Lockdown 302

Lockdown Day 302 - 22 January 2021

This morning, sitting on the stoep with my tea after a brisk 2.2km walk, I notice little dapples of white clouds drifting by against the blue morning sky backdrop. It is funny how they just appear and disappear or change form.

I did some research on cloud watching and found some interesting facts.

Wispy strands are caused by high clouds and fluffy clouds are caused by wet lower clouds and shapes are formed by windy air.

Furthermore, condensation in a rain cloud of one kilometer wide, releases heat at the rate of tens of gigawatts which is the energy driving the movement and mixing of the entire atmosphere.

Cloud watching is a nature immersion with wonderful therapeutic benefits. In this screen obsessed culture we live in, daydreaming is becoming an extinct art. To me it feels as if clouds invite you to explore a drift-mode wherein we can gaze without the time constraints of earthly demands.

Brain studies show daydreaming and concentration both occur in the same parts of our brain. What a powerful remedy for the psychobabble of life. Not to mention the release of all those happy hormones just waiting to start a party!

So I share with you a previous generation song some of you might remember and wish you a cloud gazing weekend free of stress and Lockdown worries.

https://youtu.be/UjPoWpkBzmM 

#Ggt

Lockdown 301

Lockdown Day 301 - 21 January 2021

Psalm 16:

"Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I say to God , “Be my Lord!” Without You, nothing makes sense. And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names. My choice is You , God , first and only. And now I find I’m Your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then You made me Your heir! The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I’ll stick with God ; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination! Now You've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face. Ever since You took my hand, I’m on the right way."

Let Day 301 be the day of renewed commitment to our Creator. Trust Him in all of what's happening on the planet. And dwell on His Word as often as possible, because He's got this, 

Lockdown 300

Lockdown Day 300 - 20 January 2021

Day 300 of Lockdown. Almost unreal. 

I just knew there had to be a spiritual significance to the number 300 in God's Word. So it came as no surprise when I read about the 300 men of Gideon and the Hebrew meaning of the number, which is God giving a supernatural victory that defies human ability. Also, the Hebrew Language has a numeric value for letters and words and the number for the Spirit of God is 300!

The Victory of Jesus over death and His Redemption and Rsurrection also carries the numeric value of 300.

So on this 300th day of Lockdown I stand with a fist in the air in my spirit and I place my human ability under God's supernatural Victory over death. I acknowledge my sonship of the King of Kings and submit to the Leadership of His Spirit. 

God's most definitely got this.

Lockdown 299

Lockdown Day 299 - 19 January 2021

My week of joy has come to remind me it will keep going. I came across new funnies I would like to share on this day to generate some joy and smiles:

#Ggt

Lockdown 298

Lockdown Day 298 - 18 January 2021

Today, while thumbing through all my photos on my phone to find a specific one from way back in 2019, it was the weirdest feeling going back past December 2019. 

The life I photographed then and the pictures I saved seem as if it was from another life. Pictures with friends in restaurants, pictures of us doing the mall walk with crowds of people in the background, and the best of all, hugs are seen on many of them. I wondered what the absence of a hug can do to a person. 

In my line of work, touch or the sensitivity thereof is crucial for development and self preservation. As humans we are wired for touch. 

Not being touched, such as loss of friend hugs, a pat on the back or workplace handshakes can result in touch deprivation. Research shows it takes about 20 seconds for a hug to release hormones such as oxytocin and the happy hormones dopamine and serotonin. But now we are told not to. (and after seeing all those pictures I daresay social distancing is grossly unethical 🤦‍♂️) 

So for the time being, other than getting hugs at home, there are a number of ways the touch sensors can be activated:

Try out a massage, have your hair or nails done, spend some quality time with animals, get a teddy bear or dance! Wrapping yourself in a blanket or submerging your body in water also works wonders. 

So tonight I offer up a prayer of thanks to the One who created us with touch sensitivity, and for those who already experience touch starvation. May you be surrounded with God's shekinah presence and find peace and harmony therein. And just go hug someone you know, okay? 

#Gbwy

#Ggt

Lockdown 297

Lockdown Day 297 - 17 January 2021

One thing I realised yesterday was how churhes have changed. With no large gatherings allowed, the numbers dwindled fast. The church leaders no longer know their parish as they used to. Church goers now choose whose message they want to listen to or watch online. The saddest thing is the lost koinonia or fellowship the gatherings provided. Being the community God wants us to be is no longer possible as before. 

This changed the face of church as we knew it forever. But it did not change the Word of God. Nor did it change God. He still wants us to worship in Spirit and in Truth. His Word is still just as valid now as it has been before. The Truth remains the same. 

The question is whether the church really understands what is going on. And how they should go forward. In my opinion the mission field has now exponentially grown and more people are unsure of where they will be going when they die. People who need us to be Jesus' hands and feet for those who are in doubt and confused. There are also those who thought they had it all figured out but are now hesitant to speak up because they're supposed to be 'saved' and fear embarrassment. 

So we need to realise not everything is locked down. And most definitely not our own spirit either. We need to to get up and follow God the way He wants us to. And have joy every day! Because God's really got this. 

Enjoy this short video to remind you of all the things that are still the same:

https://youtu.be/7Au3MlR2rKQ

Lockdown 296

Lockdown Day 296 - 16 January 2021

This morning we roamed our part of town to the outskirts on random errands and enjoying all the local community has to offer. Vovotelo's deserves a special mention for their sourdough bread. It will definitely become a regular on our shopping list. 

We talked about how things have changed since we started our married life here. Most of the places we visited today never existed back then. Not to mention all the suburbs that have developed over time. 

Change is a funny thing. Humankind has a built in resistance to change, yet humankind is responsible for it. Despite pushing for change we created organisations to protect historical architecture  and archeologists keep on digging up artifacts from past eras. 

As far as the world population goes, I actually think the economists and developers are on a winning streak while naturalists are being pacified. 

This pandemic has however brought about unimaginable change in a way no one could have predicted. 

Watching all the people going about their dailies, I wondered about similar world events that may be ahead for humankind. Whether living in a high rise or a shack, a beach bum or a tycoon, for the first time in world history the entire planet is affected. 

So tonight I have joy for who God designed me to to be in this part of world history. I choose to believe He is in control and has a plan. I choose to believe He is the best Leader for me to follow. And I firmly believe He holds His children firmly in the palm of His hand. 

He's got you. He's got this.