Precious Saints!!!!!
I’m gonna make an attempt at trying to convey to you some of what took place this past Alpha weekend.
Yes it was another Alpha Holy Spirit weekend away. Now you might quickly say, “Oh well that’s just another Alpha weekend, you know we have so many of them these days, just boring humdrum kinda stuff, yeah I suppose you’all (say that with a real Texan drawl) will have a mighty fine time with God.” Thank GOoDness God’s ways and thoughts are so way above ours and that He is new every morning.
So first up was the training for the team and the pilgrims in the week leading up to the weekend, training overseen by God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirt. So God allowed a car engine to catch on fire, arguments with crabby neighbours, family tensions, some of the team members were all over the place putting their foots in their mouths and oh yes how about a good dose of physical ailments that suddenly cropped up, tummy bugs and mysterious pains that doctors could not identify and I’m sure there were others that I have not heard of yet.
Of course this is to get us all to the point were we will stop trying to do things in our own strength and start leaning on our Almighty God’s limitless strength. So that we would cry out to Him in prayer and say “Please, please……Jesus…..we don’t have the answer.” You’d think some of us would have gotten the point by now but hey we’re sheep, we are oftentimes just so stoooopid.
Eventually we all ended up at Manyano Centre, Paarl to spend time with God to seek His face and to try our best to be in the centre of His will. When I got to Manyano I could almost tangibly feel the prayers of the Saints. Those there at the centre and those praying at home for us it was kinda like walking into a cloud of God’s love, you could at first kinda feel it but not see it. However if you started to look with your heart you would see it in the acts and ways of the people there.
For me personally I was totally blown away and humbled at how God used me, to encourage, teach, facilitate and to shine His light of love. During the Holy Spirit ministry session on Saturday afternoon, His Holy Spirit just let me know and feel the hurts of those I prayed for. It was surreal, it was almost as if I wasn’t really there but at the same time I was so focused. Actually it’s impossible to explain. I still tried to manipulate who to pray for as the people stood awaiting their turn. I of course wanted to pray for the people in my group, people that I’d gotten to know and felt responsible for but God kept on giving me all these other people. I could almost imagine Him stroking me on my head and saying, “There there my little lamb, no this is the one to whom I want to extend my invitation of grace, mercy and unfailing love through you.”
After this intense period of prayer and ministry I was totally drained, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was literally prayed out. I gave everything that I had. This was not that I was doing it in my own strength but ‘cause I was just so trying my best to open my heart to Him and do things His way and not my own way. This can sometimes be a huge battle . After supper I just went for a walk to be on my own and to speak to Allie on my cell. After that I had a fifteen minute power nap and was revitalised enough to go to the one hour praise and worship session which continued my revitalisation. It is such a blessing to worship God in song, even with my broken and mostly out of tune voice. After that I was involved in some prayer but I realised then that I was still ‘prayed out’. So I asked for and received some wonderful prayer then I knew it was time to take a shower and get to bed. After the shower I just sat and chatted to a good friend of mine, we don’t get too many opportunities to speak to each other so we made the most of it. Then off to bed at about 12.30am. Much earlier then my previous bedtime of 4.30am.
Of course the weekend had to come to an end. And we all went home on Sunday afternoon. Most of us just wanted it to last forever. This special time of God’s love. One of our team members said that God bows heaven down to us when we pray; it really felt like that this weekend. However Jesus is coming again and then the love will last forever for all His children just like the song below.
Sooooo much else happened it is really quite easy to write a book about it, yep just another weekend of God changing lives for all eternity.
Your mercy found me,
Upon the broken road,
And lifted me beyond my failing,
Into Your glory,
My sin and shame dissolved,
And now forever Yours I'll stand
(Pre-Chorus)
In love never to end,
To call You more than Lord,
Glorious friend.
(Chorus)
So I throw my life upon all that You are,
'Cause I know you gave it all for me.
And when all else fades,
My soul will dance with You,
Where the love lasts forever.
Your mercy found me,
Upon the broken road,
And lifted me beyond my failing,
Into Your glory,
My sin and shame dissolved,
And now forever Yours I'll stand
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
And forever I will sing,
Lord forever I will sing,
Of how You gave Your life away,
Just to save me,
Lord You saved me.
(Chorus)
Lord, where the love lasts forever.
I will be with You,where the love lasts forever.
I will sing to you, where the love lasts forever.
I will dance with you, where the love lasts forever.
LoCTY!!!!!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Dog Day Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Late Evening
Precious Saints !!!!!!
It must have been roughly about seven months ago one Saturday morning when Allie bought home a little ‘bundle of joy’. The bundle of joy in question was a four month old female puppy who is a cross between a dachshund and some kinda terrier. I was not impressed! This really put a major damper on my weekend, my sinusitis had been playing up again and I was not a happy chappie. Of course I loved animals……as long as they did not permanently live in MY home.
I had on numerous prior occasions laid out a very careful and thoughtful explanation as to why we couldn’t get a dog. It went something like this. Allie would ask, “Do you think we could get a dog for Matthew?” I would answer, “No!” Allie again, “Why not?” I would answer, “Don’t want to!” This would go on for a little while until Allie would give up. See a perfectly logical argument from me. Fellow men you would understand and agree to this line of reasoning.
This puppy then totally baffled me with her self promotion/marketing strategy. She proceeded to poo and wee all over the place and chew up our telephone cable, slippers and anything else that was within reach of her jaws. She also howled right throughout the night and kept us all awake. At one stage I tossed her in the bathroom and closed the bathroom door. She then proceeded to tear up the bath mat into shreds while howling even louder then before. I mean didn’t she know that she had to impress me and win me over. Eventually Allie put her in the bed with us. I was horrified, but at least she stopped howling and we could all get some much needed sleep. The next day Allie was in tears ‘cause no one wanted this little puppy. She was going to take her back to the Animal Welfare. I thought GREAAAAT! Now we can get rid of her and life will return to normal. But when I opened my mouth to speak these words came out, “Just give her a chance, let’s just keep her for a little longer and see what happens.” Aaaaargh what was I saying? Then Matthew who had not shown much interest in the little doggy also asked his mom to keep her.
Well we kept her and Allie named her Pixie and then I woke up to the fact that our Lord was teaching me a huge lesson through this little puppy. She seemed to ‘scratch’ in the areas of my life which I try to keep hidden. Through her I had to take another look at who I am, my selfishness and my heart condition (no not the physical but the emotional) and my relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and my relationships with everyone else. You know when you take a long hard look deep inside your soul you find a whole lotta garbage there. The thing is God already knows exactly who you are but He wants you to have the courage to tell Him, honestly and openly. So He will continuously work in your life refining you and making you more available and more teachable so that you can be used by Him which ultimately gives Him glory.
So as I type this Pixie is sitting at my feet, all content as she gives me her unconditional love. And boy you must see the welcome I get whenever I walk in through the front door, her tail knocks against the skirting board and sounds like a machine gun going off, she is so excited she shakes all over. I tell you something I feel like a king when I get a greeting like that. And ja at some time in the early hours of the morning she climbs into bed with us and crawls down to sleep at our feet.
So how is God teaching you in your life at the moment? Mebbe you haven’t even noticed. Mebbe He’s using that crabby neighbour of yours, possibly that irritating work colleague, your financial situation which currently stinks, Eskom(!!!!???), a relationship that has fallen apart………there are a myriad of ways…..just open the eyes of your heart! The eyes of your heart are your spiritual eyes.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
My Desire Lyrics
Artist(Band):Jeremy Camp
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the king
You want to be whole, you want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind
You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the King
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire to be used by You
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
And I know my heart is to feel You near
And I know my life
It's to do Your will
It's to do Your will
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You
All my life I have seen
Where You've taken me
Beyond all I have hoped
And there's more left unseen
There's not much I can do to repay all You've done
So I give my hands to use
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You
LoCTY!!!!!
It must have been roughly about seven months ago one Saturday morning when Allie bought home a little ‘bundle of joy’. The bundle of joy in question was a four month old female puppy who is a cross between a dachshund and some kinda terrier. I was not impressed! This really put a major damper on my weekend, my sinusitis had been playing up again and I was not a happy chappie. Of course I loved animals……as long as they did not permanently live in MY home.
I had on numerous prior occasions laid out a very careful and thoughtful explanation as to why we couldn’t get a dog. It went something like this. Allie would ask, “Do you think we could get a dog for Matthew?” I would answer, “No!” Allie again, “Why not?” I would answer, “Don’t want to!” This would go on for a little while until Allie would give up. See a perfectly logical argument from me. Fellow men you would understand and agree to this line of reasoning.
This puppy then totally baffled me with her self promotion/marketing strategy. She proceeded to poo and wee all over the place and chew up our telephone cable, slippers and anything else that was within reach of her jaws. She also howled right throughout the night and kept us all awake. At one stage I tossed her in the bathroom and closed the bathroom door. She then proceeded to tear up the bath mat into shreds while howling even louder then before. I mean didn’t she know that she had to impress me and win me over. Eventually Allie put her in the bed with us. I was horrified, but at least she stopped howling and we could all get some much needed sleep. The next day Allie was in tears ‘cause no one wanted this little puppy. She was going to take her back to the Animal Welfare. I thought GREAAAAT! Now we can get rid of her and life will return to normal. But when I opened my mouth to speak these words came out, “Just give her a chance, let’s just keep her for a little longer and see what happens.” Aaaaargh what was I saying? Then Matthew who had not shown much interest in the little doggy also asked his mom to keep her.
Well we kept her and Allie named her Pixie and then I woke up to the fact that our Lord was teaching me a huge lesson through this little puppy. She seemed to ‘scratch’ in the areas of my life which I try to keep hidden. Through her I had to take another look at who I am, my selfishness and my heart condition (no not the physical but the emotional) and my relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and my relationships with everyone else. You know when you take a long hard look deep inside your soul you find a whole lotta garbage there. The thing is God already knows exactly who you are but He wants you to have the courage to tell Him, honestly and openly. So He will continuously work in your life refining you and making you more available and more teachable so that you can be used by Him which ultimately gives Him glory.
So as I type this Pixie is sitting at my feet, all content as she gives me her unconditional love. And boy you must see the welcome I get whenever I walk in through the front door, her tail knocks against the skirting board and sounds like a machine gun going off, she is so excited she shakes all over. I tell you something I feel like a king when I get a greeting like that. And ja at some time in the early hours of the morning she climbs into bed with us and crawls down to sleep at our feet.
So how is God teaching you in your life at the moment? Mebbe you haven’t even noticed. Mebbe He’s using that crabby neighbour of yours, possibly that irritating work colleague, your financial situation which currently stinks, Eskom(!!!!???), a relationship that has fallen apart………there are a myriad of ways…..just open the eyes of your heart! The eyes of your heart are your spiritual eyes.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
My Desire Lyrics
Artist(Band):Jeremy Camp
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
You want to be someone laying down your pride
You want to be someone someday
Then lay it all down before the king
You want to be whole, you want to have purpose inside
You want to have virtue and purify your mind
You want to be set free today
Then lay it all down before the King
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire to be used by You
You want to be real, you want to be empty inside
And I know my heart is to feel You near
And I know my life
It's to do Your will
It's to do Your will
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You
All my life I have seen
Where You've taken me
Beyond all I have hoped
And there's more left unseen
There's not much I can do to repay all You've done
So I give my hands to use
This is my desire, this is my return
This is my desire, to be used by You
Oo yea
This is my desire, this is my desire
To be used by You
LoCTY!!!!!
NB. Thank you all so much for your prayers, support and encouragement in response to my last email ‘God’s Hug’. Adam is doing well now and appears to be fully recovered. What a blessing it is to be part of the Body of Christ!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
God's Hug
Precious Saints!!!!
So there I was on a Wednesday morning at work feeling grateful that our son’s (Adam my step son actually) operation on his lung was successful. He seemed to be starting on his way to recovery. Today he was going in for a checkup after coming out of hospital this past Monday. Then a phone call from Allie. Adam had to go back into hospital and had to have a further procedure done to him as his lung had pulled out of position again. Oh God what now, why are you allowing this to happen?
A little bit later after I’d transferred the funds to the hospital to effect payment, yeah no money no treatment, no matter how much pain. Ever heard of the Hypocritical Oath? I then sent out a prayer request for Adam. All of a sudden I had this all consuming feeling of loss, it was really crushing and I didn’t now how to deal with it. Eventually I went to the toilet and just wept before God and cried out to Jesus to have mercy on Adam. He is still so young and he wants to do so many things to give you glory oh Jesus, have mercy.
When I came back to my office I sent out a prayer request(for myself) to some of my close friends and phoned one of them and my buddy just encouraged me. Shortly after that one of my colleagues came by to pick up an account which had to be paid. He asked me how I’m doing and (still feeling quite shattered and fragile) I told him about Adam. He listened and commiserated with me. Then just as he was walking out of the office he turned back and said, “I think I must give you a hug.” So he came back and gave me a solid hug. I felt like it was God saying, “Don’t worry whatever happens its all part of my plan. I love you and I love Adam too with a love you cannot even imagine you are my children.” I was just quietly blown away by my colleagues show of love and the way God worked through him to touch my heart.
Well that evening we went to visit Adam in hospital along with a few friends and my buddy Clint also came along. Just before we left we prayed for Adam and Clint prayed for our family. Adam is such a witness to me of quiet and powerful faith as he praises God through all this.
Just know this sometimes it’s just a listening ear, a smile, a handshake, a hug, a prayer, it may seem such a little thing to you, you may even feel self conscious or stupid doing these little acts of kindness but it is probably just the thing that God wants you to do at the time.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
Here is a song 4 U by Jeremy Camp. His first wife died of ovarian cancer when she was 23 and he 22. He subsequently remarried and now has two young daughters. In this song he reflects on the journey that God has taken him on so far.
Beyond Measure (Jeremy Camp)
The fog has finally cleared to see,
The beautiful life you’ve given me
To feel the breeze of my newborn’s gentle breath
With one to walk hand in hand,
To share this life that you have plannedIt’s like a storybook with dreams
That are meant to see every next step is an extraordinary scene
[CHORUS]
I know that I’ve been,
Given more than beyond measure,
I come alive when,
I see beyond my fears,
I know that I’ve been given more than earthly treasure,
I come alive whenI’ve broken down and given you control
I’ve faced a great tragedy,
But have seen the works of what you bring
A display of faith that you give,
I don’t know if I will ever understand
The depth of what it is you’ve done inside,
But I know that I won’t find any worth apart from you
Everything that I have
Has been given so unselfishly
And shown that even when I don’t deserve
You always show the fullness of your love
LoCTY!!!!!!!
So there I was on a Wednesday morning at work feeling grateful that our son’s (Adam my step son actually) operation on his lung was successful. He seemed to be starting on his way to recovery. Today he was going in for a checkup after coming out of hospital this past Monday. Then a phone call from Allie. Adam had to go back into hospital and had to have a further procedure done to him as his lung had pulled out of position again. Oh God what now, why are you allowing this to happen?
A little bit later after I’d transferred the funds to the hospital to effect payment, yeah no money no treatment, no matter how much pain. Ever heard of the Hypocritical Oath? I then sent out a prayer request for Adam. All of a sudden I had this all consuming feeling of loss, it was really crushing and I didn’t now how to deal with it. Eventually I went to the toilet and just wept before God and cried out to Jesus to have mercy on Adam. He is still so young and he wants to do so many things to give you glory oh Jesus, have mercy.
When I came back to my office I sent out a prayer request(for myself) to some of my close friends and phoned one of them and my buddy just encouraged me. Shortly after that one of my colleagues came by to pick up an account which had to be paid. He asked me how I’m doing and (still feeling quite shattered and fragile) I told him about Adam. He listened and commiserated with me. Then just as he was walking out of the office he turned back and said, “I think I must give you a hug.” So he came back and gave me a solid hug. I felt like it was God saying, “Don’t worry whatever happens its all part of my plan. I love you and I love Adam too with a love you cannot even imagine you are my children.” I was just quietly blown away by my colleagues show of love and the way God worked through him to touch my heart.
Well that evening we went to visit Adam in hospital along with a few friends and my buddy Clint also came along. Just before we left we prayed for Adam and Clint prayed for our family. Adam is such a witness to me of quiet and powerful faith as he praises God through all this.
Just know this sometimes it’s just a listening ear, a smile, a handshake, a hug, a prayer, it may seem such a little thing to you, you may even feel self conscious or stupid doing these little acts of kindness but it is probably just the thing that God wants you to do at the time.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
Here is a song 4 U by Jeremy Camp. His first wife died of ovarian cancer when she was 23 and he 22. He subsequently remarried and now has two young daughters. In this song he reflects on the journey that God has taken him on so far.
Beyond Measure (Jeremy Camp)
The fog has finally cleared to see,
The beautiful life you’ve given me
To feel the breeze of my newborn’s gentle breath
With one to walk hand in hand,
To share this life that you have plannedIt’s like a storybook with dreams
That are meant to see every next step is an extraordinary scene
[CHORUS]
I know that I’ve been,
Given more than beyond measure,
I come alive when,
I see beyond my fears,
I know that I’ve been given more than earthly treasure,
I come alive whenI’ve broken down and given you control
I’ve faced a great tragedy,
But have seen the works of what you bring
A display of faith that you give,
I don’t know if I will ever understand
The depth of what it is you’ve done inside,
But I know that I won’t find any worth apart from you
Everything that I have
Has been given so unselfishly
And shown that even when I don’t deserve
You always show the fullness of your love
LoCTY!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
TAKE(me)AWAY
Hiya Saints !!!!!
'Bout two weeks ago, got home from work on a Friday evening. Allie & Mattie wanted to get Steers burgers. My mind and body had already gone into shut down mode and I was really not keen to go anywhere. So I tried a few feeble excuses, too tired to think up any good ones and when that didn't work I thought I'd just act self righteously miserable. 'Lookit me I'm such a martyr dontcha just feel so really sorry for me!'
Well off we went to Steers which was all of about two minutes drive away, too close to even call it round the corner. While standing in Steers waiting for our order I started to feel less sorry for myself and actually started to be fascinated by and enjoy the people around me. I was kinda standing behind this glass door when I looked out through it. The combination of the setting sun, clouds and glass all just kinda combined for a beautiful sight that really touched my soul and spirit. Suddenly this strong feeling rose up within me. What if Jesus comes now, right at this very moment? It was such a strong feeling I felt like running out of the building and looking up towards the sky. But I didn't, people might think I'm looking for UFO's or doing a Chicken Little impression and what if I missed my order! Oh yeh I've really got my priorities sooo sorted.
That feeling just kinda stayed with me for the whole evening. So you can call me crazy for believing that Jesus is coming soon, like tomorrow or maybe in the next thousand years or so but am I really? How do you feel about it? I know some of you out there don't even think at all about this. But you have a choice either He is coming or He isn't. The word of God says He is coming and this word has stood the test of time for 3,500 years and has stood out as the shining light of truth. I bet you that you cannot make sense of this world unless you refer to the makers manual, His word the bible. So if there is even just a slim chance of this being true wouldn't you be more crazy if you didn't check it out personally for yourself.
You know the only hope that this world has is in Jesus Christ. I lived for forty years (yeh my wandering in the desert period!) without hope before I met my saviour and I was such a massive skeptic. But the love of God just came into my life and changed me forever, for eternity. Oh yeh and He is still waiting for you to come to Him with His arms wide open. So if you don't know Jesus, feel far away from Him, feel down, lost, broken, hurt, angry, confused, feel like you have totally messed up your life beyond redemption, pulled apart by the way this world is now, just open up your heart to Jesus Christ. He is waiting to strengthen you and help you through this life and get you ready for the next life which will be beyond any joy and beauty you can imagine. How do I know this? 'Cause these are the promises of God in His manual, the bible, so don't be distracted and deceived by the way things are in the world now, they are not going to remain this way. Oh yeh you can call me crazy if you want to.
Crazy
by Mercy Me
Why I would I spend my life longing for the day that it would end..
Why would I spend my time pointing to another man..
Isn't that crazy
How can I find hope in dying, with promises unseen..
How can I learn your way is better
In everything I'm taught to be..
Isn't that crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who's calling out to me..
And even though the world may think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
And if I boast let me boast
Of filthy rags made clean
And if I glory let me glory
In my Savior's suffering
Isn't that crazy
And as I live this daily life
I trust you for everything
And I will only take a step
When I feel You leading me
Isn't that crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world my think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world may think that
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy, It would be crazy, It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
Isn't That crazy..
Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy
LoCTY!!!!!!!!!
PS Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine!
'Bout two weeks ago, got home from work on a Friday evening. Allie & Mattie wanted to get Steers burgers. My mind and body had already gone into shut down mode and I was really not keen to go anywhere. So I tried a few feeble excuses, too tired to think up any good ones and when that didn't work I thought I'd just act self righteously miserable. 'Lookit me I'm such a martyr dontcha just feel so really sorry for me!'
Well off we went to Steers which was all of about two minutes drive away, too close to even call it round the corner. While standing in Steers waiting for our order I started to feel less sorry for myself and actually started to be fascinated by and enjoy the people around me. I was kinda standing behind this glass door when I looked out through it. The combination of the setting sun, clouds and glass all just kinda combined for a beautiful sight that really touched my soul and spirit. Suddenly this strong feeling rose up within me. What if Jesus comes now, right at this very moment? It was such a strong feeling I felt like running out of the building and looking up towards the sky. But I didn't, people might think I'm looking for UFO's or doing a Chicken Little impression and what if I missed my order! Oh yeh I've really got my priorities sooo sorted.
That feeling just kinda stayed with me for the whole evening. So you can call me crazy for believing that Jesus is coming soon, like tomorrow or maybe in the next thousand years or so but am I really? How do you feel about it? I know some of you out there don't even think at all about this. But you have a choice either He is coming or He isn't. The word of God says He is coming and this word has stood the test of time for 3,500 years and has stood out as the shining light of truth. I bet you that you cannot make sense of this world unless you refer to the makers manual, His word the bible. So if there is even just a slim chance of this being true wouldn't you be more crazy if you didn't check it out personally for yourself.
You know the only hope that this world has is in Jesus Christ. I lived for forty years (yeh my wandering in the desert period!) without hope before I met my saviour and I was such a massive skeptic. But the love of God just came into my life and changed me forever, for eternity. Oh yeh and He is still waiting for you to come to Him with His arms wide open. So if you don't know Jesus, feel far away from Him, feel down, lost, broken, hurt, angry, confused, feel like you have totally messed up your life beyond redemption, pulled apart by the way this world is now, just open up your heart to Jesus Christ. He is waiting to strengthen you and help you through this life and get you ready for the next life which will be beyond any joy and beauty you can imagine. How do I know this? 'Cause these are the promises of God in His manual, the bible, so don't be distracted and deceived by the way things are in the world now, they are not going to remain this way. Oh yeh you can call me crazy if you want to.
Crazy
by Mercy Me
Why I would I spend my life longing for the day that it would end..
Why would I spend my time pointing to another man..
Isn't that crazy
How can I find hope in dying, with promises unseen..
How can I learn your way is better
In everything I'm taught to be..
Isn't that crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who's calling out to me..
And even though the world may think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
And if I boast let me boast
Of filthy rags made clean
And if I glory let me glory
In my Savior's suffering
Isn't that crazy
And as I live this daily life
I trust you for everything
And I will only take a step
When I feel You leading me
Isn't that crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world my think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy
I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world may think that
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy, It would be crazy, It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity
Isn't That crazy..
Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy
LoCTY!!!!!!!!!
PS Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
All For You!
Precious Saints!!!!
This past weekend saw me being part of a team of sinners saved by grace helping, leading and teaching others about God's grace. Yes it was another Alpha Holy Spirit weekend. What a joy to serve our Lord Jesus Christ the absolutely and completely greatest blessing in the universe.
But first let me back track a bit and I'll try to be as honest as I can with you. You see it was not in MY plan to serve on the Alpha team this year. I had planned to take a years mathematical (yeah George @Vodocom) from Alpha. But then I was invited ever so lovingly and graciously to serve by someone who I respect and love very much. I discussed it with Allie and we agreed that it would be okay. So off I went and was selected as a small group leader for the duration of the ten week course. Then of course some things went wrong. Allie fell very ill while I was on the Alpha and eventually resigned from her job. I felt a tremendous pull and often a bit guilty going off on Wednesday nights when I knew Allie was not too well. But I constantly prayed for strength and healing for both of us and the guys on team as well as my buddies were also praying for us. So I just kept at it. Before we knew it the weekend away was upon us. Now I had been struggling with a cold/flu and running a temperature off and on for about three weeks but because of all round pressure(specially at work) I just kept pushing on. That is until my body started screaming at my head and asking, "Hey is there a brain up there somewhere?" So eventually I surrendered and went to the doc who diagnosed me as having a triple whammy, flu, sinisitus and bronchitus. He then promptly booked me off for three days and gave me a prescription of anti-biotics, pain killers and cough mixture. Then I really thought I was ill. Well this happened in the week leading up to the Alpha weekend. I wondered if I was gonna make it to the weekend. Anyways I rested as much as I could and tried my best not to worry as to what was happening at work.
Friday came and I got out of bed at about 11am and slowly got ready for the weekend. Dressed and packed, my lift came around about 3.30pm and we were off. Needless to say I really wasn't that rearing to go and I didn't really feel like I was in top form. But you you know God is awesome. You just have to make the effort to pitch up, trust Him, be obedient, be faithful and you will be abosutely amazed at the way He uses ordinary people (like you and me) in an extraordinary way.
The weekend was an absolute blast of a blessing from God. I ended up also being the 'projector pixie', working the overhead transparencies for the words to the praise and worship songs. Not that the selfish( me selfish, no waze Jose!) part of me initially wanted to do it but....you know His Holy Spirit really knows wots good for you. Oh yeah and I made a fair amount of mistakes. The way God used people on this weekend and just the way that He was constantly at work was absolutely mind blowing. You just can't take it all in and for weeks afterwards you just think about things that happened and God just reveals things to you.
God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Helper God's Holy Spirit just constantly washed us with their Love and healed broken and hurting people. You know the best view in the world is to see God working in a person nothing compares to it, when God works in and through you to minister His grace mercy and love to others. Everything was just so purposeful, even the small things. The fellowship was blessed. We had four churches at the weekend, the Goodwood, Milnerton and Malmsbury Methodist churches and the Goodwood Roman Catholic Church. What a tremendous unity His Holy Spirit wove into us as we all worshiped God as one.
Well we all had to leave on Sunday and I was missing my family tremendously as well.Then that night we had a tremendous Celebration service at Goodwood Meth and then God used me again (no not my plan to be used or my idea) to minister His love after the service.
So wotz God calling you to do. Simple really. He's saying here receive my free gifts of grace, mercy and love. Soak them up in your soul and then go and pass them on to the rest of the world, do this where ever you find yourself and as often as you possibly can, don't worry if no one is around to see your good deeds 'cause God will see them. Don't worry about being in the so called 'right' place like a church just do it.
You surround me with singing
You restore me in Your grace again
I'm alive in You
You are faithful, Saviour
You are holy
And my trust is in the power of Your name
You remember mercy
You are near me
I have life again
Now I belong to You
I will lift my hands
I will lift my voice
All for You
It's all for You
Take up my cross
I surrender
All for You
It's all for You
Your Kingdom, Is rising
Use me I pray
Your Kingdom, Is rising
Use me I pray
This past weekend saw me being part of a team of sinners saved by grace helping, leading and teaching others about God's grace. Yes it was another Alpha Holy Spirit weekend. What a joy to serve our Lord Jesus Christ the absolutely and completely greatest blessing in the universe.
But first let me back track a bit and I'll try to be as honest as I can with you. You see it was not in MY plan to serve on the Alpha team this year. I had planned to take a years mathematical (yeah George @Vodocom) from Alpha. But then I was invited ever so lovingly and graciously to serve by someone who I respect and love very much. I discussed it with Allie and we agreed that it would be okay. So off I went and was selected as a small group leader for the duration of the ten week course. Then of course some things went wrong. Allie fell very ill while I was on the Alpha and eventually resigned from her job. I felt a tremendous pull and often a bit guilty going off on Wednesday nights when I knew Allie was not too well. But I constantly prayed for strength and healing for both of us and the guys on team as well as my buddies were also praying for us. So I just kept at it. Before we knew it the weekend away was upon us. Now I had been struggling with a cold/flu and running a temperature off and on for about three weeks but because of all round pressure(specially at work) I just kept pushing on. That is until my body started screaming at my head and asking, "Hey is there a brain up there somewhere?" So eventually I surrendered and went to the doc who diagnosed me as having a triple whammy, flu, sinisitus and bronchitus. He then promptly booked me off for three days and gave me a prescription of anti-biotics, pain killers and cough mixture. Then I really thought I was ill. Well this happened in the week leading up to the Alpha weekend. I wondered if I was gonna make it to the weekend. Anyways I rested as much as I could and tried my best not to worry as to what was happening at work.
Friday came and I got out of bed at about 11am and slowly got ready for the weekend. Dressed and packed, my lift came around about 3.30pm and we were off. Needless to say I really wasn't that rearing to go and I didn't really feel like I was in top form. But you you know God is awesome. You just have to make the effort to pitch up, trust Him, be obedient, be faithful and you will be abosutely amazed at the way He uses ordinary people (like you and me) in an extraordinary way.
The weekend was an absolute blast of a blessing from God. I ended up also being the 'projector pixie', working the overhead transparencies for the words to the praise and worship songs. Not that the selfish( me selfish, no waze Jose!) part of me initially wanted to do it but....you know His Holy Spirit really knows wots good for you. Oh yeah and I made a fair amount of mistakes. The way God used people on this weekend and just the way that He was constantly at work was absolutely mind blowing. You just can't take it all in and for weeks afterwards you just think about things that happened and God just reveals things to you.
God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Helper God's Holy Spirit just constantly washed us with their Love and healed broken and hurting people. You know the best view in the world is to see God working in a person nothing compares to it, when God works in and through you to minister His grace mercy and love to others. Everything was just so purposeful, even the small things. The fellowship was blessed. We had four churches at the weekend, the Goodwood, Milnerton and Malmsbury Methodist churches and the Goodwood Roman Catholic Church. What a tremendous unity His Holy Spirit wove into us as we all worshiped God as one.
Well we all had to leave on Sunday and I was missing my family tremendously as well.Then that night we had a tremendous Celebration service at Goodwood Meth and then God used me again (no not my plan to be used or my idea) to minister His love after the service.
So wotz God calling you to do. Simple really. He's saying here receive my free gifts of grace, mercy and love. Soak them up in your soul and then go and pass them on to the rest of the world, do this where ever you find yourself and as often as you possibly can, don't worry if no one is around to see your good deeds 'cause God will see them. Don't worry about being in the so called 'right' place like a church just do it.
You surround me with singing
You restore me in Your grace again
I'm alive in You
You are faithful, Saviour
You are holy
And my trust is in the power of Your name
You remember mercy
You are near me
I have life again
Now I belong to You
I will lift my hands
I will lift my voice
All for You
It's all for You
Take up my cross
I surrender
All for You
It's all for You
Your Kingdom, Is rising
Use me I pray
Your Kingdom, Is rising
Use me I pray
LoCTY!!!
Friday, December 29, 2006
The Shadow of Death 2: My Brother
Precious Saints !!!!
So there I was relaxing on a Thursday evening looking forward to going on leave in a weeks time. When the death part of life suddenly happened to me. My brothers wife Libby phoned me at about 9.30pm from Johannesburg and calmly told me that my brother Clive had had a heart attack and passed away at 'bout 11am that morning, he was 54. Talk about being hit in the guts. I didn't know what to do or how to feel. While listening in disbelief, I cried, felt empty, shocked, numb, angry, dazed, confused you name it I felt it.
While listening to Libby, God's Spirit inside me just convicted me so deeply to go up to Johannesburg for the service and to spend some time with my brothers family. To be honest with you all I did not really want to go, I mean my brother and I were not even close, I don't really think anyone really expected it of me to go. It would be so much easier just to stay put here in Cape Town send my condolences along with flowers and a card. God just said to me you go, you are my mercy, you are my grace, you are my love. I still didn't really want to go it would just hurt too much.
So there I was relaxing on a Thursday evening looking forward to going on leave in a weeks time. When the death part of life suddenly happened to me. My brothers wife Libby phoned me at about 9.30pm from Johannesburg and calmly told me that my brother Clive had had a heart attack and passed away at 'bout 11am that morning, he was 54. Talk about being hit in the guts. I didn't know what to do or how to feel. While listening in disbelief, I cried, felt empty, shocked, numb, angry, dazed, confused you name it I felt it.
While listening to Libby, God's Spirit inside me just convicted me so deeply to go up to Johannesburg for the service and to spend some time with my brothers family. To be honest with you all I did not really want to go, I mean my brother and I were not even close, I don't really think anyone really expected it of me to go. It would be so much easier just to stay put here in Cape Town send my condolences along with flowers and a card. God just said to me you go, you are my mercy, you are my grace, you are my love. I still didn't really want to go it would just hurt too much.
Friday, November 17, 2006
The Shadow of Death
Precious Saints !!!
Isn't it amazing that although we live with death every day of our life, we go to great lengths to avoid this fact. Mebbe we figure if we don't mention it or talk about it then it won't happen to us or to our loved ones. I mean nobody really wants to die do they? Well imagine going to a party and discussing whether you would prefer to be buried or cremated and/or sharing your self written eulogy with whoever cared to listen. Just think if you will, going around and reminding everyone that they might not see the sun coming up tomorrow. I somehow don't think you would be the life and soul of the party eh! Just think, going shopping for something to die in. Man that is just too droll and macabre to even imagine.
Isn't it amazing that although we live with death every day of our life, we go to great lengths to avoid this fact. Mebbe we figure if we don't mention it or talk about it then it won't happen to us or to our loved ones. I mean nobody really wants to die do they? Well imagine going to a party and discussing whether you would prefer to be buried or cremated and/or sharing your self written eulogy with whoever cared to listen. Just think if you will, going around and reminding everyone that they might not see the sun coming up tomorrow. I somehow don't think you would be the life and soul of the party eh! Just think, going shopping for something to die in. Man that is just too droll and macabre to even imagine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
