Life as we know it

After our 10 day holiday with my wife's family, we decided to tick off another item from my bucketlist and visit the Addo. This is a great park close to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. We saw a whole host of animals, including buffalo, warthog, zebra, red hartebees, eland, jackal, and the mighty elephant. What I did find strange is that we only saw two elephants. It is called an elephant park, but it seemed like they were nowhere to be found... Fortunately I know that there are plenty of them around. Fact is that these animals are like mice, almost impossible to hear when they walk. The bush is also very dense after all the rain, it would be easier to see them during winter. All that said, it is much the same in our walk with the Lord. We look around and do our best. We jump from the one lookout point to the next, but we cannot find the answers. In the meantime, the answers might be very close, right next to us. It might be that we should just persist...

2 Timothy 2:20-26 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. In verse 20 the author writes about 4 different articles. In

At least once a year we go on a family holiday. We either go somewhere with my family, my wife's, or both. The reason we do this is because we do no have enough time during the year to see any of them, so we have time to catch up. Also, as it is our annual break, it is a time of rest. My wife and I get to spend more time together than at any time during the rest of the year. We do fun things together, talk, and we sleep a little bit extra. I do not know if it is because of the extreme year we have had, but this years break was particularly needed. We craved it for a few weeks until the day arrived. Maybe you have also felt like this. Maybe you feel like that now. Know that rest is very important. Firstly, in the beginning, Genesis 2:4 By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. Secondly, in Mat 6:31 Jesus talks about the wildflowers in the field and adds: What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be s

A famous person (to me, anyways) once said: The extend to which we succeed to aligning our paradigms, processes and programs with the revelation of Christ, will determine the extend to which we will become an expression of the glory of God. Quite a mouth full, isn't it?! In Mark 8:17 to 19 Jesus overheard the disciples and said, “Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don’t you see the point of all this? Don’t you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” In order for us to make a difference while on earth, we have to surrender our lives, serve the Lord and subdue . Matthew 28:18-20 (also a famous scripture) - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have comma

After all the talking about sin etc etc, it feels a bit somber. The fact of the matter is this: John 6:40 in the Message says: This is my Fathers will - that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who He is and what He does and then aligns to Him will enter real life (eternal life). The dictionary gives the following definitions to the word  align: verb (used with object) 1. to arrange in a straight line ; adjust according to a line. 2. to bring into a line or alignment . 3. to bring into cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc. 4. to adjust (two or more components of an electronic circuit) to improve the response over a frequency band, as to align the tuned circuits of a radio receiver for proper tracking throughout its frequency range, or a television receiver for appropriate wide-band responses. We should align (bring into cooperation or agreement) ourselve

Yesterday I wrote an introduction to the 3 different types of sin. If you did not read it, please do so, it will give you some background on today's short message. The first type of sin was described in Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” As man we like to do things that are fun. We sometimes build our lives around it, or we live from the one experience to the next, forgetting to live in between. In Genesis 3:6 it is written: When the woman saw that the tree was good for food , and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. A parallel between Jesus being tempted in the desert and Eve being tempted in the garden can be drawn. The 3 different types of sin were already established in this verse. The first, pleasure, both relate to food (here it is the fruit, in Matthew 4:3 it

It is the end of the year and everything is slowing down in a sense. Today I was truly blessed with a sermon that cut open some truths I have never thought about. Especially during the festive season there are quite a few things that should keep track of in order to get the most out of our holidays. When we look at scripture it is evident that all of us will have times in our life when all does not go according to plan. Times when we feel that we are provoked more then normal, or where we cannot break through. Jesus himself went through a time when he was in the desert for 40 days and being provoked by the devil... This is in Matthew 4:3, 6 and 8. Verse 3:  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Verse 5 and 6: Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concern

Recently I have found myself in an odd space. I regard myself as a driven person who knows what he wants and how to get there, but I might have the end-of-the-year-syndrome... It feels as if nothing get going quite as fast as I would like it to. Nothing works out quite as well. Worst of all, I do not always push as hard as I am used to, as if I am wasting time... Reasons we might waste unnecessary time on: 1. You overload on administrative work. 2. You put off quick tasks that settles the small matters there and then. 3. You micromanage employees/tasks. 4. You let daily developments drive you and do not focus on the bigger picture 5. You don't have a clear social-media strategy - Facebook, twitter etc interferes with work 6. You try to reinvent the wheel by doing things that can be borrowed from others 7. You repeat the same things over and over. Here are some ways to stop wasting time: 1. Stop random email checks - Have specific time for that (including the Internet)

My wife is a teacher. She loves what she does and lives for those kids. Enjoys most of it, apart from politics... For the few times that I also present training, I have to mark Portfolios of evidence as well as the assessments that goes with it. Both of us don't particularly like the marking, but it comes with the job and has to be done. The problem is that it is so repetitive... While sitting and marking I have often thought that it is close to judging. While I am judging the work performed that is set against certain standards I realise that there are many other places in my life where I judge. This, despite the fact that the Bible states that man should not judge. Why do I do it then? It has to stop, somehow... But more than that, I should remember that one day I will be judged by the only true judge. The Holy God who created all of us. He who does not just want us to know about Him, but to know Him (Mat 7:21). Intimately. I have to up my game PS: This is blog n

Today is truly the end of an era in South Africa. Since 1975 until today, to the day, the very same newsreader presented the Afrikaans news on the SABC. His name is Riaan Cruywagen. Apart from that he also recently starred in some VERY funny advertisements, music videos and so forth. Aged 67 he is now retiring. We all have to retire at one stage. Not only from our work, but from life itself. Our time on earth would be over. Our body might remain here, but our spirit won't. What happens than? Does it matter what happens then? There are only a few things that matters, really matters, and here they are: 1 - That you give your life to the Lord, submitting wholeheartedly, living fully for Him 2 - That you spread the message in every way possible, ensuring that everyone knows How is that done? Not easy at all... Everyday, every moment of our lives, we to set the example. It does not matter if I am at work, at my home, with family or where ever, I need to tell of His m

My wife and I attended our second wedding for the year this weekend. The first one was in October. When we were in our middle to late twenties we had plenty of weddings to attend, but we are now in a period where most are already married. Looking forward to some specific weddings in the future, hopefully the near future. Now weddings, and more specifically marriage, is an institution of God. It was His decision that man should not be alone and thus He created Eve. He also proclaim marriage to be holy, and to be kept holy, thus there is no space for a third party. It can only be You, your partner and God. The husband to be the head, but that does not mean that he is a ruler. God should be. As husband me and you should be plugged in to Him. What makes weddings special is that you know that it is a fresh start in mostly young peoples lives. It takes a lot of planning to make that day perfect, although it all never works out perfectly. The wedding we attended yesterday had a lot of

I have experienced the miracle of flying again today. My very first flight was in 2006 when I went to visit my best friend in Cape Town. The next week I flew to Cape Town again for work. By now I can not remember (or count) how many times in my life I flew! Every time I sit in an aeroplane I realise what a miracle it is... I have not had bad experiences, but I had some bumpy rides. Today was one of them. When you sit in the air and look down, when you see the different landscapes and the places that you can recognise from above, it brings a perspective of how privileged we are. 100 years ago things were very different. The world truly became a smaller place! These days seeing an aeroplane is normal. Its part of our lives, nothing notable. But, if an aeroplane falls anywhere in the world, it is headline news. Lives are lost and someone has to be accountable. As if a plane falling is more unlikely than having a car accident. Why is it so? Probably because there are less planes, b

It is the beginning of summer in South Africa and we are having a scorcher of a week. Our airconditioner at the office was faulty and the heat became almost unbearable. All doors and windows were opened and I consumed water like I had a leak somewhere. During the day we reminded each other that it was a particularly hot day, not that we had to mention it at all! The water I drank was my only saving grace. Imagine a life without water. Imagine we had to fight each other for a drop of it, either to quench our thirst or to ensure that we can grow food and keep our animals living. What a life that would be. Every time it rains I tell myself that it brings life and that it also reminds me to keep my life growing in Jesus. No heat that someone applies or any particularly 'hot' day at the 'office' should steal my joy. Some people tend to get you hot under the collar. I wont lose it because of them. I am already saved and I know He loves me. I also know that it is only

My wife spent the last week and a bit marking the final exam of the grade 12 pupils in South Africa. It is a rigorous process where everything is verified and checked at least 3 times. The hours per day are also extreme, so after a while there no fun in it all. The one day she saw a dove that flew into the building. It got stuck on the top floor where the windows were to high to reach in order to open. The dove was there for a few days when she decided to call security and let then open the windows so that the dove could escape.  All they managed to do is chase the dove around until it was to tired to fly any further. It collapsed as a result of exhaustion and probably a lack of food and water. She took it outside where it was able to enjoy freedom again, its heart pounding of shock. Sometimes in life we are also like that. We are captured and scared, caught in a corner of life, when we can not see a way out. We run around and try every way possible, but to no avail, we are

Ever thought about how nature works? Sometimes I take a lot of things for granted. Its as if its so 'natural', it goes completely unnoticed. Think about how seasons change, how bees and other insects fertilise flowers in order for it to become fruit. Think about how a wound would close and someday only leave a scar. All of this, and many more, are part of natures way, how nature regenerates itself every year, every season. Or that's how most people regard it. The big question is what lies behind it. How was it made? There are a lot of theories around like evolution and reincarnation, but there is only one that I believe in. All of this was planned and designed by an almighty, Supernatural God that up to this day and forever more will every second of the day look after it all. He did give it to us to look after, to nurture, and to rule over, but there are too many things that can not be performed by man. Scientists refer to this as nature. I say it is God. Never take

The knee is a funny, essential thing. Tonight I am sittings on this aeroplane with both knees in pain after I ran my first 21.1km race. While I am sitting there is no pain at all. None of my muscles are in pain either, just my knees. The pain is also only if I flex the muscles trying to stand up or going down to sit. Previously, if my knees pained, it was as a result of of something stupid like a cricket ball hitting it, or falling on it. This time, though, it was while doing something that was worth my time. I placed enormous time into preparation, exercising and paying good money to get to Cape Town where the race was staged. On race day I suffered as the furthest I ever ran was 10km, so all of the last 11.1km was breaking new ground. If my knees were not working, running would have been impossible. Now that they are, the pain reflects the amount of hammering they took. You see, anything worth doing is worth the pain. Every time I feel my tender knee I am proud of the f

We all hear and read quotes everyday. Today I saw one that makes a lot of sense to me. One that's very true: You can be part of the church, but not connected to Christ, but you cannot be part of Christ and not part of the church... Now I agree with this wholeheartedly. It's also quite hard hitting! It made me think about my own relationship with Christ. I am involved at the church, but do I commit to Him daily and do it not just as a routine, but out of love? Food for thought for myself... And maybe you as well?

Today is election day in the USA. Only two options exist, options that can change the future for good. A decision that has to be taken seriously. When did the whole democracy rules theory come into effect? If you look at biblical times the rulers were always kings. Not kings that were votes in, but became king because of their birthorder. In the kingdom of God, it still works that way. We are sons and daughters of the almighty God. As you gave your life to Him, you were born into His family and your inheritance is eternal life. The only vote you will need, is to make that decision. Thus, know your rights!

Ever heard about the tone at the top? It refers to the tone that is set by management, that influences the way employees within the company performs their work etc. If they are corrupt, so will employees be. If management is relaxed, the rest of the staff will also have a relaxed style. I think you get the point. Now, apart from work, we also set a tone. This tone is a lifestyle. Its the way you do what you do. It is true that you and I may be Christians, followers, believers, but what tone do we set? What do we do on a day-to-day basis? How do we do it? In what way?  What do you say with your body-language? What do I say with my tone of voice or my choice of words? Its not always what you say, but how... If I offend, help me change

My younger brother stayed with us since 23 November 2012. Today, about 4 years later, things changed. He decided, after finding a place to stay with some of his friends, to move along. We had our good and our bad times together. We had time where things would not go smoothly at all, where limits had to be set from scratch. Times where he helped us, and we helped him. For periods he did not have work, but when he had work things also worked out better for him, and us. Today I saw a different side of him. He was neutral about moving, not showing any emotions. But as soon as we off-loaded his first batch of stuff, I could see a bit of a change. He had a bit of pride in the fact that he now has his own space. A place that he could come and go as he wants. Also, he is with all his friends. He could interact with people that understands him better, friends that he interacts with daily by choice. Now, on my part, as older brother, I always felt this responsibility toward him. I fe

Isn't stress an amazing thing? Ok, maybe amazing isn't the correct word to use. Let's rather say troublesome... We it is a word that is commonly used nowadays. A word that we refer to when we speak about the future, not really the past. When things are uncertain. The effects of it might be quite severe, especially health problems... Pain of any kind Heart disease Digestive problems Sleep problems Depression Obesity Autoimmune diseases Skin conditions, such as eczema Even the strongest amongst us experience it. So, how do we stop this?  - Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  - Mark 4:18-19 - Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;   but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.  - 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.   Cast all your

Romans 12:1 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Lets focus on the last part of this verse. The writer instructs us to also offer our walking around life to God. I wondered what he was thinking as we have dealt with sleeping, eating and going to work. All of those are rather important aspects of our life, why would walking around be singled out? Thinking about my own life, where do I walk around? Here are some insights:  - Church  - Small group  - Exercise  - Watching TV  - Going to sport events (and watching sport)  - Visiting friends and family  - Going on trips (travelling)  - Having a braai  - Shopping (not that keen, though)  - Spending time in the traffic So, apart from sleeping, eating and working, we have a bit of time left to do the above and a lot more. Let's not wait on God to show us what

Romans 12:1 in the Message again: So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Yesterday we dealt with sleeping, so lets look at eating. I absolutely love good food. During my days at school my brothers and I used to eat 2 loafs of bread for lunch. As time went on I discovered that more is not always better, so I changed to quality. Now I enjoy food, and boy, its great! Why would the writer of this scripture mention that we should also offer our eating life to God? How is it relevant? I think that it is a few things. The fact that it is a necessity to eat. We have to! Also, it requires quite some time to prepare food. Time that sometimes could be spent with Him. But, most of all, I think, it is not just meant literally. It refers to the fact that our bodies are a temple of God. By eating healthy, exercising and not poisoning your body. W

Romans 12:1 in the Message again: So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. The first thing the writer describes in our everyday, ordinary life, that we should place before God as an offering is sleeping. This makes me quite curious, as I do not know how exactly sleeping can honour God... While thinking about it I could come up with a few ideas, but whether I am right or wrong cannot be confirmed. Whether it matters if I am right or wrong (to me, at least) does not matter. I say it doesn't, as they are all good habits. Reasons: 1 - Have consistent sleeping hours as this gets your body into a routine that gives it maximum energy. More energy ensures that, with whatever you do, your focus is better and thus you can praise God through that. 2 - Wake up (and go to bed) before and after you spent time with the Lord. He carrie

I am sure most of you have read Romans 12:1 that says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. This is in the NIV of 1984. Have you also read it in The Message? Romans 12:1 - So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering.  I know a few people that believe The Message is not a Bible per se, but even so, verify it against the actual Bible you use. What it tells us is actually is quite easy to interpret, isn't it? We have to give our lives to God. How do we do this? We submit our normal lives to Him. Those parts of our lives that we cannot be without, that makes us live. We have to eat. We have to sleep. We have to work, both to earn and to stimulate our minds. Also, our walking around life, thus after ho

I have never been a big believer of categorising people into boxes. No one likes being labelled. Even though it happens ever so often, we are all guilty of it. He is like that, she does this, they behave like this, that or the other. The bigger problem starts when we start to place ourselves into these boxes. By saying that I can't do something, by even thinking that certain things are not meant for me, I am placing myself in a box. What effect does this have on you and I? Not much, I am sure... To me, personally, it only changes a mindset. How you think about yourself is how you live, how you react and how you dream. If you always think you are a worm, in time, you will start acting like a worm. And I am sure you ain't no worm! Also, it will improve how you think about others. Eventually how you treat other people better. Sounds like happy-go-lucky living. Certainly not! Know who you are in the Lord and you there is no reason you have to be boxed in. So, how ea

On my bucket list I had a goal to run at least 6 half-marathons in my life. Why I made it 6 I could never recall. Quite a random number on hindsight... I was never a great jogger, actually not at all. I used to tease my wife at school by using the popular verse in Proverbs that says only a fool runs if he is not chased. Not quite what it is intended for, but funny at the time. Since the operation I decided with my friend in Cape Town that we would do my first one  together at the Table Mountain National Reserve. I've been there twice, both times with him. It's one of the most amazing places in the country, and I've seen quite a bit of the RSA. We call it "The Point".  So, the last few months my wife and I made a commitment as well some lifestyle changes. Very refreshing! But why am I telling you this? Quite simple: To change one's lifestyle is actually very simple. The lack of interest I showed before in running versus my current apatite for it indicat

There is only 24 hours in a day. We all have the same amount of time to use as we please. We had an advertisement on the radio a while ago that stuck in my subconscious. They mentioned that everything we own cost us time. Although we paid in money for it, we spend time earning the money we use for the purchase. It makes sense in a way, as we have to be at work, or be self-employed, to earn. We cannot take for granted that we have to work. It is also in the Bible. We have to choose how we spend the rest of our time then. This weekend I spend time with my family at a wedding. We picked up the stings and shared some new stories.  I have also seen people during the past week who procrastinate at almost everything. No drive, no purpose at what they do. I then naturally wonder what kind of relationship they have with their Maker...  There are a few things we have to think about here: 1 - To have a relationship of any kind, communication is key 2 - In order for the relatio

Someone sent me this recently. It was interesting, but also inspirational THE PRAYER THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard: "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.   v   We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. v   We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. v   We have killed our unborn and called it choice. v   We have shot anti-abortionists and called it justifiable. v   We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. v   We have abused power and called it politics. v   We have coveted our neighbour's possessions a

Visiting Vic Falls recently opened my eyes to a deep spiritual truth. Looking back at the pictures, this specific rainbow caught my eye. We needed to approach the fall at exactly the correct angle to be able to see this picture. To me, the rainbow represented God's grace and promises in our lives. The rainbow was there the whole time, but I only saw it when we came really close. Life entangles us and keeps us so busy that we rarely get a chance to revisit spoken promises over our lives. It may even seem dark while focusing on our minute problems. I stood still at the lookout point with this rainbow, realising that if I look down on all my shortcomings, I miss out on God's grace majestically rising over my life. I need to see things the way God sees it. The light from the sun had to break at the correct angle through just enough mist to display his favor in our lives. Mark 4:18-19 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, bu

As we travelled north from Pretoria on Friday to the Victoria falls, we had quite a rush. Although we had to find a lot of places and get in and out of buses, border posts etc, we also had a lot of fun. In all, since we left our house at 06:15, until now 20:15, no break was taken. Still, though, we were so relaxed and could just take everything in. More of that later... As we walked back from the falls to the lodge tonight we met the lady on this photo: If you look carefully you can see all her luggage. Her handbag, the other bag and the massive folded 'bag' on her head. This is quite common in Africa, even in the RSA. Before we left we also packed our luggage: clothes, toiletries, all our gadgets, required documents, this, that and the other. A whole host of things. In our lives there is a difference between luggage, as described, and baggage. Baggage is more of a "slang" word for emotional scars from the past that you carry with you. Things that ha

I thank the Lord a lot for the career I am in, as well as the life that I am able to lead. I am also grateful for my workplace. Please remember that there should always be a balance to everything... "American Dream" All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul But he's moving on full steam He's chasing the American dream And he's gonna give his family the finer things Not this time son I've no time to waste Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play And then he slips into his new BMW And drives farther and farther and farther away So He works all day and tries to sleep at night He says things will get better; Better in time And he works and he builds with his own two hands And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands His kingdom stands His American Dream is beginning to seem M

These days we face a lot of extremism. People who go to extremes in order to defend what they believe in, either their religion, their country, their family, whatever it may be. Normally they can justify it via a video as revenge for one or the insult or an offending act. It really does not matter to me at all. I will not insult or discriminate against others based on their race, religion or other preference. Rather, we as christians should start praying for (or against) this. Not by cursing or hitting out, but in love. We have to love our enemies. We do not have to fear anything. To live is temporary, to die a blessing. Read: Matt 7:7 ” Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you . Matt 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Mark 9:29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe

We all know this slogan. The whole world over there are there are different items for sale, running shoes, shirts, shorts, track suites, etc. I could not find a country in the world where it is not available. Coincidence? Now, since we are busy talking about prayer, there are a few comparisons we can make: 1 - God is also omnipresent, meaning He is all over the earth, always 2 - We can, at any stage, plug into Him 3 - It just depends if we are committed to the brand Sometimes I have found that we (as christians) are to relaxed in what we are doing. We declare ourselves as believers and followers, but are selective. I know we are free in Him, free from the laws of the old testament, but we are not free to do just as we please... One of our biggest challenges as christians is to become more like Jesus. How do we do this? 1 - Pray every day. In your car, in the morning, at work, out loud, softly, anytime, just do it! 2 - Read from the Word. Push yourself. You can. If

Yesterday I had to travel back from Johannesburg to Pretoria. I left Johannesburg, the famous Eloff street from Monopoly in the RSA, at 16:10. As soon as I got onto the highway I realised that something is not right... Suddenly, as I always expect from there, I did not move. I soon heard over the radio that a truck overturned on the M1 north and that delays were severe. Not the type of news you want after a day at the office! By 17:30 I passed this accident, which, by this time, was cleared up. Traffic moved faster, but only for a while when, again, there was an accident about 20 kilometres ahead. We were already standing still at this point. The perfect day, especially if you have an appointment at 7pm! I informed my wife meet me there as I was probably not going to be there on time, something we both have a pet hate for... By that time I decided to turn the radio of as everything on it I already knew. Rather, I started praying. Now praying is not as complex as we normally mak

I do not know about all of you, but a lot of people I know at some time or the other had an encounter with "The Secret", a book written by Rhonda Byrne. In this she promotes the laws of attraction, saying that by thinking positive thoughts positive things will happen to you. You have to visualise what you want or need in life and you will get it. Or something like that. Now the last few months have not been the best of my entire life: 1 - Monday 21 May, can't speak 2 - Thursday 24 May, brain surgery 3 - Tuesday 28 August, a hole of a third the original size spotted on a MRI 4 - Thursday 20 September, numbness in my right arm and part of my face. All of this unsettled me a little bit, sometimes also left me thinking why and what the bigger picture is, as you might have seen in a few other blogs.  Now, not to rubbish "The Secret" completely, but I do not agree with the theory completely... There are some facts in it, but I am not comfortable wi

Go and read Psalm 149. Google it if you have to ... 1 Praise the Lord Sing to the Lord a new song, H is praise in the assembly of his faithful people. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. 5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. 6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the Lord . Praise Him, every day, everywhere, in all you do