We were driving through the countryside. It was summer, the dry season. The sun was scorching, and the surrounding farmlands were dry and barren. We reached a hiking trail to a waterfall high up in the mountain. After the dry and thirsty landscape, the contrast was remarkable. A cool, lush indigenous forest clustered around a… Continue reading Joh 4v14 – The river
Fire assaying is a traditional method of refining silver that involves heating the silver at a high temperature until the impurities rise to the surface where they can be removed. Once the silver is pure, it can be used for jewellery or other purposes. “Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to… Continue reading Pro 25v4 – The refiner
“You are a pain. You are useless. You are nothing.” Harsh words that could damage us for life. So, imagine if when you are born, your mother names you “Pain”. It’s not a positive start to life. It’s likely to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. So too, for many people, circumstances outside of our control can… Continue reading 1Ch 4:10 – Audacious prayer
On the mountain behind our home is a cross. Its bright white colour stands out in stark contrast to the dark rocky terrain. Over the Easter period, it even shines brightly at night, illuminated by lights. However, today while out on a run, I look up, and I can hardly see it as clouds envelop… Continue reading Psa 121:1-2 Misty cross
Dark clouds are everywhere; a storm is brewing. That’s how life sometimes feels when everything starts to go wrong. It’s overwhelming. And in our storm, we cry to God, “Why me? Why do bad things always have to happen to me?” However, it’s often only in these dark moments that we see the light shining.… Continue reading 2Co 4:6 – Clouds and sun
“Who you gonna call?” I am sure you will remember this famous line from the Ghost Busters movies. Most of us have had a situation where we desperately need to call someone for help. Maybe your car broke down in a dangerous place. Maybe someone is hurt or sick. In desperation, we call for help,… Continue reading 2Co 6:2 – Who you gonna call?
Stark, dry, lifeless. Skeletal trees thrust claw-like branches heavenwards. It’s Deadvlei, in the Namib desert. These silent sentinels are all that remain of what was once a living forest. They were cut off from the river by the highest sand dunes in the world, the largest aptly called Big Daddy. The beauty is surreal and… Continue reading Psa 63:1 – The dry river
Pain. We are camping in the wilds, and I have just realized after taking my shoes off at the shower that I’ve left the soap in the tent. Rather than put my shoes on, I hazard the short walk back over the stony ground to the tent. Pain, as the sharp stones make me regret… Continue reading Eph 6:15 – Peaceful shoes
The wind is howling directly against us as we struggle to canoe up the river. It is day 4 of a slackpacking hike, but this challenge seems impossible. Soon the rain is slashing down at us and we were considering giving up. However, we push on. Several hours later we arrive at our destination –… Continue reading Jam 5:11 – Headwinds
I’m crazy enough to run marathons. During the race, I get to a point where I’m in endure mode. However, I keep on, knowing how amazing the feeling of enjoyment is at the end. You may not be a marathon runner, but we are all running a race, the most important race of life. “Therefore,… Continue reading Heb 12:1-2 The Race