Lockdown 591

Lockdown Day 591 - 7 November 2021

Sunday number 85.

Tonight I would like to celebrate the arts, specifically performing arts, specifically the group Zurcaroh, based in Austria and directed by Brazilian choreographer Peterson da Cruz Hora. They competed twice in America's Got Talent some years ago and got the golden buzzer both times.

The first video is of their performance in the competition.

The second video is a short film of 10 minutes they made to illustrate their story and the power of the arts for anyone who comes in contact with it.

It also illustrates what a child is able to see beyond a dark tragic childhood.  A short film that speaks to the spirit. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/I9-3Yd0MGqw

https://youtu.be/A3p2De8kMBw

#Ggt

Lockdown 590

Lockdown Day 590 - 6 November 2021

Today we went for our regular long walk along the Bay beach front. Although cloudy and cool with a slight breeze, many people were already out and about. 

Surfers dotted the calm water waiting for the odd swell to catch a wave, watching the local dolphin pod idly drifting by on the cool South-Eastern current of the Benguela.

I put my hands into the water, silently promising the ocean my first swim is not far off. With the vertigo now 99% gone, I am confident I will be able to take a short swim soon.

We took a drive out to Jbay to go and see friends visiting family we haven't seen for many years. On our way back we took a detour to Humansdorp to check out a couple of places we plan to visit on another outing someday. The clouds were heavy and thick along the Langkloof mountains and it started to rain just as we drove into PE.

We spent the afternoon relaxing in front of dstv's sports channels, while a gentle downpour pattered against the windows. We spoke of one of the people we reconnected with today who is terminally ill while looking like a million dollars with a matching positive attitude.

Her inspiring and infectious attitude left us eternally grateful for all the littlest of things. And highlighted the things that are most important. Time with loved ones and time taken to say the things the heart and spirit grow from. Even when faced with a terminal illness, her peace surpasses earthly fear.

"and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

#Godbewithyou

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 589

Lockdown Day 589 - 5 November 2021

Today I went for coffee at my latest favourite coffee stop with a view. Even though the wind and clouds were in full array, it was sheltered pretty well, affording me a view of the bay.

The water was a million shades of turquoise and the clouds an unphotographable hue of silver grey, looking like they were reaching out to touch the water.

While I was enjoying my flat white, I noticed a man in distress. His wife and a friend were trying to console him. Upon enquiry, the owner told me he had just heard the news that he has cancer. The weather was a fitting picture of the shock wave of such news.

His friend handed him a video to watch and I saw how he went from distressed to calm in seven minutes. Realising they must know God, I asked for the link of this video. Of all the videos I have ever watched, this is the one to inspire, motivate, comfort, challenge and change everything you ever knew about facing and overcoming the trials of life.

So tonight I share with you these seven minutes with Michael Crossland. Because I saw God move today and because I know like I know He's got you. And He's got this.

https://youtu.be/vqvFrBZS00c

Lockdown 588

Lockdown Day 588 - 4 November 2021

Yesterday I mentioned the fact that we have gone through 14 sets of 42days. It takes 42 days to get used to change, whether challenging or enjoyable. Just when you think you can't take it anymore, the 42-day mark arrives and a breakthrough presents itself.

So, after 14 sets of 42 days I ask the questions: are we "broken in" as "lockdownians"?

Have we just given in to the things of an abominable virus?

Did the pandemic make or break us?

Just asking.

Apart from all the regulations, we are unquestionably in survival mode, see-sawing between Lockdown levels. But because we don't have an end date, we are "hanging", wondering what's next and when. Some of us is livid about it and some of us complacent. Some go with the flow and others push back fervently. To me, this is "lockdownian". Like it or not, we're there.

The only truth that makes sense in this life as lockdownians, is the Truth Himself. He is the alpha and the omega, He holds the future in His hand. So to follow Him is the only sure thing to do.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "

Revelation 3:20

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 587

Lockdown Day 587 - 3 November 2021

Week 84. 84 weeks from today would be Wednesday 14 June 2023. The number 84 can be found in many world facts of interest, such as:

✨84 Is the atomic number of polonium, a highly radioactive element found in Uranium Ore but too expensive to extract.

✨In the World Geodetic System 84 is the fixed global refernce frame for the Earth.

✨84 Is the international dialling code for Vietnam.

✨Eighty Four  is a town in the US state of Pennsylvania, 25miles South of Pittsburgh.

✨84 is the ISBN identification number for books published in Spain.

✨84 Years is how long it takes the planet Uranus to orbit the Sun.

✨84 Is the British Army term for the 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle.

✨84 is also double the number 42, which is also called the ultimate number of change. 42 Days was used in Prisoner of War interrogations as the make or break day. We have gone through 14 sets of 42 days of pandemic lockdown.

God is still in control and time to Him is relative. In 2Peter3:8 it is written, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

Walking with God should have no time constraints and we should desire to spend all eternity in His presence, as Psalm 84:10a says, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand."

#Ggt

Lockdown 586

Lockdown Day 586 - 2 November 2021

I looked up Psalm 84 for week 84, and as soon as I read it, I knew I should share these words because they are truth and healing for the spirit.

"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!"

Psalm 84:1‭-‬12 NKJV

So let's read this Psalm each day to keep on being reminded of God's eternal promises and His omnipresence in our lives. He is eternally changeless and has our hearts cupped in His Hand.

And yes, He has got this.

Lockdown 585

Lockdown Day 585 - 1 November 2021

We're in week 84 of Lockdown. Although in Level 1, regulatory life has become pretty much standard. Except, it's not really back to normal.

Don't you ever wish things could just be how they were? I'm sure you have. Just as we think this virus is done for, it revives itself, sending the world into another frenzy of fresh lockdown regulations, mostly all totally unnecessary, as the recovery rate is over 98%.

In the meantime, the suppliers of masks and sanitisers and virus-fighting supplements are cashing in big time. Although sanitisers have proven their worth to some extent, this whole shebang just proves one thing:  the world is spinning out of control.

This is exactly how I feel about this vertigo in my ear cavity. Although there are moments where I feel it has gone, it revives when I least expect it, confirming the fact that I'm living a regulatory life, trying to stay lucid and keeping my feet on terra firma. The medicine that is supposedly the only thing that could help, have dizziness and nausea listed as side-effects..... 👀 Really?

So yes, I do wish I could be the way I was prior to the vertigo. I would trade it in a heartbeat for the three autoimmune viruses I beat years ago. And yes, I wish the abominable virus has never happened and that we could get on with a normal life. I do not like the new normal. Not one little bit.

I'm not in a depro, just speaking my Truth, because I need to. I am in the presence of the Most High God and fully aware this is not how He designed me and know He will walk me through this too. I hold on to Him with all my might and believe He's got me. He's also got you too. And He's most definitely got this as well.