The real world

This is for those who think I don't live in the real world.
I've had a lot of pain too over the years, but I don't allow myself to get bitter or twisted about it. Why go through life angry at others, God or even yourself? We live once on this planet, and not for long at that!
People think that those who have a faith in God are living in cuckoo land, or are out of touch with reality, whereas in reality I'm more in touch with humanity than many of you outside of Christianity.
When did you last love your neighbour as yourself? Would you be willing to give up everything for what you believe is true?
I don't know. Because I don't know you, but then again you don't know me. You make assumptions on what you think you know about Christians, yet you are viewing me through eyes that are seeing only a small glimpse into who I really am.
I have read your comments, and I don't blame or judge you for your thoughts; you have a choice and you bring your thoughts to me and I don't mind. I'm not going to run away and get upset about it. One thing though I would ask, if you are so sure you are right, why do you speak but not allow an answer?
I want to debate these things with you, hear your point of view and give you the same freedom I want in expressing my view too. Everything I say is backed up with evidence, not just my word, but many who know me will tell you the same. But what proof do you have God doesn't exist? I look forward to a conversation with you, one that is not you having your say and hiding away so I don't know you, but one where as fellow humans on this earth , we can discuss in a manner where we all have our say.

Why the journey?

Some people have asked me, Why go to the other side of the world to study? Why not study in the UK?
Well to answer this question I have to take you back around 50 years.
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be in New Zealand. It's though I was born in the wrong country.I know some people will think this is strange, but that's OK. All I know is that when I left the UK, I felt like I was 'coming home.' It was a great feeling to land on New Zealand soil.
This journey as I said goes back a lot of years. When God is part of your life He makes a way for His purpose for your life to come to pass.
I met Jesus in March 1980 while just sitting doing nothing in particular at home. He entered my life and caused a massive change. Change in attitude, lifestyle and a love for others in this world of ours.
How do I know it was God? Because I suddenly wanted to build a personal relationship with Him to know Him more. I had heard about God during Sunday school classes when I was a child, but now I was 22 years old; married with two children. Yet something was missing from my life. I now know that the missing piece was Jesus.
Each one of us has a missing link in life which we try to fill with drink, drugs, sex or anything which makes us 'feel good.' The problem with this lifestyle is that we are never really satisfied. There's always something else we want to move on to, because we get bored, or we come to our senses and see things for what they are; temporary fixes with no value or depth.
As I look back over my journey, I can say with deep conviction that the Lord has never let me down; He's never been boring, in fact the opposite, He has given me a life of excitement and purpose.

I hope to be honest in what I share giving you the good and the bad sides of life, plus I will endeavour to add humour and sadness has my life is opened to you like a book to be read.
I want to share my journey with you, as I want you to know just how much God is willing to invest in a person who will seek after Him; so watch this space.

Why the Journey to the other side of the World?

These are my children, Faye, the eldest at 30, Martin 28, with Joshua his son whose 2, on the right is Neil who is 20, and left is Mark who is 19. Sitting on Faye's knee is Craig who is 8. And that's Dave and I taken a few weeks ago.

Having the call of God on my life has been very strong for 27 years. My children have grown up with the knowledge that one day Mum would become a Pastor, so moving to New Zealand to take up studies was a natural process to them. Somehow I think they always knew that one day I would have to leave.

It was hard selling up everything and giving it all to the Lord. Everything we made off the sale of our home is for my studies here. We have nothing material to go back to in England.

It is strange when all of your life is in God's hands; we have no control over our future here and have to wait until God gives the next step in the journey in 3 years time.

At times we've found it tough to have faith, like when Dave's Mum died in April, then while Dave was flying back to England, his Dad died too. He had to bury both parents. He had only been here for 2 months. They were fine when we left the UK. Also my Dad has been diagnosed terminally ill and was given 2 months to live in Feb; he's still going strong at the moment even though he had to have an operation this week.

Sometimes you feel so helpless and it's at these times you have to allow the Lord to be in control.

Dave hasn't found a permanent job yet, and with going back to England it took a lot out of our savings. But we have again had to trust the Lord.

We have received gifts of food and money from various places here in Auckland and from the UK. We have seen God provide for us over the last few weeks, plus He gave me a scripture verse on the 29th March 2007 from Gen. Chapter 22:14 'The Lord will provide, as it is said to this day. In this mount of the Lord it shall be provided'.

I praise God for this verse and I really know God spoke to me. Now I have to stand and see God fulfill His promise to us.

The studies are going really well. I have been challenged and have learnt a great deal about myself, the world and the Lord.

If anyone reading this wishes to ask any questions, then please feel free to do so. I will be happy to answer any queries you may have.