They say God works in unexpected ways. In about October 2009, through an old friend from the Kempton Park Gymnastics clubs and set myself out to not only be a part of the skate ministry but also their youth. The problem was I was doing half and half. Throughout this period I have seen signs telling me that I must make a decision and be involved with a place 100%. As I had become so involved with the Kempton park Church, so I felt myself being led there. I never expected to find myself making this move at this time but Its been an awesome journey.
So what lessons have I learnt from being at Kempton in 2012.
1. Let God interrupt your time - The Devil's greatest trick is to keep us so busy that we lose track of meeting with God on a daily basis, especially us Joburg folk, where the whole "on the go" lifestyle gets breathed into us. By letting God interrupt your time means that in your daily activities you are not only making sufficient time for God but also involving him in those things.
2. Influence - As Christians we are a constant representative of Christ and as we go about our activities in the public eye, people are constantly watching us. Too often people call themselves christians and go out and just get drunk and do all the tings that they shouldn't do and its folk like these that puts people off going to church or spending time with christians. "What I do influences you and what you do influences other people" - Its an endless cycle, make sure that you represent Christ well.
Early this year I was at a conference in Jeffreys bay where the theme was Empower the Ground and what that's all about is - going out there into the area where we are called to serve and to meet, spend time with people and to ultimately show them the gospel by letting God interrupt your daily schedule and making you an influence to the nations eventually.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The greatest gift of Love
1Jn 4:19 We love because God loved us first.
What an unusual passage of scripture to quote during Christmas, particularly when everyone turns to the beginning of Luke or Matthew but really take this passage to heart. Christmas is a time when most people indulge in the luxury of consumerism to the point that they miss the boat. We live in a society where people are struggling emotionally and there only wish is to just receive the gift of love this christmas. Now that is a picture of where our lives should be mainly focussed this time of year (and every other day). Since God loves us no matter what we do, shouldn't we return the favour but not just to God - to his people as well. To really make this a special christmas we all need to stop looking at the flaws of our neighbour and stop criticising them or taunting these very people because words hurt, we need to even put an end to favouritsm. The moment you give someone your valuable time - just think of the huge massive favour and impact you begin to show because without knowing you could save a person from suicide or even worse, making the worst possible mistakes that they could make. This christmas season 2011 reach out to your fellow neighbour or that person that you've seen but never really got to know and you would start to imitate the very love that Christ showed to those around him.
What an unusual passage of scripture to quote during Christmas, particularly when everyone turns to the beginning of Luke or Matthew but really take this passage to heart. Christmas is a time when most people indulge in the luxury of consumerism to the point that they miss the boat. We live in a society where people are struggling emotionally and there only wish is to just receive the gift of love this christmas. Now that is a picture of where our lives should be mainly focussed this time of year (and every other day). Since God loves us no matter what we do, shouldn't we return the favour but not just to God - to his people as well. To really make this a special christmas we all need to stop looking at the flaws of our neighbour and stop criticising them or taunting these very people because words hurt, we need to even put an end to favouritsm. The moment you give someone your valuable time - just think of the huge massive favour and impact you begin to show because without knowing you could save a person from suicide or even worse, making the worst possible mistakes that they could make. This christmas season 2011 reach out to your fellow neighbour or that person that you've seen but never really got to know and you would start to imitate the very love that Christ showed to those around him.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
My Story towards Gymnastics
Passion, we are all passionate about something, be it a sport or music or business, even the arts. A few short years back I shared a story but chatting to an old primary school friend I realised that my roots in gymnastics goes deeper. When I was in primary school, I was involved briefly in the recreation side of it and I actually kind of enjoyed but at the time I it didn't dawn on me that I was indeed getting exposed to a sport that would in later years turn into something competitive. My earliest memories have been at one point visiting family friends in Witbank and seeing Gymnastics on the TV and just being amazed and then the 1996 Olympic games happened and as a school project happened to study the olympics and at the time watching the gymnastics live on TV and witnessing one of the most spectactular vault bay a gymnast named Kerri Strug. 2 years later the school organised a gymnastics display and it was that moment that I realised that there is indeed this passion for gymnastics and God knew that and every moment since then there has been this nudge, even when coming across former gymnasts during that time. Eventually I made the effort and even though the first day was shocking, I knew that I belonged in this sport as well as the gymnastics way of life. Today I look at medals and award and I am so grateful to God for blessing me with such an awesome talent and sport and I am nowhere near finished because there's still so much more for me to do as a gymnast. To be able to have gotten not only provincial colours but to have also taken part in nationals is much more then I have ever dreamed possible and look out because next year I will be back at nationals and doing it all again even doing it again the years after that. I share this story as a passionate dedicated gymnast and I hope that I have inspired whoever reads this to hold onto whatever your passions are and to never let go of them.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Key to Friendship
This month in church the series is "Ubuntu" and to summarize what it means can simply be put into 1 word - Friendship. I get excited when Emille is preaching as he has a way of putting the message across in an incredible way. Not this Sunday past but the one before he gave a few guidelines to what makes a really good friendship.
1. Spend Time - We are all busy with a whole lot of stuff and sometimes we just forget about how that special friend is doing. Instead give that special person a call and see how they are doing and even make time to have that cup of coffee together,
2. Make Friends a priority - Friends and family should come first. There is nothing worse then thinking only about yourself.
3. Be There - If your friend is having a hard time then make that dash out the door and be there for that person.
4. Don't keep Score - We all have our flaws but good friends overlook those flaws and will stay honest and Loyal to the very end.
5. See the Small things - If your friend could be indecisive or unsure, it may mean something is wrong.
6. Focus on the positive - Always remember the good times spent together.
1. Spend Time - We are all busy with a whole lot of stuff and sometimes we just forget about how that special friend is doing. Instead give that special person a call and see how they are doing and even make time to have that cup of coffee together,
2. Make Friends a priority - Friends and family should come first. There is nothing worse then thinking only about yourself.
3. Be There - If your friend is having a hard time then make that dash out the door and be there for that person.
4. Don't keep Score - We all have our flaws but good friends overlook those flaws and will stay honest and Loyal to the very end.
5. See the Small things - If your friend could be indecisive or unsure, it may mean something is wrong.
6. Focus on the positive - Always remember the good times spent together.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Gods awesome deal
Have you ever wondered about this God we serve. There's a song that I sung quite a bit in church called Divine Exchange (I have even posted a link so you could listen to it) and whats its about is simply the fact that we need to give God our all and our everything. Its at that moment that a heavenly exchange happens. We give God every area of our life and in return he gives us everlasting life. Do we deserve it, of course not but he still chooses to give grace and even help us out in pursuing our passions. When I think of these things, I am mindblown that this huge enormous God would care about someone so small like me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J_HhvNU2Hs
My heart is captivated Lord, by You alone
Captured by the awesomeness of You alone
Melted by the grace and mercy You have shown
I stand in wonder
I reach to you the one who make the blind eyes see
Who breaks the chains of sickness with authority
Restoring of what was broken
So it may fly again
I live to worship you
I breathe to worship to you
All of my days, your face I'll seek
For as I worship you
You lead me to that place
To that place of divine exchange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J_HhvNU2Hs
My heart is captivated Lord, by You alone
Captured by the awesomeness of You alone
Melted by the grace and mercy You have shown
I stand in wonder
I reach to you the one who make the blind eyes see
Who breaks the chains of sickness with authority
Restoring of what was broken
So it may fly again
I live to worship you
I breathe to worship to you
All of my days, your face I'll seek
For as I worship you
You lead me to that place
To that place of divine exchange
Saturday, September 24, 2011
June, July, August September News
The last 4 months have been insane, After a hectic month of May with awesome visitors there was a quiet June and July and then massaive changes have taken place. For Starters I made the decision to leave EBC to fulfill my ministry role in Kempton Park fully and I have seen amazing things happen during this time. With regards to Gymnastics, as I have reflected upon last years update and how things got in the way and how I missed out on regionals last year. I see Gods hand in that and he has given me a 2nd chance. A year later not only did I compete in 3 friendlies but I not only made it past regionals but as of last night made it past Provincials and now I am on the list of competing in Nationals (which just happens to be in Cape Town). Regionals was an event to remember as I got put in the same group as a springbok gymnast, its not every day that this kind of thing happens. There are some prayer requests.
1. For Pause that God will use me greatly and impact the community of Kempton Park
2. With regards to Nationals that God will open up some kind of way in me getting to Cape Town and competing and that any barriers getting in the way would be broken.
3. That whilst I am in Cape Town that God Williing - an opportunity will come about where I can connect with Sonskate Bothasig and Sonskate Stellenbosch.
1. For Pause that God will use me greatly and impact the community of Kempton Park
2. With regards to Nationals that God will open up some kind of way in me getting to Cape Town and competing and that any barriers getting in the way would be broken.
3. That whilst I am in Cape Town that God Williing - an opportunity will come about where I can connect with Sonskate Bothasig and Sonskate Stellenbosch.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Our awesome helper
Every now and then I go searching for songs that I have heard and just 2 days ago, I did a youtube search and came across a worship song that I've never heard before. http://youtu.be/CYK5SjtyKNQ This is a video clip of it. Its about how God never lets go even though at times we may mess up and how thankful we are that he hasn't turned his back on us. Here are the lyrics if for some reason you can't view the clip.
Verse 1:
It doesn’t matter where I run, You’re there for me
It doesn’t matter what I’ve done Your love’s for me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace
Verse 2:
It doesn’t matter where I go, You walk with me
It doesn’t matter when I fall, You cover me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace
Chorus:
You are my Father, Provider
You’re my Deliverer
Your mercies embrace me, surround me
Through Your everlasting love
Father I worship You
Father I worship You
And Your love is for me
And Your love is for me
And Your love is forever
May these words be a guide when tough times come.
Verse 1:
It doesn’t matter where I run, You’re there for me
It doesn’t matter what I’ve done Your love’s for me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace
Verse 2:
It doesn’t matter where I go, You walk with me
It doesn’t matter when I fall, You cover me
You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall
My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace
Chorus:
You are my Father, Provider
You’re my Deliverer
Your mercies embrace me, surround me
Through Your everlasting love
Father I worship You
Father I worship You
And Your love is for me
And Your love is for me
And Your love is forever
May these words be a guide when tough times come.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Living beyond our Schedules
A while back I commented on how busy we get. Heres the spirtual approach. Take a look at the megacities and the people living inside the (Yes Johannesburg included) and you will receive excuses like "I'm late" or I'm busy". How do we in these times begin to live like Jesus and the answer is pretty clear. Its about letting God intefere with our schedules. Too often we are on our own mission and we forget to look at Gods perspective which is above all - Loving People and spending time with them. Its about taking that leap of faith and stepping out of our comfort zone and giving that person on the side of the street some love and attention when we are running late to church or to an event. I have been studying the book of Luke and Jesus even though he was busy at times, always put aside some time to help those in need. If Jesus did it then shouldn't we do the same thing and care for his people in their time of need.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The height of laziness
As I got up to go the coffee machine to make that much desired cup of coffee I started thinking on how lazy we have become over the years and it seems to be getting worse. Long ago, if you wanted to turn on the TV you had to get up walk over to it and press a button - now you just sit where you are and press a button on the remote control and it does the same thing. If you want coffee, long ago you had to boil water maually on a gas stove and put coffee granuals in your mug - now people purchase expresso machines they add the coffee beans or coffee powder and make sure its topped up with water and then they press a button and you get the same result being coffee. Lets face it the way technology has been layed out, although it makes our life easier, it also makes us lazy and we forget what its like to really do a hard days work as it gets done for us electronically, you just input the data and the computer does the rest. We as human beings get consumed with such a level of laziness that some have abandoned their favourite outdoor or physical activities, I cant remember when last I went hiking in the mountains or abseiled down a mountain cliff. God hates laziness, in fact there are examples in the bible where God has been a bit hard on those who were lazy, so my question is why have we been so consumed with all these technical devices or gadgets that just seems to make us lazy.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
April/May News
Rather then highlight a brief message, I thought I'd share with you my adventures over the months of April and May.
The journey started with a 5 hour delay at Joburg international on Good Friday. After checking in and getting to the boarding gate we discovered quite unexpectedly that the day would be spent in the airport terminal. Whats interesting is the emotions that people carry with such a delay and even more so here was a calm me watching all this and in that moment I thought "What would Jesus do" and when you let go of anger and frustrations you realise the potential to be a light to all thats in that room. That evening we finally got to Cape Town and the next day made the way to Constantia Nek to suuport my brother in the 2 oceans marathon and I'm pleased to say he did quite well doing it in 5 and a half hours and then later followed by wonderful lunches, dinner and coffee with the family. After Cape Town we made our way to the Eastern Cape town of St Francis where there was just that moment and opportunity to just sit and do nothing and continue to be with the family. After St Francis I arrived in Jeffreys Bay and for the first day and a half I just chilled with some good friends old and new and then conference arrived and I found myself making friends from places like Bothasig, Stellenbosch, Margate, Port Alfred. I also had the pleasure of staying one of the most fantastically layed out chalet that had was right on the beach and I do mean it, you wake up and the only view is the beach (no buildings or anything). I also had the opportunity of sharing a chalet with Terran Williams pastor of Common Ground church in Rondebosch, I remembered him from a holiday bible club back in 2000 as well as other awesome people. We also had the opprtunity to be involved in a tsunami relief walk or paddle down to supertubes and just for a moment gave silence in honour of those who lost their lives and that moment will be remembered forever. After conference I made the way back home to Joburg but not alone as I happened to share a flight unexpectedly with another guest speaker - Brett Davis from Christian Surfers International and it was just special because we had that special time to chat afterwards on the flight down.
2 weeks later the Jeffreys Bay team and Stellenbosch team came to Joburg and I had a good time jolling with them on the road trip. 1st part was in Kroonstad where I saw talent that I never saw before and even got to spend time with Chris Smith from Kroonstad, then there was Kempton Park surrounds with my home team, J-Bay team and Stellenbosch team and that was an awesome and good day out. It all finished off with a trip with my home team again to Hartbeespoort for the ressurrection Jam and it was really something special.
Some prayer requests:
Please do pray that I will continue to execute what I learnt on conference more and more each day and that I will truly empower the ground on which I am serving.
The journey started with a 5 hour delay at Joburg international on Good Friday. After checking in and getting to the boarding gate we discovered quite unexpectedly that the day would be spent in the airport terminal. Whats interesting is the emotions that people carry with such a delay and even more so here was a calm me watching all this and in that moment I thought "What would Jesus do" and when you let go of anger and frustrations you realise the potential to be a light to all thats in that room. That evening we finally got to Cape Town and the next day made the way to Constantia Nek to suuport my brother in the 2 oceans marathon and I'm pleased to say he did quite well doing it in 5 and a half hours and then later followed by wonderful lunches, dinner and coffee with the family. After Cape Town we made our way to the Eastern Cape town of St Francis where there was just that moment and opportunity to just sit and do nothing and continue to be with the family. After St Francis I arrived in Jeffreys Bay and for the first day and a half I just chilled with some good friends old and new and then conference arrived and I found myself making friends from places like Bothasig, Stellenbosch, Margate, Port Alfred. I also had the pleasure of staying one of the most fantastically layed out chalet that had was right on the beach and I do mean it, you wake up and the only view is the beach (no buildings or anything). I also had the opportunity of sharing a chalet with Terran Williams pastor of Common Ground church in Rondebosch, I remembered him from a holiday bible club back in 2000 as well as other awesome people. We also had the opprtunity to be involved in a tsunami relief walk or paddle down to supertubes and just for a moment gave silence in honour of those who lost their lives and that moment will be remembered forever. After conference I made the way back home to Joburg but not alone as I happened to share a flight unexpectedly with another guest speaker - Brett Davis from Christian Surfers International and it was just special because we had that special time to chat afterwards on the flight down.
2 weeks later the Jeffreys Bay team and Stellenbosch team came to Joburg and I had a good time jolling with them on the road trip. 1st part was in Kroonstad where I saw talent that I never saw before and even got to spend time with Chris Smith from Kroonstad, then there was Kempton Park surrounds with my home team, J-Bay team and Stellenbosch team and that was an awesome and good day out. It all finished off with a trip with my home team again to Hartbeespoort for the ressurrection Jam and it was really something special.
Some prayer requests:
Please do pray that I will continue to execute what I learnt on conference more and more each day and that I will truly empower the ground on which I am serving.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Life in the Rat Race
As i look around in the place I live, I cant help but think "What has happened to us". Ask anyone from joburg and they will admit that the time that we run off is Traffic Time and Deadline time. Yes its those few words like "I'm late" "I'm busy" "I need to be somewhere". All of these things are evident in Johannesburg and whats funny is you head off to the coast you will find that a majority of them dont even bother about time or schedules, life just stops and comes to a halt when you are at the coast. Easter weekend is coming and its a time for everyone living in this chaos of a city called Johannesburg to just get away to the other quieter ends of the country. It's also a time for us to just stop thinking about traffic or what time we need to leave to get to the airports or other places and its a time where we can just relax. Take a trip to East London or Jeffreys Bay and you will find that anywhere in town takes only 5 minutes traveling time, Peoples journey to work or the shops or sports clubs or home, even the beach only takes 5 minutes and traffic for them is 1 car at a stop street or robot. I reckon its time to start adapting to coastal and stop worrying if we're going to get to places on time.
Monday, April 11, 2011
In memory of Craig Bainbridge
Years ago, when me and my brother were little kids hung out at the Edenvale Sports Club and we befriended 2 brothers Marc and Craig Bainbridge. We would just wander around and chill. Somewhere along the line we lost contact with those 2 brothers but we never did forget those times. Last year or the year before the one brother (Craig) was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer and on Friday Craig went on to be with the lord after suffering from system failure. I wont forget those days and Craig I know how much you were loved by the community and may your tragic passing be used to help some of those people you have come across over time to be drawn closer to God. You lived a good life and friends, family and aquantances will never forget you. May you truly rest in peace knowing that all the pain and suffering that you have been through is now no more. I enclose a poem written by C. Henry Scott Holland
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
How old are we anyway
I don't know about you but when you have the flu like I have just had and yes things will be back to normal tomorrow but as a christian its that time when you begin to fill your mind with christian teachings one after the other. A while back I visited a really cool and small church in Edenvale by a friend and he gave me one of these free DVD's by Kent Hovind and during my time of being bedridden I took the opportunity to start watching this. There are things that I'm passionate about and they are Gymnastics, Geography, The Offspring (The best secular band in the world) and also Christian Theology (Apologetics especially - Defending the faith) and this is why I have been so fascinated with Kent Hovind's Teachings.
He teaches that the stuff we learn in schools is absolute nonsense, have you noticed any textbook you can find says the earth formed billions or millions of years. I came to this conclusion after reading Genesis to Revelations last year and if you do the maths you will find that the textbooks don't exactly match up. His theory and its one I tend to agree with is that the earth formed about 6000 years ago as stated in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" then the fall of man happened which set a destructive example for the descendants to come and it was at this point that God appeared to Noah and instructed him to build an ark as he was going to bring about a great flood, to which Noah built this ark, collected animals galore and brought his family onboard and then the flood came and I'm not talking about the destruction that you saw in New Zealand or Brisbane, this was a global flood killing all humankind and species that weren't on this boat and then the human race had to start over again and about 2000 years later after more rebellion God brought Jesus in the form of a little baby born in a manger and that baby turned out to be the very son of God, he confronted society in a way we never imagined and even died at the hands he came to save in a cruel way? Why, well because of our sin. Jesus came to save us from eternal death so we could spend eternity in heaven.
This all sounds like a dream come true but the problem is that there are still those who oppose these teaching and would rather brainwash us with the teachings of Darwin (who by the way in my opinion is one of the worlds greatest frauds around for bringing in his false teachings and theories) and the schools pass them as factual. You see there are 2 conflicts
Atheism: The world was created billions of years ago from nothing (how nothing come from nothing is something I don't seem to understand, it just can't be possible - something must come from something)
Christianity: The Earth is not billion of years old but around 6000 years old and started with the creation as stated in Genesis chapter 1 (I choose to believe the Bible as it makes the most sense).
If someone asks me why I'm a Christian my answer is because I believe and if someone asks me why I believe I will answer "because I have seen his work in my life and even the most impossible miracles that only God can perform". I challenge you to ask yourself why do you believe.
He teaches that the stuff we learn in schools is absolute nonsense, have you noticed any textbook you can find says the earth formed billions or millions of years. I came to this conclusion after reading Genesis to Revelations last year and if you do the maths you will find that the textbooks don't exactly match up. His theory and its one I tend to agree with is that the earth formed about 6000 years ago as stated in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" then the fall of man happened which set a destructive example for the descendants to come and it was at this point that God appeared to Noah and instructed him to build an ark as he was going to bring about a great flood, to which Noah built this ark, collected animals galore and brought his family onboard and then the flood came and I'm not talking about the destruction that you saw in New Zealand or Brisbane, this was a global flood killing all humankind and species that weren't on this boat and then the human race had to start over again and about 2000 years later after more rebellion God brought Jesus in the form of a little baby born in a manger and that baby turned out to be the very son of God, he confronted society in a way we never imagined and even died at the hands he came to save in a cruel way? Why, well because of our sin. Jesus came to save us from eternal death so we could spend eternity in heaven.
This all sounds like a dream come true but the problem is that there are still those who oppose these teaching and would rather brainwash us with the teachings of Darwin (who by the way in my opinion is one of the worlds greatest frauds around for bringing in his false teachings and theories) and the schools pass them as factual. You see there are 2 conflicts
Atheism: The world was created billions of years ago from nothing (how nothing come from nothing is something I don't seem to understand, it just can't be possible - something must come from something)
Christianity: The Earth is not billion of years old but around 6000 years old and started with the creation as stated in Genesis chapter 1 (I choose to believe the Bible as it makes the most sense).
If someone asks me why I'm a Christian my answer is because I believe and if someone asks me why I believe I will answer "because I have seen his work in my life and even the most impossible miracles that only God can perform". I challenge you to ask yourself why do you believe.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Trust and Faith
What is faith? Faith according to the Oxford minidictionary says that it's Trust.
What is Trust? The same dictionary says Confident Expectation.
As you can see Faith and trust share the same meaning. For me this has been one thing that has been on my mind. As we all know the opposite is fear and doubt, and I reckon we all fall into this trap at times where we face circumstances or we just become scared and we lose track of the faith that is needed at that time. Sometimes all we need to do is step out of our comfort zone and make a move that will help us grow further into the people we are meant to be and for this to happen we need to have faith and trust that everything will happen in the end as we hope. These 2 things are the key to being a disciple of God because if you can't really trust that God's hand is with you helping you achieve your passions and dreams then I can say that you're not much of a believer. Rob Bell in the NOOMA DVD Dust puts it clearly:
He states that in that time by a certain age you study the scriptures and are required to memorise them (He's talking about the TORAH - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and if you pass that then the next level was to memorise the Hebrew texts (Genesis to Malachi). Passing all of these studies, you could then apply to the local Rabbi to be his disciple and if you didn't make the cut he would tell you to join the family business and if you did he would say "Come Follow Me" - The best of the best got chosen. Now for Peter a fisherman to be told by Jesus those words "Come follow me" it meant a lot because here he was faced with his Jesus choosing him. Now you can see that Peter wasn't the best of the best since he was out at sea fishing but yet Jesus looks past that and sees someone who can do what he does and calls Peter and 11 others to walk and live alongside him. Now later there's a moment where Jesus comes walking on water and with all 12 disciples on the boat watching all this thinking that Jesus is a ghost but Peter's eyes gets opened and climbs out the boat and walks on water towards Jesus.
Peter always strikes me as one with great faith and trust, he had faith that he could he could be like his master, he had faith in circumstances, He had a faith that he could be responsible for the salvation of many followers as he experienced in the beginning of Acts and I think we can learn from Peter on how to really trust and to really have true faith.
What is Trust? The same dictionary says Confident Expectation.
As you can see Faith and trust share the same meaning. For me this has been one thing that has been on my mind. As we all know the opposite is fear and doubt, and I reckon we all fall into this trap at times where we face circumstances or we just become scared and we lose track of the faith that is needed at that time. Sometimes all we need to do is step out of our comfort zone and make a move that will help us grow further into the people we are meant to be and for this to happen we need to have faith and trust that everything will happen in the end as we hope. These 2 things are the key to being a disciple of God because if you can't really trust that God's hand is with you helping you achieve your passions and dreams then I can say that you're not much of a believer. Rob Bell in the NOOMA DVD Dust puts it clearly:
He states that in that time by a certain age you study the scriptures and are required to memorise them (He's talking about the TORAH - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and if you pass that then the next level was to memorise the Hebrew texts (Genesis to Malachi). Passing all of these studies, you could then apply to the local Rabbi to be his disciple and if you didn't make the cut he would tell you to join the family business and if you did he would say "Come Follow Me" - The best of the best got chosen. Now for Peter a fisherman to be told by Jesus those words "Come follow me" it meant a lot because here he was faced with his Jesus choosing him. Now you can see that Peter wasn't the best of the best since he was out at sea fishing but yet Jesus looks past that and sees someone who can do what he does and calls Peter and 11 others to walk and live alongside him. Now later there's a moment where Jesus comes walking on water and with all 12 disciples on the boat watching all this thinking that Jesus is a ghost but Peter's eyes gets opened and climbs out the boat and walks on water towards Jesus.
Peter always strikes me as one with great faith and trust, he had faith that he could he could be like his master, he had faith in circumstances, He had a faith that he could be responsible for the salvation of many followers as he experienced in the beginning of Acts and I think we can learn from Peter on how to really trust and to really have true faith.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Where are your eyes focussed
Have you ever wandered how easy it is to take your eye off of what really matters, even for a split second. The truth of the matter is thats what normally happens as we live day by day. What I think happens is the world will try drag in past experiences and instead of looking up and focussing our eyes, we give in to those desires and even for a split second we react in a way we promised ourselves we wouldn't. The truth of the matter is we need to focus and fix our eyes on whats really important day by day, no matter how hard it seems and only then can we be victorious.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Man Up
If you look through biblical scriptures have you ever noticed that the word Teenager never gets mentioned, why is that? I think its because teenager is just a modern term for growing up to be a man. The bible only mention if you notice the words Boy and Man.
Boy indicates going through the motions and leaning solely on another person to make the decisions.
Man indicates independance, knowing who you are, what your strengths are and relying more on your conscience then anything else.
In jewish culture there is a right of passage into manhood where the moment a boy turns 13 he has to undergo an initiation into manhood called a barmitzvah, having been brought up the last good years befriending some good jewish friends I can say by observation how sacred this process is and the stuff that goes on to prepare for it is quite hectic.
Why do I throw in all this, its because its a lesson to all that we need to skip past this boy stage and be a man. Have you noticed why fathers regardless of faith and belief are hard on their sons? Its because they are training their own kids to be men, yes men who at the end of the day has the ability to be trained to look after and be the head of the family that he is required to be.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I AM L8 GP - A story of time
On my way to gymnastics practice today I saw a car head in the opposite direction with the numberplate I AM L8 GP and I got to thinking how rushed our lives in general are. I also thought to myself how often do we give God enough our time to satisfy him. I think next time you wake up or go about your day take some time and just spend it communicating with God about stuff, he will be more pleased to have had that time with you.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
God Found Us
I was looking through the lyrics to a song yesterday and as I read the words I was completely floored, what I saw were lyric based on the personal nature of the person who wrote it as I would no doubt guess and whilst I may have come nowhere this personal declaration there are people out there who are facing this same thing and same thoughts and the song just so happens to be You found Me by The Fray
"You Found Me"
[Verse 1]
I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?"
He said, "Ask anything".
[Verse 2]
Where were you
When everything was falling apart?
All my days
Were spent by the telephone
That never rang
And all I needed was a call
That never came
To the corner of First and Amistad
[Chorus 1]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
[Verse 3]
In the end
Everyone ends up alone
Losing her
The only one who's ever known
Who I am
Who I'm not, who I wanna be
No way to know
How long she will be next to me
[Chorus 2]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
[Bridge]
Early morning
The city breaks
I've been callin'
For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
Ya never send me no letters
You got some kinda nerve
Taking all I want
[Chorus 3 and outro]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Where were you? Where were you?
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me
As you read the words and just travel down, what you see is someone completely filled with anger over certain situation in his life and goes out on an all out mission to blame God for all the pain he has suffered and how often do we as people face storms in our life (and I tell you if they haven't come watch out because they will come) blame God and just dwell and feed that blame until it completely consumes them and at the same time misses the boat and fails to see Gods hand at work in all those situations.
Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This passage from Romans tells of the one promise from God that whatever storms we face that Gods hand is in it all working it out for good and I wonder if the writer of that Fray song knows that. What I like though is the writer goes on to say in short "You Found Me". I hear people say in their testimonies "I found God" to which I say, I didn't know he was lost. God found us and he finds us at exactly the right time, not too late and not too early and he meets us where we are issues and all.
"You Found Me"
[Verse 1]
I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?"
He said, "Ask anything".
[Verse 2]
Where were you
When everything was falling apart?
All my days
Were spent by the telephone
That never rang
And all I needed was a call
That never came
To the corner of First and Amistad
[Chorus 1]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
[Verse 3]
In the end
Everyone ends up alone
Losing her
The only one who's ever known
Who I am
Who I'm not, who I wanna be
No way to know
How long she will be next to me
[Chorus 2]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
[Bridge]
Early morning
The city breaks
I've been callin'
For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
Ya never send me no letters
You got some kinda nerve
Taking all I want
[Chorus 3 and outro]
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Where were you? Where were you?
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me
As you read the words and just travel down, what you see is someone completely filled with anger over certain situation in his life and goes out on an all out mission to blame God for all the pain he has suffered and how often do we as people face storms in our life (and I tell you if they haven't come watch out because they will come) blame God and just dwell and feed that blame until it completely consumes them and at the same time misses the boat and fails to see Gods hand at work in all those situations.
Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This passage from Romans tells of the one promise from God that whatever storms we face that Gods hand is in it all working it out for good and I wonder if the writer of that Fray song knows that. What I like though is the writer goes on to say in short "You Found Me". I hear people say in their testimonies "I found God" to which I say, I didn't know he was lost. God found us and he finds us at exactly the right time, not too late and not too early and he meets us where we are issues and all.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
God on Demand
How often do we as people misunderstand the bible and even misunderstand what God says on top of that.
Too often people turn to a passage of scripture that tells them a harsh reality and they just skip and find another passage on the same area and ignore the fact somehow those words are being spoken to them, its almost as if they are ripping the pages out of the bible and merely just making it a story book that means nothing to them. Whats even more interesting is they tend to put God in a box and kind of pass demands on him as if we created God and we tell him what to do our lives.
This is just a thought based on observations and one observation we should not follow. God is not supposed to be put in a box but instead lives are supposed to be placed in his hands and he will guide them the way he seems fit.
Too often people turn to a passage of scripture that tells them a harsh reality and they just skip and find another passage on the same area and ignore the fact somehow those words are being spoken to them, its almost as if they are ripping the pages out of the bible and merely just making it a story book that means nothing to them. Whats even more interesting is they tend to put God in a box and kind of pass demands on him as if we created God and we tell him what to do our lives.
This is just a thought based on observations and one observation we should not follow. God is not supposed to be put in a box but instead lives are supposed to be placed in his hands and he will guide them the way he seems fit.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
In Memorium - Alastair Wilson
Instead of doing an ordinary blog I thought I'd share a memorial message on a fellow brother in christ whom I have had many breakfasts with named Alastair Wilson. Sadly he passed away this afternoon from a long illness, I lay in bed praying the following prayer "God, if its in your will please heal him, if not then please provide his family and friends comfort in such a time". He was a very content but with some incredibly strong views and values worthy and honourable to God, he knew what he stood for and never wavered and if you didn't know him you could learn a lot by the characteristics that I have just detailed and there is a poem that I would like to share by C. Henry Scott Holland called "All is well"
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Henry Scott Holland
The funeral I'm sure will be sometime this week and I ask anyone to pray for his family during this time.
God Bless
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Heart of Worship
For today I'm going to unpack one of the greatest worship songs of all time and even explain its origins.
Verse 1:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
This song was written in the days of Soul Survivor a modern british church. It was hugely popular to the point that people were just coming to enjoy the worship team and that was it. Matt Redman the worship leader took drastic actions and for a long period told the worship team not to return for a while and instead church was just pure silence and in a moment of reflection in this period, Matt Redman put pen to paper and wrote down the words you see above "When the music fades, all is stripped away and I simply come longing just to bring something thats of worth". Now I ask what is true worship.
Worship to some is singing songs in church but its more then that, its the way you live your life day in and day out. To the conservatives its the eucharist, hymnals from a hymn book and communion every week although I have to say this form is dying and the modern contemporary for is taking over. I'm talking about the modern praise and worship songs from people like Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder Band etc. and they have even taken the greatest hymns and modernised them to the generation we have today. Lets face it the way church is done today is changing but so must our lives if we are to live as imitators of Jesus and that means completing what Jesus set out to do whilst living a pure lifestyle putting the sinful natures behind us and clinging onto the new.
Verse 1:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
This song was written in the days of Soul Survivor a modern british church. It was hugely popular to the point that people were just coming to enjoy the worship team and that was it. Matt Redman the worship leader took drastic actions and for a long period told the worship team not to return for a while and instead church was just pure silence and in a moment of reflection in this period, Matt Redman put pen to paper and wrote down the words you see above "When the music fades, all is stripped away and I simply come longing just to bring something thats of worth". Now I ask what is true worship.
Worship to some is singing songs in church but its more then that, its the way you live your life day in and day out. To the conservatives its the eucharist, hymnals from a hymn book and communion every week although I have to say this form is dying and the modern contemporary for is taking over. I'm talking about the modern praise and worship songs from people like Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, David Crowder Band etc. and they have even taken the greatest hymns and modernised them to the generation we have today. Lets face it the way church is done today is changing but so must our lives if we are to live as imitators of Jesus and that means completing what Jesus set out to do whilst living a pure lifestyle putting the sinful natures behind us and clinging onto the new.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Walking on Water
I'm going to go back to a story that was mentioned about the time that I Really became a christian
Mat 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Mat 14:24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.
Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Mat 14:29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Mat 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Mat 14:32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Mat 14:33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Picture yourself in this scene, by now you must be picturing heavy torrential waves and intense winds and then comes along this person just walking across water. As if the disciples weren't scared before think of how they must have been to think they were seeing a ghost walk on water. What happens next is quite interesting, Peter sees something, he sees Jesus the messiah coming towards them and pleads to come out to him which he does but not without a moment of sinking. In that moment I love the words that Jesus tells Peter "Why did you doubt""
What this picture says to me is pretty clear, we may face times of uncertainty and even try to play the pity game but God doesn't want that, he wants us to lay those moments in his hands and then trust him 100% that it will be taken care of. We of course also need to play the part by taking the bold move and not hold back, instead we need to also take action and listen to what God is saying along the way. The moment we allow such doubt to come into our lives we are in fact setting ourselves up for failure and we begin to sink.
Mat 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Mat 14:24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.
Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Mat 14:29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Mat 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Mat 14:32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Mat 14:33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Picture yourself in this scene, by now you must be picturing heavy torrential waves and intense winds and then comes along this person just walking across water. As if the disciples weren't scared before think of how they must have been to think they were seeing a ghost walk on water. What happens next is quite interesting, Peter sees something, he sees Jesus the messiah coming towards them and pleads to come out to him which he does but not without a moment of sinking. In that moment I love the words that Jesus tells Peter "Why did you doubt""
What this picture says to me is pretty clear, we may face times of uncertainty and even try to play the pity game but God doesn't want that, he wants us to lay those moments in his hands and then trust him 100% that it will be taken care of. We of course also need to play the part by taking the bold move and not hold back, instead we need to also take action and listen to what God is saying along the way. The moment we allow such doubt to come into our lives we are in fact setting ourselves up for failure and we begin to sink.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Renovating our lives
What a strange title but I came up with it in a certain way.
At the beginning of every year I decide on some way to shape up my living space. This year is no different.
I have lately been staring at a cluttered wall full of posters over the last few years since I was a student and as I took down those posters leaving only a significant few (about 3) and as I stared and moved stuff around, to my horror I saw a wall full of nicks and in need some serious painting and it got me thinking how we as people cover up the mess that comes about in our lives instead of confronting it head on. I have got ideas on how to brighten up my little living space called my bedroom and also similiar in life we as people need to work at solving the issues that came across in our lives so that our lives can be brightened up and refreshed.
At the beginning of every year I decide on some way to shape up my living space. This year is no different.
I have lately been staring at a cluttered wall full of posters over the last few years since I was a student and as I took down those posters leaving only a significant few (about 3) and as I stared and moved stuff around, to my horror I saw a wall full of nicks and in need some serious painting and it got me thinking how we as people cover up the mess that comes about in our lives instead of confronting it head on. I have got ideas on how to brighten up my little living space called my bedroom and also similiar in life we as people need to work at solving the issues that came across in our lives so that our lives can be brightened up and refreshed.
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