One jealous God...

God is presented to us in scripture as a jealous God, but in a positive sense.

A secondary meaning of ‘jealous’ is being extremely careful in protecting someone or something. For example, ‘her parents used to keep a jealous watch over her...’ (source: online Cambridge Dictionary).

So God is jealous in the sense that He’s extremely concerned about His people’s physical and spiritual welfare.

e fact of God being jealous in this way is shared in the Bible in the context of a culture where people were greatly harmed through being deceived into worshipping the sun, moon and stars, and other fake gods. is harm, among other serious things, included the o ering of child sacri ces to false gods.

You could well understand being angry about this if you were the only true God. A fundamental teaching of Christianity, Judaism and Islam (monotheistic religions) is indeed there’s only one God who made everything.

What do you believe – one God, multiple Gods or no God?

Perhaps a bigger question is why do you believe what you believe?

Is your belief based on good reason, emotions, culture or bias?

I’ve discovered strong objective reasons for believing in the God revealed in scripture. As you’d expect, He’s not left the world in the dark as to what He’s like and what He requires. He’s even walked in our shoes. He can be known today.

I’m convinced He’s extremely jealous for both your welfare on this earth and your eternal welfare!

Please contact me at: churchofgodslove4@ gmail.com to hear more.

David Kidd, Church of God’s Love

Cameron Rd was horrendous, now the Commissioners want to create more tra c congestion on Cameron Rd by building a new stadium that will also see an increase in rates due to construction costs and ongoing maintenance.

When I lived in Christchurch I used to enjoy eating lunch at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, it was very serene, green and peaceful – which is what many Tauranga residents feel about the Tauranga Domain.

If a modern stadium is on the

Commissioners’ wishlist they should consider building it at Baypark away from Tauranga’s main road and where the appropriate infrastructure already exists. Leave the Domain as it is and relieve the people of Tauranga of future stress over rates increases and more tra c congestion on Cameron Rd.

Fabian Lukich, Te Puke.

TCC replies: It’s encouraging to see so much interest in this community-led initiative, which the council could look to support, if there is su cient enthusiasm for the proposal, which is still in the early stages. No decisions have been made yet and before going any further we’re looking to establish more detail around the costs, bene ts and get a better understanding of the views of the community. e current survey is an important part of that process and we encourage anyone with an interest in the proposal to get involved and go to the Tauranga City Council website to share their thoughts before Friday, July 21, 2023.