In Summer perhaps even more than at other times it makes us realise what a crowded world we live in.  (Especially when we are trying to find a good spot on the beach!)  We intend to be away as a family in Spain at the start of this month so we'll be checking this out!

World-wide there are around 6 billion of us with another 10,000 joining us every hour of every day.  Britian is one of the most densely populated in Westeen Europe.  Even living in the greenery of Eppinf Forest you only have to travel a short distance to be surrounded by roads and houses.

Yet although we live so close together, our biggest social problem is overcrowding or over stretched resources.  It's not even poverty or violent crime.  IT'S LONELINESS!

Many are desperate to love and be loved.  But so often we find it difficult even to live in peace together.  As people fail to live together, they retreat into self enclosed / self centered worlds.

Even God seems remote and impersonal.

Jesus tld the story of a young of a young man seeking to go his own way, the young 'prodigal' eventually spending all that he had to make himself happy but finding no fulfilment.  In fact he found himself alone and disillusioned.   Coming to his senses the young man turned again to his father, full of remorse.   The Father (a picture of God) did not punish the son, rather forgave him and led him back into the family.

There is always a place for YOU in Gods Family and a role to play.  As the year moves on and perhaps you feel your personal outlook is not as you had imagined.  Jesus makes it clear he knows our needs, He promises -

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."