Celebration and Gratitude

Earlier this week my friends and I had what has become an annual celebration of Gods goodness and work in our lives. In fact celebration is a spiritual discipline that is not practiced much, and we enjoy a fine meal, drinks and the pleasure of each others company. 

2020 was certainly not an easy or standard year and full of challenges and change on so many levels, yet there were things that we can be grateful for. 

I am grateful that I have a job still after the Pandemic and Lockdown period.  The company was really blessed and despite the loss of many days of sales revenue has emerged in a relatively good place. I am grateful for the great leadership and graciousness of Candice and Mary and the whole team @ Willys B's Honey Products. 

I am grateful to new technology and ways of staying connected via zoom etc. I was skeptical initially, but almost being forced to look at alternative methods of engagement was a crucial life line for me and many others. We were able to continue with Journey SA discipleship program over 20 weeks, and this was a huge success. Much gratitude to Craig Groome, Cindy, Barry, Megs, Anton, Jackie and the entire team. To those guys that were in our small group I hope and pray that your Journey in life continues to grow in Christ and healthy living. David, Basil, Willem.

We also successfully kept the Life Group, and our weekly men's meeting real and personal. The depth of interaction and ministry was beyond expectations on many levels. I know that those who decided not to engage and withdrew, had a much harder time coping in this time, compared to those who intentionally engaged with others, even when it was far from ideal. Thanksgiving for all my friends in this team, Vern, Christy, Peter, Michelle, other Pete, Fritz, Juan, Monique.

I am grateful for being able to meet in person and corporately at church and the fantastic events recently.  Both the 10th birthday and Carols events were extremely special to so many of the church members. I am grateful for the leadership of Stephen,  Craig and the eldership team, not only for the parties, but excellent teachings of the word and the extension of the Kingdom of God in our lives. 

I am grateful for my wonderful, kind and gracious gift found in my family.  We drew closer to each other in this time, and have practised love and affirmation of each other in remarkable ways. Much love to Gareth, Stacey, Megs, Rob and Alison. My extended family has been precious and valued, loved and appreciated for the fun times had during the hard lockdown.  My thanks to Nev, Debs, Boet, Olwen, Nick, Jodie, Jan, Ryan & Meika, Marrissa and the whole family. There was some grief and loss in the family and friends lives as members passed away and we still took time to celebrate the lived they lived, we will miss them.

I am grateful for many friends, brothers and sisters in Christ that loved, accepted and affirmed each other through this tough time. 

HEB 12:1 Talks of the great cloud of witnesses, I firmly believe that this is not only talking of those Heroes of Faith that have gone ahead, but everyone who is with us to help throw off the thing's that hinder; and the sin that so easily entangles us. 

We are witnesses of each others lives, and I am eternally grateful for you guys and the fact that you are in the great cloud of witnesses. 

This includes old and new friends, diciples of Christ who I count a privilege to know and have engaged deeply with. I am thankful for my brothers that meet each week, Vernon, Sean, Kobus, Noel and Peter, and the rest of the guys who join in when time allows.  I have developed new deep friends in Journey, Dale, Carl and Arno who are part of my accountablity team, these were established rather rapidly and via zoom to amazing levels of intimacy. Something's never change or die, and I am eternally grateful for the long standing friendship that has been able to carry a heavy load, Sollie and Louisa.

I am grateful for the many friends on Facebook and those who read my blogs, and encourage me to press on. 

My absolutely number one person that I am eternally grateful for is My ABBA Father, JESUS Christ and The Gentle Holy Spirit. The Kingdom has been firmly established in my heart and life due to the awesomeness of the intimacy and revelation, love, acceptance and affirmation given to me on the numerous strolls we have had in the garden. THANK YOU GOD. 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oh to Be Chosen

 I don’t consider myself religious anymore. At least, not in the way people might expect. There was a time when belief felt structured, defined—something I either fit into or drifted away from. And in many ways, I did drift. I questioned, I pulled back, I let go of things that no longer felt true to me. But somewhere along the way—quietly, unexpectedly—something else found me. Not rules. Not obligation. Not pressure to become someone else. But a sense… that I am already chosen. And I know how that sounds, especially to those who’ve perhaps taken a step back from me over time. Maybe it feels like I’ve changed in ways that are hard to understand. Maybe it feels like distance was necessary. But the truth is, this hasn’t been about becoming more distant from myself. It’s been the opposite. It’s been about coming home. --- Oh to be chosen— not polished, not rehearsed, not softened at the edges to fit another’s comfort, but as I am in the quiet, unguarded truth of myself. To be seen beyo...
Read more

Inherited Shame

When I look back on my life, it is often with a sense of shame. A quiet, persistent feeling that no matter when, where, or who—it was always me. I was the common denominator. I was the one to blame. Inspired by a song of the Pet Shop Boys it's a sin. Music often speaks deeply to one's soul,  reflecting truths and emotions that remain buried in the subconscious until you recognise yourself within the lyrics. Another song that inspired this is Losing my religion by R.E.M.  Anthropology is the study of humans—how we live, think, evolve, and relate to each other across time and cultures. Music is one of form of art (also poetry and visual arts, that transcends across the human experience bringing emotional weight to otherwise plain lives. For a long time, I understood my life through that lens. Especially when I realised I was queer. I never chose this—this attraction to men. And it felt, for years, like something that set my life on a harder path than it needed to be. I imagined ...
Read more

On Being: Not Enough (And Learning Otherwise

 Some days it comes quietly. Not with accusation or drama—just a low, persistent whisper that settles somewhere in the background of my mind: You haven’t really done much. It’s a strange thought, because I know it isn’t true. If I take a moment to look back, I can see the shape of a life that has been anything but empty. I have been a father. A husband. A provider. I have led, I have mentored, I have stood in the gap for others when it mattered. I have shown up. And yet, the feeling lingers. I’ve come to realise that this voice doesn’t deal in facts. It measures something far less tangible—something closer to expectation than reality. Perhaps it’s the distance between who I once imagined I would become and who I see when I look at myself now. Not disappointment, exactly. Just… a quiet questioning. But if I’m honest, there is another truth that sits alongside that voice—one that is easier to overlook because it doesn’t announce itself as loudly. I didn’t live my life on the surface....
Read more