EGADS!!!

EGADS! I was sitting here thinking about how things go wrong sometimes...alot of times...and how it just gets me down. Things at work don't go well...I have a fight with my family. I drop my bike on its side (no...I didn't drop it again...just makin a point)

...BUT...

Romans 8:28 - 31 came to mind:

"And we know that in *all things* God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Frigging WOW MAN!!! God is on our side...and He works in ALL things for those that love Him (that would be US)...ALL THINGS...even the bad things...how?I don't always know...and sometimes it literally takes YEARS to find out...look back at things that didn't go the way you wanted them to...About two years ago I considered moving closer to work to make life "easier"...my plans fell through...if things had gone MY way I would never have ended up at one way! I would have never met the amazing people I have...I would have been smouldering instead of burning for God...WOW...

When tough times get you down and it feels like NOTHING is happening and you aren't getting anywhere...look to God and His word...
Luke 5:5:
"Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.'"

Sometimes it seems as if life is on "pause" and you aren't getting anywhere...you fish and you fish and you fish and....nothing...not even a lil fishy...you get frustrated...you want to pull your nets in and go home...but...sometimes you just gotta try once more...when Jesus says do it...you do it...even if it goes against EVERYTHING the world or your head or other people say...you DO IT...I have been there...many times...with many things...gym, church, friendships, worship team, work, family...NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (from the message):
"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

Yikes...500+ words again...sorry guys...I really should write a book :P

On Fire?

Current mood: contemplative
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I walk around and I see people that are on fire for God.
You can see the passion in their eyes ...You can feel it
when they talk .

And I want so badly to burn for God...More than anything, I want to burn bright for my Jesus. But sometimes it feels like I am trying to start a fire with wet wood.

Then I notice something else...To me, it seems as if *most*
of the people that are really on fire for God are people
that were really in a bad way/really far off the rails
before they gave their lives to Jesus.

I have heard some amazing stories of people that were hooked on drugs...Their whole lives revolved around going to clubs, getting high, getting down with someone...and then doing it all over again. People that were prostitutes, criminals, "druggies", porn actors, all around what we would sometimes call "bad" people...Then somehow they get to a point where their lives all apart completely...their pimp beats them up and they end up nearly dying, they get shot or something while committing a crime, they OD and nearly die, they get into an abusive relationship and end up almost getting killed...But the common theme seems to be that they end up getting to a point where they realise they just cannot carry on...THEY can't do it anymore, and somehow (unique in each case) they hear God calling and saying "I am here and TOGETHER WE can carry on"...And they answer that call.

But now for me...I have been a semi decent person my whole life...I grew up in a pretty mostly Christian home...I went to sunday school. Hey I even have the certificates to prove it...I never stood on no street corner...I don't break the law, much (does speeding count?). I never got into drugs...I was a "goodie two shoes" at school, you know did my home work, didn't drink, sleep around etc. Don't get me wrong I ain't no perfect person, but I still wasn't going to heaven at that point. All along..I knew about God, but I didn't know Him personally...I had no relationship with Him. I never really worried about Him...but because of His great love for me, He worried about me...and was calling me my whole life. Then there came a point where I gave it up to God and said "I wanna live for You". And I have been active in my church since then...And I can feel God working in my life, and I can see Him working. And I want to be on fire for Him I want to be passionate...But I just don't feel as passionate or on fire as I want to be and as passionate or on fire as these other, ex "bad", people are.

I dunno...Maybe I haven't gotten to the point where I fully understand and realise that I need to rely 100% on God...or maybe I need to convince myself of that still...All these things I KNOW...I believe...But as a friend told me...I think to much with my head...And therein lies part of the problem...My mind is interefering where it shouldn't.

Any thoughts?

What has this world come to?

Current mood: frustrated

Category: Life

First a quick bit of background information. My best friend, that I have known since I was like 7 years old, moved to cape town a year or three ago . So I dont get to see him that much, but I fly down there sometimes, like for his wedding and stuff.

So he was up here, for training for a new job, on wednesday evening. We decided we would get together and hang out . I went through to the hotel he was staying at after work. And we figured that we would go to sandton city shopping centre (which was just down the road) ...So we went...Now...we have a longstanding tradition...We ALWAYS play arcade games when we go out. So walk around the shopping centre...

NO ARCADE!!!

We decided to blow that joint..."Where to next?" was the obvious question. "What about Eastgate?" was the answer...Now I don't actually live in Joburg or anywhere near it ...I live in a little dorpie about 60 - 80km south of Joburg...So I don't know Joburg all that well. Result...We didn't find Eastgate on the first attempt. LOL ...or the second ...But we eventually found it...And guess what!?!

NO ARCADE THERE EITHER!!!So by now we were terribly despondant, we were ready to go and sit in the parking lot and chew open our wrists...LOL...Joke. Next move, we tried Bedfordview shopping centre...
NO ARCADE!!!!

WHAT!!?!? DON'T THEY CARE ABOUT THE KIDS OF TOMMORROW?!?I MEAN..UH...DONT THEY CARE ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF YESTERDAY!?!I MEAN WE GREW UP PLAYING THE LIKES OF MORTAL KOMBAT ON THE ARCADE MACHINES.

Some of my best childhood memories are of spending time in the arcades with my buddies...but sadly, the PSP and Cellphone games are killing arcades!

What are we to do?

Just a mindless rant...If you actually read this far send me a msg!

Over the top
Outta my mind

Awesome.

Current mood: touched
Category: Romance and Relationships

Normally I am not one for mushy stuff like this...But I came across this in someones blog...and for me...it just stood out...well ja...anyway.

A Letter from God
Author: Unknown, but truly inspired by God

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman I did not create from the dirt. I made you from man as a symbol that you are "within" man, just as my bride is "within" me.

I fashioned you after I breathed the breath of life into man because you are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly form you. As a surgeon would put a patient under anesthesia, man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with my creativity. From man's one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects his very life. I chose the rib; that which protects his heart and lungs and supports him as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you... I molded you. I created you tenderly, beautifully, and perfectly.

Your characteristics are as the rib; strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ within man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The ribcage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. I created you to support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side closest to his heart, to stand beside him and be held close to his side and dear to his heart.

You woman are my perfect creation. You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes are as beautiful as a golden sunset. Your lips; how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose; so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've whispered tender words of love in your ear. I hold your heart here within mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Your pure heart is most like mine. You my precious angel are the climax of my creation. You are a representation of my pure and spotless bride. When man loves you, he loves me, and the more deeply he loves you, the more deeply he loves me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you as a physical representation of myself upon the earth. You possess my holiness, my strength, my purity, my beauty, my love, my protection and my support.

So man... treat woman well. Love her extravagantly; treasure her royally, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you only hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart; her heart, and also my heart.

Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness, show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his very life; that you the bone that shelters his very heart.


Signed,


The One Who Created and Loves You

All it took

Current mood: contemplative
Category: Religion and Philosophy

All it took was for God to speak and the Heavens and Earth were created...unformed, like a rough uncut diamond, but with the potential for so much beauty.

All it took was for God to whisper the words "Let there be light"...and there was day and night...

All it took was for God to breathe "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water"...And the sky was separated from the formless earth.

All it took was for God to utter "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear"...and the powerful, untameable seas were parted making areas of land and sea. The most majestic mountain ranges , the deepest ravines were formed...All created by our mighty God speaking a few words.

All it took was for God to say "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds"...and the earth was covered with beautiful plants...all bearing fruit...imagine how amazing that must look...and smell...never before had there been trees or bushes or anything...

All it took was for God to say "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth" and the glorious son and moon were formed...Giving day time, where we can labour...and night time where we can rest and reflect. He also created the stars...every single one of the millions and millions...all formed just by God speaking them into existance.

All it took was for God to say "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky" and every living bird, fish and sea creature was created ...How marvellous are the creatures of the sea, how beautiful the birds! All created just by God speaking!

All it took was for God to say "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind" and all the creatures on the land were created...yes...even the creepy crawlies...Every living animal from the tiniest little mouse to the large majestic lion was created by those words...every creature unique...special.

All it took was for God to say "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground" and...that's right... Human beings were created...They were created man and woman...oh boy!...did God ever get it right when He created woman ...well...that's my opinion anyway ....
God gave the world to us humans to look after and care for...And awesomely awesome home, wouldn't you say?

All it takes now...is for you to say "God I am Yours...use me please"...And with just those words (and actually meaning them) God will take you to places you could never believe.

So powerful and awesome is our God that He created everything just by speaking...I battle to get other people to do stuff for me by telling them...but He just spoke and everything was created...WOW!

All it took...