May 29 2016
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Millions from police budget used to buy Zuma’s wives 10 vehicles

By Sodwana Bay

Ten vehicles worth a total of about R9 million were bought for the wives of President Jacob Zuma between 2013 and 2016 using the budget of the police department‚ Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said in a written reply to a parliamentary question Tuesday by DA MP Zakhele Mbhele. Read more: Millions from police budget used to buy Zuma’s wives 10 vehicles The post Millions from police budget used to buy Zuma’s wives 10 vehicles appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

May 29 2016
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Exiting pilots ‘stole’ Air Force planes – minister

By Sodwana Bay

Cape Town – Some of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF) planes were stolen and put in museums, which is why there were not enough planes for pilots to get their wings, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Tuesday. “We have a problem,” she said in response to a question to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on why SAAF pilots were being sent to Russia and Cuba to train. “Sometimes these young people train and they run short of flying hours before they can get their wings,” explained Mapisa-Nqakula. “We can’t give them those flying hours because there are no aircraft,” she said. Read more: Exiting pilots ‘stole’ Air Force planes – minister | News24 The post Exiting pilots ‘stole’ Air Force planes – minister appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

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 12 2016
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Refocusing your Drive

By Sodwana Bay

Refocusing the Drive greatest among you become as the youngest . . . leader as one who serves—Luke  22:26 We men devote so much of our mental attention and hard work to our own greatness. We plan for advancement; strategize next moves; put our heads down and grind. Deep in our inner machinery there’s something that drives us on toward securing greatness . . . of some kind or another . . . for ourselves. Maybe it’s on a small scale. Maybe on a large scale. Maybe in our work, maybe in our communities, maybe even in our faith. The drive is just there. The twelve Apostles—men, human men—had this drive. In the upper room, a dispute “arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest” (Luke 22:24). But Jesus stopped them and taught them (and us) that this drive must be refocused. “But I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27). That’s our blueprint. His life is the blueprint for our lives. We must follow it and no other. We must reject all blueprints drawn by our pride, or envy, or selfishness. Refocusing this drive, away from lifting ourselves and toward lifting those around us, is one of the most important things we can do, as men. It moves us into true masculinity—where we lend our strength to others, who need it, rather than use it solely for our own gain. We must trust that this is a better way to live . . . better for God, better for us, and better for those we are to love and serve.     Okay, so what do we do? Look around you—today, this week—for people you can serve. Keep it simple. Whom will you come into contact with, naturally? Whom do you have influence over, in the normal course of your days? Whom might you have overlooked? Ask yourself, what do they need and how can I help?  The post Refocusing your Drive appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK