On the way…

Sue’s Views

I’ve been reminiscing this morning about my life’s journey so far. I’m what’s commonly called ‘an Essex Girl’! I left there when I was six ….. so I didn’t understand what that term implied. Apparently ‘Essex Girls’ are brash ….. unintelligent ….. promiscuous ….. and devoid of taste! I’m so glad I didn’t know that! I’m thankful for the path God has led me on ….. but to all the other ‘Essex Girls’ or whatever you’ve been labelled ….. know this ….. you are made in God’s image ….. and He don’t make no junk! Let’s make being an Essex Girl a thing to be proud of!

Sue’s Views

Much of the Bible can be summed up in the words ‘Hear and Obey!’ There are many voices giving us information ….. and it’s up to us to decide whether or not it’s true. But when God speaks ….. we would be wise to listen. His instructions are based on the fact that He knows everything ….. He wants the best for us ….. He sees dangers we are unaware of. Disobedience has consequences. One of the biggest little words in the Bible is the word ‘if’. ‘If you obey my words ….. you will be blessed!’ ‘If you disobey ….. you will not be blessed!’ Disobedience is removing yourself from God’s protective covering. Don’t be easy game for the enemy!

Sue’s Views 

Words have tremendous power. You can actually change someone by the way you speak to them. A pleasant, kind word is like honey ….. sweet to the soul and healthy to the body. A harsh, critical word can do damage and cause a person to shut down. Think before you speak …..  is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?

Sue’s Views

I don’t know about you ….. but I forget things very easily these days! Maybe it’s because life is so full and our minds are operating on overload most of the time. I don’t want to think it’s because I’m getting older ….. but that too! One thing I’ve found valuable is to keep a journal. Some days I simply write down what I did that day. Other days I take more time to process my thoughts and feelings. One thing God told the Israelites over and over was ‘Don’t forget!’ When you go into the Promised Land and possess houses you didn’t build ….. crops you didn’t plant ….. livestock and riches you didn’t earn ….. don’t forget that everything you have comes from God. When I look back at my journals throughout the years ….. I’m reminded of the many challenges God has brought me and my family through. The many blessings He has loaded us with daily. The lessons learned ….. the growth that has taken place. It all ends up with thanksgiving! If life is tough right now ….. take a moment to remember the One who has brought you through ….. and will continue to do so.

Sue’s Views

What is faith? It’s not wishful thinking ….. or a way to get something you really want. It’s seeing something that God has promised ….. but that doesn’t yet exist. If I can see something ….. I don’t need faith to believe in it! Faith is something that grows ….. like a tree. It starts off as a tiny seed that looks nothing like a tree. But ….. given time ….. it grows into something that brings forth fruit ….. shelter ….. and beauty. Faith is like a muscle that must be exercised in order to strengthen. It also pleases God!

Sue’s Views

God has new territory for us to possess. It may be spiritual territory ….. emotional ….. mental ….. or material ….. but it is most likely occupied at the moment. Opposing forces don’t want you to have it. In order to possess something ….. we first have to dispossess it! Israel didn’t just wander into the Promised Land and take over. They discovered it was occupied by enemies of God and they weren’t going to hand it over easily. God had promised them that they would win the battle ….. but they still had to fight! When we fight in God’s army ….. we are assured of victory. So ….. ‘Be strong and of good courage ….. for the battle belongs to the Lord!’

Sue’s Views

We are so blessed to announce the arrival of grandchild no 12 ….. Kiara Jay ….. a beautiful and much loved granddaughter. God is full of surprises! After a gap of 11 years He decided her three big brothers needed a sister so here she is! There’s something about a newborn baby that gives us new hope. That’s why Jesus gave us the opportunity to be ‘born again’! Not physically obviously ….. but spiritually! By believing in His death ….. burial ….. and resurrection ….. we can experience a new beginning ….. and discover the true purpose we were born for! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Sue’s Views

Do you have unfulfilled dreams? Is there something on the inside of you that makes you dissatisfied with where you’re at? Don’t despair! You are probably where you’re meant to be right now ….. but it’s not where you will end up. That desire within is God given. It enables you to endure on the tough days ….. to push through when it seems impossible ….. and to build strength for the future. Every stage of the journey is vital. Remember ….. you may not yet be where you want to be ….. but you’re not where you used to be. You’re on your way ….. and you’re ok!

Sue’s Views

I’ve come across this ‘quail’ family several times while out walking and they are always together! It’s been said, ‘You can choose your friends ….. but you can’t choose your family.’ That may be true ….. but God chose your family! No matter how difficult or dysfunctional ….. there is a reason why he placed you in your family. Jesus saves ‘households’ so you may be the catalyst for change.

Sue’s Views

This waterwheel relies on the pressure of water to be of any use. Without that ….. it would remain stagnant. Pressure is not always a bad thing! As much as we might like a life free from stress ….. deadlines ….. or expectations of others ….. without those we too would stagnate and become useless. Just as stress training is vital to strengthen muscles ….. so the stresses of life can strengthen our innermost being. They can bring out the fight in us and motivate us to get up and do something. No race was won ….. and no victory gained without pressure. Of course ….. too much pressure can squash us. That’s when we need to adjust the flow by saying ‘no’ ….. or by seeking help.