"The Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
Genesis 28:16 NIV
Author Frederick Buechner said, "There's no event so commonplace, but that God is present...leaving you room to recognise Him, or not." Aren't you glad God's presence isn't reserved for people who 'deserve it.' He visits whiners and complainers, the impatient and disgruntled, the doubtful and indecisive; flawed people like you, who've been saved by His grace. For example, Jacob was no Spiritual giant. Running away after swindling his brother and deceiving his father, he didn't deserve what God did for him. After stopping for the night, he dreamed he saw a ladder to heaven with angels on it, ascending and descending. Then God gave him this promise: "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go" (Ge 28:15 NIV). When Jacob awoke next morning he said, "The Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
Pearl Buck said, "We see God every day, we just don't recognise Him." Some of us are 'tuned in' when it comes to sensing His presence, others like Jacob 'miss it' every time. William Barry says: "Whether we're aware of it or not...every moment...we're encountering God...who is trying to catch our attention...to draw us into a reciprocal conscious relationship."
You never know where He'll appear or who He'll speak through. After the resurrection Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was just the gardener! Paul writes: "Wake up...sleeper" (Eph 5:14 NIV). You can be awakened by a miraculous healing, a restored relationship, or even a severe trial. Later God revealed himself to Jacob by wrestling with him and dislocating his hip. What will it take to get your attention?

God wants you to succeed! But you've got to do certain things. (1) Set an achievable goal. Then work toward it, one priority at a time. Most things fail for one reason - broken focus. So avoid distractions: "A double minded man is unstable" (Jas 1: . (2) Write down your plan and establish deadlines. Most people don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan. Make a detailed list of activities and set checkpoints. Above all, guard and prioritise your time. "Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get" (Eph 5:16 TM). (3) Visualise yourself attaining your goal. Talk and think in success pictures. Moses did. He made it to the Promised Land because "He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going" (Heb 11:26 TM). (4) Stay informed. "A wise man will hear and increase in learning" (Pr 1:5 NAS). If you'll pay for a good meal but not a good book, you value your stomach more than your mind. Observe, read, and grow! (5) Create a climate of confidence around you. You won't experience victory while you're talking defeat. Don't rehearse your mistakes, that only reinforces your doubt. Remind yourself that your "sufficiency is of God" (2 Cor 3:5). With Him as your partner your success is guaranteed. (6) Help others become successful. "knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord" (Eph 6: . That means conquering self-centredness! (7) Put God first. You are His child, He wants you to succeed. What father wouldn't? So deepen your relationship with Him: "Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you." (Job 22:21).

Suicide Rate-second highest in the world, female suicide rate second highest, male suicide rate highest in the world

Abortion- 18,000 last year. New Zealand has the second highest abortion rate in the world.

85% of all children that exhibit behavioural disorders come from fatherless
homes
90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from
fatherless homes
63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes
85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home

In summary these statistics mean that children from a fatherless home are:

5 times more likely to commit suicide.
32 times more likely to run away.
20 times more likely to have behavioural disorders.
14 times more likely to commit rape
9 times more likely to drop out of high school.
10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances.
9 times more likely to end up in a state-operated institution.
20 times more likely to end up in prison.

92% of girls being brought up in a fatherless environment are more likely to have a divorce in their future.

Last year about 21,500 marriages were registered, there were about 10,100 divorces, the rate of divorce is almost 50% of marriages

An estimated 50,000 party pack pills sold at dairies last month

Last year there were more than 20,000 cases of child abuse in New Zealand. and not to mention all those that aren't reported

The Times paper in the UK, states this problem as New Zealand’s dark secret. I have not written this to show how bad New Zealand is, but to show that we have a dying generation that needs our help. Whether any of us realise it or not, their are lives being affected daily by these things, and it is all about the people. These are people's lives! We cannot forget that. People are hurting and dying. What are you going to do about it? If you don't do something, then who will? If not now, then when?