R.I.P. Emiliano Sala

Sala was going to be the saviour of Cardiff City F.C. He was due to arrive on a small plane from France, but sadly, instead the twenty-eight-year-old footballer lost his life when the plane he was travelling in went down in the sea near the Channel Islands. Such a handsome young man with a bright future and suddenly it is all taken away.

The footballing world has had its fair share of aircraft tragedies, from the loss of the Busby’s babes in the Munich air disaster of 1958, to the more recent loss of the Leicester City F.C. owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who died in a helicopter accident while taking off from the football stadium after a match. It is a tremendous shock when these things happen, especially when people are cut down in the prime of life.

At the time of writing, Cardiff City have won their last two games, even without Sala. It maybe that the tragedy has somehow brought the best out of the team who desire to do well in his honour. Life in many respects is so fragile and every minute that we have is so valuable, and yet so often we waste time. The phrase, “One life - Live it!” comes to mind. You don’t have to own a Landrover to follow this motto!

Jesus Christ died in the prime of life at 30 years of age. So young. What a waste. Think what He could have achieved if He had lived much longer. Maybe things would have been different; maybe He could have conquered the world with God’s love, if only he had more time. To many, His life looked at best incomplete and at worst a failure. Here’s the irony. It was the manner of Jesu’s death that has affected mankind in every generation. So many people have found the meaning of life through His death. His death offers us a new start in life, with a new prospective, with new hope and purpose.

This Easter, think about Him who gave His life for us.

Receive from Him a new focus on life and follow His example.

May you all know God’s richest blessing,

Martin

Marriage - a noose or a blessing?

Forty years ago, I first went out with my wife Sharon. We married after a courtship of three years and four months at the ages of 21 and 19. At the time we felt so grown up! Now, looking back and having grown up children, I think how very young we were.

As I write this, I am aware that many relationships don’t seem to last very long. Even our own marriage went through some extremely rocky patches; but somehow, we have come through those times and our relationship is stronger than it has ever been. I have been trying to think what we have learnt over the years that is worth passing on.

Perseverance

There were many times when things were tough, when it would have been easier to give up than to carry on, but hanging in there during those times paid off in the end.

Being positive

It was very easy for me to focus on my partner’s shortcomings, but I have learned that if I concentrate on all of the good things about her, then my thoughts and actions are transformed.

Letting go of the past

This is easier said than done! We have found that with good counselling, positive prayer, patience and understanding of each other, we can be released from hurtful and negative experiences which try to control us.

Time

Life is often so busy. This tends to squeeze love and romance from the relationship. We cannot always drop things to make more time for each other, but making one another a priority and planning ahead to make sure we have some leisure time can make a difference.

Attraction

Many of the attributes that attracted me to Sharon were different from my own. Over the years the temptation was to try and make her more like myself! I am glad that I realised my mistake. The fact that she is different is why I fell in love with her. May she always be the person God made her to be.

The love of God

If it wasn’t for the amazing love of God we would have not got through. He has helped us to let go of hurt and to replace it with a deeper love for each other.

Wherever you are in life’s journey, commit your way to Jesus and don’t give up.

Happy New Year

Here we are at the start of another new year!

There is much uncertainty in our world. This can lead to an increase in anxiety and worry. I personally find the Bible verses quoted below a great help in difficult times. It is amazing that scripture which was written thousands of years ago in another age and culture can be so helpful to mankind in 2019.

Isaiah 41:9-10 New Living Translation (NLT): “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand”.

God is for us. How do we know? We have just come through the season of Christmas which reminds us that Jesus came down as a baby and experienced life as we know it. Everything He did was to help us, to rescue us, to give us hope and to enable us to live for good.

Jesus defeated the source of all evil. Even though there are evil things happening in the world today, there will come a day when evil and misery will be gone forever, and peace, love and harmony will reign forever.

As we venture into 2019, put your hand in the hand of God. How do we do that? Start each day with a simple prayer, “Lord God, please help me to be close to you throughout this day”. Start each month by giving thanks for the past few weeks and praying for those who are in need.

May you all know His help and blessings in 2019.