Your greatest resource in 2018

As the year unfolds, we have made new resolutions or renewed old ones that we are very intent on keeping.

We are hopeful, we pray for strength but we mustn’t forget to take action.

The truth of the matter is, a huge responsibility lies with us to make this year different, to make this year count.

Why?

We have the greatest resource known to mankind, and it has been given to us to manage. That resource is TIME.

Take the time to LIVE

In 2018, we all have 365.25 days (no, it’s not a leap year😊), and 24 hours in a day. How we manage our time is entirely up to us because TIME has been given to us to control. Determine to be purposeful about managing your time.

I’m a working mum, and for me, this is a lot more demanding. I think to myself sometimes that all this purposeful living is hard work!

BUT, if you are NOT satisfied with where you are right now; if the person you dream you are in your head and the person you are right now are two different people, THEN you have work to do.

Not a job, but work to do. Your job should be about your life and not the other way round!

If you work in a very demanding job, remember to take the time to LIVE your own dream. Work hard to make that dream a reality this year.

The second resource that we all have is talent, and everyone has got at least one!

Talent is a marked natural ability or skill. You’d be surprised that whistling and finger-snapping actually take skill. There are loads of books that talk about talent and time management.

I especially love Rick Warrens ‘The purpose driven life’. Read and read a lot to guide your journey this year.

In conclusion, combining time and talent equals all sorts of possibilities! Just imagine what you could do, even with time alone.

This is your year, make it purposeful, make it count.

#yearofthebutterfly

The year of the cocoon?

I read a nice story about how the Chinese came about naming their years after certain animals. It was an interesting story, and I enjoyed reading about the significance of each animal for the Chinese.

I believe in naming special events, people, phenomena. A name is a unique identity, it indicates something, and gives it significance for you.

For me, 2017 was the year of the cocoon. I didn’t begin the year with that name, but for me, it was a year when I literally wanted to crawl inside and just stay hidden.

Why?

Life.

Sometimes life gives you some seriously hard knocks that make you question every single thing about yourself. If the knocks are hard enough, then you question your core values, your beliefs, and your faith.

We all know the butterfly life cycle.  It's also one of my class' favourite stories (The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle). The Caterpillar eats so much food and then builds a cocoon around himself. If he had a human brain, I imagine that in his mind he would have a conversation like this:

"There must be a purpose for my existence. It can't be just eating and crawling all over the ground.

What am I here for? Why am I in a cocoon?"

Questions are very important if they help you find out why. If they show you a purpose or at least lead you on to something.

Everyone is born with a purpose which is why by default we all have dreams.

As we grow up, we learn to conform to the status quo, life beats us into being 'normal' and gradually we stop dreaming. We 'mature' and stop believing the possibility of the impossible.

Imagine the caterpillar on the ground admiring all those birds flying around him in circles before he ducks to hide so they don't eat him.

Then all of a sudden, instinct takes him into a cocoon.

Life does that for all of us; brings us into a period of incubation where we are forced to really think about purpose, to conceive dreams and ideas, to find our identity and most importantly to metamorphose - to change.

This change is tricky - it happens either for the better or for worse.

Difficult challenges in life can make you bitter, resentful, cynical, distrusting or they can make you humble, grounded, full of faith and gratitude.

When it is time, he breaks out of his cocoon and emerges a beautiful, colourful butterfly that can do what he only dreamed about before - FLY!

In conclusion, let your dreams be your north star. They will guide you to your true purpose. Challenges happen to everyone. Everyone is going through one process of change or the other so there's no need to go around acting like you're the only person who may be having it hard. It's simply life's way of getting you back to the basics of discovering your purpose, re-discovering your dreams and finding out your strength.

So while last year was the year of the cocoon, I am so pleased that this year is the year of the butterfly.

I have had the opportunity to question my core values and I am so grateful to have answered those questions.

I hope you do the same as you go through your process.

Happy NEW YEAR!

August, 2016: Prayer from a fearful heart

Dear Abba,

I know I always come giving thanks. That is how I should come into your presence.

But this morning, I feel like you’ve let me down.  I feel like I waited for you and you did not come through. They say it’s darkest before dawn and it is really dark now Abba. I can’t see anything beyond the wind and waves all around me threatening to sink my boat. My boat. Are you in my boat Jesus? Then you’re probably fast asleep just like you were in the gospels with the disciples.

I remember reading the story and thinking to myself, ‘why would anyone doubt when they have Jesus in the boat?’  (Especially after watching him feed 5,000+ people). Well, now I know… You would ask me the same question. ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ (Mark 4:40)

Yes, I am afraid. My faith falters. I heard you speak, I know your promises but I took my eyes of you and I fixed it on the wind, on the waves, on the terrible storm of uncertainty… and I couldn’t see YOU anymore. It’s not that you weren’t there the whole time. I just didn’t SEE you. I want to SEE YOU.

How will I know I truly believe you if the word is not tested? The seed in me must be proven before it brings forth fruit for you. I heard you speak. Do I truly believe that you will NEVER forsake me, no matter what comes?

It is so hard Abba, and I am just looking for some hope, that mustard seed faith, just something, anything to hold on to. A drop of hope makes a difference in the sea of despair. I have prayed, I have hoped, I have confessed your promises, I have asked for a breakthrough but you are silent in my storm. I feel so insignificant, alone, poor.

I hear you gently ask me now Jesus to look closer, to SEE.

Alright, I will follow your gaze. I see… it’s a tiny flicker of light, but I see.

Now I see, that I am pressed on every side, but not crushed. I am tested but not forsaken ( 2 Corinthians 4: 8,9)…and I am not alone in this test of faith. No temptation is uncommon and you will provide with it a window of escape, you will never put more on me than I can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I SEE YOU. I feel your hope rise in me! It’s burning… it feels like… JOY!

Now I give thanks. You have not forgotten me Abba, You are with me. You are carrying me. Even to my old age you carry me. What blessed assurance.

Thank you Abba, for with you, I will get through this.

I lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help. All of my help comes from The LORD (Psalm 121).

Thank you that the fear in my heart did not stop me from coming to you. Thank you that you receive me despite the fear in my heart. You receive me, and you give me peace.

The storm is still here. But now, I see you. That’s what happens when I come to you. You refocus my eyes.

And now I hear you rebuke the wind and the waves “Peace! Be still”

I will be still and rest in your loving care for me.

Your favourite girl,

Maz.

MAN...KIND

When it comes to relationships, feelings and emotional stuff, men have always been less complicated than women.
A man is a man, no matter what colour you paint him - White, Black, Yellow, Brown ... even if you painted him purple,  he'd still be a man!
As a teenager, I remember girlish discussions about what type of men were more romantic or sensitive or committed, and we based it naively on colour. The truth is, a good man is a good man, irrespective of colour and the same goes for a not so good man.
I wonder what influenced our thinking then? What made us judge men by fickle things as colour when there are more important fundamental criteria such as personal values, beliefs, faith, family.
I like a man with the right values.
In light of the racial events happening in the west,  I wonder why we still judge people by colour... when we are all just men!
Is it the media?  Could it be stereotypes? Or is it just our own intimidation?

Momma's "Mufasa Moment"

If you're a fan of the Lion King, you'll definitely remember the very dramatic and life-changing part where Mufasa comes to Simba in his prime and says to him " REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!" ( I just love that James Earl Jones voice :) )
It was at that point where Simba really got carried away living a FUN life, but not a FULL life.
So what's momma's own moment?
Being a new mom, and fairly new wife,I'm at the point where I'm engrossed by everything about my hubby and baby... and I'm loving every moment of it.
Well, I was going over my older posts on Facebook today, like years ago... and i thought wow! Did I really write that! and why did I stop? and what happened to my mind! :)
Its really easy to get carried away by our new roles as women, wives, mothers... and somewhere in the busyness of it all we forget who we are as individuals, as persons. We forget that thing that made us uniquely who we are. I remember saying jokingly to my hubby that I was getting old! and it all makes sense now. I can't stop being ME... just me, not wife or mother, but just ME. And that is the FULL, FUN life.
Here's the catch though, we have to actually take out that time for ourselves... and that may mean longer hours :) But if we can give our quality time to every member of our family, we can give quality time to ourselves as well.
Don't forget the things that put the spring in your step or the sparkle in your eyes! Take some time off today to do them :)
Keep dreaming!

NOAH'S DAY ... XXXBC

I have had this picture from Ron DiCianni as my cover photo on Facebook for a while now... i think it speaks for itself.
I was only inspired to write about it this morning following the incredible events that have happened worldwide regarding homosexuality, Adultery and policymakers.
Yep! What was abominable to mention 20 years ago is now legal and of course there's a huge backlash, but sadly, it will get even worse.
I asked myself if we were silent and just let it happen? No, we weren't silent. But now, more than ever its time to start BEING about it, instead of just talking about it.
So, what does Noah's day have to do with it?
Noah's ark is a biblical story of how the earth was destroyed by a global flood with only 8 people surviving.
In this period, there was all the immorality that we see today, and worse actually.
The thing is, once a person decides to go down the path of self indulgence and casts off restraint, he can pretty much do the unimaginable... up until he self destructs. And that's what people did back in Noah's day.
The flood was judgement for how evil the world had become... now even though the flood was imminent, there was a way that was open for the ones who believed a flood was coming and wanted to escape it : THE ARK.
For over 100 years Noah built that gigantic ark along with his family. Imagine what everyone around him thought! I imagine they thought he was "hearing things", "crazy", "what could possibly happen to us?!" It was a bizarre concept. Strange... until the rain came.
Another story of judgement is the popular biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by fire. The catch in this story is the same as Noah's. There was a way of escape. How? Abram asked GOD if he would spare the city for 10 righteous men, and God said he would... but there was none, save Lot.
They continued life as usual until the fire came.
The story of Jesus' return and the rapture is almost like a cliche... but it is real. There is a judgement for the unrighteous but the righteous will be saved because there is a way of escape
"For God so loved the world that HE gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life".
In Matthew 24, Jesus gives a clear detailed account of the signs that will happen that point us towards the end of this age. What fascinates me is that he speaks truly and decidedly... like "take it or leave it". You choose.
People didn't listen to Noah's warning as he built the ark, they didn't change their ways but continued to go deeper in sin. Today, the message has gone forth to the world to change their ways and be saved from judgement because JESUS is coming back to take his own, His righteous ones.
We still have the choice today, like they did back then. Reconsider and repent or go on indulging in our selfih pleasures until one day, that day arrives.
The choice has always been ours... chooseLIFE

In Pilate's court

In Pilate’s court, an innocent man was condemned to die a torturous death. He had been given the 39 lashes already – a scourging with razor sharp whips that tore into his skin, and his head was adorned with a crown of thorns… he was starting to look like pulp; bloody pulp.

What was this man’s crime against his own people?

He called himself the Son of God.

He said he was the forgiveness of sins.

He said he was The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

Some people believed him, especially those who had been with Him, who had touched him, who he had healed and delivered. But those who didn’t believe him were more influential in the government of the people.

If he were the son of God, why didn’t he call down the host of heaven to slay his accusers!

He had said to his disciples earlier that this was the reason he came to the world; to give his life. No one could take his life from him, but he willingly gave it. “Greater love hath no man than this; that he would give his life for his friends”.

He was condemned to be crucified, and to Calvary he went to die for the sins of the whole world.

No other reason than love. Greater love.

On the cross he took our sins, being punished for the debt he did not owe. We owed in righteousness, he owed nothing for he was perfect. But he exchanged our sin for his righteousness on that cross where he died.

This is what he meant when he said he is The Way. There is no other route to perfection, to righteousness, and ultimately to God except though the sacrifice that he made on our behalf. We simply cannot be perfect enough, no matter how hard we try.

3 days after his death, he rose again! … Unbelievable?

The intriguing thing about this man was the boldness with which he spoke and the things which he spoke. For example, he had told his disciples earlier that he would go to the capital city and die and rise again. Who says that?

He called himself the son of the Almighty God. Who claims that?

He called himself the forgiveness of the world’s sins. Who takes that responsibility?

Nobody.

Just him.

His messages were simple but hard to believe because they were incredibly true! They pierced to the innermost being and shook your foundation. One writer said “These messages of Jesus Christ are for the will and the conscience, not for the head. If you dispute the sermon…with your head, you will blunt the appeal to your heart.”¹

That is why you must come to Jesus Christ as a child, not as an adult. You must listen with the heart and believe this man Jesus. Truth is it’s all or nothing at all.

Now, we know that when we believe Jesus, we receive eternal life and have found the way to The Father. What if we do not believe? What if we reject Jesus?

If we reject Jesus, we automatically accept another way. There are other ways, the way of Philosophy, legalism, doctrine, rituals and rites, idolatry, self-love and self-righteousness, pride, witchcraft, cultism, etc. but where do they lead to?

They are all our own efforts to be perfect or powerful or fulfilled. But let’s face it; in our own strength and mental capability, we can never be perfect enough for a Holy God. And if The Way (Jesus) leads to life, all other ways lead to death.

If we love our family and friends, we would want them on The Way and that’s why we tell them the good news: Reconciliation with God the Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Rejecting Jesus is not a good option.

His own words in John 3:16-21

16 "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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.   19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."   NIV

Only Jesus could say words like this with such boldness and certainty. This explains why he gave himself up to a tortuous death; that there would be a way for you and me to escape condemnation.

It all comes down to this question; will you believe in the Son of God?

Will you pray for others to believe if you believe already?

Rom 10:8-13

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

NIV

References

¹ Oswald Chambers (1963) My utmost for His highest; July 1 The inevitable penalty

Picture from Ron Dicianni