David's blog

You are sinners! How many times do you hear this? In telling people about Jesus this can be the first thing they say. But in this western culture we live, it can be a real turn off. Many people think they lead a good life and feel no need to repent and say sorry. A lot of people have been wronged by others, ‘why should I forgive’ they say. Consumption of things makes people comfortable, and they feel no need for a saviour or a change of a lifestyle, especially something like Christianity that they think is restrictive, too hard and boring.

Why not start with God and the what if question. What if God exists and loves us, looks out for us, cares about us? Isn’t that a better approach. What if we really search out the questions about God, ask questions, and meet God where we are? When Jesus came it was said that he was God dwelling among us, someone who saves us in times of trouble. A friend that cares. If we seek Jesus and get to know him through reading the gospels and praying, we see the things that are good, and we see things that are bad. Recognising the bad we work it out with Jesus, not pressured, wanting to change because we want to rather than being told to do so.

Wanting to get home as soon as possible, he put his foot down on the peddle, driving too fast through the middle of town. Unfortunately for a mother and child who were crossing the road, they did not have a chance, both killed instantly.

How we think we have the right to do as we please. Doing things that are far too risky. We think only of the here and now, and our own personal rights. But the problem is that our actions affect those around us. Unfortunately we are selfish and do not think of others or the laws that govern us. Too many think of others as an inconvenience. But one day it catches up with us, and someones world is turned upside down by our uncaring actions, which results in our own world turned upside down too, and a life left with regrets that the circumstance would be different if we acted in a kinder and gentler way.

Many criticise Christians or those with faith for talking about sin, doing wrong. But sin is a way of looking at ourselves to question our own motives and how we affect the people around us. A route to change for the better. May I today change, and I hope you can take a good honest look at yourself. In doing so we become a blessing to others rather than a curse.

God bless

Where does hope come from? This time of year when it’s dark, gloomy and cold we look for some kind of hope. Christmas is like that, a time to hope and celebrate. A hope for presents, good food, and good company. Maybe a good office party.

The problem is we hope for all kinds of things this time of year but once Christmas is over, it is back to normal and mundane life. We all have a sense of hope for a better life where there is happiness and joy.

Christmas is the celebration of God coming to earth in the flesh in the person of Jesus. Jesus gives us hope not just for one time, but for our time here on earth and for eternity. All we need to do is believe and seek to find out and follow Jesus’ teachings and example. By doing so the hope is for Christmas and beyond.

What is the direction of your life? It is going in the right direction or have you become disillusioned and lost. Put aside your opinion and listen. Jesus brought a new way, a way to live life that benefitted others and ourselves. It cared for the lonely, the hurting, the broken, those that have lost their way and find no satisfaction in the things of this world. So much damage has been done to the way of Jesus, and the people who need it most and are the closest are the ones that are leaving. But when I examine some of these people who do leave are still following the way.

I found myself driving on a roundabout. As I was turning towards my exit, a horn of a car was to be urgently heard, and the man in the passenger seat was making rude gestures at me. Looking back I assumed that the driver thought I was turning into the previous turning and when I did not he was not happy, which continued until I turned into another turning, in which he gave an even more louder blast on his horn.

I reviewed my driving to see if I done anything wrong and asked others how they would do the same manoeuvre, in which they agreed that I did the right thing.

When we are out and about, how do we react to others. Are we being fair, do we allow for others to make mistakes, and do we show mercy when they do fail. Oh how cruel we can be, and we completely upset people who are going about their own business and trying to do the right thing. We all want people to be nice to us, so why are we not like that to others, expecting everyone to fit in with our own faulty rules. We are so sad when when we just think of our own agendas, and lack any kind of empathy and mercy. Surely we long to see positive changes happening in others lives as well as our own. A world where we are all valued and loved. Where there is acceptance, and forgiveness when there is failure and mistakes.

I am far from perfect and hopefully I will think of others and show mercy, that any reaction will be in love and not hate no matter whether I am on the receiving end or the cause.