Memory Lane

To travel down memory lane is something I seldom do, but in the last week I have had the privilege to speak to one of my manager – Harry Hamelers; who worked with me at ABSA Bank.  He lives in Singapore and we were corresponding.  Just chatting you know catching up on how are you, what have you been doing that sort of thing.  Now to be honest I don’t really remember many people by name and it was a long time ago.  He mentioned people by name and I started to remember them.  My boss Janet Johnstone – she was such an amazing woman when she work at the bank.  I remember this little blonde bomb of a lady, she was courageous and outgoing.  She took the bull by the horns and made her mark when she was at the bank. 

My friends at that time were Michelle Naude and Rina van der Merwe.  The three of us used to sit in the reception area and we would be the first point of contact into International Banking.  Michelle used sit opposite of me and Rina in the far right hand corner. 

We had many fun days, when the bosses went overseas and then came back with perfume they were our best gifts.  Those days our bosses weren’t stingy, now way they bought beautiful gifts for us girls that couldn’t travel.  Hmm, how I miss those days.

I remember Paul Orion went to Mauritius and on his return he brought me a box of Anthurium, the most beautiful flowers ever.   Oh I was ecstatic, I took the box of flowers home and my husband almost flip over with jealousy, but I felt so special that someone would consider bring me something this beautiful.  I can remember it like yesterday.

I also remember Richard Dewar he always travelled into Africa, I loved his voice a rich sound he spoke gently and so clearly.  Harry Hamelers of course used to walk up right, as straight as a ruler; I thought he was really cute.  At the time I admired him for his strong will to learn the most difficult language according to me - Mandarin.  Today however I am sure he can read, write and speak it fluently.  He tells me that he has been living in Singapore for 13 years, how time flies.

My favourite boss of course goes without saying was Julian Vyncke, my goodness we work well together.  We used to be the Liaison between South African and all the foreign embassies.  I remember so many Consulates coming to the bank and me making appointment for Julian to see them. The High Commissioner, hmm those where the days.  Lunch times we would eat cheese and drink wine, tee hee – that is where I learned to love the taste of wine and cheese.  Then he left and I also left the bank.   

Those were the days ;-)

Confessions of our mouth

Romans 10: 9 - 10 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.'

I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, I confess with my mouth that the Lord Jesus Christ is my saviour and that God raised him from the dead.  I declare and belive this with all my heart.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

Dark clouds of Depression???

1 Peter 4: 12 ‘do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you.’

These past couple of days sure have been trying and I must be honest I am glad I have God to turn to.  I need to constantly pray Lord my God please set a guard over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. So that I don’t destroy the good thing You are doing in my own life.  I used to get so upset and distressed when trial came my way.  I used to feel that I am worthless and not a real Christian.  My thinking would become desperate and I would almost find myself in a deep depression.  These past couple of days were just as difficult, I have to steel myself against my negative thinking, reminding myself of God’s grace, God’s love, God’s supernatural favour in my life. 

Looking at people around me it sure seems they don’t have a worry in the world, they seem to life live so easily.  No complications, no problems, it seems to be a breeze for all the people I know.  I am sure when you sit down and talk to them you would be surprised at what is really going on around and with them.

Darlings, take heart, don’t be too concerned when the fiery trials come your way; turn your attention to the Lord God.  Give them over to the Lord and watch as He works it out for you.  It may be difficult right now but be patient and trust in Him.  I am blessed and highly favoured, you too are blessed and highly favoured.  Have a blessed day, God bless you.

You are approved and acceptable and in right relationship with HIM

2 Corinthians 5

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²¹ For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [^[g]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

As I find myself standing before the Father God in the court room today I sit next to Him on His right hand side.  My accuser the devil is stating all the sins I have committed throughout my life, I am as guilty as can be, and the death penalty is the only fair and just answer for my sinful nature.

While the devil is pulling out all his stops, showing my iniquity to the world with a big grin on his face I feel faint and know that I don’t stand a chance and that my fate is sealed.

The Father God looks at me and says ‘Is there anybody who will stand in the gap for her?’  

Then just as it seems no one is there for me, I see Him walking down into the court room.  ‘I am the Lord Jesus Christ and this woman is my child, I paid for her sins in full on the cross.’  She has the righteousness of Me and she can stand before You Father God through me.  Whenever she calls out my Name and confesses that she is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ I know that she is approved and accepted and in right relationship with Us.  

As I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ I want to encourage you to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Your Lord and saviour and know that it is by grace that we are set free.  The Lord loves you and has called you by your name.  You are reading this right now and I am certain you can change your life by accepting Jesus Christ into your own life.  

Holy Spirit please fill me and open the eyes of my fellow bloggers, speaking into their lives, I ask for life and an abundance of it.  The fulfilling of the Word – in the Holy name of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Love Never Fails – 1 Corinthians 13: 4, 8

Hello Darlings

Love Never Fails that is always true in any situation.  Even people that do not believe in God love each other.  The best thing is love is always true, it cannot be faked or copied, and it is something within each one of us.  We are blessed with this beautiful thing called love.  

My thoughts go to the Lord Jesus Christ; He went to Calvary to die on that old rugged cross.  He gave His life for you and me so that we may have the security to go to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking at that makes me realise once again no one can live without love in their lives.  The fruit of the Spirit is something we all strive for.  Galatians 5: 22 – 23 “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.”  We all have a degree of each of the above I have mentioned.  

Love is almost certain to manifest in your life as well as mine.  We obviously love ourselves, I think it is obvious because we watch our diet and we like to smell nice, we love to dress smartly.  Yip, Love is there for sure.

Joy is certainly in most people’s lives, we are happy when things go our way.  I was filled with joy this morning when I went to the Traffic Department to collect my driver’s license.  The queues there are scary.  I got there just on 10h00 and left 10h28, what a dream I was in and out.  On my way out I passed the queue, which stood out of the door to the gate.  I thought how wonderful it is to serve a living God who favoured me today, I felt so much joy that instance.

Peace is also something we want in our life, peace of mind is important which keeps us sane and holds us up.  We want peace in our lives so that we can face each situation.

Patience is something I lack, it is difficult to be patient and I do try not to become impatient.  I seem to be learning how to deal with my impatience each day.  I have to deal with two teenagers.  They totally drive me up the wall at times.  So patience is being taught to me the hard way. 

Kindness and Goodness I feel we have plenty of, people in general are kind and they do show goodness.  I see many poor and needy people along the road, when I can I give and I am kind most of the time.  Live is too hard when people are rude and show no compassion and kindness.

Faithfulness is something we all have too.  I am married to my husband, I am faithful to him come what may.  I love and respect him too much to be unfaithful to him.  I am faithful to my own values and I am faithful to my God.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of my heart, body and mind.  I do the best I can to stay faithful to the Lord at all times.

Gentleness, hmm this isn’t that easy, sometimes I cannot be gentle, I seem to have learned how to be tough and I don’t want to always show gentleness.  I was told it is a sign of weakness and I don’t want to be perceived as weak.  Although I think we all can do with being gentle toward other.

Self-Control – I must be honest in telling you I used to say what was on my mind the very instance.  I still struggle with my tongue and I do forget to pull it in and take control over my words.  I find that I lack in the area of Self-control.  I don’t mean to be rude, but should a situation arise that I am challenged the very thing I don’t want to do, I actually do it.  So honestly I need to work on my own self-control.  

Well I hope your day goes well, may you enjoy the love of the Lord in your life today, may you know that even when you are feeling down, the Lord your God is with you and He loves you.  He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for your sins.  The best news ever is that Jesus rose form the dead, He is a live and He loves you.  Take this opportunity to pray with me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for today, thank you for your supernatural favour in my life today.  Thank You Lord that I may come to You in humble prayer and ask that You will keep me safe.  I love You Lord with all my heart and I pray that you will fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may bear the fruit of the spirit in my own life.