Month: November 2024

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Prodigals

Sue’s Views
There’s one in every family! That one child that always pushes the boundary! You provide a safe and healthy environment for them ….. but they have to find out what’s on the other side of the fence! They often have to find out for themselves. Like the Prodigal Son ….. his father had to let him go knowing full well he would be in for a difficult journey. But he never stopped praying that one day his son would return. In fact he expected it to happen and watched out for his son’s return. So if you have a prodigal son or daughter ….. don’t despair! Praying God’s covering over them is the best way to keep them safe ….. and He knows exactly how and when to bring them home! After lessons are learned ….. you will have a new child!
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Thanksgiving

Sue’s Views

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US. We don’t celebrate it here in NZ ….. but I think it would be a good idea! We might have different reasons to celebrate than the Americans ….. but we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful and safest countries in the world. Of course we can find plenty to gripe about ….. but the whole point of being thankful is to look for the positives ….. and they far outweigh the negatives. In fact ….. everyday should be Thanksgiving Day!


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Hope Beyond Hope

Sue’s Views
One of the most encouraging scriptures is in Romans 4:18
‘Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.’ 
Has God given you a promise? Does it seem impossible right now? Then you are in for a miracle! If God said it ….. He will do it! His promises are ‘yes and amen’. There may seem to be no reason for hope ….. others may tell you to give it up ….. but keep hoping! Through this journey ….. God is producing something far greater than you ever imagined!
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Trust In The Lord

Sue’s Views
If you’re anything like me ….. when you’re going through a challenging time ….. you probably try to imagine all the possible outcomes! However ….. I’m learning that the final outcome is very different to any of my imaginations! My knowledge and understanding of the situation is so limited. When I give it all to God ….. I’m left dumbfounded by His ways and thoughts that are so much higher than mine. 
Proverbs 3:5-6
‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.’
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Pruning

Sue’s Views

The Rose Garden is starting to look beautiful thanks to the much preparation that has been done over the winter months. Pruning is vital to roses. You have to know just where to cut in order to produce the best flowers. We need pruning too! Left ‘unpruned’ ….. we would take on far too much ….. or indulge ourselves in things that would harm us. A good gardener will sacrifice ‘good’ branches to produce the best! So if you are experiencing a bit of pruning in your life ….. don’t despair! The best is yet to come! Image.png

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The Simplicity Of The Gospel

Sue’s Views
When Jesus preached ….. He used illustrations about everyday life. Things the common people and even children could understand. He talked about a farmer sowing seeds in different types of soil ….. a shepherd taking care of his flock and leaving 99 to rescue 1 who was lost ….. and how fruit can only be produced when it’s attached to the vine. Behind these pictures ….. were deep messages about how we are to live. The people following him could understand the deeper meaning just by looking around them. 
We make it so complicated ….. but the message of the Gospel is simple! Jesus is in every one of those stories. He is the Word (the seed) … He is the Good Shepherd ….. and He is the Vine. Our hearts are the different types of soil ….. we are the sheep ….. and we are the branches! If we receive His Word gladly ….. stay close to our Shepherd ….. and remain in the Vine ….. we will produce much fruit!
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Google Maps Or God’s Map?

Sue’s Views
How do you know if you are on the right path? It would be nice if Google Maps could show you the path of life! You could type in where you are now ….. where you want to end up ….. and up would come a map of the whole journey with directions and alternative routes. But life’s not like that! We are only shown the next part of the journey. We don’t know the obstacles we’ll face until we reach them. But one thing we can be sure of is that ….. if our heart’s desire is to do what’s right ….. we can trust God to lead us every step of the way. The quickest and easiest isn’t always the best. He has things to show you ….. and lessons to learn along the way.
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Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude!

Sue’s Views
Walking with God means ….. blooming where you’re planted!  
Being and doing your best ….. no matter the circumstances! Maybe life isn’t working out how you’d hoped ….. people aren’t treating you the way you’d like them to ….. things aren’t changing as fast as you’d prayed. Don’t wait for things to change ….. give your best where you are right now ….. your attitude determines your altitude!
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Truth

Sue’s Views
Our view of the world is very much defined by the culture we were raised in. What is normal to one culture may be offensive to another. However ‘TRUTH’ is truth no matter what culture we belong to. We can either adjust our beliefs to THE TRUTH ….. or else we will adapt the truth to our culture. Every culture is God given and must be founded on His Word which is TRUTH.
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Patience

Sue’s Views
‘Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy for when the way is rough ….. your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow ….. and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom ….. then you will be ready for anything ….. strong in character ….. full and complete.’ (James 1:2-4 TLB) I love how the Bible tells it like it is! Not always what we want to hear ….. but true none the less!
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