A few years ago, a lovely fruit and vegetable shop opened here in our town. Really amazing, with tasty fresh bread and irresistible pies. I just had to pop in there every morning after a sweat session at the gym and marvel at the beautiful colours and crisp scents. But something wasn’t working well. The […]
Read moreThere is a story about a student who studied at Stanford University in 1894 who had no money to pay for his studies. He had grown up in an orphanage. Together with a friend, he decided to present a concert to collect money, and they invited the famous pianist, Ignacy J. Paderewski, for this purpose. […]
Read morePeter (not his real name) was walking in the streets of New York, asking customers at street cafes for a piece of pizza. He hadn’t eaten in a long time and was very hungry. He tried with several people, but everybody chased him away. Then he went to a beggar sitting tiredly next to a […]
Read more16Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship … I can’t move past this verse and want to make the point again. Bertha tells of how she wanted to claim unemployment benefits […]
Read moreAbraham had an intimate relationship with God. Based on this relationship he developed an unwavering faith in God. So much so, that Abraham left immediately when God called him to move to a foreign country. He followed God blindly. Abraham learnt so much more from this relationship. He learnt that there was life after this […]
Read moreThe mountains around us are on fire. The fire actually started in Franschhoek, but the wind pushed it across the mountains. Within five hours it had run down Jonkershoek towards the town. Eventually the violent fire was contained. Many people helped to bring the fire under control, but, unfortunately, some properties were damaged. Such a […]
Read moreIn the Old Testament we read about Moses who was not too comfortable with his appointment as the person who had to lead God’s people from slavery. I suspect he was just being practical, because he knew it would involve lots of negotiating with the Pharaoh and he had this cardinal fault. He had a […]
Read moreHeike tells this precious story: I recycle my waste at home and conscientiously put it outside for collection every Wednesday. And every Wednesday it’s collected by a man who takes everything useful without having to scratch around too much. At the same time, he empties my bins and leave them neatly in front of the […]
Read moreThe last phrase in this verse makes me wonder. 16For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. God created everything for Himself. God’s creation must tell a story about God, to proclaim his Name over all […]
Read morePhilippians 4:10 Paul is in jail and the congregation he is writing to has sent him a present. He is so grateful: 10I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had […]
Read more