Aptiva

There is Dear Reader, an unnatural focus on the "now", with little regard, or so it seems, to the future,beyond this mortal veil. Partly due to the phrase, "misery loves company", many who deny an ultimate being, instead insist this life is all there is, promote their message, unwittingly removing hope from this world. For the follow of Christ, hope is evident. A future awaits, where the horrors of this sinful world will be gone. We recognise this present world as temporary. Yet in this realization, we recognise that even a temporary world can reflect the world to come more that it does. We seek to reveal this coming kingdom, by revealing the coming king. The hope we offer is therefore many leveled, a perfect tomorrow, and a better today. Now Dear Reader, do not misunderstand, follows of the Christ do not just automatically "have a better life" as by the worlds standards. Instead the life they have is redeemed, so what ever the circumstances in which they ...

One definition of prostitution is " One who sells one's abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose." I wonder Dear Reader what causes people to prostitute themselves? For many there is little option, they would desire something different but circumstances do not allow it. For them, our prayers and efforts to remove them from those circumstances should be employed. Yet my question is to those who do have a choice, and yet willingly go down a path unworthy of them. People can prostitute themselves in many ways, from the obvious usage of the word to that of Spiritual Prostitution. All however are seeking some gain by the action. Yet is it worth it?, Prostitution for monetary gain is sad enough, but the prostitution of one's values is the ultimate problem. For to lose one's values is to lose one's self. Thus it may be argued, that despite verbal assent to one code of conduct, actual action in another manner reveals the truth of belief, and thus character o...

There is Dear Reader, an unhealthy emphasis on success within our society today. This is not surprising given that we place our children in a school system which is designed to grade them against themselves and the other students. From a young age winners are praised and given honour, the others encouraged as best they can. As adults this success is marked by money and popularity, and promoted in the media as "the lifestyle" to achieve. Yet the gospel stands against this, Jesus spoke against the worship of money, and the honouring of people whose actions seemed right, but hearts were not. It can be hard on young believers who feel society continues to test them and give them marks, often out of 10 or 100. Yet Jesus offers different marks, based on a differing standard. At this point, many readers may expect the bible to say that the bar is set lower.It isn't. It is set so high none have passed. Jesus demands top marks, perfection in fact. Perfection from sin. A cursory ye...

There is Dear Reader a misunderstanding about Freedom. Often is it seen as the ability to do what I want, yet is this correct? For often the supposed freedom in one area brings unexpected restriction in another. Let me explain. For the rich, who it may be argued have the freedom to buy what they want, they may find this balanced off again a life restricted by, paparazzi, or threat of kidnap, or theft. While those who life in poverty have a freedom from all these things, yet live under constant threat of starvation. Which Dear Reader is better? My point Dear Reader is all perceived freedom comes with boundaries, in this realisation comes a release. The creator of the universe offers freedom to His followers, a freedom found under His rule. If I surrender as a slave to Him, I in turn am free. A paradox to be sure, but true none the less. I have swapped perceived freedom under rules I cannot control, to real freedom under the rules of one who can. Consider Dear Reader, do you know this fr...

There is Dear Reader, an understanding that to believe in a divine being takes faith. Often this faith is expressed as a leap, a jump, from a place of known security, to that of the unknown. This can be caused by many and varied reasons, but ultimately those who have jumped have come to two conclusions. First, that the place they were standing offered a false sense of security, and ultimately offered none. Secondly, that they have confidence that they are leaping into the secure arms of a diving being. Yet as we move from this first to second position, we experience a life filled with unknown. I trust that I will be caught, but as I jump, I have no idea as to what I will encounter on this route. That's the faith coming into play of course. To use a human analogy, as I leap from a burning plane which I know is going to crash, I rely and trust in my parachute, yet as I initially fall, and even when it opens, I do not know what winds, clouds, or other things will buffet my descent. Wi...

Dear Reader, we may find our selves at a low ebb. Our lives have become shrunken, and small. We find the world and his wife have turned against us, and all about is only pain and suffering. It is right and proper to call out to the maker of the universe and ask why? Time and time again the psalmist wrote of their anguish, hurt and pain to the God they assumed cared for them, they held nothing back, they expressed their sorrows and sufferings. Yet within these Psalms, the authors also did one other thing, they placed their sorrows and sufferings in the hands of God, and waited for him to redeem the suffering and use it for His own and our own good. Suffering released, can be redeemed, suffering held tightly too, cannot. Many Dear Reader, ask why, but few then trust to listen for the answer. In your suffering Dear Reader, do you wait upon the Lord?

Dear Reader, too many are in bondage. Some to physical ailments, not of their own making, others to drink, drugs or similar things. Some simply to ways of thinking. We would find it strange to discover one who had a physical ailment unwilling to accept care and cure from those able to offer it. We watch with sadness as many held by drugs will not and sometime cannot call out for help. Yet for those held by ways of thinking, they have a simply resolution, Ask!. If you do not understand something, ask. If any would seek knowledge, and knowledge of God and from God, one merely needs to ask. Yet many are scared, falling to a false sense of pride, or concept of being ridiculed. Yet we must be better than this. Doctors do not mock the sick, and ministers of the word will not abuse those seeking. The desire to add knowledge for the better understanding of God is the highest of motives. Take courage Dear Reader and ask!