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Viewpoint from Pastor Mark Borrett 15/03/2019
 Pastor Mark Borrett
Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft churches
South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
as published in the Yarmouth Mercury
I was reading some time ago that the “observable universe” is estimated to be about 46.5 billion light- years. Have you ever asked yourself, what is a light year? The distance light travels in one year - which is about 6 million, million miles. So the observable universe is about 46.5 times 1 billion times 6 times 1 million times 1 million miles. Or a really big number! That is what God created, or at least what we currently know about what God created
 How big is the average human brain? One measurement is to put your two fists together (though some of us have bigger fists than others). It is said that the average length of a human brain is about 15 cm. So think about it. There is God, who created this huge observable universe. And we are trying to understand God in our 15cm brains! That should keep us humble
As we look at the life of Jesus from the accounts in the Bible, it is clear that Jesus liked to tell stories. Many times Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven, his Kingdom, to everyday events in life and in nature. Jesus consistently made spiritual truths about life understandable and relatable to ordinary people. One method Jesus used was teaching spiritual truths through what are called parables. Parables are, essentially, verbal pictures or stories which emphasise key spiritual truths. They are as relevant today as they were in first century Israel. There are at least 40 parables in the New Testament of the Bible. Some are very well known, for example, the parable of The Lost Sheep or the parable of The Prodigal Son. In fact, parables are the predominant way Jesus chose to teach and convey spiritual truths during his ministry on this earth
 There is a common saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Jesus’ parables are beautiful verbal pictures, that everyone can understand and convey spiritual truth about God, his good desires and his love for each of us. I encourage you to take some time and read the parables of Jesus found in the New Testament of the Bible. If you are unsure where to start, may I suggest reading the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 15, which is a series of three beautiful parables that emphasise God’s love, good intentions and rejoicing for that which is lost to be found
picture courtesy of Michael Walker
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