Precious Saints !!!
Was woken up one morning with this song by Chris Rice (thanks Helga on CCFM) and the first few lines just kinda stuck in my mind for a few days and evoked a ton of memories both good and bad.
What dreams did you have as a child as to what you wanted to be when you grew up and became an adult? Well I wanted to be a fireman, policeman, doctor, vet, soccer star, rock star and so on. As I grew older my ideas changed as to what I wanted to be. So by the time I was a teenager I wanted to be a rock star. Hey I really loved music but did I have any talent? Sad to say just about zero.
So we become all 'grown up' and stumble into a job and the 'real' world starts knocking our dreams to pieces. Sorry man, you can't do that, you're too short, too skinny, too white, too stoopid and so on. I remember going for job interview after job interview where they asked the same dumb questions. "Did you captain the 1st rugby team, 1st soccer team, 1st dis, 1st dat, I see you don't have a post matric qualification"....drone on and on. Hey can't a guy come second here? As a scrawny 20 something I just about used to wet my pants(or something worse) when I went for job interviews.
The other really intelligent question was, "I see you don't have any experience....." Well knock me down with a perfumed pink feather. I had just come out of the army where I was trained to meet interesting people and kill them!!! My young friends and I were giving up our lives to protect your sorry fat backside. How am I gonna get any experience if you don't want to hire me. Well that's what I felt like saying but I really did not have the guts to say it.
Anyways you eventually get a job, get married, get divorced, get married, get divorced and then get married again and hopefully stay employed throughout. And all this time you are kinda thinking to yourself there has just gotta be more to life then this. By the time I'd reached 40 I'd carefully patched up my heart, sealed it reasonably tight and would only let in people if they would be able to give me something in return. I would give love but you better give me some love back.
And then at that stage I had almost reached breaking point. Allie my lovely wife after giving birth to our only son had two nervous breakdowns in the space of three/four years. I mean what had I done to deserve this? I was really losing myself and finding it so difficult to really put others first. Then Allie started seeking for something bigger, higher then herself and she literally upset my whole wheelbarrow of manure. She actually started going to church! This kinda freaked me out initially I mean I was kinda steeling myself to push my wheelbarrow for the rest of my life and work out some kinda plan to make the manure smell better.
Well one thing led to another and one Saturday evening I met my saviour Jesus Christ. WOW!!! He gave me a tiny glimpse of his glory and my life was changed forever. Now I wanna do things 'cause I know that He loved me first, I'm learning more and more His purpose and plan for my life. And guess what I am really super duper special, I'm so precious that God himself came down and died for me. He purchased me with His own blood! Can you actually fathom the depth, the width the height of that love? Not likely this side of heaven. Now all this does not give me a big fat head but makes me feel truly grateful and humble and just wanting to serve Him with all that I have. Oh yeah, am I perfect? No ways, I'm full of holes and frayed at the edges but I'm really trying to love God back and the more I get that right the more I am able to give of His love back to the world.
God just blows me away constantly with His love. A youth pastor from Khayelitsha phoned me yesterday on my cell to tell me that He loves me as a brother in Christ. A woman the other evening introduced me to her sister and said that I'd saved her live. And it goes on and on. I'm not saying all this to get a Noddy badge or to tell you how great I am but to tell you how great God is. Love Him back more and more and you will see how He uses you. Go on I dare you!
Here's that song
The Power Of The Moment (by Chris Rice)
What am I gonna be when I grow up?
How am I gonna make my mark in history?
And what are they gonna write about me when I’m gone?
These are the questions that shape the way I think about what matters
But I have no guarantee of my next heartbeat
And my world’s too big to make a name for myself
And what if no one wants to read about me when I’m gone?
Seems to me that right now’s the only moment that matters
You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of a moment
In Your kingdom where the least is greatest
The weak are given strength and fools confound the wise
And forever brushes up against a moment’s time
Leaving impressions and drawing me into what really matters
You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of a moment
I get so distracted by my bigger schemes
Show me the importance of the simple things
Like a word, a seed, a thorn, a nail
And a cup of cold water
You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of a moment
Copyright Clumsy Fly Music (ASCAP)
LoCTY !!!!!!!
We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16)
Friday, November 25, 2005
Friday, November 4, 2005
Street Evangelism (4)
So another coupla months have gone by and we are still walking up and down Voortrekker Road whenever we can dishing out tracts about “Your Most Important Relationship.”
The devil is still whispering into my ear all the lies and doubts that he has at his disposal. “So do you really think these stupid pieces of paper are going to make any difference in people’s lives, hey who do you think you are to go and interfere without invitation in other people’s lives, it’s really cold tonight much more comfortable in front of the heater, something really good on TV tonight, do you know how dangerous Voortrekker road is at night?…..” and on and on. Just one thing if you are gonna do anything for God’s kingdom be prepared for the lies, the doubts, be prepared to do battle but remember this, that the devil has already been defeated (by Christ on the cross) and he only has as much power as you give him, also don’t go and be no Lone Ranger and do stuff on your own. You are part of the Body of Christ, always pray, always ask for help and if the only help that someone can give you is to pray for your protection then thankfully and gracefully accept it.
Lately God has blessed me with some new people who are as crazy for Christ as I am. So we have a bunch of ‘fruity’ Christians who go out together, normally on Friday evenings and really encourage each other and have wonderful fellowship at the same time.
When you ‘hit’ the street you really do not have any idea what to expect. We always pray for ‘divine appointments’ but I often feel that everyone we meet is a ‘divine appointment’. Just being there out on the street makes a huge statement for the Body of Christ.
We have recently added to our repertoire by going to visit the Goodwood police station after we have walked up to Vasco Boulevard. I remember the first time going in there (the cop shop) and the policeman behind the charge office counter asking me if he could help me. I answered that we would like to help them by praying for them and their families. By the look on his face you could see that this was not something that was covered in his training manual. Anyways God always comes through and the duty commander gave us his blessing and a policewoman joined us in prayer and we gave out a few Gospels of John and some tracts. I just want you to imagine if you can, standing in a passage at the police station on a Friday night praying out loud (and in tongues)to our Father in the name of Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit to protect and convict all those around you. Awesome stuff!!!!!
During another visit to the cop shop we met up with a woman whose 22 year old son had just been arrested. She was bringing him some McDonalds to eat as he was locked up in a cell. It reminded me so much of Allie and myself and what we went through with Adam at one stage. We invited her to join our prayer circle and afterwards we ministered to her and also prayed for her son. She just could not stop crying. My heart just ached for her. She seemed just so utterly forlorn and alone. Always remember though that Jesus is with you always and He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
So ja all I can say to you is that your faith is like a muscle. If you don’t exercise a muscle it does not get stronger. If you don’t test (do stuff for God) your faith then it isn’t gonna grow much stronger. So just do whatever God is calling you to do, use whatever God has given you for His glory and serve Him. If you are reading this and you reckon you got nothing to give, that’s a lie. Even if all you got is to clean toilets or wash dishes you can do it for the glory of God’s kingdom.
I just would like to thank all those of you walked with me this past year and also those who prayed for this ministry in anyway even if it was just for a second. I really appreciate your loving contributions.
The devil is still whispering into my ear all the lies and doubts that he has at his disposal. “So do you really think these stupid pieces of paper are going to make any difference in people’s lives, hey who do you think you are to go and interfere without invitation in other people’s lives, it’s really cold tonight much more comfortable in front of the heater, something really good on TV tonight, do you know how dangerous Voortrekker road is at night?…..” and on and on. Just one thing if you are gonna do anything for God’s kingdom be prepared for the lies, the doubts, be prepared to do battle but remember this, that the devil has already been defeated (by Christ on the cross) and he only has as much power as you give him, also don’t go and be no Lone Ranger and do stuff on your own. You are part of the Body of Christ, always pray, always ask for help and if the only help that someone can give you is to pray for your protection then thankfully and gracefully accept it.
Lately God has blessed me with some new people who are as crazy for Christ as I am. So we have a bunch of ‘fruity’ Christians who go out together, normally on Friday evenings and really encourage each other and have wonderful fellowship at the same time.
When you ‘hit’ the street you really do not have any idea what to expect. We always pray for ‘divine appointments’ but I often feel that everyone we meet is a ‘divine appointment’. Just being there out on the street makes a huge statement for the Body of Christ.
We have recently added to our repertoire by going to visit the Goodwood police station after we have walked up to Vasco Boulevard. I remember the first time going in there (the cop shop) and the policeman behind the charge office counter asking me if he could help me. I answered that we would like to help them by praying for them and their families. By the look on his face you could see that this was not something that was covered in his training manual. Anyways God always comes through and the duty commander gave us his blessing and a policewoman joined us in prayer and we gave out a few Gospels of John and some tracts. I just want you to imagine if you can, standing in a passage at the police station on a Friday night praying out loud (and in tongues)to our Father in the name of Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit to protect and convict all those around you. Awesome stuff!!!!!
During another visit to the cop shop we met up with a woman whose 22 year old son had just been arrested. She was bringing him some McDonalds to eat as he was locked up in a cell. It reminded me so much of Allie and myself and what we went through with Adam at one stage. We invited her to join our prayer circle and afterwards we ministered to her and also prayed for her son. She just could not stop crying. My heart just ached for her. She seemed just so utterly forlorn and alone. Always remember though that Jesus is with you always and He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
So ja all I can say to you is that your faith is like a muscle. If you don’t exercise a muscle it does not get stronger. If you don’t test (do stuff for God) your faith then it isn’t gonna grow much stronger. So just do whatever God is calling you to do, use whatever God has given you for His glory and serve Him. If you are reading this and you reckon you got nothing to give, that’s a lie. Even if all you got is to clean toilets or wash dishes you can do it for the glory of God’s kingdom.
I just would like to thank all those of you walked with me this past year and also those who prayed for this ministry in anyway even if it was just for a second. I really appreciate your loving contributions.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Amazing Love
To You Oh Precious Saints !!!!
Your email boxes over these last coupla weeks must have been decidedly lighter and your eyes more rested due to the fact that I have been on leave for the last two weeks.
So what’s been happening? Plenty ‘stuff’, too much to write all down here but we’ll mention some things.
Well Val (Allies’ sister who is a Sister [nun; geddit?]) came down from Cathcart to stay with us these past two weeks and I tried my level best to cut down on the church “stuff’ for the two weeks so we could spend as much time with Val as possible. We went to early morning mass for two Sundays, hey I even knew the words for quite a few of the songs and also knew quite a few people there.
Last Thursday we are just sitting in the lounge around about 5pm when suddenly the front door opens (for some reason or the other it was not locked) and in walks Adam. Talk about jaw dropping, blown away time. To just let you get some idea of the impact of his entrance, we had not heard a single word from him for more than a month. Allie was really worried about him, what with Rita and Katrina doing there dance of destruction across the southern parts of the USA. Because of all the damage that the hurricanes have caused, the entertainment season has been curtailed and the owner of the fare started to send the guys back home. It was just so good to see him. He’d been travelling for 30 hours. A few days earlier I’d had a dream that he’d come home and it was so real that when I woke up I thought that he was in the house (yeah I cried then, no one saw me except God). He (Adam) also came bearing gifts for us and this from a guy who until last year was not interested in paying rent. It was so apparent that God had “kept” him in this very difficult time. We had a great time of fellowship (actually mind blowing) as a family talking about our amazingly awesome God. Then we went to visit Lisa (his sister) and Donovan (Lisas’ hubbie). Well I was very proud (ooh dangeroos) of myself as I did not cry but at times His Holy Spirit was just sooo close. Then on Friday morning we dropped Mattie off at school and all the while I’m just thinking of God’s amazing love and the tears just came.
This past Sunday morning I paid a visit to the Full Gospel church in Bothasig. I’m walking innocently down the aisle when Paul B comes to greet me and nonchalantly asks me if I would say the opening prayer. WHO ME !!! Hey you got it wrong I’m just visiting here. I had a good coupla excuses welling up from within but the only thing that came out after the WHO ME bit was, “Okay just call me when you need me.” That was such a blessing and honour thank you (in hindsight) Paul B for jolting me out of my comfort zone.
Then we go to Goodwood Methodist in the evening and Adam comes with. We are singing praises to God and out of the corner of my eye I see Adam raise His hands in worship and my throat just thickens up and I’m shattered and can’t sing. And it’s all ‘bout His amazing love.
I always knew from my earliest memories that God was this all powerful being (He is) who would just zap you if you stepped outta line. From my later “religious” experiences this just seemed to be more and more highlighted. Then when I thought I’d found the “true” God at one stage it actually just made me feel more of a wretch (yaargh you miserable worm). The only way to live from there on in was to deny Him. And then I met His Holy Spirit and for the first time in my life I experienced the love of God. The only more amazing thing than my own personal encounter and awakening with God is to see how His love works in others lives. I just want you all out there to know that if you are aware of Gods’ love for you then you are truly blessed ‘cause there are millions of people out there who just have no idea of this simple (but mind blowing) truth.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to
know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-19).
I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That you my king would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
And it’s my joy to honour You
In all I do I honour You
You are my king
You are my king
Jesus you are my king
(Written by Billy Foot)
LoCTY !!!!!
Your email boxes over these last coupla weeks must have been decidedly lighter and your eyes more rested due to the fact that I have been on leave for the last two weeks.
So what’s been happening? Plenty ‘stuff’, too much to write all down here but we’ll mention some things.
Well Val (Allies’ sister who is a Sister [nun; geddit?]) came down from Cathcart to stay with us these past two weeks and I tried my level best to cut down on the church “stuff’ for the two weeks so we could spend as much time with Val as possible. We went to early morning mass for two Sundays, hey I even knew the words for quite a few of the songs and also knew quite a few people there.
Last Thursday we are just sitting in the lounge around about 5pm when suddenly the front door opens (for some reason or the other it was not locked) and in walks Adam. Talk about jaw dropping, blown away time. To just let you get some idea of the impact of his entrance, we had not heard a single word from him for more than a month. Allie was really worried about him, what with Rita and Katrina doing there dance of destruction across the southern parts of the USA. Because of all the damage that the hurricanes have caused, the entertainment season has been curtailed and the owner of the fare started to send the guys back home. It was just so good to see him. He’d been travelling for 30 hours. A few days earlier I’d had a dream that he’d come home and it was so real that when I woke up I thought that he was in the house (yeah I cried then, no one saw me except God). He (Adam) also came bearing gifts for us and this from a guy who until last year was not interested in paying rent. It was so apparent that God had “kept” him in this very difficult time. We had a great time of fellowship (actually mind blowing) as a family talking about our amazingly awesome God. Then we went to visit Lisa (his sister) and Donovan (Lisas’ hubbie). Well I was very proud (ooh dangeroos) of myself as I did not cry but at times His Holy Spirit was just sooo close. Then on Friday morning we dropped Mattie off at school and all the while I’m just thinking of God’s amazing love and the tears just came.
This past Sunday morning I paid a visit to the Full Gospel church in Bothasig. I’m walking innocently down the aisle when Paul B comes to greet me and nonchalantly asks me if I would say the opening prayer. WHO ME !!! Hey you got it wrong I’m just visiting here. I had a good coupla excuses welling up from within but the only thing that came out after the WHO ME bit was, “Okay just call me when you need me.” That was such a blessing and honour thank you (in hindsight) Paul B for jolting me out of my comfort zone.
Then we go to Goodwood Methodist in the evening and Adam comes with. We are singing praises to God and out of the corner of my eye I see Adam raise His hands in worship and my throat just thickens up and I’m shattered and can’t sing. And it’s all ‘bout His amazing love.
I always knew from my earliest memories that God was this all powerful being (He is) who would just zap you if you stepped outta line. From my later “religious” experiences this just seemed to be more and more highlighted. Then when I thought I’d found the “true” God at one stage it actually just made me feel more of a wretch (yaargh you miserable worm). The only way to live from there on in was to deny Him. And then I met His Holy Spirit and for the first time in my life I experienced the love of God. The only more amazing thing than my own personal encounter and awakening with God is to see how His love works in others lives. I just want you all out there to know that if you are aware of Gods’ love for you then you are truly blessed ‘cause there are millions of people out there who just have no idea of this simple (but mind blowing) truth.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to
know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-19).
I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That you my king would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
And it’s my joy to honour You
In all I do I honour You
You are my king
You are my king
Jesus you are my king
(Written by Billy Foot)
LoCTY !!!!!
Monday, September 5, 2005
The Weekend Behind
Precious Saints !!!!!!
How would you feel if you had broadly advertised to all and sundry (with quite a touch of humour if I may say so myself) as to just exactly what you had planned for the up and coming weekend and then exhorted and encouraged as much people as you could think of to join you in these various activities. And then bang, crash everything falls flat.
You see when I (check the I!) was making these plans I was already in denial. I was sick (no not only in the head like normal but physically) and of course I was just going ahead with my (check the my!) plans telling everybody and especially myself that I’m so ‘fine’ that you could hardly see me. I almost managed to convince myself but not my body. Even last Thursday morning after vomiting (yaargh solly 4 gruesome details) in both my bathrooms (just checking that they both could handle the emergency) I just said to me (check the me!) “ Gee I now feel so much better!?!” And so it was, high ho, high ho and off to work I go. But later……I could not get my mind to work over the matter (especially all that mucus, aargh!!!) and then it really did matter and I gave in/up/down and dragged my body, which felt like it weighed a million tons off to home and somehow I managed to get there and just crashed into bed.
So there we had it weekend gone for a burton. No cell group, street evangelism, soup kitchen…..etc etc. How could people actually manage without me! Actually everyone did scintillatingly incredibly well and those that stepped up to the plate were blessed. To all of you (I know some of you did not actually think you had it in you) who helped out Jesus these last coupla days while I’ve been examining my bedroom ceiling, thank you very much, you are a huge blessing to me and Allie. Oh yeah Allie had to cancel her weekend away to look after the South African patient (sic).
However there is so much more. With God there always is (go check out Ephesians 3:14-21). Peter C phones me on Friday night thinking I’m out doing Street Evangelism. Meantime I’m snug in bed reading last weekends Sunday Grimes (ouch, heaven forbid!) Anyways he asks to come around (he was practically at my doorstep when he phoned) and we have some coffee and chat. He just firstly explains how God led him to our place. Pete’s phone goes off and it’s Eugene and Carla they were wanting to visit some relatives in Kensington but got lost and God laid it on Genie’s heart to go visit Pete, I just gave Pete the thumbs up and he directed them to our place. They rocked up and eventually came in for coffee. We dimmed the lights and listened to At The Foot of the Cross. Then followed an awesome time of ministry as we ministered to each other and Pete also ministered and prayed for another couple over his cell. God gave me a word for Carla and Genie as we prayed for them and they later said it was so spot on. Then we prayed for Pete. He lay down on the couch and Genie started praying over him. I was kneeling down close to his ear, when suddenly Pete has a word for me. I mean what’s wrong with the man…..we are ministering to him!!!!! He tells me that God is going to loosen my tongue tonight and give me my first word and it’s going to mean holy. I’m already running a mild temperature and now I start sweating bullets (I apparently wasn’t the only one). His Holy Spirit gently knocks me onto my backside and suddenly there it is, a word from my heart to my head, I could hardly figure out wot was happening so eventually I just open my mouth and out comes the word and so ends just over four years of waiting. We are all blown away. Genie is face down on the floor worshipping God and eventually I get up and put on some music. We chat and eventually everybody goes home. Allie comes through as she was watching a movie with Mattie. She shares with me that she had been praying with us all the way through and that she also knew what word Peter was going to say before he said it and she was blown away and I just get even more blown away (like hey check the bugs in my teeth!!!). We chat, have coffee and I pray for her and I use my new prayer language (by this time got a few more words) and it’s awesome.
Eventually we go to bed, but I cannot sleep. So I end up praying the whole night practising how to call up this one word (which means holy) from my heart which then sets off the other words that I have. I get words and prayer insight into some people’s lives at about 5 o’clock in the morning. Fell asleep sometime after that.
Saturday was just a continuation of his blessings. Playing all kinds of games with Mattie, visits, SMS, phone calls from the Body of Christ. Sunday I started to feel slightly more human but just took things easy. Then off to church, first time out of the house since Thursday (except for one scintillating visit to the doc on Friday!). It was so good to come to God’s house and worship with His people. Then ministry and I got to pray for a coupla people and then it was Pete’s turn. I had to give Him what God had told me that Saturday morning. Anyways we pray for him and he is rested in the spirit. While he is down on the floor doing some carpet time he starts smiling and laughing a little. Ah queue for me so I just tell God’s Holy Spirit to rattle Pete’s teeth and give him a bellyache and then he’s rolling around on the floor like a two year old laughing his head of (lhho).
Well that’s all (I’m sure some of you suffering from eye and brain strain are saying ‘R U kidding!’) but I haven’t really covered it all ‘cause with God there is always so much more. But that’s all I can manage to get out for now (some of U R are saying wot a relief!).
Just remember when your plans appear to fall apart; just then really start looking for Him ‘cause He probably then really wants to do some serious work with you. Of course I can’t leave you without this one. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” If you seek me with all your heart you will find me. (there is no doubt there at all) [ Jeremiah 29:11 & 13]
Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up
God will lift up
Lift up your head
(Chorus)
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
He will lift up, lift up your head
Leave to His sovereign way
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong
(Chorus)
Through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy.
(Chorus)
By Jars of Clay off the CD Redemption Songs (lotsa venerable old hymns put in a modern musical context)
LoCTY !!!!!
How would you feel if you had broadly advertised to all and sundry (with quite a touch of humour if I may say so myself) as to just exactly what you had planned for the up and coming weekend and then exhorted and encouraged as much people as you could think of to join you in these various activities. And then bang, crash everything falls flat.
You see when I (check the I!) was making these plans I was already in denial. I was sick (no not only in the head like normal but physically) and of course I was just going ahead with my (check the my!) plans telling everybody and especially myself that I’m so ‘fine’ that you could hardly see me. I almost managed to convince myself but not my body. Even last Thursday morning after vomiting (yaargh solly 4 gruesome details) in both my bathrooms (just checking that they both could handle the emergency) I just said to me (check the me!) “ Gee I now feel so much better!?!” And so it was, high ho, high ho and off to work I go. But later……I could not get my mind to work over the matter (especially all that mucus, aargh!!!) and then it really did matter and I gave in/up/down and dragged my body, which felt like it weighed a million tons off to home and somehow I managed to get there and just crashed into bed.
So there we had it weekend gone for a burton. No cell group, street evangelism, soup kitchen…..etc etc. How could people actually manage without me! Actually everyone did scintillatingly incredibly well and those that stepped up to the plate were blessed. To all of you (I know some of you did not actually think you had it in you) who helped out Jesus these last coupla days while I’ve been examining my bedroom ceiling, thank you very much, you are a huge blessing to me and Allie. Oh yeah Allie had to cancel her weekend away to look after the South African patient (sic).
However there is so much more. With God there always is (go check out Ephesians 3:14-21). Peter C phones me on Friday night thinking I’m out doing Street Evangelism. Meantime I’m snug in bed reading last weekends Sunday Grimes (ouch, heaven forbid!) Anyways he asks to come around (he was practically at my doorstep when he phoned) and we have some coffee and chat. He just firstly explains how God led him to our place. Pete’s phone goes off and it’s Eugene and Carla they were wanting to visit some relatives in Kensington but got lost and God laid it on Genie’s heart to go visit Pete, I just gave Pete the thumbs up and he directed them to our place. They rocked up and eventually came in for coffee. We dimmed the lights and listened to At The Foot of the Cross. Then followed an awesome time of ministry as we ministered to each other and Pete also ministered and prayed for another couple over his cell. God gave me a word for Carla and Genie as we prayed for them and they later said it was so spot on. Then we prayed for Pete. He lay down on the couch and Genie started praying over him. I was kneeling down close to his ear, when suddenly Pete has a word for me. I mean what’s wrong with the man…..we are ministering to him!!!!! He tells me that God is going to loosen my tongue tonight and give me my first word and it’s going to mean holy. I’m already running a mild temperature and now I start sweating bullets (I apparently wasn’t the only one). His Holy Spirit gently knocks me onto my backside and suddenly there it is, a word from my heart to my head, I could hardly figure out wot was happening so eventually I just open my mouth and out comes the word and so ends just over four years of waiting. We are all blown away. Genie is face down on the floor worshipping God and eventually I get up and put on some music. We chat and eventually everybody goes home. Allie comes through as she was watching a movie with Mattie. She shares with me that she had been praying with us all the way through and that she also knew what word Peter was going to say before he said it and she was blown away and I just get even more blown away (like hey check the bugs in my teeth!!!). We chat, have coffee and I pray for her and I use my new prayer language (by this time got a few more words) and it’s awesome.
Eventually we go to bed, but I cannot sleep. So I end up praying the whole night practising how to call up this one word (which means holy) from my heart which then sets off the other words that I have. I get words and prayer insight into some people’s lives at about 5 o’clock in the morning. Fell asleep sometime after that.
Saturday was just a continuation of his blessings. Playing all kinds of games with Mattie, visits, SMS, phone calls from the Body of Christ. Sunday I started to feel slightly more human but just took things easy. Then off to church, first time out of the house since Thursday (except for one scintillating visit to the doc on Friday!). It was so good to come to God’s house and worship with His people. Then ministry and I got to pray for a coupla people and then it was Pete’s turn. I had to give Him what God had told me that Saturday morning. Anyways we pray for him and he is rested in the spirit. While he is down on the floor doing some carpet time he starts smiling and laughing a little. Ah queue for me so I just tell God’s Holy Spirit to rattle Pete’s teeth and give him a bellyache and then he’s rolling around on the floor like a two year old laughing his head of (lhho).
Well that’s all (I’m sure some of you suffering from eye and brain strain are saying ‘R U kidding!’) but I haven’t really covered it all ‘cause with God there is always so much more. But that’s all I can manage to get out for now (some of U R are saying wot a relief!).
Just remember when your plans appear to fall apart; just then really start looking for Him ‘cause He probably then really wants to do some serious work with you. Of course I can’t leave you without this one. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” If you seek me with all your heart you will find me. (there is no doubt there at all) [ Jeremiah 29:11 & 13]
Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up
God will lift up
Lift up your head
(Chorus)
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
He will lift up, lift up your head
Leave to His sovereign way
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong
(Chorus)
Through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy
Soon end in joy.
(Chorus)
By Jars of Clay off the CD Redemption Songs (lotsa venerable old hymns put in a modern musical context)
LoCTY !!!!!
Monday, August 29, 2005
At The Foot of the Cross
Precious Saints!!!!!!
I have no idea how to describe in writing the events and occurrences of this past Adult Alpha weekend. I will try to convey something of what it was like. To those of you who were there (in whateva capacity) I humbly apologise in advance my lack of being able to convey the way that God manifested His presence, through His Holy Spirit at the Manyano Centre in Paarl this past weekend.
It was really mind blowing, gut wrenching, teeth rattling, tender loving, heart breaking, belly aching (from laughter), tension filled, exhausting, restoring, breaking down, building up, tear stained.... I could go on and on.... But it is really something to experience when God's grace meets evil and sin head on. No words will ever be enough.
We spent a weekend in the awesome shadow of the cross. The shadow that it cast over us was that of God's grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, faith, hope and love as we stood the whole weekend at the foot of the cross and gave over our baggage and helped others to give over theirs, and then left it there at the foot of the cross, for Jesus Christ our saviour to deal with. I just want you to know that there is no way that I can fully convey to you out there as to what an awesome God we serve.
God the Father (yeah our Daddy God) ministered to, and equipped us to minister, through His Son Jesus Christ our saviour and indwelt us with His Holy Spirit. We experienced the triune God first hand and lemme tell you from a former major 'head' person there is absolutely no ways you can wrap your mind around that one. You just trust and obey, do it and experience it.
Flashes of 'stuff' come across my mind. People being hurt by other people’s sin and their own. Murder, suicide, abuse, loss, unforgiveness and on and on a real pot pourri of sin. The young woman whose father had been murdered 'bout 10 years ago, the man whose brother had committed suicide and the last time he saw his brother alive he told him to 'buzz off', just to give some examples. People hanging on to their fears, guilt and unforgiveness, for 10,15, 25 years and then God comes to set them free. The humility, servant heart and love of those on the team. Madeline, the co leader of the prayer team falling down the stairs, being taken to hospital by ambulance for x-rays and then coming back with a neck brace and continuing the spiritual battle. Seeing God fill some of the men on the prayer team with the spirit of joy, to see grown men rolling around on the floor laughing like two year olds, stamping their feet and streaming tears of laughter, this causing everyone else to fall about laughing as well. Talk about a spiritual high. God just kinda 'popping' info into my head as I'm ministering and praying for people. God in the smallest of details just everywhere. Amazing conversations and fellowship. The feeling of absolute bone crunching tiredness after coming home and having given everything that you had for His Kingdom. Having such a feeling of love and gratitude to our Daddy God for the family He has given me.
Then the celebration service at Goodwood Meth on Sunday evening. The youngsters also had their Youth Alpha weekend and their band did a great rendition of Tell The World (it pumped!!! we jumped). Great message on salvation by Mike (just hit the sweet spot), testimonies from the youngsters and adults 'bout wot God did for them this weekend and more great praise and worship from the Adult Alpha band, the church was rocking with the Rock of our salvation Jesus Christ. As I was walking out to go home I was blessed to see the amazingly touching site of the youth ministering to each other. Like a real WOW (Walking on Water) moment.
So if I try and record everything that God did this weekend I think I would easily be able to write a book of substantial thickness maybe even a 'coupla volumes. But this is wot I've managed. For some of you this is already too much of an opus maximus (you know like one of the Roman emperors) and you will have to read it in serial (rice crispies, cornflakes, fruit loops et al) format.
Ain't it awesome to know we serve a living God? I just have to say that the greatest privilege, blessing and honour in the universe is to serve Him, nothing else compares. If you are just sitting on the light of the world which you have, just take a step of faith and do something for Him. If you wanna mock, jeer, not believe, be skeptical, God actually tells you, you can test everything that He says and does. For two thousand years now the Gospel of Jesus Christ has stood as the truth despite every effort to discredit it and break it down, there are thousands of men and women who, over this period, have tried to break down the Gospel and the majority of them who honestly examined the facts became Christians themselves. So while God's grace is still being extended to you, use your God given free will and examine the facts with an open mind (yes an open and free mind) and see what you come up with. Go on make the effort, it will be the best thing that you have ever done in your life.
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down
Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs
LoCTY !!!!!
PS Please pass on to anyone you want
PSS Thank you for your prayers
PSP Peter B please pass on to your mailing list
I have no idea how to describe in writing the events and occurrences of this past Adult Alpha weekend. I will try to convey something of what it was like. To those of you who were there (in whateva capacity) I humbly apologise in advance my lack of being able to convey the way that God manifested His presence, through His Holy Spirit at the Manyano Centre in Paarl this past weekend.
It was really mind blowing, gut wrenching, teeth rattling, tender loving, heart breaking, belly aching (from laughter), tension filled, exhausting, restoring, breaking down, building up, tear stained.... I could go on and on.... But it is really something to experience when God's grace meets evil and sin head on. No words will ever be enough.
We spent a weekend in the awesome shadow of the cross. The shadow that it cast over us was that of God's grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness, faith, hope and love as we stood the whole weekend at the foot of the cross and gave over our baggage and helped others to give over theirs, and then left it there at the foot of the cross, for Jesus Christ our saviour to deal with. I just want you to know that there is no way that I can fully convey to you out there as to what an awesome God we serve.
God the Father (yeah our Daddy God) ministered to, and equipped us to minister, through His Son Jesus Christ our saviour and indwelt us with His Holy Spirit. We experienced the triune God first hand and lemme tell you from a former major 'head' person there is absolutely no ways you can wrap your mind around that one. You just trust and obey, do it and experience it.
Flashes of 'stuff' come across my mind. People being hurt by other people’s sin and their own. Murder, suicide, abuse, loss, unforgiveness and on and on a real pot pourri of sin. The young woman whose father had been murdered 'bout 10 years ago, the man whose brother had committed suicide and the last time he saw his brother alive he told him to 'buzz off', just to give some examples. People hanging on to their fears, guilt and unforgiveness, for 10,15, 25 years and then God comes to set them free. The humility, servant heart and love of those on the team. Madeline, the co leader of the prayer team falling down the stairs, being taken to hospital by ambulance for x-rays and then coming back with a neck brace and continuing the spiritual battle. Seeing God fill some of the men on the prayer team with the spirit of joy, to see grown men rolling around on the floor laughing like two year olds, stamping their feet and streaming tears of laughter, this causing everyone else to fall about laughing as well. Talk about a spiritual high. God just kinda 'popping' info into my head as I'm ministering and praying for people. God in the smallest of details just everywhere. Amazing conversations and fellowship. The feeling of absolute bone crunching tiredness after coming home and having given everything that you had for His Kingdom. Having such a feeling of love and gratitude to our Daddy God for the family He has given me.
Then the celebration service at Goodwood Meth on Sunday evening. The youngsters also had their Youth Alpha weekend and their band did a great rendition of Tell The World (it pumped!!! we jumped). Great message on salvation by Mike (just hit the sweet spot), testimonies from the youngsters and adults 'bout wot God did for them this weekend and more great praise and worship from the Adult Alpha band, the church was rocking with the Rock of our salvation Jesus Christ. As I was walking out to go home I was blessed to see the amazingly touching site of the youth ministering to each other. Like a real WOW (Walking on Water) moment.
So if I try and record everything that God did this weekend I think I would easily be able to write a book of substantial thickness maybe even a 'coupla volumes. But this is wot I've managed. For some of you this is already too much of an opus maximus (you know like one of the Roman emperors) and you will have to read it in serial (rice crispies, cornflakes, fruit loops et al) format.
Ain't it awesome to know we serve a living God? I just have to say that the greatest privilege, blessing and honour in the universe is to serve Him, nothing else compares. If you are just sitting on the light of the world which you have, just take a step of faith and do something for Him. If you wanna mock, jeer, not believe, be skeptical, God actually tells you, you can test everything that He says and does. For two thousand years now the Gospel of Jesus Christ has stood as the truth despite every effort to discredit it and break it down, there are thousands of men and women who, over this period, have tried to break down the Gospel and the majority of them who honestly examined the facts became Christians themselves. So while God's grace is still being extended to you, use your God given free will and examine the facts with an open mind (yes an open and free mind) and see what you come up with. Go on make the effort, it will be the best thing that you have ever done in your life.
At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down
Music and lyrics by Kathryn Scott
© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs
LoCTY !!!!!
PS Please pass on to anyone you want
PSS Thank you for your prayers
PSP Peter B please pass on to your mailing list
Monday, July 4, 2005
Kentucky Fried Church
Oh Precious Saints How Are You Today ?!!!
This past two weeks God has just given me so many opportunities to minister the Truth of the Gospel to people in everyday life. Now ministry isn't always what we think it is. Nope, sometimes ministry is just a smile, a light touch, lending your ear to listen and sometimes it's something you do that the other person is not even aware of. To minister in the world around us we often have to gain people's trust by showing them the love of God before we can talk to them about the love of God. Also know this, that even the smallest act of kindness stands out in stark contrast to the general ways of this world. Sorry my friends if you just go waltzing around telling everybody that Jesus loves them and then think you are doing an ace job, well you are not.
I went off to have my hair cut on Saturday morning and as I passed KFC there were about 10 or so of the Bothasig street people sitting on the low wooden fence. I greeted them as I walked past. I was in a caste iron hurry, so many things to do. As I was zooming past (clunk, clunk, caste iron, gettit? OK if you don't) one of the guys called out to me "Hey dominee I've got a question on holy communion?" I turned back, all my priorities seemed to instantly change. I walked back and chatted to them about the Gospel. There I was, speaking to the "dregs" of society, the people who this world system has vomited out, sorry no place for you, you drink, you stink (no serious they smell). As I was talking to them about God's love and sin, I was really looking at them and there was a yearning in my heart to see them all in heaven, to see them all glorified. What a sight that will be! After about 15 minutes I closed off and left. It was an awesome time with God.
Allie and myself were also on soup kitchen duty that Saturday night. During the course of the afternoon though this kind of don't wanna do, don't wanna go feeling crept into my soul. So I really had a battle to get up and go and be obedient to His will. Me selfish, no ways! But that's wot it was.
As it so often happens God blessed us all so much at soup kitchen. Again seeing the people in God's stark but loving reality, the lost, broken, homeless, helpless, hopeless. All we could do is show them all that God loves them. We fed them, shook hands, hugged, listened, spoke to and prayed for them. It was an almost unobtrusive ministry it just fitted in and was so spiritual. Ever tried praying for someone who is just weeping quietly in their brokenness and then you suddenly have a self appointed prayer partner who shouts in your ear every two seconds, "hallelujah, yes Jesus, praise the lord..." and so on. While we were trying to leave (most nights people just don't want to let you go) one of the men, Conrad, well spoken and eloquent (no seriously) just spoke out in excitement, "What those two men (Craig & Peter K) have told me has really changed the way I think about myself." I was also so blessed by those working all around me just showing God's love.
Now and again I question myself as to what we are really doing at soup kitchen. The whole practical accountant side of me kicks in and I start thinking of programs, sustainability, economics, job creation, education and I can go on and on (I'm good at that, going on and on..). But that's me talking and thinking. What we are just trying to do is show them the greatest gift of all which is God's love through the death of His son Jesus Christ. On the way home I just felt so humbled as I always do when God, who is always looking for available and obedient people which He can use, uses me.
In the early hours of Sunday morning I woke up with my left eye feeling really painful my right eye was not feeling too good either. I stumbled to the bathroom, switched on the light and checked out my eyes in the mirror. My left eye was swollen and bloodshot and my right eye also was not looking too good. I put some eye drops in both eyes and crept back into bed. I just said to God if this is the price I must pay for working in His kingdom today then that's okay. But if it is His will then can He take the pain away and heal me. I fell asleep and when I awoke about three hours later my eyes were absolutely fine and I was ready for another day with our creator.
So today even if it is a black and blue Monday, smile, be kind 'cause you are showing the gospel of Christ! And if you open and read this on Tuesday or Wednesday that ain't no excuse either.
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know : the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. - Albert Schweitzer (they say this oke was quite clever)
Its crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveller is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgemental glances
Tell him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
And now dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that God is always right, we also know that all who do what is right are his children. ( 1 John 2 : 28 & 29)
LoCTY !!!!!!!!
This past two weeks God has just given me so many opportunities to minister the Truth of the Gospel to people in everyday life. Now ministry isn't always what we think it is. Nope, sometimes ministry is just a smile, a light touch, lending your ear to listen and sometimes it's something you do that the other person is not even aware of. To minister in the world around us we often have to gain people's trust by showing them the love of God before we can talk to them about the love of God. Also know this, that even the smallest act of kindness stands out in stark contrast to the general ways of this world. Sorry my friends if you just go waltzing around telling everybody that Jesus loves them and then think you are doing an ace job, well you are not.
I went off to have my hair cut on Saturday morning and as I passed KFC there were about 10 or so of the Bothasig street people sitting on the low wooden fence. I greeted them as I walked past. I was in a caste iron hurry, so many things to do. As I was zooming past (clunk, clunk, caste iron, gettit? OK if you don't) one of the guys called out to me "Hey dominee I've got a question on holy communion?" I turned back, all my priorities seemed to instantly change. I walked back and chatted to them about the Gospel. There I was, speaking to the "dregs" of society, the people who this world system has vomited out, sorry no place for you, you drink, you stink (no serious they smell). As I was talking to them about God's love and sin, I was really looking at them and there was a yearning in my heart to see them all in heaven, to see them all glorified. What a sight that will be! After about 15 minutes I closed off and left. It was an awesome time with God.
Allie and myself were also on soup kitchen duty that Saturday night. During the course of the afternoon though this kind of don't wanna do, don't wanna go feeling crept into my soul. So I really had a battle to get up and go and be obedient to His will. Me selfish, no ways! But that's wot it was.
As it so often happens God blessed us all so much at soup kitchen. Again seeing the people in God's stark but loving reality, the lost, broken, homeless, helpless, hopeless. All we could do is show them all that God loves them. We fed them, shook hands, hugged, listened, spoke to and prayed for them. It was an almost unobtrusive ministry it just fitted in and was so spiritual. Ever tried praying for someone who is just weeping quietly in their brokenness and then you suddenly have a self appointed prayer partner who shouts in your ear every two seconds, "hallelujah, yes Jesus, praise the lord..." and so on. While we were trying to leave (most nights people just don't want to let you go) one of the men, Conrad, well spoken and eloquent (no seriously) just spoke out in excitement, "What those two men (Craig & Peter K) have told me has really changed the way I think about myself." I was also so blessed by those working all around me just showing God's love.
Now and again I question myself as to what we are really doing at soup kitchen. The whole practical accountant side of me kicks in and I start thinking of programs, sustainability, economics, job creation, education and I can go on and on (I'm good at that, going on and on..). But that's me talking and thinking. What we are just trying to do is show them the greatest gift of all which is God's love through the death of His son Jesus Christ. On the way home I just felt so humbled as I always do when God, who is always looking for available and obedient people which He can use, uses me.
In the early hours of Sunday morning I woke up with my left eye feeling really painful my right eye was not feeling too good either. I stumbled to the bathroom, switched on the light and checked out my eyes in the mirror. My left eye was swollen and bloodshot and my right eye also was not looking too good. I put some eye drops in both eyes and crept back into bed. I just said to God if this is the price I must pay for working in His kingdom today then that's okay. But if it is His will then can He take the pain away and heal me. I fell asleep and when I awoke about three hours later my eyes were absolutely fine and I was ready for another day with our creator.
So today even if it is a black and blue Monday, smile, be kind 'cause you are showing the gospel of Christ! And if you open and read this on Tuesday or Wednesday that ain't no excuse either.
I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know : the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. - Albert Schweitzer (they say this oke was quite clever)
Its crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
A traveller is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgemental glances
Tell him that his chances are better out on the road
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ
Jesus is the way
And now dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that God is always right, we also know that all who do what is right are his children. ( 1 John 2 : 28 & 29)
LoCTY !!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Better is one day......
To The Precious Saints!!!!
These last coupla days the combination of the song and the verses of Psalm 84 have been so deeply ingrained within me. That I would wake up in the mornings with the words already in my mind and on my lips.
This past Saturday Lisa and Matthew went down to the community hall in Edgemead to sell Lisa’s pillows and Matt’s beaded jewellery (which he made himself). This was the Edgemead Arts and Crafts Fair. Allie and myself went with them in the morning to help set up and stayed a little while. We returned a bit later and stayed till it finished which was at 2pm.
I was just looking at all the people and with this song and the words of the Psalm mulling around in my brain I suddenly felt like a doorkeeper. The doorkeeper to eternal healing, eternal joy, eternal love and eternal life. How do I get people to approach the door? How do I get them to knock? How do I help them open the door? Of course the only problem with those questions is the “I” part. It’s not really about me at all, it’s all about God. It’s all about our saviour Jesus Christ and the Helper, His Holy Spirit, ‘cause without them we can do nothing (John 15:5).
So I did not jump up on a table and start preaching hell and damnation (it is tempting sometimes but it’s not really my style!) but just watched and waited. I saw a couple pushing a handicapped boy in a special pram who looked to be about Mattie’s age. Suddenly the penny dropped. It was Ruan, the boy who fell into the swimming pool about two/three years ago and the Holy Spirit led us to pray for him in hospital and also to pray for his parents Herman and Sheila at their home (do you remember Donny and Ashley?) I lost sight of them but found them again when I took a walk to the library. I chatted to Herman and Sheila (mostly to Herman) and I realised then that I had absolutely no idea of what they had been through and what they are still going through. Phew they must be really digging deep. I remember His Holy Spirit letting me feel some of their pain that convicted me to go and pray for them a few years ago. I wept for them then, at the time it was so close and personal, I just had to do it, ‘cause Jesus wanted me to.
We came home and Mattie was quite chuffed ‘cause he had sold some of his stuff (more money for toyz). I was in the garage when I heard someone calling me. “Dominee, dominee!” it was Sara. She is an alcoholic, (part of the street people of Bothasig) who I had not seen for about a year. She told me a sad story of the guy (John) whom she had been looking after for years. They went up to Johns family ‘bout a year ago and the family eventually kicked her out. So there she was in my (God’s!) driveway railing against God and just asking WHY? So I’d like to say God infused me with His Holy wisdom and all the ‘right’ answers came out. I did not have a clue wot to say. So I just reached out and hugged her as she wept and sobbed her heart out. Just then her friend came past and I gently passed her on to her friend and asked her to look after Sara.
Saturday night was soup kitchen and there all the brokenness is so apparent. Grant met two guys there who he’d known for years. He and Clint prayed and ministered to them. It is so difficult to comprehend how hard and far some people have fallen in their lives.
As we walk in this world we come across people that are fragile like glass and many of them have been shattered so that they have all these sharp pieces which cut you and make you bleed when you minister to them. But somehow or the other the love of God heals, it definitely heals me and gives me the strength to continue to do His will and I see that the more people open themselves to the true love of God the more He heals. Everyday I see and hear all the suffering in this world, I so long for His dwelling place which is so aptly put in Psalm 84, and His word promises that every tear will be wiped away (Rev 7:17 & 21:4). But for now I am here to try my best to let His Spirit work in me and through me and show His love, grace and mercy. I can only encourage you to keep on trying as well.
To borrow the phrase from Ronnie van Eck (Sunday nights service) get out of the boat and if you keep your eyes on Jesus you can walk on water.
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself
where she may have her young- a place near your altar,
O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer O Lord God Almighty; listen to me,
O God of Jacob.
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favour on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God then dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour;
No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty blessed is the man who trusts in you.
How lovely is your dwelling place
Oh, Lord Almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
Chorus
LoCTY !!!!
These last coupla days the combination of the song and the verses of Psalm 84 have been so deeply ingrained within me. That I would wake up in the mornings with the words already in my mind and on my lips.
This past Saturday Lisa and Matthew went down to the community hall in Edgemead to sell Lisa’s pillows and Matt’s beaded jewellery (which he made himself). This was the Edgemead Arts and Crafts Fair. Allie and myself went with them in the morning to help set up and stayed a little while. We returned a bit later and stayed till it finished which was at 2pm.
I was just looking at all the people and with this song and the words of the Psalm mulling around in my brain I suddenly felt like a doorkeeper. The doorkeeper to eternal healing, eternal joy, eternal love and eternal life. How do I get people to approach the door? How do I get them to knock? How do I help them open the door? Of course the only problem with those questions is the “I” part. It’s not really about me at all, it’s all about God. It’s all about our saviour Jesus Christ and the Helper, His Holy Spirit, ‘cause without them we can do nothing (John 15:5).
So I did not jump up on a table and start preaching hell and damnation (it is tempting sometimes but it’s not really my style!) but just watched and waited. I saw a couple pushing a handicapped boy in a special pram who looked to be about Mattie’s age. Suddenly the penny dropped. It was Ruan, the boy who fell into the swimming pool about two/three years ago and the Holy Spirit led us to pray for him in hospital and also to pray for his parents Herman and Sheila at their home (do you remember Donny and Ashley?) I lost sight of them but found them again when I took a walk to the library. I chatted to Herman and Sheila (mostly to Herman) and I realised then that I had absolutely no idea of what they had been through and what they are still going through. Phew they must be really digging deep. I remember His Holy Spirit letting me feel some of their pain that convicted me to go and pray for them a few years ago. I wept for them then, at the time it was so close and personal, I just had to do it, ‘cause Jesus wanted me to.
We came home and Mattie was quite chuffed ‘cause he had sold some of his stuff (more money for toyz). I was in the garage when I heard someone calling me. “Dominee, dominee!” it was Sara. She is an alcoholic, (part of the street people of Bothasig) who I had not seen for about a year. She told me a sad story of the guy (John) whom she had been looking after for years. They went up to Johns family ‘bout a year ago and the family eventually kicked her out. So there she was in my (God’s!) driveway railing against God and just asking WHY? So I’d like to say God infused me with His Holy wisdom and all the ‘right’ answers came out. I did not have a clue wot to say. So I just reached out and hugged her as she wept and sobbed her heart out. Just then her friend came past and I gently passed her on to her friend and asked her to look after Sara.
Saturday night was soup kitchen and there all the brokenness is so apparent. Grant met two guys there who he’d known for years. He and Clint prayed and ministered to them. It is so difficult to comprehend how hard and far some people have fallen in their lives.
As we walk in this world we come across people that are fragile like glass and many of them have been shattered so that they have all these sharp pieces which cut you and make you bleed when you minister to them. But somehow or the other the love of God heals, it definitely heals me and gives me the strength to continue to do His will and I see that the more people open themselves to the true love of God the more He heals. Everyday I see and hear all the suffering in this world, I so long for His dwelling place which is so aptly put in Psalm 84, and His word promises that every tear will be wiped away (Rev 7:17 & 21:4). But for now I am here to try my best to let His Spirit work in me and through me and show His love, grace and mercy. I can only encourage you to keep on trying as well.
To borrow the phrase from Ronnie van Eck (Sunday nights service) get out of the boat and if you keep your eyes on Jesus you can walk on water.
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself
where she may have her young- a place near your altar,
O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer O Lord God Almighty; listen to me,
O God of Jacob.
Look upon our shield, O God; look with favour on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God then dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour;
No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O Lord Almighty blessed is the man who trusts in you.
How lovely is your dwelling place
Oh, Lord Almighty
For my soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
One thing I ask and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Chorus
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the living God
Your Spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You
Chorus
LoCTY !!!!
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