Meaning in life Archives - Life Hope

What has God given you?

Ian Denness — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 11:18:57 +0000

God has given us so much!

Many couldn’t think of anything… A few said, “Not much!”

What about sunsets, sunrises, flowers, life itself, love and friendships, as well as hope!

Certainly our own human weaknesses can destroy much happiness. There are also storms, floods, earthquakes and all other events that used to be called ‘acts of God’ in the insurance small print.

However, mostly we enjoy life, when we are able to thank God for all his goodness to us.

He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
Acts 14:17 (www.laridian.com)

The post What has God given you? appeared first on Life Hope.

What are our idols, and will they get us through?

Ian Denness — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 02:56:06 +0000

“Idols” in the survey was taken to only mean “celebrity idols”

That was a surprise to me! What about “idols” that we make in our lives as being of the greatest importance to us personally, and as a society? Things like money and wealth. Like sex and leisure. Like sport and entertainment. The list would be enormous!

From the answers that were given by those in the market, we see that entertainers were the tops, followed by those who had overcome or done something very special.

A celebrity idol who can change me forever?

Seeing the answers of others, I thought, “These celebrities are themselves going to fail, and to fall out of that celebrity status. Who will last and give me meaning and positive change all the way through to the end?”

Only Jesus…

He wasn’t flawed then, when performing miracle after supernatural miracle. Nor when he purposely gave his life on the torturing cross, taking our shame and punishment in our place for our rejecting God and his laws. Especially when he came back to life as he had promised, he certainly wasn’t in any way flawed.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

“I voted for Jesus as my enduring idol, giving me meaning now and ongoing.

The post What are our idols, and will they get us through? appeared first on Life Hope.

Your tattoos – their meaning for you?

Ian Denness — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:55:10 +0000

There are some things we really want – like tattoos!

Then we research them, chase and nail them. It’s all a bit of fun. However, to get a tattoo takes time, a certain amount of pain, and money. It is also fairly permanent!

Those who choose tattoos, have their own good reasons for getting them.

That’s what I thought, anyway!

The day in the market with that question was enlightening.

Some loved their tattoos; others just hated theirs…

One thing in common was that they all had a story to tell about them.

It’s a bit like the way we all have a story to tell about each of our individual lives…

Some parts are happy, some are sad, and others are just confusing or embarrassing.

“I hate them all!”

That was the impassioned response of an Irish young woman. She had got them when under the influence at 15 years of age.

Others talked about some of the ones they had already partly removed – at greater expense than the original cost and with much greater pain! Ouch!

The theme of ‘regrets’ came up many times

That is also something that all of us can identify with in our lives, whether tattoos or not.

How many of our personal actions in our lives do we actually deeply regret?

Shame and embarrassment surround those actions in our memories.

What we have thought, what we have said, what we have done…

The list for each of us seems endless.

That’s what is so good about the good news about Jesus. We can have that shame and guilt taken away by what he purposely achieved for us on the cross. He can bring us to God, washed clean. It’s like he forgives my past, changes me on the inside, and makes me into a new person.

The reason for those regrets gets taken away. Amazing!

The post Your tattoos – their meaning for you? appeared first on Life Hope.

Why am I here anyway?

Ian Denness — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:58:29 +0000

We all have that question sometimes

Do you keep on remembering those times in your life? They can be milestones, or they can be dark nights of despair. Is there meaning in life?

It’s all very well for the guy in the picture – the sunrise is great, the sky is beautiful, and he may be greatly encouraged.

However, for many, they still haven’t found a satisfying answer.

Are we looking in the best places for the answers?

The post Why am I here anyway? appeared first on Life Hope.