Living, Learning, Loving

Website for the Vine.

2010-10-06T21:44:00.002+02:00

Here's our new website for the Vine church:

http://jeffreysbaythevine.yolasite.com/

Check it out by clicking the link.

Thanks! :)

Breaking through the fog!

2010-09-20T07:55:00.000+02:00

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! :)

Failing......

2010-09-07T13:08:00.000+02:00

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

Recent Photo's From Cape Town Trip

2010-09-06T13:20:00.002+02:00

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!

Life Under The Spirit!

2010-07-23T07:45:00.004+02:00

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?

Jesus delights in us....

2010-06-29T13:05:00.003+02:00

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)

New Chapter!

2010-06-28T07:43:00.000+02:00

The Sun is rising, the clouds are breaking. Its a new day; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

Slovenia vs England

2010-06-25T13:30:00.001+02:00

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.

New Photo's

2010-02-04T13:39:00.000+02:00

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'!

Recent photo's from my garden

2009-11-15T13:21:00.003+02:00

A reqular visitor to our garden; a nightjar (during the daytime!)

My brother at his licensing

2009-10-28T14:50:00.001+02:00

How proud am I of my Brother!

Leap of faith

2009-10-27T08:49:00.001+02:00

Sometimes, all that is needed is a leap of faith!

Loving Jesus or not!

2009-10-20T07:45:00.000+02:00

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!

Our God Is A Great Big God....

2009-09-21T16:41:00.003+02:00

Bald Eagle

2009-09-12T10:17:00.003+02:00

One can only say WOW!

Today is where your book begins...

2009-09-11T07:45:00.000+02:00

"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-

To speak, to listen, to be heard!

2009-09-10T18:37:00.000+02:00

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?

Beautiful Jeffrey's Bay

2009-09-07T18:58:00.004+02:00

Our Beautiful Jeffrey’s Bay

2009-08-06T13:48:00.001+02:00

Lithemba

2009-07-24T07:40:00.001+02:00

This young boy is Lithemba.

2007/04/19 - 2009/07/18

Lithemba lived with his mum Nokuzola in a small house in one of the townships in Port Elizabeth.

He had fits during his early days which left him unable to have a normal life. Lithemba couldn't communicate through words and his little body didn't grow as other children, he had cerebral palsy. However Lithemba was such a delight to meet.

I met Lithemba when I went out with Daniel Meyer who runs 'Timion' (Timion means precious). Daniel and Anika, and their team work with precious children like Lithemba. You can find out more about the work of 'Timion' by clicking this link: http://www.timion.org/

I joined Daniel on a cold and wet day and travelled with him and his team to visit some of the children who the Timion project make standing frames for.

We arrived at Lithemba's home and were welcomed in by the family. Daniel had brought the newly constructed standing frame for Lithemba; it was a little big but a few adjustment sorted that.

In watching Daniel minister, I was blessed to see something of our Heavenly Fathers heart of love for precious children like Lithemba.

Lithemba wasn't really shore about the new frame but was wheeled around in it by some of the family and his little smile and laughter was soon beautiful to see.

I never really got to know Lithemba as this was to be my first and only visit before he passed away and went to be with Jesus. I'm left with sadness for his family who have lost a precious family member but delight that Lithemba is now able to enjoy life with Jesus that must be even more precious then he himself is.

Please pray for the family, particularly Nokuzola, Lithemba's mom; that their grief will pass soon and that they will take comfort in knowing that Lithemba is now with Jesus living life to the full.

God bless you Lithemba.

Rainy Days!

2009-07-23T07:55:00.003+02:00

That's Lavender, and shouldn't be planted in ponds!

Oop's!

My Aloe Bed!

Ephesians Study One

2009-07-23T07:50:00.003+02:00

It's a wet day in J'bay today. We have a cold front passing through that has been predicted for some days now.I wonder at times where all the rain comes from, it seems to fall with such ferocity!

We had our small group meeting last night, we started looking at the book of Ephesians.
The group was small with some of our members away in New Zealand, however it was a really good meeting.

We looked at Ephesians 1:1-15 and in particular verses 3-14 that are concerned with the spiritual blessing each of us have as those who are 'in Christ'.
Being a Christian can never be ordinary if one actually realises all we have as those who are 'in Christ', while discovering all God intends for us as part of His big plan for all creation.

The final question of the study asked:

If Christ is at the centre of God's plans for everything, is he at the centre of yours?

What a searching question we have to ponder over this coming week!

North Point Sunrise

2009-05-20T08:30:00.001+02:00

Go Sharks!

2009-02-16T19:36:00.001+02:00

Chilling to the bones!

2009-02-11T08:01:00.000+02:00

This is my brother; the one on the right!

"I love ya bro"

A call for prayer

2009-02-08T15:55:00.001+02:00

Most of you will know that my step mum, my father’s wife, has a very nasty form of cancer that looks likely to be taking her life. Pat is such a wonderful person and has always been a joy to be around; her bubbly nature makes it so hard to imagine her being so sick.

My dad at this time is trying to spend every precious moment with her but has to deal with the real fact that she may leave us at any moment. He feels pretty bitter towards God and wonders why this is happening.
It’s hard to answer such a question, one can only say that God doesn’t cause things like cancer and He doesn’t use such things to punish us (in fact God doesn’t punish us, ever).
Our bodies grow older and wear out. As they do we can be prone to such things as cancer (not that cancer affects only those older in life). I believe that God doesn’t choose for us to experience such things but shares in our pain when we do. He wants to surround us with His love even as we go through such horrors.
We have a God who loves life and loves us so much that He gave His son to die for us all. Such a God doesn’t choose to inflict anyone but witnesses, I believe through real pain, ever person who experiences any of life’s tragedies.

One day their will be a time and a place where their will be no more cancer, of any kind, that can afflict us. It will be a time when all who respond to His love will know and live with Him in a new heaven and earth, a time when we will experience life as God really intends it.

No answer to the question of ‘why this is happening to Pat’ can take the pain away from those who know and love her. But I say lets not focus on the ‘why’ and seek the love that Pat needs, that my dad needs and that all of us need as we face any form of hardship. That love can be found in God; we experience it through Jesus, and through family and friends as we make ourselves available to be instruments of His love.

Please join me in prayer; seek for Pat to experience the eternal love of God and release from any pain and suffering. Pray that my dad will remain strong and that he will know the love and support of God as he stands by his lovely wife Pat.

Thank you

Building Life With Jesus

2009-01-16T07:15:00.001+02:00

I took these pictures while walking on the beach at Jeffrey’s Bay. Someone has taken a lot of time to build such an impressive feature.

Looking at this feature now makes me think about our lives as Christians.
When we first come to know Jesus as our Saviour we often have so many things that need to be sorted out in life. We bring those things to Jesus in prayer and He sets out to work with us on each of them.

But it doesn't stop their does it?
We think that we've given it all over to Him only to find that theirs another coarse that needs to be placed on top of the other!
And so the journey goes.

However, as the picture shows; with each course that we lay, one on top of the other, the feature gets stronger. Our lives get stronger and stronger as we lay our lives daily before the Lord, one course at a time.

One last thing; notice how the feature tapers off towards the top and points towards the heavens?
All those items in our lives that need to be worked through gradually become less and less as we build with Jesus, as we become more like Him.
Don’t let discouragement over the sheer magnitude of issues in life that need Jesus' touch stop you from building; the end product will be worth all the toil.

"A life of Christ-likeness that glorifies its Creator".

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
(Philippians 1:6, NLT)

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(Romans 8:29, NIV)

Final day of Christmas holiday 2008

2009-01-16T07:12:00.002+02:00

Louise and I had a lovely day together. We kept it simple, we walked on the beach, had a dippy ice cream (yummy) and just enjoyed each others company. The weather was beautiful which made the beach walk a real delight. We walked some way, then stopped for a while on a sand dune and just watched the sea and took in our surroundings.
Man Jeffrey's Bay is a lovely place.

We finished our day by visiting one of our favorite restaurants in town; The Mexican. We had a lovely meal together, enjoying conversations and generally just kicked back.

We both would have liked to have done more with our holiday time but that wasn't to be. I can say however, that finishing the holiday in such a great way made the time very special for me.

I love you my wife; Happy holiday and a Happy New Year to you!

Quote of the Day

2009-01-13T09:29:00.002+02:00

Taken from Google's 'Quote for the Day'.

"You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more."
(Oprah Winfrey)

I'm not a big fan of Oprah, but hey what wise words?

* Respond to God's Spirit and you will blossom into more. *

Frustration or Realisation!

2009-01-13T09:24:00.001+02:00

Should a church play to its strengths?

The answer to this question is obviously 'yes'!

I'm part of a church that is mostly made up of believers who are retired. Each and everyone of them are great folk; folk who have been walking with the Lord for a long time. The trouble comes into my picture when I look at how we do church.

When you have a congregation that, may I say, is made up largely of older folk the way church is done is traditionally. I don't have a problem with tradition, I can even say that on some matters of the faith I'm pretty conservative and traditional; my problem comes when I look at the vision for the church and at what I feel God is calling me to do in my own relationship with Him.

As a church we want to reach out to families, we want to be a family church that can minister into the lives of all believers from all generations. With this is a desire to reach those still outside the kingdom, again from all generations.

What a great vision?

In my own life with the Lord, I feel that He wants to use me to reach young families, both those who are already believers and those that aren't.

What a great calling?

Put my churches vision together with what I believe is God's calling for me and we should have a match made in heaven!

But this isn't the case!

My church thinks its providing a place for all generations, that its family friendly - NEWS FLASH - Your not!

We have a great Sunday School ministry (although, most parents drop their children off but don't join the service), we have an evening service that is great for those without children (If you have children you are likely to be putting them to bed while the service is running) and we have a morning service that is great if you are of the older generation!

Last night at a meeting, some congratulated themselves because we are a church that pretty much always sings hymns. Two retired folk joined us last Sunday and said they would only come because we are a hymn singing church. How great it is to be a hymn singing church; we have attracted two more retired believers to our church. But how many from the younger generations have we lost because we are only a hymn singing - traditional church I ask myself?

Should we as a church play to our strengths?

Again the answer is 'yes'!

With this being the case; shouldn't my churches vision be one where they actively reach out to older folk, concentrating all their efforts on doing so?

But where does that leave the younger generations (I'm not just talking about youth, but young families and alike)?

Where does that leave me, and what I feel God is calling me to do with my life?

FRUSTRATED!

New Horizons

2009-01-01T08:49:00.003+02:00

Jesus is calling us to join Him and scale the peaks. Its as we do that we get to share his beautiful view of creation.

Lets not just play it safe at the foot of the mountain in the visitors centre, looking at pictures of what could have been.

Where's your aim?

2008-12-23T06:54:00.001+02:00

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in.
Aim at earth and you get neither.

C.S.Lewis quote.

Tis Christmas time!

2008-12-22T12:10:00.009+02:00

Don't worry; the news reported that all landed safely, Santa just had a closer shave then normal!

So, its that wonderful time of the year. I love Christmas.

However, as I sit and write my Christmas blog entry I can't help thinking about friends and family afar.
Its not the easiest of Christmas' this year.
I want to remember my uncle Peter, cousins Gary and Michelle. Sadly for the family, we have recently lost my Auntie Maureen. To my uncle and family, please know that we feel deeply for you as you remember your wife and mother at this time.
Next to this I remember my Dad and his lovely wife Pat who I've grown very attached too over the years. Pat, sadly has been told that she has a cancerous tumor. This caner has been diagnosed as terminal; needless to say, such news has really knocked us all.
All this has come about so very quickly; Louise and I feel so desperately for both Pat and my dad. We want you guys to know that we love you and are lifting you both up in prayer.

Christmas can be so hard when we think about those we know and love who are suffering. Being away from large parts of my family is hard enough but to face up to such news just makes everything so much harder.

I can say that I'm not only feeling sadness at this time. I'm feeling very thankful to God for this past year that He has blessed me with.
Its a year that has seemed to have flown by but one that has been filled with great times.
I was able to fly back to the UK for a month earlier in the year where I saw loads of my family and friends; Louise and I had such a great time. It was just amazing to be able to enjoy fun times with those I love and care for so much.
But that's not all, my mum, now in her retirement, boarded a plane and spent seven weeks here in South Africa. When she rocked up in Port Elizabeth airport I was just so happy.
It was great to have her here and to be able to show her our beautiful home.
We managed to do so many fun things with her but the highlight remains a day that mum and I had all to ourselves, a day when we both road elephants; yes we both had a ride of a lifetime on the back of one of the most amazing animals God has created.

It was hard to have to say goodbye to my mum but my pain was soon replaced with a pain of a different kind. I was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack!!
Thankfully it was only a nasty stomach ulcer, but it was a massive scare to say the least.
I want to say that my new family here looked after me so well and I'm so thankful to God that I haven't only been blessed with a loving wife but also with a loving mother, father and gran-in-law (YOU GUYS ROCK).

Not all distractions are nice eh? Mum will be coming out to South Africa again, I hope for a less hard time when she has to leave!

What else can I share, well their is the exciting news about being called by my church. They have called me to be a student pastor.
This has opened the door up for be to be able to apply to the Baptist Union of South Africa to join their ministers list.
I had hoped to have had an interview by now but was told that I first had to do a module on Baptist Principles and History. I have done this and in doing so had to write the first exam I've written in some twenty five years! I passed though, YAY!!
Now, in the new year, I hope to be able to get on with having the interviews and finally get on the list.
You know, God knows what He is doing and both Louise and I continue to wait for His will to be done. In the mean time, we continue to learn, I continue to work through my studies and hope that one day soon, we will have even more opportunities to serve Him.

Christmas is often a time when people rush around trying to get that final gift. Its not quite like that here in Jeffrey's Bay. Life here tends to be a bit more chilled-out, Christmas is a little less driven by retail sales figures.
While I think about retail; we've seen some massive changes in our quite little seaside town.
We have our own shopping mall (yes, I too like shopping and spending, though these days we tend to do more window shopping!).
It is great for our town; the shopping mall is just on the fringe of Jeffrey's which means the town of Jeffrey's has still been able to keep hold of that small town feeling.
Louise and I are really enjoying the mall (we even have a McDonalds!); one of the things we enjoyed in the UK was being able to walk around places like Sutton together and having a nice cup of coffee somewhere. Such trips out have been missed by us both, but no more.

Ok, I'm conscience that this one entry is getting a little big. I've shared some of my highlights from the year, I think I will close now.

I want to close by saying a massive Merry Christmas to all who read my blog, to my friends and family both near and far; I love you all.

I can't finish without mentioning the most important part of Christmas for me; JESUS.

I recently preached a sermon at our evening service on celebrations. In my message I spoke about three different types of celebration:

1. The celebration in heaven that occurred when Jesus was born into our world.
2. The celebration of Communion.
3. The celebration that takes place in heaven when a sinner repents and turns to God.

We all love to celebrate don't we, particularly at Christmas time?

I love to celebrate and I love every part of the Christmas celebration.
But what I love most about Christmas is Jesus.

Lets celebrate this Christmas wherever we may be.

Lets celebrate Jesus coming into our world.
Lets celebrate the wonderful gift of life Jesus' death has made possible for us.
Lets celebrate the new life each and every person who enters into a relationship with God through Jesus has.

Lets celebrate and lift our praise and Joy to God who makes Christmas possible.

Happy Christmas to you all.

Celebrations

2008-12-10T16:41:00.001+02:00

Here is a teaser as to the content of my coming sermon for this Sunday.

World "AIDS" Day

2008-12-01T13:38:00.002+02:00

Today is world AIDS day.

Life in South Africa has been lived somewhat under the shadow of HIV/AIDS for over a decade now. Conservative statistics put us as having 5.5 million people infected with the virus, which is about 16% of the amount of people infected world-wide. As a result of the pandemic we sit with an ever rising number of orphans, currently at about 1.4 million.
Please join the many praying today concerning the following issues:

The rate at which the virus is spreading: Pray that God will intervene here.
The availability of medication: Less than a quarter of those infected in South Africa have adequate access to the right medication.
Child-headed homes: As more and more parents succumb to the virus, more and more children are having to take over headship of households looking after even younger children
Abstinence as a solution: Pray that people we see abstinence amongst the un-married as real solution and not something to be scoffed at.
Faithfulness as a solution: Pray that married couples would be faithful to one another throughout their marriage.
Discrimination: Pray against the terrible discrimination that some face after being diagnosed with the virus.
The orphan crisis: Pray that God would raise up emergency parents, foster parents and even parents willing to adopt.
Pray for our churches: Pray that the redemption they have received in Christ will flow out into acts of love and kindness towards those infected.

He finally did it!!

2008-12-01T13:11:00.000+02:00

God's Glory

2008-12-01T13:08:00.001+02:00

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
Quote of the day from C.S. Lewis

Fuel prices come down

2008-11-28T16:29:00.002+02:00

I watched the news today and was pleased to hear that the fuel price is going down next week by around about one Rand.
Great I thought.
Such reductions have been something of a monthly occurrence for the past few months or so.
It really does help those of us who watched in some fear the fuel prices growing to an all time high earlier this year.

With such good news at the fuel pumps shouldn't we see this reflected in the supermarkets? After all, the food prices went up and up as the fuel became more expensive.
Sadly, to my disappointment their has been no such reduction in our day to day needs from the supermarkets, bread, milk and so on.

So, living in a country that has so many people living below the poverty line, what does a reduction in fuel costs mean to them?

Here in South Africa, we are surrounded by people who are living in shacks and earning very low salaries. A large majority of such people can't afford to run cars, so fuel costs coming down have very little impact.

So, what do you think, will pressure be put on the retail market by the powers that be to bring prices down?

Manufacturing costs have gone down for the retail market; so at present, with the continued high costs for products, someones making a nice profit!

Somewhere between the real and the not!

2008-11-27T16:36:00.001+02:00

Do we live in a dream world?

Are we always thinking about how we would like things to be rather then living in the now?

Its easy to miss out on what is before us if we're always worrying about what isn't.

Its good to have dreams but we aren't meant to live their.

(Sorry, I'm speaking to myself)

The words we speak!

2008-11-26T13:06:00.003+02:00

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

How easy it is to tear a person down with our words?
I'm not really one for mincing my words particularly when I feel I'm in the right or that I've been wronged, but God doesn't always want me to speak out, to engage at every wronged moment.
Sometimes we are to stand up and shout, but invariably we're called to humbly wait on God.

Its not easy to decipher Gods desire in those heated moments though is it?
I guess that's why the Psalmist prayed a prayer as seen in this verse.
Maybe like me, he couldn't hold his tongue!
But God can.

The Bible Speaks Today

2008-11-25T13:08:00.000+02:00

Why go for a modern translation?

Child-like-faith

2008-11-24T17:12:00.000+02:00

Three Lions on the shirt!

2008-11-20T08:00:00.001+02:00

Well done to the mighty England who went over to Germany and once again beat them.

Sadly I didn't get to see the game, it wasn't on the TV over here but I was delighted to wake up to the great news of our 1-2 win.

John Terry slotted in a late goal to win the game for us.

Keep it up ENGLAND!

Last nights sermon

2008-11-17T18:43:00.003+02:00

So, I have good news and bad!
The good news first - I'm told that my sermon went really well last night, which I'm well pleased about. I felt the Lord placed this message on my heart and I'm excited about what may come as a result of it.
The bad news is that my church is having technical problems at the moment and my sermon couldn't be recorded. You know its only happened because I had made reference to the fact that I'm hoping to upload the audio from my sermon!!
Actually, its just one of those things. The best I can do is publish my sermon notes on Google Docs. If you want to read them you can click on the Link below:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddp84qn2_3g3rbrsg9&hl=en_GB

The published version looks big, but its spaced out as I would speak it.

I do hope to be able to upload my future sermons so that you can listen to the audio but well......be patient eh!!

Saturday morning bliss

2008-11-15T09:26:00.003+02:00

Wow, what a change from the weeks rain.
I've woken to a beautiful day in the bay, the windows are open, the sun is shining and all is well with my world.
Saturday mornings should always be like this.
I did bombard Louise this morning with my sermon structure and content; its a hard life being a preachers wife!
I've taken from her desperate expression that its time to stop preaching and I've put on some great music.
Trevor sent me a music CD comprising of all kinds of great stuff. One piece of music I've really taken too is from a band called 'Balmorhea', they are a two piece violin and piano teaming and their music is just amazing. I've managed to get a copy of one of their albums called 'Rivers Arms'; man this is great stuff to chill out too.
So the storm has calmed, that being the rain and the preaching - long live chill out tunes!

(If you like modern classical sounds, you will love Balmorhea - Rivers Arms)

Rain, rain go away...

2008-11-14T17:06:00.002+02:00

So, most of the days this week I've woken up and wondered whether I'm back in the UK. Instead of the delightful sound of the sea I've had the sound of driving rain on my bedroom window. Weather like this makes me think of good old English summers!!
Joking aside, the country has been soaked to its core over this past week with some very un-seasonal rain. Sat in my nice comfortable, waterproof home all is well but there are a lot of people living in tin shacks that have a complete nightmare when prolonged rains like this come. Please pray for those living in the local communities around Jeffrey's.
The forecast is for dryer weather over the weekend which will be a welcome sight for many.

This Sunday sees me back preaching in my church which is really cool. I've had a bit of a break while I've been preparing for my past exam.
For some time now I've felt God leading me to preach a sermon on how He speaks to us today. So on that bases I've put together my sermon. The passage I'm preaching from is Hebrews 1:1-3:

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
(NLT)

I can't say that my sermon is very exegetical more topical but the passage does start with how God speaks and I'm going on from their.
I'm hoping that it will be recorded, if it is I'll try and post a copy on YouTube or something like that and leave a link on my blog.
So watch this space, I'm hoping to be able to post all my future sermons this way so friends and family can keep up with my preaching.

Wherever you are and whatever your doing, have a great weekend

God bless ya

Dog tired!

2008-11-14T13:09:00.000+02:00

2008 Global Leaders Summit

2008-11-10T17:15:00.001+02:00

Here are some thoughts I was asked to put together after attending the 2008 Global Leaders Summit:

I want to start with saying that this year’s summit was great. I have been blessed with having been to both this year’s summit and last years. I found that this summit had a much more spiritual sense about it. We are leaders in God’s Church and though we can learn from the business world we must remember that our nature and function are very different to that of the business world.

Where do I start with what I felt God blessed me with from the various speakers?
In Bill Hybels first session he spoke about the need for church leaders to have to make decisions. Decisions will often affect others in either good or bad ways. In the business world one can say that we are basing those decisions on the good of the company, leaders can be firm and hard if needed under such reasoning. In the church decisions need to be made, sometimes hard decisions, but often we fear their consequences.
Bill gave us a four point plan that if applied, should help us as we seek to make wise decisions:

FRAMEWORK FOR DECISION MAKING
1. Does the bible speak about it?
2. What would smart advisers say to me concerning this decision I have to make (seek the wisdom of worthy advisers)?
3. What have I learnt from the pain of past decisions (the good ones and bad)? Try journalizing not just spiritual matters but our practicing of decision making for later reference within our future ministry.
4. What is the Holy Spirit saying to me concerning this matter?

I would actually put the point about the Spirit second but this structure, I believe could really help us as leaders.

Gary Haugen, in his session blew me away.
One point that sticks out to me is the point he made concerning the things we strive for.
“Just because I'm passionate about something's doesn't mean that God wants it for me and for those I lead”.
This links well with Bill’s points on wise decision making and made me really sit up and think. I have a number of things running around in my head about church and even my private life that will affect others, are they things that God wants or am I striving towards my will?

A theme for the conference in my eyes was “Is this doing church”?
Am I doing church by striving for the things that really only matter to me? Isn’t “doing church” actually about getting down to the things that matter to God?

I’m going to close now by giving short feedback on other sessions, hoping that if I keep it short I won’t get marked down for going over my allotted three points!!

Efrem Smith and, “Leading in new cultural realities”; what a timely word?
We are living in a multicultural world where people living with us are not only from other countries but are often people that in fact come from the same country but are very different culturally. With such a truth in mind, shouldn’t we be doing church in a way that reaches everyone regardless of colour, greed or culture?

Craig Groeschel and, “IT: How leaders can get IT and keep IT”.
“IT”, being the life and presence of the Spirit in all we do as “Church”.
We can have “IT”, we can lose “IT”, but we can get “IT” back again.
What a mind bender this paragraph is? However, what needs to be understood is the need for the Spirit to saturate every aspect of church. If we don’t have such a blessing, we need to be taking every step to get “IT”!

Bill Hybels last session on “Relentless” and his study on the life of Mother Teresa. What a way to close the conference? What an amazing lady Mother Teresa was?
I’m sure at times we’ve all felt like giving up, Mother Teresa’s life shows us someone who never did, and reminds us that we must never give up on fulfilling the will and calling God has for us.

Last words: check out John Burke’s session (on the DVD).
Messy Church! Should we make people wait until they have their life looking all together before we welcome them in to church? If they were in such a “utopia state” wouldn’t they be out of place in our churches with all of us less then perfect people?

Windswept

2008-11-07T08:00:00.001+02:00

I love Jeffrey's Bay but I don't love the incredible winds that we get.
As I write this post I'm sat at home with the windows battened down yet still the blinds are being blow by the incredible wind outside.
One thing you never see in photo's of the bay is the wind, its an invisible force.

Jesus actually likens the Holy Spirit to the wind in the Gospel. We can hear the wind but we don't where it comes from (someone who understands weather would likely give a science lesson and explain it all but, well......)
Wind is a great picture of the Spirit though isn't it? Some days its gentle, like a slight breeze.
The Spirit is often gentle like a slight breeze in our lives, His always their gently leading us through life and reminding us of his presence.
Then there are the days like today when the wind is incredible in its strength. The wind can actually blow man made structures apart (thankfully, I'm not seeing that in the bay today).
The Spirit also has that ability; man's best efforts to order his or her life can be blown away in an instant by the Spirit if that is God's will.
What about wind as a source of compulsion? The wind blows sailing boats, kites and can even produce energy that powers so much in our lives.
The Spirit of God is also a source of power in the believers life; if harnessed we can be lead by Him into a deeper relationship with God and into becoming more like Jesus, mature in all matters of life and faith.

The Holy Spirit is just one ingredient within the grace of God; a grace that He pours out upon all who will seek Him and respond to His invitation to have an exciting relationship with Him.
The Holy Spirit is cool man, why wouldn't you want Him in your life?

I still struggle with the wind, but thinking about it as I have here does make me feel somewhat better about it.

8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.
(John 3:8, NLT)

13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
(Ephesians 1:13-14, NLT)

Just wondering!

2008-10-22T17:08:00.003+02:00

From this

To This

Well, this is going to blow your minds.
Louise and I have taken the very bold (or mad) step of looking into buying a new home.
Yes we love our present home, yes we have been happy here and know that we will remain happy here if we stay, BUT.......

When your wife discovers that a home that she loves is on the market, one has to consider all possibilities.
We've put in an offer on the new place and its been accepted.
The new house is in Aston Bay (around the corner from Jeffrey's), has three bedrooms, two garages (one converted into a study with front glass sliding doors) and two bathrooms. Its an older house that reminds Louise of the house her Grandad built for his wife a long time ago.
Lets just say, Louise gets emotional just thinking about it!
Is this God's will for us? If it isn't then may we not sell our home (bit of a fleece maybe, I hope not).

Guy's I'm sharing this with you now because we want your prayers. If this is within God's will for our lives, please pray that all will go through smoothly.
We aren't going to breakdown any doors to make it happen, but who knows.....

From My Garden

2008-10-16T19:55:00.001+02:00

From Daily in Your Presence; A Devotional

2008-10-16T13:05:00.000+02:00

CONTINUITY

Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth,
and it endures.
(Psalm 119:90)

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, nothing ever changes about My character. I am the same, day after day. But you are like a chameleon, changing "colors" and attitudes as often as the weather. I understand, My child. I know you are as dust. But let My continuity be an example of faithfulness to you. Daily, come, sit and talk with Me. The more we get together, the more stable your life will become. My ultimate goal is to make you like Me so others will see My reflection in your life.

Man, I need to take this onboard.

New photo's

2008-10-04T15:09:00.001+02:00

I've posted some new photo's; if your interested click on link below:
http://mlk30.blogspot.com/

Could this be a picture of life?

2008-10-04T08:59:00.002+02:00

Five jets of water not really getting anywhere!

Don't we in life try to juggle to many things? Maybe if their was simply one jet the water would get somewhere!

How can I drop all those things baying for my time I hear you say; You can't, but you can concentrate fully on one thing at a time and get somewhere.

All the way my Savior leads me

2008-10-02T17:20:00.001+02:00

All the way my Savior leads me

Who have I to ask beside

How could I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my guide

All the way my Savior leads me

Cheers each winding path I tread

Gives me grace for every trial

Feeds me with the living Bread

You lead me and keep me from falling

You carry me close to Your heart

And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me

O, the fullness of His love

O, the sureness of His promise

In the triumph of His blood

And when my spirit clothed immortal

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages

Jesus led me all the way

All the way my Savior leads me

(Chris Tomlin - All The Way My Saviour Leads Me)

Yummy!

2008-10-01T11:00:00.003+02:00

The wife really can make cheese cake!

What me?

2008-09-22T07:28:00.003+02:00

I'm to lazy to hold a grudge!!

Let all that I am praise the Lord

2008-09-21T14:16:00.002+02:00

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6 The Lord gives righteousness
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
7 He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
(Psalm 103:1-22, NLT)

Readers

2008-09-12T11:41:00.002+02:00

Last night my mother started her course to become a "reader" (a bit like a vicar), in the Church of England. I'm so proud of her, I know shes going to do great.
What an amazing God we have, look what He is doing in the Knight family.
My brother is on his third and final year of study to become a reader, my mum is now starting the same course and I'm studying theology with a view of becoming a pastor.
What a turn around for us all, and some question whether God is real!
Are they blind?
Lord, give sight to the blind I pray.

Song of Victory

2008-09-11T18:13:00.002+02:00

Psalm 18

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
(Psalm 18: 1-3, NIV)

I'm preaching from this Sunday.

England, you Beauties!

2008-09-11T07:43:00.002+02:00

Come on England!

Wow, what a win last night; Croatia 1-4 England.
Theo Walcott hit a stunning hat-trick as England thrashed Croatia in a World Cup qualifying tie in Zagreb.
Check out the report below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7602774.stm
Croatia haven't lost a competitive game at home since 1994 so the commentators reported.
THEY HAVE NOW!!

Love is....

2008-09-09T20:29:00.003+02:00

1 I may speak in different languages, of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal.
2 I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing.
3 I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done.
6 Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.
7 Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.
8 Love never ends.
(1 Co 13:1-8, NCV)

My devotional for the past leaders meeting can be found at the link below:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddp84qn2_2hbnz598q&hl=en_GB

Leaders Meeting

2008-09-06T07:20:00.003+02:00

Monday night we have our next leaders meeting at Church. I'm leading the devotional and have been trying to think of a challenging message to really get us going as leaders, but is that what's needed? Isn't a devotional meant to lead us to a place where we are in complete devotion to our Lord? Wouldn't being in such a place set the meeting of on the right footing?
It's when we are in such a state of humble devotion that the challenge to love Him, and fulfill all He is calling us to as leaders comes.

The Message

2008-09-05T13:42:00.006+02:00

Some time back, as a small group we completed a course of studies called "In the dust of the Rabbi". Towards the end of these studies we were encouraged to get back into the regular reading of God's Word as disciples of Jesus.
I've tried to take this on board and have been regularly using Eugene H. Peterson's "Message".
I know this bible translation isn't new, a number of people have been using it and praising it for a longtime.
Well anyway, I've been using it and really enjoying it's contemporary language .
Some will say that it's simply a paraphrase of the bible and not great for a deeper study of God's Word, that's fine; I would still choose the NIV for study purposes, but for everyday reading I'm loving the Message.
You can actually access an online version by clicking on the link below:
http://www.studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=Matthew+10&section=0&translation=msg&oq=mt%252010&new=1&nb=mt&nfc=%A0%7C%3C%A0&ng=10&ncc=10.

Give it a try and decide for yourself.

Check it out!

2008-09-01T19:14:00.002+02:00

Every one's getting into this blog stuff!
My mum, now back in the UK has started her own blog. Check it out at:

http://sueknight.blogspot.com/

Isn't she doing well?

Go for it mum.

The Shack

2008-08-26T17:05:00.000+02:00

I've just finished reading the controversial book, "The Shack" written by William P. Young.
It's a story that is very hard to read in the begin chapters, where we are introduced to "The Great Sadness" of the main character Mackenzie but read further and the story just explodes. I know that a number of people who read my blog will at some stage read "The Shack"; I can't say too much without spoiling it for them, so I will concentrate on sharing my thoughts on the book if I may. There has been a lot of mixed responses to this book, mainly in America but over here in SA as well, some good, some bad. All I can say on that score is that we need to remember that this is a work of fiction it’s not meant to be taken literally. There was for me, one particular moment that raised my uncomfortable antenna, it was where we were first introduced to the Trinity. However, I decided to put to one side my deeply held understanding of the Trinity and to read on. I'm glade I did as the picture becomes much clearer and my concerns lessen. What I take away from this book is a deeper appreciation of God's love for all whom He has created. This awareness comes through a fictional story that promotes much thinking; could we not liken such an approach to parables? I wonder.
I've heard some of the negative stuff that has been said about this book and know that for many these thoughts come out of a deep love for God and I respect you for such, I however have decided that this book has encouraged me to love God all the more, not the picture of the Trinity seen in the book, but the one who makes Himself known to me through His living Word, through creation, through many people and all kinds of situations encountered in life. My hope is that others will also be led deeper into their relationship with God, or better still, brought to a place where they may seek the one true God for the very first time in life.
I will try to keep my closing thoughts brief. Before reading this book I had never heard of the author William P. Young; from his notes at the back of the book I believe that he has written this book while living out his own relationship with God. He may be unknown to many; my question is, "If he was one of the familiar Christian greats of our time, would we be so troubled by this book"? If you are tempted to read this book, remember that it is fiction and persevere, I think you, like me will be rewarded if you do so.

....And Then!

2008-08-21T17:30:00.001+02:00

Life begins at forty I've recently written! Well to the horror of those close, me included, I've recently endured a spell in hospital. Week ending the 16th August 2008 goes down as one I don't care to repeat. I said goodbye to my mum on the Monday, who had been out here in SA for some seven weeks; I had a day to wallow in my loneliness then bang, and I mean BANG! On the Tuesday night I woke with a growing pain in my chest and upper stomach, a pain that just wouldn't go away no matter how many pain killers I swallowed. By the morning I conceded that I needed to see a doctor and ended up in town at the surgery. An ESG showed worrying signs and I was sent of to hospital in Humansdorp. There treatment began and a heart attack was thankfully ruled out. I was admitted into hospital where I continued to be treated for an infected ulcer. Friday saw me being shipped by ambulance to a rather rundown hospital in Port Elizabeth; I was sent there for the test where they stick the scope down your throat, however I never got such a test. I did undergo various nasty X-rays with a tube up my nostril and down my throat. As a result, the doctors were able to rule out a hernia (again, thankfully). I was sent off to another department where the treatment for an affected stomach ulcer was again started, and in time Louise and I were eventually sent home (YAY).

Back home, I've continued with my pills and I'm pleased to say that I'm a lot better. It's all been a bit dramatic, particularly when I went into hospital with a suspected heart attack, but it's also been something of a wake up call for me. Stomach ulcers come for a reason; I know that I need to assess my whole lifestyle and make changes. So, life does indeed begin at forty, a new life (all be it, a blander one!).

I just want to make a note here of my thanks to Louise, my family here, friends everywhere, family in the UK and all the hospital staff who have been a great help and support to me.

Dreams fulfilled

2008-08-06T19:19:00.002+02:00

Towards the end of mum's stay here in SA we took a week to just do things together, hit the beach, visit St Francis that sort of thing. The highlight of the week was a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary at Plettenberg Bay. We set of on a beautiful warm day and enjoyed the ride down. Once at the sanctuary we soon got to see the elephants, wow what amazing animals. We paid our fees and waited for our guide full of excitement. The guide met us and the others who made up our party and did a great job explaining all sorts of things to do with the elephants. Once we were introduced to the three elephants that would make up our experience everything began. We got to walk with them while they, with their trunks held our hands. This was followed with a show of some typical elephant behaviour and a chance to take photos while getting to look closer at these amazing creatures. We fed them some nutritious pellets and some butternut and got to hangout with them.

Then came the finale, mum and I got to ride an elephant each! Man, what an experience, up on the back of such a huge animal. The ride wasn't the most comfortable form of transport I've been on, the spine of an elephant is quite raised and when the elephant trotted a bit it was hang on for dear life! But man, both of us were just blown away by our experience. We disembarked with the biggest grins on our faces ever seen. What a fantastic day?

Thanks mum for making this one of the most amazing days of my life.

A new arrival in our Church family!

2008-08-05T21:36:00.002+02:00

Early this morning I had the fantastic news that my friend and pastor Don, his wife Caryn and daughter Kylie welcomed baby Joel into the world. I'm so pleased for them all and really look forward to their return to Jeffrey's and a chance to meet Joel.

Well done Caryn, God bless you all.

Life Begins at 40!

2008-08-03T17:49:00.002+02:00

And so the saying goes..."life begins at 40", I would agree!

My birthday celebrations started on the day of my birthday (obviously!), I was inundated with calls, text messages and loads of birthday wishes from friends and family. Evening time was gift time; I was blessed with having many, included within these was a wonderful painting from my uncle Jack and not to forget an AFC Wimbledon DVD from Trev (Cool). The day continued with a great meal out with mum and Louise; we went to a restaurant called "Three Fat Fish" and had the best time.

The birthday celebrations continued at the weekend where I enjoyed a Lunchtime birthday braai with loads of my SA family and friends, a particularly special thing was that my mum was here to enjoy the celebrations. I missed everyone from the UK, but hey guy's, mum flew the flag for you all! While enjoying my party, Louise gave me my birthday gift from her and my family here, wow it's great. Louise, with the help of loads of family and friends put together a "This is Your Life Book". Contained within it are pictures, letters and all sorts of goodies. I have to say, when I got back home where I could enjoy it properly, I was moved to tears; the memories that are within this book remind me of some the greatest parts of my first 40 years, IT IS GREAT. Louise, and all who contributed to my book, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Lastly, to all who made my birthday so incredible, THANK YOU SO MUCH, I LOVE YOU ALL.

My Induction

2008-07-28T21:24:00.001+02:00

Above: Pastor Don on the left, myself and Pastor Roy on the right

On the 27th of July 2008 I was inducted as a student pastor into my home Church, Jeffrey's Bay Baptist Church. It was a great service, one where I had my mum sat their in the congregation (I have to say, I couldn't stop thinking about everyone back in the UK; I so wish everyone could have be their). I've been feeling that God has been calling me into the pastorate for a long time now and at last things are coming together. God really blessed me in the service; not only was I officially inducted but also, Louise and I were together prayed for by so many people. As a couple we recognize that we are both called into this position, I know that without Louise's support it’s unlikely this would have happened. However, I'm also very aware that God calls the shots and brings all things about; Louise and I hope to serve and glorify Him wherever we can. When it came to the moment of prayer, mum joined us, together with Dad, who represented my family here in SA and just so many people from our Church; what love and warmth we both felt.

Wilderness

2008-07-28T21:11:00.002+02:00

Wow, what a beautiful place Wilderness is? It’s been really cool to explore more of SA. While mum has been here with us, we got together with Louise’s folks for a little holiday in a place called wilderness which is very close to a town called George in the Western Cape. It’s a place where you have the coast on one side and mountains on the other, the views were amazing.

Our accommodation was right on the seafront and gave us frequent opportunities to see whales, dolphins and all kinds of local birds. To wake up and watch whales while eating breakfast is pretty cool eh?

We filled our week with many activities from visiting a safari to meeting ostriches at an ostrich farm (I even got to sit on an ostrich, poor thing!). The safari gave me a chance to see my first ever white lions and white tigers along with many other fantastic animals. The ostrich farm, and the guided tour enabled us to learn all about ostrich farming including how they incubate the eggs (we all got to stand on a bundle of eggs, man those suckers are strong!); we were even shown how they make feather dusters out of the various different ostrich feathers!

Another day on our holiday was spent up in the mountains; we travelled up on the power van (a single carriage diesel rail van) from George; the views from the mountains were just great. We all had an amazing time away but it didn’t end their, on out travels home we stopped of in Plettenberg Bay and a wild cat rescue centre where I got to stroke a cheater (not forgetting licked and nibbled!!), what an experience!

Splash in more ways then one!

2008-07-16T20:03:00.002+02:00

So, Billabong has come to Jeffrey's bay. I took mum to super tubes (one of our beaches) to watch the contest. We enjoyed lunch together watching the dudes riding the waves and doing all kinds of tricks.

The highlight of the day though was the moment when mum and I shared a wave with the surfers. Busy photographing the action we were hit by a big wave that came on shore, much to our horror! I managed to lift myself out of the water rather quickly and only suffered a slightly wet side of my shorts, mum however didn't quite respond as quick and ended up taking an early bath. I'm not sure whether she got wetter as the wave came in or as it went out, but anyway she got a rather wet bum!! It's great to be able to laugh such things away and mum was a great sport and did so. I don't actually think she will ever live this one down!!

Check out those shorts!!

All ended well for us both however when we decided to leave the beach and go for ice cream (anyone who knows mum, knows that ice cream for her has magical healing properties!!).

Birthday Girl!

2008-07-16T18:48:00.005+02:00

One year older and wiser!!

Yes, this last weekend was Louise's birthday. We actually spent most of the weekend celebrating which was nice. Saturday Louise and I met up with the folks, my mum included, we had a great lunch together at Potters Place here in Jeffrey's; the food was great, the company was great and we all had a blast!

Sunday, the actual birthday, started with Church then a nice walk on the beach in the mid-day sun. Louise and mum were busy doing the usual, collecting shells, saving washed up fish and putting the world to rights!!

'Will their be a shell left on this beach once mum's finished?'

'Mum and Louise sporting the latest "hipsters" while doing beach aerobics!'

Later we again joined the folks, it was then that Louise got to open what was a great number of gifts; wow, my wife did well this year, COOL. We all eat far to much cake (What ya meant to do on birthdays, eh?) and just chilled out enjoying the amazing view from the folks place. The weather has been glorious over the weekend which just added to the enjoyment, not bad for mid-winter.

'Gran, ya gorgeous!'

'Wow, that was a strong puff, even Gran's blown away!!'

'What's in here then?'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE!

Winter!!

2008-07-08T20:28:00.004+02:00

Mum now believes that we do have winter here in SA, it's been cold here for the past few days and today wet.
Sadly mum has been under the weather with a tummy upset, however I'm pleased to say that she seems to be getting a little better.
So, what with the weather and sickness we've not done that much lately. Saturday we did all go out to Humansdorp a town just outside Jeffrey's. We enjoyed some little nik-nak shops and had coffee in a nice little coffee shop. Oh yeah, mum changed the habit of a life time and brought herself a new hand bag!!

News from mum

2008-07-01T18:24:00.002+02:00

She's having a great time on her excursion. Having reached the highest point in all Africa via some bumpy four wheel driving, the report is that all is breath taking (in more ways then one!). I'm looking forward to viewing the many photo's that she's taken. What an experience she must be having?

Great times in the bay.

2008-06-23T20:19:00.005+02:00

Its been great having mum with us. We've been blessed with the most amazing weather considering its winter! Saturday we started of on the beach.

The water was a bit cold but hey, we had to get our feet wet!

Later, in the afternoon we went for a drive around the surrounding area, just checking out some of the great spots that Louise and I like to visit. While driving in Paradise Beach we were treated to a meal out - we weren't the ones eating, a family of monkeys had that joy!

Sunday, mum came to the beach with us again (its a hard life!), this time she saw a whole load of dolphins.

Today we had a little surprise for mum, I took her to Lombardini Game Farm which is just outside of Jeffrey's. We went on a game drive and saw all kinds of animals. Mum spent the whole trip with a massive smile glued to her face!

I think she's having a good time.

All's well with my world!

2008-06-20T20:36:00.004+02:00

After some serious hours of travelling mum arrived safe and sound At Port Elizabeth. Wow, it was great to see her, I still can't believe that she's here. We have all just enjoyed a nice meal together and are going to spend the evening relaxing together. Mum is holding up well considering she has done all that travelling, I would actually be struggling to stay awake by now! So her time here begins, I hope we can fill her up with loads of fond memories.

What-a-life!

2008-06-20T10:16:00.005+02:00

The Eagle has landed!!

2008-06-20T08:44:00.002+02:00

Yes, mum's flight arrived at Jo'burg, she's here. I was sat by the computer trying to see when her flight arrived which wasn't the easiest with the SA flight arrival web sites not being great. I think her flight from the UK was a little delayed, but nothing major. Sadly, she has been told that to get on an earlier flight to Port Elizabeth she will have to pay some R900. which is crazy money! So, as I write this mum is sitting in Jo'burg international and has just sent me an SMS to say that she thinks she will have to just wait for her later flight, which is fine (She'll enjoy the shops I'm sure).
The sun is shining and I'm going to be heading of soon to PE, I need to pick up a few things, mum included!

Excitement is growing!

2008-06-18T18:13:00.001+02:00

Its hard to believe, but my mother will be here, in my home in two days time. It doesn't feel that long ago that I was writing about my trip to the UK. So mum is coming, the first from my family and friends to make the trip. I know that she's really excited about coming and both Louise and I are looking forward to sharing with her our life here in SA. Things are quite different for us here in comparison to that of the UK, I wonder what my mum will make of it.

Mum is taking a trip to Durban and the surrounding area while she is here, I'm impressed that she's doing this without us, she's going on one of those guided tour excursions (I would actually love to join her!) We are all going away together while she is here; that will be Louise's folks and gran together with mum, Louise and myself. We are of to wilderness near knysna. I've never been to wilderness before which is cool, it'll be nice to see more of this great country.

Keep an eye on my blog to see what we've been getting up to while mum is here.

God bless ya.

Gardeners back!!

2008-06-17T19:00:00.003+02:00

A friend of ours has likened weeding her garden to her life as a Christian and has shared some very wise thoughts on the subject. I can't say that I've had such inspiration while working in my garden over this past holiday weekend. I'm still very pleased with how things have come together though I must say. I've just completed my back garden central bed (well, not quite central but you'll get the drift from my photo's I'm sure!). Louise and I, some time ago, decided to put up a wall in the front garden which turned out great but left us with a cycad in a rather undesirable place. Louise isn't a big fan of cycads, unlike me and kind of wasn't to bothered about keeping it. I, however decided that it would make a great addition to our back garden. So I set out to create a nice bed for it; we have a patch of ground where grass struggled to grow so that seemed like as good a place as any. The ground was a complete nightmare with enough rock to create my very own mountain! I did however manage to remove enough to create what has become a rather nice feature bed. The cycad is sitting in the middle of the bed with various other cactus/aloe plants. We had two reed strelizias which I've included and various vygies (English translation is faychies). The bed was hard work in the making but both of us are very pleased with how it has turned out. I'm just praying that the cycad has survived the move!

Once the plants start to grow and fill the area it should be quite something eh?

Guess who?

2008-06-17T17:39:00.001+02:00

I'll give you a glue - Two wheels are better then four!

Funky Fred has to go!

2008-06-07T15:32:00.007+02:00

Fuel prices worldwide are hurting many people; Louise and I have decided that it's time to let Fred go. Who on earth is Fred, I'm sure a number of you are asking? Fred is my beach buggy!

Fuel prices have kept me from driving it to much and have caused us to think about other forms of transport. Part of my life now as a student pastor will include visiting people throughout the week, some locally, some further out in Paradise Beach and Aston Bay. So, we've stepped out in faith that Fred will sell and have purchased a scooter. Winter is fast approaching which means that not many people are buying buggies, but in the same way as I've had to sell for fuel reasons, some people who own these huge great bakkies are looking for a in-town run-around. So I'm hopping that a sale won't be far away.

It's my first time riding any kind of motorised bike properly so I've been a little be cautious with my riding but recon that I will soon get the hang of it. I'm enjoying it and the fact that the fuel costs will be a lot lower means that I will use it a lot more often then Fred. Wasps here in South Africa don't look like those of the UK, black and yellow stripped but I do when I'm out and about in town. Check it out man!

I've posted a whole load of recent photo's of various things on my photo blog, so why don't you check it out? http://mlk30.blogspot.com/

New challenges

2008-06-07T13:20:00.000+02:00

As some of you will know, I have recently been called by my Church (http://jeffreysbaybaptist.blogspot.com/) to serve as a student pastor. This is great for Louise and I and I'm hoping it will open up doors that will give us more opportunities to minister in our area.
One challenge that my senior pastor has given me is to really push small group ministry in our Church. Louise and I have been blessed with the opportunity to birth our Churches small group ministry but growth has been slow, As a Church we recognise that such a ministry may well be key to growth, not only towards maturity of members but also congregational growth in our Church coupled with the further advancement of God's Kingdom in our community. So, pastor Roy has challenged me to take it up a level to which I'm looking at ways of doing so.
I'm very thankful to all those in our Church who have stepped up to serve as small group leaders; I want to acknowledge them and encourage these guys by supporting them in anyway that I can. Part of that will be to regularly visit them as they hold their groups. Tuesday I went to visit Harry and Tina, two of our senior members who are running a small group in a retirement complex called Jeffrey's Rus. What a delight it was for me to be welcomed into their group. Harry is 87 years old and has so many great stories to tell about his life as a Christian. In the group we focused on discussing the previous Sunday sermons and how they impact our lives.
In order to encourage growth in the membership of small groups and development of new small groups, I want to challenge those in our congregation, who aren't part of existing small groups, to take time to explore them. To do this I will need to do some advertising, and to a point, some selling. I also need to look out for new leaders with a view of forming new groups. If any of you who read my blog have any ideas that might help me in my challenge, please make contact with me, I'm interested in advice from those who have developed such a ministry in their church.
God bless ya.

Together we can.....

2008-05-30T19:35:00.002+02:00

Autumn

2008-05-26T17:30:00.009+02:00

Autumn has been great with hot sunny days, not hot like mid-summer, but comfortable, many here say that it's the time of the year they enjoy the most.
Louise and I were able to enjoy a nice Sunday lunch out in our garden yesterday with birds singing all around us, man it was great.
The picture above is of a male Double Collared Sun Bird; we often have a pair visit our garden, both male and female. We have an empty plot next door to us and usually they are their but of late they have been spending more and more time in our garden and are quickly becoming one of my favorite birds. The female isn't so bright but together they look great.

I'm still not used to the weather here, autumn in my mind means cold wet days with winter looming. However, I do miss the autumn colours of the UK, we don't really get anything like it here. Autumn here to me, is a bit like spring in that our plants start blooming and growth is plentiful.
Incredibly, in less then four weeks my mum will be here. I can't wait to show her my home and let her see something of my life here in South Africa. I'm excited as I think about her arrival but I also know that between now and then we're going to be pretty busy. I haven't decorated my living room yet and hope to be able to do so. Louise and I have chosen our colours, I think when it's done it's going to look great.
Louise today, has started a lift club to st Frances with the manager of st Frances Spar Supermarket. We've been looking for such an opportunity to share the driving and petrol costs for a long time now, it's going to make quite a difference to us. The cost of living is going up everywhere and for everyone, we see this lift club as yet another way God is providing for us, how blessed we are. Many in Jeffrey's Bay are really feeling the pinch, I can't begin to imagine how the people living in the townships are managing. The government here is looking at ways to change the way food is taxed, we're hoping that this will see food prices finally stabilizing.
Well, that's about it for now guys, thanks for reading.
As I finish of this entry my ears are filled with the sound of the sea, the tide must be coming in, it's roaring away nicely; that's one thing I'm going to be sharing with mum soon, anyone else fancy joining her?

God bless ya.

God hears all prayers!

2008-05-19T15:46:00.002+02:00

Photo updates

2008-05-16T21:23:00.001+02:00

Check out my photo blog for some recent pictures.

Just click on this link.

http://mlk30.blogspot.com

Short wheel base!

2008-05-15T20:42:00.001+02:00

I would like to introduce you to Jerry!

Look at that frown!

Louise and I have added to our family, much to the rest of the households discussed!

Max, whom you've met in some of my others entries is the kind of dog who just loves to be with other dogs. We often see them on the beach and he goes wild playing with them. At home, with Louise out at work and me working on my studies, finds Max pretty much left to himself and feeling rather bored and depressed. Have you ever seen a depressed dog!! So anyway, for some time we have spoken about getting another dog for companionship for him and Jerry is the result. We can't afford another big dog so we chose to go for a short wheel base version.

The rest of the house is in varying degrees of disarray, the cats just can't work out what on earth we were thinking about and Max is like, man this thing just won't leave me alone! Don't be fooled by this cute face, Jerry is one feisty Jack Russell!

Jerry has been with us for two weeks now and is nine weeks old, he is a hit with ever guest who comes into our home and after two weeks his brother and sisters (Max and the cats, Pippa and Tessa) are even starting to except him. I think all will be well in our house, (one day anyway!).

(Wow, those socks are bad man!)

Max won't admit it I'm sure, but he is starting to like his little mate sleeping with him!

Sad days in J'bay!

2008-04-30T15:04:00.001+02:00

I'm gutted to say that this last week has been a bit of a sad one in the Bay. Our Church Sunday school was broken into and the small TV among other things was stolen. Then on Thursday three of the ladies in our Church who were having a small group ladies meeting, in the same Sunday school building were held up at gun point by two guys. It was a horrible experience for them all, particularly for Caryn our associate pastors wife, she was their with her young daughter Kylie. The ladies had pepper spray sprayed into their faces and had things like mobile phones stolen. All four are thankfully fine but are still dealing with troubling memories of the event. I understand that the two guys have been caught by the local police and have admitted guilt. The bad news just kept coming; one of the couples in our small group, Mike and Lynda have just lost Mike's brother. He died very suddenly, the news has really shocked the family.

Their has been a lot of activity in my road this last week with one of our neighbours moving out and what looks like a new couple moving in, removal lorries have been back and fourth shaking the ground as they do.

Our front garden also has seen change and is really starting to take shape; I've been working hard in my spare time moving plants around, Louise and I are really enjoying how it looks. I know I keep saying so, but I will take some photo's soon so that you can see.

I've been busy with preaching at Church lately, I'm down for three straight weeks with the middle Sunday seeing me preaching at the morning service (cool). Together with this, I've been completing my application form for the South African Baptist Union. The Church has now called me to serve as a student pastor, this means that I'm able to approach the union here for interviews and hopefully to be accepted onto there list of student pastors working towards accreditation with the BU.

Monique's birthday braai

2008-04-19T17:56:00.007+02:00

It's been a lovely few days in Jeffrey's.

I've been trying to get back into my routine of getting up and walking the dog early since I've been back home.

I went out very early with with him on Friday, even before the sun had risen.

We headed for the beach and were treated to a beautiful sun rise and an opportunity to watch some guys surfing. I've included some pictures.

Today Louise and I went to a lunchtime braai to help celebrate Monique's birthday. A number of us from Church got together and had a great time despite the weather (a cold front has come in, bringing with it some pretty cold wind and rain). Thankfully the weather couldn't stop the great fire that Jacques got going and we all eat very well. Its nice to get together like this, fun was had by all.

Hey, I'm looking forward to the tail end of this cold front!!

My return

2008-04-14T17:00:00.001+02:00

I can't believe that its been two weeks since Louise and I left the UK. In my mind it feels like its been ages since I left my mum and brother at the departure gates of Heathrow (thankfully not terminal five!). I've returned home to find that I'm missing my family even more now then I did when I first came out to SA. I guess I had all the frill of being in a new country to occupy my thinking the first time. I keep playing back memories of the time I spent with everyone and wishing that I could just have a bit more time, but it can't be and I have to get myself right back on the saddle and life in J'bay.

To that end both Louise and I have returned to work. Louise has been very busy catching up with her work and I've returned to my studies. This last weekend saw me preaching at our Churches evening service which was great though I have to say, I felt quite dry when I arrived at Church. I did have two brothers in the faith pray for me and then the very stepping up into the anointing that comes from God brought everything together and my dryness gave way to joy. Remember, God equips us for everything He calls us to do, He also looks for us to step out in faith, trusting that He will make things happen (I wonder how many people down the centuries can testify that God always comes through, more then the number of stars in space I would imagine).

I've also been doing a whole load of work in the garden since I've arrived home but I'll save that for another post.

To all my family and friends, I love you all, I miss you all and I pray that God will strengthen us as we deal again with the distance between us.

God bless ya.

Talker or a doer!

2008-04-11T13:11:00.003+02:00

Am I a talker rather then a doer?

I don't want to let people down by offering much but not coming through.

We are taught to let our yes be yes and our no be no, isn't this to prevent disappointment?

Lord, please keep me from letting people down!

Family & Friends

2008-04-07T20:24:00.002+02:00

I hope that you can see from my recent entries that our time in the UK was great and that we really enjoyed the various things that we did. The highlight of our time has to have been family and friends. We stayed with my mum in her nice new flat. It seems to be new homes all round, Trevor had me over to stay with him and Clare in their beautiful new home as did Jack and Susan. London was our base but we did get to Devon as well. Dad and Pat let us stay with them for a week. Catching up with all my family and doing fun things with them is something that Louise and I are very grateful for.

Friends, real friends are those that remain no matter how far apart we find ourselves. I found getting together with old friends like Jason and Steve to be like we had never really been apart. Jason has three great kids who have grown loads, I got to see them all on a number of occasions and I have to say that I'm proud of my mate who as a single father of three is doing an amazing job. What can I say about meeting up with Steve, again it was like we had never been apart. I met up with Steve for football and for a really nice meal with his wife-to-be Clare.

The four of us enjoyed a night out in "Zizzis" (Louise and I went their on our wedding night) a great Italian restaurant in Sutton.

Our time in the UK also gave us an opportunity to catch up with old friends from Mordern Baptist Church which was great. Kevin and Ellen had us around for a lovely meal, we also went out with a number of friends from our old small group for pizza.

Louise took the opportunity to catch up with her old friends Desiree, Pieter and there children. Louise enjoyed a weekend at their new home and came back with loads of exciting news about the things they all did together.

Gary and Ruth as well as Lesley and Stephanie came around to my mothers flat to share a meal with us. I really enjoyed meeting up with them all and finding out what's been going on in their lives.

If all we could have done in the UK had been to catch up with family and friends then I have to say that for us both that would have been more then enough. Thanks guy's for all of you who went out of your way to catch up with us. We love you all.

We're going to the zoo!

2008-03-29T15:26:00.003+02:00

Wednesday saw Louise and I going out for a day in London, we chose London Zoo. We managed to get a great deal with our train tickets and entrance fee.

It's years since I've been to London's zoo and the changes were plentiful. We really had a fun day checking out all kinds of animals from lions to monkeys.

Louise was really frilled at a show the zoo put on where they bring the animals out and tell people all about them.

One of the highlights for me was the reptile house (not Louise's most enjoyable part!!), the snakes and lizards were great. The plan had been to go to a gallery after the zoo but we were having such fun that we decided to stay in the zoo all day.

I'm dreaming of a white Easter!!

2008-03-29T14:13:00.008+02:00

Easter Monday was fun, it started with a morning full of snow. I told people that it was some of the first ice I've seen in two years!

The snow was fun but not the highlight. Easter Monday for us was to be Easter/Christmas day! Having missed Christmas with everyone here in the UK we decided our celebrations would cover both.

Mum laid on such a great spread even with Christmas pudding!

It was a bit of a full house but we all fitted in and had a lot of fun playing different board games and just gerenrally having a laugh.

More from Devon

2008-03-25T20:11:00.001+02:00

Exmoor is great but for me Dartmoor wins hands down. Dad and Pat took us for a lovely drive all over Dartmoor in Devon. A place that can be rather bleak at times but on this day the weather was great.

We stopped off at a place called Princetown which has the famous "Dartmoor Prison" (the prison seen in the story, "The Hound of the Baskervilles"). There we had a cup of tea and a Devon scone with clotted cream (yummy!!).

Maundy Thursday was great, being that we were staying in Exeter we decided to go to the Cathedral for the evening service. It's my first time going to such a service in such a grand setting. We both found the service very special with a senior male and junior male choir singing, the contrast in there singing was amazing.

Exmoor

2008-03-25T19:26:00.001+02:00

Part of our time in Devon saw the four of us going to North Devon and Exmoor. It's there where Louise and I had our honeymoon. We stopped of at Simonsbath for coffee and took some pictures of the cottage we had stayed in. Exmoor looked great, a bit different from what it looked like on our honeymoon, there was snow then!

We had lunch in Barnstable, Louise and I had spent quite a bit of time there (it was more exciting on our honeymoon).

I've always said that if I was ever to live in the UK again it would be in Devon; my love for Devon was fed again. Our travels with dad and Pat were great fun, thanks for doing all the driving dad.

More photo's

2008-03-23T17:43:00.001+02:00

To see more photo's from my trip to the UK check out my photo blog at:
http://mlk30.blogspot.com/

Living, Learning, Loving

Website for the Vine.

Breaking through the fog!

Failing......

Recent Photo's From Cape Town Trip

Life Under The Spirit!

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New Chapter!

Slovenia vs England

New Photo's

Recent photo's from my garden

My brother at his licensing

Leap of faith

Loving Jesus or not!

Our God Is A Great Big God....

Bald Eagle

Today is where your book begins...

To speak, to listen, to be heard!

Beautiful Jeffrey's Bay

Our Beautiful Jeffrey’s Bay

Lithemba

Rainy Days!

Ephesians Study One

North Point Sunrise

Go Sharks!

Chilling to the bones!

A call for prayer

Building Life With Jesus

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Frustration or Realisation!

New Horizons

Where's your aim?

Tis Christmas time!

Celebrations

World "AIDS" Day

He finally did it!!

God's Glory

Fuel prices come down

Somewhere between the real and the not!

The words we speak!

The Bible Speaks Today

Child-like-faith

Three Lions on the shirt!

Last nights sermon

Saturday morning bliss

Rain, rain go away...

Dog tired!

2008 Global Leaders Summit

Windswept

Just wondering!

From My Garden

From Daily in Your Presence; A Devotional

New photo's

Could this be a picture of life?

All the way my Savior leads me

Yummy!

What me?

Let all that I am praise the Lord

Readers

Song of Victory

England, you Beauties!

Love is....

Leaders Meeting

The Message

Check it out!

The Shack

....And Then!

Dreams fulfilled

A new arrival in our Church family!

Life Begins at 40!

My Induction

Wilderness

Splash in more ways then one!

Birthday Girl!

Winter!!

News from mum

Great times in the bay.

All's well with my world!