On the way…

Sue’s Views

This song has been running through my head this morning! It’s called 10,000 reasons! If we were to ‘count our blessings’ ….. I’m sure we would easily find 10,000 reasons to Bless the Lord! Sing along with me!

Chorus

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul, worship His holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul.

I’ll worship Your holy Name.

Verse 1

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;

It’s time to sing Your song again.

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,

Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul, worship His holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul.

I’ll worship Your holy Name.

Verse 2

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,

Your Name is great and Your heart is kind;

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Chorus

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul, worship His holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul.

I’ll worship Your holy Name.

Verse 3

And on that day when my strength is failing,

The end draws near and my time has come;

Still my soul sings Your praise unending,

Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Chorus

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul, worship His holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul.

I’ll worship Your holy Name.

Sue’s Views

I didn’t need to check the weather forecast yesterday! I could see what was coming just by looking out the window. I literally watched this rain cloud move around the region and drop its blessings on various communities. Having just done a load of washing ….. I decided to heed the warning! Jesus told his disciples to watch for 4 signs that would indicate His return to earth. Disasters in the world (wars ….. famine ….. earthquakes etc). Persecution in the church. Distress in the Middle East ….. and signs in the sky! (See Matthew 24 for details) I think we would all agree that most of these signs are already evident. Let’s not be complacent. While we celebrate Jesus birth ….. let’s not forget He is no longer a baby in a manger. He is soon to return and to reign as a victorious King! Come ….. Lord Jesus!

Sue’s Views

As with any family ….. we are all at different ages and stages on our journey. We don’t expect the same results from all our children. God is a fair and understanding Father. He knows our personalities ….. potential ….. and attitudes ….. and judges us accordingly. But He does want us to grow and develop character. These guys produced some amazing cookies! Some were more sophisticated than others but …..  Hey! They all tasted great!

Sue’s Views

We decided to go for a bush walk yesterday due to the intense heat! The bush provided a wonderful canopy of protection and the sound of the running stream was also very refreshing. And then we came to the bottom of the 100 steps! We were tempted to turn round and go back the way we came ….. but decided to throw caution to the wind. I was reminded that my 2 year old grandson had done it and so up we went. (The pic was taken after the climb in case you are wondering!) Anyway ….. the point is ….. when something seems overwhelming …… remember it’s just one step at a time! It doesn’t matter if you need to stop occasionally and take a breath. Eventually ….. you will reach the top ….. and you’ll be stronger for the experience. Now I know how Sir Edmond Hillary felt when he reached the top of Mt Everest!

Sue’s Views

Do you know that the God of the Universe wants to live with you? He wants to be part of your marriage ….. family ….. work ….. in fact everything you do. How does that make you feel? There’s a big difference between having someone visit and having someone move in permanently! We can be on our best behaviour for a limited time. We can clean the house ….. put the clutter in a cupboard and shut the door ….. speak nicely to those around us ….. during a visit. We can forego our selfish pleasures and give attention to the visitor when we know they will soon be leaving. But it’s a different story when they become part of your everyday life. The truth is ….. God already knows about the clutter in the cupboard. He knows about the guilty pleasures you indulge in. He hears the arguments that go on. And He still wants to live with you. He wants to be the very centre of your home. He will bring love peace and joy ….. wisdom and clarity ….. purpose and vision. So why not invite Him in? He is the best house keeper!

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

I’m thinking of our family and loved ones in Fiji and in other parts of the world where democracy seems to have become obsolete! Where it has become difficult to trust our leaders ….. and where things like honesty and integrity have lost their meaning. But ….. remember ….. God sits in Heaven and laughs at their vain attempts to overrule Him! That will never happen! Yes ….. things will be difficult and will probably get worse ….. but let’s keep our eyes and hearts on the One who cares the most for our Nations and people. And the One who has the power to raise up and bring down leaders who mock Him. He is the King of Kings and the Leader of all leaders! Be encouraged!

Psalm 2 says:

‘Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together

    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”’

Sue’s Views

With so much sickness ….. violence ….. and craziness going on around us ….. here’s a reminder of who we are and who our God is! 

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes

    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,

    no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,

    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

Sue’s Views

Yesterday we attended the funeral of a long time friend. Amongst the sadness of the occasion ….. there was much joy in reconnecting with old friends ….. and learning more about the lady who is now enjoying her new home. Death can come so suddenly ….. and can leave the loved ones reeling. Listening to the beautiful tributes ….. I started to wonder what would be said at my funeral! Each day we live is like a building block towards a life that will be remembered. I’d better start living the life I would like to be remembered for! Hmmmmm ……