Month: September 2021

Sue’s Views

It amazes me how many people get injured at home! Apparently more than half happen in the home under normal circumstances. Home can be a dangerous place for some. So far this lockdown I’ve seen people fall off ladders doing home projects ….. children falling off trampolines ….. and a hand caught in a food mixer! But one of the most common injuries sadly is people punching a wall or a door. For some ….. being in lockdown produces anger ….. frustration ….. and fear. I’d love to have an X-ray machine that looks at the mind and exposes all the lies. They do far more damage than Covid or any other disease. Stay safe everyone!

Sue’s Views

The prophet Habakkuk ….. like many of us had questions for God! Even though he lived 600 years before Christ came ….. his world was very similar to ours. It was full of immorality ….. idolatry ….. injustice ….. and the threat of being taken over by the Babylonians. He basically was asking God ‘What are you doing? Don’t you care?’ God told him that bringing the Babylonians was part of His plan to bring His people to repentance. When Habakkuk saw the vision ….. He was able to see from Gods perspective. His attitude then changed from complaining to sharing a message of faith in a God who was totally in control. His famous song ‘Though the fig tree does not blossom ….. yet will I praise Him’ was born out of this revelation. We are seeing our world today going from bad to worse. I wonder what God will have to do to bring us to our knees. The answer is still ‘The righteous will live by their faith!’

Sue’s Views

The ‘weeping willow’ always reminds me of Psalm 84. 5-7

‘Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! They will grow constantly in strength …..’

We will all go through the ‘valley of weeping’ at some stage. We can use it to make us bitter ….. or better! I remember reading a book many years ago called ‘Don’t Waste Your Sorrows’. They are not there to drown us but to open up a fountain of blessing. Not only for us ….. but also for others. Our sorrows enable us to identify with those around us ….. and of course with Jesus ….. who suffered the greatest grief ever.

A common saying in our bubble lately has been ‘It’s your fault I’m fat!’ (You may be familiar with the tv show that inspired that saying!) We probably all indulge a little in times like these ….. whether it be food ….. Netflix ….. or other comforts. And whilst we should help each other to be healthy and make good decisions ….. the bottom line is ….. we are all responsible for our own choices. Only I can control what goes into my mouth ….. what I watch ….. how I spend my time. There will always be that moment at the crossroads where a decision has to be made. And ultimately I can only say ‘It’s my fault’ if I make the wrong one! 

Sue’s Views

Are you feeling lonely? The current situation across the world has meant that many people are isolated. Being alone and cut off from family and friends can be soul destroying ….. and the days seem endless. But I want to speak to you about the power of one. When one person connects with God ….. they become a force to be reckoned with. The prophets of old were lonely! They were sent to warn people of things to come ….. so they weren’t very popular! But God chose them to speak on His behalf. Many died without seeing any results. But they died ….. knowing they had done what was required of them. You may not be called to be a prophet ….. but you are called to pray! Old or young ….. your prayers will have a tremendous effect on the world. Prayer connects us with the spiritual realm ….. and is unlimited in time and space. You will realise that you are never alone ….. and never insignificant!

Sue’s Views

Feel like you have a mountain to climb? Have you been given a task that seems impossible? Or are you carrying a burden that is too heavy? I just want to encourage you that you are only seeing one side of that mountain. Abraham was given such a task when God told him to sacrifice his only son on Mount Moriah. Can you imagine the arduous climb he had to make? But what he didn’t know was ….. that with each step he took ….. God was leading a ram up the other side of the mountain ….. to get tangled in a thorn bush at the same time Abraham was about to kill Isaac. And God has a ‘ram’ for your situation as well! We can’t see the whole picture ….. but we must trust the One who can!

Sue’s Views

What are some of the things you’ve been up to while in lockdown. Apart from our daily walk ….. I got into some spring cleaning. I’m not the most disciplined person when it comes to housework! I’ve discovered the best way to tackle it is just to start. Once I start a job ….. I want to keep going! So much so that yesterday I was looking for something to do. I tipped out the lego blocks and checked to see if there were any pieces missing! I know! Crazy eh? But I actually found it very fulfilling. Those grandchildren had better not come round and mess it up 😂

Sue’s Views

One of the sad things about being in lockdown is that ‘work in progress’ has come to a standstill. Road works ….. building projects ….. and other such projects are lying idle while willing workers are at home. I personally don’t see why they can’t be continued under current restrictions as it seems to me the perfect time to get these jobs done. However ….. I too ….. am a ‘work in progress’! Frustration and misunderstanding are part of that process. Many times when I want to go ahead ….. God says ‘Wait!’ When I think I have it all sussed ….. He shows me that I know nothing! And like Job ….. I put my hand over my mouth and say ‘I’m talking about things I know nothing about!’ So to all the other ‘works in progress’ out there ….. keep trusting God with all your questions and frustrations. He is doing more in you through this than you know!

Sue’s Views

What a world we live in! For many ….. Covid-19 is the least of their worries. It just adds to the fear and danger of living under the threat of terrorism and natural disasters. Psalm 91 is the perfect antidote and I just want to remind us all what it says. ( NB 91 reverses 19)

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers.

    He will shelter you with his wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday”

Sue’s Views

One thing I love about lockdown is seeing families doing things together. Whether it’s out walking ….. baking ….. or playing games ….. it’s time well spent and building memories. It’s also teaching us all to live a more balanced lifestyle. For those who are working from home ….. it must be challenging ….. but try to balance it with some exercise and fun! It will help make you more productive! Get the kids involved in household chores and meal prep. And try to have a routine! Otherwise the screens will take over! Have a blessed day everyone!