Christian Lifestyle

As a christian I know how I should behave. I know how I should think and how I should respond in certain situations. I also know how I often let myself down by responding in ways that could be described as 'inappropriate' and would be more suited to the gutter.

Does that make me a bad christian? Fortunately Jesus died to forgive all my wrongdoing, not just once or twice but forever. There is no such thing as a bad christian. Because of the work He does in us, we grow, we are NOT instantly made perfect. We are still human, a fact He well understands.

I curse and hate myself when I feel I have let Him (and me) down. But it is a strange Truth that He would rather have as a friend someone who acknowledges their humanity, complete with failings and mistakes, than someone who makes no mistakes and is 'perfect'.

Being 'not good enough' makes you perfect for the Kingdom of God. Don't hate yourself, He doesnt hate you.

But remember to show others the love and grace you know He shows you.

For those who have been affected by the awful floods recently you have my heart felt sympathy and I hope you get sorted out soon. I do know what the loss of 'our homes' is like. 'Our home' is so much more than the bricks and mortar. It is all the little mementoes, the photo albums, the personal videos, the old records and tapes. We can always replace the equipment, the fabrics, the decor, but the mementoes of life cannot be replaced.

There are those that will blame 'God' for these bad weather conditions, and I briefly want to consider whether this is justified or not.

Q. Could God have stopped the rain?
A. God, has power over everything, so yes, he could have stopped/changed the bad weather.

Q. Why Didint He?
A. Why should He?

Q. Because He supposedly loves us all?
A. But you dont love him back, in fact you give Him very little consideration at all, if ever.

I dont necessarily think the rain's were 'from' God. Sure it is down to nature and no doubt He could have stopped them, but He uses the individual experiences for His own purposes in situations like this.

Q. So what is God saying to those of us who got flooded out of our homes?
A. If He is saying anything to us it is this: You have relied upon, and put your security in, bricks and mortar. You have surrounded yourself with your possessions and comforts, and in just a brief moment in time you have lost it all. But whether the rains come, the winds blow, or the sun burns bright, I am the only true security in life. I am the only real comfort in life. Whether weather, or war, I am still the same. I am always there, loving, caring, and providing for those who love me.

Q. So what about the Christians who got flooded out?
A. As Christians our persepective is different. Because we know the love and security of our Father in heaven, we rely on that. Sometimes God will use adverse circumstances to bring our focus back to Him, or to reinforce our trust in Him. But possessions and comforts should mean nothing to Christians, they are temporal. Our perspective is focussed on something more eternal.

If you have been affected by the floods, I hope and pray that you will get back to 'normal' soon. I also hope that in the midst of your own personal crisis you will discover the God who loves you, and put your hope, security and trust in Him.

I expect I will write something more meaningful and thought out about this later, but for now - before I forget, I offer you this thought.

My new flat is about 1/3rd the size of where we used to live.

This has meant a major clear out of clutter and important stuff like mementoes and hobby stuff.

Some of the 'stuff' disposed off has been important to me (of course this goes for the missus too). My entire collection of clowns (348 of them) has gone. My model making stuff has gone. My missus's collection of cuddly toys has gone. Almost every area of life has been affected.

Sometimes God does this to us too. In actual fact, I suspect God is behind my 'clear-out'.
It is a painful process but is important. Remove the stuff that slips into life and comes between us and God. Clear the horizons, so to speak, in order to see Him more clearly.

Personally I would prefer a clearer view of God than allowing Him to slip into obscurity, in my life, behind all the clutter.