1983 - 2011 ... what a journey!

28 years old and still going:-) Yesterday I watched an old, grey-haired woman drive in the lane across from me and I started wondering if she remembered anything from the year she was 28.


So much has happened this year that I had to just take a step back in order to see things in perspective.

The scripture from Habakkuk 1:5, "Look around [you, Habakkuk, replied the Lord] among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days [such] that you would not believe it if it were told you." came alive, especially the part about not believing it if it were told you.

Sometimes I try to remember what I imagined my life would be like in my late twenties but I honestly don't remember. What I know for sure is that if anyone had told me the things that would happen in my life the last 8 years of my life, I wouldn't have believed them! I thank God because He is a faithful God and He has plans for each of our lives. I thank Him for the woman He is moulding me into, as the potter does with the clay. I thank Him for His everlasting Love without which I would not have stayed sane!

Another scripture that came alive for me this year was Proverbs 16:9, "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.". When I say this scripture came alive, I mean it brought me back to life. There was a time in this year (2011) where I seriously felt lost; adrift; like I had no idea where I was going and I think a big part of me thought God also felt the same way about me (I know, right?!). When it hit me that I did not create myself and that I am not the Creator of heaven and earth and the One who is Omniscient - I relaxed (a tad!). It's a battle to not be anxious about the future sometimes but believing Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." gives me such peace.

So, as the year 2011 comes to a close I have a grateful heart to My Saviour who has brought me through it all and who continues to lead me as I prepare to walk into 2012. Jehovah knows, Jehovah sees.

Why are you so excited?

Why am I so excited? I'll tell you why?

The Message translation of the Bible puts Psalm 30:11,12 like this:

"You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can't thank you enough."

My 28th birthday is coming up (on the 14th March 2011) and I am getting more and more excited as the day approaches. My glee has little to do with the cake that I will certainly have or the presents I may get and everything to do with the gratitude that I feel.

I am alive... I have seen the hand of God in my life and am excited about the future that He holds in His hands for me. Each day I wake up and it's yet another day to praise my God and to just be excited about experiencing His Love. I hope this rubs off on all those around me.

God is at work, I see Him in the trees; in the wonder of the internet; in the love I have for my friends, enemies and family... I see Him in the divine health that I enjoy; in the answers to loved-ones prayers... I see Him in His comfort for those going through tough times... I see the Lord and I am grateful.

So, "why am I so excited?"... I am excited because I once was blind and now I see!

Let everything that has breath, Praise the Lord!

Praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the evening! Praise Him for He is worthy!

Praise looks good on you, Christian. Put on your garment of praise when you feel good and especially when you feel not-too-great!

Praise Him Christian! Join the angels and praise Him. Holy, holy, holy is His name!

Jesus Christ, El Shaddai, sweet Holy Spirit. God, Holy Trinity. Praise Him with your whole being Christian, praise Him for what He had done for you, praise Him for what He is about to do.

Praise Him!

Grace... freely given, gladly accepted.

In the past week I've had many reasons to ponder on forgiveness... fairness... grace... love

While the world works on fairness and giving someone what they deserve, the kingdom of God is about a determined Love - a love that loves in the face of offence.

In the gospel according to Matthew (chapter 5), Jesus instructs us to "Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.… But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

God's grace wasn't easy to accept at first but when I saw the Light, I gladly accepted His Love that does not keep a record of wrongs but forgives, forgets and continues to think the best of me. It doesn't end there though. God expects me to Love others with His love. Difficult stuff but I am determined to be Christ-like in my conduct.

Grace! Pretty amazing stuff...

Little by little...

I was reading the Word when I came across Deuteronomy 7:22-24 which reads, "And the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them."

I have been thinking a lot about my spiritual growth lately, especially about my challenges/ weaknesses. I sometimes feel despondent when I see myself against the mirror of God's word (James 1:22-25) and see all the "nations" that are inhabiting my "promised land"and I find myself wishing that I'd wake up and be perfect (mature) already! In reply to these feelings of despondency, the Lord impressed in my spirit that each believer's Christian walk is a marathon and not a sprint. We all need to concentrate on fighting the good fight of faith and finishing strong. I'm grateful knowing that with the Lord as my dwelling place (the vine), I (the branch) will bear fruit.

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"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." - Colossians 2: 6-7

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A long way to go

Man, I still have a plenty way to go! Once again I've been hit with the truth of how much I need God. This happens to me sometimes but lately it's been happening more often - the consecration fast, you got it!

One of my heart's loudest prayers is to remain a true worshipper of the Most High God the rest of my life. I desire to be an old woman of 95, sitting around with my children and grandchildren talking to them about the God of my youth. Sometimes I feel my heart jump inside me as I realise that many a well-meaning believer has fallen by the wayside and with that realisation comes the truth that as well-meaning and sincere as I am in my worship, I too am not infallible ... but God.

The solution is to stay at His feet, not be complacent in my walk with God and to daily give myself over to Him. It is possible, with God.

God's process...

Often when you look on as a carver is chiselling a block of wood you won't see what he's making. So it is even with us, as the Painter; the Potter; the Carver is fashioning us, it might not be clear what He's making out of our individudal lives but we can be sure that when He's through, we will be "something good" that'll bring glory to His name.

Right now we're going through a corporate Consecration Fast at my family church (Eagles Christian Centre, Sandton) and I tell you the only thing holding me together is the knowledge that He knows my name; has a plan for my life and has me in the palm of His hand. I look at myself and see how much I need God... alone I'm really not much and I'm capable of great blunders but with Him the possibilities are endless. Afterall, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus:-)

Thank you Abba for your process that will propell me into the greatness you have predestined me to walk in. All to the glory of Your name.