200 Women and Blessings Galore.

What a wonderful weekend of celebration as almost 200 Baptist women from all over South Africa, celebrated the centenary of the First Baptist Women’s Association,  1911 to 2011. We gathered  at a Mission Conference Centre,  Skogheim, on the South Coast, with representatives from all the provinces of South Africa bringing their news and reviews.

Patsy Davis, Executive Director of Baptist World Alliance, spoke of women of all races, in all the world, united under the Cross. 
"Remember how far the Lord has brought you," she reminded us, "And How His Spirit has guided you."
With her multi-coloured special jackets, as illustrations, she spoke of different places in the world where she had visited, from her first Mission posting in Venezuela, when she learned to speak Spanish, through the continents on a journey of growth in the Fruit of the Spirit, and equipping others to walk in step with the Spirit.

An evening of “The Way We Were” included a skit on the tea party held when the Women’s Association was founded, while other ladies personified the best of the 50’s and 60’s which seemed a popular era, even to one invading the party as Michael Jackson!

Mark 14:32-42 gave us much to consider.Three disciples, special to the Lord, were told to wait and keep watch while He went to pray.Are we awake and watching? For what? Jesus knew what lay ahead and we saw the  humanity of His acknowledged trepidation, contrasting with the Holy acceptance. We cannot afford to "sleep", but need to be in touch with the Lord, submissive to His direction, so when hard times come we can say, "Not my will, but Yours, Lord."

This certainly led me to further thought, which will be shared later, but meantime as we continued to be blessed, and with a specially composed song as part of our celebrations, we are ready to spread the Good News.

Lord,now with Thanksgiving for these hundred years

We give praise for service of those gone before.
Oh may we today give lives that know no fears

To love and serve Almighty God whom we adore.

Forward, ladies, forward, there is yet to do

Much more for the Master ‘till He comes for you.

With vision and conviction, in faith they venture out
Looking not behind nor giving way to doubt
Workers all together strong they go about
It matters not the challenge, be it great or small.
Sending Out the Message – Go and tell the News
Each one reach one – all their talents they must use.
With hearts and hands and voices, service is their aim
All are called to help, the gospel to proclaim
Working for the needy, clothes and cash are found
As they meet they work and pray make love abound.
Forward, ladies, forward, there is yet to do
Much more for the Master ‘till He comes for you.

As befits our Rainbow Nation we were a rainbow crowd, having fun together, and sharing in the Joy of the Lord.

We pray that through His (God's) power He will help us accomplish every good desire, and help us do everything our faith produces. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 paraphrased from NIV

God Speaks Peace.

My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27

I had prayed, “Please, Lord, give me words of peace today.”

I was feeling the normal stress of things to do, but not knowing when and how etc. Distractions, demands and expectations, all were crowding to be met. I needed a haven of rest, and what better place than in the Word of God. Sometimes a gap for such rest is only a few moments, but the Word can be relied on to give direction, encouragement, hope, and no less so on this day. I was refreshed and able to move on, but later was reminded of the refreshment I had received, and decided I must look more closely at the ways in which the Lord ministers in difficult times.

What do we have to do to get past the sticky patches without getting stuck in the mire? Conversely how do we get past the stickiness of circumstance and exchange it for the stickiness of our close relationship with the Lord?

From the Light of the Word: Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.

My mind fixed in Him, the Light continued to shine! Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never let the righteous fall.(Psalm 55:22)

Only one problem – can I call myself righteous? I have already been irritated and impatient. Then I am reminded, I am clothed in His righteousness. Isaiah 12:2 I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.

Why, oh why do I stress so much? Why do I open the way for pressures and tribulations, when Matthew 8:26 tells me, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

In quietness and strength, grace and peace, the day flowed. How wonderful is our God. I had asked for words, but He gave encouragement as well as peace, and now, a phone call from a dear friend and prayer partner, with more words from Isaiah to crown this day.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. (Isaiah 61:10,11)

This is my God! Even before I have finished asking, He is answering! He is my refuge and strength. Peace, perfect peace, prevails.

A good 4 point practice to remember when stress strikes is the simple ABC+ for peace.

A.    Acknowledge your need. He understands, and knows that we can’t keep on an even keel on our own. We need to be reminded of our rock and anchor, before we get swept away in busyness.

B.     Believe that He is able to meet your needs. Be still before Him and give Him the chance to whisper into your heart. Be aware of His Presence, even if it is not tangible; you can speak to Him for He is closer than the air you breathe. His Spirit is in you.

C.     Consider that truth. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. The very words of Christ about Himself, to us in our longing and need. What more can we ask when we are captive to poverty and darkness in our spirit, but for His Spirit to shine in us and set us free?

Declare His greatness! That works wonders and is an added Diamond in the crown He is preparing for us.

A Balancing Act.

Proverbs 10 is the start of several chapters of “Buts” leaving no problem in adding the “Ifs” for a balancing act in our lives. There is no doubt that finding balance requires prudent living, and in my check in the dictionary I find that prudent means the avoidance of rashness, being careful of consequences, taking the politic course and having an eye to the future. Discretion and being circumspect are necessary virtues we need to develop.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Proverbs 14:8. Fools are widely mentioned in the same chapters and under different guises

Trying to balance my day, rather unsuccessfully I might add, I came across some notes from another day of imbalance, and pondered them afresh.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of distractions, and come to the end of a day without having achieved the goals that were set. This is not just activity related, but in so many peripheral areas of our lives. Perhaps the reason for so many people being weakened, and lacking faith is that balance has been disturbed. The appearance of Spiritual strength can easily mask emotional depletion, while emotional strength can hide spiritual weakness.

While physical strength can lead many to mighty works, the danger can be that faith in God suffers against faith in self, and looking to the strengths and weaknesses of others can hinder in recognising our own.

There are two traps into which it is easy to fall. The “introvert” measuring himself by impossible standards can easily be led to a lack of understanding that we are “in Christ”, not “in self”, while a steadfast reliance on Christ can lead one to the assumption that “He will do it all” so self-reliance or participation is unnecessary.

How easy to look at another’s failures in order to condone our own, or rest in another’s strengths or achievements and think we cannot add to them.

 Even in our study lives, the Old and New Testaments are meant to complement and confirm each other so that an all-round understanding can be achieved. Unless commissioned to study a specific subject, or theme, it is unwise to stick to one field of study, for our minds must be challenged on different fronts. There was an old covenant and there is a new covenant. Which one do we adhere to? There were Old Testament heroes. There are New Testament heroes. Who are the most important to emulate?

The Lord has given us minds that can absorb knowledge, but He also wants us to exercise our brains in thoughtfulness – using our imagination to expand our knowledge. Parables and stories that Jesus told were used to illustrate fact by using often fictional characters or actions. In other instances He used what many may presume to be fiction, in a factual way. One example is the story of Jonah, by many thought to be fiction, but spoken of by Jesus as fact. It is the story that leads me to consider not whether it is possible for a man to survive 3 days and nights in the belly of a great fish, but whether I, in my disobedience, deserve a like fate. In other words, how much of Jonah is in me?

I need to find that balance in my life that helps me live according to the wisdom I find in the Word of God, according to the strength given by Jesus Christ, (In my weakness He is strong) and in the sure and certain knowledge that He who has begun a good work in me will continue it to the day of completion in Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6. In every aspect of my life I need to ask for wisdom. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5. This in order that I do not become unstable in all I do.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b. We have been given much, which brings more responsibility to us! We have knowledge of fulfilled prophecies which should make our sense of responsibility more vivid; our awareness of grace received more vibrant, and our desire to grow in Him more intense.

Who am I that He should love me? I am nothing, but in Him I become a strength and power to be reckoned with, and able to challenge the enemy to defensive action!

Perhaps my plans were not fulfilled, but my day was in the Lord’s control, and He has every right to interrupt my plans and impose His own. If I failed to balance my activities according to my hopes, it was then because He had other work for me to do, and His work has eternal value. Do not be dismayed when you feel weak and helpless against what is going on around you.

So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.

For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:10-13.

Who can come to the end of a day, and feel unfulfilled with such a God beside us?

Finding Balance in the Lord is my constant goal, and He will supply the wisdom I need through His Word.

A Mother’s Day Quote

I was having a rare clean-out. My office is known as a disaster area where wearing a blindfold or stilettos would not be wise. As a Mom I am not always popular as I have been known to forget birthdays, and amongst the chaos of my room are boxes and files galore “waiting for attention.” One fair sized trunk holds photos and various memorabilia relating to schooldays, holidays, work related documents and possible trimmings intended to be one day included in a Scrapbook. With wonderful children and grandchildren I am aware of all my shortcomings and that they deserve better. They are stuck with me though and hopefully they will learn from my mistakes and do a better job that I did. I am glad that I was a Mom of young children in the days when being a housewife was the norm, although of necessity that didn’t last as long as I would have liked. Today’s Moms though have less chance, and the majority of Moms have to juggle housework, school functions and work in an attempt to have the best of all worlds.

Today I found in my chaos a document I didn’t know I had, but with Mother’s Day approaching my interest was piqued. A poem, written by Georgia Kneppereth prompted me to see if I could find out more about her. As I suspected she is of my vintage, a Mom of my era, and what a difference between her words and what would probably be written today.

What is a Mother?

Georgia Kneppreth.

How do mothers

Spend their days?

In Oh so many

Different ways.

They’re tie-er-uppers

And dryers of tears,

Holders of hands

And calmers of fears.

They’re sewers and knitters,

Sweepers and cooks;

And when it’s nap-time

They’re readers of books.

They’re chauffeurs and umpires,

Directors of plays,

And swimming instructors

On hot summer days.

They’re pushers of swings

And pullers of sleds...

They’re crooners of lullabies

When time comes for bed.

They are answerers of questions

That are asked by the score,

And inventors of games

When little ones stay indoors.

They’re climbers of trees

To retrieve little boys,

Untanglers of fishing lines

And menders of toys...

And so to each mother

Special credit is due,

For in all the world

There’s only one ... quite like you!

I feel quite nostalgic, with memories of knitting toys and jerseys, fishing with my boys, swabbing bloodied knees and cheering on at sports days. Where did the years go? Will the teaching remain?

My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep they will watch over you; when you awake they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp; this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are a way to life. Proverbs 6:20-23

The last chapter of Isaiah speaks strongly of judgment and hope, anger and anticipation, trouble and glory, with a fraction of verse in the middle which is especially significant, not only to Jerusalem, but to us today.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13a

WEDDINGS AND ROYALTY.

---A wedding took place in the city of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus and His disciples had been invited too.  John 2:1,2

Whose wedding was this? Were the couple friends of Jesus from childhood? We are told that his mother was invited, and as an addition, Jesus and his disciple had also been asked to attend. Mary knew from His birth that her son was an exceptional person, and she probably wanted people to know just how special He was. Did she think back to the day of purification in the Temple when Simeon had blessed them, and said, “Lord, now I can die content! --- I have seen the Saviour You have given to the world.” And to Mary, he had confided, “A sword shall pierce your soul, for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel, and this to their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy of many others. And the deepest thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed.” (The Living Bible)

That same day the prophetess, Anna, gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2: 38.

Then, when Jesus was 12 years old and the family had travelled to Jerusalem, He had disappeared, and only after more than 3 days had they found Him in the Temple discussing deep questions with teachers of the Law. When they had reprimanded Him, His reply was, “Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49

Were all these things on her heart, now that He had reached adulthood and was showing signs of being a great leader and teacher? She must have seen how He was gathering followers, and wondering what was in store for them all. Was she trying to precipitate His ministry? What gave her the assurance of Jesus’ provision for the wedding guests, and the confidence to say to those waiting on them, “Do as He tells you”? Yes, Jesus certainly played a major role in that wedding!

Recently there were two weddings that I was specifically involved with, one only by prayer and the other by prayer and presence. Many more people were involved in the one – specifically the wedding of Prince William to his Kate, while the other was not televised, but more intimate, and was the joining together of two children of the King of Kings.

Which was the more royal?

My prayer for William and Kate is that they will recognise and submit to the King before whom they made their promises.  People all over the world watched as first William and then Kate repeated after the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the solemn words of their vows as strictly laid down  according to Anglican protocol in the Book of Prayer.

It was encouraging that they had written a prayer to be read by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, on their behalf. They asked for spiritual help to guide them through their new life together. "In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen”

May they learn the true reality and importance of their lives, and how submission to Christ can be their strength.

There has been much discussion on and comparison between the late Princess Diana, William’s mother, and his bride, Princess Catherine. The British public seem set to make Kate the icon of hope, and all she does will be acclaimed and commented on. She appears set to eclipse the popularity enjoyed by Diana, but my prayer remains that she will serve the King, Jesus Christ, before the masses. Brother Lawrence, Mother Theresa, Princess Diana all appeared to place good works on their agenda of service, and their claim of righteousness, but far more important is the personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord which is attained by a confession of one’s own inability to please God, and an acceptance of the price paid on the cross for those who believe.  

More than 2 billion people watched the royal wedding, and I wonder how many would have been drawn to Christianity, and how many will be encouraged to place their faith in Christ in the future ministry of the two.

The wedding where I was a guest was a joining together of two hearts united in their commitment to Christ, and in a simple but profound ceremony promises were made to love and honour their Lord. Good works will surely follow, but their commitment to God was in dependence of His ability to sustain them, so whatever follows will be by His leading. Everyone present was aware of the Presence of God in that place, as His children made their vows.

My prayer for them is that they will Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1,2. For, Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing of water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:26.27.

We, as part of that church become His Bride. What wonders await the Bride of Christ, a new heaven, a new earth, the new Jerusalem, coming down our of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:2

At the wedding in Cana, water tasted like the finest wine.

The Spirit and the bride say “Come!” And let him who hears say “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17