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Monday 18 June 2012
How are you? No really, how are you?
How are you? How many times have you asked somebody this question without waiting to hear the answer? I know I have given the normal reply "I'm fine and you?" without even turning my head to look at the person who asked first.
It happens all the time. We are in such a hurry to get on with life, that we don't stop to really make sure the other person is well. We don't have time for each other any more.
On Friday, I saw the post on facebook: "Today is one of the most difficult days in a person's life. My son passed away and he is with God. My heart is torn apart. Rest in peace my son." Her son committed suicide.
Can you imagine this mother's pain? My heart breaks just thinking about it. The people he worked with say they never expected this. His friends say they had no idea he was planning this.
It got me thinking.
Maybe we should slow down. Maybe we should not only ask "How are you?", we should actually make time to listen.
Friday 8 June 2012
the earth is flat...
No, I haven't lost my mind. I know the earth is round.
Globalisation. Big word. Big meaning. Big impact. It refers to the integration of the entire world. The earth may be round, but through globalisation, it suddenly feels as if we are all in one village again.
We are living in an era where far away is so easy to reach. We can talk to and see people sitting in other continents through technologies such as skype. We can stay updated with the lives of family and friends through facebook, twitter and a host of other social media networks. We promote ourselves and our careers through networks such as linkedin. We even measure our influence on people through klout.
Which bring me to this question: what is your influence on other people? All those people who follow you on twitter, your friends on facebook and your connections on linkedin - do they know you are a Christian? Can they pick it up through what you post on social media?
Food for thought.
Globalisation. Big word. Big meaning. Big impact. It refers to the integration of the entire world. The earth may be round, but through globalisation, it suddenly feels as if we are all in one village again.
We are living in an era where far away is so easy to reach. We can talk to and see people sitting in other continents through technologies such as skype. We can stay updated with the lives of family and friends through facebook, twitter and a host of other social media networks. We promote ourselves and our careers through networks such as linkedin. We even measure our influence on people through klout.
Which bring me to this question: what is your influence on other people? All those people who follow you on twitter, your friends on facebook and your connections on linkedin - do they know you are a Christian? Can they pick it up through what you post on social media?
Food for thought.
Monday 21 May 2012
A message from God...
I would have you to remember My goodness, for I have
watched over you even when you felt alone, even when you felt desperate, even
when you felt forgotten, even when you have been without.
I have never left you. I have never forsaken
you. I have been with you all of these days from the very first day you
gave yourself to Me, and I have watched over you.
It is true that I have allowed you to walk through some
hard circumstances, but do you not know that they are making you
stronger? And, do you not know that they are giving you the right to
exercise the authority that I have given you? And, do you not know that
they cause you to cling to Me?
Your destiny is already written and it is one of victory,
not failure. So, walk with Me in trust and love. Victory is
assured. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Dare
to believe you can be what I said you can be, says the Lord.
Rest assured that I have begun a good work in you, and I
will bring it to perfection, says the Lord. You are not an inferior
product. You have been redeemed and set apart for My kingdom.
Refuse to believe lying accusations that bring condemnation. You are
chosen and designed to fulfill My purposes in your place on the earth.
Trust Me.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you
both to will and to do for His good pleasure.Friday 18 May 2012
If I had to live my life over...
In honour
and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. This was written by Erma after she found out
she was dying from cancer.
If I had to live my life over…
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of
pretending the earth would go into a holding
pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a
rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the
carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living
room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire
in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather
ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried
by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled
up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.'
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.'
There would have been more 'I love you's, more 'I'm
sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.
Food for
thought….
Monday 14 May 2012
A life in front of God
"I will never leave you, nor forsake you".
We quote that scripture and meditate on it whenever we go through a difficult time. We encourage each other with that scripture, and rightfully so. But that scripture is like a coin that has a flip-side.
God is always with us. He is not just with us on a Sunday when we are standing in church. He is with you right this very moment.
So what are you busy with?
If you could see God standing next to you, will you still do what you are doing? If you could see God in the car with you, will you still curse and swear at the driver in front of you? If you could see God walking next to you, will your feet still walk towards that sin you know you shouldn't do? If you could see God in your office, will you still flirt with your colleague? If you could see God leaving work with you, will you still go to the bar and have one drink too many? Will you still light that cigarette? Will you still yell at your spouse? Will you?
God IS there, you just can see Him.
Has the coin dropped?
We are living a life with God, in front of God. What does He see?
We quote that scripture and meditate on it whenever we go through a difficult time. We encourage each other with that scripture, and rightfully so. But that scripture is like a coin that has a flip-side.
God is always with us. He is not just with us on a Sunday when we are standing in church. He is with you right this very moment.
So what are you busy with?
If you could see God standing next to you, will you still do what you are doing? If you could see God in the car with you, will you still curse and swear at the driver in front of you? If you could see God walking next to you, will your feet still walk towards that sin you know you shouldn't do? If you could see God in your office, will you still flirt with your colleague? If you could see God leaving work with you, will you still go to the bar and have one drink too many? Will you still light that cigarette? Will you still yell at your spouse? Will you?
God IS there, you just can see Him.
Has the coin dropped?
We are living a life with God, in front of God. What does He see?
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Did you know that life is short?
We plan our lives as if we have hundreds of years in front of us. We work hectically to achieve more, earn more, travel more, do more. And somewhere in between the race we are in, we try to make time for God. It's the wrong way around.
We need to seek God's kingdom first, then the rest will come. If we serve God, His favour will rest on us, meaning life will be easier. His Spirit in us will help us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, meaning we will be much more lovable and likable to other people. In short, we need to stop our nonsense and start serving God. He is a jealous God who wants to be the first love in our lives. Stop worrying over trivial things - serve God.
Matthew 6:33 says If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Life could be over at any moment. There is no guarantee that you will have a warning that the end is near. We need to make sure we are ready. At any moment, we must be ready to appear in the front of God's throne. Stop indulging in sin. There is no time for that. Stop fighting with people over petty issues - it's not worth it. Make peace with the people that you are angry with. Forgive all of them. Ask forgiveness from those that are angry with you. Get your life in order and serve God. He will take care of the rest.
We need to seek God's kingdom first, then the rest will come. If we serve God, His favour will rest on us, meaning life will be easier. His Spirit in us will help us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, meaning we will be much more lovable and likable to other people. In short, we need to stop our nonsense and start serving God. He is a jealous God who wants to be the first love in our lives. Stop worrying over trivial things - serve God.
Matthew 6:33 says If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Life could be over at any moment. There is no guarantee that you will have a warning that the end is near. We need to make sure we are ready. At any moment, we must be ready to appear in the front of God's throne. Stop indulging in sin. There is no time for that. Stop fighting with people over petty issues - it's not worth it. Make peace with the people that you are angry with. Forgive all of them. Ask forgiveness from those that are angry with you. Get your life in order and serve God. He will take care of the rest.
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Rolling River God
I love Nichole Nordeman. But this song is my favourite. Rolling River God. This song ministered to me so many times already and it still does.
Those people that irritate you daily? They are shaping you so that you will be smoother in God's hand. Let the lyrics of this song minister to you too.
Those people that irritate you daily? They are shaping you so that you will be smoother in God's hand. Let the lyrics of this song minister to you too.
- Songwriters: Nichole Ellyse Nordeman
Rolling River God, little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone, rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill
But when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset come, my prayer would be this one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
Sometimes raging wild, sometimes swollen high
And never have I known this river dry
The deepest part of you is where I want to stay
And feel the sharpest edges wash away
And when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset comes, my prayer would be just one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
Rolling River God, little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone, rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill
But when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset come, my prayer would be this one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
Sometimes raging wild, sometimes swollen high
And never have I known this river dry
The deepest part of you is where I want to stay
And feel the sharpest edges wash away
And when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset comes, my prayer would be just one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand
Rolling River God, little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
Monday 23 April 2012
A strange place with a strange person
I didn't apply for this job - it was offered to me. From the beginning I prayed that God will place me there only if it is His will. And He did. Initially, I got interviewed for a Business Analyst position and I got appointed as Project Manager. Weird I know. Less than one month there, I got assigned all the projects of one particular department and I moved there. Only to find out that I don't belong.
Many times over the last few months, I wondered what I was doing there. I am used to taking control and turning a place upside down with new processes. I am used to making an impact and contributing value. I am used to getting along with people, making friends easily and working in a team. None of that is present. I feel so lost.
This afternoon again, I cried out to God and asked why He placed me there. What was the purpose? And God answered immediately. I am there to pray for a specific person. That is all.
Have you ever encountered a person so emotionally wounded that he is antagonistic to every other person he encounters? I work with such a person. I just never realised before that he is the reason God placed me there. There is a scripture in Isaiah that says God is looking through the earth to find someone who will be prepared to stand in the gap for somebody else. I have been chosen to stand in the gap for this person. That is the only reason I am there.
I won't be there for long - I know that. God is already orchestrating other things due to happen soon. That place is temporary. As soon as I have done what God called me to do there, He will move me to another place.
Pray for me that I will be faithful. That I will not take the cold shoulder personally. That the words that come from his mouth will not hurt me. Pray that God will shield me in love, and that His love will be the only thing this person will see. Even more important, pray that God will heal him. I need intercessors to stand in the gap with me.
Many times over the last few months, I wondered what I was doing there. I am used to taking control and turning a place upside down with new processes. I am used to making an impact and contributing value. I am used to getting along with people, making friends easily and working in a team. None of that is present. I feel so lost.
This afternoon again, I cried out to God and asked why He placed me there. What was the purpose? And God answered immediately. I am there to pray for a specific person. That is all.
Have you ever encountered a person so emotionally wounded that he is antagonistic to every other person he encounters? I work with such a person. I just never realised before that he is the reason God placed me there. There is a scripture in Isaiah that says God is looking through the earth to find someone who will be prepared to stand in the gap for somebody else. I have been chosen to stand in the gap for this person. That is the only reason I am there.
I won't be there for long - I know that. God is already orchestrating other things due to happen soon. That place is temporary. As soon as I have done what God called me to do there, He will move me to another place.
Pray for me that I will be faithful. That I will not take the cold shoulder personally. That the words that come from his mouth will not hurt me. Pray that God will shield me in love, and that His love will be the only thing this person will see. Even more important, pray that God will heal him. I need intercessors to stand in the gap with me.
Monday 16 April 2012
Ups and Downs
Have you ever noticed this up and down cycle in life? Just when you think you have everything sorted and you are well away, then something happens and you come down to earth with a crash. Give the devil credit - he is diligent. He is constantly looking for someone that he can demotivate. He is constantly seeking to upset you life. Be it your workplace, your marriage, your relationship with your children, friendships, relationships in church etc etc etc. He doesn't want you to be happy. And his favourite game is to make you feel guilty about your past. Oh he gets so much joy if you get downhearted.
I have just the remedy for you this morning. I am listening to it right now. Juanita du Plessis' song "Ek vlieg hoog". I include the lyrics for you. May it bless you and lift your spirit!
Apologies to the English speaking people who might not understand the Afrikaans fully.
‘n Reënboog vol beloftes voor want gister is verby.
Al my drome, ek gaan dit haal.
Want ek vlieg hoog.
Die berge kan maar val om my want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke, hoër.
Want ek kan!
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Ek weet ek sal nie moeg raak nie want Sy hande dra my.
As ek val tel, Hy my op en sê “Jy kan!”
Wat sal ‘n mens aan my kan doen, want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke hoër.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
I have just the remedy for you this morning. I am listening to it right now. Juanita du Plessis' song "Ek vlieg hoog". I include the lyrics for you. May it bless you and lift your spirit!
Apologies to the English speaking people who might not understand the Afrikaans fully.
Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.Hoër as die son, na die Lig.Ek vlieg hoog.‘n Reënboog vol beloftes voor want gister is verby.
Al my drome, ek gaan dit haal.
Want ek vlieg hoog.
Die berge kan maar val om my want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke, hoër.
Want ek kan!
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Ek weet ek sal nie moeg raak nie want Sy hande dra my.
As ek val tel, Hy my op en sê “Jy kan!”
Wat sal ‘n mens aan my kan doen, want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke hoër.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Die pad lê gelyk en uitgestrek, my lewe wag vir my.
‘n Arendsvlug op ‘n vaste koers met ‘n engel aan my sy.
Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.
Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.
My asem sal nie opraak nie want Sy asem is in my.
Niks kan my meer bangmaak nie, niks sal my onder kry.
Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.
Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.
Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.
Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.
Hoog bo die son.
Hoog bo die son.
Wednesday 11 April 2012
The Passover Lamb
The past weekend was hard on us as a family. Three of our goat ewes gave birth this weekend. In total 5 kids were born. Two were desperately small and couldn't reach their mother's teats. So they were brought inhouse to be hand-reared. But neither of them made it. Both died.
It's so sad when our animals die. We come to love them as children in our house. And only knowing these two babies for two days, doesn't change that. We all cried.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, just after the last one past away, I was crying in my bed. And I thought about the passover lamb.
Many people in Biblical times bought their lamb at the temple grounds. But many raised the animal in their house. Can you imagine raising a little lamb in your house - taking all precautions possible for him to not get hurt? Can you imagine having a little lamb that sleeps inside on one of the children's beds? Can you imagine a little lamb that gets fed when the family eats? Can you imagine how much you will grow to love that little animal?
Can you imagine having to offer him as atonement for your sins? Think for a moment about that one animal in your house that you love so much. Can you imagine having to slaughter him as atonement for your sins? It's a terrible thought!
We can't even begin to feel what God must have felt, giving His Son, so that our sins can be forgiven. We have no clue. But can we at least start to appreciate the greatness of this offering?
It's so sad when our animals die. We come to love them as children in our house. And only knowing these two babies for two days, doesn't change that. We all cried.
In the early hours of yesterday morning, just after the last one past away, I was crying in my bed. And I thought about the passover lamb.
Many people in Biblical times bought their lamb at the temple grounds. But many raised the animal in their house. Can you imagine raising a little lamb in your house - taking all precautions possible for him to not get hurt? Can you imagine having a little lamb that sleeps inside on one of the children's beds? Can you imagine a little lamb that gets fed when the family eats? Can you imagine how much you will grow to love that little animal?
Can you imagine having to offer him as atonement for your sins? Think for a moment about that one animal in your house that you love so much. Can you imagine having to slaughter him as atonement for your sins? It's a terrible thought!
We can't even begin to feel what God must have felt, giving His Son, so that our sins can be forgiven. We have no clue. But can we at least start to appreciate the greatness of this offering?
Tuesday 20 March 2012
The Invisible Mother
Author Unknown
Well done Mother!
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude--but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read--no, devour--the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals--we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4:00 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home.
And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Well done Mother!
Idolatrous prayer?
She asked the question just before we went to bed last night.
"Where in the Bible can I find a verse on idolatory?"
"There are lots" her father answered.
"The first one is probably the one in the 10 commandments" I added.
This morning in the car she told me that it is her turn to open the school today with scripture and prayer. And that she was going to talk about idolatry. She carried on before I could ask for more information.
"Many times we are so absorbed about something that we end up praying only about that one thing. Like sport for instance. We pray that we will do well. We pray that we will not be injured. We pray to win the game. At the end, the only thing you talk about in prayer is your sport. That is idolatry. We should grow in our relationship with God in our prayer time instead of petitioning Him about our idolatrous activities".
Deep words for a teenager.
Food for thought.
"Where in the Bible can I find a verse on idolatory?"
"There are lots" her father answered.
"The first one is probably the one in the 10 commandments" I added.
This morning in the car she told me that it is her turn to open the school today with scripture and prayer. And that she was going to talk about idolatry. She carried on before I could ask for more information.
"Many times we are so absorbed about something that we end up praying only about that one thing. Like sport for instance. We pray that we will do well. We pray that we will not be injured. We pray to win the game. At the end, the only thing you talk about in prayer is your sport. That is idolatry. We should grow in our relationship with God in our prayer time instead of petitioning Him about our idolatrous activities".
Deep words for a teenager.
Food for thought.
Wednesday 14 March 2012
The danger of social media - read this story and read it to your children.
After tossing her books on the sofa, she decided to grab a snack and get on-line..
She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on. She sent him an instant message:
ByAngel213:
Hi. I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!
GoTo123:
LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you? Don't you live in a safe neighbourhood?
ByAngel213:
Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.
GoTo123:
Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?
ByAngel213:
Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.
GoTo123:
Did you have a softball game after school today?
ByAngel213:
Yes, and we won!!
GoTo123:
That's great! Who did you play?
ByAngel213:
We played the Hornets. LOL.
Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL
GoTo123:
What is your team called?
ByAngel213:
We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are
really cool.
GoTo123:
Did you pitch?
ByAngel213:
No, I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my
parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!
GoTo123:
Catch you later. Bye
Meanwhile, GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.
Her name: Shannon
Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985
Age: 13
State where she lived: Victoria
Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall. Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6: 30 p.m. every afternoon until her parents came home from work. He knew she played softball on Thursday
afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the eighth grade at the Canton Junior High school. She had told him all this in the conversations they had on- line. He had enough information
to find her now.
Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ballpark that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games. Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn’t be so overprotective.
By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her. Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her.
It was then that the memory came back. She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely. He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the sudden fear she had felt.
After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back. He noticed her name on the back of her shirt. He knew he had found her.
She logged on under her screen name ByAngel213. She checked her Buddy List and saw GoTo123 was on. She sent him an instant message:
ByAngel213:
Hi. I'm glad you are on! I thought someone was following me home today. It was really weird!
GoTo123:
LOL You watch too much TV. Why would someone be following you? Don't you live in a safe neighbourhood?
ByAngel213:
Of course I do. LOL I guess it was my imagination cuz' I didn't see anybody when I looked out.
GoTo123:
Unless you gave your name out on-line. You haven't done that have you?
ByAngel213:
Of course not. I'm not stupid you know.
GoTo123:
Did you have a softball game after school today?
ByAngel213:
Yes, and we won!!
GoTo123:
That's great! Who did you play?
ByAngel213:
We played the Hornets. LOL.
Their uniforms are so gross! They look like bees. LOL
GoTo123:
What is your team called?
ByAngel213:
We are the Canton Cats. We have tiger paws on our uniforms. They are
really cool.
GoTo123:
Did you pitch?
ByAngel213:
No, I play second base. I got to go. My homework has to be done before my
parents get home. I don't want them mad at me. Bye!
GoTo123:
Catch you later. Bye
Meanwhile, GoTo123 went to the member menu and began to search for her profile. When it came up, he highlighted it and printed it out. He took out a pen and began to write down what he knew about Angel so far.
Her name: Shannon
Birthday: Jan. 3, 1985
Age: 13
State where she lived: Victoria
Hobbies: softball, chorus, skating and going to the mall. Besides this information, he knew she lived in Canton because she had just told him. He knew she stayed by herself until 6
afternoons on the school team, and the team was named the Canton Cats. Her favorite number 7 was printed on her jersey. He knew she was in the eighth grade at the Canton Junior High school. She had told him all this in the conversations they had on- line. He had enough information
to find her now.
Shannon didn't tell her parents about the incident on the way home from the ballpark that day. She didn't want them to make a scene and stop her from walking home from the softball games. Parents were always overreacting and hers were the worst. It made her wish she was not an only child. Maybe if she had brothers and sisters, her parents wouldn’t be so overprotective.
By Thursday, Shannon had forgotten about the footsteps following her. Her game was in full swing when suddenly she felt someone staring at her.
It was then that the memory came back. She glanced up from her second base position to see a man watching her closely. He was leaning against the fence behind first base and he smiled when she looked at him. He didn't look scary and she quickly dismissed the sudden fear she had felt.
After the game, he sat on a bleacher while she talked to the coach. She noticed his smile once again as she walked past him. He nodded and she smiled back. He noticed her name on the back of her shirt. He knew he had found her.
Quietly, he walked a safe distance behind her. It was only a few blocks to Shannon 's home, and once he saw where she lived he quickly returned to the park to get his car.
Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon 's house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.
Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room.
" Shannon , come here," her father called.. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.
"Sit down," her father began," this man has just told us a most interesting story about you."
Shannon sat back. How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!
"Do you know who I am, Shannon ?" the man asked.
"No," Shannon answered.
"I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123."
Shannon was stunned. "That's impossible! GoTo123 is a kid my age! He's 14. And he lives in Western Australia!"
The man smiled. "I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true. You see, Shannon , there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to injure kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to talk to people on-line.
You told me enough about yourself to make it easy for me to find you. You named the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze."
Shannon was stunned. "You mean you don't live in Western Australia?"
He laughed. "No, I live in Abbottsford . It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?"
She nodded.
"I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her and murdered her while she was home alone. Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line. The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again. Tell others
about this so they will be safe too?"
"It's a promise!"
That night Shannon and her Dad and Mum thanked God for protecting Shannon from what could have been a tragic situation.
Author Unknown.Now he had to wait. He decided to get a bite to eat until the time came to go to Shannon 's house. He drove to a fast food restaurant and sat there until time to make his move.
Shannon was in her room later that evening when she heard voices in the living room.
" Shannon , come here," her father called.. He sounded upset and she couldn't imagine why. She went into the room to see the man from the ballpark sitting on the sofa.
"Sit down," her father began," this man has just told us a most interesting story about you."
Shannon sat back. How could he tell her parents anything? She had never seen him before today!
"Do you know who I am, Shannon ?" the man asked.
"No," Shannon answered.
"I am a police officer and your online friend, GoTo123."
Shannon was stunned. "That's impossible! GoTo123 is a kid my age! He's 14. And he lives in Western Australia!"
The man smiled. "I know I told you all that, but it wasn't true. You see, Shannon , there are people on-line who pretend to be kids; I was one of them. But while others do it to injure kids and hurt them, I belong to a group of parents who do it to protect kids from predators. I came here to find you to teach you how dangerous it is to talk to people on-line.
You told me enough about yourself to make it easy for me to find you. You named the school you went to, the name of your ball team and the position you played. The number and name on your jersey just made finding you a breeze."
Shannon was stunned. "You mean you don't live in Western Australia?"
He laughed. "No, I live in Abbottsford . It made you feel safe to think I was so far away, didn't it?"
She nodded.
"I had a friend whose daughter was like you. Only she wasn't as lucky. The guy found her and murdered her while she was home alone. Kids are taught not to tell anyone when they are alone, yet they do it all the time on-line. The wrong people trick you into giving out information a little here and there on-line. Before you know it, you have told them enough for them to find you without even realizing you have done it. I hope you've learned a lesson from this and won't do it again. Tell others
about this so they will be safe too?"
"It's a promise!"
That night Shannon and her Dad and Mum thanked God for protecting Shannon from what could have been a tragic situation.
Tuesday 13 March 2012
The Silent Sermon
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace... and waited.
It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preacher's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace... and waited.
| The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.' We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken. Author Unknown |
Tuesday 6 March 2012
The ruins of our lives
There are a few odd things I have a special interest in. One of them is the ruin of an old building.
We took a drive down to the Cape this weekend and we drove past several such ruins. I always wonder what the woman was like who wore an apron in that house. How many little feet were running in that house when it was still a home? What happened to them? How many years ago where they there? While I was pondering on questions as this, it occurred to me that our lives are like that ruins.
Our sinful life that we left behind is a ruined building now. No more life there. No roof. No garden. Just an empty space where there once was life. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Why then is it so difficult for us to walk away from our past? Why can’t we just forget about the ruin and focus on our new life?
Firstly, you have to accept the forgiveness available to you. Jesus died for everything you did wrong in your past and everything you will do wrong in your future. His blood was enough. It was the perfect offering. There is nothing more you can add to it.
Secondly, you have to forgive yourself. That is the more difficult part. We all have skeletons in our cupboards and most people will tell you to just forget about them. I tend to differ. I will tell you why. Sometimes, you have to take those skeletons out and look at them with the knowledge and life experience you have now. Many times you will realise that what you did wrong way back then, was the result of a lack of life experience. A lack of guidance. A lack of knowledge. It makes it easier to forgive yourself for what you did in your past. If you had the choice today, you wouldn’t do it.
Thirdly, obviously Satan will constantly remind you of your ruin. He will always try to convince you that your life house still looks that like. He will try to convince you that you are not worth serving in your church, standing in a ministry, taking part in a cell group or whatever, just because of what you were. In times like that, you have to remind him of what you are! You are covered by God’s grace. Grace is one big word written over your entire past and it covers everything!
The next time you are reminded of your life ruin, focus on this little chorus:
I’ve got a mansion
Right over the hilltop
In that bright land where, we’ll never grow old
And someday yonder
We will never more wonder
But walk on streets that are purest gold.
May God help you today to accept His forgiveness, to forgive yourself and to focus on your new life in Christ!
We took a drive down to the Cape this weekend and we drove past several such ruins. I always wonder what the woman was like who wore an apron in that house. How many little feet were running in that house when it was still a home? What happened to them? How many years ago where they there? While I was pondering on questions as this, it occurred to me that our lives are like that ruins.
Our sinful life that we left behind is a ruined building now. No more life there. No roof. No garden. Just an empty space where there once was life. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Why then is it so difficult for us to walk away from our past? Why can’t we just forget about the ruin and focus on our new life?
Firstly, you have to accept the forgiveness available to you. Jesus died for everything you did wrong in your past and everything you will do wrong in your future. His blood was enough. It was the perfect offering. There is nothing more you can add to it.
Secondly, you have to forgive yourself. That is the more difficult part. We all have skeletons in our cupboards and most people will tell you to just forget about them. I tend to differ. I will tell you why. Sometimes, you have to take those skeletons out and look at them with the knowledge and life experience you have now. Many times you will realise that what you did wrong way back then, was the result of a lack of life experience. A lack of guidance. A lack of knowledge. It makes it easier to forgive yourself for what you did in your past. If you had the choice today, you wouldn’t do it.
Thirdly, obviously Satan will constantly remind you of your ruin. He will always try to convince you that your life house still looks that like. He will try to convince you that you are not worth serving in your church, standing in a ministry, taking part in a cell group or whatever, just because of what you were. In times like that, you have to remind him of what you are! You are covered by God’s grace. Grace is one big word written over your entire past and it covers everything!
The next time you are reminded of your life ruin, focus on this little chorus:
I’ve got a mansion
Right over the hilltop
In that bright land where, we’ll never grow old
And someday yonder
We will never more wonder
But walk on streets that are purest gold.
May God help you today to accept His forgiveness, to forgive yourself and to focus on your new life in Christ!
Thursday 1 March 2012
It is well with my soul
I love this hymn. Its words have carried me through difficult times many times. Read the words first and then the history behind the song:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
The history behind this song is mind blowing (courtesy of http://biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html)
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled, 'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.
No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...
It is well, it is well with my soul!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
The history behind this song is mind blowing (courtesy of http://biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html)
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled, 'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.
No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...
It is well, it is well with my soul!
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Put your feet into the water
The Israelites were looking at the promised land from the other side of the Jordan river. The river was in flood. There was no way they would get across. God told Joshua to get them all ready to move. The priests were in the front with the ark of the covenant on their shoulders. Imagine what they must have felt. They had to walk into this mass of water because God said so. In faith they obeyed. When their feet touched the water, the river stopped flowing and the entire nation walked through.
Sometimes we are in the same position. We look at something that we just can't get. We look for a way out of a difficult situation but we don't see any. In times like that, God instructs us to do something in faith. We have to pick ourselves up and do whatever God said, in faith. Only when our feet touch the water, will God perform the miracle.
Unfortunately, we want to see the miracle before we get up and do something. God doesn't work like that. He tests our faith in Him time and time again.
What are you waiting for? Get up and put your feet in the water - God will do the rest.
Sometimes we are in the same position. We look at something that we just can't get. We look for a way out of a difficult situation but we don't see any. In times like that, God instructs us to do something in faith. We have to pick ourselves up and do whatever God said, in faith. Only when our feet touch the water, will God perform the miracle.
Unfortunately, we want to see the miracle before we get up and do something. God doesn't work like that. He tests our faith in Him time and time again.
What are you waiting for? Get up and put your feet in the water - God will do the rest.
Monday 27 February 2012
The move is on.....
There is an old pentecostal chorus that my late father loved. Every time I hear the chorus, I can see him in my mind's eye singing the chorus, eyes closed, shuffling his feet on the beat. Yesterday we sang the chorus again.
The move is on my Lord the move is on
The move is on my Lord the move is on
I can hear the rustle in the mulberry tree
And I know I know I know the move is on
Move on brother, move on sister
This is the moving day
Move a little closer to the sound of glory
Move on brother move on!
With that in the back of your mind, focus on something else for a while. Do you remember being taught table manners as a child? Just when you thought you got something right, something else was wrong. The list was never ending! Elbows off the table. Don't talk with food in your mouth. Feet off the chair. Keep your napkin on your lap. Knives and forks never point to the ceiling. And so the list goes on. Our parents spent years getting us mannered.
And so does God. Just when I think I mastered something, He points out something else I need to work on. Some things are easy, some things are hard. Some things I can master in a day or a week, some take years. And yes, as a human, I sometimes get tired - just like you. But God gives us a gentle nudge and says: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
Allow me to motivate you today to keep on moving, keep on trying, keep on growing. Keep on doing good. Keep on striving towards holiness. Move on brother! Move on sister! This is the moving day!
The move is on my Lord the move is on
The move is on my Lord the move is on
I can hear the rustle in the mulberry tree
And I know I know I know the move is on
Move on brother, move on sister
This is the moving day
Move a little closer to the sound of glory
Move on brother move on!
With that in the back of your mind, focus on something else for a while. Do you remember being taught table manners as a child? Just when you thought you got something right, something else was wrong. The list was never ending! Elbows off the table. Don't talk with food in your mouth. Feet off the chair. Keep your napkin on your lap. Knives and forks never point to the ceiling. And so the list goes on. Our parents spent years getting us mannered.
And so does God. Just when I think I mastered something, He points out something else I need to work on. Some things are easy, some things are hard. Some things I can master in a day or a week, some take years. And yes, as a human, I sometimes get tired - just like you. But God gives us a gentle nudge and says: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
Allow me to motivate you today to keep on moving, keep on trying, keep on growing. Keep on doing good. Keep on striving towards holiness. Move on brother! Move on sister! This is the moving day!
Tuesday 21 February 2012
There is a heaven...
Every now and then I get a gem via email that I publish here. Today is one of those days. I apologise in advance for those who prefer english, this is in Afrikaans. Unfortunately, I have no idea who the author is, but may God bless her richly!
'n Paar jaar na my twee seuns se geboorte het ek, elke nou en dan 'n gedagte gekry dat ek een van my kinders gaan verpleeg op 'n siek bed. Ek kon nie sê watter seun dit gaan wees nie, maar die gedagte het gereeld by my opgekom.
Jaundre is in Desember 2006 gediagnoseer met kanker. Ons moes die dag van diagnose onmiddelik Kaapstad to gaan vir behandeling by Rooi-Kruis Kinderhospital. Die behandeling was intensief, maar hy het goed gereageer daarop ten spyte van al die newe-effete van chemoterapie. Binne 10 dae was die 6cm tumor wat op sy borsbeen was feitlik weg. Die dokters was baie positief.
Na omtrent 'n maand is Jaundre ontslaan om sy behandeling voort te sit in PE. Alles het goed verloop en ons het met die Junie maand skool vakansie terug gegaan Rooi Kruis hospitaal toe vir 'n opvolg ondersoek. Weereens het die spesialiste ons verseker alles verloop volgens plan. Ons was in daardie tyd 24 uur van die dag op ons kniee om te smeek vir genade en ook daarna om dankie te sê vir Sy genade wat ons ontvang het. Ek het gereken die gedagte wat ek so gereeld gekry het, is die kanker en dat dit nou sal weggaan, maar dit het nie ek het dit nog steeds gekry.
Vanaf omtrent September 2007 het Jaundre vir my gevra "hoe lank gaan hy nog by ons wees"? Ek het aangeneem dit is die kanker wat hy gehad het wat hom hierdie idees gee. Einde November 2007 het ons besluit om te gaan kamp vir 'n naweek, want altwee seuns geniet dit by die see. Jaundre het begin kla dat sy hartjie vinnig klop. Ons het hom die Maandag more dokter toe gevat en nie in die aand soos die gewoonte was nie. Die dokter het bloed toetse gedoen wat alles normal gewys het. Hy is toe verwys na die x-straal afdeling. Die middag het ek die spesialis gebel om die uitslae te kry, maar moes toe verneem dat die kanker terug is en dat die tumor 9cm is wat groei op sy borsbeen. Ons moes onmiddelik terug Kaapstad toe gaan. Vandat ons daar gekom het was die dokters meer negatief oor genesing as positief. Hy het met meer intensiewe behandeling begin en sy liggaampie was heeltemal afgetakel. Teen die 24ste Desember het die dokters vir ons gese om huis toe te kom want ons is besig om die stryd te verloor, maar hoe op aarde vertel jy vir 'n 12 jarige seun wat by sy volle positiewe is dat hy besig is om dood te gaan? Ek kon dit nie doen nie.
Daar was een chemo tipe wat oorgebly het maar die dokters het dit nie aanbeveel nie omdat dit so sterk is en hy sou dood gaan van die newe effekte en nie die siekte nie. Ek het gevra dat hulle daarmee begin. Na die eerste week van behandeling waarin hy geen newe effekte gekry het nie, moes hy 3 weke wag voordat hy weer kon begin om sy gesonde selle tyd te gee om te herstel. Hy het intussen begin kla van rugpyn en seer bene. Vrydag die 25ste Januarie 2008 het die dokter ons meegedeel dat die kanker verder versprei het na die beenmurg toe en dat ons liewer moet huis toe gaan, medies gesproke kan hulle niks meer doen nie. Ons moes vir hom die nuus gaan oordra.
Vandat Jaundre gediagnoseer was het hy met niks ‘n keuse gehad nie, nie met die diagnose nie, nie met die behandeling nie, en nou ook nie met die dood nie. Ek het vir hom gesê die Here sal hom eers gaan wys hoe dit in die Hemel is en dan kan hy besluit of hy daarheen wou gaan of liewer by ons bly.
Ons het die Here gesmeek vir daardie voorreg, want ek kon nie my kind net so laat gaan met sy onsekerheid nie. Hy wou weet as hy sou kies om liewer by ons te bly, of hy dan nog gaan siek wees of gesond. Ek GLO die Here sou hom vir my gesond terug gegee het as dit SY wil was.
Ons het met die Here geredeneer, geargumenteer, gesmeek, maar sy wil was om my seun hemel toe te neem. Die spesialiste het ons ‘ n maand saam met ons seun gegee, maar ons het net een goue week gehad. Ons het elke nag gel ê en gesels.
Saterdag oggend net na 10h00 is hy oorlede, maar sekondes voor sy dood het dit gelyk asof hy uit die bed uit wou klim, hy het sy nek gedraai en vas gestaar teen ‘ n spesifieke punt teen die muur, weer na my gekyk en vir my gesê "Ek is lief vir jou mamma, maar DIS LEKKER DAAR"!
Ek glo die Here het vir my kind gaan wys waarheen hy hom gaan neem en dat Jaundr è vir die eerste keer self kon besluit of hy na daardie "LEKKER" plek wou gaan en of hy na my toe terug wou kom. Hy het die Hemel gekies. Daarvoor loof en prys ons die Here.
Die Woensdagaand na die roudiens het ek gaan slaap, ek het nie Bybel gelees of gebid nie, dit was asof ek dood was van binne ek kon net niks doen nie. Jaundre en ek het altyd gespot omdat my hare so vreeslik uitgeval het. Hy het altyd gesê ek gaan voor hom bles wees, en dan sy hande deur my hare getrek en my in my nek gesoen. Daardie nag het ek wakker geskrik (Geestelik wakker) van n handjie
in my hare en n koel soentjie in my nek. Ek het onmiddelik geweet Jaundre is by my. Ek kon aanvoel dat hy haastig was. Ons het gesels, en hy het onder andere vir my gese "die OOM" het die pypie in sy bors uitgehaal en dit was glad nie seer nie. Ons het hom veras met pypie en al (chemoterapie drippie in sy hoofslagaar ) Ek GLO die Here het daardie pypie uitgehaal, want niemand anders het nie. Hy het na n rukkie vir my gese hy moet nou gaan. Hy het omgedraai en geloop asof van nêrens was daar skielik n tweede persoon by hom, wat ek net van agteraf gesien het.
Daardie persoon het my kind se hand gevat en weggeloop, maar Ek WEET hy is gelukkig en dat hy graag wil teruggaan waarvandaan hy gekom het. Ons kan die Here nie genoeg loof vir daardie versekering nie. Die gemoedsrus is onbeskryflik. So twee weke na die gebeurtenis het ek weer met die Here gepraat en vir hom gevra hy moet Jaundre net weer vir my wys, ek het berusting waar hy is, maar ek verlang so verskriklik baie. Daardie nag het ek "gedroom" ek sien twee hande in een gevou. Uit die lug het 'n bak "kruik" geval. Die hande het dit gevang en 'n stem het vir my gesê, "Soos daardie paar hande die kruik gevang het, so vang die Here sy kinders, as jy in Sy hande is kan NIKS jou daaruit kry nie, jy kan nie jou seun nou al sien nie, daar is te veel siele op die aarde wat nie reg is nie, MAAK DIT REG!"
Dit is waarom hierdie getuienis uitgestuur word na so veel as moontlik mense, want ons moet seker maak ons siele is reg vir die Here. Daar IS ‘n HEMEL, maar daar IS ook ‘n hel. Moet nie wag tot more nie, dit kan te laat wees. Die Hemel en Hel het nie ‘n ouderdoms groep beperking vir bejaardes alleen nie.
'n Paar jaar na my twee seuns se geboorte het ek, elke nou en dan 'n gedagte gekry dat ek een van my kinders gaan verpleeg op 'n siek bed. Ek kon nie sê watter seun dit gaan wees nie, maar die gedagte het gereeld by my opgekom.
Jaundre is in Desember 2006 gediagnoseer met kanker. Ons moes die dag van diagnose onmiddelik Kaapstad to gaan vir behandeling by Rooi-Kruis Kinderhospital. Die behandeling was intensief, maar hy het goed gereageer daarop ten spyte van al die newe-effete van chemoterapie. Binne 10 dae was die 6cm tumor wat op sy borsbeen was feitlik weg. Die dokters was baie positief.
Na omtrent 'n maand is Jaundre ontslaan om sy behandeling voort te sit in PE. Alles het goed verloop en ons het met die Junie maand skool vakansie terug gegaan Rooi Kruis hospitaal toe vir 'n opvolg ondersoek. Weereens het die spesialiste ons verseker alles verloop volgens plan. Ons was in daardie tyd 24 uur van die dag op ons kniee om te smeek vir genade en ook daarna om dankie te sê vir Sy genade wat ons ontvang het. Ek het gereken die gedagte wat ek so gereeld gekry het, is die kanker en dat dit nou sal weggaan, maar dit het nie ek het dit nog steeds gekry.
Vanaf omtrent September 2007 het Jaundre vir my gevra "hoe lank gaan hy nog by ons wees"? Ek het aangeneem dit is die kanker wat hy gehad het wat hom hierdie idees gee. Einde November 2007 het ons besluit om te gaan kamp vir 'n naweek, want altwee seuns geniet dit by die see. Jaundre het begin kla dat sy hartjie vinnig klop. Ons het hom die Maandag more dokter toe gevat en nie in die aand soos die gewoonte was nie. Die dokter het bloed toetse gedoen wat alles normal gewys het. Hy is toe verwys na die x-straal afdeling. Die middag het ek die spesialis gebel om die uitslae te kry, maar moes toe verneem dat die kanker terug is en dat die tumor 9cm is wat groei op sy borsbeen. Ons moes onmiddelik terug Kaapstad toe gaan. Vandat ons daar gekom het was die dokters meer negatief oor genesing as positief. Hy het met meer intensiewe behandeling begin en sy liggaampie was heeltemal afgetakel. Teen die 24ste Desember het die dokters vir ons gese om huis toe te kom want ons is besig om die stryd te verloor, maar hoe op aarde vertel jy vir 'n 12 jarige seun wat by sy volle positiewe is dat hy besig is om dood te gaan? Ek kon dit nie doen nie.
Daar was een chemo tipe wat oorgebly het maar die dokters het dit nie aanbeveel nie omdat dit so sterk is en hy sou dood gaan van die newe effekte en nie die siekte nie. Ek het gevra dat hulle daarmee begin. Na die eerste week van behandeling waarin hy geen newe effekte gekry het nie, moes hy 3 weke wag voordat hy weer kon begin om sy gesonde selle tyd te gee om te herstel. Hy het intussen begin kla van rugpyn en seer bene. Vrydag die 25ste Januarie 2008 het die dokter ons meegedeel dat die kanker verder versprei het na die beenmurg toe en dat ons liewer moet huis toe gaan, medies gesproke kan hulle niks meer doen nie. Ons moes vir hom die nuus gaan oordra.
Vandat Jaundre gediagnoseer was het hy met niks ‘n keuse gehad nie, nie met die diagnose nie, nie met die behandeling nie, en nou ook nie met die dood nie. Ek het vir hom gesê die Here sal hom eers gaan wys hoe dit in die Hemel is en dan kan hy besluit of hy daarheen wou gaan of liewer by ons bly.
Ons het die Here gesmeek vir daardie voorreg, want ek kon nie my kind net so laat gaan met sy onsekerheid nie. Hy wou weet as hy sou kies om liewer by ons te bly, of hy dan nog gaan siek wees of gesond. Ek GLO die Here sou hom vir my gesond terug gegee het as dit SY wil was.
Ons het met die Here geredeneer, geargumenteer, gesmeek, maar sy wil was om my seun hemel toe te neem. Die spesialiste het ons ‘ n maand saam met ons seun gegee, maar ons het net een goue week gehad. Ons het elke nag gel ê en gesels.
Saterdag oggend net na 10h00 is hy oorlede, maar sekondes voor sy dood het dit gelyk asof hy uit die bed uit wou klim, hy het sy nek gedraai en vas gestaar teen ‘ n spesifieke punt teen die muur, weer na my gekyk en vir my gesê "Ek is lief vir jou mamma, maar DIS LEKKER DAAR"!
Ek glo die Here het vir my kind gaan wys waarheen hy hom gaan neem en dat Jaundr è vir die eerste keer self kon besluit of hy na daardie "LEKKER" plek wou gaan en of hy na my toe terug wou kom. Hy het die Hemel gekies. Daarvoor loof en prys ons die Here.
Die Woensdagaand na die roudiens het ek gaan slaap, ek het nie Bybel gelees of gebid nie, dit was asof ek dood was van binne ek kon net niks doen nie. Jaundre en ek het altyd gespot omdat my hare so vreeslik uitgeval het. Hy het altyd gesê ek gaan voor hom bles wees, en dan sy hande deur my hare getrek en my in my nek gesoen. Daardie nag het ek wakker geskrik (Geestelik wakker) van n handjie
in my hare en n koel soentjie in my nek. Ek het onmiddelik geweet Jaundre is by my. Ek kon aanvoel dat hy haastig was. Ons het gesels, en hy het onder andere vir my gese "die OOM" het die pypie in sy bors uitgehaal en dit was glad nie seer nie. Ons het hom veras met pypie en al (chemoterapie drippie in sy hoofslagaar ) Ek GLO die Here het daardie pypie uitgehaal, want niemand anders het nie. Hy het na n rukkie vir my gese hy moet nou gaan. Hy het omgedraai en geloop asof van nêrens was daar skielik n tweede persoon by hom, wat ek net van agteraf gesien het.
Daardie persoon het my kind se hand gevat en weggeloop, maar Ek WEET hy is gelukkig en dat hy graag wil teruggaan waarvandaan hy gekom het. Ons kan die Here nie genoeg loof vir daardie versekering nie. Die gemoedsrus is onbeskryflik. So twee weke na die gebeurtenis het ek weer met die Here gepraat en vir hom gevra hy moet Jaundre net weer vir my wys, ek het berusting waar hy is, maar ek verlang so verskriklik baie. Daardie nag het ek "gedroom" ek sien twee hande in een gevou. Uit die lug het 'n bak "kruik" geval. Die hande het dit gevang en 'n stem het vir my gesê, "Soos daardie paar hande die kruik gevang het, so vang die Here sy kinders, as jy in Sy hande is kan NIKS jou daaruit kry nie, jy kan nie jou seun nou al sien nie, daar is te veel siele op die aarde wat nie reg is nie, MAAK DIT REG!"
Dit is waarom hierdie getuienis uitgestuur word na so veel as moontlik mense, want ons moet seker maak ons siele is reg vir die Here. Daar IS ‘n HEMEL, maar daar IS ook ‘n hel. Moet nie wag tot more nie, dit kan te laat wees. Die Hemel en Hel het nie ‘n ouderdoms groep beperking vir bejaardes alleen nie.
Monday 20 February 2012
Come to Me
Matthew 11: 28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The same invitation that Jesus gave to the people around him, is still valid to us today. He still asks us to come to Him, to spend time with Him, so that he can lighten our burdens.
We often use our lack of time as an excuse. You know, we all have the same time available - 24 hours, every day, with seven days in a week. One person don't have more time than the other. What makes the difference then? Our priorities. If you don't have time to spend with Jesus, change your priorities.
Sometimes we don't want to spend time with God because of sin in our lives. That is exactly the time we have to run to God so that He can make us whole again. He knows about that sin anyway. Jesus paid for it on the cross already. Why allow sin to keep us from spending time with God?
Sometimes we are people battle with things such as forgiveness. We cannot forgive and therefore we don't spend time with God. Wrong. The only way you will ever be able to forgive is through God's grace. We just don't have it in ourselves to forgive. We need God to change our hearts first - so run to God.
What is keeping you from spending time with God today? Imagine Him sitting on a two seat garden bench, next to a peaceful stream, in the midst of lush vegetation. He is waiting just for you....
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The same invitation that Jesus gave to the people around him, is still valid to us today. He still asks us to come to Him, to spend time with Him, so that he can lighten our burdens.
We often use our lack of time as an excuse. You know, we all have the same time available - 24 hours, every day, with seven days in a week. One person don't have more time than the other. What makes the difference then? Our priorities. If you don't have time to spend with Jesus, change your priorities.
Sometimes we don't want to spend time with God because of sin in our lives. That is exactly the time we have to run to God so that He can make us whole again. He knows about that sin anyway. Jesus paid for it on the cross already. Why allow sin to keep us from spending time with God?
Sometimes we are people battle with things such as forgiveness. We cannot forgive and therefore we don't spend time with God. Wrong. The only way you will ever be able to forgive is through God's grace. We just don't have it in ourselves to forgive. We need God to change our hearts first - so run to God.
What is keeping you from spending time with God today? Imagine Him sitting on a two seat garden bench, next to a peaceful stream, in the midst of lush vegetation. He is waiting just for you....
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Who are the giants in your life?
I had a revelation this morning. God took me out of Egypt a couple of month ago and this week suddenly, I became afraid. Afraid of several issues and people.
This morning as I was lamenting before God about this situation, God spoke to me so clear, so clear! I was like one of the 10 spies that didn't see any of God's promises coming into being, they only saw the giants in the new land. Joshua and Caleb, didn't see the giants, they saw the fulfilment of God's promises! Somehow I lost my focus!
I have to correct my focus right now!
What are you focussing on? Are their giants in your life? Look past them and see God.
This morning as I was lamenting before God about this situation, God spoke to me so clear, so clear! I was like one of the 10 spies that didn't see any of God's promises coming into being, they only saw the giants in the new land. Joshua and Caleb, didn't see the giants, they saw the fulfilment of God's promises! Somehow I lost my focus!
I have to correct my focus right now!
What are you focussing on? Are their giants in your life? Look past them and see God.
Monday 13 February 2012
What do we sound like?
A while back my husband and I had a discussion about the language used in our home. Both of us had the inner urge to live a more holy life by correcting our language. I believe it is Holy Spirit that was convicting both of us at the same time. And the words we used now and then were not even that bad. There are quite a few words that I have never said in my life and never will. Our swearwords were mild compared to other. Problem is - they are still just swearwords. Words that we shouldn't use.
We as Christians have a testimony to carry. That testimony must be visible to every person that we encounter. Note, I said visible, not audible. We have to live a life of holiness that will make other people aware that we are blood washed, Spirit filled, children of the Most High God. They should perceive our holiness and love of Jesus without us trying to convince them. They must SEE Jesus in us - we should not have to TELL them anything!
Read this scripture:
Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
What do you sound like? What do people hear when they listen to you? Do they hear Jesus speaking through you? Or are there some words in your vocabulary that shouldn't be there?
"Father God, take a coal from the altar, and cleanse my lips, so that my worship to You will be pure".
We as Christians have a testimony to carry. That testimony must be visible to every person that we encounter. Note, I said visible, not audible. We have to live a life of holiness that will make other people aware that we are blood washed, Spirit filled, children of the Most High God. They should perceive our holiness and love of Jesus without us trying to convince them. They must SEE Jesus in us - we should not have to TELL them anything!
Read this scripture:
Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
What do you sound like? What do people hear when they listen to you? Do they hear Jesus speaking through you? Or are there some words in your vocabulary that shouldn't be there?
"Father God, take a coal from the altar, and cleanse my lips, so that my worship to You will be pure".
Thursday 2 February 2012
Gifts
Let's all try to give at least one of these gifts every day. I know it's easy to just brush it off, but it really truly does make a difference in your life and the life of the person you give the gift to :)
1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
no planning your response.
Just listening.
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs,
kisses, pats on the back, and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the
love you have for family and friends.
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons.
Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple
"Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered
for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere,
You look great in red," "You did a super job,"
or "That was a wonderful meal"
can make someone's day.
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way
to do something kind.
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better
than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give
the gift of solitude to others.
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is
to extend a kind word to someone.
Really, it's not that hard to say,
Hello or Thank You.
copied from www.godvine.com
1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
no planning your response.
Just listening.
2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs,
kisses, pats on the back, and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the
love you have for family and friends.
3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons.
Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple
"Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered
for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere,
You look great in red," "You did a super job,"
or "That was a wonderful meal"
can make someone's day.
6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way
to do something kind.
7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better
than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give
the gift of solitude to others.
8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is
to extend a kind word to someone.
Really, it's not that hard to say,
Hello or Thank You.
copied from www.godvine.com
Thursday 26 January 2012
Intimacy with God
How would you feel if you were in a room full of people and they were talking about you as if you didn't exist? Most of us would be offended at the rude behaviour of these people.
Let me give you another scenario. You are standing in a room with a person next to you that you know well. A person walks in that you know from the newspapers, but that you have never met. You lean over to your friend and comment on what you have read about that person in the newspaper the previous day.
Many people worship like that. They sing ABOUT God as if He is not in the room. They talk about the wonderful things He does for other people without ever experiencing real intimacy first hand.
Do you know God or do you KNOW God intimately? I want to quote a piece from a blog I wrote last year (you can read it here if you want: http://www.abroomformybrain.blogspot.com/2011/03/wedding.html)
Listen to this scripture:
Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Has this scripture puzzled you? How could Jesus say He never 'knew' them? This word in the original Greek speaks of intimacy. With other words: "You went to church, you paid your tithes, you sang when the worship team sang, you did all the right things, you even prophesied, but you were never intimate with me".
Are you intimate with your Lord and Savior? When last have you been? When last did you really spend quality time with God? When last did you really take the time to wait on Him and hear His voice? When last?
Are you talking TO Him or ABOUT Him?
Let me give you another scenario. You are standing in a room with a person next to you that you know well. A person walks in that you know from the newspapers, but that you have never met. You lean over to your friend and comment on what you have read about that person in the newspaper the previous day.
Many people worship like that. They sing ABOUT God as if He is not in the room. They talk about the wonderful things He does for other people without ever experiencing real intimacy first hand.
Do you know God or do you KNOW God intimately? I want to quote a piece from a blog I wrote last year (you can read it here if you want: http://www.abroomformybrain.blogspot.com/2011/03/wedding.html)
Listen to this scripture:
Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Has this scripture puzzled you? How could Jesus say He never 'knew' them? This word in the original Greek speaks of intimacy. With other words: "You went to church, you paid your tithes, you sang when the worship team sang, you did all the right things, you even prophesied, but you were never intimate with me".
Are you intimate with your Lord and Savior? When last have you been? When last did you really spend quality time with God? When last did you really take the time to wait on Him and hear His voice? When last?
Are you talking TO Him or ABOUT Him?
Tuesday 24 January 2012
To grow or not to grow...
I saw the poor palm tree yesterday. Planted in a pot. Put on an outside porch. No space to grow. The leaves were pushing against the concrete slab above it. I felt sorry for it. I stood there wishing somebody would move it out into the sunshine and into unlimited space to grow tall! And like always, the voice of God came unexpectedly, using something ordinary to touch my heart - "How tall are you?" Food for thought.
So how tall are you? Are you still growing in your relationship with Jesus? Or did you somehow move into a space where your growth is curbed? Note the words - "did YOU somehow move"? You see, it's never God that moves - God is constant. We move away from God and then wonder what went wrong. We went wrong!
Growth is the result of a conscious decision and constant effort towards it. Growth doesn't just happen - it takes some effort on our side. It requires sacrifices. And it isn't easy either. Instead of reading a piece of fiction, rather read a teaching or study the word of God. Instead of listening radio on the way to work, listen worship music and worship God in the traffic. Instead of hanging out with people who have a bad influence, hang out with people who will have a Godly influence on you. I can come up with a lot of example but I am sure you understand the concept.
Let's make a decision today to actively persue growth in Jesus. The Kingdom of God needs spiritual adults - there are far too many babies still. And don't think you can relax when you consider yourself a spiritual adult. The evil one is prowling around, looking for those he can destroy. If you are not vigilant, you will lose the battle.
"Heavenly Father, help us to grow. Make us aware of those activities we waste time on that is not beneficial to our spiritual growth. Make us sensitive to the voice of Holy Spirit and call us to intimacy with You. Amen"
So how tall are you? Are you still growing in your relationship with Jesus? Or did you somehow move into a space where your growth is curbed? Note the words - "did YOU somehow move"? You see, it's never God that moves - God is constant. We move away from God and then wonder what went wrong. We went wrong!
Growth is the result of a conscious decision and constant effort towards it. Growth doesn't just happen - it takes some effort on our side. It requires sacrifices. And it isn't easy either. Instead of reading a piece of fiction, rather read a teaching or study the word of God. Instead of listening radio on the way to work, listen worship music and worship God in the traffic. Instead of hanging out with people who have a bad influence, hang out with people who will have a Godly influence on you. I can come up with a lot of example but I am sure you understand the concept.
Let's make a decision today to actively persue growth in Jesus. The Kingdom of God needs spiritual adults - there are far too many babies still. And don't think you can relax when you consider yourself a spiritual adult. The evil one is prowling around, looking for those he can destroy. If you are not vigilant, you will lose the battle.
"Heavenly Father, help us to grow. Make us aware of those activities we waste time on that is not beneficial to our spiritual growth. Make us sensitive to the voice of Holy Spirit and call us to intimacy with You. Amen"
Friday 20 January 2012
Christianity is not for the faint hearted
We were on the way home yesterday when my daughter made the comment. "It's not easy to stay on the straight and narrow". How true. Being a Christian is not easy. Staying a Christian is not easy.
Many times we are faced with question for which we don't have answers. Many times we cannot understand why God allows certain things to happen. Many times we hurt and we silently wonder if pressing on will be worth it. Keeping our faith up is no easy task. To keep believing that God will make it all work together for the good is sometimes very difficult. To make it worse, people laught at our child like faith when everything seems to be going against us.
Do I have an answer for all of this? No I don't. All I know is this: we need to surround ourselve with fellow Christians that will keep us standing when our knees start to buckle under the pressure. A fellow believer will keep your arms up when you have no strength left. Invest in Christian friends. Make time to attend a small group or cell group - you need support. Sooner or later, you are going to need somebody to lean on. Sooner or later, you will be the one offering support to a brother or sister who is depleted of faith and strength.
The Bible clearly says we should not give up meeting together. The above is the reason for this verse in the Bible.
If you are strong today, find somebody that needs you to keep going. If you are weak today, make a call and get somebody to keep your faith up.
Together we can stay on the straight and narrow.
Many times we are faced with question for which we don't have answers. Many times we cannot understand why God allows certain things to happen. Many times we hurt and we silently wonder if pressing on will be worth it. Keeping our faith up is no easy task. To keep believing that God will make it all work together for the good is sometimes very difficult. To make it worse, people laught at our child like faith when everything seems to be going against us.
Do I have an answer for all of this? No I don't. All I know is this: we need to surround ourselve with fellow Christians that will keep us standing when our knees start to buckle under the pressure. A fellow believer will keep your arms up when you have no strength left. Invest in Christian friends. Make time to attend a small group or cell group - you need support. Sooner or later, you are going to need somebody to lean on. Sooner or later, you will be the one offering support to a brother or sister who is depleted of faith and strength.
The Bible clearly says we should not give up meeting together. The above is the reason for this verse in the Bible.
If you are strong today, find somebody that needs you to keep going. If you are weak today, make a call and get somebody to keep your faith up.
Together we can stay on the straight and narrow.
Tuesday 10 January 2012
All back to normal!
We are all back at work. Studies have started again for those brave hearts among us. The children have a week or so left before they too will head back to school. Another year - gone. Another year - ahead!
What are you going to do different this year? Have you thought of something that needs to change in your life? I am not referring to that empty new year's resolutions that never last. I am talking about God inspired change in your life. God spoke to my husband and I about some things we need to change. We need to portray Jesus to the world. We cannot be known as Christians while Christ is nowhere to be seen in us. How we live and act is our testimony of the goodness of Christ.
Can people see Christ in you?
What are you going to do different this year? Have you thought of something that needs to change in your life? I am not referring to that empty new year's resolutions that never last. I am talking about God inspired change in your life. God spoke to my husband and I about some things we need to change. We need to portray Jesus to the world. We cannot be known as Christians while Christ is nowhere to be seen in us. How we live and act is our testimony of the goodness of Christ.
Can people see Christ in you?
Sunday 1 January 2012
What to pack?
I don't know about you, but I travel light. One bag with clothes can keep me going for a week. My daughter is the total opposite. A weekend away sends her packing with enough clothes for a month. Yet, even a light traveller often packs unnecessary items. Items packed `just in case`. Items that add unnecessary weight to the luggage.
What are you packing for the 2012 journey? Are you taking unnecessary baggage with you? Unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness and the likes are all unnecessary baggage that will weigh you down and drain your energy. So is a bad attitude.
Leave it all behind. Start your 2012 journey with an open heart, a light mind and Jesus as your guide.
What are you packing for the 2012 journey? Are you taking unnecessary baggage with you? Unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness and the likes are all unnecessary baggage that will weigh you down and drain your energy. So is a bad attitude.
Leave it all behind. Start your 2012 journey with an open heart, a light mind and Jesus as your guide.
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