Our Core Values and Vision for blended families
This short vlog outlines the vision and values of Blended not Shaken Ministries.
Mindfulness vs Renewal
Debunking the wellbeing phenomenon Mindfulness or Wellbeing are two words that are being brandied around so much nowadays, I thought it was time to write a blog post about it. There is SO much out there and I don’t wish to write more of the same, but I think it is important that Christians have […]
Happy vs Holy
“Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 144:15 We are constantly hearing phrases like, ‘Do what makes you happy’, ‘God just wants you to be happy’, ‘As long as you are happy, that’s all that matters’ and so on. But I don’t […]
My will vs His
Thoughts on doing God’s will Doing God’s will, God’s way can be a battle for many Christians. Personally speaking, I struggle at times to do His will in a way that glorifies Him and totally surrender my will in delightful acceptance. See the blog post: Duty Vs Delight Duty vs Delight – Blended Not Shaken […]
Settler vs Pilgrim
Thoughts on being a pilgrim in attitude and action. “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a […]
Duty vs Delight
How to delight in the Lord’s will for us The topic for this blog has been one that I have been contemplating for months. It all began when I decided to apply for a different teaching job to the one I’m currently in in November ’22 last year. To sum it up in a nutshell, […]
Let’s take a closer look at…LET’S SHOUT OUT TO SINGLE DADS
Let’s Shout Out To Single Dads (soft-cover) – Blended Not Shaken Let’s shout out to Single Dads is a colourful rhyming book paying tribute to single dads everywhere by encouraging their parenting way with scripture and affirming that God’s way guarantees a home filled with peace and a heart strengthened by hope and courage. Dads […]
Let’s take a closer look at…SING A SONG TO SINGLE MUMS
SING A SONG TO SINGLE MUMS is a sweet rhyming book paying tribute to single mothers everywhere by encouraging their parenting with scripture which affirms that God sees and hears them, He has a plan and they are never forgotten. This book is dedicated to all the single mums that were a part of the […]
Let’s take a closer look at…ONE STEP AT A TIME
One Step At A Time– a step family journal is a collection of stories in a graphic novel format written for step families. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. There is a true story in each chapter, written from either mine (the step mum) or Tyson’s (my step […]
Let’s take a closer look at… MY FAMILY BUSH
This book is a lot of fun! I think it makes you smile when reading it. Based on our own blended family story and our youngest child, Nathaniel’s life in particular, MY FAMILY BUSH helps to bring meaning to the concepts of ‘full’, ‘half’ and ‘step’ as they apply to blended family relationships whilst highlighting […]
Let’s take a closer look at… CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
Like My Two Houses, Caught in the Middle was written as a response to what my daughter, Felicity was saying as a result of having divorced parents at a young age. Although the book was originally intended for 8-12 year olds, children of all ages have come to appreciate the book’s contents and gain help […]
Let’s take a closer look at… MY TWO HOUSES
My Two Houses is the first book I wrote for the children of Christian families affected by divorce. It is, in essence, my son, Jeremiah’s story. When he was three and four, I began to write in a journal the things that he would tell me about his struggles with having separated parents, of the […]
December News
New Book Release Last month saw the release of the sixth book- LET’S SHOUT OUT TO SINGLE DADS. This book is a ‘colourful rhyming book paying tribute to single fathers everywhere by encouraging their parenting with scripture and affirming that God’s way guarantees a home filled with peace and a heart strengthened by hope and […]
How schools can support Single and Step Parent families
Talk It is of highest importance that regular, ongoing and open ended communication exist between schools and parents, grandparents and children involved. 2. Gather information Current copies of interim and final court orders for custody arrangements and any DV, restraining orders must be recorded, filed and known. 3. Liaise with others Utilise human resources within […]
How churches can support Single and Step families.
Below is a list of suggestions Churches can adopt in their ministry to families affected by separation, divorce and remarriage. Church leaders need to start with losing the assumption that nuclear and step families are the same and have similar issues. By spending time talking with step families, pastors will quickly learn of some of […]
When you decide to blend
My husband Tony and I have been blending our step family since December 2006 and are both joyful and thankful to be celebrating 15 years of marriage by God’s grace this year. For those who don’t know our story, we were both single parents when we met. We are both strong Christians. We received sound […]
While you are waiting
In my time ministering to Christians who were ‘single again’, there was always a need to sensitively address the ways in which such individuals were to conduct themselves and the posture their attitude and mind must adopt as Christians who were waiting for a new spouse for re- marriage. While this desire can be very […]
When your plans change
No one sets out in life to become a single parent if their desire was to marry, have children and grow a healthy and happy family. When a Christian finds themselves a single parent after a marriage breakdown, navigating your new ‘normal’ takes a lot of adjustment. True Christians who become single parents desire to […]
Moving forward.
I am often asked about the advice I offer to those Christians who find themselves in the grievous situation of a marriage breakdown and subsequent divorce. Below are two videos that were created at the beginning of Blended not Shaken Ministries, that offer counsel and support to such people in our Christian communities. In the […]
Sing A Song Devotional Series 9 & 10
We are coming to the end of our 5 month series of devotionals surrounding the scriptures from ‘Sing a Song to Single Mums’. This month, my focus is on God’s Plans for our lives and this will be divided into two parts. Firstly, from Jeremiah 29, we will look at His plans for our good […]
‘Sing a Song’ Devotional Series 7 & 8
Hello, I trust that this blog finds you and your families well. If you have been following along lately, I have created a series of short devotional Bible studies surrounding the scriptures in my latest book “Sing a Song to Single Mums” and this month I’m drawing our attention to God’s Provision and God’s Justice. […]
‘Sing a Song’ Devotional Series 5 & 6
Hello. I trust that at the reading of this blog, you are well. Hopefully you haver been following my blog over the past few months as I have been doing a simple devotional series surrounding the many scriptures used in my latest book- ‘Sing a Song to Single Mums’. I am discovering that it is […]
‘Sing a Song’ Devotional Series 3 & 4
Hello and welcome to my blog. Let’s continue with the devotional series based around my latest book, “Sing a Sing to Single Mums.” 3. Your never-distant companion. Key verses: Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8 This chapter shows the exchange between Moses and the Lord’s message to the people of Israel on the eve of their entering […]
‘Sing a Song’ Devotional Series 1 & 2
Hello to all! I trust that my December blog finds you well and that you were able to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. As I promised to a few single mum friends, I have created a number of short devotionals using the Bible verses used in my latest book “Sing a Song to Single […]
November News
November has been a busy month in the life of Blended Not Shaken Ministries. On Sunday 1st November, the Blended Women ministry team hosted a High Tea at Yatahlia Manor. The afternoon consisted of delicious food, lots of tea and ample fellowship in a gorgeous setting. The ladies, all of which are single parents were […]
Living Successfully
This month’s blog follows the theme of “Living” God’s way as outlined in His Word; last month I looked at “Living Free” and the blog post before that was “Living Surrendered”. Today, my focus will be on success and what it means to live successfully- God’s way. I’d like to begin by highlighting how the […]
Living Free
My last blog was titled Living Surrendered and I highlighted that we need to emulate Jesus, the servant King, who died to His own rights and surrendered His will to the will of His Father. No easy feat that’s for sure! But the more we surrender to God, the more we will notice a sense […]
Living Surrendered
Living a life of surrender isn’t easy or popular. In fact, it flies in the face of today’s culture that encourages and promotes selfishness. But a true Christian is called to live a surrendered life- to God. This doesn’t mean giving up all responsibilities, to throw one’s hands in the air with a spirit of […]
The Importance of Origins
A few weeks ago, I was invited to write a tribute piece for a special person who had recently passed away who had played a pivotal role in the establishment of a Christian school I have been a part of, worked in and served for many years. It was an honour to do so. But […]
Our God
Psalm 18 was written by David, who spoke this song of thanksgiving on the day that the Lord delivered him from Saul and his enemies, contains a very clear message. The message is particularly important to remember during the Corona Virus crisis and I believe the crux of the message is found in verse 31.. […]
Why Fear?
The Corona Virus, COVID-19 pandemic has forced the globe to its knees. It has showcased the very best as well as the very worst in people. It has highlighted how quickly human beings succumb to fear and panic. It has also shown the adversion towards authority that many people have and the extend to which […]
The Root of All Evil
The latest act of evil that has rocked the world surrounding the horrific and violent deaths of three young children and their mother at the hands of their father and estranged husband in Queensland, Australia has prompted me to write this month’s blog on the subject. And no- the subject is not Domestic Violence, mental […]
After God’s own Heart – Lessons from David, Part 1
Hello! Welcome to my first blog for 2020. I trust that you are ready for all this new year holds. I’d like to share with my readers some of what I’ve learned or been reminded of through recently studying David. He was an extraordinary man with a distinct call and anointing over his life. His […]
A walk down memory lane
Across the world, we recently celebrated the signing of the Armistice on 11/11 at the 11th hour, to mark the momentous day World War 1 ended. And November 2019 seems to be the month for remembrance for me in other ways. This year marks 30 years since graduating year 12. (It was called Matriculation then.) […]
His Jewels
” I shall make them My jewels.” Malachi 3:17 Last week I read this gem of a verse during one of my devotional times and immediately I knew my next blog entry would be on this topic. The word ‘jewel’ in this passage translates to ‘special treasure’. What a beautiful picture of how the Lord […]
Tell Your Story
September came and went in such a whirlwind that I didn’t have the time nor the inclination to write my blog. So I’m attempting to make amends by writing on the first day of the new month- October and who knows? I may write two entries instead of one! Last Sunday,I had the opportunity to […]
The blog I don’t feel like writing
I have no idea how many read my monthly blogs. And because very few respond to them, I really have no clue if my writing is having any worthwhile effect. I find myself wondering whether I am wasting my time and instead should be using the hours to do something else, preferably for me! You […]
Standing on God’s Promises – Part 3
Over the past two months, I’ve written on the confidence we can possess in standing on the thousands of promises from God as outlined in His Word. Today, I’d like to continue this theme and look specifically at the assurance that can be ours when our desire is to follow the Lord’s will for our […]
Standing on God’s Promises – Part 2
Last month, I began a series on the promises of God, the thousands of which are found in the Scriptures and encouraged my readers to stand steadfastly on such promises as our sure foundation and hope. I also shared some of my favourite promises and a short back story on each. I was extremely heartened […]
Standing on God’s Promises – Part 1
For the true Christian, the Bible is a great and precious source of hope. By faith, a Christian believes that the scriptures are God’s own words to us and are imperative to our walk on this earth before our Lord returns or takes us home. I have been committing scripture to memory since coming to […]
Beauty Within
Last Saturday, the ministry hosted a half day seminar for single and step mums. The event was designed to fit the theme of ‘Beauty Within’ with the key scripture taken from 1 Peter 3:3-4. Written in 60 A.D yet, like all scripture, it is as relevant today as when Peter penned the words. The world […]
God pleaser vs man pleaser
Lessons from Daniel – Part 3 By reading this scripture at face value, the message is pretty clear; without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE God! There’s an old, well loved song of mine called “God Pleaser” and was written and performed by my favourite Christian band- Petra. Although my kids struggle to enjoy the […]
Transformer or Conformer
Lessons from Daniel – Part 2 For the past couple of months, I have been studying the book of Daniel. In last month’s blog, ‘Lessons from Daniel Part 1’ the focus was on the power of prayer and how Daniel, the man and prophet was a great example of a powerful and effective pray-er. I […]
Lessons from Daniel – Part 1
The December/January school holidays each year sees me read a number of books. I love reading all the time, but I can pour myself into a number of books for often hours at a time when not pressed by schedules, routines and commitments. There was one book I read that has impacted me enough to […]
Resolutions
It’s 31st December. The last day of our calendar year. The last day of 2018. The last day of writing ’18 in cards and on documents where my signature is needed and seeing the number 2018 on every electronic device I own. On this last day of each year I (like many would I imagine) […]
Traditions
Family traditions. We all have them. If asked, we could recall them quite readily; both those from our childhood as well as adults with our own families. Some of our childhood traditions have invoked such positive emotions in us, we have adopted them to continue with our children. As it’s less than a month before […]
God’s delightful comforts
Recently, it’s been tough. Life, that is. There has been a myriad of issues and difficulties confronting our family over the past few months, the results of which has been anxiety and stress. I can certainly relate to the psalmist’s words shown in this image… “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts […]
The Value of Good Friendship
We all would have personal stories to tell of our experiences with friendship. We could also all attest to times when our friends have failed us and we have failed them. The reality is that no one is perfect and that people are guaranteed to let us down. Each of us will most certainly disappoint […]
Feeling Helpless? Hope in God
What would it be like to live without hope? To live in a state of helplessness, despairing that your circumstances may never improve, that the only light you see in your tunnel of darkness is a train coming towards you crushing your spirit? Unfortunately, this is the state of being for non Christians but it […]
Making a living vs Making a life
Too much emphasis in our world is placed upon the acquisition of knowledge, personal IQ, higher education and financial success but too few people are eager to pursue wise living or wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge. Wise people know what to do in each situation, when to do it and why. I […]