To Eat from the Tree of Life 3

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Blog Scriptural Topic

I’ve recently gained a greater appreciation for reading the books of the Bible in context – understanding what the author of each book intended to convey with their intricately crafted literary works and not simply grabbing phrases and fitting them into the preformed (and bad) theologies with which I approach them.

It all began when I listened to a great series on the tree of life, bringing a much-needed, more profound and fresh perspective on a topic I’ve written about before (praise God!). I share a few notes below🙂

The tree of life symbolises the picture of the ideal – being in a state of relational proximity with God in which you’re transformed through God’s life inside of you. It represents a gift that God wants to give humanity, a life that is beyond the original life that God breathed into humans. The first human, by nature, is susceptible to death. Nevertheless, continued eating from the tree could renew life and prevent death.

The tree of knowing good and bad symbolises a test – will I approach opportunities with my knowledge of good and bad (blind to my screwed-up motives and limited understanding beneath it) of which the fruit is pleasing to the eye and looks good to eat (especially if the situation/test is intense), or will I refuse to live by it and instead approach them with God’s wisdom? It encapsulates the fundamental human condition described by the bible so well!

Our daily challenge is to walk past the tree of knowing good and bad and eat from the tree of life.

Practically, first and foremost, wisdom and life are about listening to God’s voice. Tightly intertwined in the relational aspect (through the Holy Spirit) is to be transformed by His written word (the proven canon of scripture by the early church). We make this second connection through the images of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly in Proverbs that can be connected to the tree of life and the tree of knowing good and bad.

A fresh perspective on the Lord’s Prayer:

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended or wronged us].

And lead us not into temptation [but rescue us from evil].’ ”

Luke 11:2-4 AMP

The two trees give me insight into how we should do things – here is the what (our targets):

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31 ESV

Ultimately, I’ve found a renewed joy in my broadened understanding of eating from the tree of life:

  • The relational aspect – requires caution as one can easily eat from the tree of good and bad in it (the perception of His words/promptings can be tainted by the clutter in one’s soul and one’s limited wisdom), and
  • The wisdom aspect – not only maturing in godly character and condition of one’s heart but also growing in His wisdom, which requires laying down one’s limited knowledge of good and bad in life’s various opportunities and when approaching the scriptures.

Opstanding uit die Dood

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Afrikaans Scriptural Topic

Vir die gelowiges (en veral vir myself);

Maar wat vir my wins was, dit het ek om Christus wil skade geag. Ja waarlik, ek ag ook alles skade om die uitnemendheid van die kennis van Christus Jesus, my Here, ter wille van wie ek alles prysgegee het en as drek beskou, om Christus as wins te verkry en in Hom gevind te word, nie met my geregtigheid wat uit die wet is nie, maar met dié wat deur die geloof in Christus is, die geregtigheid wat uit God is deur die geloof; sodat ek Hom kan ken en die krag van sy opstanding en die gemeenskap aan sy lyde terwyl ek aan sy dood gelykvormig word, of ek miskien die opstanding uit die dode kan bereik. Nie dat ek dit al verkry het of al volmaak is nie, maar ek jaag daarna of ek dit ook kan gryp, omdat ek ook deur Christus Jesus gegryp is. Broeders, ek reken nie dat ek dit self gegryp het nie. Maar een ding: ek vergeet die dinge wat agter is en strek my uit na wat voor is, en jaag na die doel om die prys te verkry van die hoë roeping van God in Christus Jesus. Laat ons almal dan wat volmaak is, so gesind wees; en as julle anders gesind is, sal God dit ook aan julle openbaar.

Filippense 3:7‭-‬15 AFR53 (klem bygevoeg)

Opstanding uit die dood (en om aan Sy dood gelykvormig te word) is nie net ‘n eenmalige geloofstap wat jy neem nie – dis iets wat ons aangeraai word om daagliks te jaag om te gryp, met die doel om die prys te kry van ons hoë roeping van God in Christus Jesus.

Met God se hulp (wat ek onder andere sien as die Heilige Gees se leiding in ons persoonlike verhouding met Hom en Sy oortuiging wanneer ons Sy woorde in die skrif lees), kan ons, ons ou mens (met al sy verslawings aan die dinge van die wêreld – insluitende al hierdie verskillende vorms van digitale kokaïne wat meeste van ons onophoudelik en blindelings snuif) laat afsterf en in ons hoë roeping beweeg.

WELGELUKSALIG is die man wat nie wandel in die raad van die goddelose en nie staan op die weg van die sondaars en nie sit in die kring van die spotters nie;maar sy behae is in die wet van die Here, en hy oordink sy wet dag en nag. En hy sal wees soos ‘n boom wat geplant is by waterstrome, wat sy vrugte gee op sy tyd en waarvan die blare nie verwelk nie; en alles wat hy doen, voer hy voorspoedig uit. So is die goddelose mense nie, maar soos kaf wat die wind verstrooi.

Psalms 1:1‭-‬4 AFR53

Soek ons die Here in al ons weë en bring lewe en vrugte voort? Of is ons dae vol kaf wat die wind verstrooi?

In Ons Midde

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Afrikaans Creative Writing

Waar is U in hierdie situasie?

Die een waar ons gewrigte en bene droog en uitgeteer voel, en kraak en knak van die daaglikse verstek.
Waar die seesand ons verrimpelde voete weg kerf en die water stewige lae sout oor ons spoel.
Waar ons oë soos ou kole smeul in die knersende koue van winter, wat ook ons vleis hard en koud giet.
Waar ons onsself eindeloos probeer ontdooi met bekers stomende koffie, maar dit ons net al meer bedwelmd laat voel.
Waar ander mense agter skerms weg flikker en dit voel of daar geen strome van U lewende waters deur ons vloei.

U is in dit. Met U fluisterstem – naby genoeg dat ons U kan hoor as ons maar net ‘n oomblik vat om tussen ons knorre, gromme en verstrengelde gewoontes te kan luister.

Fill the Earth and Subdue It

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Creative Writing

God tasked Adam and Eve
to fill the earth and subdue it,

because

rivers and waterfalls,
like flowers and thistles
flow and grow
wherever they go.

Habits and actions
like mindsets and emotions
tumble and crumble
Whenever they stumble,

so

break possible passivity
by channelling, cultivating,
fixing, predetermining,
sowing and reaping.

Because

God tasked Adam and Eve
to fill the earth and subdue it.

Intensioneel

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Afrikaans Creative Writing

Is jy intensioneel
oor jou handelinge, 
jou wandelinge,
en jou woorde? 

Of kruip jy iewers
binne jouself weg? 
Waar jou aksies
soos klein plankies
jou – en dalk dié om jou – 
omring en bederf.

Staan op uit die kis
waarin jou bene rus –
laat die Here tog toe
om jou voetstappe
te rig.

What Should We Do?

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Blog Scriptural Topic

Do you know who God created you to be, and what you should do with your life?

I believe it’s crucially important to know. So that you can enter a place of rest, have clarity, confidence and the God-given strength to persevere. Having God’s vision of and for you helps you to align with it and enter that place of rest in which you don’t over (or under) extend yourself.

But where do you start?

Overview

The Broad Foundation (Old Testament Law)

In the old testament, God told Joshua to diligently obey the entire law and meditate on it day and night so that he may be prosperous:

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7-9 NIV

The Refined Foundation (New Testament Law)

Jesus changed the landscape of obeying laws completely, and it turns out all the Mosaic laws are contained in two “simple” ones that make His heart and intention behind them clearer:

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-31 NIV

One of the dangers is that we only focus on fulfilling laws and forget all about God and our relationship with Him (Jesus gives a stern rebuke for such people in Matthew 23).

Fortunately, God does have a great understanding of our position, and to us who believe, He has given the Holy Spirit to guide and help us so that we don’t just end up tirelessly and heartlessly following a set of rules, rituals, laws and expectations (this article explores the topic of being free from the law in great detail), but rather navigate the freedom and forgiveness we have in Jesus (and enter A Growing Rest):

But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:15‭-‬22 NKJV

How to Approach this Adventure

It’s important that we give ourselves cheerfully when striving to obey His commandments (we can always start with baby steps):

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

While keeping in mind that we need His discernment to know when to challenge ourselves in what our hearts are willing to give, because our sinful nature (our flesh) will likely want to choose the path of least resistance and comfort:

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:16-18 NIV

Let God Lead the Way

To me, the ideal way is that everything we do, and getting a picture of who we are, flows from our love relationship with God (seeking His face, enjoying His presence, hearing his voice, following His promptings – some more thoughts on this in one of my previous posts – To Eat from the Tree of Life 2).

I can leave you at this point and encourage you to get to it, but I will shed some light on some of the specific, practical things we can be called to do.

First, find comfort in that you are intimately known and knit together by God:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalms 139:13-14

Humbly Serve in the Body of Christ

Paul tells us that we are each called to humbly serve in the Body of Christ in various ways (I wouldn’t limit myself to one, permanent box – we are indeed pieces of clay):

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:3-8

Make Disciples of All Nations

You don’t have to “go” very far to make disciples (although I’m not saying you shouldn’t). I strongly believe this can happen wherever you go each day.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Discover Your Identity and Traits

In my experience, God has revealed some of my true character traits in broad strokes, and others in finer, specific ones. Some of these traits blend in with my talents (natural, and developed), and are things that I can joyfully carry the load of each day. He has also shone a light on some good qualities, and some “dangerous” qualities that I need to stay mindful of. Related: Wie is Jy.

How? Out of the blue, and while reading certain scriptures, I have felt Him drop insights of who I truly am and what I’m called to do. Other Christians have also prophesied over me, confirming things and establishing new ones. Throughout this process of self-discovery in Christ, we have to trust and pray for discernment, because our hearts can be deceiving.

Grab it by Faith and Judge the Fruit

Ultimately, we need to grab our identity and responsibilities by faith (believe it to be true even though we can’t yet see it), and be mindful of the fruit that flows out of us;

17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:17-20 NIV

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God

Colossians 1:10

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

A Growing Rest

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Blog Scriptural Topic

Are you in rest? Truly?

I’ve been reminded of a kind of rest that is a bit different than the one typically held up by the world’s shiny, golden poles – one that it isn’t a place of standing still, or an ever-elusive destination. 

Instead of it being a place, I see it as a journey, where the Shepherd provides exactly enough to keep your belly filled with grassy jelly and your eyes shiny with glee.

You, in your absolute freedom of choice and independence, can definitely strike up some sweat on your brow and purchase yourself a fine piece of rest. But I can guarantee you, by the testimony of many a successful man and woman, that even that little plot will eventually crumble into something dry and empty. 

Jesus is the only everlasting key. Many a time, and certainly now, He’s a door-knock away, and waiting with open arms for us to enter His rest. For us who have accepted Christ in faith, we have to listen (and respond) to those tiny nuggets of divine wisdom that the Holy Spirit drops into our souls; the small things we need to do, repent of, or change, to clean our consciousness and enter His rest.

But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then  He  adds,  “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:15‭-‬22 NKJV

He already sees everything, and He is mighty to discern and divide between the things in your soul and spirit that are either rest-traps or rest-injectors. And when we clear out our conscience, we can boldly enter His throne of grace, where His provision is plenty. 

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:7‭-‬16 NKJV

I mentioned it above – that this position of rest is one in which we are still moving and growing. If you’re still new, or even if you’re as old as a greybeard-goat, the scriptures point out the things of our fallen nature that we need to let die (the things that ultimately steal peace). A stagnant, dead, branch is eventually cut off and put into a very non-pleasant fire if it doesn’t bear fruit. And the only ticket from that everyday-hellfire is by turning back to Jesus so that he can plant you anew. 

So I urge you like I’ve recently been urged myself – grow in Jesus, be that delightful, soft, pliable piece of clay. Study the scriptures, lovingly help and be helped by your nearby brothers and sisters in Christ, and repent of those little things that build up like cholesterol, which eventually causes that non-rest-inducing heart attack.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalms 1:1‭-‬3 NKJV

Jy Het Kom Kuier!

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Afrikaans Blog

Ek onthou dit goed – jou oë het geblink soos twee kraletjies, en jou modderbruin veertjies het deur die druppeltjies mis gefladder – mis wat die koue Augustus son hard na die hemel toe probeer trek. Jou donker kloutjies het saggies – soos klein wurmpies – aan die vaagweg-bekende murasie teen die dak geknyp.

Jy was by die regte adres, maar jou huis het ongelukkig in die donker wolk na jou seisoenale wedervaart verbrokkel – die konstante kners tussen somer se droogte en die damp van die koue atlantiese waters het jou konstellasie van vleiland spoegsels kom verswak. En toe jou blinkvlerk teenstaanders met hul bloeddorstige snawels jou vere kussings kom verniel, het jou modderhuis sy laaste asem uitgeblaas. Dit was ‘n saak van treur – selfs die wit wolf se nat neusie het geklink of dit snik soos hy deur die stukkende donsies en klonte snuffel.

Ek’t jou huis darem op geborsel en gesaai in ons plante in – hulle kon doen met meer van ‘n huis soos joune.

Jou vere kussings en die murasie.

Terwyl jy weg was het daar ‘n koerende pokkel kom nes vat tussen die hoë kratte en struikelende lug-plante. Ons het hom vinnig gedoop – Sarel. Ons duif; die een wat alewig geterroriseer word deur ons wit wolfie.

Sarel onder sy (vorige) huis.

Sarel het op die ou end vrou gevang (die uwe Sandra) – julle geveerdes laat dit nogal maklik voorkom. Dis iets waaroor ons gemengde gevoelens gehad het – ons was bly vir hom, maar die kas onder hulle nes moes waai (p.s. ons verkies loshande julle boumateriaal, hulle s’n het net bestaan uit tweedehandse insekte…).

Die wit wolf besig om ‘n onskuldige langbeen ding te terroriseer.

Die skuif was maar net-net betyds. Na ‘n paar uur se sinnelose fladder teen die dak en muur vas, het hul besluit om nes te maak in ons potplant, waarin Sandra twee dae later geboorte geskenk het aan twee, gesonde, spierwit eiers.

Siestog, ek moes die plant skuif sodat Sarel nie nat reën nie (ek sien nie baie vir Sandra nie, sy speel goed wegkruipertjie).

Nou is ons in reikhalsende afwagting vir die tweeling om uit hul gladde huisies te breek!

Die Tweeling (en so bietjie tweedehandse insekte).

In elk geval, dankie vir die kuier, meneer Swaeltjie. Net deur te wees wie jy geskape is om te wees het jy vir God die geleentheid gegee om my gees te help met opstaan vanuit my verbrokkelde aardkors (as die wêreld hard rondom jou ploegskaar draai dan mis mens hoe die meteoriete jou dag na dag tref). Darem het Hy aan die einde van hierdie brief se skryf ‘n reënboog in die hemele kom uit span om die meteoriete te help keer.

Warm groete,
Jou vriendelike waarnemer

Die meteoriet-afkerende reënboë.

Rus

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Afrikaans Creative Writing

rus vir die bedorwe bene
waaruit die murg daagliks droog
rus vir die ou sagte stene
waarmee bouers aanhou sloof

rus vir die knakkende knieë 
wat heeldag pynlik knaag
rus vir die gestremde sleë
wat eindeloos sal bly skaaf

rus vir die soekende saailand
wat jaar na jaar bly warrel
rus vir die hulpelose hand
wat rusteloos skommel en skarrel

rus vir die gestreepte sterre
wat heelnag brandend gly
rus vir die skellende skêre
wat stomptand aanhou sny

rus vir dié met veelvoudige vrees
verby wie U stem bly vloei
rus vir dié met vyandige vlees
wat alewig teen dit stoei

O Vader! 

ek bid U rus vir elk in dié gehoor
sodat ons saam U kan beweeg
ek bid dat ons U fluisterstem sal hoor
en vandag weer ‘n keer sal leef

In His Footsteps

Posted on January 1, 2020 by Creative Writing

For long enough
I’ve let my flesh
lead me astray

For long enough
I’ve let my comfort
keep me at bay

There are plenty
sons and daughters
who do not sleep
who do not eat

Yes there are plenty
widows and orphans
who need you and me
and the love we bring

So ask Him
for greater vision
for daily bread

Yes ask Him
to make practical 
to make it magical

Offer lavishly your praise
enjoy His presence
His fount of love

Dance foolishly before him
where his joy sustains you
His grace brings you rest

And seek Him
in all things
let Him be found

And seek Him
He will reveal Himself
oh make a joyful sound

So follow in His footsteps
where there is light
and He brings you peace.