Brain Fog

Sue’s Views
There are many reasons why things may seem unclear ….. but before you rush off to Specsavers ….. take a step back. Our brains are constantly overloaded with information. This can cause sleeplessness ….. anxiety ….. inadequate diet ….. and health issues. So before you blame it on brain fog ….. baby brain ….. or senior moments ….. take a break! Go for a walk ….. play some restful music ….. or have a nap. Once the mist clears ….. it’s usually a beautiful day!

Perseverance

Sue’s Views
Our frangipani tree has proven once again that the potential from within is stronger than the elements outside. Being a tropical plant ….. it surprised us to see it flowering in June in the New Zealand winter! We usually take it to a warmer position as it gets colder ….. but this year it is getting too big to move so we left it. We can’t always protect ourselves or those we love from harsh circumstances ….. but we can trust that God has given us and them the strength and courage to go through them. It’s the testing of our faith that produces perseverance!

Winter

Sue’s Views
It’s officially the first day of winter. The trees are bare ….. the nights are cold ….. and it gets dark by 6pm. And yet winter is probably the most productive season of all. Where we see barrenness ….. God sees the potential for fruitfulness. In fact He chose women who were unable to conceive to be part of Jesus blood line! When we feel cold ….. He draws us closer to Himself and warms us with His love. When we see darkness ….. He reminds us that He is the Light of the World that dispels all darkness. If you find yourself in a season of barrenness ….. coldness ….. or darkness ….. put your trust in Him. When we come to the end of ourselves ….. God is just beginning!

Trust

Sue’s Views
This has been our church’s verse for the month of May. Why is it so hard to trust God? Because we rely so much on what we see. From our view point ….. things can look pretty messy! We process them through our limited knowledge ….. and our past experience. We therefore limit the possible outcome to what we can understand. But ….. at the same time ….. God is looking at the same situation from His perspective. He sees a complete and beautiful picture. When we let Him into our situation by acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours ….. He will lead us step by step to a place where we can see it too! We walk by faith ….. not by sight.

Potential

Sue’s Views
The past year has been tough! We’ve all been affected in some way. Things we’ve depended on are no longer dependable. Our freedom has been restricted. Things we thought we could control are now beyond our control. But the human spirit doesn’t rely on outward circumstances to thrive. It is able to connect with God’s Spirit and is capable of things beyond our imagination. We were never designed to do our own thing. We were designed for God’s purpose ….. and nothing can stop that but us! So instead of looking at the harsh situation you are in ….. look inside at the potential God has given you ….. and bloom where you are planted!

Perspective

Sue’s Views
Like many of you ….. we stood on our balcony late last night to watch the moon (so romantic)! It was too cold to stay there long but we didn’t want to miss a once in a lifetime experience. As amazing as it was ….. I couldn’t help being even more amazed at the God who put it all in motion! We know the moon has tremendous influence in our world ….. but we are just a dot in comparison to the universe. Sometimes it’s good to get some perspective. I can’t understand how people can think it all just happened by accident! As tiny and seemingly insignificant as we are ….. God chose us to be part of His family! And that makes me feel very special ….. and so are you!

Starting Over

Sue’s Views
This is what you call a bad day at the office! Fortunately no bones were broken ….. but he won’t be making that mistake again! The truth is ….. we learn from our mistakes. We’ve all done some dumb things ….. but they don’t define us. The picture reminds me of another Carpenter who allowed His hands to be pierced with nails so we could be forgiven for our wrong doing. That means we can start over! 

Rejection

Sue’s Views
Have you been rejected by someone you love? Rejection is one of the enemy’s tools to make us feel unworthy and unlovable. It’s roots go deep ….. and it’s effects can last long. The person rejected often feels they are at fault ….. and struggles with their identity. Jesus knew rejection ….. from his own family ….. from people He wanted to help ….. and finally from His Father. He understands and identifies with the rejected. If that’s you ….. talk to Him about it. He overcame rejection and exchanged it for His acceptance on the Cross. If God accepts us ….. who can reject us?

Autumn Cleaning

Sue’s Views

Most of us like to do ‘spring cleaning’ ….. but how about some ‘autumn cleaning’? Those fallen leaves can make our gardens untidy and clog up the gutters. As well as raking up those leaves and making them into compost ….. how about a heart check at the same time. Shake off all the negative thoughts ….. regrets ….. labels ….. unforgiveness ….. doubts ….. and fears. Let them become food for future decisions ….. and lessons learned. Don’t let them clog your heart and mind. A new season is coming! 

Trust

Sue’s Views
One of the problems with us humans is that we like to be in control! When we are facing a problem ….. we have to try to solve it. But the material we have to work with is limited. The writer of Ecclesiastes ….. in trying to explain the issues facing mankind ….. made the mistake of limiting his search to ‘everything under the sun’. But God is not under the sun! He created the sun and is therefore far above the sun ….. the moon and the stars. His knowledge and wisdom is far greater than our little minds can fathom. His ways are higher than ours. You can trust Him! He cares far more about your problem than you do.