Abstinence Pledge

I made a decision when I was still a teenager to abstain from sex until I'm married. I am now 25...going on 26 and am still as committed as ever. I have never officially signed a 'pledge' or anything but have lived from that conviction!

As you may know, I'm working in the No Apologies Department at Focus on the Family Africa, and today I signed on the dotted line for our abstinence-until-married, character building programme. Can't expect others to do what I haven't done yet - so it is official!

No sex for me until I'm married!

Undiluted Community

There is something truly special and amazing that happens when Christ-Followers meet together. Especially when you see the various gifts God has blessed us with working together for HIS glory.

I have just come from an awesome time at our home group. Worship, teaching, prophetic words being spoken and TRUE community - WOW!!

It reminds me of the portion of scripture found in Acts 2:42: "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer...A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders"

When believers meet together, God works in a different way - by meeting together, you meet with a common goal - to grow together. It's intentional. When we devote ourselves to something or someone, we give it value. Once we give something value, we have an expectation... When we have an expectation for God to work - he DOES! And everyone experiences it and is a part of it!

I am excited, inspired and more committed than ever in pursuing God and what he has called me to! I am also aware that this is only possible if you are rooted in community - and so I am super stoked to share life, grow and experience the things of God with such an awesome group of people!

May you too experience this expression of community as you serve Jesus!

Love always,
Ockie

Trust, Seek & Surrender

Trust, Seek & Surrender.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.

I was writing this long blogpost, but then deleted it and decided to leave this passage above instead.

3 Words with a comment or two:
1. Trust (that God is who he says he is),
2. Seek (Discover who Jesus is - get to know him well)
3.Surrender (to his process for your life - you're not always going to understand it, but you cannot be in better hands than those of Jesus!)

Decisions/Choices do not have to be difficult to make - the question is: "are you prepared to do what's necessary to listen to God and respond in obedience? Remember, scripture give us a promise in Proverbs that He will show us which path to take - when we seek Him. So let's seek!

Love,
Ockie

Mosquito Mayhem

It is 12:49am, I am mildy put – exhausted. I just want to go to sleep.Unfortunately I am being tormented by a mosquito! This little insect is relentless in its pursuit of trying to suck me dry, and man – I already have been bitten 7 times in 1 hour!
I have laid in bed...waiting for it
...waiting
...waiting and then BAM! You “whack” yourself in the face trying to kill it, but it doesn’t work! It’s so frustrating! No matter what you try and do they just keep coming back ‘till eventually you switch on the light to track it down... It’s YOU against THE MUSQUITO!!!! (and in the distance you hear the soundtrack of some lame thriller movie playing)

In all honesty, while i’m sitting here, waiting, observing...luring the mosquito to my only piece of uncovered skin (arms and face) I am thinking about how this relates to our walk as Christ followers. Sometimes we tolerate the ‘little’ things in our lives, the things that are annoying, yet these are the very things that come back time and time again to bite us! Yes, we give these things the occasional swot, but they’re not very effective, until we come to the place that you HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM!! It’s keeping us from experiencing peace and joy – and in my case precious SLEEP!

In the book of Hebrews 12:1-2 it puts it this way:“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.”
We’re called to:
1) Face the problem
2) Deal with it – no matter what
3) Fix our eyes on Jesus who helps us endure (and helps us do step 1 and 2 time and again)
I’m gonna try and get some more sleep … The world has one less mosquito to worry about tonight!

Much Love,
Ockie

Equip your Replacement

This last weekend I had the privilege of doing some leadership training with the 2011 prefect group at Birchleigh High School in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

From the start to the end of the weekend this group showed so much potential in not only leading well, but also that they will be agents of change not only in their school, but our country!

I am excited to see their progress!

I am again reminded of a statement Andy Stanley makes: "Leadership is a Stewardship, it’s temporary – and you’re accountable".

This applies to all of us - no matter what area we are called to lead in. We are called to be good stewards of those we lead, but we have to be aware that our leadership positions are only temporary - we will not have them forever - and so we're accountable for how well we lead, and also how well we coach and mentor the next generation into the roles we currently hold and beyond! They go hand-in-hand.

If we are called to lead, we're called to equip and coach those we lead to replace us. This may at times be scary, but it is necessary! The worst leader possible (in my opinion) is the leader who holds on to their position, guards it, and NEVER equips anyone to do what they are doing. This not only stunts organizational growth, but is a very dangerous place for the leader and those they lead - and will ultimately decrease the effectiveness of the team they are leading

So, we have to be good stewards of what God has given us (gifts and people), but we also have to help others "fly" and reach their full potential... Remember - YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE!

Much love,
Ockie