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

Reconciliation - being willing to forgive

 

On this day, the 16th December, we mark a day of Reconciliation in South Africa. Although many people simply enjoy the day as a public holiday, it is important that we remember that this day has a tragic history. 

The day of Reconciliation has roots in hatred, violence, division and brokenness. And in order for us to be willing to move forward as human beings, we all need to acknowledge the pain we have been a part of - once we do this, we can start to heal and see real change in our land. Sadly, this is not something that happens over night - it will take generations of people, all willing to love extravagantly and to work towards peace.

As Christians we have the best role model to help guide us towards being reconciled to one another. Jesus sought to bring true peace and reconciliation between humanity and God. 

Proverbs 14:9 - "Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation."

"Reconciliation requires changes of heart and spirit, as well as social and economic change. It requires symbolic as well as practical action." -  Malcolm Fraser

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Thoughts on Freedom

I am not sure what you are all doing on this Freedom Day (in South Africa), but the very idea of FREEDOM can be a little tricky to put into words. For this reason I am sharing some great quotes on this topic. I especially enjoy the words of Pope John Paul – his words remind me of Jesus' Golden Rule.

“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” -Pope John Paul II

“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” - Bob Dylan

“For to be free is not merely to cast off ones chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” -  Nelson Mandela

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” – Jesus

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. Bob Dylan
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_freedom.html

Liberation is not deliverance

It was Victor Hugo who once said, "Liberation is not deliverance."

And he was spot on!

If you look at the human race, you will see how this has played out in almost every instance. People rightly fight for liberation and the ideals we strive for are usually just and fair, however somehow we lose our way when we taste our liberation.

Take the Israelites as a case in point. They longed for Liberation and when Moses led them towards the Promised land they realised that they were still enslaved to their sins and selfishness. Liberation from the Egyptians had not brought deliverance from the sin in their hearts.

Take our own beloved country, South Africa, as another case in point. We fought against the evil of Apartheid and pursued freedom for all people in our nation. This was a JUST cause and liberation was deserved for millions of disadvantaged South Africans. However, in celebrating our liberation we forgot that we had not experienced deliverance from the evil in our hearts. In a sense, Freedom does not deliver us from our own 'demons'. In fact, all it does is lull us into a false sense of victory and soon our 'demons' eat us from the inside out. 

In my opinion there is only one person who can LIBERATE us and also DELIVER us - His name is Jesus Christ.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1

Here are another few quotes to chew on as we reflect on our Freedom. Have a blessed FREEDOM DAY.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." -Ronald Reagan

"There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires." - Nelson Mandela

Living in Freedom

D3LM3

One person inspires Hope

Can one person change a nation?
Well, in South Africa we would definitely say 'Yes!' It has been clear this past week that the Madiba Magic has not died, but it lives on. In fact, it is almost as if Nelson Mandela's death has rekindled some of the hope we held as a nation. During the last few years it seems as if we have lost our way, as a nation, but Madiba's parting gift to us is to wake us from our slumber. Our gift to him would be to live as people of hope and reconciliation.

Let me ask us another question - Can one person change a world? 
Well, it seems as if Nelson Mandela has come close to bring the entire planet to a stand-still, even if it is just for this week. He has been trending on Twitter all over the globe; written about in every newspaper in the world and is constantly being mentioned on facebook, blogs, websites and news bulletin's in every country. He has impacted our world in a major way - that is undeniable.

However, let us not forget that Madiba modelled many of his values (forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and mercy) on another man - Jesus Christ. And it is Jesus who continues to change the world, 2000 years after his birth.
Jesus inspires Hope in people, even today.
Jesus loves all people.
Jesus offers forgiveness to all who would receive him.
Jesus cares about the widows, orphans and children.

One person can indeed inspire Hope.
I thank God for Jesus.
I thank God that Madiba knew Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3