Category: Sue’s Views

Sue’s Views

One of the things I love about the story of Christ’s birth ….. is that He came at a time when the world was in darkness. There had been no word from God for 400 years ….. and Israel was under a tyrannical King. There was much despair and hopelessness. No one knew the significance of that night ….. nor the impact a tiny baby would have. Things can change overnight! He is the Hope ….. and the Saviour! He came to deliver and set free the captives ….. to heal the sick and broken ….. and to redeem the sinner! Do you believe in Him?

‘The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.’ 2 Peter 3:9

Sue’s Views

During our time of worship yesterday in Church we sang this song. I was overwhelmed as I thought about the reality of those words. As I look back on my 70 years on this earth ….. I can honestly declare them with absolute assurance. Even through the 22 years I didn’t give God a second thought ….. He was faithful. Even in the times I didn’t obey Him ….. He showed me nothing but grace and mercy. And when I didn’t think I needed His help ….. He stood back and allowed me to ‘do it  my way’ until I was sinking. During the hard times ….. He used them to teach me patience and trust. And of course ….. there have been many wonderful blessings along the way. Too many to count! The best part of my journey so far has been getting to know my God more and more intimately ….. and learning to see things through His perspective. The best is yet to come!

Sue’s Views

If you ever doubt how special you are ….. take a look at nature. Everything in nature shows design. No two flowers are the same.  If God took that much effort to make a flower ….. how much more amazing does that make you? Don’t compare yourself with anyone else! You were designed to be you!

Sue’s Views

The two most important rules to live by are to love God ….. and to love people! They are simple ….. but profound. You can’t have one without the other. When you put God first ….. He will fill your heart with compassion and love for others. As you treat others the way you would like to be treated ….. you will discover the heart of God.

Sue’s Views

Emotions can be fickle things! They can change with the weather ….. they can be intense one moment and then subside the next. We sometimes refer to having a love/hate relationship with someone or something. In any relationship ….. we can find things we love and things we don’t love! But love is so much more that a feeling. It’s a choice! The next time you feel that icy ….. prickly feeling creeping over you ….. choose love!

Here’s some great advice from Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

I love how it says ‘If anything …..’! Sometimes we have to look really hard ….. but there is always something to love!

Sue’s Views

Feeling ‘stuck in the mud?’ The water lily has a couple of secrets that we would do well to learn from. Firstly ….. they don’t allow themselves to go ‘under the circumstances’. They just let them roll off so they stay afloat. Secondly ….. they are anchored to the strong foundation from which they receive life giving oxygen. Great advice for us all!

Sue’s Views

As the school year comes to a close ….. parents face the challenge of what to do with their children. One of the best things we can do is to sit down and read with them. It involves time and presence …..which is what they need. It’s too easy to sit them in front of tv ….. or give them a tablet to amuse themselves while we ‘get on’. Half an hour of reading will calm them ….. and teach them to explore their own imagination. It won’t do you any harm either! Make it a focal point each day so they look forward to it!. Op shops are full of books at next to nothing and they can be swapped with other families.

Sue’s Views 

One of the major causes of stress is time pressure. When we feel like we have too much to do ….. and too little time to do it! Eccles 3:1 says “There is ….. time for every purpose under heaven”. Ask yourself ….. “Is what I’m doing initiated by God ….. or is it because of other people’s expectations ….. or my inability to say ‘No!’ He is not obligated to bless the stuff He didn’t purpose! Food for thought!

Sue’s Views

Bridges connect places or people that would otherwise be separated. Whether it’s a river ….. highway ….. or railway track ….. a bridge can overcome isolation and gives access to what’s on the other side. Has something come between you and someone else? An offence maybe ….. or just lack of effort? Do you need to build a bridge? It may just be a text ….. phone call ….. or a card ….. but by reaching out from your side ….. you can bridge the gap between you. Friendships take a lot of work in our busy lifestyle but they are worth the effort.

Sue’s Views

‘To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven’. God sets the timetable and there’s nothing we can do to change it. Imagine if we were in control! Some of us would want to slow things down ….. while others would speed things up! It would be chaos! But God sees the bigger picture. He is never late ….. and never early. Your season will come at just the right time!