To Make a Difference - Swimming for the Rhino

I know that I can't save every Rhino that is poached in South Africa, but I want to try and at least do something. So, I am going to swim as part of the 8 Mile club again this year at the Midmar Mile. We will swim in every event and raise some awareness and funds towards these precious animals.

Stats tell us that in 2014, a Rhino was killed every 8 hours in our Country - that is 3 every day. If you have a look at the picture that is attached to this blog you will note that Poaching has increased over 9300% over recent years - that is just horrendous. My motivation in swimming the 8 miles is to make a difference to God's creation and hopefully rescue a few Rhino so that my grandkids will be able to see them "live" in their natural environment.

Please pray for me as I continue my training and over the weekend of the 13/14 February. If your company/business wants to get involved please send me an email, or you are welcome to contribute in your own capacity.

"Everyone can do simple things to make a difference, and every little bit really does count." -Stella McCartney

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Defining moments - confronting the sharks in your life

We will all face them at some stage in our lives - they are called DEFINING moments. They are moments where we walk so close to the mystery of death that it is almost as if we can look into the LIFE beyond. They are moments that bring our earthly lives into sharp reality and where we do soul searching like we have never done before.

Australian Surfer Mick Fanning had one of those moments over the weekend, where he was attacked by 2 huge sharks while surfing at Jeffery's Bay - and he lived to tell the tale. In case, you missed the whole incident, the photo on today's blog is taken from that incident. I am not a prophet, but I am convinced that Mick will LIVE his life differently this week. I am sure that he will appreciate his family and friends a whole lot more. I am sure he will enjoy his health (and legs) more than he did last week. This is what DEFINING moments do for us - they change us.

2 Peter 1:2 - "I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master." (MSG)

Reflection: 
What has been a defining moment for you?
We don't have to wait for a 'near death' incident to appreciate all that we have. Take a moment to thank God for all the blessings in your life.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

It's all in the diary

For years I have tried to keep a record of my appointments, calls and meetings in my diary. I guess I use it as a form of accountability, but also as a reminder of what needs to be done (or has been done). Call me old school, but there is something unique about writing these things down on a piece of paper. I do use my phone to record some appointments, but at the moment, nothing can beat the "old" diary.

The other thing I enjoy about my diary, is that it has some great quotes at the bottom of every page. These always seem to inspire me at just the right time. Here are a few from the last week:

"The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs." - Victor Frankl

"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better." - Jim Rohn

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Henry Ellis

If I had to come up with my own quote to fit in with the theme of today, this is how it would go: 
If life could be compared to a diary, what are you writing on it today?

Job 19:23 - “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll..."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Easy or hard?

The demands of Jesus are difficult just because they require us to do something extraordinary - Albert Schweitzer

Someone once remarked that if our Faith journey was too easy, then perhaps we had settled into a comfort zone. Christianity is tough. It has been difficult for people to truly follow Jesus in the midst of a world that ignores His voice. If you are experiencing a tough time in your faith, don't be surprised by it - "the demands of Jesus are difficult!"

But also remember that God has not left you during this time. He is nearer than we think.

Be strong and courageous today.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Frailty of Life

I have been reminded again this week of the frailty of life. We spend so much time stressing about things that we believe are important, but at the end of the day ARE THEY REALLY? In truth, today we may be enjoying life, consumed by all kinds of things, but by this time next week we could be gone. Life is that short.

Jesus' disciples got to experience this first hand. One day they were laughing and eating with him, but within a week they had already buried him and were wondering what to do next. Thankfully for all of us, Jesus' resurrection breathes hope into our lives too. We will pass from this life one day, but a glorious inheritance with Christ awaits us.

"The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children." — Psalm 103:15-17

Forgive the heavy sentiment today, but I just feel that we need to enjoy every moment God gives to us. Be blessed, my friends.

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

To Fast

Remember the old cassette tapes? I know that they seem a distant memory, but I am sure you can remember them. It was always a pain trying to get to your favourite song on the tape because you had to hit FF (fast forward) and when you had gone to far, it was the turn of the RR (rewind) button!

The thing with a cassette is that your favourite song only sounds good when you press 'play.' It sounds horrendous in FF or RR! I think the same is true of our lives. Many of us are trying to sing our songs in FF or RR and it doesn't sound so good. Living at full speed is alright for a time, because it gets us to a place or a moment, but the trouble is that when we get there (wherever 'there' is), we don't often stop, put our feet up and listen to that song.

Is it time to take our fingers of the FF button and to let God speak to us at normal speed.
Just asking?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Miracle in the Andes

I have just finished reading an inspiring book entitled 'Miracle in the Andes'. It is the story of how members of a Uruguayan Rugby team miraculously survived for 72 days in the Andes. If there ever was a story that motivates one to appreciate life, this is it. You can read more about it here.

As much as I enjoy reading a variety of books (as do most of you), let us not forget the importance of reading and reflecting on the Bible. Every page is filled with an image of God - it teaches us more about how awesome our God is. Sure, there will be sections that make us scratch our heads, but that's part of the mystery of the Scriptures.

Deuteronomy 29:29 - "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

The only thing that counts

If you were asked the following question, how would you respond?
"What is the only thing that counts in your life?"

I guess some people would answer with things like:
Family
Friends
Relationships
Career
Money
Their sports team winning
Church
Achieving a dream
Getting their own way
Getting the latest gadget

Paul answers the question like this:
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6)

What do you feel about that?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Enter In...

Yesterday I was challenged to make the 2nd half of 2009 count - to be intentional about using all that God has blessed us with in order to leave a remarkable legacy. So here I am typing some thoughts for the start of the 2nd half of the year ...

I have my son Josh on my lap at the moment - he is not well (He has broncitis), but he is desperately wanting to type something on the computer, so here are the thoughts of a 15 month old... "jjjjjdjjjjjjjjjfjfjfjfjjfffffffffff." Wow, was that deep or what? Did you notice how many "j's" were in his profound statement. Freud would have something deep to say about that.

Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that God continually "stands at the door and knocks" (Revelation 3:20) - he does this because he wants to enjoy fellowship with us on a daily basis. This verse is often used in the context of 'Salvation' and I have no problems with that, however, I feel that there are many times after my moment of conversion, where I have chosen to close the door on God. I have invited Him in and things have gone well, but suddenly I have become self-centred, proud, insecure (or whatever) and then have subtly asked him to leave and then I have closed the door.

This may not make good theological sense, but I am sure you understand what I mean. In order for me to make anything meaningful happen in my life I need to work in partnership with Jesus - so that means I have to invite him into my life, my plans and my family. He will not come barging in otherwise.

As if to bring this more clearly across to me, the book I am reading at the moment (John Eldredge - Waking the Dead) has a quote in it that speaks of a similar thing.
"Let us not stay at the door, for the time is urgent. Let us enter!" - Gandalf (Return of the King)

Come let us enter into the 2nd half of 2009, knowing that God wants to journey with us. Let's invite the 'friend of sinners' to be our Guide.

Grace to you,
D3LM3

What's the score at Halftime?

If you were watching the Rugby on Saturday, you would have noticed that the Lions were leading against the Boks at halftime. If you were watching the Brazil - USA Confed Final on Sunday, you would have noticed that the USA were leading 2-0 at halftime. Right? So what impact did this have on the final result? NOTHING!! Both the British Lions and the USA ended up losing the games despite having a good halftime lead.

So, you may be saying 'who cares?' Well, I share this with you in the context of our lives. Today is 'Halftime' for all of us, in a sense. It is the 30th June 2009. We are halfway through 2009. If your life was a akin to a game of sport, what would the score be for you at halftime? Many people have taken massive hits in 09 and have felt the strain of being in the game of life. Some may even feel that they are losing big-time at the halfway mark of this year.

But, as I have already pointed out, the half time score means NOTHING in the context of the whole game. You and I can still come out victorious in this year. We can still turn things around. With Jesus on our side we can push through the complexity of our challenges and we can firmly put our trust in Him. Yes, we will still face a barrage of opposition and it may be tough, but Jesus has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebews 13:5).

Be encouraged as you journey through the next 6 months of 2009. Take a look at 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 for some more words of hope.

I look forward to enjoying the Victory with you.

Living with the Grace of God as our motivation...
D3LM3

Every moment counts!

We are reeling from the news that our good friend has just lost his mom in tragic circumstances. Our prayers and thoughts have been with them in the past 12 hours. We are at a loss for words - what can one say at a time such as this? We cling to Jesus - we remind ourselves of his compassion, his mercy and his familiarity with mourning. Lord, in your mercy - hear our prayers!
Jesus wept as his good friend Lazarus died (John 11:35) and Jesus continues to weep with all who mourn. We do have a hope in that Jesus proclaimed that we would have victory over death - we would live with him for eternity. This knowledge gets us by, for now at least. We plead for the Spirit of God to bring courage, peace and healing to our friends.
But now I must get off my seat and decide what to do with 'TODAY' - it is a gift from God. I may not get another. Lord, help me to make every second count. Let me love without fear and live without restraint.
Living this moment in Grace,
D3LM3