cheapest fitbit that you can get on your wrist will do the job just fine....... 

Some of the less flash ones you can get cheap funky bands on ebay...... Just take the tracker out and swap them around into the cheap bands....... 

I have the fitbit app on my phone so I can see what's happening whenever I want....... 

It won't work if you leave it at home or forget to charge it..... You make it work......Wear it 24/7.....and get moving.........

Most people who get the big chunky ones don't keep wearing them.... 

I had a fitbit flex they have a new fitbit flex 2 out now..... But I decided to upgrade to the fitbit alta hr which I can still change the bands on but also see what my heart rate is doing...... But if I was starting out I would probably just get the flex 2........

Totally unrelated photo that I took on Saturday..........
To try and keep me and you readers motivated I'm going to try and post monthly a fitness/health related post............And as I am off track a bit at the moment I had asked Sue @ KiwiKid to keep nagging me............I did a short walk yesterday and again today............only both about 5 mins but I did something.......lets keep each other moving and improving our health......

Goodluck...... 

Catch you later......

Chookyblue......

Sunday outing....

Saturday was still and stunning...............Sunday was sunny buy OMG a chilly wind blew all day and I pretty much had my coat on all day........

we had to check our cattle as we heard there was a pig dog causing trouble at the nieghbours but no sign of it thankfully..........everything was settled and happy.......

We had to find some cattle down the river............

its rough as guts driving down there...........

but stunning sights to see..........glorious big old trees.........

I was mechanics assistant...........we need to pump up a pile of tyres on field bins and jack them up to get their wheels under them............checking tyres on lots of other farming equipment...........a shitty job I hate...........my tummy muscles were sore from jacking the field bins............not quiet as easy as jacking your car up to change a tyre...............

But look what I found doing this job.............

Meet "Lucky" she was sitting beside one of the field bins........didn't get up and run away when we went over..........she did get up when Mr Chooky hunted her but just stood there and I was trying to take a photo and looking and thinking why had you not run away.........then it was quick we need to catch her as she was very hallow and hungry..........so we popped her in the cage and she traveled around with us in our work and I shared my drink bottle with her..........she was very happy to have a drink of milk last night when we got home well after dark..........Lucky we were doing that job and found her otherwise she would have died.........whether she's a twin or has a careless mother I am not sure......

 

there were babies hiding in the rolly polly.......

this one was brand spankers new........trying to find its feet and get to mum for a drink..........

oh yeah and the river doesn't have any water running in it like most of you would expect to see a river.........there is a slight hole over there against the bank in the shadows.........

Hope your Sunday was a good one.........

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.....

Bible Verses for This Is Amazing Grace

This Is Amazing Grace

by Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, and Phil Wickham

Verse 1:
Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:5-7 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

Who's love is mighty and so much stronger?

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

The King of Glory, the King above all Kings

Psalm 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Verse 2:
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
and leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?

Hebrews 12:26-29 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, �Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.� This expression, �Yet once more,� denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

About Jesus in 1 Timothy 6:15 which He will bring about at the proper time�He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 

Chorus:
This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love

James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, �God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.�

Psalm 136:2 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

That you would take my place, that You would bear my cross

Hebrew 2:9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

You laid down Your life, that I would be set free

Romasn 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me

Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Verse 3:
Who brings our chaos back into order?

1 Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation.

The King of Glory, the King of Glory

Of Jesus in Revelation 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, �King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.�

Verse 4:
Who rules the nations with truth and justice?

Revelation 16:5 And I heard the altar saying, �Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.�

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?

Of God in Habakkuk 3:4 His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and there is the hiding of His power.

Matthew 17:2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 

The King of Glory, the King above all Kings

Psalm 24:9-10 Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.  Selah.

Bridge:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, �Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.�

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

1 Corinthians 15:25-26 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

Evangelistic Bible Verses

In a recent Sunday School class on evangelism, we looked at many of the different Bible verses that are used to share the gospel.  Then, in order to have something available at any time, we chose a verse for each topic and wrote part of it on a card that will fit in our wallet.  

We looked at several different methods of sharing the gospel (ABCs, The Roman Road, Wordless Book or bracelet...) and then individually choose which one we like the most and practiced it on each other.  Practicing was great because it helped us to be more comfortable with sharing outside of class.

Evangelistic Bible Verses

The sin problem:

Ecclesiastes 12:14 - For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Isaiah 53:6 - All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

Ezekiel 18:4 - Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.

Matthew 12:36 - But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

Luke 12:2 - But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Romans 3:10-11 -as it is written, �There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;�

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned�

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:1-3 - And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Hebrews 9:27 - And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Christ�s death for us:

John 3:16 - �For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.�

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

2 Corinthians 5:21- He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 - It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

You must believe and have faith:

John 3:16 - �For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.�

Acts 16:31 - They said, �Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.�

Romans 4:5 - But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Romans 10:9-11,17 - that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, �Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.�

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 - It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

You must repent of your sins:

Mark 1:15 - and saying, �The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.�

Acts 20:21 - solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.�

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 - I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Salvation is a free gift:

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Salvation is not earned:

Isaiah 64:6 - For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Romans 3:20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 11:6 - But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Titus 3:5 - He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

There�s only one way to be saved:

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, �I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 15:23 - He who hates Me hates My Father also.

Acts 4:12 - �And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.�

Don�t wait to be saved:

2 Corinthians 6:2 - for He says,�At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.� Behold, now is �the acceptable time,� behold, now is �the day of salvation��

Romans 9:28 - �for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.�

Romans 13:11 - Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

2 Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

The Lord wants all people to be saved:

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 - This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Feel free to print and use these for Bible studies, Sunday School classes, or for your personal use.  If you share them online, please include a link back to this page.  Thanks!

Bible Verses for Mighty To Save

Mighty To Save

by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan

Verse 1:
Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Psalm 86:1 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.

Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The hope of nations

Matthew 12:21 �And in His name the Gentiles will hope.�

Chorus:
Saviour, He can move the mountains

Job 9:5 �It is God who removes the mountains, they know not how when He overturns them in His anger;"

My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save

Isaiah 63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, this One who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? �It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.�

Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.�

Forever Author of salvation

Hebrew 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave

Jesus said John 14:19 "After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also."

2 Timothy 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Verse 2:
So take me as You find me, all my fears and failures
Fill my life again

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

I give my life to follow, everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, �If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Bridge:
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 5:14 �You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;"

For the glory of the risen King, Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

Hebrews 1:2-3 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

the journey..............

this is potentially a long post without photos.............but its one I want to write as a record for me and if you make it to the end well i'm not sure what it will be for you maybe some motivation because if I can do it anyone can do it......anyway here I go..........

I've thought long and hard about whether to write this post...........but I want it for my record.........it's my little spot in the world..........at times I wished I had written a blog along the way..........

3 years ago I started a journey..........didn't think where I would be in 3 years at all.........what i wanted to do was buy a Fitbit........I tried a few pedometers and they didn't work or I knocked them off my waist band and they cleared the step total.........I tried a couple of mobile apps but they varied way to much so I wiped them............late August 2014 I finally got a Fitbit flex..............

I had one simple goal to do 10,000 steps/day to make myself fitter.......its the bench mark they all recommend...........

My first walk was with my friend Jannimary............I remember that walk so well............OMG it was terrible...........she had some up and down country at the time............I live on the flats............I could not say they were hills but just a bit of a rise in our walk and I was puffed and it was terrible.........could barely talk walking..............NOW I cannot believe I let myself get so unfit and unhealthy..........but weight just slowly  creeps on an suddenly wham...........

I will never forget that first walk..........

So the first week I didn't do anything extra except for that walk to get a bit of a base reading of what i normally did............I was way under the 10,000 step goal...........so I got moving.......I walked out the wrong door and the long way around the house to the clothes line...........parked further away at the shops..........just tried to add in incidental walking..............do an extra lap around the house when I went out to do something...........if I was ironing I would take one item to a room at a time.........just picked up what I could where and you know all those extra steps slowly added up...........I would do short walks.............

then I paid a little more attention to my Fitbit..............it was  also showing me how many calories I may have burnt during the day............

I started looking at labels on food and thinking OMG I just walked for X amount of time and it burnt off X amount of calories.....I cannot possible walk enough time today to walk off those calories...............so I stopped eating some foods I needed to wipe out anyway.............I started looking at my meal sizes........not really much about what was on my plate but how much was there.........

At this point I was weighing myself weekly.........I found this was difficult for me.........some weeks I thought I had been good and I would not lose much or put some on...........I was losing dedication to the steps.............I started weighing myself daily.............for me this is something I would have never thought i would do but for me it works..........your weight is constantly up and down.............so long as it goes up and down in a downward direction that is all that is important..........

I started walking..........actual walks.........to start it was to the gate...........then  the ramp.......then the dam......then it was minimum 10-15 mins.......it was coming into summer...........I love walking at sunrise or sunset..............for about 5 months I didn't even really walk in joggers..........mainly slip on thongs............my girlfriend gave me a good pair of joggers she didn't fit right and OMG it was like heaven...........so much better then the crappy ones I had............. 

I slowly started changing what I ate..........and how much of it..............

there have been ups and downs along the way...........

major life crisises/changes.........

sometimes things were easy to do............somethings felt impossible............

I'd fall over so to speak but then pick myself up again and get back on track..........

I ended up seeing a natropath/nutritionist.............for me this has been wonderful............something I would recommend........not a dietitian.......they are different and better in my opinion..........

my health is so much better...........some foods just don't agree with my body...........life is better without them...........

Walking comes and goes..........over winter it is a little harder......days are shorter..........excuses easier to find.........I've discovered i still have crappy knees but know how to manage them.........also found out I have exercise asthma.........walking is like stitching for me........it's like therapy.......it is crazy but using energy to walk actually creates more energy.........revitalises you........

I've thrown out a ridiculous amount of clothes.........heaps to a friend who lost her home...........as I have lost weight i've brought new clothes and the feeling when you realise you have grown out of those is amazing..........while I look at photos I still can't really picture myself  then to now...........how big I really was.........anyway it's still a work in progress.............I still weigh myself daily............a few months ago I tried not weighing myself daily and for a month or two just did it weekly if at all and really that does not work for me........it's much easier to see the daily changes and I pull my head in much quicker.................you have to adapt what you eat or how you eat it.........think outside the square a bit to get what you want.........

ie. if I have a hamburger I still have it but just on a plate instead of in a bun..........don't add the chips to the plate.........

I drink tea, green tea, lemon and ginger tea (thanks Kris), soda water with lemon and water........I drink limited coffee.........at times I have gone months without it.............

1/4 of me is gone.........my body is healthier, I am heaps fitter then what I was, I have much more energy, I am not tired like I used to be........some of that was weight related but some due to other issues I had with my body which we have sorted out along the way.........

Winter is nearly done and the days are starting to open out so walking will be much easier again..............excuses will be harder to find........

i've challenged myself in ways with food and exercise............amazed myself with what I have achieved along the way..........

I've probably said to much here and forgotten some points I wanted to put in here............I've been writing this post in my head for ages but as I hit the 3 year mark I decided I needed to get it down on a page for me............

I wanted to change what and how I ate for the better permanently..........life changes...........not just for the minute changes that don't last.......changes that will stay with me............it has been a slow transformation but one that will stay with me hopefully forever.......

to celebrate I brought a new Fitbit HR and next time I am away shopping I need a new pair of joggers.....i've worn these ones out.....my journey continues

my words of advice........

go take that first step...........

take baby steps to start with in food or exercise........

make changes you can keep........

massive changes suddenly I think are to hard to stick with........
slow and steady wins the race............

thanks for reading if you made it his far.........

Goodluck.......

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.........

something to amuse you............

tried to do a little video feeding.........not sure if it has worked..........

ok first time didn't work but now I have uploaded it to You tube..........

the dust was hanging..........it was so still..............

I got home from work and had to feed the cows............

rushing before dark I was still  in the town work clothes...........

then the bulls came over when we were fixing the leaking trough.........

The weekend.....

Sat weeks ago I had planned a luncheon..............it was supposed to be with a big log fire down the creek and cook some camp ovens..........

Friday came and it was ghastly to say the least..........blowing a gale.........freezing cold, dust whipping up everywhere in the afternoon...............AND the same was forecast for Saturday......wonderful...........NOT...........mother nature  I was having guest outside.........nope she was playing mean and nasty.........

This photo of me taking the pets out away from the camp oven fires does not truly represent how feral Sat was...........it looks calm and still.......nice and sunny............it was far from it..........the winds were coming off snow somewhere down south it was disgusting.........dust was blowing around but we still sat outside........

lucky my camp oven fires are in pits.............they could stay warm and cook

I forgot to take photos but this one is from the internet.....you get the idea..........

Anyway I cooked a couple of meat dishes - Korma chicken curry and almost burnt the Beef in Red Wine.......I cooked chat potatoes in the camp oven too......

Some friends brought desserts and there was too much left over and we had to have that for breaky the next day............

you should try the apple and barley bake...........we also had left over sticky date  and caramel sauce and cream............yes I was a bit naughty on the weekend but its a one off..........anyway we made the most of the day..............found the most protected area around the house which made things slightly bare-able..........and we had a great time.............

I had to check the water on another property and there was a bit of a leak at the tank..............love how the water caught the light.........

glorious sunset..........I see so many good ones but I never take them for granted..........they are always special...........and never ever the same......

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.....

EPP.....Bestie.... Nibbles....

Life is good tonight...... 

Catch you later.....

Chookyblue.....

Bible Verses For 10,000 Reasons

10,000 Reasons

by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman

Verse 1:
The sun comes up, it�s a new day dawning
It�s time to sing Your song again

Psalm 59:16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Psalm 104:33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Chorus:
Bless the Lord
Oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His holy name

Psalm 103:1  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I�ll worship Your holy name

Psalm 96:2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

Verse 2:
You�re rich in love
And You�re slow to anger

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Psalm 103:8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

Your name is great
And Your heart is kind

Jeremiah 10:6 There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and great is Your name in might.

Psalm 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 

For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing

Psalm 135:3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

10, 000 Reasons for my heart to find

Chorus:
Bless the Lord
Oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His holy name

Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I�ll worship Your holy name

1 Chronicles 16:23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 

Verse 3:

Psalm 103:14-17 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children�s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
10, 000 Years and then forever more

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever; To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You.

Chorus:
Bless the Lord
Oh my soul, oh my soul
Worship His holy name (For all Your Goodness)

Psalm 103: 22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I�ll worship Your holy name

Psalm 103:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

My Favorite Sources for Artwork for Bible Crafts

Do you create your own children's Sunday School lessons or like to supplement your curriculum with your own craft but are not artistic?  Here is where I find most of my visuals for crafts and storytelling.

My Wonder Studio

My Wonder Studio has the cutest Bible pictures and they have multiple resources for lots of stories. This is my absolute favorite for Bible people!  Of course, you could always be creative and use their images for other Bible stories.  The picture above from the resurrection story could also be used for the story about the centurion whose servant was healed.  I especially love their Be The Artist series that lets you parts together to create scenes.  These would be great for adding moving parts with brads or a slider with a straw and some string.

My Little House

My Little House has similarly cute Bible pictures to My Wonder Studio except it has less 2D content.  However, it has 3D figures and building that can be folded from printables.  That would definitely have to be for older kids, but they are pretty awesome

Activity-Mom.com

Activity-Mom.com has made a printable of a set of Bible figures available on their blog.  They would make great popsicle puppets for acting out Bible stories.  The only down side of these is that the characters have their names on them so you are less likely to use them for other Bible stories.

Crafting the Word of God

Crafting the Word of God has great Bible crafts that already are interactive (puzzles, movable parts, pop-ups...).  The website organizes their crafts by topic and their crafts include free printables.

What's In The Bible

The free activity page from What's In The Bible has coloring pages, flash cards, popsicle stick theater printables, and other activities.

Philip Martin Clipart

Philip Martin has free clip art available and a section devoted to Bible clipart.  They have visuals for the Books of the Bible and certain Bible stories

FreeBibleImages.org

This website has tons of visuals for free and they are searchable by topic or book of the Bible.  They would be great for printing out to tell the story like a picture book or as a slideshow.

DLTK

DLTK has craft ideas and coloring pages.

Coloring Home

Many coloring page websites like Coloring Home have Bible themed coloring pages.

VisualUnit

VisualUnit has the best charts for Bible timelines, maps of locations, mini models, charts of the structure of books of the Bible, and so much more.  Some of these are better suited for teens and adults.

Google

If all else fails, Google some of your words and choose to view the image results.  Be careful that you check to see if the image is copyrighted and the kind of license, but I have gotten many of my pictures and coloring pages here.

If you want to give these flat two-dimensional images some pizzazz, try these suggestions.