I’ve grown up with the mentality that every problem is solvable but I’ve been forced to reconsider my position. Does that offend you? I can promise you it’s been offensive to me! Over the last few months, I’ve sat and listened as many people have told me their stories. Some here in my own home, others over the internet, and still others abroad on my travels. Here’s what I’ve discovered: Some problems are not going to be solved in a way any of us find satisfactory. They’re either too big or too complex. There’s just no solution. So where does that leave us?

Jonathan PuddleDecember 3, 2019pain, loneliness, God's love, healing Comments

How to get closer to God when you're afraid of him

A reader recently asked, “How do I draw closer to God, if I have a fear of him?” I was touched by the bravery and vulnerability it took to pose the question. Whatever the reasons for your fear of God, you deal with the issues and start drawing nearer to him, right now, today. Here’s my quick and painful guide for overcoming fear of God caused by traumas in your life.

Jonathan PuddleJune 11, 2019God's love, father's love, fear Comments

When God rescues us

The journey of life is convoluted and often confusing. Sometimes we can see our desired destination right in front of us but the road we’re on takes us through deserts and the valleys before we get there. It’s that journey which forms us into people of greater stature, but our hearts can be hurt during the process. We might find ourselves asking, “God, do you even care?” But he does care, and in our hour of distress, he promises rescue.

Jonathan PuddleMay 21, 2019rescue, restoration, God's love, destinyComment

Fear is an invitation

If you are afraid of anything then you have room in your life for more of God's love. It's as simple as that. Fear is a signal, an invitation, a waving flag, that says "I have room for more love." We can't make fear go away by sheer force of will, instead God invites us to surrender it over to him. He is gentle and he will not force us. If we don't respond now, he will still be waiting till we are ready. But it's far more embarrassing to deal with our fear of the dark at 50 than it is at 5 years old.

Jonathan PuddleMarch 7, 2018fear, God's loveComment

When there's not enough love

Love covers a multitude of sins. If one of your relationships can't tolerate something that has happened, then there's not enough love in it. What are you to do when you discover this? I think we all have two options: toss the relationship, or invest in it. One of those options is going to cost us a lot more than the other.

Jonathan PuddleFebruary 26, 2018love your enemies, God's love, love, love powerfully, relationshipsComment

God is Freedom

Religious people have given God a really bad rep. He's often made out to be this angry, insecure, self-centered guy who imposes arbitrary rules on humanity. No wonder a lot of people don't want to have anything to do with him. But what if God was more like a kid running into the sunset? Free, full of hope and life and dreams and joy. That's the God that scripture shows us through Jesus. Playful, passionate, and free. And he invites us to live in freedom as well.

Jonathan PuddleFebruary 23, 2018freedom, God's loveComment

Why am I here?

God created us (which includes you) to be the object of his love and affection. He created you just so that he could get to pour out his love on you. It's his joy and his privilege. He created you to be the recipient of his love, forever. And that means...

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 29, 2018empowerment, love, purpose, God's love, jesus, sacrificeComment

The New Missional Paradigm - Part 3: Church as Community, Work as Church

This post is the final in a 3-part series called "The New Missional Paradigm"; it's something of a manifesto on the intersection of church, community and business management. Please see the first part for a thorough introduction, and for an introduction to the concept of spiritual community: what it is, and why it's God's plan.

With, not for

I look forward to the day when people, en masse, realise that they don’t need to (and can’t) do anything to earn God’s favour, and start to simply live with Christ (rather than for Christ). This is from Wayne Jacobson’s book – He Loves Me – via my good friend Dallas. The emphasis is mine. As you...

UncategorizedJonathan PuddleNovember 30, 2008Christianity, Daddy, God's love, grace Comment