How do you see God?

We are nearing the end of the year with only 62 days till Jesus birthday. Wow, this year has flown! We have started a new series by Louie Giglio called "Seeing God as the Perfect Father".

Aiden Tozer open the first chapter of his book "The Knowledge of the Holy" with this:

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people have ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God."

So now I ask the question, how do you see God? Giglio gave us some examples of how people see God.

• Faceless God who is distant and nameless
• OnStar God who we can turn on and off whenever we need him
• Grandpa God who is kind and gentle
• Scorekeeper God who keeps track of everything that we do and gives us credits or debts our score chart
• Doomsday God with fire and brimstone
• Stain glass God, shh need we say more
• Ave Joe God who is like one of us
• eBay God who we use to get what we want
• me God who does not need God because they are self made, self sufficient
• no god God for those poor atheists
• PC God who is political correct in for all people

But the Word of God revels to us a different God.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:4-7

Father God

Yes I understand the concept of God the father but it is one that I have difficulty to comprehend because of my stepfather. How can I call God, father, when my earthly father was not much to go on? It is difficult to see God as a God whom I can run up to with arms wide open.

Because of my past experiences I myself tend not to be a good father to my 8-year-old son. So how if Jesus taught us about God been the perfect father, can I be an example to others and my son of what a father is like? I know that I cannot be a perfect Father but God can and is. I can't wait for next week to hear what Giglio has to say about our earthly fathers.

I will leave you with a Father's Love Letter that I found at http://www.fathersloveletter.com/. It is used by kind permission from Father Heart Communications



You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvellous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are broken hearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

God you are the best daddy ever.

For I am made by God for God .

Allow me to re-introduce the Christ

God Loves

In this half of the year a number friends, family and colleagues have died and it has got me asking about heaven and hell. After a lot of questions and prayer, it all boiled down to "God Loves". That is something we Christians have and the other religions don't.

As in this video that I posted "This is powerfull" and in the following poem "When God Ran" by a blogger called "Devilnitemare" from India, God's love for us is so powerful and pure. As a mother who sees her toddler about to wander into the road, she runs.

"When God Ran"

Wasn't long ago when I walked out,
Wanted it all done my way.
Wasn't long after, I was a wandering,
Worthless vagabond.
Lately I started weighing options,
Didn't take time to know I had none.
So, I packed myself up
And took the long road back home.
Wasn't long away when He saw me,
Can I forget the smile on his face?
Can I forget those open arms?
Can I forget that day,
When God ran to me?

But I wasn't one to learn,
So, I took off the same old way.
Soon I was one foot in hell again,
I could hear them sing in chorus,
"I did it my way, I did it my way."
Guess I know that song too well,
Came to my senses soon enough.
Took the same road, I knew so well.

Wasn't long away when I saw Him,
Can I forget those tear-stained eyes?
Can I forget those nail pierced hands?
Can I forget that day, yet again,
The day that God ran to me?

Now, I am the master of excuses,
I never run out of stupid ones.
And every now and then, I'm on my way again.
But I know the song so well,
And I know the time so well,
Or maybe He knows it very well ...

I remember those tear-stained eyes,
I remember those nail pierced hands,
I remember the smile, the open arms,
And I remember the way back very well.
So, here I am going again, yet again,

Yes, yet again to see God run to me.

Taken from Devilnitemare's post When God Ran.

This is not right

Then they said to each other, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves."
2 Kings 7:9

This is not right.

We have been given a gift of eternal life. What are we doing with it? Are we basking in Christianity? Are we keeping it to ourselves?

These are the questions Andy Stanley asked us in the last of his "Go Fish" series. He went on to tell us about the story found in 2 Kings 7:3-16 It is about four men with leprosy during a siege of the city of Samaria by the Arameans. These men who were between a rock and a hard place decided to take their chances with the Arameans but found the Aramean camp deserted. After gorging themselves on the abundant spoils, it eventually dawned on them the suffering of those left behind. They were not doing right and had to go back and tell the others the good news.

Andy related this story to us Christians. Like the four men, God has picked us up and dusted us off and brought us into the banquet of His blessings. Do we stay here and enjoy ourselves or as in the four men are we going to realise that we're not doing right and go back to fetch the others.
Look back from whence you've come. You were once in that darkness and cried out to God. He knew your voice and called you by name. He has brought you into the light and given you life. Now reach back into that darkness and grab a hand and pull it into the light.

Let's not keep the good news to ourselves. Let's go back and become fishers of men.

A song "Fishers of Men" by Rhonda Vincent

Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.

Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.

Peter, John, and James
Could never be the same
After they heard him say
I'll make you fishers of men.

He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.
He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.

Cast your nets aside
and join the battle tide
He will be your guide
To make you fishers of men.

He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.
He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.

Jesus bore the cross
To gather in the lost
Oh what a might cost
To set us free from sin.

He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.
He said, Rise and follow me
I'll make you worthy
Rise and follow me
I'll make you fishers of men.

Blessed to be a blessing

Complicating Christianity

This week in the "Go Fish" series, Andy taught us that we complicate things by muddying the waters of salvation.

What does it mean to become a Christian?

Does it mean we need to attend church?
Does it mean we have to get our life together?
Does it mean praying a prayer?
Does it mean committing to God?

None of the above, it is much simpler than that.

John 3:16 covers what we need to know and do to become a Christian.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

That's it! The gospel is simple; it is us who like to complicate it. Let's go over it again…

God Loved

God Gave

We Believe

We Receive

God loves us and will do anything to bring us back to Him. He even gave His only son, Jesus to die in our place. All we need to do is believe in him and we will receive eternal life. We are all going to spend eternity somewhere, either with God (Heaven) or separated from Him (Hell). That's it - the Gospel.

A song by Todd Fields, "Wake the world"
Some will say
That the truth is anything you believe
That reality is what you can see
There is no guarantee

Others claim
That in finding God each path is the same
That the noblest of all will remain
And no one is to blame

Wake the world
Shine the light
There is one way, truth, and life
Perfect love
Born to die
Son of God, Jesus Christ
Wake the world
Wake the world

Sleeping Still
Unaware that there is more to be found
Ever listening, but hearing no sound
God’s mercy has come down

For God so loved the world that
He gave His one and only Son

He is the way, truth, and life
Perfect love
Born to die
Son of God, Jesus Christ
Wake the world
Wake the world
Wake the world
Wake the world

Live it out and if the opportunity comes lay it out.

My Revelation

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Today God has shown me something, maybe I should call it a vision, but it is clear as mud to me. I saw before me a board, a playing field of sorts with players on it. If I stretched out my right hand I found my aunt Ann. Just in front of me slightly to the left is my cousin Deborah. Slightly in front of her to her left is my other cousin Charmaine and if I stretch out my left hand on the same level as Ann is her sister Rene who is also Deborah's mom.

Before I carry on, let me give you a little glimpse into my past. Deborah and Charmaine have both been sexually molested by their grandfather a long time ago. I don't know if this was the start but from here a string of molestations have rippled down the generations. I am not sure about the other branches of the family as I can only speak about what has happened to me. My step dad molested me and my siblings Theresa and Anthony. Theresa took him to court where he admitted guilt and was let off on a suspended sentence. When I was much older I prayed that I this generation thing would be broken. Later both Anthony and my step-dad were accused of molesting Theresa's daughter Danielle. Well now you know some of my history let me get back to the vision.

This is what I saw before me, these four ladies Ann, Deborah, Charmaine and Rene. Both Ann and Deborah are larger than the others for some reason. God drew me to each of these people. I poured out prayers and petitions for each one.

I saw Ann behind a pane of glass but she could not see the glass. Her glass had been coloured with the colour of her past experiences. She sees everything in life through that glass. She sees what she sees and can not comprehend what the other people on the board tell her what they see. I pray that the Holy Spirit will break the glass. That it will be a paradigm shift in her world. God laid it on my heart that she is strong on the outside but her fragile world will crumble if the glass is broken. She will need someone beside her and I sense that God is preparing someone to be that person.

Now Deborah is also seeing the world through her own glass pane. The hurt she has experienced in her past has coloured her glass in a different colour. Although her past has been dealt with, she still cannot see the coloured glass in front of her. She is angry and finds it hard to accept that Ann sees it all differently than her. The only time someone will see the glass in front of them is when it is shattered or scratched. I pray that God helps her to see her glass; that God would soften her heart to accept that others may not see the same things in the same colour.

Charmaine has also been hurt in the same way as Deborah. But where Deborah has turned to God to find comfort, Charmaine has turned away. It makes me sad to see how the action of one can affect a lot of people. Her glass is full of the colour of pain and rejection. I pray that she finds God and forgiveness. The grace of God will cover all.

Rene has accepted the pain of her daughter. The colour of her glass has been tainted to the same colour of Deborah's but it is darker. She blames herself and is angry with her late father and with God. She is trying to cope in her own way. I pray that God will tear down those patched up walls that she has build around her for protection and that she would accept Jesus and let Him build a strong tower around her.

All this is what God showed me.

Whatever the reason, I felt that I had to write it down. I have no understanding of how God is going to use this but God has never disappointed me in the past.

Finally I pray that the blood of Jesus will cover all the players on this board including myself as I am on that board too.

Be the hand

Well, it is all over, that is the Gran Affair. Many of you have asked about my gran.
Thank you for all your kind words.

My gran died the Tuesday morning just after I left Durban and was laid to rest on Friday. Her children started fighting amongst themselves even before she was dead. It got to such an extent that the one brother made funeral arrangements and refused to let his siblings know where the funeral was to be held. My mom found out and had to gatecrash her own mom's funeral. They even started disowning each other. I consoled my uncle Ronnie that if the rumours that started were true, Gran either did it out of love or survival and that he should not hold that against her.

After speaking with Carol and spending time in prayer, I decided that it was best that I stay away from the funeral. Being the eldest grandchild I phoned all the grandchildren that I could and informed them that I would not go and encouraged them to stay away as well. About the "curse", hints of it started to surface even before I left and I feel that this might have led to the family feud that erupted. Although I am intrigued about the "curse", I am not sure I want to know. To put my soul at rest, God gave me Ezekiel 18 to read…

"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself."
Ezekiel 18:20

On Friday, the day of the funeral, I felt so sad and my family was heavy on my heart. I cried out to God to please forgive them.



Okay with that off my chest, lets get into the 4th series of "Go Fish" by Andy Stanley, which Denise kindly led. "Fishing Buddies", evangelism was never meant to be a solo affair. Fishing alone makes it hard to talk about "J…J…Jesus". Andy went on to say that it is a team effort with the church (that is a group of believers) partnering with us to fish for men. We need to invest and invite. How many times have we heard that when we invite an unbelieving person into a group of believers just living the life, it works?

We can't do it alone, "Just come! I don't have all the answers. Just come and see." And where two or three come together in Jesus' name, the irresistible saviour shows up.
Yes Jesus shows up, what more can we do.

Be the hand that reaches into the dark and pull another hand into the light.