1883: The Salvation Army comes to New Zealand. That means that the SALVATION ARMY has been in this country for 131 years.

The “Sallies” in KAITAIA, Commerce Street

“Ribbon Riders shine a light on suicide,” is an article called on the front page of our local paper, THE NORTHLAND AGE. (Thursday, February 27, 2014)

The suicide rate in New Zealand is very high.

In 2013 there were more than 540 suicides in New Zealand from the age of ten to seventy five.

Eighty per cent of those were Maori and eighty per cent were teenagers. Here where I live in the north of New Zealand the suicide rate was the highest last year.

Reading  the article “Ribbon Riders shine a light on suicide,” challenges me even more to shine the light of the Gospel.

In John 8:12 the Lord Jesus Christ says, “I am the light of the world.” And in Matthew 5:16 we read, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

I like this flower

“THIS STONE IS PRECIOUS.” – First Peter 2:7

“Whangarei: Love it here!” I am reading several times in the booklet called ENDLESS SUMMER FESTIVAL produced by the Whangarei District Council. I notice the exclamation mark.

The Birthday Card

For my birthday not long ago I received a card from my friends in Germany.

Hebrews 13:14 was written on the card:

“FOR HERE WE DO NOT HAVE AN ENDURING CITY, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE CITY THAT IS TO COME.”

Life is Brief.

Life is like a Shadow. First Chronicles 29:15

Life is like a Flying Shuttle. Job 7:6

Life is like a Runner. Job 9:25

Life is only a Handbreadth in Extent. Psalm 39:5

Life is like a Vanishing Vapor. James 4:14

In this world we are aliens. We are strangers. That’s why Peter says in First Peter 2:11 that we should “abstain from sinful desires.”

In John 2:15 John says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.”

The last book of the Bible is Revelation and in chapter 21:2 we read about “THE NEW JERUSALEM.” This is what it says there:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

I live in Kaitaia, north of Whangarei.

KAITAIA: Love it here! I don’t think so.

I am looking for the city that is to come.