I Found God at a Buddist Temple

Buddhism has always captured my interest and fascination, in fact a part of me always thought that was I not a Christian, I could practise Buddhism. Visiting the Temple was part of a 'touristy' thing, but on a deeper level, the main reason I went, was a desire to find the peace, contentment...serenity you seem to always see on the faces of monks - because I seem to struggle finding that peace within my own religion at the moment. 'My prayers bounces off the ceiling' is a phrase currently describing my prayer life. But yesterday, as I did a meditative walk in the Temple Garden, I found peace. I found God - the Almighty, Sovereign I am. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God that saved me and loved me enough to save me! There is no other!! Something else I found and came away with, was a renewed respect for the Buddhist Religion. Although there are still some elements I cannot agree with; their values, their principles and their disciplines are worthy of respect and a way of life we should learn from. Unlike before, in my ignorance, immaturity and lack of understanding, I am willing to ...not judge or condemn...but learn. So much so, that I will be returning to this Buddhist Temple to learn more about their way of life and their disciplines. The beautiful thing about all this is that when you read and follow Jesus' life in the Gospels, you see all these disciplines and this way of life in action!!!

A Good Place To Be

I’ve been experiencing a bit of a desert patch in my spiritual walk over the last couple of weeks. Partly because of my questions, confusion (and maybe even anger) to a Loving Father and partly because I have had all my attention, energy and focus invested in something other than my relationship with my Creator. Over the last day or two I have – in a way – and as hard and contrary to my nature as it has been - changed the nature of this particular thing. Along with this has been this constant feeling of having no purpose or a sense of fulfilment in my life at the moment. This morning as I walked to the train station it was as if for the first time, I realised that having explored other religions and looked into them over the last couple of months, my relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that really gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment. And so the question to me from the beginning is being reinforced… is my relationship with Christ enough for me? As an adventurer, a goal-setter, as someone who strives for better and is never happy with ordinary way of life I haven’t been able to say YES!!!! just yet, but I’m getting there. What gives you sense of purpose and fulfilment no matter what happens in your life?

Sunny day in the UK

It's a stunningly beautiful SUNNY day here in the UK!! We don't get to experience many of them hehehe! It naturally puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step. I love the fact that we are having more and more day-light and it's getting slightly warmer - bring on summer!!! It's amazing the role weather plays in your life, your mood seems to be affected. I'm truly grateful for this day - what are you grateful for today? Aaahhh who would have thought the day could get even better...a nice South African braai ... there is just nothing like it! Now for a nice afternoon snooooooze! Life is good today!!

Consequences vs. Grace

As I spent two hours of my day on a train or waiting for a train, I have loads of time to think and feel and ponder. Today I thought about the mistakes we make in life and the consequences of those mistakes. I'm wondering if the 'innocent' mistakes we make have short lived consequences...like one can change a job if you feel you made the wrong decision or if you uploaded the incorrect file you can go back and correct it. My question is, when you make a mistake that Scripture call sin, how long do you have to face the consequences of that act? And how does forgiveness and grace fit into it all? To my understanding asking for forgiveness means 'He is faithful and just and will forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness' 1 John 1:9...but consequences still follow. Are consequences of sin long lasting, or does God keep it in your life untill you have learnt the lesson needing to be learnt or you have truly and sincerely humbled yourself?

Purpose

I was made for relationship! First with my Creator and then with my fellow human being. I was made to love and to be loved! I was made to share, to invest, to be invested in and to discover! I...we ... were made for relationship! I want you to join me in 'being in relationship', in sharing...sharing OUR thoughts, questions, discoveries, struggles...as much or as little as you want! Be honest, be real, but be respectful and most of all let this be a space to draw nearer to your Creator and to one another or to discover more about yourself! If that means asking honest but 'I couldn't possibly ask that' questions, so be it! As long as it's genuine and real...