May 29 2016
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Don’t Forget the Invite

By Sodwana Bay

Don’t Forget the Invite –  Its FREE! . . . and he will give you another Helper—John 14:16 With his time on earth ending, Jesus told his disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever . . .” (John 14:16-17). This Helper “will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). He will “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Jesus was comforting his disciples. “Let not your hearts be troubled,” he said (John 14:27). Though he was going away, they would not be abandoned. There’s someone coming, he told them, who’ll be with them all-the-time and forever. A constant companion. One who will actually occupy a place deep within their inner machinery. He “dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). This “someone” is, of course, God the Holy Spirit—and he was not just for the disciples. He is for us too. He is our constant companion. He abides with us and occupies a place deep within our inner machinery too. Okay, so what do we do? When you gather in Christian brotherhood, you mustn’t forget to invite, into your gatherings, the input and influence of your Helper, your Teacher, your Guide. You needn’t invite him. He’ll be there already, for sure. But he won’t force his input and influence—you’ll need to ask for them. You’ll need to invite his goodness and light . . . and especially into the dark places you’d prefer to keep hidden. Few of us want help in those places, but we must ask nonetheless. It’s in those places that we most need it. It’s in those places that the Spirit most wants to work. And, as reluctant as we might be, it’s sure easier to trust and ask for help together, with brothers standing by us, doing the same. The post Don’t Forget the Invite appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

May 29 2016
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God will make it right…

By Sodwana Bay

God will make it right… How blessed the man you train, GOD, the woman you instruct in your Word, Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked. GOD will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people. Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. Psalm 94:12-13 MSG Prayer: Lord, help us find peace in the silent times – in the times of no rain… Occupy our hearts and minds – fill our being with your soul – your Power! Silently awaiting for you to make it right! Build in us – move in us – make us right! Amen. 0 0 0 0 The post God will make it right… appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

May 23 2016
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With Whom Do You Gather?

By Sodwana Bay

With Whom Do You Gather? For where two or three are gathered . . . there am I among them—Matthew 18:20 We men often find it hard to gather with other men in Christian community. Calendars are full: “I just don’t have time for one more thing.” Pride is high: “I’m good . . . I’m doing fine on my own.” Aversion to vulnerability is strong: “Oh, man . . . I’m just not that good at opening up.” If we are followers of our King, Jesus Christ, though, we must gather—“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25). But . . . why? Why is community so important for men? Well, a couple reasons. “Two are better than one,” Scripture tells us—we are stronger, less vulnerable, together (Ecclesiastes 4:9). “For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Even more important, though, Jesus tells us that he is uniquely present when we gather in his name (Matthew 18:20). You see, God the Holy Spirit dwells within each follower of Jesus. (John 14:17) Therefore, when we gather, the power of the Spirit flows from one to another and back. When we gather, the work of God is done: confessions are made; sins are repented; love and compassion are expressed; hearts are healed; encouragement is given; lives are transformed. Men are lifted up, up out of sin and rebellion, into life and identity and calling. Work is done that just cannot be done in isolation. Okay, so what do we do? Grab some other guys . . . one guy, even. Start meeting on a regular basis, weekly is best. Fight for community, brother—against calendars, against pride, against fear. King David sang: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1-3). This is so very important.   The post With Whom Do You Gather? appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

May 19 2016
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We are Here, Now What?

By Sodwana Bay

Love one another with brotherly affection—Romans 12:10 We can’t live the full lives promised to us by our King, Jesus Christ, if we’re not in regular, authentic community with other guys. And the Church* can never be the Church—not as God intends it—if men aren’t connected in that kind of brotherhood. There are many ways the Church is supposed to work, but through men in community is a primary one. Okay, so what do we do? The Apostle Paul gave us a framework. He wrote that we must be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10). We must make a handful of other men a priority in our busy lives, setting them above and ahead of other things—not God, of course; maybe not our families; but, really, most everything else (Philippians 2:3-4). Paul wrote that we must commit to honesty and transparency (Ephesians 4:25; 2 Corinthians 12:9) and accountability (Galatians 6:1-2). Community doesn’t work without them. It just doesn’t. And we must not presume we know how to “fix” each other, but rather should trust God the Holy Spirit to do all work that needs doing (Romans 12:3). Without meaning to, we can do damage—spiritual, relational—when we offer fix-it advice to men who’ve been vulnerable in sharing struggles. It’s much better to listen and ask open, non-judgmental questions and pray—something else which Paul says we must do together . . . a lot (Romans 12:12). He wrote that we must encourage one another to live boldly and confidently in our faith, keeping each other “fueled and aflame,” and we must support one another, so that no man burns out (Romans 12:11 MSG). He wrote that we must stand with one another, helping each other through hardship, so that no man falls away from God in hard times (Romans 12:12; Galatians 6:2). * Note: The word “Church” here does not mean any building or denomination, but rather all of the people gathered together by God the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus Christ.

May 17 2016
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Coastal Skippers Training

By Sodwana Bay

Coastal Skippers @ Sodwana Bay Indian Ocean Skippers You always been dreaming of becoming a “Captain” – now make your dreams come true. All our Coastal Skippers course are on location in Sodwana Bay – with a Theoretical and Practical exam. Visit our website for more information. WINTER COURSE DATES:JUNE 10-14 : Coastal Skippers @ Sodwana BayJULY 29 – 2 AUG: Coastal Skippers @ Sodwana BayJUNE 8 & 22: Inland Skippers @ Pretoria shopJULY 20 : Inland Skippers @ Pretoria shopCoastal skippers: R6860 pp. (includes course materials, lectures, practical, SAMSA registration fees, 4nights tented accommodation, 4dinners/4breakfasts)Inland skippers: R2100 pp. (course materials, lectures, practical, SAMSA registration fees) Get certified this winter!  BOOK NOW? Visit Indian Ocean Skippers website… http://twobar.co.za/training-to-become-a-skipper/ Telephone: (012) 361 2617 Telephone: (012) 348 9078 Mobile: 079 116 5084 E-mail: info@twobar.co.za

May 14 2016
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Services | SAPS (South African Police Service)

By Sodwana Bay

  Yesterday police received information about possible poaching at Robben Island.  A joint operation was conducted by the SAPS Cape Town Sea Border Unit, the Special Task Force and DAFF. A vessel was spotted entering Hout Bay Harbour this morning about 04:00, without any navigational lights.  The poaching vessel spotted the law enforcement vessels and sped off into Hout Bay harbour.  The crew and divers on board the vessel evaded arrest by jumping off onto the quayside and disappeared among the factories. Source: Services | SAPS (South African Police Service)