Lockdown Day482

Lockdown Day 482 - 21 July 2021

Still on the topic of therapy with God's Creation, there are many available for all of us to access without having to trek to the arctic or through the Amazon to find a remote pool or herb of some sorts. The common denominator for all are a soothing and relaxing environment. 

A therapy that caught my eye was balneotherapy. This is therapeutic bathing which involves immersion of some sorts. It resonates with my spirit, because just as we should immerse our spirits in God's Word and presence, immersing our bodies and souls in a tangible and therapeutic way can be extremely powerful and beneficial.

Types of balneotherapy include water, light or air immersion and body wrapping. Getting creative is part of the fun. Water immersion can be a steaming session with mineral salts (if your water is scarce) or a cold dip in the sea. It can also be a heated dipping pool with charcoal and herb smoke on a senser (like a sauna) or walking in the rain!

Light immersion can include typical heliotherapy (outside or sun bed), a multi colour light room or portable photo-therapy lights. Walking in a forest (or concrete jungle) when the sun is either setting or rising while facing the rays of light, is also worth a mention.

Body wrapping is a fun way to enjoy a body scrub you can make with your own locally sourced salt and herbs or oils, and air immersion can be ozone therapy or a diffuser in an enclosed space filled with the essential oil of your choice. 

Whatever you choose, know that it will significantly impact your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Win-win. In a time like this, it is an investment in yourself that will definitely pay off. Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to others. And most of all have fun, because God's got this!

Lockdown 481

Lockdown Day 481 - 20 July 2021

While sky-gazing in the sun yesterday, I wondered if there was such a thing as sun therapy. You know, like forest bathing.

For health benefits. I suppose God did create the sun for light, but He is not a one dimensional God and I am sure He had other uses in mind apart from solar heating and light.

After doing some research I found that heliotherapy is indeed used for mutliple benefits such as healing for various skin diseases and extensive research has also now proved a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cancer with actual results of  heliotherapeutic protection against the development of cancer.

Of course, as with anything, too much of a good thing isn't good. But, the same sun that can cause damage can, with controlled exposure, become a healing vessel.

So instead of listing the do's and don'ts of heliotherapy (pretty much common sense), I decided to share two scriptures. The first refers to the Son of God as the Sun, thereby implicating Light that cannot be put out. The second calls sunlight kindness from God.

“But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. And you shall go out and leap for joy like calves from the stall."

Malachi 4:2

"For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil."

Matthew 5:45

So tonight while the rain is filling our gauge fast, I offer up a prayer for God to never let go of us, ever. And a prayer of praise that He's got this.

Lockdown 480

Lockdown Day 480 - 19 July 2021

Today I did a "dumb blonde" thing which could've been a disaster. Instead, it turned into many little personal victories with an angel in the mix.

After cleaning house, I headed out for a few to-do things on my list, which included on-tap honey at Grass Roof. Back at the car I popped the boot to put the honey away.

The wind suddenly came up and instinctively I grabbed hold of the boot, pressing the 'close' button.

Guiding the boot with my hand to stop the wind from catching it, I accidentally dropped the key into the boot. It clicked shut, and my heart froze: I had just locked the keys into my car!

My car's central locking stays locked if only the boot button is pressed. When the boot closes, the car sounds its signal to say it is locked again.

At that moment the full implication of what happened, hit me. My spare key was at home. But my house keys were also locked in the car. Hubby is out of town for business, and the rental agent doesn't have a spare set of keys. To top it all, my phone battery was on 10%.

Facing 4 hours waiting time, I first 'parked' myself on the grass under a tree, watching the clouds roll in. Then I called my long standing varsity friend Riëtte. Without hesitation, she immediately came to pick me up and took me to a wonderful place with lovely treasures, after which we had coffee at her house.

In between it all, it dawned on me that not once did I get upset or freak out on myself (normally I would have) for letting this happen and not being mindful in that moment. And what's more, I could actually think on my feet and not be a "numb blonde"!

So tonight, after hubby and I charged to fetch the car just before closing time, I am thankful for little victories, God's protection, provision, an angel-friend and a hero-hubby!

I feel blessed beyond measure by my Father YHWH who is beyond anything anyone can imagine, my Master Saviour and coming King Yeshua, who has got my back and His Spirit Ruach who prompts me as to where I should/shouldn't go and what I should/shouldn't do.

God is in the details, that's for sure. And He's most certainly got this.

Lockdown 479

Lockdown Day 479 - 18 July 2021

Sunday number 69.

Part 6 of the Sunday series of real life weird, wonderful, magical and funny wildlife photographs:

#Ggt

Lockdown 478

Lockdown Day 478 - 17 July 2021

The Grass Roof trail proved to be everything I hoped and more. Winding through the thick coastal vegetation, paddocks and veg tunnels with pockets of sea views and passing the nearby estate, we finished the 5km trail in about an hour.

The trail has plenty of little ascents and descents and shady canopies of lush trees, making for an ozone overdose and vitamin D boost. Testimony to the fact that sun and air are healing components sent from heaven.

The rest of the day was spent following the all important penultumate stage of the Tour de France. A time trial of note to confirm the winner. Well done Tadej Pogačar, you are indeed the Czech "Tornado".

With the Olympics due to start soon and most of the world's sport championships back on the circuit (with or without spectators), the tenacity of the human spirit shines like a beacon of hope. 

True to our design, we have a fighting spirit coded with management skills to work together in a leading role with the soul(mind) and body.

God deposited His fullness into our spirit. All we need to do is accept Jesus as our Saviour and His Holy Spirit will come in and inhabit our spirit. Then faith in His omnipotence and omnipresence can grow to help us stand strong in the trials of life.

#Ggt

Lockdown 477

Lockdown Day 477 - 16 July 2021

With the weekend on hand, I decided to visit Grass Roof, a nearby farm stall, to replenish our drinking water stock and investigate their walking trail for a future outing.

The farm on which this very popular stall and restaurant is situated, boasts greenhouses and other open air fields, all supplying the demand of both the shop and the eatery.

And of course the fresh produce is nothing short of amazing, and they also offer  honey and olive oil on tap, for which you just bring your own vessel.

There is also an array of locally sourced products such as baked and bottled goods on offer as well as pinapple juice from the area just north of PE. This refreshing ice cold juice is a must!

While KwaZulu Natal is slowly getting back on their feet with the help of the defense force. Just like Grass Roof, South Africa is rich in farm produce, and people who really want to make a difference.

I made a point of counting the number of videos, news articles, and negative publicity I have received on various electronic platforms. I also decided to watch and read them all, noting my reaction on every message's content.

Of the 38 I had received, only two carried a positive and inspiring message. 95% Were messages with negative content that all had a negative effect on my spirit.

My demeanor changed from happy and positive on Monday to miserable and depressed today.

Furthermore, if I had done the reading and watching for the full extent of Lockdown, I would probably have caused more lasting damage to my brain, soul and spirit.

But, praise the Lord, I didn't, nor will I ever. So let's speak the Word of the Lord over ourselves to activate the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Let's confirm out loud, "God's got this!"

Lockdown 476

Lockdown Day 476 - 15 July 2021

And so it rained in PE for a full 24 hours. The day was grey, cold and windy, and the soft rain kept coming. While speculating why we don't seem to see any rain gauges in the gardens around us, we got one set up at about lunch time.

We wondered whether the people just lost hope it would ever rain again, or if the wind blew the empty  gauges to pieces.

When we woke up to clear skies yesterday morning,  we got a reading of 10mm of rain. We thought it safe to assume it had rained 25mm at the very least. I also heard people telling each other they measured 28mm on the southern coastal outskirts. We haven't got word if Langkloof recorded any rain as yet.

In the meantime the prayer walking continues while we praise God for every drop so far. With the rain came the deep of winter (at last!), and everything of winter I love such as squishy jerseys, blankets, hot drinks and glühwein (thank goodness I found it before level 4 started).

Tonight, as the state of emergency in our country reaches new levels of craziness, my reality sings to a different tune. As I watch the sun set, I revel in the goodness of God and His almighty power. My soul sings to my Saviour just like the words of the song How great Thou art.

Because He's got this, I have hope. Because He's got this, I believe all things are possible. Because He's got this.