Connecticut School Killings - a sign of the times

Last Friday news broke across the world of the latest in the wave of violence happening in the world and put Newton, Connecticut on the lips of many people who would have never heard of this small town. The killings of so many small children shocked many people and this tragedy during this Christmas season will have many  people shaken in their faith. Maybe that's what was intended by what ever evil forces they were at play with the timing of this tragic event.

Not so well published was the death of 10 Afghan girls killed by a landmine in Afghanistan over the same weekend.
http://www.voanews.com/content/explosion-kills-ten-afghan-girls/1566267.html

Young lives just as valued by their parents and just as tragic that they were killed by another human being while doing their normal daily activities. Both just as tragic and deserving equal attention for your prayers and thoughts.

I can not for the life of me give any meaning or reason to these deaths as they are far beyond my understanding. Suffice to say that we made this world that we live in and we will need to face the consequences of the decisions that we made. For now, all I can offer is a prayer for comfort for the families of those who have been lost and a prayer that we will actually have the courage to make the hard choices so that this does not happen again.We can only pray for this.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 19:14 

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.-1 John 4:16

And now abide these three – faith – hope – love 1Cor.13:13

I remember you always for these three things:-
your work of faith,
your labour of love,
your patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of God and our Father – amen 1Thess.1:3

God loved you so much, that He sent His Son into the world,
To be the OBJECT of your faith – for you to believe on Him. 

This was not God’s response to the fall – although it embraces that element,
God was not startled or taken by surprise by the happenings in Eden,
God was not forced to take a ‘quick-fix’ avoidance strategy because of man’s sin,
This was planned – in eternity past;
He chose US in Christ – before the foundation of the world. Eph 1:4

This was God’s purpose, before time began :-
The Lamb of God was slain:- from the foundation of the world. Rev.13:8

God had YOU in His heart and thoughts before the earth and time were created,
You specifically – YOU have been the object of His love from eternity past,
– and you are accepted – spotless and without blemish – IN the Son.
– and you will continue as His blessed beloved through time into eternity future.

  

For we walk by faith, not by sight

For we walk by faith, not by sight -2 Corinthians 5:7

I had been planning to send my maid back home for a holiday over the Christmas holidays as per our agreement that she gets a trip back at the end of her 2 year contract. Suddenly this morning we get a call that her son had got into a car accident so that plan went out the window as we had to find a flight out as soon as possible so that she can be with her family.

Sometimes we make plans and schedules which suddenly need to be changed.
We have to have faith that God has a greater plan for us and although there may be great inconvenience and hardship due to the change.

  

You just got to have faith

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

There are some qualities in life that we can afford to be without,
But without faith we are not even able to begin the Christian life,
Without faith we are not in a position to continue the Christian life,
And without faith – without trust, it is impossible to please God. Heb.11:6 

Just like the George Michael song....'Cause I gotta have faith...
When all things are going wrong
And everything seems dark
Things not going right
Friends diving out of sight

What you can't see
Doesn't mean it doesn't exist
What you can't hear 
Doesn't mean someone is not listening

Faith is trusting in what your senses cannot detected
Just that feeling in your heart
You just know
Who's taking care of you

‘My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’- Philippians 4:19

 ‘My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19)


Some people take this promise to an extreme and assume that they can do anything they like without thought. It seems like that type of promise where you can depend on God to provide no matter what you do ...or do not do.

This is not a promise to allow you to do nothing and just be lazy and not take responsibility for your life. No this is a promise that God will provide what you need no matter what the circumstances, no matter how dire things may get. You still need to do your part, plan your life, work hard at what you do and of course keep the faith. This is a partnership that you have to play your part too.

2 Timothy 2:1 A verse of encouragement

2 Timothy 2:1


"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
 

This is such a great and ensuring phrase. As we go about each day with our troubles and fears, we can be assured that the grace of God is always there to provide us strength to carry on and go through what ever trials and task that may be ahead of us.
 
Grace is one thing that is unique to Christians and the concept that brings a unique sense of belonging to something far greater then yourself and what you can accomplish with your own steam.
 
 
 

 
 

A call for help

After a scary moment last week when if seemed like mum's neck was getting worse, God sent an angel in the form of a good doctor who not only administered medicine but also some patient words which hopefully healed the soul as well. Now it seems like great strides in improvement of her health.

In life there are no magical miracles...only the miracles of life that God has granted. It only need us to take a momement to look around and see the miracles that God does every day. From the moment you wake up and take a breath is a miracle in it's self. Give thanks for the simple things for it is in these that you find God's hand.

Age and deterioration of the body

Seems like what ever we do we can never turn back time. Time moves at a constant pace ever relentless, every moving. Watching my mum slowly deteriote is tough and knowing what could be ahead is scary. I have to place my faith in God that he will be there to hold my hand in these tough days to see me true.

I have to give thanks for the daily blessings that she is still mobile and can still handle the basic chores and taking care of herself. Each and every day that she can still move without assistance and has good coherance is a blessing.

A driver called GOD

There is a curve called failure
A loop called confusion
Speed bumps called friends
Caution lights called family
And you will have flats called jobs

But if you have a spare called determination
An engine called perseverance
Insurance called faith
And a driver called GOD
You will make it to a place called success...

(from Everyday is a Saturday)

Thank God for watching over my loved ones

When your loved ones travel
You have no control on what happens
All you have
Is faith in God
To send his angels to watch over them
Every step of the way 
And to bring them safely back
Amen

The poor man called...

"This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."— Psalm 34:6 (NIV)

Thank God for helping me through yesterday
Running late and with a flat tyre
Reaching the post office just as the last post was going out
Waiting in a long queue
When he sent his angel to let me get the package out on time

Lord grant me patience to carry out the things that I need to do
And faith to know that God will take care of me

Make a change

09.09.09 ...time to make a change
Have faith
That God has a plan for me
Jumping into the breech
Knowing that the safety net will be there for me

Blessing in not having to build an Ark...

It has been raining for almost 3 days non stop here and the thought did cross my mind that it may be prudent to start building an ark like Noah!

On the way to my old house, it was pouring down and mum said that she prayed for the rain to stop by the time we got to our destination. In my moment of lack of faith, I was thinking, it's been raining for so many days already, it's not going to stop. Foolish me, sure enough by the time we reached our destination, the sun shone brightly and as if the tap was turned off.

Keeping in mind God's promise that the flood on that scale would not happen again, I felt re-assured that when ever things look bleak, there's always that promise to keep me going. The sun will eventually shine and everything will work out.

Now thats a thought to share....