God's Gift and Your Gift to God

"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God."

- Danish Proverb

Psalms 119:73
⁷³You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

1 Peter 2:4-6 (NLT)
⁴Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him. ⁵And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are God's holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ.

Luke 13:18-19 (NLT)
¹⁸Then Jesus said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? ¹⁹It is like a tiny mustard seed planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds come and find shelter among its branches."

Rutherglen - Stop For Lunch

Rutherglen is a small town, at the north eastern parts of country Victoria, 10 kilometers from the nearby Murray River border with New South Wales. It was named after the Scottish town of Rutherglen, just outside of Glasgow.

This old gold rush township was established in the 1850's. Today, Rutherglen is a major and the oldest wine producing region in Australia, with wineries all within a short drive from the town of Rutherglen. This wine region is particularly noted for its sweet fortified wines.

Passing through Rutherglen on our way back to Melbourne, we stopped over for some lunch. The main street of the town has an old historical charm about it, with most of the shop fronts retaining the same look they had a century ago.

I have heard much about this place but we will have to come back another time to explore this region history, sights, its soul, character, food and wine at our leisure. Autumn is recommended as the best time of the year to visit this region for this is the time after the harvest, when exciting festival and events happens.

We stopped at the Rutherglen Wine Experience Visitor Information Centre, located in the town centre on 57 Main Street.

The centre offers a display of the town's rich history, how wines are made and also provides comprehensive tourist information of the region, from information of local businesses, activities and events, bike hire, internet access, a gift shop offering great local wines, local produce and souvenirs, a cafe with delicious breakfast and lunch offerings, art gallery and lots more.

Yes, this place is packed with information of the region and a good place to start when planning your stay here.

Walking about along the Main Street of the town, looking for a place to have some lunch, we came across this odd named cafe, "Forks n Corks", serving Modern Australian cafe food, on 82 Main Street. Seafood Pasta, Fish and Chips were our selection for the day.

Just a couple of shops away, there is "The Home of Parker Pies". Just could not resist the temptation to pack a couple of them pies too .....for supper!

There is also an artistic flair to the town, judging by the arrangement of the bicycles. They were on display along Main Street. The railway line suggest a strong history of the place, but the line has long since been closed.

GOD Has A Positive Answer

Internal monologue. Have you heard of these words before? It basically means an inner voice, internal speech or a verbal stream of words as one thinks. Much of one's thinking is a conversation with oneself.

Now, how often does your "conversation with oneself" comes to a negative conclusion or a negative perspective of a situation.

However, God's monologue to our situation has a positive answer to it.

The following are some examples:

You say : It's impossible.
God says: All things are possible.

Luke 18:27 (NLT)
²⁷He replied, "What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God."

You say : I'm too tired
God says: I will give you rest

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
²⁸Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

You say : Nobody really loves me
God says: I love you

John 3:16 (NLT)
¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:34 (NLT)
³⁴For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.

You say : I can't go on
God says: My grace is sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
⁹Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.

Psalm 91:15 (NLT)
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue them and honor them.

You say : I can't figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

You say : I can't do it
God says: You can do all things

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
¹³For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

You say : I'm not able
God says: I am able

2 Corinthians 9:8
⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

You say : It's not worth it
God says: It will be worth it

Roman 8:28 (NLT)
²⁸And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

You say : I can't forgive myself
God says: I Forgive you

1 John 1:9 (NLT)
⁹But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.

Romans 8:1 (NLT)
¹So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

You say : I can't manage
God says: I will supply all your needs

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
¹⁹And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

You say : I'm afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
⁷For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

You say : I'm always worried and frustrated
God says: Cast all your cares on ME

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
⁷Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

You say : I'm not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)
³⁰God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.

You say : I feel all alone
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
⁶Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
⁸Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)
⁵Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you.
I will never forsake you."

Contributor – Anonymous

Jesus Be The Centre Of My Heart @ City Harvest Church

Matthew 6:21 (NLT)
²¹Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
³⁷Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' ⁴⁰All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
³³But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Luke 11: 9-10 (NLT)
⁹And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. ¹⁰For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

Luke 19:10 (NLT)
¹⁰“And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."

Corowa - Farmers Market and Chocolate

On our return journey from Cobram back to Melbourne, we took the long way back, choosing to see some to the towns along the Murray River before we head south, back to Melbourne. We opted to cross over to Barooga, NSW and head east, passing Lake Mulwala towards Corowa.

Corowa is another shire town located along the bank of the Murray River, the border between New South Wales and Victoria. The town is within easy travelling distance to the rural cities of Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga, Shepparton and the Nation's Capital, Canberra.

This morning happens to be a Farmers Market Day at the Bangerang Park. It opens from 8:00 am till 1:00pm, which provided us just the opportunity to sample some of the local food for breakfast and for me, a hot cup of coffee from the mobile coffee van, at the same time enjoying the country music playing from a mobile DJ van.

Took are time browsing the stalls, looking at some of the produces, plants and artwork on display. Most of the time however, we just enjoy the music and the family atmosphere of the market.

Next we went in search of the chocolate factory Corowa Chocolate, we saw advertised.

A heritage listed flour mill from the 1920’s that was transformed into a thriving whiskey and chocolate factory. Did not know about the whiskey part of the factory nor did we see any. Just chocolate and there is also a range of liquorice products. Their web-site however says that the whiskey portion of the business is a work-in-progress.

The chocolate it offers is a smooth, full flavoured Belgian chocolate, the white and dark variety. Their manufacturing process uses all the cocoa bean rather than substituting some of it with other ingredients. The result is said to be good for your health.



There is also a Café serving beverages, Devonshire and light meals. The cafe is also a popular meeting place for the local out for dinner and some music. There was even a country singer rehearsing his music for his evening/night gig.

There are even table outside the cafe, to enjoy the outdoor air. What's interesting however, was the two little playful goats that was fenced up at the back. Somehow, the brown one always manages to escape, jumping over the fence much to the distress and humour of the people working at the cafe.

Did not find out if the goats were in transit or part of the 'entertainment' of the place, especially for the children while the parents relax and enjoy the ambience of the place along with their light meals over a cuppa or two.

Whatever the reason was, they were a joy to watch and take photos with.

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Days of Elijah - Paul Wilbur

Matthew 17:10-13 (NLT)
¹⁰His disciples asked, "Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?"
¹¹Jesus replied, "Elijah is indeed coming first to set everything in order. ¹²"But I tell you, he has already come, but he wasn't recognized, and he was badly mistreated. And soon the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands." ¹³Then the disciples realized he had been speaking of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:17 (NLT)
¹⁷He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for his arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom."

Luke 1:5-25 The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Romans 5:8-11 (NLT)
⁸But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ⁹And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. ¹⁰For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. ¹¹So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God--all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.

Leviticus 27:24 (NLT)
²⁴In the Year of Jubilee the field will be released to the original owner from whom you purchased it.

Cobram - The Beach

The sign board says "The Beach 2km".

When I first saw the sign, I thought to myself 'The Beach'? At Cobram? We are so far inland, hundreds of kilometres from any coastal sand, how could there be a beach at Cobram?

As it turns out, The Beach is a licensed cafe kiosk, on the banks of the mighty Murray River overlooking the world famous (as advertised) Thompson's Beach. Yes, it looks like a beach, it feels like a beach and so, it is a beach, just not the kind by the seaside.

Thompson Beach is a readily accessible beach located near the bridge at the north-eastern edge of town that cross over to Barooga, another small sleepy town at the New South Wales side of the border.

Beside the kiosk, the beach does have picnic-barbecue facilities, boat ramps, toilets and a playground.

While at the beach, we found it to be a lovely spot to soak up the peace and quiet of the river running by. So we took the time to enjoy the moment, before our stomachs reminded us of the reason we came to the beach, apart from our curiosity.

The Beach is OPEN ALL DAY for all your cold drinks, ice-creams, snacks and treats, available for eat-in or take-away. Breakfast - weekends only and only for the winter months. It is fully licensed.

The food menu looks interesting with a selection of local wines, the most expensive at $8.00 a glass.

The ambience of the place is in keeping with the casual beach theme with fancy lightings and paintings by local artists, for sale on the wall. There is even a small fireplace at the far end of the kiosk.

For lunch, we had a bottle of the local red to go with our minestrone soup and pasta with lots and lots of fresh ingredients.

Amazing food. Did not disappoint.