Lockdown 676

Lockdown Day 676- 31 January 2022

Week 96. And Lockdown continues, albeit just in name. So tonight I choose to share a word of praise from Psalm 96.

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.”

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth. "

Psalms 96:1‭-‬13 NKJV

#Ggt

Lockdown 675

Lockdown Day 675- 30 January 2022

Sunday number 96.

This week's image focus is also a celebration of life. A slideshow of note. Those moments we all want to photograph. Celebrating the life that courses through all of creation, from pets to nature, human experiences to fabulous photography. And life pictures meant to inspire and to make you think (look out for the astronaut "selfie" ☺️). Enjoy!

#Ggt

Lockdown 674

Lockdown Day 674- 29 January 2022

I had a thought today while walking along the promenade today about celebrating life even though you feel you just can't. You know when life stops you in your tracks and you are caught up in a situation where you really have no clue how to go on.

It's that moment where you need to let life flow.

Like swimming in the ocean for the first time when the swells are knocking you around and you feel you're never going to make the distance.

But you're in it and you can't get up onto the water and walk out. You first have to summon all the muscle power you have left and swim back.

Putting on your happy face when you have turmoil on the inside is difficult, but sometimes this defiant action causes life to flow, bringing a fresh perspective when you think there is none.

This is the dynamic part of life that needs to be celebrated daily in the smallest of ways over the smallest of vicories. Putting one foot in front of the other and getting through whatever tried to stop you, is a victory. Deciding to live a life of obedience when all the odds are against you, is a victory.

So tonight I celebrate life because this life is in Jesus, who is the light of men. And this light never stops.

Ever.

Because God's got this.

 

Lockdown 673

Lockdown Day 673- 28 January 2022

Friday. Weekend!! 🤩 So tonight, after having our varsity friends over for dinner, I share with you my Friday video. It touched my heart in so many ways, mostly because it triggers an unconventional thought pattern and breaks down pre-conceived ideas of how things should or shouldn't be.

It proves that God's thoughts are not ours and when He decides to give people to each other, no man shall question :

https://youtu.be/vdzassDm7eM

#Ggt

Lockdown 672

Lockdown Day 672- 27 January 2022

This morning we woke to a misty drizzly day. Walking outside, you dont really get wet, but it feels as if you are. Roxy the Schnauzie was enjoying the weather and the walk, giving a little skip of pleasure.

This is a welcome break from the extreme heat for the time being, so when the Ocean Tribe decided to try a long swim where everyone pretty much decides their own distance along the same route, I decided to go.

The ocean had a dense fog hanging over most of the Bay's deep sea, leaving us a strip of beautiful, glossy flat surf to do our thing. The water was cool, but refreshing and it felt as if a presence was gliding with me though the glassy, mirror-like surface.

This was my fourth swim to the six pack and back, and my first without my short fins. Turning back from the six pack as the long distance swimmers disappear past the pier, it was only two of us engaging the quiet way back to shore.

Although the surf was smooth, the ocean is still a moving entity and somehow the way back is always harder work to stay on track, arms and legs alternating to keep the rhythm going.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard the song "rhythm of heaven" with its distinct beat and the last push became a praise swim in God's honour.

I was dancing before the Lord and submerged in His joy. Today I felt it on my skin. And I know for sure God's really got this.

Lockdown 671

Lockdown Day 671- 26 January 2022

Celebrating life by doing something with that "beyond vision" focus is one thing. But accepting who you are in all that is the real goal. Because life is lived in full once you fill your place with the "here I am" and "I'm not  backing out" chutzpa.

Chutzpa means extreme self confidence and audacity. Using it wisely with humility, responsibility and obedience to God can deliver extreme contentment.

But heed the warning: using it in the wrong way with pride, entitlement and disobedience, can throw you into a roller coaster of fear and anxiety.

It comes down to choice. First choose God, then follow His Word. Then the chutzpah will come in the right measure.

'Nuff said.

#Ggt

Lockdown 670

Lockdown Day 670- 25 January 2022

So in celebrating life this week, I was thinking how last week's post about the power of a tsunami or volcano as we have just seen in Tonga comes nowhere near God, the Ultimate Powerhouse of Creation.

This is why the previous two posts' videos of awesome people is so amazing. Because all these peoole were in one way or another instinctively following their Godly design without thinking about it too much. Most of them will tell you they were "just drawn to it" and "couldn't say no to the call".

Ordinary people with ordinary lives. What makes them awesome is not so much the thing they do, but rather their attitude and "beyond vision" perspective.

You see, these people have acquired the ability to look beyond the actual thing. So many athletes have said, "never again", and yet, the following year they're back. Why? Because, apart from the back slapping I've done it feeling (which dissipates quickly), something else happens in their spirit.

After all my anticipation to swim in the ocean, and after my third swim I am slowly grasping this happening in the human spirit when you do something you never thought you could pull off.

I have been slapped by waves, fell behind, nearly drifted off course, experienced chafing in my neck from the wetsuit zipper and worst of all, swallowed a few gulps of salty water when trying to catch my breath.

But absolutely none of these things even matter to me or deter me from going back. Why? Because I feel SO alive. The afterward-feeling is an inward pleasure that is hard to describe.

I have since also realised this is the case with anything in life you set out to do. A normal day at work. Praying with your children. Keeping your house clean. Looking after yourself and your loved ones. Serving God obediently. Standing tall in all circumstances.

If everyone could do everything in the spirit of "yeah, that's good", what a wonderful world this would be. All humans are awesome. But sadly, many think they need to be guinness record holders to feel it. So why not start by looking in the mirror and say, "hello awesome me", smile, and see what happens!

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 669

Lockdown Day 669- 24 January 2022

Awesome people part 2. Today's video is the 2021 version:

https://youtu.be/3C81XHKPgM8

#Ggt

Lockdown 668

Lockdown Day 668- 23 January 2022

Sunday number 95.

This week I kick off this week with two video's from the past two years, celebrating the human spirit and how awesome God has created us. The first is a compilation from 2020:

https://youtu.be/wNfohps5A1A

#Ggt

Lockdown 667

Lockdown Day 667- 22 January 2022

We traveled to Mossel Bay today, partly to escape the searing heat that is consuming the Bay and parts of the Sunshine Coast. Mossel Bay was warm but not humid with a gentle, cool breeze coming in from the ocean.

Amongst other things we  visited our Addo friends at their holiday camping site. I took the opportunity to cool off in the surf, but quickly noticed the ocean was unsettled with very strong Southern currents. A seal was also washed up on the shore along with many blue bottles and jellyfish.

Apparently the volcanic eruption in Tonga and ensuing tsunami caused shock waves now felt in as far as the Cape Peninsula, recording some of the highest swells ever for Cape Town. All ocean events were subsequently canceled.

After ending the day on Nina's stoep in Groot Brak, I retire with the events in Tonga still fresh in my thoughts.

Natural disasters have a way of reminding us of the forces of nature, pointing us to God, the Ultimate Powerhouse of Creation. Look at what a volcano and tsunami can do and know that force is nowhere even near to what God is capable of.

So just put everything His hands, He's got this for sure. ✨

Lockdown 666

Lockdown Day 666- 21 January 2022

My second ocean swim was just as amazing as the first, the water cool and refreshing, the swells not too high.

Swimming from King's Beach, past the "six pack", also known as the six pillars of Humewood, I turned just before the Pier.

The pillars were originally built for ships needing repair before the harbour was built. There is an old rusty rail running in the middle which was used to guide the ships into this dry dock.

I am still completely overwhelmed by the absolute wonder of being in the ocean and have to pinch myself to remember this is not a dream, but an awesome reality.

After watching the swimmers month in and month out while waiting for the vertigo to pass, I experienced the kind of anticipation an athlete has before a race.

I could feel the water stinging my face and my body gliding through the water. I imagined breathing, tasting the salt and walking out tired but exhilarated.

And it was everything and more. It is fast becoming my appointment with God, feeling small on His turf and totally dependent on His Creation.

So tonight I fall asleep in the persistant heat with the memory of the Ocean on my skin. And I know God's got this.

Lockdown 665

Lockdown Day 665- 20 January 2022

This morning was Roxy's turn for her walk along the promenade. The cool wind was welcome after the last couple of days' heat.

Today wasn't any different as the unbearable heat trumped Day 660 with the temperature soaring to 36°C out.

Hanging up washing was a challenge as I felt the heat burn onto my skin. It was as if the hole in the ozone layer was parked right above me.

In Gauteng this kind of heat leads to thunderstorms. In the Eastern Cape it just causes a viral wind. At least the wind is cool and brings relief from heat related ailments and fatigue.

We walked at Schoenmakerskop where the sun was making its way into the sea behind the evening sea mist, almost looming like a scene from an eerie movie. 

Lying in bed, listening to the wind plucking at the windows, I am grateful for the cool air flooding the little townhouse.

So tonight I offer up a prayer of thanks for a 100% full Kouga dam I firmly believe we will see after 7years of extreme drought. And also for those who are struggling for their lives as a result of it.

I fall asleep knowing God's got this.

Lockdown 664

Lockdown Day 664- 19 January 2022

The Ocean Tribe called. I answered. And what a great first swim it was! The water was flat and reasonably smooth and I was once again taken in by the ease of doing an ocean swim in the Bay. I have no idea of the distance, but it felt absolutely awesome. I stopped regularly to rest and admire the view of the city from a swimmer's point of view.

The tribe swam along the length of King's Beach and turned after the harbour wall. I turned before the wall. Sea swimming is different to pool swimming. You have to keep tabs on where you are, as the ocean moves. Keeping your head up while breathing, ensures you align yourself with the land or the beach. And speed is irrelevant if you're enjoying the water. The water was so clear I could see the seabed and the temperature was cool, guessing it could be around 17°C.

I had a smile on my face all day, knowing I had found my ultimate sea experience. I am thankful for the vertigo that is gone and for this opportunity.

While swimming, I gave thanks to the Lord for His most awesome creation. Apart from the sound of the water and distant waves on the beach, it was me, my own thoughts and God's presence. I will not easily forget this first ocean swim in #theBay.

God's got this.