View Numbers Update | August 2026

I find it amazing, humbling and honouring to see how far and wide this blog actually goes...

Thank you to you amazing people for checking it out!

And as always I hope in some way it helps you navigate your life and faith.

Last 30 Days as of 1st August 2026

1st    Germany

2.45K

2nd    Brazil

1.43K

3rd    Saudi Arabia

595

4th    United States

594

5th    France

581

6th    Bangladesh

573

7th    India

549

8th    Argentina

461

9th    Singapore

440

10th    Pakistan

421

Growing Faith vs Tested Faith

...you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:3 NIV

I was thinking about the challenges we have faced in the last few years and this verse came to mind.

I think maybe I have focused more of doing things in faith, having more faith, more than the concept of God allowing my faith to be tested. 

Growing in faith is challenging and creates an adventure in faith, testing on the other hand feels a whole lot different.

James goes on to explain why this happens.

To produce other key attributes in my life, to get to the "not lacking anything part", the testing part, the uncomfortable seems to be a necessary step.

But it is not easy and is many times hard to reconcile,

For example the more I have considered myself to be living in, operating in faith, I wonder if God has allowed it to tested as much? Not something I can quantify, it is more of a feeling.

My hearts prayer today...

"God please use this time to grow me into who you need now and in the future. " 

"Help me to handle this season better."

"I can't want for what comes next after this work you are doing."

Maybe you can relate or this helps in some way?

Something to think about...

Maybe the Opposite Should Be True?

When I look at the New Testament teachings about how to best do this "christian living" thing, what the apostles wrote and what of course what Jesus said, I have always found that their statements countered the culture of the world we live somehow.

The concepts of turn the other check, when someone ask something to give them more, to forgive your enemies. It is an endless list of contradictions to the way the world recommends and acts. Even I would say counter many times to our nature and intuition.

It is for me what helps set apart Jesus teaching from all other religious leaders.

He never seemed to just teach what was expected or was already accepted, it was supposed to be better!

Then something like what I saw in the last week happens.

And something inside me says, "hey this can't be right???"

I will link the video I saw below, but in case the link doesn't work, let me paint the picture for you.

It shows two men riding in a horse drawn carriage into a lavish venue arrangement. 

People dressed as angels wave their fake wings.

Both men are dressed in finery with one wearing what appears to be a crown and robe like he is a king.

And then the "icing" on this whole visual cake is there is announcer who proclaims and I quote, "A man of God makes a glorious entrance. The man of God of the universe!"

I have a strong reaction to this video.

It strikes me as being something that is completely opposite of how Jesus taught us and especially leaders should act. In my opinion this is dangerous and wrong!

It takes respect into what many could construe as idol worship.

Scripture clearly teaches concepts and patterns for removed from what is shown here.

He must increase and I must decrease. John 3:30

Humble yourself so that he can lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6

God responding to a contrite heart. Psalm 51:17

God opposing the proud! 1 Peter 5:5

Leaders should serve. Matthew 23:11-12

Can I encourage you to not be tricked to live as the world lives and how these so called leaders operate? Let the challenge of Jesus teaching, what the apostles and early church taught, challenge your being and give you a better way to live for Him.

Something to think about...

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Last night Suze asked me if I enjoyed it?

We had just finished watching a new movie on Netflix and I technically lied.

Said that I didn't enjoy it. That it didn't affect me.

The reality was it did.

It was another movie which has a theme, direction, plot that is while not new, yet communicates powerfully to your insides. And in ways that I don't always like to acknowledge.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is not a typical feel good story with the story telling via an octopus, really helps paint things the way they should be.

It is not light and tasty.

It is not action and drama.

It is to me similar to other movies that deal with deep heart issues, pain and the "human condition".

Think The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry meets Babe with sprinklings of Mr Hollands Opus and even a dash of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty sensibilities.

Movies that deal with real life issues, how we sometimes try to struggle through them alone, afraid, and invariably with a sense of being stuck, these movies move me.

The powerful moments of hope expressed in them do something inside of me.

...and my stupid eyes always seem to leak...

I kind of recommend you watch it.

Don't watch it to be entertained, but more to be awaken in some way.

You might want to avoid it to avoid feeling things and then maybe dealing with things? And that kind of matches the story behind the story, and another reason to watch it.

Maybe it will help you understand someone else, if not yourself?

My prayer for you if you are facing or have faced anything relatable to this great movie is simple.

I pray that you will find peace.

That you will find your people.

That you will find hope and a way forward.

Check it out...

I Hate Waiting

I really dislike waiting.
In fact I can honestly say I hate it...

I have such vivid memories from my childhood of waiting for what seemed like an eternity for my Dad.

At the bank. Outside his club.

It is kind of sad that waiting on him seems to be a more pronounced memory than maybe what it should be?

I not trying to blame my parent as though he created this neurosis.

But it has apparently left an indelible mark on me.

We all face periods in life where waiting seems to dominate.

In fact history is riddled with sometimes amazing stories of those who have wrestled through waiting periods, before an opportunity, or a vindication, or an answer broke the waiting game.

From the sailors many years ago who waited stranded and essentially dying near Antartica for rescue. 

What about the twelve young boys and their coach, trapped in a Thailand caving system?

Their waiting must have seemed unbearable and unending!

From Joseph waiting 13 years for the his dreams to come true even in the midst of setbacks and unfair persecution. Genesis 37-50

What about the lady who waited for years in a jewish temple after the early death of her husband, hoping, praying for the coming promised saviour to her nation. Luke 2:36-38.

Even in pop culture we can relate to these stories...

I think of "Wilson" and his human benefactor in the Movie Castaway. Stuck on a pacific island without much hope of rescue.

And speaking of Tom Hanks, his character in The Terminal was stuck waiting a long time to go home to beloved his "Motherland".

It is unwise to say you can relate totally to the real world examples mentioned already, but it is also honest to say that you can relate to the uncomfortable nature of waiting in general.

The level of discomfort raising with the level of the stakes involved.

The tension of hoping it will all work out, as you try and disarm the concern and the longevity.

Maybe you are feeling a little like me today?

That you are waiting for an answer or relief or supply or something better?

Waiting for the next step or next role?

Remind yourself to hang onto hope.

Remind yourself that God has got this.

I am waiting with you!

Something to think about...