Love...A Fail-free Alternative.

 

Love will never end.  But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge ... these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

We have an amazing capacity, you and I, to focus on things that in the long run simply won’t matter. 

And if they won’t matter in the long run, you have to ask yourself, should they really to me matter now?

I know somebody, whose wife, once their children were able to comprehend, informed him that he should be leaving. 

She wanted a fresh start with somebody else...

As he was packing up his belonings, putting some of these things that had mattered so much to him, it was gut-wrenching. 

But somebody gave him some sage advice when mentioning: “It’s only stuff.”

Have you ever stopped to think about how heavily invested you might be in things that don’t really matter, that won’t last: career, abilities, reputation … stuff … when there’s one thing that we all too often neglect and allow to fall by the wayside that’ll outlast them all.

1 Corinthians 13:8,13 Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge … these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

As you navigate your way through life toward your ultimate destiny, let me implore you not to focus on the temporal at the expense of the eternal; not to allow the greatest to be crowded out by the least; not to allow love to be displaced by stuff...

Because all those other things will come to an end. 

But love, the greatest of all things, will never end. 

Live a life of love.

This’ God’s Word... 

Fresh … for you … 

Today!

Maranatha!

Evolving Shades of Change in Perception, -as Age erodes the 'Time remaining'...

"I crossed 65 & is heading towards 70 and realize that there are several changes in my perception of many aspects I view of Life....."

* After loving my parents, my brother, my present spouse, & my 3 children & others 'not worth the investment in time & effort & money'.....,

...I have now started loving myself...!

* I have realized that I am not “Atlas”!

The world does NOT rest on my shoulders (anymore)...

* I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors.

A few Rands /Cents more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for .....(whatever) while trying to make a living...

* I leave the waitress/waiter a big(ger) tip than on previous occasions...

The extra money might bring a smile to her/his face.

She/He is toiling much harder for a living than many others that are too lazy to work & that are just expecting an easy handout...

* I stopped telling the elderly that they've already told that story many times...

The story makes them walk down memory lane & AGAIN relive their past!

* I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong...

The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me, -but exclusively on God's timeous Agenda!

Peace becomes more & more precious than perfection...

* I give compliments more freely & generously...

Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me!

(....a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”)

* I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt...

'Personality' always speaks louder than appearances!

* I walk away from people who don't value me...

They might not know my worth, but I do!

* I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race...

I am not a rat & -neither am I in any race (anymore)!

* I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions...

It’s my emotions that make me truly human...!

* I have learned that it's better to drop the ego, -than to break a relationship...

My ego will keep me aloof, whereas, with relationships, I will never be alone!

* I have learned to live each day as if it's the last...

-After all, it might be the last!

* I am doing what makes me happy...

I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself!

Happiness is a choice.

You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

Why do we have to wait so long to become 'authentic'-your-true-self?

Why can't we practice this at any stage and age...?

Shalom & Maranatha!

'Dankie-sê'....., -met die Afsterwe van 'n persoon....

Daagliks, word babas gebore & andere.. (hetsy oud of jonk), -sterf....

Met die afsterwe van iemand, is hartseer onlosmaaklik deel van die afskeidproses.

Mense is o.a. hartseer omdat die verbreking van die unieke assosiasie met die oorledene as asemhalende-lewende mens, nou finaal verby is.... 

'Iets' van diesulke assosiasie met die oorledene, was lekker / kosbaar vir van die agtergeblewendes & die herinnering / gedagtenis aan die nóu permanente verlies daarvan, het derhalwe hartseer & weemoed tot gevolg....

Gedurende die Lewe van die oorledene was interaksie met hom/haar 'n 'periodieke' realiteit, afhangende van die nabyheid van verbintenis met diesodanige persoon.

Wat egter wel onthou word tydens nagedagtenis aan die oorledene, is 'Hoe' die persoon jou 'laat voel het', -tydens jou persoonlike interaksie met hom/haar.....

Dinge is tydens sy/haar lewe gesê; die kwytraak-daarvan, -het gevoelens tot gevolg gehad wat soms jare daarna nog onthou word; hetsy ten goede of ten kwade...

Afgestorwenes word slègs maar onthou vir die 'impak' wat hulle op andere rondom hul gehad het; dinge wat deur hulle gedoen & gesê is tydens hulle leeftyd wat óf 'n positiewe óf 'n negatiewe invloed uitgeoefen het op diegene wat met hulle assosiasie gehad het...

Grief never ends...but it changes!

It is a passage, -not a place to stay.

Grief is not a sign of weakness, -nor a lack of Faith

It is the price of love...

Die werklike nalatenskap / "legacy" van 'n afgestorwene is nie gesetel in die fisiese agterlaat van materiële bates/laste aan die erfgename nie, maar in die 'opbouende rigtinggewende-impak' wat op andere uitgeoefen is tydens sy/haar lewe.

'Dankie-sê' aan die oorledene is ná sy/haar afsterwe, ongelukkig te laat...nou!

Te veel gewag word gemaak van die 'besing van lofprysinge', van die oorledene se weldade, (somtyds met veel fanfare), tydens die begrafnis van'n oorlendene....

Diesodanige 'lofprysinge' moes egter eerder gedoen gewees het, in persoon aan die oorledene tydens sy/haar se lewe terwyl hul nog asemgehaal het....!

"Feeling Gratitude & NOT expressing it; -is like wrapping a 'Present' & not giving it..."

Die besing van eienskappe & toedig van Dankbaarheid aan die oorledene is 'posthumous' soos kaf in die wind; -te laat; futiel...!

Dankbetuigings aan die oorledene (hetsy in watter formaat), móés gedoen gewees het tydens die aardse Lewe van die oorledene; -dan het dit dankbetuigende-impak gehad; nou egter, -is die 'peperduur ruikers/blomme & ander vorme van eerbetoon' van nul & gener waarde vir die oorledene...

"Think of 'who' has influenced you; 

Write a letter of Thanks/Appreciation; 

Deliver it then in Person to them...

Gratitude 'boosts' mood... !"

Nietemin, -Dankbetuiging aan derde partye wat tydens die lewe van die oorledene aan hom/haar versorging via hospitalisasie of tydens die begrafnis e.a. te doen gehad het, -is goed & reg so; hetsy deur hul gedoen as 'n gebaar van welwillendheid of teen betaling.

Dis net 'n basiese gebaar van ordentlikheid & erkentlikheid, & hoort tereg so...

Thankfulness is the beginning of Gratitude; 

Gratitude is the completion of Thankfulness; 

Nevertheless...

Thankfulness may merely consist of words; 

Gratitude is notwithstanding shown in Deeds & Acts....!

 

"Practicing Gratitude Every day -can Change your Life!"

This fact is Scientifically Proven...

Shalom...& Maranatha !

Lasting....Marriage Advice !

 THE BEST MARRIAGE ADVICE EVER!!

Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other...
Love IS a commitment, NOT a feeling!

Always answer the phone when your husband/wife is calling and when possible, try to keep your phone off when you’re together with your spouse.
Make time together with one another as a priority. 

Budget for a consistent date night.
Time is the “currency of relationships” so consistently invest time into your marriage...

Surround yourself with friends who will strengthen your marriage and remove yourself from people who may tempt you to compromise your character in whichever way...

Make laughter the soundtrack of your marriage. 

Share moments of joy, and even in the hard times, -find reasons to laugh...

In every argument, remember that there won’t be a “winner” and a “loser.” 

You are partners in everything so you’ll either win together or lose together. 

Work together to find a solution...

Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. 

It’s usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak. 

Prioritize what happens in the bedroom... 

It takes more than sex to build a strong marriage, but it’s nearly impossible to build a strong marriage without it!

Remember that marriage isn’t 50-50, divorce is 50-50... 

Marriage has to be 100-100. 

It’s not splitting everything in half, but both partners giving everything they’ve got!
Give your best to each other, not your leftovers after you’ve given your best to everyone else.

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone else’s. 

God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Don’t put your marriage on hold while you’re raising your kids or else you’ll end up with an empty nest and an empty marriage...

Never keep secrets from each other. 

Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy.

Never lie to each other. 

Lies break trust.. & trust is the foundation of a strong marriage!

When you’ve made a mistake, admit it and humbly seek forgiveness. 

You should be quick to say: “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

When your husband/wife breaks your trust, give them your forgiveness instantly which will promote healing and create the opportunity for trust to be rebuilt. 

You should be quick to say: “I love you. I forgive you. Let’s move forward.”

Be patient with each other... 

Your spouse is always more important than your schedule.

Model the kind of marriage that will make your sons want to grow up to be good husbands and your daughters want to grow up to be good wives...

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to anyone else... 

God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or vent about them (online)... 

Protect your spouse at all times and in all places!

Always (if at all possible...), -wear your wedding ring... 

It will remind you that you’re always connected to your spouse and it will remind the rest of the world that you’re off limits!

Connect into a community of faith. 

A good church can make a world of difference in your marriage and family...

Pray together... 

Every marriage is stronger with God in the middle of it!

When you have to choose between saying nothing or saying something mean to your spouse, say nothing every time..!!

Never consider divorce as an option. 

Remember that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other...

Shalom...& Maranatha
....till we meet again!

'n ToekomsVisie vir die Nageslag......

Opgedra aan: Onse Haimi & Karin... met hul Verlowing !

Ter Opsomming: " 'n ToekomsVisie van Sukses/Mislukking vir die Nageslag - 'n Funksie van die Perspektief wat mettertyd ontwikkel vanuit die Orientasie van Persepsies wat posvat agv Belewenisse van Onmiddelike / Huidige Omstandighede......."

Toe het Kaleb die volk stil gemaak teenoor Moses en gesê: 

"Laat ons gerus optrek en dit in besit neem; want ons kan dit sekerlik oorweldig...." [NÚMERI 13:30 AFR53]

Numeri 13 & 14 vertel hoe Moses manne, hoofde van elke stam, stuur om die beloofde land te gaan verken. 

Twaalf manne, twaalf leiers, hoofmanne van stamme, pak hulle sakke en sit af op 'n ekspedisie om 'n land te gaan verken wat reeds aan hulle beloof is deur die onwankelbare God. 

Dis 'n ekspedisie wat hul en hul nageslagte se lewens en toekoms radikaal kan verander....

Hulle sien die land en die opbrengs daarvan, trosse druiwe wat twee mans moet dra, ongekende groot en helderrooi granate. 

Als is mooi, buitengewoon mooi, maar die volk wat daarin woon is sterk en groot. 

Die stede is versterk en baie groot. 

So groot as die moontlikhede van die land is, so groot is die struikelblokke om dit te bekom....

Met die terugkeer kom twaalf manne terug, manne wat dieselfde dinge gesien en beleef het.

Tien manne kom terug met die prentjie van die struikelblokke in hul gedagtes, en twee manne, Kaleb en Josua kom terug met melk en heuning in hul gedagtes. 

Tien manne se verslag is negatief, maar twee manne is positief, -ten spyte van die uitdagings!

Die geskiedenis van die storie leer ons dat dit slegs die twee manne, wat met smaak van melk en heuning in hul gedagtes teruggekom het, wat dit ook in die werklike lewe daarna fisies gesmaak het.... 

Kaleb en Joshua, twee manne wat voet op beloofde grond gesit het en gesmul het aan die land se melk en heuning. 

Kaleb en Josua se verslag het nie die gevare misken nie, hulle het melding gemaak van die gevare, maar hul slotsom was dat met God se hulp, -is dit moontlik...

Ons lewe ook in 'n land en in 'n tyd waar ons reuse in die gesig staar. 

Daar is bye wat ons van die heuning weerhou en koeie wat die melkemmers omskop. 

Daar is baie dinge en gebeure wat ons vanweë 'n negatiewe persepsie 'n neerdrukkende uitkoms kan laat skryf in ons verslag aan die nageslag..... 

Maar ek wil glo, dat wanneer ons die twee manne se voorbeeld volg deur ons gedagtes en fokus te hou op die melk en heuning, en nie op die dinge wat tussen ons en die smaak daarvan staan, dat ons dit ook in die fisiese sal smaak....!

Ons kinders, ons nageslag, het nie nodig om woestyntrekkers te wees as gevolg van ons ongeloof in God, dat ons van dié land se melk en heuning sal eet en drink nie. 

Ek wil aanhou glo, en ek wil aanhou om my gedagtes te vul en my fokus te vestig op die melk en heuning, en nie op die struikelblokke en reuse wat oorkom moet word nie.... 

Want wanneer God ons help met die reuse van die land, wil ek 'n Josua en 'n Kaleb wees, wat my kinders en kleinkinders sien met taai vingers van ons land se heuning, en wat lag met wit, melkglimlaggies om die rondings van hul mondjies....

Wat skryf jy in jou verslag vandag, is dit die reuse in jou hart, of sien jy nog die melk en heuning van ons beloofde land? 

My kinders, my kleinkinders en agterkleinkinders wil ek hê moet my in my Nalatenskap onthou as 'n man wat nooit opgehou glo het dat God se hand sal help teen vyande en reuse in die land, sodat hulle kan eet van die heuning en kan drink van die melk en my verslag geglo het, dat Gods hand ons sal help...!

Ons kinders en nageslagte verdien pa's en oupas en mans soos Kaleb en Josua, wat nog glo in God se hand wat kan help in hierdie land. 

Manne wat kennis neem van die gevare, maar wat die moontlikhede met God in hule gedagtes reeds beleef en uitleef. 

Manne met 'n "mindset" van " Ons kan...!"

Daarmee ontken ek nie die uitdagings nie en ontken ek nie dat ons gevoelens kry van magteloosheid in n demokrasie waar ons as ‘n minderheid eenkant toe gedruk word om toe te kyk hoe die volksvreemde meerderheid soos roofdiere alles verslind.

Ek ontken ook nie dat ons op die stadium leierloos en planloos is nie.

Dat ons teen ons Afrikaner aard ons rug draai om nog houe te vat sonder om terug te slaan.

Dat ons stomgeslaan niks doen behalwe toekyk hoe die volgende hou op ons gemik beplan word en onsself teenvoeterloos verskans en voorberei om die aanslag af te weer en te oorleef.

Om die volgende dag die te begrawe wat dit nie gemaak het en dan weer aan te gaan met ons lewe.

Ons Afrikaners vat hou vir hou. 

Hoe ons soos Dawid nie wraak neem op die Saul in ons lewe nie

Ons bekla ons lot soos Dawid maar ons neem nie reg in eie hande alhoewel ons dit baie sterk oorweeg.

Daar is iets wat ons terughou om teen ons aard op te staan teen die boelies....

As Gelowiges kan daar net 1 verklaring wees:

Ons wag vir God om ons te verlos of in beweging te bring.

Dit opsig self is dalk n goeie plek om op te wees want hierdeur plaas ons ons vertroue in ons Vader om op Sy tyd en Sy manier verlossing te bring.

Ons moet ons gebedslewe inrig en daaraan wy om as Vader se kinders te bly lewe terwyl Hy steeds na ons omsien al gaan dit hoe woes om ons.

Israel is as volk 400 jaar in Egipte onder die heidense nasie gekasty.

In die begin is hulle waardeer en het lekker gelewe en voorspoed beleef te midde van die teenoorgestelde van die Egiptenare.

Inderdaad was hulle teenwoordigheid tot voordeel van die Egiptenare.

Algaande het die Egiptenare jaloers geraak en die Israeliete begin onderdruk en slawe gemaak.

Hulle is sleg behandel maar het vasgebyt voor die aangesig van YHVH en op Hom staatgemaak vir uitkoms.

Dit maak my trots om Christen-Boere-Afrikaner te wees en te sien hoe my volk soos Dawid swaarkry sonder om reg in eie hand te neem waggend op YHVH want dit is wat ons doen of ons dit besef of nie.

Ons bely deur die posisie wat ons inneem:

“Sonder U gee ons nie 1 tree nie ‘maar saam met U deins ons nie terug om menigte aan te vat nie. 

Ons wag soos styfgesnaarde boog op U bevel om die heidene onder U leiding in orde te bring. 

Praat met ons Vader dat ons U leiding kan ervaar U stem kan hoor en in U vertroosting en rus kan vind”

Vir hulle wat klop word oopgemaak.

Kom ons bly klop aan die deur van ons Vader en herinner  Hom aan ons afhanklikheid in afwagting op Sy antwoord en uitkoms soos Kaleb en Josua met n positiewe verwagting...

Kom ons wees bewus van Sy teenwoordigheid wat ons sal reinig van die bose tot geregtigheid om Sy ontwil sodat niks in Sy pad staan om Sy kinders te kom red.

Versorg mekaar te midde van die aanslag tot Hy uitkoms bring....!

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable....

Shalom....& Maranatha!

Peace... from the Holy Spirit, as your'e Grieving a "Lost Relationship"

Opgedra aan my vergetele voormalige familie, -in besonder Erique (neé Jordaan) se Troudag...

Relationships are at the core of our lives — and sometimes, when they aren’t as they should be, they bring us grief and sorrow...

Are you grieving a relationship that has deteriorated? 

Whether it dissolved in a long, tangled mess over the years or conflict erupted out of nowhere, broken relationships DO severely hurt! 

Maybe you long for reconciliation, but it hasn’t come — even after years of praying. 

It is grievous when our actions caused a broken bridge or when those we love don’t respond to our outreached hand.

If you struggle with sleep in the middle of the night hours, -those wee hours that stretch out dark, long, and lonely, and your mind wanders to worries, sadness, confusion, or anxiety; -it may be helpful to call up a few Scriptures to comfort your broken heart.....

Jesus is near to those who are brokenhearted..... especially when one may be feeling "crushed in spirit"...
Our relationships were not meant for dissension or sorrow or frustration, and when brokenness captures our relationships, -it feels devastating and wrong.

Your heart feels like it may never be repaired......

ONLY Jesus binds the open wounds that bring on such pain. 

He is a Healer not just of the body, but also of the spirit.

In the quiet of tonight, be comforted: the Lord remembers you... 

He is the God of all comfort and the healer of fragmented, devastated, tender hearts. 

Our Father is compassionate toward His children and He loves us so much He sent His only beloved Son to die — so that He could have a redeemed relationship with us, with you. 

Be encouraged, the Lord hears you and your cries tonight.

Even though Jesus no longer walks the streets of the earth, the Holy Spirit abides with us in all our need. 

Find solace and comfort in His compassion and reflect on the truth in His Word.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. — John 14:26

I am grieved by the loss of my relationship... 

My heart cries out in sadness and longing, but I know in the midst of my grief, the Holy Spirit is with me. 

You are always at the eye of the storm, offering calm amidst calamity; as I try to fall asleep this evening, tend to me gently...

May you truly experience the comfort of God the Father, the love of Jesus the Son, and the communion of the Holy Spirit as you grieve your lost relationship...

May your sorrow be turned to dancing as you think on the Goodness of the Lord...

Lord, even when I am downcast, I praise You — my comfort and strength... 

You are a God to be praised, even when I’m filled with devastating grief. 

Thank You for Your steadfastness, my precious Lord.

Longing for Everlasting Peace ..... to come very soon!

Shalom..... & Maranatha 

AMEN

Be Content..... you're Blessed / Vergenoegdheid met soveel Seëninge... !

For couples so eager to call it quits and throw in the towel on your relationship because everything isn't 'perfect'...reconsider!

Here is some food for thought....

Lifelong commitment is not what most people think it is. 

It's not .....

...waking up every morning to make breakfast and eat together. 

...cuddling in bed until both of you fall asleep. 

...a clean home filled with laughter and love making everyday. 

It's 

It is...

-someone who steals all the covers, and snores, 

-slammed doors and a few harsh words at times. 

-stubbornly disagreeing and giving each other the silent treatment until your hearts heal, and then forgiveness. 

-coming home to the same person everyday that you know loves and cares about you in spite of and because of who you are. 

-laughing about the "one" time you accidentally did something stupid. 

-about dirty laundry and unmade beds. 

-about helping each other with the hard work of life. 

-about swallowing the nagging words instead of saying them out loud. 

-about eating the easiest meal you can make and sitting down together at a late hour because you both had a crazy day. 

-a quick smile as you pass each other on the road while running kids! 

-when you have an emotional day and your love holds you, and tells you everything is going to be OK. 

.....&  you believe it! 

-about still loving someone even though sometimes they make you absolutely insane. 

Loving someone isn't always easy, sometimes it's hard. 

But it is amazing and comforting and one of the best things God had in mind for us....!

Shalom ..... & Maranatha!

"Koringkorrels vs die kaf van koring......"

Hoe ouer mens word, hoe meer en meer besef jy dat 'n R70 horlosie presies dieselfde tyd aangee as 'n R700 een. 

Of jou huis 70 vierkante meter, is of 700 vierkante meter, die eensaamheid en hartseer of vrede en geluk binne in bly dieselfde.........

Hopelik sal ons almal eendag besef dat innerlike vreugde en vrede nie van fisiese besittings of rykdom afhang nie!

Of jy nou eerste klas of ekonomiese klas in 'n vliegtuig reis, as die vliegtuig val, val jy saam!

Daarom moet ons verstaan dat as ons wáre vriende het, mense saam met wie jy kan lag en huil en sing en bid en gesels oor alles en nog wat, dat dít eintlik WARE rykdom is...

Geniet die mense rondom jou wat God oor jou pad gebring het, want hul waarde is onmeetbaar en onskatbaar.......

Vertel vir hulle hoe kosbaar hulle vir jou is en hoe belangrik hulle voetspore in jou lewe is...

Wees ook dankbaar vir diegene wat jou wiele pap maak en jou geduld tot die uiterste toe beproef, -want jy leer waardevolle lewenslesse deur hulle.

Vergewe en maak reg terwyl daar nog tyd is..... 

Wees dankbaar dat jy 'n gesin en vriende en familie het.... 

Hulle is net vir jou geleen, en eendag gaan jy hul werklike waarde besef as jy hulle leë stoel of plek dan eers raak sien...

Besef vandag opnuut dat sonder God in jou lewe, alles eintlik 'n sinnelose gejaag na wind is.

Ons hou ons besig met soveel dinge wat geen Ewigheidswaarde het nie, terwyl ons eintlik moet voorberei vir 'n Ewigheidslewe saam in die Hemel....

So, -koop die tyd uit, want tyd is die een ding wat ons nooit weer terug kan kry as dit eers verby is nie....

Shalom.... & Maranatha

An Ultimate Test : Betrayal...... / Verraad........

.....The saddest thing about betrayal is...-it never comes from your enemies...?!"

"You will always be attacked in the place of your inheritance," .....I read.
"God has called you to bring people together and to impact other people's lives ....
You must make sure that you seek to maintain righteousness in all of your relationships." 

......Those words came from someone who had the wisdom and authority to tell them to me.

I have had a number of close relationships that ended in betrayal. 
I am very loyal to my friends and those with whom I have relationships. 
Yet there are times that no matter how righteous you are, when someone means to betray you, he/she will do it..... 
Loving those who betray you is "graduate-level" Christianity.
-The religious community and one of His closest friends betrayed Jesus. 
-Those who were closest to David betrayed him. 
-Joseph's own family betrayed him.... 



Loving our enemies cannot be accomplished by mustering it up. 
It can only happen when we have come to a death in ourselves so that Christ can love through us. 
It is truly one of those acts of identifying-with-the-cross.

You can be sure God will allow you to experience betrayal... 
It is one of those courses in the Kingdom that may not be required until God has seen that you have successfully passed other tests ! 
It is the most difficult and most gut wrenching of all tests! 

A godly response goes against all that is in us. 

Our natural response is..... 
* To protect, retaliate, and retain un forgiveness and bitterness. 
* Satan's most powerful weapon! 

To overcome it requires much grace from God. 

To ask God to build His nature in you now, -is to be pro-active, so that when such attacks come, you will be aware that it is a test and you will respond in righteousness.....

Shalom .... & Maranatha

The Legend of the Ant & Grasshopper..... / Die Fabel van die Mier & Sprinkaan....

Please 'watch' the video below for a full narration in AFRIKAANS.......

The Facts that are embedded in this legend, -are undeniable....!

Die Feite spreek vanself.....!

I Rest my case...

Shalom.... & Maranatha

Being Brokenhearted.....

We are all broken to a degree..., it is just a matter of finding 'The One'.... willing to help -mend it...

The heart can be broken........—literally. 

Just like a branch..... or a statue..... or a bone. 

Can you name any precious thing that can't? 

Certainly, we've seen that the mind can be broken, —or what are all those mental institutions for? 

Most of the wandering, muttering "homeless" people pushing a shopping cart along have a broken mind. 

The will can be broken too. 

Have you seen photos of concentration camp prisoners? 

Their eyes are cast down; something in them is defeated. 

They will do whatever they are told. 

But somehow we have overlooked the fact that this treasure called the heart can also be broken, has been broken, and now lies in pieces down under the surface. 

When it comes to...

 "habits" we cannot quit;  

patterns we cannot stop; 

anger that flies out of nowhere; 

fears we cannot overcome; 

weaknesses we hate to admit 

—much of what troubles us comes out of the broken places in our hearts crying out for relief....!

When Isaiah promised that the Messiah will come to heal the brokenhearted, he was not speaking poetically....

We are ALL the 'brokenhearted' 
God is speaking literally when He is.....saying:

 "Your heart is now in many pieces..... I want to heal it."

We would do well when Trusting His' Perspective on this......

Shalom.... & Maranatha

Trust.....

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it....
If you think about that, you’ll do things differently!

Many people don’t fully understand the impact of this statement until they find themselves in a precarious situation..... 

Unfortunately, when trust is broken, it can take a lifetime to rebuild it!

Irrespective of whether it be a personal or professional relationship, there are some key elements that form the foundation of a healthy relationship namely: 

Honesty, 

Respect, 

Trust & 

Communication.

We need be honest with ourselves first and foremost before we can be.....

....honest with someone else. 

We need to respect ourselves in order to be able to respect someone else, 
ONLY when we can be ......honest and respectful, 

trust is established and when there is trust, 

then a connection will be established &

only then can real communication can take place....

When it comes to the workplace, employees not only put their trust in the organization they work for but also the manager they report to as well as the team they work within. 

Individuals will tend to be more open with their thoughts and feelings if they feel they are able to trust these elements as well as they are trusted: 

–trusted to make decisions, 

-do their job and 

-the responsibility they have been given.

Just as children mimic their parents' behavior, so too do employees mimic the leadership behavior in the organization. 

Parents set the tone by which the family functions and thrives whilst leaders set the tone for the corporate culture, values, vision, and mission.... 

So yes, -the basic principles are the same.

Trust is the foundation for all relationships. 

Trust drives positive motivations towards work and as managers and leaders, we need to walk the talk to ensure we capture our teams' complete confidence and trust. 

If we can’t walk the talk then we need to change our talk....
Levels of seniority can also have an impact on trust within an organization where those who sit at higher levels potentially perceive the trust as being higher than those lower down the food chain. 

And those at the top are also potentially unaware of the perceptions of employees within the organization.

So what are some of the ways one can build trust?
Open communication – sharing as much information as possible, encouraging a shared sense of ownership through company goals, vision and mission and people’s input is welcomed and valued.

Establish strong company values – values are the moral compass that keeps both an organization and its employees focused, engaged and on track.

Create a strong sense of community – connect employees to one another in ways that empower them and increase their sense of belonging, connection and security.

Recognition and rewards – reward individual and team achievements in alignment to shared values and goals providing them with a sense of fairness, purpose, recognition, belonging, and choice.

Personal growth and development – individuals that have a high sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence are able to use their emotional information to guide their thinking and behavior as well as manage and/or adapt to environments and situations. Flexibility and adaptability are key to every changing environments which are the norm in today’s world.

Trust is a necessary condition for employee engagement but the two are very different. 

Engagement involves giving of one’s energy to an organization whether that be cognitive, emotional or physical, but it is almost like an exchange relationship. 

Trust is about accepting a certain amount of uncertainty but being willing to take risks and go into the unknown because you trust the other party that they will act in a positive way towards you. 

It is about a willingness to make oneself vulnerable in the face of uncertainty or insecurity.
Trust is more a personal and fundamental relationship and has key moral dimensions to it than what engagement does. 

In an organization, trust stems from the behavior of direct managers as well as the organization’s leaders, however, organizations that have high trust are those where staff feels their trust is reciprocated and that they are themselves trusted by their managers.

Shalom...... & Maranatha

Marriage : Promises....

Love can be defined in myriad ways.....

In marriage "I love you" really means "I promise to be there for you ALL of my days...." 

It is a promise that says: "I'll be there when you lose your job, your health, your parents, your looks, your confidence, your friends." 
It's a promise that tells your partner: "I'll build you up; I'll overlook your weaknesses; I'll forgive your mistakes; I'll put your needs above my own; I'll stick by you even when the going gets tough....."!

This kind of assurance will hold you steady through all of the life's ups and downs, through ALL the "better or worse" conditions....

The Lord has demonstrated throughout the ages that He keeps His promises–including the most important one of all, reserving a spot in heaven for each of His followers, for all eternity...

Since God keeps His promises, we must keep ours too–especially the one we made before God, our family, our friends, and our church on our wedding day...

Shalom.... & Maranatha

'n 'Hemels-Geïnisieerde Geskenk / Present'....

'n Tyd gelede het die onderstaande nota tesame met die bostaande Resep -onder oë gekom ............

Dit is 'n skrywe wat gelaat is deur 'n 'weldoener', -iemand wat die  'ontvanger' vd Geskenk,  -subjektief beoordeel het as: 'Verdienstelik' !

"Hiermee 'n Present, gelaat deur iemand wat vir julle nie 'werklik' ken nie.

Wie sou dit kon wees kan die natuurlike reaksie wees?
Is dit werklik SO belangrik om dit te weet ...?

Dit is wat 'n 'present' inderwaarheid moet wees: ' 'n Verrassing, hetsy verdienstelik of onverdiend!      

"...To just Accept & Enjoy...in the present, without 'face-value' "
The reasons 'why' should not always be sought or analyzed, -just accept it for what it is.......A Gift !"

Die 'waaroms & hoekoms' & ander normaalweg-relevante 'paraphernalia' wat in sekere gevalle geregverdig blyk te wees, word in hierdie geval as: 'weglaatbare nie-relevante' informasie, ge-ag deur die gewer'

Miskien is dit een van die lekkertes van menswees, (-veral vir julle op die platteland); dat verrassings nog uit die bloute jou pad dalkies kan kruis.... met géén voorwaardes daaraan gekoppel !. 
Dat die gasvryheidsbeginsels vanuit vervloë dae, hier & daar nog 'druppend-deursyfer'....
Dat mede-menslikheid wél nog daar is.....

Miskien is dit wat die Hemelse Vader jul as bewoners van die aarde voor geroep het; -om mekaar te ondersteun, bemoedig & ander verwante handelinge wat nie voorspelbaar is, óf gebasseer is agv 'n oorstemmende 'aksie-&-reaksie' nie... 
Die materiële waarde van items is derhalwe nie verdiskonteerbaar op die inset wat gelewer is nie. Die korrelasie is in hierdie geval is derhalwe 'nul'.

Die aanvaarding van 'n 'sommer-net-meevallertjie' wat jul as mense moet bemoedig & 'Geloof' in die feit dat 'Die HemelseVader' se Seëninge onuitputlik, -nes Sy Liefde is.....
Engele het die 'genietinge' daarvan aldag & alnag.

Die boer van wie die 'ongewisselde kalfvleis' verkry is op 'n wettige wyse, het nie teëgestribbel of vrae gevra nie; -net gehoorsaam...
Die 'iemand' wat die verskalf opgesny het, het egter snitte gebruik wat onkonvensioneel, -dog in sommige gevalle sinvol blyk te wees.... 
Indien dit nie presies is soos wat jul aan gewoond is nie, -aanvaar dit desnieteenstaande ter goedertrou in die gesindheid waarmee dit aan julle besorg is & bring sélf die volgende veranderings aan die verpakking vd snitte (wat elk in 'n afsonderlike stukkie "glad wrap" toegedraai is)
Die varsheid is uitstekend want die koue van v.d 'Area van oorsprong' het 'n wesenlike invloed gehad het met die vervoer daarvan.
Die vleis is nie 'rypgemaak' nie, -derhalwe doen dit self na eie smaak met 'n bietjie suurlemoensap of 'meat tenderiser'.....saam met 'n 'katspoegie' Rooiwyn.
Sou dit egter nog steeds 'te taai' wees volgens persoonlike voorkeur...... -maak asb. dan 'Biltong' daarvan !

Daar word baie gepraat in wye draaie oor die uitleef vd 'Liefdesgebod' soos volgens die Bybel verwoord. 
Miskien het die Hemelse Vader meer die 'intensie' gehad dat dit moet manifesteer in 'dade' eerder as ge-uit slégs in woorde.....
.........Nes jul ook 'diensbaar & beskikbaar' is vir andere as 'n "daaglikse Lewenswyse"

"Gratitude is one of the most difficult of emotions to express....
Until as 'Earthlings', a more adequate way of conveying their feelings are found.....

'Thank You' for whom you are and meant to others, -will Have-to-Do.....!"

Shalom... & Maranatha !

....Genoeg is Genoeg..... !

Wanneer is 'Genoeg .....-Genoeg'!

Wanneer & /of op watter stadium van jou Lewensloop word die besluit geneem / word 'dit' toegelaat dat jy maar kan 'aanbeweeg'...?
-dat jy hierdie na afloop van hierdie 'stadia' van jou lewensloop & metamorfose tot 'n beter 'gees' suksesvol bevorder word, tot die volgende intramediêre stadium van die Ewige Lewe ?
Is daar 'n patroon/suksesresep van Lewensverloop wat afdoende bepalend is van 'wanneer' die tyd reg is ......?

Ja, ....ek weet die Bybel is vol Voorskrifte & Paradoksale uitsprake wat fokus op integrasie van die 'praktiese Lewenslesse' van Jesus Christus & die onderskraging van jou pogings (as faalbare mensekind) deur die Heilige Gees, -te midde van 'n Spirituele moderne 'wêreldoorlog' op 'n Geestelike vlak........tussen besete demone....?

Die Lig vs die Duisternis....
'n Eeue-oue stryd wat binne afsienbare tyd 'n einde gaan kry.....
Dit verseker die Bybel ons !

Dog, as ons ophou met die toutrek tussen "Jammerte" "Perfeksionisme" & ander "Materiële &/of Humanitêre" opsies................

..... kom staan in 'basiese eenvoud' die antwoord, klinkklaar daar:

...& ek begin die beginsels van Daaglikse Dankbaarheid.... te verstaan !

Shalom ....... & Maranatha