Achilles heel

In Greek poetry it is said that Achilles died when he was struck with a poisoned arrow in his heel - thus starting the saying which we refer to as having an 'Achilles heel.' This is the definition according to wikipedia:

"An Achilles’ heel is a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall."

Well, this certainly happened to our Champion warrior Achilles and this has happened to many other powerful people ever since. Just when we think we are strong (and perhaps invincible) we run the risk of being destroyed by something small - like an arrowhead.

So, what is your potential Achilles heel?

The Scriptures give us this advice:
Isaiah 63:1 - Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."

"We become God's people when God's grace conquerors our fear of others knowing our weaknesses and shortcomings." - Leverett Luck

Live in the strength and grace of God,
D3LM3

Photo courtesy of www.solarnavigator.net
Hope the ladies appreciated the photo of Brad Pitt!

Invictus

I had the privilege of watching Invictus last night and it was a great movie. It made me feel proud to be a South African and to see how far we have come as a nation. However, it is also clear that we have far to go.

This is the poem quoted by Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) in the Movie:

"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul." - William Ernest Henley

It is a stirring poem indeed. There is just one thing I would change -
Jesus is the Captain of my Soul!

What about you?

Living in Victory,
D3LM3

Best Books

For a list of the best books of 2009, read this article from the New York Times. If you want to know the books I enjoyed the most this past year, read below...

Ministry Book:
Eugene Peterson - The Contemplative Pastor

Challenging my faith:
Shane Claiborne - Jesus for President

Non Christian:
Stephen Ambrose - Band of Brothers

Creative Ideas:
Seth Godin - Tribes

Biblical Book:
Mark

"Everything is possible for him who believes." - Mark 9:23

So what are your favourites?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Food

What have you eaten today?
... a bowl of cereal?
... some fruit?
... a sandwich?
... meat and veggies?

When Jesus was instructing his disciples how to pray, he suggested that they pray this - "Give us today our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). The thing is, did he literally mean that God would give us our physical food or was he referring to our 'spiritual' diet? Or was he referring to both?

Forget about what you have physically eaten today - now, let's ask ourselves:
"What has my spiritual diet been like today?"

That's the real question, for me!
What do you feel?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

David versus Goliath

Tonight I am very sad, because my football team lost! Yes, Manchester United lost to Leeds United (who are two divisions below Man U) in the FA Cup. So, all of you non-United fans can have your moment of pleasure - at least for today.

Although my team lost, I did have a tiny chuckle at the fact that again I have witnessed 'David beating Goliath.' We often read the passage in 1 Samuel 17 and think that this only happened thousands of years ago, but it still happens today. Sure, Sport is not Life (sometimes), but it can remind us of some important spiritual principles - never write off the underdog.

If you feel as if you are always living as the 'underdog', take heart - God is on your side.

May you have a blessed day. Please excuse me while I now go and cry myself to sleep:(

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Paper Planes

Some things are fun to make and awesome to play with, but in the end, they don't last a long time - like paper planes.

On the other hand, some things are harder to work at, take a lot of discipline and may not seem like 'fun' to others, but in the end they last for eternity - like Faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In 2010, I want to opt for spending time on things that last beyond a few moments.
What about you?

1 Corinthians 3:13 - "...his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

P.S. Photo thanks to www.aviationexplorer.com

My decade in review

After seeing some really great 'decades' in review, from a few friends, I have decided to follow suit. So here is my last ten years in very abbreviated form:

1999 - Kim and I got married. Finished 5th year at Bryanston Methodist as a Youth Pastor.
2000 - Travelled and worked in the UK.
2001 - Worked in UK and then travelled around the world.
2002 - Started ministry in Somerset West and finished my first year of ministerial studies. Declan was born in the December.
2003 - Finished my degree at John Wesley College in Pretoria and assisted at North Rand Methodist.
2004 - Moved to Dalton Methodist. Nathan was born. Completed my Honours degree.
2005 - Continued at DMC, started my Masters in Theology.
2006 - Completed Masters, Ordained as a Minister, finished at DMC.
2007 - Started at Wesley Methodist in PMB. Visited family in UK and started writing book.
2008 - Joshua born in March. 'Living Oceans Apart' published & launched in November.
2009 - Mission trip to Ubombo, took up blogging seriously, celebrated 10 year wedding anniversary, & got to visit Sabi Sabi.

Whew, after all of that, I suddenly feel tired! There is so much more I could have written, but that would take up many more pages.

God has been incredibly gracious to me over the past 10 years, especially with my fantastic family. God has brought some amazing people into my life and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many great people (yes, that includes you!).

It is amazing to see how all of our lives can change, without us even perceiving HOW and WHEN.

"No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
No mind has conceived,
what God has in store for those who love him..." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

BRING ON THE NEXT DECADE!

May we all start 2010 Living in Grace,
D3LM3