Airport

Well, I am at the airport ready for my first trip,I sat next to Ed Jordan on the gautrain and we had a nice chat about his children's cd's and said a special hello to Matthew and Bethany after he heard how much they like his cd's. I am really excited about this trip but will surely miss my family a great deal.

Furlough

For a long time now I have been looking forward to this year. This is my furlough or long leave year and I have planned a number of exciting trips. My hope is that not only will it be many new sights and sounds but also that these trips will be filled with adventure.

But my greatest hope is that this will also be a time of spiritual renewal, so I will endevour to keep good record of all my experiences. The first of my trips is only two weeks away, I will be visiting my sister in Amsterdam, spending some time in London with church folk and then finish the trip with a visit to Antwerp and Paris.

Slow Down...

Whilst out on my morning ride I came across a hedgehog (which apparently is endangered), something I have never seen in the wild before. As I stopped to look at this beautiful creature several cars flew past us, they completely missed this wonderful sight because they were going to fast. I thought how true it is in life - we are in such a rush most of the time that we often don't see the small yet beautiful moments in life - like the other day when I was so busy preparing for Christmas that I almost missed out on the wonderful conversation my kids had with one another about who is better: Action man or Jesus? Sorry Jesus my kids think that action man will take you in a fight!

May your life not be so rushed that you miss out on the "endangered " moments of life.

Recognizing God's Voice

So often we feel God is speaking to us but we are not sure if it really is God or just my own desires. Or you might feel that God never speaks to you...how do we recognize the voice of God in our lives in the midst of so many other voices?

I John 4:1 "Don't always believe everything you hear just because somebody says it's a message from God. Test it first to see if it really is."

The bible say we must test it – but what criteria should we use and what are the questions we need to ask that will help us discern whether or not this is in fact God speaking to me or not?

The first and probably most important question to ask is does it agree with the Bible.

Luke 21:33 "heaven and earth will pass away but My

words will never pass away."

God will never tell you to violate anything in this book. Never. God will never tell you to ignore or disobey anything in this book. He doesn't say one thing one time, and another thing another time. God is consistent. If He said it in the past, He's going to say it in the future.

So for example God will never tell you to not pay your taxes because He has already instructed us to do so in the Bible.

Most of God's will for your life is already right there in the Bible. You don't even have to pray about it. Just do what it says.

Things I notice about Jesus continued...

Spending time with the family during these recent school holidays reminded me of just how important it is to never stop making an effort when it comes to maintaining our relationships. We put so much effort into building them but often we neglect to put just as much effort into maintaining them.

I was also reminded how easily selfishness can creep into our relationships and just how destructive selfishness can be to our relationships. When I look at the disciples of Jesus and how they engaged with one another when can easily recognize our tendency to be selfish in our relationships. Do you remember conversations they had about who must sit where; about who is the greatest; about what their reward will be; and when Jesus is going to give them back their kingdom by delivering them from the Romans.

Jesus, in sharp contrast, always acted in a selfless manner in all His relationships. You read the gospel stories and we see Jesus always ready to listen; to heal; to help. Never acting in a selfish manner in any of His relationships.

I also notice that because of His selfless behavior it seems bring out the best in others. Because He acts in a selfless manner it forces the other person to change how they relate to Him – it makes them to be better people.

So, if you want to bring out the best in your husband, wife or kids, and strengthen your relationships why not follow Jesus’ example and resolve to never stop making the effort to act selflessly and see the miracle that will take place in your relationships.   

Things I notice about Jesus...

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

Jesus faced constant demands, dangerous opposition and little privacy. Yet He never allowed others to define him.

-         His parents had their own ideas of who they wanted Him to be – I know that because his dad trained him as a carpenter...

-         His disciples had their own idea who they wanted him to be

-         The  Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to define Him according to their agendas

-         The people he encountered, the crowds...palm Sunday had their own view of who Jesus was suppose to be

If we let them then the people around us will shape us into what THEY NEED and that which will fulfil THEIR needs.
But he never allowed others to define Him...Matthew 16:13-17
What does that teach us?

1.     Know who you are (John 8:12) — "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12, NIV)

There was no doubt in Jesus’ mind as to who he was. He knew he came from God, and he knew he had a unique mission to fulfil. As believers, we can know we belong to God and that God defines who we are and what we are meant to do on this Earth. Trying to be someone God never intended you to be causes stress! The answer to the question: “Who am I” should be sought and will be found in God.
I notice that as Jesus walked among us He knew who He was and it was based on His heavenly father’s opinion of Him

2.     Know whom you want to please (John 5:30) — "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." (John 5:30, NIV)

Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission. You can’t please everyone; even God can’t! Many of us live in this constant struggle to please the people around us – I must be smarter, I must be thinner, I must have more...Find out what it is that God wants form you and put your energy in pleasing and being obedient to your Father in heaven.

3.     Know what goals you need to reach (John 8:14) —"Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going." (John 8:14, NIV)

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures. How clear are you on God’s plan and purpose for your life – this only happens as I spend time with God and God’s people

4.     Know how to maintain your priorities (Luke 4:42–44) — "At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4:42-44, NIV)

Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal. He did this by spending time in prayer and retreat with the father.

Open my eyes Lord

I have over the years learnt so much from friends and congregants who have been through some very difficult situations, I have learnt from them what maturity is all about. I think maturity is the ability to recognize the life-giving moments in the midst of pain, suffering and even death. It is knowing that even the smallest amount of light is infinitely more powerful than massive amounts of dark. As I recognize these light and life giving moments they give me the strength to face what is before me. I think this is where we struggle - in our pain we struggle to see those life giving moments of grace, a smile from a stranger, a hug from a friend, a meal dropped off by the neighbours.
I pray that God will help us to SEE Him, to see His hand even when (or especially when) all is dark around me.