My Walk with God 🌱

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. - Proverbs 3:24 If you saw anyone nodding off today during work or on the bus, it is a possibility that they were 'celebrating' World Sleep Day. Yes, you read correctly. I was pleasantly surprised too to learn that there is a day set aside every year to commemorate it. According to the advocates, its objective is to serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy sleep habits for overall well-being. By promoting awareness and understanding of sleep disorders, World Sleep Day aims to reduce their impact on society and improve global health. So out of curiosity, I started researching this very common, yet seldom acknowledged part of our daily life, called sleep. According to Wikipedia, "sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity in which consciousness is altered and certain sensory activity is inhibited. During sleep, there is a marked decrease in muscle activit...

  "And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him." -1 Samuel 16:23 Did you know that every year, the first day of March is used to acknowledge World Music Therapy Day ? It was specifically set aside to recognize and celebrate the healing power of music. According to the organization 'Percussion Play', "music therapy uses music to reduce stress and improve mood and self-expression through listening, singing, paying instruments or composing music."  I'm sure we can all identify a song or a genre of music that we tend to go to when we are feeling down or need our moods to lift. In fact, music has so much reach that it can also have a negative impact on an individual, causing or reinforcing negative emotions, thoughts or behaviours. Being able to harness the effective healing power of music for good is truly the skill of a music therapist. D...

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" -Mark 8:36 Have you ever watched an item in the store, and when you check at another store or even online, the price is lower there? Merchants usually purchase their goods at what is called a cost price, and mark up their selling prices because making a profit is how they make a living. It is up to the customer, who has the power of choice, to decide where they get the best value for their money. At the end of the day however, we all value the idea of making a reasonable profit, be it from the seller's side, off of anything that is sold or a service that is provided, or from the consumer's side, profiting well from a product or service that is paid for. It is wise to weigh choices well, and ensure we get the best outcome possible. This week, a well-established and rapidly expanding supermarket chain was catapulted into the media headlines due to one of it's top executives calling ...

  “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." - Job 12-7-10 These past few weeks, I have been seeking soothing encouragement from nature. I missed being able to be outdoors and enjoy my usual exercise. I had to settle for looking at photos and videos. Deadlines, marathon sessions to complete work assignments, fatigue and pressures of daily responsibilities had taken up most of my focus and time. There were some moments where I was wondering how was I going to get everything done. I had to remind myself that with God all things are possible and that I can and will reach the finish line by God's grace. Today I reached the finish line, and what a feeling of relief and release I felt...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7 Hello friends, did you feel flustered this week? Worried? Overwhelmed? Disturbed? Anxious? Grieved? At times, we can be affected by a number of concerning events, personally, locally or internationally. I was concerned about a man dying in a freak accident in the local news, a sick relative, the suicide of a young lady, some upcoming major ventures, someone's failing marriage, about the war between Palestine and Israel, and about my plant babies possibly not surviving this heat. The list can go on and on. We all have our own list of things that worry us. Some things we seem to have no control over, and this can disturb our peace of mind. I just want to encourage us all with a reminder that even when   there is n...

  "And we desire for each one of you to show the same diligence [all the way through] so as to realize and enjoy the full assurance of hope until the end." - Hebrews 6:11 I stumbled across this photo over a decade ago. I saw a resilient tree, holding on to barely any soil, and yet it found a way to survive. Its roots searched for and found something to hold on to, and dare we say, it even appears to be thriving, against all odds. In life, many, if not all of us, at one point in time or another, may find ourselves in circumstances or seasons where we may feel like this tree. You may have been crowded out of your comfort zone by grief, despair, unfulfilled desire, displacement, need, depression, disappointments, challenges, struggles, the cares and worries of this life. You may find it difficult to find your way back to a place of assurance, stability or security, contentment or fulfilment.  Tonight, be reminded that all is not lost. Like this tree, as long as we have life, we...

"Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name." -Psalm 103:1 This week, this particular song has been replaying in my mind. What a beautiful joy it is to find oneself in a state of gratitude for all of ones blessings, and praise and worship to our Creator and Redeemer. It lightens our hearts, and is infectious to those around us. It doesn't always come easily though, because as individuals, we go through several ups and downs in life, with regards to what may pre-occupy our thoughts and minds. Reflecting on God's goodness and His mercies and blessings in these times will then have to become an intentional exercise, one that re-directs our thoughts and heart to Him, acknowledging and refreshing ourselves with the reminder of the goodness of God through it all, generally and in our own personal lives.  The psalmist David wrote a beautiful tribute to the Lord during one of his moments of reflection and appreciation. It is one that we can all ...

Happy World Steelpan Day! "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" -Psalm 150:6 This week, I was engaged in a conversation that happened to centre on the workings of artificial intelligence. We touched on the fears about serious possible implications of it, and also on all the many benefits that can be derived from it. It took a while admittedly to come around to dropping parts of my guard about it (perhaps the movie " i Robot " is still playing on my sub-conscious to this day), but I had to have a good chuckle at myself when an article was later shared with me which traced some pretty early inventions and explained the controversy surrounding them at their inception.  For example, the train when it was first invented was feared because it was thought that the human body couldn't withstand moving at such a high speed (50km/hr) and would be dismembered automatically. Similarly, the telephone, telegraph and radio when first invented were...

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  -1 Kings 3: 5-15 This week I wished upon a star. Well, it happened this way. I had just finished a conversation, and then glanced up at the sky. Next thing I know, I saw a shooting star. A pretty common phenomenon, I imagine, but for the average person, it isn't a regular sight as we don't look up as much, so when we see one, we are intrigued.  The concept of wishing on a star originated from Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer from back in the day who reasoned that a shooting star was a sign from the gods that they were listening to your wishes and ready to grant them. While it is a whimsical move, I found myself without thinking, making a wish for the first thing that came to my mind. It surprised me actually, what first came to my mind to wish for in that very moment. Afterward, it had me reflecting. What if it really did come through... is that what I re...

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 4: 13-14 The woman at the well is a classic character in the gospel accounts. The story can be found in John 4 (which you are encouraged to read), but this is a quick summary. She goes to the well to draw water, and meets Jesus who is seated there. He asks her for some water, but she is confused that he would consider asking her for water. During a meaningful conversation, Jesus tells her that He has a better water, a living water, and if she would drink from this water, she would never thirst again. At the end of the conversation, Jesus reveals his identity and she fully understands what he was saying. Jesus was the Messiah, and he was referring to himself and the fulfilment that comes from accepting and pursuing God in faith, in spirit, and in truth....

'The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." -Psalm 147: 11 "Hope floats" .  Have you ever heard this term? What does it mean? It describes the ability that hope gives to rise above and eventually overcome difficulties and hardships, which can otherwise weigh down on ones spirit, slow down ones progress or trigger the temptation of giving up. Picture yourself on a long exhausting journey, and no end in sight. We continue not knowing if we will ever reach our destination. However, if it is a place we have been to before or been told of it before, we know it exists, we have its image in our mind, we walk with the hope of seeing it at the end.  We are acquainted all too well with life's twists and turns, but through it all, we hold on to hope, that things will get better. Some may place our hope in a human being like ourselves, a thing or even an event. These may fail us. For the Christian, our blessed hope doesn't only re...

"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 to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4: 15-16 Have you ever been through a circumstance in your life where you have tried sharing and talking to someone about your struggle, but they just don't seem to get it? It could very well be that they have a difficulty in empathizing with you because they either haven't been through a similar circumstance, or they experience and respond to something differently than you. However, when you do find someone who not only can relate, but is capable of empathizing with you also, it is a freeing experience, being able to be yourself and speak freely, without fear of being judged or misunderstood. Tonight, we are reminded that Jesus, who is our High Priest, is also one who can be that one true confidante. The Word says that He can sympathize with many i...

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy." - Psalm 96:11-12 🌱 Isn't nature wonderful? It isn't just nature, rather it is undeniably God's creation. This week, I found myself in a phase of just admiring and reflecting on several of God's beautiful living masterpieces. While nothing beats experiencing these moments up close and personal, I am also deeply appreciative of the efforts of  photographers locally and around the world who have been and continue to capture epic moments, like a whale breaching the ocean's surface, or the bioluminescence of algae shimmering blue in the night ocean, or the graceful movements of fish in the water, or even the fluttering of birds in the open air as they glide gracefully. Or why not consider the gentle and quiet beauty of the many flowers blossoming throughout our land...

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands." -Psalm 143:5 Are you someone who feels the need to be constantly reassured by God, to be reminded that He loves you and that He is with you? I have a confession to make. I can be like this sometimes. I sometimes wonder why, or if anyone else is like me, if He ever gets tired of me, or if He cares about the need enough to keep meeting it for as long as it takes. Of course, I know He loves me, and that He is working for my good, but sometimes, just sometimes, hmm..  I can sometimes imagine Him thinking to Himself, "After all that I have done for you, how can you still wonder if I still love you? Here's something that you definitely can't miss."  I don't ever want to forget Him, and I don't want Him to forget me either. I look to the Bible to see if there was anyone like me. I have always thought these folks were not who I wanted to be like, but have you...

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!"  -Luke 1:45 Hello friends, I am sure by now you would have noticed this week that the world acknowledged International Women's Day. The strengths of women, the value and contribution of women, the beauty and timelessness of women, were all encouraged and affirmed. It is interesting, however, despite the accolades of the female gender, women often forget how precious we are. This may be due to many varied factors. Seasons of hardship, neglect, mistreatment, loss, abuse, exploitation, failure of protectors, the absence of fathers/father figures, and many other effects of a sinful world, all tend to influence a woman's self-perception and perhaps, even forget her worth. Tonight, I want to remind you, (and indeed myself in the process) that God has placed His image in us just as much as He has placed in our male counterparts. The Bible tells us that He has created us, fashioned us, crafted...

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."  -Revelation 22:1-2 Hello friends, did you know that one of my passions is hiking? It is something I discovered over a decade ago. I was invited to a hike in 2012, after and during a stressful period in my life. I was a bit doubtful about it, because I didn't know what to expect, wasn't fit at all, and really wanted to be by myself. Interestingly enough though, I did manage to complete it, and on sensing my new found interest for more, the hike leader introduced me to his hiking club. It was my first time hearing about something like a club for persons who hike, and I am so glad I found out about it. It quickly became my ...

Our lifeguard walks on water. "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” - Jeremiah 31:25 🌱 Hello friends, I missed sending out the completed devotion last week. Have you ever felt the need to turn off everything and just be still ? For some reason, last Friday, I felt like I needed a complete time out from everything that was going on within and around me, I turned the 'online' switch off, and I spent some quiet time in the present. Only when I came to a complete halt was I reminded of three (3) things -  Just how much the digital world takes up time, energy and attention from us  How more open and susceptible we have become to incoming elements that negatively affect us and not realizing that we can actually turn off the switch, and  Just how grounding it is to spend time reflecting on our life, intentionally and prayerfully. Life is such a beautiful gift. It is full of beauty, treasured memories and new experiences that awaken ou...