Life as we know it

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...

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...