Pressure v Stress

Sue’s Views

Are you feeling stressed? Whether it’s exams ….. financial worries ….. relationship problems ….. or just life ….. stress is a major modern day plague. I find with me ….. it’s not so much what’s happening but how I think about it. Anxiety about what might happen is worse than the reality! There’s a difference between stress and pressure. We can expect a certain amount of pressure. Pressure is a good thing. It keeps us moving! Many of us would become stagnant without pressure. Stress on the other hand is when we perceive it as too much. We feel overwhelmed and defeated. That’s when we need help. Reach out to a friend or counsellor who can ask the right questions and help find the root of your stress. 

Armistice Day

Sue’s Views

Today is Armistice Day. It marks the anniversary of an agreement to end World War I. It didn’t actually end the war but it stopped the fighting and began a series of discussions toward permanent peace. Unfortunately there have been many wars since then. Wars between nations ….. religious wars ….. family feuds ….. gang wars. Probably one of the most destructive is the war that goes on inside a person ….. the Battle of the Mind. The enemy is unseen ….. but powerful. He causes us to be so self focussed that we have no energy for anything or anyone else. He feeds us with lies that perpetuate the battle ….. and blind us to the truth. It’s time to call a truce! A truce requires a mediator who can bring the opposing sides together. Jesus Christ is our mediator! He is the Prince of Peace who defeated the foe by dying on a cross and rising again. Lay down your weapons of self protection and hatred ….. and put your trust in Him. He will fight your battles so you don’t have to! 

It’s Not Over!

Sue’s Views

When it seems all is lost ….. it’s an opportunity for a miracle! When we see death ….. God sees life. When we see hopelessness ….. He says ‘trust me!’ When we think it’s too late ….. God says ‘It’s just beginning!’ In fact ….. He delights in waiting till it seems impossible. Then He breathes His supernatural power and life into a situation and turns it around. That way ….. He gets all the glory! And we are left in awe. It’s not over until He says so. 

Holiday at Home

Sue’s Views
A tropical holiday would be nice about now! I’m sure many of us would love to jump on a plane and go somewhere peaceful but ….. of course ….. that’s not going to happen. We can though find peace and joy wherever we are. It starts with a thankful heart ….. and by focussing on the good things we have.  A roof over our heads ….. food on the table ….. healthy bodies ….. family and friends ….. an income. Holidays only last for a short time. Peace and joy last forever!

Clean Up Time

Sue’s Views
Judging by what’s going on in the world ….. it is definitely ‘clean up’ time! Corruption ….. rebellion ….. cheating ….. lying ….. to mention just a few. It’s easy for us to point the finger and play the blame game ….. but it’s in all of us! The change has to start with me! Try asking God ‘Is there anything in my life you are not happy about?’ Listen to what He tells you and stop. Repentance is being sorry enough to change. Don’t compare yourself to others and say ‘I’m not that bad!’ God’s standard is perfection ….. and we’ve all fallen short. That’s why Jesus came as our substitute. He lived a perfect life and paid our penalty so we wouldn’t have to. Christ in us is the hope of change!

Child of God

Sue’s Views
Mothers have so many roles ….. they can easily lose their identity! They are often referred to as someone’s mother ….. wife ….. sister ….. friend. But before all that you are God’s precious daughter! Whenever you feel like you don’t belong ….. or feel you are not valued ….. or even question who you are ….. remember you began in God’s heart! He lovingly and uniquely designed you. You are the only ‘you’ on the planet. He gave you your identity. He is proud to call you His daughter ….. and so are we! Happy Birthday Gemma Wilson Tekoronga! You are loved! Thinking of you today ….. Ma & Pa 🥰

God is All Powerful

Sue’s Views

The most powerful people on earth ….. presidents ….. prime ministers ….. kings and queens ….. terrorists ….. the wealthy ….. the most educated ….. are no match for the God who gave them the ability to get where they are. Their power is limited ….. but His is without bounds. They can only work with what they have ….. He is still creating out of nothing. He makes crooked things straight ….. rivers in the desert ….. pathways through seas. He can move mountains ….. heal bodies ….. restore minds ….. and raise the dead to life! Don’t make the mistake of thinking He no longer exists. He is very much at work in everything that is happening on the planet! 

God Hears!

Sue’s Views
It can sometimes feel like the heavens are made of brass! Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and go no further. But the truth is ….. God does hear all our prayers! If there is a hindrance ….. it’s on our part. Unconfessed sin ….. unforgiveness ….. unbelief are possible barriers. But when we come boldly and in faith ….. we can be sure He not only hears but answers. His timing is not always ours ….. but it is always perfect!

Jesus Loves Rewa

Sue’s Views
Something amazing happened in our community last night. The local board asked the local churches to join them in a prayer vigil for Manurewa. In recent months there have been some serious crimes in our community. Churches ….. councillors ….. police ….. and community workers came together in recognition of our need for God if things are to change. And change it will! But only as we return to His ways. We ended the night with our amazing National Anthem and The Kiwi version of ‘The Blessing’. A huge thanks to all who worked so hard to make this happen.

Water Lillies

Sue’s Views
Water lillies can teach us some wonderful lessons. Even though their roots are at the bottom of the pond ….. they always rise to the top and float above the water. They make use of the nutrients from the mud to blossom and beautify their environment. Sometimes ….. we can be ashamed of our roots. Maybe we come from a dysfunctional family. Maybe we have roots of rejection or feel unwanted. Maybe we are uneducated ….. or maybe we have made mistakes in the past. We can let that drag us down or ….. like the water lilies ….. we can use it to make us rise to the top.