Take my hand

There are many stories of how difficult circumstances have birthed songs, books or poems. The songwriter, Thomas Dorsey, wrote the words to "Precious Lord, take my hand", after hearing of the tragic death of his wife and infant son. I can't imagine the pain he must have been experiencing, but I find it remarkable how he was able to put his emotions into these words. I believe that these words can offer us all some hope and courage in our own times of difficulty. 

Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river, I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Psalm 73:23 - Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

Living in Grace

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4000 posts - What a remarkable journey, taking it one day at a time!

 

Today, marks a huge milestone for me and the 'Living in Grace' ministry. When I started out writing my thoughts and reflections in 2007, I never dreamt that I would one day reach 4000 blog posts. I am truly humbled by God's grace and guidance over the past 17 years; as well as being deeply encouraged by your willingness to read, comment and share my 'ramblings.' So, I thank you from the depth of my heart for being a part of this ministry.

As I reflect on the writing journey, I feel that it has only been possible by taking it one day at a time. I know that it sounds like a cliche, but this has been my reality. In the ideal world, I would love to have a few days each week to sit and write, but my life doesn't give me that gift at present. However, by choosing to be intentional for 20 minutes day, I have witnessed how God can add the collective minutes (and blog posts) into something unique. 

I am grateful for God's grace in my life, and I hope that I have been able to convey some of this amazing grace to you and your community. This verse has meant a lot to me over the past 17 years and share it again with us all:

"From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace" - John 1:16 (ESV)

May God bless you abundantly, as you choose to follow Jesus, ONE DAY AT A TIME. Thank you once again for giving of your time to read these posts. 

"The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived - not always looked forward to as though the "real" living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow." - Elisabeth Elliot

Living in Grace

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The Quest - my story of Epiphany

 

The light draws me in – mysterious, divine, compelling.

I feel as though I am given a simple choice – follow the star and find the elusive answer or potentially live with a lingering, nagging wonder… where would the star have taken me?

Keeping the star in my sights, I persevere into the future. I am not yet sure if the brilliant light is just a mirage, a guide, or my ultimate destination. All I am sure of is that I must find the answer.

The journey is hard, but I continue to wander over mountains and through deep ravines. On occasion I stop to refresh and refocus on the great, glimmering goal. The wilderness is the toughest part of the quest; it is the audible silence that casts doubt on my desire for the light, but I push on.

My companions offer words of encouragement as we edge closer to the star. The mystery grows daily – larger and more pronounced, like a young pregnant mother watching the growth of her child from outside her stomach. Our questions are laced with nervous excitement and our words offer a hopeful consolation: have we made the right choice?

Wearily, but rhythmically, we plod on. At some point in the early evening, we are arrested by the silent, stationary star. Its arc has come to rest above an obscure and unlikely home. There are no magnificent palatial walls to mark the birth of this unique child. Where are the consorts and servants? Why are there no royal guards or physicians? There is no smell of a thousand fires, lit to feed the multitudes come to honour the king.

Perhaps this is all wrong? Has our wisdom been nothing but foolish guessing?

Yet, there is a faint sound emanating from a home on the eastern hillside. We see a dull light coming from the rudimentary shelter. In truth, it’s more like a stable, but there are signs of life coming from the open doorway. It is the voice of a weary young man, followed by the prayer of an emotionally drained teenage mother: Thank you for this gift, Yahweh!

In my heart I sense we have come to the appointed place, but my gut-feeling is confirmed when the sound of the angelic choir rises overhead. I have never heard hundreds of voices combine to this effect before. The overall message resounds as one, yet it is as if each distinctive voice is heard: Glory to the King!

Our hope is finally rewarded in this delightful moment. We choose to respectfully bow to the young parents, before we kneel before the child. It seems fitting that we honour the infant boy and as we rise from the dusty floor, the star reflects in his new-born eyes.

The gifts are for him, but we wonder if they are worthy enough for this special child. Will he even need them? Perhaps in the end he won’t, but it is what they truly represent that we have come to offer. Each precious treasure conveys the message of our hearts. We have found what we were looking for and now He deserves our genuine response.

And so, we offer Him:

Our allegiance. Our resources. Our All.

 

Living in Grace

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I find it incredible that when I ponder on the familiar stories of our faith there is always something new that touches my heart. These special events, in our Christian tradition, can deepen our faith and give us renewed purpose as we follow Jesus. God bless you as you keep your eyes fixed on the Light. 

 

The work of grace

We are blessed to read the words of Xavier Moran today as he reflects on his experience of the Cross and Easter. Thanks again Xavier. If you are keen to read a little more about Xavier's journey please visit his personal web-page. It is well worth your time. 

“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12b-13).

If you cast your eye across a wall filled with photographic snapshots of my spiritual journey you would come across an Autumn scene of seventeen-year-old me kneeling on a hillside committing my life to Jesus. At the time, I was attending the annual Youth Easter Camp led by a combined team from the Methodist Circuit in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Because of this moment, Easter assumed the role of a spiritual ‘gauge’ of sorts, whereby I consider each year how I’m doing with the ‘working out of my salvation’.

In the early years I was often given to guilt when reflecting on the cross, feeling that I wasn’t doing enough for Jesus. Although I knew I was saved by grace, I measured my life by works and it gave my walk with Jesus an Achilles heel of condemnation.

In more recent years I have come to understand that ‘the work’ I need to do is simply to remember that I will always be that seventeen-year-old on the hillside. That even though I may grow in knowledge and experience, it’s always ‘God who works in me to will and to act.’ That my first work is to accept that I’ve nothing to offer and then to find my peace in the knowledge that what is given through me is from Him and will be made complete by Him, ‘in order to fulfil his good purpose.’

Lord Jesus, help us to accept your work on the cross and to receive the power of your Holy Spirit as we live out the resurrected life for the advancement of your Kingdom.

Living in Grace

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Indelible Ink

The word "Indelible" is often used in the context of writing and means - "what has been written cannot be forgotten or erased". I guess it could also refer to tattoos and how they leave a permanent story on your body.

I had the pleasure of stumbling upon a book in the local library entitled "Indelible Ink" (by Scott Larsen) and it has an interesting take on Faith and Influence. Scott Larsen asked a number of prominent Christians to reflect on the 3 books that had influenced their Christian lives the most.

Reading the insights of these well known Christian leaders was fascinating. One of the things I realised is how God used the written word to impact the lives of every one of these people. It was as if God intentional brought a special book across their paths, so that it would bring them closer to faith.

If we had to ask ourselves a similar question, how would we respond? Has their been a influential book in your Christian experience (apart from the Bible). What was it about this book that shaped your relationship with Christ?

I suppose I can't ask you the question without answering it myself; so here are my 3 books (although it was tough to decide on just 3).

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis
What's so Amazing about Grace, Philip Yancey
Ordering your Private World, Gordon MacDonald


Even as I list these 3 I find that there are another 10 that come to mind, but I will stick with these for today. Perhaps my list will be different tomorrow :)

Grace and Peace
Living in Grace
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Exodus 32:33 - God said to Moses, “I’ll only erase from my book those who sin against me. For right now, you go and lead the people to where I told you. Look, my Angel is going ahead of you.

Bad Chapter?

As a writer you realise that sometimes you have a lot of creative energy and you feel that you have written a very good chapter in a book. However, there are days where trying to produce another chapter takes everything from you and you honestly feel that the particular chapter is not good at all. The lesson in this is that one must just keep on writing, because things will turn around again. As the following quote suggests, life doesn't depend on just one chapter.

"Life has many different chapters; one bad chapter doesn't mean it's the end of the book." (Unknown)

Of course, the Bible teaches us the same thing. There are numerous examples of people who had 'bad chapters' in their lives, but through God's grace, managed to finish the rest of the book on a brilliant note.

Deuteronomy 8:16 - "...so that in the end it might go well with you."

Thought: Finish the bad chapter and turn the page to begin writing an amazing new chapter.

Living in Grace
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A.A.Milne and Winnie the Pooh

A.A.Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh was born on this day, the 18th January 1882. Every so often a book shapes the lives of millions of people and this is undoubtedly the case with Winnie the Pooh. Just for something different, I wanted to share a few of the famous quotes from A.A.Milne's books, many of them coming from Pooh himself.

Some people care too much - I think it is called Love. 

 If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.

 

 

Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.

 

 

 

 

Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.

 

This last quote reminded me of Jesus words to his disciples when he prepared to leave this earth. He promised to be with them ALWAYS (Matthew 28:20) - even though he was ascending into heaven, he was leaving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For all you Winnie the Pooh fans, now it is time to go and find your own favourite quotes from the books :)

Living in Grace

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Courage is not the absence of fear

"Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in spite of it!" - Mark Twain is thought to have written these words, which have in turn inspired millions of ordinary people to do amazing things. This quote has meant a lot to me over the years, because I often feel as if I am fighting 'real' fears in my mind.

Take this blog as an example - the first time I began to pen some words, which I knew would be open for public scrutiny, I felt my heart pounding and I nearly didn't get passed the first entry. Well, over 2400 posts later, I am still grateful that God prompted me to deal with my 'fear' and to continue in his strength.

The other relevant example is of publishing my first book. I remember having a real wrestling match with myself, agonising over the writing of Living Oceans Apart. In the end, God gave me a specific scripture verse to help me overcome my initial fear, but I still needed to trust in his promptings. Again, I am thankful that God gave me those initial doses of courage, as it has given me the confidence to carry on writing and countless other blessings.

So, here is the challenge for us all. What are you afraid of at the moment? Is God moving you into a particular place or direction and you are feeling fearful? Ask God to give you his courage and the ability to take a step in faith. You may still feel a little afraid, but the presence of Christ will give you the extra courage you need to proceed. Go in Jesus name!

Living in Grace
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Thank you so much for all the kind words and support for my latest book 'Living in Grace', which is a collection of daily devotions. If you would like a copy please go to the website to order or get them from the Church office. God Bless you.

Turn over a new leaf

The saying, 'turning over a new leaf', implies that someone is changing their lifestyle - and usually this is for the better. For example, it could be someone who struggles with alcohol, who decides they need to stop drinking in order to get their lives back on track.

The thing with this saying, is that some people mistakenly think that the 'leaf' refers to a leaf from a tree, but it doesn't. The 'leaf' that needs to be turned over is the leaf of a book - so it is referring to a page. When you turn over a new leaf, you turn over to a blank page, in order to start on a fresh page.

I like this illustration, because it reminds me that with Jesus, I begin everyday with a fresh leaf and I can choose what to write on that page. God's grace is so radical that it allows me to re-start my journey, even if I have messed up the day before.

Colossians 1:6 - This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

Perhaps for a few of us, it is time to turn over onto a new leaf today. I invite you to do that - start afresh and allow the Spirit to help you write your story.

Living in Grace
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What to write?

Sometimes the inspiration just doesn't come as easily as the day before. In case you are wondering, I am speaking about writing, and in particular this blog. There are days when I could write 10 blog pieces, but there are others where the creative juices just seem to have stopped! If you ask full time writers they will tell you that they experience the same thing from time to time. In fact, if you have a minute look at these famous authors who have found ways of getting past their writer's block.

As I opened my diary to see what lay in store for today, I noticed there was a quote at the bottom of the page and it was PERFECT for me. This is what it said:

"When inspiration doesn't come, I go for a walk, go to the movie, talk to a friend, let go ... the muse is bound to return again, especially if I turn my back." - Judy Collins

So, I think I will go for that walk now (or phone a friend) and see if the inspiration returns. In the meantime I will leave you with one of verses I have been reflecting on this week. Grace and Peace.

Jeremiah 17:7-10

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things
    and beyond cure.
    Who can understand it?

¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.”

Living in Grace

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Release of new Book - 7 days and counting...

I am excited to announce that I will be releasing my new book, Whatever it Takes, on the 18th November 2015. If you are anywhere near Pietermaritzburg next Wednesday and you would like to join us for the launch please feel welcome - the more the merrier. It will be at Wesley Methodist Church from 6pm, until about 7:30pm.

It has been a long hard journey over the past 5 years, but I am relieved that the work has finally culminated in the writing of this book. Whatever it Takes takes a deeper look at 10 ways in which we can be inspired in our faith journey. It is my prayer that this will encourage and challenge many people.

Lastly, I want to say a huge Thank You for taking the time to read this blog - it is your helpful feedback and support that encourages me to keep writing. You will never know how much of a role you play in this journey. God bless you.

Soli Deo Gloria

Living in Grace
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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
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