From the Editor

Dear Friends

March 2002 is here already - how are you? We at the Omega
Times are well and surprised at how quickly another edition of this paper is due
to go to print. We trust that you will receive encouragement as you read...Maranatha.

Life -– a gift or a curse?? Depends on who you talk to, and
what they've experienced, leading to their current level of self
sufficiency OR their dependence on God. In other words, the journey
of life is making us bitter or sweet. Self sufficiency is only good when you are
flying...but it's inevitable, we all have to come back to earth seasonally.
For those who say life's been too tough and they are twisted as a result of it
all I say lovingly, "Don't fool yourself". When God is involved, we have
His peace and strength to fall back on when our own reserves expire...Those who
put their trust in God will never be disappointed 1 Peter 2:6 (we do have to be
sitting on His sure foundation). It would be ridiculous for me not to
acknowledge hard times in life where we are 'not naturally happy'! We all
take our turn...I'll bet half of our readers or more right at this moment
would moan an amen to that. The Psalms are full of complaints... The Psalms are
a record of honesty from real people, with real issues. The point is, the
moaning gets turned to praise as the authors 'perspective' comes back into
focus. I think whinging is a form of release, but should not become a pattern
for life (with some people I am afraid to say 'how are you?'). When things
seem out of control -– fear (as an instinct) steps in and plays mind games with
us. Oh our fears may be completely unrealistic, but unless we recognise it, we
may listen to its propaganda and believe a lie. It's futile believing lies -–
because they are simply not true! (that's profound isn't it).

We have a fantastic stress releasing advantage. We have God -
and we have His perspective -– and all is well again. My advise for tough times...choose
your confidants carefully, drop your bundle (make your complaint) then place
your focus back where it needs to be -– and speak the positive Words of God.

Yours in life (good and hard times)

Andrew