Rejection or selection?

“There is no gift like being chosen, no pain like rejection. And when a reject is chosen by someone, a life gets changed.” – John Ortberg

I am sure that we all know the pain of rejection - or at least on some level. Perhaps we were desperate for a particular job or wanted to be chosen for a team, and we never made it. It is that feeling of rejection that can live with us for years, somethings leaving painful scars.

However, the GOODNEWS of Jesus Christ teaches us that God chose us, even before we were born. God loved us, even before we could do anything to deserve that love. Simply put - God wanted us on his team and so He chose us! How incredible is that?

Deuteronomy 7:6 - "For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure."

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Trouble comes in Three's

People say that trouble comes in three's.Well a few weeks ago we got to experience this first-hand. First of all we had a problem with an electric cable outside;
Then it was the geyser that had some issues,
and finally the fridge gave up on us.

So, perhaps the saying is right: "Trouble does come in threes!"

However, as Christ-followers we should always be looking for the positive in all situations. In the Bible there are many references to the number three and they aren't all bad. In fact, some of them are important in our faith experience.

"For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights." - Matthew 12:40

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20

And of course, we must not forget the TRINITY.

So, perhaps blessings can also come in THREES?! What do you think about this?

I pray that you may experience the blessings of God's great grace.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Why 'Living in Grace?'

As you may be aware, this blog is written under the banner of 'Living in Grace.' For a long time I have been overwhelmed that the God of the universe would be willing to love someone like me. God's grace captivates my spirit and urges me to be a better Christ-follower.

I found a lovely quote from John Ortberg yesterday which sums up a little of the reason for 'Living in Grace.'

“Living in grace, 

remembering grace, 

keeps love alive. 

But losing touch with grace,

forgetting that I am loved because God is a gracious God, 

is a love-killer.”  - John Ortberg

Ezra 7:28 - "I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me."

May you be touched by God's grace today,

Living in Grace,

D3LM3

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

Treasure it

The old saying goes something like this: "You never realise the value of something until it is gone!"

And this is indeed true. We often take things/people for granted until that day when they are no longer part of our lives - that is when we realise the defining value they had in our lives. We need to TREASURE these valuable people/things in our lives.

This is exactly what David was getting at when he wrote these words in Psalm 119:

¹¹ I treasure your word in my heart,
    so that I may not sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes.
¹³ With my lips I declare
    all the ordinances of your mouth.
¹⁴ I delight in the way of your decrees
    as much as in all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts,
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

There had been a time when he had forgotten God's word and his commands, so now that he had come back to the Father, he wanted to TREASURE all the things of God. David models something powerful for us. He teaches us to place these 'treasures' in our hearts so that we won't fill our lives with other things. God's word is a gift that gives us life.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Moving mountains

Singing 'Mighty to Save' again this evening, I was taken aback by the power of the following promise:

"Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save." - Hillsong

As you start a new week, remember that Jesus can move mountains in your life. Our God is able to help us overcome any challenges that we may be facing. And if it means we have to climb the mountain for a time, God will use that experience to strengthen us and to prepare us for something else.

God can move the mountain!

Matthew 17:20 - Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Be encouraged

The simple message I want to convey today is this: We are all inspired by encouragement. There is something mysterious about how a single sentence can change the course of your day and maybe even your life. So, if you are reading this, can I urge you not to wait around for someone elses' encour

agement, but rather to offer someone else this gift of grace. Just ENCOURAGE them.

"Correction does much, but encouragement does more." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it - young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous - is changed by it."

John C. Maxwell

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement." -Anatole France

Romans 15:5 - May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had."

Living in Grace

D3LM3