Pride and Joy

I have seen many 'back to school' photos on social media this week. All of them speak of the excitement and joy of parents as they send their children back to school. Some of these kids are just starting out, while others are ending their school careers. The one thing that is common to all of them, is the sense of love and pride that each parent has for their kids. 

We are reminded in our current Church season of the baptism of Jesus, and we come to a beautiful picture of another proud parent - our heavenly Father. If we read Eugene Peterson's take on Mark 1, you will note that he helps us to see the joy and pride of the Father, as he blesses Jesus.

"At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” - Mark 1:9-11 (The Message)

Have you ever considered that God would speak those words over your life? We are God's pride and joy. How does that make you feel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A prayer for our children

As another school year begins, I wanted to write a prayer for my own children. I pray that this may help and encourage you too. God bless.

Dear Lord,

As our children begin another year of school, we pray that you would fill them with confidence, peace and the willingness to learn. 

We pray for their teachers, coaches, mentors and friends, and that each of them would be able to positively contribute to the growth of our kids. 

We acknowledge that not all learning is academic, and that our children need to understand the value of listening to others, coping with disappointment, helping those who struggle, encouraging a wary teammate and, that genuine kindness can break down many barriers.

Gracious God, we ask that you place your great arms of protection over our kids, and that you would give them strength to overcome the obstacles in their paths. 

We also ask, that where we cannot be, that you would keep watch over their lives. 

Give them courage to stand by their faith, principles and convictions. 

Lord, help us to nurture our kids as best we can, and to allow them just enough freedom to spread their wings, but enough guidance to make wise decisions. 

As they begin this new year of studies and adventures, we intentionally place them into your loving care.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Back to School - some thoughts

As our children head back to school for the start of a new year we are often filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand there is a little relief that the long holidays are over (if we are being totally honest :), but there is also a nostalgia that stirs in our hearts. 

Our emotions are a mixture of pride in our ever-growing kids, but also a sadness that they are no longer the little toddlers they once were. We are also anxious about what the school year holds for each of them, and we hold very real questions in our hearts too: 

• will they settle down and make friends? 
• will they cope? 
• will they study hard? 
• will they adapt? 
• what issues will prove to be a distraction for our kids? 
• who will be a positive influence on our kids? 

As I reflect on our youngest son starting grade 9 this year, he is the last of our 3 boys still at school. Our older sons have now finished and will both be studying at university. All I can think is this: Time certainly flies. It seems like it was just yesterday that they were starting out at Grade 1.

So, as the school year begins, let us pray for all children and teachers returning to the classroom. Let us hold them all in our hearts and ask God to strengthen all involved in the education of our young people. There is so much 'wrong' in our country at this time, but we can still pray that the next generation are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Let us pray that many of them will be our true future leaders.

Lord, in your mercy. Please, hear our prayer!

Nelson Mandela - "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." 

Psalm 86:11 - Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger is definitely one of the most popular Christmas Carols of all time and perhaps for many of us, brings back loads of childhood memories. There has been a fair amount of debate on the origins of the carol, with initial thoughts suggesting it was the work of Martin Luther and was often referred to as Luther’s Cradle Song. However, it seems that most scholars now agree that the lyrics are not the words of Luther and may have to remain as anonymous. The music (tune) was the work of two men in the late 1800’s - William J. Kirkpatrick (1895) and James Ramsey Murray (1887). This version of the song is attributed to William Kirkpatrick’s adaption:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.

Regardless of who the author is, I feel that the song offers us all a great deal of hope and it seeks to remind us to have a childlike faith in coming to Christ. Jesus is the ‘word made flesh’ and through his life we are given a glimpse of the nature of the Almighty! We can ask Jesus to be with us and to keep loving us throughout the complexities of our lives.

Having had 3 boys of our own, I am still not sure about the line ‘no crying he makes’! Although it was probably an attempt to show the divinity of the Christ-child, it would make all parents feel a lot better to know that even Jesus cried when he was an infant. If he wept when his friend, Lazarus died, I am sure that he cried when he was hungry and thirsty as a tiny baby.

What do you think?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Thursdays in Black

Wouldn't it be amazing to live in a world free from fear and violence? It may seem like a pipe dream to many, but I want to be part of the solution and this is why I strongly support the Thursdays in Black campaign. If you are not familiar with this initiative here is a brief summary of what it advocates:

"We can all be involved in a simple but powerful campaign to address gender violence. Every Thursday, people around the world wear black as a symbol of strength and courage, representing our solidarity with victims and survivors of violence, and calling for a world without rape and violence" (Thursdays in Black website)

I don't know how to change the past, but I certainly want to add my voice to help shape the future. This Women's month let us be mindful of all people (especially women and children) impacted by violence, rape, abuse and discrimination.

For those people who aren't sure if Jesus would support such a campaign perhaps we need to read our Gospels again. If you read the Gospels in light of Jesus' mission to stand with the marginalised you will be surprised at how many stories speak of God's love for those who live on the margins.

Psalm 72:4 - "May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Living Oceans Apart

I had the privilege of sharing in a workshop last week on the topic of dealing with having loved ones/friends living far away from us. A few years ago I wrote the book, Living Oceans Apart, which deals specifically with this topic. What is interesting is that the emotion attached this topic has not lessened over the years - in fact, for many people, it has just intensified. It was heart-wrenching to hear some of the stories of people struggling through the pain of missing their kids and grandkids.

It reminded me that just when we think we are struggling with a particular issue, there are likely many others dealing with the same pain. I kept coming back to the words I read in one of Trevor Hudson's books, where he spoke of every person sitting beside their own pool of tears. Our emotions may be raw and sensitive, but there will always be others dealing with similar hurt and pain.


“Never forget that everyone you meet sits by a pool of tears.”- Trevor Hudson

Just remember today that there are others who are"in the same boat" as you. Pray for each other and support each other. We all need a friend to lean on in tough times.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Learning to Surf - Lent #6

Over the last two years the boys have really enjoyed their surfing. They have learnt remarkably quickly for kids who only get to the beach every now and then. One day when I was watching them stand up on their boards I thought to myself, "That looks ok - I am sure that I can do it!"

Well, needless to say, I wasn't that great at it the first couple of tries. I can honestly say that I managed to surf for 2 seconds and then I had a spectacular wipe out. In my defence, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

I am convinced that kids learn things much easier than adults - this applies to all kinds of things - learning to swim, ride a bike, a new language, and of course surfing!So then the same applies to spiritual matters. The younger we can teach kids the ways of God and the scriptures the better. We should pass on the wisdom of God and the grace of Jesus to our kids while they are still willing to receive it.

For this reason, I love the following words of Solomon. He speaks so much sense:

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life. - Proverbs 4:1-13

God bless you,

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The hard things of Ministry

Today I experienced one of the tough things of ministry - doing a memorial service for a tiny baby. Man it was hard! There are no adequate words at a time like this and so all we can offer the family is the love and support they desperately need.

Of course, one asks questions of God at a time like this, but I am not sure that the answers are always easy to comprehend. I found a helpful word from Eugene Peterson, which may offer you some comfort in your own struggles. He uses the illustration of God 'kneeling' in our midst - of God getting down into our messy world and being with is in the midst of our pain and sorrow.

"God gets down on his knees among us; gets on our level and shares himself with us. He does not reside far off and send diplomatic messages, he kneels among us. That posture is characteristic of God." - Eugene Peterson

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?” - Romans 8:32.

Remember that God kneels with us in every thing.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Hill 2 Hill

I don't ever do this, but I want to let you know about an awesome project we are supporting. It involves me getting into cycling shorts and trying to ride a bicycle. Here is the story...

...I have joined a crazy group of people (most of us linked in with Wesley Methodist), in a challenge to ride the Hill2Hill mountain bike race on the 14th of September. The challenge is to complete the hectic 45km route (from Cato Ridge to Hillcrest), in aid of a local charity called Eden Kids.

We are hoping to raise enough money for them so that they can continue the great work they do with the children from the 'Jika Joe'  informal settlement. Please visit their website to get a better understanding of who they are and what they do - Joel Ruttenberg is the founder of the Project. You can find them at : http://edenkids.weebly.com

The idea is that each rider raises a minimum of R500 towards the Kids project - in this way we get to bless them and help the ministry. As you know Mountain biking is not my main 'spiritual gift', but I am really keen to help out these kids, so please help us meet our target. I am hoping to raise way more than the minimum amount.

If you would like to make a contribution to Eden Kids, you can do so online at: http://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/hill2hill-4-edenkids

Thanks for taking the time to read this - even if you can help with a small amount, that will be much appreciated.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Child of the King

It is a tragedy that we have become so blase to this fact: 
When we surrender to the love of Jesus, we become children of the King. 
This is huge - it is not to be scoffed at or simply noted! .... No ways, when you become a child of God, your whole life should feel the change.


“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith” – Galatians 3:26

     

    William Barclay – “To bear the name of the family of God is something to keep a man’s feet on the right way, and to set him climbing.”

    

    Have you forgotten that you are child of God? Don't let today pass without basking in the knowledge that God calls us his children.

   Living in Grace

   D3LM3

Cat-o-pillow

As much as I have tried to explain otherwise, Josh still thinks that a caterpillar is called a 'cat-o-pillow!' It is tough being 3 years old and knowing everything:)

Sometimes I am convinced that I know better, but God slowly shows me that His way is always best. I am often slow to learn, but I am grateful God doesn't always tell me, "I told you so!"

What about you?

Living in Grace,

D3LM3

P.S. I hope you like the photo of the cat on the pillow?