He could hear the crowds screaming "crucify" "crucify"...
He could hear the hatred in their voices,
These were his chosen people.
He loved them,
And they were going to crucify him.
He was beaten, bleeding and weakened...
His heart was broken,
But still He walked.
He could see the crowd as he came from the palace.
He knew each of the faces so well.
He had created them.
He knew every smile, every laugh, and every shed tear,
But now they were contorted with rage and anger
His heart broke,
But still He walked.
He felt alone.
His disciples had left, denied, and even betrayed him.
He searched the crowd for a loving face
And he saw very few.
Then he turned his eyes to the only one that mattered
Knowing that he would never be alone.
He looked back at the crowd...
At the people who were spitting at him
Throwing rocks at him and mocking him
And He knew that because of Him,
They would never be alone.
So for them, He walked.
The sounds of the hammer striking the spikes echoed through the crowd.
The cheers of the crowd, as his hands and feet were nailed to the cross,
Intensified with each blow.
And God's heart broke.
He had let His son walk.
Jesus could have asked God to end his suffering,
But instead He asked God to forgive.
Not to forgive him, but to forgive the ones who were persecuting him.
As he hung on that cross, dying an unimaginable death,
He looked out and saw, not only the faces in the crowd,
But also, the face of every person yet to be,
And his heart filled with love.
As his body was dying, his heart was alive.
Alive with the limitless, unconditional love he feels for each of us.
That is why He walked.
When I forget how much My God loves me,
...I remember his walk.
When I wonder if I can be forgiven,
...I remember his walk.
When I need to be reminded of how to live like Christ,
...I think of his walk.
And to show him how much I love him,
...I wake up each morning, turn my eyes to him,
......And I walk.
Author Unknown
Thursday 21 April 2011
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Little Children
They were in the bus driving in front of me. Little black kids with big eyes. They pushed their noses against the back window of the bus and looked at me inquisitively. I'm white after all. I wonder what went through their little minds. What have they been told about white people? What did they think of me?
I decided to smile and wave. The reaction was amazing. Big smiles and frantic waving. Waving that didn't stop until I turned right 2km later! I was laughing out loud eventually and I could see they were too.
Little children are so innocent. There is no hatred, no preconceived ideas, no pretense, no prejudice, nothing. Just a joy to be alive. A curiosity to investigate life. Why can't adults be like that? I know all the excuses we give to justify our cynical outlook on life, but do they really hold water?
We are still divided in this nation. We can talk about a so-called rainbow nation as much as we want, but until we change our hearts, we will remain divided. Most households in this nation keep racism alive. We teach it to our children through little things we say and do when we watch the news or while driving. They watch and they learn. We are still racially divided, 17 years after apartheid was supposed to die. It's sad really.
Did you ever stop and think what South Africa would have been like if apartheid was never born in the mind of one individual? Where could we have been today? We wouldn't have had a war. We wouldn't have had the need for activists. There would never have been any reason for racial quotas, BEE, EE and all the other stuff we hate so much today. People would have been appointed based on skills, not skin colour. Wow. It would have been great.
I wish I could turn back time and make that one individual act differently. But I can't. All I can do now is become like the little children I saw in the bus this morning. I can choose to smile and wave regardless of skin colour. I can choose to just embrace life with all the people in it. Most of all, I can choose not to give my grandchildren of the future a look at racism. They don't need to know what it is. To them, it will just be a burden. My children already know it - I hope that they too will choose against it.
I decided to smile and wave. The reaction was amazing. Big smiles and frantic waving. Waving that didn't stop until I turned right 2km later! I was laughing out loud eventually and I could see they were too.
Little children are so innocent. There is no hatred, no preconceived ideas, no pretense, no prejudice, nothing. Just a joy to be alive. A curiosity to investigate life. Why can't adults be like that? I know all the excuses we give to justify our cynical outlook on life, but do they really hold water?
We are still divided in this nation. We can talk about a so-called rainbow nation as much as we want, but until we change our hearts, we will remain divided. Most households in this nation keep racism alive. We teach it to our children through little things we say and do when we watch the news or while driving. They watch and they learn. We are still racially divided, 17 years after apartheid was supposed to die. It's sad really.
Did you ever stop and think what South Africa would have been like if apartheid was never born in the mind of one individual? Where could we have been today? We wouldn't have had a war. We wouldn't have had the need for activists. There would never have been any reason for racial quotas, BEE, EE and all the other stuff we hate so much today. People would have been appointed based on skills, not skin colour. Wow. It would have been great.
I wish I could turn back time and make that one individual act differently. But I can't. All I can do now is become like the little children I saw in the bus this morning. I can choose to smile and wave regardless of skin colour. I can choose to just embrace life with all the people in it. Most of all, I can choose not to give my grandchildren of the future a look at racism. They don't need to know what it is. To them, it will just be a burden. My children already know it - I hope that they too will choose against it.
Monday 18 April 2011
The cupcake
She walked onto the stage, casually eating a cupcake. She was obviously enjoying it. She stood in front of the mic, lip smacking on the soft creamy icing sugar. Finally she spoke. Short sentences, squeezed in between the sheer delight she was tasting.
"This cupcake is the freshest, fluffiest cupcake I have ever eaten". More lip smacking. More sounds of sheer delight. The audience was drooling. "I have never tasted such creamy icing...Hmmmmm". A soft rumble was audible as the audience were moaning among each other about this.
When the cupcake was finally finished, and she had licked off all her fingers, she looked the audience in the eye for the first time that night.
"Unless you eat one of these cupcakes on sale here tonight for yourself, you will never really know what this one tasted like. You can tell others how good my cupcake was, but it will be hearsay. It won't be something that you experienced for yourself. For a first hand experience and a first hand testimony, you have to eat one yourself. And so it is with God. You have to 'taste' God for yourself. You cannot get to heaven on other people's experiences with Him. You will never know how amazing an intimate relationship with God is, unless you have one yourself. Go on, taste God. Taste Him for yourself".
Have you tasted God? Do you know Him intimately? When last did you really experience His presence?
Go on, taste God.
Fusion: Doxa Deo Hartbeespoort - 2011/04/17
"This cupcake is the freshest, fluffiest cupcake I have ever eaten". More lip smacking. More sounds of sheer delight. The audience was drooling. "I have never tasted such creamy icing...Hmmmmm". A soft rumble was audible as the audience were moaning among each other about this.
When the cupcake was finally finished, and she had licked off all her fingers, she looked the audience in the eye for the first time that night.
"Unless you eat one of these cupcakes on sale here tonight for yourself, you will never really know what this one tasted like. You can tell others how good my cupcake was, but it will be hearsay. It won't be something that you experienced for yourself. For a first hand experience and a first hand testimony, you have to eat one yourself. And so it is with God. You have to 'taste' God for yourself. You cannot get to heaven on other people's experiences with Him. You will never know how amazing an intimate relationship with God is, unless you have one yourself. Go on, taste God. Taste Him for yourself".
Taste and see that the LORD is good
Psalm 38:4
Have you tasted God? Do you know Him intimately? When last did you really experience His presence?
Go on, taste God.
Fusion: Doxa Deo Hartbeespoort - 2011/04/17
Friday 15 April 2011
Tame your tongue
I read this story again today. I have seen it many times, and yet, every time I read it, it speaks to me. I don't know who wrote it but I would like to share it with you.
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it; and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
For some obscure reason, we have the least patience with the people closest to our hearts. We say the meanest things to the people closest to our hearts. May God help us to tame our tongues.
I will leave you with a scripture:
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it; and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
For some obscure reason, we have the least patience with the people closest to our hearts. We say the meanest things to the people closest to our hearts. May God help us to tame our tongues.
I will leave you with a scripture:
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Who me?
"But Lord, I can't do that!"
Does it sound familiar? I know it does. God commands us to do something, and we don't do it, because we think we are not good enough. We compare ourselves to other people and then refuse to be obedient, because "whoever is so much more qualified that me". Let me give you some examples.
You don't want to play guitar and lead worship, because one of the cell members can play better than you. So you think. The difference is that God called you to do it, not him or her. The anointing will be on you this time, not on him or her.
You know you have to pray for a person, but you are too embarrassed. Besides, God has never used you for a miracle, why will He now? Well, He can't use you if you are never available. By the way, on this specific topic, go and read the comment beneath the post on faith a day or two ago. If that doesn't change your mind on this, nothing will.
Maybe you felt that you had to encourage a person, but you chose not to. Maybe you were scared that you didn't hear God properly. Maybe you didn't. But maybe you did. It's better to give the encouragement even when it's not needed that not giving it when it's desperately needed.
I can come up with many more examples. Bottom line is that we try to justify our disobedience by pointing out another person, who in our view, is more qualified than we are. What we are actually doing is telling God that He doesn't know what He is doing. He picked the wrong person for the job. Dangerous grounds. God doesn't necessarily use the qualified, he uses the available and willing.
Are you willing? Are you available?
Let me leave you with a scripture that will prove to you that you shouldn't compare yourself to other people. You should just be obedient.
Does it sound familiar? I know it does. God commands us to do something, and we don't do it, because we think we are not good enough. We compare ourselves to other people and then refuse to be obedient, because "whoever is so much more qualified that me". Let me give you some examples.
You don't want to play guitar and lead worship, because one of the cell members can play better than you. So you think. The difference is that God called you to do it, not him or her. The anointing will be on you this time, not on him or her.
You know you have to pray for a person, but you are too embarrassed. Besides, God has never used you for a miracle, why will He now? Well, He can't use you if you are never available. By the way, on this specific topic, go and read the comment beneath the post on faith a day or two ago. If that doesn't change your mind on this, nothing will.
Maybe you felt that you had to encourage a person, but you chose not to. Maybe you were scared that you didn't hear God properly. Maybe you didn't. But maybe you did. It's better to give the encouragement even when it's not needed that not giving it when it's desperately needed.
I can come up with many more examples. Bottom line is that we try to justify our disobedience by pointing out another person, who in our view, is more qualified than we are. What we are actually doing is telling God that He doesn't know what He is doing. He picked the wrong person for the job. Dangerous grounds. God doesn't necessarily use the qualified, he uses the available and willing.
Are you willing? Are you available?
Let me leave you with a scripture that will prove to you that you shouldn't compare yourself to other people. You should just be obedient.
Galations 6:4-5
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Our empty love tanks
Each one of us has a love tank. You too. Unfortunately, many people walk around with an empty love tank. You will find many a person who feel that he or she is giving everything and the partner is not reciprocating. Almost all of them will feel unloved. Sometimes incorrectly so.
I read a book on love languages several years ago. Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It's revelational. I think every young couple should get one as a wedding gift. I will definitely give one to each of my children on their wedding days. It's a must. I actually wish they would read it now already. I can see the miscommunication due to different love languages already, but what does mother know?
Gary Chapman describes five different types of people. Each type experiences love differently and automatically shows love in his / her own dominant love language - often not understood by the partner who may have a different love language. Obviously you may have more than one, but one will always take preference. Let me give you a quick overview.
The first type of person has a love language of Physical Touch. The hugs and kisses person. If this is your partner and you dare walk past him / her without a stroke on the arm or a quick hug, you will be perceived as cold and unloving.
Then we have the one who speaks the language of Positive Affirmation. They need to hear things like "Wow you look stunning today!" or "I love you so much!" on a daily basis. You can do whatever you want, if you don't SAY it, they will not believe it.
Thirdly is the Quality Time person. He or she wants to have time with you ALONE. Time that you spend focused on him or her, not on the TV screen or a movie.
Next in line is the Gift of Giving person. They love giving gifts and they love receiving it. The cost of the gift is not important at all - the thought behind it is worth it being treasured for years to come. They spend time looking for the gift or making the gift. They listen carefully for hints. If you don't give special gifts in return, the person will feel unloved.
Lastly is the Acts of Service person. They show their love through little acts of service like running the errands, packing a lunch box, buying the groceries, cooking now and then or washing the dishes. You have to do something in return to show your love in a way they will understand.
I am sure you recognised yourself in the descriptions above. Maybe you recognised your partner too. Let me tell you, you owe it to yourself to find out what the love language of your partner is. If you know it, you can make a point of 'speaking' it. By doing that, you will ensure that your own love tank is overflowing, because your partner will surely reciprocate. Just make sure he or she knows what your love language is.
If you haven't yet got the book, buy it. It's an investment in your relationship. It's money well spent.
I read a book on love languages several years ago. Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. It's revelational. I think every young couple should get one as a wedding gift. I will definitely give one to each of my children on their wedding days. It's a must. I actually wish they would read it now already. I can see the miscommunication due to different love languages already, but what does mother know?
Gary Chapman describes five different types of people. Each type experiences love differently and automatically shows love in his / her own dominant love language - often not understood by the partner who may have a different love language. Obviously you may have more than one, but one will always take preference. Let me give you a quick overview.
The first type of person has a love language of Physical Touch. The hugs and kisses person. If this is your partner and you dare walk past him / her without a stroke on the arm or a quick hug, you will be perceived as cold and unloving.
Then we have the one who speaks the language of Positive Affirmation. They need to hear things like "Wow you look stunning today!" or "I love you so much!" on a daily basis. You can do whatever you want, if you don't SAY it, they will not believe it.
Thirdly is the Quality Time person. He or she wants to have time with you ALONE. Time that you spend focused on him or her, not on the TV screen or a movie.
Next in line is the Gift of Giving person. They love giving gifts and they love receiving it. The cost of the gift is not important at all - the thought behind it is worth it being treasured for years to come. They spend time looking for the gift or making the gift. They listen carefully for hints. If you don't give special gifts in return, the person will feel unloved.
Lastly is the Acts of Service person. They show their love through little acts of service like running the errands, packing a lunch box, buying the groceries, cooking now and then or washing the dishes. You have to do something in return to show your love in a way they will understand.
I am sure you recognised yourself in the descriptions above. Maybe you recognised your partner too. Let me tell you, you owe it to yourself to find out what the love language of your partner is. If you know it, you can make a point of 'speaking' it. By doing that, you will ensure that your own love tank is overflowing, because your partner will surely reciprocate. Just make sure he or she knows what your love language is.
If you haven't yet got the book, buy it. It's an investment in your relationship. It's money well spent.
Monday 11 April 2011
Faith
Faith is a gift. Go read it in 1 Corinthians 12:9.
Although we are all as Christians expected to have faith, some have more than others. Some people can believe like a child; if you promise a child something, the child will believe blindly that he will receive whatever you promised. And the child will remind you of your promise frequently. Maybe that is why God said we should become like little children.
My daughter has the gift of faith. Time and again I stand amazed at her faith. There has been many times that I doubted that whatever she prayed for will happen. And I was always the one with the red face being reminded that our God is faithful!
She was on a hockey tour a week ago. On the way back, the bus driver wanted to buy himself some food and proceeded to withdraw some money at the Ultra City where they stopped for a leg stretch. The ATM swallowed his card. Between him, the couch who felt somewhat responsible and the manager of the facility, there was a scramble to get hold of the people responsible for servicing the ATM.
The children in the bus got impatient. They were homesick. Rude remarks were made amidst lots of cursing and swearing. Tragic that girls would behave like that, I know. My daughter stood up for what she believes in. She told the girls to behave and got out the bus. Praying all the way, she walked over to the ATM. She laid hands on it, rebuked it, and demanded the card back in the name of Jesus.
The card came out. The adults were shocked. The bus driver couldn't believe what had just happened. Her response? My God is an awesome God, didn't you know?
Faith like a child. That is what we need again. What are you trusting God for? When last did you remind Him of the promises in His Word? Do you know all the promises He made in His word? Do you still believe in miracles?
Come on... stir up some faith in your heart! You can have whatever you ask in His Name! Believe and you shall receive! He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than what you ask for or can imagine. Don't believe me? Go read Ephesians 3:20...
Although we are all as Christians expected to have faith, some have more than others. Some people can believe like a child; if you promise a child something, the child will believe blindly that he will receive whatever you promised. And the child will remind you of your promise frequently. Maybe that is why God said we should become like little children.
My daughter has the gift of faith. Time and again I stand amazed at her faith. There has been many times that I doubted that whatever she prayed for will happen. And I was always the one with the red face being reminded that our God is faithful!
She was on a hockey tour a week ago. On the way back, the bus driver wanted to buy himself some food and proceeded to withdraw some money at the Ultra City where they stopped for a leg stretch. The ATM swallowed his card. Between him, the couch who felt somewhat responsible and the manager of the facility, there was a scramble to get hold of the people responsible for servicing the ATM.
The children in the bus got impatient. They were homesick. Rude remarks were made amidst lots of cursing and swearing. Tragic that girls would behave like that, I know. My daughter stood up for what she believes in. She told the girls to behave and got out the bus. Praying all the way, she walked over to the ATM. She laid hands on it, rebuked it, and demanded the card back in the name of Jesus.
The card came out. The adults were shocked. The bus driver couldn't believe what had just happened. Her response? My God is an awesome God, didn't you know?
Faith like a child. That is what we need again. What are you trusting God for? When last did you remind Him of the promises in His Word? Do you know all the promises He made in His word? Do you still believe in miracles?
Come on... stir up some faith in your heart! You can have whatever you ask in His Name! Believe and you shall receive! He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than what you ask for or can imagine. Don't believe me? Go read Ephesians 3:20...
Friday 8 April 2011
Knit one, slip one, yarn over...
The winter is here. The cosmos flowers on the side of the road announced it last week in waves of pink, white and maroon!
The only things I like about winter are the cosmos flowers and my knitting. And the many glasses of sherry of course!
I love knitting a jersey and I love wearing it. It's the nicest feeling to get a compliment for a great piece of knitting and being able to say "thanks, I made it myself". It's just as nice to see my husband walk out the door with one of my creations to ward off the cold. It's a sense of pride and achievement I battle to find words for.
And let me tell you, I am a master knitter. No cable is too difficult and no Aran pattern is too big a challenge. I CAN knit!
When my kids were small, I used to knit for them too. But I quickly stopped. They didn't have an appreciation for the hours of knitting and thought nothing of taking my masterpiece into a sandpit or onto a jungle gym. So they ended up with the cheap clothing from the stores.
Other than myself, my husband is the only person I would knit for. It's many hours of dedication to create a hand knit jersey. People are eager to wear it, but they don't like paying for that many hours of labour. On top of that, people who pay for knitting usually don't have any idea how to do it themselves, so their requests are often ridiculous.
This winter, I might knit new socks for myself too. I made the nicest socks a couple of years back with a lace pattern. They are starting to wear thin. They need replacement. Knitting socks is an art in itself. But it's the most luxurious socks you will ever wear - a pair you have made yourself!
I will start knitting again this weekend. I can't wait. I am so excited about it. There are some wool left in my cupboard from last year and I know there are exciting new shades in my favourite wool shop. I think I will go past there this afternoon still.
Oh the joy of winter!
The only things I like about winter are the cosmos flowers and my knitting. And the many glasses of sherry of course!
I love knitting a jersey and I love wearing it. It's the nicest feeling to get a compliment for a great piece of knitting and being able to say "thanks, I made it myself". It's just as nice to see my husband walk out the door with one of my creations to ward off the cold. It's a sense of pride and achievement I battle to find words for.
And let me tell you, I am a master knitter. No cable is too difficult and no Aran pattern is too big a challenge. I CAN knit!
When my kids were small, I used to knit for them too. But I quickly stopped. They didn't have an appreciation for the hours of knitting and thought nothing of taking my masterpiece into a sandpit or onto a jungle gym. So they ended up with the cheap clothing from the stores.
Other than myself, my husband is the only person I would knit for. It's many hours of dedication to create a hand knit jersey. People are eager to wear it, but they don't like paying for that many hours of labour. On top of that, people who pay for knitting usually don't have any idea how to do it themselves, so their requests are often ridiculous.
This winter, I might knit new socks for myself too. I made the nicest socks a couple of years back with a lace pattern. They are starting to wear thin. They need replacement. Knitting socks is an art in itself. But it's the most luxurious socks you will ever wear - a pair you have made yourself!
I will start knitting again this weekend. I can't wait. I am so excited about it. There are some wool left in my cupboard from last year and I know there are exciting new shades in my favourite wool shop. I think I will go past there this afternoon still.
Oh the joy of winter!
Thursday 7 April 2011
Trousseaux
It's defined as the possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.
I remember the time as a teenage girl when my dad decided it's time for me to start collecting trousseaux. Whenever he went to Makro, he came back with something for me. A dinner set. Glasses and a pitcher. Desert sets. Soup bowls. You name it - he bought it. It all went into a trousseaux chest that was in my room. Eventually the chest got full and the boxes got stored on the top shelf of my wardrobe.
My father passed away when I was in my final year at high school. He never got the chance to share in the joy when the trousseaux finally got unpacked.
I moved into my first flat in 1988 and oh the joy to unpack everything! My mother and I were amazed at how much I had collected over the years. It was a wonderful feeling to fill my own kitchen with my own stuff. There was very little I had to buy. I even had linen!
Somehow over the years, the tradition of trousseaux had started to fade. People don't talk about it anymore. Brides don't have it anymore. It's a shame really. There is so much joy in the collection of trousseaux.
My husband and I started talking about trousseaux to my oldest daughter. She didn't sound extremely enthusiastic. My husband decided to get a chest but we haven't had time to look for one yet. I have no idea what happened to mine. Now THAT is a shame, I know. I thought maybe if I buy the first box of something, it will get her going.
She phoned me today. Metro has a two year cellphone contract special at the moment. Stupid, cheap phone and a low monthly premium. But you get a washing machine and tumble dryer as part of the deal. She is over the moon and is making plans to go there tomorrow morning.
Is that how young people these days start collecting trousseaux? My word. And all I wanted her to do was buy glasses so long.
Her trousseaux definitely won't fit in a chest or her wardrobe!
I remember the time as a teenage girl when my dad decided it's time for me to start collecting trousseaux. Whenever he went to Makro, he came back with something for me. A dinner set. Glasses and a pitcher. Desert sets. Soup bowls. You name it - he bought it. It all went into a trousseaux chest that was in my room. Eventually the chest got full and the boxes got stored on the top shelf of my wardrobe.
My father passed away when I was in my final year at high school. He never got the chance to share in the joy when the trousseaux finally got unpacked.
I moved into my first flat in 1988 and oh the joy to unpack everything! My mother and I were amazed at how much I had collected over the years. It was a wonderful feeling to fill my own kitchen with my own stuff. There was very little I had to buy. I even had linen!
Somehow over the years, the tradition of trousseaux had started to fade. People don't talk about it anymore. Brides don't have it anymore. It's a shame really. There is so much joy in the collection of trousseaux.
My husband and I started talking about trousseaux to my oldest daughter. She didn't sound extremely enthusiastic. My husband decided to get a chest but we haven't had time to look for one yet. I have no idea what happened to mine. Now THAT is a shame, I know. I thought maybe if I buy the first box of something, it will get her going.
She phoned me today. Metro has a two year cellphone contract special at the moment. Stupid, cheap phone and a low monthly premium. But you get a washing machine and tumble dryer as part of the deal. She is over the moon and is making plans to go there tomorrow morning.
Is that how young people these days start collecting trousseaux? My word. And all I wanted her to do was buy glasses so long.
Her trousseaux definitely won't fit in a chest or her wardrobe!
Wednesday 6 April 2011
It is well with my soul
I am having a Psalm 13 day. Do you know what a Psalm 13 day is? You have to read the Psalm to understand.
First we start moaning because nothing is going the way it should. That is where I am right now. We pray and it feels as if God is ignoring us. We are somewhat angry at God. Are we allowed to be angry at God? According to the Bible we are. That is the first few verses of Psalm 13.
Long enough, God— you've ignored me long enough.
I've looked at the back of your head long enough.
I've looked at the back of your head long enough.
Long enough I've carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain.
It's impossible to feel like that and not be angry. So David was angry when he wrote it.
And then to make sure He really understands the dilemma we are in, we point out that other people are laughing at us. We point out the heathens that prosper, and poor us, we are battling!
Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.
Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.
Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.
But eventually, after a pity party, a little crying, lots of sulking and so on and so forth, we have to admit that God is still in control. God will not let us down. God will not forget about us. God loves us. Finally, we get to the end of the Psalm.
I've thrown myself headlong into your arms - I'm celebrating your rescue.
I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers.
I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers.
At the end, we can sing the hymn "It is well with my soul"! I think David is singing with us in heaven each time someone starts singing that hymn. Surely he must understand what we are going through seeing that he wrote Psalm 13. I can image him with his red hair and beard heartily singing with us "It is well with my soul".
Tuesday 5 April 2011
I'm hungry
Worship. That is what I hunger for.
Deep worship. Not cheap worship.
Cheap worship. We have lots of that around. I coined the phrase cheap worship when I got sick and tired of the attempts at worship where the band and worship leader is actually trying to entertain or impress the audience. That's not worship. It's cheap entertainment.
The audience is just as guilty of cheap worship I might add. When you stand around criticizing the band or the worship leader in your mind, you are not part of the worship. When you are moaning in your mind about the song they sing, you are not part of the worship. When you are snickering at how other people worship, you are not part of the worship. In all these cases, you are in a very dangerous place. You are in the same boat as David's wife Michal. She made fun of David's worship and she was barren for the rest of her life because of it. Go read it in 2 Samuel 6.
Is your life barren? Are you experiencing a spiritual drought? Are you experiencing a financial drought? When last did you worship?
Church is nice, but sometimes church is too ordered. We have to get to the word. We have to do this. We have to do that. Sometimes I rebel against all the things we have to do. It's not the fault of the church really. They have to bring the word so that the babies can grow. They have to look after the flock. I just feel that there is a void. I need more.
I just want to worship for a change. That deep soaking worship where people lay around on the carpet, weeping before God. Where people get healed. Where people get changed. Where our love tanks get filled. I am hungry for worship. And right now, my hunger is not stilled in church.
Pure unadulterated worship.
Worship in abandonment.
That is what I crave.
A throne room experience.
Deep worship. Not cheap worship.
Cheap worship. We have lots of that around. I coined the phrase cheap worship when I got sick and tired of the attempts at worship where the band and worship leader is actually trying to entertain or impress the audience. That's not worship. It's cheap entertainment.
The audience is just as guilty of cheap worship I might add. When you stand around criticizing the band or the worship leader in your mind, you are not part of the worship. When you are moaning in your mind about the song they sing, you are not part of the worship. When you are snickering at how other people worship, you are not part of the worship. In all these cases, you are in a very dangerous place. You are in the same boat as David's wife Michal. She made fun of David's worship and she was barren for the rest of her life because of it. Go read it in 2 Samuel 6.
Is your life barren? Are you experiencing a spiritual drought? Are you experiencing a financial drought? When last did you worship?
Church is nice, but sometimes church is too ordered. We have to get to the word. We have to do this. We have to do that. Sometimes I rebel against all the things we have to do. It's not the fault of the church really. They have to bring the word so that the babies can grow. They have to look after the flock. I just feel that there is a void. I need more.
I just want to worship for a change. That deep soaking worship where people lay around on the carpet, weeping before God. Where people get healed. Where people get changed. Where our love tanks get filled. I am hungry for worship. And right now, my hunger is not stilled in church.
Pure unadulterated worship.
Worship in abandonment.
That is what I crave.
A throne room experience.
Monday 4 April 2011
I don't know
Today is one of those days. I don't know whether I am sane anymore. I don't know whether the people around me are completely sane either. I don't know. And right now, I don't want to know either.
But in all of this, I know one thing: God is faithful.
Read the words of Brian Doerksen's song "Your faithfulness" from his album "You Shine". It's amazing.
If you can, go check the video on YouTube.
May it minister to you today like it ministered to me.
But in all of this, I know one thing: God is faithful.
Read the words of Brian Doerksen's song "Your faithfulness" from his album "You Shine". It's amazing.
If you can, go check the video on YouTube.
May it minister to you today like it ministered to me.
I don’t know what this day will bring
Will it be disappointing or filled with longed for things
I don’t know what tomorrow holds
Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
I don’t know if these clouds mean rain
If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain
I don’t know what the future holds
Still I know I can trust your faithfulness
Certain as the rivers reach the sea
Certain as the sunrise in the east
I can rest in Your faithfulness
Surer than a mother’s tender love
Surer than the stars still shine above
I can rest in Your faithfulness
I don’t know how or when I’ll die
Will it be a thief or will I have a chance to say goodbye
No I don’t know how much time is left
But in the end I will know Your faithfulness
When darkness overwhelms my soul
When thoughts are storms of doubt
Still I trust You are always faithful
Always faithful
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