Inspirational Romance ~ Rita Stella Galieh's Blog

Signed Sealed Delivered

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 06:17:00 +0000

@RitaSGalieh

BIO

Indie Publisher, Rita Galieh, has written a trilogy of historical romance novels & has also contributed to several US anthologies. She is now completing a second historical romance series set in the Edwardian Era & has sent the first two M/Ss to Iola Goulton to edit.

She can be found on Facebook and www.ritastellapress.com

Rita studied art at the National Art School then joined the family ceramics studio. After their marriage, she and her husband attended Emmaus Bible College, and currently co-present Vantage Point, an Australia-wide Christian FM radio program. She enjoys giving her fun-filled presentations of ‘Etiquette of the Victorian Era’ in costume.

Signed Sealed Delivered Book I

How can she believe in her future when she cannot escape her past?

Employed as a governess, Megan Trevallyn never suspects the turmoil she will soon be facing. After secretly marrying her love, Capt. Charles Cantrell, he leaves for the battlefield. With twins on the way, her nightmare begins.

Accused of the heinous crime of kidnapping, and expelled from the household, by Cornelia, its scheming mistress, she faces harsh transportation to a penal colony in Australia. Stripped of everything except her faith, will she survive? And will Charles ever find her?

Prologue

Very early each morning when butlers shone boots, maids scurried about, and cooks prepared breakfast, Megan Trevallyn grasped the opportunity to escape to her one sanctuary in this Georgian mansion—the library. With the musty smell of old books welcoming her, she turned up the gaslight. The warm glow endowed the wood panelling with pleasing hues of coppery gold, which never failed to please her.

She reached over to select a reference volume when a shadow fell across the wall.

What? She whirled around.

The master of the household loomed before her.

In one swift motion, he pushed her up against the bookcase, pinioning her between his outstretched arms. Only the large tome she managed to clasp to her chest separated them. But the narrowed eyes and husky breaths of this repulsive gentleman revealed a rapacious hunger.

‘What have you got there, Miss … ah, why don’t I call you Megan? My, my, perhaps a book of romantic verses? Something to get your little heart beating faster?’

Although doubtful about the scandalous downstairs whispers, she’d always managed to avoid the sole company of her employer. Now this. Her mind raced as she tried to quash the rising panic, She must somehow overcome this intimidating situation and diffuse it.

‘Sir, I’m holding a book of Ancient History for your daughter.’ She forced an authoritative tone. ‘We’re to study it when she arrives.’

He glanced back at the grandfather clock. ‘It seems we have a whole hour before Ellie’s lesson begins, my dear. Time enough for us to become, shall we say, much better acquainted.’

Despite her indignation, she gritted her teeth. In this household an employee’s word counted for nothing. And in such a confrontation, the conviction she’d be damned if she gave

in and damned if she didn’t, infuriated her.

With barely time to pray, Lord, help me, she steeled herself against the assault.

As he lowered his whiskered face to hers, his breath—reeking of tobacco—turned her stomach. And as one clammy hand clutched her neck and the other groped for her thigh, pure instinct spurred her on. She let go of the heavy book.

It landed right onto his foot.

Cursing, he sprang back. ‘You’ve broken my toes, you little vixen!’

She snatched the moment and ducked around him then launched herself from the library. With a hammering heart, she rushed to her room.

Oh yes, she’d heard about predators like this. A helpless governess, maidservant, or even a lowly scullery maid offered a pleasant diversion to the master of the household. Willing or unwilling, no questions were ever asked. And if complaints arose then the victims would soon find themselves on the street without references. In this way many an assault would be covered up, concealing distasteful scandal, and leaving the perpetrator free reign.

If it hadn’t been for her unhesitating action when she’d been at her most vulnerable, this man would surely have compromised her. Now, through no fault of her own except for self-preservation, she must leave what she’d thought was a safe haven. Disillusionment threatened to drain the last of her optimism.

She dashed unwanted tears away and gathered up her few belongings before creeping down the back stairs. The injustice of this whole incident rankled, but recognising the futility of asking, she’d go quietly without the wages owed.

Only one thing consoled her. She’d had the satisfaction of repudiating his advances. His power and menacing presence no longer dangled over her. Nor would it ever again.

Lord willing, she’d pore over every single line of the help wanted section in her search to find another employment opportunity.

That … or go hungry.

Lasting Romance?

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 20:00:00 +0000

As we are today

When I was a very young woman, a family member

once said to me,"Oh, you're just in love with love." And this, "You have a head full of romance. Come down from the clouds."

I didn't listen because some of these women in our family were not happily married. And I knew I didn't want to beforever quarelling with the man I'd someday marry.

The whole idea of being courted and treated as someone extra special appealed so much. I wanted to be loved and cherished for myself. And if that's what romance really meant, then I believed in it and yearned for it to be true in my own experience. Why shouldn't a young woman have these hopes?I didn't want to be taken for granted, nor would I treat my true love that way.

I can speak about this subject with some authority. Only because my husband and I have lived out these ideals during our many years of a fulfilled, happy marriage.

Of course we've had our differences, but

forgiveness always follows arguments and

romance has been nourished. In all this we are grateful for Christaian faith and thank the Lord for guiding us daily as we read His precious Word.

God's Love in Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 21:26:00 +0000

Our Cambodian friends are very dear to us. Horn Kimoun and Sothea Col were married in Cambodia. The ceremony is very special with bride and groom wearing different clothes on every occasion.

I asked Sothea how he met his lovely bride, Kimoun. He said he met her when he went to the Takeo Province to help his friend, Nget begin a school of English and Computing and she enrolled. How could a young man not be attracted to this dear girl?

This school was begun in 2010 to help poor villagers and since then it has grown. In that same year, God called Sothea to start a Bible class. He asked his friend Nget where they should go and Nget asked his parents' permission to hold it in their home. They agreed.

Every Saturday they taught songs to the children. The adults came along and enjoyed every moment, especially the Bible teaching.

The next step was to separate the children with Nget teaching them while Sothea taught the adults. And last year their Christmas celebration was a huge success. Everyone received a gift and enjoyed the meal. It was a lovely time for them to remember Jesus' birth.

* Now they have a gorgeous little fellow, Joel, who has brought so much joy into their lives. We love to see him growing thanks to pictures of him on Facebook.

I enjoy sharing people's experiences about how they met their intended. And I'd really appreciate it it if you shared yours with me together with a wedding photo, so I could post it on this blog.

If you want to keep following me - and I hope that you do! - please also see the following:

http://www.ritastellapress.com/author-blog

God bless you!

Rita

Getting Personal

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 01:23:00 +0000

1.Who are you & where do you come from?

My husband would be the best person to answer that as he knows the real me. A Sydneysider, I always wanted to be an artist so I studied art and joined the family ceramics studio and enjoyed etching Australian flora and fauna exclusively for Prouds in Sydney. I met my violinist husband at a YFC meeting and he challenged me to use my gift for God. After our marriage we attended Emmaus Bible College and then joined Dr Gene Jeffries and American evangelist as his music team. We spent two years in America and then answered the call to be involved in missions in Australia. Each year in December, we minister throughout Thailand with a Thai interpreter, Somchai Soothornturasuk. He arranges for us to use our art and music in schools, prisons, orphanages, hospitals and churches where we explain the real meaning of Christmas. During our many years of travelling over countries in SE Asia, I began to write seriously. Though looking back, I used to spin stories with my grandma and I think the seeds were sown then.

2. Tell us about your writing. What do I write?

I love reading historicals. I also love the extensive research involved in writing these. So my chosen genre is Historical Romance. I have had two published by a Sydney publisher. My next was a trilogy: Signed Sealed Delivered, The Tie That Binds, A Parcel of Promises were Indie published.

3. Tell us about your program, what challenges you most and what helps you most?

As I also write and record radio programs with my husband, I'm always challenged to find the time to write my novels.(I wish I had a maid and a cook like those in my historicals!) However I can tune out even with the TV on, because when I write, I am not in my room, not in my suburb and not in my time. I read my Bible study and notes each morning and ask the Lord to guide me in whatever I write as I want it to honour Him. My Thesaurus helps me most of all when I am searching for just the right word.

4. What are your writing goals?

I am now writing 3 synopses for a Book proposal of another series I have just completed under the series name: Daughters of Resilience: Book 1. Speechless, Breaking Miss Sophie's Silence, Book 2. Defenseless, Miss Dengate's Deliverance, Book 3. Heartless, Miss Kate's Great Expectations.( I use US spelling.) The setting is the Edwardian Era. So my goal is to find an agent who likes my work and who will find a publisher who in turn will actually snap up my trilogy! Easy? Nooooo. I'd value your prayers about this.

5. How does my faith impact my writing?

To answer this I'll share what I have written in my Book Proposal:

Resilience - a combination of perseverance and hope - is a universal theme in my novels. When facing difficult issues, today’s Christian woman can relate when facing hard decisions between making a God honouring choice or whatever is expedient at the time.

I truly want to share my faith in a practical way. Just as Jesus used stories to illustrate a spiritual truth, so I really want my readers to gain something that might help them in their own life.

Rita has learned her craft by making every mistake in the book! But perseverance is the key. Besides reading fiction and nonfiction, read plenty of books in the genre you write. Then write your heart out. Write all your doubts and struggles into your characters. And have fun creating your nasty antagonists.

If you feel the Lord has called you to write, just keep at it whatever it is articles, scripts, Sunday school lessons, women's devotionals, there's a need for all of these.
And never give up.

Another Blog Address

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 07:09:00 +0000

Dear Readers,

This Inspirational Romance Blog has enjoyed tens of thousands of page views, and I hope you have all been blessed. Now the time has come to add another address and I sincerely hope you will follow me over there also subscribing afresh on this second author-blog!

This site will remain functional so that more readers can enjoy

these real life romance stories.

All new posts will appear in my other

Author Blog.

What Marriage Used to Mean

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Author, Angela Crouch shares her viewpoint:

I have seen a growing trend among the people around me, and throughout the world, to question whether or not marriage is worth it anymore, since most of the benefits of being legally and lawfully joined in matrimony can be made available to any couple. Isn’t it just a piece of paper?

Others fight for that piece of paper and legal designation, and by so doing seek to change the fundamental precepts that marriage was founded on — aka “redefining marriage”. With my “old fashioned” view on marriage, I find it hard to understand, or condone either of these.
This is what marriage used to mean and still means to me:

First, look at government’s stake in, and society’s purpose for marriage through most of human history.

As Thomas Sowell, one of America’s brilliant minds put it this way: “In the absence of the institution of marriage, the individuals could arrange their relationship whatever way they wanted to, making it temporary or permanent, and sharing their worldly belongings in whatever way they chose. Marriage means that the government steps in, limiting or even prescribing various aspects of their relations with each other — and still more, their relationship with whatever children may result from their union. In other words, marriage imposes legal restrictions, taking away rights that individuals might otherwise have.”

With this understanding it makes sense why some couples like the “just a piece of paper” argument. I mean, who wants the Government to have any say in their personal relationships? However, the main focus of society’s past interest in marriage was because of the children that usually result from the union of a man and a woman. It happens. Deal with it. But society needed to make sure that those children were taken care of.

“Marriage is the institution that maximizes the likelihood that the two of them would take the
responsibility of raising that child.”

He stated further: “The state’s interest in marriage is not that it cares about my love life, or your love life, or anyone’s love life just for the sake of romance. The state’s interest in marriage is ensuring that those kids have fathers who are involved in their lives.”

Completely logical, but for most people, especially Christians, marriage means much more.

My friend Mary Hawkins expressed the viewpoint of most Christians:

Old fashioned? I don't think so. Not when the meaning of what marriage is has stood for thousands of years. I strongly believe that every person NOT committed to God and His son, Jesus, may indeed have the freedom of choice in relationships. What I do very strongly object to is the demand it still be called marriage so it has all the safeguards and rights governments have made for true marriage. this whole trend just makes me extremely sad - and fearful for our beloved nation.

Well said! Thanks for your very clear comment Mary.

COMING SOON: To all of you, my readers, who having been following this Inspirational Romance blog, I have an announcement.
In the next couple of weeks this blog will have a new name - Rita Stella Press.com It will be similar, but will allow me more leeway to write about a wide range of topics.

Thanks for your interest during this time. I believe you will enjoy the new blog just as much.
God bless you

Rita Stella

PERSISTENT PRAYER PAYS!

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Dorothy was shocked. She's just been informed on her first date with a young man that he'd been specifically praying for the Lord to reveal His will about marriage to HER!

This followed several months of his letters and phone calls, but she hadn't expected anything like this. A marriage proposal when she hadn't ever thought of him that way? Although convinced that marriage to the one whom God would lead her to, she thought it kinder to let him down gently. Saying she'd give it some thought, she wrote some days later. She assured Fred she had nothing personal against him, but believed they'd be nothing more than 'just friends'.

Even though saddened at her reply, he answered and told her he'd continue praying about it. This troubled Dorothy because of her unwillingness to bring God into their situation. Consequently she also began to pray about this. Was he God's choice?

Some months later, they met by chance, said a brief 'hello' to each other and moved on. Well, Dorothy admitted she could not believe her strong emotional reaction to that brief encounter. Her whole attitude had completely changed.

But what about Fred? After so much time had passed, had he lost interest? Ah, she forgot about his persistence in praying about her. And it wasn't too much longer before she welcomed his attentions again. They discovered so much in common and each were convinced that God had put the love in their hearts for each other in the first place.

These two shared a great marriage. 'Not perfect,' Dorothy adds, 'because we're imperfect humans, But our marriage was one of working together, supporting and caring for each other and the three children with whom we were blessed.'

I attend the same community church with Dorothy. And her son is our pastor.
Thanks for sharing, my friend.

BEST FRIENDS

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Glenys Wright says that John is still her best friend and continues to make her feel special.

I think it's nice to hear a girl make that particular statement after 45 years of marriage!

She shares how they met:

I first was aware of John when I was in my early teens. At the time I was with a group of girls who attended a Sunday school which was an outreach of the larger Bankstown Gospel Chapel. And from there we were encouraged to attend the morning church service. This young man caught my eye and I liked him from the start.

However, he was three years older than I - a big difference at that age - therefore I'm sure I didn't even appear on his radar! In fact John was considered a bit of a 'larrikin' by the church elders. He had his own car and screeched the tires coming to and from church.

Being extremely shy and lacking self esteem, I was caught unawares when John asked me out. I was only sixteen at the time and he managed to make me feel very special. We continued on as a couple before John finally asked me to marry him. As I had just turned seventeen, he first asked permission from my parents.

We were married in 1969 and like most married couples we have had our ups and downs. However we have been so blessed by God as we have two grown children and two beautiful grandsons, Mitchell and Jayden. And after so many years of marriage I still say John remains my best friend.

STELLA, my mother

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Fri, 08 May 2015 01:12:00 +0000

I want to celebrate Stella Violet Kinnear, my darling mum, on Mother's Day. She is now with the Lord but still remains in my heart.

Did I receive my writing abilities from her? No. Stella was one of those active on-the-go wives and mothers who didn't have all that much time for reading. But she soon realized I loved reading and encouraged me.

Her mother, Beatrice, was a real dreamer and always to be found with her nose in a book. Oh, yes many a time wisps of smoke came from the kitchen where a nice dinner was sacrificed to the arts. Thinking back, I wonder why my mum didn't resent that and make sure her daughter would follow a more practical turn of mind.

Stella was also an artist (from her father, Harrie Mackie Kinnear, a Scot.) It came to the fore when, during the Second World War with Dad in the RAAF, money was scarce. She hand made jewelry from bread! Beautiful little flowers coloured and baked in the oven. She also designed patterns for Patons Knitting Company and I was the recipient of lovely little jumpers, cardigans and hats. All this was enough to make a deposit on a small house.

By that time she'd become a savvy business woman and some years later she sent me to art school and began a ceramics studio in our backyard named Gymea Pottery. Dad cast various shapes of clay, and we two women decorated it with Aboriginal Art and Australian flowers and fauna. Then it would be fired to the bisque state, glazed and fired again to 1,000 degrees Centigrade. It was a real hit with American business folk who were involved in the Kurnell Oil Refineries at the time. Many would come to buy and ask about the stories behind each piece. I loved telling those stories!

But similar to the book business today, the markets became flooded. How could we compete with cheap pottery from China? Never mind that it wasn't authentic Australian Art. We closed up and gave the big kilns to Gymea Technical College. (They had the expense of hiring a crane and removing one of the walls.)

Full book cover

My darling mother was never able to read even one of my books, because she'd gone before they were published. Oh, that still hurts me, because in her later years, she too had taken up reading. But there's a lot of my life with her and Nan among the Aboriginal folk in my first book, Fire in the Rock. All changed of course in its fictional sense. And now my new book, The Tie That Binds, is a stand-alone, but it follows on from Signed Sealed Delivered. I became aware that the heroine's longing to find her mother is a part of my longing for my mum who has gone to be with her Lord.

My book's theme is: Everything can change in a heartbeat. This statement has now become my brand and logo represented by the little open heart of Rita Stella Press soon to go online.

That is such a truism in all our lives. We are all just one heartbeat away from changed circumstances whatever they happen to be - wonderful or tragic. Is there any one of you who have been estranged from your mother? Please dear ones, change that situation before you'll have to live with regrets for the rest of your life. Forgiveness comes from God.

WORTHWHILE WAITING

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Evelyn gladly shared how she and her future husband met and married.

We met when we were both 16 back in 1974 at a local supermarket where we both had after school jobs. Wayne had already been working there for several months when I started, so he was immediately interested in the new girl in the fridge section, which I wasn’t aware of at the time. He showed his initial interest in me by offering me Fantales from the ‘broken stock’ box. I thought that was sweet.

I fell desperately in love with this handsome young man who was mature beyond his years and who treated me like a real lady. The following year Wayne went on to do an Electrical apprenticeship and the year after that I went to Teachers College. As we were both still living at home while establishing our careers, we saw very little of each other during the week which was hard to bear. Weekends involved drives in the country, trips to the beach, going to restaurants with friends, picnics and family get-togethers.

We had a wonderful blossoming relationship filled with love and laughter. As with all relationships, I recall a period where we were not getting along so well. The pressures of work and study were taking their toll and our relationship became a little strained for a while. I unwisely suggested that maybe we should have a break away from each other for a short while to allow a cooling off period and a testing of our true devotion to each other. Wayne said an emphatic “No” to my suggestion stating that when two people are married they can’t have “a break away” from each other. So he gave me an ultimatum. He said that we either weathered the storm or we split permanently!

Well I was not about to allow this handsome young man to walk out of my life, so we ‘got over it’ and ‘got on with it’. I look back now and appreciate his wisdom as these times come and go in every relationship and it’s certainly not time to bail out. With perseverance and devotion the dry times pass and the warmth and fun returns.

We dated for 5 years saving ourselves chastely for our married life. We had discussed marriage many times and were determined to tie the knot but my college study had to be finished first before trying to juggle a new marriage with study. That’s why we dated for 5 years; waiting until I graduated.

We had not bargained on me being appointed to a school in the country as we were desperately in love and keen to be married. We had assumed that I would get a posting nearby my home but this was not the case. I was sent to a country town named Kandos, 3 hours’ drive away and I was devastated. I reluctantly moved to the country taking up my teaching post and spent only a few minutes each day talking to Wayne from a pay phone down the street. I had no telephone in my teacher housing flat and there were no mobile phones in those days. I found this very difficult and just wanted to be close to the man I loved. We were engaged three months later and planned to marry the following January. Then, after I had settled into one country school I was given a transfer to Bathurst and my heart broke all over again. I had found my feet in Kandos and was enjoying the school if not the distance from my fiancée. So I reluctantly moved again but this time Wayne obtained a job in the country and moved out closer to where I was living

We were married on 5^th January 1980 which was the beginning of a wonderfully blessed and happy marriage. In November of that same year, we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour which began another new journey – as a Christian family. The Lord blessed us with 4 adorable children over the next few years and we chose for me to put my teaching career on hold while I stayed at home raising our babies. This was a difficult time with one income and four little children but the Lord provided and we managed to feed and clothe them until they were all in school when I went back to teaching. I have never regretted the time I spent staying home raising those children. They don’t come trained and training children is a difficult job but they have all grown up to become sensible, mature, well adjusted, devoted Christian adults who are all married now, with beautiful Christian spouses and have given us 5 wonderful grandchildren.

We have been married 35 years now and it’s 40 years since we first became an item and what a wonderful 40 years that has been. We are still very much in love and are inseparable companions and the best of friends. There is no-one else in this world we would rather spend our time with as we are happy in each other’s company. The problem is that we still don’t get enough time together with work commitments and family responsibilities. Even children with children need time and attention, as do aging parents.

We thank God for each other, for our wonderful marriage, for our exceptionally beautiful children and our wonderful grandchildren. He has provided everything we have needed when we have needed it, and has answered our prayers along the way too numerable times to count. We have been able to serve Him in our home, running bible studies and fellowship meetings for lots of children and adults, teaching Sunday school for over 20 years and Wayne serving as a director at the Orange Christian School for many years while I was a teacher there also. So we have had many opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those the Lord has brought across our paths and the greatest joy of all was seeing our four beautiful children all come to saving faith in Jesus Christ and go on to love Him and serve Him and marry Christian partners. What a great joy!

What a blessed and happy 40 years we have had. We trust the Lord for the days to come and anticipate many more wonderful blessings from Him who loved us enough to die for our sins and save us for eternity. He wrapped His loving arms around us, gave us salvation in 1980 and has carried us lovingly through the last 35 years. We thank God for this testimony and give Him the glory.

Thanks Evelyn for such a heartwarming testimony of God's blessing in your lives.

LEST We FORGET

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:56:00 +0000

THE ODE
by Laurence Binyon

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

In memory of our brave Australian and New Zealand men & women who gave their lives for our freedom

Members of the armed forces at the Sydney Centotaph in Martin Place early this morning. The service began at 4:30 am.

Services were also held at the Gallipoli Penisula in Turkey where thousands massed to remember the blood sacrifice of their loved ones.

We will not forget

THE TIE THAT BINDS

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 10:22:00 +0000

This is a cover for my latest book, an inspirational historical romance.

The Victorian Era fascinates me.
Everything about its customs and the real life stories from that age is enough to inspire me to write fiction about what could have been.

Arranged marriages were often quite acceptable. But what would happen to a young woman if that was not the case? So this is what my story, The Tie That Binds, covers.

It hasn't come off the presses yet, but in several days I hope to hold the very first proof copy in my hand. All the hard work has been done now I wait. I know many folk have been waiting for this second book of a trilogy. And the next book, A Parcel of Promises is being edited as of now. It will follow this soon after.

Everything can change in a heartbeat.

Mayfair London, 1859
All is well in the well-to-do Cantrell household until its scheming mistress begins to act on her self-serving plans.
Forced into the security of an arranged marriage and an uncertain future of eloping with her heart's desire, Charlotte Cantrell's faith and integrity are tested to the limit. Either choice threatens dire consequences to everyone she holds dear, and even as she hovers over her decision, she knows that once made it will affect the entire course of her life.

Only an unforeseen event can rescue Charlotte from personal tragedy and forsaken dreams.

AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Although a commonplace occurrence in many countries, it rarely happens in Australia. My friend, Hanaa shares her story:

I was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and grew up in a Christian family. As a young woman and a believer, I taught Sunday School in Soul Salvation Assembly.

Meanwhile Moheb, a young man from my church, emigrated to Australia to live and work there for two years with his family. Believing it was time he got married, his mother and sister advised him to return to Egypt to find a Christian wife. It happened that my father and his father worked together at the Alexandria Water Board so they mentioned my name to him.

After Moheb visited my family, he approached the elders in the church about being engaged to me. But before they agreed, they checked whether he would make a good husband by contacting his church elders back in Australia. Only then did they agree, and we had our engagement party. Then they encouraged us to get married in Egypt. And with God's blessing, we were married there.

We were parted when Moheb travelled back to Australia to get a working visa for me. And one wonderful day I was able to come to Australia to live with him. We have been married for twenty-nine years and have two good boys who have grown into manhood. Our trust in is Jesus and now I still enjoy teaching Scripture in many schools with my Christian brothers and sisters at the Campbelltown Christian Community Church.

Thank you so much, Hanaa, to hear how God blessed your life.

Resurrection Proofs

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 00:36:00 +0000

Today many deny Jesus' Resurrection. Here are some proofs to refute this lie.

1. Jesus’ enemies would not have stolen His body because that have propagated the very prediction that He would rise from the dead.

2. Jesus’ disciples could not have stolen His body because Pilate established Roman guards to stand watch over the tomb. (Matthew 27:65).

(1) Ironically, many of Jesus’ disciples were not fully convinced of His Resurrection itself.

(2) The very character and the later history of the disciples compels us to believe that they neither stole nor secretly carried away the body of Jesus.

II. In nearly 21 centuries, no body –except the Resurrected body of Jesus Christ– was ever found. Thus, the evidence needed to disprove Christ’s prophecy is missing.

III. The mathematical probability of anyone being able to perpetrate any hoax –especially concerning Christ’s Resurrection– over 20 centuries is astronomically negative!

IV. The prophecy prediction record of the Old Testament is 100 percent accurate!

V. Notice that the chief priests and the elders never questioned whether the tomb was empty. There is no record anywhere that they even questioned whether the guards’ report were true. They knew it was true!

VI. Notice that the soldiers were told to say that Jesus’ disciples came and stole the body away while they (the soldiers) were asleep! How could they have known what was going on if they were asleep? (Matthew 28:12-13)

VII. The leaders of Judaism in Jerusalem, who had put the LORD Jesus to death, had nothing to offer to contradict these disciples as they continued to preach Jesus and His Resurrection– because all Jerusalem knew the tomb was empty. If there had been trickery involved, sooner or later it would have been suspected, then proven.

VIII. Had fraud occurred, surely one of the disciples, even most of them, would have confessed it under the horrendous persecution they underwent. It may be possible to live a lie, but men seldom die for a lie –and most of these men died for what they believed.

IX. The result ultimately would have been that the message that Christ had risen would have suffered the fate of all such unfounded stories– it would have lost its power. Instead, this truth has swept the world, closed pagan temples, won millions of disciples, brought hope to a despairing humanity, was the very foundation truth of the early Church, and is as freshly glorious as ever!

X. But not only did Jesus come alive again, He did not disappear to leave the disciples speculating through all the subsequent days as to what had happened to Him. Instead, He appeared to them literally, visibly, frequently and in bodily form –to more than 500 believers following His Resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15:3-8).

NOTE: In over 60 years in the Christian ministry, it has been my observation that those who persist in denying the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, are in the grip of some personal sin which they are unwilling to surrender in order to lay hold of Christ. As with physical survival, it is in the nature of man to embrace hope, not to disparage or deny it. Thus, when men engage in unmitigated attacks upon the only One who offers true hope to all mankind, it is undeniable proof both of man’s own decadence and of his love of sin. – Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Dr Jeffries!

HE is THERE

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:05:00 +0000

This true story might give you some idea of why Jesus died for us....

Susan was rendered sightless due to a medical mistake. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan lapsed into a deep depression, hating the fact she was now powerless and a burden on those around her.

Her husband, Mark, an Air Force officer, loved her with all his heart. He remembered his once optimistic wife and was determined to help her gain her confidence and independence again. His disciplined background convinced him that to accomplish this sensitive situation would be the most difficult battle he would ever face.

When she felt she was ready to return to work he drove her there every day on the opposite side of the city where he worked. And he also picked her up afterward. They both realized this was hectic and very costly. He knew he must prepare her to take the bus as she had previously. But Susan reacted bitterly. "I'm blind. How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel you're abandoning me. This broke his heart.

Mark knew what he would do. He promised her he would ride the bus with her and help her adapt to the new environment. He promised he would do this morning and evening until she felt she could handle it herself. For two weeks Mark did this in full uniform. He taught her how to rely on her senses and befriend the bus drivers so they would save a seat for her. He believed in her and knew she would not give up her struggle.

The day came when her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his love, his loyalty and his patience. She was ready. She rode the bus successfully for a week. One day the bus driver said to her, "I sure envy you." She asked him what he meant. He answered, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected the way you are." She was puzzled until he added, "Every morning for the past week a fine looking man in a uniform has been standing across the street watching when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the road safely. He watches until you enter the building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives a salute, and walks away."

Tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. For although she couldn't see him, she had always felt his presence. He had given her a gift far more precious than sight. She didn't need to see to believe - a gift of love that can bring light when there had been darkness.

I know someone who is always there helping those He loves. His name is Jesus. He shines His light into our darkness. He tells us "I will never leave you, or forsake you."

LAND, LAMBS, and the LOVE of his LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 13:05:00 +0000

I spent some time with Dr Arthur Gilmour last weekend after

a barbecue lunch for young people at their property at

Cargo Vale. After their forty-three years of marriage,I asked him how he and his wife, Ellen, met.

A country boy, born and bred in the beautiful Riverina area in Boree Creek, he shared how he first became a believer. As a child, he often listened in to the Sunday School of the Air radio program. This was supported by the Christians of Yackandandah Assembly whom he later met at a Gospel tent at the Lockhart Show. They encouraged him to attend a Way of Life Christian camp. His mother soon arranged for him and his brother to go, where he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour

A love of the land saw him pursue Agricultural Science studies at Sydney University and while living in the city he met with a group of Christians at Hebron Hall. Now at the same time, Ellen, a young nurse from the northern state of Queensland had also come to Sydney to study Midwifery. He admired her bright personality and independent spirit. However, they hadn’t dated until he asked her to attend his graduation from an evening Emmaus Bible Study course. She agreed and he knew she was the one God had for his future wife. Ellen evidently felt the same way, but when he asked her to marry him, she said she’d think it over and pray about it. She gave her answer a week later.

Ellen & Arthur were married on his twenty-third birthday.

* As a biometrician, Arthur continues his work in all experimental fields of agriculture. He has developed a software program and recently received special appreciation and high recognition for his work of genetic evaluation with LAMBPLAN. In short, a program to produce lean lambs with a better quality of meat than the fatty sheep of the past.

Thank you, Arthur, for sharing your special memories.

MARRIAGE BUILT on the ROCK

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Uluru, Northern Territory

My friend, Nolene, shares:

I first met Garry on a Christian

Travel coach tour through Central Australia and Queensland. My first impressions of Garry were not very favourable - I thought he was loud and unruly and not my type!

However, after he gave a short devotion around the campfire one night I saw a different side to him. He was the life of the party on the coach and kept us all entertained with his humour throughout our 3 week trip. We didn’t start dating until after the Tour Reunion, when I finally had the courage to invite him to a Rotaract Dinner/Dance - we went together and the rest, as they say, is history. But it wasn’t all plain sailing as we did have a split after about 18 months of dating. I questioned where our relationship was heading and, at that point, Garry wasn’t ready to make a commitment, so we went our separate ways. After a month of praying and questioning God I decided to write a letter to Garry asking if we could start over again. Right then he was away on holiday in Tasmania, but when he rang home and was told that there was a letter waiting for him from me, he says he instinctively knew what was in it without having to read it. He went to a picturesque mountain area to pray for God’s guidance.

When he returned to Sydney we arranged to meet up that same day. We went for a drive into the country and discussed what God’s plans might be for our future. We stopped at a lookout and sat in the car and prayed together as a couple, for the first time.

In our time apart, God had taught us that we needed to make Him the centre of our relationship and, to this very day, we have continued to read His Word and pray together every day.

After 34 years we returned to Uluru on a road trip around Australia with our car and caravan. We could give thanks to God for bringing us together and blessing us with a strong marriage built on a firm foundation - the Lord Jesus Christ, a comfortable home, two wonderful Christian children who are serving the Lord with their spouses, and two adorable Grandchildren.

SOMETHING UNEXPECTED - FINDING LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Lottie shares what led up to a lovely God-ordained relationship.

Finding love was not something I

was expecting nor was I looking for. Quite happily unmarried, but intrigued by the thought of marriage someday, I aimlessly dated unsure of what I was hoping for, repeatedly failing to find that which was unknown. Until the day that I unexpectedly met the strange boy whom I now know as the wonderful man that is my husband.

My whole life I lived under the false assumption that when I met ‘the one’ there would be an earthquake in my heart, the sky would open up, light would shine down upon him, I’d see a rainbow and then I would know that that person would be my husband. However things unfolded slightly differently. I met Josh at a birthday party. He told me that the flower in my hair was cute, which I disregarded having just heard him use that same line on another girl. Following the party he often asked me to hang out, go to sports games or watch movies. I told him that I wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship. He said he just enjoyed the company. As we spent more time together the friendship grew. We began to trust one another and confided in each other things which were unknown to the rest of the world. The day he asked me out, I said yes despite still being unsure. We hadn’t been dating long before I went overseas for 10 months. During that time we broke up …and then got back together. We both needed God to grow and change us before we were ready to love unselfishly. Josh later told me that while we were dating he had prayed for God to change his heart and help him turn from the sin in his life, two days later we broke up.

Sometimes God doesn’t always answer prayer in the way that we hope for but God does answer prayer and he knows what is best for us. While we were apart I dearly missed the friend that I had come to know and love. With Josh I never felt obliged to be anyone other than who God had created me to be. I knew I loved Josh and I felt secure in his love for me, it was unchanging, without conditions, and it reminded me of how I felt loved by Christ. Despite my many flaws Christ’s love for me always remains. I couldn’t have been more excited to marry Josh. We recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary. I am grateful for God’s sovereign hand in our relationship as we trust him every day to grow us closer to one another and to grow us closer to him.

Thank you so much, Lottie, for sharing this beautiful example of how the Lord leads His children!

TOTAL COMMITMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:05:00 +0000

I asked Brielle, who has recently been married to Michael, how they met.

Michael and I met while I worked as a volunteer at a Christian music festival he was attending. My friends knew a bunch of his friends and pretty quickly we started hanging out as a big group between my shifts at the festival. Michael and I were both pretty similar and soon figured out we enjoyed each other’s company.

Unfortunately we had both travelled to the town the music festival was held and lived in different cities about 12 hours apart.

We had to decide early on that we were either in or out, as long-distance relationships require a huge commitment not only emotionally and spiritually but financially as well. While it was a big decision it was an easy one because of the peace I felt when trying to figure it all out. The greatest thing we shared was our love for Christ. We also established soon into our relationship that we both felt God had led us to each other in perfect timing and felt calm knowing we were eventually going to marry.

I guess the thing that I wasn’t completely okay with was realising I was going to be the one moving cities and states to be with him. Not only was I committing myself to Michael, I was also leaving my family, friends, church, ministry and job. Getting married to Michael was going to be the biggest thing to ever happen to me in all senses of the word. Thankfully, I wasn’t doing it alone. Moving states and marrying Michael has been hard but great. Even at the times when I felt overwhelmed and scared, I couldn’t help but understand things would work out all right and I wouldn’t break under the pressure of the situation because I was not doing any of this alone.

Marriage was a joyful sacrifice that has so far refined me, brought Michael and I closer together, and strengthened us in Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

The Gift of Love Goes on Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Sarah and Jonas - Brooklyn Bridge, NY

I met Sara Goff online and asked her to share her story.

Back in 1996, I was working long hours as a buyer in New York's fashion industry. In the evenings I began working on a vague idea for a novel. I felt empty inside and wanted to make a difference in someone's life.

I tried different areas of voluntary community work but nothing filled the emptiness. One evening, alone in my Manhattan apartment, I sat on the floor sobbing and praying in earnest, "God take my life and do something with it. I've gotten this far, but you can do so much more. here I am use me for some purpose."

After several years before my life began to change. I lost my father to cancer and then I changed my job in fashion just to pay the bills. I found more time for my writing and pursued that.

Shortly after, I met Jonas. he became not only the best friend in my life but my husband. We rented out the apartment and travelled the world.

A trip to Kenya opened my eyes to a level of giving I had not witnessed before. I met a young Masai girl whose generosity planted a seed in my heart for charity that finally bloomed. At this time we lived with our son - just a few months old - in Sweden where I had time and space to think. I felt the urge to seek out new relationships through a worthwhile project.

I knew of struggling schools in Kenya and a care centre for street kids in the Philippines. Sara eventually set up a website to give these children the opportunity to express their creativity and individualism and in doing that instilling hope and confidence.

The answer to many prayers became Lift the Lid, a registered US charity that is building classrooms, a science lab, a lunch program, sanitary guidance to girls, books, and writing competitions. All to give a voice to underprivileged students by publishing their writing.

Thank you Sara. A beautiful story of how God uses ordinary people to change lives.

CHRISTIAN FITNESS COUPLE

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Robert and Lori Evans are an interesting and energetic couple. They host a TV show together. Catch www.christianfitnesstv.com

No doubt this has drawn them closer in their marriage as they honour the Lord in their endeavours.

Robert is a ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (American College of Sports Medicine) and has been active in Kung Fu (martial arts) since 1993. After years of training people in martial arts the Lord is now using those experiences for God's glory to help encourage Christians to exercise and have a desire to take care of their Temple of the Holy Spirit by being physically fit and honoring the Lord with their lives in all things.

Lori has experienced a multitude of surgeries and illnesses in her adult life. Through God's miraculous healing hand and an encounter with the Lord Jesus, she is now using those experiences to help Christians understand the benefits of proper nutrition and learning the word of God. She has an evangelist's heart and a desire for everyone to learn and receive the Love of Christ and live victoriously each day through the word of God.

Christian Fitness was birthed from a burden
concerning the sedentary lifestyle that many have adopted not fully realizing the negative affect it is having on their physical health, with Christians being no exception.

The Evans say:

We are all called to be disciples and to be a witness of God's glory and everlasting promise. In order to carry out this commission, we must be spiritually and physically strong. God has opened the door for Christian Fitness to provide an opportunity to assist followers of Jesus to live a spiritually strong life and healthier lifestyle.

Oops! I have been neglecting to walk the block lately! I must get back to it. What about you?

VALENTINE'S DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Wedding Day - 1973

I asked my friend, Sue, to share how she met her future husband, Ken.

Looking back in retrospect-it's amazing how God takes care of His own. Both Ken and I were "outreach" kids from non-Christian homes with catholic backgrounds. My parents moved around a lot when I was growing up- I went to five different schools before high school, but they finally settled in Leichhardt - where they had both grown up and met, just in time for me to start high school.

Through outreach contacts to my father, I was picked up every Sunday and taken to Hebron Hall and learned about the love of God and His son Jesus - something that was a bit lacking at times at home.

By the time I was about 14, there was a young married couple from Campsie Assembly who came with one of their "outreach" boys, and like all newly married couples, they felt a responsibility to find a suitable interest for their young, serious, Ken. After settling in and sussing out the prospects, they made their choice and tried to encourage him to take an interest.
One thing about Ken - he likes to steer his own ship - and this was not the direction he was going.
We were in youth group together with a mutual friend base, and our beliefs were the same. But even though I thought he was gorgeous and had an enormous crush on him - he refused to be moved.

Twice I asked him to my Y12 formal - and each time he fobbed me off - preferring to go to the movies with his mates. I remember woefully moaning to my nan about his lack of interest - and she laughed, giving her words of wisdom that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. But I told her, 'I intend to marry him.' She laughed even harder then. Ah, the flightiness of youth.

Once I finished school I had just about given up - then - out of the blue- he asked me out to dinner! He's such a romantic at times - never forgets birthday or anniversaries - I even get flowers for Valentines Day.

I asked him many years later why he finally asked me out - and he replied - "I finally gave in to the inevitable". Fortunately for him he elaborated. He said he knew in his heart that God had said this is the one - but as I said before - he likes to steer his own course- got to love the man - warts and all.

We've had our ups and downs- but our vows before God are what are most important to us - never to be taken lightly. This year we celebrate 42 years of marriage - but really its a lifetime of growing up together. All praise to God!

MARRIAGE REBRANDED - Tyler Ward

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Celebrating 50 years of Marriage

What about this modern idea of happily ever
after? Does it have a place or do we abandon the
idea altogether to embrace the refining fire of
marriage?
Not at all. Happiness is a very real result of a healthy marriage. Even modern social research
shows that marriage historically offers more
happiness than singleness or divorce.

However,.happiness is not the primary goal of
your marriage. Becoming more beautiful by
becoming your best self—more loving, joyful,
peaceful, patient, kind, faithful, gentle,
self-controlled—is the goal.

Marriage—like fire—can be an all-consuming and potentially painful substance. But also like
a fire, it can refine us. And like Michelangelos's chisel liberating the figures inside of a rock,
marriage is a tool that the Divine uses to make us beautiful.

Author Tyler Ward say goes on to say:
I know that marriage can be one of the more challenging things we experience in life. And I know that at times, it demands far more than we feel we can give. I know there are moments when walking away seems like the only sane and rational thing to do. Yet I also know that marriage multiplies what we can become—both as individuals and as couples.
Marriage, even though it will introduce us to some of life’s most arduous moments, has brilliant intentions in mind. It’s unapologetically interested in chipping away at our dysfunctional thoughts, patterns, and postures in life and inviting us—and our spouses—to become the best version of ourselves.

When we remember this brilliant intention to liberate us—the beautiful statues trapped within our own mess—we begin to see a hopeful view of the relationship, even in its darkest times.

This vision of marriage takes the expectation off of our spouses to make us happy and recreates the expectation that our marriage exists to help us grow. It turns our focus from personal fulfillment to mutual personal development.

*This is an excerpt of Marriage Rebranded: Modern Misconceptions & the Unnatural Art of Loving Another Person. by Tyler Ward

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:05:00 +0000

George & Rita - Many years of happy marriage

Michaelangelo used the friction between his chisel and the rock to chip away—piece by piece—at stone and marble. Michelangelo didn’t sculpt like other sculptors. No, he didn’t believe he was creating something from nothing. Instead, he believed his slow, deliberate chiseling actually liberated what was already inside of the stone. He saw beautiful figures beneath the surface and considered it his responsibility as an artist to simply set them free.

Two years of chiseling later, Michelangelo had set David free—and in the process, he sculpted this unlovely piece of rock into one of history’s most renowned pieces of art.

Tyler Ward, author of "Marriage Rebranded: Modern Misconceptions and the Unatural Art of Loving Another Person", goes on to say:

I think there’s more truth about marriage in this story than in most of our modern ideas about relationships. Marriage isn’t, in fact, our gateway to happily ever after. It’s more like a chisel in Divine hands. And though there’s plenty of friction involved, it’s designed to chip away at all the dysfunction in our lives and free the beautiful statues inside.

Interestingly, the Bible seems to agree with this picture that Michelangelo’s carving philosophy offers us. In fact, if you’re ever wondering who you can blame for this chiseling sensation in your marriage, Adam—the first human in the Bible—is your guy.

It all started when the first human on earth decided to name his wife after a hazardous chemical reaction. After having just been introduced to the only other human being on earth, he says, “She shall be called ishshah—woman, because she was taken out of ish—man.”

Ish and ishshah. I assume that though they have a certain ring to them, these won’t be topping your list of names for future kids. Even so, they paint a picture about marriage that answers many of our modern questions.
To start, both words are derived from the root word and Hebrew character esh, which means fire.
This means that the original word picture we have for the relationship between a man and a woman is an all-consuming, tireless-in-nature, potentially hazard-creating fire. And though this picture lends itself to the modern concept of heated romance or passionate love, the Bible consistently points to a different purpose of fire.

Fire happens to be one of the Bible’s primary metaphors for purification and personal development.

It would seem that the relationship between two spouses—fire—as depicted by biblical accounts, is a source of personal refinement, designed to play a significant role in one’s process of growth and maturity. But hang with me—the biblical picture gets better.
In the New Testament, Paul the apostle goes on to compare love in marriage to the love Jesus showed humanity. He says:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her [literally, purify her internally by the reformation of her soul], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, . . . having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Tyler Ward's helpful extract from his book will be continued in a week's time.

Suthanisee and Sadudee

noreply@blogger.com (Rita Galieh) — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 05:51:00 +0000

Suthanisee slips a ring on her beloved.

Recently we attended a lovely wedding at Rayong in the Gulf of Thailand. We have known this young couple for many years. Sadudee asked my husband to bring a message at the ceremony and also to play the violin. I had the privilege of singing to them.

Sadudee's father, Somchai Soonthornturasuk, is a well known evangelist and he married them. It was a joy filled time.

A storm threatened with the wind lifting but many prayed it would pass over. The clouds rolled over and the breeze cooled us after the high humidity. At one point the guests heard a distant humming and looked up to see a drone hovering above and capturing the whole ceremony from the air. Sadudee's photographer friends also captured thousands of pictures.

Sadudee met Suthanisee in the workplace. She is a food buyer for many restaurants and he is a freelance photographer. She also creates delicious recipes and he photographs them. He sets the lighting just right so the dish looks so tempting it makes the mouth water.

She was able to buy the great variety of seafood at cost price to make the wedding breakfast memorable! The barbecued seafood tasted absolutely delicious.

In the ceremony, my husband shared the fact that a successful marriage doesn't just happen, it needs to be worked at in times of fun, sharing chores, and patience, especially when hard times come as invariably happens. This is where praying together can draw a couple closer as they share the problems equally.