A New Years Prayer

This is my prayer for you

New Year

The year is almost over. But can we go on into the New Year without having completed what we had set out at the beginning of the present year? Maybe the last minute scurring to do just that may just be what will help you end your year on a high.



But a new year could be just what you have been waiting for. It could be because the present year has not been a good one in more ways than one; you cant wait for the new to start.



New years bring about opportunities for new beginnings. So maybe you shouldnt fret too much about the old.


Seneca a Roman philosopher said, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" 


While the year draws to a close it could do you the world of good just to take a deep breath and review your year. If per chance it wasnt what you wanted it to be, breath out and be reminded that you now have another break coming. But dont let this one slip by also without doing something you want to do to make your life better. 


An old Irish proverb states, "Making the beginning is one third of the work.


Be blessed as you climb the Hills of 2011

Home Alone

And so on Sunday my wife and daughter went to the Bush (Sabi Sabi nogal). If you're asking, of course I was envious. That is the place I feel closest to God.

But there I was home alone. No, I wasn't feeling sorry for myself. I was partly glad because it gave me time for myself. And dont get me wrong, I love my family around me. But there I found myself having 'me' time. I slept, had a late lunch on my own, then turned on the TV but couldnt find anything that caught my attention and switched off.

Then I thought to myself what am going to do on my own.....................When last did you feel alone?

I immmediately realised then that Christ often took time off to be by Himself. Mark 1:35 tells us:"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."

I then asked the Lord to be with me in my 'me' time. And we had a good time together. We talked and I felt loved and cared for............the Lord was there.

So I really wasn't home alone and even more so when Damien came home on Monday and the two of us had some quality time together.

The next time you feel alone ask the Lord to join you? He will give you wine for the lonely hill you may have to ascend.   

Crime Stats have just gone up One more

Today was to be a beautiful day. It started with me getting up early while my wife was preparing to entertain some of the Senior ladies from our church. We had tea together. Then she sent my daughter and me to get the last of the things she needed for her function.

When we got back she went to her function while Tarryn and I  got ourselves ready for our afternoon. I  prepared to officiate at a beautiful wedding and she was going to watch the beautiful game between Chiefs and Pirates, the of the two biggest clubs in South Africa playing in the final of the Telkom cup.

We left home expecting to come home after our busy day having been a blessing to folk. And I am sure that they were blessed.

Carol and I were on our way home together when I received a call from our local security company to tell me that we had been burgled. When we got to the house we were met by the security patrolling officer who was first on the scene.

Have you had such an experience? What went through your mind?

As I walked in to our home and I saw the damage............My first reaction was........What  else is damaged............what is gone? What did they take?

After reporting to the police I had time to reflect..............am I supposed to be angry...........who is to blame?

I am amazingly not angry and cant understand why. I know that the inconvenience we now face of having to repair the doors and gates isn't lekker. And having to replace stuff is also something that has to happen. But they are all material things.

Tarryn was the last to leave and I just thank God that she wasn't home to have to face the buggers who did this.

As I continued to reflect, I recall Paul's words.........."Bless those who persecute you. Dont curse them, pray that God will bless them" (Romans 12:14).

I am aslo reminded how Christ who came into the world to do good was killed..........murdered. My lot isn't so bad after all. So I will bless them buggers by praying that God will change the error of their ways.

So my friend, when life throws a curve ball at you, take God's Word as your Spiritual Wine for the Hill. I did.