Spiritual Plateau

“Most of us plateau when we lose the tension between where we are and where we ought to be.”
― John Gardiner

We never "arrive" in our Faith. We will always be on a journey; always be conscious of improving and becoming more like Jesus. However, getting stuck in a spiritual plateau is a real possibility. We remain stuck in one place. We know that we ought to be moving forward, but we just can't seem to get going. Can you relate to this feeling? 

The only advice I would like to offer, is be honest with yourself and God. It is when we realise where we actually 'are' in our faith, that we can be challenged to follow Christ more deeply.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God uses His left hand

I am not saying that God is left handed, but  I do want to point out that, when it comes to loving us, God is willing to put everything into it - both hands, if you like.

Here is a verse that reminds us that God uses his "left-hand" to hold onto us:

"You hold me by my right hand." - Psalm 73:23

So picture the scene, we are walking along the beach, talking with God. Our hands are held together - my right hand in his left hand. This makes me feel secure and loved.

I hope that it brings you much courage too.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Lord, make me uncomfortable

I don't think many of us are willing to start our prayers, "Lord, make me uncomfortable...." - It seems a weird prayer to pray. However Richard Rohr has this very challenging blessing, which he invites us to pray.

"God, bless me with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that You will live deep in my heart.

God, bless me with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people and the earth so that I will work for justice, equity, and peace.

God, bless me with tears to shed for those who suffer so that I will reach out my hand to comfort them and change their pain with joy.

God, bless me with the foolishness to think that I can make a difference in the world, so that I will do the things which others say cannot be done.  Amen."

Join me in praying this prayer today.

Come on, be daring for a change:)

Living in Grace

D3LM3 

Feedback

We are trying to gather some feedback for our preaching series for 2013. If you have something that you would find helpful for your Christian journey, please drop us a line. This includes ideas for sermons, relevant topics or even particular books of the Bible, that you would like us to teach on - please go to this link now. It will take you 1 minute. Thanks.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Changing weather, changing moods

This weather we are experiencing at the moment is soooo strange. One day it is nice and hot, the next it is raining again. Some mornings I don't even open the curtains expecting sun anymore!
So, I totally understand how people's moods are impacted by the weather and seasons. In truth, S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) is common in Northern Hemisphere climates, but it could become a real issue in our own country soon.

The challenging thing for 'followers of Jesus' is that we shouldn't let our moods impact upon how we follow Christ. We should follow him, despite how we feel. It is hard to practise, but it is something we should endeavour to live out.

How do you feel about that? Let me know your thoughts please.

David Matthew Click -  “No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises once again and all shadows are chased away”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A question

The Biblical writers often present questions to their listeners (readers). Sometimes they are simple to answer; at other times they are more complex. What do you make of this one?

"How can we honor our GOD with our lives, The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn and maintains the rhythm of the seasons..." - Jeremiah 5:20-25

How can you honour God with your life today?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Dag Hammaskjold

If you can't say his name, that doesn't matter. However, you must read his powerful quotes. Dag Hammarskjold knows how to make you think.

“It is playing safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity.” 

“Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.”  

"God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason."

Be inspired to live in Grace

God bless

D3LM3

R16.20

I got worried the other day. I was worried that there was something majorly wrong with our pipes in the ceiling, as there was no water getting to our geyser. I got worried that I would have to replace all of them, at a major cost. However, on the advice of a friend, I checked the "noozle" where the water flows into the geyser and found the problem. I disconnected the offending part and replaced the 'cone' and 'washer' - this all cost me the massive sum of R16.20. Needless to say I was utterly relieved that I didn't have to fork out thousands of rands.

This is what I learnt in all of this:
Sometimes we worry about a situation and we make it seem worse that what it actually is. The 'problem' may just be a small thing, that is actually impacting upon a whole lot of other circumstances.

Take your cares to Jesus. He cares for us. Ask the Spirit to reveal the true cause of our problems, before we start jumping to the wrong conclusions.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Light

I was doing some working in the ceiling yesterday (fixing the geyser) when my torch went out. Stumbling around in the roof, with no light, is not the greatest of fun! The only way I could get out was to keep my eyes peeled on the light coming from the opening below the trap door. I was quite relieved to climb down the ladder and find a decent torch to finish the job.

In all of this I think it is important to hold onto this message....

Job 17:12 - "In the face of the darkness light is near."

May Christ be your light today and always.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

My Utmost for His Highest

The author of "My Utmost for His Highest" Oswald Chambers, died on the 15th November 1917. His work has inspired me over the many years.

"We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don't want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of 'good time' is seldom in sync with ours.” - Oswald Chambers

Are you willing to do your Utmost for God's highest?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Splash protection

I like driving with my window open - it gives me the feel of fresh air and freedom. The other day, during one of our rainy spells, I enjoyed having the window down for a while. The rain started to come into the car, so I closed the window. Just as well I did, because 10 seconds later, a passing car sprayed up a massive wave of water, right onto my window. I would have been completely drenched if i hadn't just closed it!

We never know when a wave of dirty water is going to be sprayed in our direction, but we do have the "cover" of a loving God to help us through these times. Reach out to God and may his Grace cover you from the sprays of life.

Isaiah 43:1-2
 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

One Day

Another one of Joshua's classic chirps is, "One day when I am big....!"
He says that when he is "Big" then he can do a whole lot of things. He even thinks that he will be able to fly like Superman, when he is Big!

The reality is that if we keep waiting for "one day" to arrive, we may miss out on the plan God has for us now. Don't wait for "one day", if God is prompting you to do something today.

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.  - Abraham Lincoln

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.  - Robert Brault

May God bless you TODAY.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Peace and Quiet

Josh decided that he wanted to sleep in our room tonight. I asked him why the sudden change? He told me it was because he wanted a little "piece of quiet!' I chuckled to myself.
"What do you mean, boy?" I asked him.
He said, "My brothers make to much noise for me, so I want a piece of quiet!"

I didn't correct his English, because I understood exactly what he meant. Sometimes we all just need a little peace and quiet. The world makes too much noise and we just a little time to rest and catch our breath. Is that how you are feeling today?

May God grant you your own little "piece of quiet" today.

Living in Grace
D3LME

Anniversaries

Anniversaries are important! They help us to remember where we have come from and they teach us to celebrate the joy in our lives. Of course, we can have all kinds of anniversaries - some that celebrate marriages, other special events or even sad memories.

This weekend we remember another kind of anniversary - Remembrance Day. We set time aside on the 11th November, every year, to remember all those people who died in the pursuit of peace. May we never forget the great sacrifice our ancestors paid for the benefit of future generations.

This weekend I also celebrate an anniversary - It has been 4 years since my first book "Living Oceans Apart'' was launched. It has been a fun adventure to see how the book has impacted people's lives. Thanks for the support and love.

What anniversaries are you celebrating soon? 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Praying with our hearts

Prayer can so often just be hot air. The more we learn to pray from the depths of our hearts, the more in tune with God we become.

"Why do we pray so much with our lips and so little with our heart?"- Jean-Nicholas Grou

"Sometimes a person prays with his tears, even when words are missing." - Bill Gothard

Pray with all your heart today...

Living in Grace
D3LM3

A word before

When I preached on Romans 8 two weeks ago I did not realise that our lives would be suddenly turned upside down. Some of the verses and quotes I used were, in some sense, a preparation for us.

Job 36:15 - "But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction."

Romans 8:26 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

May you live for God today.
Living in Grace
D3LM3

Thank you

Since I put out the plea for prayer on Sunday evening, our family has been blessed by the many calls, emails, messages and FB comments. You all have been a gift to us - in the midst of our devastating crisis. Like I said on Sunday, we have no words to describe how we are feeling, but we are just trying to take things 1 hour at a time.

The cremation service will be Thursday afternoon and the celebration of Barry's life will be on Friday at 12 o'clock.

Thanks again for all the prayers and love. We could not go through this time without the knowledge of your support.

“There is not enough time,

And there is no song I could sing

And there is no combination of words I could say

But I will still tell you one thing …

We are better together.” - Jack Johnson

Living in Grace

D3LM3