David's blog

We struggle and for a lot of the time we are on our own, seeing disaster rather than help and hope, and when we seek help people are either not understanding or just not interested. Many tell us to stop being so moody and get over it. It leaves us feeling alone and we think something is wrong with us. We ask the question, why is everyone happy and content, and I am not!
Jesus’ disciples went through an experience of struggle. They were on a boat crossing a lake when a great storm occurred and they were left thinking that only disaster will come. Jesus was asleep in the boat after a tiring day.
Finally the disciples woke Jesus. Jesus performed an amazing thing (a miracle) and calmed the storm.
When things get tough for me, I try not to cope on my own but turn to Jesus and ask for help, and help comes.
Is Jesus sleeping in your life, perhaps wake up your interest and see if He can help.
Matthew 8:23-27

Just imagine someone who is interested in us. Someone who will go out of their way to look for us and find us, no matter how bad our situation. Jesus tells us a story like this about God. A shepherd finds out that one of his sheep is missing. So he immediately leaves the rest of the sheep and commits himself to finding the lost sheep. When he finds the sheep he is overjoyed, returns home and holds a big party with his family and friends. Isn’t that a great picture of God, not the kind that is told much these days

One of the observations on whether God exists or not, or whether evolution is correct is whether we have considered both sides carefully weighing up the pros and cons, but more often than not both sides try to discredit each other with so called clever answers, or just a feeling that the others view is not right. Down to the bare bones of the argument we need to ask ourselves, ‘is there some kind of force or being behind the universe, or is it all a cosmic accident?’ Questions arise like on one side, ‘if God exists, does God speak to us on a personal level?’ or on the side if God does not exist, then ‘how do we conduct ourselves, where do we get values?’. We then need to put our trust in our conclusions and live for that.

If we come down on the side of God then we to look at those around us who believe the same. Have they truly found the real God. Is the picture they paint of God a true likeness or not. I believe that this is a big struggle and my own answer is to look at the historical figure of Jesus who was suppose to be God in human form. By comparing Jesus to those around us we soon find whether they are genuine or not.

I challenge you to look again at both sides of the argument, to truly seek answers and not be satisfied with fundamental views of extreme elements who rather tell you their ideology rather than to listen and provide credible answers

The prodigal son choose a life without His father. He asked for what was promised to Him on the death of his father before he died and moved out, far, far away. He chose to live how he pleased and experienced everything in life, especially those things he desired whether or not they were good for him. But then disaster struck and what seemed an endless supply of money came to an end, and a famine hit the land. Finding himself at the bottom he realises what he has lost, not the money but someone who cared and loved him unconditionally. He was never in need when he was around his father, and his father also cared for all those around him. He saw how his father treated and he thought maybe his father would accept him back under these conditions as he had thrown away his inheritance.

Where are you on your journey with God? Do you have a relationship with God? Maybe you are far away, and feel you do not need God. If you lost everything today, where would you turn? Perhaps you could blame God, but why, if you do not have a relationship with him. Why should you expect God to move. But God does not stay distant. He waits for you to return, for a glimpse of hope, and if you make a movement towards God, God will run towards you and embrace you, and lead you to a place of safety. A home where you are accepted and loved. And if you return, there is a big celebration and joy.

Is it time for you to return to God. God is waiting to welcome you home.

What do you think when someone mentions the word Father? You might look back and think of good times, maybe bad or just a father that you never knew.

Thinking of God as a father we must detach what we have experienced with an earthly father. We must think about what the perfect father would be? Maybe strong, always listening, spending time, picks us up when we are low, defending us, etc…

I like the father in the prodigal son. He loves his children unconditionally, allows them to leave, looks out for them, runs to embrace his son when he returns, generous and makes sure that the other son is included.

Does this fit with some of your images of God?