Temptation

Sue’s Views
Temptation is something we all struggle with but it’s nothing new. Our First Lady Eve was tempted in 3 areas ….. her eyes saw something that looked good ….. her flesh desired it ….. and she believed it would improve her. The devil twisted God’s Word by adding to it ….. subtracting from it ….. and changing it slightly. His methods are still the same! If God says don’t do something ….. it’s for our highest good!

In the Beginning ….. God

Sue’s Views

Everything has a beginning ….. except God! That’s a hard concept to grasp but He has no beginning. He just always was! He created the universe out of nothing! Another challenge for our brains! Men and women have created some amazing things from the wheel to our modern day technology ….. but they always had something to start with. God made the first matter out of which He created the Universe. At first it was formless and empty so He turned the chaos into cosmos with order and boundaries. Then He filled it with life! He filled the heavens with the sun, moon and stars ….. the sea and skies with fish and bird life ….. the dry land with animals and ….. finally with mankind ….. his crowning glory! Many would want to believe it all just happened without any intelligence or design. But our world is full of design. You were designed uniquely and for a purpose. If we didn’t believe that ….. we would live as though we were here by chance or by accident. God formed you in His image ….. and filled you with dreams ….. talents ….. and personality to fulfil His purpose. Your life is precious! 

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Sue’s Views
I started reading the book of Genesis this year. Genesis means the beginning! In this book we find the beginning of everything ….. the universe ….. creation ….. men & women ….. work ….. marriage ….. family ….. and sadly ….. sin! It tells us where we came from ….. and where we are going. What we were created for ….. and what went wrong. But it’s also the beginning of a journey of redemption. It’s the story of a loving Father who sets boundaries for his kids in order to protect them. But they disobey him and reap the consequences. Sound familiar? But the good news is ….. He found a way to bring them back! Everything points to Jesus ….. His own son ….. who took our punishment so we could live. It’s the greatest story ever told!

Blank Canvas

Sue’s Views

The year stretches out before us like a blank canvas! I wonder what the picture will look like at the end! Some of it will depend on us ….. choices we make ….. attitudes we adopt. Some of it will be chosen for us ….. decisions and actions beyond our control. But one thing I know for sure is that ‘the eyes of the Lord are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end.’ Deut 11:11. We need to go forward in faith! 

The Gate of the Year

Sue’s Views
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

This little poem seems appropriate today! I’ve heard many say they can’t wait for 2020 to be over as if a date change will make all the troubles go away. We can’t guarantee that things will get easier in 2021. The truth is they probably won’t. The key to living a successful and joy filled life in the midst of trouble ….. is putting your hand in the Hand of God! If you make one New Years Resolution ….. let it be that one. Thanks to all my FB followers for your friendship and encouragement this year. May you all be blessed with good health ….. and may you grow even stronger in 2021 ❤️ 

The Process

Sue’s Views

How have you changed this year? We don’t always notice the change until we look back. In fact there have probably been times when you’ve felt stuck ….. and we’ve all felt restricted! But like when the caterpillar’s movement becomes halted ….. and his space becomes limited ….. something beautiful is being formed within those limitations. The effort required to break loose gives him the strength for the next part of his journey. And so it will be for you! To all our loved ones in the UK, US, Europe and Oz ….. you will come through this! God be with you in the process! ❤️ 

2021

Sue’s Views
How’s your new year looking so far? Around this time of year ….. we usually start to make our resolutions. Things we want to change ….. things we hope to do more of ….. things we plan to do less of. This year ….. there are also questions we may not have considered before. Will we be able to travel? Will our jobs be secure? Should we take a vaccine? Many of these decisions are out of our hands ….. but they are in God’s hands. He sees the year ahead already from beginning to end. He has promised to be with us. As long as we keep our eyes on Him and walk with Him ….. 2021 will be a great year!

Pause

Sue’s Views

I’m always thankful for this week between Christmas and New Year. It’s a time to recover ….. rest ….. reflect ….. and refocus on the year ahead. There’s no pressure ….. no expectations ….. it’s like someone pressed the pause button! Take some time to process the past year before the ‘play’ button gets pressed again ….. because soon it will be ‘fast forward!’ 

Land of the Long White Cloud

Sue’s Views

We are so blessed to live here in the Land of the Long White Cloud! As we prepare for summer holidays ….. gathering with loved ones ….. and freedom to move around our country ….. let’s remember those in other countries that are in lockdown and facing all that comes with it. But let’s not take our freedom for granted! We’ve worked hard as a nation to be where we are. We cannot let our guard down. Be sensible ….. and thoughtful of others. But first and foremost …..let’s be thankful!
 




Birds

Sue’s Views

Is it just me or has there been more bird life this year? I can understand it happening during lockdown ….. but even now they seem to be more prevalent. Maybe I’m just noticing them more ….. or maybe they are more adventurous and bold since we all stayed at home! Maybe it’s Gods way of reminding us He is still in charge ….. and able to take care of us.