Christianity versus religion

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

God has positioned you for victories. However, in order to live the transcendent and glory-life He has called you to and positioned you for, your outlook on life must be from the perspective of His Word. You must live in the light of His Word and cease to observe situations like an ordinary man.

God has already done all that’s necessary for you to experience victories here in the earth. But sadly, many Christians still make the mistake of waiting for Him to do something about their situation. Some even say they’re waiting for Him to take them to the Promised Land – that good and prosperous place, flowing with milk and honey. What such folks haven’t realized is that in the mind of God they’re already in the Promised Land! They got there the moment they were born again. In other words, they are already positioned in the best place they could ever be, having already come on to Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22). They’ve been positioned in the place of victories.

Observe again these inspiring words from our opening scripture: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. This is not a promise, but a statement of fact; a present-hour reality. You received the life and nature of God the moment you were born again and immediately, you were positioned for the glorious life of victory. Everything you require to live that victorious life to the full has already been granted you.

So when God looks at you He doesn’t see a weakling who’s struggling to make it through life. Rather, He sees one who is more than a conqueror; who’s been endued with the dynamic ability to effect changes in the circumstances of life. Sickness, poverty, defeat and failure are unnatural to the child of God. Ordinary men may be susceptible to all these influences, but you have been positioned for the glory-life; a life of victory through the Word.

Finally, when you get up everyday, thank the Lord for positioning you for this life of victories, and also for granting you everything you require to excel and live victoriously in the earth to the glory of His Name. As you live according to the revelation of His Word today, you’re lifted above this world and the decadence therein, into the realm of glory and victory that He planned for you from the foundation of the world. This is how to consistently experience the victories of Christ in your life. Glory to God!

 (Thought for the day obtained from Yookos and picture taken by Luke Akal)

oh what He's done for me, I am gonna tell everyone of what He has done for me.

oh the Lord has been so good. Actually dear blog, I do not like using such expressions. I prefer saying: the Lord IS good.

It has been an amazing couple of weeks. I know I have been quiet for  a while,in fact my last entry was on the night of my birthday. I wish I had put down more on that night but the excitement and the festivities of the day had worn me out and I resolved to rest instead. It was a beautiful time. I am so grateful.

What have I been up to?
Where to even begin ...

Well as you know the weekend of my birthday was actually the beginning of the varsity vacation. I spent the winter break in Cape Town doing a month long course in Company Law (actually the results just came out yesterday, and they were so distinct).  I love the winter here, my philosophy is simply: be as close to the London weather as possible.The wind, the rain and the dark clouds turn me into a "toasted coconut marshmallow" anytime. Cape Town definetely gets the tick. Perhaps it's the romance associated with the weather *smiles*, or the idea (fed to us by American movies) of cuddling up to a blanket on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate ( or rooibos in my case). Whatever the motivation, cuddle I did. I would say I spent most of my break watching series and movies. Ofcourse I was able to fit in some study time as well as that awesome road trip with Lukey. Good times I tell you!

Looking back on the break that has now gone by so fast I can easily say: I had a great time. I have some great lessons in-scripted somewhere on my mind. Important of which is the lesson of respecting time. Time is indeed a commodity, the time we have to spend with  people should be spent in love because we may not get the opportunity again.The bible speaks of "...redeeming the time..."  (Ephesians 5:16). Using time effectively is so vital particularly in these last days, people need to hear about these good news of what Jesus has done. These good news have to be taken to the ends of the earth.

Despite having enjoyed spending time watching series and movies, these thoughts about using time effectively began to help me reconsider how I use mine time, and the things I choose to invest it in. I began to reflect on the form of information I expose myself to (and its source), and how it affects me. During mid-week service Pastor made a profound statement, she said: "the only adjustment we need to make for success is to change the source of our information" . We spend our life time feeding on information.

With this knowledge in mind I was inspired to do an 8-week course with my church known as Foundation School , which seeks to teach the foundational truths on the New Life we received when we were born again. This has been my 3rd week in the programme and I can say just reading through the manual and making use of the prescribed material has been so life changing. I would equate it to being catapulted to another level in the spirit realm, making strides in the spiritual realm.

I have learnt so much about what I have received from the God through Christ. Jesus didnt just die! He was raised from the dead. And I have a new life in Him, I was not reformed. I am a new man, I have anew life. The old man (me) died with Christ and I was raised to a new life. I am alive to God! Hallelujah!

Oh what he has done for me ...  I am gonna tell everyone of what He has  done for me.

Every good gift

Today I turned 21, and might I say it has been the best birthday I have ever had.
How does it feel?
Unfortunately for you I  have not taken time to nurture that innate "age-feeling meter" that I suppose Oprah and every American woman in their mid-60s appear to possess. So I will not even attempt to use many words to express the feeling. They fail. It feels good.

I am really grateful. I remember writing to one of my friends yesterday saying: " I do not know how God can top this but I know He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ever ask or think".

I am grateful for the gift of friendship and the gift of time. I am grateful for the gift of the journey of life. I was so overwhelmed with joy this morning when I received a text from one of the ladies I went to high school with because year after year despite time and space  she has never forgotten my birthday. Truly I am grateful.

A stranger's kiss



kansaitravels.blogspot.com

I had my back against the wall tonight; my legs snuggled up to the warmth of the blanket on this chilly Cape Town winter evening. It was around 00h15 when I heard the sounds of the heavy rain drops. An Accounting textbook in hand and Benjamin Dube on the playlist, I jumped off the bed in excitement and ran off to the balcony. From my flat on the 5^th floor of Liesbeeck Gardens I began to appreciate the beauty of winter’s rain. A fitting end, I figured, to a pleasant hour of trying to recall your face. We were just young then, atleast I know your grandma’s name and her house number. But I do not know your name my love. I am sure she has many grandchildren. The only memory I have of you is the kiss we shared, and your mother’s car. I never saw her. No face to match the vehicle. Looking back it seems like it was a Corolla, with fancy plastic door handles. Seemed so fancy then when all I knew were metal handles. I remember how you handled me. You kissed me.  I would like to think you were my first. How do I even begin searching for you? Will you come back my love? When was it? Which year was it? I am not sure either. Before the millennium I would believe.  A blurry sight, except our passionate kiss.                                                                                                          

Please tell me, do you ever think about me? Does it ever come back to you? All I remember is that kiss and you being gone. Will you ever come back to me? Will I ever know what has become of your life?

You had me at ‘Hello’, our passion. Feels like my love has been fenced out from you my beautiful stranger.

 I wish you well! I wish you love and laughter.

Fresh emotions to Emily Mmope

It is not an everyday thing to find out that your best friend's mom and your own mother were best friends in primary school. First thing you ask is: how did it happen? Coincidence or destiny? It is quiet a difficult question to answer. But what can I say about my best friend Emily Mmope? Except that she gave me the best years of my high school life (2007 - 2009).

From the moment I met her (though I cant recall how we met, she was just in my class) ,her quicky voice and continous enthusiastic laughter would always make me smile. She soon became the "love of my high school life", the one i'd have ikota (sphatlho) with. *smiles and laughs* I recall the queue during break time at Johnny's tuckshop, or when we had decided that we want to be "all" healthy and we would opt for "rude" Khura's fruits, or times when I was anxious about people staring and I would ask her to get me chips and Take 5 from MmaSolly. I bet you she didnt know why I preferred staying in doors during class. But my best friend would just save me without even knowing it.

I remember her school bag and how it looked everytime she would run for the bus, I'm surprised she never wanted to be an athlete. Emily could run! *LOL* She would catch the bus even when it had started on its way home.
Her humble background inspired me, I started saving money and using the bus along with her. But you can imagine how long that lasted. Not to say that I was from a better background but just that I had the privilege of using a taxi instead (though it strained my mother financially who at the time was unemployed and only received a food allowance of R300 per week from my step father and had to apportion it between food, my transport and school allowance. I dont know how momma did it, but she did it).
 I rejoiced the day that we started grade 12 because it meant my best friend would stop using the bus to make provision for our early/late class revision sessions. 

We grew up together, from grade 10 to grade 12. I remember we used to sit in groups in class and she was in my group. The rules soon became "speak English throughout the day unless you are having a Tswana class". It was easier to speak English during Tswana classes and Tswana during English medium classes. But we stuck it through and soon we began to reap and see the fruits of our labor.

I remember the first day she discovered Mxit *trying to keep a serious face*  (mxit was still hot in 2008) and she started chating up a couple of contacts ( an understatement) I had given her (I had found them on my mom's friend's phone but she got the phone from her boyfriend whom I assume got it from his white boss or the boss' daugher, maybe stole it?) . Soon I was to find out that she had fallen in love with one Gerhard and I had to continuously help her take stunning pictures (with her yaki-weave) for his pleasure. Ineveitably Gerhard didnt stick around for long and I had to deal with all the drama. Oh and the drama I was subjected to in 2009 when she wanted to be a rap artist ( I blame Lil Wayne). Emily made the 15th of every month famous, she would not use the bus on that day but take a taxi instead and her lunch would be a few mouth-watering chicken licken items. I remember when she would loan money from people in our circle and would mention that payment is delayed until the 15th. A legend indeed!!!

You are probably wondering why I'm writing and recalling these events about one of my best friends.

 Well in 2010 after we graduated from matric I spent a year studying at Tshwane University of Technology (in Pretoria) and Emily went to a college. We still kept in contact a bit. Then  in 2011 I moved to Cape Town to study at UCT whilst Emily decided to start working, I am not sure how Emily felt when I left for Cape Town as we didnt keep in contact so much. I remember though that she used to call me randomly from her office and we would catch up, and I would see her atleast once everytime I went home for the varsity vacation. A week ago on the 13th of May 2013, Emily informed me that she was moving from Pretoria to Rustenburg as her firm in Pretoria was closing down and she was being relocated. This shocked me. Firstly I thought to myself: she's been working in town and I got to see her most the time when I was home. Last December I would always pop into her offices everytime I was in the CBD as I was staying at my aunties in town. So this sudden change saddened me a bit. I felt like I was losing my best friend, I mean I know we dont keep in contact as muchwe used to but she still gives the best laughs whenever we are together. Secondly I thought to myself: and now who will buy me pie or chicken licken the next time I am in town?

I was more saddened by the fact that she kept asking and "pestering"  for us to go ice-skating and every year I'd delay and now here she is just about to leave.

Truthfuly I am happy that she is going away to a new place to gain bigger dreams and to make a life of her own. But at the same time I cant help but feel like I am losing a daughter, a friend, a lover. I wonder if she had similar feelings when I left for Cape Town? I am sure she did! As happy as she was for me I am sure she also felt that her friend  was going away. A sense of loss.

I guess we are more comfortable knowing that something that we love is still in the place we left it and soon we grow complacent and unappreciative that we fail to see its importance until it goes away or dies. But friendship is a relationship and thus deserves nurturing, love and attention.

I have been chating to Emily today on Whatsapp and just laughing with her, and expressing my love for her. Its craze but I miss her already. I have told her about my feelings regarding this change but I have also pointed out my affirmations, and they are this: That God may keep her and sustain her in her calling.

To Emily Mmamule Mmope ( wa Mr Muscles LOL)

I love you craze my friend.

Review: Joyous Celebration 17

From the first time I listened to a Joyous Celebration album in 2006 ( the Joyous 10th anniversary album) when my step-dad mistakenly bought a pirated copy thinking it was an action movie I knew I was hooked. At the time of course I was not even born-again and little did I know that this very "mistake" would be of significant influence in my Christian walk.

Now, 17 years later (7 since I first listened) , the multi-award winning Joyous Celebration is still going strong having recently released their 17th album: Grateful live at Rhema Church. Who can deny the impact that JC has had on many lives by  bringing a people of many cultures and languages together through one common language, the language of love: music.

Joyous Celebration has also been at the forefront of raising great gospel artists in South Africa , the likes of: Keke, Ntokozo Mbambo, Dominion and many more.

And now for the review...

Joyous Celebration 17 is a very "musically" strong album with a traditional South African feel to it. The choir look exquisite in the African-inspired attire in disk 1 and their more formal-wear on disk 2. Not only do they have a different (new) sound on this album but I also noticed some new (unfamiliar faces). The album fuses a variety of South-African inspired genres within Gospel, from your "tent church" sound to the more "traditional church" sound, even a bit of mskandi and some upbeat songs. This album showcases the vocal versatility of the choir.

If like me you've been a great JC fan and have over the years grown fond of some leads well you'll be thoroughly disappointed to hear that  the likes of Tebello Sukwini and Zodwa Mahlangu have left the choir. Also Nqubeko Mbatha has moved on from his role as musical director. As skeptical as I was about this album, I was very impressed. The old saying is true: change is good and the anointing of the Lord remains.

What I really love about this album is that finally I had the opportunity to hear the voices of those choir members who had not often led.

 NthabySang (you might know her from JC 16 as the lady who lead "Mopholosi Morwa Modimo") leads a beautiful song called the "Prayer". It is such a new sound for JC! The song is themed around the life changing prayer of salvation.

Also new on this album is Given Mabena (a famous dancer and opera singer with the group: Afro Tenors) who does a moving classical rendition of " Intando emnandi" with violin in background. By far one of my favourite songs on the album!

Though many songs like "umbhedesho", "uyangihola" and "lona ba ratang" may be widely know amongst South Africans, the rendition on  this album makes them sound so fresh. You'd even think you have never heard them before.

I was also impressed to discover a new talent on the album, the beautiful Hlengiwe Ntombela oozes energy and talent. Her song "Mthunzi wami" will remind you of the opening tracks from the JC 16 album. So beautiful!

And for all the Tsonga-song fans you'll love "Xikwembu xayina".

Disk 1 has 19 great songs.

Disk 2 features household names like the 2012 Idols-South Africa winner: Khaya Mthethwa and music power-house: Nobathembu Mabeka.

I was a so happy to see Buhle Thela leading a Tswana song (and dancing). On this album she leads"ke ngwana hao" and communicates each word so well.

Dudu Tsobane was  my highlight on disk 2 as she led "Mthembe njalo", a song about the dependency of the Word of God.  Simply beautiful!

Surely the Lord is good and is doing great things through Joyous Celebration. I hope this review inspires you to go get yourself a copy. The DVD was only R 139.99 at Musica.

*Most of their songs are evangelical.

Sizable Reflections

Dear blog,

Over the past couple of weeks I began to notice a trend of events every time I walked under a tree;beautiful yellow-brownish leaves would  start to fall over my head and as much as I loved it I realised it was more than winter setting in. It was a sign of awareness to me.

 

So I'm glad I'm putting pen to paper ( or in this instance pinkies to buttons :-) ) and writing (typing) this (my heart) out.

I just realised how for the past 3 or so years I have denied myself time to reflect and dream. I used to spend so much of my time (throughout my high school career) dreaming and mediating on those dreams. I remember days when I would get blushingly excited at the thought of spending time with myself and literally lying down on my bed dreaming about where I wanted to be, every detail of my (future) life (a life of purpose). Cutting up pictures and writing on the wall what would become my "vision board". And I witnessed as bit by bit every part became a reality. It gave me a sense a consciousness.  I'd say I felt much more oriented. Looking forward to something. I dare say that it appears that the more I dreamed the more I was able to walk in (well most of) my dreams.

I remember once giving a speech on how "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams". And here I am. I guess sometimes the teacher is the biggest (and best) learner. The advises we gave (give) were (are) not for the hearers only but for ourselves too.

I'll admit that the future is a product of many influences but a dream is the seed (and secret ingredient) of every product. How else would we know to be bigger and better than we ever imagined unless we dreamed about it? Every dream has the innate ability to fulfil its telos (it's purpose for being).

So I'm glad to have the opportunity to lay in my bed in the presence of the Lord renewing my mind by meditating on the purposes of His call on my life and reflecting on His goodness. Every great started out dreaming.

Love: A new spice, a new aroma.

I remember the first time I met You

I fell in love.

It's true what they say:

 "He'll sweep you off your feet".

You won me over at the blink of an eye.

I don't know why, but I wanted You. 

You were more than just a want,

 I had a rush of excitement thinking about You.

I needed You!

 

Suddenly like the rushing of the wind You became the Captain of my thoughts.

 "The apple of my eye".

 My muse!

  My all!

 

 I took You to the ends of the earth,

 I spread You like the sands of the seas.

 You were my all!

 I lost sight of me.

 You became me.

 More so I became You.

 The fibre of my being.

The love of my life.

You made me love.

Love became me.

Like the stars of the night blue sky I healed broken hearts.

The Light of the world!

You set me up on high

Made me shine

The delight of all men.

The fruit of Your affection.

 

Then came trouble

Fast fell I.

Caught up in its face.

The higher calling far from mind

Yet You kept  loving and kept hoping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your love came rushing

Reminded me of Itself

Enlightened me of Its existence.

Quenched every sense of guilt

On high it lifted me

Never disqualified

Ever qualified by It.

This great Love.

 

A shield,

A place,

A residency.

All this and more

are You great Love.