Month: September 2022

Sues Views

As I was writing in my journal this morning ….. I decided to take a look at this time last year. We were in lockdown ….. lots of anxiety ….. unable to see our family. It almost seems like a blur now! But reading about it helps me realise how far I’ve come ….. and it’s a reminder of what God has brought me through. Some days ….. it seems there’s hardly anything to write about. The same old routine ….. what we had for dinner etc. But reading a year later ….. it stirs memories and emotions I’d completely forgotten about. Did you know God keeps a journal a out you as well?

In Psalm 139:16 it says:

“You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!”

Sue’s Views

Another faithful servant of the Lord has gone home! As very young Christians ….. Frank and I read the book God’s Smuggler. It’s the story of how this man ….. known as Brother Andrew ….. smuggled Bibles into Communist countries. He would roll up to the border with a boot full of Bibles and pray, ‘Lord, I know You can make blind eyes see ….. but I ask you now to make seeing eyes blind!’ The guards would open the boot and rummage through without seeing the Bibles! Through his faith and dedication ….. thousands were able to own and read the Word of God! They valued it so much that they would rip out pages to share with others! It inspired us to get involved with the Open Doors Ministry. I’m sure there will be multitudes in Heaven who will welcome him and say, ‘I’m here because of you!’ Well done, good and faithful servant!

Sue’s Views

I had a great time with these guys last night! Lots of activity ….. creativity ….. cuteness ….. and laughter. Of course there were a few squabbles as well! During our prayer time before bed ….. I asked them ‘What does Jesus say about how we should treat other people?’ They all shared their answers ….. ‘be kind’ ….. ‘be loving’ ….. ‘be helpful’ etc. Then I asked them ‘Have you said or done anything today that Jesus wouldn’t be happy about?’ That lead us (yes me included!) into a prayer time of confession ….. repentance ….. and forgiveness! It really is that simple! Imagine if everyone in the world was to ask that question and followed through on what they hear. All God requires is that we acknowledge what we’ve done ….. confess it ….. ask for forgiveness ….. and do a u turn! Even a child can understand that!

Sue’s Views

I remember my parents ….. as they approached their 80s ….. saying ‘ We don’t feel like we belong in this world anymore!’ This is a couple who lived through WWII and the Great Depression ….. and yet they felt like strangers in a world of increasing technology and declining morality.

We can all feel like that at times. As though the world has turned upside down and is unrecognisable. But you may be the only one that is the right way up in someone else’s ‘upside down’ world! Don’t lose heart ….. and don’t feel like you have to change to suit what feels like the majority. This world needs people who are founded and rooted in truth. Who have stood firm through the challenges life brings. Hold fast to what you know to be true without wavering!

Sue’s Views 

Today has been declared a public holiday to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II in NZ. Her ledger stone is very simple ….. with just her name and the names of her parents and husband. Just one week since her funeral ….. for most people ….. life goes on. The fact is ….. our time here on earth is short. Once we are gone ….. life will go on. It’s how we live the time allotted to us that counts. It’s not about how famous ….. wealthy ….. or charismatic we are. It’s about the investment we make into the lives of others. Queen Elizabeth knew that she couldn’t take her jewels ….. palaces ….. or gowns with her. But she has swapped her crown for the crown of life which will last for all eternity! 

“But we must each be careful how we build, because Christ is the only foundation. Whatever we build on this foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Then everyone will find out if we have used gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw.” 1 Cor 3:10-13

Sue’s Views 

The situation in Ukraine is a great example of what happens when we stand up in unity against the enemy. Six months ago when Putin planned a takeover ….. he probably thought it would be a walk in the park. He didn’t take into consideration the tenacity and passion of a people who were going to fight for what was theirs! It has come at a tremendous cost for both nations. Families have been torn apart ….. homes annihilated ….. young men have given their lives for their country. It reminds me of the constant battle we are in as God’s people. Our enemy, the devil, wants to take over everything that belongs to us. Our families, our homes, our freedoms, our health, our territory! Jesus paid for all this with His life on the Cross. We can’t stand back and allow the devil to take what’s ours. We must fight back and we can only do that when we fight together. Our weapons are our prayers and the Word of God which is ‘sharper than any two edged sword.’ When brothers and sisters stand together in unity ….. God commands a blessing!

Sue’s Views

While watching the Queen’s funeral last night ….. I couldn’t help wondering what it was like for her on the other side. We probably saw the very best of man’s effort. Precision timing ….. perfect execution of an event that was years in the making ….. everything sparkling clean from the streets down to each brass button ….. everyone playing their part with absolute finesse. It was a sight to behold! But as we said our goodbyes ….. my mind kept going to the welcome home she was enjoying. My mind cannot imagine what Heaven’s celebration would be like in comparison. I read somewhere that the Queen was looking forward to casting her crown before the King of Kings! She has been commended for her faithful service here on earth ….. but it was her faithful service to God first and foremost that kept her going. This life is our testing ground for what lies ahead. Thank you, Ma’am, for being such a wonderful example of faith and service.

Sue’s Views

A few highlights from the weekend. We celebrated Judah’s rugby prize giving. Great effort on the field ….. but before we went ….. I found him doing some great work off the field as well! I love how the coaches are intent on building character and teamwork as well as rugby skills. Thanks Judah for spreading the cuzzie love!