Don't suffer in vain!

The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I am happy to be sharing with you again friends. Let me apologise for the absence but be assured you've always been in my thoughts. Just now I am appreciating in a deeper way the beauty of God's word and the work of His Holy Spirit as He speaks and reassures us of who He is and how awesome and mighty He is. You may be wondering why I have this theme for today's sharing. Let me encourage you to read on and I hope that it will challenge and strengthen your heart. I have just finished watching an episode of a couple who lost two children to a genetic disorder known as Zellweger Syndrome.

Please see it at http://www.joniandfriendstv.org/video.php?id=11

It is out of this experience that I heard the challenge - DO NOT SUFFER IN VAIN! Wow! Didn't that hit home? I remember the wife in the video saying that the storm affected her but it did not destroy her. I can only encourage you to remember the word and the mighty promises we have when we face lifes' storms. Don't give in no matter what....through it all...TRUST HIM!

Hurricane Season Reminder

Fay...Gustav...Hanna...Ike! If you have no idea what these names refer to then I can conclude you have no connections or for that matter any interest with life in the Tropics. Well, those last storms and their path really reminded me of something powerful...GOD IS INDEED LORD OF CREATION!

As I watched the tracking of Hanna and its strange, unpredictable movement, I realised how helpless we were as humans with respect to being unable to do anything about the storm, save listen to bulletins and prepare. I listened as weather reporters stated at some points how it was almost impossible to say what the storm's path would really be. The computer projections were many and there was shift after shift with islands slipping in and out of the projected cone.

I concluded that despite how advanced we have become technologically, there are things that we can do nothing to change, impact and or control, one of which is the path of a storm or hurricane. We cannot stop, change or alter its course in any way. We are helpless and can only watch and listen to those who predict and give bulletins as accurately as they can get. But, above all this, there is a God who has "His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet." Nahum 1:3 NIV. How awesome and majestic!

D0 you know this God? In or out of a hurricane season He is in supreme control. Let this season remind you of your insufficiency and incompleteness and His omnipotence, omniscience and omipresence. When the physical or spiritual stoms sweep, never forget, HE IS GOD, MIGHTY AND POWERFUL...TRUST YOUR PROTECTION AND SAFETY TO HIM!

Shalom friends.

Learning Time

In my usual Saturday shopping rounds, I could not help but notice the crowd in the malls, bookstores and shoes stores with adults and children all scurrying around in last minute preparation for school. Traffic was unusually heavy and the parking lots near shopping centres and stores were filled. New books, bags, uniforms and various supplies - all in the flurry of back to school preparation.



The educational community comes together at this time as the stage has to be set. Parents, teachers and students alike all have their part to play. Parents must ensure that their children have all that is required to start a new year in school. Students must ensure that they follow instructions with regard to all that is needed for the institution they will attend. Teachers must prepare themselves intellectually, mentally and emotionally in order to empower the minds of the students with skills and knowledge for continued study or the world of work.



Challenges come from all levels. The church, the government ministry responsible for education, companies and service groups who offer scholarships and various bursaries speak to the need for increased success and ask for commitment at all levels. The shared desire of everyone is that the students will pursue excellence and display the right attitude that will foster this. Society cries out for change and a halt to the indiscipline and rebellion that seems to have a stanglehold on our nations' youth. The committed often appear to be few - but is this really so? What is really needed? Are these just the last days as some say ? Is this the 'generation of vipers' as our youths have often been described?



I recall the various aspects of Jesus' life that were identified when his growth was spoken of in St. Luke 2: 52 - "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man". We see physical, intellectual, spiritual and social growth identified. I therefore challenge all involved in the educational community to help build these areas in the lifes of those we work with in whatever manner. This is what will make the difference. This is the complete package - all parts needed.



When our minds are renewed and empowered by the Holy Spirit and we remain in constant communinon with God, we learn how to live with our fellow man, we learn to take care of our bodies as we grow and also empower our minds. This task is not too great, let us all rise to the challenge, building ourselves so we can build others...it is learning time!