Week 6: Ignored stains.

 

Ignored stains are the worst kind of stain. It is an ugly thing to look at; especially on top of a beautiful wood table where everyone can see. It leaves an aftertaste for the onlookers and spoil an immaculate life. No matter how hard you ignore it, it will mark your life unless you deal with it.

We all have our reasons why we don’t want to deal with it. It is harmless and won’t hurt anyone, we might think. Or it will take too much time to remove it and will take you away from what you love to do.

Others will say, “I just don’t let it bother me,” but it won’t solve the problem. It will just increase the problem.

In Acts 24, Paul was preaching to a ruler named Felix. Paul reasoned with Felix of “righteousness,” “temperance,” and of the “judgment to come” (v. 25). This caused Felix to tremble. Clearly, he was affected by what Paul had said. Instead of acting on what he had learned, he responded, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix chose to do nothing about his sins. Instead, he chose to ignore them. As far as we know, Felix never found a convenient season to obey God.

We don’t escape responsibility from our sins by ignoring them. Ignoring sin will cause us to be lost eternally. Instead of ignoring sin, a non-Christian must believe (Jn. 3:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess Christ (Rom. 10:10), and be baptized (Acts 2:38, Mk. 16:16). The Christian who sins must repent, pray, and confess his sins (Acts 8:22, I Jn. 1:8-10).

Don’t find an excuse or allow more time to laps, before you do something about it. Do it now while the time is now.

Prayer

Father, I humbly bring my sin……. (name it) to your table of grace and confess my unwillingness to deal with this. Lord, give me the wisdom to come clean and to allow the Holy Spirit to do his perfect work of healing and restoration in me. Wipe my slate clean, Lord, and show me how not to sin anymore.

I confess Romains 10: 10 over my life: For it is with my heart that I believe and are justified, and it is with my mouth that I profess my faith and are saved.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

©LynelleClark2023

Week 5: Hidden Stains

Stains can be stubborn, so much so that we have to hide them. Then we concoct a reason of why we hide them.

Have you seen these hiding devices in other homes? Maybe it hides your own; crochet lappies, vases, books; they are all things we can use to hide that persistent stain.

We usually hide them out of shame or because we are too busy to handle it. However, both can rob us from the joy of a clean table.

We get stains that really struggle to get out. Stains that you need to revisit, scrub just to cover it once more because of its stubbornness. You try every cure that you can buy, but nothing seems to help.

Are we not like that as well?

Hiding our stains because of shame and fear. What will the people say, or what will God do when He sees it? These are some reasons that motivate us to hide it. (Sounds familiar? Hint: Adam and Eve) I know I do.

Hidden stains can rob you from the freedom to be yourself, your confidence, and can rob you from your relationship with the Heavenly Father and others.

But once you have confronted it, it has lost its hold on you. That feeling of accomplishment, once you have faced it, feels invigorating. As if a heaviness was removed and you can breathe with uncanny freedom.

Do not go through another day hiding your stains from God. He knows it. So, why not confess, and throw away the excuses and live a life of freedom and confidence?

Christ has done a perfect work in us. Nothing is hidden before Him. He knows all, sees all, and wants to take it from you. No stain is so big that it cannot be removed by the blood of the Lamb. Use your stain removal rather than hide it another day. Look that stain in the eye and say, today is the day that I will be set free from your smear. I am cleansed; I am healed, and I am free.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice that set me free from this stain (name it). Thank you for the victory of the Cross.

I confess my shame and fear and accept your loving kindness. Thank you for removing every stain from my heart, mind, and body. I declare it powerless. Thank you, that all shame and fear has been lifted, and permanently removed from my life by the blood of the Lamb.

I pray for wisdom to be more vigilant in my choices. That I will walk in Godly insight with the full armor as my protection and shield. I choose to stay in the Light of your Word, all the days of my life.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

©LynelleClark2023

Devotional: Week 4 Stubborn Stains

Job 1:22 caused me to pause and reevaluate my own life. It says, “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God”. https://my.bible.com/bible/6/JOB.1.22

How often do we struggle with the stubborn stains in life?

The unanswered prayers, the persistent struggle that goes on for years without results? For some, it is sickness, financial difficulties, continuous work loss, addictions: the list goes on.

My burden of continuous financial lack and work loss is a heavy burden that has played havoc in my mind and my life. Sometimes I would cry out to the Lord, lay out the best argument, but still no genuine answer comes.

It seems there is no remedy to cure this stain in my life.

When I read the scripture in Job, it knocked me off a peg or two. Never did he sin nor did he blame God for any of his difficulties.

I, on the other, blame God for my problems at least once a week. Sometimes, I am frightful and grumpy. Days that I think this new plan/work will work just to fall flat on my face. Only when I read this scripture did I realize why Job was blessed. He never sinned nor blamed God and we know that his wealth was restored to him many times over.

Instead of trying every means possible to get the stains out, we should stop and pray. We should get the attitude of Job and praise God, close our ears off from those good intention friends, but who bring no value to our life. Ignore the nay-sayers and those that try to intimidate us.

Look to God. He is our only solution. His word has not failed us, we have failed him.

Only when we stop shifting blame and listen can we truly be satisfied.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I confess my sin towards you. I confess I have sinned before you. Help me get my attitude right. Help me stay focus on your Word.

Father, I trust you to keep me secure in the knowledge of who you are and to stay focus. Help me see what you do in my life. Close my ears to the nay-sayers and the doubters. Keep them far from me.

Thank you for your understanding and wisdom, but mostly Lord, for provision and healing in my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Image obtained from Pexel.

Week 3: Patterns of Faith

 

Each coffee stain has a unique pattern and can be pretty.

If by any chance you stay calm and forget the mess of the coffee stain to focus on the beauty, it will amaze you. You will notice the elegant swirls, the graceful splatters that create the most interesting images, and like when you see a snowflake, it will fill you with awe.

That is how our faith stains are as well. To us, being so close to the mess, we think of our faith path as one confused muddle. We cannot see any pattern or beauty within. But when a friend points out how your story inspires her, you will notice the graceful patterns and hopeful seasoned splatters that make up your life.

Looking back at our lives, we miss the small things that have made up the faith stains. Things we despise or look down at because of their insignificance. But it is in the small and insignificance we find the truth. A truth, so astounding that it leaves us speechless.

It is called character building. People will see you with fresh eyes. Your manners will change, the way you act changes, and your mind will think anew. You will find a strength you never thought you have, but mostly you discover that your life has meaning.

It sneaks up to you quietly that you miss the small moments where faith has become a mature substance. Your faith will have a newfound hope and new avenues had to open up. You will even find yourself on Straight street where you face your fears and do what you never thought possible. You will become a message bearer with a warrior like quality and every step will be sure.

These patterns can only be observed with a deep knowing of who you are and what you have become. It will swirl around you with a heavenly grace that supersedes any earthly garment. A garment rich with colour, fragrance, and harmony.

These are the stains I want to be remembered for. Not for the messes and the stickiness, but for how I handled myself within each part of my life. May you be an accurate reflection of the Father and your messes be a testimony of your faith.

Look, God makes all things new.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the fruit of insight in my life. Thank you for equipping me with faith. Even though my knees are scuffed, and my back is bent, I know these stains only emphasize the journey I walked with you. Help me see this and be glad about the stains. Thank you, that these stains enrich my life and strengthen me.

Thank you, that you make everything new.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Who is Your Stain Remover?

Week 2.

We all know the feeling when we spill coffee/water over a project or laptop. The complete mortification and panic when it hits makes you believe that your entire world just crashed.

What you do next determines the extend of the mess.

Each of us reacts differently to this. For some, it triggers an uncontrollable rage, and we wipe it away with one angry sweep of the hand. Even screaming at the offensive cup. They disregard the warning signs and create a greater mess.

Then there are others who act from a place of peace and, with a calm rationale, grab a clean cloth and clean it. With the greatest of care, they make sure each sticky droplet has been removed. I envy people that can do this but with practise it can happen.

We all have those moments that we react without thinking. Refusing to calm down and evaluate it from a place of peace. And the stain becomes a permanent feature in your life.

To stay level-headed when our life falls apart is not always easy. It can be daunting and depressing. A time of turmoil which affects our choices from that moment forward.

Instead of changing our approach, we add more problems to it, so much that we have to throw it away. Creating more stress on the growing pile. Not thinking there are better ways to clean it.

Life is messy, sometimes ugly. And there are no do overs. Once a decision is made or an accident has happened, we cannot retrace the tracks or erase it. It is done. Then the mess leaves us disorientated and depressed. Instead of dealing with it, we add more layers to the growing stains.

Layered stains cause greater problems, and it is only with a very good stain remover that we can remove the damage.

But… I know that the blood of Christ is a good place to start. It is the only place that gives you peace and removes the stains. Through this mess you learn to be stronger, find the peace within the Blood and know that you can do it over. Because He strengthens you. 

Peace can only be found from a deep sense of belonging. A peace that comes from the highest authority: God. The more we spend time with Him, the calmer the storm.

May you act from a place of peace and find wisdom in the many rings on your table.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blood of Christ that removes all stains. Thank you, that you have washed away my sins and give me eternal peace.

Thank you, that I can turn to you in my hour of need. Your attributes are true, you uphold me with your righthand. Your loving kindness calms the stormy seas and heals my wounds. Therefore, I can stay strong and act in wisdom in all situations life throws at me.

Teach me your ways, Lord, and calm the raging sea.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Devotional: Week 1: Coffee stain Faith

Week 1

As I contemplate the Word, I notice the coffee stains left from the many empty cups at my desk. A niggling thought surfaced; does God see my coffee stains in the same light as tree rings?

The rings from a tree tell us about its age and its nourishment throughout the years. When it had experienced lean years and when it had blossomed. The thicker the trunk, the more the rings, the greater the story.

Then another thought struck. Is my life measured by the faith stains on my heart or is the rings evidence of a lazy woman?

Besides the fact that I will not get the medal for the world’s best housewife. It has a deeper meaning. It speaks about my daily faith walk and not about the messy rings left on the glass top. It speaks of a deeper faith that is not confined by time or space. We can look at it from two different perspectives. The many wrong choices I have made or my enjoyment of another good cup.

Faith is messy. Just as coffee stains are messy. Though coffee stains could be cleaned, our daily walk leaves stains not easily cleaned. Its telltale signs showing our human side in stark realism.

Faith test us to where we cannot see past anything but the stains. Sometimes it drains us of the very essences of who we are. Sometimes it leaves us in wonderous speechlessness. It is during those moments that we discover our purpose and receive a better understanding of the quality of our lives.

This prompted me to have a closer look and see if I can find the comparisons between my heart stains and my faith walk and what it says about me.

Maybe you can identify with this comparison. So, I want to invite you to join me on this walk. I cannot promise that I have the answers for any of our messes, but I can promise we will find our path among the messy stains and sticky moments to become stronger. And appreciate the stains just as much as the clean table. Each has a story to tell.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I bring all my stains to you. Wipe them away with the blood of Jesus and give me a robe of righteousness. Thank you, Father, for a steady hand and strong knees to navigate through my life. Thank you for strengthening me, just like a good cup of coffee and help me turn my mess into a message of hope, in Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Copyright Lynelle Clark 2023

 

 

Dagstukkie: Gister se sonde is vandag se vrede

Terwyl ek ander se verhale lees – tans tree ek op as beoordeelaar van ʼn skryfkompetisie – wat handel oor hul keuses wat hulle gelei het op ander paaie, vat dit my ook terug. Na ver paaie – kronkelpaaie wat jou laat wonder waar het jy verkeerd gegaan. Waar kon jy anders optree? Wat kon jy verander het sodat vandag ʼn ander uitslag kon gewees het van die een wat jy nou lei?

Baie somers is verby. Winters toegehul in kuiers, warm komberse en gemeensaamheid is nou net ʼn vae herinnering. Dae waar feëverhale nog werklikheid was, die lewe in mooi geweefde tapisseriepatrone voor jou gehang het en jy veilig was. Maar so maklik verander die mooi in ʼn deurmekaarspul van gekoekte wol sonder sin. Waar die begin en einde toegewikkel is in ʼn magdom seer, en jy reageer.

Dit is maklik om dan vas te val in die moddergat wat jou wil vasgryp en daar hou. Jy sien, as mens, soek ons goedkeuring vir ons lewe. Dit is dan wat hierdie terugkyk ontaard in ʼn moeras wat net verwarring veroorsaak. ʼn Traan of twee word weggepik en ons verloor die kern van ons boodskap.

My agtergrondstorie is deurspek met verkeerde besluite, ʼn maalkolk van foute, misplaaste vertroue en baie meer. Daardie einatyd, toe daar niks oor was van ons nie. Ek was ook stukkend. Verslae en gebroke. Het minwetend deure oopgemaak omdat ek gedink het dit sal my huwelik red. ʼn Wye deur wat skade aan my as vrou sou doen en my op ʼn pad van selfvernietiging gevat het.

Die oomblik wat ons ingee vir sonde, gee ons toe aan die eise wat dit stel. Dit maak ons geestelik swak en steel ons vertroue en verhoudings. Dit is net God in al sy wysheid wat ons kan red.

Dank die Here vir die Damaskuspad. Die plek waar ons gekonfronteer word met Jesus Christus as ʼn werklikheid. ʼn Realiteit so helder, wat ons verblind vir die dinge van die wêreld, en soos ʼn blinde gelei moet word na waarheid.

Vandag kyk ek terug na daardie tyd van my lewe en kan ek God se hand van beskerming sien. Daardie tye waar Hy eenvoudig my hardkoppigheid gesystap het en in die bresse getree het om my vrouwees te beskerm.

Ek glo, indien die Vader dit nie gedoen het nie, sou ek heel moontlik op ʼn ander plek gewees het of selfs dood.

Toe ek in 1992 tot bekering gekom het, en grootoog God gevolg het, was ek nie bewus van al die kronkels wat my pad sou vat nie. Maar God is ʼn waarmaker van sy Woord.

Van varkhok tot Damaskus het my pad opgeeïndig in Reguitstraat. By die Vader’s huis is ek met ope arms ontvang en die lam geslag. ʼn Leeftyd het gebeur in daardie proses van val en opstaan en die rosige oogklappe is verwyder.

Die verhouding tussen my en die Drie-eenheid is ʼn dieper een waarin ek myself verloor as mens. En ek is oukei met dit. Nou kom my goedkeuring nie meer van ʼn man, kinders of ʼn huis nie. Maar van ʼn plek van verhouding met my hemelse Vader, Jesus Christus, en die Heilige Gees, waar ek al drie opnuut weer leer ken. Dit is ʼn stelselmatige terugkeer na myself en my rol as gelowige. ʼn Versigtig-trap en fyn-luister verhouding, deurspek met genade.

Om God weer te vind tussen die pyn en selfveragting was moeilik om te verwerk. Immers kan ek niemand blameer behalwe myself nie. Dit is ʼn harde werklikheid waarmee ek moes deel.

In hierdie tyd wou ek wegkruip van God af. Bang dat Hy my sien vir wie ek is. Maar die wonderlike vreugde is dat Hy my wel vrygespreek en skoon gewas het.

Vader, in al sy wysheid, het geweet wat ek nodig gehad het, en het my omring met spesifieke vriende wat my begin dra het. Selfs in my woede, wanneer ek te velde getrek het teen God, het hulle my ondersteun. Dit het my koue hart vermurwe totdat dit naderhand heeltemal oop was om weer God se genade en liefde te ontvang. Ter bevestiging het God my beklee met ʼn ring aan die vinger. Sy stempel van eienaarskap. Dit was ʼn paradigm-kopskuif wat my in verwondering gelaat het.

Soos ʼn pottebakker het Hy my gevorm. Die draaitafel, my veilige hawe, waar Hy my gebrei het. Dit het my gevorm in ʼn kleipot met handvatsels en tuit. Bruikbaar en gietbaar.

In 1992 het ek gedink ek is die mooi goue kelk waaruit God kon drink. Verhewe bo mense: sonder foute. Vandag weet ek beter. Nou, in 2021 weet ek, ek is ʼn kleipot. Kompleet met krake, laste en growwe plekke. Ek is oukei daarmee. Dit het my vrede gebring.

Ek weet God is nog nie klaar met my nie. Die poets- en bakproses lê nog voor. Maar ek is veilig in die Pottebakker se hande.

Die vierde persoon in die oond is Jesus Christus self. My reddende genade. Wanneer ek in angsweet wakkerskrik oor my toekoms, moet ek myself vermaan dat God in beheer is. Hy is daar. Ek is nie alleen nie.

Wanneer ek my hand verwyder, wankel ek. Sodra ek dit terugsit, loop ek op die water saam met Hom. Hoekom? Want Hy is ʼn waarmaker van sy Woord.

Ek lees in Galasiërs dat God nie ʼn aannemer van persoon is nie. Ongeag wie ek was, God neem my aan. Ek moet bloot net sy verlossing in geloof aanvaar en dit my eie maak. Daar is geen reëls of enige vereistes daaraan verbonde nie. God se reddende genade het aan my verskyn. Wat God betref, het my verlede nooit gebeur nie, en sien Hy my as vrou, skoongewas, reg om as getuie vir Hom op te tree.

Dit is ʼn bevrydende gedagte wanneer ons weet God aanvaar ons net soos ons is. Dit maak ons vry van die wet en skuld wat ons op ʼn dwaalspoor wou lei. Ek is nou meer bedag op wat ek kyk, met wie ek kommunikeer, en wat ek lees.

Ek het ʼn passie om te leer en het aanlynkursusse ontdek. Wanneer daar ʼn ekstra geldjie is, skryf ek in. Die bevrydende gevoel van groei slaan deur in die boeke wat ek skryf. Die stories, ʼn platform waar ek my getuienis uitleef deur die verskillende karakters se wel en weë. Dit is fiksie, maar ook waarheid. Die lyn so fyn dat mense se oë sal oopgaan vir die werk van die Here, juis omdat ek dit so werklik maak.

Ek is nie ʼn marshallow-mens nie. Ek is nie eers ʼn natuurlike romantikus nie. Maar tussen die blaaie van skryf speel liefde altyd ʼn rol. Liefde is die een ding wat ons bind as mens. Waarna almal smag. Liefde en aanvaarding. Maar ook die reg om jou eie mens te wees en dan die verantwoordelikheid te vat vir die keuses wat jy gemaak het. Dit is wat ons as mens laat groei. Dit gee ons die aanvaarding wat ons soek.

Sodra ons prioriteite reg is, begin God in alle erns werk. Nie voor die tyd nie. Nie wanneer jy luister na fabels en leuens nie. Vernaamlik in die tyd van informasie. Die beskikbaarheid daarvan kan ons ver van God af lei, sonder dat ons dit besef. Indien jy nie die Woord van God ken nie, bring dit net verwarring in jou lewe. Dit is vanuit die verwarring wat ons dan verkeerde besluite maak wat ons toekoms beïnvloed. Nie net ons s’n nie, maar ook die mense saam met ons.

Onthou: elke keer wat jy iets besluit, raak dit jou maat en kinders (indien jy het). Jou vriendekring loop ook deur, selfs jou werksplek. Elke area word aangeraak: ten goede of ten slegte.

Maar, sodra as wat jy die onvervalste melk van God se Woord inneem, maak dit jou krom pad reguit. Dit gee jou die fondasie om sterk te staan in elke situasie. Dan word ons gelei na ʼn oop hemel, waar ons sy genade in oormaat ontvang en dit uitgegiet word aan ander dorstiges. Daardie plek waar ons in vrede kan wandel en weet dat ons toekoms sekuur in God se hande is.

Nie omdat ons dit verdien nie, maar omdat God dit so gee.

Galasiërs 1:3-5: “Genade en vrede vir julle van God ons Vader en die Here Jesus Christus, wat Homself vir ons sondes gegee het om ons te verlos uit hierdie goddelose wêreld en so die wil van God ons Vader te volbring. Aan God kom die heerlikheid toe tot in alle ewigheid! Amen.”

Hy maak ʼn weg. Hy is die waarheid. Glo dit. Leef dit.

Romeine 8.

Lynelle Clark

Dagstukkie: Verantwoordelike kindwees

Ons word elkeen in ʼn huis gebore met ouers en kinders. Elkeen het sy eie funksie wat ʼn dinamika na die tafel bring. Binne hierdie dinamika is daar verantwoordelikhede wat elkeen moet nakom.

Ma en pa voorsien, versorg, leer en gee baie liefde. Hulle dissiplineer ook. Ons hou nie baie daarvan nie. Maar dit gee ons die leiding om reg op te tree in elke situasie wat ons in ons lewe mag kry.

Kinders moet leer deur die instruksies te volg. Dit leer elke kind hoe om opdragte te volg. Selfs die wat nie so lekker is nie of nutteloos voel. Gesonde dissipline gee die kind ʼn veiligheidskokon waarbinne hy/sy weet dat hulle geliefd is. Dat hul ouers werklik omgee. 

In God se huishouding werk dit op dieselfde manier.

Die God-drie-eenheid en jy is onlosmaaklik deel van mekaar. Elkeen het ʼn funksie om te verrig. Jou funksie binne hierdie dinamiese uniekheid, is om God te eer. Sy verlossingswerk as volkome in jou lewe te ervaar, en Hom te ken in al jou weë. En natuurlik om te luister deur stil te word.

Jy kan niks vermag deur nie ingeskakel te wees by die Here nie. Dit is wat van jou ʼn ware kind van God maak.

Terwyl ek die boek van Galasiërs bestudeer, kom dit nog meer na vore. Dit is asof Paulus dit in groot, vetgedrukte letters skryf.

In Galasiërs 3word ʼn mens gekonfronteer met die absolute waarheid van hierdie uniekheid.

Jy sien, die mense in Galasiërs het in aanraking gekom met mense wat hulle vas wou maak aan die wet deur die ou gebruike terug te bring. Paulus het dit te hore gekom en konfronteer hulle met dit.

In Hoofstuk 3:1(a) “Julle Galasiërs, is julle dan so sonder begrip? Wie het julle verstand benewel?”

Ek hou eintlik hoe dit in die Engelse Vertaling geskryf is: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”

My en jou verantwoordelikheid kom daarin, dat ons sorgdra dat ons nie agter fabels of leuenaars aanloop nie. Wette en gebruike wat niks met ons geloof te doen het nie, het geen plek in ons geloofswandel nie. Mense wat ons probeer verlei om na hul opinies te luister, die Woord afwater en jou weglei van die Woord af, is skadelik vir jou groei.

Daarom is dit so belangrik, dat wat jy hoor en wat jy lees, aan die Woord gemeet moet word. Indien die Woord dit nie bevestig nie, stap weg daarvan, anders sal jy nes die gemeente in Galasiërs op ʼn dwaalspoor gelei word. ʼn Dwaalspoor wat jou baie pyn en lyding op die hals sal bring.

Ek weet nie van jou nie, maar ek is moeg om die berg te omsirkel omdat my manier van verstaan verkeerd was. Of omdat ek nie geluister het na die Woord van die Here nie, maar eerder na ʼn persoon geluister het.

Ons elkeen se verantwoordelikheid berus op wie ons ore ingestel is.

Dit is jou plig, as kind van God, om waaksaam te wees teen alle dwalinge, en God te ken in alles.

 

Vrae wat jy in gedagte kan hou:

·         Dit wat ek nou so pas gehoor het, is die Bybel in ooreenstemming daarmee?

·         Wil die persoon my teruglei na die wet toe?

·         Is dit nuttig of lei dit my verkeerd?

Hoe kan jy jou eie kennis verbeter:

·         Bestudeer die Bybel deur gebruik te maak van goeie bronne. Daar is soveel bronne om van te kies dat dit soms te moeilik of te veel is, maar jy is dit aan jouself verskuldig om te studeer. Jy is immers ʼn student wat moet leer en verstaan wat God vir jou wil sê. Toets jouself gereeld.

·         Naslaanbybels is ʼn goeie punt van lering. Doen kruisverwysings. Lees die skrifte wat almal daarmee te doen het in konteks.

·         Laat toe dat die Here jou leer, met ander woorde, raak stil voor die Here. Laat die Woord perkuleer in jou binneste. Herdink, herkou en leer totdat dit deel word van jou lewe.

·         ʼn Punt van waarskuwing: wanneer jy in twyfel is oor iets, moet asseblief nie Facebook toe hardloop vir raad nie. Gaan na iemand wat jy al getoets het. Iemand wat die Woord reg sny en vra.

·         Maak tyd om die Woord te eet. Kou dit fyn, en jy sal agterkom hoe soet God se Woord werklik is.

 

Jy verskuldig dit aan jouself om tyd met God te maak en sy Woord as ʼn waarheid te vat. Bestudeer Galasiërs – vers vir vers.

Smaak en sien die goedheid van die Here daarin.

Lynelle Clark

Skakels in 'n Ketting 2

Continue reading from Love at War. Chapter 7 & 8

 

Ebook

Paperback

Genre: Christian Military Romance

Suggested age range 16+

Topics: Infidelity, abduction, rape, abuse, adventure, reproductive rights,

Dagstukkie: ‘n Sterk tou

Pappa, ouboet en ma. ʼn Onlosmaaklike Drie-eenheid.

Dit is hoe ons die Goddelike Drie-eenheid op menslike vlak kan beskryf.

Hemelse Vader is ons Pappa. Die een wat als onderhou. Die een wat praat en wêrelde kom in plek. Lig maak plek vir duisternis en die aarde breek oop en gee kos aan elkeen van ons – mens en dier.

Jesus Christus is ons Ouboet. Die een wat in die bres tree wanneer ons droog maak. Die een wat by ons bly wanneer ons bang is. Die een wat ons kom leer wie die Vader is en dit makliker maak om die Woord te verstaan omdat Hy die Woord is.

Heilige Gees is die ma. Die een wat ons vertroos, ons leer, ons vashou en soen wanneer ons dit nodig het. Die een wat ons aanpor om nog beter te doen en wat in die bres tree wanneer ons foute gemaak het.

ʼn Onlosmaaklike drie-eenheid met wie ons elkeen kan identifiseer. Baie van ons prentjies is skeef wanneer dit kom by elkeen van hierdie figure juis omdat ons verhoudings met pa, broer/suster en ma nie altyd van die beste is nie. Dan projekteer ons daardie argwaan en seer op die Goddelike eweknie.

Persoonlik kan ek daarmee identifiseer.

Ek bly by my pa. My pa is 80 en daar is 24 jaar verskil tussen ons. Hy sien my as die klein dogtertjie wat elke dag geleer moet word. Van kosmaak tot wat ek eet. Bestuur is ʼn nagmerrie wanneer hy in die kar is. En, indien ek nie waaksaam is nie, kan my gevoelens van disrespek en woede geprojekteer word na die hemelse Vader. Dan moet ek rustig raak, kop hou en verby die seerdinge kyk.

Omdat hy vergeetagtig is, sal hy gedurig stry omdat ek kwansuis nie die vloer gewas het nie. Dit sal hy dan aan almal wat wil hoor vertel. Volgens hom doen ek dan niks in die huis nie. Daardie doelbewuste leuen maak my witwarm by tye. Soms stap ek weg, ander kere wil ek myself verdedig.

Net so met my broer. Daar is tye wat ek en hy net nie eye-to-eye sien nie. Dan ontaard dit in ʼn bakleiery wat my stom laat. Dit laat wonde en ek vind na so ʼn skermutseling dat my verhouding met Christus daaronder lei. Dit ontneem my van vrymoedigheid en ek sal eerder met die Vader praat as met Jesus tydens die skermutselings.

Omdat my ma alreeds by die Vader is, is die tekort aan aanvaarding en liefde ʼn groot leemte in my lewe, en vind ek dat ek min met die Heilige Gees praat. Ek is bewus van sy werkinge in en deur my, maar ek gee Hom nie altyd die plek wat Hy verdien nie.

Ons aardse verhoudings het ʼn rol te speel met ons toenadering tot God. Meer as wat ons soms wil erken. Maar dit is juis hierdie verhoudings wat ons opbou en die skanse afbreek om nederig te bly.

Verhoudings op elke vlak is ʼn daaglikse oefening van gee en neem. Indien ek nie moeite doen om te gee van my kant nie, kan ek nie ontvang nie. Ek kan ook nie elke keer net verwag om te kry as ek nie my kant bring nie. Deur daaglikse kontak leer ons mekaar ken. Ek weet hoe my pa van sy tee hou. Op watter tye hy koffie sal drink. Elke ete het sy eie eetgerei. Ek moet dit weet anders is daar moeilikheid.

Net so is die verhouding met die Goddelike drie-eenheid. Indien ek nie my besige program eenkant toe skuif en tyd maak met die Bybel en bid nie, gaan ek nie elkeen se hart leer ken nie. Ek gaan nie weet hoe hulle oor my voel nie. Watse raad hulle vir my wil gee of hoe om op te tree in ʼn spesifieke situasie nie.

In kort, ek gaan in die donker rondtas met geen duidelikheid in ʼn gegewe situasie nie.

Nie my pa of broer glo daaraan om verskoning te vra nie, en ek het al geleer om net verby dit te kom op my manier. Hulle manier van flikflooi sal wees om te skimp vir ietsie lekker om te eet. Of, kan ek asseblief die vlek op ʼn broek uithaal. Dan weet ek als is nou weer reg en kan ek met vrymoedigheid asemhaal.

Verhoudings is delikate organismes wat elkeen op meriete hanteer moet word. Die grootste gemene faktor is gewoonlik hoeveel keer ek bereid is om die knie te buig en hoeveel keer is ek bereid om te luister. Wanneer ek luister, hoor ek iets wat ek andersins sou gemis het.

Netso met my verhouding met God. Wanneer ek stil raak, minder word, dan hoor ek God se stem duidelik. Ek kan vrylik asemhaal, want nou verstaan ek, en my liefde vir God groei.

Waar kan jy minder word, sodat God meer kan word?

 

Lynelle Clark

Skakels van 'n Ketting 2

Dagstukkie: Verwarring versus Genade

Die week het ek Galasiërs 1 bestudeer. Daar is soveel waarhede in die 24 verse saamgevat dat dit my ʼn tyd gaan vat om dit werklik deel van my gees te maak. Elke vers dra ʼn waarheid wat my as gelowige versterk om daadwerklik God te vat op sy woord.

Die een punt wat vir my die meeste uitgestaan het en wat ek onmiddellik gevat het, was vers ses en sewe. Spesifiek hoe dit in die Amplified Bible geskryf word:

“I am astonished and extremely irritated that you are so quickly shifting your allegiance and deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [even contrary] gospel; 7which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not].”

“EK verwonder my dat julle so gou afvallig word van hom wat julle deur die genade van Christus geroep het, na ʼn ander evangelie toe, 7terwyl daar geen ander is nie; behalwe dat daar sommige mense is wat julle in die war bring en die evangelie van Christus wil verdraai.” (Afr83)

Daar was ʼn tyd in my lewe dat verwarring en verdraaiing ʼn groot rol gespeel het. As gevolg daarvan het God se genade eenkant gestaan. Ek het aangeneem dat God my haat en in ruil het ek hom uit my lewe gesny. Ek was woedend vir die kerk, God en die mens.

Ons is lief om te noem dat God ʼn gentleman is wat ons ruimte gee om te verander – en in dié geval is dit ook waar. Waar ons toelaat dat ander gedagtes, woorde en leringe ons beïnvloed, sal genade ook opsy staan totdat ons weer tot die besef kom dat die probleem by ons is en nie by God nie. Die varkhok waar ons nie eers die peule sal ontvang om ons mae te vul nie. Ek weet, ek was daar.

Daarmee sê ek nie God se genade gaan weg nie. Selfs in daardie tye was God se hand oor my. Vandag kan ek dit sien.

Die gevaarsituasie waaruit ek sonder ʼn skrapie weggestap het. Mense wat Hy van my weggehou het. Ander, minder aangename situasies waar Hy my aandag gekry het.

God is ʼn waarmaker van sy woord, maar Hy gaan jou nie in die rede val en sy wonderbare genade aanhou gee as jy dit nie waardeer nie. Nee, Hy staan eenvoudig eenkant toe en doen sy werk in die stilligheid.

Vir Paulus het dit geïrriteer dat die Galasiërs hul lojaliteit verskuif het en hulle agter ander leringe aangeloop het i.p.v om by die waarheid te bly.

Het jy al opgemerk dat dit net in die boek van Galasiërs is waar hy die mense so direk aanspreek? Nie in een van die ander briewe doen hy dit nie: so, die saak is ernstig.

Bestudeer die Bybel en kyk hoe praat Paulus met die ander gemeentes.

 

• Wil jy weet hoekom voel dit of jy teen die plafon vasbid?
• Ondersoek jou lewe: waar bevraagteken jy God?
• Waar laat jy toe dat ander se opinies van God jou geloof beïnvloed?

Jy sien, die waarheid is: wanneer daar verwarring is, kan God se genade nie ten volle werk in ons lewens nie.

In vers drie tot vyf bid Paulus ʼn seën oor hulle uit:

“Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself [as a sacrifice to atone] for our sins [to save and sanctify us] so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father— 5to Him be [ascribed all] the glory through the ages of the ages. Amen.”

• Wat leer ons hieruit?

God wil aan ons sy genade en vrede skenk. Hy wil hê dat dit met ons goed gaan, maar dan moet ons vashou aan sy woorde. Ons moet Christus se verlossingswerk aanvaar.

Ons moenie agter elke leerstelling aanhardloop nie. Al wat dit veroorsaak is verwarring. Waar verwarring is, kan God se genade nie tot vervulling kom nie. Daar kan vrede nie kom en jou hart en huis vul nie.

Aanvaar God se reddende genade. Aanvaar sy Woord as die enigste waarheid in jou lewe, en ervaar hoe goedheid en guns jou volg: al die dae van jou lewe.

Moenie wag totdat jy in die varkhok beland nie. Om dan ontslae te raak van die stank, kos baie trane en moeite. Trane wat ek jou wil spaar.

Neem ʼn daadwerklike besluit om nou om te draai en sien hoe God in jou lewe werk.

Jy is voorwaar ʼn geseënde van die Here.

Wandel daarin.

 

Lynelle Clark

Skakels van 'n Ketting 2

Clearance Sale of all paperbacks. Winter is coming... stock up.

 

Excerpts from Lynelle Clark’s books.

All paperbacks can be ordered by email: lynelleclark@gmail.com

 

WEBSITE  / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE

Title: A Pirate’s Wife. Free in Kindle on all platforms.

Genre: Historical Romance

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Paperback is R100 excluding courier.

A Pirate's Wife (authorlynelleclark.blogspot.com) 

Blurb: 

Rosa Lee Almaida lived a sheltered and carefree life as a child. That changed when she and her mother experienced a horrific ordeal on the seas. Shipwrecked, survival in the heart of Africa became paramount. The only joy came after she met her adoptive father, a man honored by all sailors on sea and land for his bravery and unconditional love. He became her hero, the role model of her own husband to be. Now, twenty years later, forced to return to the seas that took the life of her birth father and so many others, she must learn to survive once more.

Abducted from her parent’s castle in Portugal, Rosa Lee Almaida becomes part of a ransom to The Falcon, a brutal Pirate King on the Island of Madagascar, in exchange for her younger brother Pedro’s life.

She comes face to face with The Falcon’s son, Roberto de Ville, a man as fierce as his illustrious father but who has his own hidden agenda. During the voyage, she learns to admire Roberto for his leadership and skill, but can she overlook his pirate exterior to see the man for who he is?

Through the inscriptions her parents left in their diaries, she learns about love and survival while trusting for a good outcome. In an unexpected turn of events, she learns she must trust Roberto unconditionally, hoping they will spare her life. She gives herself over to the love and intimacy of the man she now craves.

Taking Rosa Lee from Portugal, Roberto brings her to the Falcon on the Isle of St Mary. Enchanted by the stories told to him by her brother, he knows that Rosa Lee is destined to be his. Listening to her and seeing her bravery, he knows this is the woman he has waited for all his life. He will give up the dangerous life of a pirate, but first he must set an intricate plan into motion that will change his life forever. He, along with Pierre, his second in command, rush against time to bring the plan to fruition.

In the end, Rosa Lee discovers a valuable lesson that startles her: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.  

Excerpt:

Title: Bella’s Choice. 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Paperback R150 excluding courier

Bella's Choice (authorlynelleclark.blogspot.com)

To add to your TBR list on Goodreads. 

Blurb: 

Two roads. One choice. 

Anabella Anthony found she was alone in the world at eighteen. Early on, she made a choice; to live an ordinary life away from the lifestyle her parents preferred. However, they had plans for her; they wanted her to become a part of their choices. 

All she wanted was a regular household, with normal day to day issues like her peers, parents she could respect, and who above anything else would accept her for the person she is. Torn between dreams that filled her mind with alluring effects and uncomfortable events which tried to sway her, she had to come to a resolution: find peace and stay true to her convictions. 

Through it all, she excelled in her sport; a dedicated student who falls in love with a much older man. Will she give in to her body's desires, or will she remain steadfast in her own choices? Can she find the courage to stand amidst the turmoil wanting to drag her down? And most importantly, will she ever forgive those who meant to harm her? 

Aldrich Hagin, a lawyer, is ready to settle down. After a tragic loss he experienced right after university he is now, more than ever, ready to move on and start a family. And then he meets a young, energetic, lively woman who turns his life and heart around. Will he be willing to sacrifice his own desires and wait? Can he help her and be the anchor she so desperately needs? Confronted with his own decisions, the choice is his as to whether he’ll stay or leave. What will he decide? 

A love story filled with decisions both have to make; to stand against all odds and remain true to oneself. Will they make the right decisions?  

Excerpt

Titel: Juweel van die Oosgrens. 

Genre – Geskiedkundige roman  

Koop skakels

Sagteband R 130, koerierkostes uitgesluit. 

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Voeg by jou leeslysie op Goodreads.  

Oorsig  

Die mengsel van tale het ʼn groot rol gespeel in die skepping van die taal wat ons vandag ken. Afrikaans is gevorm in die warm kombuise en wye vlaktes van ons mooi land en het vir vele interessante oomblikke gesorg.  

1815 is gekenmerk deur aanpassings, afstande en onluste. In die midde hiervan het Celeste Reyneke geleef. Op haar agtiende verjaarsdag verander haar lewe dramaties en eindig op in ‘n gerieflikheidshuwelik. Twee jaar later moet sy die wêreld weer alleen in die gesig staar en beland op die Oosgrens. Die tweejaar-lange huwelik was alles behalwe maanskyn en rose en eindig traumaties. Ontnugterd volg sy die pad die binneland in.  

Celeste het grootgeword in die Kaap van Storms met ʼn oop gemoed en lus vir die lewe. Sy kon lees en skryf en het ʼn ‘beroep’ gehad. Vir haar het dit natuurlik gekom om die tyd en reëls te verander soos wat die geleentheid hom voorgedoen het. Haar unieke talente kom dadelik op die voorgrond en gou besef mense sy is ʼn aanwins vir die gemeenskap. Maar sy het ook die koppe laat draai. Met die tekort aan vroue en haar natuurlike skoonheid trek sy die aandag.  

Barend Olivier, die toonbeeld van manlikheid en dapperheid, is op soek na ʼn vrou wat sal aanpas by sy lewe aan die Oosgrens. Tydens ʼn tweeweke-lange patrollie leer die twee mekaar ken. Maar die pad is lank, warm en rof en ʼn man kan net so lank van ʼn aantreklike vrou af wegbly voor die fisiese begeertes oorneem. Sal hulle betyds ʼn prediker kan vind?  

Die belangrikste vraag is: Sal Celeste hom toelaat om haar lief te hê?  

Ek nooi jou om saam met my op hierdie reis te gaan en nie net die spanning van hierdie tydperk te ervaar nie, maar ook die romanse te vind in die grasvlaktes van ons mooi land.  

Uittreksel

Title: Love at War. 

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Paperback R280 excluding courier

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Blurb

Their enemies tried to outsmart them. Obedience their only defence.

Whisked to picturesque Valletta, a lonely nurse met her soul connection. It set the bar in a stirring plot of spiritual and physical survival as a determined warlord in Africa and a cunning wife in America trapped them. The healing sands of Iraq, their only hope.

Passionate about her work, war-torn South Sudan offered Sonia Main peace. When a man from her past confronted her, she had a choice to make. A choice that would influence her life.

Could Sonia let go of the past? Would her dreams continue to haunt her? Or would the warm sun of Africa burn away her fears?

Curt McGee was a man bound by honour and duty. It took him away from home for long periods of time.

Caught in infidelity, Curt's wife left him stunned. His children prey to an unthinkable enemy.

Would he get beyond his wife's betrayal?

Could he save his children?

Co-workers booked a flight for each to enjoy a weekend in Malta. It offered tranquillity and peace to weary souls.

Two worlds connect, and the result would change them both for eternity.

Love confronted them, not to be denied. But time played a trick and demanded a price. A price that would strip them of everything before they could experience the joy of a future.

Obedience was better than sacrifice, revealed the Holy Book. Would they yield or follow their own way?

They couldn’t run or hide from the onslaught. Their enemies' attacks growing in intensity. Crafty tricks added to the confusion, their fears real. It stripped them of their hopes and dreams. They could only go one way.

When Tau Gbadamosi met Sonia, he had a tough time understanding his feelings. War ravished his country. The enormous plight for help too great for one man or one fight. Faced with loyalty, he had to decide. Would he fail the test?

Africa's hopes and dreams burned brightly in the harsh sun. Poverty and lack the driving force for many ‘do-gooders’. But when a warlord sets his sight on the Red Cross nurse, all hell broke loose. No one could stand in his way.

Only God could stop him.

abduction, rape, abuse, military, adventure, love story, reproductive rights

Not for sensitive readers. Suggested age range 16+  

Writer's Journal for Beginners R150 excluding courier fee.

The hard copy is an A4 book, spiral binding and has 86 pages.

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