He's Able

Psalm 138

Thanksgiving to God

LORD, I thank you with all of my heart;

because you heard the words that I spoke,

I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings.

I will bow down in worship toward your holy Temple

and give thanks to your name for your gracious love and truth,

for you have done great things

to carry out your word

consistent with your name.

When I called out, you answered me;

you strengthened me.

LORD, all the kings of the earth will give you thanks,

for they have heard what you have spoken.

They will sing about the ways of the LORD,

for great is the glory of the LORD!

Though the LORD is highly exalted,

yet he pays attention to those who are lowly regarded,

but he is aware of the arrogant from afar.

Though I walk straight into trouble,

you preserve my life,

stretching out your hand

to fight the vehemence of my enemies,

and your right hand delivers me.

The LORD will complete what his purpose is for me.

LORD, your gracious love is eternal;

do not abandon your personal work in me.

Change the World

 

Staying positive

Hey Peeps,

I'm at my midnight blogging tendencies again, I guess for me it’s the perfect time when my mind is quiet and I can reflect properly without the city buzzing noise. This just happens to be my study break so I’d like to take a moment away from my books for a bit and just write what’s on my mind.

I like to write about stuff that I can relate to and basically everything I write about here on this blog is something I’ve been through or something that I’m currently going through. I enjoy writing my thoughts and scriptures that speak to me personally. I by no means have all the answers but I often find it fascinating how when I write about something from my heart it just gives me more perspective and encouragement in my own life. I ultimately write to remind myself who God is to me mainly, and in so doing I hope in the process when you read my posts that you can draw something that can help you in one way or another.

Lately I’ve been very immersed in my studies like never before, I sleep at ridiculous hours regularly but by the grace of God my body is carrying me and I don’t tire out easily. Sometimes though I exhaust my body and don’t replenish the lost nutrients, with proper food. Because of the hours I spend working I end up having very little human interaction, which I thrive on. I love connecting with people. By the time I get home it’s past midnight.  This combined with my worn out body leaves me feeling very dry and drained. Sometimes I get home and just throw myself in bed feeling so sad and sorry for myself. This is not common for my high spirited, fun-loving, laughter filled, lively personality. 

I figured I couldn’t live like that so I’ve taken some interventions that I’ve started and continue to implement in my life as solutions:

Pray more, worry less

Thankful heart

Hello friends,

It's been forever and a day since I've posted a blog entry. I've got so many things I want to post about. So much has happened in my life since my last entry and I'd like to share my experiences with you. Since then I got braces and I've started studying which is probably the main reason why I haven't had time to post or do pretty much anything. I barley spend time with my friends and family or anybody else really besides my text books but it's a very new, challenging and enriching journey that I'll share with you some other time though cause right now I just want to right about how I'm blown away by how gracious our God is.

So many people suffer from stress or stress related illnesses. Some have challenges in their body and suffer afflictions of all kind of excruciating pains. Many in today’s modern society have abnormal disorders that vary. Some people are slaves to depression and other chemical imbalances in their bodies. In some countries civilians fear for their lives on a daily basis. Others are in a constant fight with poverty, lack and injustice. The list is endless really. There are many who long for freedom, in their minds, in their hearts, forgiveness, liberation, and restoration. People are dealing with issues that haunt them even in their sleep making it difficult for them to even close their eyes at night.

So I’m just here taken aback at how faithful God has been to me. When I wake up I see the sunshine and I see beautiful trees that adorn my neighborhood. The sky is blue and everything that was supposed to get me down just seems so insignificant because God just magnifies Himself in my situations and everything seems to be okay and I’m filled with joy and peace in my mind, and I can laugh without pretending till my stomach hurts.

It’s really the grace and mercy of God that allows us to have sane lives in a world of calamity like ours, no matter how difficult our adversities may be God has ensured our victory. There’s a scripture I quote to myself when I feel like giving in sometimes.

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

- Deuteronomy 20:4

Don’t sweat the small stuff; God is greater than it all. He is willing and able to deliver us His children from all afflictions: mind, body, spirit; believe it!

I hope I get the time to post as frequently as I wish. I've missed blogging. Keep well.

A song from my youth

A song from my youth resides in my heart more than ever before; maybe it's the memories it brings to mind. Memories of a small village in the Eastern Cape - Emaqhinebeni; where my parents were born, where a family of about 10 grandchildren with a prayerful Grandmother would gather every evening and pray without fail and cry out to God. Maybe it's the sincere harmonious voices that I can still hear resounding in perfect melody in an African way.

Maybe it's the profound lyrics that came to life when we lifted our voices in worship in our indigenous language isiXhosa. Time stood still in that dining room gathering and every insignificant thought at that second became futile. I was three years old, but I remember it as if it was yesterday. At that very moment I remember I would often experience a mind-blowing, tangible experience with God Almighty that would later impact my life tremendously.

The lyrics of the song are as follows:

Thixo, akunangqaleko;
Thixo akunangqibeko;
Ukho eendaweni zonke,
Ukho ngamaxesha onke.

Phaya ezinkwenkwezini
Ukho Wena, ezulwini;
Wab' ukade sel' ukhona,
Xa zingekabikho zona.

Zoda zigqibeke zonke,
Kuthi tshabalala konke;
Ube Wena ungapheli,
Ube Wena usahleli. Amen.

This is the direct English translation (Which might not be too grammatically correct)

God you have no beginning
God you have no end
You are present in all places
You are present at all times

Beside the stars
You dwell in heaven
You were there
Before their creation

At the end of time
All things shall fade
Yet you will still be there
Yet you will still be present. Amen.

Arms Open Wide

Take my life I lay it down

At the cross where I am found

All I have I give to You oh God

Take my hands and make them clean

Keep my heart in purity

That I may walk in all You have for me

- Arms Open Wide : Hillsong United

Room with a view

I first read this amazing short story in 2002 and ever since then it's message has always brought encouragement to me.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it. In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

Be still

 

God is up to something

I'll bring You more than a song

A few years ago, some one challenged me when they asked me a rather unexpected question. He asked, "What is the song in your heart?" He further went on to explain this rather interesting question. He said that everyone needs to have a song of the Lord playing in their heart continually.

Have you ever noticed that one of the first signs that someone is in love is when they sing love songs, whistle, tap their feet or hum to themselves without a care in the world, this action is usually accompanied by a massive grin on their face.

Alleluia