Life's tit-bits

Whilst lying in bed one morning, I decided to reflect on the purpose for our being. As I lay in bed and reflected, various thoughts run through my mind – these included thoughts for healthy living, relationships, work, God etc. I picked up a pen and a piece of paper to write what I later termed as reflections for life. As you read these, make time to reflect on them and apply them to your life – it pays to pause and reflect.

• Everyone deserves a second chance (even a third) however do not take too many chances; you never know when ‘this’ will be your last chance (Sam Norgah)
• Procrastination is not only a thief of time, it’s a destroyer of opportunities (Sam Norgah)

• Opportunities are like chocolates on a sunny day, they don’t (always) last long (Sam Norgah)
• Priorities are not about putting the most important things first, it’s about striking a good balance among competing demands (needs) (Sam Norgah)
• God’s love last forever however human beings don’t; take advantage of God’s love whilst ‘you’ last (Sam Norgah)
• Respect people of all races, gender and colour for we’re all made in God’s image; blood and bones are not colour coded – we all have the same blood and bone colours (Sam Norgah)
• Don’t give up quickly, perseverance does not cost money, it pays good dividends (Sam Norgah)
• Keep your head above the water, look up to God and play your part (Sam Norgah)
• Success is the result of our hard work and our obedience and trust in God’s word (Sam Norgah)
• Marriage is team-work, it works best when each player plays his/her part with the ultimate aim of winning together (Sam Norgah)
• he man is the head of the home; the woman is the heart of the home. Each plays a unique and critical role (SamNorgah)
• Animals kill when they are hungry; men kill when they are angry. God commands man, ‘thou shall not kill’ (Sam Norgah
• Cultivate the habit of saving no matter how small; little drops of water make a mighty ocean. (Sam Norgah)

• It’s never too late to start saving, better late than never (Sam Norgah)

• Make time to visit a physician; many people have lost their lives because (their preventable) conditions were diagnosed too late (Sam Norgah)

• Be friendly to the waitress/waiter at your favourite restaurant and give tips after meals. They’ll run to you anytime you visit the restaurant (Sam Norgah)

• Do your part to conserve the environment; every little effort counts (Sam Norgah)

• Be nice to your maids and treat them well; remember they take care of your children in your absence (Sam Norgah)

• Don’t cut in front of other drivers (especially bus and minibus drivers); they carry more passengers than you do (Sam Norgah

• Treat all days as equal; angels are not only on duty on Sundays (Sam Norgah)

• Pay your taxes; tax evaders pay heavy a price (Sam Norgah)
• Internalise your values and live by them no matter what (Sam Norgah)
• Try your hands on something new, you might have some hidden talents (Sam Norgah)
  

• Build bridges and burn barriers (Sam Norgah)
• Be willing to lend a helping hand, you might need a similar gesture one day (Sam Norgah)
• Don’t upset your wife during the day, she might upset you during the night (Sam Norgah)
• Seek counselling but always remember you’re ultimately responsible for the decisions and actions you take (Sam Norgah)
• Food is like a two-edged sword, it might end up destroying your body if you don’t watch what you eat and how you eat (Sam Norgah)
• Memorise at least one bible verse for bad times and one for good times; you will need this when the tides of life turn (Sam Norgah)
• Our lives are like running a race; some are short (100m), others are long (marathon) – you’re called to eternity when your race is done, be prepared at all times – yours might be a 100m race (Sam Norgah)
  

Life's delays

As human beings, I’m sure we’ve all had our fair share of delays of some sort – it could be a short delay or a very long one. Most of us don’t take delays lightly and our approach to handling delays defer from person to person. We have the tendency to blame someone or something for the delays.

When it comes to our Christian walk, the situation is no different - the job that is not coming; the children you’ve been waiting for all these years; that wonderful man/woman who doesn’t seem to be coming your way; the financial breakthrough that seems like a mirage and a host of other delays. Do you sometimes feel that everything in your life is delayed? Do you feel that things don’t seem to move as fast as you would have wished (in your life?). These situations are perfectly normal; we all go through such situations at one point or the other. The truth though is that, these delays (no matter how long they take) are temporary – they are not DENIALS and we shouldn’t allow them to define our lives.

The challenges of delays in life are human phenomenon however, the way we handle them and the attitude we adopt towards them can shape our lives either for the better or for the worse. Naturally, most of us cannot stand delays or slow pace of events. Have you ever asked yourself why some Christians are not able to stand to the very end? In a number of cases, this can be attributed to delays in life that were not properly handled.

I would like to use this opportunity to share some thoughts on what I call ‘life’s delays’. As Christians, we need to understand that delays are part of life and God intends them for various reasons and purposes. They are (and could be) very unpleasant as long as they last but eventually, God uses these to help us to grow, mature, trust in Him and eventually glorify Him.

We all go through epics of delays in life and these could apply to any aspect of our lives – I’m sure each one of us can identify some areas in our lives where we’ve been waiting, hoping, trusting, praying, fasting and doing everything humanly possible to have breakthroughs but the situation remains the same. We cry, we ask the obvious questions (why and when) and sometimes we get to the point where Job’s wife got to (giving up our faith). We sometimes become laughing stocks, objects of ridicule and gossip among people; some people ask us (or wonder) why we continue to follow and trust in the Lord. We’re not alone, some of the men and women in the Bible had to go through (endure) similar delays – Sarah, Elizabeth, Abraham, Joseph (just to mention a few). In fact, David, the man who was dear to God’s heart had to wait for about 13 years to become king.

I have been wondering why God allows delays to come our way (in the first place) even when we serve Him with all our hearts. The more I ponder over this and reflect on the lives of some of the bible characters, the more convinced I am that delays are part of God’s design to mould us (as Christians).

Life’s delays are used by God to draw our attention to Him. There are times when we think we can do things on our own, in fact, we are tempted to think that some things ‘just’ do happen (naturally) and as a result, we pay very little attention to God. We only commit these things to God when we realise that the ‘things’ we thought were natural are not that ‘natural’ after all. I also believe God uses life’s delays to prepare us for the challenges ahead – delays could be God’s instruments for equipping us. God used delays to prepare David, Joseph and Moses and I believe God still uses these to equip us. I also believe that some of life’s delays could also result from our disobedience. I can hear you asking yourself why people who have done everything right also go through life’s delays – well; God uses delays to test our love and commitment.

My exhortation to you is simple – when it feels like everyone (and everything) is leaving you behind, take a moment to look back and consider all the other blessings you have received from God. He’s not done with you yet; He’s only using the delays in your life to prepare you and to draw you closer to Himself. Delays are not denials – look up to God, persevere in prayer and fix your attention on Him.

Don’t let the storms and the delays in life shake the foundations of your faith and cause you to do things that defile the word of God – many have taken this course and have regretted or paid dearly for it. No matter how long it takes, resolve in your heart to wait patiently on the Lord – in the end, you can say with the Psalmist, ‘I waited patiently on the Lord and He heard my cry’. At the end of the day, our desire should be to glorify God is every situation and circumstance – it might be difficult, we might grow impatient (even frustrated), we might be anxious but let’s remember that for those who love the Lord, all things work for their GOOD. May the Lord bless and give us grace to handle life’s delays in a manner that will bring glory and honour to His name

God bless

Embracing Life's Challenges

I’m writing this piece of message to encourage all Christians who are going through difficult times. Even though we are Christians, we are human and susceptible to all the pains and vulnerability that the human race goes through. However in the face of all the pain and disappointments, Jesus left us with His peace. In John 14:27, He expressed it this way, “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful”.

On Tuesday 16^th September 2008 towards the end of a hard (and long) day’s work, I had a message from a dear friend and Christian colleague informing me that his wife has had a miscarriage. The message stung me like a bee. My initial reaction was, ‘God why?’ I was very sad on hearing that news; my friend was devastated but of good cheer. I immediately picked up the phone and called to offer my support to him and his wife. We spoke at length and in obedience to God’s word, we committed the situation into the able hands of our Lord.

As I went through the rest of the day, I kept pondering over their loss and wondering why God allowed this to happen to them. God knows very well that this couple so much desire children so why would he allow them to conceive and have a miscarriage? Difficult to comprehend but as I kept reflecting, a scripture verse came to mind, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD (Is 55:8). I immediately understood that God allows everything to happen for a reason. It may seem painful and unpleasant however in the mist of all the storm of (sorrow and pain), the hand and peace of God is with His children.

You might be going through a very difficult period in life however as you read this piece of article; I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the God who has called us has His eyes fixed on us and His ear tuned in to our cries. There’s no situation he doesn’t see or cry He doesn’t hear. He knows us individually by our names – the Bible says that He has inscribed us in the palms of His hand. Our pain and sorrow will not last forever. He has promised in Isaiah 55:13 that “Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

To my friend (and his wife) and all readers, I would like to use this short article to let you know that our God will never leave us nor forsake us; do not resign yourself to the fact that ‘all is lost’; all is not lost. Your difficult and painful circumstance is like a seed which has to die and rot in order for a new life to spring forth. Do not let the situation and circumstance define your trust and love for the Lord instead, let your trust and love for the Lord define the situation. Continue to trust in the Lord and He’ll prove Himself faithful. Never give up nor retreat in the face of difficulty instead draw closer to God through prayer and meditation. Lift up your eyes unto the Hills for your help and deliverance will come from there. God is preparing a testimony for you! Your miracle is on the way

Remember, Jesus left us with His peace – May the peace of the Lord calm your troubled heart.

Investing our time in our loved ones

I remember when we were growing up – many years ago, the world was so different and I suppose people were different as well. Neighbours were each other’s keeper; children could play within the neighbourhood without fear of being abducted or kidnapped. I remember there was crime to some extent but it wasn’t the kind of aggravated crimes we see and hear about these days. The world by then seemed less complicated and sophisticated than what we’re experiencing today. The world was pretty straight forward.

One of the things I remember very clearly was that (as children), our parents were always home by the time we were going to bed – we didn’t have to wait for them to come from long hours of work. Parents made time for their children, tucked them into their beds and in some cases, helped their children with their school work. The family unit was stronger and society was more coherent; family and societal values were upheld in most cases.

Most of us would agree that the world was probably less exciting in the absence of all these great technologies we see around us, however people had a lot more time at their disposal and made time for each other.

Now that I’m an adult, I look back to the ‘good’ old days with a sense of nostalgia as I try to make sense of seemingly challenging world we find ourselves in today. A lot has changed in our times and I believe a lot more will continue to change in the coming years. The two biggest changes are technology and the breakdown in the family unit. The most spectacular technological advancements are in the areas of mobile technology and the internet. Almost everything is available and probably possible with the use of these two technologies. Enough about the technological advancement; that’s not the core of my message

The core of my message is on the ‘challenges the family unit faces’ in the 21^st century. Along with the technological advancement are the pressure on families and the competing demands on family resources. An emerging trend in most families is that both mum and dad are full time workers – in most cases, they are not just full time workers – they have long working hours and work extremely hard. Even though most people would probably deny this, it is a fact that many parents’ preoccupation (these days) is their job and how to make ends meet. This preoccupation with jobs cut across all income groups. Parents spend more time on their job at the expense of their families

Most parents leave home very early and unfortunately come home very late. One cannot always blame these parents; the socio-economic situation we find ourselves in forces most people (including parents) to work extra hard. Most children wake up to find that their parents have already left for work. This situation does not confine itself to parents and children; working siblings who live in the same house hardly see each other, roommates go through the same cycle and sometimes spouses are not exempt.

I believe people must work very hard however, I’m also concerned about the negative impact the long hours of working and long absence from home is having on families and other relations. Most people cannot remember the last time they sat down with their children, spouses and siblings to have some quality time – just talking and enjoying each other’s company. Many of us do not remember the last time we had a family meal together. The long absence from home (and the lack of attention) increases the vulnerability of children in particular who in the absence of their parents, occupy themselves with TV, mobile phones and computer games – of course we know the negative impact these have on children. In some homes, house maids have taken over the roles of parents and in some cases, wives. Relationships and family bonds have suffered as a result. Some wives have to sit in a couch for long hours waiting for the safe return of their husbands; most children give up the wait and retire to bed without a good night kiss from their parents; this cycle repeats itself throughout the week.

People get so tired as a result of long hours of work and once they get home, the only thing they have time for is a quick meal and a quick shower. Some people carry their laptops and other files home to continue their work. With the introduction of ‘email on the go’ gadgets like blackberry and other windows mobile phones, the situation is compounded. Believe me, the amount of time parents (and husbands) spend in checking their emails in a day is more than the total amount of time they spend talking to their families in a whole month.

Dear friend, have you ever paused to ponder over the stress you take your family through because you’ve prioritised your work over them? Hard work is good (in fact the bible commends hard work) however we need to be able to strike a good balance between work and the welfare of our families. Our families are yearning for our love and time – the least we can do, is to make some sacrifices for the sake of our families.

Let’s make a commitment to ourselves and our families to spend more time with the people we love (friends and families). It might not be easy in some cases (for example if you work under a boss who delights in spending his or her whole time in the office or if you are a single parent) however it is not impossible to create space and time for our families.

Work can be replaced, in fact in some cases, our employers might replace us however our families can NEVER be replaced and we need to invest our time in this formidable institution. It’s not too late – take the first today

Welcome

Beloved, you’re heartily welcome to a place you can call your own, a place where you can be encouraged by what God has done (and continues to do) in the lives of other Christians; you can also share your personal testimony to encourage others.

At our-testimony.com, we believe God has given Christians what it takes to make a significant impact in the world and turn the hearts of discouraged and hurting Christians back to God. We can collectively do this by sharing with others, what the Lord has done in our lives. Like the Samaritan lady who Jesus met at the well (John 4) we can also affect and influence the lives of many (both believers and non-believers) by sharing, what God has done in our lives.

Are you weak and heavy-laden? Are you almost throwing in the towel and raising your hands in surrender and despair? Are you asking yourself ‘why me?’ Take heart and be encouraged, for the Lord knows you by name and appointed you long before you were conceived, His eyes are set on you and will deliver you in His own time – even if it seems like it’s taking forever. Your dawn will soon break and your darkness turned into light; God is not done with you yet. Like the blind man who was calling out to Jesus.

God is still performing miracles in the lives of many – if He’s done something for you, please take a moment to share with others – this could be the turning point in the life of a fellow Christians; if your breakthrough seem to be lingering on, please take a moment to read through the testimonies of others, it could be the turning point in your life – People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. (Pro 27:17 –CEV) God bless you