“Is everything sad going to come untrue?” (Sam Gamgee to Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings) “[Some mortals] say of some temporal suffering, “No future bliss can make up for it,” not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory.” (C.S. Lewis) There are words that do… Continue reading Untrue
Author: Blueskiesandlollipops
Shaken not stirred
There has been a lot of shaking happening in New Zealand at the moment. Last week a large earthquake occurred in the South Island. The aftershocks and tremors of which are still happening. The damage to the land and to people's homes and livelihoods is severe. The landscape is forever altered. In our lives there are occurrences,… Continue reading Shaken not stirred
How is your heart?
"Haal-e shoma chetoreh?" In Persian one asks another "Haal-e shoma chetoreh?" It's like our version of "how are you doing?" In fact it's better than that. Translated, it is actually asking about the transient state of one's heart. In other words "how is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?" How is your… Continue reading How is your heart?
Sacrifice. Praise.
Sacrifice. Praise. Two words that seem mutually exclusive. Two words that don't belong together. Praise is like the woohoo of your day, an overflow of happy. It's exuberant, joyful. Sacrifice - well that is something that comes at a cost. It's pain, grief, hurt. Surely sacrifice and praise don't belong together? Yet we find in Hebrews just that. Praise… Continue reading Sacrifice. Praise.
A Life Upside Down
First Leicester City won the Football Premier League in England. The Chicago Cubs then won the World League series after a 100 year drought. Then after 111 years of silence Ireland stormed to victory against the All Blacks. 2016 has also been the year that no one saw of Brexit and Trump for President of the United States.… Continue reading A Life Upside Down
Bold Faith, Quiet Trust
"Bold faith stands on the shoulders of quiet trust." (Bill Johnson) Faith is not knowing what the future holds, what the outcome will be, but knowing and trusting in our God. We can be bold in our faith when we trust in God. When we trust in His character, His goodness and His love for us.… Continue reading Bold Faith, Quiet Trust
Why?
Why would I fear the future? For I am being pursued only by your goodness and unfailing love. (Psalm 23:6 Passion Translation)
Fear Not!
Sometimes staring down the road to the future can fill you with trepidation. As we watch world history playing out, as we ourselves face certain challenges, fear can grip us, terrify us and seek to overcome us. To fear it seems is part of our human nature, an unavoidable reaction or response. Yet God reminds us, urges… Continue reading Fear Not!
Those words mean nothing…
Recently we told our boys that our little one has down syndrome. We explained what it meant and told them that while he would be able to do everything that they can do, it might take him a little longer and be harder to learn how to. We waited for the reactions. We wondered what impact that this would have.… Continue reading Those words mean nothing…
Without Borders
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders Let me walk upon the waters Wherever You would call me Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Saviour Trust without borders. Dare we? Dare we remove the limits to our faith?… Continue reading Without Borders