Lockdown 286

Lockdown Day 286 - 6 January 2021

Still on the topic of breathing, inhaling plus exhaling are both life sustaining.  When we exhale, our body gets rid of toxic Carbon dioxide, and when we inhale your body takes in air containing Oxygen our lungs and cells need for metabolic processes. The one can't exist without the other. 

Inhale + exhale = breathing. 

Job recognised this as a gift from God when He said in Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. " 

Life and breathing is a continual cleansing process. Phyaically as well as spiritually. Like when you need to do a task and your desk needs to be clean from clutter. You will be able to keep going without cleaning up, but the clutter will slow you down. You may even be able to finish the task without getting rid of the clutter. But the clutter on your desk will invade your whole being. It will cloud your judgement and become an emotional and spiritual ball and chain too. And before long you will be in a toxic symbiosis that will become harmful to you. 

It is just as toxic as not exhaling carbon dioxide. 

So, if you have something weighing you down such as a physical task, work, or deadline, start by breathing. Close your mouth and inhale deeply through your nose. Hold that breath for 4 counts and then exhale everything by blowing it out forceully through your mouth. 

Repeat this only 3 times, then get up and clean up! Pick up 3 things at a time and move them to where they need to be: Put away, throw away or wash. After 30 minutes, repeat the breathing and replenish by drinking water. 

Just as you feel stronger when you breathe correctly, you will find that cleaning up your space will remove the clutter in your thinking and planning. 

Breathe some more. God did not design you like this for nothing. With every breath and every piece of clutter that is sorted, the life He designed in you returns to its original state and will you be able to do what needs to be done. And maybe even have joy in finishing it and reaching your goals. 

One big breath alone cannot keep you alive forever, you need to keep breathing. So it is with doing life. Keep on keeping on. And look for the golden nuggets along the way, the little amazing things God's puts in our path to remind us He walks with us. 

God's got you. 

God's got this.

Lockdown 285

Lockdown Day 285 - 5 January 2021

Leticia Rae once said, "Inhale the present, exhale the past and the future."

To me this could not be farther from the truth. Although it may be true that to keep obsessing about the future or dwelling on the past can cause you to lose touch with reality, this present has never happened before and therefore cannot be lived independently from the past or the future. 

We are told the past and the future are both kind of irrelevant in light of the bizarre events playing out on the world stage. However I do question inhaling what's now and exhaling everything else, because we can learn from the past to discern the future. The past can provide valuable truths we can use to mirror the present's validity. 

And in this pandemic and Lockdown I don't want to exhale the past, because the past keeps pushing me to find the truth in this all. Also, I don't want to exhale the future, because then it would mean there wasn't one. Not when God's Word promises a future for us. 

So tonight I heed God's Word in Jeremiah 29:11-14 from The Message translation:

"I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for Me, you’ll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed. I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you, bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it."

God said it Himself : He's got this! 

Past present and future!

Lockdown 284

Lockdown Day 284 - 4 January 2021

Art is not only a creative expression of the artist's perspective, but is also an opportunity for the artist to convey a message and an opportunity for the viewer to step into another world with a fresh perspective. 

Even the most simple sketch can encompass a lifetime's stories. That is what makes art so incredibly unique and immensely powerful. What you see and what I see in the same piece may be worlds apart, but at the same time each of us can have an up close and personal encounter. 

What makes a piece even more special, is when someone takes the time to actually make a picture with you in mind. It is like an affirmation of that person's experience of who you really are. A compliment, as it were. Oh, and how difficult it is sometimes to see this truth someone else saw. 

Today I received such a gift. I am humbled by the mere fact that you thought to give me such a special self made gift, N! Tonight, as I look at my newly created prayer corner, your picture serves as a reminder how important my relationship with God is as well as how great He is! 

In keeping with this, I would like to share a video of 21 unique art pieces in the world. Someone once said, one should first look deep into your own spirit and soul to find each art piece's personal message to you. For that is the moment you find God through the creativity He instilled in the artist. 

Enjoy:

https://youtu.be/2RJOx8qRCp4

#Ggt

Lockdown 283

Lockdown Day 283 - 3 January 2021

Today is the 41st Sunday of Lockdown. 

I thought to share an inspirational 6 minute video with you. It really made an impression on the heart. 

https://youtu.be/vY-BcbcL4e8

Time to start anew, think new and align your spirit with the Spirit of God. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Ruach Adonai is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory—just as from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17‭-‬18

#Ggt

.        fireflies in a forest

Lockdown 282

Lockdown Day 282 - 2 January 2021

The day started out on a cool 18 degrees, full cloud cover and promise of more rain. We took Roxy for a walk, exploring new routes and enjoying the cool windy conditions. Breathing consciously, listening to my every inhale and exhale, thanking God for my lungs, my limbs and every cell He created. 

For the first time in a long time a song randomly pops into my head, "By the rivers of Babylon......" and I wonder about the song and the words. It turns out it is based on the Scripture in Psalms 19 and 137 and refers to living in a repressive society and the longing for freedom, just like the Israelites in captivity. Suddenly that sounds all too familiar. Urban dictionary describes repressive as "especially of a social or political system, inhibiting or restraining personal freedom" (there's that no-control thing again). The word that comes to mind is Lockdown. 

The Israelites were captured and mocked by their captors who wanted them to sing one of their religious songs, and they said how can they sing the Lord's song in a strange land. 

In many ways we, children of God, find ourselves in a strange land. Because that's what Lockdown is. 

So should we nót sing the Lord's song for fear of being mocked or ridiculing God? Definitely no! We should dance before the Lord daily just as David did. Doesn't matter if the place we find ourselves in is "foreign". We should shout it from the rooftops! God is not ridiculed by worship in truth and spirit, but exalted on high, serving as a testimony for His love and grace. 

These words of Psalm 19:14 complete my 2021 resolutions and should be on our lips daily, "So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God." 

https://youtu.be/vYK9iCRb7S4

#Ggt

Lockdown 281

Lockdown Day 281 - 1 January 2021

The year 2021.

New year's in our home is mostly spent celebrating Lukas' birthday, as well as recuperating from the late night on new year's eve. This morning we rose early to take my Bestie to the airport, from where she left for a well deserved holiday. Back home, we busied ourselves with a few chores after which we took an afternoon nap. 

Sitting on the stoep late 

afternoon, watching the clouds build up and hoping desperately for rain to break this heat wave, I thought a bit more about family and how God designed this unit to be the crown of His Kingdom. How mankind has grossly misunderstood God's plan for families. And how the worldly perspective came to replace Godly principles. 

On top of my dancing/singing resolution I decide to add the heart's desire God instilled into His creation: to walk with Him more, to listen to Him more and to live from His Word daily. 

As a dysfunctional human being I muse over the fragility of life, love and relationships. Between God and man and also amongst ourselves. About life in general and what we take forward with us in life. 

Like when you find yourself without your parents one day, you feel life touching you in a different way. You learn to forget the things that weren't so great or the things they did or say, and you remember how you were loved and how you knew they would lay down their lives for you no matter what. 

And that is how life should be lived. To discard the dysfunctionalities, flaws and niggly stuff and to love with all your might, forgive quickly and leave behind any and all ashes all the crashes and burns created. The moment you do that the wind of God's Spirit blows it away, making going forward easy and every step light. 

As I fall asleep with the rain falling and wind blowing outside, I know my ashes from 2020 are being washed away and each day I take a step forward into an unknown future with a known God, grateful for Love that conquers all. 

#Ggt

Lockdown 280

Lockdown Day 280 - 31 December 2020

Last day of 2020. Quite surreal to me.

After a whole day of entertaining visitors and friends, we settled down for dinner with Charmiane who stayed over. Our first pizza night turned out to be wonderful, nerve racking, challenging and fantastic all in one, and we learnt to work together in a different way. 

During our Masterclass we heard they too, as a family of three with an adult daughter, endured pizza nights that went from bickering to downright ugly fighting to absolute joy and elation over their pizza creations........ all in one night. They saw the best in each other and the worst, but their bond kept on getting stronger. 

We ended up having a great time, each pizza delicious and beautiful. As midnight approached, we sat on the balcony listening to the celebrations all around with fireworks in the distance popping up every few minutes. 

I retired blessed and happy to have people in my space whom I love dearly and who I know love me too. Fortunate to say I have a family, when so many people don't. 

Happy new year. God's got this. 

God's got 2021 too. God be with you.