For the last two weeks, I have been feeling rather grotty if I may be allowed the use of that word.
It is Spring, and hayfever is caused by pollen and such in the air, which in turn sometimes leads to sinusitis, which in turn can cause more serious infections because of the nasal drip that accompany these conditions.
Last night, I developed a headache, backache, and a temperature. I got into bed early drinking a hot toddy consisting of boiling water, lemon, honey and ginger. I downed a pain and fever reliever with it and settled down to do some serious reading.
The phone buzzed informing me that my youngest who lives in the USA was in ER undergoing scans because of severe abdominal pain.
Not what I wanted to hear at that moment. I shot up a prayer to the Lord for help, healing and assistance for her, phoned and asked them to keep me updated and carried on reading.
Af'ter some hours, the phone rang. It was my daughter saying that doctors cannot find a thing wrong and that the pain has subsided. Thank You, You are indeed ever faithful.
Back to sleep.
We are planning to go to Johannesburg for a week, leaving tomorrow, to attend a wedding on the 29th. What with feeling under the weather, and my husband generally not being well, I got up this morning wondering whether we should try and cancel our flights and stay at home instead.
I sat down in my prayer corner and saw my diary open on the kist in front of me. The text at the bottom of the page is Proverbs 3:26:
"For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from
being caught."
I opened Joshua Cooley's book of devotions 'The one year devotions with Jesus' at today's date. The Scripture for the day is 2 Cor. 12:9:
"Each time (the Lord) said, "My grace is all you need. My power works
best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ can work through me."
I then read Psalm 138. Verses 7 - 8 says:
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will REVIVE me (Capitals "
inserted); You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my
enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that
which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not
forsake the works of Your hands."
Thank You, Lord, that you are ever faithful to all creatures great and small! Thank You that we may boast that Your strength works best in our weaknesses.
Monday 24 October 2016
Friday 21 October 2016
AT THE RIGHT TIME
What is the saying: Good things come to those who wait?
Some six months ago, I may even be more, maybe nine months is more correct, I was chatting to a friend of mine in Durban. She is a devout believer and ever busy labouring in God's Kingdom.
She sounded a bit out-of-sorts, if I may use another expression and I asked what the worry was. No worry, she said, just frustrated and impatient. She felt very seriously that the Lord wanted her to do something new, but as much as she asked and waited, she felt no prompting in her spirit about any one ministry or direction in which to move at the time.
I said "hang in there girl, it will come" having no idea what or when or how.
When we spoke again a few months later, she was even more impatient, more frustrated, still waiting, still asking....
In the meantime, down here in Cape Town, a young man from our congregation was appointed as National Coordinator of the Surfers Mission organization - it could even be that his appointment was more or less at the same time as my first mentioned conversation with my friend. Surfers Mission teach and assist surfers along the coastline of our country and tell them about the goodness of God and the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Friday morning, while we were in a missions meeting, discussing our own way forward here in Durbanville, Francois, who now resides in Jeffreys Bay, telephoned me. I promised to phone him back and promptly forgot! So, being the faithful man that he is, he phoned me back yesterday afternoon.
We caught up with news about their mission and ours and when I asked what their prayer needs were, he mentioned that they urgently needed a national prayer coordinator for their mission organization.
A light blazed in my mind! I knew exactly the right person for that job! My friend in Durban! She is a prayer warrior (have you seen the movie "War room"?). She is also intelligent, computer literate with uncapped internet access and best of all waiting to hear from the Lord regarding a new mission!
I mentioned all of this to Francois who was interested and became excited when he heard that she has been waiting on the Lord for a new mission! I promised to contact her and to send them each other's contact details.
Well, when I phoned her last night, she was immediately sure that this was exactly what she had been waiting for and she was very excited.
Now, we will just wait and see what the Lord is going to do in this instance!
Luke 11: 9-10:
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened."
Sometimes we have to be very patient and wait because that which we ask for is not quite ready, or the need does not yet exist, but will in the future - the exact time known only to God. Take heart, be patient, wait upon the Lord. He is faithful and will not disappoint if you ask according to His Will.
Thank You, Lord, that You know more exactly what it is we need than we do ourselves. Thank You that You will rather let us wait than give us something inferior.
Some six months ago, I may even be more, maybe nine months is more correct, I was chatting to a friend of mine in Durban. She is a devout believer and ever busy labouring in God's Kingdom.
She sounded a bit out-of-sorts, if I may use another expression and I asked what the worry was. No worry, she said, just frustrated and impatient. She felt very seriously that the Lord wanted her to do something new, but as much as she asked and waited, she felt no prompting in her spirit about any one ministry or direction in which to move at the time.
I said "hang in there girl, it will come" having no idea what or when or how.
When we spoke again a few months later, she was even more impatient, more frustrated, still waiting, still asking....
In the meantime, down here in Cape Town, a young man from our congregation was appointed as National Coordinator of the Surfers Mission organization - it could even be that his appointment was more or less at the same time as my first mentioned conversation with my friend. Surfers Mission teach and assist surfers along the coastline of our country and tell them about the goodness of God and the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Friday morning, while we were in a missions meeting, discussing our own way forward here in Durbanville, Francois, who now resides in Jeffreys Bay, telephoned me. I promised to phone him back and promptly forgot! So, being the faithful man that he is, he phoned me back yesterday afternoon.
We caught up with news about their mission and ours and when I asked what their prayer needs were, he mentioned that they urgently needed a national prayer coordinator for their mission organization.
A light blazed in my mind! I knew exactly the right person for that job! My friend in Durban! She is a prayer warrior (have you seen the movie "War room"?). She is also intelligent, computer literate with uncapped internet access and best of all waiting to hear from the Lord regarding a new mission!
I mentioned all of this to Francois who was interested and became excited when he heard that she has been waiting on the Lord for a new mission! I promised to contact her and to send them each other's contact details.
Well, when I phoned her last night, she was immediately sure that this was exactly what she had been waiting for and she was very excited.
Now, we will just wait and see what the Lord is going to do in this instance!
Luke 11: 9-10:
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened."
Sometimes we have to be very patient and wait because that which we ask for is not quite ready, or the need does not yet exist, but will in the future - the exact time known only to God. Take heart, be patient, wait upon the Lord. He is faithful and will not disappoint if you ask according to His Will.
Thank You, Lord, that You know more exactly what it is we need than we do ourselves. Thank You that You will rather let us wait than give us something inferior.
Wednesday 19 October 2016
ON BEING A COMFORT TO OTHERS
Have you ever needed comfort? I have...
Paul, the apostle, also had a need to be comforted.
2 Cor. 1:3-5 :
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
How did God comfort me?
By whattsapps from friends and family; the love of my children; the Word, the daily infusion of strength by the Holy Spirit of God, the expressions of love and sympathy from those around me; prayers of people from across the country; visits of friends; hugs, embraces.
Paul, also speaks of receiving comfort:
2 Cor.7:13:
"Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced
exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been
refreshed by you all."
The Word says that the Holy Spirit has come to be our Comforter. He comforts not as above with hugs, and kind words and embraces. From experience I have found that He comforts by empowering us to endure and overcome that which causes us to need comfort, whilst at the same time, allowing and directing other people around us to comfort us in the manner in which they, in their turn, have experienced comfort from others.
By being a comfort to another soul in distress, we ourselves will be comforted. The Word says when Job prayed for his friends, God changed his circumstances.
Be comforted, be uplifted, be blessed this day as you comfort someone on your way.
Thank You, Lord, that your Spirit and Word is given us to comfort and strengthen us from day to day.
Paul, the apostle, also had a need to be comforted.
2 Cor. 1:3-5 :
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
How did God comfort me?
By whattsapps from friends and family; the love of my children; the Word, the daily infusion of strength by the Holy Spirit of God, the expressions of love and sympathy from those around me; prayers of people from across the country; visits of friends; hugs, embraces.
Paul, also speaks of receiving comfort:
2 Cor.7:13:
"Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced
exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been
refreshed by you all."
The Word says that the Holy Spirit has come to be our Comforter. He comforts not as above with hugs, and kind words and embraces. From experience I have found that He comforts by empowering us to endure and overcome that which causes us to need comfort, whilst at the same time, allowing and directing other people around us to comfort us in the manner in which they, in their turn, have experienced comfort from others.
By being a comfort to another soul in distress, we ourselves will be comforted. The Word says when Job prayed for his friends, God changed his circumstances.
Be comforted, be uplifted, be blessed this day as you comfort someone on your way.
Thank You, Lord, that your Spirit and Word is given us to comfort and strengthen us from day to day.
Thursday 13 October 2016
EVERLASTING, UNCHANGING GOD
I have just read Psalm 136 again.
The Contemporary English version says:
verse 1:
"Praise the Lord! He is good. God's love never fails."
The 1933 King James says:
"Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth
forever."
The New King James version says:
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy
endures forever."
The Amplified Bible says:
"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-
kindness endure forever."
It does not matter how we translate it - the meaning, and the character of God, remain unchanged! Stop and think about that!
Thank You, Lord, for your love and mercy, Your grace towards mankind and your loving-kindness from day to day. Amid all the chaos that surrounds us, what would our planet be without You?
The Contemporary English version says:
verse 1:
"Praise the Lord! He is good. God's love never fails."
The 1933 King James says:
"Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth
forever."
The New King James version says:
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy
endures forever."
The Amplified Bible says:
"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-
kindness endure forever."
It does not matter how we translate it - the meaning, and the character of God, remain unchanged! Stop and think about that!
Thank You, Lord, for your love and mercy, Your grace towards mankind and your loving-kindness from day to day. Amid all the chaos that surrounds us, what would our planet be without You?
Sunday 9 October 2016
A SHORT BUT EXTRAORDINARY VISIT
This afternoon after lunch I was standing in the doorway of our little home, intending to close the stable doors against the cool breeze, when I noticed the figure of a little lady slowly walking in the street passing our home.
As is usual in our little village, I called out a greeting when she got to within hearing distance. She diverted her steps and came towards the door, calling as she came close: "I must thank you for your beautiful garden. I live in a first floor apartment and whenever I go for my walkabout I so enjoy seeing all the lovely gardens around me".
I stepped out and met her outside... petite, rather fragile looking, with wisps of silver grey hair, huge almond shaped hazel eyes, and lovely accented Afrikaans. We introduced ourselves and during the course of our conversation I found out that she was in fact already in her eighties. We chatted for a few minutes, and soon found ourselves on which was obviously very well-loved mutual ground : our need to worship the Creator God for all the beauty surrounding us in nature, including gardens and their inhabitants of all possible kinds.
We took a short stroll in my garden and I picked a couple of branches of the bottle brush tree's beautiful red plumes, as well as a few twigs of a "fynbos" shrub bearing minute, yet perfect white flowers. Around the corner we added five of six golden blooms from the pincushion shrub of the protea family and we completed the posy by adding a few sprigs of lavender.
My, was my new friend chaffed! She could not thank me enough whilst carefully holding the flowers against her body with both hands. Her last remark as she started off towards her apartment was that she felt like a bride with her exquisite bouquet!
Looking at her retreating back, I realised that I had just experienced a moment of intense beauty and joy - as if I had been touched by something beautiful; as if a butterfly had settled on my hand for a few precious minutes!
I was also privileged today to have a bouquet of flowers delivered to my youngest daughter in the U.S.A to celebrate her birthday with her. What a joy!
How little it takes to change an ordinary day into an experience to remember - a thing of beauty!
The words of a childhood song echoed in my head:
"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all...."
(Cecil F Alexander)
Thank You, Lord, for the bountiful beauty and blessings that you continue to provide that give us unlimited pleasure and joy; that we may also share it with those around us.
As is usual in our little village, I called out a greeting when she got to within hearing distance. She diverted her steps and came towards the door, calling as she came close: "I must thank you for your beautiful garden. I live in a first floor apartment and whenever I go for my walkabout I so enjoy seeing all the lovely gardens around me".
I stepped out and met her outside... petite, rather fragile looking, with wisps of silver grey hair, huge almond shaped hazel eyes, and lovely accented Afrikaans. We introduced ourselves and during the course of our conversation I found out that she was in fact already in her eighties. We chatted for a few minutes, and soon found ourselves on which was obviously very well-loved mutual ground : our need to worship the Creator God for all the beauty surrounding us in nature, including gardens and their inhabitants of all possible kinds.
We took a short stroll in my garden and I picked a couple of branches of the bottle brush tree's beautiful red plumes, as well as a few twigs of a "fynbos" shrub bearing minute, yet perfect white flowers. Around the corner we added five of six golden blooms from the pincushion shrub of the protea family and we completed the posy by adding a few sprigs of lavender.
My, was my new friend chaffed! She could not thank me enough whilst carefully holding the flowers against her body with both hands. Her last remark as she started off towards her apartment was that she felt like a bride with her exquisite bouquet!
Looking at her retreating back, I realised that I had just experienced a moment of intense beauty and joy - as if I had been touched by something beautiful; as if a butterfly had settled on my hand for a few precious minutes!
I was also privileged today to have a bouquet of flowers delivered to my youngest daughter in the U.S.A to celebrate her birthday with her. What a joy!
How little it takes to change an ordinary day into an experience to remember - a thing of beauty!
The words of a childhood song echoed in my head:
"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all...."
(Cecil F Alexander)
Thank You, Lord, for the bountiful beauty and blessings that you continue to provide that give us unlimited pleasure and joy; that we may also share it with those around us.
Saturday 8 October 2016
BRETHERN/SISTERS WHO DWELL TOGETHER
Last night we attended a very special birthday party.
The birthday man is a respected businessman who had built up an international company, as well as a national company - he achieved and accumulated much in the business world.
He achieved all this success despite the fact that he is a diabetic. His very active life was how-ever, brusquely interrupted last year when he suffered a massive heart attack. The damage to his heart was, in fact, so severe that the professor who attended him was loath to operate on him at all. The medical man explained the very high risk to life; that that he might not live through the operation and left the decision to the patient and his family.
Let's call him Peter for the purpose of this entry. Peter and his family prayed about it, and whilst he was in hospital a very dear friend came to him and gave him the following verse from Scripture:
Ps. 118:17:
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has
chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death."
Peter decided to make this Scripture his own and told his physician that they should proceed with the operation.
The rest is history! More than a year after the operation, we were privileged to celebrate his birthday with him. He told us that we, who were invited to share this celebration, were indeed hand-picked and although the invitations were sent out merely a week before the date of the event, it seems that everyone found the time to be there and one invitee from Botswana, just 'happened' to be in Cape Town at the right time.
The guests were varied - his physician attended, as well as his lawyer, his accountant, his p.a. of many years, some schoolfriends from Grade A, his wife, whom he dated from high school, his children, his grandchildren, members of their cell group from church, three pastors and their wives, friends - we were a motley group.
The purpose of the celebration he said in his speech about his life, is primarily to 'declare the works of the Lord'. He remarked that on the day he left the hospital, the professor saw him walking in the passage and shouted after him: 'You are a walking miracle, do you know that?' Secondly, it was to celebrate his birthday with us, to share this precious moment in his life. Thirdly, he declared his wife to be an angel from heaven. From my own experience, I agree with this statement!
Two of his grandsons were granted the privilege to ask him any questions they wanted and he had to answer within the 30 seconds allowed him by his p.a. One grandson wanted to know what he would receive for Christmas!
His one son-in-law talked about how after his operation, Peter who had been his father-in-law for years, became his father. His younger brother told how they were never close but how, after Peter's recovery, they have become closer and closer and are now sharing many precious moments.
Peter himself acknowledged the power of the prayers of his family and friends and the roll it played in his survival and recovery. His sickness and recovery brought together a band of about 70 - 80 people from all different walks of life in a bond that will always exist with him as the hub. We, although not all blood relatives of Peter and his wife, are in fact, their 'family' in our love and concern for them and their wellfare. Last night we all experienced what Ps. 133 sets out:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard,
the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the
dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord
commanded the blessing- Life forevermore."
There is another similar situation playing itself out in Gauteng at the moment. This event involves my own family. Again the closely knit family is standing together in unity and in prayer. My daughter-in-law has set up a support group on whattsapp and this enables family and friends from all over to be involved in support, also with life and strength infusing prayer for the patient and loved ones. What miracles prayer bring about! What a miracle technology is! How we appreciate the privilege of being involved in this way. Prayer changes things! It has been proven times without count!
God willing we will also be able to celebrate another birthday next year in this greater family as well!
Thank You, Lord, that You answer prayer and recognise and value unity amongst brethren and sisters and that we are able to declare Your works from day to day in many different lives and circumstances surrounding and involving ourselves and our loved ones. Blessed be Your Name!
The birthday man is a respected businessman who had built up an international company, as well as a national company - he achieved and accumulated much in the business world.
He achieved all this success despite the fact that he is a diabetic. His very active life was how-ever, brusquely interrupted last year when he suffered a massive heart attack. The damage to his heart was, in fact, so severe that the professor who attended him was loath to operate on him at all. The medical man explained the very high risk to life; that that he might not live through the operation and left the decision to the patient and his family.
Let's call him Peter for the purpose of this entry. Peter and his family prayed about it, and whilst he was in hospital a very dear friend came to him and gave him the following verse from Scripture:
Ps. 118:17:
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has
chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death."
Peter decided to make this Scripture his own and told his physician that they should proceed with the operation.
The rest is history! More than a year after the operation, we were privileged to celebrate his birthday with him. He told us that we, who were invited to share this celebration, were indeed hand-picked and although the invitations were sent out merely a week before the date of the event, it seems that everyone found the time to be there and one invitee from Botswana, just 'happened' to be in Cape Town at the right time.
The guests were varied - his physician attended, as well as his lawyer, his accountant, his p.a. of many years, some schoolfriends from Grade A, his wife, whom he dated from high school, his children, his grandchildren, members of their cell group from church, three pastors and their wives, friends - we were a motley group.
The purpose of the celebration he said in his speech about his life, is primarily to 'declare the works of the Lord'. He remarked that on the day he left the hospital, the professor saw him walking in the passage and shouted after him: 'You are a walking miracle, do you know that?' Secondly, it was to celebrate his birthday with us, to share this precious moment in his life. Thirdly, he declared his wife to be an angel from heaven. From my own experience, I agree with this statement!
Two of his grandsons were granted the privilege to ask him any questions they wanted and he had to answer within the 30 seconds allowed him by his p.a. One grandson wanted to know what he would receive for Christmas!
His one son-in-law talked about how after his operation, Peter who had been his father-in-law for years, became his father. His younger brother told how they were never close but how, after Peter's recovery, they have become closer and closer and are now sharing many precious moments.
Peter himself acknowledged the power of the prayers of his family and friends and the roll it played in his survival and recovery. His sickness and recovery brought together a band of about 70 - 80 people from all different walks of life in a bond that will always exist with him as the hub. We, although not all blood relatives of Peter and his wife, are in fact, their 'family' in our love and concern for them and their wellfare. Last night we all experienced what Ps. 133 sets out:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard,
the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the
dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord
commanded the blessing- Life forevermore."
There is another similar situation playing itself out in Gauteng at the moment. This event involves my own family. Again the closely knit family is standing together in unity and in prayer. My daughter-in-law has set up a support group on whattsapp and this enables family and friends from all over to be involved in support, also with life and strength infusing prayer for the patient and loved ones. What miracles prayer bring about! What a miracle technology is! How we appreciate the privilege of being involved in this way. Prayer changes things! It has been proven times without count!
God willing we will also be able to celebrate another birthday next year in this greater family as well!
Thank You, Lord, that You answer prayer and recognise and value unity amongst brethren and sisters and that we are able to declare Your works from day to day in many different lives and circumstances surrounding and involving ourselves and our loved ones. Blessed be Your Name!
BRETHERN/SISTERS WHO DWELL TOGETHER
Last night we attended a very special birthday party.
The birthday man is a respected businessman who had built up an international company, as well as a national company - he achieved and accumulated much in the business world.
He achieved all this success despite the fact that he is a diabetic. His very active life was how-ever, brusquely interrupted last year when he suffered a massive heart attack. The damage to his heart was, in fact, so severe that the professor who attended him was loath to operate on him at all. The medical man explained the very high risk that he would not live through the operation and left the decision to the patient and his family.
Let's call him Peter for the purpose of this entry. Peter and his family prayed about it, and whilst he was in hospital a very dear friend came to him and gave him the following verse from Scripture:
Ps. 118:17:
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has
chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death."
Peter decided to make this Scripture his own and told his physician that they should proceed with the operation.
The rest is history! More than a year after the operation, we were privileged to celebrate his birthday with him. He told us that we, who were invited to share this celebration, were indeed hand-picked and although the invitations were sent out merely a week before the date of the event, it seems that everyone found the time to be there and one invitee from Botswana, just 'happened' to be in Cape Town at the right time.
The guests were varied - his physician attended, as well as his lawyer, his accountant, his p.a. of many years, some schoolfriends from Grade A, his wife, whom he dated from high school, his children, his grandchildren, members of their cell group from church, three pastors and their wives, friends - we were a motley group.
The purpose of the celebration he said in his speech about his life, is primarily to 'declare the works of the Lord'. He remarked that on the day he left the hospital, the professor saw him walking in the passage and shouted after him: 'You are a walking miracle, do you know that?' Secondly, it was to celebrate his birthday with us, to share this precious moment in his life. Thirdly, he declared that his wife to be an angel from heaven. From my own experience, I agree with this statement!
Two of his grandsons were granted the privilege to ask him any questions they wanted and he had to answer within the 30 seconds allowed him by his p.a. One grandson wanted to know what he would receive for Christmas!
His one son-in-law talked about how after his operation, Peter who had been his father-in-law for years, became his father. His younger brother told how they were never close but how, after Peter's recovery, they have become closer and closer and are now sharing many precious moments.
Peter himself acknowledged the power of the prayers of his family and friends and the roll it played in his survival and recovery. His sickness and recovery brought together a band of about 70 - 80 people from all different walks of life in a bond that will always exist with him as the hub. We, although not all blood relatives of Peter and his wife, are in fact, their 'family' in our love and concern for them and their wellfare. Last night we all experienced what Ps. 133 sets out:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard,
the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the
dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord
commanded the blessing- Life forevermore."
There is another similar tragic situation playing itself out in Gauteng at the moment. This event involves my own family. Again the closely knit family is standing together in unity and in prayer. My daughter-in-law has set up a support group on whattsapp and this enables family and friends from all over to be involved in support, also with life and strength infusing prayer for the patient and loved ones. What miracles prayer brings about! What a miracle technology is! How we appreciate the privilege of being involved in this way. Prayer changes things! It has been proven times without count!
God willing we will also be able to celebrate another birthday next year in this greater family as well!
Thank You, Lord, that You answer prayer and recognise and value unity amongst brethren and sisters and that we are able to declare Your works from day to day in many different lives and circumstances surrounding and involving ourselves and our loved ones. Blessed be Your Name!
The birthday man is a respected businessman who had built up an international company, as well as a national company - he achieved and accumulated much in the business world.
He achieved all this success despite the fact that he is a diabetic. His very active life was how-ever, brusquely interrupted last year when he suffered a massive heart attack. The damage to his heart was, in fact, so severe that the professor who attended him was loath to operate on him at all. The medical man explained the very high risk that he would not live through the operation and left the decision to the patient and his family.
Let's call him Peter for the purpose of this entry. Peter and his family prayed about it, and whilst he was in hospital a very dear friend came to him and gave him the following verse from Scripture:
Ps. 118:17:
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has
chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death."
Peter decided to make this Scripture his own and told his physician that they should proceed with the operation.
The rest is history! More than a year after the operation, we were privileged to celebrate his birthday with him. He told us that we, who were invited to share this celebration, were indeed hand-picked and although the invitations were sent out merely a week before the date of the event, it seems that everyone found the time to be there and one invitee from Botswana, just 'happened' to be in Cape Town at the right time.
The guests were varied - his physician attended, as well as his lawyer, his accountant, his p.a. of many years, some schoolfriends from Grade A, his wife, whom he dated from high school, his children, his grandchildren, members of their cell group from church, three pastors and their wives, friends - we were a motley group.
The purpose of the celebration he said in his speech about his life, is primarily to 'declare the works of the Lord'. He remarked that on the day he left the hospital, the professor saw him walking in the passage and shouted after him: 'You are a walking miracle, do you know that?' Secondly, it was to celebrate his birthday with us, to share this precious moment in his life. Thirdly, he declared that his wife to be an angel from heaven. From my own experience, I agree with this statement!
Two of his grandsons were granted the privilege to ask him any questions they wanted and he had to answer within the 30 seconds allowed him by his p.a. One grandson wanted to know what he would receive for Christmas!
His one son-in-law talked about how after his operation, Peter who had been his father-in-law for years, became his father. His younger brother told how they were never close but how, after Peter's recovery, they have become closer and closer and are now sharing many precious moments.
Peter himself acknowledged the power of the prayers of his family and friends and the roll it played in his survival and recovery. His sickness and recovery brought together a band of about 70 - 80 people from all different walks of life in a bond that will always exist with him as the hub. We, although not all blood relatives of Peter and his wife, are in fact, their 'family' in our love and concern for them and their wellfare. Last night we all experienced what Ps. 133 sets out:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard,
the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the
dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord
commanded the blessing- Life forevermore."
There is another similar tragic situation playing itself out in Gauteng at the moment. This event involves my own family. Again the closely knit family is standing together in unity and in prayer. My daughter-in-law has set up a support group on whattsapp and this enables family and friends from all over to be involved in support, also with life and strength infusing prayer for the patient and loved ones. What miracles prayer brings about! What a miracle technology is! How we appreciate the privilege of being involved in this way. Prayer changes things! It has been proven times without count!
God willing we will also be able to celebrate another birthday next year in this greater family as well!
Thank You, Lord, that You answer prayer and recognise and value unity amongst brethren and sisters and that we are able to declare Your works from day to day in many different lives and circumstances surrounding and involving ourselves and our loved ones. Blessed be Your Name!
Thursday 6 October 2016
A WEANED CHILD WITH HIS MOTHER
First, I want to thank each of the 10 002 people who have thus far visited this blog. I trust that you found a word, a Scripture, or a thought to comfort you, uplift you and to position you in the direction of a life fully aware of the circumsances in the lives of those around you and to understanding how much we each in our own lives have to be thankful for.
Ps. 131 has only three verses but what a picture David paints with his words:
"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself
with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed
and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is
my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever."
Like a weaned child.... not haughty, not driven by ambition, or lust, or greed after power or possessions, not anxious, fretful, or afraid, but cosy, secure, safe, satisfied, loved and cherished on the lap of the one person who knows what he/she needs and the one who will provide his/her needs when necessary!
"Hope in the Lord, O Israel!"
We need to calm our hearts and souls and know that God knows our needs and, in His ultimate wisdom, will supply what is truly necessary when it is truly needed.
Thank You, Lord, that we may be comforted in the knowledge that You know all and You are Jehovah Jireh, the Provider.
Ps. 131 has only three verses but what a picture David paints with his words:
"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself
with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed
and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is
my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever."
Like a weaned child.... not haughty, not driven by ambition, or lust, or greed after power or possessions, not anxious, fretful, or afraid, but cosy, secure, safe, satisfied, loved and cherished on the lap of the one person who knows what he/she needs and the one who will provide his/her needs when necessary!
"Hope in the Lord, O Israel!"
We need to calm our hearts and souls and know that God knows our needs and, in His ultimate wisdom, will supply what is truly necessary when it is truly needed.
Thank You, Lord, that we may be comforted in the knowledge that You know all and You are Jehovah Jireh, the Provider.
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