Alright… I know it’s a month into the new year. I had a plan (a New Years resolution if you will) to blog weekly. Way to start off the year Marc by not achieving your goal. You might not be thinking that, but I am. I feel disappointed in myself somewhat because it seemed like a small step to getting more into blogging. Once a week should not be difficult at all.

Let me take this disappointment, that I feel, one step further (that’s actually an understatement) on a completely different goal that I had/have. So blogging once a week wasn’t that bad but… well, let me just ask you this:

How many times/days/minutes/hours a week do spend in dialog with God?

Of course that’s a hypothetical question… well publicly it is. But personally answer that for/to yourself. I find myself going back and forth, almost trying to rationalize the reasons what the answer(s) is(are). Well prayer on Wednesday morning… church on Thursday nights… those count, right? If we’re trying to answer this by rationalizing or making excuses or picking times that aren’t exactly part of what should be a prayer-life then we’re getting it all wrong.

I think the question should really be: Do I have personal dialog with God?

Again I almost find myself giving the same answer as the first question but there are only two answers: Yes or No.

It’s not too late to start. He wants it. He wants you to want it. He wants you to want to want it. And He’s also not disappointed in you if you’re not. So don’t get down on yourself (self-pep talk). But don’t wait.

Just to make you leave a comment… What were your New Years resolutions? How have you been doing with them?

I’ve been reading the book of John and today I read chapter 8. I wanted to share with you verses that God through out to me, in case any of them are for you. Some are convicting and some are encouraging in themselves.

John 8:21 – “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

v. 29-32 – “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will se you free.”

v.41b – “We are not illegitimate children… The only Father we have is God himself.”

v.50 – “I am not seeking glory for myself… if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

v.58 – “I tell you the truth… before Abraham was born, I am!”

How did God catch your eye today reading His word?

Yes, it should.

Let me tell you something… We make things difficult for ourselves. No one else (or no thing(s)) makes it difficult for you. Our faith in God is dependent on ourselves. This does not mean that God will not follow through when our faith is weak. But we may fail to see what He is doing because if our faith isn’t in Him, than our focus isn’t on Him.

Stop for a moment… breathe…

Another newsflash… it isn’t about you. It never was and it never will be. That sounds harsh. Sorry if you take it that way. But this mentality bring joy for me. Because when it’s not about me and I don’t matter than it makes me think about what does matter. It realigns my focus on Christ. And not just worshiping Him at church and singing and saying ‘Amen!’ as the pastor preaches.

Actually it make me think of blind spots when you drive a car. Scratch that. Not a good example because those blind spots you actually want to see. The blinders I’m thinking of are on race horses. They only have on thing in mind: the goal in front of them. All they know they can do is put one foot hoof in front of the other. Those blinders keep them focused on the prize and not the person horse next to them. Not what color the jockey’s uniform is or who’s closer to the finish line or even who’s behind them. Why can’t they see those things? Because it doesn’t matter. It makes no difference.

I’m sure some people beg to differ with that point, but after reading scripture and Jesus saying to leave your parents and follow Him, I don’t see a reason to worry about the person next to you. Jesus wasn’t isn’t even worried about what your family will think, why should you? If He’s calling you, GO!

Like I said the only person that’s in the way is you. No one else. Don’t get distracted. Yet, while you’re the one that’s stopping you from moving foward, you’re also not important. You don’t need to be needed. But God chooses us to do work for Him.

So remember while you’re at work, that the job you have doesn’t have to do with the skills you have but only because you’ve been blessed with a job. You don’t have a nice car because you’re smart and you make tons of money (which probably isn’t the case in this economy), it isn’t you who earned anything; you don’t deserve anything as a matter of fact. I could get into that another time.

Once again, listen up…

Trusting God is simple because you can’t trust in yourself.

One of the busiest days ever has been brought to South Africa. Nope, they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day here in the ZA. So we decided we should introduce it to the people here.

This morning, Katie and I rearranged Katie’s living room to fit 35 people (actually 19 inside and 14 outside) for our Thanksgiving feast. I will say that I am thankful for my friend Thandi who helps me keep my house clean once a week, especially after Katie and I cleaned over 50 plates and 35 sets of utensils… twice! Thandi does such an amazing job!

Anyways, we had a perfect holiday filled with laughter, friendships, and paper turkeys.

Something little that did surprise me (learn somethin’ everyday out here)… Basotho people don’t eat turkey. It can’t be bought at the stores or in markets. No Butterballs here. So fortunately we have a few wild ones on base. So this was a real Thanksgiving!

I hope you all enjoyed you’re Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for?

Check out more Thanksgiving photos here…

She said, “Yes!“. Wooo!!! Sorry that was just a tiny bit of my excitement.

I’m now an engaged man! Woop Woop! I have met the girl that I want to spend the rest of my life with. We share a passion for South Africa and an even greater passion for Christ. God’s been leading us through an amazing journey together and I can’t wait for what He has in our future..

Nevertheless here are the photos you want to see.

50 roses worth of pedels...

Our future house (my current house)

And of course the ring...

A friend reminded me today that I need to trust in the Lord always.

Right now I could try and figure out how I need to get by each month and how to pay for some larger items and cover rent and buy food. Not that I am saying that I need these things to live because I believe that I can be content without them… actually, saying that reminds me of this:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11 – 13

I could say that now and really want to mean it. But the truth is, in the moment, when I’m scrounging to get by, it’s easy to do whatever I need to. All without even thinking about where my trust and faith is.

I must not try to lean on my own understanding. Where does that “understanding” come from? Simple. From the world. We hear on TV and see on the internet, all kinds of get ups on what the new investment types are, and why we should buy this car because there is 0 down payment, or we even pay a professional to teach us how to make money. We purchase books about all the little tricks of the trade. We buy stocks. We put another mortgage on our home. We do one thing after another… and where did that leave America? Well I won’t get into that.

But do you see what I mean though? We lean on our own understand, or someone else’s understanding. And why? Because it’s easy.

What are you leaning on?

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything. I’ve been pondering about posting some creative, witty, or informational. But nothing is coming to mind to write.

I’ve been so busy and a lot of things have been going on. You’d think that one would be able to come up with something to talk about after so much going on. But no.

So in saying that I need some help. Leave a comment or two about what you want to hear about. I know not many people read my blog, but for those who do, what do you want to hear from me?

When I lived in the states, friends and family (and even people I didn’t really know sometimes) would email or call me asking me all kinds of computer questions hoping I’d be able to help them out. This probably started when I was in middle school and has never stopped since.

Then I started working at Fedex Kinko’s after high school and it might not seem like the most technological place ever but you’d be surprised. I’d get calls while I was off of work asking how do to manipulate files or fix our computers or whatever. Again it still hasn’t stopped.

Now I’m living in South Africa and the saga continues. And I love it! It’s such a joy that God would take what I enjoy doing and what I’m good at and bless me with a life where I can do all if for His glory.

Maybe if/when I come back to the states I’ll put a classified add in the paper saying “Computer Nerd for God! For hire!” Maybe it’ll work…

“In Africa, 90% of church leaders have no formal training.  Our vision for Hand in Hand is to stand in the gap equipping local pastors and strengthening local churches.  We accomplish that through training conferences and one-on-one mentorship.” – from the Thrive Africa blog.

We recently posted an entry on our blog about one of the pastors that we are in relationship with. It’s a great story about how God is using the skills he’s learned through Hand In Hand to become a greater Christian leader (which is what we’re all about) in his church and community.

Read the blog post here.

Our mission, at Thrive Africa,  is to equip and mobilize indigenous leaders to become strategic, Godly influences in their cultural communities. II Timothy 2:2 says,  “…Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.”

I had a great opportunity to see what and how God was doing just that through us. Our Leadership Summit department heads up leading thousands of students in the schools truths about who they are in Christ and how they can be leadership themselves in, not just their community or school, but even their country.

A few months back we challenged a couple hundred students from different schools across Qwa Qwa to come up with ways how they can change their community. All 239 kids come, 22 teachers and 13 schools took action and started to make an impact.

Click here to see more photos.