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Last week during a ten minute spell as goalie in a friendly football match I became the focus of attention of a flying hoard of mosquitoes. Twenty four hours and one doctor’s visit later my lower legs were still not a pretty sight and as shapeless and bloated as a giant Lincolnshire sausage. I then had to endure a week of having my hand slapped by my wife whenever she caught me scratching the troubled areas. I wouldn’t mind, but surely “scratching an itch” is one of life’s sweetest pleasures and so simple to do.

Many people; people just like us, have troubles. Perhaps someone is looking for a way out of an oppressive or hurtful situation. Another may be seeking some certainty or truth in an uncertain world. Still another is desperately trying to find a life with some hope in it or a glimmer of revelation to light a dim future.
Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth and the life” and “the light of the world”. He also invited us to, “come to me for rest if you are weary and burdened” and “come and taste and see that God is good”.

Go on; scratch your itch.

According to a scientific study, the funniest joke in the world has been found. Personally, I find the winning joke very funny. The chances are though that many of the people reading this newspaper would not find it funny in the slightest.

Our personal preferences are a very powerful thing and are most often revealed in our initial reactions to different experiences, e.g. whether we laugh at a joke, whether we cry at a film, whether we find a restaurant appealing.

Interestingly, some of the most influential decisions we can ever make are ones which are done contradictory to our personal preferences. These decisions are the ones which take us outside our comfort zone, challenge our mindset or require extra will-power. Millionaires have found success by being adventurous, real life heroes have changed peoples lives by performing unusual feats, I have been recently deeply affected by reading a book which I would usually steer well clear of.

I would encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone and try something new. Try it by changing a small thing in your daily routine as well as doing something which needs a bit of courage. You will be surprised at the opportunities it will bring. Why not visit a church this weekend and experience something new – it could open up a whole new world for you.

Oh, the funniest joke in the world. Here goes. Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps, “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator says “Calm down. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says “OK, now what?”

 A few years ago I was on a ministry visit to North America with a colleague. My friend was asked to give the keynote sermon in a very large church. The theme of his talk was about how God has a solution for every predicament we find ourselves in. He would say things like, “you may feel like your life is a mess and hopeless, but, God can bring order out of chaos”. The theme and his delivery were as usual, excellent. However he seemed to have forgotten that we were in North America where words can have different meanings. I must admit, I and a few hundred others tried to stifle our chuckles when he kept repeating, “No matter what you’re going through – God’s “but” is big enough”!

Have you ever felt that people just don’t understand you or what you’re going through?

The Bible tells us that, “those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved”, and “Taste & see that the Lord is good”.

Why not take some time today to talk to God. Let Him know how you feel and what you really need. Be yourself. He understands your language.