Wild Eden News

Latest news, articles and resources from Wild Eden on sustainable living, organics, permaculture, eco building, homeschooling and more
Wild Eden News

Wild Eden News

My Mother in Law – An Amazing Lady

An incredibly hard week and even harder day, the funeral of my mother in law, Teresa. I am so proud of Sharmini and the strength she showed in the preparation for the funeral despite the emotional pain of loosing her mum. Then showing such courage and sharing so deeply about her mum at the funeral. Also very proud of our children, from feeling with the emotional pain of loosing their beloved Nanna, to supporting Sharmini and extra chores while their mum travelled to make continual visits, to one of them postponing their birthday, to 4 of sharing at the funeral …

Personal  

Another windy night..

A little damage form the storm last night – and an opportunity to bless people in the community:  Some heavy winds (and hail) last night led to a number of things flying past the house with lots of crashes and bangs. We ran around picking up bins and building materials that had come loose – in gusts it was hard to stay upright – crazy! This morning we found it had turned our large trampoline into a kite. It was discovered near the edge of our property in a crushed mess with about 150m path of destruction behind it…. so thankful …

Building | Personal

When TRY TRY AGAIN doesn’t work

How we normally put all our effort in the wrong place and fail…Today we were thinking about the disciples – in particular Simon Peter and how his life is an example for us to follow, but only in some ways!  Simon Peter followed Jesus for years, saw the miracles and heard Him preach many, many sermons. Some teachings were abstract and others, very, very direct, like this: Matthew 10:32-34“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in …

Growing | Jesus Time   |

Made in the Image of God

 I find it far easier to believe that God created humans over the alternative…and I am always amazed at Gods signature that can be seen in everyone. Sure, it is often hidden under copious layers of sin-riddled masks, boundaries and hurtful behaviour, but it is always there. When you take the time and listen, really listen to what people are continually revealing about themselves, you find incredible wealth, value and creativity – however you will also find hurt, pain, anger, illogical beliefs, depression and addictions. But the root cause is always the same – sin. It is exhilarating to be …

for thought

How to get in your wife’s good books (I hope)!

It was coming up to Sharmini’s 16th Christian Birthday, the floors should be finished, could we manage to surprise her?  For those who know Sharmini, you know that she is an incredibly kind, loving and generous person. She is always looking for ways to bless others and one way that she has planned to do that once the house is finished is by doing High Teas for ladies. She has often purchased tea sets or saucers at garage sales and started storing them in the shed. I knew once we had done the first one, the excitement of it would be …

Composting Toilets / Grey Water | Marriage / Sig Other   |

Guinea Chestnut / Saba

For ‘Choose Days’ lately (Tuesday’s Jesus Time), the children have been regularly choosing ‘looking at what God made’. We normally read a scripture about God being the creator – and we challenge the children to find a verse that we haven’t used before. Then we walk as a family around the property, to a particular place or even to the house / building site to explore Creation. It’s amazing what we find, it’s always a surprise despite the fact that we spend nearly all of our time on this block and this day was no exception…

Growing | Jesus Time   |

A Clean Skin admits: “I smoked drugs”

Admitting that to the police was probably not the best thing to do… I was reminded this morning of the first time I was arrested for dealing drugs, some ‘trivial’ events stood out in my mind. It wasn’t so much the police, the handcuffs, the being locked in the paddy wagon. But the actions of a ‘clean skin’ – a person who had never used drugs but was present and essentially dobbed himself in. Let me back up a bit. This morning I had a ministry session… When weakness is strength… I had been feeling slightly tense and irritable yesterday – …

for thought | Ministry / TPM   |

One Crazy Day in our life – and the end of our Bus?

Ted: The new name for our bus[riddle]A day in our life – no this is not made up… Our life can be very varied day to day. Whether it is family issues, the business, our living ‘camp’ or building – things can change dramatically from one moment to the next. Today, I thought I would give a small insight into our day: 6:30 Perusal Bible & Reading & send a message on the scripture message thread we have for the family. 6:50 Sorting the freight parcels 7:00 Sharmini gets back from her run asking for ministry. An argument between us escalates – not normal, and could …

Faith | Fishing | for thought  

Rachael Denhollander Vitim or Victor

Rachael DenhollanderVictim or Victor? Today, I read an excerpt from former gymnast Rachael Denhollander’s victim impact statement. It was moving and powerful to say the least. Having spent much time with survivors of sexual abuse her words reveal so much to both those struggling, those abusing and those in charge of making sure others are protected. It is so incredibly sad that so many precious young lives had to be tainted so deeply before this case came to light. It always grips me when I see people who have been wounded by the people who were meant to love them. The life-changing …

Culture | Faith | Ministry / TPM   |

Erly Kerly – how this drawing brought me to tears

🎶You are my freedom – You are the reason…I kneel at Your throne once again. 🎶🎶Where would I be without You…here in my life? 🎶The words of this song were playing as I pulled out a picture given to me by my daughter last night…  To set the scene: for Jesus time this morning we imagined the depiction of Heaven in Revelation 4: thinking about each line – what is actually described. Amazing, powerful and glorious beings that surround God’s throne. Lightning, Thunder, pillars of fire, the glow of Emeralds, a glass sea, Elders / Kings bowing and strange but powerful creatures worshipping. Then …

for thought | Jesus Time   | | |

Killing Rats, Stealing Cars and why it matters

But the reality was, the police were trying to save this thief. You see just before the car was stolen, the owner placed some crackers on the front seat. A tempting treat for the thief, but not intended for him. The crackers were there for rats that had infested the owners house. He had laced them with a deadly poison that would kill the thief should he eat any. The owner told the police, triggering a fervent search for the thief…to save him. We are often like that with God – we run, thinking He wants to hurt, punish or kill us – but the reality is He is pursuing us to save us – to forgive us. Is it time you turned back to God? Is it time to give up and allow Him to forgive you? To hand ownership of ‘your’ life over to Him? 

Jesus Time  

You Stink – I have much to be ashamed of in my life…

Recently I read a little about a case in America where 13 children were supposedly abused and kept locked up in a suburban house. The story, as portrayed, was horrific and hard to read, let alone imagine through one of the children’s eyes… I think there is much more to the story than has been reported – and the presented story has quite obvious flaw and inconsistencies*… (possibly to champion the public call for a ban on homeschooling or further deride Christianity). However, this is not the focus or object of this article. I do have to say first though, …

Jesus Time | Parenting  

Homosexual Faith in Marriage

The real reason homosexuals want marriage re-defined…and how we can relate. The current debate has settled down to the ‘re-definition of marriage’, a definition that includes any two men and two women. If you talk to people who want this change they will be very careful to try to point out that ‘love is love’, ‘it doesn’t affect anyone’ and ‘it is about equal rights’. But this doesn’t make sense – a huge number of people will be affected (even if you ignore the links to sex education, transgenderism, freedom of speech and religious rights), what is labelled love isn’t …

Culture  

Christianity – think about it! – it’s MORE than a Journey…

Christianity is a journey, but a journey where the start and end destination are unimportant compared to the position you are in along the way. It is a journey where you walk with the Creator, while He changes you – gives you new desires and the power to follow those desires. Each step of ‘progress’ is simply about you putting into action and practice what He has enabled and provided the grace for as He walks with you. He is not just holding your hand, but holding your very being safe and secure. As you walk each day with Him, …

Culture  

Selling Solar…getting the Son!

Don’t you hate it when you get those cold callers trying to sell you things? We don’t, here’s why: “Are you interested in solar power” “Power from the sun?” “Yes sir we are doing quotes in your area” “I’m not interested as I have power from the Son… of God” “I’m sorry sir what do you mean?” “Have you heard of Jesus?” “Yes sir” “Do you want power from Him? He has unlimited power, no installation costs, no maintenance it’s always free…any time of day or night. Do you need Jesus? Do you want to find out? Have you ever told …

Fishing  

Building Progress: A Month of Serving

The last few weeks have been CRAZY with a capital K. Often we have deadlines with working on the house, jobs or building, however this last 6 weeks or so has been mainly about entertaining and blessing people – birthdays, Christmas, New Years and more. Today, being my birthday I would have liked to have had time to reflect, but this is the best I could manage: 

Building   | | |

Let the ‘magic’ of the Wise Men give you Joy this Christmas!

There are so many aspects to the story of ‘Christmas’ – so many things that are heart warming, but there are also many things we can learn and apply to our own lives. It’s not just the history or beliefs of others. According to the Bible, the planning of the Christmas story started before the world even existed, and the result will last long after the world is gone. But today we are going to look at the Wise Men of the story..

for thought  

Happy HOLIDAYS! to everyone, especially you…

CHRISTMAS is actually about a guy called JESUS. You know: born in a stable, born sin-free, lived to love, healed the sick, made the lame to walk, raised the dead? Was tortured & killed by crucifixion. Then after 3 days He rose from the dead, surprising everyone. The most amazing thing though – He did it for you & me!He didn’t have to & most of us believe He didn’t need to – but the truth is, every person that has sinned, would be in huge trouble if He hadn’t. Have you ever sinned? Told a lie? Stolen anything? Lusted? Hated anyone? Jesus said if you look with lust you are guilty of adultery, and to hate is the same as murder!We all know that these things are wrong, but normally try to justify them. The problem is, our attempts at justifying only fool us. And sin is not against other people, but against God. And the hard to accept and everyone wants to avoid truth is that God will judge every single one of us by the 10 commandments. Oh O!Religions all have the same incorrect ‘solution’ = do. Do this, do that. Do it some more, pay some money, then don’t do it again. But we all do. We are on the Titanic, heading for the ice berg…but dancing in ignorant ‘bliss’.Jesus told us a different way…trust Him. Trust that He was sent by God to pay the price for your sin. Without Him you are helpless. Trust it and He makes you a son of God! he opens your eyes & you get to *know* Jesus. wow.Follow Jesus – only He has the key to Eternal Life.

Culture | for thought  

Vote Today 2016

#AUSVOTESThis could be the biggest election by way of noticeable results in a generation. Not for financial reasons… I’m amazed at how far we have fallen as a nation in the last 10, but especially 5 years. I am hoping and praying that people, especially Christians, vote with their heads TODAY! Imagine where we could be in 5 years if the Greens get in…a world where the planet, plants and beasts are worth more than humans and where for humans anything is acceptable except the Creators chosen way…where every religion is fine and should be tolerated even if violent, except for …

Culture  

Who is Alive – Jesus or Jack?

JACK LIVES HERE: I had this sticker on my car, and in the bar. I loved Jack Daniels (like loved Jacks!) – but I didn’t know something that was of vital importance… He’s actually dead. One day he forgot the combo to his safe…he got angry, kicked the safe & died from gangrene! Seriously! Jack is not alive he is dead…and you will be too one day. If you keep drinking Jacks you will likely be sooner than you expect. Maybe you’re like me & don’t care that memory loss, anger & death will result. Maybe you think that it …

for thought   |

Look the other way

I saw today a post where someone had put the words:   “as a Christian I would never enforce my view on anyone”   I could hardly believe my eyes – is this why so many professing ‘Christians’ are unwilling to stand up and say no to abortion or the re-definition of marriage? If I were walking down the park and saw a group of boys throwing stones at a Magpie, using a stick to stab a cute kitten, throwing acid at a dog or using a crossbow to shoot a Kangaroo – should I walk or look away? What …

Culture | Marriage / Sig Other  

Bus – to be or not to be

With both vehicles off the road, we were stranded. What could be an intense and stressful time was far from that…In the past, we would have had at the very least a few hours, though more likely a number of days of stress in thsi situation. Sharmini had failed to tick a box on the change of address form leading to the car being unlicensed. This would either be the end of the road for this vehicle or it would be time and money to fix – both of which are in short supply. And I had failed to check …

Finances | for thought  

Protecting life, getting strife!

Part way through a hectic and problematic week, a trip to Perth turns ‘sour’ – but it is just the beginning…   The good in the ‘bad’… Scripture(s): Psalm 32, 51 A day of prep for a long drive to the pro-life rally yesterday, didn’t quite go as planned… If there is one event of the year that I believe all Christians of all denominations and theological backgrounds should attend or be part of – it would be on the theme of defending the lives of precious children and standing against their mass, legal, murder. To say I was excited …

Culture | for thought | Suffering   | |

JW Something the Jehovahs Witnesses are missing

Some brief notes on a conversation and some scripture verses that can help with evangelism… Notes: Below are a number of verses that I recently printed out for an (unsaved) family member who has had a slight JW indoctrination – they can be helpful when evangelising. There is also some notes that may be helpful… Description:This family member has had contact with the JW’s and therefore has some serious flaws in his thoughts about God & salvation. I recently went through a number of things in the scriptures with him about Who Jesus is, ‘Jehovah’ and salvation. When he was …

Fishing | for thought | Harvesting   |

Two Blokes walk in to a Church…which one are you?

One walks to the front, sits down…. Modern day Bible parables… Scripture(s): Luke 18:10-14 Description:Today for Jesus time I talked of two men, Timothy & Phillip. Tim was quite rich, looked nice, was polite & kind & helped people all the time. He was a ‘good christian’. He went to church & was very thankful for what God had done & who he was. Philip, the other guy, was rough & rude – and sometimes stole things. He went to church only occasionally & didn’t talk to anyone. I talked of the way they prayed and then asked the younger …

for thought | Jesus Time   |

Beer, Cones, Spirits

Sometime early in 1999… One day in my sisters community housing flat in Balga I had a group of friends over – drinking & smoking cones in my room – I never smoked any. I had become what some would call ‘paranoid’ when smoking dope… (Some names have been changed to protect identities.) I was a chronic user to start with, dealing and having cones / buckets at every stop when selling / picking up, joints along the way and then social sessions too. To put it in perspective I remember one night after standard sessions during the day and …

for thought | Suffering   | |

Strange ways the Joy of Following comes….

Sometimes following can be…The Joy of Following Yesterday we received a sales order through one of the sales websites we run. Attached to the order was a lovely note: “We have several of your Australian laminated posters, much love and thanks!!!” It is nice to get little personal notes – especially when they are as nice as this. However, within 5 minutes we received the below email from the same person:     Subject: YUCK!!! you twisted sickos Message: after processing a payment for an item I WAS TOLD yebus is alive go to hell!! mat devils swarm upon you …

Fishing | for thought | Suffering   |

Going through a hard time? Read This!

Are you going through a hard time? A lot are right now and might not be what you think…Trials now or later? We will have them – but when and what will you embrace? Scripture(s): James 4, Hebrews 12 I am continually talking to people at the moment and hearing stories where it seems everything is going wrong. Very wrong. We ourselves seem to be just emerging (hopefully!) from such a time. If you are going through trials I want to encourage you – Embrace the One behind the Trials! Hard times can come from a lot of different places …

Faith | for thought | Suffering   |

Baby 5 Birth – too early is not too late

What an epic 24 hours! I know that we don’t live a ‘normal’ suburban life – but the last 24 hours has been more crazy than normal…   The last few weeks has really been amazing – and not what people would say in a good way. We have had drama after drama with some things happening that just seem ridiculous. Some of them have threatened the existence (forever) of our business, the completion of our house with literally more problems than could be imagines with what would seem to be simple things and sickness. But our reactions have not …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting  

Raising children, a house or income?

A reflection and note to self about the importance of time… Are we raising children, a house or an income? People who are depressed (and especially those who are suicidal) are so focussed on themselves, they simply can not see that they have any worth – that others would care or that they are valuable to others.  This can be seen in a common theme in suicide notes “I want you to get on with life and be happy” – but they have just killed themselves when you read it – they can not see the sad effect they have …

for thought | Homeschool | Parenting   | |

Fathers Day 2014

Today I got my favourite breakfast – Nasi Lemak – but it was nothing compared to what happened next! After reading my cards, the children lined up and sang the Growing Kids song ‘my daddy is so awesome’. They did the actions & had apparently been preparing for weeks. I was emotional listening and watching them. The words of that song go like this: “My Daddy is so awesomeHe leads our family, My dad loves my mummy and He loves me. He reminds me that we have a great familyAnd he shows love to mummy and he’s always hugging meHe …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting

What is bad for business, but good for customers?

Today we tidied a small part of the office – but a very vital one…In the small business we run, we often post items out all over Australia and the world. We have a variety of accounts with different freight companies and there are a large number variables in the method – but one thing is constant: Every single order gets a tract, message, book or gift as we feel is appropriate – what we feel God wants for that person. Sometimes, just sometimes, we put an item or gift in the package that is worth more than the total …

Business | Fishing | for thought   |