I believe that God is all powerful and He is the epitome of love.  He wants us to get to know Him because He alone can turn our lives around and secure us a place in Heaven, if we realize that we desperately need to be forgiven for our innate selfishness.

If we don’t even believe that God exists why would we ask Him to help us. If we think that life is easy and fun why would we bother to find out who Jesus is? Certainly in Southern California where the sun shines constantly and the beach and the mountains provide beautiful places to escape to, many people may think that they are already in  Heaven..

Today’s San Diego Tribune online described how many people had drifted away from faith:

Loss of faith attributed to spiritual drift

Study explores reasons people change religion
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
“More Americans have given up their faith or changed religions because of a gradual spiritual drift than switched because of a disillusionment over their churches’ policies, according to a study released yesterday.”

My hope is that the swine flu may halt that spiritual drift.  Drifting into a lifestyle where Jesus does not feature may seem a good idea when life is easy. It may be fun to spend the day at the beach or watching sport, but neither will really help us if our loved ones become fatally ill. If this threat of swine flu wakes us up spiritually and encourages us to trust Jesus, that would not only help us cope with the possibility of swine flu,  it would give us a reason to feel confident about future crises and the ultimate challenge: death.

Please do not panic about the threat of swine flu. Instead, I would like to encourage you to put your life and the lives of your loved ones in Jesus’  hands. A verse in the Bible tells us who He is: “He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; He alone is God.” (1 Timothy: 1:17) Life has many challenges. Jesus is bigger than your problems. He rose from the dead and He is alive although we cannot see Him. I do hope that you will find out about Him in the Bible, find a good church or email me. Jesus is much bigger than swine flu.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Swine Flu: Should we Panic or Trust God?

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One of the dangers of money is that it can give us a false sense of security, lulling us into a reassuring state that we are in control and that we have the power to do what we like so long as we can afford it. I feel very sorry for those who have lost a lot of money in the recent stock market crash. We have not because most of our assets are in our home, but that has also gone down in value and so has our business….Our financial shock started a few years ago and it absorbed much of our thoughts and time. It took away our power, our status and a sense of control.

Of course we never really had much power or control anyway but the perception can be reassuring. The Bible warns us of assuming too much: “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16)

Our financial situation is more threatening now than when we first experienced a downturn in our personal finances. However, it seems so much better because we no longer expect to be in control. Martyn and I worry less and pray more and Jesus gives us encouragement and reassurance. Recently our van “died”. Martyn suggested that we should pray and soon after a good friend gave us one of his cars. It had belonged to his wife who had died a year ago and he very kindly offered it to us. Meanwhile, the talented Welsh man who has been working on our roof applied his technical skills to our van. He managed to salvage it and now that California has re-introduced the scheme to pay money to car owners whose cars fail the smog test, we will now receive $1,000 dollars for the vehicle. A few weeks later, I was handed a $100.00 visa card at church. Minutes before I had told a friend that we were enjoying an opportunity for kids to find out mote about the Bible in our home, but feeding teenage boys regularly could be expensive. The gift was perfectly timed and was a reassurance that Jesus understands and cares about what we are doing. I believe that the givers will be blessed for they are significantly involved in God’s work.

At different times in our lives we may have much or little money, but it is important that we do not let it, or other concerns, dominate our thoughts, words and actions. I can say with confidence that Jesus will take care of us. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that Jesus can very competently deal with our worries: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all that he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything that we can understand.” This does not mean that we complain at God but rather that we should trust Him with the outcome with a thankful and faithful heart.

Unless we re-focus our lives and yield control to Jesus, we are in danger of looking like the seeds in the parable about the sower (Matthew 13) that started to grow but they were choked by the thorns. Verse 22 explains that “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Isn’t it ironic that stressing about life’s worries and pursuing wealth as a life goal can actually prevent us from being fruitful as Christians. In fact these people, along with those who give up as a result of persecution (verse 21and blog post: “Christians should expect persecution“) are in danger of falling away completely. They may earn lots of money but in the end this will not solve the eternal issues of life and death and peace, and our need for the wonderful presence of Jesus in our lives. Let’s not crowd out Jesus with other distractions.

In answer to the question “Could money worries be fatal?”, the answer is yes. Not only are we more likely to suffer an early heart attack but also a preoccupation with money can prevent us worshiping the one who can give us everlasting life. This would be fatal.

Christian Women Respond: trust Jesus completely whether you do or don’t have much money.

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Could money worries be fatal?

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Isn’t it a tragedy that many men and women are living miserable lives, refusing to listen to Jesus and failing to receive the healing that He wants to offer us. We must challenge ourselves to consider whether we are really giving Jesus our full attention and receiving the healing that we need. Stubbornly refusing to pay attention to Jesus is like a foolish person refusing to go to the doctor when he is hardly able to breathe. Jesus offers much more than an inhaler to help an asthma sufferer breathe. He offers life in its fullness as well as eternal life, for Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.”

Some people do listen temporarily to Jesus’ words, but not for long enough to receive long lasting benefit. Many of us are a bit like the patient who goes once to the doctor but does not actually take the medicine or return for future treatment. We can’t really blame the physician when we remain sick and neither can we blame Jesus if we do not allow Him to help us.

In Jesus’ parable some of the seed fell on “rocky places where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.”( Matthew 13:5-6). Jesus explains in verses 20-21 that this type of person hears God’s Word ‘with joy’ to start with but this is short lived for,”As he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

This is a real wake up call isn’t it? The church in the west has got used to having it easy. Typically, many Christians do not see the need to immerse themselves in the Bible because they enjoy a superficial awareness of Jesus. Sadly many pastors do not challenge their congregations to dig deep and to become mature Christians. Rather than expecting to be tested and challenged by difficult circumstances, many people who have a shallow belief in God, give up the moment they face difficulty. James wants us to expect trials and to rejoice in the maturity and strengthened faith that result from facing such challenges with Jesus: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1: 2-4)

It is essential that we realize that Christians must expect persecution in the same way that soldiers expect to be attacked. When we tell others the good news about Jesus (“sowing the seed”), we must not adapt the message to make it more acceptable. This might make us more popular but it would stop people discovering the only truth that can set them free. If we do not teach about sin and Hell, non Christians will not realize why they need Jesus’ offer of salvation. Christians are to suffer, and if we seek God’s help throughout the trial, our faith will become more mature and Christ like. Christians will be persecuted for their faith, just like Jesus was.

It is unpopular to teach that Jesus is the only way, and proclaiming a more tolerant message would lead to less opposition. However avoiding teaching the truth would lead to significant disappointment one day. Our goal must be to share the good news about Jesus and the bad news about our sinful state, irrespective of others’ responses. We need to explain that Jesus offers the only way to escape the eternal punishment that we deserve, and the only way to get to Heaven: a destination that so many look forward to. Instead of giving up, Paul describes how he and his companions respond to hunger and brutal persecution in 1 Corinthians 11-12: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it: when we are slandered, we answer kindly.”

Jesus will bless those who suffer or who are persecuted for His sake. We must not harden our hearts or give up the moment trouble or persecution challenge us, like a seedling that shrivels in the sun because it has so little root or depth. If you are experiencing opposition for being a Christian you are probably doing a good job of presenting Christ. Keep going, dig deeper into the Bible and persevere because Jesus loves you and your rewards in Heaven will be great. Our lives must not be about pain avoidance or seeking popularity now. “Now” is short lived but eternity is forever and our focus must be on pleasing the eternal king: Jesus.

www.WomenRespond.com

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Christians should expect persecution

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Abortion, in my opinion, is also a terrible tragedy that is ongoing. Sadly it is not a past atrocity like the concentration camps designed by the Nazis to destroy those they considered sub-human, notably the Jews. They killed about 4 million within a few years. There are approximately 4 million births in the US and at least 1.3 million abortions annually. 1.3 million is a huge number and should get our attention now.

When I was 16 and studying French at school, the French assistant was selling badges with the words, “A woman’s right to choose.” Of course as a young woman this seemed very reasonable and, typically, as a British teenager I had not heard much about abortion. I pinned the badge on my sweater and within minutes a Catholic friend asked me what on earth I was doing. He explained that abortion was not the removal of a small piece of tissue from a woman’s body but rather the killing of a baby created by God.

I am aware that there are many women who have had abortions in their past who are still suffering the pain of a decision that dramatically affected the fate of their child. Jesus offers forgiveness and in every church women should be available to offer the support and compassion to those suffering from post abortion trauma . The Christian counsel must also make it clear that abortion is a sin and repentance is necessary.

Failing to address abortion is not helpful. Parents and kids need to be aware of the pain suffered during an abortion for both the mother and baby. Teenage pregnancy is not fixed quickly and easily by an abortion. “…and still they weep” is a book written by Melanie Symonds, illustrating personal stories of women who have experienced abortion. Their grief affected their lives dramatically and in many cases the women who tell their stories wish that they had been aware of facts before making the fateful decision. Grace was confused when she had a miscarriage years after the abortion. The doctor told her that the baby had stopped growing at 12 weeks. She wondered how he could tell the age of the baby when her mom had told her that a baby was not alive until the quickening at about 20 weeks.

Better health education today hopefully informs teenagers that babies in the womb are not just pieces of flesh but they are alive from the beginning. By twelve weeks the child is perfectly formed and looks exactly like a tiny baby because that is exactly what he is. A film “The Silent Scream” shows what happens during the abortion of a ten week old infant. As he is torn apart by suction, a scream is clearly visible as the baby reacts. The assumption that such a young baby cannot feel pain is incorrect.

The Bible makes it clear that it is God who is responsible for the creative process of making a child. When I was pregnant I did not even know the sex of my babies. It should not be a surprise that God is responsible for the process: Psalm 139:13-16 declares that “you (God) created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

I can understand how teenagers and mothers can be overwhelmed when they discover that they are pregnant at a difficult or embarrassing time in their lives. I believe that churches should teach clearly the value of human life from a Biblical perspective and the dangers of responding sexually outside marriage. Abstinence should be taught. We must also demonstrate Christ’s forgiveness and reassure women that if one of them becomes pregnant within or outside of marriage, the church members will offer practical support and love to help care for the baby.

There are all sorts of women who have had abortions for many reasons. They may not realize why they have experienced so much depression and a feeling of guilt. We need to help these women experience the love of Jesus and His forgiveness. I believe that we need to respond with love and concern to this societal tragedy. Remaining silent will help nobody.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Abortion: hurting mothers and babies

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Tom & Sian outside Coulter House, University of Chicago

I had the opportunity to visit the college and to enjoy the green and leafy quads; and old buildings, at least by Californian standards. It reminded me of Cambridge and I was pleased that our son could experience such a wonderful college environment.

The students, at least at first glance, seemed academic, authentic and unpretentious. The dean, in his speech during the convocation in the Rockerfeller Chapel ceremony, encouraged me to believe that the goal was not to strive for political correctness but rather to understand opinion and different perspectives through academic inquiry.

The students join different houses where they live and eat. Tom is in Burton Judson which is old and attractive and the “house parents” of his house, Coulter, are grad students and they have a ten month year old. This adds a touch of real life to what is in danger of becoming a detached ivory tower. What is more, the “mother” did an M. Phil at Clare College, Cambridge and she loves books. She told Tom that his love of books meant that he would fit in well.

Mothers have the challenging job of raising kids so that one day they will be able to survive on their own. It seems ironic now that I struggled to leave my baby of a few weeks for a couple of hours with a friend. When Tom was six weeks old I joined a few mothers who had babies and toddlers. There was an eighteen month old “giant” who was shaking his mother’s keys somewhat violently. I felt that my tiny child might be attacked and I held him close.

At four years old Tom started school. I had been a kindergarten teacher in England before he was born and I was appalled to see the boring tasks that he was given to do. I had created games and exciting learning activities for other people’s kids and now I stood back and it hurt. In the evenings I tried to compensate, offering Tom art and teaching him to read the better way, but Tom was still stuck in a dull environment for a whole year. Whenever he was ill I was pleased to have him home with his younger brother and sister so that the nest was complete again.

How have I managed to let go now without too much pain, when in the early days I struggled so much? All those times when I had to let go, I was being pushed closer towards Jesus. I prayed more as I lost control. At the beginning I was meant to be Tom’s constant carer, but I still had to trust that God would protect him when I was not with him. Gradually as a child matures, he has to become more independent and finally, when he is ready to go, there is a sense that pulling him back would be like taping down a bird’s wings so that it could not fly. Martyn (my husband) and I have taught Tom the way to live life, relying on Jesus, through praying and reading the Bible. We have made mistakes and Tom has not always wanted to listen but our hope is that he has heard enough. Our prayers and words will continue to impact Tom’s life but now he will need to rely more on Jesus and his faith will become more of a personal reality.

Once we arrived in Chicago our roles reversed. Tom was in control of the maps and the timetables and he did well.

Chicago at night

His 6ft 1″ height and strong build were reassuring and I had to admit that he provided me with protection. It is only now that I feel ready to open my hands and to let him fly. My encouragement to parents, and to those who have opportunity to influence friends or relatives who have kids, is to trust Jesus, to pray, to model what is good and to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Training is very intentional. Do not just hope for the best but teach what is right and wrong from the Bible, through encouragement and discipline. You would not leave a child to simply walk past a piano if you wanted him to play well. Similarly we should not assume that our children will learn right from wrong without proper instruction. There seems to be so much time spent driving our kids to soccer or music lessons. These can be wonderful for our kids but nothing is more important than sharing God’s truth with them. Let’s go to a good church and let’s talk to our kids about sharing, sin, jealousy, forgiveness, sex, homosexuality, caring for the poor and so on ………. using the Bible to point us all in the right direction. It is never too late to start and if Jesus transforms your life in the process, kids, of any age, will be influenced positively.

May God bless you as you connect the hands of your kids with the almighty God.

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Letting go

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