Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Last night as many of you know Jacob Zuma made the announcement of Mandela's passing. Who was he? He was a true icon and a man who brought a whole nation together under the guidance of peace and reconciliation. He became president when I was just 12 years old and although I knew this would would soon come, there is still sadness in my heart because of all the memories of this great man growing up that are too many name but one clearly comes to mind and that was that great picture of him lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy in 1995 - A symbol of not just South African pride but of a nation that had come together, black and white without prejudice or discrimination. I am honored and humbled to be South African and to have had this great man personally as my countries president. Nelson Mandela at the good old age of 95 you lived a full and extraordinary life and now its time to rest in heaven with God not only for the great things you did but also for your strong faith and service, you deserve it.

Angels we have heard on high

No Christmas has not come early, its more an experience of last night and a testimony as to how God protects us. Last night I watched a talk on a dvd and things just snowballed from there to the point that of me just lying in bed and was visited by a multitude of angels. Some reading this would say that I'm talking nonsense but this stuff is real and whilst we shouldn't be chasing angels but pursuing God, we cannot deny the existence of angels and the roles they play in our lives everyday in protecting us. You see I'm talking about the pursuing God like the way they pursued God in the book of acts and few things come to mind: prophecy, tongues, apostolic, signs and wonders, divine healings. They still exist and yes I have bore witness to these things. Many people out there limit the work of the Holy spirit in all these things, denominations don't know how to handle them, let alone don't even know how to administrate them and thus the church of acts which I believe God is calling us to adminstrate in these end times gets lost. Its time to stop being so passive and truly get out there, getting rid of limitations at the same time and spread the message of the cross to all nations, and as I always do, welcome any presence of angels around you because they have been sent down from God to watch over you and protect you.

Look back but move forward

It has really been a while since I last made a post. At many points in our lives we reach a point where we healthily look back in nostalgia and the places we used to frequent, the things we did as hobbies growing up and we look at where we are now all grown up, mature and seeing our offspring if any of you have some and and see them shape their lives to be following that same pattern without even realising it. Edwin Louis Cole put it "The way we enter determines how we leave". While a part of of me right now just wants to go back in a time warp for old times sake I know that I should never stop looking forward to the future, in fact I should look forward way more then reminiscing about past experiences that have shaped my life to where it is now. Part of life is entering and leaving, the way we leave infancy determines how enter childhood and the way we leave childhood determines how we enter adulthood, everything inbetween is a matter of choice, as a child its what toy toy or sweet to buy, as and adult it goes deeper, what job should I take, what car should I buy, whom should I marry, where should I live, and how best can I invest my money, even more important is What role does Jesus play in my life. Even more biblical is how we should take these questions to God and if he approves then just slowly watch the door open in ways you cant imagine.

Searching for happiness and satisfaction: The dangers

This is something I experienced as of late. We achieve greatness in our lives and even witness our greatest dreams come true but what happens when we retire from those dreams. Some of us go out searching for new one and in the process we lose our identity in the process and forget the our dreams have already been fulfilled, even taking our eyes off God and stop giving him thanks for making those dreams a reality. It is then that we need to take a step back, and with a thankful heart serve him more and more. Many of us are guilty of this constant search for happiness and success. I took a look at notes I made ages ago and it dawned on me that I missed the point because I already have all I need and I have achieved all I have ever needed to achieve. Somewhere in the process I unknowingly stopped trusting God to provide the happiness and greatness I've been searching for. Take this as a lesson, searching aimlessly for new possible dreams with a purpose to replace that which we have left behind does not work and is selfish thinking, rather take the time to really appreciate the real genuine dreams that have been achieved and to appreciate what I have right here, right now.

Facing Streotypes head on

As a gymnast, well a retired gymnast but I'm still a gymnast and being male I have opened myself to the stereotypes that go about being a male gymnast but the funny thing is I couldn't give a damn. During my time as a gymnast and certain areas being introduced to help with certain routines and one of them just happens to be Ballet. In a way by doing so I have also grown to love Ballet. Everyone knows that if you are a male in Ballet you will face a certain stigma in the process and just recently I have begun to open up about my love for Ballet but again people can pass stigmas around but I say if you love something then why question it and with that thought in mind you can brush off the stigma's that go towards male Gymnasts or male Ballet Dancers. Ever since I have started opening up more and more about my love for Ballet, I just feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Why do I love Ballet so much, well I love the sheer beauty and grace that Ballet brings about. I have been inspired by the following blogs and come come to enjoy reading them in terms of the involvement of male Ballet Dancers 

http://boysballet.wordpress.com

http://balletboyblog.blogspot.com

Each of the stories in the boysballet blog inspired me to appreciate gymnastics and push harder and harder as a gymnast, but not only that it inspires me to look up the some of these male dancers.

I personally think that male ballet dancers should be highly respected for what they do, and more and more males should get involved in Ballet. The story of Billy Elliot about an 11 year old boy finding a love and passion for Ballet in a time where stigmas ran high amongst males doing Ballet not only inspired a generation but played a major role in more and more males doing Ballet but there needs to be more. 

Chronicles of a gymnast and athlete

This is a dialog of what it means to be athlete in a high level sport and how one can grow

 I have been in the sport of gymnastics for quite a long time and although I have just retired from it I'm still a gymnast. Why? Its in my blood and will forever be.

Firstly As a gymnast I have learnt an incredible level of dedication. "I don't feel like it is never an option" If that were I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. Its in the moments when you aren't up to things that you should be there. At the moment I' go to Virgin Active Saturday mornings and there have been moments where  I think "Lets rather stay at home" and then I defy that thought and go and I'm glad I do. That's dedication - sticking through things no matter what.

Secondly brotherhood. As a gymnast I understand an incredible amount of brotherhood. It may be an individual sport but we need that bond with our team members to help us improve. I would give anything for the guys I have trained with.

Thirdly health. Being involved in a high level sport, it shows you more then anything that your inner health (what you eat, what you drink and what you do in your spare time) matters. One cannot indulge in bad habits like fast foods regularly, smoke (no I don't smoke), if you're over age get drunk every night (not like me to do that) and still expect to perform at a strong level as you will suffer physically.

Fourth is side line substitutes. This is a casual gym membership in my case. I love working out, but more importantly I know that what I'm doing is helping me as an athlete and will bring about a higher performance.

As of January I will be starting up with a Soccer Club and I know that I can take these four principles with me into Soccer training. As I said earlier on, I will always be a gymnast because its now in my blood, I have gotten trophies, received medals and Provincial colours two years in a row. I have developed skills that not just anyone can do and built bonds that are unbreakable and even competed in nationals. There's a saying "Once a gymnast, always a gymnast" and its true. If anyone reading this wants to get involved in gymnastics I say do so. There are still stereotypes towards male gymnasts but once you prove these guys wrong and you do quickly, those stereotypes are broken and as male gymnast you receive an incredible amount of respect for what you do in training week in and week out. If you want to do so. Google for your nearest club, contact them and sign up, you wont regret it. If you have kids, enroll them in the nearest gymnastics club, they may just love it and thank you later.

What is Grace

What does Grace mean to you? To some, its a name of a person, to others its an expression of sheer beauty, to others its what we say before eating a meal but where does it fit in in terms of the christian faith. I think it all goes back to the days of Adam and Eve - The fall of man. Since those days every human being except only one has screwed up and done stuff that they're ashamed of. God knew this and made a plan and that was to send his only son with the purpose of dying on a cross for our sins, even though we don't deserve it. What we see in this picture is a unique testament to what grace is and what grace can be.