Finding Your Support System

I can only imagine going through a divorce without a sound support system by my side. I was fortunate enough to have two parents who had gone through a divorce and could empathize with what I was going through. They understood the pain I was feeling, even though the divorce was inevitable. They stood by my side when I was completely falling apart. They helped me pack up my little apartment and move in to their basement. They helped me while I was getting back on my feet and going back to school. They supported me through thick and thin … Continue reading

How to Handle Disagreements – Part 1

Whether it’s in marriage, friendships, family, church relationships, community organizations or neighbors, disagreements will happen from time to time. The reality is just because we become a Christian doesn’t make us perfect. It doesn’t make those in our marriage, church or neighborhood perfect either. We still have that human nature to contend with Sometimes it is simply that someone has had a bad day, and the pressure has built up as things have gone wrong till finally they snap. Sometimes it is words misunderstood or misheard. Sometimes it’s because one person isn’t listening. This is often caused by one person … Continue reading

Finding Inexpensive Clothes for Slightly Older Kids

From the time we decided that I would leave my full time job and stay home with our first child, I have been practicing ways to save money. But now that our first child is nearly eight years old, there has been one area that has become more difficult: finding good quality clothing for him and cheap or free prices. One of the biggest reductions in costs for us was baby clothes. There is a wealth of great quality and great looking used clothes that could be had at thrift stores, yard sales and from generous friends. It was very … Continue reading

Beware of Sending the Wrong Signals at Church

Recently I saw how easily people can send the wrong signals to others at church. After church we meet together in the hall, verandah s set up with tables and chairs and in the grounds of the church under the shady trees, to share a cup of tea or coffee and talk. This is a valuable time for getting to know people. Sadly, some people don’t take advantage if it. As soon as church is over they are out the door and into their car, giving people no chance to befriend them or get to know them. Another situation I … Continue reading

What’s Most Important with Church Music?

When you’re in charge of church music, the saying ‘you can’t please all the people all the time,’ is never truer. Everyone has an opinion! I remember one woman complaining one song was ‘an awful noise.’ What she meant was the song wasn’t to her taste, even though the truths in it were scriptural. Is it any wonder churches end up splitting over church music? Church music is as varied as the people who attend church. When Queen Angie asked about church music on a forum she got answers that ranged from traditional and bell choirs to jazz or contemporary/pop. … Continue reading

Why Should You Leave a Church?

On my last blog I suggested there are times when we should leave a church – if the church and its leaders are not faithful in the teaching of God’s Word and do not accept basic tenets of the Christian faith. These basic tenets include: Jesus is the Son of God who came in Human form Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. The bodily resurrection of Jesus. I was brought up in Anglican churches which regularly said the Nicene Creed. They are the tenets of faith. By saying them we agree that we believe … Continue reading

When Should You Leave a Church?

The other day we looked at the impossibility of finding a perfect church. In that blog and another one I suggested what to me, are the essential points to look for in a church. But when should you leave a church and move on to look for another spiritual home? It is a problem we have come up against several times in our lives. In our home bible study group we’ve been studying John’s letters. Last week we looked at 2 John and John’s love for those who were ‘walking in truth’ verse 4, as some in the church were. … Continue reading

Are You Looking for the Perfect Church?

Are you looking for the perfect church? You won’t find it. At least not this side of heaven. Why? Because the church is made up of people- each of us with our idiosyncrasies, personality traits and foibles. In any church there will be people who will grate on you. Similarly you might annoy them. There will be people you will have difficulty getting alongside and working with you because of personality clashes and differences. At this point you can one of several options. You can leave the church and look for another one. But of course it won’t be perfect … Continue reading

Why Am I Here? – Part 2

In my last blog we looked at one of the reasons, why we are in a certain place. We are in the place where we are because it is where God has brought us to. That can also mean God takes us into difficult places or situations. While I believe it is important to pray for others living in the place where we are, there is another reason God has us in that place. ‘God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him,’ Acts 17:27. So sometimes God puts us in … Continue reading

Finding the Right Church – Part 2

Yesterday I started a blog about criteria for finding the right church -what it should be like. This is for us how it worked out in practice. When I left you yesterday, my husband and I had just walked into a church in an area where we thought we might possibly move to. It wasn’t the only area we were considering but one of several that we could afford. I found it daunting walking into a new church, where we knew no-one. But God provided. We were warmly welcomed by several people. We sat down. One of the first songs … Continue reading