Here's our new website for the Vine church:
http://jeffreysbaythevine.yolasite.com/
Check it out by clicking the link.
Thanks! :)
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Monday 20 September 2010
Breaking through the fog!
Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco
As I looked at this picture today I felt that God was saying to me that 'The Vine' in Jeffrey's Bay, is going to be like the bridge tower breaking through the fog!
How cool is that!
If its you LORD, let it be! :)
Tuesday 7 September 2010
Failing......
Failing doesn’t mean I’m a failure; it just means I have not yet succeeded. It doesn’t mean I’ve accomplished nothing; it just means I’ve learned something. It doesn’t mean I’ve been a fool; it just means I’ve had the courage to take a risk. It doesn’t mean I’m inferior; it just means I’m not perfect. It doesn’t mean I’ve wasted my time; it just means I have a reason to start over. It doesn’t mean I should give up; it just means I have to try harder. It doesn’t mean I’ll never make it; it just means I need more patience. It doesn’t mean God has abandoned me; it just means He has a better idea!
Bob Gass
Bob Gass
Monday 6 September 2010
Recent Photo's From Cape Town Trip
We stayed at Whale-Phin, Mossel Bay. A lovely Bed and Breakfast.
My first view of Table Mountain.
I think the guy to the left of the sign clearly needs saving!
We didn't get up Table Mountain but we did take a lovely coastal drive. Here Louise stands with Cape Point behind her.
A penguin at Simonstown.
While away one of my cacti flowered!
Apparently they opened up like a star
What incredible flowers!
Friday 23 July 2010
Life Under The Spirit!
As Christians today, do we listen or should I say, discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to us?
We so readily turn to a book of rules that show us the way to get things done!
When we get things done our faith in rules are strengthened. But what about when we don't get what we're trying to do, done; do those same rules then start to condemn us?
In the Old Testament we see the people of Israel seeking a list of rules from God as to how to live as His people (You can read all about this in Exodus and onwards, particularly when Moses went up Mount Sinai). The people of Israel had been invited to meet with God but sent Moses in their place out of fear. They wanted him to come back with a list of rules as what God wanted of them, rather then going and meeting with God for themselves and having their lives changed by the encounter!
God gave them there rules! And although they had periods where they got things right, they actually spent more time getting things wrong!
That's when the guilt and condemnation starting to pull them down into periods of hopelessness and depression.
Countless sacrifices had to be made in the temple to atone for all their rule breaking.
This all changed when Jesus came; He was able to complete the law in its fullest and then went on to give His life as a sacrifice for our sin (our rule breaking); a once of sacrifice that doesn't need to be repeated!
For all of us who have received from Jesus, all that His sacrifice for us brings about, including the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), theirs some very exciting news I want to share with you:
The law of the Old Testament, though still important in that it teaches us about God and His will, is not what is going to give us victory as Christians.
Its not the law but the Holy Spirit that gives us victory.
If we put all our hope in the Law and allow it to be our guide then we are heading for disappointment, because none of us can keep it fully.
However, if we turn to the Holy Spirit to guide us as to how to live this new life, as a Christian, we have hope and will have victory.
"The Holy Spirit not only opens up Gods Word to us; He also enables us to fulfil it."
The grace in the above statement can be life changing if you would but receive its truth into your life.
Are you just a rule follower or a Spirit led believer of Christ?
We so readily turn to a book of rules that show us the way to get things done!
When we get things done our faith in rules are strengthened. But what about when we don't get what we're trying to do, done; do those same rules then start to condemn us?
In the Old Testament we see the people of Israel seeking a list of rules from God as to how to live as His people (You can read all about this in Exodus and onwards, particularly when Moses went up Mount Sinai). The people of Israel had been invited to meet with God but sent Moses in their place out of fear. They wanted him to come back with a list of rules as what God wanted of them, rather then going and meeting with God for themselves and having their lives changed by the encounter!
God gave them there rules! And although they had periods where they got things right, they actually spent more time getting things wrong!
That's when the guilt and condemnation starting to pull them down into periods of hopelessness and depression.
Countless sacrifices had to be made in the temple to atone for all their rule breaking.
This all changed when Jesus came; He was able to complete the law in its fullest and then went on to give His life as a sacrifice for our sin (our rule breaking); a once of sacrifice that doesn't need to be repeated!
For all of us who have received from Jesus, all that His sacrifice for us brings about, including the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), theirs some very exciting news I want to share with you:
The law of the Old Testament, though still important in that it teaches us about God and His will, is not what is going to give us victory as Christians.
Its not the law but the Holy Spirit that gives us victory.
If we put all our hope in the Law and allow it to be our guide then we are heading for disappointment, because none of us can keep it fully.
However, if we turn to the Holy Spirit to guide us as to how to live this new life, as a Christian, we have hope and will have victory.
"The Holy Spirit not only opens up Gods Word to us; He also enables us to fulfil it."
The grace in the above statement can be life changing if you would but receive its truth into your life.
Are you just a rule follower or a Spirit led believer of Christ?
Tuesday 29 June 2010
Jesus delights in us....
Jesus delights in us and wants us to delight in the life that He has for us.
Do you believe that?
Because if you do, let me tell you, 'don't listen to anyone or anything that will try and convince you otherwise'!
11 “You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:11-13)
I know the above verses talk about the Holy Spirit. But if God is willing to give us the Holy Spirit, in others words, ‘give us the very presence of Himself to live in and with us’, why do we at times think that He will hold back any good thing from us?
I’m not preaching the prosperity gospel here, but I am preaching the gospel of God’s grace and love!
God wants us to enjoy our lives; yes we may have to turn away from things the world would go after, that’s called, ‘taking up your cross daily’. Even in this we’re only called to turn from those things in the world that God knows isn’t good for us. Isn’t that how a loving parent would act, so that a child can truly enjoy his or her life safely?
In the same way that a parent wants the best for their child, God wants the best for us.
If anything is trying to convince you to except hardships as possibly part of God’s will for your life and relationships, then I say rebuke it. Its a lie that comes from Satan. God doesn’t need Satan to oppress us in order to shape us. He created the whole world, I’m sure He can create our characters by Himself!
Yes, its true that as we endure hardships we grow, but to welcome hardships into our life for such a purpose is wrong.
Don’t listen to any lies that will only hold you down. Listen to the God who gave up His life on the cross because He loves you so much. Stand firm on the promises of God and refuse to allow the enemy to have any part of your life!
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4, NIV)
Monday 28 June 2010
New Chapter!
The Sun is rising, the clouds are breaking. Its a new day; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
Friday 25 June 2010
Slovenia vs England
Here are some photo's of the England game that Louise and I went to watch at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Port Elizabeth.
The date was 23rd June 2010, this game was match 37 of the competition.
We had a great day soaking up the atmosphere provided by the thousands of travelling fans.
The match ended with England taking the win 1 - 0 thanks to a great Jermain Defoe first half goal.
The date was 23rd June 2010, this game was match 37 of the competition.
We had a great day soaking up the atmosphere provided by the thousands of travelling fans.
The match ended with England taking the win 1 - 0 thanks to a great Jermain Defoe first half goal.
Thursday 4 February 2010
New Photo's
Out on the beach!
One of my aloes
Beautiful cactus flower
The stem was about 4 inch long
The flower was a bit bigger then a golf ball
Cool cactus
Another flowering cactus
One of my displays on drift wood
My guard dog, 'Max'!
My Guard cat, 'Tessa'!Sunday 15 November 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Loving Jesus or not!
My salvation has come form Jesus; He died on the cross and said that it is finished.
When I became a Christian I was clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. The Father now sees me through the lens of His Son Jesus. To God the Father I look 'Just like I have never sinned'!
This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It's doctrine.
I can't buy my salvation from God, I can't do anything to earn it from Him. I can't sacrifice a bull for the forgiveness of my sins. I'm saved and my sins are paid for by Jesus.
However, I am still to present myself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God!
So what should that look like in my life?
Well, I need to live the new life that God has given me, I need to turn from the things of this world and start living according to God's will and His way.
I know this again is a foundational truth.
But I also know that knowing it isn't enough; knowing it doesn't stop me from sinning!
In those moment when I sin, I'm choosing my will over God's!
It's been said that in those moments, "I don't love Jesus enough"!
Love is the key to living out God's will.
I can't loose the salvation that I have in Jesus; even in my sin God still sees the righteous of Jesus clothing me.
But if I want to experience the fullness of this new life in Jesus then I need to 'love'!
I need to love Jesus more then the sin that is tempting me.
I will only ever go after the thing I love the most and if its sin, that's what I will go after!
So, how do I love Jesus more then sin?
That's the challenge before me now. I need to love Jesus more then anything else.
Such a challenge, I believe can only be fulfilled through an act of God in my life.
This doesn't mean that I can sit passive and wait for God to do it all.
Like all love relationships, for them to work both parties need to work at it!
When I became a Christian I was clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. The Father now sees me through the lens of His Son Jesus. To God the Father I look 'Just like I have never sinned'!
This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It's doctrine.
I can't buy my salvation from God, I can't do anything to earn it from Him. I can't sacrifice a bull for the forgiveness of my sins. I'm saved and my sins are paid for by Jesus.
However, I am still to present myself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God!
So what should that look like in my life?
Well, I need to live the new life that God has given me, I need to turn from the things of this world and start living according to God's will and His way.
I know this again is a foundational truth.
But I also know that knowing it isn't enough; knowing it doesn't stop me from sinning!
In those moment when I sin, I'm choosing my will over God's!
It's been said that in those moments, "I don't love Jesus enough"!
Love is the key to living out God's will.
I can't loose the salvation that I have in Jesus; even in my sin God still sees the righteous of Jesus clothing me.
But if I want to experience the fullness of this new life in Jesus then I need to 'love'!
I need to love Jesus more then the sin that is tempting me.
I will only ever go after the thing I love the most and if its sin, that's what I will go after!
So, how do I love Jesus more then sin?
That's the challenge before me now. I need to love Jesus more then anything else.
Such a challenge, I believe can only be fulfilled through an act of God in my life.
This doesn't mean that I can sit passive and wait for God to do it all.
Like all love relationships, for them to work both parties need to work at it!
Monday 21 September 2009
Saturday 12 September 2009
Friday 11 September 2009
Today is where your book begins...
"No one else can speak the words on your lips,
Drench yourself in words unspoken,
Live your life with arms wide open,
Today is where your book begins,
The rest is still unwritten"
-Natasha Bedingfield-
Drench yourself in words unspoken,
Live your life with arms wide open,
Today is where your book begins,
The rest is still unwritten"
-Natasha Bedingfield-
Thursday 10 September 2009
To speak, to listen, to be heard!
Why is communication so hard?
We are encouraged to talk to God in prayer often. We are then encouraged to listen to Him because communication between us and God is a two way thing!
Yet I still wonder whether I’ve actually heard from Him or whether it’s just my imagination!
When a couple get married the age old advice is to have good communication between both parties.
I wonder at times whether that is coming from people who actually desire it for their own relationships but haven’t quite worked it out!
I’ve even shared such advice with those about to get married!
We are told the way to maintain and build good lasting friendships is to communicate regularly with each other and to share about those things that we have in common. That worked for me when I worked as a train driver and used to see my friends regularly in the staff canteen!
I live in a place where even those who are considered as un-educated (considered by some) can often speak more than one language, yet communicating across cultures often seems to be almost impossible!
Why is communication so hard when it’s the bases for so much of our live?
Could it be the work that it involves?
Could it be that it takes both the listening and the talking?
Some of us are good listeners; some of us are good talkers. Rarely do you find that a person is good at them both, WHY?
The ways in which many of us can communicate have never been easier with all the various devices at our disposal.
But some will say that they themselves cause us to be bad communicators (I’m sat writing this rather than sitting talking to my wife who is actually sitting reading and not talking to me!).
I for one have a problem with poor communication.
Do you?
We are encouraged to talk to God in prayer often. We are then encouraged to listen to Him because communication between us and God is a two way thing!
Yet I still wonder whether I’ve actually heard from Him or whether it’s just my imagination!
When a couple get married the age old advice is to have good communication between both parties.
I wonder at times whether that is coming from people who actually desire it for their own relationships but haven’t quite worked it out!
I’ve even shared such advice with those about to get married!
We are told the way to maintain and build good lasting friendships is to communicate regularly with each other and to share about those things that we have in common. That worked for me when I worked as a train driver and used to see my friends regularly in the staff canteen!
I live in a place where even those who are considered as un-educated (considered by some) can often speak more than one language, yet communicating across cultures often seems to be almost impossible!
Why is communication so hard when it’s the bases for so much of our live?
Could it be the work that it involves?
Could it be that it takes both the listening and the talking?
Some of us are good listeners; some of us are good talkers. Rarely do you find that a person is good at them both, WHY?
The ways in which many of us can communicate have never been easier with all the various devices at our disposal.
But some will say that they themselves cause us to be bad communicators (I’m sat writing this rather than sitting talking to my wife who is actually sitting reading and not talking to me!).
I for one have a problem with poor communication.
Do you?
Monday 7 September 2009
Thursday 6 August 2009
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