"What we have to be is what we are." 
Myal River -Tea GardensIt seems to me that it is a minority that gets the true and full gospel. We just keep worshiping Jesus and arguing over the right way to do it. The amazing thing is that Jesus never once says “worship me!” He says, “follow me” (e.g., Matthew 4:19).
Christianity is a lifestyle—a way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into a clever “religion,” in order to avoid the lifestyle itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain, and still believe that Jesus is their “personal Lord and Savior.” The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on Earth is too great.
Well when you run accommodation for young backpackers and students then celebration is something that seems to happening - for any reason. I could post hundreds from over the years. In this case it was John from Ireland Celebrating achieving his permanent Visa for Australia - of course in the usual Irish Tradition - with a few glasses of Guiness and friends.To enter click on the following link.
Wetlands behind the mangroves
Mangroves and Beach
Wattlebird
I was thinking today while out for a walk up home about how it does not mattter how every day we take my camera on the same walking route yet we still manage to find something new or different to photograph. Today, for me, it was a small group of Artists down on Spoonies Bay. The clouds were just magnificent and made a perfect backdrop for the group and their easels. I did think of asking to take a whole lot of photos but felt a bit shy so only managed a few hurried shots as I passed them by.
A Kookaburra Hunting
This photo reminded me of these words of Jesus
This is where I will be spending the next 6 - 8 weeks. This is the first of what will become many blogs on the Tea Gardens and it's surrounds, I am sure. This set of photos and accompanying album are taken in the immediate area of where I am living - a small coastal town called Tea Gardens. I have not ventured far as yet as I have been busy with settling into the town and re-organising all my affairs. I am here for just 6 - 8 weeks but perfect time to relax and start something new and plenty of new territory to go on Hunts for whatever my eye and lens capture. A feast, me thinks!!!!!!
These Images have all been taken within the horizons you see in each photo and believe me you will be amazed at what is beyond them. For now enjoy. The first Three are views from the house or directly across from the house on the riverbank. The one above is glimpse I get from my front window but this shot I took from the riverside opposite
I took this from the verandah looking down the river toward the Singing Bidge. So called from the sounds it generates in the wind. The Verandah looks north toward the morning sun in the warmth of its rays as I slowly wake up. Dolphins pass here from time to time during the day fishing or just cruising. Again photos of Dolphins to follow
This is the same ferry you see tied up at the Jetty in the previous Photo. This ferry goes a few times daily to a town called Nelson Bay on the other side of Port Stephens. It is modern compared to here and very much more developed. The ferry trip includes a dolphin watch as as it plows across Port Stephens which boasts the largest population of Dolhins in Austrlia.
Finally - this photo is taken from the Bridge you see in the photo of the ferry. It looks further down river across to the twin town called Hakes nest on the other side. Beyond that is the ocean which for sure you are gonna see soon in up-coming blogs on my stay here.
Today I was home in Bonny Hills. Went, camera at ready, looking for a nine - thats all I knew, I had to find a nine - somewhere!!. Sure enough out on the waves were a bunch local surfers - from that distance and my eyesight they were only brurred dots but I thought I counted nine but no real idea how many. When I got home, on Windows photo Viewer, the photo blown up, I counted again - nine!! 
