Somewhere in March I blogged with a heading "The Epitaph". Two days ago I blogged about the funeral I attended. My mind is still stuck there.
When I think of Miet (the woman that was buried), I see her dancing in worship. That is the first thing that comes to my mind every time I think of her. And all the people I spoke to about her agree. That is what we will remember.
It scared me. What will people remember about me? I am honest if I say I am to afraid to ask, so don't answer. Have you thought about that? What memory will you leave behind? Will it be a good one?
This is serious food for thought.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Monday, 29 August 2011
Funerals
I was at a funeral today. Not because I wanted to go, but because I had to go. Not because it was somebody close to me being buried, but because I was the pianist.
It's hard sitting up there looking down on these people who are weeping so bitterly. Every time I can't help myself, I weep with them. Not because of my loss, but because of their loss.
The pastor who did the memorial service is my brother. Years ago he promised God that he would never let an opportunity to evangelize people slip through his fingers. And he doesn't. He keeps his promise. On every funeral I have attended with him, he preached the gospel on a funeral. And today again he told the people straight - "if you want to see this woman again, sort your life out and walk a road with Jesus". You see, the woman who died is surely now dancing in front of God's throne. My strongest memory I have of her, is her dancing in church in worship to God. It must be amazing.
If I should die before my brother does, he must do my memorial service and preach the gospel, exactly like he did today. Two thirds of the church got up to give their hearts to Jesus. I think it would be very cool if people would get born again on my funeral. Not that I want to die soon! Don't get me wrong.
I want to get old with my husband if Jesus doesn't come before then. But we can't plan so far ahead, now can we? So are you ready to die? Do you know where you are going if you should die tonight? Will your loved ones have hope of seeing you again?
It's hard sitting up there looking down on these people who are weeping so bitterly. Every time I can't help myself, I weep with them. Not because of my loss, but because of their loss.
The pastor who did the memorial service is my brother. Years ago he promised God that he would never let an opportunity to evangelize people slip through his fingers. And he doesn't. He keeps his promise. On every funeral I have attended with him, he preached the gospel on a funeral. And today again he told the people straight - "if you want to see this woman again, sort your life out and walk a road with Jesus". You see, the woman who died is surely now dancing in front of God's throne. My strongest memory I have of her, is her dancing in church in worship to God. It must be amazing.
If I should die before my brother does, he must do my memorial service and preach the gospel, exactly like he did today. Two thirds of the church got up to give their hearts to Jesus. I think it would be very cool if people would get born again on my funeral. Not that I want to die soon! Don't get me wrong.
I want to get old with my husband if Jesus doesn't come before then. But we can't plan so far ahead, now can we? So are you ready to die? Do you know where you are going if you should die tonight? Will your loved ones have hope of seeing you again?
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
The sky is the limit...
Do you know where that saying comes from? It comes from the Bible. Genesis 11 to be exact. Read this passage.
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
These people wanted to build a tower to get into the heavens - with other words they were elevating themselves against God. But that is not the most important in this passage. The most important is the piece in red.
God made us in His image. Nothing you plan to do will be impossible for you to reach. Nothing you plan to achieve will be impossible for you. God didn't change the genetic make-up of people at the tower of Babel - He merely confused them with different languages. You and I can still achieve anything we wish. As long as you are not elevating yourself against God in the process. As long as you don't forget about God in the process. As long as God is part of your planning - the sky is the limit!
What goals do you have? If you don't have goals, I dare to say you are not living anymore, you are merely existing. What do you want to achieve? Think about it. Make a list. Start getting yourself motivated and fired up to reach whatever your goals is. Put a picture of your goal somewhere where you will see it every day. Whenever you get a bit discouraged, look at the picture and hear God whisper in your ear: "whatever your mind can conceive and belief, you can achieve".
Genesis 11
The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.
These people wanted to build a tower to get into the heavens - with other words they were elevating themselves against God. But that is not the most important in this passage. The most important is the piece in red.
God made us in His image. Nothing you plan to do will be impossible for you to reach. Nothing you plan to achieve will be impossible for you. God didn't change the genetic make-up of people at the tower of Babel - He merely confused them with different languages. You and I can still achieve anything we wish. As long as you are not elevating yourself against God in the process. As long as you don't forget about God in the process. As long as God is part of your planning - the sky is the limit!
What goals do you have? If you don't have goals, I dare to say you are not living anymore, you are merely existing. What do you want to achieve? Think about it. Make a list. Start getting yourself motivated and fired up to reach whatever your goals is. Put a picture of your goal somewhere where you will see it every day. Whenever you get a bit discouraged, look at the picture and hear God whisper in your ear: "whatever your mind can conceive and belief, you can achieve".
Friday, 19 August 2011
We Glorify the Lamb
I am having one of those days again. The type of day where I want to spread my wings and fly away. You know the feeling, I know you do.
So I decided the put my earphones on and listen to some music. Terry MacAlmon seemed like a good choice. Worship music is the best medicine ever. One of the songs he sings is "We glorify the Lamb". While I was working, the words drilled through my concentration on something else and struck my heart. I just closed my eyes and listened to the song again. If you have the song, go and listen to it. If you don't have it, meditate on these lyrics for a while. I guarantee you, once you have read through these lyrics and thought about each line just for a few seconds, you are bound to have hope again. It's all we need. Just a little bit of hope that will get us to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds against us.
So I decided the put my earphones on and listen to some music. Terry MacAlmon seemed like a good choice. Worship music is the best medicine ever. One of the songs he sings is "We glorify the Lamb". While I was working, the words drilled through my concentration on something else and struck my heart. I just closed my eyes and listened to the song again. If you have the song, go and listen to it. If you don't have it, meditate on these lyrics for a while. I guarantee you, once you have read through these lyrics and thought about each line just for a few seconds, you are bound to have hope again. It's all we need. Just a little bit of hope that will get us to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds against us.
WE GLORIFY THE LAMB
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God our Father
Prince of Peace
Mighty God our Father
Prince of Peace
Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
We glorify the Lamb
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Mighty God
Our Father
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Savior
Jesus Messiah
King of Kings
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Messiah
King of Kings
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Warrior
Jesus Deliverer
Jesus Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
Jesus Deliverer
Jesus Great I Am
We glorify the Lamb
© Terry MacAlmon
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Opportunity Cost
I am studying Economics. I can't say I love it but I certainly find it interesting. Saying that, I wouldn't mind to get it over and done with now. I am now getting sick and tired of all the formulas, calculations, graphs and weird concepts.
One thing I learned about in Economics is opportunity cost. It works like this: we have unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources to fulfill our needs and wants. So we have to make choices. Every choice implies that there is an opportunity cost.
For instance. I have R10. I want to buy a cold drink which would cost me R6 but I also want a pie that would cost me R8. I don't have enough money - limited resources. So I have to choose between the cold drink and the pie. If I choose to buy the cold drink, the pie is the opportunity cost. If I buy the pie, the cold drink is the opportunity cost.
Opportunity cost is the cost of the best forgone option.
Now look at this principle in a spiritual way.
The opportunity cost for time in front of the TV is time with God. The opportunity cost of that relationship could be eternal life in heaven. The opportunity cost of your unforgiveness and pride could be restored relationships. We can make a long list of things here.
I think we should take serious stock of what we do and what we spend our time on. Is it really worth it? Is the opportunity cost worth it?
End of Economic lecture.
One thing I learned about in Economics is opportunity cost. It works like this: we have unlimited wants and needs, but limited resources to fulfill our needs and wants. So we have to make choices. Every choice implies that there is an opportunity cost.
For instance. I have R10. I want to buy a cold drink which would cost me R6 but I also want a pie that would cost me R8. I don't have enough money - limited resources. So I have to choose between the cold drink and the pie. If I choose to buy the cold drink, the pie is the opportunity cost. If I buy the pie, the cold drink is the opportunity cost.
Opportunity cost is the cost of the best forgone option.
Now look at this principle in a spiritual way.
The opportunity cost for time in front of the TV is time with God. The opportunity cost of that relationship could be eternal life in heaven. The opportunity cost of your unforgiveness and pride could be restored relationships. We can make a long list of things here.
I think we should take serious stock of what we do and what we spend our time on. Is it really worth it? Is the opportunity cost worth it?
End of Economic lecture.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Guilt - the devil loves it
We all feel guilty at times. For things we did. For things we didn't do. For things we said. For things we didn't say. And oh, satan loves our guilt. He will heap it on whenever he gets the chance. And he will make you feel so unworthy to even try and pray. Sounds familiar?
We were raised up that you had to go to church twice every Sunday, attend prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, band practice on Thursday evening and youth meeting on Friday Evening. I can tell you from experience that it gets rough at times. With demanding careers, busy children and dinners that won't appear by magic, it just isn't always possible to be involved with everything and attend every church gathering. For me this has been a long and hard road to walk. I felt so guilty when I didn't go to the evening service as well. I felt so guilty when I couldn't make the cell meeting on Wednesday evenings. I felt to guilty when I decided not to join the band in the new church where we are now, simply because I don't have enough time.
Satan loves our guilty feelings. And he will try to make it worse. He will try to get you so guilty and downhearted that you don't even want to pray anymore. Belief me, I have been there.
But God, not letting me go, reminded me gently with a scripture:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Yes the Bible says we should not give up meeting together. You have to be involved somewhere so that you have a support team to carry you through when times get tough. You have to contribute with the talents and gifts God has given you. But you can also be human. I only have so much time and I cannot get to everything that everybody demands of me. I have learned to say no. Without feeling guilty. Why?
Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)
God's love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
I will not get lost. He will never let me slip through the cracks. My personal, intimate relationship with him is the important issue - not how many times I have attended what this past week.
We were raised up that you had to go to church twice every Sunday, attend prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, band practice on Thursday evening and youth meeting on Friday Evening. I can tell you from experience that it gets rough at times. With demanding careers, busy children and dinners that won't appear by magic, it just isn't always possible to be involved with everything and attend every church gathering. For me this has been a long and hard road to walk. I felt so guilty when I didn't go to the evening service as well. I felt so guilty when I couldn't make the cell meeting on Wednesday evenings. I felt to guilty when I decided not to join the band in the new church where we are now, simply because I don't have enough time.
Satan loves our guilty feelings. And he will try to make it worse. He will try to get you so guilty and downhearted that you don't even want to pray anymore. Belief me, I have been there.
But God, not letting me go, reminded me gently with a scripture:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Yes the Bible says we should not give up meeting together. You have to be involved somewhere so that you have a support team to carry you through when times get tough. You have to contribute with the talents and gifts God has given you. But you can also be human. I only have so much time and I cannot get to everything that everybody demands of me. I have learned to say no. Without feeling guilty. Why?
Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)
God's love is meteoric,
his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.
I will not get lost. He will never let me slip through the cracks. My personal, intimate relationship with him is the important issue - not how many times I have attended what this past week.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Don't judge
I have a friend with an interesting email signature - you know the little quotes that automatically gets added to each email.
"Don't compare your life to others: you have no idea what their journey is all about".
For a while now I have been contemplating this little line each time I see it. Only today it struck me. Don't judge.
Don't judge the one whose performance have not been so good in the office this month - you have no idea what is happening in his / her home.
Don't judge the one who appears a bit abrupt and distant - you have no idea how much hurt he / she is carrying inside.
Don't judge the one you know has a gambling problem - be thankful you don't have it and bring him / her before the Lord in prayer daily.
Don't judge the one whose perceptions and beliefs are so much different from yours - he / she was created in the image of God too.
Don't judge your leaders - in the corporate world, in the church, the country, where ever - you have no idea of the stress they have to cope with.
Don't judge your parents for the mistakes they made - they didn't have a trial run and experience before raising you.
Don't judge the one next to you in church, singing false or playing the wrong chords - he / she is worshiping with the talent they have - rather worship with the talent you have.
And so the list can go on and on and on.
Don't judge others - you have no idea what their journey is all about.
"Don't compare your life to others: you have no idea what their journey is all about".
For a while now I have been contemplating this little line each time I see it. Only today it struck me. Don't judge.
Don't judge the one whose performance have not been so good in the office this month - you have no idea what is happening in his / her home.
Don't judge the one who appears a bit abrupt and distant - you have no idea how much hurt he / she is carrying inside.
Don't judge the one you know has a gambling problem - be thankful you don't have it and bring him / her before the Lord in prayer daily.
Don't judge the one whose perceptions and beliefs are so much different from yours - he / she was created in the image of God too.
Don't judge your leaders - in the corporate world, in the church, the country, where ever - you have no idea of the stress they have to cope with.
Don't judge your parents for the mistakes they made - they didn't have a trial run and experience before raising you.
Don't judge the one next to you in church, singing false or playing the wrong chords - he / she is worshiping with the talent they have - rather worship with the talent you have.
And so the list can go on and on and on.
Don't judge others - you have no idea what their journey is all about.
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