Proverbs

I love to read from Proverbs - there is so much wisdom in these words. Take these few verses as an example...

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health.

If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.

If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor." - Proverbs 15:30-33

If you are needing wisdom and advice, do yourself a favour and turn to Proverbs - you may be pleasantly surprised.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

No chance

Sin has no chance against grace! Grace conquerors all.

"But sin doesn't have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life - a life that goes on and on and on, world without end." - Romans 5 (Message)

When we receive the grace of Jesus Christ we choose to be on the winning team.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

"Just" pray

I am ashamed to admit that I showed how weak my faith is today. I was speaking with someone about the difficult situation they were facing and this is what I said:
"I don't know what else to do for you, but pray!"

I said this because I felt I had no good advice for this particular person and that I genuinely felt that only God could give them courage and wisdom. However, my lack of faith, is in the way I said, "I can just pray." It was almost as if this was the lesser option. Immediately as I said this the Holy Spirit prompted me - "Delme, remember how powerful prayer is!" I felt ashamed.

Prayer is not something we 'just' do when all else fails. Prayer is the power by which God transforms our lives and radically empowers us. Prayer invites the Spirit of God to work in the midst of our hopeless situations.

I urge us all to pray like something will happen. Be blessed.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Godly people

There is a famous quote from Marcus Aurelius:

"Waste no time arguing what a good person should be. Be one."

Often we spend lots of time arguing what a 'godly' person should look like, but we forget that the Lord has called us to be Christ-like. So, here is a challenge for the week...

Seek to be Christ-like before you start arguing why others aren't godly enough.
Just a thought.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Prayer for today

Here is an ancient prayer for you. These words may be hundreds of years old, but may they bless you.

"Lord, be with us this day,
Within us to purify us;
Above us to draw us up;
Beneath us to sustain us;
Before us to lead us;
Behind us to restrain us;
Around us to protect us."
(Patrick c389-461)

Have a good week.

Living in grace,
D3LM3

You can't do it alone

We live in a world where we are told to be self-reliant and independent. The trouble with living like this, all the time, is that when we need help we don't find it easy to ask for it. People are willing to come to our assistance and to help, but they never know that we are in need.

Taken to the ultimate extreme, our self-reliance teaches us never to ask God for help. Either we feel we can cope by ourselves or we may question whether God even wants to help us.

I believe that God desires to be by our side. What about you? Are you willing to ask for help?

2 Chronicles 14:11 - "Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone."

Lastly, I want to mention a few guys who have helped us at Wesley. These guys have helped to build our new website. Thanks to Tyron, Stuart, Quin, Mike, Mark and Tony. When you can't do something by yourself, it's awesome to be able to rely on great people.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Lifeprint

With this weekend focusing on Earth Hour, where we get a chance to analyse our carbon footprint, it is also a good time to ask ourselves another question:

"What Lifeprint am I leaving behind?"

I feel that the way we live our lives and express our faith leaves a 'Lifeprint' behind. So, what does it look like right now?
It's worth thinking about.

"Leave this world a little better than you found it." - Robert Baden-Powell's last message before he died in 1941

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Join us in this challenge

When God created the world he put us in charge of things (I have no idea why) and he asked us to take care of the planet.

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." - Genesis 2:15

In truth, we aren't doing such a good job of things at the moment. However, we can begin to make a change today, even if it's by starting small. Please join us as we turn our lights off for 1 hour on Saturday 26th March from 8:30 - 9:30pm. This Earth Hour initiative is such an awesome way to be part of a global change.

As we switch off our lights we can know that there are millions of people around the world doing the same thing. It may even help us to spend some quality time with our families.

If you have a minute check out their website and sign up to be part of Earth Hour - it's free.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Ants

It seems that many of us are having problems with ants in our homes. I don't know what it is about this last month, but we have noticed ants all over the place. You boil the kettle and realise that you have just killed 100's of the little guys or you go to get some sugar and they have managed to get into the container (so much for the 'sealed' container).

What really got me was when I noticed a half empty box of smarties in the fridge (mmmmh) and as I poured some into my hand there were ants on them! These are hard-core ants - they even survive in the fridge.

Here is what Solomon said we can learn from Ants:

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.

Learn from their ways and become wise!

Though they have no prince

or governor or ruler to make them work,

they labour hard all summer,

gathering food for the winter." - Proverbs 6:6-8

Next time you see the little 'critters' running all over your home, just think about what we can learn for them. Perhaps we have much to learn.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

P.S. If you have an 'ant' story please let us know - should be good fun:)

When you are small

My youngest son, Joshua has just turned 3 and he is now proudly telling everyone that he is a 'big boy.' Of course, with this, comes a whole lot of other interesting debates. For example, he now feels that he is too big for his car seat and he is big enough to swim by himself. If we allowed him free reign it would be extremely hazardous for him and it would make me lose even more hair (which I can't really afford right now!)

Interestingly, he has a perception that if he is now a 'big boy', that I will have a chance to be a 'small boy' again. So he says to me, "Daddy, one day, when you are small, you can ride in my car seat!" or "Daddy, when you are small you can come to my school." I am grateful for the thought, but no matter how much gym I do (or dieting) I will never fit into his car seat.

Physically, it is impossible for me to be small like a child again, but not spiritually. Didn't Jesus say this... “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)

What does this mean for us?
Interesting to think about, hey?

Living in grace,
D3LM3

Uncomplicated

Many of us are balancing a number of things in our lives. Family, friends,church, health, work and the list goes on. So why don't we follow Paul's advice and keep things simple? Our relationship with Christ can start in a very uncomplicated place:

"I deliberately kept it plain and simple:
first Jesus and who he is;
then Jesus and what he did - Jesus crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:2 (The Message)

May your day with Christ be amazing and real, but may it also remain uncomplicated!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A smile on the face of God

I am busy reading a book by Adrian Plass called 'A smile on the face of God.'
It is well worth a read, although it was written many years ago. Just a question
though - what do you think puts a smile on the face of God?

The laughter of a child?
Reconciliation between friends?
A Sunrise?
Our choice to worship him?

I encourage you to put a smile on the face of God today!

Living in grace,
D3LM3

Incomplete

Everyday on my way to the church, I pass a house that is doing external alterations. I always wonder when the job will be finished. The things is, they have been working on this building for 4 years now - the work seems slow! Or maybe there is no more money for building. I would love to know the real reason for the delay, but this image reminds me of this verse in Scripture.

Luke 14:28 - “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"

Often we start something because it seems a good idea, but we soon realise that we can't follow through with it. Some people do the same with their faith - they are excited about following Jesus, but soon they grow tired and give up. Is this us?

May God strengthen you and help you to finish the task at hand.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

117

The shortest Psalm in the Scriptures is Psalm 117. There is so much truth wrapped up in these 2 verses.

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

God's faithfulness is not just for an hour, a day or even for a year. God's faithfulness endures forever.

Live in His Grace today,
D3LM3

Spiritual security

Are we secure in the knowledge that God loves us or are we too busy running around trying to get God's attention, hoping he will pour favour on us?

"People who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons." - Richard Lovelace

Is this us? What more does Jesus have to do for us to understand the extent of his love for us?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

The 2 hands of God

Everyone has two hands, right? Well, almost everyone, unless you were caught stealing in the East - then you would only have one hand. So, does God have 2 hands then? The early Church teacher Irenaeus of Lyons claimed that humanity is instructed by the "two hands" of God.

He was not referring to literal hands, but to the Word and the Holy Spirit. It is through these two hands that we understand the will and purpose of God and how we grow in our faith.

How are God's two hands leading you this Lent?
Are we allowing ourselves the time and space to reflect on the Word, while encouraging the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

One Seventh

"Monday is a lame way to spend 1/7 of your life." ~ Author Unknown

No matter how bad your Monday's are, just remember that God blessed us with 52 of them every year. If we just wish them away, we are wishing away one seventh of our lives.
May your Monday be filled with some awesome moments.

"...so that I might live for God." - Galatians 2:19

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Turning to

Repentance is referred to as the 'about turn' (metanoia) we make when we realise that we aren't following God's ways. In changing direction, repentance takes us away from our sins and leads us 'back on track' with God.

What is equally as important, for me, is where we turn and to whom we turn. If I turn away from a destructive lifestyle, is it because I realise it will destroy me, or is it in order to surrender to Christ? Turning away from sin needs to be matched with turning to the Grace of Jesus. This is part of what Lent reminds us of - Jesus brings us life.

Don't just blindly turn away from sin, without turning into the arms of Jesus.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Out of the Ashes

With the horrifying scenes unfolding from the earthquakes in New Zealand and in Japan, one wonders if life, for those nations, will ever be the same again. However, if one looks at the history of humanity, people are extremely resilient - they will rise again.

This is the underlying truth of Lent. With God we can have the victory. With God on our side we believe that our lives are never destroyed, even if we are rocked by many disasters. God's love for us allows us to be like the Phoenix - rising out of the ashes of despair.


"Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You." - Chris Tomlin

Let's pray for the people of Japan and New Zealand.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Triple 5 challenge

As for giving up things this Lent, well I am not going to be doing that. However, I am taking up something and I invite anyone to join me. I am planning to pray at 5:55pm everyday. I have set my cellphone and am ready to go.

Join me, as we pray for a myriad of things and issues. Even if you can spare 5 minutes - that's a great start.

Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays ~ Søren Kierkegaard

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties ~ Oswald Chambers

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Lent reflection - Grace and Gratitude

Knowing that the season of Lent moves us through to Easter is one thing, but there is another question which is worth asking, "What do we reflect on during Lent?"

Here is where I am heading over the next 46 days until Resurrection Sunday...
Grace and Gratitude. You may be asking why these two words in particular? Well, my answer comes from these words, written by Karl Barth:

"Charis always demands the answer eucharistia (that is, grace always demands the answer of gratitude). Grace and gratitude belong together like heaven and earth. Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning." - Karl Barth

The Grace of God, portrayed through the life of Jesus, demands my Gratitude. Now, for me, that is worth spending many days reflecting on.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Ash Wednesday

By the time most of us read this post it will be Wednesday. However, it is not just any Wednesday in 2011, it is Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of Lent, which is our journey and preparation for Resurrection Sunday. If you want to know more about this day click on this link.

For many people this is the day we think about giving up things (like chocolate, coke, coffee - all the good stuff) as a sign of love for Christ. While I think it is a good practise to do this, I think it is equally valuable to 'take up' certain habits during this period. Some good habits could include, praying at a particular time in the day, reading the Scriptures, serving the poor etc.

For me, I am praying that Lent will be a reminder of these few things:
1. My life is interwoven with the grace and mercy of Jesus.
2. I need to bring every part of my life into the light of Christ - even the skeletons in the dark places of my life.
3. I need to consciously turn towards Jesus, when I am tempted to turn away from Him.

May the Spirit of Christ be real to you this Lent.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Above all else

Thomas a Kempis was an inspired man. In one of his writings he wrote these words:

"Above all else, and in everything,
my soul must rest in God.
Let me, O Living Jesus, rest in you,
above every created thing,
above health and beauty,
above glory and honour,
above power and dignity,
above wisdom and cunning,
above riches and arts,
above joy and gladness,
above fame and praise,
above pleasure and comfort,
above hope and promise,
above things earned and things desired,
above gifts and favours,
above mirth and merrymaking."

May we trust in Jesus today, above all else.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Two places

In his defence of the Christian faith, Justin Martyr proclaimed that "Christians live on earth, but are citizens of heaven." We get to spend our days living for God, here on planet earth, but one day we will take up residence in our 'real' home - heaven. Although Justin never described 'heaven' as being in the sky, there was a sense in which early Christians saw their eternal home has being 'upwards and out of the mess of earth!'

Matthew 14:19 - And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

How do you feel about that? Are you perhaps experiencing a little heaven on earth today?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Love at home

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do ... but how much love we put in that action." - Mother Teresa

Our love for family, and others who are close to us, needs to be sincere. It is not just about getting the job done, but to remember to do the action with LOVE. Jesus didn't just wash his disciple feet to get the job done - he deeply loved them as he washed the dirt off their feet.

Who can we love today? What's stopping us from loving with devotion and sincerity?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Good Service

We are so used to bad service in South Africa, that when we encounter 'good service' we are left feeling elated. I feel that we complain about the inefficiency we experience (and rightly so), but we seldom say thank you when things run smoothly. I want to pass on 2 'good service' stories.

A few weeks ago I had a problem with the car. It just wouldn't start the one morning and so I decided to call my Insurance company - what made me phone them first I can't explain, but I did. They confirmed that I was covered for breakdowns, even at home, and within 20 minutes someone was at my gate and fixed the problem. This cost me nothing. I was gobsmacked, but totally grateful.

On Wednesday I had to hand in some marriage documents at Home Affairs. As you can imagine, I headed off there with much despondency, expecting a long morning. As I arrived I discovered that they were renovating and that the marriage department had moved across the hall. No problem, I thought, this will be OK. As I walked along the corridor I saw queues of people and in the back of a crowded room was the lady I needed to hand my forms to. My heart sank. I realised I would be there all day waiting for one signature.

At this point I was disappointed I hadn't worn my clerical collar (as it can work miracles some times). There I was, just a plain clothed civilian desperate to jump the queue. Trying to be proactive I introduced myself to the security guard and without blinking an eye, she took me to the lady concerned. I handed over my documents, got the signature and was gone. I was so grateful to that amazing lady. She made my day.

So, I just want to continue this theme and say a massive THANK YOU to all of you who bother to read my ramblings. Your many comments via email, inspire me to write more. May God bless you this day.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Faith in the fast lane

In reading a chapter entitled 'Faith in the Fast lane', my eyes were drawn to these words:

"Keep in mind that usually problems can wait a few minutes while you put first things first." - Blaine Smith

This is exactly the opposite of what we tend to do. When we face a difficult problem our human reaction is to sort it out before we take it to God. Blaine Smith challenges me to 'put God first' (i.e. pray about things) and then see how God helps to sort out the situation.

Worth thinking about? You tell me...

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Too busy?

In an interesting article on "Why people leave the Church?" the following statistic comes up.

"Thousands of people are leaving the Church every month because they are too busy!" Many of these people have no issues with Jesus, the Church or even the Pastor, but they are simply too exhausted to attend Church on Sundays. I found this article to be very challenging and if I am honest there are some weeks where I can relate 100% - life is hectic!

The difficulty I have with this 'fact' is what it says about our priorities and our growth in the Faith. Sure, we don't have to be in Church 52 weeks a year to grow in our Christian journey, but being part of the 'body of Christ' means connecting with other believers - 'iron sharpens iron', as they say.

The other thing that troubles me is what it says about how we view God. Perhaps we have softened our image of God to allow ourselves to believe that He will understand if I am too tired to go to Church - He loves me all the same. While, God's love for us is unquestionable, we mustn't think that God is a fool. Jesus was often challenging people to 'count the cost' of being a disciple. God does forgive us and God doesn't want our faith to become 'religious' (like the Pharisees), but Jesus would also challenge us about our priorities.

If I say I am too tired for Church, but I have energy for everything else, what am I subtly saying about my relationship with Jesus? If we applied the same principle with our families, we wouldn't get away with it (well, I wouldn't!) - What if I said to Kim or the kids?: "I'd love to chat with you or catch up, but I am too tired after working a long week!" This response clearly shows what has my great attention.

What do you feel about being too tired to go to Church? I'd love to know your thoughts?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Which one?

Referring again to the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), I wonder which category we would fall into today? If the seed of God's truth fell onto our lives, where would it land? Perhaps it's worth a read and then a quick self-diagnosis...

These are the options:
1. On the footpath
2. On the rocky soil
3. Among the thorns
4. On the good soil

Each has a consequence. What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3