Lynda's Blog

  Over the years, I have read the Bible through many times, the New Testament more than the old. I have read a chapter, or number of chapters each day, trying to see what God requires of me. I have studied certain books of the Bible in a deeper way with a study guide, which has been helpful and given me a better understanding. I attend a Bible study group which has also been helpful. But the Old Testament has never gripped me, and I often skipped over all the information in Leviticus and Numbers especially. This year, I decided to really study the Old Testament. In January I began with Genesis. I let all the questions come. Some days it takes an hour just to study a few verses; other days I might get a chapter or two read. I spend more time finding the background, or the meaning of a verse on reputable websites than the number of verses read. I make notes in my Bible for reference. I am up to Deuteronomy and am finding a new richness in what I am reading. I read Leviticus and Num...

  Already, we have had many severe weather events this year, many of which were throughout the summer. We all know about the devastating effects of climate change and what it is like to experience these. I find it frustrating that so many Governments throughout the world are slow in doing anything about reducing fossil fuel use (the main contributor to climate change) or are even refusing to do anything about it. The people in their countries suffer just as much as those in other countries. That’s my little grumble today. A week ago, we were waiting for a cyclone to pass over our country. Many communities were still reeling from previous flooding. I prayed frequently that God would reduce the severity and keep people safe, particularly for the city my children live in, and my city. We had very strong winds and rain, but nowhere near what we were expecting. There were, of course, some areas that were severely affected by flooding and landslides, with hundreds of people evacuatin...

  I was thinking about boundaries yesterday. I am so glad that God sets boundaries around us at times. I am finding, as I grow older, that I am still trying to do everything I have always done but struggle with energy and strength. I have tried to let go of a couple of less important things but have stressed over the fact that I cannot seem to keep up with everything else, as I simply run out of gas! As I was praying and thinking about this last night, feeling exhausted after having had a busy day, it came to me that I was feeling peaceful about the things I can no longer do. God has set some boundaries around me and given me peace about those things I was struggling to do and feeling so overwhelmed by. They were important to me for various reasons but letting them go has given me freedom. God doesn’t expect us to be superman (or superwoman), He simply wants us to do what he calls and equips us to do, the rest is just icing. It’s not necessary and He has never called us to feel con...

  This morning, I met with a group of eleven ladies from church, at the local Coffee Club, for morning tea. What a sweet time of fellowship followed. We spent the next hour or so catching up on each other’s lives, discussing spiritual matters, and having a laugh. So precious! I followed this with a regular commitment to lunch with two more friends from our church. These times are precious. As an introvert, I love solitude and indeed crave it at times. However, I do enjoy social contact although I can find it exhausting if there is a great deal of chatter. The Bible tells us not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25) and indeed encourages it for building up, encouraging others, teaching, and fellowship. Attending church is particularly important in the Christian life, and sweet fellowship outside of the church building is also important. This can be the time we share personal struggle and issues, pray for each other, and discuss Biblical revelation. It is can also be a gre...

  International politics are interesting, and we all tend to have very definite opinions on all that is happening. Like me, many readers will be watching the war against Iran, closely. In fact, it has spread to many Middle Eastern countries. In the long-ago past, war in the middle east may not have affected most of the global community, however it now affects everyone. We are about to travel to visit family for the Easter holiday but must think carefully about the fuel situation. There will always be war. Unfortunately, it is not always about good and evil because in every country there are both. In the war against Iran, I have no doubt that good and decent people are dying, not just those who promote evil. As in the West, evil often prevails and ‘good’ are persecuted. Yet, the Bible tells us that not one of us are good (Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:12); only God is truly good. God, as a Holy God can not tolerate the sinfulness of man. However, as a loving God, He made the way clear ...