On the way…

Sue’s Views

We always hear that Christmas is about family, fellowship and feasting ….. but let me remind you that on that first Christmas, Mary & Joseph were alone ….. ostracised  from family ….. and I doubt there was much of a banquet in the stable. They had fellowship with animals and strangers! So if you are feeling lonely today, you are in great company! Jesus is right there with you. Be blessed!

Sue’s Views

One of the things I love about the story of Christ’s birth ….. is that He came at a time when the world was in darkness. There had been no word from God for 400 years ….. and Israel was under a tyrannical King. There was much despair and hopelessness. No one knew the significance of that night ….. nor the impact a tiny baby would have. Things can change overnight! He is the Hope ….. and the Saviour! He came to deliver and set free the captives ….. to heal the sick and broken ….. and to redeem the sinner! Do you believe in Him? 

Sue’s Views

In the busyness of the season ….. don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! A walk through the rose garden will put things into perspective. It will make you aware that you are part of something much bigger than the things that concern you ….. and therefore you can hand them over to the One who cares more than you do. You may have difficult people or situations to deal with. Even roses have thorns ….. they are part of life. But they don’t allow the thorns to overshadow their beauty.

Sue’s Views

However stressed or pressured you may feel ….. remember to take it one day at a time. Jesus came to bring peace and joy ….. not stress and worry. He came to save us from sin ….. not to lead us into debt and more guilt. He came to show us what the Father is like ….. to demonstrate how we should live ….. and ultimately to die in our place so we could go to Heaven. Let’s keep things in perspective!

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 

One of the major causes of stress is time pressure. When we feel like we have too much to do ….. and too little time to do it! Eccles 3:1 says “There is ….. time for every purpose under heaven”. Ask yourself ….. “Is what I’m doing initiated by God ….. or is it because of other people’s expectations ….. or my inability to say ‘No!’ He is not obligated to bless the stuff He didn’t purpose! Food for thought!

Sue’s Views

One thing I love about the Gardens is that it doesn’t matter what kind of day it is ….. the flowers still bloom. Come rain or shine ….. they just do what they were designed to do. Storms will come! Clouds will block out the sun! But they don’t change who you are or your purpose in life. Don’t let your circumstances determine your mood ….. let your mood determine the circumstances!

Sue’s Views

This tree is commonly known as ‘Angels’ Trumpets’. In the book of Revelation ….. we read about the seven trumpets that will be blown by seven angels ….. each pronouncing a different judgement upon the earth during the Great Tribulation. The attrocities we are seeing daily across our world are a result of people who have turned their backs on God. The fact is that there is a day coming when those who have done so will be judged and severely punished for their disobedience. We are all guilty …..  but God has provided a way for us to avoid that punishment by putting our trust in Jesus Christ ….. who took our punishment Himself. What an amazing act of love and mercy! God is waiting patiently for you to respond because He doesn’t want anyone to die in their sins. Will you do so?

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

When the path you’re on comes to an end ….. you have three options. You can turn round and go back the way you came ….. you can stop and stay where you are ….. or you can create a new path and move forward. The past we were tired of can look pretty good when we’re faced with the unknown. The present can seem a safe and comfortable option because it requires little effort. The future can seem daunting and requires faith and sacrifice. Abraham was a man commended for his faith. He faced those three options. He chose to trust God and gave up everything to obey Him. And guess what ….. he ended up more blessed than ever! How about you?