“KEEP IT TOGETHER.” But how?

“If you’re waiting for a sign this is it.”  That was written on one of the two newly bought  and neatly framed posters the lady was carrying.

But I was more interested in the second poster on which was a big picture of an enormous paperclip and at the bottom of the left corner it said: “KEEP IT TOGETHER.”

“Don’t lose it” is one definition of KEEP IT TOGETHER. I have also read that KEEP IT TOGETHER is a self motivational phrase. We are meant to use the phrase when things are getting chaotic and when we freak. With other words when we need help.

I don’t know about motivating myself with a phrase like that , but I have read what people who needed help have done, like David (The David, we read about in the Bible), the Sons of Korah , Asaph and others.

I want to do what they did!

David says that he called to God for help and that God healed him. (Psalm 30:2) On another occasion David was distressed and he called to the Lord. He says even that he cried to his God for help. And God heard his voice from his temple. His cry reached the  ears of God. (Psalm 18:6) In Psalm 108:12 he is talking to God about his enemy and says, “Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.”

The sons of Korah are singing this song: 1. They are singing that God is their refuge. 2. That God is their strength. 3. That God is their help. their “ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Asaph is asking God for help in Psalm 79:9 Here are his own words, “Help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.”

I like especially Psalm 10:14 where the fatherless are mentioned. That verse is for me because I grew up without a father and I have experienced that God is the helper of the fatherless.

How do we keep it together now and forever?

Keep in close daily contact with the Lord Jesus Christ, who existed before anything else and who holds everything together.

    Colossians 1:17 “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

“STEWART ISLAND TO CAPE REINGA 2011.”

Te Houtaewa Challenge

60Km Ultra Marathon – 42km Marathon – 21,5 km Walk/Run – 6km Walk for Life

Cycle Race (60km, 40km, 20km)

Waka Ama (30km, 10km Open Ocean)

“THIS IS OUR PLACE”

It was a joy, to find the following picture in the local paper,THE NORTHLAND AGE, today.

“XXXXXXXX:  A Mangonui local stands guard over his domain. Photo/Werner Dekarski.”

“SPARSAM IST NICHT GEIZIG”, we say in Germany. But what does that mean in english, I hear you already asking.

It means simply that there is a difference between being thrifty and being stingy. But where do you draw the line?

I have learnt that Stinginess and Selfishness is the same and selfish people find it difficult to give things away. I have also learnt that stinginess can appear with  two symptoms that seem to be harmless.

The first symptom is “Thriftiness”.

The second symptom is “Smart planning”.

Is there someone who can shed more light on this subject?

HOW DO YOU STOP THEFT?

The sign at the door says:

“TO STOP THEFT.

PLEASE LEAVE LARGE HANDBAGS AT  FRONT COUNTER.”

The Bible says:

“YOU SHALL NOT STEAL” –

Exodus 20:15

(Ephesians 4:28; Titus 2:10; First Peter 4:15)

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.” – C. S. Lewis

HAVE YOU EVER SAID TO THE LORD THAT YOU LOVE HIM? DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER!

1.    “‘IF YOU LOVE ME,

you will obey what I command.'” – John 14:15

Read also John 14:16

2.    “‘IF ANYONE LOVES ME,

he will obey my teaching.'” – John 14:23

Read the whole verse.

3.    “‘IF YOU LOVED ME,

you would be glad that  I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.'” – John 14:28

Here is the answer:

IT MEANS THAT WE OBEY THE COMMANDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TEACHING. AND THAT MEANS THAT WE MUST READ THE BIBLE.

SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY is “named after St Valentine, 3rd-century A. D. Christian martyr“. That’s what THE COLLINS CONCISE DICTIONARY says. The dictionary says also that “valentine” is “a card or gift expressing love or affection, sent, often anonymously, on Saint Valentine’s Day.”

When reading this it comes to me all of a sudden that I don’t think very much about the Christian martyrs or the persecuted Christians.

Richard Wurmbrand comes to my mind and the “VOICE OF THE MARTYRS”. On my bookcase is a book called THE PASTOR’S WIFE by Sabina Wurmbrand (Edited by Charles Foley).  On the back cover it says, “The incredible story of Sabina Wurmbrand’s imprisonment and survival during her husband’s 14 years’ persecution in Communist prisons for underground Christian activities.”

In MILLER’S CHURCH HISTORY I am reading about the condemnation, degradation and execution of John Huss. The name is familiar to me from my years in school.

The book tells us also about the Martyrdom of others. I am now encouraged to read those accounts. I hope you are also encouraged to do so!