Practical Love

Recently our Acts of Love Group started a project to provide teddy’s to the youngest orphans as part of our Christmas in a Box program. Last year Acts of Love distributed Christmas Box gifts to over 800 orphans in the Midrand area. If you want to become involved with this particular project you can find the details on Facebook here: Acts of Love. I was motivated to knit a Teddy for this project when I heard it reported that on a recent visit to a particular orphanage, one of the Acts of Love co-ordinators described how a 3 year old girl in the orphanage picked up a brick off the ground and crooned to it, playing with the brick as if it were a doll. Heartbreaking. So a few of us felt inspired to knit at least one (more for the more productive knitters) teddy for a needy child.

Trauma Teddy will give a little one so much love!

Trauma Teddy Pattern

This pattern has been adapted from a pattern designed to distribute to child trauma victims. Teddies can be made in a variety of styles. The pattern describes a teddy with pants and a shirt, but the pattern can be varied. The important thing is that the teddy has a personality of its own! 

Double ply wool. (No mohair or angora).

Needles: No 9 (3.75 mm) or no 10 (3.25mm) needles. (Loose knitters use No 10) 

Legs and Pants
Leg 1
• Cast on 12 stitches
• Knit 24 rows
• Change colour for pants
• Knit 8 rows
• Leave stitches on needle
  
Leg 2
• Same as Leg 1

Pants
• Join both legs by knitting across both legs
• Knit 14 rows to finish pants

Shirt
• Change colour for shirt
• Knit 12 rows

Sleeve
• Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows
• Knit 18 rows
• Next 2 rows cast off 12 stitches (this forms the arms, 24 stitches remain)

Head
• Knit 34 rows. Cast off.


Hands
• Using same colour as for face and leg, cast on 10 stitches, knit 10 rows, cast off (x2)

Repeat this procedure to obtain the other side of the Trauma Teddy
(I did fewer rows, I made the legs shorter. Fine as long as both sides match)

Finishing
• Sew on face.
• Join up leaving a gap at top of the head for filling.
• Fill with filling.
• Sew top of head together.
• Gather around the base of head to form neck.

• Pinch corners of head and sew to form ears.

50 Good Years

Today I am thinking of my parents, Robert and Yvonne Pole who have been married 50 years today. A remarkable milestone in the era in which we live. Few people make it for one or another reason. Very often because they just cannot get along. My parents are still each other's best friends and such a wonderful example of what a great marriage should be. Always speaking good about and to each other. Always prayerful. Always hopeful. Never criticising. One piece of advice from my Dad I will always remember is "Never criticise, condemn or complain". He said he got this from a Dale Carnegie Course he once did. My mother's advice to me: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Wow.

My father still spends hours in his home gym (he has always loved to exercise). He says that is when he talks to God. My mother spends hours tending her garden. And they both love to watch the birds, dozens of them come to feed at the bird feeder in their garden daily, and quite often I get a text message from Mom to tell me the woolly headed herons are once again in their garden. Sweet.

I know that Mom bombards heaven with her prayers every morning for a couple of hours. She once showed me a creased and torn prayer list which she'd prayed over for the previous 10 years. She pointed out 57 names on there that she was praying for, for financial release.She said that of those names, only 5 were still waiting for answers. There were other names there for other needs. Many of those prayers have been answered yet she continues to remember their names before heaven. Some of these people will never know that my Mom prayed for them, daily, for decades They are friends of friends of mine who live in other countries.

What a heritage I have. I feel so moved today just thinking about it. Joy and happiness to you, Mom and Dad! May the Goodness of God continue to be your portion. And many more years of happiness here and in heaven one day.

Windows of Hope

The Beach at Torremolino - Edward Seago (painting available for sale from The Taylor Gallery in London)

Edward Seago (1910-1974) was one of England’s finest landscape artists of the 20th Century. His ability to portray magnificent clouds in endless variations of atmosphere and color was one of the hallmarks of Seago's finest masterpieces.

“Ill health caused Seago to spend much of his childhood in bed and he grew to accept these bouts of sickness as an ordinary event. However, they were probably the main factor in moulding his life. The heart defect which denied him ordinary boyhood activities, and kept him on his back for long periods, meant that he had to overcome boredom, and this he did by painting. Also, unlike other boys of his own age who were confined to a schoolroom, Seago was able to stay out of doors exposed to the delights of the ever changing skies above him. These skies provided him with a constant source of interest and challenge. The intense knowledge gained as he sketched the unending cloud formations of Norfolk, England from his garden chair made him a true artist. What had begun as a childhood diversion ended as a life’s work. It is possible, that had he not had a permanent heart problem, Seago might never have become an artist, but might have turned to a more active, strenuous profession.” (Quote from the book ‘Edward Seago: The Vintage Years’ by Ron Ranson).

This idea is repeated in Hosea 2:14-15 “I will make the Valley of Achor or Troubling to be for her a door of hope and expectation”. Mike Murdock says it this way:

• The problem closest to you is your door out of trouble
• Something you already have can create anything else you will ever want
• Something in your hand can create anything you want in your future.

Nothing can take God by surprise. He has surveyed our entire life and the preparations are complete. When He instructed Moses to take His people out of Israel, he said to Moses “What is in your hand”. The seed for a thing is in itself. (Genesis 1:11). God has already provided every resource we need to fulfil our purpose and destiny. Every provision has been made for the appointed task. We just need to reach out and access it. Just as Edward Seago did. He painted. His paintings are considered investment art and reach extremely high prices to this day, decades after he has passed on.

No Future Without Forgiveness

Archbishop Desmond Tutu gestures after receiving the Jamnalal Baja International Award in Cape Town, June 25, 2001.  The award, named after a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, recognises the promotion of Gandhian values outside India. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings --- Image by © Reuters/CORBIS

It is Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday today, an event which has been widely publicised in local press this week. This is a man who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role in changing the landscape of South Africa and standing boldly against the Apartheid system in the face of great opposition. In the New South Africa he led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (April 1996 - June 1998) which at the time brought great healing to many hearts.

What impresses me most about his life is that he is known to be a Man of Prayer, punctuating his daily life with hours of private (personal) and corporate prayer.

In his book “No Future Without Forgiveness” (©1999), the Archbishop says “We happened to have been blessed with leaders who were ready to take risks – when you embark on the business of asking for and giving forgiveness, you are taking a risk. If you ask another person for forgiveness you may be spurned; the one you have injured may refuse to forgive you. The risk is even greater if you are the injured party, wanting to offer forgiveness. The culprit may be arrogant, obdurate or blind; not ready or willing to apologise or ask for forgiveness in their turn. He or she thus cannot receive the forgiveness they are offered. Such rejection can jeopardise the whole enterprise. Our leaders were ready in South Africa to say they were willing to walk the path of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation with all the hazards that lay along the way. And it seems their gamble might be paying off since our land has not been overwhelmed by the catastrophe that had seemed so inevitable.”

When he received news that he had prostrate cancer, journalists asked him if he was worried now that he had a terminal disease. He said, “We are all living with a terminal disease. It is called life.”

He also said, “when you have a potentially terminal disease this gives new intensity to live”. By allowing the mind to focus on the important things in life you are able to live your remaining life to the fullest. You spend time with the things that matter to you - love of family, sounds of music, and the beauty of nature, God’s own creation.

A remarkable man. An amazing life.

Amazing Provision

I lived in Cape Town for a season. During this time I shared a house with a friend, Belinda. Every week, on a Friday, she would invite people from the local community to a stunning meal which she would prepare with grace and imagination. Belinda is an amazing cook, and she always managed to turn each meal into a festive celebration of life. But this particular week, the money had run out. Literally. I said to her, ok, let’s trust God. I know that when you pray, you need to be very specific in your requests. So we prayed according to Mark 11:23 ..whatever you ask for in prayer, believe – trust and be confident – that it is granted to you, and you will get it. We asked for provision for a stunning roast chicken and vegetables home cooked meal. In faith, we actually invited all the guests and told them to be there at 6pm on Friday for dinner.

It had been raining heavily for at least 3 days, but on the Thursday, I walked out to the postbox at the gate, and found a thick sodden envelope posted to me by my sister in England. Inside the envelope were six soggy R100 notes (about $100 at the time)! Enough to create the most spectacular meal for our Friday night celebration meal. The envelope must have been sitting in the post box for 3 days, it was so wet. My sister had said she didn’t get to change her currency at the airport so posted it to me. Well, frankly, it was a miracle the envelope wasn’t stolen on the way (which happens 99% of the time). But it reminded me of the verse “Before you called, I answered” because the answer to our prayer was already on its way at the time we prayed. This is that verse in the New Living Translation: I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24. 

Amazing.

Despair and hope

Knysna Waterfront, South Africa

At one time I found myself in a place of darkness and deep despair. I had lost everything. The circumstances were such that I had actually PUT myself there, but everything I’d done I really thought was under the direction and leading of the Lord. I’d sold my car, wound down a business I’d been running (although not completely), I’d moved cities, believing a new opportunity was on the horizon. And then I hit a wall. Everything I’d believed would transpire, fell apart. Nothing turned out as I expected. I found myself feeling destitute, unsure of where to live, and what to do. And I’d completely lost the confidence I once had firstly in actually hearing God, and secondly in my abilities to achieve anything at all in life. 

Around that time, I received a phone call completely out of the blue from an old friend whom I hadn’t seen or spoken to for at least 10 years. He said, I heard what happened. But the night before, God had given him a dream about me. And a scripture. He said, God says, where you are right now is EXACTLY the place He wants you to be. There is no mistake. And the verse was Isaiah 46:11 “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man Cyrus who executes my counsel from a far country. Yes, I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, and I will do it.” 

I knew this verse meant that all the promises God had given me previously would still materialize. Cyrus was the Babylonian king who provided all the Gold to God’s people for the rebuilding of the Temple when they were released from exile. For me, this translated into a promise for my own life from God that HE would provide everything I need to fulfil the purposes and promises He has given and destined for my life, and that He could do that in unexpected ways and from unexpected sources. It was a dramatic moment of great encouragement, and strengthened me for the journey at the time.

One more time

Fisherman on Wilderness Beach, South Africa

This is a prophetic word by Garris Elkins, published on Elijahlist. I give the link to the whole word at the end in case you would like to read it:


Recently, I was reflecting on Luke 5 where Jesus calls Simon to follow Him after he and his friends had fished all night and caught nothing. As I read the text, I thought of all who are now struggling with the implications of the global financial downturn and its effect on so many. People are doing their best to make things work, but their nets are coming back empty.

In this text Jesus took Peter back out into the deep waters where he had failed to catch anything the previous night. What followed was a supernatural harvest that caused those watching to be both awestruck and amazed at what they were seeing. As I reflected on this event I heard the Lord say to me, "Tell them to try it again – I am in the boat." I knew the Lord was asking me to encourage people who are living under the weight of financial despair without the hope of a new future.

As I prayed, I was hit with a deep sense of despair – I was literally carrying the pain of others. I asked the Lord what this was all about. His love was letting me feel what was taking place in the lives of people so I could speak words of hope fueled by His compassion.


Jesus Revealed Himself and His Abundance in Their Lack so They Could Trust Him With Their Future

Two thousand years ago a small group of fishermen, soon to become the first disciples of Jesus, were in a similar situation that some find themselves in today. Simon and his friends had fished all night and caught nothing. What worked before was not working. These men were about to be called to follow Jesus into a new season of life, but first the Lord needed to reveal Himself and His abundance to them in the midst of their current lack so they could trust Him with their future.

Read the whole word here on Elijahlist - Words 

God you Promised..

There are days when the promise of God over our lives seems to fade and we wonder if there ever will be a season when things might be different than the present reality. It seems especially hard when the promise is for something quite spectacular. It seems the bigger the dream or promise or vision over our lives is, the longer the wait and delay in its turning into a reality. We can know why. We can even know how to get there (although the “way” is sometimes blurred and obscured from our vision) It doesn’t make the journey any easier. In these moments I continue to take comfort from God's Word. 

Stay alert! I am God, the God of everything living. Is there anything I can't do? Jeremiah 32:27

The day is coming when I will fulfil the good promise which I made to you..Jeremiah 33:14

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I was once in a desperate situation where I needed an answer literally within that day. It was one of the most challenging moments in my life. I said, God I really feel as though I’m between a rock and a hard place. I didn’t know which way to turn, and I didn’t know any person on earth who would be able to resolve the problem.

My devotional reading that morning happened to be Isaiah 43. It is important to keep a Bible reading program going, because God is always speaking to us through his Word, daily. We lose out if we don’t. I was reading that day from the Message version. I was amazed to find a direct answer to my question. In most versions, that passage says “when you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, they will not overtake you, when you walk through the fire, you won't be burned”. However, this time, in The Message, it was as if God was in the room.  

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God

Within 2 hours there was a knock at my door. The fiancé of a good friend walked in, and made a proposition to me that resolved my serious dilemma in such an amazing way that in the process, I was also the answer to a difficulty she needed resolved in her own life! God fixed two problems in one breath-taking move! That’s my God. He will do the same for you if you just ask.

Have you ever seen a worried bird?

For many people, life on earth can be extremely stressful. Whichever end of the spectrum you live, whether you are barely surviving or have millions in your personal bank account, happily married or desperately seeking, it doesn’t matter. In the flash of an eye, everything can change. For better or for worse. The news is full of stories about people who have been on both sides of the coin. We hear almost every day of a billionaire banker, politician or celebrity who fell from grace. Or a story of someone who suddenly comes into a great inheritance, changing their life circumstances dramatically. Or a lost love coming to light again.

In our most desolate moments, all we need to do is look outside at the birds. Even just one little bird can make all the difference to our outlook on life. They don’t worry, they’re always singing. And they always look pretty and well nourished. Jesus said, “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.” (Luke 12:27-30)

Seagull on Wilderness Beach, Garden Route, South Africa