Don’t even THINK about giving up!
‘We don’t give up and quit.’ 2 Corinthians 4:8 TLB thinking We give up because of these: 1) We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we think it’s better not to try again than risk failing. Don’t spend your life digging up bones! We all have things in our past we would rather forget. […]
Start fresh every day
‘A quick-tempered person does foolish things.’ Proverbs 14:17 NIV FRESH START FRESH START You overslept, the car wouldn’t start, you were late for work, your computer crashed! These things can make you angry, but only if you let them. Solomon said, ‘A quick-tempered person does foolish things,’ so if you fly into a rage, expect […]
Home sweet home
‘I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’ Psalm 23:6 NIV For some of us, the love of God doesn’t feel real. Why is that? Because we have tried to make this earth our home. And as a result, we live with worry and frustration. Only when you have the right view of there will […]
What an insurance policy
‘All the days of my life.’ Psalm 23:6 NKJV Most insurance companies are trustworthy. They will cover you through most of the seasons and adversities of life. But not all insurance companies are that way. In some cases, the moment you make a claim against them, they either hike your premiums through the roof or […]
Navigating life’s losses
‘A time to gain, and a time to lose.’ Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV What else do our children need from us when they’re grieving? 1) Our honesty. They need to know we’re hurting too. When they see you crying, but you tell them, ‘I’m all right,’ they’re confused. They think either you’re not hurting, and tears […]
Navigating life’s losses-children
‘A time to gain, and a time to lose.’ Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV How can we help children navigate life’s losses? 1) Don’t underestimate their capacity for grief. Children are often the ‘forgotten’ grievers. Their pain is real and intense; recognise and validate it. 2) Don’t avoid talking about the loss when they’re present. Excluding them […]
Navigating life’s losses
‘A time to be born, and a time to die.’ Ecclesiastes 3:2 KJV Researchers at the Colorado Institute of Grief offer us this helpful four-stage path to recovery. Stage one – Shock. Our initial response is one of denial and disbelief. ‘I can’t believe this is happening…it’s not real!’ There is a numbing of our […]
Navigating life’s losses
‘A time to gain, and a time to lose.’ Ecclesiastes 3:6 NKJV God’s Word neither ignores nor minimises the painful realities of life. Inevitably, we and our loved ones will experience life’s losses: illness, ageing, death, divorce, disability, loss of independence, unemployment, financial reversals, etc. Today’s culture prepares us for gain, but not for loss; to […]
The Word is a sword
Luke 2 -34:35 The sermon blessed them and said to Mary,the baby’s mother”This child is destined to cause many others to rise. He has been sent as a signh from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many heartswill be revealed. And a sword will piece your very soul” […]
Are you being sifted
‘Satan has asked to sift…you as wheat. But I have prayed…that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:31-32 NIV Jon Walker says, ‘When Jesus told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift…you as wheat”…it raises the question in our minds, Lord, did you have to say […]