This weekends gardening was a bag of mixed results. After months of frustration and trying to control a granadella that decided to go wild, I finally decided that it just had to go. This one plant was consuming all my gardening energy and I wasn't paying any attention to the rest of the garden. This was proved case and point when my next door neigbour pointed out that I had worms chomping away at my prize clivia's and worst of all the very best one was almost destroyed. I poisened the worms but I have no idea if the plants will recover, only time will tell.
On the plus side I managed to split some more strawberry runners but there again too, I had not noticed how many little strawberries had grown and gone to waste, all because of a nasty vine. I had also noticed some time ago that my back yard neighbour's mulberry tree had dropped a seed that somehow wedged behind my rain water drain pipe. I managed to retrieve the small plant with a tap root and transplanted it to the front garden, but I'm not sure if the little guy is going to make it, he's looking rather sad at the moment.
Aren't there just times in life when we realize that something seemingly good has taken over the garden of our lives and is sucking the life out of us, consuming all our energy and taking us away from the things in life that should be important to us, especially our relationship with God? At times like that we need to make choices to eradicate them from our lives. We need to free ourselves from the bondages that hold us back and break free and live for God!
Monday, February 29, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Life forms
Is it just me or do you sometimes look at your cats, dogs, bunnies or whatever little creatures you have welcomed into your home and just marvel that they are such a beautiful life form, so different from yourself.
I find it so precious that these little beings have a will of their own and boy can they be naughty! We selfishly think only of human existence as being the most important but these little creatures are made by God too, with a specific design and purpose. When my cats were still kittens I read a lovely book all about cats and learned that their entire being is created to hunt......these days the only thing Honey hunts is his pellets.. Lol!
I am convinced that every time I pick up my kitties and hug them that God himself not only smiles, but slides inside their skin, just to enjoy the moment with us, for I am never as comforted as when I feel one of my babies in my arms.
How about giving God a hug (Wink wink) today by hugging one of His creations and tell Him how much you appreciate the diverse and marvelous creation He has made!
I find it so precious that these little beings have a will of their own and boy can they be naughty! We selfishly think only of human existence as being the most important but these little creatures are made by God too, with a specific design and purpose. When my cats were still kittens I read a lovely book all about cats and learned that their entire being is created to hunt......these days the only thing Honey hunts is his pellets.. Lol!
I am convinced that every time I pick up my kitties and hug them that God himself not only smiles, but slides inside their skin, just to enjoy the moment with us, for I am never as comforted as when I feel one of my babies in my arms.
How about giving God a hug (Wink wink) today by hugging one of His creations and tell Him how much you appreciate the diverse and marvelous creation He has made!
Monday, February 22, 2016
A little something something
I love cooking pasta dishes and I've often felt like it is just missing something small. Some time back I started using paprika to spice up my meal and wow, it just adds that little bit of spiciness without being hot but has that same flavour jab as chili's do.
So besides adding a little zest, what else is paprika good for? It may have anti-aging effects; it can help keep your eyes healthy; can help prevent cancer; helps improve blood pressure; promotes sound sleep; can help with blood formation and can help heal wounds.
The most interesting aspects for me with this are the last two and wow what a comparison we can make to the cross of Calvary and the work that Jesus did when He died for our sins. Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and that by His stripes we are healed. Jesus died for our physical healing and wounds but He also died for the wounds that we carry deep within our souls.
His salvation bought us resurrected life, He creates life within us and as paprika helps form new blood cells in our body, Christ's spirit dwells within us and quickens our mortal bodies! Indeed we have new life in Him!
So let's celebrate Jesus and the life that He has given us today!
So besides adding a little zest, what else is paprika good for? It may have anti-aging effects; it can help keep your eyes healthy; can help prevent cancer; helps improve blood pressure; promotes sound sleep; can help with blood formation and can help heal wounds.
The most interesting aspects for me with this are the last two and wow what a comparison we can make to the cross of Calvary and the work that Jesus did when He died for our sins. Isaiah 53 tells us that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and that by His stripes we are healed. Jesus died for our physical healing and wounds but He also died for the wounds that we carry deep within our souls.
His salvation bought us resurrected life, He creates life within us and as paprika helps form new blood cells in our body, Christ's spirit dwells within us and quickens our mortal bodies! Indeed we have new life in Him!
So let's celebrate Jesus and the life that He has given us today!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Stormy nights
I remember it so well, growing up in Nelspruit we had many storms. When the thunder got loud it was really scary and often in the evenings the power would go out. Well mom always knew how to make those scary nights fun, because out would come the gas cooker and it would be pancake night.....and who ever eats pancake without cinnamon sugar? Well cinnamon is not only good for desert.
Wow, once again I am blown away by the long list of conditions that cinnamon can help to treat: Blood sugar control; Yeast infections; Stomach bugs - anti-bacterial; Irritable bowl syndrome; Cancer preventor; Bone health; Food preservative; Alertness, memory & cognitive development; Weight loss; Massage therapy
Toe nail fungus; Lowers cholesterol; Tooth decay & gum disease; Insect repellent; Colds, sore throats & cough; Alzheimer's disease; PMS; Reduces depression - mood enhancer and Virus fighter.
Mood enhancer.....Lol! Maybe that's why it works so well with desert then as I've never been happier than after a pancake or good apple pie! How does the Word of God work as a mood enhancer? Well, when we read about God's love for us in John 3:16 and the price He was willing to pay for our salvation, then that sure should make us not only feel loved but feel good as well.
When we sing praise songs that bring to remembrance the Word of God we are also reminded of God's goodness! If you've been feeling moody or grumpy lately, why not focus on some praise songs and lift your voice towards heaven! I know God will inhabit your praises and lift your heart and mood!
Wow, once again I am blown away by the long list of conditions that cinnamon can help to treat: Blood sugar control; Yeast infections; Stomach bugs - anti-bacterial; Irritable bowl syndrome; Cancer preventor; Bone health; Food preservative; Alertness, memory & cognitive development; Weight loss; Massage therapy
Toe nail fungus; Lowers cholesterol; Tooth decay & gum disease; Insect repellent; Colds, sore throats & cough; Alzheimer's disease; PMS; Reduces depression - mood enhancer and Virus fighter.
Mood enhancer.....Lol! Maybe that's why it works so well with desert then as I've never been happier than after a pancake or good apple pie! How does the Word of God work as a mood enhancer? Well, when we read about God's love for us in John 3:16 and the price He was willing to pay for our salvation, then that sure should make us not only feel loved but feel good as well.
When we sing praise songs that bring to remembrance the Word of God we are also reminded of God's goodness! If you've been feeling moody or grumpy lately, why not focus on some praise songs and lift your voice towards heaven! I know God will inhabit your praises and lift your heart and mood!
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Out of my painting zone
Well tonight was a big challenge for me. Our art group has decided to work on some focused activities to stretch our talents and it is wonderful, but oh, I am so not comfortable with abstract art....I love it...but doing it is a whole different story! Mine is still busy drying then I need to decide whether to "share" it or not.... Lol!
God wants us to use our talents, but let's be honest, how often don't we think to ourselves that gifts and talents are for children only, a few after school activities to keep the kids busy. Well no friends, that is not what God intended for you to do with your talents.
You see our talents build the other parts of our brain that need to be stimulated in order for our functional or career function to work correctly. That is why you'll see many accountants are artistic or musical or why great thinkers deliver great speeches. Our talents give us balance.
So can I challenge you to ask yourself, what am I creatively good at? Is it art; music; baking; gardening; photography; building things; DIY, whatever it is why not get cracking. The more you exercise your talents the stronger you will become as an individual.
God wants us to use our talents, but let's be honest, how often don't we think to ourselves that gifts and talents are for children only, a few after school activities to keep the kids busy. Well no friends, that is not what God intended for you to do with your talents.
You see our talents build the other parts of our brain that need to be stimulated in order for our functional or career function to work correctly. That is why you'll see many accountants are artistic or musical or why great thinkers deliver great speeches. Our talents give us balance.
So can I challenge you to ask yourself, what am I creatively good at? Is it art; music; baking; gardening; photography; building things; DIY, whatever it is why not get cracking. The more you exercise your talents the stronger you will become as an individual.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Wash those dirty feet
Like most kids I used to love running round bare foot, so much so that I would often go to bed with feet that were covered in dirt. Obviously this would make the bed dirty and I'm guessing that irritated my parents somewhat and my dad would come into the room at night, uncover my feet and give me my marching orders to go and wash my feet before bed. Heehee!
In ancient times though people had a totally different type of dirt on their feet. They would walk the roads that were also shared by livestock and I'm sure you can imagine the rest. That's why when entering a house they would always wash their feet and usually this task was carried out by servants.
That is precisely why Jesus washed the disciples feet when they entered the upper room. He was declaring by His actions that He was there to serve them and that He would soon perform His greatest act of servant hood by dying for our salvation.
Jesus showed the true nature of leadership and that is to serve. We should never forget that when we seek to be great we will first need to help others.
In ancient times though people had a totally different type of dirt on their feet. They would walk the roads that were also shared by livestock and I'm sure you can imagine the rest. That's why when entering a house they would always wash their feet and usually this task was carried out by servants.
That is precisely why Jesus washed the disciples feet when they entered the upper room. He was declaring by His actions that He was there to serve them and that He would soon perform His greatest act of servant hood by dying for our salvation.
Jesus showed the true nature of leadership and that is to serve. We should never forget that when we seek to be great we will first need to help others.
Monday, February 15, 2016
I gave it all for Lent
We all know the saying "I gave it all for Lent" but most don't stop to consider what it really means. The Lent journey starts on Ash Wednesday which was actually last Wednesday (sorry I haven't been on the ball this year) and continues on for the 40 days up until resurrection Sunday.
Now I've been hesitant to even consider looking at this year as the last time I paid it any attention, I gave up meat and chicken and have struggled to eat it since. There were aspects of that time that touched me deeply and made an impact on how I live and I have pretty much stayed 90% vegetarian since but do eat fish.
Why would I give meat up anyway, why do we give up anything for the lent time period? Forsaking something we love during this time encourages us to focus more on our relationship with Christ and especially to connect with His death and resurrection and the power that lies within that, most importantly our salvation.
If you have never taken part in the lent journey before I encourage you to do some research on it and I have supplied further study material links below. I encourage you to take some time out to do so and I'll try to touch on aspects of the journey over these next few weeks, but I won't cover it in detail.
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For further research you can download the Lent handbook from my church's website in pdf format in both English and Afrikaans
http://www.mosaiek.com/lent-2016/
http://www.upperroom.org/lent101
Now I've been hesitant to even consider looking at this year as the last time I paid it any attention, I gave up meat and chicken and have struggled to eat it since. There were aspects of that time that touched me deeply and made an impact on how I live and I have pretty much stayed 90% vegetarian since but do eat fish.
Why would I give meat up anyway, why do we give up anything for the lent time period? Forsaking something we love during this time encourages us to focus more on our relationship with Christ and especially to connect with His death and resurrection and the power that lies within that, most importantly our salvation.
If you have never taken part in the lent journey before I encourage you to do some research on it and I have supplied further study material links below. I encourage you to take some time out to do so and I'll try to touch on aspects of the journey over these next few weeks, but I won't cover it in detail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further research you can download the Lent handbook from my church's website in pdf format in both English and Afrikaans
http://www.mosaiek.com/lent-2016/
http://www.upperroom.org/lent101
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