Grace & Grounds

About Grace & Grounds

This podcast is about finding the things that matter most, the things that are important and which we might have forgotten or need to rediscover for ourselves. It is about reflection and gaining perspective on things which we might have neglected, buried, or missed. It is about rediscovery of who we are, who we were made in the image of God. It is about becoming who we were made to be, because that is what we should be and the best thing we can ever be. And it is about embracing that to its fullest, abundant and expansive design because that is why we are here and what we were made to give. This podcast is about the restoration of who we are, discovery or rediscovery of our identity and purpose, individually and corporately.

Publisher

Bernd Oellermann

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 May 2026

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Why are you here?

   (Grace & Grounds is all about purpose, identity and restoration thereof. It is about personal growth and spiritual growth on that journey.) Today we talk about your purpose. Your design and identity are closely linked to your purpose. We all have a purpose and that is why our design and identity are so important and why it is necessary to be as true to your design and identity as possible. While you can be anyone you want to be, the question is: Why would you want to be anything less than who you were made? Why be the shadow or the imitation if you can be the real thing? Purpose is never about you. It is about others and the world around you. Can you say for certain, know that you know in your deepest of depths of your heart, that you are living your purpose? How much time and effort do you spend on growing your identity and design? Do you read , study, have hobbies or do specific things that reinforce or strengthen who you are? And is that intentional or haphazard? Do you have a plan to do that? How many hours a month do you spend on building who you are? How much time do you spend fulfilling your purpose? Design leads to identity and purpose flows from that. Your identity does not come from living your purpose or doing something. It is the other way round. What you do and what your purpose is comes from who you are, i.e. your design and your identity. There are some books on the topic of purpose and I have compiled a shortlist of books based on what others put together. (You can find this list on my Patreon member page.) Purpose should be connected to your work, abilities, skills, personality, and every other dimension of who you are. So how do we find our purpose? Some steps you can take, include the following: Ask God Look at what drives you, excites you, matters to you. If you already know your design and/ or identity, start with that and work from there. Our lives have purpose and each one of us is here to do something. Why are you here? It is important that your purpose, just like your design and identity, is aligned with God's plan for you and for His Creation. Make time to meditate, contemplate, reflect and discover who you are and why you are here.

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Who are you...?

   Who are you (Grace & Grounds is all about purpose, identity and restoration thereof. It is about personal growth and spiritual growth on that journey.) The movies provide some good examples of identity, e.g. Gladiator and Hercules. In both the main character is actually in prison which reflects a reality that many face who do not yet know who they are or who are not walking in their identity. It also reminds me that sometimes our real and pure identity only comes out under pressure, like a diamond being formed under intense heat and pressure. Kung Fu Panda is another example of a movie where there are many moments that speak about identity. The Bible is also full of examples about identity, e.g. Moses. In Exodus 3:11 Moses asks, "who am I...?" to which God responds; "I AM WHO I AM". We are made in His image so our identity, our "I AM" is very important. Other examples include David, Samson, Saul who becomes Paul and the disciples who were fishermen, but who were actually "fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). Even Jesus, when baptised, has an identity that is clearly confirmed (Matt. 3:17). And then in Matt. 16:13-20 (Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9: 18-20) Jesus again speaks about identity with the well known words: "But who do you say that I am?" (verse 15). Identity is not about what you say. It is about who you are and about your actions. "Actions speak louder than words" That being said, your words have power: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21) When you speak things about you that are not true, you destroy and detract from your true identity. The fake identity you pursue for whatever reason can never compare to the real YOU. The problem most of us face is that our real identity is under attack from when we are born. The result is that many only live part of their identity, or not at all. The consequence of this is destruction, harm, substance abuse, depression, stress, pursuit of superficial interests and many other things. Lack of identity is not the only reason for these behaviours though. 1. How do we get to our identity? 2. How do we live our identity to its fullest? 3. How do we help others to discover and live their identity? (Refer to my conversations on titled "The things that matter" and "The things that matter more".) Identity flows from design. One example of this is again from Kung Fu Panda 1: A peach cannot grow up to be an apple tree or to even bear apples. No matter what you do, it will always be a peach and become a peach tree, bearing only peaches. The same applies to us. We are all designed specifically and uniquely. And no matter what your ideology, politics or words you speak, our design is our design. The first step then is to understand and recognise or realise that you have a specific design unique to you and your identity flows from that. The second step then is to change what you speak and think, much like Romans 12:1-2 speaks about renewing your mind daily. Some practical things to do: Examine what you think and say Write it down or record it to have snapshot of who you are now (Listen to my other conversations to help trigger your perspective) Start replacing negative with positive in your thinking and speaking Regularly spend time to figure out and learn more about your design and identity Make the necessary changes in your thinking, speaking and behaviour to become more congruent and aligned with who you are. Design and identity is the root of everything in your life. Who are you? Who do you say you are? Who does God say you are?

3. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Not so abundant joy

   (Grace & Grounds is all about purpose, identity and restoration thereof. It is about personal growth and spiritual growth on that journey.) It seems that joy, and also happiness is in short supply all over the world today. If you have little or no joy, it is time to stop and BREAK FREE. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13 and perhaps the same principle applies, namely that if there is no joy in whatever you do, stop doing it. Joy and happiness are not the same thing: Happiness is associated with external events like winning a game, getting a raise, eating good food or receiving a compliment. It is usually short lived and disappears when difficulty or sadness comes. Joy on the other hand comes from deep within you and results form a sense of meaning, knowing or faith. It remains even, or rather especially, when you experience hard times. Joy is a choice and it transcends while happiness reacts. How much joy and happiness is there in your life? Are you so caught up in worries and 'doing life' that there is no joy and not even happiness? Matthew 6 (especially verses 25-34) speaks about worrying and Jesus asks why worry. But there is so much more you can do to have more joy and happiness in your life. Start by adding more of the things that bring you happiness and find other things that make you happy and bring that into your life. Joy is a way to overcome hurt, pain and loss, regardless of whether this is physical or emotional. David is a good example of how to apply joy in your life. WE can do the same by following the pattern we see from David's psalms: Identify and speak about the hardship and pain you are experiencing Remember what God has done and is doing in your life and that are the things to be thankful for Praise God for who He is and give thanks. Nehemia 8:10 - "... the joy of the Lord is your strength." Is. 61:3 - "To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Rev. 21:4 - "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Also look at Rev. 7:17 and Is. 25:8) John 16:20 - "... and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned to joy." Joy is like a superpower that can help you overcome whatever you are faced with, but you need to seek it and ask for it if you do not already have received it. One way of adding more joy, is by starting each day with thanksgiving.

4. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Life lessons from a bicycle race

   (Inspiration from cycling) There are many comparisons (or parallels) that can be drawn between our life journey and a bicycle race like the Tour de France: Some of us are sprinters, climbers, or marathon runners. One is not better than the other. They are just different and we each are designed a specific way. Life consists of mountains and valleys and we all have to go through them. The best part of it is that you don't have to do it alone but can do so together with others. Cycling is as much about individual efforts as it is about the team. The same applies in life: We all have a larger family around us. It is about fellowship, community, friendship and comradery. You can be fierce competitors but still be the best of friends. Everyone in a team has a function and role and all work together for a mutual objective and to win. Celebrate victories together. Like in cycling, life is about individual performance and excellence. This requires commitment, lots of hard work and attention to all aspects that contribute towards giving it your best. The tenacity and perseverance of cyclists in the face of great adversity, is true inspiration. With the best laid plans and preparation, things don't always work out the way we expected. Regardless of what happens, keep going. 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going'. Face your goliath and overcome him. Like the roads of the Tour de France have different surfaces and road furniture (obstacles and things posing risk and danger), the paths we follow in life have too. Whatever road we are on, there are always others that can even be like family, to walk with you. Value and appreciate each other. Inspire and encourage each other. Sometimes we need to travel alone for a while. There are always those that will cheer you on. Some of those around you, are only in it for themselves. Don't waste your energy on them and get rid of them. Relationships are about what you can give. Just like the Tour de France has such beautiful scenery and things to take in with all our senses, so is life. Stop to smell the flowers, the coffee... and take in the sunrise and sunset... Take time to appreciate the beauty and wonder around you. We are all human beings and nobody is perfect. "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." (Prov. 10:19) You cannot just do what you want. Following a certain established way enables society to function, and for especially women and children to be safe. The world would be a much better place if we all would be more concerned with what we do and say, be a lot slower to speak and consider whether what we do and say is good or whether it can cause harm.

5. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Beauty and Wonder

   Our hearts need peace and joy and this often comes from things that are beautiful and that fill us with wonder. We often miss the things of beauty all around us. We need to correct this and do this a lot more. Stop, be still and find the things that are beautiful and fill us with wonder. The definition of beauty is different for everyone, but I will share some examples of what I find beautiful and that fill me with awe and wonder so that through that you might find things that are beautiful around you too and perhaps even things that fill you with awe too. Examples are: Flowers Butterflies and insects Birds Sunrises and sunsets Mountains Clouds and rainbows Bodies of water Campfire Paintings Sculpture Poetry, literature, plays Music Other examples: lead glass windows, wood carvings, jewellery, tapestries, clothing (kimonos, sarees, uniforms) Architecture and landscaping/ gardens (Ancient wonders of the world/ Castles, churches and cathedrals) Frescoes Night scenes and scenes with light Women (to men), e.g. a wife or muse Love and relationships, e.g. married couples being married for decades, fellowship For men: Sports cars, fighter jets, golf, cricket or other sport Beauty of God's love for us through Jesus' death on the cross and working in our lives every day Night sky (Photos courtesy of NASA) We all go through a transformation or metamorphosis of some kind similar to the ugly duckling that became a beautiful swan. Where does beauty and wonder fit into that? Stop, enjoy, admire, delight in the beauty and wonder around you and experience it. Appreciate the efforts of the artist. What do you find beautiful? Do you even notice it? Beauty and wonder helps us understand ourselves and others. It reminds us of how great God is and it fills us with joy and delight. IT might also inspire creativity in us as well. Beauty and wonder also provides a greater perspective of things, e.g. astronauts seeing planet earth in the blackness on returning from the moon. It's not just about you. It's about so much more. Appreciate and be grateful for it. We all need awe and wonder to grow deeper roots so we can rise higher. Pursue the beauty that touches your heart, pursue wonder, share it with others. Let it remind you of who you are and the incredible creation we are all part of.

6. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Heart food

   What is needed for a healthy heart? Our hearts are receiving less attention, yet they are the source of life physically (definition of being dead = a heart that has stopped) and life spiritually (Prov. 4:23). Compare your heart to the engine of a car. The engine needs fuel, water, oil and regular maintenance. Why do we then neglect our hearts? We usually only realize how important our hearts are when we make a change to give it more attention and the right attention. A healthy heart considers the environment and others as much as it takes care of itself. it is as much outward focusses as it is inward focused. The concern with the SELF only in terms of what things look like and what is fake therefore automatically means that we give less attention to our heart. As a result, our hearts suffer. Neither the engine of a car nor our hearts can work if we don't take care of them. If the engine of a car stops running, no amount of washing it, polishing it, talking about, writing about it and taking pictures of it will make it move. The same applies to our hearts. You cannot only focus on what it looks like on the outside. 1 Cor. 13:1 and 1 Corinthians 13 is about whatever we do and if there is no heart or love in what we do, it is dead and meaningless. Matt 23:27 - are we like whitewashed tombs, beautiful outwardly and inside dead? 1 Sam 16:7 - Good looks at the heart, not at the outward appearance. If your heart matters that much to God, surely you should take more care of it too. What do our hearts need: Relationships with others (spouse, family, friends, business etc.) To be known Activities that nurture and grow, e.g. hobbies Environments of joy and peace Love and intimacy (God is love - 1 John 4:8; John 3:16) Passion and Compassion Higher purpose Our hearts need God There is so much around us to grow and nurture our hearts. What works for you?

7. 

   3 Jul 2026

   Hearts in need

   The heart is central to design and identity. Condition of our heart today usually leads us first to look at relationships and marriage, which I will do today as well. Our hearts are under attack, e.g. high divorce rate, people not interested in marriage and just living together. We look at it from a Christian perspective and therefore believe in the strength and value and beauty of marriage between a man and a woman. When I was young I also didn't see the value of marriage and healthy relationships. It took a big mess in my life to realize the importance of marriage and relationships. In the process, when I met the love of my life, I wasn't the man God had created because of my heart, with devastating consequences. Sometimes it seems God lets us be shattered into a million pieces because of our hard heartedness, pride, arrogance and stubbornness and nothing else would therefore get through to us and change us. Some of the things I learnt about marriage, relationships and family include: Don't live with someone who is not your husband or wife because it messes up your life, their life, and those of others around you. Don't compromise on your values. You have to find agreement in how you live because a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matt. 12:25) Discern between lies and truth and furiously defend the truth. There is no place for lies in any relationship. Before getting into a relationship and especially marriage, you need to know who you are. Work out the cost of it, like the Cost of discipleship of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is about Christian discipleship. Marriage is not a game. Be intentional, considerate, kind, gentle, and recognize that everyone has things they are struggling with and are working through. Your spouse is the one who you are prepared to put up with their shortcomings, quirks, and weird things. If it's anybody else, you won't be able to do that. Any relationship means you do things together, especially marriage. If you can't do this, there may be a problem. (Matt 19:4-6 says in verse 4: "And he answered and said to them, 'Have you not read, that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female," which refers to Gen. 1:27. Verse 5: "And said, 'For this reason a man shall leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh?" Verse 6: "So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.") If you want to wait until everything is perfect, it will never happen. Nobody is perfect. Don't try to fix him or her. Work together on your shortcomings. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Stop doing what isn't your role. Rather help each other do what their role is, whether husband or wife. Spend time together regularly and make time for special events. Pay attention to the small things. It takes effort, but a 3-fold cord is not easily or quickly broken (Eccl. 4:12). So pull together in the same direction. It is not 50/50, but 100/100. Work and fight to protect, nurture and grow what you have. On other aspects pertaining to the heart: There is too much verbal and physical abuse. There is general lack of consideration, kindness, gentleness and sensitivity towards others. Too much bullying and hurting others. If other things take priority over helping others who need it. (Look at the parable of the good Samaritan in Luk. 10-25-37) An unhealthy focus on money, power and your Self. Lack of honor and respect. There are many reasons for these things, but one of them is certainly a heart that is broke, unhealthy, unrestored, hardened, sick, bleeding. Luk 6:31 - "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." If we could just apply what Jesus teaches here, the world would already be so much more a better place. There is too much anger, hate, cruelty, meanness, envy, deceit and manipulation int he world today. Our hearts are not what they should be because there is too much hate, anger and things that divide and destroy us. I hear hearts are crying out, breaking, broken and I see it everywhere. It is time to return to who we were made, to our true identity, and for restoration. God is calling you and speaking to your heart. Turn around. Your heart is crying out. The world is waiting to see your true self. Jesus came for restoration. Speak life. "Have courage and be kind" - From the movie Cinderella (2015) You might just be the person someone else needs. We are here for each other and for a higher purpose. "To be human means to care for each other. Civilization means to work together to create a better life... The moment we stop fighting for each other, that's the moment that we lose our humanity..." - From the movie 2012 (2009) Stop fighting others. Work together. Some people want us to argue and fight and be divided. This is not the time for that. Our future depends on our hearts. Let your heart be healed. Let the beauty in your heart come out in a way that serves others more than it serves yourself.

8. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Things that matter more Part 2

   Part 2 looks at what matters most to each of us specifically, especially from a higher perspective. This is informed a lot by our identity and design. God is very specific about each of us. He did not make a mistake with you. There is no one that is like you. There is only one version of you. What matters most to us as informed by our design and identity can be explained by way of two examples, e.g. a farmer and an artist. Because design and identity are so important in this, let's start looking at that here, but design and identity will be further explored in subsequent conversations. It is more important than your job, profession or vocation. God's design is blueprint, almost like DNA. How do we know what that is? Look at the meaning of your name. What do others say about you but be careful to build your identity on what others say. It has to be based on what God says first and foremost. Do you have verses from scripture that you received at your baptism, coming of age, confirmation or marriage for example and what do they say about your design? Have you read any passage in the Bible that just "spoke to you"? Do you have any verses from the Bible that someone else gave you and that relate to your design? Discernment in this process is very important, so we do not become deceived. Discernment is worthy of a whole conversation on its own, but a place to start is Heb. 4:12. Compare this to how one recognizes a counterfeit banknote, which is by being familiar with the real thing. (By the way, write these things down that you know about yourself.) God cares about you and has your best interest at heart. (Matt. 6:25-34, specifically verse 30 and 32; Luk. 12:7; Ps. 139, specifically verses 2-4, 16, 17; Matt. 7:11) You are God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10). He knows everything about us intricately, intimately and in every detail, but do we listen and are we hearing what He says? God is all powerful and nothing is impossible for Him (Luk. 1:37; Jer. 32:17). We can furthermore approach this discovery of who we are and what most to each of us in the following way: Have you ever asked God what He says about you? What does He say? Do you have a Biblical name that you associate with or have been called by? Names are very important to God. Have you had any dreams or visions that you know were about your identity? Look for anything else that helps you see yourself as God sees you. It has to start and end with what God says. God can use anything to speak to you, especially because our creativity is aligned with who God is. Have you heard the voice of God directly, whispering to you like Elijah on the mountain for example? Has an angel spoken to you? Have you seen angels? What do you remember from childhood or things that your parents, siblings or best friend have said to you that just stood out for you about yourself? What are the things that stir something deep inside you that you know somehow are linked to who you are? Are there specific characters in books, plays or movies that speak to you or you identify with? Why? (It is important to record these things and write them, for example in a journal or a diary. As you increase in knowledge and understanding of who you are and your design, it becomes easier to see how new insight or revelation fits with what you know of yourself.) Some further thoughts: How does what matters to you most, relate to the legacy that you want to leave behind? Have you even considered leaving behind a legacy? Does it honour those who have gone before you and on whose shoulders you now stand? Can you say that what matters most to you is noble, true and good? Philippians 4) Would others agree? Does it fit with making the world a better place? Are you making the world a better place? And is this higher perspective of what matters to you related to this or not? Is it constructive or destructive? How much of what matters most to you is only about you and comes from selfishness and egotistical interest? How much are you concerned with the well-being of others, the world around you and the greater good? Does what matter most to you inspire you and others? Is the person that God sees actually the person that you are and how does this influence what matters most to you?

9. 

   3 Jun 2026

   Things that matter more, Part 1

   Grace and Grounds is about identity purpose and restoration, about who we truly are and who we were created to be and about our hearts. It is not about Personal Development. In the previous podcast on what matters most, we looked at what most matters to us based on what we currently know. More importantly though, what is the higher perspective on who we are and therefore what matters to us and how does it relate to how God sees things. What is this higher perspective and what is God's perspective? We need to be open to learn and be corrected (Prov. 3:12). Restoration requires humility and readiness to change (2 Chron. 7:14). Principles to apply in this realignment with the higher perspective and God's view on it are: Prayerfully With humility Preparedness to learn more Seek God's perspective When we seek God we will find Him (Jer. 29:12-14; Matt. 7:7-11. Draw near to God, cleanse yourself (James 4:8) and humble yourself (Verse 10). Question: Do you think that what matters most to you, matters to God? Why? How do you know? In order to answer this, we need to know God. Adn to know Him, we need a relationship with Him as our Almighty Father. But how do we know this? 1 Cor. 13:9-12 says we only know in part, so we cannot know Him completely. Jesus revealed what He heard from the Father (John 15:15) and 1 Cor. 2:10 says God revealed things He prepared for those who love Him, through His Sprit (Also look at Eph. 1:9, Col 1:26; Rom. 16:26). Deut. 29:29 again talks about secret things revealed to us forever. The key to a higher perspective therefore is to draw near to God. It starts with a hunger and a thirst for Him: Seek, ask, explore, ask, knock. If your cup is full, how can you fill it. You have to empty it first. We have to get rid of preconceptions, lies, noise, clutter, pretense, imitation, sin. We do this by becoming still, like I explained in my first podcast named Stop and be still. How much of what we think matters is based on a perspective where God isn't present? How much of our perspective is based on a higher perspective? Start with what you see or know. This is a journey. It's like gold refined, tested and purified', similar to our faith being purified in 1 Pet 1:7. Keep moving. What is already inside of us and that doesn't belong forms a barrier between us and God. As we empty ourselves, and fill ourselves with truth of who we are, the counterfeit version of who we are disappears and more space becomes available to be filled with the truth about who we are and what matters to us. You can do this with a friend, family member or in a group depending on your social circumstances. This process of discovery who you are therefore runs hand in hand with moving closer to God. Approach this carefully, intentionally, honestly, truthfully. Generally speaking, what matters to God is our heart. When God saw what He created in Genesis 1, He saw that it was good. Everything He created matters to Him, including us, especially because we are made in His image (Gen. 1:26-27). We still need to become more specific about what matters to God, about this higher perspective. One way to do this, is to look at what pleases God, e.g. doing good (Matt. 6:1-4) and faith (Heb. 11:6). (Also look at 1 Thess. 5:16-18; 1 Sam. 15:22 and Proverbs 10, 11 and 21 for example.) Micah 6:8 furthermore says mercy, justice, humility matters to Him. Can we say without doubt that we are living based on what matters to God? Are we looking at what matters to us from a higher perspective and from what please God? Another way to see what matters to God, is what He blesses (Matt 5:1-12) and looking at what Jesus teaches (Matt. 5-8) and the apostles teach in the New Testament. Again, How does what matters to us align with what matters to God? If it doesn't align, what do we need to change? What has been shared here applies to us all. We need to be more specific even more, especially with regard to each of us individually. More on this in Part 2. Remember we want to move closer to who we really are. Knowing God's perspective is important in this. We need to get rid of what stands between us and God. Knowing what matters to us will help us understand who we truly are.

10. 

    22 May 2026

    Things that matter most

    What are the things that matter most to us? We look at what matters most to us so we can get a better understanding of who we are and ultimately how that relates to how God sees us. We need a new perspective on who we are. How do we fit into the bigger picture? We are made of a larger whole where we each contribute a particular value. We have to look past the fake imitation and superficial version of who we are and find the real version of who we are. Who am I really? And are we able to answer that question in truth? So, to identify what matters most to us, let's look at some questions: If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do today? What is it that makes you want to get up in the morning? What fills you with compassion and drives you to tears? What makes you laugh out of your belly? What gives you a smiles so great that others want to smile just seeing you smile? What makes your heart race and skip a beat? What will you be prepared to die for? What will you sell everything for just to have it? Think about what Jesus says in Matt 13:44-46 about selling all you have to obtain that one special thing, referring to the Kingdom of heaven. In a way, what matters most to us is like treasure, so is your treasure where your heart is? (Matt. 6:21, Luk. 12:34) Or have you already sold everything, given it all to the poor and have your treasure in heaven? (Matt. 19:16-22; Mark 10:21; Luk. 12:33) Why does it matter to know who we are? We need to know who we are, so we can develop and grow that and become the best we can be and realise its maybe not where we are. Trying to be someone else limits us. We can be successful even if we are not the best version of who we were made. We are wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). Are we living our shadow mission that John Ortberg writes about and missing who we really are? If our lives, missing it, seem to be so wonderful, imagine what how amazing it would be if we could live closer to what God made. So, we have to improve and work with what we have, like an athlete or artist or a composer. Some take this so seriously, that they even do this on their deathbed, like Mozart composing his Requiem on his deathbed. Just think of the generations and generations of people who have gone before us and on whose shoulders we stand. And those we need to leave something behind for, who come after us. We are the clay and God is the potter (Jer. 18:6; Is. 64:8). God made us to thrive and prosper (Jer 29:11), surely His plan is better than anything we can come up without Him. He counted the hairs on our head (Matt 10:31), His heart for us is to bear good fruit (Matt 7:15-20). Who am I, who are you, who are we to think we know better than God? (Rom 9:20 and the example of Job: where was he when God created the universe?) To help guide your thinking on this, here are some answers I have to some of these questions: If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do today? For me this includes spending time with family, the love of my life, tell people what they mean to me, pray and worship God and thanking God for what He has done. What is it that makes you want to get up in the morning? In my case this includes the joy and hope I feel, bringing peace, making music, my work, hearing birds and so on. What fills you with compassion and drives you to tears? Some things that do this for me are people who persevere in spite of their circumstances, who overcome, people hurting and suffering, and poignant and deeply honest love. What makes you laugh out of your belly? What gives you a smile so great that others want to smile just seeing you smile? For me this definitely is the love of my life, thinking of what God does, playing trumpet for example. What makes your heart race and skip a beat? Again, it is the love of my life, a beautiful sundown or nature scene, good music among other things. Some negative questions: What makes you angry? What breaks your speed/ momentum? (Mat 12:35; Luk 6:43-45) Is our fruit eternal? Is it a treasure in heaven? How do things important to us compare to how God sees us? We need to think about these things.

11. 

    11 May 2026

    Stop, be still...

    We have become too busy and do not take enough time out to pause and just recenter, ground or anchor ourselves. The more we work to have time for ourselves, the less time we seem to have. Compare how fast and efficient things are, e.g. sending letters before the Internet vs email. Are we losing ourselves in this? It is like vanity and grasping for wind as the Book Ecclesiastes says. We are prisoners to this way of life. Are you concerned with 'where the world is going'? Are we missing the important things? The first step in addressing this is to Stop, Pause and becoming still. (Exodus 14:14; Ps 46:10; Matt 11:28) The practice of teatime, going home for lunch, siesta, tea ceremony, and coffee ceremony. (Heb 4:9-10; Matt 6:27) Applying the principle of stopping, pausing and being still: Take time out. Make a good cup of coffee (or tea or cocoa). Sit in a quiet spot. Breathe through your nose and out through your mouth. Relax your muscles starting with your shoulders. Engage all your senses in the moment, starting with smell, taste, feel. Become silent for 5 minutes. Peace. (Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27) Don't become a dam. Let the water flow, i.e. share what works for you. A second approach could be to have early morning quiet time, especially combining it with prayer (Mark 1:35) Becoming still is fundamental to the restoration of who we are. Life is too short not to have a good cup of coffee.

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