In Isaiah 30 : 18 it reads, "Blessed are those who wait for Him!"
I had chosen this text for the letter 'W' in the series of sermons on the ABC of Faith (see: http://frca.org.au/southernriver/sermons/ This is a series of sermons, whereby I have allocated an active to each letter of the alphabet, a do-word, to show that what we confess we must also live. The series started with the letter 'A', to which I allocated the word 'Amen', starting with God's promises, which are all Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ ( 2 Cor. 1 : 20). However, having this security in Christ we must now also live our faith, walk with the LORD each day. So often we fall short in this, but where in true repentance we have confessed our sins, we may cling to God's grace, which is new every day again. God's amazing grace in Jesus Christ. Amazing indeed - when you see your life stained with sin each day, and yet God remains faithful to the promises given to us at the very beginning of our life. Let us never take this for granted, but indeed stand in awe each time again. That makes one humble and also eager to fight sin and amend life.
I had hoped to finish the abovementioned series of sermons late last year. Yet the LORD decided differently, teaching me to wait for Him, for His time. Waiting - whilst you would like to move on. How often is this not the case in life. Yet God's time is perfect. We know this, but to live it is often a different story.
By now I had hoped to see some signs of improvement, less lethargic, more motivation. Yet the progress on the road to recovery is slower than I had expected. Also this is from God.
Tomorrow my wife and I hope to go for a fortnight to Busselton for a real break, away from everything. We pray fervently that this break may help.
For the rest, I'm still undergoing all kind of tests to see if there is a physical cause for this chronic fatigue. I will keep you up to date.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
Trusting God
Again I like to share with you something of my daily devotion "Streams in the Desert." Today's text was about Noah sending out the dove, which returned without having found a place to set his foot. Seven days later, when Noah send out the dove again it returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf!
Don't you think that Noah must have been somewhat disappointed, when he send out the dove the first time? Likewise, we can become disappointed, when God let us wait.
The daily read, "God knows exactly when to withhold or to grant us any visible sign of encouragement. How wonderful it is when we will trust him either case..... God wants us to realise that His Word - His promise of remembering us - is more real and dependable than any evidence our senses may reveal."
The daily also included the following wonderful poem:
Believing Him; if storm clouds darkly 'round,
And even if the heavens seem hushed, without a sound?
He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow's fall.
And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near,
And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear?
Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our All.
Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear?
He guides us right - this way and that, to keep us near.
And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare,
And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair?
Believe and rest and trust in Him, he comes to stay.
Commenting on this poem the daily read:
"Delayed answers to prayers are not refusals. Many prayers are received and recorded, yet underneath are the words, 'My time has not yet come.'
May God help all of us to live from these riches each day. We know it... yet to live it is often difficult. Yet we can by the renewing power of God's Spirit.
I wish you all a blessed day. I'm thankful that though on sick leave, somehow in this way I can still stay in touch and pass on the good news of the gospel of our Saviour.
Don't you think that Noah must have been somewhat disappointed, when he send out the dove the first time? Likewise, we can become disappointed, when God let us wait.
The daily read, "God knows exactly when to withhold or to grant us any visible sign of encouragement. How wonderful it is when we will trust him either case..... God wants us to realise that His Word - His promise of remembering us - is more real and dependable than any evidence our senses may reveal."
The daily also included the following wonderful poem:
Believing Him; if storm clouds darkly 'round,
And even if the heavens seem hushed, without a sound?
He hears each prayer and even notes the sparrow's fall.
And praising Him; when sorrow, grief, and pain are near,
And even when we lose the thing that seems most dear?
Our loss is gain. Praise Him; in Him we have our All.
Our hand in His; e'en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear?
He guides us right - this way and that, to keep us near.
And satisfied; when every path is blocked and bare,
And worldly things are gone and dead which were so fair?
Believe and rest and trust in Him, he comes to stay.
Commenting on this poem the daily read:
"Delayed answers to prayers are not refusals. Many prayers are received and recorded, yet underneath are the words, 'My time has not yet come.'
May God help all of us to live from these riches each day. We know it... yet to live it is often difficult. Yet we can by the renewing power of God's Spirit.
I wish you all a blessed day. I'm thankful that though on sick leave, somehow in this way I can still stay in touch and pass on the good news of the gospel of our Saviour.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Dealing with Chronic Fatigue - Update 1
Just over 7 weeks into my sick leave, there is not much change yet. Admittedly, during the month December, I was still somewhat busy with two weddings, which I had to officiate. Next to this I had to prepare a number of speeches for the National Youth Convention 2012. I'm thankful that I could still be part of this camp, even though due to my fatigue I could not participate in this camp as much as I would have loved to be there.
So what is this chronic fatigue. For me it is more a tiredness of the mind than of the body. Hence, I would rather describe it as a 'burnout'. Medical tests( all kind of blood tests as well as a brain scan) have shown that there is nothing serious. This is was very comforting news. Meanwhile there is the frustration of being tired in my mind every day. At times I even have difficulty in concentrating in prayer. Most likely, I have simply worked too long on my last resources, escpecially during the last year before Rev. Rupke came, often 70 hours a week, week after week. I also have to learn to say "No!", when requests for help come.
I fervently pray that by the beginning of March I may feel good enough to take up some work again. It is especially preaching the gospel, which I miss most. Though I enjoy listening. Sometimes for a minister it is also good to sit in church, listening!
So what lies ahead to recover: mainly rest and daily exercise - a good walk! Last week, my wife and I spent a number of days in Albany, catching up with our children living there, whist during the first two weeks in February, we hope to have some quality time together in Busselton, the Lord willing. We pray that the LORD may bless these two weeks to get over this tiredness.
Also this rest is part of God's plan. This morning, my wife and I were reminded of this during our devotions from my favourite book "Streams in the Desert". Let me just give you a few quotes:
"There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of forced leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of the Creator. Yet how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there.
....
There is no music in rest - let us nort forget that the rest is part of the making of the music. The process is often slow and painful in this life, yet how patiently God works to teach us! And how long He waits for us to learn this lesson."
It's a lesson, which is often hard to learn - also for me! God teach me patience! So often when we open God's Word, it speaks directly in the situation we are in. Also this is part of God's plan with our life! What a wonderful God we have.
Let me leave you with a link to a YouTube clip, from which I receive often much strength as well. It's one of my favourites, posted by me already a view times on Facebook. The text is Dutch. It speaks about storms with gale forces and yet God will bring the ship of our life safely home, when we keep our eyes focussed on Christ, the true light that keeps shining no matter how much the darkness surround us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtMFo61ais&feature=fvsr
Till next time!
So what is this chronic fatigue. For me it is more a tiredness of the mind than of the body. Hence, I would rather describe it as a 'burnout'. Medical tests( all kind of blood tests as well as a brain scan) have shown that there is nothing serious. This is was very comforting news. Meanwhile there is the frustration of being tired in my mind every day. At times I even have difficulty in concentrating in prayer. Most likely, I have simply worked too long on my last resources, escpecially during the last year before Rev. Rupke came, often 70 hours a week, week after week. I also have to learn to say "No!", when requests for help come.
I fervently pray that by the beginning of March I may feel good enough to take up some work again. It is especially preaching the gospel, which I miss most. Though I enjoy listening. Sometimes for a minister it is also good to sit in church, listening!
So what lies ahead to recover: mainly rest and daily exercise - a good walk! Last week, my wife and I spent a number of days in Albany, catching up with our children living there, whist during the first two weeks in February, we hope to have some quality time together in Busselton, the Lord willing. We pray that the LORD may bless these two weeks to get over this tiredness.
Also this rest is part of God's plan. This morning, my wife and I were reminded of this during our devotions from my favourite book "Streams in the Desert". Let me just give you a few quotes:
"There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of forced leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of the Creator. Yet how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there.
....
There is no music in rest - let us nort forget that the rest is part of the making of the music. The process is often slow and painful in this life, yet how patiently God works to teach us! And how long He waits for us to learn this lesson."
It's a lesson, which is often hard to learn - also for me! God teach me patience! So often when we open God's Word, it speaks directly in the situation we are in. Also this is part of God's plan with our life! What a wonderful God we have.
Let me leave you with a link to a YouTube clip, from which I receive often much strength as well. It's one of my favourites, posted by me already a view times on Facebook. The text is Dutch. It speaks about storms with gale forces and yet God will bring the ship of our life safely home, when we keep our eyes focussed on Christ, the true light that keeps shining no matter how much the darkness surround us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtMFo61ais&feature=fvsr
Till next time!
Friday, 13 January 2012
The Saviour goes ahead of us - John 10 : 4
Today is my wife's birthday. What will the new year bring for her, for the two of us together?
Yet the LORD is His providence made us open His Word in John 10 : 4 this morning, a meditation from the book "Streams in the Desert"
The Saviour goes before us. So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. This is the blessed life - not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, nor eager to choose the path nor weighted down with heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.
The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first. Now God is out in front of us. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.
God is in every tomorrow,
Therefore I live for today,
Certain of finding at sunrise,
Guidance and strength for my way;
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each moment of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain.
Quoted from "Streams in the Desert" - January 14
Yet the LORD is His providence made us open His Word in John 10 : 4 this morning, a meditation from the book "Streams in the Desert"
The Saviour goes before us. So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. This is the blessed life - not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, nor eager to choose the path nor weighted down with heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.
The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first. Now God is out in front of us. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.
God is in every tomorrow,
Therefore I live for today,
Certain of finding at sunrise,
Guidance and strength for my way;
Power for each moment of weakness,
Hope for each moment of pain,
Comfort for every sorrow,
Sunshine and joy after rain.
Quoted from "Streams in the Desert" - January 14
Why blogging and why this name?
Hi all,
Why blogging?
For a long time I have been thinking about starting a blog. It gives greater opportunity to communicate than by way of Facebook or Twitter. Since a new year has started, it's good time to begin with blogging. We will see how it goes. Some feedback is appreciated.
Also my present health has given me initiative to start a blog. Maybe I can give updates on how I'm going
The name....
The name is based on two Scripture passages. First Heb. 11 : 10 > we are pilgrims on our way to the city with foundations, whose architect an builder is God: Homeward bound!
The words "Sustained bt grace" refer to 2 Cor. 12 : 9 > We may travel onwards in the sure knowledge that God's grace will be sufficient each day anew, whatever may lay ahead.
Well, this will do for a first post. Till next time!
Why blogging?
For a long time I have been thinking about starting a blog. It gives greater opportunity to communicate than by way of Facebook or Twitter. Since a new year has started, it's good time to begin with blogging. We will see how it goes. Some feedback is appreciated.
Also my present health has given me initiative to start a blog. Maybe I can give updates on how I'm going
The name....
The name is based on two Scripture passages. First Heb. 11 : 10 > we are pilgrims on our way to the city with foundations, whose architect an builder is God: Homeward bound!
The words "Sustained bt grace" refer to 2 Cor. 12 : 9 > We may travel onwards in the sure knowledge that God's grace will be sufficient each day anew, whatever may lay ahead.
Well, this will do for a first post. Till next time!
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