Hanging, hanging, REBOOT!

Source: dolliecrave.tumblr.com

For some unexplained reason I've had more challenges than joy with everything electronic and technical at my new job. If it's not the accounting software, then it is the printer that doesn't work. If it's not the printer, it is the scanner. If not the scanner, then there's a power failure, or my computer's connection to the server that gives an error. If it's not the server connection, then it's the accounting software - then the printer - then the server - then the scanner... You get the idea, I'm sure. (And I'm not exaggerating, believe you me.) Sometimes one of the problems have persisted for days, and in the meantime several of the others have also occurred, rendering me unable to perform my duties and creating huge backlog and stress.

After three months of this I am sure you can imagine that my tolerance level has gone from hero to zero and lately I've been feeling like I'm permanently "driving with the reserve light on". Who knows what I'm talking about?

Give that back; It's mine!

A few families live on the small holding, one of which had "friends" over a week ago, although I wouldn't call what they did friendship. While over here they expressed a keen interest in Chili, one of three pups that belong to my neighbour. As can be naturally expected, my neighbour was not so keen. 

Left to right: Peanut, Chili, Kleintjie (Little one)

From the start Sarah (*not her real name) picked both Chili and Peanut so they could have each other as play mates. Little One (literally so, and so it became his name) was born on the small holding. Initially Sarah was going to find him a home, but he ended up staying with her and the three little pups got on like a house on fire. What a joy it's been watching them run, roll and play. Looked like a pretty fun dog's life to me, until the "friend" stopped by, that is.

Shortly after their departure Chili seemed to have gone AWOL. Sarah searched everywhere, not leaving one stone unturned, but to no avail. Putting two and two together, the conclusion was reached that there was a great possibility that Chili had been stolen. Sarah's heart was broken, and even Peanut did not eat for days since her best pal got abducted.

A fresh perspective

Some people try to explain creation with simple science and call it "The Big Bang". Personally I believe that God created beauty and glory - the universe and everything in it - spoken into being by Him according to Genesis. Yes, many things have evolved over time, but people never came from apes. God distinctly created animals and then He created man. 

What is totally mind blowing to me is the level of detail that He thought of when He made each organism, plant, microscopic particle, and even the bits that mankind has not yet discovered. It reminds me how God is infinite. He created things many, many, many, many years ago and it was sufficient to do all that it needed to do from thereon out for centuries that followed. 

Living organisms were created to multiply, to grow, to defend itself for survival, to feed off each other in the food chain of nature, and everything exists in perfect harmony. 

Rockefeller vs. the God of the universe

John D. Rockefeller (1885)

Someone sent me this story in e-mail. It might not be true - I'm not sure - but it got me thinking, and those thoughts are what I want to share with you here. First quickly read the story:

A business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out. Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.

Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you." He asked the man his name, wrote out a cheque, and pushed it into his hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time." Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

The business executive saw in his hand a cheque for $500,000, signed by John D Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!

Who is God to you?

Last night I lay in bed listening to the pouring rain and howling wind outside. I ticked my mental checklist for having closed windows and locked doors before crawling under the covers, and felt a sense of relief for not having to be exposed to the elements. I was sheltered; I felt safe.

When storms of life rage in and around you, where do you run for shelter? Where do you feel safe? Do you have any such place at all?

Proverbs 18:10 says the Lord is a strong fortress. The godly run to Him and are safe. 

David says of God in Psalm 18:2, The Lord is my fort where I can enter and be safe; no one can follow me in and slay me. He is a rugged mountain where I hide; He is my Savior, a rock where none can reach me, and a tower of safety. He is my shield. He is like the strong horn of a mighty fighting bull.

and in Psalm 34:8 he says, O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.

I want you to think about your idea of God. Who is He to you?