Stand with me

Often when we go through difficult times our natural tendency is to withdraw and to deal with the 'rogue waves' ourselves. This self-preservation tactic has been used for ages and to some degree it works. However, when we do this we also open ourselves up to the danger of isolation and loneliness.

Whilst, it is tough to admit that we need someone to 'stand alongside us', it is key to riding out the rogue wave. Look at what Jesus said when he was facing the toughest moment of his life:

"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me." - Matthew 26:38

Jesus needed his friends to be with him, during his darkest hour. He knew that they couldn't change what he was facing, but he needed them to be with him.

Don't stand alone and face the waves - there are people that are willing to stand with you.

Supported by Grace,
D3LM3

Jesus for President

I am reading this very challenging book by Shane Claiborne, called 'Jesus for President.' He has this awesome quote on page 49:

"The great paradox and humour of God's audacious power:
... a stuttering prophet will be the voice of God,
... a barren old lady will become the mother of a nation,
... a shepherd boy will become their King,
... and a homeless baby will lead them home."

Live out loud,
D3LM3

Remember

At 11:11 on this the 11th day of November I will pause and Remember!

If ever there is a 'Rogue Wave' that sweeps over humanity, it has to be during times of war and conflict. My late grandfather left his family to fight in North Africa, during WW2. I am alive today, only because his life was spared - I am one of the 'lucky' ones.

I have never been to war, but I understand that millions of people have sacrificed their lives to try and make this world a better place - I am grateful for their sacrifice. However, it doesn't change the fact that, in times of war, families are torn apart, cities are destroyed, evil is let loose! And all of this in the name of 'Power' & 'Pride.' Make no mistake, in my opinion, War is only the result of the 'Pride of humanity.' Pride gives way to arrogance, which ultimately ends up in Dictatorship.

Shane Claiborne writes - "Strength and pride, men and swords ... dangerous things, aren't they?"

The tragedy is that millions of innocent people die as they are caught in the middle of the games of politicians. The past hundred years are a reminder of this! War has ravaged every continent on our globe!

I still believe that until humans turn our attention to the 'real war' that rages in our hearts, we will fight our other battles in vain. It is the 'sin' in my heart that causes me to wage war against my brother and sister. Jeremiah puts it like this:
Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

However, today I will remember that Jesus Christ died on the cross, to stop the enemy of sin waging war on my soul. Jesus has become my victor - he fought the battle and has gained the victory for all of us. Now that is something worth remembering.

Today I will also choose to Remember...
...what my family have done for me.
...my loved ones who have passed away.
...how blessed I am to have an awesome wife and 3 fantastic sons.
...to be thankful in all things.
...to enjoy living in Freedom.
...to live today as if it could be my last.

Genesis 9:16 - "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Remember Grace,
D3LM3

Extreme Surfing

I have done a little bodyboarding in my younger days and have caught a few big waves, but I have never caught a 'Rogue Wave' (thankfully)! Rogue Wave’s are unpredictable, abnormally large waves that occur on a seemingly random basis in the oceans. The highest recorded Rogue Wave was 30m (95 feet) - that is pretty huge!

Just as these waves appear out of nowhere and destroy ships and anything in their path, so 'rogue waves' occur in our lives too. We could be enjoying life, when all of a sudden we get tragic news, or lose our jobs, or hear that a family member is ill - there are many potential Rogue Waves in our world.

If we know that they will come, how do we then prepare ourselves to handle them when they arrive out of the blue? That's a tough question! One member of our Church responded that we "just have to Pray!" That advice is still the best for me - the only way I believe we can survive a Rogue Wave is if we pray!

"Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

May Grace give us strength to face the 'unpredictable' waves in our lives,
D3LM3

And the Wall came tumbling down!

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the 'collapse' of the Berlin Wall. This wall stood as a reminder of separation between the Eastern Bloc and the West of Germany. Families were divided, Berlin was divided, ideas were divided.

The Berlin Wall was a classic reminder of how insane humanity can be. Just because we don't like someone, or disagree with them or think differently, our natural response is to pull away and to build a barrier between us.

I am privileged to know that in my lifetime, I have seen many walls come tumbling down, but there are still too many 'Walls' in our world.

As Ronald Reagan once said, pointing to the Berlin Wall, "Tear down these walls!"

Jesus is the best at tearing down our 'walls':
Jesus tears down walls of hate,
walls of fear,
walls of doubt,
walls of despair,
walls of pride.

May the Grace of God 'tear down' any walls in my heart and yours,

Let's live beyond the walls!
D3LM3

Heat wave

Do you prefer Summer or Winter?
I think that after today, there will be many votes for Winter!
Today has been way too hot! The heat has been intense and many of us have felt tired and drained. Driving back from Church this morning, Kim noted that the temperature was 42 degrees - that is rather warm, even for Maritzburg.

It is interesting to note how easily we complain about the weather - when the heat is unbearable we say it is too hot; but we also complain when it rains too much or when it is too cold! Perhaps this says more about us, than it does about the weather.

At the end of the day, I always feel sorry for the Lord (not that he needs me to feel sorry for Him)! I mean, when we are gifted with sunshine, then we long for the coolness of rain & when it rains for 3 days in a row, all we want is to see the sun. We are hard to please.

Think on this verse for today...
2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Bless you today, my friend.
D3LM3

Hate Blogger vs. Julius Malema

So the writer of the notorious blog 'South Africa Sucks' has been arrested - I read the article in 'The Witness' newspaper today. One of the reasons given for his arrest was that with 2010 just around the corner, it is bad publicity to have a person rambling on about how bad our country is...

Now, don't get me wrong, I can't agree with all that this blogger says - some of the things are totally way out and against my own beliefs. However, I wanted to suggest that his arrest is quite ironic, especially in light of the fact, that today Julius Malema's friends have justified that Julius needs bodyguards to the tune of R300 000 per month. If there ever was a person who needed to be gagged, it is Julius Malema. His comments, on everything to do with South Africa, are ludicrous and controversial - I wonder what a good ambassador he is being for the 2010 World Cup? His comments probably reach more foreign people than the 'South Africa Sucks' blogger.

So, in the end you have one guy who airs his opinions and is arrested - leaving his wife and daughters to fight for his rights. On the other hand we have another man who can sprout forth whatever he likes and he gets protection to do it! Mmmmh, that hardly seems fair to me. Anyway, these are just my thoughts!

By the way, the Bible has something interesting to say, about why and what we say...

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." - Luke 6:45

Living in Grace
D3LM3